LA Reserve Records artist: Nick Biello - New America - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, New America, from Nick Biello, and it's jamming. Opening with Bel Canto, Nick Biello on alto sax, paired with Charlie Porter on trumpet leads the way with an energetic melody. George Colligan on piano adds substative piano punctuation over the tight rhythm of Alex Tremblay on bass and Peter Kronreif on drums. Biello cuts loose on sax really wailing a great solo, followed by Porter who delivers a rich, earthy trumpet solo handing to  Colligan on piano who develops a super groove followed by a strong bass solo by Tremblay. Solid opener. Slightly Perilous is my favorite track on the release with double time instrumentation by Porter and Biello. Anchoring the track is Colligan on piano, handing off to Biello for a tremendous rip roaring solo. Porter, more laid back attach still makes you sit back and take a breath. Off to the races again with Colligan, this track really is strong with excellent punctuation by Tremblay and Kronreif. Ballad form, A Long Way To You has a warm melody led by the expressive phrasing and tone of Biello on sax. Comforting reinforcement by Colligan on piano gives the track a homey feel. Porter's trumpet solo is smooth and sensuous with nice blending by Biello. Very nice. Wrapping the release is title track, New America with it's bop feel. Biello winds it up with an exhilarating sax solo contrasted with Porter's more laid back yet perfect trumpet solo. I like Colligan's feel on piano and the richness of Tremblay's work on bass ever encouraged by the tight kit work of Kronreif. Strong closer. 

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Origin Records artist: Marc Seales - People & Places - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, People & Places, from Marc Seales with Ernie Watts and it's tasty. Opening with Rue Cler, with it's suspensive bottom created by Marc Seales on piano and floating lead by Ernie Watts on tenor sax sets a yearning feeling, anchored by Bruce Lett on acoustic bass and Moyes Lucas Jr on drums. Prelude is a quiet piano piece, nicely illustrated by Seales alone. Sensitive and introspective. The Muddy Chicago Blues has a real nice sway to it. With Seales, Lett and Lucas setting the platform, Watts wails to meat and taters. With soulful phrasing and tight articulation Watts rides high, edged on by the clever piano punctuation of Seales. Taking over the lead on piano, Seales has the blues flowing like a second language with deft and fluidity. Lett gets his run as well with double timed bass riffs on an aiery form. Very cool. I particularly like The Gingi with it's light, creative rhythm pattern by Lucas with mostly rim shots, cymbals and snare punction and Lett on bass. Melodic lead by Seales on tenor and Seales on piano really stretch this piece giving it real weight. Wrapping the release is Home Light with it's almost gospel like foundation created by Seales on piano. Watts soars on sax with firm piano punctuation creating a solid melody and Seales takes the tension down with sensitive piano phrasing.  This is an excellent closer for a very cool release. 

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Origin Records artist: Mike Pope - The Parts You Keep - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Parts You Keep, from Mike Pope, and I really enjoy it. Opening with Misgivings, a lively track with a driving piano melody featuring Geoffrey Keezer, building with an aggressive snare rap by Nate Smith and breaking into a sensual bass solo by Mike Pope who builds the track with the hands of a sculptor. Very nice. I love the cover of Charlie Parker's Steeplechase featuring Roxy Cross on sax. Pope laying down a funky bass line and breaking into a wicked electric piano solo by Keezer, this track is hot. Dashan's Flying Ubercar really moves with terrific underpinnings by Smith and Pope. Keezer rides high on this groove before a total break and accelerated bass solo by Pope. Really nice. Barolo Blue was my favorite track on the release with an infectious angular bass groove, nicely playing against Smith on drums and with free wheeling piano by Keezer and jagged guitar soloing by Amaury Cabral. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Spharenmusik from Winterreigen Opus 13 No.5 featuring the classical piano of Ann Almond Pope, Mike's 85 year old mother who along with his father, David Pope, both being world class classical pianists. This really is wonderful. 

