sabato 20 giugno 2015

MICHAEL JEROME BROWNE "SLIDING DELTA"

Canadian Folk Music Awards Solo Artist of the Year 2012 & 2008, Maple Blues Acoustic Artist Award Winner, Kerrville (Texas) New Folk Finalist, Three time Juno Award Nominee in both the roots/traditional and blues categories. Michael is a multi-instrumentalist, a songwriter, and a living encyclopedia of American Roots music. "SLIDING DELTA" is the new album on Borealis Records, available early in 2015. It is a tribute to his early influences, filled with his own personal interpretations of the rural blues of Mississippi John Hurt, Fred McDowell, Memphis Minnie, Skip James, Charley Patton, Blind Willie McTell and many others. Recorded live off the floor in three days, it features MJB on several 6- and 12-string guitars, 5-string banjo, mandolin and rack-harp.“Michael Jerome Browne... magnifies the magnificence of 1920s and 1930s country blues numbers... A singer of clarity and character, he is as skilled on banjo and mandolin as he is on valuable old guitars.” (4 stars)-Frank-John Hadley, Downbeat.Whether he's gliding a slide across his national guitar, pulling his bow over the fiddle strings to play a lively Cajun waltz, or frailing away on his gourd banjo Michael's passion and virtuosity always shine through. In the true tradition of folk music, his performances inspire us to see the interconnections between the many cultures and influences that gave birth to American Roots Music. Gospel, Blues, Old-Time, Country, Soul and Cajun, expect to hear all of this and more from a performer who's been called a street-smart archivist and an absolute treasure. MICHAEL JEROME BROWNE
 

CELSO SALIM BAND "TO THE END OF TIME"

Born in Brasília, the capital of Brazil, Celso Salim began studying guitar at age six but unlike other Brazilian kids of his age, at 12 he had already found his true passion, the Blues. “It’s really something that you feel; when I first listened to the Blues I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Before, I was only learning guitar ‘cause I loved music...” says Celso.It was music teacher and blues enthusiast Edu Brito, a Berklee College of Music graduate, who showed Celso his first records. The young guitarist began spending hours learning licks from great blues artists such as Muddy Waters, Blind Willie McTell, Freddie King, B.B. King and Johnny Winter, among many others.A little later he also started to get into Classic Rock’n’Roll and Southern Rock, listening to artists such as The Allman Brothers Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, to name a few.After finishing high school in Brazil, Celso moved to Los Angeles at age 17 and began studying at the Musicians Institute. Thought by master of Country guitar, Steve Trovato, he became a skilled country music player as well.Jazz and Soul music were also a big influence on him.Celso is also well known for his great slide guitar playing.During the years he lived in the United States, he put a band together with harp player Darryl Carriere, which frequently featured in the Santa Monica and L.A. local scene. In 1999, Celso starts co-producing his first album with Rafael Cury.Celso graduates from Musicians Institute receiving the "Outstanding Student Award”, before he returns to his home country in the year 2000. CELSO SALIM BAND
 

lunedì 27 aprile 2015

SAMANTHA MARTIN AND DELTA SUGAR "SEND THE NIGHTINGALE"

