Toy Robot Music artist: Troy Roberts - Nu Jive: Nations United - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nu Jive: Nations United, by Troy Roberts and it's a full on energized groove. Opening with Funkafarian, Eric England on bass stets a prominent funk line, with a stiff snare chaser by David Chiverton on drums. Troy Roberts plays melody on sax with cool melodic highlights on keys by Silvano Monasterios. Tim Jago on guitar,  takes the first improvisational solo showing great style later followed by Monasterios on keys and a real nice solo by Roberts. Strong opener. Big Night In is a cool, funk based jam over a driving bass line by England. With the reverse of the bass line things turn from funky to contemplative giving Monasterios a broad sheet to paint with his keys. Punching the funk back up, Roberts cuts loose with an aggressive solo of his taking the jam even higher with additive compliments by all members. Very cool. Sobrino is a really interesting piece featuring England's creative bass work through his pedal board and a slow staggering 5/4 timing. With the addition of Monasterios on keys and joined by Roberts, laying in a complimentary melodic solo... this track is quite hypnotic. Wrapping the release is the adventurous, Dream Station with it's snappy drum rhythm and punchy bass line. Roberts establishes a great melody line before turning the adventure over to Jago for extensive yet vibrant guitar exploration. Roberts kicks it into high gear with further exploration on his own making this my favorite track on the release and and a power packed closer. 

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Radha Botofasina - Carry On The Spirituals Vol. 2 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Carry On The Spirituals Vol. 2, from Radha Botofasina and it's quite good. Opening with Satan We Gonna Tear Your Kingdon Down, Brooklyn born, Radah Botofasina presents a strong spiritual journey in music. Having a two decade long association with Alice Coltrane, Alice became her spiritual and musical mentor and gifted her her first harp. With Gemi Taylor on guitar, Botofasina on harp and lead vocal, John Barnes on synth and rhythms and the McCrary Sisters on backing vocals, this is a solid opener. With R&B influence over a definite gospel framework, Woman At The Well,  features really nice call and response between Botofasina on lead vocal and backing vocals by Aankha Neal, Isabel Beyosa, Arianna Gouveia and Shyam Tony Reyes. With a Latin rhythm, gospel classic, Mary Don't You Weep, gets a contemporary makeover. Botofasina on lead vocal, backed by Neal, Beyoso, Gouveia and Reyes on backing vocal work nicely with the synth work of Surya Botofasina on synth organ, Cecil McBee Jr on bass, Munyungo Jackson on percussion and Alma Cielo on viola. Really getting that gospel roll, Move On Up A Little Higher shows real richness with excellent lead work by Botofasina and the addition of Rod Hines on piano, Surya on synth organ, McBee on bass, Caleb Buchanan on acoustic bass, Jackson on percussion Cielo on cello and Neal, Beyoso, Gouveia and Reyes on backing vocals. Wrapping the release is original composition and title track, Carry On with a cool R&B rhythm. Botofasina leads with excellent vocal phrasing and Taylor on guitar adds some real nice solo work. Barnes on synth, and Neal, Beyoso, Gouveia, Reyes, Barnes and the McCrarey Sisters create a cool envelope of music closing out the release. 

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Ruf Records artist: Kenny Neal - Straight From the Heart - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Straight From the Heart, from Kenny Neal and I like it quite well. Opening with Blues Keep Chasing Me, Kenny Neal sets a great funky blues pace. With a solid bass line by Darnell Neal, Arnet Hayes on piano, Brandon Adams on B3,  fat sax work by Jason Parfait, trumpet accents by Ian Smith and tight rhythms by Michael Harris, this is a solid opener. Cool blues, I'll Play The Blues For You has great pace and Neal's lead vocal and guitar are really clean and soulful. Horn backing by Parfait and Smith really adds a lot of punch, and the keyboard work of Adams and Henry really work nicely with the snappy drum work of Morris. Very nice. Louise Ana shows that New Orleans slow blues feel. With the melody carried by Lee Allen on bass, addition of Rockin Dopsie Je on washboard and Big Nate Williams on accordion, this track really has the sound. With a great walking bass line by Darnell Neal, I've Got To Tell Somebody, is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Kenny's vocals are perfect and Hayes piano soloing and Neal's own lush phrasing, punched up by Parfait and Smith is great. Wrapping the release is straight up New Orleans street party, New Orleans with Parfait and Smith leading the way. Darnell keeps the bass pace and and snappy rhythms by Morris really keeps it tight. Hayes piano groove is great and Neal's vocals ride high on the mix. Excellent closer. 

