Origin Records Artist: Mattias Svensson - Embrace - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Embrace, from Mattias Svensson and it's quiet and lush. Opening with My Toots Toots (For Toots), Bill Mays on piano frames the melody with light brush work by Morten Lund on drums, leading to an extended fluid bass solo by Mattias Svensson. Emphasizing the 3/4 timing on by Svensson and Lund, Mays mines the track with strong instincts with nicely placed accents by Lund. Solid opener. With it's contemplative feel, Erik Satir really gives Svensson a wide lane and his strong sense really plays out nicely on bass. Mays' piano punctuation comes more in the way of phrases expanding the track nicely interweaving with Svensson's  continued lead. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Steps (Ahead) with it's contemporary melody, outlined by Mays on piano. Another solid lead by Svensson, with light cymbal work by Lund and framing by Mays helps to really spotlight this track. Mays rolls behind Svensson with a more bluesy exploration of the melody and with concise riffs by Lund caps off the track. Fast paced, Cheddar, pushed by Svensson and Lund gives the floor to Mays and he really runs with it. I particularly like the way Svensson drives the rhythm with his bass line, reinforced by Lund. Strong track. T'ai The Chi(T) Together, is a cool track with a great drum line by Lund. Svensson creates a flowing bass line that outlines just under the melody and Mays elaborates that melody on piano. Very cool track. Wrapping the release is cool, bluesy, Fredriksson 3 with a boppy bass line and Lund on tom toms. Svensson plucks some high register bass notes adding real contrast to this already cool track. Strong closer. 

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Delmark artist: Pierre Lacocque's Mississippi Heat - Don't Look Back - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Don't Look Back, from Pierre Lacocque's Mississippi Heat, and it's one of his best. Opening with You Ain't The Only One, Sheryl Youngblood really gets things going with powerful vocals, joined by Pierre Lacocque on harp, Giles Corey on lead guitar, Johnny Iguana on piano, John Kattke on keys, Brian Quinn on bass, Jason Edwards on drums, Marc Franklin on trumpet, Kirk Smothers on sax and Nanette Frank, Diane Madison and Mae Korn on backing vocals. Solid opener. On Chicago blues, Stepped Out Of Line, Inetta Vison and Daneshia Hamilton have the lead vocals and Lacocque really works the harp. Great piano work by Iguana, Corey on guitar, Kattke on keys, Big Mike Perez on bass, Edwards on drums, and Billy Flynn on guitar. This is a super entry. Youngblood is back up front on Can't Take It and with a great rumbling tempo and Fylnn and Corey ripping the lead guitar riffs Lacocque really get down on harp. Great track. Lacocque leads off shuffle, Champin' At The Bit  and Youngblood vocals are rich and full. Lacocque shares the spotlight with Iguana and Flynn sets a real nice guitar solo anchored by Kenny Beedy Eyes Smith. Corey steps up with some really tasty slide work on Shiverin' Blues with excellent soulful vocals by Danielle Nicole. Warm B3 underlayment by Kattke and really nice harp work by Lacocque makes this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Hot rhythm on I Ain't Evil really sets the track off nicely for Youngblood on lead vocal with snappy drums by Tony Alexander on percussion and sweet stylized guitar riffs by Corey , super B3 work by Kattke and Quinn on bass. Wrapping the release is rocker, Four Steel Walls featuring Omar Coleman on lead vocal and harp and stinging guitar lead by Flynn and Corey, Smothers on sax, Alexander on percussion, Perez on bass, Iguanna on piano, and Marc Franklin on trumpet. Hot 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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