Bman's Blues Report: Review

Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

Friday, June 5, 2026

HipSync Records artist: Rik Wright's Fundamental Forces - Fool's Fate - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fool's Fate, from Rik Wright's Fundamental Forces and it's really cool. Opening with Fool's Fate, Rik Wright on guitar sets a rhythm, joined by Greg Campbell on drums and Geoff Harper on bass carving out a funky fusion feel. James DeJoie on alto sax plays aggressive shredding riffs surrounded by lush chords by Wright. This is a spacy, creative track with plenty of expansive space. Very cool opener. Freezer Jam pairs Wright and DeJoie on melody over a creative, jagged rhythm by Harper and Campbell. DeJoie breaks free forming a more cohesive melody on sax and Wright plays a particularly melodic rhythm as DeJoie breaks free, leading to his own guitar romp supported by Harper and Campbell. Staggering. Luminescence has a haunting, particularly beautiful melody, structured by Wright on electric guitar chords, and easy paced melodic lines by DeJoie. Wright takes a calming, well articulated guitar solo of his own with only bass and drum support, really digging out an emotional solo to conclude the track. Super. Wrapping the release is Something Sad and Sweet where Wright plays lush chords with echo and volume swells to create a beautiful, airy, melody that literally floats. Sophisticated closer for a very nice release.

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"

qrcode

“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

Thursday, June 4, 2026

Mighty Ernie Records artist: Pete Mills - This Is Now - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, This Is Now, by Pete Mills and it's hot! Opening with title track, This Is Now, tenor sax player, Pete Mills lays out the melody, punctuated by Kenny Banks jr. on piano and Matt Wilson on drums. Wilson digs in with his first solo and he is really cooking with Martin Wind on bass driving hard and active drum action by Wilson. Banks Jr. lays down a solid groove of his own and Pete McCann on guitar really sails, making this a dynamite opener. Laying back a bit, Daddies has a real nice, soulful melody with Mills leading the way on sax. Really settling into the groove Mills double times his phrasing before handing off to Banks Jr. who floats on the groove. A meaty solo by Wind on bass is punctuated by Wilson on tom tom. Very nice. Exit Strategy is a contemporary jazz track with a more eccentric rhythm. Mills and Wilson really set it up and Banks Jr. takes one of his most exciting piano rides on the release. McCann takes a hard right with overdriven guitar tones giving the track a real fusion sound. Very cool. Window Shopping is a real slinky track featuring first Mills on sax, crafting the melody with a minimal of bass and drums in support. So nice and soulful, it almost seems effortless, with broken rhythm accents by Wilson adding real texture. Wind takes the second leg on solo with excellent hands and Wilson's percussion taken town to cymbal only. Joining back with Mills the melody is restated. Very nice. Latin flavored, Sliver of Silver showcases Mills and Banks Jr., really cruising and fluid soloing by McCann on electric guitar with excellent rhythmic anchor by Wind and Wilson. Funky, Boubar, really moves with Mills kicking it hard over Wind and Wilson's bottom and McCann adds fanning guitar riffs adding to the percussive nature of the track. Nice. Wrapping the release is U.M.M.G., a short duet with Wilson and Mills in tribute to Mills' father. With easy brush strokes by Wilson, Mills crafts a rich, soulful melody that seems to float on the air. Solid closer.

