Endless Blues Records artist: Mick Kolassa - Uncle Mick's Christmas Album - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Uncle Mick's Christmas Album, by Mick Kolassa, and it's quite entertaining. Opening with Mariah Carey's, All I Want For Christmas, and I think its a real solid cover. Never been crazy about pop music and Kolassa's slow bluesy approach with Jeff Jensen on lead guitar, Bill Ruffino on bass, Rick Steff on keys and James Cunningham on drums gives this track a new, fresher life. Original track, The Best Christmas Ever, is up next with a funky R&B approach. Kolassa on lead vocal and with warm backing vocals by Reba Russell and Susan Marshall over cool piano and organ work by Steff set a nice stage and pinched down guitar soloing by Jensen adds spice. Johnny Moore's Merry Christmas Baby really gives Jensen a chance to show some real nice riffs both bluesy and jazzy making it one of my favorites on the release. Tom tom laden rhythm gives Jingle Bells and whole new face. Get far enough from the music that you can't hear the words and I defy you to determine that it's Jingle Bells. This swampy, Dr Joh like approach is really cool and again, Jensen's guitar work adds real shine to the apple. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a Jensen/Kolassa original, Beale Street Christmas Jam, a hot shuffle ala Gatemouth Brown style. Jensen always has great riffs, and here he's complimented by Marc Franklin on trumpet (solo), Cunningham on drums (solo), Ruffino on bass (solo), Eric Hughes on harmonica (solo). This track will get your foot tapping. Excellent closer. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Ben Levin - Still Here - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Still Here, from Ben Levin and it's really super! Opening with Love and Friendship, a terrific piano boogie with Ben Levin on piano and vocal, his father, Aron Levin on guitar, Chris Douglas on bass and Oscar Bernal on drums. Ben's voice is really strong and his piano lead and Aron's guitar lead work really nicely together. Nice opener. On title track, Still Here, Ben's soulful vocals are accentuated and his New Orleans piano styling is spot on. Aron gets a real nice opportunity to stretch a little on guitar and his phrasing is beautiful. Jimmy Liggins' I Can't Stop It has a great groove with Ben laying down a great up tempo boogie line and some real nice guitar lead by Aron as well. Very cool. Instrumental shuffle, Crown Jewel, features Aron upfront on guitar and he sets a nice pace. Ben digs in on piano setting up some really nice riffs before Aron closes it out. Very nice. Another slow blues with Ben upfront on vocal is Christmas Rain. Ben shows time and again that he's as competent vocalist as he is lead piano player and that's saying something. Aron, using technique rather than speed, lays in some really nice lines making this another of my favorites on the release. With a Latin rhythm, Her Older Brother has a really nice flair. With snappy drum rhythm by Bernol, tight bass by Douglas and paired guitar/piano work by Aron and Ben makes this track stand out nicely. Wrapping the release is I'm Your Essential Worker, a real nice piano boogie with excellent vocal and piano work over the firm bass work of Douglas. This is an excellent closer for an exceptional release. 

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Fabrizio Grossi & Soul Garage Experience - Counterfeited Soulstice Vol 1 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Counterfeited Soulstice Vol 1 by Fabrizio Grossi & Soul Garage Experience and it's a cool, funky R&B and soul party. Opening with Slave To My Rhythm, a wildly woven musical fabric with rock and soul roots. With Grossi on lead vocal and bass, Diimond Meeks on lead vocal, Kenny Aronoff on drums, Alex Alessandroni JR on piano, Derek Day on guitar, Francis Benttez and Andrea Grossi-Benitez on backing vocals, Chris Hansen on harp and Garrett Holbrook on lap steel, this track is full out. Adding in a funky bass line on Right Down Below, Grossi sets up a real nice groove and Day and Hansen roll in and out with terrific riffs, supported by the rich backing vocals of  Benitez and Grossi-Benitez. Very cool. Bette Smith has the lead vocal on With or Without You and I really dig her voice. With Fabio Drusin sailing on harp, a pounding bass line by Grossi, Stephen Perkins on drums, Dylan Meek on Hammond and Benitez and Grossi-Benitez on backing vocals, this is one of my favorites on the release. Shit Load Of Sugar featuring Diimond Meeks on lead vocal is a rocking track with a funky bottom and a real nice guitar solo by Serge Simic. Wrapping the release is Them and Me,  a driving pop rocker with Diimond Meeks on lead vocal and solid backing by Benitez and Grossi-Benitez on backing vocals over a strong bottom by Grossi on bass and Herman Matthews on drums. 

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Cat Food Records artist: Zac Harmon - Long As I Got My Guitar - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Long As I Got My Guitar, from Zac Harmon and it's a guitar soaked blues/soul/R&B/funky release. Opening with Deal With The Devil, a slick, Latin sprinkled blues with a funky bottom. With Harmon on lead vocal and guitar and backed by Bob Trenchard on bass, Richy Puga on drums, Johnny McGhee on guitar and Dan Ferguson keys, it's a really cool opener. On easy soulful ballad, People Been Talking, Harmon really shows off his silky smooth vocals with SueAnn Carwell and Corey Lacey on backing vocal. Easy funky, Soul Land, has a real nice melody and backing vocals making it a prime radio track for this release. Title track, Long As I Got My Guitar has a real slinky Albert King or Robert Cray like R&B feel and he really soars on his guitar leads. Very nice. With a funky R&B bass line, drums and rhythm guitar, New Years Day is bound to get you moving in your seat (if not onto your feet). Harmon, Carwell and Lacey blend nicely on vocal and Puga's percussion work over the drums really adds nice spice. Wrapping the release is Ashes To The Wind, a soulful ballad, showcasing Harmon on lead vocal and gospel like piano and organ by Ferguson. This is a warm, rich closer for a solid release.

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Landslide Records - 40th Anniversary - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release from Landslide Records, 40th Anniversary, a two disc compilation celebrating their 40th anniversary and a full house of great artists. Opening with Tinsley Ellis and the Heartfixers and Drivin' Woman. Ellis is a great choice to open this retrospective with his fiery guitar attack and tight rock shuffle beat. Strong opener. The Bluesbusters' track, If The Phone Don't Ring, is up next led by Little feat guitar and vocalist Paul Barrere in collaberation with Dregs keyboardist Lavitz and associated Feat personalities. This is a great track and solid addition to this release. Damon Fowler contributes Make The Best Of Your Time. Fowler was a great addition to Landslides lineup with his rugged vocal, strong rhythm and terrific slide work, I always look forward to his releases. Sean Costello was a unique talent and spectacular blues player. His contribution here is Motor Head Baby with it's slow swagger and Costello's relentless lead guitar work. If you don't know Sean, go find it now! Nappy Brown joins Ellis and the Heartfixers on Hard Luck Blues. Here you get the double whammy with Browns excellent vocals and Ellis' tasty guitar riffs, backed by strong horn work. Dave Bartholomew has a great jam on Jazz Fest in New Orleans with that funky New Orleans sound. David Earle Johnson (drums) brings a really hot Jazz Fusion sound. Partnered with John Abercrombie on guitar, Dan Wall on organ, Gary Cambell on sax these guys really fly on Route Two. Excellent! Derek Trucks Band continues in the jazz mind set with Mr. PC showcasing Trucks' world renown guitar improvisation. Mike Mattison best known for his work with Derek Trucks Band, showcases his soulful vocal work on Midnight In Harlem and it's R&B feel. Really nice. Steam Donkeys really put on the heat on Little Honky Tonks, a strong, Country and Western track with real grit. If you like this kind of music, and I do, you'll love this! Scrapomatic lays down a really hot track, Night Trains, Distant Whistles, with Mike Mattison on vocal, Paul Olsen on guitar and vocal, Dave Yoke on guitar, Ted Pecchio on bass and Tyler Greenwell on drums. Hot funky drumming, a great bass line, well blended vocals and strong lead guitar, great! Sax man Paul McCandless brings The Great Lawn, a new jazz piece featuring Steve Rodby on bass, Davidd Samuels on vibes, Ross traut on guitar and Linda Naimas on claps for an interesting instrumental diversion. Wrapping the release is Col. Bruce Hampton & The Late Bronze Age on Walking With Zambi, a driving country rocker. This is a great mix of music and a lot of hot talent on 2 cds. If you know all of the bands. it's a great mix tape and if you don't it's a great intro. 

