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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, The Fantasy of Reality, by Jeff Cotton and it's curiously cool. Opening with Does It Work For You, an abstract progressive rocker, this track has the feel of a Fripp/ Belew composition. With spoken lyrics on echo, a straightforward drum rhythm and assorted overlaid guitar riffs and themes, this track is really interesting. A more classically oriented, Ivy, shows Cotton's depth as a composer and acoustic guitar artist. With a solid central melody, I really like this track. Quirky, Elvirus, is really a modern take on traditional blues, with a contemporary theme... vocal backed by acoustic slide. On The Thread is an eccentric take on an instrumental surf theme. I like quirky but not kitschy and this track slides in nicely. With a driving drum line, interwoven electric guitar riffs, Indian influences and slide guitar, this track really is cool. Heavy, is another delta style blues instrumental, even mimicking the surface noise found on old 78rpm records. Although much of the vocal delivery is tongue in cheek, the slide work is right on. Hear The Word is a thematic blues/ rock track with a jazz overtone, changing themes and "Jack Bruce" like vocals. Wrapping the release is Clean In Nature's Stream with it's folk like rhythm guitar and vocals. The surprise is Cotton's relentless electric attack which permeates the theme making for a rich completion.
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, Skeletone Machine, from Sweet Undertow and it's a bluesy rocker. Opening with Kingdom Come , a cool rocker led by Eddy Undertow on lead vocal and guitar, Jim Semitekol on slide guitar, Dave Tavel on drums, and John Eckstrom on bass. High energy rocker Rain Catch Flame, is a great track with some tight picking, wild slide and a firm rocker drum beat by Tavel. Excellent! Title track, Skeletone Machine, starts with acoustic guitar under a rocker just bursting at the seams but after a short simmer, Semitekol cranks up the electric guitar and Max Cowan on piano really gets this track rocking. I really like Soft Soft Sea with it's country rocker styling. Undertow's vocals are perfect and the addition of Steve Benzian really adds texture with Annie and Joshua Cook on backing vocals. Wrapping the release is Still Looking For You, a country flavored folk tune with solid vocals and acoustic guitar by Undertow. This is a really cool release with a number of different sounds but with a strong central thread that I like.
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, Underground Blues, from Breezy Rodio and like every previous release, the music sails. Opening with Half Way in the Devil's Gate, Rodio lays down some real tension on lead vocal and sharing the guitar work with ace, Anson Funderburgh. Backed by Johnny Bradley on bass, Daniel C. Tabion on piano and organ, and Lorenzo Francocci on drums, I immediately know this release is going to be hot. Texas style blues, Playing My Game Too, has a really nice drum lead by Francocci and Funderburgh's guitar riffs against Rodio's vocals really set the trigger. Funderburgh always shows impeccable phrasing and Rodio's soulful vocals are spot on. Blues shuffle, The Murder is a real nice showcase for Josh Fulero on harmonica and Tabion's piano work balanced with Rodio on vocal and guitar gives the track real grip. Very nice. Slower blues, Lightning Strikes, is a nice stage for Rodio, on vocal and clean guitar lead. Strong. Another cool showcase for Fulero is Latin flavored, Hello Friendo, with super harmonica lead melody. Rodio lays in a real nice guitar solo of his own over the excellent drum rhythm of Francocci and Tabion's piano. Sugar Daddy is Tabion's showcase with Otis Spann like piano work and warm organ, surrounding Rodio's vocal and lead guitar work. Really nice track. Wrapping the release is Bluesoned, the real showcase for Rodio on guitar. His style is richly toned and stylized with emotional phrasing, contrasted with Tabion's piano work. Strong closer.
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, When You Call, from Matt Lomeo, and it's a lot of fun. Opening with One More 1&1, a soulful track with definite Al Green feel. Matt's vocals are excellent and his harmonica playing strong, backed by Billy Watts on guitar, Terry Wilson on bass, James Cruce on drums, Kevin McKendree on organ, Darrell Leonard on horns, and Teresa James on backing vocals. Great opener. Another great R&B high stepper, When You Call, has great presence with Terry Wilson adding a nice slide part as well as vocals, and organ accents by McKendree. Take The Boulevard has a real nice feel nicely displaying the versatility of Lomeo's vocals. His phrasing is first rate creating a juicy texture. Very nice. Took My Bar And Left Me has a cool walking bass line by Wilson and well blended vocals by James and Lomeo. With solid keyboard work by McKendree and horn work by Leonard, this track has solid radio potential. Wrapping the release is a second cut of When You Call with a great funky bass line by Wilson and guitar line by Watts. This is a cool release with a lot of soul.
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 had the pleasure to attend the Joe Bonamassa concert at the Arizona Financial Theatre (Previously Dodge Theater) in Phoenix Arizona on November 18, 2022, in support of his most recent release, Time Clocks, and the house was packed. I was fortunate enough to have brilliant seats not far from the stage and very near the middle of the floor. I started listening to Joe Bonamassa around 2000 when I caught an earful of his music on Pandora. Wasn't long before I had his new release, A New Day Yesterday, and Bonamassa had a new fan. I saw him shortly thereafter in a small club in Scottsdale and then at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix. He didn't have the repertoire of songs that he has now but it was amazing to see this unassuming kid with his long hair and his jeans dragging on the ground, step up on the stage and blow through his own book and quickly show how easily he could cruise from one guitar icon phrasing to another, playing their riffs and blowing back the crowd. His own big track at the time, A New Day Yesterday, coupled by his really nicely covered If Heartaches Were Nickels, in a two hour or so set of maybe 15 tracks always left the crowd wanting more.
Now Joe Bonamassa is a house hold name. Bonamassa has released more than 30 solo albums, and worked on at least 14 other featured projects with Black Country Communion, Rock Candy Funk Party, Beth Hart and Sleep Eazy's and been nominated for Grammys at least 3 times. He has a massive guitar collection and amps to go with them. This guy isn't a collector... He is a PLAYER. There's no question that this guy can physically step on the gas and like a supercar go zero to 100 in sub 3 seconds. In Phoenix 2022, Joe brought at least 6 guitars on stage, changing every 3 or 4 songs, availing himself to different tones and as a guitar player, each guitar talks to you differently. He opened with a contemporary blues set and on a gold top Les Paul. If you haven't seen Joe in years, he is now highly polished with his hair trimmed professionally but not square. He has a custom made blue suit with sequin trim, not unlike a tamed down Manuel or Nudie suite with notes for theme, and of course there's the glasses. He doesn't play to all of the theatrics of a guitar icon and sticks to his craft, and that's something that I appreciate about a mature performer. His second set (of tunes) was played on a tobacco burst strat and a bit more gritty, and the third set was played on a red es 335. This was my favorite grouping of tracks, more deeply blues with a funky take on I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home. Bonamassa took time to introduce/credit each band member numerous times throughout the concert with Josh Smith on guitar (this guy screams, primarily on Ibanez tele if I recall correctly), Steve Mackey on Jazz bass who did a knockout performance including a real nice solo, Reese Wynans who also really added a lot of excellent key work on piano and B3 and Lemar Carter on drums who kept everything tight. His backing singers were Jade MacRae and Juanita Tippens, taking the lead from time to time, and who really play a prime part in balancing Bonamassa on vocal (who really does a nice job as a vocalist by the way).
Thruout the night he pulled in a red strat, a blonde Les Paul and then natural custom tele with a forward humbucker and more rock oriented, followed by his last set on a cherry burst Les Paul. Bonamassa paused a few times to talk with the audience and just to friendly it up and I'm sure the crowd was receptive. Bonamassa played for 2 hours and it was pure Joe. Sure... he took a little turn on one track and played a few note tribute to Jeff Beck and ZZ Top's Just Got Paid has become a "Bonamassa track" and he really played it hard with Led Zep and Govt Mule interludes and even threw a little Theremin out. A definite crowd favorite. The show was powerful and exciting and the crowd loved it. This was a strong concert by a gracious performer ... pure Joe giving it what he's got. He's a world class guitar player, and a great performer.