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SubCat Records artist: Nancy Kelly - Jazz Woman, The Reel To Real Sessions - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jazz Woman, The Reel To Real Sessions, from Nancy Kelly and it's one of a series of singles (two tracks) release from earlier in her career. Opening with Jazz Woman, an original composition with a cool, club feel. Backed by John Di Martino on piano, Ed Howard on bass, Freddie Hendrix on trumpet, Harry Allen on tenor, Carmen Intorre Jr, on drums, Wesley Amorim on guitar and Jimmy Johns on vibes, this track has a cool feel with super, muted trumpet lines by Hendrix. Latin rhythms permeate Move Over featuring Kelly's warm vocals and with light keyboard work by DiMartino and smooth sax lines by Allen. This is a short release but very nice and certainly radio ready. 

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G2 Records artist: David Larsen - G2 and You - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, G2 and You, from David Larsen and it's a straightforward instrumental jazz release. Opening with Angel Eyes, David Larsen on bari sax lays down a solid melodic lead line, backed by Danny McCollim on keys, Josh Skinner on bass, and Brendan McMurphy on drums. Larsen's tone is warm and his lead lines fluid and conservative. On Brubeck's,  In Your Own Sweet Way, Larsen shows a pure enjoyment of the artist's original arrangement. On original composition, Bright Days, Larsen pumps up the tempo and gets a solid jam going with aggressive rhythms by McMurphy on drums. With solid piano backing and a strong keys solo by Mc Collim, this is my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is another original composition by Larsen, Through and Through with a solid radio melody. Mc Collim stretches nicely on keys on the first solo stretch and Larsen returns with fine phrasing of his own. This is a pleasant release with precise playing and technique.

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Ce Ce Gable - Next Year's Song - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Next Year's Song, by Ce Ce Gable and it's a solid review of predominantly jazz vocal standards. Opening with original track, Next Year's Song, is a cool composition featuring Ce Ce Gable on vocal and really nice solo bass lead by Harvie S floating in lush piano work by Alan Broadbent, and Matt Wilson on drums. Henry Mancini's Two For The Road is smooth but Gable's vocals are crystal clear with complimentary guitar work by Roni Ben-Hur and light cymbal and snare work by Wilson. Latin salted, Like A Lover, has a great feel, Gable handling the lead vocal with deft finesse and crisp Latin guitar flavoring by Ben-Hur and the lightest of brush rhythm on drums by Wilson. I particularly like Gable's work on Moments Like This. Broadbent's piano holds the structure of the track and Gable's vocals carry the melody in fine view. Very nice. Broadbent penned, From Me To You, has a great Latin rhythm courtesy of Ben-Hur on guitar and again Gable carries the melody nicely. Solid closer for a cool release. 

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Shameful Records artist: Red Hot Shame - My Satellite - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Satellite, from Red Hot Shame, and it's an interesting indie rocker. Opening with Liftoff, Red Hot Shame, led by Xeff Scolari on vocal and acoustic guitar has a cool power rocker feel not unlike the Pixies or the Breeders. Joined by Ryan Wilson on electric guitar, Spencer Kennedy on bass, keys and percussion, Steven Pitsenbarger on backing vocal, horns and percussion, James Terris on keys and bass and Rick Fugate on drums. Title track, My Satellite is a cool rocker with a spacy feel. With a flabby guitar rhythm and excellent vocal blending, as well as some cool keyboard effects, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Solitude is an interesting ballad with a really strong melody. Again Scolari and Pitsenbarger blended vocals really work nicely and the guitar work of Wilson really sets the track off nicely. Another solid rocker is Stranded with it's gritty guitar rake and catchy melody. It's loosely structured guitar soloing over it's tight guitar rhythm and rock style vocals really work well for the most radio style track on the release. Wrapping the release is Little Moon a moody track with a solid melody. Scolari is a strong songwriter with definite hooks in the past. Nice job. 

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Bananafish - Boston Bananafish - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Boston Bananafish by Bananafish and it's a cool jam rocker. Opening with What's Been Going On?, Bananafish, led by vocalist, guitarist songwriter Fordham Murdy, (also known as Reverend Freakchild) begins this two cd release with a pop rocker with contemporary rock and country roots. Joined by Dan Simone on keys, Ben Chen and Ry Cavanaugh on bas and Joe Bulkin on drums. Casey And Hayes is a cool rocker with a spry beat. With it's story line flowing and it's hi low vocal Murdy and Simone) blending and piano lead, this is one of my favorites. Belpre at Night is a cool, blues based track with a vocal prominent beginning, developing into a solid guitar led guitar jam. Very cool. An interesting, folk like rework of Lennon and McCartney's With A Little Help From My Friends is pretty creative in itself with only traces of the original melody or arrangement. The second cd of this release contains all instrumental tracks. Planet Garbonzo is a loose rocker with Murdy working with Simone in tandem guitar and keyboard lines around a central rocking theme. Crazy Karma is short but effective. With heavy fuzz on the guitar Murdy lays down a central rock theme with guitar on a tight drum rhythm. Simone answers his call with electric piano ... almost Zappa like. This is an interesting composition over 2 cds with very short and longer concepts. 

