Aisles ~ Live From Estudio Del Sur EP

 

This band is HOT! REALLY HOT! Their past albums were great. This EP which shows the new concept of the band playing previous songs from their history. Included are “Clouds Motion”, which is their first song that they recorded, “Shallow Daft”, “Still Alive” & “Club Hawaii”, which show where the band is currently at. The music & vocals are great. There is a guest vocalist, CATALINA BLANCO, from the band TEFIRET. Aisles are Rodrigo Sepulveda on guitars, Juan Pablo Gaete on keyboards, Sebastian Vergara on vocals, Felipe Candia on drums, German Vergara on guitars & Daniel Concha on bass. If you want a taste of what this band sounds like, this it it. The band is great. Buy their albums…all of them. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I give this 5 out of 5 Music Guru Stars.

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Jimmy Haslip – Scott Kinsey-Gergo Borlai ~ Arc Trio

 

This 10 track albums brings 3 of the finest jazz musicians together for some fine music. “Owasso”, which starts you off, is a rhythmic feeling song, starting off with drums, then bringing in the bass, then, finally the keyboard. “West Orange” was a bit more focused and also features some nice sax by Steve Tavaglione. The third song “Conchita”, when I first listened to this song, I did not like. Upon a second time, hearing it, I find myself liking it quite a bit more. “Viera” is a fine improv song that just goes in all different directions, except the horns, which keep you grounded. “Joan Miro” seems out of tune at times, mostly due to the keyboards. This could be fixed with a different keyboard sound setting. Vinnie Colaiuta fills in on drums on “Sprite”, which is probably my favorite song on the album. “Palo Alto” features Gary Novak on drums for what to me, even though it is jazz, seems more like new age…I like it. “I’m Hip” seems to go way out in the improv style, but, is still focused. “Goan Wanderer” goes back to the New Age sound, but, not as good as “Palo Alto”. I rate this 3.5 out of 5 Music Guru Stars.

The Aaron Clift Experiment ~ If All Goes Wrong

 

This album starts off strong…very strong. Big drums start off the first song “Faith”, which, at first listen, I didn’t like the vocals, but, upon second listen, found myself feeling that the voice does work. There are moments, when I still don’t like the vocal track, like the song “Savage In A Fancy Suit”. It does sort of fit the song, but, it just doesn’t work for me. The whole album is musically beautiful & most times, more often than not the vocals are where they need to be. Maybe I need a little harmony in spots that I didn’t hear. Again, I really think this is a strong album & certainly, you should give it a listen. I rate this 4 out of 5 Music Guru Stars, which could move to 5 out of 5 with more tries. Let me know what you think? Most of the music & lyrics are written by Aaron Clift & Devin North I do apologize to Aaron Clift, for taking so long to review this. I’m glad I finally had the chance to listen to this wonderful album. The band is Aaron Clift on vocals & keyboards, Devin North on bass & guitar, & Tim Smith on those wonderful drums & percussion. There are a few added musicians on specific songs. “Absent Lovers” makes me feel like I’m listening to a KANSAS song, with the great songwriting & a great violin part by Charles Anderson. Once again, give this one a try. It will not disappoint you.

Vanilla Fudge ~ Spirit Of ’67

 

Vanilla Fudge is back? I don’t know if this is a permanent thing, but, I hope that it is. The band is Mark Stein on keyboards & vocals, Vince Martell on guitars & vocals, Carmine Appice on drums & vocals, and new band member Pete Bremy on bass & vocals. While Vanilla Fudge’s biggest hit was a cover of the Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”, this whole album is a cover album. The band picked the year 1967 for this album, with songs like “Gimme Some Lovin'”, by Steve Winwood & Spencer Davis, Jagger & Richards song “Ruby Tuesday”, The Who’s “I Can See For Miles”, Smokey Robinson’s “The Tracks Of My Tears”, The Monkee’s “I’m A Believer”, written by Neil Diamond, Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” written by Steve Stills, The Door’s “Break On Through (To The Other Side)”, Procol Harum’s “Whiter Shade Of Pale” and starting the album off with another Motown classic “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”. As Vanilla Fudge is apt to do, they change it to a different song, in some cases. The songs retain their own, but, updated to different types of genres. “I Can See For Miles” is slowed down a bit, as is “Ruby Tuesday”, while “The Tracks Of My Tears”, “Whiter Shade Of Pale” & “The Letter”, were done a bit faster & harder. I really liked this album, even though I’m not normally a cover song guy, but, Vanilla Fudge seems to always make their cover songs, their own. I give this album 5 out of 5 Music Guru Stars. Favorite songs are “I’m A Believer”, “Ruby Tuesday” & “I heard It Through The Grapevine”.

Rick & Jenda Derringer Do The Beatles

 

 

Rick Derringer, being one of my all time great performers does OK with this release. Most of the singing is done by Jenda with Rick in the background. Rick does sing lead on a few, but, mostly it’s Jenda. I like Rick’s vocals. Jenda’s vocals are not bad, but, not what I would’ve picked to sing the music of Paul McCartney & John Lennon. She does a real good job on George Harrison’s “Something”. That one she soared on. Not a great album, but, not a bad one either. Rick did change some of the songs. He either made them faster, or changed a few lyrics, etc. I rate this 3.5 out of 5 Music Guru Stars.

Flip Damon ~ Summer Sky

 

This CD reminds me of another CD that I heard made from someone I know. The music that I heard was very good, the songwriting was also very good. The singing wasn’t bad, but, didn’t really fit with the rest of the music. It reminded me exactly of the other CD that I had heard. I really liked the guitar playing, whether it was Flip Damon or J. Royce Matthews. The drums were pretty well placed as well. I would give this 3 out of 5 Music Guru Stars.

Wishbone Ash ~Twin Barrels Burning

 

Another 2 CD Set from Wishbone Ash, & I’ve got to tell you, this band is smokin’!!  This set brings you the American remixes of this album. This line-up, like the previous Wishbone Ash album on this page brings the same players of Andy Powell on guitars & vocals, Laurie Wisefield on vocals & guitars, Uriah Heep’s Trevor Bolder on vocals & bass guitar (different than last review), who stayed with Wishbone Ash for 3 years, and Steve Upton on drums. The musicianship on this album is fantastic, the vocals are really good. This band really rocks. The dual guitar really works for this band with the songs that they wrote. I rate this album 5 out of 5 Music Guru stars. Wishbone Ash keeps rising on the Music Guru plays. A prog lovers delight.