Bman's Blues Report

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Jeff Rupert Quartet - Sea Spell

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Sep 2026 01:23:20 +0000

The Jeff Rupert Quartet stands as one of modern jazz’s most reliable forces for elegant, deeply swinging acoustic interplay. Guided by acclaimed tenor saxophonist and educator Jeff Rupert, the ensemble has spent decades perfecting a sound that honors classic post-bop traditions while introducing a highly polished, contemporary edge. Rupert’s robust, lyrical tone—reminiscent of masters like Stan Getz and Dexter Gordon—serves as the emotional anchor for an exceptionally tight rhythm section featuring pianist Richard Drexler, bassist Ben Kramer, and legendary drummer Marty Morell, a percussionist renowned for his iconic tenure with the Bill Evans Trio. Together, they approach jazz as a sophisticated conversation, prioritizing emotional depth, melodic clarity, and a flawless collective groove over avant-garde experimentation or sheer technical athletics. Across a celebrated discography that includes acclaimed releases like En Bop and Imagination, the group has continuously proven their mastery over the standard songbook and soulful original themes. With their latest studio offering, Sea Spell, the quartet sounds more unified than ever, translating a profound oceanic mystique into a mesmerizing set of high-tier acoustic jazz.

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The Deep Dive

The album opens with Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most, a beautifully illustrated standard showcasing Jeff Rupert’s lush sax tone and phrasing. With Marty Morell on drums and Ben Kramer on bass and certainly Richard Drexler who really cruises into the Latin feel on piano this track, gets legs. With a Desmond or Getz feel, this track is a solid opener. On Mambo Inn, Rupert rides high on the drum work of Morell and he really swings. A master of his craft, his fingers are fleet and his syncopation spot on. A lively solo by Drexler really gives the track a bright swat making it one of my favorites on the release.

Rupert original, Look Who's Calling, has a shuffle feel that plays again into Drexler's hand giving Rupert a great foil to play off of. His soloing behind the beat is terrific and the band backing off so Kramer can lead the way is really smart. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Wednesday's News, a super shuffle giving Rupert a clean slate and he riffs nicely just behind the beat held crisply by Morell and Drexler. I do like when Drexler steps up, his piano a perfect counterpoint to the thickness of Rupert's tone. Strong closer for a cool release.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Sea Spell
Artist: Jeff Rupert Quartet
Record Label: Rupe Media
Release Date: June 25, 2026
Personnel: Jeff Rupert (Tenor Saxophone), Richard Drexler (Piano), Ben Kramer (Bass), Marty Morell (Drums)
Recording Location: Van Gelder Studios (Englewood Cliffs, NJ)
Production Notes: Recorded on March 22, 2022; Mixed July 23–24, 2023

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Featured Personnel & Special Guests: Jeff Rupert (Tenor Saxophone), Richard Drexler (Piano), Ben Kramer (Bass), Marty Morell (Drums), and Michiko Morell (Congas on Track 3).

Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most
Blue Steel
Mambo Inn
Sea Spell
Look Who's Calling
Polka Dots and Moonbeams
A Breeze Through the Keys
Orca-Stration
Wednesday's News

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Sea Spell	Rupe Media	Jeff Rupert Quartet	2026
Imagination	Rupe Media	Jeff Rupert Quartet	2020
The Ripples	Rupe Media	Jeff Rupert Quartet	2020
Unison	Rupe Media	Jeff Rupert & George Garzone	2020
En Bop	Rupe Media	Jeff Rupert Quartet	2019
Let Freedom Ring: Saxophones for Democracy	Rupe Media	Jeff Rupert & George Garzone	2016
Do That Again	Rupe Media	Jeff Rupert & Richard Drexler	2014
From the Starlight Lounge	Rupe Media	Jeff Rupert Quartet	2013
I Bossa You	Rupe Media	Jeff Rupert Quartet	2009

Watch: Jeff Rupert Quartet - Sea Spell

This record highlights an effortless collective groove featuring a relaxed horn over a tight, intuitive rhythm section. The band transitions smoothly from syncopated pulses to easy shuffles, allowing the keys to provide a nimble contrast before concluding with a soulful finale.

Bman's Verdict

The pocket stays steady, allowing Rupert and Drexler to step out front and deliver brilliant solos without tilting the band’s perfect balance.

Label: Rupe Media

Released: June 26, 2026

New Feature - Check the side bar - Great streaming album - This week's Artist - Ry Cooder

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 23:55:21 +0000

Ryland Cooder

Born: Los Ageles, Ca.

May 15, 1947

Genre Style: Rock, Blues, World

Ry Cooder is basically the ultimate musical detective and a god-tier slide guitarist. Born in LA in 1947, he was a total prodigy, picking up the guitar as a kid and playing with blues legend Taj Mahal while he was still a teenager. By his early twenties, his incredible slide work was so respected that icons like the Rolling Stones and Captain Beefheart were calling him up to add some magic to their tracks.
Instead of chasing cheap pop hits, Ry spent the '70s and '80s digging up forgotten musical treasures. He became a bit of a musical anthropologist, blending everything from Tex-Mex accordion and Hawaiian slack-key guitar to old-school gospel and dust-bowl folk. He also mastered the art of film scores, creating that famously haunting, lonely guitar soundtrack for the movie Paris, Texas.
His absolute biggest moment came in 1997 when he went to Havana and helped put together the Buena Vista Social Club. He gathered a group of incredible, legendary Cuban musicians who had been totally overlooked by the mainstream, and the resulting album became a massive global phenomenon. Today, he's still widely looked up to as a master collaborator who uses his guitar to connect different cultures and tell great stories.

💿 1. Solo Studio Albums

Ry Cooder* (1970)

Into the Purple Valley* (1972)

Boomer's Story* (1972)

Paradise and Lunch* (1974)

Chicken Skin Music* (1976)

Jazz* (1978)

Bop Till You Drop* (1979)

Borderline* (1980)

The Slide Area* (1982)

Get Rhythm* (1987)

Chávez Ravine* (2005)

My Name Is Buddy* (2007)

I, Flathead* (2008)

Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down* (2011)

Election Special* (2012)

The Prodigal Son* (2018)

🎬 2. Original Film Soundtracks

The Long Riders* (1980)

Southern Comfort* (1981)

The Border* (1982)

Paris, Texas* (1985)

Alamo Bay* (1985)

Blue City* (1986)

Crossroads* (1986)

Johnny Handsome* (1989)

Trespass* (1993)

Geronimo: An American Legend* (1993)

Last Man Standing* (1996)

The End of Violence* (1997)

Primary Colors* (1998)

🤝 3. Major Collaborations & Live Albums

Jamming with Edward!* (1972) — with Nicky Hopkins, Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts

Show Time* (1977) — Live album with Flaco Jiménez

Rising Sons Featuring Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder* (Recorded 1966, Released 1992)

A Meeting by the River* (1993) — with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

Talking Timbuktu* (1994) — with Ali Farka Touré

*Affiliate Disclosure: When you purchase through the links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

👀Check This Out! - Son House & Buddy Guy - Live On Camera Three - Look in sidebar for a quick video

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:29:23 +0000

Eddie James “Son” House (1902–1988) poured more raw emotion into the Delta blues than almost anyone else. He spent his life torn between preaching in church and playing in rowdy jukes. Living in Mississippi during the 1930s and '40s, he became a massive influence on legends like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters.

While he started out playing for local crowds at weekend house parties, House hit the international stage during the 1960s blues revival. Fans loved his intense, trance-like performances, aggressive guitar style, and powerful a cappella gospel singing.

He first recorded with Charley Patton in 1930, and later did legendary field recordings for the Library of Congress in 1941 and 1942. House walked away from music in 1943 and moved to Rochester, New York, where young blues fans tracked him down in 1964. This "rediscovery" launched a major comeback career, leading to his famous 1965 Columbia album, Father of Folk Blues. He retired for good in the mid-1970s and lived out his final years in Detroit with his wife, Evie.

👈

LOOK TO THE SIDEBAR: Don't forget to fire up the video player running in our page sidebar to watch this legendary guitar footage live while you browse the discography!

🎸 Essential Discography & Collaborations

Buddy Guy Solo Works

Left My Blues in San Francisco
1967 A Man and the Blues
1968 Hold That Plane!
1972

Damn Right, I've Got the Blues
1991 Sweet Tea
2001 The Blues Is Alive and Well
2018

Son House Essential Releases

Library of Congress Sessions
1941-1942 Father of Folk Blues
1965 Forever On My Mind
2022 (Live 1964)

Classic Collaborations & Duets

Hoodoo Man Blues
w/ Junior Wells (1965) Play the Blues
w/ Junior Wells (1972) Alone & Acoustic
w/ Junior Wells (1991)

George “Buddy” Guy was born into a sharecropping family in Lettsworth, Louisiana, on July 30, 1936. One of the most dazzling performers in blues history, he grew up idolizing local artists and Mississippi giants like B.B. King, Guitar Slim, and Muddy Waters. His dad bought him his first guitar from a local fieldhand, and young Buddy learned to play by copying John Lee Hooker's records. He cut his teeth playing gigs in Baton Rouge, taking inspiration from Guitar Slim's wild showmanship—he wanted to play like B.B. but act like Slim.

In 1957, Guy moved to Chicago to find better work and chase his musical dreams. The local scene was full of southern transplants; Muddy Waters and Otis Rush quickly befriended him, and Willie Dixon ran his early Chess Records sessions. Guy electrified audiences with his incendiary live shows, but he was also a fantastic team player, backing up legends like Son House and Howlin’ Wolf. He also opened famous clubs like Buddy Guy’s Legends to give other blues artists a place to shine.

Despite his massive influence on rock icons like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, major recording success took decades. His huge breakthrough finally arrived with the 1991 album Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues. He went on to win multiple Grammys, enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and score several No. 1 albums—all while keeping his deep southern roots at the heart of his music.

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Savoy Brown - Too Much of a Good Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:10:06 +0000

When Kim Simmonds hooked up the first version of Savoy Brown back in London in 1965, nobody could have guessed he was kicking off a sixty-year blues crusade. Simmonds lived his life on the road, taking raw Chicago electric blues and supercharging it into a heavy, high-octane boogie that basically drew the blueprint for British blues-rock. While the band never quite got their due back home in the UK, they absolutely conquered America on the back of relentless touring and killer FM radio staples like Looking In (1970), Street Corner Talking (1971), and the massive Hellbound Train (1972).

The group also doubled as a legendary revolving-door incubator for rock history—most famously when a chunk of the band split off in 1970 to form the arena-rock powerhouse Foghat. Through every single lineup change, Simmonds was the glue holding it all together, steering the ship for over 40 albums and even landing a #1 Billboard Blues hit with Witchy Feelin' in 2017. Now, the 14-track retrospective compilation Too Much Of A Good Thing: The Savoy Brown Collection 1992–2007 drops in to shine a light on one of the band's most overlooked, yet fiercely creative eras.

What makes this collection so cool is that it catches a seasoned Simmonds doing exactly what he wanted, totally free from the old pressure of major labels and stadium expectations. Whether he’s tearing it up on the gritty "Going Down To Mobile" or slowing things down for the deep, soulful space of "Yesterday's Blues," the album is just a masterclass in killer guitar tone and pure, unadulterated stamina. It’s a must-listen for hardcore collectors and casual fans alike, proving that even three decades deep into the game, Savoy Brown’s engine was still firing on absolutely all cylinders.

🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM

Add this Record to Your Collection

Available in Digital Formats.

🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases.
The Deep Dive

The release opens up with the gritty stomp of Going Down To Mobile, and Kim Simmonds trademark delta style slide work. Bass player, Nathaniel Peterson handles vocals nicely, with Paul Oscher contributing some real nice harmonica work and Tom Compton on drums. Solid opener. John Lee Hooker's Little Wheel is a terrific follow up track with Simmonds maintaining Hooker's odd count phrasing and heavy boogie bottom. Pete McMahon handles lead vocals with strong Hookerfied electric guitar riffs and Jim Heyl on bass and Dave Olson on drums. Cooking. Slow blues, Keep On Rollin' is a trademark later SB style with Simmonds handling vocal and lead guitar with Gerry Sorrentino on bass and Dennis Cotton on drums. Simmonds was definitely one of the finest overall modern blues guitarists and this is some choice phrasing just showing what he was up to. Peterson back on bass and lead vocals this is some of the best vocal work in the later periods of SB. Simmonds sits back and plays the his scorching lead guitar, with Compton on drums. Funky, Yesterday's Blues is another track with McMahon on lead vocal and harmonica and the soulfulness of his vocals gives Simmonds the chance to lay back and do what Kim does. Man the boy could play the blues. Really nice work with Joe Pierleoni on drums and Andy Pierleoni on drums and Rick Jewett on keys.

Feel Like Crying has a modern jazzy feel that Kim had been working on and features McMahon, Ramirez, Pierleoni and Jewett. I remember his saying when I spoke with him at a concert that he was getting tired of some of his phrasing and trying to do things that were totally out of the box for him and with an almost Spanish flair, he really shows that on this guitar fed instrumental. Digging deep into his early roots Kim explodes on Where Has Your Heart Gone. With David Malachowski on rhythm guitars, Sorrentino on bass and Dennis Cotton on drums this is the deep blues that Simmonds pretty much pioneered his entire career. SB suffered a little on this lineup as Kim really wasn't a strong singer but the band is tight and his playing is impeccable. Eleven plus minutes baby!.... Beautiful. Wrapping the release is Too Much of a Good Thing, a super boogie with Kim on vocal and guitar, Peterson on bass and T. Xiques on drums. This is an excellent rockin boogie really summarizing what Kim's bands were always about... playing the blues. Strong closer.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Too Much Of A Good Thing: The Savoy Brown Collection 1992–2007
Artist: Kim Simmonds & Savoy Brown
Record Label: Panache Records
Release Date: July 10, 2026
Producer: Kim Simmonds
Recording Location: Various Studios (15-Year Retrospective Collection)
Artwork & Layout: Panache Archive Design

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Featured Personnel & Special Guests: Kim Simmonds (Guitars, Vocals, Harmonica), Duke Robillard, Leo Lyons, Tom Compton, Nathaniel Peterson, and various collaborative era lineups.

Going Down To Mobile
Little Wheel
Keep On Rollin'
That's All I Want Baby
The Blues Keep Me Holding On
I Don't Remember You
Flat Out
When It Rains
Yesterday's Blues
Monday Morning Blues
Feel Like Crying
She's Leaving
Where Has Your Heart Gone
Too Much Of A Good Thing (Live)

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Too Much Of A Good Thing: The Savoy Brown Collection 1992–2007	Panache Records	Kim Simmonds & Savoy Brown	2026
Blues All Around	Ruf Records	Kim Simmonds & Savoy Brown	2023
Ain't Done Yet	Quarto Valley Records	Kim Simmonds & Savoy Brown	2020
Witchy Feelin'	Ruf Records	Kim Simmonds & Savoy Brown	2017
The Devil to Pay	Ruf Records	Kim Simmonds & Savoy Brown	2015
The Blues Keep Me Holding On	Mystic Music	Savoy Brown	1999
Hellbound Train	Parrot / Decca	Savoy Brown	1972
Street Corner Talking	Parrot / Decca	Savoy Brown	1971
Looking In	Parrot / Decca	Savoy Brown	1970
Blue Matter	Decca	Savoy Brown Blues Band	1969
Shake Down	Decca	Savoy Brown Blues Band	1967

Watch: Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown play Hell Bound Train

This collection captures a killer, raw energy where the band locks into a heavy groove and drives the music straight ahead. The tracks roll smoothly from gritty Delta slide stomps and hard-charging boogie into late-night jazz vibes and even some unexpected Spanish flair. The rhythm section is incredibly tight throughout, providing the ultimate canvas for soulful vocals and massive, eleven-minute jam sessions to take over. It feels like catching a legendary group firing on all cylinders in a packed club, playing with a raw intuition that gets right to the heart of the blues.

Bman's Verdict

This collection serves as the ultimate testament to pure roadhouse power and driving guitar tone, proving that even decades into the game, this legendary outfit could out-boogie anyone in the business.

Label: Panache Records

Released: July 10, 2026

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Doug Duffey and Badd - Souvenirs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:26:34 +0000

If you’re looking for the sonic equivalent of a late-night, sweat-soaked dive bar in Louisiana, you can always count on Doug Duffey and BADD to deliver. Doug’s been a staple of the Deep South's music scene for over half a century—he’s in the Blues Hall of Fame and has written for everyone from George Clinton to Marcia Ball—but he still sounds as hungry as ever. Together with his band BADD (Ben Ford, Adam Ryland, and Dan Sumner), they’ve cooked up a brand new record called Souvenirs. It’s their fifth time locking into a groove together, and it gives you exactly what they do best: raw, greasy, "swampedelic" rhythm and blues that doesn't care about modern radio polish.

🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM

Add this Record to Your Collection

Available in Digital Formats.

🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases.
The Deep Dive

Opening with Broken Heart and Empty Hand, Dan Sumner plays a clean, stratocaster lead with a easy backing by Doug Duffey on keys and Adam Ryland on drums. Duffy's vocals are smooth and the melody works great for the radio. Low key funk rocker, Better By Me, has a strong melody and warm key bottom with Ben Ford on bass, shines. Duffey's vocals are potent and Sumner's guitar riffs spot on. This cut is all about the interaction between the rhythm section and the arrangement space, letting the drums and bass settle into a greasy, locked-in groove. Backing vocals by The Sweet-N-Lo-Sistas give the funk some real sass. Soulful, Axe Jes Rite injects a distinct shot of regional flavor into the middle of the album. With a droning bass line by Ford and double stopped guitar by Sumner an undertone develops that gives the record some serious attitude.

Love Songs has a totally different complexion sounding like it's out of a Harry Nilsson songbook. A great melody and swinging vocals, carried on a piano based melody with just the basics of drums at the bottom. Wrapping the release is Don't Let The Darkness In with a New Orleans feel. With a rhythmic strumming by Sumner and with the addition of Bob Dowell on trombone, Bert Windham on trumpet, Coby Heath on trumpet, Nate Johnson on tenor sax, Wes Rougeou on sousaphone and the Sistas on backing vocals... my favorite track on the release and a strong closer.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Souvenirs
Artist: Doug Duffey and BADD
Record Label: Fort Sumner Music LLC
Release Date: July 17, 2026
Producer: Doug Duffey & Dan Sumner
Recording Location: Fort Sumner Studio (Monroe, LA)
Artwork & Layout: Doug Duffey

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Album Personnel: Doug Duffey (Vocals, Keyboards), Dan Sumner (Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Percussion), Adam Ryland (Drums, Percussion), Ben Ford (Bass)

Broken Heart and Empty Hand
Bad Luck
Better By Me
Delta Melody
Axe Jes Rite
Sinking Into the Blues
Love Song
Souvenirs
Don't Let the Darkness In

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Souvenirs	Fort Sumner Music LLC	Doug Duffey and BADD	2026
Ain't Goin' Back	Fort Sumner Music LLC	Doug Duffey and BADD	2024
Trapped in the Blues	Fort Sumner Music LLC	Doug Duffey and BADD	2023

Watch: Doug Duffey and Badd

Souvenirs is a pleasantly relaxed, easy-listening journey that showcases the steady comfort of seasoned musicians doing what they love. While the album's mid-tempo groove and radio-friendly style lean toward a quiet, familiar pocket , its understated nature makes it an incredibly smooth, effortless spin. The true magic happens at the very end, where the band completely lets loose and invites a spectacular wave of local horn players and rich vocal harmonies into the mix. It closes the project on a high, celebratory note, leaving listeners with a joyful reminder of exactly how much fun regional roots music can be.

Bman's Verdict

The album offers a smooth, welcoming blend of comforting roots music that builds beautifully toward an absolute celebration of a finale.

Label: Fort Sumner Music

Released: Ju;y 17, 2026

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Rafael Greco - Versos bajo mi sombra

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:49:50 +0000

Rafael Greco—the legendary Venezuelan saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and long-time creative engine behind Guaco—is finally stepping completely out of the big-band shadow to do exactly what he wants. On his new album, Verses Under My Shadow, he skips the predictable jazz tropes to build something way cooler: a hypnotic, avant-garde sandbox where Central African polyrhythms, vocal loops, and literary vibes collide, backed by heavy hitters like Dave Weckl and Jimmy Haslip. It’s an ambitious, deeply personal masterclass in groove and texture, and it sets the perfect stage for the sonic trip we're about to dive into.

🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM

Add this Record to Your Collection

Available in Digital Formats.

🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases.
The Deep Dive

Verses Under My Shadow is a solid entry into modern fusion that shows what happens when Rafael Greco is left to map out his own creative sandbox. The album opens with title track, Verses Under My Shadow setting up a dark, atmospheric blueprint where complex rhythmic webs lock in with lush harmonic pads. It establishes a fluid, hypnotic dialogue that sets expectations early and rewards focused listening right from the start. I actually really like this track with it's jagged rhythm by Jimmy Haslip on bass, Fernando Valladares on drums and percussion, Ezequiel "El Negro" Serrano on vocal and drum programming, Yonis Flores on tambora and Greco on keys and vocals. Strong opener. The vibe shifts on La Nuit (for Lester Young), trading raw kinetic energy for a smoky, late-night mood that takes its time to breathe. This piece balances slick, modern sensibilities with the echoes of a jazz legend, turning what could have been a standard tribute into a shape-shifting landscape of sound. Greco on piano and synthesizers creates an interesting melody in concert with Dave Weckl on drums, Luisito Quintero on percussion, and featuring Scott Kinsey on keyboard solo. Very nice.

With a lighter feel, I Changed The Title, features Greco on vocal, Wurlitzer and synthesizer with Haslip on electric bass. This is a strong track that has a tight, radio style melody. Joseph Conrad's Deletions is a challenging track with intensely interwoven concepts by Greco on electric piano, samplers, synthesizers, Haslip laying in some really nice bass work, Santiago Bosch with a synth solo and intensely crisp drumming from one of my absolutely favorite drummers, Vinnie Colaiuta. Greco wraps the release with Sonatina (Méliès) For Solo Piano, a cinematic closing statement that strips away all the preceding digital loops and heavy rhythm sections. By cutting the canvas down to just a solo piano, Greco delivers a melancholic piece of storytelling that is intense yet somber and internalized. Interesting closer.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Verses Under My Shadow / Versos bajo mi sombra
Artist: Rafael Greco
Record Label: Blue Canoe Records
Release Date: April 17, 2026
Producer: Rafael Greco & Jimmy Haslip
Recording Location: Phaseland Studios, Miami & Independent Operations
Artwork & Layout: Pedro Quintero

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Featured Personnel: Rafael Greco (Keys, Saxophone, Vocals, Programming), Jimmy Haslip (Bass), Dave Weckl (Drums), Vinnie Colaiuta (Drums), Scott Kinsey (Keys), Luisito Quintero (Percussion), Charles Altura (Guitar)

Verses Under My Shadow
Vincenza Nel Mare
La Nuit (for Lester Young)
Lucia
Dr. Igloo, my evil and clumsy stalker
Bagheria
I Changed The Title
Due Fratelli
Cenotaph (A farewell to my saxophone case)
Joseph Conrad's Deletions
Get It Straight
Sonatina (Méliès) For Solo Piano

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Verses Under My Shadow / Versos bajo mi sombra	Blue Canoe Records	Rafael Greco	2026
Dice Que Vive (Signs of Life)	Blue Canoe Records	Rafael Greco	2022

Watch: Rafael Greco play Verses Under My Shadow

Versos bajo mi sombra stands as a compelling contemporary fusion record that highlights the artist exploring his own creative playground. The music transitions seamlessly from ambient, intricate layers and a dim, midnight aesthetic early on to a more buoyant, accessible texture in the middle of the release. It anchors its most complex arrangements and remarkably sharp drumming on the penultimate cuts before concluding with a theatrical finale that abandons all synthetic instrumentation for a single piano to leave listeners with a poignant, deeply personal ending.

Bman's Verdict

This release is a compelling contemporary fusion project that flows seamlessly from ambient, intricate layers to a stripped-back, poignant solo piano finale.

Label: Blue Canoe Records

Released: April 17, 2026

New Feature - Check the side bar - Great streaming album - This week's Artist Ingrid Jensen

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 22:13:50 +0000

Ingrid Jensen

Born: North Vancouver, B.C.

January 12, 1966

Genre Style: Jazz

Ingrid Jensen has been hailed as one of the most gifted trumpeters of her generation. As a
sought-out teacher, collaborator, and soloist, it is easy to see why the New York Times calls her
“as versatile as she is vigorous.”
After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 1989, Jensen was offered a position at the
prestigious Bruckner Conservatory in Linz, Austria. In the 1990s, she recorded three highly
acclaimed CDs for the ENJA record label, becoming one of the most in demand trumpet players
on the global jazz scene.
Settling in New York City, she joined the innovative jazz orchestras of Maria Schneider (1994-
2012) and Darcy James Argue (2002-present). She has performed with a multigenerational cast
of jazz legends ranging from Clark Terry to Esperanza Spalding. Jensen has also performed
alongside British R&B artist Corrine Bailey Rae on Saturday Night Live and recorded with
Canadian pop icon Sarah McLachlan. Jensen is prominently featured on the Grammy Award
winning Mosaic Project, led by drummer Terri-Lyne Carrington.
One of Jensen’s most frequent and closest collaborators is her sister, the saxophonist and
composer Christine Jensen. She is a featured soloist on the Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra’s
Juno-award-winning album, Treelines (2011), and its successor, Habitat (2013). The sisters
released a highly regarded small group recording entitled Infinitude (2016) on the Whirlwind
label featuring the brilliant guitarist, Ben Monder and have further collaborated with Nordic
Connect, an international band featuring pianist and composer Maggi Olin.
A dedicated jazz educator, Jensen has resided on the jazz trumpet faculties at the University of
Michigan, Peabody Conservatory and Manhattan School of Music.
She also served on the jazz faculty, teaching composition and arranging at Purchase College
and the New School for Jazz in NYC.
She performed and lectured as a guest artist with the Thelonious Monk Institute High School
group featuring Herbie Hancock; and performed and taught regularly at the Centrum Jazz
Workshop, the Brubeck Institute, the Banff Center for Jazz and Creative music,
the Stanford Jazz Camp, the Geri Allen Jazz Camp for Young Women and the Betty Carter
Institute under the direction of Jason Moran. She is currently in faculty of Jazz Arts at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music.
Since her victory at the Carmine Caruso Trumpet Competition in 1995, Jensen has sat on the
judges’ panel twice. She is regularly invited to trumpet festivals around the world and recently
served as artist-in-residence with Tia Fuller at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival, where
she also performed with her own quintet.
Her second project on the Whirlwind label honoring the late great Kenny Wheeler-Invisible
Sounds (2018) was featured on NPR’s Jazz Night in America hosted by Christian McBride,
receiving critical acclaim both in the US and abroad. Glowing reviews have earned her a loyal
fan base around the globe, and she was hailed by the JJA as 2019’s Trumpeter of the Year as
well, she is consistently listed in the top 5 in the Trumpet category of the Downbeat critics poll.
Ingrid records often as a guest on scores of side projects, appearing at major venues around
the world both as a performer and an educator.
She is an integral member of the highly acclaimed Blue Note recording band, Artemis and
continues to write for and perform with her own projects both in New York and beyond.
Ingrid plays a custom Monette trumpet, built personally by the master builder Dave Monette.

Click to View Ingrid Jensen Studio Albums (Leader & Co-Leader)

Vernal Fields (1995) — Her debut album as a leader, which won the Juno Award for Best Traditional Jazz Album.
Buy on Amazon

Here on Earth (1997)
Buy on Amazon

Higher Grounds (1999)
Buy on Amazon

Now as Then (2003) — Recorded with Project O, featuring Gary Versace and Jon Wikan.
Buy on Amazon

At Sea (2005)
Buy on Amazon

Flurry (2007) — With the collective quintet Nordic Connect.
Buy on Amazon

Spirals (2011) — With Nordic Connect.
Buy on Amazon

Kind of New (2015) — Co-led alongside keyboardist/producer Jason Miles.
Buy on Amazon

Infinitude (2016) — Co-led with her sister, saxophonist Christine Jensen, featuring guitarist Ben Monder.
Buy on Amazon

Invisible Sounds: For Kenny Wheeler (2018) — Co-led alongside saxophonist Steve Treseler.
Buy on Amazon

Landings (2026) — Her latest quartet project, released on audiophile vinyl through Newvelle Records.
Buy on Amazon

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💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Dustin Arbuckle & The Damnations - Fight Like The Devil (Or Run Like Hell)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 22:39:15 +0000

Dustin Arbuckle and the Damnations bring a wealth of vintage blues authority and roots-rock grit to the forefront of the contemporary Americana scene. Fronted by the soulful, commanding vocals and fiery harmonica work of veteran musician Dustin Arbuckle, the band features an incredibly tight instrumental foundation built on Brandon Hudspeth’s electrifying guitar lines, Caleb Drummond’s deep bass grooves, and Colby Aiken’s steady, driving rhythm. Emerging from the heartlands, the group has earned a fierce reputation for cross-pollinating traditional delta blues with swampy southern soul, country rock, and high-energy roots swagger. On their latest album, this collective musical maturity takes center stage, channeling decades of road-tested experience into a powerful showcase of unfiltered songwriting, blistering instrumentation, and deeply authentic groove.

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The Deep Dive

The release opens with emotional blues territory, Heaven Forbid, showcasing the band's rich, dynamic capabilities as Arbuckle uncoils a deep, rich vocal performance with lush harmonica lines and great stinging guitar accents by Brandon Hudspeth, Caleb Drummond on bass and Colby Aiken on drums. Super opener. Desperate Love, a primative Hill Country like stomp features overdrive-drenched delta harmonica and fat, lower end grinding guitar and beautiful slide work by Hudspeth. The band then shifts styles on up tempo, Small Branch Motel, with easy going lyrics and freewheeling harmonica and guitar. Very nice.

Out of Time, is a driving blues rocker with Arbuckle leading the way on hot "whistle" harp and vocal. With train like drum rhythm by Aiken and winding slide guitar by Hudspeth, another great addition. Slow blues, Always Gone, is really strong track with soulful vocals by Arbuckle and warm, distorted guitar chords by Hudspeth (think, I Put A Spell On You by Creedence). Hudspeth cuts loose with clean pickup lead phrasing really knocking this one out of the park. Excellent! Light hearted, You're Gonna Hear Me On The Radio, is a super, laid back country blues (Think Keep On Truckin') with a memorable sound, cool lyrics and nice acoustic slide...BULLSEYE. This is a very likable track and well may be a great radio track! Finally, the album delivers a brilliant curveball on Clever, instrumental, Jumbo Frets is a super jam with Hudspeth laying down a groove and Arbuckle wailing on harmonica with a chugging groove. Oh Yeah. Hudspeth gets the chance to dig in on electric slide too and this track is a definite keeper. Wrapping the release is Gillian Welch's Didn't I, a melodic adaptation of My Babe. This is a super closer with Arbuckle's rich vocals and fat fat slide work by Hudspeth melding a a great tune and soulful playing. Excellent closer for an excellent release!

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Fight Like The Devil Or Run Like Hell
Artist: Dustin Arbuckle and the Damnations
Record Label: Self-Released
Release Date: August 28, 2026
Producer: Dustin Arbuckle & The Damnations
Recording Location: Independent Studio Operations
Artwork & Layout: Band Promotional Media

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Album Personnel: Dustin Arbuckle (Vocals, Harmonica), Brandon Hudspeth (Guitars), Caleb Drummond (Bass, Backing Vocals), Colby Aiken (Drums), Kendall Newby (Drums, Backing Vocals), Mark Foley (Bass)

Fight Like The Devil
Say My Name
Across The Desert
Dealer's Lament
Heaven Forbid
Desperate Love

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Fight Like The Devil Or Run Like Hell	Self-Released	Dustin Arbuckle & The Damnations	2026
Live at the Shamrock Lounge	Self-Released	Dustin Arbuckle & The Damnations	2023
My Getaway	Self-Released	Dustin Arbuckle & The Damnations	2020

Watch: Dustin Arbuckle and the Damnations - "Tombstone Blues"

The band's new album masterfully shifts from deeply moving, emotionally charged openers to raw, primitive delta stomps filled with thick slide work and saturated reed textures. It balancing up-tempo, care-free grooves with a driving locomotive pace, creating a diverse listening experience. The track-list channels a dark, swamp-rock atmosphere through slow-burning numbers alongside relaxed, acoustic throwbacks built for radio airplay. Delivering a thrilling late-album surprise, the musicians cut loose on a high-energy instrumental workout before concluding the record with a soulful, definitive roots adaptation.

Bman's Verdict

An absolute masterclass in grit and groove, this record seamlessly bridges raw, low-down delta stomps with electrified blues swagger to deliver a powerhouse roots-rock triumph.

Label: Self

Released: August 28, 2026

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: J.P. Reali - Grateful Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 23:36:05 +0000

If you’ve spent any time around the mid-Atlantic roots scene over the last forty years, you’ve likely crossed paths with J.P. Reali. He is the kind of picker who feels less like a performer on a stage and more like an old friend sharing a lifelong obsession from a front-porch rocking chair. For decades, Reali was a pillar of the Washington, D.C. blues circuit, collecting award nominations and heading down to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge, all while mastering the bouncy fingerpicking of Piedmont ragtime and the heavy slide guitar of the Mississippi Delta. Now based out of Newark, Delaware, his latest creative detour feels like his most personal one yet. On his new late-2026 EP, Grateful Blues, Reali revisits his college days at American University when he was a dedicated Deadhead catching as many Jerry Garcia shows as possible. Recorded up the road at Turtle Studios in Philadelphia, the record strips away the stadium-sized jams of the Dead and runs them through the smoky, raw lens of a late-night juke joint, making it a wonderfully loose, affectionate bridge between counterculture jam bands and pre-war acoustic blues.

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The Deep Dive

JP Reali has reimagined a few key Dead tracks for his new release, Grateful Blues. Instead of chasing giant stadium sounds, J.P. splits the difference with producer Jim Larson (on drums), Monty Cullum (on bass), and Rich Budesa (on keys) to lock down a super tight, funky blues groove. It skips the trippy space jams completely and heads straight for that gritty, old-school vibe from the Dead’s early days when Pigpen was running the show.

Easy Wind is an easy rocker with chugging guitar rhythms under Reali's vocals. With Rich Budesa on keys, Month Cullum on bass and Jim Larson on drums a solid opener. Loose Lucy is one of my favorites on the release with a lumbering bluesy feel. Reali on vocal trades call and response with Budesa and Trina Meade on backing vocals. Reali takes his guitar for a walk on West LA Fadeaway with understated vocals and glistening keyboard work by Budesa. Wrapping the release is Tennessee Jed with slick, jangly guitar feel and stumble drum work making this an excellent closer

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Grateful Blues
Artist: J.P. Reali
Record Label: Reali Records
Release Date: July 31, 2026
Compositions: Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, Bob Weir (Grateful Dead arrangements)
Engineering & Production: Produced by Jim Larson; Recorded at Turtle Studios (Philadelphia)

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Core Personnel: J.P. Reali (Guitars, Vocals)
Session Support: Rich Budesa (Keyboards), Monty Cullum (Bass), Rob Swanson (Acoustic Bass), Jim Larson (Drums, Percussion), Trina Meade (Backing Vocals)

Track Listing:

Easy Wind
Loose Lucy
West L.A. Fadeaway
I Need a Miracle
Mr. Charlie
Tennessee Jed

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Grateful Blues	Reali Records	J.P. Reali	2026
Blues Since Birth	Reali Records	J.P. Reali (Solo)	2024
Cold Steel Blues	Reali Records	J.P. Reali (Solo)	2007

On his new release Grateful Blues, J.P. Reali strips away the Grateful Dead's signature stadium space jams to deliver a tight, gritty, and old-school blues groove alongside a stellar backing band. Across standout tracks like "Easy Wind," "Loose Lucy," "West LA Fadeaway," and the excellent closer "Tennessee Jed," the album shines with chugging rhythms, call-and-response vocals, and slick, jangly guitar work.