Friday, May 29, 2026

Beyond 1969 - Back To The Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Back To The Blues, by Beyond 1969 and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with I'm Never Gonna Leave You, a cool rocker with a funky backbeat, Tom Forst on lead vocal and guitar sets the pace with active bass work by Tony Delisio, Jeff Bousfield on keys and Bryan Caudle on drums. Bluesy ballad, Consolation Man is a real cool track in the vein of the Thrill Is Gone with soulful vocals and tasty, overdriven guitar lead by Forst, backing vocals and bass by Delisio, saturated organ work by Bousfield and a tight rhythm by Caudle. Very nice. Caudle opens Darkest Before The Dawn with a funky drum rhythm, supported by a complimentary bass line by Delisio. This may be my favorite track on the release when Forst gets into the groove with his vocal and melodic guitar soloing, surrounded by Bousfield's saturated organ and keyboard soloing. Very cool. Blues soaked, It's My Own Damn Fault, really gives Forst a chance to grind it out on guitar and his vocals are just right. With warm organ work by Bousfield, leading bass work by Delisio and tight percussion by Caudle, this track is a sure winner. Wrapping the release is When It All Falls Down is a driving rocker with prominent bass work by Delisio with full organ and drums under solid vocals by Forst. Forst layers guitar lead with Bousfield for an epic duel closing out the release.

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Robert Jospe' Quartet - The Night Sky - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Night Sky, from Robert Jospe' Quartet and it's quite good. Opening with Latin flavored, Crooked Mile, Daniel Clarke on piano and Robert Jospe' set a terrific, rhythmic tempo and Chris Whiteman on guitar cruises the melody with the smoothness of Benson. With Paul Langosch on bass and extended piano work by Clarke, this is a super opener. Pyramids is another track with a heavily rhythmic feel follows a great melodic phrase set by Clarke on piano and Whiteman's guitar work really is quite nice with excellent percussion by Jospe' holding it all together. Flashback is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a funky keyboard, bass and drum setup. Clarke on piano and Whiteman on guitar solo out with tight phrasing pushed by Langosch on bass and Jospe' o drums. Super. Billy Strahorn's classic, Take The A Train, is reworked with Clarke and Whiteman working the melody. Whitehorn's guitar phrasing is swift and stimulating and Clarke's piano workout challenging and tight. With Driving bass by Langosch and crisp drums by Jospe' this is fresh. Wrapping the release is Silver Lining, performed by Jospe' on hand pan. This rings clear and shown ingenuity and solid composition. Very nice closer.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Outrageous8 Records artist: Cyger & Butterworth - Plaid Pants - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Plaid Pants, by Cyger & Butterworth and it's cool. Opening with Latin soaked, Pequena Diabla, Ron Cyger on sax has the lead with a smooth and moving melody, supported by Brent Butterworth on bass, guitar and ukulele. Solid opener. Clunky has a cool, suspenseful melody with Butterworth creating a framework for melody on guitar, joined by Cyger on flute and Dimitris Terzpiis on drums. Cyger takes the first solo on flute followed by Butterworth on guitar. Returning to sax, Cyger blows a soulful solo and Butterworth a solo on bass. This track is unusual and interesting. Poydras St. has a springy rhythm and Butterworth on guitar and Cyger on sax are tight on a unified melody, chased by Terzpiis on drums with a New Orleans flavor. Cyger takes an extended solo on sax expanding the melody and Butterworth on bass takes it a few steps further before rejoining for a melodic reunion. Bye-Bye Blue Whale opens with Butterworth on bass and rich guitar chords but quickly develops with the most melodic track on the release featuring soulful sax work by Cyger. Warm, double time guitar soloing by Butterfield gives the track a more bop feel. Wrapping the release is light and breezy, LP with Butterfield laying down the melody on guitar joined by Cyger on flute. Breaking on sax, Cyger further develops the track and Cyger rocks in on guitar. A tight drum exhibition by Terzpiis and a melodic refrain closes the release.