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Leggero Records artist: Victoria Cardona - Que Paso - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Que Paso, from Victoria Cardona, and it's fully bodied Latin music. Opening with Que Paso En La Habana, Victoria Cardona on vocal and guitar, fully backed vocally by Marilyn Scott, Jimmy Branly and Tim Goodman really get a warm Latin feel. With Kevin Richard on percussion, Rene Camacho on bass, Goodman on organ, San Miguel Perez on Cuban Tres Guitar, Francisco Torres on trombone, and some real nice flute work by Justo Almario. Solid opener. Another original track, Ghost has a strong radio appeal with Cardona playing some really tasty guitar lead, joined by Jimmy Branly on drums, Kevin Ricard on percussion, Jimmy Haslip on bass, Bill Payne on piano, Goodman on guitar, organ mandolin and backing vocals. Very nice. Rhodes Royale really gets in the slot with Cardona on vocal, guitar, percussion and steel drums, joined by Rene Camacho on bass. It's up tempo rhythm really gives the track a lively feel. One of my favorites on the release is Isolina Carrillo's Dos Gardinias with lush vocals by Cardona and beautiful work by Almario on sax and clarinet. Reggae flavored Tuesday Rain is laid back with warm brass. Wrapping the release is Lowell George's Spanish Moon. Branly and Ricard sets the stage with excellent rhythm and Cardona singing in Cuban. Bill Payne on piano adds a familiar groove and Jimmy Haslip on bass are well supported by Torres, Almario on horns and Goodman on guitar. Excellent closer. 

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Subcat Records artist: Grupo Pagan - Power - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Power, from Grupo Pagan and it's a solid Latin flavored rocker. Opening with title track, Power, Edgar Pagan sets the lead with an excellent Latin bass line complimented with a full compliments of percussion by Emedin Rivera on drums, Joshua Dekaney on percussion, Jimmy Branley on percussion, Bill DiCostimo on keys and featuring Edgar on vocal, Este on hand drum and chants, Aam Fisher on nicely stylized guitar and backing vocals by Rhonda Paduano and Jose Varona. Energetic opener. Another track with strong Latin rhythms is Tito with clean guitar lead by Jeff Richman and Bill DeCosimo on keys, with solid bass work by Pagan, Luis Conte and Rivera on percussion and Joe Driscoll on beatbox. Sol has a cool Brazilian feel led by Daniel Pardo on flute with Pagan on bass and vocal, excellent work by Jimmy Haslip on synth, JoseVarona on drums, and Dave Donley on percussion. Very nice. Wrapping the release is cool latin rocker, Camila Vida Mia with Pagan setting a solid bass line and lead vocals, and tasty guitar lead by Irv Lyons Jr. Haslip adds real nice texture on keys and Shane Patterson on drums hold  the rhythm tight. Solid closer for a solid release. 

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Kristen R. Bromley Quartet - Wes 101 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wes 101, from Kristen R. Bromley Quartet and it's groovin'. Opening with cool shuffle, Bring It On, Kristen Bromley lays down the melody on guitar with fluid phrasing, accompanied by Melanie Shore on organ, David Ian Baker on bass and Matt Coleman. Shore breaks loose with a swinging solo and brings it back to the melody. Solid opener. Title track, Wes 101 really has a Montgomery flavor with familiar riffs and styling. Bromley captures both the spirit and the tone nicely. Warm lead lines by Shore add nice depth. A surprise drum splash by Coleman is a hot treat. With it 3/4 timing, House Of Fire is my favorite track on the release with super work by Shore and Bromley, a tight solo by Baker and snappy drum edge by Coleman. Wrapping the release is low slung shuffle, Indy Blues with Bromley and Shore really catching a groove. Bromley really gets loose on this track with swinging guitar work and a super bass solo by Baker tops it off. 

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Origin Records artist: ZurHub - Countryside Motorways - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Countryside Motorways, by ZurHub and it's flavorful, Latin infused music. Opening with Social Trust, Mattan Klein on flute trades a melodic exchange with Ezequiel Hezi Jait on guitar, promoted and anchored by Itay Simhovich on piano, Assaf Hakimi on bass and Dani Benedikt on drums. Crisp, well articulated flute soloing by Klein opens the dialog and Jait on guitar follows through with nicely phrased lead of his own. Solid opener. Forget About It really has terrific flow with a super bass line by Hakimi and giving Simhovich a clear runway to nicely elaborate on the theme. Klein's flute lead is really well presented with excellent poise and precision. Very nice. Feliz is a really strong track giving Jait an opportunity to really show his stuff followed by Klein on flute and a lush bass solo by Hakimi. Title track, Countryside Motorway, has a very flowing feel seasoned with Brazilian rhythm. Led off by Klein on flute and punctuated by Simhovich on piano this track has a very soothing feel growing to an exciting climax. Wrapping the release is heavily syncopated, Lick Your Toad, featuring a super paired duet featuring Klein on flute with Jait on guitar. Klein, Jait and Simhovich each compose energetic and inspired solos for a strong closer. 

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Roller Records artist: V&BT - Diamonds at the Rainbow's End - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Diamonds at the Rainbow's End (Live in Norway), by V&BT (Vigdis & Bla Trad) and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Stormy Weather, V&BT hit square on with a straight forward rocker, featuring Vigdis Haugen on lead vocal, Tom Pettersen on guitar and backing vocal, Bjorn Lokling on bass and Christer Persson on drums and backing vocals. Confession is another straight forward rocker with a strong melody and with solid harmonies and clean lead guitar soloing by Pettersen a prime radio track. Break That Chain is another track with a radio melody. Pettersen plays some grinding guitar work and Persson's drumming is tight. Title track, Diamonds at the Rainbow's End has a reggae undertone rhythm giving it real alternate flavor with some of the best guitar riffs on the release and Haugen's vocals really shine. Wrapping the release is a rework of House of the Rising Sun showcasing Haugen's vocal prowess over a subdued accompaniment. Pettersen really winds up the track with some scorching riffs. Solid closer. 

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Frontiers Records artist: Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks - Live Perpetual Change - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live Perpetual Change, by Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks and it's a solid replication of the original Yes compositions. Opening with Yours Is No Disgrace, a top track for Yes and it sounds fresh as in 1970's. Jon Anderson on lead vocal and guitar, joined by Andy Graziano and Robert Kipp on guitar and keys. Richie Castellano plays a masterful bass and Andy Ascolese on drums, keys and percussion really holds things tightly. Anderson really rips on Close To The Edge with fleet fingered guitar lead and vocal blening with Castellano, Graziano, Ascolese, Christopher Clark and Kipp is particularly nice. Heart of the Sunrise with it's flowing key structure, and bass soloing by Castellano is particularly cool. Another track with particularly prominent bass work is Starship Trooper of course with a healthy dose of keys and super drumming by Ascolese. And You and I is handled with finesse... flowing acoustic guitar, bell and keys supporting Anderson on vocal with band vocal backing leading into the classic rocker with showcase keyboard soloing. I've Seen All Good People rocks with power and vocal harmonies are stellar. Gates of Delirium really is a great opportunity for guitar key and drum work and at 20+ minutes of music shows the depth of the band. Wrapping the release is Roundabout with it's crystalline guitar intro rolling into a full prog rocker that really was Yes' trademark song. Solid release. Also included in the package is a full 10 track dvd. 

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Cleopatra Records artists: Two Wolf - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, self titled Two Wolf and it's a solid, blues based rocker. Opening with Keep On Movin', Two Wolf features four seasoned players with Lance Lopez on lead guitar and vocals with Greg T. Walker (Blackfoot) on bass, Kris Bell on guitar and vocals and Rusty Valentine on drums and vocals. Definitely a guitar blazing band with well blended vocals and scorching guitars, this is a hot opener. Will I Believe has an edgier feel, penciled by Bell and wide open guitar with plenty of overdrive and powerful drumming by Valentine. Percussive guitar work permeates The Wrong Road and paired lead vocals give the track a definite radio presence. Searing lead guitar work with the addition of wah and southern influenced lead guitar phrasing and riffs give the track a distinctive feel. Fox Chase really has the Southern rock aggressiveness with dueling guitars (like Blackfoot or Skynyrd) really giving the listener the adrenaline filled spirit of the music. Excellent rocker. Romeo has quite a bit of swagger with searing guitar lead and powerful lead vocals over a percussive guitar/bass riff and tight drumming by Valentine. Very cool. Wrapping the release is The Blessed and the Cursed, a definite radio track with it's memorable melody and classic guitar riffs. A driving guitar lead overlaid with fast runs and hammering drum s on the bottom really sets this track off. Solid closer. 

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Origin Records artist: Ben Thomas Tango Project - The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent (August 22, 2025) release, The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle, by Ben Thomas Tango Project and it's adventurous. Opening with The Promise of Morning, Ben Thomas on bandoneon leads the melody, accompanied by Eric Likkel on clarinet, Laura Schermer on bass, Laura Coronel on violin, Elizabeth Phelps on violin and Gabe Hall-Rodrigues on piano. A classically leaning tango in the style of Astor Piazzolla, this is a cool overture. Title track, The Man With The Grin and the Chuckle celebrates the memory of Seattle's French Chef, Thierry Rautureau, who's bistro served as the incubator for much of Thomas' music over several years of performing there. A serious composition featuring a solid interweave between Hall-Rodrigues and Thomas, with over harmony by Likkel. An Unapologetic Shift of Perspective is my favorite track on the release with a more percussive feel and Thomas giving more range to Hall-Rodrigues on piano. Wrapping the release is The Second Brick with a sweet, flowing melody presented by Thomas and Likkel, well supported by Schermer on bass, by Coronel and Phelps on violin and focused by Hall-Rodrigues on piano. 