Bman's Verdict

J.P. Reali's Greatful Blues reimagines classic Greteful Dead tracks by replacing sprawling jam-based psychadelia with a tight, gritty, root blues groove.

Label: Reali Records

Released: July 31, 2026

👀Check This Out! - Danny Gatton - ACL Boogie - Look in sidebar for a quick video

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:30:00 +0000

Danny Gatton (1945–1994) was an acclaimed American guitarist famous for pioneering "redneck jazz"—a unique genre blending blues, rockabilly, jazz, and country. He adopted the term from fellow Washington, D.C. guitarist Evan Johns, who originally wrote a song with that title before finding success with his own band, Evan Johns and the H-Bombs.

Known sometimes as "The Telemaster" or "the world's greatest unknown guitarist," Gatton was revered for his unreal speed. Fellow guitarist Amos Garrett called him "The Humbler" for his ability to defeat other players in legendary "head-cutting" jam sessions. Yet, Gatton remained humble himself, noting that jazz-guitar wizard Lenny Breau was the ultimate humbler and the best he had ever seen.

👈

LOOK TO THE SIDEBAR: Don't forget to fire up the video player running in our page sidebar to watch this legendary guitar footage live while you browse the discography!

🎸 Essential Discography & Collaborations

American Music
1975 Redneck Jazz
1978 Unfinished Business
1987

88 Elmira Street
1991 New York Stories
1992 Cruisin' Deuces
1993

Relentless
w/ Joey DeFrancesco (1994) Blazing Telecasters
w/ Tom Principato (1990) The Humbler
w/ Robert Gordon (1996)

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Bob Nell & Michael Bisbo Trios - We Are Here

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:57:56 +0000

Bob Nell draws deep inspiration from his roots in Montana, a vast landscape that mirrors the wide, open spaces and unhurried pacing found inside his compositions. This geographic isolation allowed him to develop an intensely individual piano voice, blending rural folk elements and traditional country blues directly into a sophisticated modern jazz framework. Conversely, Michael Bisio’s sound is forged in the high-energy crucible of the New York avant-garde scene, a fast-paced environment that demands sharp improvisational reflexes and intense structural experimentation.

When these two worlds collide, the contrast creates a beautiful sonic tension that defines their collaborative identity. Bisio brings an aggressive, street-smart energy from the East Coast that pushes Nell’s rural, spacious compositions right to the creative edge. This synthesis allows their trios to float effortlessly between rustic American folklore and gritty urban abstraction, proving that their distinct environments enrich their shared musical language.

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The Deep Dive

The album opens with Injury or Malpractice, with Bob Nell on piano setting a driving melody, featuring drummer Adam Greenberg, and Michael Bisio on bass creating a solid bop Bisio lays down an aggressive solo which really cements this track as a strong opener. This foundational chemistry forms a tight bond and on Blues for KB, has just a bit more swing. I'm really digging this track with a super interweaving between Bisio and Nell. The trio changes direction beautifully on The Aerial Lariat, leaning into a breezy, tom-tom heavy 3/4 groove that opens up the rhythmic canvas and lets the melody breathe in an completely refreshing way. Greenberg gets a few bars to himself and holds it tight. Very nice. Really laying back in the pocket on Interweave, Nell creates an easy waltz like feel on piano and Bisio supports the melodic piano melody with an active bass counter. Bisio gets the lead, further elaborating on the melody adding not only texture but meaningful, warm richness. Austin Belluscio on drums keeps the rhythm light and tight for this complex, yet radio friendly track.

Lucy's Waltz has a warm playfulness, led by Nell but closely wed to the counter melody of Bisio. Nell further elaborates the melody with Bisio sticking like glue with intuitive compliment making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Shelter In Place (which sounds like winter to me...I live in the desert) which has a quiet, comforting, melody with a firm bass line by Bisio yet a leaner piano structure. This is a crisp release with a lot to hear. Very nice.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: We Are Here
Artist: Bob Nell & Michael Bisio Trios
Record Label: [INSERT RECORD LABEL LINK HERE]
Release Date: July 24, 2026
Compositions: Bob Nell (Plechmo Music / BMI)
Engineering & Production: [INSERT PRODUCTION LINK HERE]

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Core Personnel: Bob Nell (Piano), Michael Bisio (Double Bass)
Trio 1 (Tracks 1–7): Adam Greenberg (Drums)
Trio 2 (Tracks 8–12): Austin Belluscio (Drums)

Trio Variant A (with Adam Greenberg):

Injury or Malpractice? (5:45)
Trance-Lamentique (5:48)
Blues for KB (3:07)
Elegy for Elephanthead (3:57)
The Aerial Lariat (3:57)
I Had a Few Things in Mind (6:36)
Achromaticism (5:38)

Trio Variant B (with Austin Belluscio):

Interweave (7:21)
The Bird Giant (3:34)
Lucy's Waltz (4:32)
Dawnland (6:43)
Shelter in Place (4:13)

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
We Are Here	Origin Records	Bob Nell & Michael Bisio Trios	2026
Why I Like Coffee	New World Records	Bob Nell (Leader)	1992
MBefore	Fully Altered Media	Michael Bisio Quartet	2022
Connections / Soft & Bronze	CIMP / Bob Nell Music	Michael Bisio Quartet / Bob Nell & Michael Bisio Duo	2005

This crisp and rewarding release showcases an incredible musical shorthand as the musicians effortlessly shift between tight, hard-driving bop and spacious rhythmic landscapes. Across two distinct trio lineups, the album balances high-energy grooves and aggressive improvisation with moments of breezy, tom-tom heavy exploration. The music seamlessly transitions into a lighter, radio-friendly warmth where playful piano melodies effortlessly lock step with rich, intuitive bass counters. Ending on a quiet, wintery note of comforting restraint, this dynamic collection provides an immensely layered listening experience packed with structural variety.

Bman's Verdict

A dynamic jazz journey that seamlessly shifts from high-energy bop and aggressive trio improvisations to playful, radio-friendly piano melodies and serene, wintery restraint..

Label: Origin Records

Released: July 20, 2026

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Ryan "Bluwrath" Newman - Wrath of Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:34:05 +0000

Ryan "Bluwrath" Newman is a blues-rock guitarist from Chester, Connecticut, who just dropped his debut solo album, Wrath of Blues, through Feverbarn Recordings. Hooked on Jimi Hendrix since he was eight years old, Newman used music to navigate a childhood learning disability, building a loud, fast playing style that eventually got him kicked out of the Berklee College of Music for excessive volume. That same raw energy drives this new 14-track project, which features his own take on a mix of classic blues, rock, and reggae tracks

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Available in CD and Digital Formats.

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The Deep Dive

The Opening Act (Tracks 1, 3, and 5)

The album starts with Elmore James' Dust My Room and quickly showing his adept slide guitar technique. It's personal preference but I love Newman's slide sound but I think that the horns and backing vocals are a bit much. Not to disparage the contributing musicians, John Isley on sax, Charlie Lagond on tenor sax, Artie Bressler on bari sax, Don Harris on trumpet, Dave Cafro on trumpet and the backing vocals of Vic Washington, Arlene Wow and Joan DuQuette I prefer the rawness of the underlying sound. Conversely, on original track, Leaving This World, the backing contributions are well balanced and add nicely to Newman's outrageous guitar riffs. Excellent! B.B. King's classic The Thrill Is Gone really captures the spirit of the king and Vic Washington's vocals are lush. Newman's guitar approach on this track is strong maintaining King's feel but embellishing significantly with wah wah and impatient soloing. Really cool.

King's Be Careful With a Fool definitely has the influence of an all time favorite, Johnny Winter with his monster riff, holding a lumbering King framework and steady pairing of guitar and horns. His vocals are rugged and solid and his elongated body solo is potent and nicely phrased. Bob Marley and Peter Tosh’s Get Up Stand Up, is a cool breather and the horn and vocal here is imperative. Anita Antoinette adds interesting, almost Badu ish phrasing vocally and Duane Allmanesque slide work by Newman really winds this track out. Very nice. An unusual selection, Hoagy Carmichael's 1942 jazz standard, Baltimore Oriole, is really strong with heavy Hammond work by Washington Mario E Sprouse on keys, Scott Spray on bass and Bobby Torello on drums leading to one of the most free flowing guitar solos on the release.

Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited, is really cranking with Torello really hammering away. Newman's best vocals on the release coupled with raw, wide open slide work. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Aretha Franklin's Good to Me as I Am to You, from her absolute best period of work. Arlene Wow is upfront on lead vocal with full support of the horns and Washington and DuQuette on backing vocals and Newman is sitting back in the pocket playing lead and slide, reminiscent of Duane on the Muscle Shoals sessions. Masterful closer.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Wrath of Blues
Artist: Ryan "Bluwrath" Newman
Record Label: Feverbarn Recordings
Release Date: July 10, 2026
Producer: Feverbarn Production Team
Recording Location: Chester, Connecticut
Artwork & Layout: Ryan Bluwrath Newman Promotional Media

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Album Personnel: Ryan "Bluwrath" Newman (Lead Guitar / Lead Vocals), Vic Washington (Hammond Organ / Acoustic Piano / Wurlitzer / Backing Vocals), Mario E. Sprouse (Acoustic & Electric Piano / Synthesizer / String Arrangements), Scott Spray (Bass), Russell Landis (Bass), Tim Leffingwell (Bass - 1 track), Bobby Torello (Drums), Tony Lewis (Drums), Mitchell Igueri (Drums - 1 track), Jon Grossbard (Producer / Percussion), Anita Antoinette (Featured Vocals), Arlene Wow (Featured Vocals), Five-Piece Horn Section (including John Isley and Charlie Lagond)

Dust My Room
Leaving This World Tonight
Your Mind Is on Vacation
Texas Flood
The Thrill Is Gone
Oh, Pretty Woman
Be Careful With a Fool
Let Me Love You
Get Up Stand Up
Miss You
Baltimore Oriole
Come On
Highway 61 Revisited
Good to Me as I Am to You

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Wrath of Blues	Feverbarn Recordings	Ryan "Bluwrath" Newman	2026

Watch: Ryan "Bluwrath" Newman - "Texas Flood"

This dynamic blues-rock album balances high-energy covers with strong original work, showcasing impressive slide guitar technique and a large, talented ensemble. While some tracks suffer from an overpowering horn section, the record shines through aggressive guitar solos, soulful vocal contributions, and masterful, collaborative instrumentation that honors classic influences.

Bman's Verdict

An exceptionally well-played, dynamic blues-rock album driven by masterful guitar work, soulfully complemented by prominent brass and rich backing arrangements.

Label: Feverbarn Recordings

Released: July 10, 2026

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Scott Sadlon - Songs From Thin Air

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:49:28 +0000

"Drummer Scott Sadlon is back with a new collaborative project, Songs From Thin Air. Decades after his 2006 trio release The Double Life, Sadlon returns to the studio alongside keyboardist Rachel Eckroth and bassist Tim Lefebvre. The album relies entirely on live, one-take improvisation, mixing atmospheric jazz with steady, rock-influenced rhythms.

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Available in CD and Digital Formats.

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The Deep Dive

As the album opener, Post Tension sets a firm foundation for the session. Scott Sadlon drives the momentum with an excellent rhythm beat that really traces into a strong Billy Cobham style. Tim Lefebvre works the piece with melodic electric bass lines, clearing a dynamic space for Rachel Eckroth’s soaring, ethereal keyboard work. It is an energetic, confident introduction that establishes how well this trio locks in together. On Bones, Eckroth works magic with an echoey, rhythmic almost mechanical groove which Lefebvre drills down on and Sadlon anchors on drums. I like his sense of direction providing a firm platform for electronic exploration elongated by Lefebvre on bass and with a funky bottom added by Lefebvre gives the track a more melodic keyboard destination.

