Deko Entertainment artist: Shouse - Jaded - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jaded, by Shouse and it's a substantial display of metal guitar prowess. Opening with a Synthesizer and electric guitar display by Mike Shouse on Romeo and Juliet theme it wets your appetite for what is to come. On A Bitter Cold, Shouse uses a solid hammer on technique running melodic rudiments on electric guitar. Very cool. On rocker, Smiley Faced Emoji, James Pulli on bass and Charlie Zeleny on drums lay a firm foundation and Shouse shows lightning fast shredding, wide vibrato and wild bends giving the track real commercial appeal. Title track, Jaded, has a real led footed drum kick and a moving bass line providing a firm bottom for Shouse to sculpt a scorching melody, with excellent phrasing, and solid suspended notes, hammering home his thematic concept. Wrapping the release is Upon Looking Back with a traditional rock rhythm and featuring Tony MacAlpine. A concrete bottom courtesy of Pulli and Zeleny really anchors the track and MacAlpine and Shouse take turns leading and the playing dual lead. This is a solid release for those interested in soaring electric guitar. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

7D Media artist: Deep Energy Orchestra - The Science Of Sound - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Science of Sound, by Deep Energy Orchestra and it's really strong. Opening with Morning Over Madrid, Gary Husband on keys creates a thought provoking intro invoking mystery, developing into a solid theme with powerful rhythmic basis. Reinforced by Jason Everett on seven string fretless bass and further expanded by Ann Lindquist on flute and firmly anchored by Don Gunn, this is a super opener. Captain Quirk has a terrific progressive feel led by Don on drums and Everett on bass. Adam Holzman on keys, fleshes out the field with melodic electric violin by Joe Deninzon and Mark Lettieri on guitar really rips it paired with Holzman. Another track I really like is The Secrets of Subtraction with it's funky rhythm and power bass lines / drum bottom by Everett and Don. Husband on keys paired with Jimmy Thomas on guitar really sails creating synergy that makes them seem as one. Very nice. Trey Gunn on Warr guitar joins Deninzon on violin and Holzman on keys, Don on drums and Everett on bass for the more aggressive, Solar Playground. This is a real romp and one that will get you working up a sweat. Wrapping the release is Stargazing with Deninzon on electric violin joined by Rachel Nesvig on violin, Brianna Atwell on viola and Phil Hirschi on cello, joined by Everett on bass and Don on drums, creating an eastern flavored anthem... a summary closing theme. Very nice. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Origin Records artist: Anthony Branker & Other Ways of Knowing - Manifestations of a Diasporic Groove & Spirit - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (March 20, 2026), Manifestations of a Diasporic Groove & Spirit, by Anthony Branker & Other Ways of Knowing, and it's complex and intriguing. Opening with The Children of Lyles Station, Anthony Branker is once again creating highly intelligent music with exceptional musicians. Simona Premazzi opens with an interesting piano line, reinforced by Steve Wilson on sax. Premazzi further develops the theme with Rudy Royston on drums and John Hebert lays out an excellent bass solo anchored by the piano vamp and Royston really punching high. Strong opener. Freedom Water March has a real lyrical theme that develops between Wilson and Premazzi. Wilson, on soprano sax, creates a jagged melody, reinforced and elaborated by Premazzi on piano with only light but authoritative support by Hebert and Royston. Aimee Allen sings the intro on Stolen Sisters, and a floating flute melody by Wilson sets the intro. Breaking into a rhythmic, far more structured melody led by Pete McCann on guitar and then Wilson on flute, Premazzi on piano, Hebert on bass and Royston on drums, this track really moves. Allen's "Brazilian style vocals, and a strong solo by Hebert make this one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Afro Mosaic Soul Babies with it's monster bass line by Hebert and tight drum work by Royston. I really like the delivery by Wilson on sax, contrasting with Premazzi's piano. McCann breaks loose with some exceptional guitar lead really kicking this track. Developing an excellent groove with Wilson, Hebert and Royston, this is a very solid closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Michael Vincent - Sky Blue - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sky Blue, from Michael Vincent and it's a cool, edgy, rocker. Opening with C'mon C'mon, Michael Vincent isn't reinventing the wheel but he does have a solid grasp of the sound that permeated the early 2000's. Chord driven rhythm and lead vocals by Vincent with lead guitar by Scott Warren, Dave Mendoza on bass and Anthony Fulgar on drums makes for a cool opener. Pop track, Rain Downtown is a solid radio track with solid vocal blending from Vincent and Mendoza. Nightlights is solid ballad featuring Vincent up front on vocal and Fulgar pushing the track with a solid foot drum and Jeff Jacoby on keys. Wrapping the release is another solid rocker, The Longest Time with a straight up rock beat  and a super melody featuring Vincent and Mendoza on vocals.

 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

OA2 Records artist: Steve Kovalcheck - Buckshot Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (April 3, 2026), Buckshot Blues, from Steve Kovalcheck and it's a lively set. Opening with Happy Train, Steve Kovalcheck on guitar outlines the melody with chords and runs the fretboard with confident phrasing. Backed by Jon Hamar and Jeff Hamilton on drums (with exceptional foot work), this is a spring opener. I particularly like the remake of Haggart's, What's New, with it's low slung swing, anchored by Hamar's bass line and excellent guitar lead by Kovalcheck. Check out that funky back beat on Donald's Juke Joint. With snappy cymbal work by Hamilton, bluesy lead by Kovalcheck with an occasional stinger and rich bass lead by Hamar, a definite standout. Latin rhythm on Daydance gives Kovalcheck a great showcase for his guitar work and another exceptional bass lead by Hamar driven by Hamilton on cymbal and rimshots. Laid back. Fast Eddie is one of my favorites o the release with clean, tight guitar lead by Kovalcheck. Hamilton on ride cymbal and an understated by steady bass lead by Hamar makes this my favorite on the release. Another standout is Crab Lantern Blues with Kovalcheck really rocking the blues. Hamar on bass pushes it over the top making this another of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is a updated take on Hank Snow's (Geoff Mack's) I've Been Everywhere with Kovalcheck taking the high lead and Hamilton really splashing the cymbals over Hamar's bass line. Hot closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Origin Records artist: Carl Schultz - The Road To Trantor - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Road To Trantor, by Carl Schultz and it's described as the soundtrack to a science fiction movie that only exists in his head. Opening with Journey, Carl Schultz on sax lays out the theme with Adam Benjamin on keys creating an environment. With light cymbal text and a tight snare rhythm by Alwyn Robinson, Zack Teran on bass, Tim Wendel on guitar creates rhythmic dialog joined back by Schultz to conclude. Interesting opener. Uneven time signature on the intro of Caves of Steel gives Schultz a wide land for his sax work and super tight drum work by Robinson a strong passage to Benjamin on keys. A cool guitar improvisational passage by Wendel is some  of my favorite work on the release. Gladia is a strong composition with Schultz on flute paired with his own sax work in call and response on melody over a super guitar rhythm by Wendel. Extending further on sax with Benjamin on piano, and Schultz again on flute... very nice. Wrapping the release is upbeat, The Spirit of Adventure, with a poppy sax lead by Schultz. The definite radio work of the release, Teran's bass work shines nicely with Benjamin's rhythmic piano work throughout and exceptional drum work by Robinson. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

7 dmedia artist: Trey Gunn & David Forlano - Select Habits of Invertebrates - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Select Habits of Invertebrates, by Trey Gunn & David Forlano and it's mind expanding. Opening with title track, Select Habits of Invertebrates the duo creates a flexible electronic soundscape anchored by percussive lead and intriguing sonic phrases. With the addition of electronic expressions and glitches. This is really a strong opener. Litigation of the Monkey features Forlano on alto sax forging the primary theme and Gunn's unworldly guitar explorations. This is really quite interesting and spatial. Wrapping the release is The Wind That Ended History with an interesting rhythmic tonal vamp, overlaid by flowing soundscape. Cavernous electronics, looped rhythms and abstruse themes give this track a confident footing. This is a complex recording and one that is best listened to in entirety for best possible digestion. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Origin Records artist: Michael Dease with the MSU Jazz Trombones - Spartan Strong - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Spartan Strong, from Michael Dease (with the MSU Jazz Trombones) and it's super. Opening with Huesos Con Clave this set is off to a hot start. This track features over the top trombone solos by Aidan Clark, Dan Parrish, Altin Sencalar, Drew Kilpela, a strong bass trombone solo by Chris Glassman, and a hot piano solo by Xavier Davis and well as hot rhythm by Keith Hall on drums. Excellent opener. Randy Brecker's Some Skunk Funk provides a great platform for some outrageous trombone work by  Sencalar, Kilpela, Glassman and Parrish with Davis on piano and Hall on drums. A Latin spin on Carmichael's The Nearness of You has a light and aiery feel. Nanami Haruta blows an exceptional trombone solo on this one with full trombone backing. Really nice. Sharel Cassity original Composition, Song of Those Who Seek, features a strong trombone solos by Eli Howell and Charles Scanlon, alto sax solo by Cassity and with Ethan Frank on piano, Reuben Stump on bass and Brian Allen really tight on drums. Steve Turre's Groove Blues really lays in the slot with Pablo Muller-Santiago, Hannah Davies and Michael Dease really grooving on trombone with Frank's perfect phrasing on piano. Their trio lead really does sound great. Benny Golson's Blues After Dark, follows an easy shuffle and showcases (in order) Daniel Bear on trombone, Charles Grace Jr. and Gina Benalcazar-Lopez on bass trombone, Davis on piano, Andrew Kim on trombone, Kyle Quick on bass trombone, Keith Hall on drums and Ken Tompkins on trombone. Wrapping the release is Pettiford's spirited, Blues In The Closet with Bridgette Setters, Kilppela, Parrish, and Sencalar, on trombone and Glassman on on bass trombone followed by Dease. Excellent closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

The Outernet - The Light & The Fury - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Light & The Fury, from The Outernet and it's electrifying. Opening with The Fury, Phil Turcio on keys and Emilio Kormanic on guitars lead a high paced fusion track with an excellent presentation. Romping bass lines by Pete Mollica and tight drum work by Pete Drummond leave you breathless. Excellent opener. The Crossing is a super composition with an aggressive bottom. Mollica and Drummond are anything but subdued with excellent rhythm work and Turcio splashes in a bright piano solo to cap this one off. Menacing Images has a driving bottom and Drummond plays intense drum lead paired closely with Mollica and Turcio, Kormanic rips on guitar again and takes things down in tempo but without losing the enthusiasm with thought provoking piano work. Another strong track. Running From The Aliens (Pt I) has a great lead guitar rhythm melody synched with Turcio on keys and  Mollica and Drummond reinforcing the rhythm. An energetic, clean bass lead by Mollica is exceptional making this one of my favorites on the release.  Wrapping the release is beautiful, The Light, led elegantly by Kormanic on guitar caressed by Turcio on keys . This is an excellent release and a great fusion performance.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

The Scott Silbert Quartet - Dream Dancing, Celebrating Zoot Sims at 100 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release,  Dream Dancing, Celebrating Zoot Sims at 100, and it's a solid tribute. Opening with Porter's Dream Dancing, Scott Silbert on tenor sax sets a warm and supple melody over a crisp Bossa beat by Chuck Redd on drums, with Amy Shook creating a super lead bass solo and Robert Redd adding super depth on piano. Van Heusen's Deep In A Dream is paced by Robert on piano and Silbert has strong rich tone on tenor sax, driven by Shook, who also lays down some mighty chops on bass. Fred Coots' You Go To My Head is actually a favorite melody of mine and Silbert really nails it on tenor. Robert's bright piano phrasing sets the melody off nicely making this one of my favorites on the release. Johnny Mandel's Low Life has a great swing with Silbert really getting in the groove, punctuated by Robert on piano. Wrapping the release is killer track, JJ Johnson's Wee Dot. Silbert gets on the tenor and rides it hard. Super piano work by Robert, and another super bass lead by Shook, all tied together by Chuck makes this an excellent closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

OA2 Records artist: Gil Livni - All In - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, All In , by Gil Livni and it's terrific! Opening with Wonder Woman, Gil Livni is hot out of the gate with scorching hot guitar riffs with Amit Friedman on sax sharing the floor. Yonatan Riklis on organ and Yonatan Rosen on drums round out the band for one of the hottest openers I've heard in a long time. Excellent! Bluesy shuffle, All In is led by Friedman on sax and Rosen on drums. Holds it tight. Friedman really gets this track rolling with incredible phrasing warmed by Rikles on organ. I love Livni's jazz blues fusion soloing  with great contrast by Riklis who lines up his own organ attack. Really stellar. A Latin fusion twist on Lennon/ McCarthy composition, I Want You, is so cool. With it's spot on rhythm by Rosen, interesting rework, excellent guitar lead by Livni, and earthy exploration by Friedman and deep organ tension by Rikles... wow! Granted has that R&B funk sound powered by the flaming fingers of Livni on Riklis on organ and Rosen on drums. Breaking back is Friedman who sails with sax adding the power horn that you'd expect on this sound but without approaching cliche. Rikles gets his turn leading on organ with Livni picking up rhythm. This track will keep you moving. Buddy Johnson's classic, Since I Fell For You, is framed by Friedman on sax with light guitar and organ under the melody. Livni, really digs in with a blues feel, dashed with excellent jazz phrasing giving this track legs. Riklis owns  this track with his bluesy organ taking it to the streets. Very very nice. Wrapping the release is bluesy shuffle, Gentleman's Blues giving Livni a great chance to really stretch on guitar. His hands are great and his chops are fat. Friedman slides into a sax super groove with his hard bop phrasing and Riklis knows just what to do to keep the fire hot. His lead work is strong and supple yet full throated when he steps on the gas. This is a strong closer for an really hot release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

JGB Music artist: The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective - Cortadito - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cortadito, by The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective, and it's lively. Opening with Orchard Downs and extremely rhythmic track, Victor Garcia on trumpet, Brian Stark on tenor sax and Ben Carrasquillo o trombone lays down the melody with excellent rhythm by Michael Rodriguez on bongos and bell, Victor Gonzalez on timbales, Andrey Goncalvez on bass, Jose Guzman on guitar and Jose Natal on barril. Hot opener. A Sunday Kind Of Day features a cha cha rhythm and soft trumpet/sax/trombone mix over Javier Quintana on congas. Really nice trumpet improv by Garcia gives the track a nice edge and Guzman's guitar chops add nicely to the feel. Bembe style, Witches Dance really moves with excellent percussion by  Quintana, Gonzalez, Rodriguez,  and Natal. Brassy lead by Garcia and a rolling bass line by Goncalvez really sets this track off. Wrapping the release is Brian Stark's El Volcan  with shifting time signatures and paces. A smokin sax solo by Stark, and hot percussion, chased by a warm trombone solo by Carrasquillo, tight brass by Garcia and Guzman on guitar, this is an excellent closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

OA2 Records artist: Anna Kolchina - Reach For Tomorrow - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Reach For Tomorrow, by Anna Kolchina and it's hauntingly elegant. Opening with Schwartz and Dietz song, Dancing In The Dark, Soviet born, Anna Kolchina quietly controls your breath with her easy music gait. Accompanied by Ilya Lushtak, a beautiful opener. Peter Bernstein lends his cultured electric guitar work to Kolchina's vocals on Anthony Newley's Who Can I Turn To?. Sure footed and smooth, a very nice track. Jazz classic, All or Nothing At All, sung in understated poise, again backed by Bernstein on electric guitar is a solid addition. Romero Lubamo really adds flavor with his excellent Spanish guitar styling on Gilbert Becaud's french classic What Now My Love?. Holding to the standard, nicely done. Harry Barris' Wrap Your Trouble In Dreams is smoothly handled by Kolchina and really nice electric guitar soloing by Paul Bollenback really shines. Another elegant track is Johnny Mercer's Whistling Away The Dark with lush vocals by Kolchina and rich guitar work by Bollenback. Wrapping the release is Ella's Reach For Tomorrow. Paced down to simple tune, it has a simple luxury which well suits Kolchina's voice and Yotam Silberstein's fluid electric guitar soloing really dresses it nicely. Strong closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

