OA2 Records artist: Peter Lin AAPI Jazz Collective - Identity - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the debut release, Identity, by Peter Lin AAPI Jazz Collective and it's quite good. Opening with Emperor's Stride, featuring band leader and trombonist, Peter Lin (trombone), Erena Terakubo (sax) and Mike Bond (piano) on this Asian flavored opening, you get only a taste of what's to come. The track explodes with energy starting with Lin and Brandon Choi on trumpet laying down a melody, Daseul Kim on bass and Wen-Ting Wu on drums feeding the fire. Bond on piano takes the first solo and really winds it up. Terakubo on sax holds nothing back ripping a great solo and Lin shows a no prisoners attack on trombone really smoking the slide. Powerful opener. A Town With An Ocean View is an unexpected surprise with a beautiful melody played by Choi on piano, paired with Terakubo on flute. Bond takes the first solo and plays another lush solo that literally floats on air, guarded by a super bass line by Kim and Wu. Choi steps back up with another crisp, flowing trumpet solo over a dancing piano rhythm. Very nice. Wu opens with a splash on Magpie's New Year's Day fueling an aggressive solos by Terakubo, Bond and Wu. Super! Tank! is a driving track with Wu, Terakubo and Choi setting up the track. A real nice sax solo by Terakubo, followed by a beefy trombone solo by Lin, and a nicely constructed trumpet solo by Choi gives the track great traction. Bond falls in behind the brass delivering a lush solo of his own on piano circling back to a nicely interwoven fabric by the band, capped off by Wu on drums. Wrapping the release is ballad, Beo Dat May Troi, sung by My Tam Huynh, swaddled in piano and brass. Very nice closer. 

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OA2 Records artist: Randy Napoleon - The Door Is Open: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Door Is Open: The Music of Gregg Hill, by Randy Napoleon, and it's quite engaging. Opening with The Lost Tune, a lush melody with a Latin rhythm really is a solid opener. With rich vocals by Aubrey Johnson and well phrased guitar lead by Randy Napoleon, this tune floats. With Rick Roe on piano, Quincy Davis on drums, and Lucas LaFave on bass, sit back and let it flow over you. Light and aiery, Escape to Cat Island has a brisk Latin feel with a real nice trumpet solo by Anthony Stanco. Roe, always on top of things on piano is a key contributor and the slashing cymbal work of Davis and energetic bass lines of Rodney Whitaker really gives this track zip. Napoleon and Johnson work nicely to create a united front on Motel Blues, a slower blues with a samba rhythm, supported by Stanco, Walter Blanding on tenor sax and Andrew Kim on trombone. A real nice bass solo by LaFave leads back to Napoleon on guitar for one of my favorites on the release. The Last Pop Tune has a great walking bass line by LaFave, driving under Napoleon, Johnson and Roe. Very nice. Wrapping the release, is slinky, horn saturated Triple Play. With a tight drum rhythm and nicely interwoven horn, piano, and vocal lines providing a solid blanket for Napoleon on guitar, this is a strong 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening