Cleopatra Records artist: Neville Staple - From The Specials & Beyond - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, From The Specials & Beyond from Neville Staple and it's a straight ska pop release. Opening with Right From Wrong, OK Two-Tone Ska legend Neville Staple and his wife Sugar Staple are upfront, joined by Steve Armstrong on bass, Matty bane on drums, Joe Atkinson on keys, Billy Shinbone on guitar, Drew Stansall on sax, and Peter Johnson on trombone. With the addition of Armstrong on vocal, Don't Let Life Pass You By has just a touch of Northwest indie influence making it one of my favorite tracks on the release. A twist of reggae on a DJ mix of Miss Dis n Dat makes this another stand out track with the addition of Clint Eastwood on vocals. World Turned Upside Down has a more sophisticated arrangement with really nice accents by Shinbone on guitar, Armstrong on bass and trombone by Peter Johnson. Wrapping the release is earlier smash hit, Monkey Man. A straight forward ska track, it's energy is perfect to close this release. 

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Music Maker artist: Albert Smith - Big Belly Mama - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release,  Big Belly Mama, from Albert Smith and it's a terrific example of stripped down blues. Smith, on broke down piano and vocal knows how to create the mood. Opening with Tell Me Mama, Smith shows a real feel for the roots of rock and barrelhouse piano playing. His vocals are primitive yet pleasing. Piano boogie, Biscuit Roller has a great feel and Smith's vocals are steady and authentic. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Give Me Back My Wig with it's soulful wailing vocal style, cool lyrics and rag tag piano style. This appears to be the same track made popular by Hound Dog Taylor but from a totally different style. Excellent! Moving into a gospel styling with Roll Is Gonna Be Called and continuing into You Are My Sunshine, Smith is just out there rejoicing in his life. Wrapping the release is Albert's Rap'n Boogie with Smith playing piano under a brief discussion with MM's Tim Duffy. This release is volume 51 in the Foundation's Listener's Series which is issued to Listener's Circle Members 6 times annually. This ongoing support brings unheard voices to light. Visit Musicmaker.org for more info.

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Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion - Veneta - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Veneta, from Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion and it's really nice. Opening with multicultural influenced, Gnossienne, Miguel Espinosa lays the foundation theme on classical guitar, joined by Dianne Betkowski on cello. The theme is then further developed by the addition of Lynn Baker on saxophone, Randy Hoepker on bass, Andy Skellenger on tabla and Cajon. Very nice. Although this release is heavily Spanish influenced, it is so colorful and full of international flavor. Very nice. Bulerias Barrocas continues the theme opening with a fluid pace and developing immediately into a cello led force. This track is very rich with deeply woven themes and masterful guitar. Very nice. Another cello led track, Sad is rich in tone and has excellent underlying rhythm provided by Espinoza on guitar, Skellenger on Tabla and Cajon, Mario Moreno on percussion, Hoepker on bass and a very nice lead solo by Lynn Baker on sax. Wrapping the release is Happy, with a more contemporary fusion sound. With a cool blend of sax, guitar and cello over bass and percussion, the theme is developed and solos are developed. This is a solid closer for a very strong release. 

