MoMojo Records artist: Carmen Ratti Band featuring Jill Dineen - Come To Me - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Come To Me, from Carmen Ratti Band featuring Jill Dineen and it has a cool groove. Opening with No Delusion, a slinky track with a well woven rhythm backing, Jill Dineen on vocal really holds tight on the reins. Carmen Ratti on rhythm and lead guitar adds tome distinctive riffs feeding Tony Lufrano on keys, Steve Hazelwood on bass and Randy Hayes on drums. Super opener. Bluesy ballad and title track, Come To Me, is a nice showcase for Dineen on lead vocal and Ratti's soulful guitar phrasing drips blues. Organ saturation by Lufrano and solid backing vocals by Lisa Leuschner Andersen adds just the right juice. Riley is real nice instrumental (think Thrill Is Gone) with Ratti laying out the melody with crisp, clear, electric guitar work and Lufrano's organ solo is warm and inviting with a great bass lead by Hazlewood. Really cool track. Blues rocker, Coming Down, has a super funky rocking sound with great lead vocals and nice funky guitar/bass synergy. Lufano turns up the heat on organ and adds backing vocals, Ratti adds some stinging guitar lead and Hayes rhythm is straight and tight. Uncle Joe is a real interesting interesting track featuring Ratti leading the way on slide guitar. With it's hard bop feel and Derek Trucks influenced guitar styling combined with real nice piano work by Lufrano, this is a strong addition to the already solid set. Wrapping the release is down and dirty, Pretty Good Man and Dineen really digging in vocally. Hazlewood and Hayes really cut a solid groove and Lufrano works his piano hard against his organ. I really like how Ratti really hammers his guitar on this track showing real fire. Very nice. There is an extended version of Come To Me which is really nicely done and a super addition to the set.

I should really say, I don't think I've ever reviewed a Greaseland Studios recording that didn't have special sauce... Nice job Kid.

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MoMojo Records artist: Billy Thompson - This World - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, This World, by Billy Thompson and I really like it. Opening with This World, a rolling rocker, Billy Thompson on lead vocal and slide is joined by Golder O'Neill on bass, Eric Selby on drums and Michael Leroy Peed on keys. A super opener with solid vocals and radio promising melody.  Like Rain is another strong track with a great, funky style rhythm. With Kirk Joseph on sousaphone (which is great), Eddie Christmas on drums, Lionel Batiste Jr. on drums, and Thompson on guitar and vocal. One of my favorite tracks on the release is For True with a real swampy, funky blues feel. Thompson's vocals are great and his slide guitar is reminiscent of Lowell George. O'Neill on bass, Selby laying down some terrific drums and and Peed on keys really propel this track. R&B track, Hope, Peace and Joy has a great feel with some of Thompson's best vocals on the track and warm keys work by Peed. Latin rhythm really works nicely on Dinosaur Eggs featuring Doug Belote on drums, Michael Skinkus on congas, and O'Neill on bass supporting Thompson on vocal, harmonica and hot guitar riffs and nice slide. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Of The Angels is a straight up rocker with a lot of characteristics of a Knopler tune. Clever guitar riffs and strong vocals by Thompson, Belote rapping out solid riffs n drums, Luciano Leaes on B3, Tom Worrell on keys, Skinkus on congas and backing vocals by Aduago Ejekwu, Evan Miller, Erin Finnigan, Lami Argueta and Zoe Resendez make for a cool closer. Very nice. 

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MoMojo Records artist: Rick Vito - Slidemaster - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (April 3, 2026), Slidemaster, from Rick Vito and it's great! Opening with Vegas Jump, things are immediately rolling on a Lonnie Chatmon thing with Rick Reed driving on drums, Charlie Harrison on bass and clean and wide slide by Rick Vito. Strong opener. I love the droning bass line on The Danger Zone by Vito who overlays soulful picking/slide reinforced by Charlie Johnson on drums. Very nicely done. Peter Green's, Albatross is a nice addition to the set with warm chords, picked melody and authentic, "Green like" slide work. A real surprise on the release is a beautiful cover of Sam Cooke's, A Change Is Gonna Come. The phrasing is delicate and the tones pure. Excellent! Another Peter Green composition, The Supernatural, has an eastern feel with a Latin beat by Lynn Williams on drums. Vito's slide work seems to just hang in the ether as he tastefully articulates the melody. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a beautiful cover of Malotte's, The Lord's Prayer. With only the quietest of under work by Kevin McKendree on organ, Vito really nails it. Masterful!

