Bman's Blues Report

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Innervision Records artist: Vincent Venezia - The Venetian - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Venetian, from Vincent Venezia and it's a cool but inventive exploration into the classics. Opening with The Days Of Wine And Roses, Vin Venezia presents the melody with flowing electric riffs, backed by Richie Morales on drums, Harvie S. on bass, and David Budway on piano. Harvie steps out with a real nice bass solo giving the track more depth. Nice opener. Venezia's take on Stella By Starlight is really nice with sure footed, guitar riffs and a tight drum rhythm. With his clean presentation and nice interlude by Budway, this is a real nice track. Jobim's classic How Insensitive, is a really nice break in the set with a strong Latin rhythm giving Veneziia a broad canvas to paint. Also of note is a health, well presented solo by Harvie. Very nice. Davis' Tune Up is really nice with lead melody by Danny Walsh on tenor sax. Paired with Venezia and his fluid guitar runs, this track takes yet another direction and adds yet more texture. Wrapping the release is original composition, Without A Sound, featuring Venezia climbing ever high on synth guitar over a staid acoustic guitar anchor.. Cool ending foe an interesting release.

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Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Blue Heart Records artist: Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps - Rose-Colored Glasses Vol. 2 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Rose-Colored Glasses Vol. 2, by Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps, and it's got a great feel. Opening with blue rocker, I'd Do It For You, James on piano and lead vocal, enlists Brannen Temple on drums, Terry Wilson on bass, backing vocals, B3, Rhythm guitar, and Billy Watts on lead guitar. Solid opener. Easy, laid back, pop ballad, That's What I'm Talking About has terrific radio appeal with it's smooth melody and James really nice vocals. Slinky, Ain't Nothing For Certain, is another track with strong radio appeal with James really doing a nice job deliveing the melody and Matt Lomeo featuring counterpoint on harmonica. Wrapping the release is Second Chance with a tight rock delivery. James on lead vocal always hits it square on and with backing by Braunagel on drums, bass, guitar, Wilson on backing vocal, Kevin McKendree on piano and Bennett Salvay on B3, this is an upbeat closer.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Quarto Valley Records artist: Tom Hambridge - Blu Ja Vu - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blu Ja Vu, from Tom Hambridge, and it's potent set of blues rock tracks with plenty of gusto. Opening with Ain't It Just Like Love, Tom Hambridge joins up with Buddy Guy on vocal, (Hambridge on drums and Guy on guitar) with bass by Tommy MacDonald, Kevin McKendree on on keys and featuring an explosive guitar solo by Guy. Strong opener. Rob McNelley on lead guitar really gets things cranking on Wear You Out with a driving beat and solid vocals by Hambridge. Shuffle, Blues Don't Care, features Kingfish on guitar and vocal and this track has great style. Hi power Brother John Boogie features harmonica superman, James Cotton with Glenn Worf on bass, Chuck Leavell on keys, and of course Hambridge on drums. Excellent! Another great boogie, Get Out Of Town features McKendree on vicious keys and Hambridge on vocal. Very cool. Stripped down blues, Johnny Winter, features excellent slide work by McNelley, Hambridge on drums and vocal and MacDonald on bass. Wrapping the release is End Of The Line, a laid back boogie with Hambridge on vocal and drums, nicely dresses with relaxed guitar riffs by McNelley. This is a solid closer for a really enjoyable release.

Monday, February 26, 2024

Yako Records artist: Chris Yakopcic - Live At The Hidden Gem - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live At The Hidden Gem, from Chris Yakopcic and it's a solid set of Delta and Piedmont style blues. Opening with original composition, Gotta Get Goodbye Somehow, singer/songwriter and guitar player, Chris Yakopcic opens his set. With contemporary folk blues styling, Yakopcic has firm guitar footing and a strong vocal approach. On one of Robert Johnson's better known compositions, Traveling Riverside Blues, Yakopcic shows a lot of feel with percussive guitar attack and wailing vocal. Very nice. Another Johnson composition, Kind Hearted Woman, has a much smoother approach with a more romantic sound and precise guitar accompaniment. Original composition, Sounds of the Highway, has a Blake feel with a certain contemporary edge. Fine guitar work and vocals make this the likely top track on the release. Wrapping the release is a rousing cover of Johnson's Preachin' Blues with Yakopcic working his national steel bodied guitar over real good with deft finger picking and slippery slide work. Solid closer for a solid release.

