Ruf Records artist: Jeremiah Johnson - Hi-Fi Drive By - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hi-Fi Drive By, by Jeremiah Johnson and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with rocking boogie, '68 Coupe Deville, with Johnson on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Allie Vogler, Emily Wallas and Mattie Schell on backing vocal and excellent piano by Victor Wainwright. Rounding out the mix is Joe Meyer on drums, Tom Maloney on guitar and piano, Paul Niehaus IV on bass and super sax by Frank Bauer. Excellent opener. With a super lope, Skippin' School, uses a solid mix of Meyer on drums and Niehaus IV on bass to set the pace. Strong vocal and lead guitars by Johnson makes this one of my favorite tracks which also features Kasimi Taylor on trumpet, Bauer on sax, Kevin O'Connor on bari sax and John Covelli and Dave Dickey on trombone. Very cool. Slinky blues, The Squeeze has a super bottom line by Niehaus IV giving Johnson a super bed to rip on guitar and he takes it. With full backing by Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey, this is a hot track. With some Latin spice and the addition of Tony Antonelli on percussion, Hot Blooded Love adds a really nice additional dimension to the release with Johnson getting into a Spanish flavored guitar theme. With Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey at the rear and Niehaus IV on the bottom, this is another terrific track. Funky swamper, Quicksand is another of my favorite tracks on the release with an excellent percussion/drum/bass line and power horns courtesy of Taylor, Bauer, O'Conner, Covelli and Dickey, setting up Johnson for the grand slam on slide. This track just gets in the groove and rides. Excellent! Easy closer, The Band, has a cool melody and a lightly funky rhythm lending itself nicely for radio play. With strings by Kevin Buckley and Johnson joined by Schell, Wallas and Vogler, and rolling into a super, Spanish flavored jam, this is a solid closer. 

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Cleopatra Records artist: Humble Pie - I Need A Star In My Life - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Need A Star In My Life, from Humble Pie and it's good to hear Mr. Marriott on some new tracks. Opening with Sam Cooke's Shake, Marriott and Clem Clempson lay down a solid rock and roll riff and Marriott has at it vocally with Greg Ridley on bass and Ian Wallace on drums. Lloyd Price's Send Me Some Lovin' features Tim Hinkley on lead vocal who does a really nice job, also contributing piano and organ which really sets it off nicely. Marriott's Street Rat has a real Humble Pie feel with trademark vocals and a driving beat. High and Happy is reminiscent of Hot n Nasty with just a little more R&B groove. Marriott truely has one of the best rock soul vocals of all time. Marriott's Louisiana Blues is really sweet with wild vocals and a potent bottom. Clempson and Marriott get a chance to rip a bit on guitar, complimented by Wallace on drums. Cocaine, a Pie composition, gets that funky, Pie, groove and with Hinkley on organ, and Marriott on lead vocal, this track cooks. Wrapping the release is Signed Sealed, an R&B creeper with Marriott  with his trademark vocal style over the organ work of Hinkley. Clempson gets a real nice chance to show his guitar style closing out the track.

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Rick and Friends - self titled - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release, Rick and Friends and it's chocked full of melodic, rock and blues rock flavored tracks. Opening with Forever Home, Rusty Wright is featured on lead vocal, with Rick Drevet on guitar, Mark Pappalardo on thumping drums and Bill Adams on bass. Showing a Hatchett meets Boston attack, this track is radio ready and polished. Drevet creates a Tucker kind of guitar richness on the intro that flows throughout the track with nice interwoven lead work and Pappalardo's drum thunder really adds a lot under the finesse of Wright on lead vocal. With an attack reminiscent of Trower in Procol Harem, Book of Wreckage brings that sound to the current day with super vocal blending by Wright and contemporary guitar and drum riffs. I funky rock sound on Smokey Whiskey with slide and dobro by Drevet and booming drum work by Pappalardo. Bluesy Cold Steel Blues has a great bass line by Drevet and fully blended vocals, and of course heavy drums, leading to some nice blues lead work by Drevet. Wrapping the release is Shakin Sally with it's straight forward sound over the distinctive motorcycle rumble. Rick Melick adds in some powerful B3 taking Wright's lead vocal to an even higher level. Solid closer for a solid rocker. 

