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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Take Your Time, from Ben Levin and it's a super entry to a strong line of super releases by Levin. Opening with title track, Take Your Time, Levin on piano and vocal fronts a band of great players including my man Johnny Burgin on guitar and Shorty Starr on drums. A cool shuffle track this is a strong opener and gives Burgin space to lay down some real nice riffs. Lil Ed Williams joins on Why Do Things Happen To Me with his distinctive guitar feel and vocal work. I really like the work that Levin has been doing and paired with Lil Ed on guitar, Aron Levin on guitar, Walter Cash on bass and Ricky Nye on drums, he's on fire. Burgin is up again as featured lead player on Latin influenced, Out Of Your Own Way. Burgin can really set the fuel and ignite it and I can tell his playing style immediately. I didn't know he was playing on this release on the first pass through and I heard this track and said... wow Johnny...Great! Levin's vocal and piano work, coupled with Burgin makes this my favorite track on the release. New Orleans flavored boogie, You Know You're So Fine features Lil Jimmy Reed on lead vocal and guitar over the excellent piano boogie of Levin. With Aron on guitar, Walter on bass and Ricky on drums, this track has a great groove. Another great piano shuffle is closer, Mr Stroger's Strut featuring Bob Stroger on vocal and bass. With Noah Wotherspoon on guitar, Nye on drums and Levin on keys, this is an excellent closer.
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Strange Time Blues, by HowellDevine, and it's a laid back folk blues set. Opening with Mississippi Fred McDowell's East St. Louis Blues, Joshua Howell on vocal, guitars and harmonica is front and center, backed by Pete Devine on drums and washboard and Joe Kyle, Jr. on bass. I really like the vibe of Devine original, Smoke, with hit's hill country structure and especially his harmonica energy. Very cool. Fundamental remake of Blind Boy Fuller's Untrue Blues with it's easy, finger picking style and prominent bass thump by Kyle. Who doesn't love RL Burnside's Long Haired Doney and it's boogie feel. Howell has most of it on vocal and guitar but Kyle and Devine really anchor it down tight. Morganfields' Long Distance Call sits nicely in his original groove with soulful vocals by Howell, and tight drum rhythm by Devine staying close with loose slide work by Howell expanding on Water's own style and some slick, aggressive bass playing by Kyle. Very cool. Band original, Strange Time Meltdown is a somewhat funky groove with a plucky bass line and nice drum line setting the pace for a cool jam by Howell on electric guitar... slowly pulling apart into nothingness. Possibly my favorite on the release. Wrapping the release is Rev Robert Wilkins' That's No Way To Get Along. Devine gets the Duolian rocking nicely and his smooth vocals deliver the word over light snare work and a stead pluck by Kyle. This is a cool release of acoustic blues focused around some prime acoustic playing. Solid.
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Who Is He?, from Dylan Triplett and it's a strong blend of blues, R&B, soul and jazz. Opening with blues shuffle, Barnyard Blues, Dylan Triplett wastes no time showing his vocal skills, backed by Kingfish Ingram on solo guitar, Johnny Lee Schell on guitar and Dr Wayne Goins on rhythm guitar, Mike Finnigan on organ, Ryan Marquez on piano, Montez Coleman on drums, Larry Fulcher on bass and with Kudisan Kai, Maxayn Lewis, Mike Finnigan and Larry Fulcher on backing vocals. Excellent! Soulful, Brand New Day...Same Old Blues has a really nice feel. Triplett's vocals are smooth as silk, with clean piano work by Marquez, floating slide guitar by Tru Born and backing vocals by Kai and Lewis are as nice as D'Angelo. Very nice. I'll Be There Waiting is a terrific track, with a R&B feel and great lead vocals. Schell covers lead guitar and Finnigan's organ work adds super warmth. Very nice. On up tempo shuffle, She Felt Too Good, you'll find a hard time not rocking in your chair. A cool sax solo by Art Wayne Pollard and a real nice guitar solo by Goins really set this track apart. Excellent! Hi stepping is all I can say about That's The Way Love Is. Marvin Gaye's influence on vocal style, real nice keys by Marquez and rich backing vocals by Kai and Lewis make this a top radio track. Wrapping the release is a modern interpretation of Miles Davis' All Blues. With just a bit of funk led by Joe Sublett, and tight drums rhythm by Coleman leaves plenty of space for Triplett to let it all hang out vocally. Goins guitar solo in the style of JG Watson adds to the juiciness of this closer leaving you wanting more. Very nice.
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, So Far, from Bob Margolin and Bob Corritorewith special guest Jimmy Vivino and it's solid blues. Opening with Steady Rollin' On, Bob Margolin leads this acoustic duo on lead vocal and guitar with Bob Corritore on harmonica. Written by Margolin, this acoustic delta style blues is a cool opener. Robbie Robertson's It Makes No Difference is on of the Band's super tracks and one of my favorites on this release, blending vocals by Margolin and Jimmy Vivino who also contributes guitar and showing a totally different side of Corritore on harmonica in a totally non Chicago blues stance. Boogie, Now and Then is a cool mover featuring Corritore on harmonica over the steady drive by Margolin on guitar. Very cool. Bob Corritore's Salt River Stomp is another of my favorites as an instrumental with a lot of hot licks. Wrapping the release is John Lee Williamson's, My Little Machine with Margolin on lead vocal and guitar. His playing is tight a strong and Corritore's harmonica is loud and proud. Excellent closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Strongman Blues Remedy, Volume 1, from The Strongman Blues Remedy and it's chocked full of foot tapping blues. Opening with blues rocker, Hard Luck, leader Steve Strongman adds great slide riffs, bass and harmonica to his solid lead vocal efforts for a super radio track. Joined by Dave King on drums and Jesse O'Brien on keys this is a great opener. Dawn Tyler Watson has the mic on Fine Young Man, a solid radio track with country and blues roots. Slick slide work by Strongman and with O'Brien on keys and King on drums, another fine track. Slow blues, White Lightnin' is my favorite track on the release with Strongman's best vocals on the release and strong, soulful, fluid guitar lead, backed by Alec Fraser on bass. Excellent! Crystal Shawanda has the mic on Tell Me I'm Wrong and her vocals are sassy and powerful against the bluesy riffs of Strongman. Wrapping the release is Love Comin' In with it's poppy shuffle feel. Strongman is back up front on vocal and his guitar work is bluesy and slick. With grinding rhythm work and a driving bottom, this is a solid closer for a cool release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Been Here and Gone, from Steve Howell and the Mighty Men and it's a cool, laid back release. Opening with Billy Page's The In Crowd, Howell on lead guitar really takes a nice stylistic approach over the fundamental pop song from the 60's. With cool tremolo and exploration, and working with Chris Michaels on guitar, Dave Hoffpauir on drums, and Jason Weinheimer on bass, this is a sweet retro opener. Reworking Gary Davis' Candyman, Howell on vocal and guitar the track gets a more rocky approach but keeping it stripped and bluesy with electric riffs, a cool track. Ray Charles' I Believe To My Soul gets a easy rocking version of this classic. With soulful guitar riffs and Howell's vocals, a solid interpretation. William Carradine's, Jimmy Bell, is nice and swampy and Howell's vocals are spot on. With light guitar riffs and a tight drum rhythm, this track is super. Big Bill Broonzy's Willie Mae is electrified and nicely done. With crisp electric guitar riffs over an understated basic blues base makes this one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Johnny Smith's classic (made famous by the Ventures) Walk Don't Run. This surf track with it's guitar melody has always been a classic and its a great finisher for a super release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, This Girl, from James Holvay and it's a cool, retro soul release. Opening with Hot N' Heavy Love, a very danceable track with hints of Curtis Mayfield and strings underneath, Holvay on vocal and guitar, is joined by Les Falconer on drums, James Manning on bass, Stu Pearlman on keys and Ron Douglas, Cliff Curtis and Les Falconer on backing vocals. Another slinky track, More of You, has the definite Chicago soul richness with strong vocals by Holvay. A real radio track, Whatever She Wants is right out of that 70's songbook and should play well to the radio. With cool horn backing by Larry McCabe and the Minneapolis Horns, this track is smooth. Wrapping the release is slow soul track, She's Gone Away, with easy, string backing and warm vocal backing. This is a real nice release with a definite retro feel.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Brad "Guitar" Wilson, by Brad Wilson and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with The Ballad of John Lee, Brad Wilson on guitar and vocal sets a terrific "John Lee Hooker" like boogie backed by Brian Beal on bass and Adam Gust on drums. With the addition of harmonica, this is a smoking opener. Cesta Ayers' track, Someday After Awhile gives Wilson the opportunity to shine on vocal and his guitar playing shows great feel. Backed by Beal, Peter Wolf on drums and Frankie Vriens, this track really simmers. Otis Rush's I Can't Quit You Baby retains much of Rush's original arrangement and at over 8 minutes gives Wilson a chance to really shine on guitar. His phrasing is strong and his vibrato tight and stinging. Backed by Oscar Huguet on bass and Adam Gust on drums, this is a strong addition to the set. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Drivin', with a contemporary radio feel. A solid melody, Jack Van Aert on bass, Willem Van Kempen on drums, Peter Wolf on drums, Frankie Vriens on keys and Daniel Guitarra on guitars makes for a solid closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, If I Were Your Woman, from Sidney Jacobs, and it's a cool mix or jazz, soul and R&B. Opening with breezy, We All... / On A Clear Day, Sidney Jacobs on keys and lead vocals shows vocal flexibility with warm backing by Munyungo Jackson on percussion, Josh Jackson on sax and flute, Chris Lawrence on trumpet, Josh Nelson on piano, Greg Poree on acoustic guitar, Nolan Shaheed on trumpet and flugel horn, Ricky Woodard on trumpet and some really nice trombone by Joakim Toftgaard. Weave This Tale really moves with scat vocals by Jacobs which work nicely with his strong piano playing and warm horn support. Very nice. A nice mix of jazz and R&B transforms Bernstein's I Feel Pretty into a contemporary radio track. I really like Jacobs' vocal interpretation of this track and this track swings. Title track and soul classic, If I Were Your Woman, gets a really nice work over with excellent vocals over a piano / drums focus and with really nice trumpet soloing by Lawrence. Wrapping the release is Conversations With Mom, a cool vocal assemblage and tape work with the minimal of drum rhythms as accents. Very cool closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Bitches Blues, from Sass Jordan and it's really quite good! Opening with Johnny Winter's, Still Alive and Well, Sass Jordan maintains Winter's gritty approach, joined by Steve Marriner on bass, Cassius Pereira on drums, Jesse O'Brien on keys and stinging guitar riffs by Chris Caddell and Jimmy Reid. Strong opener. O'Brien really digs on on piano on Even, a slow piano blues giving the spotlight to Jordan's vocals and she really shines on this one. Excellent! Mississippi Fred McDowell's You Gotta Move has a great delta feel with Caddell on slide and only the simplest percussion on the bottom, supporting Jordan's vocals. Very cool. Lowell George's Sailin Shoes is really a great selection for this band with strong slide work by Caddell and great vocal harmonies by Jordan, Caddell, Reid, Marriner and O'Brien. The band really pulls together tightly on this one but of particular note is the piano work by O'Brien with a strong Payne feel. Wrapping the release is up tempo, Change Is Coming with a bit more of a rock feel. Caddell on slide and Marriner on harmonica really set the pace and whip cracks by Pereira and organ work by O'Brien make this a solid closer for a really entertaining release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sugar Is My Name, by Sugar Harp and it's a solid release of classic blues sound. Opening with title track, Sugar Is My Name, Alabama harmonica player/singer Charles "Sugar Harp" Burroughs works over a cool, Little Walter vamp. Backed by Microwave Dave Gallagher on guitar, T-Bone Dupree on bass, Ardie Dean on drums, this is a solid opener. On slow blues, How Come My Dog Don't Bark, Dan Hoctor provides a nice organ base with Dean on drums and Dupree on bass allowing wide open passage for Sugar to solo on harmonica. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is I Don't Want A Soul Hangin' Round with it's simple bottom by Microwave Dave on guitar and just the simplest of bass and drums by T-Bone and Ardie. Sugar has a great story telling vocal pace and his harmonica playing is super. Getting a blues rock feel going with Microwave Dave setting the pace on Lemon Squeezin' Fool, Sugar really shines on both vocal and harmonica making this track another favorite. On a smooth, slower blues, May Your Soul Make It To Heaven, with a "Stormy Monday" pace, Sugar lays down some really nice harmonica lead and his vocals work really nicely over the rhythm lead of Dave and the warm organ fill by Hoctor. Very cool. Sugar's vocal are at their peak on Leave Me The Same Way You Came with only the minimal amount of guitar by Dave and Sugar punctuating his own super vocals with his best harmonica work on the release. Wrapping the release is Murder Murder Murder is a strong, slower blues again featuring the excellent vocal work of Sugar. Dave's guitar lead provides a solid pathway for Sugar's soulful vocals and works very nicely with Sugar's soulful harp lead. Very nice.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Learning Tree, from Mike Ian, and it's an interesting progressive rock adventure. Opening with A Pirate's Dream, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Mike Ian uses his own layered vocals over bongos, synthesizer, and acoustic guitar creating a radio friendly progressive tale. On Cast In Stone, Ian's melodic strength is really nicely displayed again with vocal over acoustic and electric guitar, synthesizer and drums. Well crafted and executed, very commercially strong. Building on an acoustic guitar riff, and enveloped in electric guitar additions, Saved slowly rises with additional layers of vocals, percussion, reverb saturated guitars, and synthesizer. With a solid melody, this may be my favorite track on the release. Something More Nothing Less opens quietly with only Ian and piano backed with some subtle synthesizer but grows with the addition of guitar and drums. Building to full bloom, Ian steps out with some blazing melodic guitar lead giving the track a real nice contrast. Wrapping the release is Shine On, featuring Ian on piano and vocal as the base, slowly building with drums, distorted guitar filler, synthesizer and electric piano. This is classic styling on progressive rock and should be very well received in the rock arena.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Animals (2018 Remix) (September 16, 2022) from Pink Floyd and its terrific. I had the opportunity to play this newly redone 5.1 mix on a half plus million dollar hifi system and it really shines. I am lucky to have frequent access to this system so I have heard a lot of music through it but rarely review my cds through it. The music is really immersive and special effects like random dogs, birds (and barnyard animals) appear in different places in space throughout the listening space. Drum thumps are immense and seem much more crisp and more real, twin guitar leads are more distinct, Wrights synthesized keys are more floating … a fabulous experience. Gilmores prime lead solo on opening track, Dogs seems to be placed squarely in front of me and live. Very cool. On Pigs on the Wing 1 Gilmore’s acoustic guitar and vocals are very present. On Pigs On the Wing 2 the vocal mix is even dryer and more real sounding. Very nice. Feature track, Pigs, is much more dynamic than I've ever heard with Gilmore's guitar lead sailing about behind my head and accent riffs drift throughout the ether around a firmly anchored Waters' bass and Mason's drum set mid stage. Gilmore's most rich layered leads are center stage along with acoustic work which is dramatically more evident. Waters' lead vocals are well balanced but distinct from backing vocals. Wright's synth work is clear and wild. Yes. I was one of the fortunate probably over a million people who saw this tour in the flesh but I have to say, even though there are no flying pigs in this room, not much else is missing. Wow!
