Bman's Blues Report

Thursday, April 24, 2025

MuleTone Records artist: Mark Muleman Massey - Been A Long, Long Time - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Been A Long, Long Time, by Mark Muleman Massey, and it's a strong mix of blues, soul and R&B. Opening with title track, It's Been A Long, Long Time Clayton Ivey on keys and Robert Fossen on harmonica set the pace for Mark Muleman Massey on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Roger Starr on drums and Bob N. Weaver on bass. On funky blues, Can't Tell Me Nothing About The Blues showcases Massey on lead vocal over Ivey's active keyboard work and features a nice slide solo by Billy Lawson. Give Me Your Love is a terrific soul track featuring Massey really belting the blues over the warm keyboard backing of Ivey. Very nice. Another soulful track, Bobby Womack's I'm Sorry About That, really hits a sweet spot with excellent vocals by Massey and lush horn backing by The Webster Street Horns. Wrapping the release is Your Good Stuff, a funky radio track with Massey on vocal with tight rhythm by Starr and punchy horn work by The Webster Street Horns. Solid closer for a solid release.

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Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Momojo Records artist: The Bob Lanza Blues Band - Breadman's Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Breadman's Blues, by The Bob Lanza Blues Band, and I really like it. Opening with Johnny Jihngo, a cool blues rocker, Bob Lanza is upfront on guitar and vocal with healthy sax work by Nick Conte. Eric Heilner on keys, Steve Kirsty on bass and Nick Fishman on drums keep it tight and the slashing guitar lead of Lanza really delivers. Excellent opener. Strutting blues rocker, Cut Off My Right Arm really hits the slot with gripping SRV/Albert King style guitar attack and his vocals are gritty and real. Really nice. Ballad, Same Old Blues, has a strong melody, supported by Heilner on keys and Lanza's guitar chops are A1. Shuffle, A Man Like Me, has traditional form and solid lead lines supporting some of the best vocals on the release. Honey Hush has a great, Latin rock twist giving Lanza, Heilner on piano and Vin Mott on harmonica great room to solo. Very cool. Roller Coaster has that signature Allman Brothers/Dicky Betts country rock feel with plenty of room for Lanza to show his stuff on guitar and with some beefy bass riffs by Kirsty. Solid closer.

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Ermelinda Cuellar - Under A Lavender Sky - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Under A Lavender Sky, by Ermelinda Cuellar and it's really smooth. Opening with classic Latin jazz track, Poinciana adapted from a Cuban folk song by Simon and Bernier. Presented with clear vocals by Ermelinda Cuellar on vocal and surrounded by rhythm by Anthony Caceres on bass, and Marlon Simon on percussion and featuring a strong guitar solo by Greg Petito, this is a solid opener. Mucenca Rota is a rich Peruvian ballad written by the Quinteras and Cuellar really digs deep emotive presentation. Featuring Darrell Lavigne on piano, Jerre Jackson on drums and Deborah Ungar on accordion, this is a nice entry to the set. Johnny Mercer's classic, Midnight Sun is another top track with super lead vocal by Cuellar. Lavigne on piano, Jackson n piano, Andre Hayward with a soulful trombone solo, Petito on guitar, and Caceres on bass really give the track nice balance. Horace Silver's classic, Song For My Father really shines with a Latin beat and features an excellent guitar breakout by Petito over Sam Dinkins III and Marlon Simon on percussion and Hayward really rips on trombone. Very nice. Wrapping the release is another Johnny Mercer track, Sol De Medianoche with rich Latin feeling. Cuellar featured on vocal of course, backed by Jackson on trumpet, Jackson on drums, Lavigne on piano, Caceres on bass, Petito on piano, and really nice additions by Hayward on trombone and Horace Alexander Young on sax make this an excellent closer.

Monday, April 21, 2025

Miller Three Publishing artist: Mark Scott III - Soft Light - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Soft Light, from Mark Scott III and it's a mix of bop and contemporary jazz. Opening with Carpals, Mark Scott III on guitar leads the way with clean lead and chord emphasis over a tight rhythm by Ben Triesch on bass and Mike Gordon on drums. Triesch gets a nice opportunity to shine on bass as Scott falls away to give him room. This is a strong opener with solid bop roots and concise concepts. Very nice. News Blues sounds like a jazz classic with a straight forward melody on guitar. As the track develops, Scott deconstructs the melody and explores on guitar, giving a bit of space for Gordon to lay in an articulate drum riff before returning to the cohesive melody. Monster Beat has a bit of a modern groove with Gordon holding it tight and Scott running free over nicely placed bass lines by Triesch. Very cool. Smile has a happy go lucky feel with Scott cruising on the melody, supported by loose bass by Triesch and a tight bottom by Gordon. Scott uses a nice synchopation on some of his lead lines and bursts of speed on others, giving the track just a little more oomph. Very nice. Another cool bop is Tomorrow with excellent drive from Gordon and Triesch giving Scott a clear pathway for fluid guitar runs accented by rich chords. Wrapping the release is The Sun Behind A Cloud with a warm, nicely crafted melody on guitar, with rich chords wrapping each phrase, emphasizing the breadth of the track. Nice closer.

Friday, April 18, 2025

Russ Anixter's Hippie Big Band - What Is? - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, What Is? by Russ Anixter's Hippie Big Band and it's energetic and fun. Opening with Tower of Power's, What Is Hip? and it really moves. With aggressive drum work from Scott Neumann and Michael Aarons on guitar the onslaught begins. Jopined by Dan Levine on trombone, Jack Schatz on bass trombone, Matt Hong on alto sax (who plays up a storm), Stan Harrison on tenor sax, Frank Vacin on bari sax, Matt Owens on trumpet and Audrey Flores on French horn and punched up by Steve Count on bass and Bill Hayes on vibes and congas, this track really pumps. The Beatles She Said, She Said has an interesting arrangement like orchestrated Beatles on Zappa. Owens' trumpet work is really solid, Levine gets a real nice opportunity to shine on trombone and Harrison rips a great sax solo of his own, but the excellent drum/Xylophone work of Neumann and Hayes really give the track excellent texture. Saint Stephen/Turn On Your Love Light is a blend of Grateful Dead with again a dash of Zappa. Owens on trumpet shines on Stephen and Vacin honks on Love Light in tandem with Levine and guest on Uncle John's Band, Oz Noy on guitar and Harrison on soprano sax spice up the mix. Throw a little blues in with Freddie King's Hideaway giving Aaron's a chance to show his chops and with the deep throated sax work of Vacin and Hayes on vibes adding a bit of swing. Shifting to a meatier mix on Peter Gunn, Harrison really makes his tenor sax sing over the tight drum work of Harrison and Flores plays full on French horn. Wrapping the release is a Latin take on the Green Hornet with Owens really tonguing it out. Precise xylophone work by Hayes and light cymbal work by Neumann with Count on bass hold the bottom and flashy guitar phrasing by Aarons under a clean horn backdrop make this a perfect closer.

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Shifting Paradigm Records artist: Jackson Potter - small things - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, small things, from Jackson Potter and it's a groove. Opening with Trams, Jackson Potter on guitar and Hamish Smith on bass set a great riff, joined by Alex Ridout on trumpet and Troy Roberts on sax forming a solid melody and tightened up by Marcello Cardillo on drums. Roberts broadens the track with some real meat on sax and Potter shows excellent fluidity and purpose laying out a really nice guitar lead. Roberts again steps up with some great riffs of his own and Cardillo shows a snappy bottom Excellent opener. Title track, small things, has a warm melody and Roberts cruises nicely on tenor sax creating a lush first solo, followed by Potter who's guitar work is clean and has just a slight Latin seasoning, capped by Ridout on trumpet. Very nice. Background Noise opens with Roberts on sax but joining with Ridout and the addition of Cardillo, really winds it up with a more direct Latin rhythm. Potter's guitar solo is more adventuresome in nature and really flourishes upon the rejoining of trumpet and sax. On Cole Porter's Everything I Love with a tight bottom by Cardillo and Smith. Potter takes the first lead and his fingers fly on the fretboard popping excellent riffs and warm chords. Never missing a beat, Roberts takes the lead and really wailing. Ridout takes his turn laying back but expressively taking charge. Very strong. Wrapping the release is Sophia's Waltz, a quiet composition framed by Potter and Ridout on trumpet. Smith takes lead on bass really showing his feel, supported but light guitar work by Potter. Ridout and Potter each add lush solos to the composition but this track is all Smith. Very nice closer.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Coast Road Records artist: Preacher Boy - Ghost Notes - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ghost Notes, from Preacher Boy and it's a cool blues rock release with it's own style. Opening with Up The River Again, Preacher Boy lays down a Bo Diddley beat on drums with rhythm guitar and loose female backing vocals. Intriguing. Reverb saturated guitar envelopes Preacher's pain drenched vocals on, Dashboard Dial, a cool, bluesy ballad. With just a light touch of TexMex, I really like this track. Chop Wood, Carry Water has a simple folksy/blues feel. With Preacher carrying the melody on vocal and simple guitar, harmonica and drum backing, this track has a Pixies kind of construction, yet totally different delivery. Nice. Trying To Get To Mobile is raw folk rock track with underdriven, stylistic guitar lead and cool vocals. See All The People is a solid radio track with a earthy melody and solid vocals. The addition of harmonica fattens this track up a bit giving it a memorable aura. Wrapping the release is Light A Candle showcasing Preacher on slide resonator and heartfelt vocals following a pure melody over electric guitar and drums. This is a real cool release and one that needs to be listened to over and again.

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

VizzTone Label Group artist: Big Al And The Heavyweights - Blues Power - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Power, by Big Al And The Heavyweights, and it's saturated with real blues. Opening with Big Freight Train, Marcel Anton on lead vocal and guitar really gets the release hopping. His fluid guitar riffs and Dale Robertson on harmonica lead the way, joined by Dennis Cedeno on bass and Big Al on drums. If is a strong, bluesy, ballad with a terrific melody and excellent phrasing. Anton lays down some of his best vocals here making this one of my favorites on the release. Springy, Tired Of Waiting, is a great volley between Anton on lead vocal and Robertson on harmonica and Anton's fleet fingered soloing really makes this track shine. R&B flavored, Got What I Like, is another really nice track with excellent vocals by Anton and rich, gospel like, backing vocals by Cedeno and Robertson. Very nice. Latin flavored, I Want To Know, is really flavorful with vibrant vocals and stinging lead guitar work. Robertson's harmonica on this track is reminiscent of the tone by the great Lee Oskar adding nicely to this track. Wrapping the release is boogie track, Fast Drivin' featuring Robertson on lead vocal and harmonica. Electric slide and grinding boogie rhythm by Anton working with Cedeno on bass and Al on drums makes this a solid closer.

Monday, April 14, 2025

Out of the Past Music artist: Steve Howell & The Mighty Men - Yeah Man - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Yeah Man, by Steve Howell & The Mighty Men and it's soothing. Opening with Blind Lemon Jefferson's Long Lonesome Blues, Steve Howell on vocal and guitar leads this contemporary shuffle joined by Chris Michaels on guitar, Dave Hoffpauir on drums and Jason Weinheimer on bass and keys. Easy going, cool opener. J.B. Hutto's 20% Alcohol is a cool track with a solid strut feel and free wheelin' guitar run. Jack Lawrence's I'm Glad For Your Sake is really a nice bluesy ballad featuring Howell on vocal with lush guitar adornment and Weinheimer on keys. Very nice. Joe Zawinul's Mercy Mercy Mercy was a great tune written for the great Cannonball Adderley and enhance with lyrics by JG Watson. Howell keeps the original structure sans vocals and parlays the original sax tune into a reverberant guitar tune. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Bob Dylan's Chimes of Freedom featuring another nicely crafted guitar lead by Howell. This is a real smooth release with simple yet effective moves creating a pleasurable listen.

