Music Scene

Backtrack Blues Band – Way Back Home is 10 out-of-the-box fabulous traditional Blues tracks. The band focuses on harmonica driven Chicago Blues with Sonny Charles leading the way, joined by Kid Royal on lead guitar, Little Johnny Walter on rhythm guitar, Stick Davis on bass guitar, Joe Bencomo on drums, and special guest Victor Wainwright layering in piano. Latonya Oliver and Dana Merriweather add their lovely background vocals to make this release one to own.

Richard Elliot – Summer Madness produced by Rick Braun and released on the Heads Up International a division of Concord Music Group label is 10-tracks of pure listening pleasure that combines instrumental Jazz, Funk, and R & B. Joining Richard Elliot on this wonderful release are Rick Braun, Ron Reinhardt, Randy Jacobs, Nathaniel Phillips, Franklin Richardson III, Lenny Castro, Curt Waylee, Rebecca Vega, Gerey Johnson, and Eric Valentine.

The latest release from Saxophonist Tommaso Starace is the melding of two instruments, a horn and piano, to create Tommaso Starace with Michel Di Toro – From a distant past. The resultant release is a masterpiece of melodies, transitions, and complementing musicianship.

Rockers, get ready to rock with The Steepwater Band and their latest release, Shake Your Faith, which consists of 11 tracks of music written by the band: Jeff Massey, Eric Saylors, Tod Bowers, and Joe Winters released on the Diamond Day Records label. Guest Jim Wirt layers in harmony vocals and also plays piano and organ on this outstanding release.

Jazz Vocalist Ashleigh Smith’s debut album, Ashleigh Smith – Sunkissed, released on the Concord Music Group label is one that Jazz aficionados will want to add to their collections. Winner of the 2014 Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition, Ashleigh Smith makes her mark as a singer and songwriter on this 10-track stunning release.

Jeremiah Johnson Band – Blues Heart Attack released on the Connor Ray Music label is 12-tracks of the Blues with a twinge of St. Louis Blues mixed in with Texas Blues. The Jeremiah Johnson Band consists of Jeremiah Johnson, Jeff Girardier, and Benet Schaeffer, with special guests Nathan Hershey, Frank Bauer, and Tom "Papa" Ray to complement the well-crafted studio release with all music written by Jeremiah Johnson.

The Royal Southern Brotherhood – The Royal Gospel, the latest release from this talented Blues Rock group released on the Ruf Records label features RSB members, Cyril Neville, Bart Walker, Tyrone Vaughan, Darrell Phillips, Yonrico Scott, with special guest Norman Caesar lending his talents on this impressive album.

Van Wilks – 21st Century Blues is his first studio release in 10 years, and the wait was well worth it! The 12-track release starts out blazing, continues to add steam, and culminates in an impressive finish that begs the finger to hit the play button again. Joining Van Wilks on this fabulous release are special guests Christopher Cross and Malford Milligan.

Jefferson Grizzard establishes his talent front and center, with Daydream Of Hope, a follow-up to his acclaimed Learning To Lie CD, released on the Back Porch Syndicate Records label. The 9-track release features all original music written by Jefferson Grizzard, with impressive guitarmanship, storytelling lyrics, and a honeyed whiskey voice that helps Jefferson Grizzard and the band lay down a release that you will want to add to your collection.

Mike Zito & The Wheel – Keep Coming Back released on the Ruf Records label is a rollicking Blues follow-up to his releases Songs From The Road and Mike Zito & The Wheel – Gone To Texas. Joining Mike Zito are Jimmy Carpenter, Rob Lee, Lewis Stephens, Scott Sutherland, Anders Osborne, Trina Shoemaker, Suze Simms, Riley Zito (Mike Zito’s daughter), and David Farrell who keep the Blues moving along nicely on this fabulous 12-track release.