Soul Sound Records artist: Markey Blue Ric Latina Project - Jumpin' The Broom - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jumpin' The Broom, from Markey Blue Ric Latina Project and it's a cool mix of pop, soul and blues rock. Opening with shuffle, Bad For Real, Ric Latina on guitar, Randy Coleman on bass and Dave Northrup set a solid pace. Lead singer Markey Blue takes the reins and carries the melody. With a cool, low key bottom, Latina lays in some nice riffs making this a solid opener. With a more active, New Orleans style rhythm by Northrup and Coleman, and cool slide by Latina, Little Betty is my favorite track on the release with nicely styled vocal lead by Markey. Funky, Be With Me has a real nice feel with the addition of Chris West on horns and Markey really hitting the slot. Latina gets a nice opportunity to lay down a fluid lead solo and that really adds nicely. Latin flavored, Lowdown Voodoo Woman has a subtle rhythm and flowing vocal lead by Markey but hits the groove nicely and Latina's guitar work is really clean and supple with just the right flavor to get it done. Wrapping the release is cool soul ballad, Where Are You, featuring Markey right up front with warm key work by Shannon Wickline. This track definitely has the radio sound and is likely to be the radio favorite from the release with it's memorable melody and clean, melodic guitar soloing by Latina. 

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SoulOsound Record artist: Markey Blue - The Blues are Knockin' - New Release review

I just received the newest release, The Blues are Knockin', from Markey Blue and it's spicy.  Opening with a super slide solo by Ric Latina on I'll Wait For You, Markey's lead vocals are rich over a soft gospel rhythm of hand claps, tambourine and bass by Truman Virden. Cool opener! Kicking an R&B feel, That Ain't Good Enough has a high energy bottom with Chris Tuttle on keys, John Marcus on bass and driving guitar riffs from Latina. Cold Outside is a Latin/R&B ballad with a strong hook. Backing sax work from Dana Robbins and trumpet from Jim Williamson has a real nice feel. Virden's bass work and Dion Clay's drums set a nice backdrop for Latina's, Danny Diaz like guitar work. Smooth! Title track, The Blues are Knockin', is a strong Gary Moore style blues ballad. Markey's vocals are as strong here as anywhere and Tuttle's B3 sets a great cushion for Latina's melodic guitar soloing. Be My Train has a funky R&B rhythm reinforced by solid bass work by Virden. Robbins and Williamson really punch the track up with their horn play and Latina lays out some really nice guitar riffs making this one of my favorites on the release. Lay Down Lucille is a cool Randy Coleman bass driven shuffle with a strong Texas style lope. Tom Larson's drum work is tight and Williamson and Robbins add significantly on horn. Latina's fluid guitar riffs really shine on this track and Markey shows solid leadership. Nobody's Fool is a straight up radio track featuring solid bass work of John Marcus. I really like the interplay between Tuttle's B3 and Latina's guitar with rich horn backing. Very nice. Me Missing You has a slow, Philly soul style and Markey does a real nice job of delivering the melody. Certainly her best showing on the release and likely the most radio direct track. Wrapping the release is a gripping blues track, Worries, with Randy Coleman on bass and Tom Larson on drums. With Latina complimenting his own lead work with lush chords, and Tuttle's warm keyboard work, this track has a lot of appeal.



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Soul Sound Records artist: Markey Blue - Hey Hey - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (September 16, 2014), Hey Hey, from Markey Blue and it has style. Opening with When Loves Comes Along reminding me a bit of a BB King track with more swing. I Can't Let You Go is a R&B style ballad with sweet guitar riffs from Latina and cool horn and keyboard backing. Something's Wrong again has a R&B feel with nice horn punctuation. A strong radio contender with a solid melody and a hook, this is a straight seller. Feeling Blue has a strong strut, cool backing vocals by Holly Steele, a stinging guitar solo from Latina and super horn work making it one of my favorites on the release. Flames has a real Billy Preston feel from the key style to the rhythmic beat. Latina again steps up with clean guitar riffs echoed against electric piano. Very cool. Play Me has a real nice groove and Markey's vocals are as clean as they come on this release. Another track that could garner a bit of airplay, features Jack Pearson on guitar. Another Lover really quiets down the pace and slips into a solid soul feel. Solid guitar work by Latina on this track adds a strong contrast against the overall mellow feel of the track pushing Markey into the next level. With You is another really nice track reminding me of earlier times with Jo Baker with Elvin Bishop. Nice backing vocals and guitar riffs cushioned by a bed of horns makes for another of the best tracks on the release. Ain't No Angel crosses over to rock with an easy sway. Nightclub styling and full orchestration with horns, organ, guitar, bass and drums gives it a powerful impact. By My Side is another strait forward radio track and could easily get strong radio play with it's catchy melody and easy beat. Wrapping the release is Baby I'm Cryin' has a R&B styling but strong blues roots along the lines of Robert Cray. A strong closer, it's one of the strongest vocal performances on the release with really warm backing vocals and clean guitar and organ additions.

  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”