Jerico Jams artist: Randy Bernsen - Heart Mind and Soul - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heart, Mind and Soul by Randy Bernsen, and it's quite interesting. Opening with With You Always, with it's Latin flavor, Randy Bernsen on guitar plays a solid melody, joined by Jimmy Haslip on bass, David Nizri on drums, Uzi Nizri on piano and Dan Davis on trumpet. A more jagged melody with strong bass accents by David and cool piano solo by Uzi make this a terrific opener. Prodigal Son starts quietly with keys, drums, and bass with light solo accents by Bernsen and interweaving trumpet by Derek Sims and sax by Bob Franceschini. Very nice. Slinky, Billy Gate Blues has Bernsen up front with wide open guitar melody over the driving rhythm line of David and Haslip. Uzi sets a cool melody line, picked up by Bernsen with a terrific shuffle reinforcement and punchy trumpet work by Davis. Strong. ABBA Father is a really nice acoustic guitar solo with a Spanish flavor, floating on a bed of piano and keys and with the addition of cello and accent drums. Wrapping the release is Chant 881 with a jagged rhythm giving the band a nice chance to stretch. Bernsen does some of his most creative playing on this track over a cool bottom by David and Haslip. Strong closer.  

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The 14 Jazz Orchestra - Islands - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Islands, by Dan Bonsanti and The 14 Jazz Orchestra and it's strong. Opening with Tyner's Man From Tanganyika, Peter Erskine on drums and Dennis Marks on bass set the pace. Ed Maina on flute (solo), and alto sax, Peter Brewer on tenor sax, flute and clarinet, Ed Calle on tenor sax (solo) and flutes, Mike Brignola on Bari sax, flutes and bass clarinet, set the melody and Mike Levine takes the first solo on piano. Brett Murphy, Jason Carder and John Lovell on trumpet and Dan Teboe, Dante Luciani (solo), Major Bailey (bass) and Dan Bonsanti (including tuba emulation) on trombone really swing. with excellent solos. Really nice opener. With plenty of punch, Corea's, Bud Powell, really excels with the front line of brass and Maina blows a great alto solo, Carder on trumpet and Levine on piano solo nicely as well, joined by Mike Harvey on drums, Lindsey Blair on guitar, and Jamie Ousley on bass. Levin original Carmencita has a great Latin rhythm fueled by Lee Levin on drums, Richard Bravo on percussion and Nicky Orta on bass. Ed Calle again really goes the extra mile on soprano sax supercharging the track and Levine's own piano so gives the track tremendous integral body. Excellent! Will Lee steps in on bass (solo) on Levin penned, Jaco. With a flowing melody and muted brass, Calle gets a nice opportunity to open up with a soulful tenor solo. Wrapping the release is Newman's, When She Loved Me, from Toy Story. Calle softy presents the melody on tenor sax and Mark Egan has a nice fretless bass solo, nicely complemented by Randy Bernsen on acoustic guitar. Nice closer for a really enjoyable 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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“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE 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