Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, In The Moment , from Ella & The Bossa Beat and I really like it. Opening with Speak From The Heart , Ella Borges on all vocals, piano and bass really create a lush sound supported by her father Magrus Borges on drums. The Latin rhythm is captivating and Ella's vocals intoxicating. On Dreamer , Kim Freitas on acoustic guitar provides a clean rhythm base for Ella's vocal and Jonathan Dills on cello adds a deep richness under Ella's piano and layered vocals, supported nicely by Magrus' percussion. Excellent! I love the neo soul feel on O Tempo Traz and Ella's Portuguese vocals really add a special feel. Wrapping the release is What Happened To Our Love , a straignt up pop track with it's straight forward radio appeal. A sweet melody, lush vocal, and nicely accompanied keyboard work, held tight by Magrus is a solid closer for a really nice release.    If you support live Blues acts, up and...

I just received the newest release, In The Moment , from Missy Andersen and it scratches a lot of itches. Opening with Rent Party is a cool blues swing track with a touch of jazz. Heine Andersen lays out a nice guitar solo and Sue Palmer is tight on piano. Horn work from Robbie Smith (trumpet), Gerrard Nolan (tenor sax) and Bob Mathes (Bari sax) give it a bit of a club feel. Whole Lotta Nuthin' has a New Orleans feel with marching style drums from Marty Dodson and Ben Moore lays down some nice B3 work. Heine cooks the frets on this track with some hot jazzy riffs. On Latin styled Night Stalker Andersen again plays into a 40's - 50's sophistication. She really has a strong voice and has strong support from vocalists Sonja Mack and Karen Trapane. R&B track More Than Enough has a really strong presence and Andersen's vocals are top notch. Light instrumental accompaniment of light drums and B3 and punctuation but the horn section makes this one of my release favo...