Bman's Blues Report: Review

Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Origin Records artist: Michael Dease with the MSU Jazz Trombones - Spartan Strong - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Spartan Strong, from Michael Dease (with the MSU Jazz Trombones) and it's super. Opening with Huesos Con Clave this set is off to a hot start. This track features over the top trombone solos by Aidan Clark, Dan Parrish, Altin Sencalar, Drew Kilpela, a strong bass trombone solo by Chris Glassman, and a hot piano solo by Xavier Davis and well as hot rhythm by Keith Hall on drums. Excellent opener. Randy Brecker's Some Skunk Funk provides a great platform for some outrageous trombone work by Sencalar, Kilpela, Glassman and Parrish with Davis on piano and Hall on drums. A Latin spin on Carmichael's The Nearness of You has a light and aiery feel. Nanami Haruta blows an exceptional trombone solo on this one with full trombone backing. Really nice. Sharel Cassity original Composition, Song of Those Who Seek, features a strong trombone solos by Eli Howell and Charles Scanlon, alto sax solo by Cassity and with Ethan Frank on piano, Reuben Stump on bass and Brian Allen really tight on drums. Steve Turre's Groove Blues really lays in the slot with Pablo Muller-Santiago, Hannah Davies and Michael Dease really grooving on trombone with Frank's perfect phrasing on piano. Their trio lead really does sound great. Benny Golson's Blues After Dark, follows an easy shuffle and showcases (in order) Daniel Bear on trombone, Charles Grace Jr. and Gina Benalcazar-Lopez on bass trombone, Davis on piano, Andrew Kim on trombone, Kyle Quick on bass trombone, Keith Hall on drums and Ken Tompkins on trombone. Wrapping the release is Pettiford's spirited, Blues In The Closet with Bridgette Setters, Kilppela, Parrish, and Sencalar, on trombone and Glassman on on bass trombone followed by Dease. Excellent closer.

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Tuesday, March 3, 2026

The Outernet - The Light & The Fury - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Light & The Fury, from The Outernet and it's electrifying. Opening with The Fury, Phil Turcio on keys and Emilio Kormanic on guitars lead a high paced fusion track with an excellent presentation. Romping bass lines by Pete Mollica and tight drum work by Pete Drummond leave you breathless. Excellent opener. The Crossing is a super composition with an aggressive bottom. Mollica and Drummond are anything but subdued with excellent rhythm work and Turcio splashes in a bright piano solo to cap this one off. Menacing Images has a driving bottom and Drummond plays intense drum lead paired closely with Mollica and Turcio, Kormanic rips on guitar again and takes things down in tempo but without losing the enthusiasm with thought provoking piano work. Another strong track. Running From The Aliens (Pt I) has a great lead guitar rhythm melody synched with Turcio on keys and Mollica and Drummond reinforcing the rhythm. An energetic, clean bass lead by Mollica is exceptional making this one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is beautiful, The Light, led elegantly by Kormanic on guitar caressed by Turcio on keys . This is an excellent release and a great fusion performance.

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

The Scott Silbert Quartet - Dream Dancing, Celebrating Zoot Sims at 100 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dream Dancing, Celebrating Zoot Sims at 100, and it's a solid tribute. Opening with Porter's Dream Dancing, Scott Silbert on tenor sax sets a warm and supple melody over a crisp Bossa beat by Chuck Redd on drums, with Amy Shook creating a super lead bass solo and Robert Redd adding super depth on piano. Van Heusen's Deep In A Dream is paced by Robert on piano and Silbert has strong rich tone on tenor sax, driven by Shook, who also lays down some mighty chops on bass. Fred Coots' You Go To My Head is actually a favorite melody of mine and Silbert really nails it on tenor. Robert's bright piano phrasing sets the melody off nicely making this one of my favorites on the release. Johnny Mandel's Low Life has a great swing with Silbert really getting in the groove, punctuated by Robert on piano. Wrapping the release is killer track, JJ Johnson's Wee Dot. Silbert gets on the tenor and rides it hard. Super piano work by Robert, and another super bass lead by Shook, all tied together by Chuck makes this an excellent closer.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