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Origin Records artist: Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dear Ms. Dearie, from Dawn Clement, and its really quite good. Opening with The Gentleman Is A Dope, Dawn Clement on piano and vocal leads the way, supported by John Clayton on bass and Jeff Hamilton on drums. Steve Kovalcheck on guitar really gives the track a workout with bright guitar soloing. Super opener. With it's waltz feel, Dance Only With Me is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Clement, first laying down the base melody and clean and articulate soloing by Kovalcheck on guitar. Clement's improvisation on piano is quite nice and her vocals are clean and sweet. Clement's cover of Blossom Dearie's I Like You, You're Nice is quite nice with smooth vocals over piano by Clement. Latin rhythm under Dearie's, I Know The Moon is cool with light, almost breathy vocals and firm, percussive piano over an easy but firm bass and drums bottom. Another favorite on the release, Our Day Will Come, has a real Shirley Horn feel (which I love) and Kovalcheck's guitar solo is brilliant. The Party's Over is another really strong track on the release with Kovalcheck leading the way on guitar. Clement on vocal and piano maintains a real nice bop feel and Clayton closes the track with a cool bass solo. Wrapping the release is Dearie original, Home, which I feel suits Clement's voice as well as any track on the release. With quiet ease she presents the melody, backed by her own piano accompaniment, joined by Kovalcheck on rhythm guitar. Very nice closer.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

OA2 Records artist: George Cotsirilos - In The Wee Hours - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, In The Wee Hours, by George Cotsirilos, and it's refreshingly beautiful. Opening with lush, A Nameless Poet, George Cotsirilos on nylon string, acoustic guitar flawlessly executes a super opener. Richie Beirach's, Gale, is a nice ballad with a smart, call and response between his single lined statements and chorded responses. With rich tones and and quiet background, very nice. Ellington's, Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, has classic framing and a minor swing, giving the track a clean approach. Jimmy Van Heusen's Like Someone In Love has a cool, bop feel, with clean articulation and vibrant chords. The track seems to just hang in the air. Matt Dennis' The Night We Called It A Day really nicely showcases Cotsirilos' ability to present the melody on a platter with creative, harmonica garnish. A genuine pleasure to listen to. Wrapping the release is Gordon Jenkins' classic, This Is All I Ask, so nicely illustrated that it is almost harp like. Cotsirilos makes the track his own and his warmth is transmitting through the playing. A definite must hear.

Friday, May 8, 2026

Erica von Kleist - Picc Pocket - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Picc Pocket, rom Erica von Kleist, and it's super. Opening with We Know how To Picc 'Em, a bright poppy number with a Latin beat, Eric von Kleist lays out the melody on piccolo with precision and soul. Backed by Yago Vazquez on piano, Noriko Ueda on bass and Anton Kot on drums, this is a strong track. Vazquez maintains the rhythm as Ueda solos on bass creating a strong opener. On Bone 2 Picc, von Kleist teams up with Jennifer Krupa on trombone for a perfect melody. Krupa really handles the trombone with a terrific, muted horn solo, backed by Kot, Ueda and Vazquez for one of my favorites on the release. Picc & Choose is another strong composition, with von Kleist presenting the melody over a very light backing. Slowly building with Vazquez on piano, and Ueda on bass quietly building with more cymbal and snare by Kot as Vazquez solos. Lively movement and a bright melody really carries this track nicely. Wrapping the release is Picc a Peck with a slower melodic duet from von Kleist and Vazquez. This really works nicely with improvisational work from von Kleist that varies far from my expectations. With a deep groove developing, anchored by Kot, Ueda and Vazquez, von Kleist really grinds it out. Vazquez holds the bottom as Ueda solos, creating a stellar dynamic. Exceptional closer for a really strong release.

