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
Born in BrasÃlia, 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
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’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
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
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 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
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 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
'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
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
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
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
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 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 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
"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
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
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
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
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 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