Friday, April 4, 2025

Gulf Coast Records artist: Jimmy Vivino - Gonna Be 2 of Those Days - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Gonna Be 2 of Those Days, and it's a super contemporary blues rocker. Opening with Blues In The 21st Century, Jimmy Vivino on lead vocal and guitar is joined by Joe Bonamassa for a straight up blues rocker with a driving rhythm and super slide work. Joined by Rich Pagano on drums, Mark Teixeira on percussion, and Scott Healy on piano, this is a strong opener. Title track, Gonna Be 2 Of Those Days, has a real nice groove with excellent vocals by Vivino, With Jesse Williams on bass, Scott Healy on piano Rich Pagano on drums and some real tasty guitar work by Vivino, this track is smoking. Slow blues, Fool's Gold is my favorite track on the release with soulful vocals, deep full B3 work and excellent guitar work by Vivino. With Pagano on drums and Williams on bass, this track is tops. Another standout track is Shady Side Of The Street with it's Howlin' Wolf like story telling and daunting bass line by Williams. Vivino really works the vocals on this track and his guitar work weaves nicely throughout the track. Wrapping the release is acoustic country blues, Back Up The Country, featuring Vivino on vocal and guitar and John Sebastian on guitar and harmonica. This track is laid back but really does a nice job to wind down the session. Solid closer.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore & Friends - Doin' The Shout! - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Doin' The Shout!, from Bob Corritore & Friends and it's cooking! Opening with shuffle, Say Baby Say, Thornetta Davis is upfront on lead vocal and I really like her style. With my pal Johnny Burgin on guitar, Dave Keyes on piano, Bob Corritore on harmonica, Bob Stroger on bass and Wes Starr on drums, this is a great opener. Woman Wanted features Oscar Wilson on lead vocal and Muddy Waters like slide work by guitar wiz Bob Margolin. I really do love his loose slide and with Stroger on bass, Anthony Geraci on piano, and Starr on drums, this is a super track. Francine Reed has an unmistakable voice and her addition on I Guess I'm A Fool is a terrific idea. With Duke Robillard adding lush guitar, Corritore up with key harmonica lead, Ben Levin on piano, Ben Hedquist on bass and Lewis Nash on drums, this is a solid soul track. Wilson is back on lead vocal on Just A Dream and it really lays in the groove. His vocals are rich and with Stroger on bass, Corritore's soulful wailing on harmonica, Margolin really digging in on guitar, Geraci on piano and Starr on drums, this is one of my favorites on the release. Tia Carroll is upfront on I've Got To Be With You Tonight and her voice is perfect paired with Kid Ramos, Johnny Main and Jimi Primetime Smith on guitars, Bill Stuve on bass and Stephen Hodges on drums. Slamming shuffle, Twenty Room House, features John Primer on lead vocal and guitar paired with Corritore's stellar harmonica work and backed by Geraci on piano, with Stroger on bass and Starr on drums. A real mover. wrapping the release is My First Love featuring Stroger on lead vocal, backed by Geraci on piano, Starr on drums, Margolin on bass, Smith on guitar and Corritore on harmonica. This is certainly one of the best of the Friends series by Corritore. Pick one up!