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Blue Heart Records artist: Laura Tate - Smokey Tango - New Release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Smokey Tango, by Laura Tate and it's a bluesy pop oriented release with a lot of style. Opening with Aaron and Joel Neville's, Yellow Moon, and she slides right into the groove with her refined vocals, backed by Terry Wilson on bass and rhythm guitar, Richard Milsap on drums, Jeff Paris on piano and Billy Watts on lead guitar. Complimented nicely by Darrell Leonard on trumpet and Paulie Cerra on sax and perfect backing vocals by Teresa James, this is a strong opener. On Danny Everitt's I Heard A Rumor, Tate spins a love song into a Latin fused track with plenty of spice. With Wilson on Wurlitzer, Paris on piano and Watts on slide, this is another cool track. With sassy, blues infused vocals by Tate and New Orleans styling reinforced by Leonard on trumpet and cool piano by Watts, this track shows real versatility. Ernie K-Doe's A Certain Guy adds a great pop flavor ala R&B with piano lead by Paris and fun vocals by Tate. Wrapping the release is funky, Lover's Game led by Paris on B3, Wilson on Wurlitzer and really nice slide by Watts. Tate not only shows versatility but a sure footing on bluesy, funky vocals. Very nice. 

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Stony Plain Records artist: Rory Block - Ain't Nobody Worried - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ain't Nobody Worried, by Rory Block and it's a solid entry into her Power Women of the Blues series (Volume 3). Opening with Mavis Staples' I'll Take You There, Block accompanies herself with her resilient acoustic guitar as well as slide and percussion with soulful lead vocal and great backing vocals. Strong opener. On Mary Wells' classic R&B track, My Guy (My Girl), Block does a really nice job to retain the pop orientation of the original again, only with the backing of her guitar and percussion. Very nice. On Etta James' I'd Rather Go Blind, Block digs deep to that extra feeling and produces solid vocal results. With only the minimal of guitar and warm backing vocals, this track really works nicely. Carole King's stellar, You've Got A Friend works well for Block, overdubbing her own vocal backing with her own lead on one of the late 20th century's best tracks. Wrapping the release is Elizabeth Cotton''s trademark, Freight Train, with Block shining playing Cotton's best know song in her own style and completed with Block's own vocal style and slide work. This is a super release dedicated to the great women of song. 

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Azuline Music artist: Aimee Allen - Love and the Catalyst - New Release Review

 I just hads the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love and the Catalyst, from Aimee Allen and it's a cool breath of fresh air. Opening with Freddie Hubbard's  Little Sunflower, Aimee Allen shows cool, expressive vocal skills backed by Toru Dodo on piano, nice bass soloing by Francois Moulin on bass and Kush Abadey on drums. Very nice opener. Allen's composition, Quantum Entanglements is a terrific foil for her vocal acuity. With really nice piano  work by Dodo and excellent bass lines by Moulin and always interesting drums intensity by Abadey, this music floats. On Chick Corea's Crystal Silence, Noah Allen adds ethereal trumpet lines that propel this classic composition to the next level with Allen and Dodo working together nicely.  Mortally Immortal (Requiem) is a  masterfully simple composition with a purity and brilliance that shines beyond the release (that means I really like it). Another of my favorites on the release is Hidden Place which is a solid blend of melody and neo soul styling, set to a cool jazz saunter. Wrapping the release is bluesy ballad, Worlds Collide,  with Allen really front and center, with plenty of space, and beautiful piano work by Dodo, bridging the melody with a really nice interlude, and Moutin' s bass lines creating a a strong statement in punctuation, all tied together by the tight articulate brushwork of Abadey. Very nice. 

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Sadson Music artist: Rusty Wright Band - Hangin' at the DeVille Lounge - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hangin' at the DeVille Lounge, from Rusty Wright Band, and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with House of Spirits, Rusty Wright is upfront on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Laurie LaCrosse-Wright on guitar, Billy Agner on bass and Vail Hayes on drums. This slow, bluesy ballad with it's dark overtones is a solid opener for what's to come. Wright lays don't soulful lead under his vocal work with Agner. Blending a traditional blues form with a heavier rock style, Devil Man Blues has a heavy bottom and distorted vocals. I really like this approach and Wright shows cool chops blending the two forms together nicely. No Man Is An Island is a pure blues ballad with strong vocals by Wright and rich vocal blending with Laurie and Billy. Melodic lead by Wright is bound to make this a solid radio player. Very nice. Another solid blues track, Trouble's Always Knockin' with excellent lead vocal and guitar by Wright and conventional blues formatting is really a nice showcase for Wrights  fluid lead work and composition. Wrapping the release is Devil Music with it's Hendrix style attack. Wright, with super vocals and aggressive guitar lead, reinforced by Agner and Hayes really hammers this release closed. Very cool. 