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Survival South Records artist: Reddog and Friends - Booze, Blues and Southern Grooves - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Booze, Blues and Southern Grooves from Reddog and Friends and it's a solid blues and R&B soaked release. Opening with R&B style track, Love, You've Got To Spread The Word, Reddog on lead vocal and guitar is backed by Carla Russell Mary Mason and Angela Hacker on backing vocals. Instrumentally, Clayton Ivey on keys, David Hood on bass and Justin Holder on drums fill out the band. This track could easily be from the Curtis Mayfield songbook with heavy Muscle Shoals influences. Bluesy, Down, Down, Down is one of my favorite tracks on the release with soulful vocals and tasty guitar riffs by Reddog. Still bordering on the soul sound, this is a real nice track. She's A Georgia Peach adds just a little country funk in it (think Elvin Bishop) with a solid lead vocal line and loose instrumental and vocal contributions giving it a real nice party feel. Adding slide guitar under the vocals by Reddog and this track is slick. Why Oh Why Are You Calling Me is a super candidate for the radio with a catchy soulful melody and a theme many people can relate to. The super backing vocals by Russell, Mason and Hacker really enrich the track and  Reddog's feel for just the right riffs really flats this track. Instrumental, Don't Muscle That Shuffle has excellent tempo and gives Reddog a strong opportunity to flex his chops. It's not about pyrotechnics but style...real nice. Club style shuffle, Old School Blues has a great feel and Reddog's vocals and guitar really fly on this track. Wrapping the release is Honest Man, a Gregg Allman like ballad. Bill Stewart joins in on drums and Stevie Hawkins joins on congas. This release really is unusual and refreshing. It has a lot of the southern soulful charm of those old Muscle Shoals sessions with a lot of familiar faces. Nice job. 

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Taste Good Music artist: Tim Gartland - Truth - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (March 18, 2022), Truth, from Tim Gartland and it's got distinct soul and blues roots. Opening with Don't Mess With My Heart, Gartland and his distinctive vocal and harmonica styling lead the way. Backed by Kevin McKendree on piano, Kenneth Blevins on drums, Steve Mackey on bass, Robert Frahm on guitar and Wendy Moten on backing vocal this is a solid opener. With it's easy percussion, The Thing About The Truth has a nice radio presence. Shuffle track, Outta Sight Outta Mind glides with super vocals by Gartland and perfect backing vocal Motan and slick guitar work by Frahm, all anchored by the hands of McKendree. Very nice. Wish I Could Go Back has a cool, easy blues feel with Ray Desilvis on slide guitar and backing vocals. With it's Louisiana rhythm and cool harmonica soloing, this may be my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is bouncy, blues rocker, Save Sammy Some,  giving Gartland and McKendree a nice opportunity to stretch out a little and includes a country fused blues guitar solo by Frahm. 

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Night Bluemers - Welcome Aboard The Midnight Train - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Welcome Aboard The Midnight Train, from Night Bluemers, and it's a cool blend of rock, pop and blues. Opening with Poor Me, a pop rocker, Normand Beleveau is up front on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Sebastien Cloutier on bass, Jacques Livernoche on drums,  Pierre Verville on keys and Christian Gamache on guitars. Latin R&B fused Take Me to the Other Side has a lot of Ray Charles and a great rhythm. This track really moves with really tight drum rhythms and great vocals by Beliveau and some wild guitar soloing by Cloutier. Dr. Blues really gets down in slow blues with an excellent guitar solo and prime B3 and piano by Guillaume Marchand. Blues rocker, Obey has a super, upbeat tempo and solid blended vocals. A rockin' shuffle track with hot guitar riffs by Beliveau and Gamache make this one of the top tracks on the release.  The intro of Mississippi Fred McDowell's You Got To Move, gets a modern rework with a cool lope. The addition of soulful vocals by Dawn Tyler Watson with Beliveau and a funkier body with strong blues guitar riffs, supported by Marchand on B3 gives this track definite radio power. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a rocking remake of Arthur Crudup's That's Alright. Beliveau makes this track so much his own that if it wasn't so big a hit for Presley, you'd think it was his. Cool piano work by Marchand and Boudreau on bass make this a solid closer for a solid release. 

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Lady A - Satisfyin' - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity  to review the most recent release, Satisfyin', from Lady A (The REAL Lady A) and it's cool funky and real. Opening with Whatever (You Do), an upbeat driving shuffle, Lady A is on top of the beat with her rich vocal, backed by John Oliver III on backing vocal and drums, Herman Brown on guitar, Paul Richardson on keys. High stepper, Miss Beula Mae has a great rumbling bass line by Oliver, drums and keys by Paul Richardson. When you listen to A it's an experience. You don't feel like you are listening to the radio but to a real person singing about her own stuff. Great! One of my favorite tracks on the release is Big Momma, with it's swagger. This track is all Lady A with no sugar coating. I love it! Wrapping the release is soul track, Heaven Help Us, a solid ballad that really shows off Lady A's rich lead vocal work. With backing vocals by Lady A and Roz Royster McCommon and cool key work by Oliver, this is a great closer for a strong release. 