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MoMojo Records artist: Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps - Bad At Being Good - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bad At Being Good, by Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps and it's solid. Opening with upbeat, Love's A Full Time Job, Teresa James on lead vocal and piano sets the pace with Terry Wilson on bass, Billy Watts on guitar, Tony Braunagel on drums, Darrell Leonard on trumpet and Paulie Cerra on sax, this is a hot opener. With a real sway, I Got This Thing has a nice groove. Wilson sets a super bass line and James really digs in with sassy vocals and Watts guitar work add some real sting. Trouble In Paradise is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a lightly funky beat and excellent vocals by James. Dean Parks sits in on lead guitar and his and Kevin McKendree on Wurlitzer gives the track a real mellow feel. Very nice.  Bluesy, Treat Her Like You Want Her To Treat You is an excellent showcase for James and soulful horn work by Leonard and Cerra adds real nice depth. The addition of McKendree on B3 and Bennett Salvay on piano add nicely to Wilson's guitar lead. Braunagel's drum line on We Came To Rock and Watts' lead guitar work really shine and James continues to demonstrate that she can sing any style. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Close Down The Blues Bar has a great lope courtesy of Braunagel and James on piano. James vocals are so thick and tasty and Watts' guitar work so spot on, this is an excellent closer for a really tight release. 

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MoMojo Records artist: The Lucky Losers - Arrival - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Arrival, from The Lucky Losers and it is their best release yet. Opening with funk infused, S-C-A-M, Cathy Lemons leads the way with solid vocals backed by the pumped up horn work of Doug James on tenor sax, Mike Rinta on trombone and John Halbieb on trumpet. With Phil Berkowitz on vocal, Chris Burns on keys, Simon Govan Smith on guitars, Edgar San Gabriel on bass, Jon Otis on drums, and Kid Andersen on keys, this is a high stepping intro. Lemons really digs in vocally on Pull On The Rope with some of her best vocals on the release. Smith grinds out a strong guitar intro and with Berkowitz on harmonica, Otis on drums, Gabriel on bass, Burns on keys and warm backing vocals, this is another strong track. Phil is up front on vocal and soulful harmonica on Sorry Brother. This track has a real slinky feel and Burn's key work coupled with the excellent percussion by Otis gives this track a dark, rich feel. Pig Iron Tough is funky blues with great backing vocals. Otis really shines on this track as does Andersen on keys and Berkowitz on harmonica and cool riffs by Andersen on guitar adds to the soul. Wrapping the release is laid back, country flavored, Ain't The Marrying Kind, featuring Lemons and Berkowitz trading vocals over Andersen on acoustic guitar and Berkowitz on harmonica. Solid closer for a real nice release. 

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Momojo Records artist: Dave Keyes - Two Trains - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (10.24.25), Two Trains, from Dave Keyes and it's loaded. Opening with shuffle, Blues Ain't Looking for You, Dave Keyes on vocal and piano set the pace, backed by Bernard Purdie on drums, Jeff Anderson on bass, Rob Paparozzi on harmonica and featuring John Putnam with some wicked slide and Alexis P. Sutter and Vicki Bell on backing vocals. Title track, Two Trains has a swampy rhythm with Keyes on piano and lead vocal,  Paparozzi on harmonica, and solid backing vocals by Suter, Bell and Frank Pagano. Slow blues, A Long Way From Right Right Now features some of Keyes best vocals and sweet harmonica work by Paparozzi. Keyes really shines on instrumental, Boogie For Patty, with excellent piano phrasing and rhythm. Another favorite on the release is Worried in Mind Blues featuring Woody Mann on guitar and vocal with Keyes on piano and vocal. A simple, laid back acoustic blues with great feel. Wrapping the release is ballad, Rest In Peace, featuring Keyes on lead vocal and piano. Solid closer for a solid release.  

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MoMojo Records artist: Brandon Santini - Which Way Do We Go? - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Which Way Do We Go?, from Brandon Santini and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with laid back, title track, Which Way Do We Go?, Brandon Santini on vocal and harmonica sets a soulful table with just a touch of country with Timo Arthur on electric guitar, Jeff Jensen on guitar, Cliff Moore on bass, Ron James on drums and Jesse James Davis on backing vocals. A well rounded track with a solid melody, this is a cool radio track. Rocker, See That Pony, has a cool, stripped down feel with heavy snare driven drum work by James and cool rhythm guitar by Arthur. Santini alternates vocal and harmonica melody but his solo harmonica solo is serious business. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Do What Comes Naturally with it's driving guitar/bass/drum rhythm and grinding vocals. Arthur's guitar solo is just right for this primitive rocker giving it just the right amount of fuel. High energy rocker, Working On A Mystery, really gets going with Jensen adding some great rhythm, Jesse James some great backing vocals and Santini's hottest harmonica on the release.  Blues vamp on acoustic guitar and distorted power chord overlay by Arthur on Blues So Bad, gives this track an earthy feel giving Santini on vocal and harmonica a dark shadow to sing in, supported by Moore and James. Quite cool. Wrapping the release is springy, She Got The Way, with Santini on gravely vocals and a cool bluesy harmonica vamp and solo over Arthurs rhythm work. He breaks loose with a real nice guitar solo giving the track just the right amount of sting making it a solid closer. 

