VizzTone Label Group artist: The Lucky Losers - Standin' Pat - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Standin' Pat, from The Lucky Losers w/ Cathy Lemons & Phil Berkowitz and it's an interesting mix of rock, blues, funk and soul (and more). Opening with Pack Up The Bags, a rag fused pop track with a bluesy edge, Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz harmonize on vocals and Berkowitz lays in some nice harmonica, backed by Chris Burns on keys, Endre Tarczy on bass and Jon Otis on drums. Also featured are Kid Andersen on lead guitar, Mike Rinta on trombone, Michael Peloquin on tenor sax, and Brian Catania on trumpet. Swamp funky, Somewhere In The Middle has a terrific bottom courtesy of Tarczy and Otis and featuring Berkowitz on vocal and guitar is one of my favorite tracks on the release. A solid R&B track, Down In Memphis Town has the strong bones of a 60's radio hit. Lemons has the lead on another of my favorite tracks on the release with cool slide and organ work by Andersen. Soulful ballad, They Wrecked My Town features Lemons on lead vocal over Burns on piano and a real firm bass line by Tarczy. A melodic harmonica solo by Berkowitz and strong lead guitar by Andersen really adds another dimension making this a solid radio track. Wrapping the release is title track, Standin' Pat, another R&B based track with Berkowitz leading the way on vocal and real nice sax lead by Terry Hanck making it a strong closer. 

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Arthur Brown - Monster's Ball - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Monster's Ball, from Arthur Brown and it's a cool, twisted blues rocker. Opening with Lucifer Sam, a driving rocker, Brown is joined by Ian Paice on drums, Steve Hillage on guitars, Fernando Perdomo on Hammond, Mellotron and bass and James Booth on guitar. On Jack Bruce's I Feel Free, Brown uses his own style on Bruce like vocal and Cream's arrangement. Joining Brown are  James Williamson on guitar, Rat Scabies on drums and Jurgen Engler on bass. Arthur Brown's 60's hit, Fire is up next and with only minimal changes in arrangement, Brown rolls this one out in full power. Backed by James Williamson on guitar, Carmine Appice on drums, Brian Auger on organ and Engler on bass, this track still rocks. Wrapping the release is ELP's Karn Evil #9: 1st Impression, Pt. 2 and with Brown's own twists in the arrangement, it's cool to hear this old track played with enthusiasm from Jordan Rudess on keys and Billy Sherwood on bass.

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Take It To The Bridge Records artists: The Boneshakers - One Foot In The Groove - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Foot In The Groove, by The Boneshakers, and it's a cool blues rocker with a soulful edge. Opening with funky rocker, Mr. Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Jenny Langer (of Moonshine Society) has total control with her sassy, funky vocals, joined by band leader Randy Jacobs on guitar, Jon Gilutin on keys, Nathan Brown on bass, Sergio Gonzales on drums, Joe Sublett on sax, and Mark Pender on trumpet. Solid opener. I Am The Blues is a real cool blues rocker with a lumbering feel. Langer's vocals are really strong and I love Jacob's guitar approach with wah wah and excellent blues phrasing throughout. Title track, One Foot In The Groove, has a heavy foot by Gonzales giving the track real authority. I think that this track really hits Langer's sweet spot vocally and a sizzling solo by Jacobs and warm organ by Gilutin really hits the spot. Punchy horns by Sublett and Pender on More, More, More and strong backing vocals by Bernard Folwer and Sir Harry Bowens gives extra juice to this radio ready R&B track. Wrapping the release is Powerful Notions, a funky rocker with a solid melody, juicy guitar work by Jacobs and strong vocals by Langer. Nery cool release. 

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Blues House productions artist: John Primer - Hard Times - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hard Times, from John Primer and it's a fat slice of Chicago blues. Opening with contemporary blues rocker, You Got What I Want, John Primer on lead vocal and guitar  set up another solid blues performance with  the Real Deal Blues Band. Steve Bell on harmonica lays down some real nice harmonica riffs, backed by Lenny Media on drums and David Forte on bass. Title track, Hard Times, has a cool driving blues feel with Primer on slide and vocal and featuring  Johnny Iguana on piano. With an aggressive bass line by Forte on I Won't Sweat It, Primer sings the blues at half tempo over a double time tempo. A cool solo by Bell on harmonica and a nice guitar solo of his own gives this track traction. One of my favorite tracks on the release is soulful, Tough Times featuring Primer's daughter on her vocal debut. Primer lays in some real nicely phrased guitar lead on this one diving it another dimension. All Alone is a strong Chicago blues with firm footings and some of Primer's vocals on the release. His Elmo James' influenced slide playing always gets my attention and there's plenty here. Very nice. Another real tasty track is You Mean So Much To Me with it's Chicago lope and featuring Primer upfront on guitar and vocal and with some real tasty piano work by Iguana. Hot Meal is a nice, slow blues with great vocal work by Primer adorned and complimented by Bell's harmonica. This track has just the right pace and Primer's slide work again is featured and cool. Wrapping the release is shuffle track, Whiskey, with it's "party" lyrics. With a great tempo and crowd appeal, this is likely the select track on the release and a great closer. 

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Mind's Eye Music artist: Vinnie Moore - Double Exposure - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Double Exposure, from Vinnie Moore and it's a solid rocker with blues roots. Opening with Vertical Horizon, guitar man, Vinnie Moore wastes no time getting things hopping with a lightly funky rocker and a very aggressive bass line by Pete Griffin. Richie Monica on drums really mixes it up and with lead vocals by Ed Terry, Moore just keeps his foot on the throttle. Super opener. Paid My Dues is another strong track with a heavy bottom by Monica and Griffin and scorching riffs by Moore. Keith Slack on vocal is a great match for this band making this one of my favorites on the release. Instrumental, Astro Man is a power hitter with choice use of wah wah pedal and hot fiery riffs by Moore over the relentless drive of Griffin and Monica. Another pure guitar instrumental, Breaking Through, features Moore on what may be a chorus pedal playing doubled or triples on the melody but breaking free  for strong single line lead work and rapid fire riffs. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Southern Highway with a trademark rhythm but with a definite "southern" style. With John Pessoni on drums, Michael Bean and Moore overdubbing his lead, this is a solid closer for a real enjoyable release. 

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Guitar One Records artist: The B. Christopher Band - Snapshots From The Second Floor - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Snapshots From The Second Floor, by The B. Christopher Band and is a hot one. Opening with jumping blues instrumental, All Twisted Up, B. Christopher and Studebaker John on harmonica really get your heart pumping from the very start. With Anton Fig on drums and Nick Douglas on bass, this track is terrific. The sauntering bass line by Douglas on Sugar Baby sets a terrific path for Christopher's melodic guitar lead. Very nice. take It Home has a driving boogie rhythm courtesy Douglas and Fig giving a clear runway for Studebaker and Christopher to take off. With it's Latin overtone, Who You Gonna Turn To Now really moves. Featuring Ellard James "Moose" Boles on lead vocal and some really nice slide work by Christopher this track is a solid add to the set. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Late Night Crying, has traditional blues roots with a firm bass line by Eric Collier and strong lead vocals by Boles. I really like Studebaker John taking the front on harmonica throughout the track and Christopher's guitar workout solo is scorching. Ain't That Cold is a super blend of boogie and Boles vocals and Christopher's slide work. This track has a firm bottom and screams "Boogie"! Like A Fool has that night drama as if it's under a late night detective movie. With Latin drums by Fig, a cool bass line by Douglas and really nice melodic phrasing by Christopher, punched up by volume swells and strong low fretboard bends, this track is definitely one of my favorites. Wrapping the release is Smoke... essentially Christopher playing a lush slide driven melody over piano chords. This is a really strong track and an especially solid closer for a great release. 

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Hip & Happy Records artist: Janice Harrington - 80 Years of International Friendship - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 80 Years of International Friendship, by Janice Harrington, and it's a strong entry by Janice. Opening with Old Age, an apparent tribute to her 80th birthday and it shows Harrington in fine form vocally with a firm bass line by Tabbel Dierssen, cool guitar soloing by Z.z. von Schnerck and Charles de Beaulieu, Eggo Fuhrmann on piano and Lars Plogschties on drums. On BB King style, Seven Day A Week Man Blues, Harrington exhibits great feel and has Kenn Lending on guitar playing a terrific response to her call, backed by Verner on keyboards, Svenni Savafnisson on bass and Frank Larsen on drums. Telephone Blues has the same lineup and gives Harrington the opportunity to dig in deep, pushed by the solid guitar work of Lending. Very nice. Ray Charles' Hallelujah I Love Her So, gets the full big experience with Harrington swinging. With Robert Miesbauer on alto, Max Lichtenwagner on alto, Theresia Puhringer on alto, Michael Kaltenbrunner on tenor, Gunther Bauer on tenor, Nikolas Hans Wuhrer on bari, Roland Ruhm on trombone, Peter Berghammer on trombone, Gerhard Puhringer on trombone, Gerhard Eiblhuber on trombone, Herbert Mayr on trumpet, Johann Paul on trumpet, Thomas Berghammer on trumpet, Rudolf Zorweg on trumpet, Stefan Kaltenbrunner on trumpet, Frank Folgmann on guitar, Mike Kreuzer on piano, Johann Puhringer on bass, Eduard Moitzi on drums and Michael Kuntner on percussion this track has real horsepower.  Wrapping the release is classic ballad, What a Wonderful World, a perfect track for Harington reflecting back on her life and career. Backed by Fuhrmann on piano, and Gurtler on trombone, a solid closer for an enjoyable release. 