'Animals 2018 Remix' will be released on CD, LP (with gatefold artwork), Blu-ray, SACD and Deluxe Gatefold formats. The Deluxe Gatefold version includes LP, CD, audio Blu-ray, audio DVD and a 32-page book. The Blu-ray and DVD audio include the 2018 remix in Stereo, 5.1 Surround (both by James Guthrie) and the original 1977 Stereo mix. The 32-page booklet features rarely seen behind the scenes photographs of the album sleeve shoot along with live images and memorabilia. The album artwork has been reimagined for this release.
Deluxe limited edition 4 disc package. 1LP/1CD/1DVD/1BLU-RAY
180 Gram black heavyweight vinyl
32-page booklet
all housed in a hardcover book style cover
1 CD
CD in card gatefold cd size sleeve
28-page booklet.
1 Blu-Ray
Special Blu-Ray gatefold card sleeve
16-page booklet
BLU-RAY - AUDIO MIXES
2018 Remix - Stereo: 24-bit/192kHz Uncompressed, dts-HD MA
2018 Remix - 5.1 Surround: 24-bit/96kHz Uncompressed, dts-HD MA
1977 Original Stereo: 24-bit/192kHz Uncompressed, dts-HD MA
DVD – AUDIO MIXES
2018 Remix: 5.1 Surround Mix (Dolby Digital @ 640 kbps, 448kbps), Stereo (LPCM 24-bit/48 kHz Uncompressed),
1977 Original Stereo Mix: (24-bit/48 kHz Uncompressed)
1 SACD
Hardback book package with 28-page book,
in slipcase. Includes:
2018 NEW STEREO MIX (High-resolution DSD)
2018 NEW 5.1 SURROUND MIX (High-resolution DSD)
2018 NEW STEREO MIX (standard CD)
1977 Original Stereo Mix by Brian Humphries
Assistant Engineer: Peter James
Mixed at Britannia Row
2018 Remix: 5.1 Surround and Stereo Mixes by James Guthrie
Assistant Engineer: Joel Plante
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hello Mojo!, from Derrick Procell, and it's a solid contemporary blues release. Opening with Skin In The Game, Derrick Procell who covers lead vocal does a real nice job, supported by featuring Zac Harmon on guitar, Johnny McGhee on guitar, Richy Puga on drums, Dan Ferguson on keys, Bob Tenchard on bass, and a full horn section of Andy Roman on tenor and alto sax, Nick Flood on baritone and tenor sax, Mike Middleton on trumpet and Frank Otero on trombone. Strong opener. On Broken Promise with it's Latin rhythm, Procell adds in some real nice harmonica lead, sounding influenced by Lee Oscar. With backing vocal by Sueann Carwell, Meredith Colby and Jessica Ivey, this has a smooth radio styling. Baby I'm Lost, with it's cool rhythm has a cool, relaxed feel. Procell on lead and harmonica with his rich backing vocalists and with the addition of Munyungo Jackson on percussion makes for another cool radio track. The Kinks' Who'll Be The Next In Line gets a real rearrangement with a swing and horns. Procell really puts his signature on it with great vocals, bluesy guitar riffs by McGhee and with a full horn backing, it's my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is ballad, Bittersweet Memory featuring Procell upfront on vocal and with almost gospel like richness between Ferguson and Ivey, Colby and Carwell. Otero, Middleton Flood and Roman add that extra dimension on horns making this a super closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bioluminate, from Circus Mind and it's a cool, New Orleans, swampy set. Opening with funky, West End Road, Mark Rechler on vocal and keys leads the way with Chris Crosby on bass, Dan Roth on drums and Steve Finkelstein on percussion with some real nice guitar by David Berg, and the solid horn backing of Michael Amendola on sax, Pablo Rodriguez on trombone, Damien Pacheco on trumpet and Richard Bonzer on bari sax. Very cool. Baby Come Back Down is ultra funky with great percussion over a tight drum rhythm and bass line, and featuring Marc Paradis on guitar and strong vocal work by Rechler. Miss Fortune has a really cool progressive rock overtone and cool backing vocals with strong guitar work by Nels Cline. Excellent! Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Vampire Blues, with it's bass romping lead by Mathew Fox, guitar by Mathew Godfrey and melodic key work by Rechler. This is a cool release with plenty of cool rhythms and solid melodies.