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Chickahoming Marsh Records artist: Rusty Gear - Against The Grain featuring Bekka Bramlett - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Against The Grain featuring Bekka Bramlett, from Rusty Gear and it's a solid blend of rock, blues and country. Opening with bluesy ballad, Ashes of Desire, Bekka Bramlett is showcased on lead vocal with a solid bottom. Rusty plays scorching, melodic lead guitar on this track with it's radio ready melody. Rusty and Bekka share lead vocal on Take Another Card, with it's walking bass line and nicely articulated piano lead and some real nice acoustic picking by Rusty. Very nice. Wrapping the release is title track, Against the Grain, a country two stepper with a firm kick drums and gospel overtones. Rusty has the lead vocal and adding steel guitar working with Bekka on backing vocals, this track is a solid closer. 

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Stony Plain Records artist: Sue Foley - Pinky's Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (October 22, 2021), Pinky's Blues, from Sue Foley and I think it's her best yet! Opening with title track, Pinky's Blues, Foley digs in on guitar, establishing that this is a going to be a blues guitar release right up front. Her riffs are stinging and relentless. Angela Strehli's blues strut, Two Bit Texas Town has a great aggressive, Willie Dixon feel featuring Foley on vocal and with vicious SRV like riffs,  Jon Penner on bass, and Chris Layton on drums. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Southern Men and it's story telling format. Foley not only does a great job on vocal  but with bends and a lot of vibrato, really whammy's this track. Excellent! Another Strehli penned track, Say It's Not So really works nicely with rich vocals and double stopped rhythm work by Foley. Here soloing throughout is really nicely phrased and emotional. Excellent! Clarence Gatemouth Brown's Okie Dokie Stomp is killer with all of the zest in Gate's original. Folley is really rocking the house here and you better bet I'm rocking! Robert Nighthawk's Someday is another terrific cover of a Chicago style blues. Foley's vocals are really solid but her guitar stretching is fresh and gripping. Tell me you aren't stomping your heel. Wrapping the release is Willie Dixon's When The Cat's Gone The Mice Play. Foley sells this one to the max with sweet vocals and fleet fingered riffs. One of the best traditional style electric blues releases that I have heard this year end to end. Excellent! 

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Omnivore Recordings release: Mighty Fine: An Austin City Limits Tribute To Walter Hyatt - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mighty Fine: An Austin City Limits Tribute To Walter Hyatt and it's a star studded release jam packed with great music. This is a recording containing 11 tracks from a tribute show for Hyatt's wife and children in 1977 and broadcast on Austin City Limits. Hyatt was killed in a 1996 ValueJet plane crash in 1996 (as well as bonus recordings). Opening with As The Crow Flies, with Willis Alan Ramsey and King Tears Band the sound is tight and warm. With Rick Plant on bass, guitar and vocal, Billy Block on drums and Rick Gordon on lead guitar and vocal this is a solid opener. Georgia Rose is a strong Country and Western track really featuring Jimmie Dale Gilmore's vocal and Brad Fordham on bass and Rob Gjersoe on guitar. Marcia Ball amps things up on Are We there Yet Momma with her trademark vocal and with John Simon on piano and Jim Hoke on sax. Very cool. Motor City Man features Allison Moorer does a real nice job on lead vocal on bluesy, Tell Me Baby with John Simon on piano and with some real nice guitar lead by Gordon. Junior Brown takes the lead on Diggeroo, a Cajun flavored 2 stepper. This track really is one of my favorites with of trademark pedal work and Champ Hood on fiddle. Shawn Colvin and Lyle Lovett team up on Babes In The Woods, a really nice ballad showcasing their perfectly blended voices. Country blues, Teach Me About Love features Lovett on lead vocal with some really tasty guitar work. Victor Krauss on bass and James Gilmer on percussion add a firm rhythm. Very nice. Another solid ballad, Message In A Bottle, features David Ball on lead vocal with Colvin and John Hagar on cello and Hood on fiddle. I'm Calling has a traditional Lyle Lovett feel and suits him to a tee on lead vocal. The last four tracks on the release are previously unreleased performances by Walter Hyatt. Jungle Flower, In A Christmas Dream, Early Days and Shouldn't Have Told Me That is a great bonus to this release featuring Jerry Douglas on dobro, Byron House on bass, Dianne Killen on harmony vocal, Chris Carmichael on strings, Tom Roady on percussion, kristen Weber on viola and Austin Hoke on cello along with Plant, Block and Gordon. Solid release with a heap of good music. 