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, Persistence, from Steve Knight and it's a strong, guitar led instrumental release. Opening with Suspects, inventive, Steve Knight on guitar sets the framework for a solid melody, backed by Justin Peterson on bass and Jeff Stitley on drums. With solid phrasing, unobtrusive bass and considerable high work by Stitley, this is a nice opener. Funky, Real Type Thing had a real nice bass line by Peterson and a tight rhythm by Stitley giving Knight a wide open roadway to jam. With some aggressive lead by Peterson and Knight, this is one of my favorites on the release. A cover of Tom Petty's Mary Jane's Last Dance, gets reworked pretty hard. With it's bopping rock rhythm and with a loose outline of the melody by Knight, Peterson take a cool bass solo. The melody having been stated and with Peterson and Stitley to hold the pace, Knight breaks loos with some improve of his own. Interesting workout. In steady bop fashion, Workshop opens with a melodic framework and again opening a gateway for Peterson to lay out the first solo interlude, followed by Knight with a real nice stream of his own. This is a cool jam with plenty of flow. Wrapping the release is Sharps Disposal (Alternate Take) with a light jazz/rock feel. Knight really works it on this one with plenty of exchange with Stitley. 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, Changing Times, from Silent Partners, and it's a huge heaping of soul and blues. Opening with Ain't No Right Way To Do Wrong, a deep soulful blues track, Silent Partners get straight to the groove. With a rich bass line by Russell Jackson, tight drums by Tony Coleman and strong supportive guitar lead by Jonathan Ellison, this is a powerful opener. Backed by Don Daily on violin, this track has great radio appeal. Another strong radio track is, Road To Love with excellent lead vocals and backing vocals by Lisa Lueschner Andersen and featuring cool solo guitar work by Kid Andersen. Very nice. Funky, Never Make Your Move Too Soon, has a real nice feel that will get your butt right out your chair. With BB King style "talking" guitar riffs, by Ellison, and well placed organ placement by Jim Pugh over a romping bass line by Jackson, this track is moving. I love the sweet, soulful vocal lead on Teasing Woman, backed by the plucky bass/guitar rhythm. Ellison's guitar lead really hits the spot making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Beale Street Shuffle with a laid back, shuffle feel on an old Robert Johnson concept. This band knows how to make a groove and sit in it and most anything Kid Andersen touches sounds like gold so we have a winner here.
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, Blood On My Hands, by Emanual Casablanca and it's solid rocker with a blues base. Opening with Afraid of Blood, a dark rocker with heavy overtones, Emanual Casablanca on vocal and guitar sets the tone joined by Paul Howells on guitar, Julian Chobot on bass, Teddy Sideropolous on drums and Paul Gilbert on guitar. Title track, Blood On My Hands is really a cool track with a strong, lumbering blues bottom, emphasized by Maximillian Sebastian on bass, Theodore Augustine on drums, Brother Dave on guitar and some of Casablanca's best vocals on the release. I really like blues based, Bloodshot Eyes with it's relentless thumping bass line by Chobot and solid guitar riffs by Albert Castiglia. Driving boogie, Testify is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a grinding guitar riff by Howells and it's simple blues feel. Wrapping the release is Rottenpockets with a heavily distorted guitar vamp by Sebastian and tight drum pulse by Poyraz Aldemir. This is a metal flavored track with melodic vocals by Casablanca.
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, Blues Legend, by Junior Wells, and it's terrific. This is a compilation of vintage singles from the 50's and 60's and includes the entire gamut. Opening with Cut That Out, Junior Wells trademark harp sound is front and center with his vocal, joined by Johnny Jones on piano, Louis Myers on guitar, Dave Myers on bass and Odie Payne on drums. Excellent! Well's most notable track, Hodo Man (HooDoo Man) is on deck with Wells paired with Elmore James on his infamous slide guitar. Early In the Morning features the great Otis Spann on piano pushing Wells to the limit with Muddy Waters on guitar, Willie Dixon on bass and Odie Payne on drums... What a lineup! On Lawdy! Lawdy! Wells harp seems to float on air, Spann on piano is excellent and of course the entire band really rocks. Syl Johnson adds guitar flair to Two Headed Woman over an active bass line by Dave Myers. Slow blues, I Could Cry is a really great single with strong vocals by Wells and excellent guitar lead by Johnson. Lafayette Leake on piano really adds nicely to this classic with the mighty Earl Hooker on guitar. Another great Wells track pairs him with Earl Hooker and Leake on piano. This is a classic jam and one not to miss. Another of Wells' most loved tracks, Messin With The Kid features Hooker and Leroy Gibson on guitar, Jarrett Gibson and Donald Hankins on sax, Fred Bellow on drums. Classic! Hooker pulls out the slide on I'm A Stranger, adding a real nice tension against Leake on piano and Johnny Walker on organ, Bobby Little on drums and Earnest Johnson on bass. Boogie track I Need Me A Car, features Hooker on guitar, Johnny Walker on organ and cool vocals by Wells. The rest of the players are unknown. Wrapping the release is a swinging cover of What's I Say with Wells on vocal, Little Brother Montgomery on piano, Otis Rush on guitar, Jack Myers on bass, and Fred Below on drums. This really is an excellent set and if you don't have the full Wells catalog you need this one!
