Gulf Coast Records/Hillside Global artist: Tito Jackson - Under Your Spell - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (August 6, 2021), Under Your Spell, by Tito Jackson and it blends modern funk, blues, pop and rock for his own style. Opening with Wheels Keep Turning, Jackson on lead vocal and guitar sets a pop pace joined by Michael Harris on drums, Michael K Jackson and Brandon Adams on keys, Darnell Neal on bass, Jason Parfait and Ian Smith on horns. I really like the horn work and slide guitar efforts by Jackson on this track. Heavy footed, Under Your Spell, has a great foot drum thump and with strong addition by Joe Bonamassa on guitar, Robert King on bass and sassy horn work by Parfait and Smith, this track has a great groove. R&B track, Big Leg Woman has a strong sax intro by Parfait, and gives Jackson a great chance to shine on lead vocal, features Kenny Neal on guitar with Jackson and keeps with the theme of ballsey horn throughout. My favorite track on the release is You're Gonna Push Me To Far with some really nicely stylized guitar "JG Watson" like work by KT Thomas. Very cool. George Benson is a standout on lead guitar on Rock Me Baby, a smooth, R&B take on BB King's classic track. Also featured are James "Boogaloo" Bolden on trumpet, Russell B Jackson on bass, Eric Demmer on sax, Wilber Crosby on lead guitar, lamar Boulet on trumpet, Darrell Lavigne on keys, Brandon Jackson on drums, and with Claudette King on lead vocal, Michael Lee and Tito Jackson on lead vocal and guitar. Wrapping the release is smooth soul track, I Got Caught (Loving In A Dream) with warm vocal harmionies and featurning Tito on guitar, Harris on drums, Brandon Adams on organ, synth bass and piano, Tyree Neal on guitar, and with pootent horn accents by Parfait and Smith. Solid closer. 

   

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earMUSIC artist: Robben Ford - Pure - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Pure, from Robben Ford and it's my favorite in years. This release is all instrumental and opens with the prelude to Pure, with an intriguing melody with a definite eastern influence. Ford is joined by guest musicians Nate Smith, Toss Panos and Shannon Forest. Ford's tone is excellent as always and with a unconventional bass line and a jagged drum rhythm, I really love this opener. Balafon is a jazz rock piece with lush melodies, primarly playing off of chords with minimal percussion. Very cool. Funk salted, Go, has a solid blend of guitar and bari sax with terrific bass and drum lines making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Terrific jam! Very strong. With contemporary blues styling, Blues for Lonnie Johnson is a great opportunity for Ford to show the excellent blues guitar phrasing that he's know for, backed by rich sax work and a compact drum rhythm. Who wouldn't love this excellent track. A second, expanded version of Pure appears now with it's haunting melody, virtuoso guitar improvisation, cool drum pattern, unusual percussion work and ethereal presentation. Very nice. Wrapping the release is If You Want Me To, an easy flowing jazz rocker with a slightly funky beat. Ford really knows how to craft and play strong pieces and this releases confirms that his work is very essential. 

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Blind Pig Records artist: Altered Five Blues Band - Holler If You Hear Me - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (September 3, 2021), Holler If You Hear Me, from Altered Five Blues Band, and it's a strong contemporary blues release. Opening with blues rocker and title track, Holler If You Hear Me, Jeff Taylor is authoratative at the mic, backed by Jeff Schroedl on guitar, Mark Solverson on bass, Raymond Tevich on keys and Alan Arber on drums plus some cool harmonica work by Jason Ricci. Great opener. Ricci and Schroedl really hit the road running on If You Go Away (She Might Come Back), and with a modern take on Chicago style blues, Taylor sets a grat pace. With a great blend of instrumentation and a tight drum rhythm by Arber, this track rocks. Slow blues, Holding on With One Hand, is one of my favorites on the release with excellent guitar lead, and powerful vocal from Taylor. The addition of Ricci on this release I think is a master stroke because everything that he plays on gains substantially from his feel. Another solid Chicago style track is Where's My Money in the vein of Muddy Waters. This is a nicelt paced track with strong lead vocal and a healthy dose of Ricci on lead harmonica. All Suit, No Soul is another of my favorites with clever lyrics, a Latin beat, warm keys by Tevich and with a lot of open floor for Schroedl on lead guitar. Very nice. R&B based, Leave Before I Let You Down, is a real nice showcase for Taylor's vocals and Schroedl shows his tasty chops. Solid. Wrapping the release is high energy blues, Big Shout Out, with Taylor, Ricci and Schroedl trading call and response. I really like Ricci's gritty sound contrasted against Schroedl's clean sting. This is a super closer for a very tasty release. 

