Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Chicken Grease, from Biscuit Miller and the Mix and it's a cool mix of blues, funk and soul. Opening with Here Kitty Kitty , a cool R&B track with a potent bass line by Miller who also has the lead on vocal, backed by Doctor Love on drums, Bobby B Wilson on guitar and Alex "Southside" Smith on guitar and John Ginty riding high on B3 and electric piano. Super opener. Lap steel master, Marcus Randolph sits in on 609 , adding his special sauce. A driving rocker with an firm bass line, this track keeps the heat on with great vocals, and tight work from Ginty, Wilson and Smith. Title track, Chicken Grease , is so funky you can smell it. Miller really works the bass and his vocal phrasing is perfect. With a cool interplay between Wilson, Smith and Randolph, this track is hot! R&B track, Watching You is smooth as silk with warm vocals by Miller and just the right bottom and nice backing vocals by Love, ...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, High Road , from Katie Henry and it's an interesting release with cool ballads and hot rockers. Opening with country style rocker, Nowhere Fast , Katie Henry opens her debut release on lead vocal and keys. With a bluesy slide to her vocal style, John Ginty on organ, Antar Goodwin on bass, Moe Watson on drums and with a hot picking by Jonathan Fritz on guitar. this is a solid opener.  Chapels has a southern gospel flavor on a pop track with rich vocals and trademark Marcus Randolph on pedal steel guitar. Bluesy ballad, Carry You , has a terrific melody and feel. Henry's vocals are soothing with particularly precise drum work by Watson and supple guitar soloing by Fritz. Very nice. Funky R&B track, Someday , has a solid back beat from Watson and featuring Anthony Krizan with some real nice slide work under the solid vocal structure of Henry. Wrapping the release is Takes A Lot with springy Billy Preston funk...