Blueskitty Records artist: Michele D'Amour and the Love Dealers - Heart of Memphis - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heart of Memphis, from Michele D'Amour and the Love Dealers and it's got real traction. Opening with Another Sleepless Night, a slick, Latin flavored track along the lines of Black Magic Woman, finds Michele up front on vocal with Jeff Cornell laying down some sweet guitar lead, backed by Patrick McDanel on bass, Dave Delzotto on drums, Brian Olendorf on keys and Noel Barnes on sax. Another breezy, bluesy track with Latin rhythm is Come On Over with Sheila Kelly and Kristi miller singing lush backing vocals. Olendorf's piano solo is smooth and a tasty trumpet insert by Greg Lyons adds just the right iridescence. Title track, Heart of Memphis has rich horns and smooth vocal leads by Michele. With a nice interwoven texture of trumpet, bass, guitar, lead and backing vocal, this is a cool radio track. One of the most fun tracks on the release is funky, Memphis Soul Stew a la James Brown style. Michele directs the building of a cool stew of jam. A warm sax solo by Barnes, tight guitar solo by Cornell, a great bass solo by McDanel, snappy drums by Delzotto and of course a bright piano solo by Olendorf makes this one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is bluesy ballad, Strange Angels, with the focus on Michele on lead. I really like the lead bass lines and little things like the warm backing vocals and the spiritual styling of Olendorf's piano and organ work. Solid closer.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Robin McKelle & The Flytones - Heart Of Memphis - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (2/10/15), Heart Of Memphis, from Robin McKelle & The Flytones and it's got a cool vibe. Opening with About To Be Your Baby, a funky, high stepping, horn infused soul track. If you grew up in the 60's and 70's listening to Al Green and the like, you'll certainly find this groove! Up next is Good Time, a faster, Ike Turner like track again in the soul vein. Thick with horn and including a tambourine, this track is jumping. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, made popular by The Animals, gets a bit of a kick in the pants with a faster pace, unusual key work and brighter vocals. Control Yourself is an easy paced ballad with pop jazz overtones. It really has a nice bop making me think a bit of Badu. Very cool! Delbert McClinton's Forgetting You is a soulful ballad with simple horn backing and a country twist ... almost like a Muscle Shoals recording.  Title track, Heart Of Memphis is an easy soul ballad with a simple back beat. Like A River is back in the Al Green arena with a nice slap and solid horns. Easier That Way opens with a nice guitar riff settling into a soul ballad. Warm B3 and organ work blended nicely with horns makes this a solid radio track. What You Want has a real nice bottom and McKelle shows over and again that she really has the voice to carry off soul like it was invented. I real nice groove with a bit of Gladys Knight feel makes this a memorable track. Good & Plenty is a soul rocker with a solid straight up beat and tight horn backing. Baby You're The Best has a real smooth soul sound with a lot more contemporary feel. Down With The Ship is more of a pop track with a soul twist. Light guitar backing, with keys and horns deliver the vocals on top. Wrapping the release is a tight soul ballad, It's Over This Time. Exhibiting strong emotion and nice vocal backing, this is a great track to wrap a fairly cohesive of contemporary soul tracks.

  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”