3Below - Live In Merida - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Merida, from 3Below and it's stimulating. Opening with Relamparia, Trey Gunn on Warr guitar, Alonso Arreola on electric bass and Michael Manring on fretless bass start the journey. Joined by Emmanuel Pina on oud, this track has a really cool flow of progressive, eastern and fusion themes. Excellent opener. Versos has a distinctly eastern flavor led by Pina on oud and seated nicely by Gunn and Manring and held tight by Arreola. Gunn on Warr guitar creates an unworldly wail on Forest Floor. Leading into bass heavy Big Fungus, a melodic track with dynamic interweaving between Arreola, Gunn, Manring and Pina. One of my favorites on the release. Mournful, The World Is Everything That Is The Case is a terrific blend of Gunn and Manring harmonizing creating a mind bending sonic tapestry. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Area opening with a riff by Pina on oud and joined by Arreola on bass. With a lively pace and eastern flavor, this track dances. Calming into a quieting scene, Gunn creates a soundscape overlayed by Pina on oud and then all rejoined for a fleet finish. 

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Blue Canoe Records artist: Neff Irizarry - Cambio (Change) - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cambio, from Neff Irizarry, and it's vibrant guitar with hot Latin rhythms. Opening with Adelante, composer and guitar lead, Neff Irizarry leads the way with excellent fluid melody paired with Martin Fabricius on vibraphone, with the rhythmic support of Jimmy Haslip on bass and Picardo Padilla on percussion. Strong opener. Cabo Rojo in 6/8 gives Irizarry plenty of room to breathe with both extended phrases and shorter punctuation, over Fabricius' well placed accents. A steady rhythm by Padilla anchors the piece giving it a nice flow. Led Zep's, The Rain Song is a nice diversion handled by lush melodic phrasing by Irizarry over the simple Latin rhythm of Padilla. El Swing De La Finca really does move with the melody laid down by Fabricius and Irizarry in tandem. Irizarry takes the first line solo and Irizarry the second over the punchy bottom by Haslip and Padilla. My favorite track on the release. Another nicely flowing track is San Miguel De Los Acordes. With Fabricius and Irizarry blending nicely on the initial melody line and then each taking turns at the interpretation with bright strikes and lush chords, this is another really nice track. Wrapping the release is Todo Lo que Fuiste. In full samba style Padilla owns this track, providing a rich foundation for Irizarry and Fabricius to build on. This is a really cool release and enjoyable start to finish. 

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JC Gardner Music artist: Gardyn Jazz Orchestra - Vinyl Brews - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Vinyl Brews, from Gardyn Jazz Orchestra and it's a full bodied beer inspired release. Opening with up tempo, Dinero de Sange', inspired by an IPA with Latin overtones respective of too much blood orange. Featuring a strong guitar solo by Don Hanrahan, and a solid alto solo by Jud Aaron, Jon Gardner and Jacob Kaplan on alto sax, Jordan Graef on tenor and Louis Kugelman, Daniel Wright, Derek Dilman, Andrew Esch, and Michael Cruse on trumpet, Travis Hill, Seth Dowdell, and Rachel Slifer on trombone, Brett Slifer on bass trombone, Jack Ozment on piano, Isaac Strader on bass and Brett Kennedy on drums, they are bringing it. Shuffle, The Golden OG remembers 2023's Gold Cup winner OG Pils Lager with solos by Aaron on tenor, Dowdell on trombone and Ozment on piano. Bluesy, By The Stoney Creek features solos by Marcell Belinger on trumpet, Kaplan on alto, Hanrahan on guitar and Kennedy on drums.  Wrapping the release is Walking On Clouds with a cool, funky rhythm. Graef on tenor really lights it up and Esch on trumpet and Hanrahan on guitar really work the close. 