OA2 Records artist: Gil Livni - All In - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, All In , by Gil Livni and it's terrific! Opening with Wonder Woman, Gil Livni is hot out of the gate with scorching hot guitar riffs with Amit Friedman on sax sharing the floor. Yonatan Riklis on organ and Yonatan Rosen on drums round out the band for one of the hottest openers I've heard in a long time. Excellent! Bluesy shuffle, All In is led by Friedman on sax and Rosen on drums. Holds it tight. Friedman really gets this track rolling with incredible phrasing warmed by Rikles on organ. I love Livni's jazz blues fusion soloing with great contrast by Riklis who lines up his own organ attack. Really stellar. A Latin fusion twist on Lennon/ McCarthy composition, I Want You, is so cool. With it's spot on rhythm by Rosen, interesting rework, excellent guitar lead by Livni, and earthy exploration by Friedman and deep organ tension by Rikles... wow! Granted has that R&B funk sound powered by the flaming fingers of Livni on Riklis on organ and Rosen on drums. Breaking back is Friedman who sails with sax adding the power horn that you'd expect on this sound but without approaching cliche. Rikles gets his turn leading on organ with Livni picking up rhythm. This track will keep you moving. Buddy Johnson's classic, Since I Fell For You, is framed by Friedman on sax with light guitar and organ under the melody. Livni, really digs in with a blues feel, dashed with excellent jazz phrasing giving this track legs. Riklis owns this track with his bluesy organ taking it to the streets. Very very nice. Wrapping the release is bluesy shuffle, Gentleman's Blues giving Livni a great chance to really stretch on guitar. His hands are great and his chops are fat. Friedman slides into a sax super groove with his hard bop phrasing and Riklis knows just what to do to keep the fire hot. His lead work is strong and supple yet full throated when he steps on the gas. This is a strong closer for an really hot release.

Monday, February 16, 2026

JGB Music artist: The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective - Cortadito - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cortadito, by The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective, and it's lively. Opening with Orchard Downs and extremely rhythmic track, Victor Garcia on trumpet, Brian Stark on tenor sax and Ben Carrasquillo o trombone lays down the melody with excellent rhythm by Michael Rodriguez on bongos and bell, Victor Gonzalez on timbales, Andrey Goncalvez on bass, Jose Guzman on guitar and Jose Natal on barril. Hot opener. A Sunday Kind Of Day features a cha cha rhythm and soft trumpet/sax/trombone mix over Javier Quintana on congas. Really nice trumpet improv by Garcia gives the track a nice edge and Guzman's guitar chops add nicely to the feel. Bembe style, Witches Dance really moves with excellent percussion by Quintana, Gonzalez, Rodriguez, and Natal. Brassy lead by Garcia and a rolling bass line by Goncalvez really sets this track off. Wrapping the release is Brian Stark's El Volcan with shifting time signatures and paces. A smokin sax solo by Stark, and hot percussion, chased by a warm trombone solo by Carrasquillo, tight brass by Garcia and Guzman on guitar, this is an excellent closer.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

OA2 Records artist: Anna Kolchina - Reach For Tomorrow - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Reach For Tomorrow, by Anna Kolchina and it's hauntingly elegant. Opening with Schwartz and Dietz song, Dancing In The Dark, Soviet born, Anna Kolchina quietly controls your breath with her easy music gait. Accompanied by Ilya Lushtak, a beautiful opener. Peter Bernstein lends his cultured electric guitar work to Kolchina's vocals on Anthony Newley's Who Can I Turn To?. Sure footed and smooth, a very nice track. Jazz classic, All or Nothing At All, sung in understated poise, again backed by Bernstein on electric guitar is a solid addition. Romero Lubamo really adds flavor with his excellent Spanish guitar styling on Gilbert Becaud's french classic What Now My Love?. Holding to the standard, nicely done. Harry Barris' Wrap Your Trouble In Dreams is smoothly handled by Kolchina and really nice electric guitar soloing by Paul Bollenback really shines. Another elegant track is Johnny Mercer's Whistling Away The Dark with lush vocals by Kolchina and rich guitar work by Bollenback. Wrapping the release is Ella's Reach For Tomorrow. Paced down to simple tune, it has a simple luxury which well suits Kolchina's voice and Yotam Silberstein's fluid electric guitar soloing really dresses it nicely. Strong closer.

