Ears and Eyes Records artist: Esthesis Quartet - Time Zones - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Time Zones, from Esthesis Quartet and it's quite interesting. Opening with Blue Light, Emma Dayhuff on bass leads the way with a simple bass line joined by Tina Raymond on drums. Dawn Clement on piano adds in a subtle melody, joined by Elsa Nilsson on flute. This is a cool composition showing real style. Solid opener. Hollywood has a curious melody led by Nilsson on flute over a walking bass line by Dayhuff and a tight rhythm by Raymond. Rhythmic accents by Clement on piano adds body to the melody until the handoff, when she takes the lead on piano. A resultant time change give the track an entirely different feel and Clement's work is transformative. Raymond takes an innovative drum solo, maintaining the basic structure of the piece through the refrain where Nilsson rejoins. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Getting Through with an extremely aggressive bass line by Dayhuff. With a tight snare/cymbal ride by Raymond and accents by Clement, Nilsson really get this track humming. After a quick drum break by Raymond, Esthesis brings on the heat for a solid closer. 

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Orenda Records artist: Dean Mucetti - Isolate//Integrate - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Isolate//Integrate, from Dean Mucetti and it's a cool funk soaked fusion release. Opening with Steps West, inspired by Coltrane's Giant Steps, has a firm, James Brown rhythm driven by Dean Mucetti and Miguel Ortiz on bass. Brian Hargrove on keys lays down the melody, joined by Dore Wallace and Jon Aparicio on guitars and Alex Williams on piano. Improvising over a central theme, a very cool jam. The Covid lockdown inspired, Licking Myself, referring to bandmembers licking their wounds from isolation. This track employs rhythmic and harmonic structure looping, expanded with an aggressive bass line and creative piano and keys interplay. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Got Lush based on Billy Strayhorn's Lush Life, with a straight up drum rhythm, overlaid with a funky bass line by Ortiz, funky guitar rhythms by Wallace and Aparicio and complex rhythmic interjections by Williams on piano and Hargrove on keys. This is a cool release with a lot of improv.

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Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion - Living A Daydream - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Living A Daydream, by Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion, and it's really enjoyable. Opening with Nagi Yate', Miguel Espinoza on guitar, opens with a beautiful intro, joined by Dianne Betkowski on cello and Andy Skellenger on tabla and Nabin Shrestha on tabla. Howard Levy on harmonica and piano really adds an additional dimension, joined by Randy Hoepker on bass, Mario Moreno on timbales, and Linda Richardson on castanets. Excellent opener. Zelda The Caterpillar Goes To Spain is another strong track featuring Espinoza on guitar really creating nice sonic depth. This track really is interesting. Levy on harmonica, Espinoza on guitar, Hoepker on bass and Skellenger really set a solid floor and Betkowski's solo cello work is rich, complimented nicely by the percussion of Mario Moreno. Wrapping the release is The Storm with has traditional Spanish rhythms. Espinoza's guitar work really is nice and I particularly love the cello work of Betkowski. Levy's piano is excellent and Moreno and Hoepker create a lively bottom complimented nicely by Skellenger on tabla. Excellent closer. 

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Mark Ortwein - It Was Time - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It Was Time, from Mark Ortwein and it's a cool, and well executed set. Opening with title track, It Was Time, Mark Ortwein on tenor sax lays out a supple melody over the aiery key work of Frank Glover and with Frances Wyatt on drums and Olas Ortwein on bass. Solid opener. Featuring Josh Kaufman on vocal, I Can't Make You Love Me with it's strong melody and with excellent sax soloing and Paul Langford on piano, Peter Hansen on bass and Craig Hetrick on drums, an ideal radio track. Very nice. No More Butterflies is another really nice track with Ortwein on bari sax and flute really carving out a great melody. Cranking up the track with Olas on bass, Carrington Clinton on drums and John Fell on guitar, this track really moves. Very nice.  I really like the groove set on Lonnie's Lament with a great bass lead by Peter Hansen and a real interesting electrified bassoon solo and great riffs by John Fell on guitar. Wrapping the release is Bigfoot with it's excellent lumbering, heavy bottomed feel. With Mark on electrified bassoon, tenor and bari sax, Kenny Rampton on trumpet, Olas on guitars, bass and keys and Johnny Concannon on drums, this is an excellent closer for a really nice release. 