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Dave Bass Trio Nuevo - Vol. 2 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Vol. 2, from Dave Bass Trio Nuevo and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with LeGrand/Lester Left Town, Wayne Shorter's homage to Lester Young is bright and springy with excellent piano lead by Dave Bass, tight bass and a well defined solo by Tyler Miles and crisp drumming by Steve Helfano. Egberto Gismonti's Frevo provides Bass a Latin structure for a track with a lot of movement. With Miles pouring on a strong bass solo and Helfano holding tight on percussion, this is a strong contribution. Introspective original track, Questions, has a really nice melody featuring Bass on piano over the tight percussion work of Helfano. Miles gets another opportunity to solo here and I really like his phrasing. Bud Powell's, Dance of the Infidels really moves with Bass laying down my favorite piano riffs on the release. Providing accent piano work for Miles' bass lead and trading riffs with him really sets this track off nicely. Bass' creation, Journey With Bach is really cool reworking Bach's Toccata passages with a contemporary feel and strong soloing by Miles on bowed bass. Wrapping the release is Lennie Tristano's Lennie's Pennies, Tristano's take on Artur Johnston's hit. Bass really works the melody  and Miles gets a real nice bass solo of his own making this an excellent closer for a really strong release. 

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Cold Plunge Records artist: Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet & Eden Kelly - Catalyst - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Catalyst: The Music of Gregg Hill, by Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet & Elden Kelly and it's full helping of diversified world flavors. Opening with Traveling With Gregg, Dave Sharp on bass enlists Henrik Karapetyan on violin, Igor Houwat on oud, Elden Kelly on guitar and Mike List on percussion on an exotic East Indian/fusion journey. Karapetyan on violin with List on percussion set the pace and Houwat and Kelly engage enthusiastically. 13th Century Lion has a medieval/eastern flavor creating a thematic nature led by Houwat and Kelly and anchored by List on drums. Karapetyan takes an adventurous ride on violin, exchanging with Houwat accented by List. Cidade has a warm melody crafted by Karapetyan and Kelly with minimal percussion by List. Houwat takes a real nice excursion on oud before returning to Karapetyan. This is a really solid track and my favorite in the set. Wrapping the release is The Stray Moonduck with a blend of tabla and Latin music. With it's Eastern rhythm and Spanish overtone melody, this track is a cool closer with seductive violin by Karapetyan and Spanish style guitar with a real twist. 

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Max Frank Music artist: Royce Campbell - Vagabond - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Vagabond, by Royce Campbell and if you like that full brass sound, this may be your ticket. Opening with Peepers, Terry Vosbein gets his band pumped up with Bill Schnepper, Greg Moody, James Cotton, Kelli Birchfield and Kyle Greaney on sax, Chris Magee, Alec Moser, Brian Quakenbush and Kerry Moffit on trumpet, Matt Niess Tom Lundberg, Tom McKenzie and Tyler Bare on trombone, Matthew Billings on piano, Bob Bowen on bass and DeWayne Peters on drums. Royce Campbell lays down a real nice guitar solo followed by Niess on trombone for a swinging starter. On A Sharp Blues, Campbell crafts a really tasty solo followed by Bowen on bass. Tom Ludberg really stands out on trombone with a stellar solo of his own. Latin flavored, Mambo Puente is a really cool track with it's terrific rhythm, nicely capitalized by Campbell on guitar and a super trumpet solo by Chris Magee. Middle Ground leads off with Campbell on guitar really hitting the groove. Low key saxes surround the melody and trumpet punctuation really gives the track heat. Wrapping the release is Viper with it's driving guitar lead and featuring James Cotton with a vibrant tenor solo. Punchy brass and horn saturation define the track for a solid closer. 

