Bman's Blues Report

With his stunning debut album Lineage , trombonist Andrew Kim honors his musical roots while firmly stepping into the spotlight. Far exceeding the scope of a standard senior capstone, this project serves as a vibrant testament to years of dedicated study under jazz titans Michael Dease and Marshall Gilkes . Kim acts as both a brilliant player and arranger, leading an all-star rhythm section and frontline featuring Sharel Cassity , Xavier Davis , Rodney Whitaker, and Ulysses Owens Jr. Mixing historic compositions from Curtis Fuller and J.J. Johnson with five compelling originals, the record crackles with an immediate, irresistible swing from start to finish. 🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM ▶ Listen to Album Samples (Click to Expand)                                                        ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Waking Music: The Music of Gregg Hill & Randy Napoleon and it's solid, inspired and inventive. Opening with Super Moon , you immediately get a sense that this release is going to be a new excursion. Clock like rim shots and unexpected snare/cymbal shots by Quincy Davis , piano rhythm by Rick Roe and featuring Randy Napoleon and Jocelyn Gould on guitar creates a euphoric feel. Breaking to a real nice bop, led by Rodney Whitaker on bass, Napoleon lays down a low slung solo that really creates a groove. Gould picks up the baton and runs with it creating a nasty groove of her own. Whitaker takes center focus and he makes the groove fly. Circling back, Davis recreates the clock like timing and reggae slap. Very interesting. The Speckled Frog has a cool Latino bop feel with super drum and percussion by Davis and walking guitar texture by Napoleon and Ben Turner . Anthony Stanco sits in on trumpet shoveling a heap of...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Door Is Open: The Music of Gregg Hil l, 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 ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Puppets: The Music of Gregg Hill and it's cool and relaxing yet instrumentally stirring. Opening with Andy's Lament , vocalist Aubrey Johnson leads the way with easy Brazilian style scat. Randy Napoleon takes the lead and runs with a really solid Kenny Burrell style fluid lead improvisation and chord display. Bassist, Rodney Whitaker gets the second lead and lays in a really nice solo of his own before the circle back to Johnson, backed by Quincy Davis on drums. Very nice opener. Pianist, Rick Roe sets the stage on Lyrica , another track with a loose, Brazilian feel and featuring the vocal work of Lament and really showcasing the tight drumming of Davis. Napoleon's lyric lead style on guitar is likely the root of the track title with it's free flowing melody continued by Roe on piano.  Still Life of a Tuba is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's casual bop styling. Roe takes a really expr...