Gulf Coast Records artist: Jason Ricci and Joe Krown - City Country City - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (October 22, 2021), City Country City, by Jason Ricci and Joe Krown and it's really meaty. Opening with Jazz /Rock/Soul band, WAR, classic and title track, City Country City, Joe Krown plays a B3 soaked intro working into the lush melody played by Jason Ricci and snappy drum work by Doug Belote. Cool jam over a potent theme. Krown's blues shuffle, Down N' Dirty is a great jam based around a strong B3 framework by Krown giving him sufficient space to grow the concept and giving Ricci all of the room he needs to play his own style of harmonica which I think may be the best around right now. Guy is melodic, creative and emotional. Excellent! Ricci's New Orleans blues, Badger The Witness, give Ricci the opportunity to front on vocals and he does a great job. Krown's keyboard work is strong and Belote's drum work really killer. Joe Sample's funky jazz number, My Mama Told Me So, really works well for this trio with Krown and Ricci sharing the melody and with the steady hand of Belote tying it all together. Krown stretches a bit more on this one setting a really nice groove and Belote lets it all hang out there with a real nice drums solo. Very cool. Feel Good Funk is a Ricci original and plays perfectly into his style. With a tight drum beat and a funky underpinning, Ricci sings and blows his ass off. Excellent! Low slung shuffle, Down At The Juke, is an excellent track with old school blues/jazz feel. Ricci's vocals are spot on and Krown shows he knows his way around old school with a good long lead solo on B3. Ricci knows how to swing too with crisp riffs of his own complimenting this fine vocal effort. Stepping back and making a serious run at the blues, Charles Brown's Drifting Blues is up next with a rich intro and vocals by Ricci. Krown sets a warm organ floor for the scene and takes the first solo on B3. Ricci's vocals are particularly effective on this track in that he's almost wailing the blues in compliment with his excellent harp phrasing. Wrapping the release is Bobbie Gentry's pop classic, Ode To Billy Joe. Ricci and Krown transform this well know pop tune into an elongated jam with plenty of pyrotechnics. This is one of my favorite releases of the year. Get one!  

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Bird Song Records artist: Robbin Kapsalis & Vintage #18 - Soul Shaker - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (October 15, 2021), Soul Shaker, from Robbin Kapsalis & Vintage #18, and I really like it. Opening with Jr Wells' Shake It Baby, Kapsalis gets into a massive James Brown style groove with excellent vocals, hot guitar riffs by Bill Holter, Alex Kuldell on drums, Mark Chandler on bass and Ron Holloway on sax. Excellent opener.  With an aggressive walking bass line on Lost Souls, Vintage #18 really grooves. Holloway and Holter really work the solo space and Kapsalis' vocal is rich and fluid. Boogaloo is another track in the JB vein and Holloway and Holter again take nice stretches and Thomas Williams adds in some real nice trumpet. Blues shuffle, Living Large really carries a lot of weight with some of Holter's hottest guitar work on the release and Kapsalis showing strong vocals end to end. Excellent! An update on classic jazz track, Fever, is steamy. Kapsalis' vocals are deep and rich, excellent balance between Chandler and Kuldell and strong guitar lead by Holter makes this track another top contender.  Lil Ed's, The Cannonball has a terrific R&B feel and again Holter sails on lead guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is and extended version of  You Don't Deserve Me. I really like Kapsalis' voice with a deep richness that you don't find often. With the tracks' almost Rolling Stones kind of rock cockiness, and Holter's really nice guitar fluidity, this is a terrific closer. 

