I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, What A Difference A Day Made, from Ermelinda Cuellar, and it's a strong mix of jazz standards and Latin flavored music. Opening with Man With A Horn, Texas born vocalist Ermelinda Cuellar sings with confidence over tight instrumentation by Gilbert Sedeno on piano, Greg Petito on guitar, Anthony Caceres on bass, and Marlon Simon on drums and percussion, Arribal Ambert on percussion and featuring really strong trombone work by Andre Hayward. Beautiful Latin ballad, Sabor A Mi is really nicely handled by Cuellar with particularly nice guitar work by Sedeno and clean piano soloing by Sedeno. Very nice. Mercer's Midnight Sun enjoys a light Latin percussion and Cuellar's vocals float on the music with excellent trombone work accent lines by Hayward and with an extended piano lead by Sedeno. Another Latin song, Historia De Un Amor, (sung in Spanish) has such a nice presence. Cuellar's phrasing is sensitive, complimented nicely by Petito on acoustic guitar, Simon and Ambert on percussion and Sedeno on piano. Hayward really lays in another strong trombone solo, contrasting the quiet nature of the track and reinforcing Cuellar's powerful vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is a Latin flavored Alone Together, with tight percussion, and strong piano efforts by Sedeno, balanced by excellent Trombone by Hayward and Cuellar's own percussive vocals and fluid guitar lead by Petito. Excellent closer for a very strong release.
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live, from AKKU Quintet and it's an exciting compositional piece. Opening with Waves, featuring Manuel Pasquinelli on drums and Moja Nydegger on keys the track blooms as it progresses. With the addition of Markus Ischer on guitar, this track ebbs and flows from quiet to explosive. Quite a 28 plus minute ride. Polar has a different approach with the tight underwork of Pasquinelli on drum and more predominant contemporary piano by Nydegger and cool, guitar lead exploration by Ischer. Schneemann has a really interesting time signature with Pasquinelli doing both straight time and a strong accent swat on snare. Again, creative lead by Ischer on guitar holds you in constant anticipation and the bass work of Andi Schnellmann gives the track a pronounced abstract quality. I really like this track. Deep Sleep II is the closer and with it's Frippish jagged rhythm and guitar work the terrific tightness of the key work of Nydegger and the addition of Michael Gilsenan really makes this track an excellent closer. If you have an ear for progressive music... this is a terrific ride.
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, World On Fire, by the Stacy Jones Band, and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with blues rocker, Jefferson Way, Stacy Jones on lead vocal wails the blues both vocally and on harmonica. With Jeff Menteer on electric slide guitar, Tom Jones on bass and heavy drum work by Rick J Bowen. Juke is a cool shuffle featuring Stacy on harmonica and she does a real nice job holding up a nice Chicago vibe. Tom Jones leads on vocal on Willie Dixon's Insane Asylum, an easy coasting blues along the lines of St James Infirmary. His voice, contrasted with the wild, high intensity vocal of Stacy gives this track real teeth. Very nice. Derek Trucks' Midnight In Harlem is handled nicely with Stacy on vocal and Menteer on slide. Very solid cover of a cool, contemporary blues track. Another cover track, Aretha's Think, maintains Aretha's arrangement and Jones does a real nice job, on vocals and adding blues harmonica adds yet another dimension. Gene Laukkunen on sax and Mike Gunther on trumpet also adds nicely to the overall feel. Wrapping the release is acoustic track, With Music On My Side featuring nice harmonica and Menteer on acoustic guitar backing the best vocals on the release.
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Truth Against The World, from The Andy Rothstein Band and it's quite good. Opening with Perfect Storm, a poppy lighter jazz track, Andy Rothstein leads the way on melody with his agile guitar phrasing, along with Tony Senatore on bass, Tom Cottone on drums, D Pappas on keys, Steve Jankowski on trumpet and trombone and Ken Gioffre on sax. An aggressive drum rhythm by Cottone and soaring keys by Pappas cap off this opener. Blues, is a really cool change up with jazzy underpinnings but square on blues guitar attack. Rothstein has nice blues chops on guitar and Cottone anchors the rhythm on solid rock. Gioffre takes a real nice tenor solo with solid support from Pappas. Cranking up the horns a bit with Jankowski on Trumpet, Mystic Mud has a fusion feel giving Rothstein a chance to let it all hang out. Jankowski slips in the mute and plays sweetly on trumpet in strong contrast to Rothstein's ripping blues rock riffs on guitar and tight underpinnings by Senatore and Cottone. Hell Mary is an interesting track built over a Jimi riff fused in a Robert Fripp kind of way. Vocal lead by Audrey Martells adds another dimension and of course Rothstein blends blues, rock and jazz riffs over the regimented bass/drum heaviness demanded of this kind of jam. Cool. Wrapping the release is title track, Truth Against The World, with power horns by Jankowski and sax by Gioffre. Lead melody on guitar by Rothstein develops into a real nice improv and further as the intensity grows. A cool diversion by Pappas on keys keeps up the fever but brings down the pitch over a funky drum beat and with Gioffre and Jankowski on horns this is a solid closer.
