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.
Bill Scorzari Now I’m Free There are poets, there are songwriters, there are painters of fine art, and there’s Bill Scorzari. The new album, Now I’m Free is a bold and delicate balance of each. To say it is a thing of beauty is an understatement. The album has played continuously these last few months […]
Alice Peacock Minnesota Self-released Alice Peacock had four highly acclaimed singer-songwriter albums beginning in 2000 and extending until her last studio album, 2009’s Love Remains. Much has changed since. She’s had three children, moved to Cincinnati, and obviously gotten 10 years older. To be exact, she did make a duo studio recording, Myrick/Peacock with Danny […]
Giles Robson Don’t Give Up On The Blues American Showplace Music Giles Robson has been called “England’s new blues harmonica hero”. After releasing his third album in 2016 Robson got to jam with the great Joe Louis Walker. It was his dream to record with Walker in an acoustic setting. They recorded as a trio […]
Hiss Golden Messenger Terms of Surrender Merge Terms of Surrender is the eighth album for Hiss Golden Messenger (HGM) in their storied career, now over a decade long. HGM has long established their signature sound that fuses gospel, country, pop and rock in a way like no other band. They are hard to define and […]
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Contemporary Alligator Records For over thirty years Rick Estrin was the front man for Little Charlie & The Nightcats. During the time with them he won two Blues Music Awards; Song of The Year and Best Instrumentalist – Harmonica. When Charlie Baty retired from touring in 2008 Estrin re-formed the […]
Paula Harris Speakeasy Paula Harris is the sort of vocalist you would expect to find, in fact, in a classic speakeasy or in a ritzy nightclub. Her voice is full and sometimes haunting, as it is on the first song, “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight. It is also capable of getting naughty on a song […]
The McNaMarr Project Holla & Moan Bahool For over ten years now Australian soul/blues vocalist Andrea Marr has stacked up awards and recognition as has fellow Aussie guitarist-singer/songwriter John McNamara. It seemed almost pre-destined that they would combine forces and leave their native country to record in the mecca of soul music, Memphis. The results […]
Kenyatta Beasley Septet Frank Foster Songbook Sony/The Orchard Trumpeter Kenyatta Beasley leads an explosive session with his septet, through the compositions of renowned saxophonist, the late Frank Foster, Beasley’s mentor. These burning cuts, stretched over twos discs, were recorded during a two night stand at Brooklyn’s Jazz 966 in 2013. There are only 11 compositions […]
Tad Robinson Real Street Severn Records Tad Robinson is a Brooklyn born harp player and blue eyed soul singer. He moved to Chicago in 1985 to learn from the masters. In 1994 he released his debut recording “One To Infinity” on Delmark Records featuring keyboardist Ken Saydak and guitarist Dave Spector. His follow-up album was […]
Lisa Rich Highwire Tritone This is vocalist Lisa Rich’s third album, coming now a mere 32 years later, recently remixed and released for the first time. Yes, there’s a story here. Rich sings so purely and this recording is so pristine in sound that it deserves to be heard. Not only that, it features compositions […]
The Paul DesLauriers Band Bounce Vizztone Label Group Paul DesLauriers has long been thought of as a great guitarist and able vocalist. He played with the Canadian band “Black Cat Bone”; Johnny Ferriera, Bryan Lee and Canada’s “Queen of The Blues” Dawn Tyler Watson. In 1997 he formed The Paul DesLauriers Band. In 2014 the […]
Ward Hayden and The Outliers release their newest album Can’t Judge A Book on September 6, 2019.
