Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, What Is? by Russ Anixter's Hippie Big Band and it's energetic and fun. Opening with Tower of Power's, What Is Hip? and it really moves. With aggressive drum work from Scott Neumann and Michael Aarons on guitar the onslaught begins. Jopined by Dan Levine on trombone, Jack Schatz on bass trombone, Matt Hong on alto sax (who plays up a storm), Stan Harrison on tenor sax, Frank Vacin on bari sax, Matt Owens on trumpet and Audrey Flores on French horn and punched up by Steve Count on bass and Bill Hayes on vibes and congas, this track really pumps. The Beatles She Said , She Said has an interesting arrangement like orchestrated Beatles on Zappa. Owens' trumpet work is really solid, Levine gets a real nice opportunity to shine on trombone and Harrison rips a great sax solo of his own, but the excellent drum/Xylophone work of Neumann and Hayes really give the track excellent texture. Saint Stephen/Turn On Your L...