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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


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Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

J-Nett Music artist: Jae Sinnett's Zero To 60 Quartet - Commitment - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Commitment, from Jae Sinnett's Zero To 60 Quartet and it's strong. Opening with Takin' It There, this release comes alive with Randy Brecker upfront on trumpet, with Jae Sinnett really bringing it on drums. This track is vital with excellent sax work by Steve Wilson, Terry Burrell on bass and piano by Allen Farnham on piano. Excellent opener. Laying back in 3/4 time, Brecker lays out the beautiful melody of Simone, with a light and tight backing by Farnham and Sinnett. With Burrell keeping a firm hand on the groove, Farnham takes a nice very stretch on piano with Brecker closing the loop on trumpet. Very very nice. Muhammara's Dance is an excellent showcase for Sinnett with it's ultra funky drum work. Farnham further enhances the percussive nature of the track with a really cool piano interlude and Brecker's trumpet soloing really is strong. Excellent track. Wilson's sax interpretation of Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change is really inciteful providing it a meaty thoughtfulness that I haven't heard on this track. Farnham continues with an introspective piano solo making this one of my favorites on the release.  Wrapping the release is De Saudade/Jobim No More Blues with it's infectious Latin rhythm. Burrell and Sinnett really get the action moving and Brecker takes the top with a bright trumpet lead. Countered by Farnham on piano he really takes the Latin spirit and keeps it rolling. This is a high spirited closer for a really strong release. 



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Monday, October 16, 2023

White Label Records artist: Marc Ciprut - Blue House - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blue House, from Marc Ciprut and it's really cool mix or rock, R&B and jazz. Opening with Roll It Out, Marc Ciprut on guitar leads the way, joined by Jeremy Manasia on Wurlitzer, Etienne Lytle on organ and Tommi Rautiainen on drums creating a soulful Al Green feel with fluid guitar lead. Nice opener. Shaggy has a contemporary funk feel with Jimmy Haslip on bass, and Jon Cowherd on Wurlitzer and organ. Using a wah pedal, Ciprut creates a really nice groove with Haslip, Coward and Rautiainen working a great weave. Wrapping the release is Kiss You Again with varying time shifts and Ciprut playing it straight with Rauianinen and  Lytle against Ciprut's own adverse bass line. Very cool closer for a solid release. 

 


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Thursday, October 12, 2023

Nefer Music artist: Jeff Richman - XYZ - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, XYZ, from Jeff Richman and it's quite good. Opening with title track, XYZ, Jeff Richman on guitar is joined by top players, George Whitty on keys, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and Jimmy Haslip on bass. With the incredible duo of Haslip and Colaiuta laying down a clean, funky rhythm, Richman weaves a lush flowing melody. Strong opener. On Optamystical, Richman slowly builds depth and breadth on a McLaughlin type guitar pattern paired with Whitty on keys not unlike Beck and Hammer, before breaking into a more melodic refrain with exceptional drum work underpinnings by Colaiuta. Excellent!  Left Right Here is low slung with a cool yet funky bass line and Richman laying down a smooth melody over Whitty's horn like keyboard work. Richman's lead lines are creative and flowing. With it's jagged rhythm underpinnings, Likewise, is another really nice track with Mitchell Formen on keys and with Colaiuta adding in off/add rhythm drumming that gives the track so much depth. I really do love his style. Wrapping the release is laid back, She's Got To Be Somewhere. Scott Kinsey on keys and Richman share the lead workcreate a nicely woven envelope of sound with excellent drum/ bass interplay by Haslip and Colaiuta. This is a really solid release with a boat load of cool, fusion style music. 


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Thursday, September 28, 2023

Rhythm Royale Records artist: Towner Galaher Organ Trio - Live - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live, from Towner Galaher Organ Trio and I really like it. Opening with bluesy shuffle, One For McGriff has a great groove. Lonnie Gasperini lays down the bass line on organ with Galaher on drums and Marvin Horne leads the melody on guitar. Breaking loose is Gasperini on B3 and Galaher makes a real nice splash on drums for a solid opener. McDuff's Hot Barbecue with it's JB rhythm really is hot with a terrific exchange between Gasperini  and Horne. Excellent! Galaher opens Alligator Boogaloo with the funkiest of James Brown rhythms a drummer beats. With a solid bass line by Gasperini, Horne takes the first lead with smooth articulate guitar runs, leading to more warm B3 from Gasperini. Great groove. North Beach Blues has a terrific walking bass line driving Gasperini's B3 with a healthy solo. Quieting it down a bit, Horne takes a fleet fingered solo of his own making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. The release closes as it opens but with an alternate take on One For McGriff. This is a rich track with a lot of good feel and one that deserves a lot of wear. Excellent closer. 


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Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Dave Bass Music artist: Dave Bass - The Trio - Vol. 3 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Trio - Vol. 3 from Dave Bass and it's it's an aggressive piano jazz release. Opening with classic Sinatra tune, As Long As There's Music, Dave Bass on piano leads the way on melody with Kerry Kashiwagi with active double bass support and Scott Gordon on drums. The timing is changes giving the track new life with great interpretation. Solid opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Agenbite of Inwit with it's driving bass line by Kashiwagi and Bass' bopping piano lead. Barry Finnerty is featured on guitar and literally explodes with a blistering solo. Smoking. Armando Manzero's El Ciego (The Blind) is a terrific track with a terrific melody. Both Bass and Kashiwagi lay down beautiful lines making this track very special. John Carisi's jazz standard, Israel is really nicely covered, with articulate piano work by Bass with a nod to Paul Bley on interpretation. Kashiwagi's interaction with Gordon on drums really adds the heat on this track. Very nice. Astor Piazzolla is a long time favorite and Bass' take on his Libertango is special. Bass weaves the melody nicely on piano, maintaining the rhythm as he stretches the concept, reinforced by Kashiwagi and Gordon. Finnerty is back on lead guitar on this one and his Spanish articulation really works nicely. Wrapping the release is Another Ending, with it's Latin rhythm and crystal clear piano work balanced nicely with Finnerty on guitar. Kashiwagi takes a melodic bass solo on this one leading to a strong piano solo by Bass. Finnerty cooks up a terrific solo on guitar and with huge percussion work by Gordon, this takes on the flavor of Santana before easing into a Cuban like comfort. This really is a cool release and one to check out. 


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Monday, September 18, 2023

Kate Weekes - Better Days Ahead - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Better Days Ahead, from Kate Weekes, and it's really cool ride through folk, pop, and bluegrass music. Opening with Liminal Space, Kate Weekes on lead vocal and banjo really sets a buoyant pace backed by James Stephens on fiddle and bass, and Philip Shaw Bova on shakers. Strong ballad title track, Better Days Ahead has a really nice melody featuring Weekes clear vocals on lead and harmony vocals and Stephens on fiddle, harmonium and bass. Very nice. Empty Bottles is my choice for top radio track on the release with a strong melody and vocals, backed by Brian Sanderson on horns Rob Graves on percussion, Stephens on bass and guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Time By The Moon, a very cool acoustic ballad with Weekes on banjo and vocal, Stephens on fiddle, bass and vocal. This is a very rich track and an excellent closer for an authentic rural American release. 


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Thursday, August 31, 2023

Mismwo Music artist: Melvin Smith - Perseverance - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Perseverance, from Melvin Smith and it's a cool, laid back jazz exploration. Opening with Sound For Sore Ears, a Jimmy Heath composition, Melvin Smith on soprano sax sets the melody with Jeb Patton on piano, Corcoran Holt on bass and Jeremy Warren on drums. Smith's lead work is smooth and Patton's piano work is refined and invigorating. Solid opener. On traditional composition, Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, Smith takes the lead on tenor sax and paints just enough melody to carry the theme with plenty of rhythm and just the right feel. Again Patton lays in a real nice piano solo giving the track just the right amount of contrast. I like the funky approach on Gettin' It with a hot bottom by Greg Lewis on organ and Warren on drums. Smith just lays in the groove and riffs away on tenor sax and Lewis takes a nice ride on organ giving the track a Jimmy Smith feel. Very nice. Title track, Perseverance is my favorite track on the release with emphatic enthusiasm from each of the contributors. Smith on tenor sax is ripping, Warren's drum work is impeccable, Holt really drives the bass and I love Patton's piano lines. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Bobby Watson's composition, Beatitudes with Smith taking a long fruitful, melodic ride on the base melody. Patton on piano really has a nice hand, further developing the melodic exploration and adding incredible breadth to the presentation. Warren on drums and Holt on bass make the composition much bigger than the four players for a solid closer. 


