Origin Records artist: Maddie Vogler - While We Have Time - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, While We Have Time, by Maddie Vogler and it's quite entertaining. Opening with, The Need To Be, Maddie Vogler on Alto Sax, is joined by Tito Carrillo on trumpet and Flugelhorn, Matt Gold on guitar, Jake Shapiro on piano, Samuel Peters on bass and Neil Hemphill on drums. This track shows a definite interest in exploring Vogler's Cuban roots. Her sax soloing on this track is mature and intense. Great opener. Ropa Vieja is a more sensuous track with Vogler carrying a very nice intro. Vogler and Carrillo present a verry supple interplay before forging into a more dynamic portion of the track with intense work by Shapiro, Peters and Hemphill. Very nice. Between Wakefulness and Sleep, plays over a lightly salted Latin rhythm with the melody being shared between Vogler and Carrillo. But when the melody breaks, begins the fireworks  begins. First up is Vogler with an explosive sax solo which leaves you wanting more, followed by Shapiro on piano. Wrapping the release is Check Engine Light with a more contemporary flair. With an intriguing horn rhythm hook created by Vogler and Carrillo, this track is just getting started. Gold steps up with a really nice guitar solo and there's no hiding the excellent drum/bass interplay of Hemphill and Peters making this a very solid closer.  

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Origin Records artist: Rodney Whitaker - Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill, from Rodney Whitaker and it's a strong outing. Opening with bass driven, Betty's Tune featuring Rockelle Fortin on lead vocal. Bruce Barth on piano, Whitaker on bass and Dana Hall on drums really cement this piece together and excellent top work by Terell Stafford on trumpet and Tim Warfield really highlight the track. Excellent opener. Next up is Puppets with it's quiet piano/drum/bass bottom and Stafford with his muted trumpet laying out the melody. As the tune lays back into a more bop feel, Warfield on soprano sax really sings. Barth kicks it to double time on piano with a exciting piano solo and Whitaker stands out with the standup. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Minorabilia with it's traditional bop feel. Stafford on trumpet and Warfield on tenor sax hold the melody, reinforced by Barth on piano. This track really hits a great groove featuring first Barth on piano. His phrasing is tight and lush, expanded by Whitaker and Hall who double time the rhythm. Stafford really sits down in the groove and kicks it before handing if off to Warfield on tenor reminding me of the Miles/Cannonball exchanges of the 50's. An energetic bass solo by Whitaker with only punctuation by Barth and snappy drum rhythm by Hall ...Really terrific. With it's walking bass line, Blues For Gregg, Whitaker wastes no time stepping front and center laying down the first solo, punctuated by Barth on piano. Taking the reins, Barth really gets things moving with great movement, followed by Warfield on sax. Stafford's trumpet work on this track is really strong with perfect tone and heat and Hall's footwork works nicely with his snare attack. Great tune. Wrapping the release is title track, Oasis, the most radio like track on the release featuring Fortin on vocal over a primarily spartan backing. A tasty trumpet solo by Stafford, a stylish soprano sax solo by Warfield, and a particularly groovy piano solo by Barth, folllowed by a funky bass solo by Whitaker make this i solid closer for a reall cool release. 

  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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Origin Records artist: Tito Carrillo - Urbanessence - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunty to review the most recent release, Urbanessence, from Tito Carrillo and it's very cool. Opening with Momentum with a paired lead melody by Tito Carrillo on trumpet and Troy Roberts on sax this track is humming. With Ben Lewis on piano, Clark Sommers on bass, Jay Sawyer on drums and Victor Gonzalez on congas, this is a strong opener. Crazy, Stupid Fine is a really cool track with a cool, lightly funky rhythm. Opening with a bass solo setup, Carrillo and Roberts again pair on the melody, splitting off to seperately lay in very nice variations on the melody. Carrillo's tone and phrasing is clean and controlled and Robert's tone, warm and more frantic. With excellent punctuation and melodic improvisation by Lewis on piano, this is a terrific track. Carrillo pulls out the flugelhorn for warm tone on Phillip Kocheril's Up The Down Staircase sharing this introspective melody with Lewis on piano. Wrapping the release is Sublime (for Roy Hargrove) with it's lush melody and crisp piano work by Lewis. This is really a cool release with a various colors of jazz well performed by a talented group of guys. 

  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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For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening