Wise Cat Records artist: Kenny Shanker - Vortex - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Vortex, by Kenny Shanker and it's a cool bop filled ride. Opening with the title track, Vortex, Mike Eckroth sets the tone with a piano intro and progressive melody, dashed up with Yoshi Waki on bass and Brian Fishler on drums. Kenny Shanker takes the lead on sax with aggressive style taking the track quite a bit higher and then hands off to guitar man Daisuke Abe who crafts a really nice fluid lead line of his own, resolving with Bill Mobley on trumpet for a solid close. Lulu's Back In Town has a laid back feel with Shanker setting up the tune, and Abe and Eckroth each adding very nice solo blocks for a really nice track.  Hunter steps up the feel a bit with an aggressive rhythm and the over the top attack that I'm coming to expect from Shanker. Abe and Eckroth both stretch nicely before returning to Shanker for a solid conclusion. Dave Brubeck's classic, The Duke is in line and Shanker and Eckroth lay down the intro before Shanker really starts to groove over the solid bottom of Waki and Fishler. Accepting the challenge and continuing the feel, Eckroth and Abe each lay down really nice alt melody lines. This is a really super take on a terrific track. Abe really shines on Midnight Snack with a vibrant attack and clean fluid lines. Shanker on soprano rides the wave with intention and fierce riffs of his own before passing to Eckroth who finds a solid groove of his own. Strong. Wrapping the releases is Johnny Mercer's Autumn Leaves. Shanker sets a firm pace, establishing the traditional melody. Abe solos the first leg masterfully with a strong bass line by Waki. When Shanker rejoins, he starts the abstraction and propels the track to another level  with Abe holding the melody line tight. This is really a solid closer for a really nice release. 

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Wise Cat Records artist: Jackson Potter - Restless - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Restless, from Jackson Potter, and it's quite good. Opening with Bird Flu, a quick tempo number with aggressive lead lines. Wiithwriter, Jackson Potter on guitar, Patrick Leavy on bass, Gibb Mandish on drums and Leo Folsom on piano and featuring David Mason on sax. Potter's lead lines are clean and unexpected and Folsom and Mason lead lines are pure. Even Leavy get the floor for a short solo and does a great job over the tight riffs of Mandish. This is a great opener. Latin rhythms grace, Mulberry Tree with Potter laying down the supple melody on guitar. Mandish and Folson hold a tight rhythmic envelope with nicely woven sonic passages. Folsom is the first to break loose with his crystal clear piano solo, followed by an inspired bass solo by Leavy. Very nice. Amalfi has a really nice drum line that drives the entire piece. Leavy lays in a solid bass solo, followed by a light breezy guitar solo by Potter. Very nice. Peace is a beautiful composition by Horace Silver with another soulful bass solo by Leavy and nicely phrased guitar lead by Potter. Joey Curreri sits in on trumpet on Hindsight is 2020. Another track with a Latin rhythm, and blended with mason on sax the melody is complex and dynamic. Potter really takes this one for a ride showing his inventive lead and rich sax lead by Mason compliments this track really well. Wrapping the release is title track, Restless with fusion breath and some of the most agressive "rock style" guitar riffs by Potter. mason's sax solo on this one really works it's way through the mix nicely. I really love the complex rhythm on this one and the addition of Curreri on trumpet and Carter Key on tenor trumpet. Excellent closer for a strong 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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Wise Cat Records artist: Kenny Shanker - Beautiful Things - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (August 20, 2021), Beautiful Things, by Keny Shanker and it's a warm blend of cool bop and jazzy pop. Opening with original composition, Cool Mint, Kenny Shanker is upfront on sax carrying the melody. Blowing solid bebop riffs and paired with Mike Eckroth on piano, and Daisuke Abe on guitar, this is a strong opener with a solid bottom by Yoshi Waki on bass and Brian Fishler on drums. Another original track, Prestissimo, is excellent with aggressive sax runs by Shanker and fine trumpet lead by  Bill Mobley and crisp piano soloing by Eckroth. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Mirth with it's searching sax lead lines and classic piano/bass/drum backing. Mobley pops in again with some really solid trumpet lead and again, Eckroth follows with a great piano lead. Really nice. With a great play on and original classic, Without A Song, has a great bottom and Shanker really hangs it out there with super lead lines. Abe is back with swing guitar soloing that's bound to make you smile and Eckroth's turn at lead is stellar as the band really hugs the pocket. Very nice. Another traditional classic, Like Someone In Love, not only gives Shankar a great base to lay out some of his cooler solos on the release but I really like the forward nature of Waki's work on bass as well as his extended solo. Monk's In Walked Bird has great tempo and Shanker really gets it humming and Eckroth's piano work, especially punched up by Fishler's tight riffs will have you stomping. Wrapping the release is a smooth composition and title track, Beautiful Things. Shankar has excellent tone, supported by Eckroth on piano closing the release on a quiet note. Very solid 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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