Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill , by Rodney Whitaker, and it's strong. Opening with title track, Mosaic , Rodney Whitaker on bass lays down an excellent groove, bound by Rick Roe on piano and Dana Hall on piano. Terell Stafford on trumpet sets the track on fire with excellent solo phrasing, followed by Tim Warfield on soprano sax. Very nice. Roe picks up his own lead on piano with confident improvisation with Warfield and Stafford joining the reconciling  refrain giving the floor to Whitaker for a masterful solo on bass. Strong opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Claxilever features another crisp lead solo by Stafford on trumpet over tight piano/bass/drum rhythm leading to a super tenor solo by Warfield. Not to be left behind, Roe steps up scorching the ivories and Whitaker well composed bass solo, coaxed on by Roe, and Hall on drums trades riffs with Warfield and Stafford making for another excelle...