Sweetspot Records artist: Al Basile - Through With Cool - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (9/19/2022), Through With Cool, by Al Basile and it may be my favorite yet. Opening with Keep On Living, with a cool Latin beat by Mark Teixeira on drums and Brad Hallen on bass we're off to a great start. Basile who sings and plays cornet really rides the slot and just seems to hit it perfectly with Bruce Bears on keys and Kid Andersen provides some real nice guitar effects, all backed by Doug James on sax and Doc Chanonhouse on trumpet. Super opener. On blues swinger, I'm Waiting has a real nice feel with Chanonhouse on trumpet, punctuating Basile's vocal lead and Andersen's guitar style is terrific as always. Basile lays in a cool muted cornet solo giving the track an overall jazz approach giving it yet one more dimension. Very nice. Uh Huh is a cool strut with punchy horn work over the basic rhythm section supporting Basile's vocal. Basile lays in a cool cornet solo which is real nice but when Andersen steps up on guitar, I gotta say, his style really is cool and relentless. Very nice. Another cool blues number is Turnabout Is Fair Play and Basile knows how to set the table with strong vocals. Andersen is right on spot with some scorching guitar riffs again making me sit up and take notice but Basile is back on cornet letting you know who wrote the show. Very cool. We Lie On Your Grave is a really nice track with a sumptuous melody, emphasized by the effortless cornet solo on Basile and Andersen again really plays scorching riffs under the melody. Wrapping the release is title track, Through With Cool, with it's conventional blues vamp played in understated fashion by Andersen to the lead vocal by Basile. This is a simple, straightforward closer for a real nice release. 

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Left Angel Records artist: Bill Ortiz - Points of View - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Points of View, from Bill Ortiz, and it's a cool fusion of Latin jazz and rock. Opening with Sunburst, ex Santana trumpet player Bill Ortiz leads off his third release with an exciting track. With Matt Clark setting a piano vamp, and Dennis Chambers on drums, Sunburst follows in the footsteps of the great horn players of jazz with his muted horn and beautiful phrasing over the well crafted ocean of sound. Ortiz does pull his mute and continues solid lead work over a driving drum line and agressive piano work. Very nice. On Alex the Great, a super rhythm section of Dennis Chambers on drums, Marcus Shelby on bass, John Santos on percussion and Javier Navarrette on percussion, this bottom is tight. Brian Jackson lays down a real nice piano theme and Ortiz on trumpet and Azar Lawrence on sax really push the track on lead. Excellent track. Ain't Gon Change A Thang has a really fine groove set by Chambers, Navarrette and Santos and Ortiz and Lawrence set the basic tonal theme. Lawrence takes the first solo line and he is really cruising. Ortiz's trumpet solo has a synthisized alteration giving it a really cool sound and his feel for the groove grows as the track progresses. Another great track. With a much looser feel and excellent rhythmic bottom, Okonkole y Trompa really is a fine track. Percussion set this African like under rhythm and well placed piano chords punctuate layers of soloing by Ortiz and lead vocal by Santos. Very nice. Fusion/Noche Cubana is another great track with very active latin percussion laying the groundwork for peaceful yet flavorful trumpet lead by Ortiz and excellent vocal work by Lawrence, Santos and Christelle Durandy. Oriental Folk Song is a reall strong progressive track with excellent drumming by Chambers complimenting Jackson on piano. Excellent sax work by Lawrence and pure lead work by Ortiz make this one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is My Lord And Master, a structured ballad with Clark on focused piano lead and the strong trumpet lead by Ortiz laid nicely over top. This is really a strong release and one that I'm looking forward to hear many more times.