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Root Grooves Records artist: Dan Moretti & Brazilia - Live At The Pump House Music Works - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At The Pump House Music Works, by Dan Moretti & Brazilia, and it's hot. Opening with mambo, Black Nile, this release is hitting on all cylinders right off the bat. With Dan Moretti leading the way on tenor sax, you'll be dancing in your chair. Maxim Lubarsky on piano lays down a stellar solo, reinforced by Oscar Stagnaro on bass, Ernesto Diaz on percussion and Steve Langone on drums. Excellent opener. Night Dreamer is a cool blend of reggae and Latin jazz with straight up sax melody by Moretti and a bountiful piano solo by Lubarsky with tight rhythms by Stagnaro, Diaz and Langone, and a powerful tenor solo by Moretti. Very cool. Wayne Shorter's Witch Hunt is given a Latin flavor and features a strong bass solo by Stagnaro and relentless tenor work by Moretti, making this one of my favorites on the release. Yes or No is sensational in 7 with Moretti on soprano sax, strong bass lead by Stagnaro and excellent drum work by Langone. Wrapping the release is Footprints with it's driving Latin rhythm reinforced by Diaz and fluid lead work by Moretti on tenor. The band takes the volume down but Lubarsky keeps the heat on with energetic piano phrasing over double time snare/cymbal work by Langone. Strong closer. 

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Alex McLaughlin - A Brand New State - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Brand New State, from Alex McLaughlin, and it's rich and full of texture. Opening with Desert Chapel, Alex McLaughlin on upright bass, sets the quiet framework of the track joined by Jeremy Siskind on piano fleshing out the melody. With Tina Raymond adding crisp, articulate snare and cymbal work, Trumpet man Jeremy Pelt creates a sharp contrast with brilliant phrasing and McLaughlin steps back up with a solid bass solo. Siskind adds his own exploration of the melody making for a super opener. Signals is quite melodic with Pelt laying out the format, framed. Siskind and Pelt  each create dynamic solos making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Lily has a bluesy feel with the sense of longing in lead lines by Pelt on trumpet and lush reinforcement by Siskind on piano. McLaughlin works hand in hand with Siskind on his bass solo with tight snare/cymbal work by Raymond. Bop track, El Polvo really moves with Siskind, McLaughlin and Raymond expanding it nicely. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Elevation with an avalanche of excellent drumming by Raymond and building tension by Siskind on piano. Pelt breaks the tension with a highly melodic solo, and mixing it up with Siskind rewinds the tension. Breaking into his own solo, Siskind develops a solid groove, anchored by Raymond and McLaughlin, rejoined by Pelt who leads the way to an quiet conclusion. Very nice. 

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Happy Growl Records artist: Jim Eannelli - Just Deserts - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Deserts, from Jim Eannelli, and it's a real nice helping of rockabilly, rock, folk and blues. Opening with 29 Women, a strong rocker with a definite defiant swagger, leading the way on guitar and vocal, backed by Rob A Bell on bass, and Bill Siebert on drums. A potent track and brilliant opener. On Train From Chicago, Eannelli melds folk and blues for a really nice sound. His vocals are soulful and and guitar work selective but pointed. With
Peggy James backing vocals and Tanin on keys, this is another strong track. With a western spin, I Want To Be Your Man is another stand out track with a two step rhythm adding harmonica by Lil' Rev and melodic guitar lead held tight by a simple drum rhythm. Another track with a country influence is Old 97 with it's chord driven melody. This is as radio driven as you'll hear on this release but it is well written and performed with nice over laid guitar lead and vocal harmony with James. Very nice. Wrapping the release is driving rocker, Should I Try with a memorable guitar vamp and solid vocals. This is another track with strong commercial potential and a solid closer for an enjoyable release. 

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SwirlDisc artist: FreeWorld - More Love - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, More Love, by FreeWorld and it's a mix of rock, soul, funk, jazz, gospel and reggae. Opening with funk rocker, Outta Sight, Richard Cushing on lead vocal and bass sets the pace with a hot sax solo by Peter Climie and smoking B3 by Cedric Taylor, and joined by Alex Schuetrumpf on trumpet, Courtney Reid on vocal, Frank Paladino on bari sax, Freedman Steorts on trombone, Matt Sweatt on drums and hot guitar solo by Walter Hughes. Smoking opening. Soulful title track, More Love has a solid melody and should appeal strongly for radio play with great lead vocals by Chris Stephenson and warm backing vocals by the Tennessee Mass Choir. Hard driving Rush Hour has a soundtrack feel with Taylor on keys and Gene Nunez on guitars taking the lead pumped up by Schuetrumpf, Climie, Paladino and Steorts on horns and Sweatt on drums. Color Trip is an interesting pop jazz composition with tight horn lead and a real nice guitar solo by Hughes and Hector Diaz on percussion. Wrapping the release is funked up track, D-Up (Here's To Diversity) with it's radio format on straight up vocals, a tight drum rhythm, plenty of keys, making for a unified closer. 