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Regina Royale Records artist: Ilana Katz Katz - In My Mind - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, In My Mind, by Ilana Katz Katz and it's an interesting, pop/blues release. Opening with title track, In My Mind, Katz on lead vocal and fiddle sets contemporary pop stage, backed by Johnny Burgin on guitar, Stephen Dougherty on drums and Chris Matheos on bass. Burgin leads off on shuffle, Woman, Play the Blues with traditional delta style riffs. Katz's shows a certain juxtaposition with her contemporary vocal styling and her bluegrass approach on fiddle in this setting. Very interesting. Burgin opens Shuffle/boogie, Won't Pass Me By with a classic Walker style intro, and Katz's simple vocal/fiddle styling. Very cool. On Well, Well Blues Burgin steps up with some of his signature licks. Katz's vocals are some of the best on the release making this my choice for best on the release. Hangman's Reel is another of my favorites with a total venture from the blues to traditional bluegrass. Katz covers the melody on fiddle accompanied only by Porchboard and Matt Isbell on tambourine. Wrapping the release is country soaked ballad, If, with it's solid melody, pure vocal by Katz accompanied by her own fiddle playing and rudimentary percussion. Very nice. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Chris BadNews Barnes - BadNews Rising - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, BadNews Rising, by Chris BadNews Barnes and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with You Wanna Rock? You Gotta Learn The Blues, Barnes has a good start. In the footsteps of Joe Walsh's Rocky Mtn Way, this track has a great droning bass line  Tommy MacDonald and sweet slide work by Pat Buchanan as well as tight drum work by Tom Hambridge and keys by Kevin McKendree. On piano boogie, My Baby Be Cray Cray Cray, Barnes really delivers vocally and McKendree's piano work is strong. Rachael and Sarah Hambridge add solid backing vocals and Max Abrams on sax and Steve Patrick on trumpet enrich the mix. The Creamy Caramel Cafe opens with a seductive harmonica lead by Buchanan, continuing with suggestive lyrics by Barnes over a subdued funk rhythm. A great rhythm and clever lyrics give this track just the right fuel to deliver. ZZ Top like boogie, Kettle Black is probably my favorite track on the release with a driving bottom (Hambridge and MacDonald) and with a real nice guitar solo by Buchanan. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, I Like Cleavage. With the physicality of a Bob Seeger rocker and suggestive language, this is bound to be a crowd favorite. A cool sax solo by Abrams and slide by Buchanan, this is a strong closer. 

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Little Village artists: Memphissippi Sounds - Welcome To The Land - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (November 15, 2021), Welcome To The Land, from Memphissippi Sounds and it's quite cool. Opening with Who's Gonna Ride, Damion Pearson on vocal, harmonica and guitar and Cam Kimbrough on vocal, drums and guitar set a solid Mississippi hill Country groove. Not hard to draw a direct line from Cam to his grandfather Junior Kimbrough. The duo's exuberance is exciting and dynamic. Groove With Me really is a potent track with a relentless guitar vamp, drum stomp and wailing vocal. Excellent. Crossroads is a cool blend between Hill Country style and contemporary funk. With a stiff foot drum, snare beat, harmonica, vocals and guitar riffs, this is a loose jam. High & Low is really anchored tightly by the drum beat of Kimbrough. With it's steady guitar lead and complimentary harmonica wail, this track is anchored to the Mississippi soil. Wrapping the release is Look Out For The Wolf, a solid boogie with a stiff foot drum and guitar line, topped off with harmonica and vocal. This is a cool release and if you love the Hill Country sound...you'll love this. 

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Miss Lady Blues - Moe Betta Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Moe Betta Blues, from Miss Lady Blues and it blends blues, soul, R&B and funk for a solid sound. Opening with Back It Up With That Lip, Dexter Allen lays down a droning bass line, for the strong lead vocal of MLB, with Joey Robinson on drums and organ. Solid opener. Hi stepping, She Ain't Me has a real moving bottom with cool electric lead by Allen and contributions by Robinson on drums and keys. Addicted is a smooth soul track with warm backing vocals by Allen. This is a strong radio track with a smooth melody and perfect balance. Another R&B track, Loving You will also play strong to the radio audience with super vocals and a great feel. Wrapping the release is Can't Be Love with a muted arpeggiated guitar line and hot lead guitar work under the melody giving the track a real smoldering feel. Excellent closer. 

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Karma Chief Records artist: GA-20 - Does Hound Dog Taylor - Try it... You Might Like It!New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Does Hound Dog Taylor: Try It... You Might Like It!, by GA - 20 and it's off the hook! First I have to say that I am thrilled to have a vinyl copy of this release and that in itself is a pleasure. I routinely do my reviews at my office using a computer and complimentary speakers and in this case, being able to review on my home system and in my dedicated listening room. I am also going to describe the packaging because that is also a real treat. My personal collection of blues records has at times exceeded 5000 lp's and this is one of the nicest covers both graphically with a photo of Hound Dog Taylor's hand in red on a bright yellow cover and a cover that is built of heavier reinforced cardstock than I remember on any of my records going back to the 50's and 60's... beautiful! The vinyl is heavy duty and as quiet as you could imagine. 

Opening with She's Gone, Pat Faherty on lead vocal and madly overdriven slide guitar is in total charge. Imaging is really strong and his tone is fat to the edge of breakup. A primal boogie with Matthew Stubbs on guitar and The Carman on drums, you know immediately from the opening note that you are listening to something special. I will continue to review the balance of the release, but you should know by now...you need this record! Another boogie, Let's Get Funky, is so primal pairing simple guitar lead with single snap snare work  and Faherty's vocal coaxing ... building to a slide frenzy. Excellent! Slow blues, Sitting At Home Alone, ventures into Elmore James territory with solid lead vocal work and perfect call and response with lead/slide guitar and a deep throated guitar playing "rhythm". I feel pretty confident in saying it's unlikely you've heard anything like this in years. Rocker, Phillips Goes Bananas, has a simple surf rhythm and with Stubbs taking the rhythm guitar keeping the blues bars, Faherty plays lead relentlessly. Very cool. Wrapping side one with one more boogie, It's Alright has terrific pace and strong lead vocal. Faherty literally doing a romp on slide on this one, a strong closer for side one. 

Side two opens with one of Taylor's trademark tracks, Give Me Back My Wig with all of the enthusiasm of the original. Faherty's hand for slide guitar is strong and convincing and I love Carman's enthusiastic drum work. With particularly deep, rich tone Faherty really knows how to deliver on It Hurts Me Too. His vocals are outstanding and the band, although stripped back, carry this track perfectly. See Me In The Evening is another great boogie with heavy lower octave notes. Just the rhythm guitar alone gets you nicely in the groove and when Faherty cuts loose with his slide, it slashes. Very nice. Sadie has a real nice alternate blue beat driven by Carman and Faherty's slide work is raw and exciting under his laid back vocals. If this doesn't get you moving... you're dead. Wrapping the release is high paced Hawaiian Boogie, and instrumental with all out slide. This is an excellent closer for an excellent release. If you only buy one blues record this year... this should be it. I think the best I've heard personally.

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Archie Brown & the Young Bucks - Diddley Bow - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release October 15, 2021, Diddley Bow, from Archie Brown & the Young Bucks, formed in Newcastle in 1975. This release was written and produced in lockdown with a tight sound, despite not being in the same town. Opening with TexMex style, You Just Don't Know, Patrick Rafferty on accordion adds just the right sound to lead the vocals by Kevin McKay and Guitarist Tony Wadsworth. Backed by Chris Ringer on bass and Steve Dolder on drums, this is a cool opener. Straight up rocker, Ballad, Venus in the East is a solid radio contender with a strong melody and classical piano and vocal backing. Blue Bird. with it's Latin jazz rhythm and smooth approach could have broad appeal. Solid underlying guitar lead by Wadsworth and warm backing vocals carry the track and an interesting trumpet solo by ex-Chart Commando's Steve Nash highlight the track. Wrapping the release is Mummy's Boy, a simple ballad with a strong melody and clever yet basic instrumentation. This release is outside of what I typically hear at my desk but it is interesting. 

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Provogue Records artist: Davy Knowles - What Happens Next - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, What Happens Next, from Davy Knowles and it's an interesting mix of electric blues, rock and acoustic folk. Opening with rocker, Light of the Moon, Davy Knowles on lead vocal and guitar leads the way for this radio style track. Backed by Tod Bowers on bass, Andrew Toombs on keys, and Jeremy Cunningham on drums, this track has an 80's retro feel. Ballad, Roll Me, is a nice showcase for Knowles soulful vocal style and reverb saturated lower octave guitar lead adds a cool suspense over the Toombs work on keyboards. Blues soaked, Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, has a solid melody, a cool guitar vamp, plenty of reverb and some of Knowles' tastiest guitar work on the release. Another choice radio track, River, has a memorable melody and soulful vocals. A bluesy guitar solo by Knowles adds a nice dash of spice but doesn't get too far outside of the basic track framework. Wrapping the release is a very nice acoustic folk track, If I Ever Meet My Maker, showing real finesse by Knowles on guitar and my overall favorite track on the release. Solid closer. 