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Jennifer Porter - Sun Come and Shine - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sun Come and Shine, from Jennifer Porter and it's a fine blend of pop, blues and R&B. Opening with title track, Sun Come and Shine, Porter shows a refined voice with easy presentation and soft clarity, backing herself on B3, and joined by Audrey Wheeler Downing, Layonne Holmes, and Kim Davis on backing vocals, Bernard Purdie on drums, Wilbur Bascombe on bass, Miho Nobuzane on piano, George Naha on guitars and Rob Paparozzi on harmonica. With a full King Curtis like sway, Satin Shoes is a real strong composition. Dan Boone's bass line leads the track nicely and Porter's voice seems to float above the instrumentation with Steve Jankowski on trumpet, Tom Timko on tenor sax  and Downing, Holmes and Davis on backing vocals. Very nice. Another R&B style track, You're So Easy To Be With, features some fine piano work by Porter to compliment he solid vocals. Boone's bass line, complimenting C.J. Chenier on accordion and punctuation by Jankowski on trumpet and Timko on sax gives the track a real New Orleans flavor. Ballad, Something On Your Mind, has a really nice balance between Christian McBride on bass, Timko on soprano sax and Porter's softly phrased vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is an easy country waltz like ballad, I'll Be Here, featuring Porter singing backing to her own lead in very nice fashion. With Buddy Savino on bass Nobuane on piano and featuring Cindy Cashdollar on pedal steel, this is a solid closer. 

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Charlie Barath - Just Me And My Friend (s) - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Me and My Friend (s) by Charlie Barath and it's quite good. Opening with a refined field holler, The Forgotten Man, It's just Charlie Sutton on vocal and Barath on harmonica. I really like this track as an opener with it's entry to the blues and it's basic simplicity.  Breaking into a full blues rocker, Travelin' Woman gives Barath the opening to show his Chicago style harmonica skills, backed by Jimmy Adler on guitar, Mike Law on bass, Gordon Grottenthaler on drums and John Burgh on organ. Really nice. Another change in directions on Ohio, with it's back country (almost western) folk style. I really like this track with Barath leading on vocal and harmonica, adding Jeff Scheller on acoustic bass, Pete Freeman on dobro, Ray Bruckman on mandolin and fiddle. Excellent! Open the swinging doors and welcome in full honky tonk country and western, Little Turtle Nightlight. With Sam Stuckey joining on harmony vocal, Scheller on acoustic bass, Joey Pinchotti on drums, Freeman on pedal steel and Bruckman on fiddle, this is my favorite track on the release. Excellent! No Smoking is a contemporary blues romp with a real nice opportunity for Jimmy Alder to stretch a little on guitar and for Barath to show his traditional harmonica skills. Another really nice track. Much Better Now is a really cool country blues track putting me in mind of a Taj Mahal album for the way back using tuba as the primary rhythm instrument. With Roger Day on tuba and Barath on lead vocal and harmonica, very cool. Another unusual track with an early rag style is The Briar Hopper with Chris Sutton on guitar, Barath on harmonica and Day on tuba. It's not just quirky...it's really good. Another of my favorites on the release is High Ball and A Covered Dish. With curious lyrics, cool vocals and harp by Barath, Max Schang on guitar, Gerry Boorish on acoustic bass, Bert Lerini on drums, John Burgh on piano, this track is really solid. Another honky tonk style western track is She Drives Me to Drink. OK. I admit that I love this style music and it's great. Barath on vocal and harmonica, Sam Stuckey on guitar, Pinchotti n drums, Burgh on piano and Pete Freeman on pedal steel, I love it! Wrapping the release is simple acoustic blues, One Way Gal. Bill Weiner on vocal and acoustic guitar and Barath on harmonica wrap this very enjoyable release. Gotta say, very fine job! 

