Bible & Tire Recording Company artist: Johnny Ray Daniels - Whatever You Need - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Whatever You Need, from Johnny Ray Daniels, and it's solid blues, R&B, soul and gospel. Opening with title track, Whatever You Need, Johnny Ray Daniels' silky smooth voice leads the way. With potent backing vocals by Anthony "Amp" Daniels and Keamber Daniels, Johnny Ray on guitar, Will Sexton on guitar and piano, Matt Ross-Spang on guitar, Mark Edgar Stuart on bass, Will McCarley on drums and Rick Steff on Hammond, this is a great opener. With a driving strut, God Is Able, is up next and Johnny Ray has just the perfect feel to deliver the song. Often I feel it isn't just melodic strength but timing and feel that makes or breaks a track and Johnny Ray has it. Lord You've Been Good To Me has a grat call and response between Johnny Ray, Amp and Keamber, Their vocal blending is solid and the feel of the track is warm and inviting. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Church Get Ready with it's pure gospel sound. Johnny Ray soulful lead vocal is smooth and Steff's Hammond work saddles the backing vocals nicely. Wrapping the release is Thank You Lord, sung A capella really with a minimal organ backing. Johnny Ray really gets the pipes humming over the solid backing of Amp and Keamber making this a terrific closer. 

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Digital Victrola Records artist: Andy Ostwald Trio - Field Guide - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the debut release, Field Guide, by the Andy Ostwald Trio, and it's light and springy but with some tasty meat too. Opening with Sonar with it's bright melody, led by Ostwald on piano joined by Ravi Abcarian on bass and Bryan Bowman on drums. Abcarian and Bowman each get a chance to stretch on this solid opener. Nat Adderley's Sweet Emma is up next with it's soulful feel and great bluesy cadence. I particularly like Abcarian's bass solo on this number. Very nice. Forties pop, I Hear A Rhapsody has become a jazz standard and Ostwald has done a real nice job on interpretation on this one with an excellent bass solo by Abcarian and tight drum highlights by Bowman giving this track sparkle. Van Heusen's Like Someone in Love, is nicely presented with a 3/4 prime tempo driven by Ostwald, over crisp contrast by Bowman on brushes. Abcarian takes a real nice lead solo on bass, followed by Ostwald making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Ibrahim's classic, The Wedding. With classic styling and flawless piano execution, Ostwald closes this strong first effort, solo style, with elegance.

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Josh Hyde - Parish Blues - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Parish Blues, from Josh Hyde and it presents a cool interpretation of modern blues. Opening with Where To Start, Josh Hyde on vocal and guitar shows his natural writing abilities with a strong melody and cool blues guitar riffs. Joined by  Jamey Bell on drums, Jimmy Wallace on keys, Rockin Jake on harmonica, Shawn Stroope on bass and Derrek Phillips on percussion, this is a great opener. In a more traditional delta style, I Can't Leave The Night is very cool with a John Lee Hooker like approach to the blues. I really like this track. With a James Brown rhythm, Stuck In A Rut really shows ingenuity, blending that trademark sound with blues underpinnings. With keyboards, bass and drums under the vocal and tight guitar riffs, this is a very solid track. Wrapping the release is easy, radio track, So Sweet, with Hyde on lead vocal and guitar over light drums, bass and keys. This is a cool release with a taste of everything.

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Hyperspace Records artist: Star People - Black Tie & Tales - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Black Tie & Tales, from Star People and it's an adventurous project. Opening with I, Starman, William Olland, Paul Gifford and Lorenza Ponce blend soft vocals over a predominantly keyboard backing by Scott Treibitz, creating a progressive kind of mix with solid violin contributions by Ponce, and with Randy Pratt on bass and Phil Weiss on drums. Pretty cool. Funky, "Queen of Space" has the melody and rhythm of a radio track with wide open guitar sound by Robert Dean and a jazzy piano solo by Treibitz. Electronic based. A Trillion Miles To Hollywood changes up the pace with electronic rhythms, synthesizers and vocals. Hot Blue Star rolls further into a rock genre with theatrical vocal presentation, and instrumentation. Hot guitar riffs by Dean and Jesse Berlin. A comprehensive theme running throughout this 2 cd set extends the aggressive soundtrack like nature of the release with solid  drum rhythms by TC Tolliver and spatial keys by Treibitz, and guitar soloing by Dean. Ponce really commands the floor with lead vocals on The Morning Star joined by a tight drum rhythm by Tolliver and some of the hottest guitar riffs on the release by Berlin. Wrapping the release is Exit, Stage Left, opening with a loose, Tom Waits style but quickly reengaging a more futuristic, spatial performance with echoed vocals and sci fi sounds over the funky bass work of Randy Pratt and Tolliver on drums. This release isn't for everyone but it is interesting and different. 