ClayTone Music artist: John Clay - About Time - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, About Time, from John Clay and it's a cool slice of classic jazz. Opening with Fred Hersch's A Lark, Shunzo Ohno on trumpet and Matt Garrison on sax set the intro feeding to a playful melody by Enrique Haneine on piano. Sean Conly on bass really delivers on acoustic bass accompanied by Haneine and John Clay on drums. Very cool opener. Ruby Pucillo shows strong vocal work on Bob Hilliard's Alice In Wonderland. Set in 3/4 with Haneine, Conly and Clay anchoring, this really is a great showcase for Pucillo. Haneine takes a super stretch on piano and Conly's bass work is superb. Billy Drummond's Dubai is my favorite track on the release with dramatic lead work by Ohno and Garrison. Clay has just the right hand on drums giving Garrison a solid platform for his coolest sax solo on the release, Ohno's muted trumpet solo pressed by Haneine and Clay is really strong and Haneine hits gold on his piano solo. Very nice. Victor Young's (and Miles) Stella By Starlight is a terrific showcase for Ohno on trumpet with an excellent bass line by Conly and tight rhythm by Clay. I can't describe how important the accents by Haneine contribute to the track, under both Ohno and Garrison. Wrapping the release is Alan Pasqua's, My New Friend Old Friend, led of course by Haneine on piano. Another rich bass solo by Conly with crisp drum work by Clay makes for a strong closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Origin Records Artist: Mattias Svensson - Embrace - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Embrace, from Mattias Svensson and it's quiet and lush. Opening with My Toots Toots (For Toots), Bill Mays on piano frames the melody with light brush work by Morten Lund on drums, leading to an extended fluid bass solo by Mattias Svensson. Emphasizing the 3/4 timing on by Svensson and Lund, Mays mines the track with strong instincts with nicely placed accents by Lund. Solid opener. With it's contemplative feel, Erik Satir really gives Svensson a wide lane and his strong sense really plays out nicely on bass. Mays' piano punctuation comes more in the way of phrases expanding the track nicely interweaving with Svensson's  continued lead. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Steps (Ahead) with it's contemporary melody, outlined by Mays on piano. Another solid lead by Svensson, with light cymbal work by Lund and framing by Mays helps to really spotlight this track. Mays rolls behind Svensson with a more bluesy exploration of the melody and with concise riffs by Lund caps off the track. Fast paced, Cheddar, pushed by Svensson and Lund gives the floor to Mays and he really runs with it. I particularly like the way Svensson drives the rhythm with his bass line, reinforced by Lund. Strong track. T'ai The Chi(T) Together, is a cool track with a great drum line by Lund. Svensson creates a flowing bass line that outlines just under the melody and Mays elaborates that melody on piano. Very cool track. Wrapping the release is cool, bluesy, Fredriksson 3 with a boppy bass line and Lund on tom toms. Svensson plucks some high register bass notes adding real contrast to this already cool track. Strong closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Origin Records artist: Paul Ricci - The Path - New release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Path, by Paul Ricci and it's an interesting blend of contemporary and world jazz. Opening with Major Look, Steve Jordan on drums, Manolo Badrena on percussion and Anthony Jackson on contrabass guitar, set a funky rhythm and Paul Ricci lays down a smooth melody, contrasted by Michael Wolff on electric piano. Electrifying opener. Lobo is particularly enticing, featuring  Malian singer, Abdoulaye Diabate and tight African rhythms by Jojo Kuo on drums, Ramon Echegeray, Arturo Prendez, Hugo Fattoruso on percussion, Jackson on contrabass, Hugo Fattoruso on clavinet, wild guitar lead by Ricci and super soprano sax by Jay Rodriguez. Excellent track. More contemporary in nature, Around The Block finds Ricci leading the way with fluid electric guitar lines, anchored by Jurim Moreira on drums and Fattorusso on piano and backed by aggressive bass lines by Anthony and Badrena and Valtinho Anastacio on percussion. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Down On 6th Street is a laid back track with rich guitar chords and lead by Ricci, and Boccato on drums. This release has a lot of variety with plenty of texture. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

   

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening