Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Trio - Vol. 3 from Dave Bass and it's it's an aggressive piano jazz release. Opening with classic Sinatra tune, As Long As There's Music , Dave Bass on piano leads the way on melody with Kerry Kashiwagi with active double bass support and Scott Gordon on drums. The timing is changes giving the track new life with great interpretation. Solid opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Agenbite of Inwit with it's driving bass line by Kashiwagi and Bass' bopping piano lead. Barry Finnerty is featured on guitar and literally explodes with a blistering solo. Smoking. Armando Manzero's El Ciego (The Blind) is a terrific track with a terrific melody. Both Bass and Kashiwagi lay down beautiful lines making this track very special. John Carisi's jazz standard, Israel is really nicely covered, with articulate piano work by Bass with a nod to Paul Bley on interpretation. Kashiwagi's int...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, On The Up Side , from Dewayne Pate, and it really is a strong release with a jazz spine and blues, funk and rock undertones. Opening with a tight fusion drum rhythm by Dennis Chambers on 4 the 5 of It and featuring Norbert Stachel on soprano sax, this track is moving. With Dwayne Pate punctual bass riffs and well adorned by Ray Obiedo on guitar, Peter Horvath on piano, David Kirk Mathews on synths and Frank Martin on synths. Excellent opener.  Funky blues, Iceman , showcases Tony Lindsay on lead vocal and the excellent guitar work of Chris Cain. Satchel again shines , this time on tenor sax with the power section of Johnnie Bamont on tenor and bari saxes, and Joel Behrman and with Brian Collier on drums, Obiedo on rhythm guitar, Matthews on B3 and of course the romping bass line of Pate. This track will have you moving. Another cool funky track, Imperial Strut , this time with an obtuse bass line and time signatur...