VizzTone Label Group artist: Gina Sicilia - Unchange - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Unchange, from Gina Sicilia and it's a nice blend of soul, R&B, gospel and blues. Opening with Healing Time with all of the richness of sweet soul music, Gina Sicilia on lead vocal sets a great table. Backed by Ann and Regina McCrary wou have the best vocal backing money can buy and Kevin McKendree on organ is a terrific addition as well to the basic band of Colin Linden on guitar, Johnny Dymond on bass and Bryan Owings on drums. Great opener. How Far Am I From Canaan is a light take on a full blown gospel track with Sicilia singing acapella over the electric guitar accompaniment and excellent vocal backing of Linden. This is an impressive showcase for Sicilia's vocal prowess and brilliant contemporary interpretation of a traditional style gospel tune. On Rev Gary Davis' classic track, Death Don't Have No Mercy, Linden really opens nicely with reverb saturated blues guitar riffs. Sicilia takes a more bluesy approach on this one with excellent results. Linden gets a chance to let his blues chops flow and with terrific results. Excellent track. Valentine is a real nice ballad with strong radio structure. The melody is well constructed and Linden's acoustic guitar accompaniment is a perfect foil to Sicilia on vocal. Very nice. Linden's, Don't Be Afraid To Be Wrong has the distinct, Gary Davis style rag feel that immediately perks my ears up. Sicilia's vocals float lightly on Linden's finger work making this one of my favorites. Wrapping the release is traditional ballad, There's A Bright Side Somewhere, and Sicilia handles it with great sensitivity and composure over the acoustic accompaniment and beautiful slide solo of Linden . This is a real nice closer for a strong release. 

   

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Toy Robot Music artist: Troy Roberts - Nu Jive: Nations United - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nu Jive: Nations United, by Troy Roberts and it's a full on energized groove. Opening with Funkafarian, Eric England on bass stets a prominent funk line, with a stiff snare chaser by David Chiverton on drums. Troy Roberts plays melody on sax with cool melodic highlights on keys by Silvano Monasterios. Tim Jago on guitar,  takes the first improvisational solo showing great style later followed by Monasterios on keys and a real nice solo by Roberts. Strong opener. Big Night In is a cool, funk based jam over a driving bass line by England. With the reverse of the bass line things turn from funky to contemplative giving Monasterios a broad sheet to paint with his keys. Punching the funk back up, Roberts cuts loose with an aggressive solo of his taking the jam even higher with additive compliments by all members. Very cool. Sobrino is a really interesting piece featuring England's creative bass work through his pedal board and a slow staggering 5/4 timing. With the addition of Monasterios on keys and joined by Roberts, laying in a complimentary melodic solo... this track is quite hypnotic. Wrapping the release is the adventurous, Dream Station with it's snappy drum rhythm and punchy bass line. Roberts establishes a great melody line before turning the adventure over to Jago for extensive yet vibrant guitar exploration. Roberts kicks it into high gear with further exploration on his own making this my favorite track on the release and and a power packed closer. 

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Radha Botofasina - Carry On The Spirituals Vol. 2 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Carry On The Spirituals Vol. 2, from Radha Botofasina and it's quite good. Opening with Satan We Gonna Tear Your Kingdon Down, Brooklyn born, Radah Botofasina presents a strong spiritual journey in music. Having a two decade long association with Alice Coltrane, Alice became her spiritual and musical mentor and gifted her her first harp. With Gemi Taylor on guitar, Botofasina on harp and lead vocal, John Barnes on synth and rhythms and the McCrary Sisters on backing vocals, this is a solid opener. With R&B influence over a definite gospel framework, Woman At The Well,  features really nice call and response between Botofasina on lead vocal and backing vocals by Aankha Neal, Isabel Beyosa, Arianna Gouveia and Shyam Tony Reyes. With a Latin rhythm, gospel classic, Mary Don't You Weep, gets a contemporary makeover. Botofasina on lead vocal, backed by Neal, Beyoso, Gouveia and Reyes on backing vocal work nicely with the synth work of Surya Botofasina on synth organ, Cecil McBee Jr on bass, Munyungo Jackson on percussion and Alma Cielo on viola. Really getting that gospel roll, Move On Up A Little Higher shows real richness with excellent lead work by Botofasina and the addition of Rod Hines on piano, Surya on synth organ, McBee on bass, Caleb Buchanan on acoustic bass, Jackson on percussion Cielo on cello and Neal, Beyoso, Gouveia and Reyes on backing vocals. Wrapping the release is original composition and title track, Carry On with a cool R&B rhythm. Botofasina leads with excellent vocal phrasing and Taylor on guitar adds some real nice solo work. Barnes on synth, and Neal, Beyoso, Gouveia, Reyes, Barnes and the McCrarey Sisters create a cool envelope of music closing out the release. 

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Ruf Records artist: Kenny Neal - Straight From the Heart - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Straight From the Heart, from Kenny Neal and I like it quite well. Opening with Blues Keep Chasing Me, Kenny Neal sets a great funky blues pace. With a solid bass line by Darnell Neal, Arnet Hayes on piano, Brandon Adams on B3,  fat sax work by Jason Parfait, trumpet accents by Ian Smith and tight rhythms by Michael Harris, this is a solid opener. Cool blues, I'll Play The Blues For You has great pace and Neal's lead vocal and guitar are really clean and soulful. Horn backing by Parfait and Smith really adds a lot of punch, and the keyboard work of Adams and Henry really work nicely with the snappy drum work of Morris. Very nice. Louise Ana shows that New Orleans slow blues feel. With the melody carried by Lee Allen on bass, addition of Rockin Dopsie Je on washboard and Big Nate Williams on accordion, this track really has the sound. With a great walking bass line by Darnell Neal, I've Got To Tell Somebody, is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Kenny's vocals are perfect and Hayes piano soloing and Neal's own lush phrasing, punched up by Parfait and Smith is great. Wrapping the release is straight up New Orleans street party, New Orleans with Parfait and Smith leading the way. Darnell keeps the bass pace and and snappy rhythms by Morris really keeps it tight. Hayes piano groove is great and Neal's vocals ride high on the mix. Excellent closer. 

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SubCat Records artist: Nancy Kelly - Jazz Woman, The Reel To Real Sessions - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jazz Woman, The Reel To Real Sessions, from Nancy Kelly and it's one of a series of singles (two tracks) release from earlier in her career. Opening with Jazz Woman, an original composition with a cool, club feel. Backed by John Di Martino on piano, Ed Howard on bass, Freddie Hendrix on trumpet, Harry Allen on tenor, Carmen Intorre Jr, on drums, Wesley Amorim on guitar and Jimmy Johns on vibes, this track has a cool feel with super, muted trumpet lines by Hendrix. Latin rhythms permeate Move Over featuring Kelly's warm vocals and with light keyboard work by DiMartino and smooth sax lines by Allen. This is a short release but very nice and certainly radio ready. 

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G2 Records artist: David Larsen - G2 and You - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, G2 and You, from David Larsen and it's a straightforward instrumental jazz release. Opening with Angel Eyes, David Larsen on bari sax lays down a solid melodic lead line, backed by Danny McCollim on keys, Josh Skinner on bass, and Brendan McMurphy on drums. Larsen's tone is warm and his lead lines fluid and conservative. On Brubeck's,  In Your Own Sweet Way, Larsen shows a pure enjoyment of the artist's original arrangement. On original composition, Bright Days, Larsen pumps up the tempo and gets a solid jam going with aggressive rhythms by McMurphy on drums. With solid piano backing and a strong keys solo by Mc Collim, this is my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is another original composition by Larsen, Through and Through with a solid radio melody. Mc Collim stretches nicely on keys on the first solo stretch and Larsen returns with fine phrasing of his own. This is a pleasant release with precise playing and technique.

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Little Village Foundation: The Phantom Blues Band - Blues For Breakfast - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues For Breakfast, by The Phantom Blues Band and it's a solid party. Originally formed as Taj Mahal's backing band, PBB began performing on their own and released their first release back in 2006. With a few changes in the lineup most significantly Les Lovitt replacing Darrell Leonard on trumpet and Jim Pugh replacing the nearly irreplaceable Mike Finnigan after his fight with cancer ending in 2021. This newest rendition of the band opens with a roaring  cover of I Take What I Want with Larry Fulcher on bass and lead vocals paired with Johnny Lee Schell on lead vocal and guitar. Backed by Tony Braunagel on drums, Joe Sublett on sax, Les Lovitt on trumpet and Jim Pugh on piano and organ this track has real juice. New Orleans flavored, She's Into Something has strong percussion by  Braunagel and the horn work of Joe Sublett and Les Lovitt really spices things up. Schell drops into a nice Texas style guitar solo really setting hit one off. Very nice. A reggae style rework of Curtis Mayfield's, Move On Up, is really cool with vocal by Ruthie Foster  and tight rhythm guitar by Tony Chin and the horn work of Subett and Lovett add nice authenticity. Very cool. Mike Finnigan leads the way on organ and vocal on OK, I Admit It with real swing. Punchy horns by Sublett and Lovitt and Finnigan's own organ work make this one of my favorites. Bonnie Raitt joins on laid back shuffle, Country Boy with her distinct vocal work. Very nice. Curtis Salgado adds lead vocal and distinctive solo harmonica on Laughin' and Clowin', a slow blues and one of my favorites on the release. On up tempo, I Know You Don't Love Me, Salgado has the lead vocal again and does a great job. Sublett, on sax lays in a solid solo making it hard to stop your foot stomping. Wrapping the release is boogie track, Stuff You Gotta Watch with a great driving bass line by Fulcher and stellar work by Pugh on piano. Power horn work by Sublett and Lovitt work great with Schell's lead vocal and Sublett finishes the release with a hot sax solo. Very nice. 

This recording is dedicated to the memory of Mike Finnigan. All proceeds from sales are being donated to the scholarship program at The Mike Finnigan School of Music in Salina, Kansas. 

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Pierce Dipner - Goin' Back - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the first full length release, Goin' Back, from Pierce Dipner, and it's a solid blues entry. Opening with Fool's Gold, with it's classic blues vamp, Pierce Dipner on vocal and guitar leads the way. Backed by Arnold Stagger on bass, Blaise Lanzetta on drums and Joe Munroe on keys, were off to a strong start. Empty Bed Blues has a strong Elmore James feel with his familiar slide riff but Dipner's vocal and instrumentation is all his. On slow blues, Tore Us Apart, Dipner's guitar lead is cradled nicely in the warm keyboard work of Munroe. His vocals are solid and his solo lines are original and set the tone nicely, punched up by Stagger and Lanzetta. On Sean Costello's No Half Steppin', Dipner delivers on vocals with a more R&B feel, dressed nicely by Rick Matt on sax, JD Chaisson on trumpet and Reggie Watkins on trombone. Great radio track. Another R&B style track, Won't You Come Home has a real nice swagger. I particularly like Dipner's vocals on this track. With the thematic vamp by Dipner on guitar, he overdubs a real nice lead solo and really digs in, fired by the organ work of Munroe. Very nice.  Wrapping the release is Justin Townes Earle's Memphis In The Rain. Dipner really feels this style vocally and with horn work by Matt, Chaisson and Watkins and a cool solo of his own, this is a solid closer for a solid new release. 

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Ian Wardenski Quintet featuring Tamara Tucker - Trust - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Trust, from Ian Wardenski Quintet and it's strong. Opening with Before Long, Ian Wardenski Quintet quickly establishes that they aren't to be taken lightly. Jerry Ascione on piano and Frank Russo on drums set up the format quickly joined by Mercedes Beckman on alto sax, Amy Shook on bass and Tamara Tucker on soprano vocal (as an instrument). Ian Wardenski steps up with his guitar presenting the first solo lead on guitar, followed Beckman on sax and Ascione on piano. Russo's rhythm is infectious giving the track a relentless groove. Exceptional opener. C Centric has a terrific feel, opened by Shook on bass and really featuring Russo on drums. Yes, Beckman steps up with a cool sax solo and Wardenski and Ascione solos as well with contributions by Tucker but I gotta tell you...it's all Russo on this track for me. Necessity Needs Another Mother has a more laid back feel with solid solo work by Shook, Ascione, Beckman and strong fluid lead work by Wardenski. Excellent track. The release wraps on a trilogy called Matching Energies Modulus I, II and III. These are not casual compositions clocking in at over 5, 8 and 4 minutes each and are well energized by the musicians. This release is challenging in a good way and well composed and executed. Great job!

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Ce Ce Gable - Next Year's Song - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Next Year's Song, by Ce Ce Gable and it's a solid review of predominantly jazz vocal standards. Opening with original track, Next Year's Song, is a cool composition featuring Ce Ce Gable on vocal and really nice solo bass lead by Harvie S floating in lush piano work by Alan Broadbent, and Matt Wilson on drums. Henry Mancini's Two For The Road is smooth but Gable's vocals are crystal clear with complimentary guitar work by Roni Ben-Hur and light cymbal and snare work by Wilson. Latin salted, Like A Lover, has a great feel, Gable handling the lead vocal with deft finesse and crisp Latin guitar flavoring by Ben-Hur and the lightest of brush rhythm on drums by Wilson. I particularly like Gable's work on Moments Like This. Broadbent's piano holds the structure of the track and Gable's vocals carry the melody in fine view. Very nice. Broadbent penned, From Me To You, has a great Latin rhythm courtesy of Ben-Hur on guitar and again Gable carries the melody nicely. Solid closer for a cool release. 

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Dennis Johnson - Revelation - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Revelation, from Dennis Johnson and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Don Nix's Going Down, Dennis Johnson on lead vocal and guitar digs on on a traditional arrangement backed by Anton Fig on drums and with a steady bass line by Jonathan Stoyanoff and cool piano soloing by Bob Fridzema gets the party going. Talk To You is a great, driving rocker with a straight drum and bass line, super slide work by Johnson and aggressive keys. Robert Johnson's 32-20 Blues is up next and with a great rhythm really gets rockin. Dennis' adds super slide riffs to this already updated track for a totally contemporary feel. Very cool. Ramblin is a cool boogie with a power bass line and call and response between Johnson on vocal and slide. With Elmore James based riffs, this track hits a real nice groove. Wrapping the release is Don't Owe You A Thing with a terrific driving drum line. Johnson on vocal and slide guitar really gets a Hill Country feel and over a pounding bass line by Stoyanoff, Fig's drum swats add a really cool accent. This is a great closer for a solid release. 

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EW Music artist: Emma Wilson - Wish Her Well - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wish Her Well, from Emma Wilson and it's a tight blend of blues, rock, soul and pop. Opening with title track,  Wish Her Well, a cool, stripped down blues track, Emma Wilson shows her cool, aloof, singing  style that works nicely with Mat Hector on drums. Contemporary soul infused pop track, Little Love Bite has a cool melody and nicely blended instrumentation by Hector on drums, Mark Neary on bass and keys, Adam Chetwood on guitars making it s solid radio track. Blossom Like Snow is an interesting blend of blues, soul and pop with a really nice melody and light instrumentation with a firm drum rhythm and rhythm guitar supporting the strong vocal of Wilson. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is slightly funky She Isn't You. Wilson's vocals, and a strong bass line by Neary gives this track a lot of wind in it's sails. Very cool. Driving rocker, Not Paying really stretches with a potent vocal delivery and a pumped drum rhythm and the addition of Alessandro Brunetta on harmonica. Another soulful track, Back On The Road showcases Wilson's vocal warmth and with the addition of some southern soul style guitar riffs by Chetwood puts me in mind of the Muscle Shoals sound. Wrapping the release is Then I'm Gone, a soulful pop track with a heavy kick drum and Neary on bass and keys, supporting Wilson's vocals. This is a cool release with a little bit of everything. 

