Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Parts You Keep , from Mike Pope , and I really enjoy it. Opening with Misgivings , a lively track with a driving piano melody featuring Geoffrey Keezer , building with an aggressive snare rap by Nate Smith and breaking into a sensual bass solo by Mike Pope who builds the track with the hands of a sculptor. Very nice. I love the cover of Charlie Parker's Steeplechase featuring Roxy Cross on sax. Pope laying down a funky bass line and breaking into a wicked electric piano solo by Keezer, this track is hot. Dashan's Flying Ubercar really moves with terrific underpinnings by Smith and Pope. Keezer rides high on this groove before a total break and accelerated bass solo by Pope. Really nice. Barolo Blue was my favorite track on the release with an infectious angular bass groove, nicely playing against Smith on drums and with free wheeling piano by Keezer and jagged guitar soloing by Amaury Cabral . Excellent! ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 80 Years Young: Live At The Blue Note , by James Moody and it's super. Opening with Benny's From Heaven , featuring James Moody on vocal and ripping some terrific sax leading the way. David Hazeltine on piano sets the pace with excellent rhythm, joined by Todd Coolman on bass who crafts a really nice solo, and Adam Nussbaum who really kicks on drums.  Strong opener. Jazz classic, Cherokee is next with Moody leading the way on flute. Not missing a stroke, Moody really has this track jamming with colorful piano by Hazeltine and a driving bass line by Coolman. Hazeltine gets his turn on the throttle and keeps the pedal down before handing off to Nussbaum on drums for an excellent rendition of this notable theme. Birk's Works has a super groove set by Jon Faddis on muted trumpet. Slide Hampton also joins the set with an excellent trombone solo of his own. Another featured guest, Paquito D' Rivera really runs ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Was Here , from Andy Ezrin and it's a solid mix of jazz and fusion styling. Opening with Grapes , Randy Brecker on trumpet and Donny McCaslin on tenor sax blend nicely creating an inviting intro. Andy Ezrin on piano sets up the melody on piano and improvises a broader theme, with strong solo lines by McCaslin, joined by John Patitucci on bass and Marcus Gilmore on drums. A vibrant solo by Brecker really stands out nicely before the 5 circle back for a cohesive opener. Easy shuffle, Greenwoman , finds McCaslin leading the melody on sax. Patitucci on bass sets up a complex bass line reinforced by Gilmore's riveting snare work on drums and an aggressive solo by McCaslin contrasts nicely with Ezrin's solo work on piano. Pop funky, Ain't That Some Shit , is a definite radio track with McCaslin wailing on tenor sax, floating on a bed of piano and B3 by Ezrin. A snappy bottom by Patitucci and Ari Hoenig on drum...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Holz-Stathis: Collaborative from Bob Holz and it's packed with power. Opening with The Tunnel , drummer Bob Holz sets a tight riff joined by Ric Fierabracci with a funky bass line. Randy Brecker is full out on the refrain but when his gets his slot really lays in some nice chops. Dean Brown rips it up on guitar and Billy Steinway on keys give the track it's own glow. World Turned Upside Down has a cool wandering melody featuring John MacLaughlin on guitar, Jean Luc Ponty on violin, Ralphe Armstrong on bass, and James Moody on acoustic guitar. With it's jagged rhythm, Holz really holds it tight and McLaughlin's soloing is excellent and Ponty is always magical when with McLaughlin so this is a treat. Latin flavored, Palo Viejo , features some real nice flute lead and solid sax work from Brandon Fields. With Fierabracci on bass, Alex Acuna on percussion, and Holz really kicking it on drums, this is one of my...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Commitment , from Jae Sinnett's Zero To 60 Quartet and it's strong. Opening with Takin' It There , this release comes alive with Randy Brecker upfront on trumpet, with Jae Sinnett really bringing it on drums. This track is vital with excellent sax work by Steve Wilson, Terry Burrell on bass and piano by Allen Farnham on piano. Excellent opener. Laying back in 3/4 time, Brecker lays out the beautiful melody of Simone , with a light and tight backing by Farnham and Sinnett. With Burrell keeping a firm hand on the groove, Farnham takes a nice very stretch on piano with Brecker closing the loop on trumpet. Very very nice. Muhammara's Dance is an excellent showcase for Sinnett with it's ultra funky drum work. Farnham further enhances the percussive nature of the track with a really cool piano interlude and Brecker's trumpet soloing really is strong. Excellent track. Wilson's sax interpretation of Be...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blooz , from Grant Geissman and it a solid fusion of blues and jazz. Opening with Preach , with it's Latin spun gospel approach, Geissman on guitar plays fluid lead lines punctuated by Randy Brecker on trumpet and backed by Jim Cox on B3, Trey Henry on bass and Ray Brinker on drums. Brecker takes a nice long interlude, followed by Cox for a really nice opener. Santana influenced, Carlos En Siete has a great Latin beat and ceratinly has Santana's Mesa Boogie tone. With a lot more intricate percussive rhythm pattern and excellent phrasing, Geissman sets a high bar for this release. Strong piano work by David Garfield, complimented by Russell Ferrante on Rhodes, Trey Henry on bass, Tiki Pasillas on percussion and Ray Brinker on drums, this is a great number. Sax master Tom Scott is featured on Fat Back with Cox on Wurlitzer, Henry on bass and Brinker on drums. Rage Cage is a really nice uptempo romp with Geissman...

Now here's something different! I just received the new release from The Fusion Syndicate . This band is made up of jazz, rock and blues superstars and the recording is all you could wish for in this format. Billy Sherwood, writer of all compositions and with a background of top bands as long as your arm played keys, guitars drums, synth and vocals throughout this recording. The opening track, Random Acts Of Science , has strong hints to the Mahavishnu Orchestra featuring Rick Wakeman (Yes) on keys, Jerry Goodman (Flock, Mahavishnu Orchestra) on violin, Nik Turner (Hawkwind) on sax and Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets)on bass. This is a terrific track and one that shows not only the virtuosity of all of the instrumentalists and excellent writing skills of Sherwood, but also brings back into the forefront one of my favorite fusion violin players. This is no lightweight composition and all instrumentation is first class. Next up is Stone Cold Infusion , a funky track featuring Steve S...