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Cleopatra Records artists: Legends Play The Beatles - Various - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Legends Play The Beatles, from Cleopatra Records, and it's an interesting mix of Beatles covers by notable rock, pop and folk icons. Opening with Here Comes The Sun, Richard Page has the lead vocal and Steve Morse has the guitars, backed by Jay Schellen on drums and Billy Sherwood on keys. With a nearly identical arrangement to the original, Page sets the stage. Heart's Ann Wilson does an acoustic cover of Across The Universe backed by acoustic guitar and percussion. Very nice. Surprise rockers Molly Hatchet Cover Back In The USSR... Beach Boys style backing vocals and all. Air Supply covers, A Long And Winding Road with a bit more theatrical vocal lead by Russell Hicthcock and nice bass work by Billy Sherwood. Another interesting cover is Tomorrow Never Knows by Electric Moon. Komet Lulu's FX, Sula Bassana synth and drums by Marcus Schnitzler rocks this track. My disappointment on the release is Jack Bruce's take on Eleanor Rigsby. Bruce is one of the truly great vocal icons of the rock era but this track just doesn't float. Howard Jones takes a straight ahead approach on And I Love Her and with simple vocal strength carries one of the Beatles top pop songs nicely. Folk/rock superstar Judy Collins' cover of Yesterday is beautiful and her vocals are clear and mesmerizing. Wrapping the release is Beatles anthem, Let It Be, covered handily by Deep Purple vocalist Glenn Hughes. With quiet finesse and backed by Geoff Downes on piano, this is a solid closer. 

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Roadhouse Redemption Records artist: The Porkroll Project - Papa Didn't raise Me Right - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Papa Didn't Raise Me Right, from The Porkroll Project, and it's a solid mix of rock, blues and country. Opening with title track, Papa Didn't Raise Me Right, lead singer and guitarist, Neil "Porkroll" Taylor is up front setting the mood, backed by Walter Runge on organ, Anthony Pieruccini on bass, and John Thomas on drums. With a Latin rhythm on Down In Mexico, Taylor tells a pretty good story and Thomas does a real nice job on keeping the rhythm tight. Taylor's Santana flavored guitar lead feels good and backing vocals by Runge, Pieruccini and Thomas really work nicely in the mix. Blues ballad, Crescent Moon, sports nice sax work by David Renz and Taylor's lead guitar lead is firm and smooth. Funky mix, Mama Put The Gun Down, really works nicely due to Pieruccini's bass and Runge's organ, under the clever vocal work and some of Taylor's best guitar lead on the release. With a swagger, Sentenced to The Blues, hits with Chris Neal and Paul Matecki on trumpet. Taylor's lead vocal is nicely matched with Buddy Cleveland on harmonica solo. A breakout sax solo by Renz and a real nice solo by Taylor on guitar tie this package together nicely. Wrapping the release is cool shuffle, A Taste of Malt Liquor, likely the crowd favorite with it's party feel, group backing vocals, and a memorable melody topped with a studly guitar solo. Solid closer.  

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Earwig Music Company artist: Rusty Ends Blues Band - Self Titled - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release from Rusty Ends Blues Band and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with What's Next, a crisp, up tempo shuffle, Rusty Ends on lead vocal and guitar pairs up with some muscular harmonica work by Jim Rosen and backed by Dave Zirnheld on bass and Gene Wickliffe on drums. Cool opener. Secrets In The Street has a warmer feel with  Rod Wurtele on B3 and a fluid guitar lead by Ends. With a bit of a Freddie King, Sinner's Strut is a cool shuffle with Ends leading the way on guitar harmony and with Danny Kelly on drums and added percussion by Barry Shaw. Slower blues, Something Wrong Going Wrong, gives Ends a chance to showcase his blues phrasing. Hi vocal styling reminds me a bit of Mike Bloomfield. One of my favorite tracks on the release is rocker, I'm Searching, with it's driving bottom, Wurtele on piano, solid vocals by Ends and relentless harmonica by Rosen. Latin rhythm permeates High Beams with hot New Orleans style, emphasized by the tight piano riffs of Wurtele. This is a great track with a story line that most guys can relate to and will be a concert favorite. Wrapping the release is ballad, The One Wish, with  a soulful melody over a thick B3 base. Ends shows some really poised phrasing on his guitar solo on this one with traces of Roy Buchanan. Nice closer. 