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (9/19/2022), Through With Cool, by Al Basile and it may be my favorite yet. Opening with Keep On Living, with a cool Latin beat by Mark Teixeira on drums and Brad Hallen on bass we're off to a great start. Basile who sings and plays cornet really rides the slot and just seems to hit it perfectly with Bruce Bears on keys and Kid Andersen provides some real nice guitar effects, all backed by Doug James on sax and Doc Chanonhouse on trumpet. Super opener. On blues swinger, I'm Waiting has a real nice feel with Chanonhouse on trumpet, punctuating Basile's vocal lead and Andersen's guitar style is terrific as always. Basile lays in a cool muted cornet solo giving the track an overall jazz approach giving it yet one more dimension. Very nice. Uh Huh is a cool strut with punchy horn work over the basic rhythm section supporting Basile's vocal. Basile lays in a cool cornet solo which is real nice but when Andersen steps up on guitar, I gotta say, his style really is cool and relentless. Very nice. Another cool blues number is Turnabout Is Fair Play and Basile knows how to set the table with strong vocals. Andersen is right on spot with some scorching guitar riffs again making me sit up and take notice but Basile is back on cornet letting you know who wrote the show. Very cool. We Lie On Your Grave is a really nice track with a sumptuous melody, emphasized by the effortless cornet solo on Basile and Andersen again really plays scorching riffs under the melody. Wrapping the release is title track, Through With Cool, with it's conventional blues vamp played in understated fashion by Andersen to the lead vocal by Basile. This is a simple, straightforward closer for a real nice release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Points of View, from Bill Ortiz, and it's a cool fusion of Latin jazz and rock. Opening with Sunburst, ex Santana trumpet player Bill Ortiz leads off his third release with an exciting track. With Matt Clark setting a piano vamp, and Dennis Chambers on drums, Sunburst follows in the footsteps of the great horn players of jazz with his muted horn and beautiful phrasing over the well crafted ocean of sound. Ortiz does pull his mute and continues solid lead work over a driving drum line and agressive piano work. Very nice. On Alex the Great, a super rhythm section of Dennis Chambers on drums, Marcus Shelby on bass, John Santos on percussion and Javier Navarrette on percussion, this bottom is tight. Brian Jackson lays down a real nice piano theme and Ortiz on trumpet and Azar Lawrence on sax really push the track on lead. Excellent track. Ain't Gon Change A Thang has a really fine groove set by Chambers, Navarrette and Santos and Ortiz and Lawrence set the basic tonal theme. Lawrence takes the first solo line and he is really cruising. Ortiz's trumpet solo has a synthisized alteration giving it a really cool sound and his feel for the groove grows as the track progresses. Another great track. With a much looser feel and excellent rhythmic bottom, Okonkole y Trompa really is a fine track. Percussion set this African like under rhythm and well placed piano chords punctuate layers of soloing by Ortiz and lead vocal by Santos. Very nice. Fusion/Noche Cubana is another great track with very active latin percussion laying the groundwork for peaceful yet flavorful trumpet lead by Ortiz and excellent vocal work by Lawrence, Santos and Christelle Durandy. Oriental Folk Song is a reall strong progressive track with excellent drumming by Chambers complimenting Jackson on piano. Excellent sax work by Lawrence and pure lead work by Ortiz make this one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is My Lord And Master, a structured ballad with Clark on focused piano lead and the strong trumpet lead by Ortiz laid nicely over top. This is really a strong release and one that I'm looking forward to hear many more times.
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