One of the rising stars in Toronto’s roots-rock scene, Martin and her band can be seen frequently on stage at The Dakota Tavern, Toronto's most respected Americana/Roots venue. With the release of their self titled debut album, Samantha Martin and The Haggard in the spring of 2012, the band will be taking their music on the road far beyond Toronto. Recorded in July 2011 at Toronto's Lincoln County Social Club, co-produced by the band and John Dinsmore (producer and multi-instrumentalist with Kathleen Edwards, NQ Arbuckle, Sarah Harmer) The album boldly traverses deep southern soul, roots/reggae and 50's rock n roll.Tribute is paid to musical influences including Otis Redding and Robert Johnson, The Rolling Stones, The Staples Singers, CCR and Patsy Cline as well as Reggae artist Del Roy Wilson; but the album is distinctly Samantha Martin and The Haggard. Few other artists are able to incorporate such broad genres successfully and present a cohesive sound all their own.The band is Samantha Martin on rhythm guitar and vocals, Mikey McCallum on lead guitar, Greg Sweetland on bass and Pete Lambert on drums. The album is tastefully punctuated by the background vocals of Gospel Divas The Tonettes, (Amoy and Ciceal Levy and Marlene O'Neill), and Country backup vocals are provided by Dani Nash, Alejandra Ribera and Siobhan Power. Multi-instrumentalist Derek Downham (of The Beauties) steps out from his usual position behind the drum kit to play keyboards, wurlitzer and combo organ on the recording.There are 9 original songs and 4 covers on the album, The original Gospel blues tunes, Six White Horses and Dark Angel, feature Samantha playing slide resonator guitar. New Kind of Blue and Hard Luck Woman are rockabilly and honky tonk country tracks. Last thing on My Mind, originally written by Tom Paxton has been covered by Dolly Parton and Porter Wagner, but the Sam Martin and the Haggard version is most influenced by the Del Roy Wilson roots reggae arrangement of the song. Rain from the Skies is another Del Roy Wilson song that Sam Martin and the band have turned into a soul number. SAMANTHA MARTIN AND DELTA SUGAR
 

MARY HOTT "SHAMAN LOVER"

Mary Hott’s debut album “Shaman Lover” showcases her songwriting talent and musical diversity in collaboration with the arranging and performance mastery of guitarist Billy Thompson. She delivers raw and genuine emotional expression that moves effortlessly across style boundaries. You may hear echoes of her southern gospel roots, or elements of the funk grooves she loves, intertwined with rock, soul, jazz, country and blues.For most of her musical career Mary has played a supporting role, helping other musicians realize their own musical goals. While living in New York City, she became a sought-after recording studio session singer and background singer, studied vocal jazz and improvisation with seasoned pros, and became the front singer for several jazz and swing ensembles. After moving to Boston and spending some time at Berklee College of Music, her musical interests turned to the blues and she was soon fronting several bands, including a ten-piece R&B-Soul ensemble with regular appearances at The House of Blues and festivals and nightclubs throughout New England. She has shared the stage with nationally known musical acts as diverse as The J. Geils Band and Asleep At The Wheel.When asked about the album’s title, Mary references the author Elizabeth Lesser, who in her book “Broken Open” defines a shaman lover as a person who suddenly enters your life (or an abrupt event in your life) that causes a radical change – so radical it stirs the shadow self, the part of you kept hidden for way too long. A radical event in her own life changed the role of music in her life and sparked the creation of the songs on this album. MARY HOTT
 

domenica 26 aprile 2015

CLARE TEAL & HER MINI BIG BAND " AT YOUR REQUEST"

Clare Teal is one of the UK’s most celebrated and much loved jazz singers, as well as a prolific recording artist and popular BBC Radio 2 broadcaster. To date she has recorded and released 13 albums to public and critical acclaim. Her stunning voice, encyclopaedic knowledge of jazz, swing and big band music, and her innate warmth and wit have made Clare one of the most sought after singers and broadcasters in the country. Grant Windsor is a pianist, composer, arranger, conductor and producer from Perth, Western Australia.He began classical studies early at the age of 9 beginning on flute. This led him to be involved in groups all around Australia from an early age, such as the National Children Wind Ensemble, West Australian Wind Ensemble and at age 17 Grant arranged and performed the original musical "Australian Stories" on tour.Bass player Simon Little is a graduate of The Guildhall School of Music & Drama.  He joined pop group 'The Divine Comedy' in 2001 toured extensively in Europe and the US and is still an active member.  Simon has also toured and recorded with a variety of artists, including Maggie Reilly, Chris Difford, Ben Folds and Nick Cave. He is a regular performer at the National Theatre and started 2012 in rep with "The Comedy of Errors" there, playing an itinerant musician.Ben Reynolds is one of the most creative and gifted drummers in the country and is in constant demand, playing with Clare, 2008 BBC Jazz Award and Ronnie Scotts best newcomer Award Winners FRAUD, Joe Stilgoe and 2009 Parliamentary Jazz Award Best Album Winners The Sam Crockatt Quartet. CLARE TEAL
 

