Bman's Blues Report: Review

Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

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.

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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.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Origin Records artist: Eddie Allen's Push - Rhythm People - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rhythm People, by Eddie Allen's Push and it's engaging. Opening with title track, Rhythm People, Eddie Allen on trumpet works with Jonathan Beshay on tenor sax, Misha Tsiganov on keys, Tyler Bullock II on piano, Kenny Davis on bass, EJ Strickland on drums and Steve Turre on trombone to create a driving vamp. With solo's by Allen, Turre, and Bullock on piano and critical rhythm by Strickland, this is a terrific opener. Maurice has big band styling with marimba like keyboards by Tsiganov underwriting the track. A grooving solo by Beshay on tenor really opens up the track and a swinging solo by Turre on trombone really hits followed by Allen on trumpet who's crisp attack really snaps and the lush keywork on Tsiganov brings it all back together . Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Daybreak with a super bop feel. Turre tears it up with a ripping trombone solo and Beshay's sax work is really in the slot. Allen takes it home with a tight solo of his own followed by Davis on bass and Bullock on piano. Super groove. Another favorite, The Journey has a stellar beat and Beshay sets a terrific solo line on tenor. Turre on trombone lays down another super trombone solo followed by Tsiganov on keys. Strong. Wrapping the release is Eve's Deception, a high stepping track with plenty of high sticking by Strickland. With a funky beat and Bullock on piano, holding the bottom, Allen, Turre and Beshay share the lead and then trade center stage for a real horn shoot out. Excellent closer.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Gel Production artist: Manu Lanvin - Man On A Mission - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Man On A Mission, by Manu Lanvin and it's cool and gritty. Opening with blues rocker, Just Need Me, Manu Lanvin on vocal and guitar belts out a loosely assembled blues with real grit. With a modified Latin beat, complimented by Raphael Chassin on drums and percussion, Nicolas Bonniere on Moog bass, and Axel Bauer on guitar I really like this opener. Change My Ways is a soulful ballad with strong vocals by Lanvin, paced by Bennett Holland, bass by Laurent Vernerey and Karim Bouazza on drums and the warm horn work of Malcom Strachan and Athol Ransome. Very nice. Savigny-Sur-Orge is a solid radio track with a memorable melody, with lead vocal and guitar by Lanvin, with Chassin on drums, Vernerey on bass, Holland on keys, and Bonniere on Melotron. Saving Angel is a tight rocker with a Keith Richards guitar edge. Lanvin on vocal backed by Julie Layse, BJ Scott, Chantel and Steve Kashala one of my favorites on the release. Pop rocker, Make It Right has a snappy beat with Lanvin on vocal and drums and flashing some real cool rocking riffs on guitar. Ahmed Mouici on backing vocals, Holland on piano, Bellanger on bass and Bonniere on drums, and super break in the set. Wrapping the release is Une Nuit sung in French. A smooth ballad, featuring Lanvin on vocal and featuring Bako Mikaelian on harmonica and Holland on piano is a solid closer.

Monday, December 22, 2025

Margherita Fava - Murrina - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Murrina, from Margherita Fava and it's a cool, creative piano centric creation. Opening with No Clue, Margherita Fava sets a firm yet expansive piano vamp with Brandon Rose on bass reinforcing the deliberate nature of the composition and Jonathan Barber on drums widening and deepening the concept. Interesting opener. Interpreting Brahms' Intermezzo, Op. 117, No.1, Fava on piano gives new life with solid conceptual direction and Barber's snappy snare work paired with the lively bass work of Rose on bass. Very nice. Duke Ellington's Satin Doll, likewise gets a interpretive rework with unchanged melody but a cool bop edge on rhythm and a really nice expansion on the theme through progressive soloing. Title track, Murrina, has a real nice interplay between Fava and Rose on bass. With strong melodic composition and aggressive drum direction by Barber, this is one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is James Williams' composition, Alter Ego, with a tight electric bass solo by Rose, punctuated by Fava on piano. Taber Gable and Jeff Babko add a fusion feel with synthesizer solos. Very strong closer.