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Copper Fox Music artist: Mile Marker Zero - Coming Of Age - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Coming of Age, from Mile Marker Zero and it's a solid dose of 80's progressive rock. Opening with A Place In Time, Dave Alley on lead vocal and Mark Focarile on keys set the intro for Best Is Yet To Come with it's spirited, guitar and drum driven attack. With Dave on lead vocal and guitars, Doug Alley on drums, Focarile on keys, Jaco Lindito on bass and John Tuohy on guitars and backing vocals this gets ramped up. Title track, Coming of Age has a solid, memorable melody, strong vocals, a very nice Spanish flavored guitar solo and a tight drum rhythm by Doug making this a likely radio track. My favorite track on the release is heavy handed, Heavy Days with excellent guitar work by Dave and smashing drum work by Doug. Wrapping the release is End Of August with an acoustic guitar rhythm leading to Dave leading the way over a bed of subtle piano and percussion. The melody develops nicely with solid phrasing by Focarile on keys giving the track strong thematic body.  This is a solid closer for a comprehensive composition. 

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Blue Canoe Records artist: Randy Hoexter - Tomorrowsville - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tomorrowsville, from Randy Hoexter and it's a strong fusion release. Opening with Rosetta Stone, with it's jagged drum rhythm by John David and Randy Hoexter on piano, this track is humming. Sam Skelton adds some solid phrasing on sax and Justin Powell on trumpet join Jimmy Haslip on bass to really fill out the track but this is a great opener. The Dragonfly has a funky bottom and the addition of Mike Stern is a killer idea with his signature guitar work in contrast with Hoexter's clean yet adventurous piano phrasing. Very nice. Up tempo, The Wine-Dark Sea really gives Sam Skelton a broad stage to really rip on sax and features Roberta Setzu on lead vocal. Another track with with exciting pace is Particle Accelerator. Hoexter and Skelton both lay down really nice solo concepts and the tight rhythms of Haslip, David and Emrah Kotan on percussion, complimented by Powell on trumpet and Eric Alexander on trombone make this an exceptional track. Wrapping the release is an adventurous track, In Bright October, featuring Skelton on bass clarinet and sax in complex melody with Hoexter on piano nicely balanced by Haslip and David. Solid closer. 

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Jim Witzel Quartet - Breaking Through Gently - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Breaking Through Gently, from Jim Witzel Quartet and it's light and springy. Opening with My Compass, Phil Aaron on piano lays a solid bed giving Jim Witzel a broad road to create the melody on guitar, backed by Dan Feiszli on bass and Jason Lewis on drums. Aaron's The Celebration has a joyous, almost spiritual, sound with lead shared between himself and Witzel. Fluid, lightly funky, lead on guitar and dazzling drum work by Lewis gives this track real spark. The Little Dragon is my favorite track on the release, with aggressive, driving lead by Witzel, punctuated by Aaron, a really strong piano interlude by Aaron and supported by perfect rhythm by Feiszli and Lewis. Excellent! Wrapping the release is title track, Breaking Through Gently, a sprite, guitar led fusion track with a solid melody, balanced by Aaron on piano. Very nice composition and solid closer. 

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Origin Records artist: Michael Dease - Found In Space: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Found In Space: The Music of Gregg Hill, by Michael Dease and it's an interesting exploration of the music of composer, Gregg Hill. Opening with The Last Pop Tune, Bill Cunliffe plays the intro on piano quickly joined by Virginia Macdonald on clarinet, Matt White on trumpet, Katie Thiroux on bass and Colleen Clark on drums. Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto and Jason Hainsworth on tenor saxs up the ante and Cunliffe develops the melody nicely on piano. Sharel Cassity really flies on flute and Nanami Haruta and Michael Dease on trombone really add strength. One For Rodney shows off the powerful horn section but it's Thiroux's bass solo that really shines. Hainsworth on tenor sax pared with Sharel Cassity on alto really rips and Clark's drum work is stellar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is The Stray Moonduck with a great intro by Dease on trombone and strong flute work by Cassity. A meaty solo by Dease, really gives this track the flavor seasoned by Cunliffe on piano and Hainsworth's tenor work really adds the juice. Bluesy, Anthem, is my favorite track on the release sets up with Cassity on flute and tight rhythm by Thiroux, Clark and Gwendolyn Dease on percussion, The horn section is always tight with excellent tenor work by Hainsworth, and aggressive alto work by Mahanthappa. Wrapping the release is New Orleans funky A Wrinkle In Time with Cunliffe mixing it up with Michael Dease. Macdonald on clarinet steps forward joined by Cassity on flute , then Mahanthappa, White, Harunta, Thiroux and Clark. Dease wails on trombone over strong rhythm by Thiroux and Clark. Solid closer. 