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Polly O'Keary and the Rhythm Method - 50- New Release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 50, from Polly O'Keary and the Rhythm Method and it's quite good. Opening with Brand New Day a super blues rocker with a light Lating twist,Polly is up front on vocal and bass, backed by Dave Miller on guitar and Tommy Cook on drums. With a suspenceful bass line, strong gitar lead and plenty of cow bell, this track is a super opener. With a tango rhythm accentuated by Cook on snare, Can't Catch Me really catches the mood and Miller's "early Santana" like guitar phrasing really gives this track spark. Excellent! Blues ballad, Smiling is one of my favorites on the release with Miller at the mic. His guitar work, gilstening chords as a part of the rhythm part, and with searing lead, really sets the mood on this track giving it a real emotional grip. Very nice. Lumbering blues rocker, I'm Not Guilty, is really a nice showcase for O'Keary's vocals with it's rock solid bottom and dramatic styling. Miller lays in a cool guitar solo with shimmery effects and solid statements giving the track great balance. Wrapping the release is a power rocker, American Highways, with O'Keary on lead vocal and a strong guitar punch. Miller's lead work on this track takes a firm blues rock stand, flexing his guitar muscle with nicely formed statements. This is a solid closer for a real nice release. 

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Shark Park Records artist: Lea McIntosh - Blood Cash - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blood Cash (August 20, 2021), from Lea McIntosh and it's a cool bluesy rock release. Opening with title track, Blood Cash, with it's country blues rock influences, McIntosh's vocals are authorative joined by Travis Cruse on guitar, bass and drums, and Andy Just on harmonica. Solid opener. Slinky, soul fused, Blue Stoned Heart, shows McIntosh at her best vocally with a funky bass line by Myron Dove and Deszon Claiborne on drums, Eamonn Flynn on keys, Cruse on Vibanet and laying down a sweet guitar solo. Latin based, Purple Suede Boots is one of my favorites with Just and Cruse trading riffs and a tight drum rhythm by Claiborne. Very cool. Soul Stripper has all of the characteristics of a pure radio track with strong vocals and melody and includes warm Hammond work from Flynn and some flashy guitar lead by Cruse over a real nice bass line by Dove. Very nice. Wrapping the release is The Fire Is Coming, a solid rocker with straight ahead attack with backing vocals by Tammi Brown and Will Bell and another fiery guitar solo by Cruse. Nice closer. 

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Lauren Anderson - Love On The Rocks - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love On The Rocks by Lauren Anderson and she has a powerhouse voice with a variety of music styles. Opening with Keep On a spiritual based format with a deep lead vocal by Anderson and rich vocal backing that leaves you wanting more. Back to Chicago is a cool R&B based, slightly funky blues rocker with a great feel. With a solid bottom, laid down by Matt Doctor on drums and Hutch on bass, complimented by Jim Greene on guitar, Kiran Gupta on keys and fdeaturing some real nice lead guitar riffs by Mike Zito, this is a real nice track. Slinky, Holdin' Me Down, had a funky, pop, hip hop kind of sound with repetitive monotonic vocal styling as is popular in contemporary pop music. Stand Still is a folk ballad style and one that I like pretty well. Anderson seems comfortable in this skin and with warm, guitar, drum and key backing, a strong entry for best radio track on the release. Wrapping the release is ballad, Your Turn, an obvious radio track with it's solid melody and smooth lead vocal. Backer by keys, drums and strings by Jon & Liz Estes, a cool closer. 