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Vienna Sessions, by Markus Burger and it's an interesting exploration in piano. Opening with Daybreak, German born, Markus Burger creates an calm interpretation of early morning emotions. A graduate of Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, Germany, Burger exudes the confidence of a man with many years of composition. Along The Creek shows considerable patience and solitude as you may experience in a wooded area with a stream. O Great Love is a really nice, classically based composition with beautiful phrasing and pure execution. Renaissance Romance has a regal sound but I can actually (in my mind) hear a contemporary rhythm and overplay. Very curious indeed. Wrapping the release is Rejoicing, a bright piano track with contemporary phrasing and a memorable melody. Burger is obviously very accomplished and well versed with influences from Bach to Jarrett.
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rooted In The Blues, by David Lumsden, and it's quite good. Opening with Chuck Berry style rocker, I Wouldn't Lay My Guitar Down, David Lumsden on lead vocal and guitar sets the pace and Ian Buschmann's bari sax work sets a nice bar. Joined by Tim Bahm on piano, Gary Davis on bass and Jim Engel on drums, a cool opener. Ruthless Boogie has a great groove with Lumsden hitting the pace on guitar and solid bass lines by Davis and relentless organ work by Bahn. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Hooked On Somethin' with it's slow boogie beat. I love these old style blues rockers and featuring Reggie Britton on lead vocal and with Lumsden paired with Davis on bass, this track smokes. Ode to Jimi AKA Slow Burn is a really cool instrumental really featuring Lumsden on Hendrix fused guitar riffs. This is a real solid track with cool clavinet work by Bahn. Wrapping the release is Everything Is Broken, a cool blues rocker featuring Kylan Davis on lead vocal. With it's rugged radio styling, this could be the radio track from the release.
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Set The Record, from HOROJO Trio and I really like it. Opening with rocker, Man of Steel, lead vocalist Jeff Rogers who also plays keys leads the way, with well known guitar slinger JW-Jones on guitar and Jaime Holmes doing a great job on drums really get it ramped up. R&B track, Set The Record Straight has a lightly funky rhythm and the real richness of Rogers vocals shine through. Jones, who lead the vocal charge on his own solo releases and Holmes do a terrific job blending backing vocals making this a tight vocal effort. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Stay Crazy with it's soulful feel and terrific lead vocals. With it's radio melody and Jones tasty guitar riffs, this track is very nice. Another particularly strong track is The Night with has a terrific melody, strong lead vocal by Rogers who adds warm organ backing and includes a sweet guitar solo by Jones. Very nice. Contemporary blues rocker, Give and Take gives Jones a real chance to show his blues roots with excellent riffs highlighting the track. Holmes takes charge on "James Brown" like rhythm as Jones and Rogers trade vocal/guitar lead on Something You Should Know. This track really moves out and Jones slides right in with a crisp guitar solo that really capps the track and Holmes showboats a little himself adding real icing to this cake. Real Deal begins as a high intensity rocker with HOROJO firing on high but slows to a really nice blues giving Jones a great opportunity to show his blues chops and that he does. Rogers is just what Jones needed to give him a wider audience with excellent pipes on this new release.
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Whatever You Need, from Johnny Ray Daniels, and it's solid blues, R&B, soul and gospel. Opening with title track, Whatever You Need, Johnny Ray Daniels' silky smooth voice leads the way. With potent backing vocals by Anthony "Amp" Daniels and Keamber Daniels, Johnny Ray on guitar, Will Sexton on guitar and piano, Matt Ross-Spang on guitar, Mark Edgar Stuart on bass, Will McCarley on drums and Rick Steff on Hammond, this is a great opener. With a driving strut, God Is Able, is up next and Johnny Ray has just the perfect feel to deliver the song. Often I feel it isn't just melodic strength but timing and feel that makes or breaks a track and Johnny Ray has it. Lord You've Been Good To Me has a grat call and response between Johnny Ray, Amp and Keamber, Their vocal blending is solid and the feel of the track is warm and inviting. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Church Get Ready with it's pure gospel sound. Johnny Ray soulful lead vocal is smooth and Steff's Hammond work saddles the backing vocals nicely. Wrapping the release is Thank You Lord, sung A capella really with a minimal organ backing. Johnny Ray really gets the pipes humming over the solid backing of Amp and Keamber making this a terrific closer.