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Mighty Ernie Records artist: Pete Mills - For The Record - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, For The Record, by Pete Mills and it swings. Opening with title track, For The Record, Pete Mills on Tenor sax, Jon Eshelman on B3, Tom Davis on guitar and Zach Compston on drums get things moving. Mills rips loose on tenor laying down fluid lead before handing to Davis on guitar who is smooth as silk. Eshelman on B3 is strong with a fat tone and kicks it robust style. Swinging opener. Bird Lives is really hot with Davis and Mills cooking the melody. Mills takes the first solo and it really is smoking, held down by Compston and fattened up by Eshelman and Davis' guitar solo it bright and exciting. Eshelman lets the B3 roll and working in tandem with Compston he rolls. Excellent track. Laid back, Z is for Zadie features Mills cruising on sax and Eshelman on B3 with a real warm solo by Davis on guitar. Another kicker, Step On It, really moves with Mills hitting it right out of the gate. His soloing is tasty and enticing followed by Davis who really knows how to dig in. With tight punctuation by Compston and Eshelman, another strong track. Wrapping the release is Baby Simon, a simple ballad with a strong melody. Mills frames out the track and Eshelman gets in a warm slot on B3. Davis really articulates nicely in the quiet with tender, yet crisp solo lines. Very nice closer.

Friday, December 5, 2025

Origin Records artist: Bobby Rozario - Healer - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Healer, by Bobby Rozario, and it's cool jazz rock with potent Latin influences. Opening with title track, Healer, Bobby Rozario opens with fluid guitar riffs underscored by Neil Nail Alexander on organ, James Genus on bass, Nathaniel Townsley on drums, and Jhair Sala on percussion and Rosario, Keith Fluitt, and Carlton Jumel Smith on vocals. Lively opener. On Supreme, they crank up the brass with inclusion of Joe Romano on trumpet and Jimmy Bosch on trombone with vocals in almost chant form reminiscent of a similar track by McLaughlin and Santana. Rozario's guitar work is electrifying and the rhythmic percussion work of Sala, Townsley and Rozario is hypnotic. Latin rocker, Spirits, has a solid bottom courtesy of Danny Kean on organ, bass by Aalics Bronson and Robby Ameen on drums. Tight guitar riffs by Rozario give this track a real jam. Wrapping the release is Seasons, a funky, Latin rocker showcasing Rozario on guitar and David Mann on sax. This is a real solid track and a cool closer.

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Guitar One Records artist: Misty Blues - Other Side Of Blue - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Other Side of Blue, by Misty Blues and it's smoking. Opening with slow blues, I've Got Vices, Gina Coleman with her powerful vocals lead the way, joined by the blistering guitar work of Seth Fleischmann and power sax work of Aaron Dean, Diego Mongue on bass and David Vittone on keys and Rob Tatten on drums. Funky, Trust Ain't Given is a solid mover with snappy drum/guitar rhythm supporting Coleman on vocals. Vittone on organ really thickens up the funk and Tatten's stick work on drums really stiffens up the slam. Very cool. Dark, jazzy, Three Mississippi's, is one of the coolest tracks on the release pairing Coleman's vocals with the backing of Chantel McCullouch, Wendy Lipp, Kathy Ryan, Rebecca Mattson and Sean Bottoms on vocal and the warm guitar work of Fleischmann. Carry On This Way has a swaying blues feel giving Dean a great opportunity to show his sax chops and Coleman's vocal phrasing and depth gives the track a rich feel. Fleischmann enters the closer, I Ain't Buying with a tight, funky guitar riff joined by Bob Stannard on harmonica providing an excellent field for Coleman's vocal style. Mongue on bass and Tatten on drums hold the bottom tight and Dean's sax work is fat fat fat. Solid closer for a cool release.

Monday, November 24, 2025

Teskey - White Wolf - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, White Wolf, from Teskey and it's a solid blues based rocker. Opening with Under The Sun, Teskey hits hard with a potent guitar riff by Brandon Teskey who also leads the way on vocal and a stiff snare swat by Brandon Gaddy. Matt Baldwin on bass creates a driving urgency on bass and Peter Murphy adds melodic keyboard rounding out the track. Slow blues, Upside Down World, follows a basic 8 bar format with Teskey setting the melody on vocal and accompanying himself on guitar. A firm bottom by Gaddy and Baldwin gives him plenty of room to lay down contemporary guitar riffs falling back to the blues root. Lemon Tree is a cool acoustic track with Teskey laying down a basic blues bottom on acoustic guitar and singing and soloing over that showing fine dexterity. Shadow Side is a straight up rocker and my favorite track on the release. With a strong bottom and nicely blended vocals, this could be a good radio track. Wrapping the release is ballad, Make The World Sing, with a solid melody and powerful approach. Teskey on vocal is firmly backed by Murphy on vocal and keys and his own guitar accompaniment over the solid bottom by Gaddy and Baldwin make this a strong closer.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

OA2 Records artist: Randy Napoleon - Waking Music - The Music of Gregg Hill & Randy Napoleon - New Release Review

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 bluesy tasty bop riffs on the fire. Napoleon takes the lead with really nicely stylized soloing, accented by Roe. Two Thoughts is really a nice break with classical/jazz construction featuring Roe on piano, Davis on drums and Napoleon weaving a lush fabric of guitar tones. Roe breaks into a strong groove and Davis is tight on his heels. Napoleon enters with plenty of swagger making it very difficult to keep yourself stationary. Very nice. The Singer really is high energy with excellent guitar work by Napoleon and Luke Sittard, expanded and reinforced by a dynamic Latin bottom by Roe, Michael J. Reed on drums and Langston Kitchen on bass. Smoking! Riverside Blossoms showcases the excellent chops of Michael Dease up front on trombone punctuated by the solid piano rhythm of Roe and Davis on drums. Napoleon shows his warm side with fluid guitar lead and a tight bass lead by Whitaker gives the track even more weight. Rich. Jo Jo Jo has a really contemplative intro with beautiful guitar illustration by Napoleon. This piece kicks into high gear lead by Napoleon, Sittard and Roe and Davis' splashy drum work is tops. Wrapping the release is Boom Boom with exuberant guitar solos by Chris Minami, Ben Turner, and Gould, a rich Tenor sax solo by Walter Blanding and topped off by hot drumming by Davis. What a closer.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Origin Records artist: Shawn Purcell - Oblivity - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Oblivity, by Shawn Purcell, and it's intensively satisfying. Opening with title track, Oblivity, Shawn Purcell on guitar and Walt Weiskopf on tenor sax chisel out a really cool melody supported by Chris Ziemba on piano, Jeff Reed on bass and Steve Fidyk on drums. Weiskopf really rips a great sax solo, tightly punctuated by Ziemba on piano, then surrendering the lead to Ziemba who really holds the line. Purcell picks up the groove on Guitar Synth sending it even further before returning to TDC for a climatic conclusion. Explosive opener. Verdigris with it's steady pace and sophisticated drum pattern provides fertile soil for double time guitar work by Purcell over the stable melodic base by Ziemba on piano. Weiskopf really soars on sax with full scale melodic assault before Ziemba takes the lead with calming yet vibrant piano lead, anchored by Reed and Fidyk. Very nice. Laid back, Lazy Reverie, is an easy shuffle featuring Purcell on Synth laying down the melody. Weiskopf really stirs the pot with a strong tenor solo, punctuated by Ziemba on piano. Purcell keeps things simple with a breezy Synth solo with Darden Purcell on voice and Ben Patterson on trombone adding warm texture as Ziemba stretches on piano. Nicely cool. Sunday Best has a strong melody and a real bluesy swing, adorned nicely by the sassy sax work of Weiskopf. Purcell steps in with some great eighth note runs and double stops creating excellent tension against the solid bottom created by Ziemba, Reed and Fidyk. Deep. Wrapping the release is Flow, a strong, anthem like track with Purcell and Weiskopf paired in tandem creating a forceful front. Taking it low, Ziemba on piano sets the base melody before Purcell comes on full force on Synth really tearing a hole in the atmosphere, followed by Weiskopf on sax creating a sense of the storm winding down over an excellent front of percussion by Fidyk, paring down even further to the basis by Ziemba who leads the ensemble to a solid close. Powerful closer. Beautiful cover by the way...