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Eldad Tarmu - Silver On Aluminum - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Silver On Aluminum, by Eldad Tarmu, and it's a solid work based on the music of Horace Silver. Opening with The St. Vitus Dance, Eldad Tarmu on vibraphone leads the melody with precision and clarity. Supported by Marty Isenberg on double bass and Michael Shapira on drums, this is a strong opener. No Smokin' is a driving track with an excellent interpretation on the melody and active drum work by Shapira. Opus De Funk has a great "cooking" rhythm with an understated melody and highlights solos from both Isenberg and Shapira. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Yeah with a nod to Barney Kessel style in his engagement with Isenberg and Shapira. With it's Latin influence and monster drums solo, this is a solid closer.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Endless Blues Records artist: Sunny Bleau & The Moons - Passion & Regrets - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Passion & Regrets, by Sunny Bleau & The Moons, and it's a smooth mix of rock, blues and pop. Opening with Two Glasses of Whiskey On Ice, with it's bluesy, Latin overtone features Sunny Bleau on vocal and slick guitar work by Nicholas A. Cocco on guitar, Bill Ruffino on bass, James Cunningham on drums and Rick Steff on keys. Easy shuffle, Low-Down-Middle-Aged- Blues, coasts on piano by Steff and snare swat by Cunningham giving Sunny plenty of room to belt it out. Full swing shuffle, S-H-E-W-O-M-A-N, had a rumbling bass line by Ruffino and features Jeff Jensen trading riffs with Cocco on signature guitar and Kiersi Joli ripping on harmonica in support of Sunny on vocal. Very cool. Ballad, You Put Me Out, is my choice for radio track with it's memorable melody and straightforward vocal attack. With Steff on Wurlitzer and Sunny on vocal, this track is strong. Wrapping the release is Memphis Bound, a soulful ballad featuring Sunny on lead vocal and Jensen on baritone guitar. Breaking into a revival style rhythm, Sunny works with Joli to close this out big.

Monday, March 31, 2025

Quarto Valley Records artist: Sean Chambers - Live From Daryl's House Club - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live From Daryl's House Club, from Sean Chambers and it's a potent blues rocker. Opening with driving rocker, Cobra, Sean Chambers, notorious guitar slinger is joined by Pat DeSalvo on bass and Garnet Grimm on drums, both of Savoy Brown fame. With grinding guitar rhythm and a driving bottom, Chambers really gets things amped up. His guitar riffs are searing and relentless. Solid opener. Blues rocker, Red Hot Mama has a real nice feel with great vocals by Chambers who plays some real nice slide on this one. Louise is a smoking blues and Chambers really lets the dog off the leash on this one. His vocals are raw and his guitar tone is round and cutting. Very nice. Paying tribute to Kim Simmonds, they tee up a Savoy Brown favorite, Street Corner Talking with it's intimidating swagger. Maintaining Simmonds original arrangement but with his own take on guitar soloing, this 7 plus minute track is terrific. Chambers' vocals are very reminiscent of SB's Dave Walker on this track. Trouble & Whiskey is another strong blues track in the Otis Rush vein. With a firm, call and response between his vocals and lead guitar work, and aggressive solo phrasing, this may be my favorite track on the release. Guitar Slim's You're Gonna Miss Me, is a super track with Chambers whipping out the slide and ripping Slim's riffs along with lead vocal. Super track. Wrapping the release is Billy Gibbons' Brown Sugar from ZZT's first album. Giving it a more modern take, Chambers knows how to rock it. With solid bass/drum bottom by DeSalvo and Grimm this track is a great closer giving Chambers one more chance to do a great driving rocker. I really like this release. Great concert.