I just had the opportunity to review the debut release, Field Guide, by the Andy Ostwald Trio, and it's light and springy but with some tasty meat too. Opening with Sonar with it's bright melody, led by Ostwald on piano joined by Ravi Abcarian on bass and Bryan Bowman on drums. Abcarian and Bowman each get a chance to stretch on this solid opener. Nat Adderley's Sweet Emma is up next with it's soulful feel and great bluesy cadence. I particularly like Abcarian's bass solo on this number. Very nice. Forties pop, I Hear A Rhapsody has become a jazz standard and Ostwald has done a real nice job on interpretation on this one with an excellent bass solo by Abcarian and tight drum highlights by Bowman giving this track sparkle. Van Heusen's Like Someone in Love, is nicely presented with a 3/4 prime tempo driven by Ostwald, over crisp contrast by Bowman on brushes. Abcarian takes a real nice lead solo on bass, followed by Ostwald making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Ibrahim's classic, The Wedding. With classic styling and flawless piano execution, Ostwald closes this strong first effort, solo style, with elegance.
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Black Tie & Tales, from Star People and it's an adventurous project. Opening with I, Starman, William Olland, Paul Gifford and Lorenza Ponce blend soft vocals over a predominantly keyboard backing by Scott Treibitz, creating a progressive kind of mix with solid violin contributions by Ponce, and with Randy Pratt on bass and Phil Weiss on drums. Pretty cool. Funky, "Queen of Space" has the melody and rhythm of a radio track with wide open guitar sound by Robert Dean and a jazzy piano solo by Treibitz. Electronic based. A Trillion Miles To Hollywood changes up the pace with electronic rhythms, synthesizers and vocals. Hot Blue Star rolls further into a rock genre with theatrical vocal presentation, and instrumentation. Hot guitar riffs by Dean and Jesse Berlin. A comprehensive theme running throughout this 2 cd set extends the aggressive soundtrack like nature of the release with solid drum rhythms by TC Tolliver and spatial keys by Treibitz, and guitar soloing by Dean. Ponce really commands the floor with lead vocals on The Morning Star joined by a tight drum rhythm by Tolliver and some of the hottest guitar riffs on the release by Berlin. Wrapping the release is Exit, Stage Left, opening with a loose, Tom Waits style but quickly reengaging a more futuristic, spatial performance with echoed vocals and sci fi sounds over the funky bass work of Randy Pratt and Tolliver on drums. This release isn't for everyone but it is interesting and different.
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Madeleine, from Mississippi Heat and it a packed solid with blues and blues drenched music. Opening with driving blues rocker, Silent Too Long, Brian Quinn on bass and Terrence Williams set the pace, with Giles Corey laying down some hot guitar riffs and great lead vocals by Carl Weathersby, B3 by Chris Cameron and excellent harmonica riffs by Pierre Lacocque. Solid opener. On Chicago style blues, Uninvited Guest, guitar master Lurrie Bell has the mic and lead guitar duties. With Kenny Smith on drums, this track sets up nicely to showcase Lacocque's harmonica mastery. Daneshia Hamilton really takes charge with excellent vocals on Ridin' On A Hit with backing vocals by Nanette Frank, Diane Madison and Mae Koen. With a super bass line by Quinn and strong harmonica work by Lacocque, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Michael Dotson gets the spotlight on Everybody Do Something with excellent vocals and strong slide guitar. An extended harmonica solo on this track by Lacocque really adds a super edge. Very cool. Title track, Madeleine, is an excellent instrumental, lead by the melodic improvisation of Lacocque on harmonica. Bell adds a really nice lead guitar solo of his own over the backing of Quinn, Cameron on piano and Kenny Smith on drums. Excellent! Wrapping the release is shuffle, Trouble with the rich vocal lead of Inetta Visor. A great walking bass line by Quinn, fluid harmonica work by Lacocque, Cameron on B3 and strong backing vocal by Frank, Madison and Koen makes this an excellent closer for a strong release.
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Gentilo, from Bobby Gentilo, and it's a solid blend of blues, rock, pop, soul and blues. Opening with Disease, a pop rocker this release is off to a good start with a great melody and rhythm along the lines of Eagles of Death Metal. With Bobby on lead vocal on vocal, bass, keys and guitar, and Jason Hoffheins on drums this is a cool opener. Soul soaked, Tell Me is another track with real commercial potential. Rich vocals by Bobby, B3 by Benjie Porecki, Hoffheins on drums, and Logan Kurtek on sax makes for one of those that sticks in your brain. Hoffheins lays down a snappy drum rhythm on Ghost and with Bobby on guitar and Porecki on keys, this track has the feel of an updated Hill Country blues. Very nice. Shifting gears, The Greatest, has a real R&B feel with smooth vocals and strong bass by Bobby and tight drum rhythms by Hoffheins. Slow blues, Treat Me So Mean is a nice track with blues roots. Bobby on guitar and vocal, supported by Porecki on keys makes for another solid entry. My favorite track on the release is Tire Fire with a real Hill Country flavor. Featuring Tony Ryder on bass and Bobby on guitar this track really grinds in. Excellent. Wrapping the release is funky bottomed, Higher, with Chris Engel on drums, Juan Guillermo Aguillar on percussion, Dale Wise on drums and Bobby on guitar and vocal. maintaining the basic stripped down Hill Country like rhythm, this is a strong closer for a solid release.