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Brandon Isaak - Modern Primitive - New Release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Modern Primitive, from Brandon Isaak and it's an interesting mix of blues, rock, folk and jazz music. Opening with Lost Love and Loose Women, a bluesy shuffle, features Isakk on lead vocal and guitar and lap steel and Keith Picot on bass. Jazzy, Valentine Blues is a fleet fingered rag with solid vocals and trademark guitar soloing by Isaak. Very nice. With a bit of swampy blues, I Wish I Did What I Said is another really cool tracks with Isaak on resonator, harmonica and lead vocal. This track has it's own feel but traces to early southern country blues. Very nice. My choice for radio track of the release is swing track, Something New, with a solid melody, strong rhythm and really nice lap steel work by Isaak.  My favorite track on the release is Six Little Letters with it's driving piano rhythm and vocal/guitar call and response. I really like Isaak's guitar soloing on this track with excellent phrasing and feel. Another track with hot guitar lead is Back To New Orleans and it's uptempo swing beat. A nice harmonica solo and strong vocals make this another of the most memorable tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is seasonal, I Wanna Swing For Christmas. Isaak really knows how to swing and his vocals just float on the track. Solid closer for a real nice release. 

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Henri Elkan Music artist: Wayne Alpern - Frankenstein - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Frankenstein, from Wayne Alpern and it's a clever blend of pop, hip hop, jazz, blues and sampling in an organized fashion. Opening with Carol King's top hit, You've Got A Friend, Alpern remolds the track with with synthesized sounds, trumpet and guitar leads and extended turnarounds. With help from David Mann on reeds, Tatum Greenblatt and Brad Mason on trumpet, Mike Boscarino and Mike Davis on trombone, John Patitucci on bass, Andy Ezrin on keys, Kevin Ramessar on guitar and Clint De Ganon on drums, its a full house. Mann, Greenblatt and Mason produce the fire power for horn led Motown track, Ain't That Peculiar made popular by Marvin Gaye. Herbie Hancock's Cantaloupe Island is my favorite track on the release with Greenblatt and Mason working with Ezrin on the lead and warm backing by Boscarino and Davis. Martha and the Vandellas' hit, Dancing In The Streets is another top track on the release with some hot playing by Patitucci, Greenblatt, Mason, Mann, Boscarino and Davis but for me, artistic vocal additions throughout the track really detracted from the musical efforts of the instrumentalists. Wrapping the release is Steve Winwood's Gimme Some Lovin', which is really done in orchestra style a la Doc Severinsen style arrangemet. If you like dual trumpets and upbeat driving tempos, this is your day. 

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ATM artist: Billy Test Trio - Coming Down Roses - New Release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (August 13, 2021), Coming Down Roses, from the Billy Test Trio and it's really cool. Opening with All of You, a traditional Cole Porter number, Billy Test on piano is anything but subdued. His piano energy is over the top and Evan Gregor on bass stands out nicely on standup bass. Playing a bit of drums myself, I appreciate Ian Froman's tight time, textural use of ride cymbal and snare accents as much as his riding splash cymbals. Great opener. Original track, Fate is a bit more adventurous with a strong lyric melody but inventive improvization by Test. His use of not only phrasing but intensity and delicacy of presentation adds nicely to the composition. Driving track, Coming Down Roses, really is a solid concept with the agressive bass line of Gregor holding the bottom, Test really running hard on piano and Froman's complimentary drum accents. Gregor takes a really nice detour on bass  while Test and Froman lay back easy as he does, but never does the track sag. The piano return is a surprise with intense drumming from Froman giving it a great kick. Very nice. Mother's Day With Freud is another track that I really enjoy with an emphasis on a jagged rhythm pattern laid down by Froman. Gregor has the intermediary role, setting a great walking bass line, giving Test the freedom to improvise over a supple melody. It's really cool to listen to how tight Gregor holds the bottom as Test shifts the melody and Froman really wids it out. Froman and Gregor share the space on a loose jam before Test rejoins with accents of his own creating a really nice fusion frenzy. Very nice. Closing the release is Belonging, a much more restrained track with a strong piano melody. Test shows subtle intensity and Froman and Gregor, balance. This is a really nice closer for a solid release. 

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Blue Heart Records artist: Johnny Tucker featuring Kid Ramos and the Allstars - 75 and Alive - New Release Review

I just had the oppoortunity to review the most recent release, 75 and Alive, from Johnny Tucker featuring Kid Ramos and the Allstars and it's really good. Opening with All Night Long, All Night Wrong, a hot swinging shuffle, Kid Ramos on guitar shows why he is one of the top slingers in the business. Teaming up with Johnny Tucker on vocal, these guys are really humming with Carl Sonny Leyland on piano, John Bazz on bass, Jason Lozano on drums, Bob Corritore on harmonica, and with exceptional backing from Ron Dziubla on sax. Wow! Slow blues, There's A Time for Love, is a terrific track, really showcasing Tuckers soulful feel and giving Ramos a wide open road to show just how good he really is. Been listening to Ramos for years and on the rare chance that you don't know him from his solo work, this is an excellent sampling of his crisp, fluid style and bluesful phrases. Excellent! Chicago style shuffle, Can't You See is another solid vocal blues number with strong piano work by Leyland. Latin fused, What's the Matter gets a real going wit some great bends by Ramos adding great guitar tension a la Albert King. Dziubla's sax really punches up the bottom and Lozano's drum work is snappy. Hot! Snowplow is a strong instrumental with solo breaks for Ramos, Leyland, and Diubla. Strong loping shuffle with toneful jams. High energy, piano boogie, What's On My Mind is a driving from start to finish. Leyland drives the boat with a great bass line from Bazz and Corritore's harmonica work sweet. The band really gets humming on this one and Tucker gets so geared up that he's hooting. Excellent! Ramos breaks out his slide on Dance Like I Should giving it a real Chicago feel and between Tuckers hooting, Corritore's harmonica, and Leyland's piano work, this is another great addition. Wrapping the release is funky blues, Gotta Do It One Time, with a great presence. Bazz's bass is very active and Leyland really stirs the pot on piano. Ramos plays hot riffs under the lead and Tucker's natural excitement gives this final track a great kick. Never like to say this is the best or anything, but this is one of the best blues releases I've heard this year. Congratulations!

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Watchtower Entertainment artist: Clay Melton - Back To Blue - New release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (July 23, 2021), Back To Blue, from Clay Melton, and it's strong. Opening with title track, Back To Blue, a real nice slower blues ballad, Clay Melton has the lead on vocal and guitar, backed by Dan Smith on bass, Billy Justineau on organ and keys and Danny Jones on tambourine. With it's solid rhythm and tense nature, it's a great base for Melton show his bluesy riffs. His pinched harmonics and fluid phrasing really works this track. Live track, Say That You Love Me, is a thumping blues rocker with potent, modern blues rock phrasing and soulful lead over the powerful bass of Raymon Minton and Grindle on drums. Another live rockin' instrumental, Texas Cyclone, features a cool bass solo by Minton and some really nice blues rock guitar soloing. I'm happy to say it soesn't sound like everything else and really gets your foot going. Very cool. Wrapping the release is ZZ Top's classic, Jesus Just Left Chicago, with not a lot of variation from the original arrangement. Melton's gravely voice works nicely into the format without much difficulty and working up his own guitar lines improves the overall delivery of the track, everyone having heard this track by Gibbons more than a million times. This is a cool closer for a really solid release. 