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Timezone Records artist: Jeff Aug - Interim - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Interim, from Jeff Aug, and it's an extraordinary exploration in fingerstyle playing. Opening with New Day's Dawn, Jeff Aug and his son, Oskar Tauber, sketches out a solid acoustic rocker with traces of Jimmy Page and Patrick Simmons creating a quiet melody under the percussion of the strings. Interesting opener. Katzenjammer has a playful acoustic melody created in memory of the family cat who was lost during the pandemic. Title track, Interim is one of my favorites on the release with a repetitive acoustic guitar riff played together with some environmental electronic guitar sound. Puts me in mind of a Fripp composition. Very cool. Another track with the family pet in mind is Ernesto with a rich melody and Kottke like structure. This is a cool track with supple guitar phrasing. Open Fields has a strong melody, the essence somewhat putting me in mind of David Crosby, not so much in execution but melodically. Aaron's Song is another warm acoustic composition with the brilliance of Page's own chord phrasing making for a real nice closer.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Tom Lippincott - Ode To The Possible - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ode To The Possible, by Tom Lippincott, and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with Preface/Overture, David Fernandez on tenor sax brings a flowing yet jagged melody to life, caressed in the lush guitar work of Tom Lippencott, Marty Quinn on bass and Lucas Apostoleris on drums. Very cool. On An Inhabitant of Carcosa, a complex rhythm spurred by Apostoleris, and a driving bass line and soaring guitar and electronics by Lippincott on his fanned fret 8 string guitar, this track really gets moving. A super bass line by Quinn and melodic soloing by Fernandez, this track is complex without being tedious. Very nice. Stella By Searchlight is an interesting track with a cool interplay between Fernandez and Lippincott, anchored by Quinn, and Apostoleris. Lippincott lays out a flowing yet obtuse melody on sailing guitar with a counter solo by Fernandez and snappy drumming by Apostoleris before coasting into a peaceful tempo, making this one of the most aggressive tracks on the release. Zakir is a spacy, yet melodic track featuring sultry vocals by Camila Meza, floating on the melodic structure of Lippincott on guitar and complimented by Fernandez on soprano sax. A particularly strong melody on Trail of Tears, illustrated by Lippincott and Fernandez, is then expanded by each player. Very nice. Rational Peace is a quiet, Classical/Spanish guitar inspired piece with plenty of ambient space and minor percussion by Apostoleris. Wrapping the release is funky/abstract, Lynchian, with a really great groove by Apostoleris and Quinn. With a solid yet abstracted melody, this is a great climax for the release before flowing into the Epilogue, a composition of electronics and guitar by Lippincott. Very cool.

Friday, May 1, 2026

Southland Records artist: Pontchartrain Shakers - Love, Peace & Chicken Grease - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love, Peace & Chicken Grease, from Pontchartrain Shakers and it's refreshing. Opening with blues rocker, Sunshine, Amedee A5 Frederick sets the pace on guitar and lead vocal, and Earl Smith Jr. holds it tight with a tidy drum rhythm. Jojjo Wight on guitar and Red DeVecca on bass make this a compact yet effective opener. A strong cover of St. James Infirmary features A5 on lead guitar and some really tasty riffs. Michael Loupe on sax, wails soulfully over the patient bass and drum bottom of DeVecca and Smith Jr. Very nice. Ammdee Frederick IV is featured on guitar and vocal on acoustic, Lucy Mae, backed by DeVessa and Smith Jr. A cool understated boogie, this track rocks. You Amaze Me is one of my favorites on the release with excellent, soulful vocals by A5 and melodic guitar soloing giving the track just a hint of fullness. Strong. Elizabeth Cotten's, Freight Train features Wight on vocal and guitar with simple rimshots for a stripped down blues rag. Wrapping the release is RL Burnside's Jumper with strong vocals by A5 with a driving guitar lead clean lead phrasing over a stiff snare rhythm and driving guitar rhythm. Powerful closer.

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Steven Husted - Two Nights - Live - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Two Nights - Live, from Steven Husted, and it's moving. Opening with Hank Mobley's This I Dig of You, and Grant Teeple is really rocking it on sax. With Milo Hehmsoth on keys, Steven Husted on bass, Matt Berger on guitar and Israel Yanez ripping on drums. Existential Changes is a mid tempo bop featuring Teeple leading the way on sax, going from moderate to intense phrasing before handing off to Hehmsoth on keys. Husted pulls out a real nice bass solo followed by a snappy solo by Yanez on drums. Matt Berger leads off Against the Grain with some real nice guitar lead with clean, articulate phrasing, punctuated by Husted on bass. A real nice relay from Husted to Berger and Yanez adds just the right tension, making this one of my favorites on the track. Mooncake really moves with a driving bass line by Husted and fleet fingered lead by Berger. Another super bass solo from Husted makes this track stand out, with precision drum swats by Yanez. Nice. Wrapping the release is funky, Nonagon Funkola, with Yanez and Husted laying down a deep groove. Berger has the melody on guitar and rides the wave like a pro. With quick burst of sonic flavor, he generates plenty of excitement and Yanez follows it up with some tasty riffs of his own closing out the set.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Cubeye Music artists: Dave Schumacher & Cubeye - Agua Con Gas - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Aqua Con Gas, from Dave Schumacher & Cubeye and it really moves. Opening with title track, Aqua Con Gas, Dave Schumacher on bari sax lays the foundation of the track, with Chegui Metralla on Clave, Joel Mateo on drums, and Yusnier Sanchez on congas. Schumacher sails taking the track for a solid bop ride, with Alex Norris really working the trumpet, Peter Brainin on tenor sax, Manuel Valera adding a strong solo of his own on piano and Alex Apolo Ayala on bass. Terrific opener. Al Rose' is a great track and really showcasing what a hot bari player sounds like. Cooking his lead lines he really sets a groove followed by Norris on trumpet with a crisp contrast, punctuated by Valera on piano. Valero's own lead work is exhilarating with super phrasing and concise execution. Very cool. Punchy, Amosaya's Latin rhythm really highlights the work of Mateo and Sanchez, with solid solos by Brainin and Norris and of course a powerhouse solo by Schumacher. Smoking! Cubism is a real aggressive track, still with a stron Latin rhythm but with the Jesus Ricardo on trumpet and Roger Rosenberg on bari sax section really punching it up. Schumacher digs in on bari sax with excellent backing by Silvano Monasterios on piano Luques Curtis on bass and Mauricio Herrera on congas. Wrapping the release is a lively take on Wayne Shorter's Prince of Darkness. With a super trumpet solo by Norris and Schumacher on bari, a driven bass solo by Ayala, a real nice piano solo by Valera and a contrasting soprano sax solo by Brainin. Excellent closer for a strong release.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Origin Records artist: Jared Hall - Hometown - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hometown, by Jared Hall, and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Hometown, Jared Hall on trumpet and Troy Roberts on tenor sax create the melody, joined by Ben Markley on piano, Michael Glynn on bass and Kyle Swan on drums. Hall takes the first opportunity to explore and creates solid, intuitive melodic statements, punctuated by Markley. Roberts' solo is much more sensual and soulful giving the track a nice balance. Bobby Hutcherson's Little B's Poem has a flowing melody in 3/4 time. Hall and Roberts together create the melody before handing off to Glynn who lays down a real nice solo. I really like Roberts' work on this track stretching the melody and a pickup in rhythm by Swan. Monk's Ask Me Now is my favorite track on the release with clean phrasing by Hall, and warm harmonies by Roberts. Markley's solo on this track double times really brightening up the feel and giving it a real spring. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a reprise of Hometown with nicely articulated drum work by Swan and finely interwoven sax and trumpet lines by Roberts and Hall. With it's inviting melody, finely articulated sax solo by Roberts and excellent bass solo by Glynn makes this a solid closer.

