Big O Records artist: Joseph and the Velozians - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Joseph and the Velozians and it's way cool. Opening with Pretty is as Pretty Does, bassist and songwriter Joseph Veloz lays down a really funky bass line, complimented by Jim Alfredson on keys, and Donny Brown on drums and percussion. Larry McCray has lead vocal and guitar and does an outstanding job, with trumpet punctuation by John Rickert. Nice opener. Contemporary makeover of Morganfield's Got My Mojo Working features Thornetta Davis on lead vocal and Carlton Washington on guitar as well as some smoking organ work by Alfredson. Then throwing a changeup moving into a Chicago blues/gospel closing.  Great hot redo. The Velozian Shuffle is one of my favorites on the release with solid guitar lead by Washington, a real nice piano solo by Phillip J Hale, strong organ work by Alfredson, Dave Marcaccio on drums, and of course Veloz on bass. Excellent! Just Jammin' Again is a cool, funky, jazz style jam with a great groove. James Anderson and Dave Marcaccio setting the pace. Phillip Hale's piano work is tight and Carl Washington lets it all hang out on guitar over the ultra funky lines of Veloz. wrapping the release is Up In My Ear featuring Veloz on bass and vocal and bluesy guitar riffs by Drew Abbott on guitar. Strong closer. 

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Big O Records artist: Joseph Veloz - Offerings - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (July 15, 2017), Offerings, from Joseph Veloz and it's terrific! Opening with Just Jammin', Veloz shows his heavy fusion influences with terrific bass lines and excellent beat. Shawn Kellerman really manages the electric guitar and Jim Alfredson on keys and Andrew "Blaze" Thomas rounds out this terrific band for this smokin' hot opener! Biscuit Miller joins on vocal on Eddie Kirkland's Good Good Day. Super backing by Alfredson, Thomas, Kellerman and Veloz give this track a nice warmth. On funky, Mules For Biles (Blues For Miles) is a really nice track with thick bass work and clean guitar lead by Erich Goebel and rich organ work by Alfredson making this one of my favorites on the release. Excellent!   Lucky Peterson joins on lead vocal on Jukin' and Shakin', and hot funky (Tower of Power like) track driven by the excellent bass work of Veloz with Ray Podhornik on trumpet, David Rodenburg on sax and blazing hot guitar soloing by Kellerman. He Loves Me (God's Promise) is a really nice jazz pop track with a super melody. Featuring nice key work from Jim David, and cool bass lead from Veloz, this is a cool track.  Greg Nagy takes the mic on I Like Me Better When I'm With You, a smooth R&B number. Also adding his guitar signature to the track and with Scott Veenstra, a solid radio track. Dolly Parton's Jolene maintains much of the original character featuring Jennifer Westwood on lead vocal and particularly nice slide work from Kellerman. Dylan Dunbar steps up with a nicely articulated lead guiitar solo and John Lee's piano work adds nicely. Wrapping the release is a cover of Prince's Kiss. Veloz really works the bass over giving this track a hot bottom and lead vocal is handled by Joey Spina's soulful self. Alfredson's organ work really adds nicely to the overall track and Kellerman lays out another nice guitar solo but it's Veloz who cuts loose in this track and takes it for a nice ride. Super 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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Big O Records artist: Greg Nagy - Stranded - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Stranded, from Greg Nagy of Root Doctor fame, and it's fine and soulful. Opening with title track, Stranded, Nagy shows his ability to not only craft a really super soul tune, but to sing on with the best of them. Joined by Scott Veenstra on drums, Jim Alfredson on keys and Joseph Veloz on bass, Nagy shows the warmth of his own voice and articulate Robert Cray like guitar riffs backed by Marcia Allen and Jen Sygit on backing vocals. Excellent! Simple R&B track Walk Out That Door, has a poppier feel with rich organ lead from Alfredson. Bobby Blue Bland's Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City has a soulful strut emphasized by Veenstra's rhythm. I really like Nagy's vocal work on this track in particular, joined again by Allen and Sygit. Soulful wails on his guitar sets this track off as one fine blues song. I Won't Give Up is a simple soulful ballad backed by Heather Jones and Donny Jones vocally. A very nice composition, Alfredson on keys carries the most of the instrumentation with only basic percussion. Run Away With You is a nicely constructed track with a catchy melody. Nagy's vocals blended with Allen and Sygit make for a natural radio track with clean piano and organ instrumentation. Blues rocker, Long Way To Memphis has the feel of Voodoo Chile with a funky lumbering beat. Very interesting. Jim Shanebeuger on bass and Karl Schantz on drums along with Alfredson on electric keys delivers this track into Nagy's hands to be crafter vocally and stylistically on guitar. Very nice! Still Doing Fine has a cool easy funky beat enhanced by Nagy's loose guitar riffs. Alfredson adds some really nice electric piano work on this track giving it a light jazzy feel. Kicked out funk on Been Such A Long Time driven by Veloz and Veenstra hits a nice groove and Nagy steps up with hot guitar riffs. The jagged rhythm further enhanced by the keys and percussion work of Alfredson make a super raft of rhythm to deliver Nagy's vocals. Sometimes is a smooth funky driving jazz rock track with a R&B kick. Sound good? It is. Zach Zunis keeps it simple but hits just the right notes like painting with an eyelash on guitar backing Nagy's vocals rounded out with Billy Preston like riffs from Alfredson. Wrapping the release is Kevin McKendree's Welcome Home, a simple ballad. Nagy lays in smooth guitar riffs and Alfredson on keys warms the track with organ and backing vocals. This is a warm soul style release with solid writing and performance.

  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”