Thursday, February 5, 2026

ClayTone Music artist: John Clay - About Time - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, About Time, from John Clay and it's a cool slice of classic jazz. Opening with Fred Hersch's A Lark, Shunzo Ohno on trumpet and Matt Garrison on sax set the intro feeding to a playful melody by Enrique Haneine on piano. Sean Conly on bass really delivers on acoustic bass accompanied by Haneine and John Clay on drums. Very cool opener. Ruby Pucillo shows strong vocal work on Bob Hilliard's Alice In Wonderland. Set in 3/4 with Haneine, Conly and Clay anchoring, this really is a great showcase for Pucillo. Haneine takes a super stretch on piano and Conly's bass work is superb. Billy Drummond's Dubai is my favorite track on the release with dramatic lead work by Ohno and Garrison. Clay has just the right hand on drums giving Garrison a solid platform for his coolest sax solo on the release, Ohno's muted trumpet solo pressed by Haneine and Clay is really strong and Haneine hits gold on his piano solo. Very nice. Victor Young's (and Miles) Stella By Starlight is a terrific showcase for Ohno on trumpet with an excellent bass line by Conly and tight rhythm by Clay. I can't describe how important the accents by Haneine contribute to the track, under both Ohno and Garrison. Wrapping the release is Alan Pasqua's, My New Friend Old Friend, led of course by Haneine on piano. Another rich bass solo by Conly with crisp drum work by Clay makes for a strong closer.

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Origin Records Artist: Mattias Svensson - Embrace - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Embrace, from Mattias Svensson and it's quiet and lush. Opening with My Toots Toots (For Toots), Bill Mays on piano frames the melody with light brush work by Morten Lund on drums, leading to an extended fluid bass solo by Mattias Svensson. Emphasizing the 3/4 timing on by Svensson and Lund, Mays mines the track with strong instincts with nicely placed accents by Lund. Solid opener. With it's contemplative feel, Erik Satir really gives Svensson a wide lane and his strong sense really plays out nicely on bass. Mays' piano punctuation comes more in the way of phrases expanding the track nicely interweaving with Svensson's continued lead. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Steps (Ahead) with it's contemporary melody, outlined by Mays on piano. Another solid lead by Svensson, with light cymbal work by Lund and framing by Mays helps to really spotlight this track. Mays rolls behind Svensson with a more bluesy exploration of the melody and with concise riffs by Lund caps off the track. Fast paced, Cheddar, pushed by Svensson and Lund gives the floor to Mays and he really runs with it. I particularly like the way Svensson drives the rhythm with his bass line, reinforced by Lund. Strong track. T'ai The Chi(T) Together, is a cool track with a great drum line by Lund. Svensson creates a flowing bass line that outlines just under the melody and Mays elaborates that melody on piano. Very cool track. Wrapping the release is cool, bluesy, Fredriksson 3 with a boppy bass line and Lund on tom toms. Svensson plucks some high register bass notes adding real contrast to this already cool track. Strong closer.

