Bman's Blues Report

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Folk Songs, Jazz Journeys , from Alex Martin and it's quite good. Opening with Postal De Bata , a heavily Latin influenced instrumental, Alex Martin on acoustic guitar, Keith Butler Jr. on drums, Tyler Sherman on bass and Uasuf Gueye on balafon, this track really has a Central American flavor. Gueye's playing is central to the theme and Martin's guitar soloing is cool. Another track with a light Brazillian flavor, Viceversa ,  features Maya Rogers on vocal and tightly articulated guitar riffs over brushed drums and bass. Triangulo is very reminiscent of Brazilian jazz from a few decades ago. Without adding a lot of contemporary frill, Elin Melgarejo's lead vocals and Martin's electric single line guitar soloing make a very nice pair. Backed by Butler on drums, Foote on bass, Deepak Shenoy on tabla and Bruno Lucini on triangle, this track moves nicely. My favorite track on the release is Rue Des Ursuli...