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Alice Austin - Goodnight Euphoria - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Goodnight Euphoria, from Alice Austin and it's quite good. Austin, who fronts Black Sabbitch and has Zola Turn and The Lavas in her history brings a lot of talent to this new release. Opening with No Such Thing, a really solid track with a memorable melody, and classic alt rock rhythm this track gets my attention immediately. Featuring Austin on vocals and a good number of the instruments, and paired with David Drouin on vocal, guitar and bass this is a strong opener featuring catchy guitar riffs, power chords and nicely blended vocal harmonies. On title track, Goodnight Euphoria, Austin blends a driving acoustic guitar rhythm and drums with 60-70's style vocal exploration. Multilayered instrumentation reminds me quite a bit of Beatles sensitivity but adding in a stronger rock rhythm and sympathetic slide guitar. Very nice. Loveless Waste is another really cool track with it's Pixiesque driving rock sound and really nicely blended vocal harmonies. What's not to like about a surf track and we got one here in The Neighborhood. With reverb soaked guitar by Drouin who also adds considerably on vocal, Austin's tracks shows clever lyrics and an ever open door of musical influences. With Seth Campbell on mellotron as well and a cool, structured surf guitar solo by Drouin, this track rocks. Never Occurred To Me hits right down the middle with a George Harrison feel. Austin and Drouin's voices are so well matched and the selection of backing orchestration is perfect. Wrapping the release is quiet ballad, Saving My Tears with Austin's gripping lyrics and voice. Balanced with Campbell on keys, this is a super closer for a very cool release. 

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AKKU Quintet Manuel Pasquinelli - Live - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live, from AKKU Quintet and it's an exciting compositional piece. Opening with Waves,  featuring Manuel Pasquinelli on drums and Moja Nydegger  on keys the track blooms as it progresses. With the addition of Markus Ischer on guitar, this track ebbs and flows from quiet to explosive. Quite a 28 plus minute ride. Polar has a different approach with the tight underwork of Pasquinelli on drum and more predominant contemporary piano by Nydegger and cool, guitar lead exploration by Ischer. Schneemann has a really interesting time signature with Pasquinelli doing both straight time and a strong accent swat on snare. Again, creative lead by Ischer on guitar holds you in constant anticipation and the bass work of Andi Schnellmann gives the track a pronounced abstract quality. I really like this track. Deep Sleep II is the closer and with it's Frippish jagged rhythm and guitar work the terrific tightness of the key work of Nydegger and the addition of Michael Gilsenan really makes this track an excellent closer. If you have an ear for progressive music... this is a terrific ride.

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DIVA Jazz artist: The Diva Jazz Orchestra - Diva Swings Broadway - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, DIVA Swings Broadway, from the DIVA Jazz Orchestra and it's power horns to the max. Opening with Heart, there's no question that this band is loaded with brass lead by Liesi Whitaker, Jami Dauber, Rachel Therrien and Barbara Laronga on trumpet/flugelhorn and Jennifer Krupa, Sara Jacovino and Leslie Havens (bass) on trombone. Band leader, Sherrie Maricle on drums, Noriko Ueda on bass, Tomoko Ohno on piano hold down the bottom and Alexa Tarantino (also flute), Mercedes Beckman (also flute), Roxy Coss (also clarinet), Laura Dreyer (also clarinet) and Leigh Pilzer (bari, bass clarinet, flute and clarinet) on sax fill out the woodwinds sections. Coss on tenor sax, Dauber on trumpet and Krupa on trombone lay in nice solos making this opener memorable. Ueda is featured on bass solo on The Man I Love with a really nice intro and substantive soloing throughout over the piano counter of Ohno on piano and punchy horns filling out the accents. This is my favorite track on the release featuring this exceptional play.  Nicely balanced horns and woodwinds play the melody on Oh What A Beautiful Morning, over the supple improvisation by Ohno on piano. With a Latin rhythm held tight by Maricle, Therrien on flugelhorn and Dreyer on sax each contribute solid solos of their own making this another of my favorites on the release. Ohno, Laronga and Tarantino get the spotlight on Love Who You Love with a really nice flugelhorn solo by laronga, and extremely tasty soprano sax solo by Tarantino and Ohno's clearly fluid piano work. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Get Me To The Church On Time with a really cool stair stepping of instruments giving the sense of chiming. Maricle really has the drumset on point and Beckman and Tarantino again play alto solos that will lay you back in your chair. Excellent closer for a sneaky great release. 