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, Back On The Road To You, from Freedy Johnston and it's a well written and performed set of great tunes. Opening with Back On The Road To You, Freedy Johnston quickly demonstrates why he gets such critical praise. With strong vocal harmonies and a super melody, Johnston is joined by Dusty Wakeman on bass, Doug Pettibone with really nice lead and steel guitar riffs, and Sasha Smith on keys. Aimee Mann joins Johnston on Darlin', one of my favorites on the release with it's lush melody and lightly played steel guitar by Pettibone. Shimmering keys by Smith create an iridescence on the track. Susan Cowsill joins Johnston on pop rocker, The Power of Love with a total radio melody and concise attack. Pettibone adds in some real nice guitar flavor giving it just the right blend. Wrapping the release is The Really Miss Ya Blues with it's definite radio friendly melody. Perfect vocal harmony puts you in mind of the Everlys and with it's simple backing and rhythm, this is 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, Voodoo Nation, from Supersonic Blues Machine and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Money, SBM sets up a cool New Orleands flavored funk rocker with a solid drum line by Kenny Aronoff and featuring Kris Barras on lead vocal and guitar, Fabrizio Grossi on bass, Alex Alessandroni Jr on keys and perfect backing vocals by Francis Benitez and Andrea Grossi- Benitez. You and Me is a solid rocker that reminds me of Pink Floyd (and I actually don't know why). I think maybe it has the drive of Roger Waters' The Wall and the guitar attack by King Solomon Hicks (doesn't sound like Gilmore), but the riffs are cut from the same cloth. Very cool. 8 Ball Lucy is one of my favorites with solid vocals, cool slide by Sonny Landreth and really cool reggae drum work by Aronoff. Title track, Voodoo Nation, has an interesting sound with really potent drum work by Aronoff, wark key addition by Alessandroni Jr. and again very effective vocal backing by Grossi-Benitez. Wrapping the release is radio track, All Our Love with it's catchy tune andlight country influence. With Charlie Starr on slide guitar paired with Barras on lead guitar and lead vocal, and strong piano work by Alessandroni, this is a strong 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, Revelation, by Dennis Johnson and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Don Nix's Going Down, Johnson on slide and vocal, adds a little bounce to the track for a straight up rocker. With Anton Fig on drums, Jonathan Stoyanoff on bass, Bob Fridzema on piano, this is a cool opener. On title track, Revelation, Johnson plays a fluid soulful melody on slide, backed by Stoyanoff and Fig with the warm B3 work by Fridzema as a solid cushion. Very nice. On Robert Johnson's 32-20 Blues, Dennis Johnson gets a bit of rockabilly beat on rhythm, tightened up by Fig and with a combination of his vocal and slide emphasis, this track is a driving rocker. Big Joe Williams' Baby, Please Don't Go is up next with just a bit of backbeat allowing Johnson to really work the track over with his slide. This is definitely one of my favorite covers of this track in recent years. On another Robert Johnson track, Ramblin' on My Mind, Dennis brings the tempo up to a steady rocker but maintains it's primitive nature with tight backing by Fig and Stoyanoff and adds some incredibly clear slide work really making it stand out nicely. Wrapping the release is Gary Clark Jr.'s Don't Owe You A Thing with a Hill Country flavor, driven by the snare work of Fig giving Johnson plenty of head space to sing with just a little echo and plenty of drive on the slide. This is my favorite track on the release and an 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 a recent release, A Tribute to Eric Clapton from Cleopatra Records and it covers much of his popular music over his vast career. Opening with JJ Cale's, Cocaine, blues guitar man and vocalist Kirk Fletcher and organ master Brian Auger team up for what may be Clapton's biggest hit. With Clapton like phrasing Fletcher sets the pace for the balance of the release. From the Cream era, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton composition, The Sunshine of Your Love is actually pretty interesting with Eric Gales on vocal and on guitar. Gales vocals are solid and his guitar soloing explosive, balancing out the Baker like powerful drumming by Adam Hamilton. Bob Marley's I Shot The Sherriff, was certainly a cool choice by Clapton for his 461 release and covered here by Pat Travers on vocal and guitar and joined by Artimus Pyle on drums has just a bit more rock that Claptons version with a great cowbell line and excellent riffs by Travers. Certainly his most popular song of recent times is Tears in Heaven given a total rework by Ana Popovic on guitar and lead vocal with Buthel Burns on bass and Jerry Wayne Kelley Jr on drums. Popovic really adds a lot of soul to this track making it the most likely radio track on the release. Snowy White makes a cool appearance with strong, Clapton influenced riffs on another Bruce/Cream composition, White Room. With Graham Bonnet on lead vocal, this track is a true classic. Wrapping the release is Steve Winwood's Blind Faith hit, Can't Find My Way Home featuring Shirley King on vocal and Tull's Martin Barre on guitar. I've always enjoyed Barre's guitar hand and am glad to see him included here on a solid wrapper to one of rock's champions.