I really like the quiet melody of Acceptance with a strong bass sub lead by Lefebvre and patient drumming of Sadlon. Wrapping the release is The Way Out, a spacy yet fully formed track with a rock solid bottom and keyboard melody with an eastern/Asian undertone. Lefebvre guides the transitions and progressions in the track with well chosen notes and phrasing. Solid closer. BTW I really like the album cover.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Songs From Thin Air
Artist: Scott Sadlon
Record Label: Independent Release
Release Date: February 4, 2026
Producer: Scott Sadlon
Recording Location: John Herrera Studio
Artwork & Layout: Scott Sadlon Promotional Media

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Album Personnel: Scott Sadlon (Drums), Rachel Eckroth (Keyboards), Tim Lefebvre (Bass)

Post Tension
Wandering Timelines
Bones
Acceptance
One A.M.
White Knuckles
The Way Out

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Songs From Thin Air	Independent Release	Scott Sadlon	2026
The Double Life	CD Baby	Scott Sadlon	2006

Watch: Scott Sadlon play - "Post Tension"

Scott Sadlon's Songs From Thin Air (2026) is a casual jazz-fusion session centered on simple electronic exploration. Backed by Sadlon’s steady rhythm beats, the tracks lean on Tim Lefebvre’s grounding bass lines to clear space for Rachel Eckroth’s echoey keyboard work. Moving from the energetic drive of "Post Tension" to the patient spacing of "Acceptance" and the spacy undertones of "The Way Out," the album provides a functional, relaxed baseline for the trio's sonic ideas.

Bman's Verdict

Songs From Thin Air is a casual jazz-fusion session that provides a relaxed, functional baseline for simple electronic exploration and steady trio interplay.

Label:Buddha Boy Records

Released: January 28, 2026

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Mark Hummel Allstars - Road Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 21:44:44 +0000

Born in Connecticut but raised on the gritty, sun-drenched sounds of Los Angeles, Hummel has spent the last four decades establishing himself as one of the ultimate torchbearers of West Coast blues—a killer style that seamlessly collapses the distance between traditional raw blues and swinging jazz. Since the late '70s, he has fronted his legendary band, The Blues Survivors, and since 1991, he’s been the mastermind behind the annual Blues Harmonica Blowout tours, sharing stages and trading licks with titans like James Cotton and Charlie Musselwhite. He’s got the institutional respect to match the street cred, too, including a Grammy nomination for his 2014 tribute to Little Walter. But if you think a guy with that kind of resume is ready to sit back and coast on past glories, his newest project drops the hammer and reminds us exactly why he's still the master blaster of the blues harp.

🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM

Add this Record to Your Collection

Available in Vinyl, CD and Digital Formats.

🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases.
The Deep Dive

Mark Hummel’s newest release, Road Dog, kicks off with Black Nights, a well-paced, low-loping track featuring Hummel on lead vocals alongside Junior Watson and Anson Funderburgh on guitars. A stinging guitar solo by Funderburgh, followed by Hummel on harmonica and excellent fretwork by Watson, makes this a incredibly strong opener—all held together by Wes Starr on drums, Bob Welsh on piano, Kedar Roy on bass, and Eric Spaulding on sax.
The shuffle Jugglin' locks into a fantastic groove where Hummel is right on the money with his lead vocals. His distinct harmonica sound coupled with Funderburgh's guitar work sets a remarkably high bar.
For fans of deep Chicago blues, I Got To Find My Baby delivers solid vocals and sharp harmonica lines on top while Watson runs wild on guitar underneath. Hummel breaks completely loose on the harmonica here, laying out a terrific run, while Brett Brandstatt adds perfect balance on the piano.
The band delivers a great take on Watch Yourself, featuring Funderburgh and Charlie Baty on guitars. Hummel really amps up the energy on this one, and backed by a driving rhythm section of R.W. Grigsby on bass and Wes Starr on drums, it turns into a real foot-stomper.

Funderburgh plays a classic guitar intro on Say You Will, with Watson trading fiery riffs alongside Welsh on piano. Hummel takes a masterful stroll on the harmonica while handling the lead vocal with complete authority, and a superb guitar closer gives the track a fantastic final kick.

Another cool shuffle, You Are Right, finds Hummel telling his story and blowing a rich, expressive harmonica solo, beautifully interwoven with Welsh’s piano lines and the guitar duo of Funderburgh and Watson.

Hummel really winds it out on the low-loping groove of She's My Baby, trading hot riffs with his own vocals while Baty and Funderburgh lay it down in classic T-Bone Walker style, making this one of the absolute highlights of the entire album.

Wrapping up the project is Gadjo's Swing, a cool, European-flavored track featuring Hummel playing it gypsy-style, accompanied by Randy Rattray on guitar. This unexpected acoustic treat serves as an excellent closer for a solidly cool release.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Road Dog
Artist: Mark Hummel & His All Stars
Record Label: Rockinitus Records
Release Date: August 28, 2026
Producer: Christoffer "Kid" Andersen
Recording Location: Greaseland Studios, San Jose, California
Artwork & Layout: Mark Hummel Promotional Media

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Album Personnel: Mark Hummel (Harmonica / Vocals), Anson Funderburgh (Guitar), Junior Watson (Guitar), Bob Welsh (Piano), Kedar Roy (Bass), Wes Starr (Drums)

Flim Flam
Hello Stranger
So Much Trouble
Cut That Out
Road Dog
Play with Your Poodle
Breathtaking Blues
Crazy About You
Pepper Mama
Gillum's Windy Blues
Rag Mama Rag
Good Gal
Reefer Head Woman
Five Long Years
Say You Will
Mean Old Frisco

🎵 Studio Albums (2010 - 2026) Click to Expand

Road Dog (Rockinitus Records / Mark Hummel & His All Stars) — 2026
True Believer (Rockinitus Records) — 2024
Wayback Machine (Electro-Fi Records) — 2020
Harpbreaker (Electro-Fi Records) — 2018
The Hustle Is Really On (Electro-Fi Records) — 2014
Retro-Active (Electro-Fi Records) — 2010

Public Concerts & Harmonica Blowouts Click to Expand

Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowouts (Electro-Fi Records) — 2008
Blues Harp Meltdown, Vol. 3 (Mountain Top Productions) — 2006
Blues Harp Meltdown, Vol. 1 & 2 (Mountain Top Productions) — 2004
Blues Harp Meltdown, Vol. 1 & 2 (Mountain Top Productions) — 2004

💿 Special Collections, Tributes & Anthologies Click to Expand

East Bay Blues Vaults 1976-1988 (Electro-Fi Records / Historical Vault Collection) — 2026
Golden State Lone Star Blues Revue (Electro-Fi Records / All-Star Collaboration) — 2016
Remembering Little Walter (Blind Pig Records / Grammy-Nominated Tribute Live) — 2013
Blue and Lonesome (Electro-Fi Records / Little Walter Tribute Project) — 2012
Unplugged: Back Porch Music (Electro-Fi Records / Acoustic Live Session) — 2011
Odds & Ends (Rockinitis Records / Vault Remasters & Rarities) — 2008
Rolling Fork Revisited (Electro-Fi Records / Mark Hummel w/ Johnny Dyer) — 2004
Harmonica Party: Vintage Mark Hummel (Mountain Top Productions) — 1999

Watch: Mark Hummel plays

Mark Hummel's newest release delivers a masterclass in Chicago blues with deep, hard hitting rhythmic shuffles and authoritative harmonica phrasing from start to finish. Backed by an all-star lineup of veteran musicians, the record travels through raw electric tracks before wrapping with an unexpected Euro twist.

Bman's Verdict

Road Dog is a masterclass in Chicago blues, combining authoritative phrasing and fiery instrumentation into a polished and satisfying release.

Label: Rockinitus Records

Released: August 28, 2026

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New Feature - Check the side bar - Great streaming album - This week's Artist Henrik Freischlader

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 20:02:22 +0000

Henrik Freischlader

Born: Wuppertal, West Germany

November 3, 1982

Genre Style: Blues, blues rock, jazz, funk, soul

Henrik Freischlader is a standout German blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter who has spent two decades building a massive reputation in the European blues-rock scene. Born on November 3, 1982, in Cologne, he is a completely self-taught musician who picked up the guitar at age 14 after falling in love with Gary Moore's music. He didn't stop at just the guitar, though; he also taught himself to play the bass, drums, and keys. By 2004, he formed the Henrik Freischlader Band, officially launching his career as a professional live performer.
His sound is a cool, groove-heavy mix of old-school blues blended with rock, soul, funk, and jazz. Fans love him for his incredibly expressive guitar playing and his raw, gravelly voice, which often reminds people of legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. Henrik is also famously a one-man studio crew. On several of his albums, he wrote every song and personally played every single instrument on the recording. To keep absolute control over his creative vision, he even runs his own independent record label called Cable Car Records.
When he is not in the studio, Henrik is almost always out on the road. He lives for live performances and has shared stages with blues icons like Joe Bonamassa, BB King, and Johnny Winter. Whether he is playing a massive music festival or a packed, sweaty club, his live shows are known for being incredibly passionate and high-energy.

💿 View Essential Discography (Click to Expand)

Powerplay Nights - Volume 13 (Live To Tape Studio Session Series) 2025

Little Big Beat - Studio Live Session (Limited Edition Pure Analogue Recording) 2023

Recorded by Martin Meinschäfer II (Classic Heavyweight Organic Blues Rock Production) 2022

Missing Pieces (Soulful Studio Performance with Full Brass Arrangement) 2020

Live 2019 (Energetic Multi-Disc European Concert Showcases) 2019

Hands on the Puzzle (Intricate Electric Guitar Textures & Rock Styles) 2018

Blues for Gary (Highly Acclaimed Custom Tribute Dedicated to Gary Moore) 2017

Openness (Raw Trio Format Focused on Pure Blues Improv) 2016

Live 2014 - Farewell Tour (Massive Four-Disc Live Chronology Special Box) 2015

Night Train to Budapest (Melodic Rock Elements Combined with Gritty Vocals) 2013

House in the Woods (Atmospheric, Concept-Driven Electric Blues Production) 2012

Still Frame Replay (High-Profile Modern Blues Featuring Joe Bonamassa) 2011

Tour 2010 Live (Double-Disc Raw Soundboard Concert Capture Collection)

2010

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Alex Kilroy - Break My Chains

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:05:01 +0000

Orlando-based blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Alex Kilroy delivers powerful, boundary-pushing performances that honor traditional roots while forging a distinct modern sound. Originally born in Transylvania, Romania, Kilroy spent his early childhood training on classical piano before a life-changing introduction to the music of Stevie Ray Vaughan permanently shifted his trajectory toward the blues. After relocating to Florida, his exceptional talent earned him recognition from the Orlando Blues & Roots Alliance and opportunities to open for legendary American artists by the young age of fourteen. Now a vital fixture in the Southeastern music scene, Kilroy channels this lifetime of technical mastery and soulful songwriting into his compelling new album.

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The Deep Dive

Break My Chains opens with a burst of rough-edged confidence on Standing Tall, a swaggering radio ready blues rocker. Driven by a funky soul-blues framework, and with inspiration of Kenny Wayne Shepherd this track highlights a tight backing band rhythm that sets an energetic foundation for the rest of the album. Kilroy certainly has firm knowledge of the fretboard and with Berlan Henri on bass, Jarquis Dolphus on drums and Leonard Douglas Jackson Jr. on keys, this is a strong opener. Angel is a radio ready pop track featuring Kilroy and Sophia Medina on vocal with warm backing vocals by Henri, Dolphus and Jackson Jr. All That Matters has a Stevie Wonder quality with warm vocal melodies and light keyboard work by Jackson Jr. Gregg Allman's Midnight Rider gets a poppy makeover with added vocal and strings. I'm certain with it's solid writing and modern adaptation and a hint of guitar telling back to it's roots it will be well received.

