7D Media artist: Alex Anthony Faide - Particles of the Infinite - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Particles of the Infinite, by Alex Anthony Faide and I really like it. Faide, originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, has for decades been the go to session guitarist in Europe and South America. Now moved to Seattle and previously under the tutelage of Robert Fripp, founder of King Crimson this is his first solo effort.  Particles Of the Infinite is a 9 part composition, formatted much like a King Crimson suite of movements with distinct passages and eccentric time signatures. Faide, on guitar and bass, is joined by Matt Chamberlain  (David Bowie), Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson) and Alessandro Inolti (Echotest). If you know any of Fripp's work, you know that it's difficult to articulate anything descriptive that is meaningful about his compositions and in the case of Faide, the work defies being nailed down. Let's just say if you heard this composition at random, and truely knew Fripp's work, you would see the similarities to King Crimson and Fripp styling but understanding that it wasn't a Fripp composition. Excellent release!

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Delmark Records artist: Bob Stroger & the Headcutters - That's My Name - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, That's My Name, by Bob Stroger & The Headcutters and it's a full house of Chicago blues. Opening with What Goes On In The Dark, Bob Stroger on lead vocal and bass shows no wear for his 90 year tenure. With Ricardo Maca on lead guitar, Joe Marhofer lays in some real  nice harmonica riffs over the support of Arturo Garcia on bass, Leandro Barbeta on drums, Luciano Leaes on Hammond and Braion Johnny on sax. Solid opener. On slow blues, I'm A Busy Man, Stroger's composition is strong and his vocals firm. I really like Marhofer's approach on harmonica, Maca lays in some soulful soloing of his own on guitar and Leaes' piano riffs are essential. Boogie track, Something Strange has a cool walking bass line and melody by Marhofer. Stroger's vocals are light and nimble. My favorite track on the release is Jr Parker's Stranded In St. Louis with quite a bit of solid slide work by Maca and some of Stroger's best vocals on the release, complimented nicely by Leaes on Hammond and Marhofer's solid harmonica work. Very nice. Uptempo blues, Talk To Me Mama could be right out of Morganfield's songbook with strong vocals, tight drums and dominant harmonica by Marhofer. Wrapping the release is title track, That's My Name with it's buoyant rhythm, Stroger's vocal strength and solid jams from Leaes, Harhofer and Maca. Solid closer for a another solid release from Stroger. 

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Moondo Music artist: Juan Carlos Quintero - Table For Five - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Table For Five, from Juan Carlos Quintero and it's really tasty. Opening with Arthur Schwartz's Alone Together, Juan Carlos Quintero opens the gate and lets it flow. This is a masterful display of melodic guitar lead, over a tight Latin rhythm by Eddie Resto on bass, Aaron Serfaty on drums and Joey DeLeon on percussion and with excellent piano work by Joe Rotondi adding melodic rhythm on piano. Excellent! Luiz Bonfa's Manha De Carnaval is slowed down from it's traditional presentation to more of a Bolero feel with beautiful guitar lead by Quintero, teamed with Rotondi's piano accent. Very nice. Original composition and title track, Table For Five... at The Cumbia Inn has a cool, Columbian rhythm with a steady cymbal and tight rhythm guitar leaving plenty of space for melodic guitar lead soloing by Quintero and really nice percussion by DeLeon and Serfaty who also play an extended  solo on Horace Silver's Song For My Father along with the masterful work of  Rotondi and Quintero. Henry Mancini's Days Of Wine And Roses gets a Latin redo and features a beautiful bass solo by Resto, along with Quintero and Rotondi. Wrapping the release is Victor Young's standard, Beautiful Love which is as perfect a closer as I could imagine for this terrific release. Quintero's guitar lead is full of emotion, and floating lightly on the rhythms of Resto and Serfaty. Another stand out solo by Resto on bass nicely compliments the solitude and pristine beauty. Excellent closer for an excellent release. 