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Hughes Taylor - Modern Nostalgia - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Modern Nostalgia, from Hughes Taylor and it's a cool flashback on blues interpretation over the past 50 years. Opening with bluesy rocker, Treat Me Right, lead vocalist and guitar player Hughes Taylor sounds like a well seasoned rocker. With tight bass and drum rhythm and his own rhythm guitar riffs, Hughes gets a cool groove and his KW Shepherd like slashing lead makes this opener a prime radio track. Easy paced, Dreamily blends contemporary rock music, with Dicky Betts guitar phrasing and Allman Brothers dual guitar leads to create a solid and familiar feel. Rocker, Highwayman, is one of my favorites on the release with a driving rhythm and ragtag slide work. Paired lead vocal and prime Savoy Brown like construction and Kim Simmonds style soloing makes this an ass kicker. Trouble is my favorite track on the release with a Blind Faith kind of intro and soulful vocals. I really do appreciate the Clapton like riffs bringing back the authority he once played with back in the 60's in a contemporary forum. Extended runs and solid well executed riffs really make this a no contest for best track. Wrapping the release is Excuses, a slower blues with heavy BB King fused guitar riffs. This is a great closer with Taylor taking King's notorious riffs out to the extreme not unlike Clapton or Bonamassa on their own efforts. Very nice. 

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Jimmy Carter - Blind Faith - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (September 20, 2021), Blind Faith, from Jimmy Carter (Co-Founding member of The Blind Boys of Alabama) and it takes pieces of a number of genres of music and blends them together nicely. Opening with After The Storm, Carter on lead vocal, is joined by Joey Williams with some nicely finessed gypsy style guitar, Ryan Joseph on violin, Steven Ray Ladson on bass and tidy drum rhythms by Chris Marshak. Solid opener. With a cool R&B feel, Dream On, has a snappy rhythm and super backing vocals. With a firm bass line. forward trombone solo by Freddie Lonzo, and piano backing by Max Leake, this is one of my favorites on the release. Charlie Musselwhite  lays in some nice harmonica work on Find Your Way Home with the addition of Joseph on violin, and a jazzy piano solo by Peter Levin. Wrapping the release is blues shuffle/gospel track, Why Me, with Musselwhite, on harmonica, Ron Pullman on guitar and powerful choral backing by the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. This is a solid first release by Carter and one with a lot of flavor.

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Tourbo Music Artist: Mala Oreen - Awake - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Awake, from Mala Oreen and it is really strong. Opening with Ragged Queen, a crystal clear composition of folk style music with Mala Oreen on lead vocal and guitar, and with sweet dobro slide by Fats Kaplin and Joshua Brit on mandolin my first impression is this music was not created in the US as the sound is so pure and beautiful. Oreen's voice is so authentic and untouched it makes you question how. Excellent!  Another track which takes best advantage of the purity of Oreen's voice is Soldier On, with acoustic guitar, minimal backing vocals by Garrison Starr and warm cello by Chelsea McGough. Title track, Awake is another beautifully pure composition with Oreen's vocal, poised with her own violin work and acoustic guitar by Donegan. Mosiac has just a little more American open country style but with a still "untouched" by the American music business feel. Wrapping the release is Untied, a really nice folk tune with classic styling. Oreen's vocals and pairing with acoustic guitar, backed by Kaplin on pedal steel, piano by Nelson Hubbard and her own violin work. This is a very nice track and an excellent closer for a very nice release. 

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Burton Avenue Music - David Finck - BASSic Instinct - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, BASSic Instinct, by David Finck, and it's got a cool underlying Brazilian jazz feel. Opening with title track, BASSic Instinct, David Finck on bass is joined by Quinn Johnson on keys, Teo Lima on drums, Ryan Quigley on trumpet, Mike Davis on trombone and in includes strong solo work by Finck and Andy Snitzer on tenor sax. Excellent opener.  Dearly Beloved had a terrific salsa rhythm, with Finck soloing on bass and Snitzer again running a great solo lead on sax and strong contributions by Johnson on piano, Kevin Winard on drums and percussion, Davis with a wicked solo on trombone and Barry Danielian on trumpet. Very strong. Bateu, Levou/Who's Wrong or Right? features Teka Penteriche and Trist Curless on great lead vocal. This is a terrific track that should get hard radio play based on melody and vocal only and it also includes strong instrumental backing by Nelson Faria on guitar, Johnson on piano, Winard on drums Laura Conwesser on flute and including a nice bass solo by Finck. Soon It's Gonna Rain, is a very nice quieter piece with Finck bowing his bass as well as providing clean articulate bass lead working nicely with Johnson on piano, Bob Mann on guitar and Cliff Almond on drums. Meg Ruby sets the pace on piano lead on Tico Tico No Fuba' and with a strong bass solo by Finck, light guitar by Nelson Faria and Winard on percussion, very satisfying. Classic jazz piece, I'm Confessin' (That I Love You) gives Finck and Mann plenty of space to lead and solo over just the right amount of drums by Almond. Very nice. Wrapping the release is ballad, I Remember, featuring Melissa Errico on lead vocal, Finck on bass and Tedd Firth on piano. A classic jazz ballad for a really entertaining release. 