Friday, April 17, 2026

Keeping The Blues Alive Records artist: Joe Bonamassa - BB King's Blues Summit 100 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, BB King's Blues Summit 100, by Joe Bonamassa and it's terrific! Opening with Paying The Cost To Be The Boss, Kingfish Ingram is featured on vocal and guitar and he really gets it done. With it's laid back BB King style and with the help of Joe Bonamassa on guitar, Lemar Carter on drums, Travis Carlton on bass, Jeff Babko on keys, Steve Patrick and Tyler Jaeger on trumpet, Marc Douthit and Jimmy Bowland on sax and Barry Green on trombone, this is a strong opener. Marcus King does an incredible job on vocal and guitar delivering Don't Answer The Door. (I've bought entire albums based on 1 track that doesn't stack up well against this track). King, Bonamassa and Josh Smith really work the guitar on this track and support from Carter, Carlton, Babko, Patrick, Jaeger, Douthit, Bowland and Green are icing on this very nice cake. Buddy Guy gets Sweet Little Angel and he digs in giving it pure Guy treatment. His vocals are soulful and his lead guitar work impeccable. Joined by Bonamassa, Smith and crew, this is a great addition to the set. Jimmie Vaughan steps up with a great cover of Watch Yourself. His vocals are super and his signature guitar work really show style coupled with Bonamassa, Smith and the addition of Calvin Turner on bass, Lemar Carter on drums, Reese Wynans on keys, Kaz Kazanoff on tenor, John Mills on bari and Al Gomez on trumpet. Jimmy Hall brings some of the finest pipes in the business to Sweet Sixteen, aired up with Larry Carlton on guitar, Bonamassa and Smith on guitars, Turner on bass, Carter on drums, Wynans on keys, Patrick on trumpet, Douthit and Bowland on sax, Green on trombone and Matt Jefferson on bass trombone. Very nice. Larkin Poe is a nice surprise on Don't You Want A Man Like Me with sumptuous vocals by Rebecca Lovell and hot slide by Megan Lovell and Babko on keys. Another great addition is George Benson on There Must Be A Better World Somewhere. Benson's vocals are terrific and Bonamassa is showcased on guitar with Douthit and Bowland on sax and Babko on piano. Very nice. Warren Haynes starts off disc 2 with How Blue Can You Get. His guitar phrasing is excellent and his tones rich nicely complimenting his strong vocals and Wynans on piano. Chris Cain's dynamic guitar riffs and vocal styling really pops on You Upset Me Baby, complimented by Banamassa and Smith on guitars. The powerful horn section including Patrick, Jaegar, Douthit, Bowland, Green and Jefferson really pump up the bottom. Robben Ford lends his extensive blues vocabulary to Ain't Nobody Home joined by Jade Macrae on vocal. Ford, crossing many genre's of music really plays exceptional riffs under the rich vocals of Macrae. Kim Wilson has lead vocals on It's My Own Fault. His soulful vocals, backed by the superb riffs of Bonamassa and Babko's piano riffs make this track stand out nicely. Danielle De Andrea's silky vocals are paired nicely with Bonamassa on guitar delivering excellent phrases, really capturing the essence of King. Excellent! Kirk Fletcher and Bonamassa on guitars wrap the release with Better Not Look Down joined by BJ Kemp and Kim Fleming on vocals.

This is a terrific tribute release with exceptional players and an amazing 40 page book. This is a must have!

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Nola Blue Records artist: Omar Coleman & Igor Prado - Old, New, Funky and Blue - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Old, New, Funky and Blue, by Omar Coleman & Igor Prado and it's a cool funky blues party. Opening with I Only Have Love, Omar Coleman is on the mic laying down his James Brown best, with Igor Prado and his signature guitar riffs backed by Yuri Prado on drums, Denilson on sax and Bruno Belasco on trumpet. Solid opener. Cut You Loose is a super strutting blues track with Albert King like guitar swagger by Prado. Coleman's vocals are super and Ted Furtado rocks the bottom on bass with Felipe Magon on organ. Very cool. Answer Your Phone has a strong R&B undertone but precise stinging guitar riffs by Prado keel it on blues keel and Juninho Isidoro on drums adds critical percussion. Brown Nosin' Man has a real nice funky bottom with Furtado on bass, Isidore on drums and Coleman getting a D'Angelo influenced feel. Very cool. Wrapping the release is easy flowing, Blue Line Train In Chicago, with Coleman on vocal and harmonica and Prado and Rodrigo Belloni on acoustic guitar. This is a solid bluesy closer for a real cool release.

Bman's Blues Report

Pages