Friday, March 28, 2025

Haywire artist: Ed Alstrom - Flee Though None Pursue - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Flee Though None Pursue, by Ed Alstrom and it's a juicy bity of soulful blues. Opening with Be Nice! Ed Alstrom on lead vocal and keys we're greeted with a sound that could be The Impressions. With Ula Hedwig on backing vocals and Don Guinta on drums, this is a fine opener. Slow Blues, features Robert Hill on guitars supporting Alstrom on keys and vocals. Slide guitar really gives the track a bluesy sound and Alstrom's organ is great support for his own rich vocals. New Orleans flavored, The Truth features Alstrom and Hedwig on vocals and Jerry Vivino on sax and Frank Pagano on drums. Great track. Screwed is a cool, funky blues with solid vocals and a nice ripping guitar solo by Alstrom and Pagano on drums. Very cool. Great Notch is another track with a funky New Orleans feel. Don Guinta on drums and Hedwig and Alstrom's vocals add nicely to the piano work of Alstrom and cool harmonica work of Rob Paparozzi. Success really has some strong Allen Toussaint roots with excellent piano and vocal by Alstrom and excellent drumming by Guinta. Wrapping the release is ballad, Don't Cry At My Funeral, with Alstrom leading this waltzy, folk like ballad on vocal with Hedwig on backing vocals and accompaning himself on acoustic guitar and Pagano on drums.

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Heavydrunk Records artist: Heavydrunk and Watermelon Slim - Bluesland Theme Park - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bluesland Theme Park by Heavydrunk and Watermelon Slim and it's really sweet! Opening with charging, Bluesland Theme Park, a high stepper with vaudevillian sound and Mad Dogs and Englishman horn vamp. With Rob Robinson on lead vocals and Watermelon Slim on harmonica this is really potent. Featuring great interpretative innovation by Roy Agee on trombone, Emmanuel Echem and Lorenzo Molino on trumpet, Evan Cobb and Maxwell Abrams on sax this is a potent opener. Funky, New Wine is another meaty track with excellent vocals and notable bass by John Allouise and Brian Allen, Ricky Burkhead on drums and some real nice slide work by Slim. Watermelon Girl has a really nice Texmex/island feel with excellent vocals, nice slide and great percussion work by Burkhead. Another favorite on the release is Better Worser Too with thick vocals and, sassy horn work and funky funky bottom. Can be remiss by not mentioning the excellent backing vocals by Etta Britt, Tabitha Fair and Maggie Richardson. Grinding guitar work and punchy horn work by Echem, Molina and Agee make this one of my absolute favorites! Acoustic, Little Bighorn featuring Slim on vocal and dobro is really a tasty track with authentic country blues feel. Very nice. Wrapping the release is R&B flavored, Fresh, featuring Robinson on lead vocal and punchy horn work, cradled by Kevin McKendree and Eric Bikales on keys. This really is a terrific release and this is a solid closer. A must hear release.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Brent Laidler - Hidden Gems - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hidden Gems, by Brent Laidler, and it has a cool, yet sophisticated approach. Opening with Latin influenced, Haba Verde, Ned Boyd on sax and Brent Laidler on guitar set the theme working with Richard Sleepy Floyd on drums, Jamie Newman on organ and Scott Pazara on bass to create a very pleasant theme. Flute solo by Boyd, Buselli on trumpet and a rich guitar solo by Laidler really make this a bright opener. Led by Boyd on sax, Gemani has a cool island feel and with Newman holding the bar and Floyd on rimshot, Boyd really gives it a ride. An exuberant solo by Newman on organ and a lively soli by Laidler really takes the track to another level. Very nice. Another track with a bright, Latin bottom, Riff Business gives Newman the first pass and his chops shine bright with just the right zing. I really like Buselli's approach on trumpet with a tight yet laid back attack and Laidler's mellow guitar tone really polishes the track nicely. Evening Song takes the pace way down with Laidler paving the way on guitar with Boyd on sax and Buselli on flugelhorn blending nicely. Laidler really really lays down some warm phrasing on guitar and clean articulation by Buselli on trumpet here making this one of my favorites on the release. Bringing things to a boil, Bop Like sets a nice groove. With Buselli on trumpet, Newman on organ, Boyd on sax, Newman on organ, and again excellent phrasing by Laidler this track sails. Wrapping the release is Without A Tres with Laidler, Newman and Floyd playing a jazz "waltz". Compacted in breadth but expanded in depth, this is an excellent closer for a real nice release.