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Dan Ashley - Out There - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Out There, by Dan Ashley and it's packed full of likely radio tracks. Opening with River City vocalist Dan Ashley sets the pace with a rock pace. With hints of John Cougar and straight up radio rockers, Ashley is joined by Bill Bentley on guitar, bass and keys, Mike Vanderhule on drums and Cornell CC Carter, Angela Ashley and Angeline Bentley on backing vocals they should appeal to the Boston fans. Lucky Stars in a solid ballad featuring Ashley's vocals with rich backing vocal tones and primarily keyboard accompaniment by Ben Flint and clean violin work by Deb Ashley. Title track, Out There, has a funkier beat and a punchy bottom. Rich blended backing vocals are the trademark of this band with low growling guitar lead by Bentley. Feel The Heat is a straight up rocker with a tight drum beat/rhythm guitar setting and a rumbling bass line. Wrapping the release is solid radio track, Now and Again. With it's memorable melody and acoustic guitar accompaniment Dan Ashley wraps up this hit potential release with a soft touch. 

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Cleopatra Records artist: Carmine Appice - Fernando Perdomo Project - Energy Overload - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Energy Overload, from Carmine Appice-Fernando Perdomo Project and it is packed with energy. Opening with Blown Speaker Boogie, the band leaves no room for misunderstanding...they are here to rock. With the firm bottom of Appice (ex Vanilla Fudge and Jeff Beck) on drums and accomplished guitarist, Fernando Perdomo on bass and guitar, this track is hopping. Perdomo plays solid blues rock riffs against his own aggressive bass riffs and fluid progressive rock guitar lead. Very cool. Title track, Energy Overload is a hot rocker with both partners on overdrive. Perdomo adds fluid keyboard work to this already powerful mix of bass and guitar paired with Appice on drums for a driving Steve Morse vibe. Rocket To The Sun is a progressive rocker with a dynamic drum bottom and driving guitar vamp. Great driving music! One track on this release really stands out for me and that's McCartney's Maybe I'm Amazed. Taken at approximate original tempo, Perdomo plays melodic guitar lead and Appice's attention to detail on drums is perfect. Durga McBroom adds to the mix with angelic backing vocals. Very nice. On Starstream, Appice and Perdomo lay down a driving rhythm with carved out sections of obtuse time signatures giving the track a very interesting  forward sound. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Thunder with a heavy bottom and giving Perdomo a firm platform to lay down a clean guitar melody. This is a really cool release with plenty of drive, and dual guitar leads. 

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Cypress Road Productions artist: Luca Kiella - Ready For You - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (October 22, 2021), Ready For You, from Luca Kiella and it's a happy go lucky pop release with plenty of energy. Opening with Till Tomorrow, with it's New Orleans rhythm. Kiella, who sings and plays keys is joined by Aaron Weistrop on guitar, Paul Hall on drums, William Baggett on bass, Michelle Hallman on backing vocals, Mark Mullins on trombone, Bobby Campo on trumpet and Brad Walker on tenor sax. R&B styling on Desperate Train to Nowhere shows a solid radio melody with nicely paired vocals and warm Wurlitzer backing. Funk peppered Ready for You has just the right spring to appeal to the adult radio audience. With it's memorable melody and vocal work, it's a solid entry. Another track with a cool New Orleans style rhythm is Wanna Love You Tonight. Kiella really has the piano roll down and Hall's drum rhythm really take control and Baggett's bass line is spot on. Wrapping the release is Is There Any Love Left For Me?, a beautiful ballad in the flavor of James Taylor or George Harrison. Nicely presented, vocal over piano and strings by Chuck Bontrager, this is a strong closer. 

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