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Sedajazz Records artist: Sergio Pereira - Finesse - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Finesse, from Sergio Pereira and it's really quite nice. Opening with White Lion, Sergio Pereira on guitar and vocal is joined by Reza Khan on rhythm guitar, Rodrigo Ursaia on flute, Helio Alves on piano, Mark Egan on bass, Mauricio Zottarelli on drums and Emelio Martins on percussion. A relatively smooth track a cool radio opener.  Morning Mist is an uptempo Brazillian Samba with melodic acoustic guitar and vocal by Pereira and marcus Teixeira on electric guitar, Paulo Paulelli on bass and Zottarelli on drums. Very nice. Ralph Moore on alto sax adds in on the intro on Quase 9 and really nice vocal by Pereira makes this a really strong tune. Helio Alves on piano lays in the first line of solo, followed by Moore, joined by Andre Vasconcellos on bass, and Emilio Martins on percussion. A nice breeze of cool air.  Desfilandoa Vitoria is very lively with a punctuated rhythm with the addition of Rodrigo Ursaia on sax and flute, Rubinho Ahtunes on trumpet, Jorinho Neto on trombone and with the addition of Milene Corso and Camilla Pereira on backing vocals. One of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Dreamsville featuring Pereira on acoustic lead guitar over Paulelli (who also slides in a tasty solo) on bass and Zottarelli on the lightest of drum rhythm. This release is consistently smooth and rhythmic with tasty riffs, cool vocals and nice melodies.  

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Wise Cat Records artist: Kenny Shanker - Vortex - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Vortex, by Kenny Shanker and it's a cool bop filled ride. Opening with the title track, Vortex, Mike Eckroth sets the tone with a piano intro and progressive melody, dashed up with Yoshi Waki on bass and Brian Fishler on drums. Kenny Shanker takes the lead on sax with aggressive style taking the track quite a bit higher and then hands off to guitar man Daisuke Abe who crafts a really nice fluid lead line of his own, resolving with Bill Mobley on trumpet for a solid close. Lulu's Back In Town has a laid back feel with Shanker setting up the tune, and Abe and Eckroth each adding very nice solo blocks for a really nice track.  Hunter steps up the feel a bit with an aggressive rhythm and the over the top attack that I'm coming to expect from Shanker. Abe and Eckroth both stretch nicely before returning to Shanker for a solid conclusion. Dave Brubeck's classic, The Duke is in line and Shanker and Eckroth lay down the intro before Shanker really starts to groove over the solid bottom of Waki and Fishler. Accepting the challenge and continuing the feel, Eckroth and Abe each lay down really nice alt melody lines. This is a really super take on a terrific track. Abe really shines on Midnight Snack with a vibrant attack and clean fluid lines. Shanker on soprano rides the wave with intention and fierce riffs of his own before passing to Eckroth who finds a solid groove of his own. Strong. Wrapping the releases is Johnny Mercer's Autumn Leaves. Shanker sets a firm pace, establishing the traditional melody. Abe solos the first leg masterfully with a strong bass line by Waki. When Shanker rejoins, he starts the abstraction and propels the track to another level  with Abe holding the melody line tight. This is really a solid closer for a really nice release. 

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Aaron Bazzell - Aesthetic - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (April 22, 2022), Aesthetic, by Aaron Bazzell and it's a smooth debut effort. Opening with Tomorrow Today, Boston born, Atlanta raised, Bazzell leads the way of this instrumental journey on alto sax, joined by Keith Brown on piano, Jonathan Michael on bass and Brandon Donald on drums. Given a percussive piano structure, Donald really lays down a creative rhythm and Bazzell's alto work is straight up melodic. Brown breaks loose with a solid piano interlude adding another dimension. Solid opener. Unrequited is a soulful ballad with Bazzell leading the melody, cradled nicely in the piano counterpoint. Again, Brown's sensitive piano aesthetic adds to the track nicely. Latin rhythm by Michael and Donald on Purpose sets a nice oath for the melodic lead work of Bazzell and Brown. This is the most aggressive track on the release with Bazzell pushing the conventional envelope of the release and also being my favorite track on the release. Eventually is easily the radio track on the release featuring vocalist, Rachel Robinson upfront and Bazzell on counterpoint with solid bass lines by Michael. Another particularly strong track is Maktub with it's Brazilian rhythm and super interwork between Bazzell and Brown and shows some of my favorite drum work on the release. Very nice. Hard driving, Increase and Persist shows Bazzell in top form really pushed along nicely by Michael and again an excellent piano lead line by Brown over tight drum rhythms by Donald. Excellent closer. 

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Henri Elkan Music artist: Wayne Alpern - Secular Rituals - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Secular Rituals, by Wayne Alpern and it's expansive and thought provoking. I want to start out by saying that the cover for this release has a unique, quiet beauty with hints of a landscape obscured by fog and cleanly designed title and artist notation surrounding a red diamond. Brilliant work by Darline Braz and Kasa Objects. Because the release to me is more a cohesive composition with movements than separate "songs" I will try to describe what I am experiencing aurally rather than isolate specific segments of the passages and note participants. The release opens with Utopia with a varying digital rhythm pattern and notes that seem to hang in the ether. This layering of different digital loops and patterns creates a soothing intro to this release. Victims of Venom is really a cool track with an underlying world music influence. Digital tom tom sounds, jungle sounds and a digital small keyboard create quite an interesting experience. Gomoa Fettah is another interesting cultural trip with African based rhythms and horn/keyboard soloing seeming to be from northern Africa or Asia. Again, a really interesting passage. Sista Re has a more grounded bottom bringing to mind an early Herbie Hancock composition but with a very loose jazz structure and more straight forward keyboards. Afterglow seems to be a quiet exploration in melody with no pronounced rhythm The digital, organ like sound seems suspend on the air. Wrapping the release is Vishvakarma which uses digital sitar, tabla and rhythms to create a pretty convincing journey through India to closure. This is an intellectual adventure in sound and quite entertaining. 

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Micah Graves - Pawns - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Pawns, from Micah Graves and it's terrific! Opening with title track, Pawns, Micah Graves leads a group of excellent musicians on a creative path. Based over a central piano/keys vamp by Graves is reinforced by Robby Cruz on trumpet, Dick Oats on alto sax, Yesseh Ali on tenor sax, Zach Guise on bass and Julian Miltenberger on drums. Ali is the first to break loose with a creative solo line with incredibly tight drum rhythms by Miltenberger. Zach Fischer is next in line with warm guitar lead over a subdued, drum/piano rhythm, breaking back to Miltenberger and Graves tight rhythm interaction and horns. Very nice. Adding vocals by Danielle Dougherty and Shafiq Hicks on Lost In Time In Central Square, this track is much more straightforward and radio forward with a carload of instrumental excellence. Ali is first up on solo this time and his tones are fat and rich, followed by a funky keyboard solo by Graves and nicely complimented by Guise and again with over the top tasty percussive work of Miltenberger. Excellent! Dick Oats lays in some really nice alto sax work on this track feeding into Graves with his excellent keyboard lead. Solid head food. Odd Times is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's driving keyboard lead, relentless bass line by Guise and especially the terrific drumming of Miltenberger. Excellent! Wrapping the release is The Hague with it's pop jazzy feel. A warm bass groove gives Graves a broad road to solo over on keys and Miltenberger holds a tight rhythm. Ali lets it all hang out on Tenor for a wild ride of a closer.

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Provogue Records artist: Beth Hart - A Tribute To Led Zeppelin - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Tribute To Led Zeppelin, by Beth Hart and I really like it. Opening with Whole Lotta Love, Hart shows that Robert Plant has nothing on her belting out the most classic of rock anthems like it's her own. Backed by Dorian Crozier on drums, Chris Chaney on bass, Tim Pierce on guitar, Rob Cavallo on guitar and Jamie Muhoberac on keys, this band is tight. I'm particularly happy with Crozier's handling of Bonham's drum work which is the key to getting this band. Another drum heavy track, "later phase" Led Zep's Kashmir, sounds really strong and Hart fills Plant's shoes better than anyone might expect.  The Crunge, from Houses is a great track with tight little guitar riffs and hot drum rhythms. Anyone passing a shop with this playing would likely do a double take on whether it's Led Zep... the keys are the tale with different intonation but still a really nice job! One of the best rock tracks by anyone is of course Black Dog and Hart and company does a great job. Once again I have to salute Crozier. As a long time Zep fan, it's all about the drums. Covers of Pages guitar solos are really quite accurate and still exciting.  Digging back into early Zep again Good Times Bad Times is still a great rocker. Hart makes a small gender adjustment to the lyrics but her vocals are questionably better than Plants and covers of Pages guitar solos sound great. (Did I mention... great work by Crozier). Wrapping the release is gloomy and moody, The Rain Song with "strings" by Muhobeac and Hart's final chance to showcase her bluesy voice. This really is a strong release of Zep covers and a cool listen.