Country rocker, Let The Good Times Roll features a natural, relaxed guest appearance by country legend Vince Gill. Rather than competing for the spotlight, the two musicians share a loose, rocking framework that highlights clean instrumental interplay, tight guitar riffs and a driving rhythm. Wrapping the release is soft ballad, It's Hard To Let You Go featuring Kilroy on lead vocal backed primarily by Jackson Jr. on keys. With dramatic orchestration and crisp drums, bass and stirring guitar riffs, this is a fitting closer for a solid release.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Break My Chains
Artist: Alex Kilroy
Record Label: Independent Release
Release Date: May 15, 2026
Producer: Tres Sasser
Recording Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Artwork & Layout: Alex Kilroy Promotional Media

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Album Personnel: Alex Kilroy (Guitar / Vocals), Vince Gill (Featured Guitar / Vocals), Berian Henri (Bass), Jarquis Dolphus (Drums), Leonard Douglas Jackson Jr (Piano / Organ / Synth)

Standing Tall
Break My Chains
Answer USA
Angel
All That Matters
Let Me Play The Blues For You
Midnight Rider
My Heart Is Yours
Visions Of The Past
Let The Good Times Roll
Kilroy's Ballad
Hard To Let You Go

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Break My Chains	Independent Release	Alex Kilroy	2026

Watch: Alex Kilroy - "Break My Chains"

Alex Kilroy's Break My Chains delivers a balanced debut record, combining traditional blues-rock arrangements with unexpected shifts into classic soul, pop, and country storytelling.

Bman's Verdict

Break My Chains is a versatile debut album that effectively balances traditional blues-rock instrumentation with modern songwriting.

Label: PARC Records

Released: May 15, 2026

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: The Name Droppers - Let's Live Together

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:03:47 +0000

The Name Droppers return with their 2026 album, Let's Live Together, delivering an authentic blend of soulful rock 'n' roll. Built on a shared foundation of deep blues roots, the seasoned lineup brings natural chemistry and steady energy to this new collection. The release highlights the band's enduring musical heritage through a grounded, classic sound.

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The Deep Dive

The Name Droppers deliver on their newest roots-rock and blues release, Let's Live Together, establishing a tight, vintage rocking groove right from the opening track. The album kicks off with Grey Haired Blues, a song packed with punchy sax work by Crispin Cioe, Ron Rifkin on piano an infectious, and steady rhythm by Bobby T Torello on drums that serves as the perfect introduction to the band's seasoned musical chemistry. Rifkin is upfront on vocal and keys on Heartbreak City, a definite radio track with backing vocals by Simone Brown and Scott Spray on bass and featuring some classic guitar riffs by Rafe Klein. Bob Dylan's Gotta Serve Somebody is my favorite track on the release with solid vocals by Klein, soulful vocal accents by Brown and Kevin Monroe. I like the rich, organ work by Rifkin and and Torello's drumming is spot on.

Talk Dirty is a rocky shuffle with a blues undertone. Klein's vocals and minimalist guitar sting really adds nicely to the track with the driving bass line by Scott Spray. Watch Pocket has a whole different feel with a bit of southern rock swagger. Torello plays guitar drums and handles lead vocals and it works with Klein on guitar, Jay Willie on slide and Rifkin with Billy Powell like keys. My favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is Morganfield's Mannish Boy featuring Klein on lead vocal and guitar, and featuring Richard Hunter on harmonica. Spray on bass and Torello on drums get this track rocking.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Let's Live Together
Artist: The Name Droppers
Record Label: Horizon Music Group
Release Date: June 12, 2026
Producer: Vic Steffens
Recording Location: Horizon Studios, Connecticut
Artwork & Layout: Horizon Music Group Promotional Media

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Album Personnel: Rafe Klein (Guitar / Vocals), Bobby T. Torello (Drums / Vocals), Scott Spray (Bass), Ron Rifkin (Keyboards), Crispin Cioe (Saxophone), Simone Brown (Vocals)

Grey Haired Blues (04:12)
Let's Live Together (04:05)
Heartbreak City (04:48)
Chain Of Fools (Live) (04:22)
Gotta Serve Somebody (05:14)
Don't Cry Over Me (03:55)
Talk Dirty (03:38)
Love Lightning (04:01)
Watch Pocket (04:30)
Mannish Boy (05:12)

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Collapse

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Let's Live Together	Horizon Music Group	The Name Droppers	2024
Star	Horizon Music Group	The Name Droppers	2022
The Name Droppers featuring Charlie Karp	Horizon Music Group	The Name Droppers	2020

Watch: The Name Droppers - "Don't Cry Over Me"

On Let's Live Together, The Name Droppers deliver a collection of roots-rock and blues tracks that feature tight instrumental grooves, varied lead vocals from the band members, and strong guest contributions on saxophone, slide guitar, and harmonica.

Bman's Verdict

Let's Live Together is a rock-solid, groove-driven roots and blues album that succeeds on tight band chemistry, rotating lead vocals, and excellent guest performances.

Label: Horizon Music Group

Released: June 12, 2026

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Selwyn Birchwood - Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 01:12:35 +0000

Selwyn Birchwood is officially taking the wheel on his sixth Alligator Records release, Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues, and the results are absolutely electric. For the first time, the Florida-based guitarist and lap steel master steps into the producer's chair to fully unleash his signature blend of gritty, old-school blues and modern, psychedelic soul grooves. The 10-track record hits like a three-dimensional musical sermon, kicking off with the wild energy of the lead single and rolling through everything from sharp cultural commentary to raw, honest storytelling. Driven by his unmistakable rocks-and-gravel vocals and foot-stomping energy, Birchwood's latest effort is less of a standard album and more of an open invitation to a full-blown blues congregation.

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Available in CD and Digital Formats.

🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases.
The Deep Dive

The Eagle Has Landed is a dynamic intro with screaming blues riffs by Selwyn Birchwood, underscored by com noise, keys by John Hetherington and Henley Conner III on drums. Powerful! On Damaged Goods Birchwood slips into a smooth R&B style with warm backing vocals by Briana Lutzi and Taylor Opie and his guitar chops are shining with excellent tone and phrasing. Bursting loose for a really hot run this track really shines. Very nice. Labour Of Love is a quiet ballad with emphasis on Birchwoods vocals and warm sax bottom by Regi Oliver. Lutzi and Opie add nicely to the warmth of the track with splashy drum work by Conner III, John Hetherington on keys and Donald Huff Wright on bass. A radio ready sax solo by Oliver cements this as a strong radio player. What I've Been Accused Of is a cool slower blues track with Birchwood on lap steel slide guitar work and Hetherington who adds key organ and piano backing and solo work making this one of my favorites on the release.

Funky, Talking Heads has a great bottom courtesy of Wright, Conner III and Hetherington and punch courtesy Oliver on horns. I really like Birchwoods guitar attack on this one with a bit of reckless abandon on his approach. I also feel his vocals work really nicely on this track. Solid! Wrapping the release is easy going, The Struggle Is Real with it's radio melody and Eric Clapton like feel. Electric piano by Hetherington and diced up guitar work by Birchwood gives the track a real anthem feel to close the release.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues
Artist: Selwyn Birchwood
Record Label: Alligator Records
Release Date: March 27, 2026
Producer: Selwyn Birchwood
Recording Location: Florida
Artwork & Layout: Alligator Records Promotional Media

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Album Personnel: Selwyn Birchwood (Guitar / Lap Steel / Vocals), Regi Oliver (Saxophones / Flutes), Donald "Huff" Wright (Bass), Henley Connor III (Drums / Percussion), John Hetherington (Keyboards / Organ / Piano), Eli Bishop (Violin / Viola / Cello), Briana Lutzi & Taylor Opie (Background Vocals)

The Eagle Has Landed (01:27)
The Church Of Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues (05:04)
Damaged Goods (06:29)
All Hail The Algorithm (04:56)
Labour Of Love (05:22)
Should’ve Never Gotten Out Of Bed (03:42)
What I’ve Been Accused Of (04:35)
Talking Heads (04:14)
Soulmate (05:15)
The Struggle Is Real (05:00)

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Collapse

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues	Alligator Records	Selwyn Birchwood	2026
Old School	Self-Released	Selwyn Birchwood	2024
Exorcist	Alligator Records	Selwyn Birchwood	2023
Living in a Burning House	Alligator Records	Selwyn Birchwood	2021
Pick Your Poison	Alligator Records	Selwyn Birchwood	2017
Don't Call No Ambulance	Alligator Records	Selwyn Birchwood Band	2014

Watch: Selwyn Birchwood- "The Church of Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues"

This review highlights Selwyn Birchwood's versatility and strong musicianship across a dynamic track list that blends roaring blues, smooth R&B, and soulful ballads. Featuring standout performances on both electric guitar and lap steel, the album ranges from high-energy funk to intimate, radio-ready melodies, closing with an anthem-like feel.

Bman's Verdict

Selwyn Birchwood's latest release delivers a powerful blend of high-energy blues, smooth R&B, and soulful, radio-ready ballads, highlighting exceptional guitar work and dynamic vocals. This versatile album offers a seamless musical experience.

Label: Alligator Records

Released: March 27, 2026

New Feature - Check the side bar - Great streaming album - This week's Artist Clarence Gatemouth Brown

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 21:07:00 +0000

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

Born: Vinton, Louisiana

April 18, 1924 - September 10, 1924

Genre Style: Blues, swing country

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was a legendary, multi-talented American musician whose career spanned over half a century. Born in Vinton, Louisiana, in 1924 and raised in Orange, Texas, he was a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist who mastered the guitar, fiddle, mandolin, viola, drums, and harmonica. He earned his famous nickname "Gatemouth" during his teenage years due to his deep, resonant singing voice. Although frequently classified as a Texas blues performer, Brown famously rejected strict genre labels, preferring to describe his style as "American music, Texas-style". He spent his entire career intentionally breaking musical boundaries by seamlessly synthesizing elements of big band swing, country, jazz, Cajun, bluegrass, and rhythm and blues.
Brown’s big break occurred in 1947 at Houston’s Bronze Peacock nightclub, where he stepped in for an ailing T-Bone Walker and thrilled the crowd by improvising the "Gatemouth Boogie" on the spot. This iconic performance led to a contract with Peacock Records, where he recorded seminal tracks like "Okie Dokie Stomp" and "Dirty Work at the Crossroads". His innovative fingerpicking technique and fierce, horn-like guitar phrasing heavily influenced generations of rock and blues guitarists, including Frank Zappa. He continued to tour the world and record extensively late into his life, earning a Grammy Award in 1983 for his album Alright Again!. After a lifetime dedicated to musical innovation, Brown passed away in September 2005 at the age of 81.

💿 View Essential Discography (Click to Expand)

Timeless (Late-Career Roots & Blues Masterpiece) 2004
Back to Bogalusa (Cajun & Swamp-Infused Americana) 2001
American Music, Texas Style (Big Band Swing & Horn Sections) 1999
Gate Swings (High-Energy Big Band Jazz & Swing) 1997
Long Way Home (Acoustic and Electric Roots Showcase) 1996
Standing My Ground (Alligator Records Studio Production) 1989
Alright Again! (Grammy-Winning Classic Comeback) 1981
Makin' Music (Legendary Country-Blues Duo with Roy Clark) 1979

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Sherri Harding - Storyland

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 01:13:26 +0000

Soul singer Sherri Harding released her newest album, Storyland, on June 5, 2026, through Instant Replay Music. Following up on her previous record, A Million Pieces, this release marks a continuation of her career, offering a collection of blues-rooted and soul-influenced songs.

The album is built around a distinct cross-border collaboration orchestrated by songwriter and producer Dick Cooper. While the foundational tracks were recorded in Ottawa, the project intentionally loops in veteran Southern musicians. Legendary guitarist Kelvin Holly traveled north for the sessions, the Muscle Shoals Horns tracked their parts in Alabama, and engineer Jimmy Nutt handled the final mixing in Muscle Shoals. Harding's performance on the record relies heavily on her decades of experience singing in small clubs, Northern Canadian juke joints, and military entertainment tours, resulting in a mature project that focuses on adult themes, love, and resilience without chasing modern radio trends.

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Available in CD and Digital Formats.

🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases.
The Deep Dive

Opening with All Around The World, Sherri Harding sets a really poppy, energetic tone right out of the gate. It has classic soul-rock energy with punchy horns by Charles Rose on trombone, Steve Herrman on trumpet, Jimmy Bowland on bari sax and Brad Guin on tenor sax and bottom by Jamie Holmes (drums) and Brian Cooper (bass) and features a solid guitar solo by Kevin Holly. Money Man, has a real 60's pop soul feel. The Muscle Shoals Horns continue the full horn support and backing vocals by Cooper, Jeff Rogers, Dee Dee Butters, Mackenzie Di Millo, Roxy Swan, Robert Farrell and Robert Farrell keep it real.

Rainy Day, is an up tempo shuffle still holding to that pop soul feel. Clayton Connell's keyboard work adds nicely to the feel and blues rock guitar riffs by Holly add a bit of grit to the mix. Bad Weather has a moody feel with Harding's vocals floating on a cloud of keys by Connell. Moody guitar sounds by Robert Farrell, moody violin work by Anne Lindsay and solid backing vocals by Butters, Harding, Swan make this my favorite track on the release. Quiet ballad, Tell Me You're Mine, leans heavily into classic radio pop. A solid melody, Rafferty like sax work by Brad McGuin and strings by Lindsay, Nancy Kershaw (Violin) and Claudio Veno (viola) and Amahl Aruanadam (cello) adds to the warmth of the track. Wrapping the release is title track, Storyland with classic 70's rock dynamics. This is a nicely recorded release with music that's easy to digest.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Storyland
Artist: Sherri Harding
Record Label: Instant Replay Music
Release Date: June 5, 2026
Producer: Dick Cooper
Recording Engineer: Dick Cooper (Ottawa Sessions) / Muscle Shoals Horns Engineers (Alabama Sessions)
Mixing & Mastering: Jimmy Nutt
Recording Location: Ottawa, Canada and Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Artwork & Layout: Instant Replay Music

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Personnel: Sherri Harding (Lead Vocals/Flute), Kelvin Holly (Guitars/Dobro), Dick Cooper (Songwriter/Producer), Robert Farrell & Darwin Demers (Guitars/Backing Vocals), Brian Cooper (Bass/Backing Vocals), Jamie Holmes & Rob Holtz (Drums/Percussion/Backing Vocals), Jeff Rogers & Clayton Connell (Keyboards/Organ/Backing Vocals), Anne Lindsay (Violin/String Arrangements), The Muscle Shoals Horns: Charles Rose (Trombone), Steve Herrman (Trumpet), Jimmy Bowland (Baritone Sax), Brad Guin (Tenor Sax), with DeeDee Butters, Mackenzie Di Millo, & Roxy Swan (Backing Vocals).

All Around The World
Down In The Shoals
Money Man
Through It All
Rainy Day
Dark-Eyed Junco
Bad Weather
What's The Matter (With My Heart)
Tell Me You're Mine
Don't Push (On An Open Door)
Storyland

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Collapse

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Storyland	Instant Replay Music	Sherri Harding	2026
A Million Pieces	Self-Released / Independent	Sherri Harding	2023

Watch: Money Man by Sherri Harding

This album delivers a diverse collection of well-produced, accessible tracks that lean heavily into retro pop, rock, and soul arrangements. The material ranges from energetic, brass-driven openers and upbeat '60s-style shuffles to atmospheric, keyboard-led soundscapes and gentle, radio-ready pop ballads. A rotating cast of musicians anchors the instrumentation, utilizing punchy horn arrangements, gritty guitar solos, steady rhythms, and warm string sections to shape each song's individual mood. Anchored by expressive lead vocals and rich backing harmonies, the project eventually closes on a dynamic nod to classic '80s rock.

Bman's Verdict

Storyland offers an accessible, well-produced blend of retro soul, pop, and classic rock, driven by versatile vocals and a rich network of collaborative musicians.

Label: Instant Replay Music

Released: June 5, 2026

👀Check This Out! - Nicole Glover - Blues Up And Down - Look in sidebar for a quick video

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:26:49 +0000

I found Nicole Glover about a 2 years ago when I went to see trumpet player, Ingrid Jensen in one of her side bands, Artemis. Artemis is an all women band that plays jazz and Nicole was a recent addition. Ingrid was terrific but I wasn't expecting powerhouse Glover to blow me out of my seat. Here piano wiz Miki Yamanaka showcases Glover in her Youtube show, Miki's Mood. I was fortunate to see Yamanaka in a small club in Scottsdale and she's great. I've also been fortunate to see Glover with Billy Hart Trio and Ursa Major with Christian McBride. Enjoy!

Nicole Glover is a saxophonist, bandleader, composer, and educator based in New York City. In 2026, Nicole was awarded “Up and Coming Musician of the Year” by the Jazz Journalists Association and #1 Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist & #1 Rising Star Soprano Saxophonist by Downbeat Magazine. Nicole’s trio featuring bassist Tyrone Allen II and Kayvon Gordon headlined the legendary Village Vanguard and released their sophomore album Memories, Dreams, Reflections on HighNote-Savant Records in 2025.

Nicole is a sought-after collaborator. She is currently touring with groups led by Christian McBride and Renee Rosnes, including the multi-award winning ARTEMIS. She has also toured and recorded with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Additionally, Nicole has worked under the leadership of drummers Al Foster, Billy Hart, Lenny White, Victor Lewis, Kenny Washington, Carl Allen, Gregory Hutchinson, and Joe Farnsworth; Grammy-winning vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater and Buika; bassists John Patitucci, Reggie Workman, Harish Raghavan, Ben Wolfe, and Or Bareket; vibraphonist Joel Ross; and pianists Bill Charlap, Geoffrey Keezer, Aaron Diehl, Luis Perdomo, Christian Sands, Micah Thomas, and George Colligan, among others.

Nicole is on a committed educator. She is currently on faculty at the Manhattan School of Music, has taught at Princeton University, The New School, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and has taught masterclasses and private lessons to students around the world.

🎵 Nicole Glover Leader Discography

First Record
2015 Literature
2020 Strange Lands
2021

Plays
2024 Memories
2025

🎷 Notable Collaborations & Guest Appearances

Radio Music
2012 Orange Hours
2020 In Real Time
2023

Auteur
2024 Arboresque
2025 Oracles
2026

Alexander Claffy
Good Spirits

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Leigh Pilzer - Keep Holding On

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:11:30 +0000

Get ready to groove with Dr. Leigh Pilzer, the Washington, D.C. baritone sax powerhouse who proves that jazz is meant to be a living, breathing party, not a dusty museum piece. Described as a pure force of nature with a gruff, punchy, and assertive sound, Leigh brings a heavy dose of soulful grit to the stage. She has traded licks with the legendary Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and even arranged horns for local legends like Chuck Brown and Eva Cassidy, and now she is bringing that deep, soulful swagger front and center with her vibrant new album, Keep Holding On.

This record is a masterclass in pure, undeniable groove, packed with plenty of attitude, low-end bark, and raw energy that blues fans will instantly appreciate. Keep Holding On strikes the perfect balance between paying respect to the jazz heritage and absolutely cutting loose, making it an essential, high-energy addition to your playlist.

🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM

Keep Holding On by Leigh Pilzer

The Deep Dive

Swinging at the Station sets the tone for the record with a driving, locomotive-like rhythm that acts as an immediate hook. With her deep baritone groove, Leigh Pilzer lays down a thick foundation that feels like an express train rolling right into a late-night blues club. Greg Holloway on drums doesn't let you take a breath and he's tight on the drums. Paul Bratcher is killer on B3 really winding it out as Holloway drops back. Pilzer sails on bari forcing you to sit up and listen making it a perfect opener for anyone who appreciates an unmistakable, steady pocket. Excellent opener!

Musing Music paces a 3/4 tempo into a smoky, reflective space where Pilzer gets to stretch out over a warm bed of organ. This track relies on mood and atmosphere, letting the soulful phrasing and dynamic low-end textures do the heavy lifting in a way that feels reminiscent of a slow-burning blues ballad. Bratcher really does a nice job complimenting Pilzer with his own solo and interweaving phrases by both artists. Very nice!

With a bit of an R&B sound, Pilzer digs into Keep Holding On and a real swinging groove. Bratcher dances on the keys with an almost gospel like integrity but keeping it loose. On Zingamomma, Holloway sets up an infectious, funky cadence and Pilzer lays down soulful King Curtis/Eddie Harris like phrasing that builds an immediate bridge to a soul-jazz style. Driven by a hard-hitting pulse and thick, driving chords, this piece shows plenty of juice and an dynamic finish that is bound to get feet tapping. Another soulful, bluesy track, East Coast Andy, is one of my favorites with Pilzer playing lead over a driving rhythm by Holloway. Bratcher really knows how to form and ride the pocket and he takes tis track for a great spin. Pilzer rolls back in like a boss showing all the swagger you'd want. Laying just behind the beat, she absolutely smashes it. Wrapping the release is hard bopper, G's Bop wraps with Kenny Rittenhouse on trumpet and some hot snare work from Holloway. Pilzer takes over big time laying down a real nice solo in the vein of Gene Ammons followed by Rittenhouse on trumpet. Bratcher gets his last run and he doesn't waste a note riding deep in the groove on B3.This final standout doubles down on attitude and technical dexterity, pushing the tempo up while keeping the underlying groove tight, leaving the listener with a punchy and memorable finale. Excellent closer!

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

Album Title: Keep Holding On
Artist: Leigh Pilzer
Record Label: Strange Woman Records
Release Date: June 2026
Producer: Leigh Pilzer
Recording Engineer: Charlie Pilzer
Mixing & Mastering: Charlie Pilzer
Recording Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Artwork & Layout: Jenny Wilson / Matt Rippetoe

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Core Trio: Leigh Pilzer (Baritone Saxophone), Paul Bratcher (Hammond B3 Organ), Greg Holloway (Drums)

Swinging at the Station (05:28)
Js and Ks (07:19) — Featured Horn: Jen Krupa (Trombone)
Musing Music (06:54)
What's Up, Puppy (07:00) — Featured Horn: Kenny Rittenhouse (Trumpet)
Keep Holding On (05:41)
When It's Gone (06:11) — Featured Horn: Ally Hany Albrecht (Trumpet)
Zingamomma (05:35)
Just Another Pretty Song (05:22)
East Coast Andy (07:00)
Sideburns (07:13) — Featured Horn: Joe Jackson (Trombone)
G's Bop (07:05) — Featured Horn: Kenny Rittenhouse (Trumpet)

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Collapse

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Keep Holding On	Strange Woman Records	Leigh Pilzer	2026
Beatin' the Odds	Strange Woman Records	Leigh Pilzer's Seven Pointed Star	2024
Strunkin'	Self-Released	Leigh Pilzer	2016

Watch: Swinging at the Station by Leigh Pilzer

Keep Holding On is an absolute triumph that effortlessly bridges the worlds of hard-driving jazz and deep, grit-infused blues. By stripping down to a tight, organ-driven pocket, Leigh Pilzer allows her baritone saxophone to deliver maximum emotional punch and raw, soulful texture. Supported by the incredible synergy of Paul Bratcher and Greg Holloway, this album is a masterclass in rhythm, attitude, and pure musical swagger. It is a high-energy addition to any music collection, offering a vibrant and unforgettable listening experience from the first train-like groove to the final hard-bop blast.

Bman's Verdict

Keep Holding On is a masterclass in raw energy and soulful grit, stripping down to a powerhouse trio format where deep blues grooves and blazing jazz chops collide for a flat-out unforgettable ride.

Label: Strange Woman Records

Released: June 19, 2026

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Jon Hamar - Musica Callada

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 23:24:23 +0000

If you are looking for an album that completely changes how you think about the double bass, Jon Hamar’s Música Callada is it. Instead of playing the same old classical tracks everyone expects, the Pacific Northwest bassist steps out from the background to deliver something deeply personal, warm, and refreshing. From the very first note, you can tell this isn't an album made for stuffy concert halls or classical music snobs. Backed by pianist Adrienne Fontenot, Hamar takes quiet, hidden-gem melodies and turns them into an easy, soulful conversation. It is a beautifully laid-back record that blends his massive jazz background with classical roots, proving that he is just as incredible leading the band as he is backing up other legends. Here is a closer look at why this album deserves a spot on your playlist.