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Ivor S.K. - Mississippi Bound - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mississippi Bound, from Ivor S.K. and it's quite cool. Opening with Ska flavored title track, Mississippi Bound, Ivor on lead vocal and guitar (as well as bass and hand claps), starts the release off with a bang. On I Don't Roll, he brings the pace to a slower acoustic blues feel but with contemporary radio formatting. Talkin' Shit Again is a cool country style blues with excellent mic placement making his acoustic guitar glisten. Very nice. A definite radio shot is Sex Drugs & Cigarettes with it's title, catchy melody and strong presentation. I really like Ivor's addition of electric guitar soloing over the top giving it a definite kick. Instrumental, Down The Road has a real nice country blues gait with acoustic guitar lead and rhythm. Wrapping the release is Dead Pig with a solid blues rock flavor. With a great rhythm, nice acoustic slide, simple percussive beat and strong vocals, this is a perfect closer for a cool release. 

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Suzie Vinnick - Fall Back Home - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Fall Back Home, by Suzie Vinnick and it has a nice groove. Opening with solid radio track, Lift You Up, with just the right country blues blend and a New Orleans like rhythm, Suzie Vinnick on lead vocal and acoustic guitar is backed by Davide Di Renzo on drums, Alec Fraser on bass, Colin Linden with some signature electric guitar riffs, Jesse O,Brien on organ and Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar on backing vocals. With a stronger country overtone and real nice guitar work by Linden, Salt & Pepper has a strong melody and Vinnick shines on lead vocal. I really like ballad, City & Skies with it's simple melody, straightforward vocals and nicely crafted steel guitar work by Steve Dawson. Another real nice ballad, Let Me Make It Up To You Tonight, is a bluesy ballad with jazz overtones, but retaining it's simple, country based theme, with excellent vocals by Vinnick, tasty harmonica soloing by Carlos Del Junco and inciteful guitar work by Kevin Breit. Wrapping the release is tex/mex flavored, Hurt By Luck with a tight drum beat by Di Renzo, and melodic accordion work by Mark Lalama. Working with Vinnick upfront on vocal is Breit who also plays guitar and Gwen Swick. With nice undertones by Danny Greenspoon on pedal steel, this is a real nice 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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Rocket 88 Records artist: John Fusco - Borderlands - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Borderlands, from John Fusco and I really like it. Opening with Coyote Man, filmmaker/singer/songwriter/musician, John Fusco starts off on this modern, country western, story telling adventure. Accompanying himself on piano and backed by George Walker Petit with some really expressive guitar and bass and Russ Lawton on drums, and backing trumpet by Conner Young, this is a real cool opener. With blues and tex-mex overtones, I really love Dance of the Seven Veils. Fusco's vocals have just the right amount of grit and with Spanish flavored acoustic guitars and percussion by Petit, this track is really tasty. Matthew Backer features some really nice slide work on Bad Luck Rides Shotgun making it a standout track with strong blues roots and solid vocals by Fusco. Very nice. Backer plays dobro on Cyanide Whiskey, a western flavored blues with a warm B3 bottom by Fusco under his vocal. Painting pictures with his words and just the simple track with intense, soulful guitar lead by Petit hits squarely. Wrapping the release is traditional blues track, Ain't No Grave, with Fusco joined by Ashley Betton on vocal with only the basics under the acoustic guitar of Petit. Solid closer for a really nice release. 

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Gulf Coast Records artist: Eric Demmer - So Fine - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, So Fine, from Eric Demmer, and it's a funky slice or blues rock. Opening with Don't Talk To Me, Eric Demmer on lead vocal and sax leads the way, backed by Jerre Jackson on drums, Dennis Delfino on bass, Hugo Rodriguez on guitar, and Barry Seelen on keys. This s**t is funky and Demmer really knows how to sauce it up. Great opener. What Was I Thinking has a real Frank Zappa story like feel with terrific backing vocals by Melanie Covington and excellent sax work by Demmer. Jordan Almes on drums, and Rick Marcel on rhythm guitar add nicely to the funk. Soulful blues, Start It All Again, showcases Demmer's vocal's and Rodriguez lays down some really nice riffs making his one of my favorite tracks on the release. Another really bluesy track, Let Me Go, digs deep with some of Demmer's sexiest sax work on the release. Simmering in B3 by Shawn Allen, another strong track. Any Day Get Away really moves toward a Tower of Power feel with the Grooveline Horns guesting (Carlos Sosa, Fernando Castillo and Raul Vallejo). Danielle Demmer has the mic on lead vocal and does a real nice job with Jordan Almes on drums. Very nice. Wrapping the release us up tempo Have You Ever Loved A Woman with Rodrigues driving the train with his guitar line and overlaid scorching solo. Jackson's drum rhythm is tight and Eric Demmer rips a hole in it on sax. Solid closer.  

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New West Records artist: Angela Strehli - Ace of Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ace of Blues, by Angela Strehli and it's her best in years. Opening with Bobby Bland's Two Steps From The Blues and it's soulful presentation. Strehli's vocals are smooth as silk, backed by Mike Schermer on guitar, Steve Ehrmaann on bass, Kevin Hayes on drums, Mike Emerson on keys and a power horn section of Rob Sudduth on tenor sax, Johnnie Beaumont on bari sax, and Marvin McFadden on trumpet this is a fine opener. Funky track, Ace of Spades shows Strehli falling back into her R&B feel delivering "in spades" with cool trumpet highlights by McFadden. Schermer plays a beautiful intro on Gambler's Blues, setting a deep bluesy path for Strehli, supported by Jim Pugh on B3, Emerson on keys and Sudduth, Beaumont and McFadden on horns. Schermer really digs in on this track laying you back in your seat just cruisin. Very nice. Another fine soul track, Otis Clay's Trying To Live My Life Without You, holds true to the original with punchy horns and a tight bottom. Wrapping the release is Strehli's own, SRV, a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan. A strong radio ballad with a solid guitar solo, SRV is a smooth closer. 

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Delmark Records artist: Mud Morganfield - Portrait - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Portrait, by Mud Morganfield and it's a super mix of blues, soul and R&B. Opening with Praise Him, Morganfield on bass and vocal leads the way with really rich vocals, backed by  Felicia Collins, Shantina Lowe and Demetrius Hall on backing vocals, Rick Kreher on guitar, Mike Wheeler on guitar,  Cameron Lewis on drums, Luca Chiellini on keys, and Bob Corritore on harmonica. Solid opener. Upbeat Chicago blues cruiser, Short Dressed Woman, really sounds like his pap with Corritore on excellent harmonica, Kreher on guitar, E.G. McDaniel on bass, Billy Flynn on guitar, Barrelhouse Chuck really hammering the piano, And Beedy Eyes Smith setting an excellent beat on drums. Terrific loping Chicago blues, Love To Flirt is an excellent track with Muddy Like vocals and strong harmonica by Harmonica Hinds. Chuck again on piano and organ, McDaniel on bass, Flynn on guitar, and Smith on drums. Chuck leads off Loco Motor with a great piano boogie rhythm with McDaniel pushing on bass and a real nice stretch by Corritore and solos by Flynn and Chuck. Excellent! Slow blues, Midnight Lover has terrific presence really showcasing Morganfield's vocals with excellent solos by Chuck, Flynn and Corritore. Possibly my favorite track on the release.  Wrapping the release is Sonny Boy Williamson's classic, Good Morning Little School Girl featuring solid vocals by Morganfield, Corritore on harmonica, Chuck on piano, Smith on drums, McDaniels on bass, and Flynn and Kreher on guitars. A track often played by his dad, this is a solid closer for one of Mud's best releases to date.

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Roger Street Friedman - Love Hope Trust - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love Hope Trust, from Roger Street Friedman, and it's a solid slice of Americana. Opening with the title track, Love Hope Trust, singer songwriter Roger Street Friedman has the joint rocking with nicely blended vocals behind his own lead, Jim Toscano on drums, Larry Campbell on guitars, Jason Crosby on piano, Matthew Schneider on bass and Teresa Williams and Lucy Kaplansky on backing vocals. Vapor In The Air has a real nice Tex-Mex feel with strong vocal melody by Friedman and really cool contributions by Gil Goldstein on accordion,  and Campbell on fiddle, mandolin and guitars. Excellent. One track that really stands out is The Ghosts Of Sugarland delivered in true folk style. A story delivered about civil war living with Campbell on acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle, I really like this track. A warm Jackson Browne/James Taylor like, Multiply By Two, is a pure radio track with strong melodic bones. With warm steel work by Campbell and Williams and Kaplansky on backing vocals, this track is radio gold. Wrapping the release is Cut Your Losses, a potent track with a really nice melody, patient melody and with steel and mandolin backing under the acoustic guitar and vocal of Friedman is a perfect summary track to a really nice release. 