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Monday, August 28, 2023

Zugz Wang Bebop Records artist: Chris Keefe - Opening - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Opening, from Chris Keefe and it's solid. Opening with original track, Got A Chick?, Chris Keefe, on piano sets a cool bop rhythm/ melody, with a tight melodic bass line by Harvie S and light and tight drum work by Adam Nussbaum. Strong opener. Benny Golson's Along Came Betty is a great selection by Keefe who takes the lead on piano, first in classic fashion with a real nice bass solo by Harvie but transitioning with the lead of Nussbaum to a cool Latin beat. Very nice. Another self penned track, Chobim has a smoother Latin rhythm and a soulful bass lead by Harvie. Keefe's own melodic lead is nicely paced and poised. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Mercer's classic, Dream with it's bouncy melody. Nussbaum takes the front holding down the melody with strong interpretation by Keefe. His translation to bop form really gives this track new life. An inciteful bass lead by Harvie gives this track real wheels for my taste. Nice closer for a cool release. 


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Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Tuzu Kuru Records artist: Fuat Tuac - Immigrant - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Immigrant, from Fuat Tuac, and it brings both heavy influences from American and Brazilian jazz as well as eastern overtones. Opening with No Strings Attached, Fuat Tuac, Turkey born, Canadian singer conjures a poppy feel with a real nice trumpet overlays by Kevin Turcotte. Chex Moi features a vocal duet with Kim Richardson (in French) with Turcotte featured on trumpet, Eric West on drums, and Jordan O"Conner adding a real nice bass line. Very nice. I really like Aeroplane with it's distinctly Samba sound. Tuac's vocals float lightly on Eric St-Laurent's guitar rhythm and Turcotte's trumpet really sings. Another favorite on the release is La Rua Madureira showcasing Tuac's best vocals, again in French, a real nice bass solo by O'Connor, glistening guitar solo by St-Laurent and very nice overall balance on a nice melody. 


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Monday, August 21, 2023

David Larsen - The Peplowski Project - New Release Review

 


I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Peplowski Project, from David Larsen and I really like it. Opening with Jerome Kern's All The Things You Are, David Larsen on Bari, Alto, Tenor and clarinet leads the way with rich tome and fluid lead lines. Joined by Ken Peplowski on clarinet this is getting steamy. Jake Svendsen on piano adds a lot of color and a terrific solo of his own, backed by Josh Skinner on bass and Brendan McMurphy on drums. Excellent opener. Bill Byers' Doodle Oodle is really smoking with super pace. Larsen and Peplowski start in duet but quickly break off into strong rich solos of their own. This is another really hot track. Walter Donaldson's Love Me Or Leave Me opens with Svendsen on piano leading quickly to featured work by Larsen on tenor and Peplowski on clarinet. With a solid shuffle rhythm Svendsen lays out a really tasty solo on piano. Larsen rips back with a healthy solo of his own on tenor before rejoining Peplowski for a summation. Another great track. Wrapping the release is Al Cohn's classic, Two Funky People. A boppy clarinet solo is up first followed by a cool bass solo by Skinner. A double timed stroll on piano by Svendsen adds just the right body before Larsen and Peplowski rejoin and close this release. This is a very tasty release. 


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Tuesday, August 15, 2023

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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Thursday, August 10, 2023

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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Monday, July 24, 2023

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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Thursday, June 22, 2023

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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Wednesday, June 14, 2023

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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Monday, May 22, 2023

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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Tuesday, May 16, 2023

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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