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Ofeh Records artist: Blind Lemon Pledge - A Satchel Full of Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Satchel Full of Blues, from Blind Lemon Pledge and it's an easy going folk blues rocker. Opening with steady rocker, Wrong Side Of The Blues with it's acoustic side approach but it rock rhythm. With BLP on vocal, guitar and harmonica, Peter Grenell on bass and Juli Moscovitz on drums. Moving to an amplified resonator guitar, BLP sets a slide riff under his traditional blues like vocal phrasing and cool harp response. His raw, side technique adds nicely to it's authentic feel. Ballad, Blue Heartbreak, has a sweet, R&B feel with a light touch backing, with a simple break for his melodic guitar soloing, really calling attention to BLP's vocal lead. Very nice. Shuffle track, Detour Blues has a clean, easy rock structure and forward focused vocals over a simple guitar/drum/bass backing and harmonnica accompaniment. With cool rock changes in melody, a radio style track. Before I Take My Rest has a country western feel and I really like it. The simple acoustic rhythm and BLP's vocal and slide resonator solo give this track a lot of traction. Wrapping the release is Death Don't Ask Permission, a really nice blues track in the manner of Rev. Gary Davis but with silde resonator instead of a thumping finger picking as Davis was known for. This is a great closer for an interesting release. 

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Blues Rocker Clay Melton Releases Killer EP "Back To Blue"

 

Blues Rocker Clay Melton Releases Killer EP "Back To Blue"

"We love it! Blues rock the way we like it.."  - Blues Moose Netherlands "It's a fabulous EP! All killer and no filler with this one.." - Barry Maxwell Blues On The Hill Australia     Houston, TX (July 19 2021)  Texas Blues Rocker Clay Melton’s Red Hot New “Back To Blue” EP Twenty seven year old blues rocker Clay Melton is looking to light up the airwaves with his brand new red hot blues and rock EP titled “Back To Blue”.  This five song compilation contains four originals plus an incredible tribute track that absolutely gets it done: “Jesus Just Left Chicago.” (track 5) The title track “Back To Blue” (track 1) is an emotionally charged blues number which releases the artist’s gritty soulful down home sound while at the same time showcases his remarkable lead guitar work. Both reminiscent of the original Southeastern Texas and Southern Louisiana sound. “Say That You Love Me” (track 3) is an over the top driving blues rock number that reveals the deep desire in a man’s heart as he pleads with his girl to once again say that you love me. The song’s lyrics begin with “My girl got me acting like a fool” which immediately reveals heart felt desire while Clay’s blistering on fire guitar work reinforces the narrative. The official release date is July 23rd but the press and radio are receiving right now.  This is one very hot release.  www.claymelton.com # # # #

Moon Voyage Records artists: Chris Daniels, Hazel Miller, Dana Marsh & Friends - What We Did - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, What We Did, from Chris Daniels, Hazel Miller, Dana Marsh & Friends and its shows what musicians will do in the face of adversity to help others. This was a virtual concert for Inner City Health who's mission is to reduce the inequity of health and wellness access and delivery in the underserved populations of Denver. Opening with The Doobie's, Takin' It To The Streets, Freddi Gowdy has the mic, backed by Chris Daniels on vocal and guitar, Victor Wooten on bass, Dana Marsh on B3 and Christian Teele on drums. On Albert King's, Born Under A Bad Sign, Gowdy leads the way with a much more soulful approach with Todd Parker Mohr on guitar, Marsh on keys and Teele on drums. Hazel Miller has the mic on soul drenched, Could You Believe. Played with a lot of gospel influence, I like Miller's delivery and the piano/organ backing. Possibly my favorite track on the release. Very nice. Another nice take is Daniel and Miller's lead on Bob Thiele's What A Wonderful World. A very nicely executed and hearfelt delivery with a solid piano solo by Marsh. With a cool shuffle pace, Gowdy leads the way on down home blues with Mohr on lead guitar, Kenny Passarelli on bass, and Teele on drums. Wrapping the release is original track, Better Days by Daniels who sings lead and plays acoustic guitar, backed by Miller on vocal and Marsh on keys with only minimal percussion and Passarelli on bass. Nice closer for a solid cause.