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Reverend Nathon - Volume 1 - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the debut release, Volume 1, by Reverend Nathon and it's a rugged blues rocker. Opening with a boogie style rocker, Darker Shade Of Blues, Nathon Dees is upfront on guitar and vocal backed by Gary Delz on drums creating a solid romp. Low slung ballad, A Love Like Yours is a strong radio track with a cool melody and blues firm guitar soloing by Nathon. Very cool. Goin Fishin is another cool track with it's funky drum beat by Delz and fat slide guitar work by Nathon. Another ballad, Autumn Breeze also shows radio promise with a solid melody, sung over arpeggiated guitar chords and a standout guitar solo. Another cool boogie number is Walking On, with lofi under driven slide work. The track has basic fundamentals but it really appeals to me... possibly my favorite on the release. Very cool. If you like Deep Purple, then Deep is likely to appeal to you with it's Space Trucking feel. A solid rocker constructed on blues roots. Wrapping the release is  country style rocker, Golden Keys with a radio style and distinct Hughie Thomasson feel. This is an interesting release that hits solid. 

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Blue Bamboo Music artists: Cortez / Williams Project - Hermanos - New Release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hermanos, from Cortez/Williams Project and it's quite enjoyable. Opening with title track, Hermanos, and a Latin rhythm carried by Doug Matthews on bass and, Walt Hubbard on drums. Chris Cortex takes the first melodic solo on guitar with clean, fluid runs over the piano work of Bob Thornton and Dan Jordan on flute. Larry Williams' trumpet is really nice with open bell and thoughtful phrasing, followed by Jordan on flute. Very nice opener. Another Latin based number is Un Pedazo De Tu Sonrisa. With a Samba beat by Jeremy Katalnic and a cool trumpet lead by Williams , reinforced by Cortez on guitar this track is anything but predictable. Thornton's direct piano solo is engaging and tight. Silhouette is an inciteful piece with a convoluted melodic interplay between  Jordan on flute, Williams on trumpet and Thornton on piano and featuring  Marco Bojorquez on bass. Topaz is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a percussive lead by Jeff Sipe and really nice guitar lead by Cortez. Williams' trumpet lead is really nice with strong runs, reinforced by Cortez on rhythm guitar and tight rhythm by Sipe. Excellent! Territorial Imperative is a cool bop track with wide open trumpet lead by Williams over Doug Matthew on bass, Hubbard on drums and Thornton on piano. Jordan really rips on tenor sax on this one creating a strong tension. Wrapping the release is Building On A Dream ... muted trumpet by Williams over clearly articulated guitar work by Cortez. Cortez really gets a nice opportunity to stretch on this one making it an excellent closer for a strong new serious jazz release. 

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Lunaria Records artist: Misty Blues - One Louder - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Louder, by Misty Blue and it's solid. Opening with gospel style blues, A Long Hard Way, Gina Coleman on lead vocal and guitar is joined by Seth Fleischman on guitar, Ben Kohn on keys, Rob Tatten on drums, Bill Patriquin on bass, Aaron Dean on sax, and Wendy Lipp, Rebecca Mattson and Kathy Ryan on backing vocals. Powerful opener. Super voice, Big Llou Johnson joins Coleman on lead vocals on How The Blues Feels. This is a potent track with an attack quite like Cream's version of the Mississippi Sheik's Sitting on Top Of The World with really nice guitar work by Fleischman, a great bass line by Diego Monque, heavy drum work by Tatten and solid harmonica addition by Bob Stannard. With New Orleans rhythm, Seal Of Fate really gets moving. Aaron Dean on sax, Chris Rand on bari sax, David Vittone on accordion and Tatten on drums carry the meat of the track and spice by Kohn on keys and Fleischmann on guitar add the hot spice. Very cool. Sassy blues number, I'm A Grinder, really digs in nicely wioth excellent solos by Patriquin on trumpet, Dean on sax, Fleischmann on guitar and Kohn on keys. Very nice. Wrapping the release is funky, Take A Long Ride with strong vocals by Coleman and absolutely wild solos by Joe Louis Walker on guitar and sax by Aaron Dean. Excellent closer. 