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Gulf Coast Records artist: Jimmy Carpenter - The Louisiana Record - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Louisiana Record, from Jimmy Carpenter and it's a heaping bowl of Louisiana blues. Opening with Smiley Lewis' I Hear You Knocking, made popular by Dave Edmunds in the 70's. This track with all the trimmings has a real NO R&B feel with Carpenter on vocal and sax, Mike Zito on guitar, Casandra Faulconer on bass, Wayne Maureau on drums and John Gros with excellent piano and organ work. Super start. Carpenter blows a solid intro on Something You Got and his vocals really work nicely with spot on piano work by Gros. Another track with great piano rolls is Travelin' Mood and Carpenter balances his vocal with sax lead and Zito's slide work really adds some nice grease. With a Latin drum rhythm, Cry To Me really shows Carpenter's lead vocal qualities and his sax soloing balanced with Zito's guitar articulation really works nicely. Earl King's Those Lonely Lonely Nights is another classic NO R&B tracks with soulful vocals by Carpenter and solid piano rhythm by Gros. His sax solo adds some real nice icing to the cake. Wrapping the release is Lee Allen's Rockin' At Cosimo's with a real second line rhythm by Maureau on drums. Carpenter takes it all the way with sax on lead melody and Zito, Faulconer and Gross for an excellent closer. 

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Short Stack Records artist: Johnny Sansone - Into Your Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Into Your Blues, from Johnny Sansone and it's got great style. Opening with title track, Into Your Blues, Johnny Sansone on harmonica, resonator guitar and lead vocal sets a cool, slinky pace. With Mike Morgan and Johnny Burgin on electric guitar, Jeffrey Bridges on bass, John Milham on drums, Tom Worrell on piano, Chris Spies on B3, Brad Walker on sax, Steve Lands on trumpet and Michael Sinkus on congos, bongos and tambourine, this is a solid opener. On Chicago style blues, Pay For This Song, Sansone gets in the slot with a super low slung lope and guitar riff by Burgin. Sansone blows some of his classic harmonica riffs giving the track a real Chicago feel. Jason Ricci guests on Blowin' Fire, an up tempo blues rocker. With solid vocals by Ricci and his flaming harmonica style, this is a great addition. Little Freddie King is featured on vocal and guitar on Willie's Juke Joint, a simple John Lee Hooker style, primitive boogie. Driving, The Getaway, is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Sansone back on lead vocal and harmonica. With it's stripped down feel and harmonica vamp, this is a cool track. Sansone lays into the slide Resonator on New Crossroads, another boogie track with a simple bottom by Milham and Bridges under Sansone on vocal. Single Room has a cool, swampy feel with Sansone on vocal and shimmery guitar work by Burgin and Morgan and great percussion work by Milham and Sinkus. Wrapping the release Southern Dream, is a solid acoustic instrumental with Sansone layered over himself on Resonator, slide resonator and guitar. This is a cool closer for a cool release. 

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Bywater Call - Remain - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Remain, from Bywater Call and it's a cool, modern, southern flavored, funk fused rocker. Opening with Falls Away, Meghan Parnell on lead vocal, shows clear command of the track with Dave Barns on guitar, Stephen Dyte on trumpet and trombone, Bruce McCarthy on drums, Mike Meusel on bass, Julian Nalli on sax and Alan Zemaitis on keys. I particularly like the stiff drum rhythm by McCarthy played against the lush slide work of Barnes. Great opener. Title track, Remain, has all of the components of a top radio track with it's sweet, memorable melody, strong vocals and instrumental arrangement with just the right amount of guitar. Let Me Be Wrong has a lot of sting with it's R&B beat and excellent vocals by Parnell and warm keyboard / vocal backing. Meusel sets a great bass posture on Sea We Swim and with McCarthy on drums, Zemaitis on keys and full horn support of Dyte. Parnell really swings it vocally making this one of my favorites on the release. Excellent! Bring It Back with a R&B flavored feel and powerful vocals by Parnell and punchy horn work by Dyte and Nalli give this track a firm base and Barnes cuts his guitar loose for a great ripping slide solo.  This really a cool release and one with broad appeal. Check it out. 

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Rochelle Records artist: The Hungry Williams - Let's Go! - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let's Go, from The Hungry Williams and it's a swinging R&B party. Opening with Mardi Gras Days, Kelli Gonzalez on lead vocal rides high on a real New Orleans flavor. With Mike Sieger on bass, Joe Vent on guitar, Jack Stewart on keys, John Carr on drums, Jason Goldsmith on sax and featuring Lech Wierzynski on trumpet this is an energetic track. You'd Better Find Yourself Another Fool, oozes 50's R&B and Gonzalez really nails it. A solid sax solo by Casimir Riley is the gem added to this really strong track. Big Maybelle's One Monkey Don't Stop No Show has always been an era favorite and with great vocals by Gonzalez and a sweet solo by Goldsmith, this is one of my favorites on the release. Goldsmith really wails on Oooh-wow, another New Orleans R&B classic featuring Vent on lead vocal. Wrapping the release is original track, 669 (Across the Street from the Beast). A basic swing jam, the band just lets it all hang out for a solid closer for a swinging release. 

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David Owen - Oh Suzana Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Oh Suzana Blues, from David Owen and it's solid acoustic country blues. Opening with Soul of a Sullen Man, David Owen on vocal, harmonica and guitar is joined by Dominic Davis on bass and Fats Kaplin on violin. Very nice in a Rev Gary Davis style. On All Folks Get The Blues, Owen takes to a Piedmont style picking, complimenting his vocal with harmonica with special guest Colin Linden adding guitar as well. Very nice. Bankruptcy Blues is a cool, delta style blues with Owen on vocal, harmonica and guitar. This track has a real Mali undertone giving it a rich delta feel. Title track, Oh Suzana Blues is a real simple country folk blues with it's straightforward approach and vocal dominance. Wrapping the release is So Lonesome Without You, a cool folk track featuring Owen on vocal and harmonica and Colin Linden on dobro. Nicely crafted and presented, this is a solid closer for a cool acoustic release. 

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Blue Moon Marquee - Scream, Holler & Howl - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Scream, Holler & Howl, from Blue Moon Marquee, and it's a cool blend of blues, swing gypsy jazz and more. Opening with title track, Scream, Holler and Howl, Blue Moon Marquee (A.W. Cardinal - vocal and guitar and Jasmine Colette - bass) gets this newest release (September 9, 2022) moving with a cool variation on a Howlin' Wolf theme with a spin. Backed by Darcy Phillips on Hammond, Matt Pease on drums Jerry Cook on sax this is a cool opener. Hound Dog On A Chain is a strong blues rocker with a driving bottom. With Colette on vocal and bass, and Cardinal on guitar really gets moving with a Booker T kind of sound complimented by Phillips' organ work. Lowlands has an early jazz sound with definite bluesy roots. With Colette on lead vocal and Bonnie Northgraves on sassy trumpet, this is a very cool track. Slinky, Come On Down really has a nice feel thanks to the snappy underpinnings by Pease on drums and Cook's bari sax work, complimenting the vocal work of Colette. Cool rag/gypsy jazz track, My Wild Rose is really cool with Cardinal back up front on lead vocal and a really nice synchronized gypsy style guitar soloing between Cardinal and Paul Pigat, with Phillips on piano, Colette on bass and Pease on drums. Very smart. Red Dust Rising is a solid blues track with Cardinal growling out the lead vocal. Philips piano really adds a classic blues character and Cardinal's guitar riffs add a modern authenticity. Wrapping the release is Another Night To Cry in classic blues styling. With Duke Robillard laying down a strong rhythm and Cardinal on guitar and lead vocal, over Phillips on piano, Colette on bass and Pease on drums this track is a fine closer. 