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Vemicious Knid Music artist: The Andy Rothstein Band - Truth Against The World - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Truth Against The World, from The Andy Rothstein Band and it's quite good. Opening with Perfect Storm, a poppy lighter jazz track, Andy Rothstein leads the way on melody with his agile guitar phrasing, along with Tony Senatore on bass, Tom Cottone on drums, D Pappas on keys, Steve Jankowski on trumpet and trombone and Ken Gioffre on sax. An aggressive drum rhythm by Cottone and soaring keys by Pappas cap off this opener. Blues, is a really cool change up with jazzy underpinnings but square on blues guitar attack. Rothstein has nice blues chops on guitar and Cottone anchors the rhythm on solid rock. Gioffre takes a real nice tenor solo with solid support from Pappas. Cranking up the horns a bit with Jankowski on Trumpet, Mystic Mud has a fusion feel giving Rothstein a chance to let it all hang out. Jankowski slips in the mute and plays sweetly on trumpet in strong contrast to Rothstein's ripping blues rock riffs on guitar and tight underpinnings by Senatore and Cottone. Hell Mary is an interesting track built over a Jimi riff fused in a Robert Fripp kind of way. Vocal lead by Audrey Martells adds another dimension and of course Rothstein blends blues, rock and jazz riffs over the regimented bass/drum heaviness demanded of this kind of jam. Cool. Wrapping the release is title track, Truth Against The World, with power horns by Jankowski and sax by Gioffre. Lead melody on guitar by Rothstein develops into a real nice improv and further as the intensity grows. A cool diversion by Pappas on keys keeps up the fever but brings down the pitch over a funky drum beat and with Gioffre and Jankowski on horns this is a solid closer.  

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Digital Victrola Records artist: Andy Ostwald Trio - Field Guide - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the debut release, Field Guide, by the Andy Ostwald Trio, and it's light and springy but with some tasty meat too. Opening with Sonar with it's bright melody, led by Ostwald on piano joined by Ravi Abcarian on bass and Bryan Bowman on drums. Abcarian and Bowman each get a chance to stretch on this solid opener. Nat Adderley's Sweet Emma is up next with it's soulful feel and great bluesy cadence. I particularly like Abcarian's bass solo on this number. Very nice. Forties pop, I Hear A Rhapsody has become a jazz standard and Ostwald has done a real nice job on interpretation on this one with an excellent bass solo by Abcarian and tight drum highlights by Bowman giving this track sparkle. Van Heusen's Like Someone in Love, is nicely presented with a 3/4 prime tempo driven by Ostwald, over crisp contrast by Bowman on brushes. Abcarian takes a real nice lead solo on bass, followed by Ostwald making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Ibrahim's classic, The Wedding. With classic styling and flawless piano execution, Ostwald closes this strong first effort, solo style, with elegance.

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Hyperspace Records artist: Star People - Black Tie & Tales - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Black Tie & Tales, from Star People and it's an adventurous project. Opening with I, Starman, William Olland, Paul Gifford and Lorenza Ponce blend soft vocals over a predominantly keyboard backing by Scott Treibitz, creating a progressive kind of mix with solid violin contributions by Ponce, and with Randy Pratt on bass and Phil Weiss on drums. Pretty cool. Funky, "Queen of Space" has the melody and rhythm of a radio track with wide open guitar sound by Robert Dean and a jazzy piano solo by Treibitz. Electronic based. A Trillion Miles To Hollywood changes up the pace with electronic rhythms, synthesizers and vocals. Hot Blue Star rolls further into a rock genre with theatrical vocal presentation, and instrumentation. Hot guitar riffs by Dean and Jesse Berlin. A comprehensive theme running throughout this 2 cd set extends the aggressive soundtrack like nature of the release with solid  drum rhythms by TC Tolliver and spatial keys by Treibitz, and guitar soloing by Dean. Ponce really commands the floor with lead vocals on The Morning Star joined by a tight drum rhythm by Tolliver and some of the hottest guitar riffs on the release by Berlin. Wrapping the release is Exit, Stage Left, opening with a loose, Tom Waits style but quickly reengaging a more futuristic, spatial performance with echoed vocals and sci fi sounds over the funky bass work of Randy Pratt and Tolliver on drums. This release isn't for everyone but it is interesting and different. 