Friday, February 23, 2024

Pilot Light Records artist: Willie J. Laws Jr. - Too Much Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Too Much Blues, from Willie J. Laws Jr. and it's dripping in funky blues. Opening with Regl' Ol' Blues, Willie J. Laws Jr. on vocal and guitar sets the stage for a soulful sort of blues. His phrasing is super and his guitar work mature, backed by Dave Johnson on bass, Brooks Milgate on keys, Justin Blackburn on drums, Erik Lawrence on sax, and Siobhan Magness on backing vocals. Strong opener. Stuck in Traffic is a particularly cool track with that Curtis Mayfield funky stew feel. Laws uses a great blend of vocal and guitar to get just the right mix. Title track, Too Much Blues has a super bass line by Johnson leading the way and Jaws singing in somewhat a BB King style with real nice guitar phrasing, punched up by Milgate on organ. Another funky blues, You Don't Love Me, really has a great feel, alternating Johnson's bass line with Laws' vocals, tied together by Milgate on keys and Blackburn on drums. Wrapping the release is the Isleys' Who's That Lady and Laws gives the track a cool makeover, putting his own spin on the vocal delivery as well as solo guitar approach. Joined by Amalia Ververis on backing vocals, this is a cool closer.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

7D media artist: Tu-Ner - T-1 Contact Information - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, T-1 Contact Information, from Tu-Ner and it's an excellent exploration of a theme. With some of the most prestigious names in Avant-Garde / progressive rock style music, this is quite an exhibition spread over 2 CDs. Opening with Crowfin, Pat Mastelotto, lays out a really interesting rhythm pattern over which Markus Reuter creates an adventurous lead on guitar with atmospheric contributions by Trey Gunn on stick. If you aren't familiar with this trio, Reuters has been pioneering this style of music for quite some time wit this band as well in other endeavors. Mastelotto is widely known for his work with King Crimson as it Gunn who also had his ow band as well as a member of KTU. 31 is a deep groove with a solid funky like bass line from Gunn. Very nice. On Contact Information, an extremely heavy footed track, Mastelotto sets a deep stage and Reuter literally soars. Poem About A Sad Horse is a cool. introspective track with a leading bass line, tightly executed drum line and a floating guitar melody. Excellent! Wrapping the release is, Poodles, a pounding rocker at Mastelotto's command with an excellent lead bass line by Gunn and unearthly melody by Reuter. This is a really interesting release that deserves a strong listen.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Cold Plunge Records artist: Technocats - TechnoCats: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, TechnoCats: The Music Of Gregg Hill, by TechnoCats and it's got a real nice feel. Opening with shuffle, Come On Down, the TechnoCats have a solid groove going with Michael J. Reed on drums, Xavier Davis on piano and Javier Enrique on bass. Nathan Borton on guitar sets off with a real nice guitar solo and Chris Glassman on bass trombone, lays out a real nice one as well. Enrique plucks a real nice bass line and gets a stretch to solo as well. Strong opener. After a nicely presented piano intro by Davis on I Want To Live, Glassman takes the lead on trombone, improvising around a strong melody. Davis rolls back in with inciteful piano lead over the solid bass line and soloing of Enrique and tight drumming of Reed. Very cool. Latin flavored, Rista! Rista! is a cool, up tempo track with a lively bass line, tight percussion, and excellent solos by Borton, Davis and Glassman. This is my favorite track on the release. Sunny Daze really has a nice groove with a pumping bass lime by Enrique and showcases Borton, Davis and Glassman exchanging high energy solos. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Thank You Notes a quiet ballad with a warm melody. With Borton and Glassman expressing the melody over the firm bass line of Enrique and Reed on drums and the Davis' complimentary piano work pulling the track together. Another flowing solo by Glassman rides the track to a warm conclusion.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Blue Heart Records artist: Chris Beard - Pass It On Down - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Pass It On Down, by Chris Beard and it's a super set of blues, soul and R&B tracks. Opening with funky, Let The Chips Fall, with Brother Wilson on rhythm guitar, Marvin Parker on bass, Carlton Campbell on drums, John Tucker on keys and featuring Chris Beard on lead guitar and vocal. Hot opener. Rocker, Big Girl, has influence of Santana and the Isleys with a solid melody and vocals, a rich lead guitar solo by Beard and backing by Richard Rodolph on bass, Quinn Lawrence on horns, Jonathan Curry on keys and Duane Beard on backing vocals. One of my favorite tracks on the release is House Of Shame with slashing lead guitar work and deep vocal by Beard. Backing vocals by Mary Ellen Haden really add the right element and Parker's bass lines and tight drum work by Campbell make this one of the nicest tracks on the release. Strong bluesy R&B track, Son I Never Knew, has a real nice groove with Beard trading off vocal with guitar riffs over Darnell Neal on bass, Kenny Neal on rhythm guitar, Gralin Hoffman Neal on drums, and Fredrick Neal on keys. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Bitter Baby, with a nicely stated guitar lead on the intro. With Rodolph on bass, backing vocals by Beard, Campbell on drums, the track has a great footing. Beard on lead vocal has terrific phrasing and with a real nice piano solo by Curry and his own guitar work, this is an excellent closer.

Monday, February 19, 2024

Tom Buenger - Blues From Caucasia - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues From Caucasia, by Tom Buenger and it's an entertaining mix of blues, gospel, neo soul, country and rock. Opening with Above The Sun, a hand slapping revival track, Tom Buenger on lead vocal and harmonica, Chris Eger on guitar, Cyrus Zerbe on drums, Richard Williams on bass really gets things moving. On That Ain't Right Buenger hits a solid, old school blues vein with great vocals and rich harmonica accompaniment over tight drum and bass bottom. Another track with a wealth of gospel richness is Don't Stop with backing vocals by Teresa Russell and Rafael Tranquilino. Very nice. With a neo soul arrangement, Feel Alright has a contemporary approach that could easily run high on the air. Excellent vocals by Buenger, Tranquilino and Russell. Wrapping the release is Soul of a Man with excellent vocal blending by Buenger, Russell and Tranquilino blending soul, blues, and gospel for a dynamite closer.

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Little Village artist: Candice Ivory - When The Levee Breaks - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, When The Levee Breaks, from Candice Ivory, and it's a updated rework of the music of Memphis Minnie. Opening with Me And My Chauffeur, Candice Ivory has a different kind of voice that I typically hear in contemporary blues singers but with plenty of sass. Joined by guitar/bass wizard, Charlie Hunter, Da Shawn Hickman on pedal steel and George Sluppick on drums this is a cool opener. I really like the application of African style percussion by Brevan Hampden and Atibe Rorie on You Can't Rule Me continuing throughout the track with Kickman on steel and Sluppick, all supporting to focused vocal of Ivory. When You Love Me has a more traditional feel with Hunter on finger picked guitar and Ivory just singing from the heart. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funk soaked World Of Trouble. Not only does Hunter and Hickman really get this thing going and potent percussion backing but Ivory digs deep really punching it out. Excellent! Wrapping the release is New Bumble Bee with a super staggering drum rhythm and rich vocal work by Ivory with just the right guitar underpinnings by Hunter. I think this release is well done and enticing.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

The Dig 3 - Damn The Rent - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Damn The Rent, from The Dig 3 and it's a cool, rural bules rocker. Opening with Take A Ride, with it's Bo Diddley rhythm, Andrew Duncanson on vocal and guitar sets the pace and drives the train with super harmonica accompaniment by Ronnie Shellist on harmonica and Gerry Hundt on drums, percussion, bass. Big Water is an up step boogie with it's relentless guitar riff and potent vocal call by Duncanson, a firm kick drum and response from Shellist on harmonica. This is a great groove. Chuck & Willie is a great shuffle giving Duncanson plenty of room to stretch on guitar and Shellist to match his groove with a romping harmonica solo of his own. Very nice. Red-Tailed Hawk is another tasty boogie that's just waiting to break loose. With a rumbling bass bottom and snare, Duncanson works his vocals and guitar coaxing the harmonica work of Shellist and he takes the gauntlet and runs. Solid blues. Wrapping the release is R&B flavored, All The Love I Got. Adding Aaron Whittier on bass, Rick King on drums and Lauren Dukes on backing vocal and well as Hundt on organ, this is a solid old school closer.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

EG Kight - Sticks & Strings - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sticks & Strings, from EG Kight and it's solid release. Opening with Talk With Me, EG Kight sets up a real nice shuffle leading the way with fine vocals and guitar, backed by Ken Wynn on lead guitar and dobro, Gary Porter on drums, Sean Williams on bass and Porter and Wynn on backing vocals. Wynn steps up with a real nice guitar solo on slow blues, If You Have No Reservations, nicely supporting the front work of Kight. One of Kight's best vocal showcases on the release is ballad, All Things Considered with a strong melody, and a super guitar hook. This track should stand tall for radio airplay. Wrapping the release is another radio track, I Won't Ever Give Up, with an easy, pop melody and laid back accompaniment.

Monday, February 12, 2024

Extra Sensory Productions artist: Nick Wade - Feeling Good Is Good Enough - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Feeling Good Is Good Enough, from Nick Wade and it's really strong! Opening with Sky Line Drive, Nick Wade on acoustic guitar and vocal nails it. Wade has excellent picking style and his vocals don't come from this century. Excellent start. Listen to Ease On Down The Road with it's authentic blues guitar riffs and vocal wailing. One of the best contemporary delta style artist I've heard. Ragamuffin, a full out rag is really great with precision picking and timing. Really nice! One of my favorite tracks on the release is When You Bury My Body with it's deliberate, percussive guitar rhythm and excellent phrasing. Another favorite is Down The Way with its ragged Son House approach. With a thumping down beat and strong vocal melody, this track just pulls you in. Check the wailing vocals on Crucifixion. This guy is off the hook. Wrapping the release is up tempo, Raggin' My Blues Away, with all of the bounce and precision of Fuller. If you love the blues, and you love the old school blues... you'll love this release.

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Dom Martin - Buried In The Hail - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Buried In The Hail, and it's a pretty interesting mix of contemporary rock and blues. Opening with Hello In There, an instrumental featuring Belfast born, Dom Martin on acoustic guitar, this really creates a cool setting for what's to come. Martin kicks things up a notch with Daylight I Will Find, a cool rocker with blues overtones. Martin has a strong voice and his acoustic guitar work, along with pounding percussion and a strong melody make this a favorite on the release. Ramping it up a to driving drums and electric slide, Martin shows great finesse on Belfast Blues. His stirring slide work and emotion filled vocals give this track a lot of positive tension. With it's loose, funky rhythm, ragged guitar riffs, concise soloing and tight bottom, Unhinged is the most creative track on the release and certainly is my top pick on the release. Howlin' is a contemporary rag tune with nimble fingered Martin dancing across the fretboard with snare accompaniment and vocal. Very cool. I thank that Lefty 2 Guns is a particularly cool track bringing the style of early Robin Trower or maybe David Gilmore to mind. It isn't Trower's trademark riff or Gilmore's phrasing, not even close. It's the poise and finesse. Very nice. Wrapping the release is another solid acoustic instrumental, Laid To Rest with an imaginative guitar strumming and raking pattern creating a quiet close. Very nice.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Mizz Lowe Records artist: Mizz Lowe - Classy Woman - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Classy Woman, from Mizz Lowe and it's a funky, R&B blue party. Opening with Honey Tree, Mizz Lowe on lead vocal is joined by Bobby Rush on vocal, guitar and harmonica, Brother Paul Brown on Hammond, bass and drums and Paul Black on slide. Slinky, Easy Baby, has a soft approach with Lowe on vocal, Brown on bass, guitar and drums and Black wailing on slide. Very cool. Drink Drink is a cool shuffle with Lowe on vocal and Dexter Allen on guitar and bass. 4 Leaf Clover is the radio ballad for the track showcasing Lowe's vocals backed by Rush on harmonica and Brown on bass, drums and Fender Rhodes. This is a cool track with a solid melody. Wrapping the release is Christmas Tears, a nice seasonal track with warm vocals, bass, drums, Rhodes and percussion by Brown and Rush on harp. A solid closer.