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John Daversa & Tal Cohen - The Art of Duo Volume One - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Art of Duo Volume One, from John Daversa & Tal Cohen and it's quite interesting. Opening with Artful Sparring, a piece with a strong Latin rhythm, Daversa on piano sets a firm melody with interplay from Cohen on EVI who fleshes out the melody, providing plenty of space for improvisation by each. Very nice. On Art of Sanity, Cohen takes the spotlight on trumpet with foundational piano work by Daversa. Artful and inventive, Cohen's trumpet melody is sparce yet inviting and Daversa's piano work is rich and full. Junk Wagon Cameo is a cool track with Cohen on EVI creating a rhythmic melody, answered by Daversa's clear piano jousting making for a really interesting exploration. Radiant Heart is my favorite track on the release with it's contemplative piano lyric and soft, muted trumpet melody and soft vocals by Cohen. Wrapping the release is Dave Brubeck's In Your Own Sweet Way with strong trumpet interpretation and melodic piano phrasing. This is a cool release but not for someone looking for a toe tapper. 

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Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers - How Many Roads? - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, How Many Roads?, from Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers, it's a solid mix of R&B, soul, blues and rock. Opening with In It Together, Lex Grey is upfront on vocal, backed by Vic Mix on guitar, Ed Wasilewski on bass, Brian Dewan on Hammond and piano and with Chuck Burdick on drums. Grey really slips into the groove and the track literally ozzes from the grooves. Very nice opener. On Willie Dixon flavored Ain't From Mississippi, Grey shouts out my favorite track on the release with a great guitar vamp by Mix, piano by Wasilewski. Strong. Slow blues infused, Aches and Pains is a nice showcase for Grey on vocal, with rich Hammond work by Dewan, and featuring Greg Holt on fiddleand Ken Marchesani on drums. Rocker, After A Lifetime, shows a different side of Grey with it's new wave feel. Tight with Sonny Rock on drums and Mix on synth. Wrapping the release is Angel, my top choice for radio track on the release. With Grey singing melody, harmony and playing acoustic guitar along with Wasilewski on guitar and bass and Ken Marchesani on drums a solid closer. 

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DIVA Jazz artists: 3D Jazz Trio - 9 to 5 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 9 to 5, by 3D Jazz Trio and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with Harry Warren's, I Only Have Eyes For You, Cleveland Jazz Legend Award winner, pianist Jackie Warren sets the melody, punctuated by tight drum rhythms by Sherrie Maricle. Critically acclaimed bassist, Amy Shook steps up with a tasty acoustic bass solo and Warren's followup improvisation is really nice. Super opener. Gil Fuller's Tin Tin Deo really gives Warren a lot of space to run, first in Latin rhythm with excellent syncopation by Maricle and Shook, before breaking briefly into a full swing and later a full gallop. Very nice. A really nice arrangement of Miguel Matamoros' Lagrimas Negras really hits the spot, first in classic Cubano styling but relaxing into a modern jazz samba. With light drum accompaniment and accented bass work, Warren's fingers literally dance on the keyboard. Shook adds in a bowed bass solo which really works nicely and Maricle's tom tom work is excellent. My favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is Warren penned, Theme for B.T., again with a Latin rhythm. Warren really works the piano nicely and with snappy drum rhythms and Shook's excellent bass work both as accompanist and on solo makes this an excellent closer for a really nice release. 

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CAP Records artist: Eric Goletz - Standard-ized - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Standard-ized, by Eric Goletz and it's really enjoyable. Opening with Charlie Parker's Now's The Time, bandleader and trombonist, Eric Goletz shows exceptional skill on trombone with an excellent lead solo, followed by Don Braden on soprano sax. With Henry Heinitsh's strong guitar work, Jim Ridl laying in a really nice piano solo of his own, Brian Glassman on bass, and Steve Johns on drums, this is a great opener. On a more solitude take on Juan Tizol's Caravan, Goletz shows what great trombone tone is with nicely inventive phrasing. Joe Mowatt percussion on this track adds a lot of depth and Goletz lets it all hang out on his solo and in tandem with Ridl on piano. Add in strings by Robin Zeh and Paul Woodiel on violin, David Gold and Michael Roth on viola, Sarah Hewitt -Roth on cello and Brian Glassman on contra bass, this track really is cool. Eden Ahbez's, Nature Boy really is a showcase for Lajuan Carter on lead vocal and she does a really nice job. Gershwin's Summertime really gets kicked up a notch with a Latin rhythm by Glassman and Johns and Ridl anchoring on piano. Goletz's solo on this track is vibrant, further enhanced by Ridl's bright piano soloing. Very nice. Stanley Turrentine's Sugar really throws Goletz out front of this trio layout with a lot of sliding and articulate runs over a great bass line of Glassman and Johns on drums. Stevie Wonder's Overjoyed, is the solid radio ballad for the track with Goletz laying down a solid piano loead and then doing a straight melodic solo on trombone. This really is a strong release (and I love jazz trombone) so if you're inclined...it's definitely worth the listen. 

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J&R Adventures artist: Joe Bonamassa - Tales of Time (Live)- New cd/dvd release review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tales of Time, by Joe Bonamassa and he is really pulling it together. A performance of his new solo release, Time Clocks, Tales of Time opens with Notches, and Bonamassa has a solid riff going with a heavy footed kick drum by Lemar Carter and full bass by Calvin Turner. Building a full blown blues rocker with Reese Wynans on keys,and Josh Smith on guitar Bonamassa on lead vocal and fluid guitar solos ans backing vocals by Jade MacRae, Dannielle DeAndrea and Mahalia Barnes makes this a terrific opener. The deeper you get into the release the more you see that it is built as a continuous piece of art somewhat like a Pink Floyd release. All of the songs relate and one is as powerful as the next. Mind's Eye starts off light with a ballad style, Bonamassa on guitar and vocal but slowly builds to epic proportions with full band and rich backing vocals. Very strong. Throwing in a bit of R&B construction, Known Unknown has a solid melody and lots of backing vocals. Bonamassa of course really continues to develop his vocals and holds his guitar in reserve for meaningful phrases. Very nice. Based around Albert Kings famous riff, Just Cos You Can Don't Mean You Should is a strong new look at blues rock. I love the riff and Bonamassa's guitar work and tight organ solo by Wynans really propel this track. Wrapping the release is Evil Mama with it's driving bass line and high energy. This track really does wind with Smith keeping the heat on on guitar and Bonamassa playing some esoteric but cool riffs. Wynans takes you for another ride on keys and Bonamassa winds it up one more time for an excellent blues riff filled solo. The man has grown up and his music shows it. All of the excitement has finally paid off. Can't wait to watch the DVD which is 18 tracks long. 

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Origin Records artist: Tito Carrillo - Urbanessence - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunty to review the most recent release, Urbanessence, from Tito Carrillo and it's very cool. Opening with Momentum with a paired lead melody by Tito Carrillo on trumpet and Troy Roberts on sax this track is humming. With Ben Lewis on piano, Clark Sommers on bass, Jay Sawyer on drums and Victor Gonzalez on congas, this is a strong opener. Crazy, Stupid Fine is a really cool track with a cool, lightly funky rhythm. Opening with a bass solo setup, Carrillo and Roberts again pair on the melody, splitting off to seperately lay in very nice variations on the melody. Carrillo's tone and phrasing is clean and controlled and Robert's tone, warm and more frantic. With excellent punctuation and melodic improvisation by Lewis on piano, this is a terrific track. Carrillo pulls out the flugelhorn for warm tone on Phillip Kocheril's Up The Down Staircase sharing this introspective melody with Lewis on piano. Wrapping the release is Sublime (for Roy Hargrove) with it's lush melody and crisp piano work by Lewis. This is really a cool release with a various colors of jazz well performed by a talented group of guys. 