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Jorge Garcia with Richie Cole - Dedicated To You - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dedicated To You, from Jorge Garcia with Richie Cole and it really interesting. Opening with Minority, a terrific track with Richie Cole leading the way on sax. His articulation and fluid runs are strong, riding high on the glistening guitar chords of Jorge Garcia, backed by Rick Doll on bass, James Cotmon on drums and Paul Banman on piano. Garcia steps up on solo guitar really laying it out there and a nice solo by Doll makes this a great opener. With a very nice Latin rhythm, With You Always has beautiful lines, led by the clean guitar soloing of Garcia and really nice chromatic harmonica soloing by Hendrick Meurkens and backed by Jamie Ousley on bass. Very nice. A really nice double timed take on S'wonderful is a strong showcase for Garcia's inventive guitar runs with an active bass line by Ousley over a tight drum rhythm by Cotman. Wrapping the release is title track, Dedicated To You, a cleanly played guitar ballad surrounded by electric piano and keys by Paul Banman. This is a simple but very enjoyable closer for a rally nice release. 

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Blue Canoe Records artist: Tritone Asylum - The Hideaway Sessions - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Hideaway Sessions from electro- acoustic collective, Tritone Asylum and it's really interesting. Opening with Grasshopper, a Latin influenced track, the band, made up of Philip Topping on electronic Valve Instrument, Ian Vo on sax and flute, Mitch Forman on keys, Peter Sepsis on bass and Dave Johnstone on drums really get moving. I particularly like lively sax solo by Vo which is a screamer. Off centered, The 54 Blues is one of my favorite tracks on the release with 5/4 time and Topping leading the way on Electronic Valve over a tight drum cadence by Johnstone. Waddell breaks loose with a dynamic guitar solo that speaks nicely and Vo's sax solo is quite soulful. Forman lays in a real nice key solo and precise guitar punctuation really adds a nice touch. Very cool. With a funky bottom thanks to Sepsis and Johnstone Simple is really humming and Topping and Vo carry the melody. I really like Vos' sax work on the solo of this track cutting loos from convention and shining strong. Forman sets up a real nice electric piano phrase and develops it nicely and Waddell steps in with nicely phrased guitar lead of his own giving the track a bit more edge making this another of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is light, springy, First Days Of Summer with a radio style melody and interesting yet controlled soloing by the band. 

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Professor Louie & The Crowmatix - Strike Up The Band - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Strike Up The Band, from Professor Louie & The Crowmatix and it swings. Opening with A Thousand Ways to Freedom, an uplifting rocker with power vocals by Professor Louie who also provides keys, backed by Miss Marie on piano, Gary Burke on drums, Frank Campbell on bass and John Plantania on guitars. With a island flavor, Golden Eagle, has terrific percussion and solid lead vocal by Marie. Louie on accordion really adds another dimension and trumpet by Danny Coyle and strong guitar work by Plantania. Tick Tock is set to a cool, 60's style rock beat. Louie on keys and lead vocal really makes this track groove. Plantania lays in a nice little slide solo on guitar for some real spice. Very cool.   Radio oriented, End of the Show is a really nice blend of spiritual and soul. I think that it's my favorite track on the release with a strong melody, super vocals by Louie and solid backing vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Flaming Ray, a calm ballad featuring Louie accompanying himself on keys, blended nicely with acoustic guitar and light snare work. With smooth vocal blending with Marie, and nicely intgrated horn work by Jim Buckley on sax and flute, Coyle on trumpet, Chuck Smith on trombone, and Tony Aiello on sax and flute, a solid closer. 

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Karney - Gonna Be Beautiful - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Gonna Be Beautiful, from Bay Area songwriter Anna Karney and it's interesting. Blending folk, rock and pop, Karney opens with title track, Gonna Be Beautiful, with it's indie guitar rhythm and solid vocal lead. Backed by Kevin White on bass, Jim Bogios on drums,and James DePrato on some pretty tasty slide guitar, this is the best track on the release.  Breaking back to full acoustic, Trust is Anna Karney and her acoustic guitar. A solid melody and voice, Karney is showing her wares nicely. Wrapping the release is Neil Young's Heart of Gold. With fuller instrumental backing including slide guitar, bass, drums and her own keyboard work, and with a slight adjustment to Young's original arrangement, Karney closes her latest endeavor. 