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Raul E Blanco & Jazz Wires - Brutal Fairytale - New release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Brutal Fairytale by Raul E Blanco & Jazz Wires and is shows a broad mix of jazz styles and with cool rhythms and a lot of horns. Opening with title track, Brutal Fairytale, a slinky bluesy number, Gabriella Aragon is upfront on lead vocal with strong sax work by Brant Fisher, Blanco on piano, Joseph Ballestrasse on bass and Anthony Channita on drums. Spanish Tale in Arabia is a flowing composition with clear Spanish styling. Noah Austin on trumpet and Fisher on sax really rail out and Channita on drums over Blanco's piano really make this track work nicely. Hermit's Song is a really nice ballad with a captivating melody. A lush sax solo by Fisher and cool horn support from Aragon on trombone and Austin on trumpet give the track real dynamics. Lo-Fi Banger opens with a nice bass lead, underpinned by drums and light horns. Further developing the melody is Blanco with a very thoughtful piano melody and tight drum beat by Channita. Austin has his trumpet singing. Wrapping the release is Ska-Monk is a Ska track with a Monk twist. Fisher doesn't hold back on improvisational freedom and the punch of Austin over the rhythmic playing of Blanco gives the track a continuity, continued by Fisher who joins in. Blanco's solo pulls the track with more classic playing, but the refrains are all but tame. This is a clever track and a cool closer. 

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Blue Heart Records artist: Peter Veteska & Blues Train - So Far So Good - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, So Far So Good, from Peter Veteska & Blues Train and it's a solid mix of blues and rock. Opening with R&B fused rocker, one With Bad Luck, lead vocalist and on guitar Peter Veteska is joined by Alex D'Agnese on drums, Coo Moe Jhee on bass and Jeff Levine on B3. The addition of Gary Neuwirth on harmonica gives the track a cool texture and Veteska's guitar riffs really make the track pop. Shuffle, My One and Only Muse, is a cool track featuring Mikey Junior on harmonica. Veteska rolls out some real nice riffs and I particularly like his tone on the intro. Very cool. Slow blues, Low Down Dirty Blues really gives Veteska a great opportunity to show his soulful best vocals and over the warm B3 tones of Levine, his solid blues guitar chops. Rockin' East Coast Blues shows Slideman Boddy's slide work over a solid rockin rhythm lead by Veteska and punchy drums by D'Agnese. Very cool. Wrapping the release is soul infused, Can't We All Get Along. Nice vocal blending  with D'Agnese and Jhee this track has solid radio appeal making it a solid closer.  