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Stony Plain Records artist: The Duke Robillard Band - They Called It Rhythm & Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, They Called It Rhythm & Blues, by The Duke Robillard Band,  and it's another stellar performance by the Duke and his crew. Opening with swing blues, Here I'm Is, Chris Cote on lead vocal really does a nice job with excellent fluid guitar lead by Robillard, and solid backing by Bruce Bears on keys, Marty Ballou on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums and Doug James on sax. Fools Are Getting Scarcer, James really does a great job stepping out on bari and tenor sax solos over a hot R&B feel. Excellent! Kim Wilson takes the lead on Tell Me Why with his trademark vocals and solid harmonica work. Robillard's guitar lead is impeccable and the band is solid. John Hammond is up front on Homeless Blues with his delta based vocal and playing style. I really like Hammond and am glad to see him on this release. With distinctive drum work by Teixeira and piano by Bears, this track is one of my favorites. Freddy King's Someday After Awhile, is a real showcase for both Cote and Robillard with exceptional vocal lead and plenty of room for Duke to stretch. Very nice. Kim Wilson does a rework on Guitar Slim's Things I Used To Do, The Things I Forgot To Do,  and Wilson works it nicely. Duke's guitar soloing really captures the styling of Slim and the piano work of Bears is spot on, with reinforcement by James and Mark Earley on sax. Very cool. Wrapping the release is hot instrumental jam, Swingin' For Four Bills, featuring really nice front work by Duke, Sue Foley and Mike Flanigin.  This is a super track and great closer for Robillard on this newest release. 

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Van Der Linden Recordings artist: Mississippi Heat - Madeleine - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Madeleine, from Mississippi Heat and it a packed solid with blues and blues drenched music. Opening with driving blues rocker, Silent Too Long, Brian Quinn on bass and Terrence Williams set the pace, with Giles Corey laying down some hot guitar riffs and great lead vocals by Carl Weathersby, B3 by Chris Cameron and excellent harmonica riffs by Pierre Lacocque. Solid opener. On Chicago style blues, Uninvited Guest, guitar master Lurrie Bell has the mic and lead guitar duties. With Kenny Smith on drums, this track sets up nicely to showcase Lacocque's harmonica mastery. Daneshia Hamilton really takes charge with excellent vocals on Ridin' On A Hit with backing vocals by Nanette Frank, Diane Madison and Mae Koen. With a super bass line by Quinn and strong harmonica work by Lacocque, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Michael Dotson gets the spotlight on Everybody Do Something with excellent vocals and strong slide guitar. An extended harmonica solo on this track by Lacocque really adds a super edge. Very cool. Title track, Madeleine, is an excellent instrumental, lead by the melodic improvisation of Lacocque on harmonica. Bell adds a really nice lead guitar solo of his own over the backing of Quinn, Cameron on piano and Kenny Smith on drums. Excellent! Wrapping the release is shuffle, Trouble with the rich vocal lead of Inetta Visor. A great walking bass line by Quinn, fluid harmonica work by Lacocque, Cameron on B3 and strong backing vocal by Frank, Madison and Koen makes this an excellent closer for a strong release. 

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Blue Heart Records artist: Bobby Gentilo - Gentilo - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Gentilo, from Bobby Gentilo, and it's a solid blend of blues, rock, pop, soul and blues. Opening with Disease, a pop rocker this release is off to a good start with a great melody and rhythm along the lines of Eagles of Death Metal. With Bobby on lead vocal on vocal, bass, keys and guitar, and Jason Hoffheins on drums this is a cool opener. Soul soaked, Tell Me is another track with real commercial potential. Rich vocals by Bobby, B3 by Benjie Porecki, Hoffheins on drums, and Logan Kurtek on sax makes for one of those that sticks in your brain. Hoffheins lays down a snappy drum rhythm on Ghost and with Bobby on guitar and Porecki on keys, this track has the feel of an updated Hill Country blues. Very nice. Shifting gears, The Greatest, has a real R&B feel with smooth vocals and strong bass by Bobby and tight drum rhythms by Hoffheins. Slow blues, Treat Me So Mean is a nice track with blues roots. Bobby on guitar and vocal, supported by Porecki on keys makes for another solid entry.  My favorite track on the release is Tire Fire with a real Hill Country flavor. Featuring Tony Ryder on bass and Bobby on guitar this track really grinds in. Excellent. Wrapping the release is funky bottomed, Higher,  with Chris Engel on drums, Juan Guillermo Aguillar on percussion, Dale Wise on drums and Bobby on guitar and vocal. maintaining the basic stripped down Hill Country like rhythm, this is a strong closer for a solid release.  

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Eliza Neals: Badder To The Bone - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Badder To The Bone, from Eliza Neals and its a power blues rocker. Opening with United We Stand  with heavy tom tom's on a Bo Diddley beat by Jeffrey Fowlkes and slide guitar by Michel Puwal, Neals is on a roll. On slow blues, Queen of the Nile, Neals shows real soul on vocals, playing piano and taking names. Backed by Jason Kott on bass and Tim Grogan on drums, and featuring Lance Lopez laying down some excellent blues riffs on guitar and Peter Keys on B3, this is an excellent track. With a tango rhythm and nicely blended vocals, the stylistic guitar work of Puwal makes Bucket of Tears a real standout. Soulful, Heathen, drips with southern soul under the vocal control of Neals and with the thick B3 and piano work of John Gavin. Steve Winwood's Can't Find My Way Home is always great to hear and Neals puts her special touch on it with firm vocal lead and nice backing, topped with strong guitar lead work by Lopez. Wrapping the release is Queen of the Nile II, a foreshortened rip of the earlier track but still tasty and with excellent guitar riffs by Lopez. Excellent closer for a tasty release. 

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Lateralize Records artist: Jo Harrop - The Heart Wants - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Heart Wants, from Jo Harrop, and it's a really nice jazz/blues release. Opening with title track, The Heart Wants What The Heart Wants, British vocalist, Jo Harrop shows incredible poise, as she sings this blues filled track with crystal clarity. Her phrasing is remarkable, teamed up with the piano work of Hannah Vasanth and with cool trumpet highlights by Andy Davies, backed by Tony Kofi on sax, John Spanyol on trombone, Troy Miller on drums and Christian McBride on bass. Very nice. All Too Soon is a cool, easy pop track in jazz and carried only by the bass work of McBride, Harrop shows just how easily her vocals float effortlessly on air. Really nice. Another showcase for Harrop is soulful jazz tune, I Think You'd Better Go with only light acoustic guitar by Jamie McCredie. Brilliant! Jason Rebello on piano joins Harrop on blues number, Red May Janes & A Brand New Hat with Troy Miller on drums, Jihad Darwish on bass, Debs White on violin and Julia Graham on cello. Rebello and Harrop get a great groove on this one making it one of my favorite instrumentally rich pieces on the release. If I Knew is a particularly strong track with rich lyrics. If you've been reading my notes for any period of time, you have probably caught that I'm not particularly lyric conscious but this track caught my attention. Strong lyrics and dramatic music with backing by Rebello on piano, Graham, Hillman and White on strings. Very nice. Wrapping the release is ballad, Weather The Storm, with Nicky Brown on organ, Troy Miller on Drums, McCredie on electric guitar, Vasanth on piano, Dishan Abraham on bass, and a backing vocals. This track has a radio feel and a solid capper for a very strong release. 

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Gulf Coast Records artist: Albert Castiglia - I Got Love - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I Got Love, from Albert Castiglia and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with title track, I Got Love, Castiglia is upfront with solid vocals and his aggressive guitar style, backed by Justine Tompkins on bass, Lewis Stephens on keys and with power drumming from Ephraim Lowell. Sanctuary seems a natural for the radio track with it's memorable melody and restrained feel. Castiglia's vocals are real nice and his guitar riffs just right. Double Down is a really cool blues rocker with a James Brown beat and some really tasty guitar riffs. Whew! Pulling out the slide on shuffle, Long Haul Daddy, Castiglia really rips it. This is definitely one of my favorite tracks on the release and one that will leave you wanting more. Funky, Depression Blues will make you sweat with it's aggressive bass line and bottom and full out soloing by Castiglia. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Take My Name Out Of Your Mouth sounding like the echo that happened before the event. With it's slower pace, poise and solid vocals, Castiglia sets up the winding guitar solo nicely and spikes it. This is a real solid release with hot guitar throughout. 