THE BLUES REBELS "OPEN ROAD"

Israel's Blues Supergroup - this band has played with Joe Louis Walker, Lucky Peterson and Bernard Allison and opened for Johnny Winter. Featuring Dov Hammer on vocals and harmonica, Andy Watts on guitar, Ilan Hillel on bass and Alon Hillel on drums. Check out the heartbreaking , hipshaking earthquaking power of the Blues Rebels!!  We are proud to present to you "Open Road" – the new album by The Blues Rebels. The Blues Rebels began in 2012 as a one-time friendly jam between two veteran Blues artists – guitarist Andy Watts and singer/harmonica player Dov Hammer – but the immediate chemistry between the two and the powerful stage show that resulted was undeniable. The Blues Rebels soon became one of the hottest Blues bands on the Israeli scene, playing with world-class Blues artists such as Joe Louis Walker, Lucky Peterson and Bernard Allison. The band was also chosen to open for the legendary Johnny Winter, who told the band how impressed he was by their performance. After 2 years of burning up stages with their incendiary live show, the Rebels began work on their first album, a compilation of 14 original songs by Dov Hammer and Andy Watts. The band set up in the studio at Kibbutz Ma'abarot and tore through the songs in three days, capturing the live energy and passion of their infamous live show. The songs feature unique and heartfelt songwriting, blazing powerhouse Blues guitar and harmonica and soulful singing. The rhythm section is funky and in the pocket, with a groove that never quit. THE BLUES REBELS
 

NICO DUPORTAL AND HIS RHYTHM DUDES "GUITAR PLAYER"

“ Nico Duportal capture the swing and Sounds reminiscent of Teddy Bunn, Tiny Grimes, T.bone Walker, Gatemouth Brown and many others” (Lynwood Slim, Los Angeles - California. 2007, singer/producer for Kid ramos, Junior Watson, R.L Burnside, The mighty blue Kings, Rosebud Blue sauce, Clarence gatemouth Brown, …). “ Fantastic Swingin’Blues and R&B !!!” (BBC-England). The American Blues scene has undoubtedly encountered its share of adversity in recent years. wheneverI begin to doubt the uncertainty of where this Music’s headed, along comes someone like Nico Duportal to reassure me that everything’s gonna be just fine; Jeff Scott Fleenor – Delta Groove Music (USA). “Nico Duportal sings and plays red hot guitar in a non stop trip into the early roots of Rock’n’roll and R&B … this makes for the most Swinging, the most rockin’ and definitely the most Jumpin’& rhythm dance party sounds! the dance floor will be rammed for Mr Duportal (Mark Hislop—Glasgow Rhythm & Blues festival). Nico Duportal a hot guitarist and Rhythm & Blues exponent, has turned out a top class recording with his Rhythm Dudes providing exquisite backing !!! recommended for Rockers, Strollers, Jiver and YOU … (A. Smith – UK R’n’R Magazine). NICO DUPORTAL AND HIS RHYTHM DUDES
 

sabato 25 aprile 2015

JEFF OSTER "NEXT"

