Bman's Blues Report

Friday, March 15, 2024

Aguanko - Unidad - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Unidad, by Aquanko and it's a heaping plate of Latin flavored jazz. Opening with Kintsugi, a fleet footed mambo, features Alberto Nacif on congas, Jose Espinosa on timbales and percussion, and Patrick Prouty on bass. Featuring hot brass by Charlie Miller on trumpet, Russ Miller on sax, Rick Roe on piano and Christopher Smith on trombone this is a solid opener. Un Poco Cubop has excellent mambo rhythm, with strong piano and timbales work under the perfectly blended horn work of Smith, Charlie Miller and Russ Miller. Another mambo, Interception really moves, With tight horn interplay between Smith and the Millers as well as driving piano by Roe and Nacif's confident congas work, this track is explosive. Wrapping the release is Espacio Verde with it's infectious rhythm. A stellar piano solo by Roe, a warm sax solo by Russ, Charlie's articulate trumpet work and Nacif and Espinosa really accentuating the rhythm, this is a hot closer.

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Thursday, March 14, 2024

Whiskey Bayou Records artist: Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos - Cheat The Devil - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cheat The Devil, from Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with Sweet Little Devil, a funky rocker with biting lead/slide guitar work by Anthony Rosano and cowbell laden drum work by Kyle McCormick, how could you go wrong. Jake Fultz on bass really does a solid job of driving this train and I gotta say, Rosano's lead vocals sound quite a bit like one of my favorite lead voices in rock, James Dewar of Robin Trower fame and together this is a great sound. Fat, distorted guitar tone permeates the opening of slow blues, What Kind of Fool, and with deep bass and tight drum work, Rosano really works the lead vocal on this track. Dropping out all of the overdriven guitar saturation, Rosano develops a beautiful melodic guitar line. Very nice. Funky blues rocker, Jonesboro Road, really is a cool track with McCormick and Fultz laying down a great groove and Rosano singing and playing lead in call and response in a style used quite often by Warren Haynes. Great track. On Rosalita, Rosano again shows how great a lead vocalist he really is, with rich lead vocals and playing Spanish flavored, melodic lead guitar giving the track just the slightest taste without changing the overall flavor of the set. Very nice. Wrapping the set is a cool rocking interpretation of Slim Harpo's King Bee. With an aggressive bass/drum line and a rock funky feel, Rosano works the lead vocal/lead guitar leaving a wanting for more. Very solid closer.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Basset Hound Records artist: The Jim Self & John Chiodini Quintet - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Touch and Go, from The Jim Self & John Chiodini Quintet and it's a cool set with dominant melodic lead on Fluba (a tuba sized flugelhorn). Opening with Touch and Go, Jim Self on Fluba and Ron Stout on trumpet, set the melody with John Chiodini on guitar, Ken Wild on bass and Kendall Kay on drums. The bottom is aggressive and tight giving Self a solid floor to show what a Fluba can do. Chiodini plays warm chords and gentle phrases leading to fluid soloing by Stout on trumpet and firm finger work by Wild. Solid opener. Benny Carter's Only Trust Your Heart features a particularly nice trio set by Self, Chiodini and Stout. Chiodini penned, Amber, is one of my favorites on the release with a cool bop feel a particularly nice interlude by Self and Stout and some of the nicest guitar work by Chiodini on the release. Triangles is a cool track in 3/4 time. Stout and Self weave seamlessly on Fluba and trumpet creating a solid melody with plenty of warmth and interest. With a tasty bass solo by Wild and another fluid solo by Chiodini on guitar, all held tight by Kay, this is a strong entry. Wrapping the release is Miles Davis', Dig. The band is tight on point at the intro before Stout breaks loose with a great trumpet melody over a driving bass line by Wild and Kay on drums. Self picks up the lead on tuba and then a hot solo by Chiodini on guitar making this an excellent closer for a tight release.

Monday, March 11, 2024

Little G. Weevil - If I May - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, If I May, from Little G. Weevil, and it's another in a line of solid releases from him. Opening with cool, blues rocker Yoga Girl (Hold Me Close) in the style of Willie Dixon, Little G onlead guitar and vocal has total control. With K.C. Brown on tight blues harp, Mr. Jambalaya on piano, Csaba Pengo on bass and Tom Kiss on drums, this is a strong opener. Wandering blues rocker, One Last Time really puts me in mind of early Savoy Brown and the great Kim Simmonds. With excellent musical tension, powerful vocal, thumping drumming by Kiss and excellent guitar lead by Little G., I love this track. Doctor Hay is a cool piano shuffle featuring Jambalaya on piano working hard with Pengo on bass under Little G's vocal. Nicely phrased guitar work by Little G gives the track a springy texture and a rakish grit. Very nice. Chicago style blues, Tingalingaling (Everybody's Qualified) really gets the band rolling with full house vocals, excellent harp work by Brown, rolling piano by Jambalaya and a firm bottom by Pengo and Kiss. Slow blues, We Don't Learn Much, features some real nice lead work by Little G. and potent vocals over the piano lead of Jambalaya. Written along the lines of a Broonzy tune, this track gives Little G. a chance to throw down some really stinging riffs to compliment his soulful vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, I Know Many Ways To Prove My Love. With thunderous drums by Kiss and and wailing guitar work by Little G., this is a strong closer for a strong release.

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Forty Below Records artist: John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - Live In 1967 Vol. 3 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In 1967 Vol. 3. from John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and it's terrific. Over the years I've embellished upon how much the British blues had on me personally and my personal taste in music. I's remarkable that these early tapes have come to light, featuring Green, Fleetwood, McVie and Mayall in their raw glory. It would have been a rare find when recorded and it's a real treat today. Opening with Brand New Start, Mayall on vocal, harmonica and organ is the leading force, with solid bottom by Fleetwood on drums, and the driving bass line of McVie but of course it's Mayall's harmonica and vocal, punched into oblivion by the sensitive hands of Green that make these cuts so vital. Listen to Green just rip away on Tear In My Eyes, a slow blues justcrafted excellently for Green's phrasing and style. He doesn't waste a phrase, making every impulse count, framed by Fleetwood. Brilliant! There's no question that the fidelity on some of this old tape is marginal, without it, these excellent examples of this band's work, which is not very plentiful would be all but lost. On Your Funeral And My Trial, it's all Mayall with some of his best harmonica and vocal on the release. Freddie King's Stumble is of course a real standout for Green with one fiery riff after another. This band truly was amazing. Wrapping the release is a strong cover of Otis Rush's Double Trouble, which translates to dark blues. Rush had an incredible ability to create more intensity per note than most any blues player in his time. Mayall not only had a nose for the best blues music happening anywhere in the world, but the ability to find and attract the best talent to join his quest, putting together the best functioning bands to spread the blues worldwide ... bar none, and to do over and again. Congratulations John on an excellent set and thanks to Forty Below for putting it together.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

McCannic Music artist: Pete McCann - Without Question - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Without Question, from Pete McCann and I like it's aggressive attack. Opening with title track, Without Question, Steve Wilson on alto sax and Pete McCann on electric guitar really rip it loose. With Henry Hey on piano, Matt Pavolka on bass and Mark Ferber on drums, this track is smokin. I really like the excitement created by Wilson and Ferber on Trifecta. McCann's guitar solo is unhinged, with intense energy. Very nice! Blues For O.M. is a "heady" exploration on Oliver Messianen who is known for the famous Modes of limited transposition. I think that this track works really well giving McCann a wide open floor to lay down a blistering guitar solo over a conventional walking bass line by Pavolka. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Erase The Hate, a soulful ballad featuring Wilson on alto leading the melody which has just a taste of Eastern influence. McCann shifts to more rock styling with Gary More ballad like soloing and Wilson to Soprano as a continued melody, with Hey holding the melody on piano. Solid closer for an intelligent release.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Origin Records artist: Maddie Vogler - While We Have Time - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, While We Have Time, by Maddie Vogler and it's quite entertaining. Opening with, The Need To Be, Maddie Vogler on Alto Sax, is joined by Tito Carrillo on trumpet and Flugelhorn, Matt Gold on guitar, Jake Shapiro on piano, Samuel Peters on bass and Neil Hemphill on drums. This track shows a definite interest in exploring Vogler's Cuban roots. Her sax soloing on this track is mature and intense. Great opener. Ropa Vieja is a more sensuous track with Vogler carrying a very nice intro. Vogler and Carrillo present a verry supple interplay before forging into a more dynamic portion of the track with intense work by Shapiro, Peters and Hemphill. Very nice. Between Wakefulness and Sleep, plays over a lightly salted Latin rhythm with the melody being shared between Vogler and Carrillo. But when the melody breaks, begins the fireworks begins. First up is Vogler with an explosive sax solo which leaves you wanting more, followed by Shapiro on piano. Wrapping the release is Check Engine Light with a more contemporary flair. With an intriguing horn rhythm hook created by Vogler and Carrillo, this track is just getting started. Gold steps up with a really nice guitar solo and there's no hiding the excellent drum/bass interplay of Hemphill and Peters making this a very solid closer.

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.

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.