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Origin Records artist: Michael Dease - City Life: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, City Life, from Michael Dease and it's super. Opening with Willow Walks In, Michael Dease outlines the melody on trombone, backed by Linda May Han Oh on bass Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums. Dease really is stellar on trombone stretching the track and Oh and Watts expand the palette nicely for a terrific opener. With a driving bass line by Oh, Dease creates a sonic environment on Movie Theme with some of the richest trombone solo work I've heard in a while. Watts expands the track with a variety of percussion tones and a tight rhythm and Brooklyn Dease adds color on vocal. Very cool. Sweet Georgia Gillespie is a terrific track with fleet slide and articulation by Dease, a fleet bass solo by Oh gives the track breadth and Watts really works the skins making this one of my favorite tracks on disc one. Claxilever shows Dease in bold form with full throated trombone and Oh again really forms a nicely fluid solo on bass provoking Watts to a boil on drums. Say What? is another great track with a bopping lead by Dease. Disc 2 opens with Tea Time and Dease adds Nicole Glover on tenor sax to the mix. The opening melody finds Dease paired with Glover creating the feel and the track is deep and intense. Dease takes the first solo really digging in on trombone and Glover's unmistakable style on tenor really adds another dimension to this already great sound. Another addition to this disc is Geoffrey Keezer on piano who a is stylistically perfect choice. Grave Concerns has a warm melody pairing Glover with Dease on the intro. Dease lays out a really nice solo, accented nicely by Watts, Keezer and Oh. Keezer is up next with a crisp, decisive solo of his own and Glover, who always has exceptional phrasing continues the theme with a warm sensitive touch.  Rainy Afternoon has a quiet feel with Dease and Glover playing harmonic tones to each other with just a hint of piano by Keezer over drums and bass. Oh gets the floor and plays emphatically over the light accompaniment of Keezer. Glover really hits the groove with a warm tenor solo over the tight, funky splash of snare and cymbal of Watts and Keezer on piano before the floor is given back to Dease with really works his magic on trombone. Excellent track. Skittles is a fiery track with ripping drum tempo by Watts and Dease absolutely ripping it up on trombone. Glover claims the spotlight and shows once again she's ready to take charge at any time. I've got to tell you I've seen Glover live and when she plays it makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Not to be left behind, Keezer on piano works his magic with Watts really playing up a storm. Powerful. My favorite track on the release is Blues For Herb and Glover really lets it all go. Leading the way on tenor, her tone is strong and her phrasing excellent. Dease follows on second solo trading with Oh and it's a terrific matchup. Keezer steps up for a well articulated solo of his own followed back by Glover and Dease to close out the track. Terrific! Wrapping the release is Lafayette Square, opening by Keezer and with Dease on melody. Joined by Glover the track builds before breaking back for Dease's first solo on trombone. Glover gets her shot and then a longer improv by Keezer. Oh and Watts hold the groove tight and Dease folds back in with a raspy enthusiasm joined by Glover closing out the track. Really excellent set. 

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Origin Records artist: James Moody - 80 Years Young: Live At The Blue Note - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 80 Years Young: Live At The Blue Note, by James Moody and it's super. Opening with Benny's From Heaven, featuring James Moody on vocal and ripping some terrific sax leading the way. David Hazeltine on piano sets the pace with excellent rhythm, joined by Todd Coolman on bass who crafts a really nice solo, and Adam Nussbaum who really kicks on drums.  Strong opener. Jazz classic, Cherokee is next with Moody leading the way on flute. Not missing a stroke, Moody really has this track jamming with colorful piano by Hazeltine and a driving bass line by Coolman. Hazeltine gets his turn on the throttle and keeps the pedal down before handing off to Nussbaum on drums for an excellent rendition of this notable theme. Birk's Works has a super groove set by Jon Faddis on muted trumpet. Slide Hampton also joins the set with an excellent trombone solo of his own. Another featured guest, Paquito D' Rivera really runs the keys on clarinet with a soulful solo before handing it to Moody for a rich tenor sax solo of his own. Hazeltine is a bit more "heady" with great finesse and dynamics, crowned with brass accents before handing off to Coolman who presents another classic bass solo before closing out the track. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Mary Lou Williams' OW featuring Cedar Walton on piano. With a basis of Lets Fall In Love set by Walton the track takes on real wings. Hampton on trombone blows a great solo followed by a mesmerizing trumpet solo by Jon Faddis. Randy Brecker steps up and rips another strong trumpet solo followed by D' Rivera on clarinet before the rich, soulful sound of Moody on tenor takes the hall. This is a terrific track and a strong closer for an excellent release. 

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