I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bill Breen & Friends from Bill Breen and it's a cool mix of blues, jazz and fusion. Opening with Bohemian Grove Jam, a funky fusion track, Breen on guitar is joined by Joe Martone on keys, Mike Pryor on bass, Sean Peck on percussion and Charles Wright on sax guitar with a special appearance by Oz Noy (second solo). Very cool. On classic, Thrill Is Gone, Mark Wilson joins on vocal with a powerful delivery and Breen's guitar phrasing is sweet and his tone is crisp and clear and Martone's organ adds nice warmth. On AWB's Pick Up The Pieces, Breen takes the horn part on lead guitar with Martone on organ, Gus Velasquez on bass and Sean Peck on drums. Velasquez picks up a heavy thump on the turn around and Breen cuts loose with a real nice guitar solo for a strong cover. On T-Bone Walker's classic, Stormy Monday, Gary Lee Jones is upfront on lead vocal and is a "Allman like" arrangement, Martone's organ adds a solid bottom. With Mike Pryor on bass and Eddie Redd on drums, Breen is free to solo out on guitar, using his own voice rather than the common copy of Duane's improvised lines, giving the track fresh feet. Very nice. Cathleen is a really nice guitar ballad with Breen taking the lead, backed by Martone, Pryor and Lupe McLoops on drums. The melody is strong and Breen's intuitive phrasing solid making this my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is a funky alternative to the opener, Bohemian Grove Jam. Velasquez really digs in on bass and Charles Wright's sax guitar solo is cool. Breen soars with some real nice fusion like guitar phrasing making this a real solid closer.
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