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Lateralize Records artist: Jo Harrop - The Heart Wants - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Heart Wants, from Jo Harrop, and it's a really nice jazz/blues release. Opening with title track, The Heart Wants What The Heart Wants, British vocalist, Jo Harrop shows incredible poise, as she sings this blues filled track with crystal clarity. Her phrasing is remarkable, teamed up with the piano work of Hannah Vasanth and with cool trumpet highlights by Andy Davies, backed by Tony Kofi on sax, John Spanyol on trombone, Troy Miller on drums and Christian McBride on bass. Very nice. All Too Soon is a cool, easy pop track in jazz and carried only by the bass work of McBride, Harrop shows just how easily her vocals float effortlessly on air. Really nice. Another showcase for Harrop is soulful jazz tune, I Think You'd Better Go with only light acoustic guitar by Jamie McCredie. Brilliant! Jason Rebello on piano joins Harrop on blues number, Red May Janes & A Brand New Hat with Troy Miller on drums, Jihad Darwish on bass, Debs White on violin and Julia Graham on cello. Rebello and Harrop get a great groove on this one making it one of my favorite instrumentally rich pieces on the release. If I Knew is a particularly strong track with rich lyrics. If you've been reading my notes for any period of time, you have probably caught that I'm not particularly lyric conscious but this track caught my attention. Strong lyrics and dramatic music with backing by Rebello on piano, Graham, Hillman and White on strings. Very nice. Wrapping the release is ballad, Weather The Storm, with Nicky Brown on organ, Troy Miller on Drums, McCredie on electric guitar, Vasanth on piano, Dishan Abraham on bass, and a backing vocals. This track has a radio feel and a solid capper for a very strong release. 

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Westmont Records artist: Liz Terrell - It's All Right With Me - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It's All Right With Me, from Liz Terrell and it's solid and enjoyable. Opening with the Stylistics' People Make The World Go Round, vocalist Liz Terrell makes it her own with a certain richness. Breaking to a cool, Latin rhythm by Emre Kartari on drums and Chris Brydge on bass, this track sails. Eddie Williams on sax adds beautiful riffs over the piano work of Daniel Clarke on piano and Alan Parker on guitar. Very nice. The radiance of Terrell's voice is evident on Cole Porter's standard, Night and Day starting out in relative a capella style but breaking into a club style swing. Parker takes the lead and lays in really nice, fluid riffs on guitar over the tight drum work of Kartari before Terrell bursts back with powerful but understated vocal. Very cool. Monk's classic, Blue Monk is an excellent choice for this band with inventive soloing by Brydge, Parker, Williams, Clarke and of course lush scatting by Terrell. Excellent! Ellington's Don't Get Around Much Anymore is a really nice take on this classic with solid vocal styling and really strong piano work by Clarke. Great! Wrapping the release is Burt Bacharach's What The World Needs Now, and I think it's an excellent choice for a closer. I personally don't think that Bacharach gets nearly the credit that he deserves as one of the best pop composers of our time. This is a beautiful arrangement of a beautiful track really showing just how pure Terrell's voice is and with just the right amount of adornment by Clarke, Williams and Parker. Excellent choice and excellent job. 

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BEL Records artist: Brent Laidler - Wouldn't Be Here Without You - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wouldn't Be Here Without You, from Bret Laidler and it's a cool eclectic mix of tunes with different yet interesting approaches. Opening with Keeping It Simple, a bossa soaked track, Brent Laidler on guitar is joined by Mark Buselli on trumpet, Ned Boyd on sax and flute, Jaime Newman on organ, Scott Pazera on bass and Richard Floyd on drums. Sunday Mood is a really cool boogie with a walking bass line and outstanding solos by Boyd on sax and Buselli on trumpet as well as a cool swinging guitar solo by Laidler. Very nice. Another Latin flavored track, City By The Bay, gives Boyd a nice opportunity to play a lush flute solo, followed by a lush organ solo by Newman and a nicely styled trumpet solo by Buselli before turning the mic over to Laidler who's warm, clear guitar tone and fluid runs ties back to the melody. Very cool. Laidler has the melody on Wouldn't Be Here Without You with Buselli on trumpet setting solid highlights before the Laidler doubles down on guitar with an excellent up tempo solo joined by nice work by Newman on organ and an excellent bass solo by Scott Pazera on bass and excellent Spanish style drum and percussion by Floyd. Wrapping the release is Pretty Little Bossa with it's compact rhythm pattern and giving Newman plenty of highway for exploration, leading to nice, relaxed contributions by Buselli and wrap up by Laidler and Boyd. This is a really solid release with strong tracks and and instrumentation. 

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