Two Re-issues from Omnivore Recordings Steve Goodman Santa Ana Winds/Unfinished Business Steve Goodman was born in Chicago in 1948. He attended the University of Illinois where he began his singing career as a member of a popular rock cover band. He left the University after one year to pursue his musical career in New York […]
Clark Gibson Tri-Colored Eyes Self-released This is saxophonist Clark Gibson’s fourth release as leader and reunites him with one of his earliest collaborators, the in-demand B3 master, Pat Bianchi. It’s their mission on Tri-Colored Eyes, all Gibson compositions, to honor the hard bop organ trio sound of past years while con-temporizing it. When most folks […]
Alabama Mike Hip You To My Blues Bigtone Records Michael Benjamin was born in Talladega, Alabama in 1964. At an early age Mike sang gospel. After serving in the Navy he settled in the San Francisco Bay area where he developed his love for the blues. Using the name Alabama Mike he released his 2009 […]
Altered Five Blues Band Ten Thousand Watts Blind Pig Records The Milwaukee based Altered Five Blues Band was formed in 2002. They released their debut cover album “Bluesified” in 2008. Their 2012 all original recording “Gotta Earn It” received a rave write-up in Downbeat Magazine. Their third album “Cryin Mercy” won the award for the […]
Fabrizio Sciacca Quartet Getting’ It There Self-released Italy-born, NYC-based bassist Fabrizio Sciacca makes his debut as a leader with Getting’ It There. Fabrizio studied under his mentor, the most prolific jazz bassist of them all, Ron Carter, and recruited the pianist from Ron Carter’s Trio, Donald Vega. Joining Vega and Sciacca are drummer Billy Drummond, […]
Mike Pachelli High Standards Full Blast World-class, versatile guitarist Mike Pachelli, who has logged considerable time in Nashville, pulled together a rather impromptu trio for this upbeat jazz album. Playing his 1993 Gibson L5 Wes Montgomery and a 1967 Fender Princeton Reverb, Pachelli called on friends – bassist Tony Levin and drummer Danny Gottlieb for […]
Nicholas Bearde I Remember You: The Music of Nat King Cole Right Groove Nicholas Bearde is a renowned jazz vocalist with a silky baritone voice that lies somewhere between Nat King Cole and Billy Eckstein. He’s the ideal one to pay tribute to Nat King Cole in celebration of Cole’s 100th birthday with I Remember […]
Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters Beyond The Blue Door Stony Plain Records Ronnie Earl is the most soulful blues/jazz guitarist working today. He is a four time Blues Music Award winner as Best Instrumentalist – Guitar. He also believes in the power of music to heal the mind and spirit. The Broadcasters include Earl; vocalist […]
Paul Gabriel Man of Many Blues Smoke Ring Records Paul Gabriel’s professional career began in 1969. He recorded three albums with Harry Chapin in the 70’s; and three albums with the four piece blues band “Blue in The Face”; including their self-titled album released in 1987. In 1992 he appeared on Rory Block’s Grammy nominated […]
David G Smith Who Cares Singer-Songwriter-Guitarist David G Smith releases his fourth studio album, Who Cares, on August 23, 2019. As a successful songwriter, David G Smith was losing his soul writing songs for other singers. On the advice of fellow songwriters Darrell Scott and Mary Gauthier, (who sings duet on “Shine”), he stopped chasing […]
The Curtis Brothers Algorithm Truth Revolution You will find several common elements between The Curtis Brothers’ Algorithm and the excellent hard bop disc, the recently issued Ralph Peterson & The Messenger Legacy’s Legacy Alive Volume 6 At The Side Door. Both were recorded at the Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme, CT. Both feature […]
Shaun Murphy Reason To Try Vision Wall Records Shaun Murphy was initially inspired by the blues and the women who sang it including Big Maybelle, Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor, and Etta James. She found work in the theater eventually leading to a Motown recording contract. Her first album, “Stoney and Meatloaf”, was a collaborative […]
The Contribution Wilderness and Space LoHi The Contribution’s debut record, Which Way World (2010), had the band hailed as a “jamband supergroup.” With the band members having obligations in other bands, they do not record frequently but in 2017, The Contribution released seven tracks from this album, Wilderness and Space, with full proceeds from each single going to […]
Bill O’Connell and the Afro Caribbean Ensemble Wind Off the Hudson Savant Surely Bill O’Connell’s name would not immediately scream “Latin Jazz” to those unfamiliar with his career. Yet, for over four decades now, O’Connell has been considered one of the top pianist/composer/arranger/band leaders in NYC in both jazz and Latin jazz. Importantly, this could […]
Vaneese Thomas Down Yonder Segue Multiple BMA nominee and daughter of iconic soul man Rufus Thomas, Vaneese Thomas, delivers her eighth album, another terrific soul work, Down Yonder. Thomas splits her time between her hometown of Memphis and Broadway, as she’s lived in the New York area for some time now. Thomas is either the […]
Coco Montoya Coming In Hot Alligator Records Coco Montoya played drums with Albert Collins and The Icebreakers. After being mentored by Collins he switched to rhythm guitar. He stayed with Collins for five years before becoming the lead guitarist in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers for ten years. Montoya started his own band in 1993 and soon […]