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▶ Listen to Album Samples (Click to Expand)

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The Deep Dive

Jon Hamar’s Música Callada, released through Origin Classical, is a stunning, rainy day listen that beautifully blurs the lines between classical depth and jazz freedom. The album centers around a lush adaptation of Frederic Mompou’s piano meditations, embellishing the traditional piano work with Hamar bringing double bass to the forefront. The result is an incredibly relaxed, thoughtful, and spacious record that breathes naturally from start to finish. True to its translated title of "silent music," this release is not about heavy tension, but restraint, space, and the beauty of the quiet moments between the notes. Pianist, Adrienne Fontenot pairs up with Hamar here, playing with an incredibly soft, sensitive touch that perfectly complements the woody, resonant ring of Hamar’s bowed bass and the natural decay of the room.

The heart of the album is a nine-part exploration of Mompou's work, where Hamar sonically wraps around Fontenot’s gentle piano touch. Opener, Angelico set a tender, almost sacred mood right off the bat, while Lent and Afflitto e Penoso dive into darker, more melancholy territory where the double bass really shines. The duo even packs a massive amount of emotion into short statements like Semplice. Once the release moves past the Mompou pieces, Hamar opens things up to more modern, improvisational pieces. Winter Crow, written by David P. Jones, is a sensitive composition building slowly, creating the expansion of a cinematic winter landscape.

This is backed by another Jones composition, Song of the Lighthouse, which leans into a fluid, rolling dialogue between the two musicians. Fluid bass lead, coaxed along by Fontenot really is clean. I particularly like Bach To Blues with deep classical and blues roots, blended nicely in stark quiet. Lazy Dragon has a warm melody, led by Hamar and supported by Fontenot on piano. It's a mesmerizing composition with excellent composure. Wrapping the release, Mosaic integrates the calmness of the release with the complexity of concept. Very nice. Ultimately, Música Callada is a quiet triumph that rewards patient, close listening. It takes a massive instrument like the double bass—which is so often relegated to the background—and lets it sing with incredible warmth, vulnerability, and melodic clarity. Supported by the International Society of Bassists, it is a strong recording that captures every nuance of the performance.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand / Collapse

Album Title: Música Callada
Artist: Jon Hamar (Double Bass) & Adrienne Fontenot (Piano)
Record Label: Origin Classical (Catalog No. OC 33030)
Release Date: June 2026
Producer: Jon Hamar
Recording Engineer: Mischa Goldman
Mixing Engineer: Benjamin Lange
Mastering Engineer: Peter Doell
Recording Location: University of Tennessee, Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, Knoxville, TN
Funding & Support: Partially supported by the International Society of Bassists' Harmon Lewis Grant

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand / Collapse

Performers: Jon Hamar (double bass), Adrienne Fontenot (piano)

Música Callada (Movements I–IX)
Composer: Frederic Mompou (Arranged by Jon Hamar)
Winter Crows & Song of the Lighthouse
Composer: David P. Jones
Bach to Blues
Composer: John Clayton
Lazy Dragon & Mosaic
Composer: Jon Hamar
Nocturne
Composer: Ned Rorem

🎵 View Jon Hamar Full Discography & Amazon Store Links Click to Expand / Collapse

Album Title (Click to View on Amazon)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Música Callada	Origin Classical	Jon Hamar & Adrienne Fontenot	2026
Idyl Wild	Origin Records	Jon Hamar	2013
Hymn	Origin Records	Jon Hamar	2012
Hereafter	Self-Released	Jon Hamar	2007
Basso Profundo	Pony Boy Records	Jon Hamar	2003

Watch: Lazy Dragon by Jon Hamar

Música Callada by Jon Hamar is a spacious, relaxed album that blends classical depth with jazz freedom. Accompanied by pianist Adrienne Fontenot, Hamar shifts the double bass from the background to the center stage, highlighting its warm, resonant tone through Mompou's piano meditations and modern improvisational pieces. The performance relies on restraint and quiet intervals rather than tension, creating a thoughtful, melodic record that rewards close listening.

Bman's Verdict

Música Callada is a masterclass in restraint, beautifully elevating the double bass to a lyrical lead instrument within a serene, genre-blurring acoustic landscape.

Label: Origin Classical

Released: June 26, 2026

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Willy Jordan - What Can We Do?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:25:04 +0000

The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra (APSO) has been keeping the classic '60s and '70s soul-blues vibe alive ever since guitarist Anthony Paule started the band in San Francisco back in 2007. Known for their killer horn section and a history of powerhouse vocalists, the band just welcomed their newest front man, the amazing Willy Jordan. Willy is a massive talent who already has two Grammy nominations under his belt from his time with Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio, and he has even shared the stage with legends like John Lee Hooker.

Taking over the mic from former APSO greats like Wee Willie Walker, Frank Bey, and Terrie Odabi, Willy brings a totally real, down-to-earth energy to the stage. When you see them live, his commanding voice and honest vibe make for an unforgettable, heartfelt show.

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The Deep Dive

What Can We Do?, kicks off with an absolute powerhouse in Still Smellin' Smoke, a fiery, high steppin' opener about burning down past bridges where Willy Jordan’s grit-infused vocals immediately set a commanding, high-energy mood right out of the gate. Charles McNeal rips a cool sax solo, followed by Anthony Paul on guitar and with Tony Lufrano on B3, Timm Walker on bass, Bowen Brown on drums, Derek James on trombone, Ethan Pires on trumpet, Johnnie Bamony on bari sax, and Larry Batiste, Omega Rae and Nona Brown on backing vocals make for a solid opener. Stranger has a cool strut and Jordans settle nicely into the mix. With a smooth, warm groove created by Bamont and McNeal, a cooking groove by Brown and bright guitar soloing by Paule, this is a real nice track. Boogie groove, Bigger Guitar really showcases Paule on guitar with terrific riffs and phrases held tight by Walker and Brown and featuring a strong piano solo by Lufrano. I really love the trombone solo by Derek James followed by Ethan Pires on trumped. Excellent jam! . That deep groove continues with the standout single Secret, which delivers an infectious, Latin, driving rhythm tailor-made for a late-night drive, punctuated by Anthony Paule’s incredibly stealthy guitar work that executes sharp, soulful fills beneath the main melody. Endre Tarczy on B3 really does a nice job of bringing out the tension, with tight rhythms by Kevin Hayes on drums and James, Pires, McNeal and Rob Sudduth (bari sax) on horns.

Romping, If It Ain't One Thing It's Two is a terrific track with Jordan really digging on on vocal. Paule's guitar punctuation and excellent lead guitar and the saturated horn backing by James, Pires, McNeal and Bamont make this one of my favorites on the release. The band then delivers a brilliant soul-blues reimagining of the classic Russ Morgan tune, You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You, completely stripping away the old big-band swing to inject a familiar melody with pure, unadulterated Memphis soul. Bamont blows a soulful sax solo that really oozes blues. Finally, the album closes elegantly with Blue Mood Indica, a slinky, fully instrumented song paying homage to Duke Ellington's Mood Indigo that lets the entire band stretch its legs. McNeal rolls out a soulful solo caressed by James and Pires on brass while giving Paule a wide-open lane for an excellent, blues dripping jazzy solo with excellent phrasing and articulation carried by the warmth of Lufrano on B3 making this an excellent closer for a really strong release.

🎵 View The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra Full Discography & Amazon Store Links Click to Expand / Collapse

Album Title (Click to View on Amazon)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
What Can We Do?	Nola Blue Records	The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Willy Jordan	2026
What Are You Waiting For?	Blue Dot Records	The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Willy Jordan	2024
Not In My Lifetime	Blue Dot Records	The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra	2021
After A While	Blue Dot Records	Anthony Paule Band	2018

Watch What Can We Do? by Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra

The album What Can We Do? is a strong soul-blues release driven by Willy Jordan’s grit-infused vocals, Anthony Paule’s exceptional guitar work, and a powerful horn section. The project highlights the band's dynamic range as they move seamlessly from fiery openers and tight boogie jams to driving Latin rhythms, a Memphis-soul reimagining of a classic standard, and a slinky, fully instrumented closer that allows the entire lineup to deliver soulful, blues-dripping solos.

Bman's Verdict

What Can We Do? is a powerhouse soul-blues album blending gritty vocals, exceptional guitar work, and a dynamic horn section across high-energy jams and soulful classics.

Label: Nola Blue Records

Released: July 24, 2026

💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Johnny Rawls & Dave Keller - Tribute To Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 23:28:56 +0000

Blues powerhouses Johnny Rawls and Dave Keller just dropped their new collaborative album, Tribute to Soul, out now on Third Street Cigar Records. This 11-track project is a high-energy shoutout to the legends of the chitlin circuit, packed with huge vocal duets and blazing horns. It is a masterclass in deep soul-blues, born out of a musical brotherhood that has been cooking for over 15 years.

Johnny Rawls is a living Mississippi legend who was leading the band for soul icon O.V. Wright at just 17. He has backed giants like Joe Tex and Eddie Floyd, and he is still dominating today, recently taking home Soul Blues Album of the Year at the 2026 Blues Music Awards. Johnny brings his signature, velvety-smooth Southern vocals and decades of rhythm guitar mastery to this project. Dave Keller is a Vermont-based singer and guitarist known as one of the finest modern torchbearers of deep soul. Dave has built a fierce reputation for his wild live shows, emotional vocals, and razor-sharp guitar licks. Since Dave's band spent years backing Johnny on his New England tours, their natural, tight-knit chemistry turned this long-awaited studio collab into an absolute must-listen.

Tribute to Soul by Johnny Rawls and Dave Keller

The Deep Dive

The album opens with I'm Qualified, where Paul Johnson on sax, Ben DeLong on trumpet and Travis Geiman on trombone provide warm horns and a loose, fun call-and-response with Keller and Rawls vocal duel prove right away that these guys are more than ready to preach the blues. On a funky take of Joe South's, Walk A Mile In My Shoes the old pop gloss of the original is gone and a raw, gritty, slow-burning lesson in empathy oozes out in Rawls' vocals. With Ira Friedman on piano, Alex Budney on bass, Jay Gleason on drums and Johnsons saxy refrain, this is a cool track. I Remember, a classic Tommy Tate tune has a real R&B strut with punchy horn work by Johnson, DeLong and Geiman, letting Rawls do his thing with strong piano reinforcement by Friedman.

One of my favorite tracks on the release is Joe Tex's, Hold On To What You've Got, a gospel flavored Joe Tex ballad where Johnny stands tall with some classic spoken-word power and Friedman on organ cements the foundation. On The Kind Of Love I Want, a short, punchy rhythm-and-blues track Rawls stretches vocally with Friedman on piano and organ and Jay Gleason on drums. Wrapping the release is Jackson and Greer's R&B classic, You Didn't Know It But You Had Me. Keller and Rawls share the mic on this one and with Friedman on piano and organ alongside the warm horn work of Johnson DeLong and Geiman for the perfect, sweat-dripping end to a solid record.

🎵 View Johnny Rawls & Dave Keller Discography & Amazon Store Links Click to Expand / Collapse

Album Title (Click to View on Amazon)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Tribute to Soul	Third Street Cigar Records	Johnny Rawls & Dave Keller	2026
Make Them Dance	Third Street Cigar Records	Johnny Rawls	2025
Walking Each Other Home	Tastee Tone Records	Dave Keller	2023
Going Back To Mississippi	Third Street Cigar Records	Johnny Rawls	2022
Live at the Exile Follies	Tastee Tone Records	Dave Keller	2020

Watch Thrill Is Gone with Dave Keller & Johnny Rawls

Tribute to Soul is a straightforward, well-crafted nod to classic rhythm-and-blues, combining a tight backing band and steady horn arrangements to give Johnny Rawls and Dave Keller a solid foundation for sharing vocals on these vintage tracks.

Bman's Verdict

Tribute to Soul is a solid, well-crafted nod to the classic chitlin circuit that shines brightest when the tight backing band and sharp horn section let loose.

Label: Third Street Cigar Records

Released: June 3, 2026