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Rupe Media artist: Jeff Rupert - It Gets Better - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It Gets Better, by Jeff Rupert, and it's quite good. Opening with Petrichor (in the Cote D'a zur) Rupert on tenor sax, really gets the track swinging with Kenny Barron on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Barron really gets the ivories rocking with an excellent solo of his own and Washington strolls on the bass adding even more texture. Excellent opener. Title track, It Gets Better features a nicely phrases melody by Rupert, nicely punctuated by the strokes of Barron, leading to a nice solo of his own. Very cool. Jimmy Van Heusen's Like Someone In Love makes for an excellent tune to work on and Rupert really takes it on with tasty sax phrasing on a light bed of cymbals and snare by Farnsworth and a great bass line by Washington. Washington gets a really nice stretch on bass on this one making it one of my favorites on the release. Not My Blues is a strong, original track with hard lines by Rupert and Barron. A solid bass/drum anchor really keeps this track pure another excellent addition to the set list. Wrapping the release is Promenade In Blue, a terrific original ballad with a beautiful melody. Rupert's tone is sultry and warm and Barron's piano accompaniment caresses the melody. Washington's solo on this one is condensed yet powerful adding real teeth. This is a strong closer for a truly fine release.

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Dharma Down - Owl Dreams - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Owl Dreams, from Dharma Down, presenting an exciting blend of European, Middle Eastern and other global styles for a fresh result. Opening with Jalla Man, keyboardist Mike Effenberger anchors the piece with rich sub melodies, lead by Duncan Hardy on Qanun (a stringed instrument with an eastern sound), and footed by Scott Kiefner on acoustic bass and John Mettam on drums. Baghdad has a more traditional feel with a sultry melody line by Hardy on sax, working in unison with Kiefner on bass and Mettam on drums and counter to Effenberger on piano. Very nice. A Murder of Cheerleaders is really quite an interesting composition by Effenberger with shrill, intense lead sax by Hardy and vibrant, percussive, piano work by Effenberger held tightly together by Kiefner on bass and Mettam on drums. Quite an adventurous and stimulating piece. East 73rd Street is a straight up jazz exploration with Hardy leading the way on sax. His placement of the melody, secured by Effenberger on piano gives the track substantial zing and active bass and drum work by Kiefner and Mettam add real texture. With it's Latin undertones, reinforced by Kiefner and Mettam, Jurjina has real spunk. Hardy leads the way on sax, playing effortlessly through both European and eastern styles, punctuated by Effenberger on piano on both supportive and lead roles. My favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is Thoughts And Prayers, a really nice composition by Kiefner giving Effenberger the lead on piano, paired with Hardy on sax with rich colors and underpinned by Kiefner who takes a really nice solo on bass and Mettam on drums, making this a solid closer. 

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Marc Ciprut - Moonshine - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Moonshine, from Marc Ciprut and it's a cool, jazz rocker. Opening with title track, Moonshine, guitar wiz, Marc Ciprut lays out the melody over a funky, James Brown like rhythm with Ettienne Lytle on organ, Jimmy Haslip on bass, Tobias Ralph on drums and Daniel Sadownick on percussion. Super opener. Cutie has a easy Latin feel and Ciprut lead is very stylistically clean. Lytle  on Wurlitzer really adds nice thickness and James Genus on bass holds down the bottom with Tommi Rautiainen on drums. Ciprut's approach is a bit more aggressive on No More Room with an almost Beck like attack and Jon Cowherd rocks a real nice solo on Wurlitzer, Genus on bass and Tobias Ralph on drums make this my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is Funk You with it's super rhythm. Ciprut lays down a funky rhythm line and overlays the melody. Lytle on organ and clavinet adds significant depth and Genus on bass and Ralph on drums joined by Sadownick on percussion make this an excellent closer for a very enjoyable release. 

