I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Drop The Hammer, from Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith & The House Bumpers and it's a cool fusion of a number of sounds rooted in the blues. Opening with Head Pounder, a loose jam, Smith, who plays drums and leads on vocal blends African rhythms with delta styling and contemporary fluidity with the help of Billy Flynn on guitar and Omar Coleman on harp for an interesting perspective on the blues. Sliding into a more traditional shuffle, Hey Daddy, lead by Smith, backed by Mae, Clara and Theodore Smith on vocal and Flynn, Ari Seder on guitar, Felton Crews on bass Luca Chellini on piano, and Coleman on harp. R&B track, Scratchin' Your Head features Flynn and Seder on guitars over and cool bass line by Crews and laid back funky vocal by Smith. Chellini's organ work really fits in nicely and solos by Flynn and Coleman make this a really cool groove. Funky, What In The World, rides heavy on the bass lines of Crews and the funky rhythm guitar of Greg Guy. No Need Brotha is as straight up a blues track as is on the release with solid vocals, and nicely articulated guitar soloing by Guy over the organ lines of Chellini. Soul fused track, Living Fast, has a really nice bass line by crews and the soulful backing vocals by Dana Gordon really add a smoky touch. Piano boogie, Second Hand Woman leads off with a cool intro by Chellini on piano and Coleman riding on harp. Wrapping the release is Moment of Silence, a slow blues track with nice soloing by Coleman, and Chellini (piano) and and King over the rock solid rhythm of Crews and Smith on drums. Very cool closer.
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