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Nola Blue Records artist: Trudy Lynn - Golden Girl - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Golden Girl, from Trudy Lynn and I really like it. Opening with Tell Me and it's cool rhythm, Trudy Lynn really hits the road running lending no clues that she's reached that golden 75 mile marker. With the tasty guitar soloing of Yates McKendree, backing vocals of Teresa James, Brannen Temple on drums, Kevin McKendree on drums and Terry Wilson on bass this is a solid opener. Heavy footed If Your Phone Don't Ring, will have you slinking around in your seat and Lynn's vocals are really strong. Adding to the mix is Steve Krase on harmonica and real nice slide work by Yates. Boogie track, Trouble With Love is a grate addition featuring Anson Funderburgh on guitar, Krase on harmonica and strong low vocal backing by Wilson. Super. Funky, R&B style blues, Live With Yourself plays really well in Lynn's vocal wheelhouse and she drains every drop of soul out of this track. With horn backing by Darrell Leonard and some really nice guitar work by Yates, this may be my favorite track on the release. Low slung, I Just Can't Say Goodbye is another terrific track with not only strong vocals by Lynn but great solo style by Funderburgh. Very nice. Wrapping the release is straight up blues ballad, Life Goes On with excellent guitar work by Funderburgh and particularly warm organ work by Kevin. This is a strong closer and my favorite Lynn release in years. A must check out! 

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Westmont Records artist: Liz Terrell - It's All Right With Me - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It's All Right With Me, from Liz Terrell and it's solid and enjoyable. Opening with the Stylistics' People Make The World Go Round, vocalist Liz Terrell makes it her own with a certain richness. Breaking to a cool, Latin rhythm by Emre Kartari on drums and Chris Brydge on bass, this track sails. Eddie Williams on sax adds beautiful riffs over the piano work of Daniel Clarke on piano and Alan Parker on guitar. Very nice. The radiance of Terrell's voice is evident on Cole Porter's standard, Night and Day starting out in relative a capella style but breaking into a club style swing. Parker takes the lead and lays in really nice, fluid riffs on guitar over the tight drum work of Kartari before Terrell bursts back with powerful but understated vocal. Very cool. Monk's classic, Blue Monk is an excellent choice for this band with inventive soloing by Brydge, Parker, Williams, Clarke and of course lush scatting by Terrell. Excellent! Ellington's Don't Get Around Much Anymore is a really nice take on this classic with solid vocal styling and really strong piano work by Clarke. Great! Wrapping the release is Burt Bacharach's What The World Needs Now, and I think it's an excellent choice for a closer. I personally don't think that Bacharach gets nearly the credit that he deserves as one of the best pop composers of our time. This is a beautiful arrangement of a beautiful track really showing just how pure Terrell's voice is and with just the right amount of adornment by Clarke, Williams and Parker. Excellent choice and excellent job. 

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-Sandy Haley - Feels Like Freedom - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Feels Like Freedom, from Sandy Haley, and it's a cool blend of blues, pop and rock. Opening with title track, Feels Like Freedom, vocalist, Sandy Haley gets into a contemporary pop rock groove, with the wailing sax work of Joe Sublett and Teddy Andreadis on keys, backed by pat McClure on guitar, Reggie mcBride on bass and Tony Brunagel on drums.  Bluesy ballad, Love Me Right gives Haley the opportunity to dig in vocally, with tasty guitar riffs by McClure cool trumpet work by Les Lovitt with Nick Lane on trombone and piano by Jeff Paris. Funky, Run For Shelter adds another dimension with Cortes laying in a solid bottom, Andreadis on keys and Braunagel on drums.  Wrapping the release is up tempo shuffle/boogie, Dirty Dog with the band really hitting the groove. With a snappy drum line by Braunagel, rock guitar riffs from McClure and Andreadis on harmonica, and backing vocals by Maxayn Lewis  and Kudisan Kai Regalto this is a solid closer. 