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Belly Up Records artist: The Sully Band - Let's Straighten It Out! - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let's Straighten It Out!, from The Sully Band, and it's solid R&B/soul. Opening with Dr John's When The Battle Is Over, this band is firing on all cylinders with Robert "Sully" Sullivan and Rebecca Jade on lead vocals. With an aggressive chugging rhythm and soulful vocals, backed by Jon Harford on guitar, James East on bass and backing vocal, Mark charles Hattersley on keys, Tres Hodgens on drums and backing vocals,  and Nacho Sobers on percussion, this is a great opener. I really like the band's take on Shuggie Otis' funky Ice Cold Daydream with some screaming guitar work by Harford and great horns by Tripp Sprague on sax, April Leslie on Bari sax, Tomoka Nomura on alto sax and Steve Dillard on trumpet. Excellent! Billy Preston's smash hit, Nothing From Nothing, maintains it's original arrangement but with the addition of some screaming guitar by Harford, Grant Benginger on banjo and some real nice sax work by Sprague, punched up by Leslie, Nomura and Dillard. Little Johnny Taylor's If You Love Me Like You Say, is really drum fueled thanks to Hodgens and with it's ultra funky beat, Anthony Cullins on guitar and tight horn work, this is another top track. Wrapping the release is Jackie Wilson's Higher and Higher highlighting Sully's vocals and the warm backing vocals of East, Hodgens and Jade. This is a really enjoyable release with a lot of solid soul.

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Cleopatra Records artist: Neville Staple - From The Specials & Beyond - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, From The Specials & Beyond from Neville Staple and it's a straight ska pop release. Opening with Right From Wrong, OK Two-Tone Ska legend Neville Staple and his wife Sugar Staple are upfront, joined by Steve Armstrong on bass, Matty bane on drums, Joe Atkinson on keys, Billy Shinbone on guitar, Drew Stansall on sax, and Peter Johnson on trombone. With the addition of Armstrong on vocal, Don't Let Life Pass You By has just a touch of Northwest indie influence making it one of my favorite tracks on the release. A twist of reggae on a DJ mix of Miss Dis n Dat makes this another stand out track with the addition of Clint Eastwood on vocals. World Turned Upside Down has a more sophisticated arrangement with really nice accents by Shinbone on guitar, Armstrong on bass and trombone by Peter Johnson. Wrapping the release is earlier smash hit, Monkey Man. A straight forward ska track, it's energy is perfect to close this release. 

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Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion - Veneta - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Veneta, from Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion and it's really nice. Opening with multicultural influenced, Gnossienne, Miguel Espinosa lays the foundation theme on classical guitar, joined by Dianne Betkowski on cello. The theme is then further developed by the addition of Lynn Baker on saxophone, Randy Hoepker on bass, Andy Skellenger on tabla and Cajon. Very nice. Although this release is heavily Spanish influenced, it is so colorful and full of international flavor. Very nice. Bulerias Barrocas continues the theme opening with a fluid pace and developing immediately into a cello led force. This track is very rich with deeply woven themes and masterful guitar. Very nice. Another cello led track, Sad is rich in tone and has excellent underlying rhythm provided by Espinoza on guitar, Skellenger on Tabla and Cajon, Mario Moreno on percussion, Hoepker on bass and a very nice lead solo by Lynn Baker on sax. Wrapping the release is Happy, with a more contemporary fusion sound. With a cool blend of sax, guitar and cello over bass and percussion, the theme is developed and solos are developed. This is a solid closer for a very strong release. 

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Reverend Nathon - Volume 1 - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the debut release, Volume 1, by Reverend Nathon and it's a rugged blues rocker. Opening with a boogie style rocker, Darker Shade Of Blues, Nathon Dees is upfront on guitar and vocal backed by Gary Delz on drums creating a solid romp. Low slung ballad, A Love Like Yours is a strong radio track with a cool melody and blues firm guitar soloing by Nathon. Very cool. Goin Fishin is another cool track with it's funky drum beat by Delz and fat slide guitar work by Nathon. Another ballad, Autumn Breeze also shows radio promise with a solid melody, sung over arpeggiated guitar chords and a standout guitar solo. Another cool boogie number is Walking On, with lofi under driven slide work. The track has basic fundamentals but it really appeals to me... possibly my favorite on the release. Very cool. If you like Deep Purple, then Deep is likely to appeal to you with it's Space Trucking feel. A solid rocker constructed on blues roots. Wrapping the release is  country style rocker, Golden Keys with a radio style and distinct Hughie Thomasson feel. This is an interesting release that hits solid. 

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