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Provogue artist: Robin Trower - No More Worlds To Conquer - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, No More Worlds To Conquer, from Robin Trower and I like it! Opening with Ball of Fire, Trower on guitar (and bass), joined by Richard Watts on vocal and Chris Taggart on drums set a solid foundation. Maintaining a trace of early Trower styling, this music sounds fresh and new with rock roots and blues influence. Trower's riffs show power that I rarely see in contemporary rock or blues and his runs are fluid and firm. Very cool. Title track, No More Worlds To Conquer, has rhythmic roots in that early Trower/Hendrix dialog but the track is all original. I like how Trower takes a basic concept and with only a trace of history makes a new and completely independent new track which has excellent strength. With only a bass line and drums to guide to concept, Trower crafts the new melody and solo line on guitar, giving Watts the pathway for the vocals. Excellent! Birdsong is one of my favorite tracks on the release with what I'd call very Troweresque phrasing. Watts vocals really work nicely in the slot and Trower's soulful guitar lead is nicely executed spelling out the blues in Trower's own language. Very nice! Wither On The Vine is another really strong track delivered in more of a ballad style but of course in a Trower manner. Watts really is an ideal singer for Trower's band with just the right feel and Trower's guitar phrasing on this track works so nicely that it could easily carry the release alone. The most flamboyant track on the release is The Razor's Edge with a slow, strutting rhythm and searing guitar lead. Trading call and response with Watts and with the firm bottom by Taggart, this is an excellent rocker. Wrapping the release is I Will Always Be Your Shelter, a quiet ballad for Trower but a cool showcase for Watts and an opportunity for Trower to play solo guitarist instead of lead guitarist. A nicely composed and executed track, a solid closer. 

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Shameful Records artist: Red Hot Shame - My Satellite - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Satellite, from Red Hot Shame, and it's an interesting indie rocker. Opening with Liftoff, Red Hot Shame, led by Xeff Scolari on vocal and acoustic guitar has a cool power rocker feel not unlike the Pixies or the Breeders. Joined by Ryan Wilson on electric guitar, Spencer Kennedy on bass, keys and percussion, Steven Pitsenbarger on backing vocal, horns and percussion, James Terris on keys and bass and Rick Fugate on drums. Title track, My Satellite is a cool rocker with a spacy feel. With a flabby guitar rhythm and excellent vocal blending, as well as some cool keyboard effects, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Solitude is an interesting ballad with a really strong melody. Again Scolari and Pitsenbarger blended vocals really work nicely and the guitar work of Wilson really sets the track off nicely. Another solid rocker is Stranded with it's gritty guitar rake and catchy melody. It's loosely structured guitar soloing over it's tight guitar rhythm and rock style vocals really work well for the most radio style track on the release. Wrapping the release is Little Moon a moody track with a solid melody. Scolari is a strong songwriter with definite hooks in the past. Nice job. 

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Brubeck Editions: The Dave Brubeck Trio - Live From Vienna 1967 - New Release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live From Vienna 1967 from The Dave Bruebeck Trio and it's terrific. This is the only recording of this setup playing as a trio as sax player Paul Desmond missed the flight from Hamburg. This arrangement gave this innovative trio a lot more room to move and they really took advantage of the opportunity. Opening with St. Louis Blues, Dave Brubeck on piano really digs in. With an up tempo boogie style, supported by an excellent bass line by Eugene Wright, and light upper end but tight kick drum accents by Joe Morello, this band really flies. Wright steps up with a great lead bass solo with Brubeck and Morello keeping only the lightest of rhythm on piano and drums. Morello shows clean timing and perfect footwork on his own solo wrapping the track. Excellent! On La Paloma Azul, Brubeck plays beautifully, holding the composition in the palm of his hands. Lightly expressing his phrasing and with Wright playing in balance, this track just floats. Increasing his power through the middle of the passage gives nice contrast as he backs off on the back side and eases into the summary. Very nice. On Someday My Prince Will Come, Brubeck really starts out with tempo and power. Once establishing the initial phrase he backs off and lets the improvisation flow. In jazz, this track gets some of the most colorful explorations that I have heard, I think primarily because everyone knows the melody so well that it can be easily expressed by Wright (in this case) with only key notes on bass. Brubeck breaks into a waltz phrase, followed by Wright but Morello holds the original rhythm for a time, then breaking rhythm and consolidating with Brubeck and Wright for the final phrase. Powerful. Closing the release is an energetic cover of Take The A Train with a driving bass line by Wright and quick, fluid phrasing by Brubeck. Excellent closer for a really strong release! 