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NOLA Blue Records artist: Rodd Bland and the Members Only Band - Live On Beale Street: A Tribute To Bobby "Blue" Bland - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live On Beale Street: A Tribute To Bobby "Blue" Bland. from Rodd Bland and the Members Only Band and it's terrific! Opening with R&B track, Up And Down World, Chris Stephenson has the lead on vocal and keys, with Rodd Bland on drums, Jackie Clark on bass, Harold Smith on guitar, Marc Franklin and Scott Thompson on trumpet and Kirk Smothers on sax. Great opener. Ashton Riker is on lead vocal on St. James Infirmary and really works it. I've always like this track and this remake works really nicely. Jerome Chism has the mic on R&B track, I Wouldn't Treat a Dog (The Way You Treated Me) with a particularly strong drum rhythm and tight horn backing. Chism's vocals work perfectly on this track and I really like the activity of Bland on drums who really pushes the beat. Excellent! Slower blues, Soon As The Weather Breaks, is one of my favorites on the release with punched horns and suspenseful organ work by Stephenson and really tasty guitar soloing by Smith. Blands' drum work is really tight and strong without being overly showy. Very nice. Wrapping the release is funky blues, Get Your Money Where You Spend Your Time, with Chism on lead vocal. Clark and Bland really have a fun time with this one creating an amazing bottom and the interplay between Stephenson on keys and Thompson, Franklin and Smothers is magic with a particularly nice sax solo by Smothers and a hot bass workout by Clark to close the set. This is a really exciting release with only one flaw...it ends to fast. 

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Broke Fuse - Rocket Ride - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rocket Ride, by Broke Fuse, and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with  The Stephenson Swamp Stomp, Jay Moonah, the man behind Broke Fuse, lays down some cool blues harp work, backed only by tambourine, setting the pace for the release. Title track, Rocket Ride, is a driving blues rocker with a great bass/drum rhythm, keyboards and lead vocal, all by Moonah and nicely blended female backing vocal by Debbie Fleming and featuring Mike McKenna on slide guitar. Very cool. Shuffle, One Shot, has a bit of blues and a bit of rock with piano by Eric Lambier and vocal, harmonica, drums, organ and bass by Moonah. A definite radio track candidate. Stingray Blues has a slow easy pace with guitar and drum rhythm. Moonah's vocals are understated but his harp playing sails. Very cool. Pop rocker, Miss Me When I'm Gone, has a really lively beat and is another top radio style track with it's solid melody and rhythm. Strong lead vocals and harmonica work by Moonah highlight the track. Instrumental, Los Detalles Del Diablo, is a cool track with a firm Latin beat with Moonah playing harmonica melody over tight guitar riffs. Wrapping the release is The Ballad of Sonny Shade with Moonah and Matthew Bartram, Paul Butters and Neil Bennett on vocal, Bartram on organ, and Moonah on guitar, harmonica, drums and bass. Slipping is a few nice guitar solos are 1st Butters and then Alex Matthews. Cool closer. 

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Robert Stoner - Year of Pain - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Year of Pain, from Robert Stoner and it's a reflective, folksy, rural collection of ballads. Opening with Just a Riverboat, a cool folk ballad duet with  vocal and violin accompaniment by May Elise, Stoner shows clear songwriting talent and good balance between vocal and accompaniment. Nicely crafted, Holy Grail, is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a haunting melody, nicely blended vocals and guitar work. Another solid track is Hear Their Voices with a strong melody and subtle backing vocals behind Stoner's lead vocal and guitar. Wrapping the release is title track, Year of Pain a solid ballad and it's reflection on today's issues.

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