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Futurism Records artist: Grant Geissman - Blooz - New Release Review

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blooz, from Grant Geissman and it a solid fusion of blues and jazz. Opening with Preach, with it's Latin spun gospel approach, Geissman on guitar plays fluid lead lines punctuated by Randy Brecker on trumpet and backed by Jim Cox on B3, Trey Henry on bass and Ray Brinker on drums. Brecker takes a nice long interlude, followed by Cox for a really nice opener. Santana influenced, Carlos En Siete has a great Latin beat and ceratinly has Santana's Mesa Boogie tone. With a lot more intricate percussive rhythm pattern and excellent phrasing, Geissman sets a high bar for this release. Strong piano work by David Garfield, complimented by Russell Ferrante on Rhodes, Trey Henry on bass, Tiki Pasillas on percussion and Ray Brinker on drums, this is a great number. Sax master Tom Scott is featured on Fat Back with Cox on Wurlitzer, Henry on bass and Brinker on drums. Rage Cage is a really nice uptempo romp with Geissman leading the way with excellent articulation. If you like that "Gatemouth" sound, you'll love this. Pairing Robben Ford with Geissman on Robben's Hood is a stroke of genius with trading guitar solos over a snappy funky beat by Brinker and Henry. One G and Two J's has a funky New Orleans sound with Bernie Dresel laying the groundwork on drums and Kevin Axt on bass. Geissman invites Josh Smith and Joe Bonamassa to jam with him over this hypnotic rhythm with their own unique styles resulting in a really cool take. Russell Ferrante shows excellent poise and chops on piano on Stranger Danger. This track is subtle and laid back but really nicely done. Wrapping the release is Sorry Not Sorry with Geissman opening with warm chords, with Henry adding a warm bottom, Brinker light on the drums and with nicely crafted Rhodes piano woven in. Very nice closer for an excellent release. 

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The Ron Kraemer Trio with the Nashville Cats - Saratoga Swing - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sarasota Swing by The Ron Kraemer Trio and It's a solid batch of hot jazz and blues. Opening with Junior Steps, Reggie Murray on sax and B-3 has the lead on a swinging sound. Ron Kraemer breaks looks with terrific tone and fluid lines on guitar, backed by Gregg Germony on bass and Michael Finley on brushes. Strong opener. On The Craw, Kraemer is front and center on lead guitar with warm B3, bass and light brushes behind. A strong sax solo by Murray is the icing on the cake. Swinging, At The Blase' Cafe', is really a hot track with blazing lines by Kraemer and warm B3 work by Murray. Murray breaks loose with some real nice sax before turning the lead back to Kraemer. This is definitely one of my favorite tracks on the release. Another great swinger is Reggie No.2 with excellent lead lines by Kraemer over a light instrumental backing and then a pairing with Murray on sax and a fat B3 solo by Murray giving the track full spice. Very nice. Wrapping the release is terrific swinger, Who's Knocking, with Kraemer really stepping up with strong T Bone Walker style riffs. With Murray hot on his tail on B3 , Germony on bass and Finley on brushes, this is a terrific closer. 

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Jeff Berlin - Jacksongs - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jacksongs, by Jeff Berlin and it's a really nice tribute to Jack Bruce's music. Opening with Creamed, Berlin on bass and keys is joined by Ron Hembly on lead vocal, John Cowan on vocal, Gabriela Sinagra on backing vocals, Bruce Guttridge on drums and John McCracken on guitars with Alex Lifeson on solo guitar. The track begins with Politician and flows through White Room and Tales of Brave Ulysses  among others with strong guitar work and of course prominent bass work. Very nice opener. One of my favorite Mountain tracks, and another Bruce penned track, Theme From and Imaginary Western is up next and features Hemby on lead vocal who really does a strong job of covering Bruce's beautiful vocal melody with Pat Coil on Hammond and Berlin on keys and bass (including a real nice solo) with guest Eric Johnson on guitar solo and Gregg Bissonette on drums. Excellent. Another of Bruce's beautiful melodies, One Without a Word, again showcases Hemby on lead vocal and with the illustrious Bill Frisell on guitar and with super finesse by Mariano Agustoni on piano and Coil again on Hammond with firm drum work by Bruce Guttridge. Smiles Story and Morning Grins is a cool, rhythmic track and provides a vehicle for a string of bass solos by a who's who of today's music scene including Berlin, Tony Levin (stick), Billy Sheehan, Michael League, Mark King, Ron Carter, Marcus Miller, Nathan East, and Geddy Lee. Traintime Train was written by Berlin and is a really nice addition with a great bass lines, outstanding guitar soloing by Johnny Hiland, strong harmonica by Pat Bergeson and with Gumbi Ortiz on lead vocal and percussion. This is a really nice release with a lot of heavy bass work as well as great featured artists. 

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Goldenlane Records artist: Ben E. King - Supernatural Soul - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Supernatural Soul, by Ben E. King and it's solid. Opening with classic, Stand By Me, King on lead vocal is joined by Bette Smith on vocal and Ronnie Earl adding his clean virtuosity on guitar. Bassmaster, Bootsy Collins fires up a strong riff on Supernatural Thing, Part I under soulful vocals by King. Spanish guitar master, Rafael Riqueni joins King adding an authentic flavor to another classic hit. I really like King's cover of Ashford and Simpson's, I Had A Love. Kings vocals are full and soulful, floating on a bed of guitar, synthesizer and warm backing vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Drifters Medley featuring This Magic Moment/Dance With Me//There Goes My Baby/Save The Last Dance For Me. Kings vocals are smooth and fresh with tight instrumental backing. Solid closer for a solid release. 

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Music Maker Foundation: Shelton Powe - Self Titled (Listener's Circle Volume 55) - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent Self-titled release, Shelton Powe and it's quite good. Opening with Amtrak Train, Shelton Powe on acoustic guitar and vocal sets a very authentic feel. With his tight Piedmont picking pattern, this is a solid opener. On John Hurt's Since I Laid My Burden Down, Powe adds real richness with his vocals against the acoustic guitar chant. Bukka White's, Shake "Em On Down is one of my favorite tracks on the release with an cool, primitive blues riff on what sounds like a primitive guitar. Excellent! Papa Charlie Jackson's Take Me Back is another captivating number with melody on guitar teamed with vocal, very effectively. I really like the simplicity of this track...what I like about the blues as a whole. Wrapping the release is John Jackson's Railroad Bill, an excellent Piedmont blues with Powe driving the fretboard like a locomotive. This is a really nice traditional blues release. 

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True North Records artist: Crystal Shawanda - Midnight Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Midnight Blues, from Crystal Shawanda, and it's a strong R&B flavored blues release. Opening with title track, Midnight Blues, Crystal Shawanda brings her soulful vocal style to a radio oriented track with a solid melody, with Dave Roe on bass, Dwayne Strobel on guitar, and Peter Keys and Jesse O'Brian on keys and Pete Abbot on drums. Rumpshaker is a soulful track with a strong bass line by Roe and nice harmonica contributions by Steve Marriner. Why Do I Love You is a really super ballad with strong vocal harmonies by Angela Hurt, Zhaawande Strobel Nd Dewayne Strobel. Hold Me has a R&B rhythm and really has a great groove. Shawanda's vocals are powerful and backing vocals are just right with strong piano and drum support by Keys and Becket. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Walk With The Moon, with a sweet melody and ballad formation. With glistening keyboard work, rich guitar chords and a melodic guitar solo, a solid closer. 

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Gypsy Soul Records artist:The Commoners - Find A Better Way - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Find A Better Way, from The Commoners and it has all of the swagger and sting you would want. Opening with title track, Find A Better Way, Chris Medhurst shows what a rock frontman is supposed to sound like. With a touch of Steve Marriott, and a powerful bottom, led by Adam Cannon on drums and Ben Spiller on bass as well as solid guitar riffs by Ross Haynes Citrullo gives this track real bite. More than Mistakes has a firm bottom and some real nice lead guitar by Citrullo, supported by Miles Evans-Branagh on keys and Medhurst on rhythm guitar. Solid radio track. Naturally, has a strong melody and rich backing vocals by Chantal Williams, Shezelle Weekes and Tash Lorayne, coupled with a strong sway making it another top radio candidate. I Won’t adds another dimension with just a touch of country blues, and the steel guitar finesse of Michael Ekhart and really nice vocal blending. Very nice. Wrapping the release is stripped down folk blues, Alive, featuring the lush vocals of Medhurst, with beautiful steel work by Ekhart. This is really a nice release with a lot of meat. 

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Cleopatra Records artists: The Rockats - Start Over Again - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Start Over Again, from The Rockats and it's a great rocker. Opening with Nervous Breakdown, it's hard not to sing along with it's classic rockabilly flavor and even some Johnny Cash like vocal. This is and excellent opener with Dibbs Preston on vocal, Danny B. Harvey on guitar, Barry Ryan on guitar, Clem Burke on drums and Smutty Smiff on bass. With it's surfy feel, Rock Baby Rock, will get you bobbin with Ryan taking the first solo and Harvey taking the second solo. Very cool. Low slung bluesy ballad, Start Over Again could get all the couples on the dance floor and a real nice guitar solo by Ryan gives the track a solid blues kick. One of my favorites on the release is swinging, Lucky Old Rockabilly has super guitar riffs by Harvey and Preston's vocals are always solid. Wrapping the release is Tanya Jean with Tim Scott on guitar with Ryan and Tommy Darnell on drums. This is a straight up rocker with some nice dual (harmonizing) guitar lead and a solid melody. This is a cool release with great spunk. 

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South Island Rhythm Kings - Still That Way Today - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Still That Way Today, from South Island Rhythm Kings and it's a rolling blues party. Opening with title track, Still That Way Today, "Lazy" Mike Mallon on harmonica and lead vocal, heads this cool shuffle, with Carson Mallon on guitar, Dan Dube' on keys, Nick Dokter on drums, and Jack Lavin on bass. Solid opener. Cool vocal blending on Sonny and Brownie's Cornbread Peas Black Molasses gives this easy shuffle the wealth added to the genre by the originals with authenticity, and nice riffs by both Mallons. On Jimmy Raney's You Drink Too Much Booze, Dube' really adds nicely with tasty piano riffs under Mikes vocals. Very cool. Carson's vocal/guitar lead on Someday really hits the spot with a lot of punch. His riffs are tight and his vocals swing. Very nice. Carson and Mike both dig in deep on slow blues, I Live Out In The Country, with Muddy Waters style slide work by Carson and strong vocals/harmonica by Mike are nicely complimented by Dube'. Excellent. Wrapping the release is Tabby Thomas' Hoodoo Party with it's solid bottom by Lavin and Dokter. With Carson back on vocal, Mike gets a chance to blow it out and Dube' adds some excellent rolls on piano. This is a cool track and a solid closer for a solid release. 

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Lauren Anderson: Burn It Down - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Burn It Down, from Lauren Anderson and it's a smokin' blues rocker with a solid blend of bluesy ballads. Opening with title track, Burn It Down, Lauren Anderson on vocal leads the way with stinging guitar work by Dan Wecht, and with Hutch on bass, Johnathan Smith on keys, and Matt Doctor on drums. Slinky, Soul Is Mine is dominated by super tom tom feel by Doctor, Smith on organ and Wecht on slide guitar. Anderson really works her voice nicely against the soulful feel of the track making it one of my favorites on the release. Albert Castiglia makes a guest stop on Zombie Blues really getting the fretboard going on this high energy rocker. Soulful, I Know, shows a terrific combination of Anderson's vocal and songwriting skills creating, in my opinion, the top radio track on the release. Lumbering, Hit The Spot has a strong funk rocker with a strong melodic hook and super guitar lead by John Salaway. Another strong radio track is Fool with it's rhythmic feel, strong vocal melody and a nice guitar solo by Wecht. Wrapping the release Like A Woman, with it's heavy bottom, nice guitar punctuation by Wecht and another strong vocal effort by Anderson. This is a solid release with a cool blend of radio and rockers. 

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