Bman's Blues Report

 I’m traveling today so I’m posting an album that I really love that you may never have heard. No review. Pure music.  'Kind of New' is  a captivating jazz album that bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary styles, showcasing a diverse array of talented musicians . Led by keyboardist Jason Miles , the album features Ingrid Jensen on trumpet and Jay Rodriguez on various saxophones and bass clarinet. 🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM ▶ Listen to Album Samples (Click to Expand) Add this Record to Your Collection Available in Heavyweight Vinyl, CD, and Digital Formats. 🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases. Ingrid Jensen has been hailed as one of the most gifted trumpeters of her generation. As a sought-out teacher, collaborator, and soloist, it is easy to see why the New York Times calls he...

The "original Blues Brothers " bring their Windy City blues stylings to NYC on this vintage 1978 concert album! Performing a set of standards, fan favorites and heavily improvised jams, these recordings drip with smoky atmosphere, emotion-packed antics and extremely cool vibes! The legend of the Wells-Guy blues era continues to grow - and this incredible concert album will surely add to the power of that rich legacy! 🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM ▶ Listen to Album Samples (Click to Expand) Add this Record to Your Collection Available in Heavyweight Vinyl, CD, and Digital Formats. 🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases. < The Deep Dive Can't tell you how excited I am to get this new live release from Jr. Wells and Budddy Guy .   Recorded Live in NYC the release opens with C...

Wayne Alpern 's Varieties & Extravaganzas is a stylish stroll through music history. His 13th album, it's a diverse collection of original compositions and inventive arrangements for brass quintet recorded by the Times Square Brass Quintet . This gifted group of recent graduates from The Julliard School in NYC perform under the leadership of Robby Garrison , Co Principal Trumpet of the sarasota Orchestra accompanied by David Puchkoff, Principal Trumpet on NYC Ballet Orchestra and Addison Maye-Saxon, Principal trombone of the Symphony in C . Two newcomers to the group include include James Picarello on French Horn and Adolfo Monterroso on tuba . 🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM ▶ Listen to Album Samples (Click to Expand) " src="https://amazon.com" width="100%" height="350px" style="border:none; background:transparent;"> Add t...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Who Knows What The Future Holds , from Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice , and it's a cool mix of R&B, rock n roll, blues and soul. Opening with I've Lost Faith , Greg Piccolo on vocal leads the way over percussive piano work by Shinichi Otsu, Mark Kazanoff on bari sax, Al Gomez on trumpet, and Piccolo on tenor sax and Bob Ruggiero on drums. I really like Dean Shot 's guitar work on this track with plenty of swagger contrasting against the backing vocals of Shot, Ruggiero, Paul Tomasello, Kazanoff, and Gomez. People Are Hot is cool reggae track featuring Piccolo on lead vocals and warm horn work and a cool sax solo by Piccolo, classic guitar rhythm by Shot and bass by Tomasello. Laid back JJ Cale style rocker, Don't tell Me The Truth really has a solid feel with a nice melody, and punchy horn backing. Another no nonsense guitar solo by Shot turns the heat up a notch for this track. Ballad, Guilty f...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, New Paradigm , from Zen Zadravec , and it's strong! Opening with driving, First Impressions , John Douglas on trumpet, Dominic Bierenga on tenor sax and Todd Bashore on alto sax really rip the melody with firm punctuation by Zan Zadravec on piano, Mike Pope on bass and David Alverez. Zen cruises into an easy, laid back take on the melody before blowing the doors open with a super expansion with terrific percussion soloing and detailing by Alvarez . Excellent opener. Rebirth is a cool Brazilian/ Chick Corea influence with Bierenga on sax joining with Dylan Bell on vocal, articulating the melody. Elaborating on the theme, joined by Zen who expands the track with brightness and an almost joyous feel, anchored by Alvarez on drums. Very nice. In Memoriam (In Memory of Irene Zadravec) has a beautiful melody illustrated by Bierenga on soprano with counterpoint by Zen on piano and excellent drumming by Alvarez. A lush bas...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Into Thin Air , from Dar Stellabotta and it's earthy. Opening with Many Miles To Go , I'm immediately attracted to this release. A thumping, droning bass line, under electric cigar box guitar and solitary vocal with hill country purity, what's not to like. Dar is authentic, and confident with a solid melody and foot stomp and going it alone. Transparent orange vinyl is cool on the eyes and the purity of her work is evident plastered directly in the center of the listening room. Strong opener. Living on the River is a bit rockier with a pinch of White Stripes . Dar's vocals are smoother than Whites and her guitar work more rudimentary but it's perfect for this sound. Deep, rich and cleanly recorded into total darkness. Never Heard has a bit more of a stripped down primitive sound (seems like a track waiting to be picked up by another rocker with a few pals) but I like this original form. Dar's s...