Born in Danville, Illinois, Jeff began playing trumpet at the age of eight. After years of study in classical and jazz, he moved to L.A. in 1979 to pursue a career full time in music. He honed his live performance skills on the LA club scene, then in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and Atlantic City. Along the way, he developed an intriguing presence in live performance that has to be seen (and heard) to be fully appreciated. Now living in the San Francisco Bay Area, he continues to play venues locally and around the country.In 2003 Jeff began to create loop based soundscapes using the computer software program Sonic Acid. Uploading his music to MP3.com, his innovative songs topped the ambient charts for months, with tens thousands of downloads and streams worldwide.Soon after, Jeff began working with producer Will Ackerman, Grammy winning guitarist and founder of Windham Hill Records. Together they have recorded two albums, RELEASED and TRUE. Both albums have been voted by broadcasters worldwide as Album of the Year, both have reached #1 on Echoes, the nationally syndicated NPR radio program. Jeff's songs have won Best New Age Song at the 2006 and 2008 Independent Music Awards, and the music continues to receive airplay on XM/Sirius, Music Choice and many other programs worldwide.Contributors to Jeff's recordings have included Bruce Swedien, legendary mixing engineer of Michael Jackson's Thriller, Steely Dan's drummer Keith Carlock, Grammy nominated artists Philip Aaberg, Eugene Friesen, Michael Manring, and many other fine artists. JEFF OSTER
 

LEE JONES "AFTER THE PIER"

Lee Jones is a UK guitarist and composer. He has performed around the national jazz scene in recent years and appeared as a special guest with guitarist Martin Taylor at the Pizza Express, London.After winning Jazz FM’s “Best New Instrumentalist” award, Lee completed the BMus (Hons) jazz course at Birmingham Conservatoire in 2007; studying with Partisans’ guitarist Phil Robson.He has released three solo albums; “Swish” (2007), "Songs from the 13th Hour" (2011) and "After the Pier" (2015) with former WEA producer Simon Tittley; recording alongside Larry Coryell, Jean Toussaint, Dennis Rollins, Ric Sanders and Chris Dagley amongst others. He also teaches guitar privately and for various colleges.Lee is currently undertaking a PhD in jazz composition at The University of Salford.“…A fully developed personal style…” – The Observer"...an excellent composer and one heck of a guitarist..." LEE JONES
 

ALEXANDER HAWKINS "ALEXANDER HAWKINS TRIO"

'A trio is the place where countless jazz pianists get their start, finding security in the armature provided by a bassist and a drummer and perhaps a sense of direction, too, from a long tradition that began in the music’s early days and continues to evolve in nedirections.Theextraordinarily gifted Alexander Hawkins, by contrast, waited before committing himself to a format so familiar as to represent, for a creative pianist, a considerable test of the imagination.
 Born in Oxford in 1981, Hawkins has been heard in many contexts, among them his own six-piece ensemble, the Ethiopian vibraphonist Mulatu Astatke’s band, the multinational Convergence Quartet, the three-piece Decoy (in which he plays Hammond organ), the quartets of the trumpeter Nick Malcolm, the drummer Steve Davis and the bassist Dominic Lash, as a solo pianist, and recently in duo, quartet and octet environments with Louis Moholo-Moholo. To encounter him at last in a trio (with the bassist Neil Charles and the drummer Tom Skinner) is like hearing the final element of a piece of machinery click into place.
..' ALEXANDER HAWKINS
 

MORGAN HERITAGE "STRICTLY ROOTS"

The legacy of reggae vocalist Denroy Morgan has been passed on to his sons, who have performed as Morgan Heritage since 1991. While its mellow, R&B-influenced vocals and Rastafarian lyrics have been compared to Garnett Silk, the group has continued to pave its own musical path. The band's many hits include "Let's Make Up," "Tell Me How Come," "Set Yourself Free," "Mama and Papa," and "Protect Us Jah." Initially an octet featuring eight of Morgan's 29 children, Morgan Heritage began recording in the early '90s. Although they attended school in Springfield,
Massachusetts, they spent their weekends in their father's recording studio in Brooklyn. Their debut single, "Wonderful World," was produced by their father and released in 1991. An album, Growing Up, followed shortly afterward. The first break for Morgan Heritage came the following year when they performed at Reggae Sunsplash. Their performance was so impressive that MCA offered a recording contract almost as quickly as they were off the stage. Their first album for MCA, Miracle, released in 1994, was a major disappointment as the album clung to mass market reggae formulas. Touring the Ivory Coast in 1995, Morgan Heritage rediscovered their musical roots. Toward the end of the year, the group traveled to Jamaica to record their next album. Recording during the day with Lloyd "King Jammy" James and at night with Bobby "Digital" Dixon, the group took a major leap forward. Shortly after releasing their second album, Protect Us Jah, in 1997, Morgan Heritage were reduced to a five-piece. In addition to Una Morgan (born 1973), the group included keyboardist/vocalists Peter Morgan (born 1977) and Roy "Gramps" Morgan (born 1975), rhythm guitarist Nakhamyah "Lukes" Morgan (born 1977), and percussionist Memmalatel "Mojo" Morgan (born 1981). Don't Haffi Dread from 1999 and More Teachings from 2001 continued to carry the roots reggae torch while Three in One from 2003 broadened their sound a bit with a guest appearance from the alt-rock band Good Charlotte. Full Circle from 2005 featured the massive Jamaican hit "Tell Me How Come" and was followed a year later by the live album Live: Another Rockaz Moment. Mission in Progress arrived in 2008 with the singles "Raid Rootz Dance" and "Love You Right." The 2009 compilation The Journey Thus Far rounded up their hits, while their 2013 effort Here Come the Kings featured the single "Perfect Love Song" along with a guest appearance from Shaggy. Shaggy returned for 2015's Strictly Roots which was released by the band's own label CTBC (Cool to Be Conscious). The album also featured appearances from J. Boog, Chronixx, Bobby Lee of SOJA, plus solo artist and son of Gramps, Jemere Morgan. MORGAN HERITAGE  
 

mercoledì 11 febbraio 2015

DEPARTURE AVE "YARN"

Departure Ave. were born in Rome in the summer of 2012. Six months later their first “All the Sunset in a Cup” appears. The album, self-released, immediately received excellent reviews from the insiders and turned a light on the band. After the album was released the band has begun the collaboration with Bomba Dischi, the independent label which released “Yarn”.   Yarn is the second album by Departure Ave. A rock album, oblique and visual, jazz coloured but also characterised by different tinges and suggestions that recall electronic and reggae music. This album is a collection of twelve fables, each taking place in a different setting, brought together by the fact that they have all been conceived in the same place. DEPARTURE AVE
 

ALTERED FIVE "GOTTA EARN IT"

Proclaimed “a staple of the Midwest’s band scene” and “a festival favorite” by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Altered Five’s delectable brew of blues and soul has a wide audience taking notice. The quintet's sophomore album, Gotta Earn It, is a 10-song set featuring seven originals. Singer Jeff Taylor’s powerful voice anchors the sound and drives home the message in songs like the brooding ballad “Three Wishes,” the wistful, burning blues of “Older, Wiser, Richer,” and the yearning “Mona Lisa.” The rhythm section of drummer Scott Schroedl and bassist Mark Solveson grooves hard and enjoys telepathic interaction with keyboardist Raymond Tevich and guitarist Jeff Schroedl. Guitar World magazine raves that Schroedl has “hi-tech chops” and contributes “superlative solo work.” The group also puts its stamp on three covers: a driving, bluesified take on the early Marvin Gaye hit “Ain’t That Peculiar”; a revved-up reading of Buddy Guy’s 1961 Chess recording “Watch Yourself”; and the cool, sassy groove of another Motown original, “You’ve Got to Earn It.”Award-winning blues journalist Dave Rubin declares: "As authentic as a tangy Memphis soul stew, Altered Five breathes fire into deep groove, original R&B and blues. Led by the passion and polish of barrel-chested singer Jeff "JT" Taylor and the explosive, fret-bending guitarist Jeff Schroedl, the five blues brothers play vital music that nurtures the spirit and moves the body."ALTERED FIVE BLUES BAND
 

EYOT "SIMILARITY"

Free of genres, EYOT brings a beautiful eclectic sound that swims from rock to jazz, punk and ambient, impressionism to romanticism, all formed into strong compositions. Their live performances are filled with energy and emotions that bring the listener deep into their personal world and create a unique experience.After their critically acclaimed albums “Horizon” and “Drifters” that brouth them more then 100 concerts in 18 countries, EYOT brings us “Similarity”. Forged in Nis - Serbia, Crafted in Bristol UK, produced by Get the Blessing’s Jim Barr, this album brings a mix of many styles. Pink Floyd mixed with Nirvana, Radiohead and legacy of famous Eastern European composers of classical music, spiced up with the Balkan traditional music, it’s a recipe that EYOT presents to you in it’s own way. EYOT
 

JOHN O'GALLAGHER SAM LASSERSON JEFF WILLIAMS "VALENCE"

John O'Gallagher is considered one of the most compelling alto saxophonists and composers at work today on the New York jazz scene. He is known for an innovative style which pushes the boundaries of jazz while rooted in it's tradition."Mr. O'Gallagher is an exploratory alto saxophonist with a clear melodic streak" - The New York TimesBorn in Anaheim Califorina in 1964 he began playing alto saxophone in grade school after his family moved to Spokane, Washington. Upon graduating high school he studied briefly at Eastern Washington University before moving to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music. There he studied with legendary saxophone gurus Joe Viola, Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone. During the past 25 years living in New York he has become known for his projects as a leader, and as a sought after sidemen, working with artist such as Joe Henderson, Maria Schnieder, Kenny Wheeler, Billy Hart, Tony Malaby, Jeff Williams, Tom Rainey,  Chris Cheek, Ralph Alessi, Rudresh Manhathappa, Mike Formanek, Ben Monder and numerous others.Jeff Williams was raised in Oberlin, Ohio where he began playing drums at age eight. Self-taught, with the aid of his parents' collection of jazz recordings as a guide, he started playing gigs with local professionals at age fourteen. Jeff's mother, Ann Williams, moved to New York to pursue a jazz singing career when he was nine, introducing him to a number of musicians who would be his early mentors, including drummers Jo Jones, Herb Lovelle, Elvin Jones, and Oliver Jackson. In 1967 Jeff made his recording debut with the psychedelic group Ant Trip Ceremony (Cicadelic).Sam began playing the double bass aged 16, taking classical lessons and teaching himself jazz. Whilst studying both disciplines at Trinity College of Music with Corin Long and Steve Watts respectively, he began to perform professionally on the British jazz scene. Since graduating seven years ago, Sam has appeared regularly at many established jazz venues in London and around the UK, as well as embarking on numerous international tours throughout Europe, America, Canada and Brazil.Sam is a member of Jeff Williams' UK-based quartet, award-winning saxophonist Julian Arguelles' quartet, vocalist Emilia Martensson's band, and Andrew McCormack's UK trio. As a sideman he has performed with Ethan Iverson, John O'Gallagher, Stan Sulzmann, Martin Speake, Nikki Iles, Bobby Wellins, and Jim Hart among many others. He is also proud to be involved in a number of exciting projects with his contemporaries, including the George Crowley Quintet and the Michael Chillingworth Sextet. SAM LASSERSON
 

MIKE COLLINS TRIO "AND SUDDENLY, EVENING"

Mike Collins on piano His development as a jazz musician began when he attended the legendary Glamorgan Summer Schools learning from and playing with some of the best players on the British scene (Stan Sulzman, Simon Purcell, Niki Iles, Liam Noble, Julian Siegel to name but a few).  As well as gigging regularly on the lively Bristol scene, and throughout the South West and Wales with his trio and quartet,  Mike co-led a Quintet for a number of years with Pete Judge (Get the Blessing). “..elegant..accomplished … perhaps a classic in the making.. Indicating a great live experience”   London Jazz News“a voice all his own.. an achievement in lyricism .. a stunning band …would grace any jazz lover’s library”  Charley Dunlap, Listomania.1/2 “.. mixes attractive melodies with a rhythmical flexibility… the easy confidence of a quartet enjoying itself”All About Jazz “Pastoral … gentle..  Collins sound.. closest to John Taylor’s or Bobo Stenson’s” Marlbank. MIKE COLLINS TRIO