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Loud Folk Records artist: Joe Flip - Home Sweet Home - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Home Sweet Home, from Joe Flip and it's a cool mix or country rock and blues. Opening with title track, Home Sweet Home, Joe Flip on guitar and vocal leads this way on contemporary countrified rocker. With Tim Boldt on bass, Mike Dubois on drums, Toby Marshall on piano, and with Swanny Rose on backing vocals this is a super opener. Jimi Swing is a terrific blues rocker with a heavy bottom with strong guitar riffs by Flip and a tight bottom courtesy on Marshall on organ, Boldt on bass and Dubois on drums. Possibly my favorite track on the release. Krapkicker, Anna Lee, features Flip playing a ever growing guitar melody, both picking and on slide, over a cool country beat and Marshall on organ. Very cool. Put Your Lovin' On Me is a cool laid back, blues rocker with a country sting. With Marshall holding the beef on organ, Flip is free to jam the melody on lead guitar. SRV's Lenny gets a real nice remake maintaining the bass and drum arrangement but with a cool twist of Vaughan's spacy bluesy space dream. This is actually quite nice. Wrapping the release is Invictus, a cool, bluesy style folk instrumental with a soulful melody. Flip has put together a real nice release here. 

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RCA Records artist: Buddy Guy - The Blues Don't Lie - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, The Blues Don't Lie, from Buddy Guy and it's full of fire. Opening with I Let My Guitar Do The Talking, Guy shows all of the energy of his youth with terrific vocals and screaming guitar lead. Backed by Tom Hambridge on drums, Reese Wynans on B3, Michael Rhodes on bass, Rob McNelley on electric guitr and Max Abrams and Steve Patrick on horns, this is a terrific opener. Slow blues classic, The World Needs Love really falls into Guy's prime wheelhouse with excellent vocals and his trademark sound on lead guitar. Joined by Hambridge on drums, Glen Worf on bass, Kevin McKendree on piano and McNelley on backing guitar, this track screams. Follow The Money pairs Guy with James Taylor, on lead vocal, Guy on acoustic guitars with Hambridge on drums, Wynans on Wurlitzer, Michael Rhodes on bass and McNelley on electric guitar. With it's JJ Cale approach to the blues, this is a nice juxtaposition for the release. Driving rocker, Well Enough Alone has real sting like Cream's rework of Robert Johnson's Crossroads. Guy grabs it and flys. Very hot. Romping blues, House Party has great feel with Guy paired with Wendy Moten on lead vocal. McNelley sets a great groove on guitar and Guy steps up with a real nice solo. Excellent! Another slow blues, Rabbit Blood, plays nicely into Guys vocal butter and features great guitar piano interplay with Guy and McKendree. Another solid addition. Wrapping the release is I'm A King Bee with Guy taking it way down on vocal and acoustic guitar alone. His vocals just get more smooth as he gets older and his acoustic playing is clear and ringing. This may be Buddy's best release in years. Excellent closer for an excellent release. 

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Joplin Sweeney Music Company artist: Jim Witzel Trio & Quartet - Feelin' It - New release review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Feelin' It, from Jim Witzel Trio & Quartet and it's really nice. Opening with title track, Feelin' It. Jim Witzel on guitar really has solid phrasing over a strong bottom provided by Jason Lewis on drums and Brian Ho on B3. Dann Zinn steps up on tenor sax with an aggressive solo followed by Ho laying out the B3 making this a dynamic opener. In 3/4 time, Beyond Beijing has great flow with Witzel and Zinn playing in tandem on the melody. Zinn breaks free first with an abstracted melodic solo line with Ho providing plenty of bottom and the crisp rhythm work of Lewis tying it all together. Witzel has a really clear guitar tone and his phrasing is classic. Witzel really dices Gershwin's I Love You, Porgy is excellent traditional jazz style. Possibly my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the set is Cannonball Adderley's, The Old Country which is a true jazz standard. Nancy Wilson did a terrific job on this track and Ho and Witzel trade lead with adventurous wandering on their solos. This is really a strong track and an excellent closer for a really strong release. 

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