Monday, November 17, 2025

Joplin Sweeney Music Company artist: Jim Witzel Quartet - Very Early (Remembering Bill Evans) - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Very Early (Remembering Bill Evans), by Jim Witzel Quartet, and it's terrific! Opening with Victor Young's, Beautiful Love, JimWitzel on guitar paints a lush landscape of guitar chords setting up this jazz standard. With Phil Aaron on piano punctuating the melody and Dan Feiszli on bass and Jason Lewis on drums, this track is really humming. Aaron really stretches the melody on piano giving the track real width and Feiszli and Lewis alternate riffs adding the depth. Excellent. opener. Steve Swallow's Falling Grace has a stylistic Latin rhythm and Witzel really rolls on guitar with flowing rhythmic lead and Aaron on piano uses a percussive style to really deliver the goods. John Carisi's Israel has an incredible groove. Witzel and Aaron outline the melody nicely in duet, with Aaron first breaking loose with a light piano lead with just the least amount of bass and drums to set up the interplay. Witzel steps up with really nice guitar lead slowly but certainly ramping up the track. His intuition is terrific ... I mean this groove will push you back in your seat. Lewis shows his crisp sense of rhythm and articulation before the rest of the band falls back wrapping the track. Very nice. Feiszli leads off Miles' Nardis with a super bass line. Witzel outlines the melody on guitar with Aaron working the counter and response. Taking the first solo line, Aaron sets a solid bop followed by lavish guitar lead by Witzel . Wrapping the release is Bill Evans' Peri's Scope with a tight Latin feel. Witzel and Aaron pair the lead before Witzel peels away with swinging, stylized guitar lead. Changing the rhythm up a little with cool rim shots by Lewis, Aaron hits it hard on piano before letting it go in full swing meeting back with Witzel for a warm finale. Excellent release.

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Joe Elefante's Wheel of Dharma - Return of the Light - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Return of the Light, from Joe Elefante's Wheel of Dharma and I really like it. Opening with Jazz For Dummies, a cool bop track, Joe Elefante on piano sets the scene with David Heilman on drums. Freddie Hendrix on trumpet and Erena Terakubo on alto sax reinforce the phrasing for a strong start. Elefante takes the first leg with an energetic phrasing, chided on by Sameer Shankar on bass and Heilman. Terakubu on alto cuts clean with some dynamic lead and Hendrix on trumpet really hits the groove, extending the concept nicely. Strong opener. Title track, Return of the Light in 6/8 rolls along with really creative melodic summaries by Hendrix, punctuated by Elefante and Terakubu plays cleanly over mostly light bass and drums seeming to float. Elefante and Heilman exchange percussive phrases, passing to the reconciliation. Very nice. Ankara Blues really has a great feel with a driving bass line by Shankar. Terakubu really digs in on sax laying out some of the best lead on the release followed by Hendrix on trumpet and a hot drum solo by Heilman. Simple Girl is one of my favorites on the release with a strong bottom and intense trumpet work by Hendrix followed in contrast by the supple piano work of Elefante. Shankar turns up the juice on bass and Terakubo again lays in some really soulful lead. Excellent! Wrapping the release is John Coletrane's Some Other Blues featuring Elefante on vocal and piano. With a super, shuffle beat Elefante scats with piano and a super bass line by Shankar. Terakubo digs in and swings on sax followed by crisp trumpet lead by Hendrix. Shankar gets one more chance to captivate and his lines are smokin. Excellent closer for a really potent release.

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