O BARDO E O BANJO "HOMEPATH"

"Homepath" é o primeiro álbum do Bardo e o Banjo, e reúne os singles que foram lançados em seus 2 EP's anteriores ("Synergy" 2013, "Lakeside" 2014) em um trabalho que explora a fundo a sonoridade rústica que a banda veio aprimorando ao longo de seus quase 3 anos de existência. Nesse primeiro álbum, Wagner Creoruska Junior (músico, compositor) e o produtor Cesar Benzoni exploram elementos diferentes, além dos já convencionalmente usados pelo Bardo e o Banjo: sons de colheres, tin whistle, gaita e até sapateado irlandês fazem participações nas faixas do álbum. A junção de instrumentos novos com a música rústica do grupo fazem de "Homepath" um álbum que mostra todas as facetas da música do Bardo e o Banjo, levando o ouvinte a uma experiência completa no universo da música tradicional/folk e do bluegrass. O BARDO E O BANJO
 

WHITEY MORGAN "GRANDPA'S GUITAR"

This album is dedicated to my Grandfather, William Henry Morgan. I keep one of my most cherished possessions in a dusty old shoe box full of memories. It's an old memorex cassette tape of my Grandpa picking and singing alone in his basement room. He picks and sings some of his favorites on the very guitar I would eventually learn to play on - The guitar that has inspired everything I have done in the last 15 years of my music career, including this collection of songs. I picked a couple that he loved and some that have always kept me company in many dark, lonely, motel rooms across this country. From the painfully-hard-to-record "Grandpas Guitar," to a drunkin’ late night version of "Dead Flowers" — these songs are as close to the real me as I have been in a long time. Hell, I even threw in a song by the man himself from that old cassette tape that started the whole thing. WHITEY MORGAN
 

ERIC GALES " GOOD FOR SUMTHIN' "

Blues guitar phenom Eric Gales was born and raised in Memphis, learning to play at age four from older brothers Eugene and Manuel in imitation of their upside-down, left-handed style (a tradition actually passed down from their grandfather, Dempsey Garrett Sr., who was known to jam with the likes of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf). Winning his first blues contest at 11, four years later Eric signed to Elektra to issue his 1991 debut LP, recorded with Eugene on bass; Picture of a Thousand Faces followed in 1993. Manuel (who previously performed under the alias Little Jimmy King) reunited with his siblings for 1995's Left Hand Band, credited to the Gales Brothers.A newly matured Gales returned in spring 2001 to release his debut for MCA, That's What I Am. Often billed as the second coming of Jimi Hendrix, Gales, an adequate singer at best but a dynamite guitarist, suffered for the comparison. With Gales always influenced by Hendrix and the power trio format, his next albums, 2006's Crystal Vision and 2007's Psychedelic Underground, both released by Blues Bureau Records, seemed like facsimile Hendrix albums, right down to the album art. His next two releases from Blues Bureau, 2008's The Story of My Life and 2009's Layin' Down the Blues, found the Hendrix influence muted somewhat, but Gales, a breathtaking guitarist at times, still seemed to be looking for a way out of the Hendrix shadow and into his own voice. Gales returned in 2010 with Relentless, a collection of 13 originals, and followed it with the passionate Transformation a year later in 2011. Theall-instrumental Ghost Notes arrived in the fall of 2013. ~ Jason Ankeny & Steve Leggett, Rovi ERIC GALES BAND
 

lunedì 19 gennaio 2015

JACKIE VENSON "THE LIGHT IN ME"

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Venson further proves her endurance on her latest set, The Light In Me, which bursts with traditional blues aesthetics but upholds melodic soul for a rich blend that is tailor-fit for her spunky and witty style. As a fellow South Texan myself, she's pretty much kinfolk as she's knows that everything is in fact bigger here, and her sound reflects it in pounds as numbers such as the pew-stomping "Always Free," horn-peppered sway of "Best For Last" and her single "The Love I Give," are bold and infallible entries. And if it's subdued that you want, then Venson can whisper loving poetics this side of "Beauty Of Your Love" and the cushy acoustic title track to place you in the calm of her storm. Though there are many vibrant voices that come our way daily, a lot don't get to stand on a table and shout out loud, but Venson, on the other hand, has the boisterous attitude as well as the creative drive to create tunes her way without bending to any so-called rules, and those elements will spark and have her elbow her way to the front of the line without a misstep. JACKIE VENSON
 

REGGIE CODRINGTON "ALWAYS IN MOTION"

Discerning urban jazz fans searching for something new to get jazzed and groove about don’t need to have A Vicarious Experience to make it happen—they just need to get hip to the melodic and cool old school soul meets contemporary funk of veteran saxophonist Reggie Codrington. While the Fayetteville, North Carolina native is new on many people’s radars, he’s actually been performing and recording since the early 90s and has eight previous CDs, several under the name Reggie C; the most recent of these are Sunny Days (2008), Vision of Dreams (2010), Christmas With Pops (2009) and Journey Back Home (2005), which was produced by Phil Davis, who has worked with Stanley Clarke, George Duke and Al Jarreau, among many others.Produced by and featuring the tenacious bass playing of Brian Morgan (whose many credits include George Benson), A Vicarious Experience finds Codrington—whose primary voice is the curved soprano sax--in a romantic, optimistic mood, using the changing vibes of the songs (and the listener’s imagination) to chronicle the ups, downs, excitement and challenges of a romantic relationship from track to track. While many artists cite their parents as prime influences on their careers, Codrington takes that one step further, inviting his father Ray—who helped Codrington develop his skills and learn improvisation—to play trumpet throughout the recording.“When I make a record, I always want to have a warm sound with harmonies,” he says, “and in this case that means having dad play a lot of horn parts and percussion. When we were making the album, I found myself in a 70s and 80s type groove, inspired by everyone from De La Soul funk rhythms to Sade and Parliament. I grew up listening to old school R&B/funk so that’s a pretty natural influence for me. The process began with Brian sending me some great tracks and me putting melodies to them, then arranging harmonies and atmospheres around my lead sax. The romantic story thread emerged from the emotions I was experiencing at the time with the lady I was dating. I thought it might be fun to invite people into my musical heart this way.” REGGIE CODRINGTON

CARMEN LUNDY "SOUL TO SOUL"

Carmen Lundy began her professional career in Miami, FL as a jazz vocalist and composer when there were very few young, gifted and aspiring jazz vocalists on the horizon. Over four decades later, Ms. Lundy is celebrated throughout the world for her vocal artistry and is highly regarded for her jazz innovation.Currently on the Afrasia Productions label, Carmen is releasing her 14th album in the Fall of 2014. Almost two years in the making, “Soul To Soul” consists of new original songs by Lundy, and a few very special collaborations. The album features legendary artists - specialists on their respective instruments - including Patrice Rushen, Geri Allen, Randy Brecker, Ada Rovatti, Warren Wolf, Bennie Maupin, harpist Carol Robbins, and Simphiwe Dana, a stunning South African vocalist and composer, among others.The highly regarded 2012 release “Changes” (Afrasia Productions) is on several ‘Top 10 Albums of 2012’ lists, and continues to garner both critical and popular acclaim. Said James Nadal of All About Jazz, “With her release of Changes, veteran singer Carmen Lundy rises to that proverbial summit to enjoy the rarefied air of the chosen few.” Terri Lyne Carrington’s Mosaic Project - Grammy Winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album of 2011- features the Carmen Lundy composition “Show Me A Sign”, with Ms. Lundy’s original performance from the album “Solamente” reinvented on the arrangement. CARMEN LUNDY