New Blues & Soul News – 6/30/2020

New Blues & Soul News – 6/30/2020

New Blues:

The California Honeydrops – The California Honeydrops (EP): “Crossing genres from roots and blues to R&B and soul, The California Honeydrops’ sound is tied together by their instrumentation, vocal harmonies and New Orleans style. The Honeydrops’ more unusual instruments include a home-made gutbucket bass, jug, and washboard. Their rhythms are punctuated by trumpet, piano riffs, and bluesy vocals.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_California_Honeydrops) This appears to be their eighth release. The group is a folk/rock/down home affair looking to give you a good time. The group features Lech Wierzynski (lead vocal, trumpet, guitar), | Ben Malament (drums, washboard, percussion), Johnny Bones (tenor sax, clarinet),| Lorenzo Loera (keys, melodica), Beau Bradbury (bass, percussion) and at times touring with the band: Andrae Murchison (trombone) and| Leon Cotter (tenor sax). Click here to listen to songs from earlier performances.

Gregg Martinez – MacDaddy Mojeaux (NOLA Blue): “Gregg Martinez is an American rhythm and blues singer and purveyor of the south Louisiana genre called Swamp Pop. He is also referred to as “Mac Daddy” and is a member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. His vocal style has been inspired and influenced by the soul crooners of the 60’s/70’s including Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and Louisiana artists G G Shinn, T K Hulin, Big Luther Kent, and Johnny Adams.  He is the leader of and tours regularly with Gregg Martinez and the Delta Kings.” (https://www.greggmartinez.com/about) Martinez shifted his musical focus to church music throughout most of the 90s, but has returned to secular music since then. “Mac Daddy Mojeaux” is his current release. Click here to listen to a song from this disc.

Mark Telesca – Higher Vibrations (Self-produced): “Mark Telesca is an American Songwriter / Singer / Guitarist and Bassist. He studied music at Florida Atlantic University and currently lives in West Palm Beach, Florida. His “HOOK” oriented songwriting style and storytelling lyrics along with his expressive style of bass playing and powerful lead vocal is capturing the attention of music lovers everywhere. (https://www.isrbx.net/3137769926-mark-telesca-higher-vibrations-2020.html) “Mark Telesca is an American songwriter, singer, guitarist, bassist, band leader and author.  He has started off the New Year of 2020 with a new solo acoustic CD titled “Higher Vibrations” along with a new book titled “Love Music-Hate Cancer”. Higher Vibrations is a collection of 16 songs. Nine original songs composed by Mark. The remaining six songs are a mix of Pre-WWII blues and spirituals. His finger style guitar playing and storytelling lyrics combined with his powerful vocal seems to be the perfect combination for making a strong connection with his listeners. “Love Music Hate Cancer” is his second self published book. In March 2017, Mark was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and underwent surgery and a series of chemotherapy treatments. He was confined to his home for the better part of that year. During this time he focused on composing music and writing his book. He has been in remission since for almost 3 years now and doing well!” (https://marktelesca.com/epk-acoustic-blues) Telesca truly delivers throughout the disc and is as moving with his guitar, composing and singing as anyone on the circuit. This is a certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid of Cracks”! Click here and scroll way down to listen to the songs on this disc.

New Soul:

Don Bryant – You Make Me Feel (Fat Possum): “If you turn your ears a certain way, You Make Me Feel (June 19, Fat Possum) by soul great Don Bryant can be heard as a love letter to his wife of 50 years, Ann Peebles. That killer horn riff that kicks off the album? Think of it as a fanfare preceding the reading of a royal decree; or maybe it’s a funky version of a wedding march. Written by Bryant and producer Scott Bomar, “Your Love Is to Blame” has the chorus of a good blues song: “Nothing in my life is the same/Your love is to blame.” But here, “blame” gets a halo. “I tried to turn this one around,” Don says with a slight grin. Then he explains, “Your love is to blame because we are together!” (https://donbryant.bandcamp.com/album/you-make-me-feel) Don Bryant is singing with authority and style throughout this set and the musicians match his style perfectly. This is a certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid of Cracks”! Scroll way down to listen to the songs on this disc.

Various Artists – Chartbusters Against Racism (Record Kicks): “VA RECORD KICKS CHARTBUSTERS AGAINST RACISM for NAACP | BANDCAMP EXCLUSIVE: We are donating all proceeds of this new compilation to NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, America’s premier civil rights organization fighting for racial justice. You can find more about NAACP fund here: www.naacpldf.org/about-us/
RK Chartbusters is a collection of heavyweight classics featuring the very best of RK’s catalogue. 21 deep soul afro jazz funk stormers with Trio Valore, Calibro 35, Hannah Williams, New Mastersounds feat. Corinne Bailey Rae remixed by Nostalgia 77, Tanika Charles, Italian Spiderman Ost, The BlueBeaters, Gizelle Smith, Ray Harris, Third Coast Kings, Baker Brothers, The Link Quartet, DoSS, Dojo Cuts, Milano Jazz Dance Combo and the latest signing The Devonns.
With over 150 releases under the belt and under its motto “The explosive sound from Today’s scene”, independent label Record Kicks has been pitching original black music and culture for nearly two decades.
STAND WITH US FOR JUSTICE AND CHANGE.
LOVE NOW, PEACE LATER
Most of these songs are more about love or the soft and medium funk itself. Check it out for yourself. Click here to check out the songs.

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop

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