Every week our staff of CD Reviewers bring you the best in Independent CD releases. Making a Scene is considered the number 1 resource for the independent musician and the fans that love them.
MicroCorgi MicroCosmos Self-released MicroCorgi is a New York -based trio debuting and featuring Andrew McGowan (keys), Yuto Kanazawa (guitar), and Ilya Dynov (drums). They hail from far corners of the globe and have diverse influences such as European Jazz, Japanese rock, Afro-beat, and New Orleans brass band music. Having formed in 2018, they forged a […]
John Calvin Abney Familiar Ground Black Mesa Oklahoma has produced some of the best roots music in recent years. Think John Moreland, John Fullbright, Michael McClure, Jason Boland, Turnpike Troubadours, and Carter Sampson to name a few. Yes, some notices that John Calvin Abney was missing from that short list. He is the multi-instrumentalist, solo […]
Bob Corritore’s “From The Vaults” Series Chicagoan Bob Corritore studied blues harmonica and received playing tips from Carey Bell, Big Walter Horton, Junior Wells and others. When he was twenty-five he moved to Phoenix, Arizona eventually opening his own blues club named The Rhythm Room. With his house band, The Rhythm Room All-Stars, he backed […]
Deborah Silver Glitter and Grit (featuring Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel) Bismeaux Productions Rather inexplicably, considering that vocalist Deborah Silver reached #1 in Billboard on both the Traditional Jazz Album and the Heatseeker Album chart with her 2016 release, The Gold Standards, her latest release, Glitter and Grit, where she is backed by Ray […]
Paulette McWilliams A Woman’s Story Blujazz Chances are that you’ve heard Paulette McWilliams sing before. If you’ve heard Richard L’Hommedieu’s interview and/or seen the accompanying cover story (11/17/2020) you’re already aware of this but suffice it to say, McWilliams is the primary female voice on Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til you Get Enough,” Aretha Franklin’s […]
The Silverbeets Halcyon Days Independent Release Today I have the honor to make a review about the brand new album from „The Silverbeets” The Band: Farnz Cordeaux – rhythm guitar, vocals, keys Nigel Hope – bass Ernie Oppenheimer – keys, synth Konrad Park – drums Kevin Barker – trombone Billy O’Brien – drums The Silverbeets […]
Duke Robillard & Friends Blues Bash! Stony Plain Records Guitarist Duke Robillard founded “Roomful of Blues” in 1967. Although Robillard left them in 1979 he started the band that Count Basie once called “the hottest blues band I’ve ever heard”. Since 1992 he has performed as The Duke Robillard Band accumulating 22 Blues Music Award […]
The Peter Leitch New Life Orchestra New Life Jazz House Heartwarming stories such as that of Peter Leitch deserve attention. Although the Canadian-born, New York City-based guitarist can no longer play his guitar for audiences, he perseveres, having been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer eight years ago. Due to remarkable work by his oncologist, […]
Carla Marciano Quartet Psychosis – Homage to Bernard Herrmann Challenge This one comes from across the pond and yes, saxophonist Carla Marciano and her quartet hail from Italy. This is this writer’s first exposure to her remarkable tone and passionate approach to her instruments – alto and sopranino saxes. It’s no surprise that she is […]
George Benson Weekend in London Provogue Records/Mascot Music During his six-decade career the all-time jazz great George Benson has amassed 37 studio albums, eight previous live recordings, 22 compilation albums, and countless recorded sessions as a sideman. Benson is also the holder of ten Grammy awards. The Pennsylvania born veteran has played the world’s biggest […]
Last Year’s Man Brave the Storm Self-released Last Year’s Man is the moniker for Eugene, OR-based producer and singer-songwriter, Tyler Fortier. The Northwesterner has had his music featured on major television and film outlets. He enjoys working with emerging artists such as Jeffrey Martin, Anna Tivel, Beth Wood, and Jeff Crosby. Fortier has been involved […]
Paul Boddy & the Slidewinder Blues Band Friends of Tuesday Slide Records The Slidewinder Blues Band was born solely for the purpose of starting the “Every Tuesday Funk ‘n’ Blues Jam” originally held at the “Puck Live” in the Philadelphia suburb of Doylestown. The weekly open blues jam, now in its fifth year, continues to […]