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Dorron Music artist: Yaron Gershovsky - Transitions - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Transitions, by Yaron Gershovsky and it's really nice. Opening with fast moving, Northern Lights, accomplished pianist, Gershovsky drives this train backed on a basic piano riff. Boris Koslov sets up a super bass line and Gershovsky really runs the keyboard end to end with tasty chops. Add in the tight drum riffs by Cliff Almond and you've got a great opener. Yaron, who  spent the past number of decades with Mathattan Transfer as Musical Director and pianist as well as working with Pharoah Sanders and Wayne Shorter (among others) has been busy. Simon and Garfunkel's Scarborough Fair is really nicely arranged and the vocal work by Aubrey Johnson is beautiful. I really like  Show Me The Way with Alex Sipiagin on trumpet, Kozlov on bass and Ross Pedersen on drums. With it's melancholy melody, Sipiagin's trumpet tone and strong reinforcement by Yaron on piano, this track really hits.  Every contemporary jazz release needs a Samba and where better to look that to Jobim  and So Danco Samba and again Johnson on vocal. Yaron's shows his ability to get out of classical styling and really gets this track moving with great bass lines by Kozlov and Almond on drums. Very nice. Another relaxed track, in 3/4 time is A Song For Mia. Opening with a more formal structure, Mia really starts to swing as the song develops. Yaron sets the pace, reinforced by Kozlov's dexterous bass lines and Pedersen is always spot on. I really like the interplay between Yaron and Kozlov on Kozlov's bass solo giving the piece a real nice balance. Wrapping the release is Gershwin's I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' again featuring multiple layers of Johnson' vocal harmonies. This band really swings and Johnson's voice is quite pure giving the track a real sparkle. 

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Blue Canoe Records artist: Thomas Heflin - Morning Star - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Morning Star, from Thomas Heflin and it's a smooth, pop jazz effort led by trumpet player Thomas Heflin. Opening with title track, Morning Star, the Slavic translation of Heflin's wife's name. Heflin on trumpet, is backed by Gregory Tardy on sax, Dan Hitchcock on tenor sax, Peter Stoltzman on keys, Aaron Matson on guitar, Steve Haines on bass, Xavier Ware on drums and Jorge Luis Torres on percussion. With a step up solo by Heflin and a fluid sax solo by Tardy, this is a solid opener. Interlude is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's jagged rhythm pattern and adventurous trumpet lead by Heflin. Haiku has a really cool intro ... just Heflin on trumpet derived from a jazz favorite, Stablemates by Benny Golson. As the track progresses, Tardy lays in some really adventurous sax lines, nice trumpet improvisation by Heflin and a strong bass lead by Haines. The Moon Singer is inspired by a book by Clyde Robert Bulla and is an adventurous instrumental with some nice guitar work by Aaron Matson and with strong backing vocal work by Ariel Pocock. Anna Breschine, named after Heflin's daughter is a quiet ballad with lead trumpet and Stoltzman on keys laying the groundwork for Tardy on sax and a melodic solo by Heflin. Very nice. A Radio Outro wraps the release with a hip hop beat and Heflin and tardy trading riffs with Stoltzman. Solid closer. 

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Kristen R. Bromley Quintet: Bluish Tide - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bluish Tide, from the Kristen R. Bromley Quintet, and it's cool and versatile. Opening with swinging, Pillar of Fire, band leader and guitarist, Kristen Bromley shows her chops with fluid lead runs and cool rhythm lead, joined by Ray Smith who lays down a solid solo of his own on sax, Steve Erickson who really does a nice job Matt Larson on bass and Jay Lawrence on drums. Tandem lead guitar and sax and a cool off time rhythm really gives Faith Preceded My Miracle a real leg up making it a firm platform for potent soloing from Bromley, Erickson and Smith. Title track, Bluish Tide is a soft swinger with dual sax/guitar melodic lead. Opening into a bop solo stage, set by Larson and Lawrence, Bromley sets up some of her tastiest lead work on the release. Smith lays in a nice sax solo and Erickson's piano work really grooves.  Bromley's rich chord work on the intro of Latin influenced, Paint Me a Picture My Love is as lush as it gets and her duet lead with Smith on alto flute is really nice. Erickson has a really delicate hand on his piano solo delivery melding very nicely into this 10 minute exploration. Very nice. Smith over Bromley on sax and guitar is really nice on Just Walkin' a super shuffle. Erickson again lays in a strong piano lead and Bromley's feel on guitar may be her best on the release. It's also nice to hear Larson and Lawrence step out a few bars on this track making it one of favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is ballad, Through the Veil with pure guitar lead and nicely blended sax by Smith. Erickson's classic piano styling really works nicely on this track and the tight underpinnings of Larson and Lawrence really hold the track together nicely. Solid closer. 