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Blooming Tunes Music artist: Diane Durrett & Soul Suga - Put A Lid On It - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release (September 24, 2021), Put A Lid On It, by Diane Durrett & Soul Suga and it's a blend of soul, blues and gospel. Opening with In My Soul, Durrett works her magic with a soul base and gospel overtones and rich backing vocals over Yoel B'nai Yehuda on B3, Melissa Junebug on drums/percussion and Gregg Shapiro on bass. Cool opener. I like Sweeter Love Grows as the releases best radio track due to it's sweet melody and nicely blended vocals, a solid guitar solo by Daniel  Groover and some of Durrett's best lead vocals on the release. Another track with gospel overtones, Wish It Would Rain has really solid footings, soulful lead vocals and great, piano and organ work by Yehuda. Very nice. Wrapping the release is punched up funky rocker, Make America Groove, featuring Mike Burton on sax, Melvin Jones on trumpet, Fuji Fujimoto on bass and Ian Schumacher on guitar and a chorus of backing vocalists including Adam McKnight, Peggy Still Johnson, Ian Schumacher and Mike Burton. 

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Earwig Music Company artist: Elly Wininger - The Blues Never End - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Blues Never End, from Elly Wininger and it's a solid take on traditional blues. Opening with Sister Rosetta Tharpe's, Let That Liar Alone, Elly Wininger on lead vocal and guitar and Lou Pappas on upright bass set the bar for the entire release. Elly's riffs are tight and her playing shows her enjoyment for the real deal. Skip James' Special Rider Blues is a particularly cool track with Wininger's voice being nearly as high as James' falsetto vocal. Her acoustic guitar, the only accompaniment for this track is really solid. Title track, The Blues Never End, is a really melodic ballad by Wininger. It's purity and structure make it my choice for radio track on the release and possibly Wininger's best vocals on the release. Tony Joe White's As The Crow Flies is one of my favorites with Wininger on slide/resonator, Mike Merenda on banjo and Eric Parker on percussion. Matching the vocal melody note for note on guitar is a great technique and not used often enough today. Very nice. Lonnie Johnson's, Range In My Kitchen, is great rework with nicely presented vocals and clean and lean guitar accompaniment. Pure blues. Wrapping the release is Ledbelly's lively folk blues, Old Riley and Wininger really gets it hopping with the help of Ed Marris on accordion, Lou Pappas on bass and Eric Parker on percussion. Solid closer for a solid release. 

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Motherwest artists: The Bowmans - Scrutiny - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (September 24, 2021), Scrutiny, by the Bowmans, and it's a warm vocal release. Opening with Digger, twin sisters, Sarah and Claire Bowman weave beautiful melodic harmonies. Joined by Christian Winiker on electric guitar, Mathias Kunzli on drums and Wolfgang Zwiauer on bass as well as Partik Zosso and Daniel Somaroo on beat programming, this is an interesting. Sarah opens Wildfire accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, backed with cool keys by Claire. Their voices blend so nicely and a strong melody, this track having that special dynamic that really gets your attention. A burst of electric guitar soloing by Winiker drives the point home making it one of my favorite tracks on the release. Very nice. Blue Light is a particularly nice track with lush vocal harmonies and a very delicate keyboard backing. Very nice. Wrapping the release is When It Breaks, a cool track with a simple yet effective melody and subtle piano accompaniment. Sarah's cello soloing is very effective in creating the ambiance in this track which is a very nice closer. 