The Mariel Bildsten Quintet Backbone Outside in Music Maybe you are guessing that this is a debut and if so, you’re right. However, trombonist Mariel Bildsten has considerable side-woman experience and plays in several big bands, notably as the lead trombonist in Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. She also plays in the Eyal Vilner Big Band, […]
Walter Trout Ordinary Madness Provogue Records/Mascot Music Walter Trout was born in Ocean City, New Jersey. The guitarist relocated to Los Angeles where he found work with Percy Mayfield, Lowell Fulsom, Big Mama Thornton, John Lee Hooker and Joe Tex. In 1981 Trout became the lead guitarist in “Canned Heat” and spent three years with […]
Susan Alcorn Pedernal Relative Pitch One does not think of the pedal steel guitar in the context of jazz with few exceptions, the prime example being the versatile Greg Leisz who is part of Charles Lloyd’s Marvels. Enter the creative, trailblazing Susan Alcorn, who like most associated with the instrument, had her beginnings in country […]
Malaya Blue Still Blue Heart Records/Nola Blue British singer/songwriter Malaya Blue released her debut recording “Bourbon Street” in 2014. That year she played the Great British Rock and Blues Festival in Lincolnshire and has since carved a path across England. She received four nominations from The British Blues Association and was a finalist in the […]
Erin Harpe Meet Me In The Middle featuring Jim Countryman Vizztone Label Group/Juicy Juju Records The Boston based Erin Harpe recorded five electro-pop albums with her first band “Lovewhip” before embracing the blues. Her transition began in 2002 when she released “Blues Roots”; and continued with 2008’s “Delta Blues Duets” recorded with her father Neil. […]
Artur Menezes Fading Away VizzTone This writer does not often venture into blues rock (Yes, I know- that’s an heretical statement given coverage of the form on these pages) but shining talent exists in every genre. Brazilian guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Artur Menezes stands apart from the sameness that far too frequently populates this kind […]
Patrick Cornelius Acadia: Way of the Cairns Whirlwind Maine’s Acadia National Park has always been a favorite of this writer’s having spent at least two vacations there while raising my family. So, naturally this latest work from alto saxophonist, composer, solo artist, and educator Patrick Cornelius is of interest. Normally one associates jazz with urban locales, […]
Tim Woods Vortex Independent Originally from Western Pennsylvania Tim Woods has been influenced by a variety of genre’s including blues, rock, bluegrass, and jazz. When Woods turned eighteen his family relocated to Macon, Georgia and he immersed himself in the music scene promoting national acts at a local nightclub. Later, Woods formed the Woods Family […]
Dennis Jones Soft Hard & Loud Blue Rock Records Dennis Jones hails from the rural town of Monkton, Maryland. His grandfather played an acoustic guitar and a thirteen-year-old Jones received his first guitar on Christmas Day. At the age of sixteen he was already in a cover band playing rock n’ roll. He joined the […]
Brandi Disterheft Trio featuring George Coleman Surfboard Justin Time Bassist-composer-singer Brandi Disterheft’s fifth album, Surfboard, features two iconic octogenarian masters — virtuoso tenor saxophonist George Coleman and the definitive Brazilian drummer Portinho — as well as world-class pianist Klaus Mueller. Disterheft’s kinetic, harmonically erudite basslines anchor ensemble interpretations of choice tunes culled from the blues, mainstream jazz, and the Great Brazilian and American […]
Devin B. Thompson Tales Of The Soul Severn Records Devin B. Thompson hails from the Chicago suburb of Joliet, Illinois. Raised in a musical family his father and sister sang in the church choir. Thompson began playing trumpet and singing backing vocals in his older brother’s band when he was still in his teens. His […]
Douglas Olsen 2 Cents Self-released 2 Cents is the recording debut for valued sideman trumpeter/flugelhornist/composer Douglas Olsen who leads changing configurations on a combination of straight-ahead and Latin jazz, mostly with original compositions. Although the New England-based musician has been playing for over two decades, this is his first statement as a leader. He has […]
Max Haymer Whirlwind Live at Sam First Emerald City Los Angeles pianist Max Haymer is releasing his first live album – Whirlwind: Live at Sam First. For a piano trio album, this one effuses plenty of energy, as listeners will detect first from the fast-moving, engaging music, only to be confirmed by the enthusiastic audience […]