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Provogue artist: Eric Gales - Crown - New release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Crown, from Eric Gales and it's powerful. Opening with Death of Me, a solid blues rocker with metal overtones. With a heavy drum stamped bottom by Greg Morrow and Lemar Carter this track has real swagger. Gales has never been bashful about throwing heavy guitar riffs out there and this track is no exception. His Jimi influence is ever present but not overtelling, backed by Joe Bonamassa on rhythm guitar, Josh Smith on rhythm guitar and Michael Rhodes on bass and backing vocals by LaDonna Gales. Very cool. I really like soul track, Stand Up with it's radio quality. Gales really shines on vocals on this track with it's super melody and with it's rich bass work and backing vocals by Jade McCrae, this track is strong. Another track with a heavy bottom is Survivor and it's lumbering feel lays open a grand floor for ultra fluid soloing by Gales. A lush guitar chord laden intro on Too Close To The Fire really puts you in mind of SRV's style but Gales music is always Gales music. There is a definite maturity in his newer music with more structure and focused guitar attack. Holding back throughout the track and allowing it to develop, he opens the floodgates and unleashes the beast for a high energy crescendo ala Pink Floyd with female backing vocal by Ladonna. Very nice. I really like Take Me Just As I Am and it's tribute to the super funky Curtis Mayfield like sound. With it's thumping bass and lead vocal by LaDonna and horn backing, this track is terrific! Funky, Let Me Start With This has a great feel with synthesized guitar riffs with great feel. Gales' vocals are strong ... this track could easily be the radio track for this release. I Found Her is a strong ballad with a gentle approach and sensitive delivery but watch when Gales drops the hammer on guitar...dynamite! Wrapping the release is I Gotta Go, a high energy R&B style track that would be a strong closer for a live show. With introductions, and a power punch, this is a hot closer leaving you wanting more. This is my favorite Eric Gales release to date.

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Noisy Records artists: Cross and Keeling - October is Marigold - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, October is Marigold, by David Cross and Andrew Keeling. This is a very interesting release spanning classical, rock, progressive and even eurojazz. Cross, who has played violin with King Crimson and Keeling who has collaborated with Robert Fripp are together for their second composition as a follow up to their earlier 2009 release, English Sun. This is largely improvised music so more difficult to describe in a traditional way, but it is mind expanding and enjoyable and should be viewed as a singular piece of music with many interwoven movements... so here goes. Opening with Marigold 1, Keeling on piano presents a simple piano structure composed of two chords and Cross plays a beautiful melody on Violectra. Very nice. On title track, October is Marigold, Kelling again constructs a structure on keyboard but then interweaves layers of flute.  As the theme progresses, Cross adds electric violin to the weave for a complex yet stimulating composition. On Strong as a Mountain Lion, Keeling plays a loose melody on flute, almost nature like, with Cross interjecting complimentary electric violin lines, making for an almost obtuse yet congruous environment of music. Returning again to a Marigold theme (Marigold 2) Cross' cello like playing is rich and welcoming with only the least amount of piano structure. Another section of "call and response" with Ever Nearer and Marigold 3 reinforces the earlier theme and gets progressively more rich as the music develops. The Spiking Darts That Were Trees is the most aggressive of the movements with abstract concepts and distorted looping creating even more interest. Wrapping the composition is The Dark Edge of Desire and Marigold 4 with a bottom of Cross' violin created texture and Keeling on guitar arpeggiating in a staggered stair stepping manner. The intensity continues to grow as Keeling adds piano structure and Cross adds firm Violectra strokes for a powerful, loosely constructed melody... ultimately winding down with another Marigold 4 movement and rich cello like melody. This is an adventurous piece and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. 

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