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Bananafish - Boston Bananafish - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Boston Bananafish by Bananafish and it's a cool jam rocker. Opening with What's Been Going On?, Bananafish, led by vocalist, guitarist songwriter Fordham Murdy, (also known as Reverend Freakchild) begins this two cd release with a pop rocker with contemporary rock and country roots. Joined by Dan Simone on keys, Ben Chen and Ry Cavanaugh on bas and Joe Bulkin on drums. Casey And Hayes is a cool rocker with a spry beat. With it's story line flowing and it's hi low vocal Murdy and Simone) blending and piano lead, this is one of my favorites. Belpre at Night is a cool, blues based track with a vocal prominent beginning, developing into a solid guitar led guitar jam. Very cool. An interesting, folk like rework of Lennon and McCartney's With A Little Help From My Friends is pretty creative in itself with only traces of the original melody or arrangement. The second cd of this release contains all instrumental tracks. Planet Garbonzo is a loose rocker with Murdy working with Simone in tandem guitar and keyboard lines around a central rocking theme. Crazy Karma is short but effective. With heavy fuzz on the guitar Murdy lays down a central rock theme with guitar on a tight drum rhythm. Simone answers his call with electric piano ... almost Zappa like. This is an interesting composition over 2 cds with very short and longer concepts. 

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Little Village Foundation artist: Mighty Mike Schermer - Just Gettin' Good - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Gettin' Good, by Mighty Mike Schermer, and I really like it. Opening with title track, Just Gettin' Good, this release is off to a hot start. With Mighty Mike and Ms. Kimmy Pickens on lead vocal and the stinging guitar work of Mike out front, this track struts. With the fat bari sax work of Aaron Lington, and joined by Dmar on drums, Steve Ehrmann on bass, Tony Snead on organ, Eric Spaulding on tenor, Jeff Lewis on trumpet and Mike Rinta on trombone, this track is smokin'. On slow, soulful This Is Where My Love Is, Schermer sings a solid ballad and keeps the instrumentation to a minimum with Paul Revelli on drums, Steve Ehrmann on bass and Austin DeLone on organ.  On island track, The Hungry Dog, Schermer gets a calypso rhythm and the guys really get into the swing. June Core on drums, Kid Andersen on bass and vocal, Chris Burns on piano, Kimmy on percussion and Wally Pickins on vocal, this track is a lot of fun. Funky blues, Tired of Travellin', is one of my favorite tracks on the release. With Mike throwing down some great riffs, with Revelli on drums, Ehrmann on bass, Tony Snead on organ, Andersen on rhythm guitar and heavy horns by Jack Sanford on sax and John Halbleib on trumpet. Super. Another blues track with a funky bottom is Cook Up A Little Love. With Kimmy and Mike trading off lead vocal, Ehrmann on bass, Tony Snead on keys and D'mar on drums this track and Mikes grip on the guitar, another cool track. Rocker, Kimmy Kimmy Gimmee Gimmee has a early rocking feel with a lot of spunk. Wrapping the release is ska track, It's Not Me, It's You. With Revelli on drums, Ehrmann on bass, Austin DeLone on organ, Andersen on acoustic guitar, John Nemeth on vocal, Uncle Bernie on sax, Mike Kobin on trumpet and James Cody Arnholt on trombone, and with Mike taking a stylized guitar solo this is a fun party closer. 

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