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The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer - Live at the King Eddy - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live at the Eddy, by The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer and it's a great live concert. Opening with Cry A Little, a soulful rocker seeming like a boogie just waiting to bust loose features Shawn Hall on vocal and harmonica and Matt Rogers on guitar, backed by Andrina Turenne and Dawn Pemberton on backing vocals and Geoff Hilhorst on keys. With a solid bottom and raw guitar riffs, this is a solid opener. Roll with the Punches is a cool, Mississippi Hill Country flavored track with great harmonious vocals gives the track real feel. Love Me 'fore Ya Leave Me' is another hill country flavored, stripped down rhythm but with the addition of Hall's harmonica and rich backing vocals it gives the track a real full southern rock twist. Very nice. Father's Son has a real nice underlying funk over a basic stripped down rocker. Hall's harmonica work adds nicely to the feel and the gospel like vocal tension on the track makes it one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is a cool, acoustic bluesy ballad featuring the strong vocals of Hall, Turenne and Pemberton. This is a real cool release and a definite check out suggestion. 

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Delmark artist: Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames - Nightwalk - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nightwalk, from Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames and the man knows how to boogie. Opening with Mary Who, Weld on lead vocal and guitar gets into a cool JL Hooker groove, backed by Harry Yaseen on piano, Kenny Pickens on bass, and Jeff Taylor on drums. One of favorite tracks on the release is slide guitar loaded, Red Hot Tabasco featuring Weld on lead vocal and slide over a Latin beat. With Tom Hambridge on drums and Tony Carpenter on percussion this track is caliente. I really like Now She's Gone with Graham Guest on B3, and featuring Bill Branch on harp and Weld with some of the wildest slide work on the release. Very cool! Donde Vas is another Latin flavored track featuring Monica Myhre on lead vocal and with Weld adding some key lead guitar work and a fat sax solo by Rogers Randle, Jr. backed by spicy brass work by Kenny Anderson on trumpet and Bill McFarland on trombone. Uptempo, Loving You is another solid boogie with plenty of Weld's notorious slide work, fueled by Pickens, Taylor and Yaseen. Wrapping the release is an extended mix of Mary Who, a solid groove with Weld fueling the band as they jam on for over 7 and a half meeting. Solid closer for an enjoyable release. 

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South Bay artist: Jack's Waterfall - American Roots Project - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, American Roots Project, from Jack's Waterfall and it's a cool mix of blues, rock, New Orleans, Latin and R&B music. Opening with New Orleans R&B influenced, Louise, Jack Licitra on vocal and piano has that traditional rolling piano style, with Trifon Dmitrov on bass and Mark Carpentieri on second line flavored drums. My Baby's Gone A Long Time has a contemporary vocal feel with just the right amount of funk by Dmitrov. Warmed by the organ addition and timed by the piano work of Licitra, this track has strong radio potential. Jack's Rag is a great little piano workout with a vintage feel. Another top track on the release is bluesy, West Texas Ghost Story, with it's strong melody, tight drum work and solid vocals. I've Been Listening really commands your attention with a strong melody, gospel like piano structure and nice vocals by Licitra. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Like An Eagle with it's blend of country and revival styles. 

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Sound Business Services artist: The Groove Krewe featuring Nick Daniels III - Run To Daylight - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Run To Daylight, from The Groove Krewe featuring Nick Daniels III and it a cool R&B/funky blues package. Opening with title track, Run To Daylight, Daniels III on lead vocal and bass sets a smoky New Orleans groove with Eddie Bayers on drums, Nelson Blanchard on percussion and keys, Jonathan Boogie Long on lead guitar, Rex Pearce on rhythm guitar, and Jason Parfait and Ian Smith on horns. Cool opener. Ultra funky, In The Groove Zone really has great movement. With a potent bass line, tight drums and punchy horn work and cool keys, this is guaranteed to get your backside moving. With a more contemporary pop sound, Sweet Situation really shows standout vocals by Daniels III for the most radio oriented track on the release. Wrapping the release is Raising Cane On The Bayou, another strong radio contender with solid vocal blending, and with prime key support and top horn support is a solid closer. 

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Green Bullet Records artist: The Jake Leg Jug Band - Live At Audley Theatre - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At Audley Theatre by The Jake Leg Jug Band and it's jammed full of hokum and rag style tunes. Opening with I Can't Dance (I've Got Ants In My Pants) featuring Jack Tasker on banjo and lead vocal, teamed with Duncan Wilcox on bass, Neil Hulse on guitar, Liam Ward on jug, Bryony Rose on washboard and backing vocal, and Alex Clarke on sax. On suggestive track, I Had To Give Up Gym, features Ward on vocal and harmonica with a light approach to the subject and with cool guitar soloing by Neil and sax by Alex. Slower paced, Fogyism features Bryony on lead vocal, bluesy harmonica work by Liam and cool clarinet answer by Alex. Cool, folksy Easy Ridin' Mama is a good closer for disc one with the band singing background vocals, cool harmonica by Liam over Jack on banjo and overlying sax by Alex. Opening disc 2 is Caught Us Doing It another suggestive track with just the right amount of jazz. A swinging sax solo by Alex over Jacks' mandolin work and a slick guitar solo by Neil makes this a great opener. One of my favorite tracks is My Pencil Won't Write No More that I know from old Muddy Waters tapes but this is likely a more authentic track. With a warm clarinet harmony by Alex and blended vocals, a very cool track. Classic, St James Infirmary opens with Duncan on bass just giving an outline of the track. This is a really nice arrangement with Alex on clarinet soaring over the track and bluesy additions by Liam on harmonica. Very nice. A sultry lead vocal offering by Bryony on  Sugar In My Bowl may be my favorite cover of this classic track with just the right amount of clarinet and sax by Alex. Wrapping the release is a rowdy cover of He's In The Jailhouse Now. With everyone in perfect synch with just the right amount of New Orleans style jamming, this is a solid closer. 

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Chuck Wright - Chuck Wright's Sheltering Sky - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release Chuck Wright's Sheltering Sky, from Chuck Wright and it's quite interesting. Opening with instrumental, The Weight of Silence, bassist Chuck Wright (ex Alice Cooper, Slash, Greg Allman, Quiet Riot) has a cool release on his hands. Featuring Allen Hinds with some soaring guitar lead, and backed by Luis Villegas on acoustic guitar, Ed Roth on B3, Tim Janssens on keys, Tom Hatziemanouel on electric guitar, and Scott Breadman on percussion, this is a super opener. Army of Me is a great track with an infectious bass line by Wright, reminiscent of  lines by Rhonda Smith and Tal Wilkenfeld of Jeff Beck fame. This driving bass line and the slap drumming by Griffin by set a perfect stage for vocalist, Whitney Tai, backed by Hatziemanouel, Walter Ino on Rhodes piano and Tim Janssens on synth. Excellent! Funk rocker, It Never Fails really has a great sound with a stiff drum line by Pat Torpey coupled with Wrights bass work and the screaming guitar work of Scotti Hill. Filling the band is Jeff Scott Soto on lead vocal, Eric Martin on backing vocal, Lanny Cordola on guitars, Jude Gold on lead guitar fills, Dave Schulz on clavinet and B3, Allen Moreno on lap steel and Dale Edward Chung on percussion. Farewell Horizon is a cool instrumental with lead melody by Toshi Yanagi on guitar, backed by Wright on acoustic guitar and bass, Jimmy Keegan on drums, Claudio Pesavento on moog, Koi Anuta on violin, Katja Rieckermann on bari sax and Griffin on percussion. Wrapping the release is a reprise of The Weight of Silence with an interesting arrangement featuring Wright on bass, keys and guitar, Derek Sherinian on mellotron, moog and Theremin, Ben Woods on flamenco guitar, Walter Ino on acoustic guitar and Griffin on percussion. This is a very cool release with a lot of instrumental teeth. Very nice. 

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Juke Joint Jonny & The Kindred Spirits - Just Folkin Around - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Folkin Around, by Juke Joint Jonny & The Kindred Spirits and it's a cool update on traditional blues. Opening with Muddy Waters' I Can't Be Satisfied, Jonny on vocal and National Steel Guitar, is joined by Steve Rusin on harmonica, Ben Bernstein on bass and Mike Stevens on percussion. Solid traditional style opener. Dylan's Tomorrow Was A Long Time is presented as a cool acoustic finger picker with Jonny accompanying his own vocal on guitar. On John Mooney's Dirty Rat, Jonny really kicks up the pace with slide on the national, rapid fire lyrics and tight backing by Rusin, Dave Peterson on bass and Stevens on percussion. Crafted by John Rizzo and Steve Rusin, Terre Haut Blues is one of my favorites with great fingerpicking and vocal by Jonny. Another of my favorites on the release is Taj Mahal's classic, Fishin' Blues. Jonny's voice is just perfect for this track and his picking technique works great! Closing the release is Leo Kottke's acoustic masterpiece, Sailor's Grave On The Prairie which is covered very nicely by Jonny. His patience on timing and slide techniques on his National Steel is solid and controlled. Very nice closer. 

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Thirty Tigers artist: Delbert McClinton - Outdated Emotion - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Outdated Emotion, from Delbert McClinton and it's a assemblage of the songs that influenced him the most. Opening with traditional folk track updated and made popular by Lloyd Price, Stagger Lee, McClinton uses mostly Price's arrangement and with a vocal intro by Robert Bailey, the likes of Yates McKendree on drums, Kevin McKendree on piano, Jim  Hoke on sax, and with vocal backing by Wendy Moten and Vicki Hampton this track is a solid opener. Jimmy Reed's The Sun is Shining and it's classic shuffle beat provides a great slot for McClinton vocally joined by Yates, Kevin and includes McClinton on harmonica. Little Richard's Long Tall Sally really gets up and goes with McClinton really feeling the lyrics, Yates on bass and drums, Kevin on piano and featuring Hoke on sax. Great track. One of favorite tracks on the release is Ray Charles' I Want A Little Girl and McClinton singing sweet soul with Kevin on piano and Yates on bass. Excellent! McClinton original, Connecticut Blues has a cool shuffle beat and a cool Mose Allison feel with Yates on drums and bass and Kevin on piano. Very nice. Hank Williams' Move It On Over throws a bit of country into the mix and McClinton on vocal is joined by Chris Scruggs on steel guitar, Mark Winchester on bass, Jimmy Stewart on flat top guitar, Wes L'Anglois on arch top, and Stuart Duncan on fiddle. Another McClinton shuffle, Sweet Talkin' Man has a great feel and McClinton really digs in vocally. Kevin plays piano, guitar, bass and drums on this track and it's really got feel. Wrapping the release is one final McClinton composition, Call Me A Cab, the one track that is an art piece that most every recent McClinton release seems to have and always catches my attention. Great closer. 

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Moondo Music artist: Rique Pantoja - Live In LA - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In LA from Rique Pantoja and it's very enjoyable. Opening with Arpoador, Brazilian piano ace Rique Pantoja sets the pace, joined by Jimmy Earl on bass, Joel Taylor on drums and Cassio Duarte on percussion for a fast paced jam making it difficult to sit still. Ricardo Silveira plays electric guitar with super dexterity adding solid lead runs and contrast. Very cool. Da Baiana is light and breezy with Steve Tavaglione on flute paired with Pantoja on melody. Pantoja takes the first solo with great intensity and Silviera's guitar work is crisp and fluid, capped by Tavaglione on flute. Morena has a traditional contemporary jazz feel with Tavaglione playing melody on sax. A  hot guitar solo by Silviera adds a bit of blues and Pantoja adds solid vocals to this track cementing it's status as the most likely radio track with it's memorable melody. Wrapping the release is Pra Lili with it's inventive styling. Tavaglione on sax has the melodic lead and really does a nice job. Pantoja stretches on piano with tight contributions by Taylor on drums. Circling back Tavaglione rolls a really nice solo of his own and Earl sneaks in with a terrific bass solo as well. Super closer. 

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