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Origin Records artist: Paul Ricci - The Path - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Path, by Paul Ricci and it's an interesting blend of contemporary and world jazz. Opening with Major Look, Steve Jordan on drums, Manolo Badrena on percussion and Anthony Jackson on contrabass guitar, set a funky rhythm and Paul Ricci lays down a smooth melody, contrasted by Michael Wolff on electric piano. Electrifying opener. Lobo is particularly enticing, featuring Malian singer, Abdoulaye Diabate and tight African rhythms by Jojo Kuo on drums, Ramon Echegeray, Arturo Prendez, Hugo Fattoruso on percussion, Jackson on contrabass, Hugo Fattoruso on clavinet, wild guitar lead by Ricci and super soprano sax by Jay Rodriguez. Excellent track. More contemporary in nature, Around The Block finds Ricci leading the way with fluid electric guitar lines, anchored by Jurim Moreira on drums and Fattorusso on piano and backed by aggressive bass lines by Anthony and Badrena and Valtinho Anastacio on percussion. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Down On 6th Street is a laid back track with rich guitar chords and lead by Ricci, and Boccato on drums. This release has a lot of variety with plenty of texture.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Levantine Music artist: Wanees Zarour - Silwan- New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Silwan, by Wanees Zarour and it's intriguing. Opening with title track, Silwan, Wanees Zarour on buzug crafts the melody with support of Andrew Lawrance on piano. Adding light drums and percussion are Nick Kabat and Tareq Rantisi. The track snaps into a contemporary western form with the addition of Byron Pardo on clarinet and Vinny Kabat on bass. The track gets a euro eastern twist on the solo by Pardo handing back to Zarour on buzuq and a lively modern eastern flavored melody. Strong opener. Autumn has a lush melody with a slight Spanish flavor. Zarour on oud crafts the melody with excellent harmonies by Pardo on sax and Catie Hickey on trombone. My favorite track on the release. Fig Tree has a warm, almost waltz like cadence with a warming trombone solo by Kickey and a really nice guitar solo by Samuel Mosching, contrasted with eastern notes by Pardo on clarinet and featuring a solid oud solo by Zarour. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Anthem with an almost classical intro, morphing into a funk poppy track with a strong spirit. Pardo on sax and Hickey on trombone exchange lead over an up tempo rhythm by Kabat and Mosching steps up with an excellent guitar lead that really shines. Lawrance on piano duels with Kabat on drums to a solid climax breaking back to a basal rudiment with Kabat, Rantisi and Zarour on oud creating a frenzied conclusion. Very nice set.

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Francesca Prihasti - Beneath the Sun - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Beneath The Sun, by Francesca Prihasti and it's clean and flowing. Opening with In Between, Francesca Prihasti on piano sets the framework and melody for the track. With light drums by Mark Ferber the track has an interesting structure and Nic Vardanega's contribution on guitar stretches the track nicely underpinned by Drew Gress on bass. Solid opener. Reason and Will allows Prihasti space to outline the concept without firm boundaries with Gress and Ferber but melds into a more concrete rhythm statement piano lyrics and glistening guitar tones by Vardanega and excellent drum statements by Ferber. Till We Have Faces features Nick Brust on alto sax leading the way with excellent rhythms by Ferber. With a lightly funky rhythm by Gress and Ferber, Prihasti and Brust trade sympathetic solos. Wrapping the release is Fortitude, led off by a melodic statement by Brust on soprano sax and aggressive drum cadence by Ferber. Prihasti takes the lead with seamless piano lines, trading back to Brust who fades into a solid rhythm by Gress and Ferber. Solid closer.

Friday, January 23, 2026

Bijan Taghavi - Cactus Sessions - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cactus Sessions, by Bijan Taghavi and it's very straight forward and articulate. Opening with Jobim's, Wave, Bijan Taghavi shows poise and sense of space taking this Brazilian super hit, and restructuring it maintaining it's Bossa Nova skeleton but giving it a more classical jazz approach. Very nice. DePaul's, I'll Remember April, on the other hand gets a more aggressive rework with a up tempo rhythm and vibrant lead piano runs. Richard Rogers', Have You Met Miss Jones, gets a solid bop job and Taghavi really knows how to work the melody. His sense of time and rhythm really rock this track. Wrapping the release is another Jobim track, Desafinado, and Taghavi runs the gamut on this track. Opening with a Bossa style over ice, his direction is clear and concise. Warming into the track his approach loosens with a touch of boogie. Returning to a more classical closing, this is a cool journey. Solid release.

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Flying Horse Records artist: The Flying Horse Big Band - Unbridled: The Flying Horse Big Band Meets George Garzone - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Unbridled: The Flying Horse Big Band Meets George Garzone, from The Flying Horse Big Band and it's melodic and fully of power. Opening with John Coltrane's Giant Steps, George Garzone leads the way on vibrant tenor sax, and a Latin beat with Paul Van Wormer of lead alto, Leon Edge on clarinet, Edmund Quint Johnson V on sax, Fortunato Occhino on sax, Colin Urbina on bari sax and Jeff Rupert on sax, Alex Kastner, Joshua mercado, Robert Schmidt and Phebe Rich on trumpets, Daniel Tenbusch on piano, HNoah Charles on guitar, Carlos Barreto on bass, Max Terechenok on drums, Daniel Parrish, Samuel Dufresne, Gabe Funk and Benjamin Fuller on trombone. Solid interpretation and cool opener. Hot potato, Chasin' Tail is really moving with Johnson really kicking it on tenor sax. Full horns and kick ass drums by Jamesly Jean-Mary gives a meaty background making this one of my favorites on the release. It Gets Better is a real swinger with a fine sax solo by Jeff Rupert. This track has a great groove, understated horns, and nicely timed drums by Terechenok. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a pumped up Slide Hampton arranged take on Coltrane's Impressions. Driven by Clarence Penn on drums and a potent piano solo by Richard Drexler and featuring Garzone on sax, going out with blazing trumpet line.