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Neil Adler - Emi's Song - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Emi's Song, by Neil Adler and it's an interesting mix or Latin, jazz, blues and rock. Opening with Latin flavored title track, Emi's Song, Neil Adler on piano and chromatic harmonica leads the way on this beautiful composition. With Jeff Buenz soloing with powerful phrasing on 6 string bass, Akira Tana on drums and Carlitos Medrano on congas, this is a solid opener. Oliver Nelson's swinging shuffle, Yearnin', really sounds great with Adler paired on piano and harmonica and Buenz stepping up big time with a tight bass solo giving the release real depth. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Jimmy Rowles' The Peacocks, featuring really beautiful melodic phrasing by Adler on harmonica over piano, bass and drums. Walter Gross' Tenderly, with it's lush melody is nicely articulated by Adler on harmonica over piano. The tune will likely be recognizable by everyone and Adler's feel is perfect. Wrapping the release is Charlie Parker's Donna Lee with it's bop feel. Adler goes it alone on chromatic harmonica only and the track is stark and playful. Strong closer for a real nice release. 

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Qualified Records artist: Gary Nicholson - Common Sense - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Common Sense, by Gary Nicholson and it's a mix of pop, rock, country and blues. Opening with What A Little Love Will Do, a country rock flavored pop track, Gary Nicholson on vocal and guitars leads the way with vocal backing by Harry Stinson, joined by Kevin McKendree on guitar, Jim Hoke on guitar, Lynn Williams on drums and Mike Joyce on bass. Laid back country shuffle, Make Good Trouble featured some of Nicholson's best vocals on the release and The McCrary Sisters on backing vocals Mike Finnegan on organ and piano, Hutch Hutchison on bass, Tony Braunegal on drums and John Jorgensen on guitar. We Don't Talk About It is a cool track with Nicholson and The McCrary Sisters ramping the vocals up. McKendree on piano really kicks up the juice and Jim Hoke on harmonica gives the track a real zing. Another favorite is Follow The Money with a funky blues feel. Jim Hoke on steel guitar and sax gives this track some real nice punch and Yates McKendree slips in a solid guitar solo.  All That Makes Me Happy Is The Blues has a real nice movement with Latin rhythm by Williams and McKendree and outstanding guitar work by Anson Funderburgh. Rural blues and title track, Common Sense, has a real earthy feel with Luke Bulla on fiddle and mandolin, Richard Bailey on banjo, Colin Linden on guitar and Hoke on harmonica and dobro, backing Nicholson on vocal. Wrapping the release is simple ballad, There's No Them, with Nicholson featured on vocal, backed by David Santos on bass, Rick Vito on guitar, Chris Carmichael on strings and McKendree on piano. 

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Bodacious Records artist: Jimbo Ross - Jazz Passion & Satin Latin - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jazz Passion & Satin Latin, by Jimbo Ross and it's a lively mix of American Standards, jazz classics and original compositions. Opening with Victor Young's Delijah with it's mix of eastern and American rhythms, Jimbo Ross, electric violin virtuoso, really gets things ramped up. Carrying the melody on violin and joined by Joe Gaeta on guitar, Stuart Elster on piano, Peter Marshall on bass, and Ron Wagner on drums, swing and sway. Elster lays in a really nice piano solo giving the track classic sophistication and Gaeta hits a strong groove of his own on guitar working both chords streams and inventive, melodic concepts. Very nice. Wes Montgomery's bop creation, Jingles, holds classic form and structure but giving Ross plenty of room to stretch on violin. Elster on piano creates a strong melodic form of his own and Gaeta really stretches it with unexpected innovation. Johnny Mandel's pop classic, Emily, shapes up nicely for Ross to mold and shape around a powerful melody. I particularly like Elster form and simplicity and touch on this track and Marshall's bass soloing is deep and thoughtful. Gerry Mulligan's East Lag is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's firmly reinforced rhythm and the wide open avenue afforded to Ross and especially Gaeta on guitar. Again, Elster on piano adds a nice touch to his own bright improv. Wrapping the release is Ernesto Lecuon, The Breeze & I with a high tempo pace. Gaeta and Ross both shine on articulate solos complimented by Elster on piano and Marshall's active bass line working with Wagner anchoring the piece. Vibrant closer. 

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