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Mascot Records artist: The Georgia Thunderbolts - Can We Get A Witness - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Can We Get A Witness, from The Georgia Thunderbolts and it's a southern flavored rocker with plenty of swagger. Opening with Take it Slow, lead singer T.J. Lyle hits the road running with solid harmonica lead and a powerful voice. Backed by Zach Everett on bass and keys and Bristol Perry on drums and the grinding guitar work of Riley Couzzourt and Logan Tolbert this track has punch. One of my favorites on the release is Lend A Hand with it's firm footed attack and vocal attitude. The hard drum slam and solid vocal backing works really well with the aggressive guitar work of Couzzourt and Tolbert. A modern remake of the Allman's Midnight Rider really works the vocal pairing of Lyle and Everett with a heavier, more "rock guitar" feel. Another track with a heavy bottom is Half Glass Woman. Perry really sets the pace on this one with overdriven lead guitar, cool slide by Couzzourt and a strong harp line on top. With a potent guitar riff to carry the theme, title track, Can I Get A Witness seems the best candidate for radio track with it's strong guitar front line and classic rock style vocal delivery and some nice pyrotechnics accenting the overall feel. Another radio style track is It's Alright with it's solid melody and straight up rock approach and vocal pairing of Lyle and Everett. Twin lead guitar soloing and grinding rhythm is the ticket. Wrapping the release is Set Me Free, with it's bluesy back beat and cool melody. This track could have been taken from the Paul Rogerss songbook with it's understated bluesy melody and pure vocals. Solid closer.  

 

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Wise Cat Records artist: Jackson Potter - Restless - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Restless, from Jackson Potter, and it's quite good. Opening with Bird Flu, a quick tempo number with aggressive lead lines. Wiithwriter, Jackson Potter on guitar, Patrick Leavy on bass, Gibb Mandish on drums and Leo Folsom on piano and featuring David Mason on sax. Potter's lead lines are clean and unexpected and Folsom and Mason lead lines are pure. Even Leavy get the floor for a short solo and does a great job over the tight riffs of Mandish. This is a great opener. Latin rhythms grace, Mulberry Tree with Potter laying down the supple melody on guitar. Mandish and Folson hold a tight rhythmic envelope with nicely woven sonic passages. Folsom is the first to break loose with his crystal clear piano solo, followed by an inspired bass solo by Leavy. Very nice. Amalfi has a really nice drum line that drives the entire piece. Leavy lays in a solid bass solo, followed by a light breezy guitar solo by Potter. Very nice. Peace is a beautiful composition by Horace Silver with another soulful bass solo by Leavy and nicely phrased guitar lead by Potter. Joey Curreri sits in on trumpet on Hindsight is 2020. Another track with a Latin rhythm, and blended with mason on sax the melody is complex and dynamic. Potter really takes this one for a ride showing his inventive lead and rich sax lead by Mason compliments this track really well. Wrapping the release is title track, Restless with fusion breath and some of the most agressive "rock style" guitar riffs by Potter. mason's sax solo on this one really works it's way through the mix nicely. I really love the complex rhythm on this one and the addition of Curreri on trumpet and Carter Key on tenor trumpet. Excellent closer for a strong release. 

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DLP artist: David Larsen - Deviate from Standards - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (October 1, 2021), Deviate from Standards, from David Larsen and it's primarily built around a modified old school style without the blazing brass section. Opening with A New Thing Comin', David Larsen on tenor and bari sax leads the way, paired with Greg Yasinitsky on tenor and bari sax as well and backed by Kate Skinner on keys, Josh Skinner on bass and Brendan McMurphy on drums. With tasty soloing by David and Greg and a nice piano run by Ken, a solid opener. Smoke Screen is a driving jam with nice extended lead lines by Larsen and and Danny McCollim on keys as well as the  the addition of McMurphy on trumpet and Nick Isherwood on bass. With it's walking bass line by Skinner, He Who Getz The Last Laugh is a real cool track. Larsen sets a real nice statement with his fluid lines and rich tone and Skinner takes a few bars on bass solo really setting this off. Very nice. With a lot of swing, Into The Mild shows Larsen laying in some really meaty lead sax lines over the pouncing piano of Skinner. Stretching out over 7 minutes, Skinner and Larsen trade off the spotlight, punctuated by tidy drum riffs by McMurphy. Wrapping the release is Tensai with some of Larsen's most aggressive playing on the release. Solid closer for a cool release. 

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