Friday, January 16, 2026

Ross Neilsen - Within Tension - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Within Tension, by Ross Neilson, and it's a blend of contemporary pop, rock and blues. Opening with Rock Ranger, with it's overdriven guitar tones and vocals somewhat formatted like Peter Green's Oh Well. With John C. Stubblefield on bass, Rick Steff on keys and Jay Sheffield II on drums its a powerful opener. Easy shuffle, Road To Memphis, has a poppy radio feel with jangly, guitar work and snappy drums. Pop ballad, Come To Be showcases Neilsen's vocals with light acoustic guitar and keys by Steff. With a blend of country rhythm by Sheffield and Neilsen frame the track and Neilsen's vocals bridge with pop, joined by Steff on keys. Soul track, Good Enough features some of Neilsen's best vocals on the release and a solid sax solo by Art Edmaiston make this my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is solid ballad, Bold & Beaten with Neilsen on guitar and Steff on keys making for a warm closer.

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

OA2 Records artist: Kate Olson - So It Goes - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, So It Goes, by Kate Olson and it's full of life. Opening with energetic, bebop track, Bumbling Thumbs Blues, Kate Olson on soprano sax and Conner Eisenmenger on trombone lay the framework for this ultra cool track with it's eccentric melody. Eisenmenger stretches the melody in a great way, chased by Evan Woodle on drums and Olson follows with concentrated melodic extensions of her own. Tim Carey on bass shows his nimble chops and the 4 some sounds like a morphing big band/ Dixieland quartet wrapping it back down tight. Solid opener. All Pear-Shaped has a searing bottom line and a jagged but coherent melody feeding into Eisenmenger's inciteful trombone solo. Olson on sax lays back in the groove feeding the flames with a solid bottom by Carey and Woodle. Another extended bass solo by Carey and rotating lines by Eisenmenger, Olson and Woodle make for fun work. Soulful ballad, So It Goes, really fills the air with hand in hand dual lead by Olson and Eisenmenger, trading lead lines and followed by bell like piano soloing by Wayne Horvitz. Very sweet track. Another track with a soulful melody is Afterthoughts led off with a beautiful melody forged by Olson on sax and footed by Horvitz on piano. Eisenmenger joins with harmony on trombone elaborating the melody as Olson fades back. This track has a lush exchange between the parties making it one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Weigh Out, a super track with muscular efforts by Olson and Eisenmenger. With it's driving bop rhythm and athletic melodic contributions, this is an excellent closer.

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Heather McKay - Life Got In The Way - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Life Got In The Way, by Heather McKay and it's great. Opening with You Make Me Smile, Leonardo Lucini and Leland Nakamura on bass and drums respectively lay down a firm Latin rhythm reinforced by Campbell Charshee on keys, Peter Fraize on sax and Bruno Lucini on percussion. Heather McKay breaks away with a really tasty guitar solo with crisp riffs and plenty of flair. Fraizee really takes advantage of the Latin rhythm with an energetic solo of his own making for a super opener. Narraguagus Bay is an easy, relaxing track with a killer bass solo by Lucini and a wailing guitar solo by McKay. Strong tonal harmonies really blend nicely. Excellent! Run is a cool Latin fusion track with a strong bass line and super keys punctuation. With a ripping guitar lead by McKay and smoking drumming by Nakamura joined by Fraize this track is hot. Wrapping the release is heavy salsa influenced, Lucini in The Park. McKay really mixes it up on this one with jazz and Spanish guitar styling. Bruno on percussion adds super spice and Fraize creates super counter melody. Solid contributions by Fraize, Charshee, Nakamura and Lucini make this a spectacular closer.

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