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BEL Records artist: Brent Laidler - Wouldn't Be Here Without You - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wouldn't Be Here Without You, from Bret Laidler and it's a cool eclectic mix of tunes with different yet interesting approaches. Opening with Keeping It Simple, a bossa soaked track, Brent Laidler on guitar is joined by Mark Buselli on trumpet, Ned Boyd on sax and flute, Jaime Newman on organ, Scott Pazera on bass and Richard Floyd on drums. Sunday Mood is a really cool boogie with a walking bass line and outstanding solos by Boyd on sax and Buselli on trumpet as well as a cool swinging guitar solo by Laidler. Very nice. Another Latin flavored track, City By The Bay, gives Boyd a nice opportunity to play a lush flute solo, followed by a lush organ solo by Newman and a nicely styled trumpet solo by Buselli before turning the mic over to Laidler who's warm, clear guitar tone and fluid runs ties back to the melody. Very cool. Laidler has the melody on Wouldn't Be Here Without You with Buselli on trumpet setting solid highlights before the Laidler doubles down on guitar with an excellent up tempo solo joined by nice work by Newman on organ and an excellent bass solo by Scott Pazera on bass and excellent Spanish style drum and percussion by Floyd. Wrapping the release is Pretty Little Bossa with it's compact rhythm pattern and giving Newman plenty of highway for exploration, leading to nice, relaxed contributions by Buselli and wrap up by Laidler and Boyd. This is a really solid release with strong tracks and and instrumentation. 

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Blue Heart Records artist: Mike Guldin - Tumblin' - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release,  Tumblin', by Mike Guldin and it's a cool mix of blues boogie and country. Opening with title track, Tumblin', Mike Guldin on lead guitar, backed by Billy Ware on drums, CJ Clark on bass and with some great organ by Tim Hooper these guys are jammin. Taj Mahal's She Caught The Katy really sounds great with Guldin on lead vocal and guitar with Hooper on piano and organ, with a great bass line by Bill Sharrow and featuring some real nice slide by Bill Thatcher. Very nice. Two stepping, Raise a Ruckus is a cool country rocker and features James Pennebaker on slide guitar and Kevin McKendree on B3 and Tim Hooper on piano. Another country flavored rocker, You Just Can't Lose, has solid radio appeal with a stomping rhythm and a strong hook. With Guldin on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Sharrow on bass, Hooper on piano and Wear on drums, this is a strong track. Wrapping the release is Waterfall, a quiet instrumental featuring Guldin on acoustic guitar, Thatcher on acoustic guitar and Sharrow on bass. Solid closer for a cool release. 

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Fullerton Gold Records artist: Bubba and The Big Bad Blues - Drifting - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Drifting, by Bubba and The Big Bad Blues and it's a great blues rocker. Opening with shuffle, I Want To Make Love To You Baby, Christopher Clerc on lead vocal and guitar has really nicely blended the styles of BB King and SRV to create his own soulful groove. Joined by Mike Barry on bass, Mike Finnigan on organ, Rick Solem on piano, Tony Braunagel on drums, Richard Rosenberg on trombone,  Joe Sublett on sax and Les Lovitt on trumpet, this is a full orchestral rocking sound. Title track, Drifting, is a strong, soulful ballad with excellent vocals and beautiful, shimmering guitar riffs, interwoven into a field of rich horn and key saturated music. Brilliant. Rocking boogie track, She's Your Problem Now, gets a super groove moving with excellent vocal and guitar by Clerc super organ work by Finnigan and tight work by Jason Lozano on drums and Johnny Bazz on bass. I Own The Road has a driving rock and roll beat highlighted by Rick Solem on piano and Clerc really cuts loose with some terrific rocking guitar riffs. Really nice. Wrapping the release is a quiet ballad, My Love, featuring Clerc on vocal and acoustic guitar, backed by Jacob Dupre on organ and piano, Doug Swanson on bass, and Nick D'Virgilio on drums. Keeping the track instrumentally low key really allows Clerc's electric guitar soloing to really sing making his a real solid closer for a strong new release. 

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Mercedes Nicole - Constellation - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Constellation, from Mercedes Nicole, one of Seattle top performers. Opening with Ellington's I Ain't Got Nothing But The Blues, Nicole on lead vocal shows her own styling on the cover, with a real nice piano solo by Jake Sele and backed by Kevin McCarthy who put up a solid bass solo, D'Vonne Lewis on drums and a cool trumpet solo by Jay Thomas. On lively shuffle, Your Love, Nicole really seems to float on the music Evan Flory-Barnes on bass, Sele on organ, Lewis on drums and Jerry Wirkkala on guitar. An interesting take on BB King's The Thrill Is Gone is my favorite track on the release with a sway rhythm with strong solos from Sele on organ, Craig Hoyer on piano, and Flory-Barnes on bass and Lewis on drums. Ballad, This Bitter End is Nicole's best vocal showcase on the release, also being the track with the most commercial potential with the addition of Yun-En Liu on violin and cool piano backing by Sele. Wrapping the release is Johnny Mercer's Candy with it's smooth club feel. Nicole really gets into the groove on this one and Sele's piano work along with Thomas'  sax lead makes this an excellent closer.

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