Nora Jean Wallace Blues Woman Severn Records Elnora Jean Wallace was born in the Mississippi Delta town of Greenwood. Her father was a sharecropper and a professional blues singer; her mother, a gospel singer. Her grandmother owned a Juke Joint and on the weekends Nora Jean would listen to relatives sing the blues. To this […]
Kevin Burt Stone Crazy Gulf Coast Records Iowan Kevin Burt has been on the Midwest blues scene honing his soulful presentation for some twenty-five years. He is a self-taught guitarist, harmonica player and vocalist, who has shared the stage with B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Albert Collins, Luther Allison, Lonnie Brooks and many others. His festival […]
Shaun Murphy Flame Still Burns Vision Wall Records A young Shaun Murphy found work in the theater eventually leading to a Motown recording contract. Her first album was a collaborative effort with Meatloaf on the Rare Earth subsidiary. Murphy toured as a backing singer for both Bob Seger and Eric Clapton. Murphy met Bill Payne […]
Luba Mason Triangle Blue Canoe Records Vocalist Luba Mason’s Triangle features an unprecedented configuration in any genre of a trio comprised of vocals, vibraphone, and bass. Captured before an intimate gathering of invited friends, family, and fans at Manhattan’s Power Station Studio, Mason is accompanied by master vibraphonist Joe Locke and bassist James Genus (Herbie […]
Stephanie Lambring Autonomy Self-released The multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Stephanie Lambring is back with new project produced by Teddy Morgan, as the title, Autonomy, suggests after walking away from her two publishing deals. One began with BMG Chrysalis, where she remained as a staff writer for two years. In 2012, she signed with Carnival Music, owned by producer […]
Marcel Smith Everybody Needs Love Little Village Foundation Sacramento’s Marcel Smith began singing in church and studied the music of gospel quartets: the Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Blind Boys, the Soul Stirrers, and the Dixie Hummingbirds. At the age of fifteen he was heard by gospel veteran Willie Washington who invited Smith to join […]
The McKee Brothers A Time Like This Self-released In this writer’s radio days, a frequent caller often said, “You can never have too many horns.” It is not only the horn charts that drew me to this record, but repeated listens revealed some good songwriting, strong vocals on every track, and fond memories of their […]
Will Kimbrough Spring Break Will Kimbrough’s Spring Break releases October 23, 2020 as a break from, well, all of it. Will Kimbrough is the hardest working man in Nashville. Faced with what to do when the work as he knew it stopped? Will Kimbrough got busy. Spring Break is the result and this new solo […]
Chad McCullough Forward Outside in Music Trumpeter and composer Chad McCullough releases Forward, his eighth as a leader. McCullough leads a quartet made up of three of Chicago’s best: pianist Rob Clearfield, bassist Matt Ulery, and drummer Jon Deitemyer. Renowned producer Ryan Cohan augments the affair by contributing additional programming and part-writing to Forward; creating ambient layers for McCullough’s lyrical compositions and augmenting […]
Shemekia Copeland Uncivil War Alligator Records Shemekia Copeland is the daughter of the four-time Blues Music Award winning bluesman Johnny “Clyde” Copeland. Growing up in a household surrounded by music she inherited the urge to perform. At the age of eighteen Shemekia released her 1998 Alligator Records debut “Turn The Heat Up” receiving her first […]
Aled Hughes I Remember Today I want to introduce you to the singer/songwriter Aled Hughes who’s originally from North Wales, now based in the coastal town Llantwit Major. Aled released four albums so far: It’s Acoustic, ’67, Earl Lane and the latest I Remember “I Remember’ is an album which includes everything a great album should have. A lot […]
Alonzo Demetrius Live from the Prison Nation Onyx Productions Trumpeter Alonzo Demetrius and his working band The Ego deliver, as you would guess from the title, a socially conscious album, recorded live this past May from Boston’s Berklee School of Music. Demetrius is working on acclaimed drummer Ralph Peterson’s label, and, as such is the first instrumentalist to record […]