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Tommy Lee Cook - Tommy Lee's Jonesin' - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tommy Lee's Jonesin', by Tommy Lee Cook and it's a solid contemporary blues rocker. Opening with Birds and Bees, Tommy Lee Cook is up front on vocal and guitar. With Danny Shepherd, Rex Bongo and Scott Kamener on guitar, Harry Cassano on keys, Tbone Fonk and Andrei Koribanics on drums this track has plenty of attitude. Bluesy, Let It Rain is the most commercial track on the release with gritty vocals by Cook and nicely crafted guitar lead and including a strong piano rhythm by Bobby Capps and a nice sax solo by Rick Rourke. Swampy, Souleater is my favorite track on the release with a lumbering rhythm and just the right feel. I like the guitar soloing on this track with it's story telling sound and cool backing vocals. Another slower ballad, Satisfied, has a real nice melody and glistening slide guitar work by Justin Richey and Arne England. Another favorite is Working Musician with it's cool strut. Cook's vocals are solid and with England on slide, Capps on piano solid drumming by Fonk, this track just hits the spot. Wrapping the release is The Boys From Buckingham with Cook telling the story. With Capps on piano this is just good fun. Sure to be a crowd favorite and a solid closer.

Monday, February 5, 2024

MVDaudio artist: Bob Holz - Holz-Stathis: Collaborative - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Holz-Stathis: Collaborative from Bob Holz and it's packed with power. Opening with The Tunnel, drummer Bob Holz sets a tight riff joined by Ric Fierabracci with a funky bass line. Randy Brecker is full out on the refrain but when his gets his slot really lays in some nice chops. Dean Brown rips it up on guitar and Billy Steinway on keys give the track it's own glow. World Turned Upside Down has a cool wandering melody featuring John MacLaughlin on guitar, Jean Luc Ponty on violin, Ralphe Armstrong on bass, and James Moody on acoustic guitar. With it's jagged rhythm, Holz really holds it tight and McLaughlin's soloing is excellent and Ponty is always magical when with McLaughlin so this is a treat. Latin flavored, Palo Viejo, features some real nice flute lead and solid sax work from Brandon Fields. With Fierabracci on bass, Alex Acuna on percussion, and Holz really kicking it on drums, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Holz and Darryl Jones create a bottom that really kicks on You Can Get It and Brecker's sensitivity on trumpet really shines. David Goldberg and Ada Rovatti on sax are flat out. Hot track for sure. The angular attack of Jamie Glaser on guitar complimented by Holz tight work on drums gives Flight of Fancy real fuel. Armstrong on bass really forms up a strong bass solo and the addition of Karen Briggs on violin works perfectly. Very cool track. Wrapping the release is Lookin' Back over some deep funk by Benjamin Shepherd on bass and Steinway on keys. Brecker, Rovatti and Goldberg pair up nicely on melody and Holz really holds on tight for some rich sax and trumpet soloing and support guitar soloing by Brown. Excellent closer.