Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release (September 24, 2021), Put A Lid On It , by Diane Durrett & Soul Suga and it's a blend of soul, blues and gospel. Opening with In My Soul, Durrett works her magic with a soul base and gospel overtones and rich backing vocals over Yoel B'nai Yehuda on B3, Melissa Junebug on drums/percussion and Gregg Shapiro on bass. Cool opener. I like Sweeter Love Grows as the releases best radio track due to it's sweet melody and nicely blended vocals, a solid guitar solo by Daniel  Groover and some of Durrett's best lead vocals on the release. Another track with gospel overtones, Wish It Would Rain has really solid footings, soulful lead vocals and great, piano and organ work by Yehuda. Very nice. Wrapping the release is punched up funky rocker, Make America Groove , featuring Mike Burton on sax, Melvin Jones on trumpet, Fuji Fujimoto on bass and Ian Schumacher on guitar and a chorus of backing vocalists including Adam M...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Diane Durrett & Soul Suga Live from Diane Durrett and it's a funky, soul drenched live outing. Opening with Bright Side , Durrett on vocal and guitar with sassy Billy Preston like organ work by Yoel B'nai Yehuda, with solid trombone work from Wes Funderburke, Gregg Shapiro on bass, Markham on guitar and Melissa Junebug on drums as well as rich backing vocals by Adam McKnight and Debra Reese. It Is What It Is is a cool soul track with a nice melody and gritty, Macy Gray like texture. For me Funderburke's trombone really shines on this track. Excellent! Wish It Would Rain is a really nice soulful ballad and the best showcase for Durrett's voice on the release. Backed by McKnight and Reese, this track is very strong. Smooth soul track, Be Somebody's Angel has super radio potential and with it's warm vocals and organ work. Very nice. Super New Orleans dripping, Sassy Larue has a strong drum ...

I just received the newest release, Soul Suga' & Diane Durrett and it's slinky, funky and soulful. Opening with Show Up Sexy , Durrett leads the way down a funky trail. Ted Pecchio lays down a funky bass line and Yonrico Scott hits the drums just right leaving room for a clever jazzy guitar riff by Durrett. With the attitude of Macy Gray on vocal, Butter's In The Skillet is a solid strut pushed along by Scott and Pecchio and reinforced by Lil Joe Burton (trombone), Daryl Dunn (sax), Miko Bowles (trumpet) and Oliver Wood (guitar). Quiet ballad, All Is Well , has solid radio qualities with Markham White on guitar, Brandon Bush on B3, Chris Price on bass, Massey on drums and Adam McKnight, Caroline Aiken, Deborah Reece and Peggy Johnson Still on backing vocals. R&B track, Be Somebody's Angel , sounds like it's right out of the Impressions songbook. Sweet vocals, tight drums by Scott, Pecchio on bass and nice sax work by Randall Bramblett make this a natural...