Rick Fines Solar Powered Too Independent Rick Fines hails from Peterborough, Canada in Central Ontario. He gained attention in the 1980’s as the co-founder, front man and guitarist in “Jackson Delta” who recorded their 1989 debut “Delta Sunrise” in Memphis. They followed up with two Juno Award nominated albums; 1991’s “Acoustic Blues” and 1992’s “I […]
Cesar Orozco & Kamarata Jazz Rooted Forward Self-released Rooted Forward is the fourth album from César Orozco and Kamarata Jazz. A pianist, composer, arranger, and educator (who just so happens to be a classically trained violinist, too!), Orozco has always celebrated the rich musical traditions of Cuba and Venezuela, the two places that most greatly informed […]
Harvey McLaughlin Rascality Saustex Equal parts Tom Waits, Professor Longhair, Warren Zevon and Randy Newman, Texas-based pianist and singer-songwriter Harvey McLaughlin brings a bizarre set of tunes, zany attitude, and plenty of sarcasm on his second solo outing Rascality. McLaughlin is at heart a roots-rocker with punk sensibilities who seems less interested in musical mastery than in creating […]
Peter Veteska & Blues Train Grass Ain’t Greener On The Other Side Independent New Yorker Peter Veteska learned to play guitar by listening to Eric Clapton and Duane Allman. He played his first gig at the age of fifteen but as he grew older his tastes turned toward Jazz. He reconnected with his passion for […]
Dustin Laurenzi’s Natural Language A Time and a Place Woolgathering Tenor saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi’s A Time and A Place, follows-up his 2016 self-titled album with his quartet of Chicago-based musicians, Natural Language, intact. Their sound embodies unbridled invention and cohesiveness that creates moods and textures in favor of aggressive soloing although there is some of that too, mostly […]
Mick Kolassa If You Can’t Be Good, Be Good At It! Endless Blues Records Michigan born Mick Kolassa has lived in the greater Clarksdale, Mississippi area for over twenty-five years. Kolassa is part of the local Memphis blues scene and a former member of the Board of Directors of The Blues Foundation. After years of […]
The Allman Brothers Band The Final Note – Painters Mill Music Fair 10-17-71 Warner Theater, Erie, Pa 7-19-05 (2 CDs) Allman Brothers Band Recordings/Peach Records These two live recordings of the Allman Brothers Band, as the dates suggest, represent two incarnations of the lineup, neither ever heard on record until now. The Final Note is […]
Laura Tate Live From El Paso 811 Gold Records Dallas’ Laura Tate studied acting in New York City at both the Herbert Berghoff Studio, and the Stella Alder School of Acting. She performed off-Broadway and toured in theatrical productions in Los Angeles, and Nashville. She soon found herself on the production side of the business […]
The Shrubs Equation Of Love Today I have the honor to present the new song from the fantastic band “The Shrubs” called “Equation Of Love”. The Shrubs are: Charlie, Lead Vocals, Guitar… Ithaca NY, Spike, Vocals, Drums… Cortland NY, RJ, Bass, Vocals…San Diego CA Spike and RJ started to make music in the basement of Spike’s mothers house, […]
Big Harp George Living In The City Blues Mountain Records George Bisharat a.k.a. Big Harp George is a San Francisco singer, songwriter and harp player. He favors the chromatic harp which gives his music a jazzier sound then most blues players. Formerly George was a criminal defense attorney and award winning law professor at the […]
Ben Levin Carryout or Delivery Vizztone This young college student (yes, he’s still in college three albums later) sounds so good playing the rollicking piano and singing like a veteran that it would be impossible for the uninformed listener to guess that Ben Levin has just reached legal drinking age. Having received two Blues Blast […]
Johnny Rawls Where Have All The Soul Men Gone Third Street Cigar Records Johnny Rawls was born in Mississippi in 1951. The guitarist learned by backing musicians when they would tour the state. In 1975 Rawls joined O.V. Wright’s band and became his musical director until Wright’s passing in 1980. Rawls kept the band together […]
Budos Band Long in the Tooth Daptone The Budos Band’s sixth studio album Long In The Tooth, on their longstanding label, Daptone Records, marks the 15th anniversary of the band’s eponymous 2005 full-length debut. The album was recorded in just five days at Diamond Mine Studios in Queens, NY. After one listen, you might expect a full orchestra behind […]