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, Through The Rain, by Lyle Odjick and The Northern Steam, and it's a cool look at traditional blues from a modern perspective. Opening with Misery Train, Lyle Odjick on harmonica plays solo with a foot stomp, creating the huff and puff of an old steamer. On shuffle, Cut Me Loose, Odjick gets his harmonica going along with lead vocal, backed by Ben Griggs on guitar, Mike Turenne on bass, Rick Griggs on lead and rhythm guitar and Fred Sebastian on drums. Very cool. On a funky take on Sleepy John Estes', Leaving Trunk, it's Tony D's guitar riff that sets the stage and Odjick works the lead on vocal and harmonica. With some tasty roofs, this is a solid track. Boogie track, Bad For You, is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a solid guitar vamp and tasty harmonica riding the wave. Very nice. Slow blues, Broken Man gives Tony D a real nice opportunity to show his blues chops with extended fluid lead guitar runs and Odjick really amps it up on harmonica giving this track real tension. Solid. On title track, Through The Rain, Odjick really sets a driving pace and Tony D hits it on slide guitar giving the track a rickin' Foghat like sound, capped by Odjick on harmonica. Wrapping the release is Jimmy Roger's blues shuffle, Rock This House, with Jason Fryer adding the lead on guitar and Odjick really getting it on harmonica. Sam McGee's keyboard work on this track really adds to the overall feel of the track making this an 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, Dice Que Vive (Signs of Life) from Rafael Greco, and it's quite interesting. Opening with Erase Una Vez, saxophonist, composer, singer and keyboard/percussionist, Raphael Greco breaks out with the first track of his debut release. With electrifying rhythms and keyboard structure under a vocal melody, this track is really hot. Joined by Luisito Quintero on congas, timbales, bongos, and percussion, Robert Quintero on Cumaco, Rodner Padilla on bass and Santiago Bosch keys, this track is super. I really like the contrast of the jagged rhythms with the straightforward melody on African Boy. Greco on keys partners with L Quintero timbales, congos and bongos, Robert Quintero on Shekere and bongos, Padilla on bass, the extraordinary Steve Khan on acoustic and electric guitar, Humberto Casanova on drums and Guillermo Carrasco on backing vocals. Really strong. Una Illusion is a synthesis of modern concepts and primitive sounds. Pairing Greco with Luisito this is a standout track in style, simplicity and cohesion. Wrapping the release is Cinco Miniaturas Para Piano Solo is an abstract exploration of the piano by Amaldo Pizzolante, joined by Pimpi Santistevan on whistle, Greco on sax, and Juanma Trujillo on electric guitar. This is an adventurous yet very rewarding 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, A Coincidence of Cats, by Andy Adamson Quintet and it's a slick mix of jazz and fusion. Opening with title track, A Coincidence of Cats, Adamson on piano and Jonathan Taylor on drums really set the pace. With an aggressive yet poised attack they are joined by Ross Huff on trumpet, Dan Bennett on sax, and Brennan Andes on bass. Huff and Bennett both work the solo quite nicely and with a strong drum pace, wrap the track. Lament opens with a lush piano intro by Adamson and only the slightest brush of snare, cymbal and bass. With it's unconventional melody yet regular pace, it really creates a contrast between sound and nothing like black to night. Andes solos on bass which I really like. His work is beautifully clean and direct with a definite path to lead back to Adamson. Morning Star is my favorite track on the release with it's Hancock like approach to presentation. With a super bass vamp by Andes and reinforcement by Adamson, Huff creates a really haunting lead line on trumpet, further expanded by Adamson. Bennett steps up with really inciteful sax lead of his own punctuated by Taylor's excellent sense of rhythm. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Triplet is an improvisational piece worked around each player adding their own piece, primarily in the form of musical triplets of different emphasis. This is a really interesting concept and works very nicely for a solid closer for an enjoyable release. BTW, this isn't a pop album. The shortest track clocks in at over 6 and a half minutes.
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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