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Blue Heart Records artist: Tomislav Goluban - 20 Years On The Road - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 20 Years On The Road, from Tomislav Goluban and it's chocked full of great blues harp. Opening with blues rocker, Express Ride, blues harp wiz Tomislav Goluban really has it cranking, backed by the Tobacco Road Blues Band (Peter Prammerdorfer on guitar, Mike Diwald on guitar, Christian Egger on bass and Klaus Sauli on drums. On shuffle, Searchin' For My Baby features Skylar Rogers on lead vocal and she does a real nice job. With Goluban on harmonica, Hrvoje Funda on guitar, Vid Kotarski on guitar, Jurica Leikauff on keys, Tomislav Kusar on bass and Dragutin Hojsak on drums, a real nice jam. With a twist of country, Ryan Donohue leads the way on No Means No. Mike Sponza and Funda on guitars, Vid Bajevic on trumpet, Mario Sincek on trombone, Damjan Grbac on bass, and Igor Vugrek compliment Goluban on harmonica. Another track with a taste of country is Speedin' Train featuring the super vocals of Teresa James. Goluban really wails the whistle and with a solid bottom compliments of Funda, Kitarski, Leikauff, Kusar and Hojsak, this may be my favorite track on the release. Shuffle, I Can't Take It Anymore has a great feel and saturated with harmonica. Crooked Eye Tommy is upfront on vocal anchoring this bluesy track. Boggie, Everyday's Fear, has a great drive and Goluban sails, courtesy Funda, Kotarski, Jurica Leikauff, Damjan Grbac and Vugrek and featuring Kelly Zirbes on lead vocal. Wrapping the release is rock and roller,  I Love You Baby with Goluban on lead vocal. This is a solid closer for a cool release. 

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Jonathan Mills - No Mentions, No Worries - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, No Mentions, No Worries, from Jonathan Mills and I really like it. Opening with title track, No Mentions, No Worries I immediately like this release. Jonathan Mills has a light, tight touch like Billy Cobham, and with Tyrone Jackson on Fender Rhodes piano and Tommy Sauter on bass the theme is set. Luke Weathington on alto sax is first to step up and his elaboration on the theme is terrific. Patrick Arthur is next to the front with a really stirring guitar solo before the band is brought back for a thematic chorus. Very nice opener. Slower, more introspective in nature, For Hadley's Folks is "a lulaby" written for Mills' niece and family to find sleep during the early months of infancy. With poetic phrasing by Weathington on alto and Arthur on guitar. This track floats. Uptempo, Calderazzish, has the melody and tempo for top radio track on the release. With a really nice piano interlude by Jackson, excellent drum punctuation by Mills and smart alto work by Weathington, this track is spot on. Moving back into more of a fusion mode, Wait For It, is a real nice showcase for Mills chops on drums. Sauter reinforces the bottom with solid bass line and Arthur leads off with round, clear guitar phrasing. Jackson's piano touch really adds to the composition with crystal clear melodic work and Weathington on alto gives the track the juice. Wrapping the release is rocker, Sneak Attack with Weathington setting the melody on alto. Jackson is first out of the box with a real nice run on piano. Weathington reinforces the bop feel of this track with his approach on sax leading to a real nice exploration by Sauter on bass. Arthur shows a real nice hand at bop soloing himself trading off with Mills on drums before consolidating for a unified closing. Super closer for a real nice release. Really cool cover too... by the way.

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Henry Godfrey Jazz Orchestra - Attitude and Gratitude - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Attitude and Gratitude, by Henry Godfrey Jazz Orchestra and it's very enjoyable. Opening with For McCoy, a tribute to pianist McCoy Tyner who died in 2020. With really clean piano work by Rowan Barcham and lush guitar lead by Pritesh Walia, this track is great. Featurning Aaron Dutton, Alex Ramirez, Ian Buss, Eli Block and Nicholas Suchecki on sax, Miles Keingstein, Matt Kelly, Eli Block and Zoe Murphy on trumpets, Joey Dies, Jasmine Sloane and Sam Margolis on trombone and Michael Juba Prentky on bass trombone and tuba and Anna Abondolo on bass, all tied together by Henry Godfrey on drums, this is a strong opener. I particularly like Forgetting What Will Never Be, with Joey Dies on trombone leading the way. I also like hearing Anna Abondolo stepping up with a fluid bass solo, floating on woodwinds. Ian Buss with his tenor sax solo adds to real grit to the mix and Godfrey brings a Latin percussion bottom giving the track a great boost. Very nice. Wrapping the release is We'll Get There with a strong, jagged drum rhythm by Godfrey and muted trumpets. Alex Ramirez on alto sax lays in a really interesting melody line, joined by the band and leading to further soloing by Matt Kelly on trumpet over clean piano lines of Barcham and intricate drum work of Godfrey. This is not a bag of pretty tunes but a well thought out set of composiotions. Very nice. 

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Jeremy Green - Standing Eight - New Release Reviewx

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Standing Eight, by Jeremy Green and it's a cool jazz rock instrumental release with plenty of juice. Opening with No Jacket Required, Jeremy Green and Mike Stern on guitars lay in some great dialog over excellent drum work of Keith Carlock and featuring the excellent bass lines of Jimmy Haslip. Very cool. Will Lee lays down a funky bass line and fine soloing on Ain't No Chevy and Carlock is incredibly tight with Green and Robben Ford really working it on guitar and including the fine trumpet work of Mark Levron. Green and Michel Cusson really put on a great show on Close with a Jab and the solid bass work of Moto Fukushima sets a super framework for the highly articulate drumming of Carlock. Excellent. Wrapping the release is Car Rock with Oz Noy paired with Green on guitar and an aggressive bass line by Ian Da Souza. With bluesy yet adventurously jazzy guitar riffs, and the phenomonal drum work of Carlock, this is a solid closer for a solid release.  

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Mind's Eye Music artist: Vinnie Moore - Double Exposure - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Double Exposure, from Vinnie Moore and it's a solid rocker with blues roots. Opening with Vertical Horizon, guitar man, Vinnie Moore wastes no time getting things hopping with a lightly funky rocker and a very aggressive bass line by Pete Griffin. Richie Monica on drums really mixes it up and with lead vocals by Ed Terry, Moore just keeps his foot on the throttle. Super opener. Paid My Dues is another strong track with a heavy bottom by Monica and Griffin and scorching riffs by Moore. Keith Slack on vocal is a great match for this band making this one of my favorites on the release. Instrumental, Astro Man is a power hitter with choice use of wah wah pedal and hot fiery riffs by Moore over the relentless drive of Griffin and Monica. Another pure guitar instrumental, Breaking Through, features Moore on what may be a chorus pedal playing doubled or triples on the melody but breaking free  for strong single line lead work and rapid fire riffs. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Southern Highway with a trademark rhythm but with a definite "southern" style. With John Pessoni on drums, Michael Bean and Moore overdubbing his lead, this is a solid closer for a real enjoyable release. 

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Roger Street Friedman - Love Hope Trust - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love Hope Trust, from Roger Street Friedman, and it's a solid slice of Americana. Opening with the title track, Love Hope Trust, singer songwriter Roger Street Friedman has the joint rocking with nicely blended vocals behind his own lead, Jim Toscano on drums, Larry Campbell on guitars, Jason Crosby on piano, Matthew Schneider on bass and Teresa Williams and Lucy Kaplansky on backing vocals. Vapor In The Air has a real nice Tex-Mex feel with strong vocal melody by Friedman and really cool contributions by Gil Goldstein on accordion,  and Campbell on fiddle, mandolin and guitars. Excellent. One track that really stands out is The Ghosts Of Sugarland delivered in true folk style. A story delivered about civil war living with Campbell on acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle, I really like this track. A warm Jackson Browne/James Taylor like, Multiply By Two, is a pure radio track with strong melodic bones. With warm steel work by Campbell and Williams and Kaplansky on backing vocals, this track is radio gold. Wrapping the release is Cut Your Losses, a potent track with a really nice melody, patient melody and with steel and mandolin backing under the acoustic guitar and vocal of Friedman is a perfect summary track to a really nice release. 

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Joplin Sweeney Music Company artist: Jim Witzel Trio & Quartet - Feelin' It - New release review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Feelin' It, from Jim Witzel Trio & Quartet and it's really nice. Opening with title track, Feelin' It. Jim Witzel on guitar really has solid phrasing over a strong bottom provided by Jason Lewis on drums and Brian Ho on B3. Dann Zinn steps up on tenor sax with an aggressive solo followed by Ho laying out the B3 making this a dynamic opener. In 3/4 time, Beyond Beijing has great flow with Witzel and Zinn playing in tandem on the melody. Zinn breaks free first with an abstracted melodic solo line with Ho providing plenty of bottom and the crisp rhythm work of Lewis tying it all together. Witzel has a really clear guitar tone and his phrasing is classic. Witzel really dices Gershwin's I Love You, Porgy is excellent traditional jazz style. Possibly my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the set is Cannonball Adderley's, The Old Country which is a true jazz standard. Nancy Wilson did a terrific job on this track and Ho and Witzel trade lead with adventurous wandering on their solos. This is really a strong track and an excellent closer for a really strong release. 

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