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MoMojo Records artist: Allison August - August Moon - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, August Moon, by Allison August and it's funky and sassy. Opening with Afraid of Love, Allison August shows what a great lead vocalist does and with excellent backing vocals by Maxayn Lewis and Jen Caston on, tight drum rhythm by Bryan Head, David J. Carpenter on bass, Sam Meek on guitar, Lenny Castro on percussion, Joe Sublett on sax, Les Lovitt on trumpet and Sam Meek on guitars, this track is tight! Sugaray Rayford joins August on lead vocals on I Won't Say No with a charging drum/percussion line by Tony Braunagel and Castro and a slashing guitar lead by Meek accented by Mike Finnegan on organ. Top radio track selection is Desiree with it's warm, memorable melody and vocal/keyboard interplay between August, Teresa James and Gregg Sutton and  Finnegan. Very nice. I like the cautious confidence on The Cure, and it's funky underbelly. August manages the track masterfully followed by James and Sutton on backing vocals and trademark slide work by Little Feat's Paul Barrere really gives the track a cool bite. Wrapping the release is straight up rocker, Born Yesterday with Braunagel hitting it stiff on drums and Phil Parlapiano on organ. Sublett and Lovitt on horns give the track strong support and crisp guitar work by Josh Sklair give the track additional warmth. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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MoMojo Records Records artist: Max Hightower - Nothin' But The TRUTH - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nothin' But The TRUTH, from Max Hightower and it's a romper. Opening with funky blues rocker, Double Bubble, Max Hightower blows the intro announcing that something big is about to happen and he doesn't disappoint. Leading on vocal and funky rhythm guitar, Hightower gets things moving and kicks up on harmonica some fat fat tone. Joined by Brandon Phelps on drums, Steadman Williams Sr. on bass, James Beaumont on sax and Rob Davis on keys, this is a great opener.  Twitchy Witcha keeps that funky groove going with Davis on piano and Beaumont on sax rolling over Phelps on rimshot and funky funky vocals. Adam Lessneu joins on trombone and sousaphone and Hightower breaks loose on harmonica and it's not subtle. Great tone. Sweet Gum Tree has a strong New Orleans jam flavor with active Drum/bass/guitar work and Beaumont on sax and Adam Lessneu on trombone working with Hightower on vocal and harmonica in lead. Thick Jello is a great name for a funky rocker with great rhythm and Hightower working the vocals over a tight bass/drum rhythm and lively trombone work by Adam Lessneu. Shuffle, I Ain't Lyin' really is smooth with a strong melody and vocals by Hightower, mellow sax soloing by Beaumont and solid piano support by Davis. Wrapping the release is Assmograph with it's super funky beat. Williams lays down a funky line reinforced by Phelps and Hightower blows the melody on harmonica. Beaumont on sax takes a nice run of his own balanced by Atkinson on guitar. Cool closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Momojo Records artist: The Bob Lanza Blues Band - Breadman's Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Breadman's Blues, by The Bob Lanza Blues Band, and I really like it. Opening with Johnny Jihngo, a cool blues rocker, Bob Lanza is upfront on guitar and vocal with healthy sax work by Nick Conte. Eric Heilner on keys,  Steve Kirsty on bass and Nick Fishman on drums keep it tight and the slashing guitar lead of Lanza really delivers. Excellent opener. Strutting blues rocker, Cut Off My Right Arm really hits the slot with gripping SRV/Albert King style guitar attack and his vocals are gritty and real. Really nice. Ballad, Same Old Blues, has a strong melody, supported by Heilner on keys and Lanza's guitar chops are A1. Shuffle, A Man Like Me, has traditional form and solid lead lines supporting some of the best vocals on the release. Honey Hush has a great, Latin rock twist giving Lanza, Heilner on piano and Vin Mott on harmonica great room to solo. Very cool. Roller Coaster has that signature Allman Brothers/Dicky Betts country rock feel with plenty of room for Lanza to show his stuff on guitar and with some beefy bass riffs by Kirsty. Solid closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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