Bobby Rush Sitting On Top Of The Blues Deep Rush Records Bobby Rush was born Emmit Ellis Jr. in Homer, Louisiana in 1933. As a youngster he befriended and played with Elmore James. He formed his own band and eventually moved to Chicago where he found work with Jimmy Reed. Rush’s music is a combination […]
Billy Price Dog Eat Dog Gulf Coast Records Billy Price first came to national attention as the singer with Roy Buchanan. He appears on 1974’s “That’s What I’m Here For” and 1975’s “Live Stock”. Price formed the Keystone Rhythm Band in 1977 and recorded four albums before renaming his band The Billy Price Band. Price […]
J.P. Soars Let Go Of The Reins Whiskey Bayou Records Besides fronting his own band J.P. Soars is a member of the all-star “Southern Hospitality” also featuring Damon Fowler, Victor Wainwright and drummer Chris Peet. In 2013 Tab Benoit produced their debut album “Easy Livin’”. When Benoit decided to begin his own label Fowler was […]
Seth James The Good Life by Rhetta Akamatsu Seth James has a new album, The Good Life, and it brims with honesty and an overall positive vibe. James was born in Foth Worth, Texas, and grew up on a ranch. He looks like the cowboy he is, but he grew up listening to guys he […]
Chase Baird A Life Between Soundsabound A Life Between, coming eight years after his debut Crosscurrents. The album follows Baird’s graduation from Julliard and a chance meeting with master pianist Brad Mehldau in New York City where Baird now resides and works, (at least when he can). Baird is one of too many young artists […]
The Session Collusion Bubble Bath Collusion, their third album, marks the return from a brief hiatus of the New Orleans-based quartet, The Session. The four members got their start with Jason Marsalis’ Vibes Quartet, but soon found synergy amongst themselves. They are bassist Jasen Weaver, trumpeter Steen Lands, pianist Andrew McGowan and drummer Darrian Douglas. […]
Annika Chambers Kiss My Sass Vizztone Label Group Annika Chambers competed in the 2012 International Blues Challenge and although she did not win her talent was recognized and she was signed to Montrose Records. The gospel influenced Chambers’ released her debut album “Making My Mark” with the Houston All-Stars in 2014. That album co-produced by […]
The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling Lucky Guy! Alligator Records Nick Moss has been at the forefront of the Chicago Blues scene as both a member of the Legendary Blues Band learning the old school style from Willie “Big Eyes” Smith; and spending three years with the Jimmy Rogers band. Moss formed his own […]
Mark Cameron On A Roll Cop Records Mark Cameron hails from Minnesota where he has been making music for over forty years. In the early seventies he began performing in folk rock bands. In 1984 Cameron founded the twin cities based “Citizen’s Patrol” and released three albums with them. He turned to the blues and […]
Eliza Neals Sweet or Mean Eliza Neals comes out swinging on her new EP, Sweet or Mean! She found a real match when she teamed up with notorious guitarist, vocalist, and producer Ted Horowitz, better known as Poppa Chubby, who can be just as rough and tough as Neals herself can. Poppa Chubby also arranged […]
Mark Winkler I’m With You Mark Winkler Sings Bobby Troup Café Pacific Mark Winkler certainly counts Bobby Troup among his leading mentors. This is Winkler’s second full album in tribute to the great songwriter, known best for the iconic “Route 66.” Winkler issued Mark Winker Sings Bobby Troup in 2002, before he was as widely […]
Mark Doyle Watching the Detectives – Guitar Noir III Free Will Mark Doyle’s guitar album, Watching the Detectives – Guitar Noir III, is a unique and defyingly challenging merging of jazz, rock, and soundtrack. There cannot be many like this out there although Doyle will clearly admit to drawing from a few major influences. The […]
Tennessee Redemption Jeff Jensen and Brandon Santini Endless Blues Records By Rhetta Akamatsu Before Tennessee Redemption, the album and the band, Jeff Jensen once played in Santini’s band. Then, Jensen broke off to start his own solo career and then to form the Jeff Jensen Band with bassist Bill Ruffino and drummer David Green. Both […]
Billie Williams Hell to Pay Billie Williams’ second album, Hell To Pay, shows that she is is a fantastic soul and blues singer, and like many of the best, she is tuned in to the world around her. So whether it’s political issues in “Hell To Pay” and “Ten Million Sisters” or a bad, bad […]
Ricardo Peixoto Scary Beautiful Self-released Guitarist and composer Ricardo Peixoto originally hails from Brazil but has developed a cross-pollinating music style that encompasses different cultures and genres. Scary Beautiful, his third CD as a leader, is an ambitious project involving 27 musicians in the credits, playing just about all modes of woodwinds, brass, and strings, […]
Antonio Adolfo Samba Jazz Alley AAM Music We’ve brought you plenty of Latin jazz on these pages in the past year, but Antonio Adolfo is one the founders of Brazilian jazz from the early ‘60s, taking the bossa in a slightly different direction with samba, and thus, should not go unnoticed. On Samba Jazz Alley […]
Melbreeze Amethyst MCC This is the second release for avant-garde vocalist Melbreeze, following the success of her last year’s largely Latin Animazonia. This writer is usually not interested in an album of covers, especially one that hits so many familiar tunes but Melbreeze’s approach is just so refreshingly different that it merits some commentary. First […]
Maryjo Mundy The Fourteenth Confession – Songs of Laura Nyro Bluejazz Sometimes it takes a tribute or interpretations from another artist for one to truly appreciate the beauty and power of the songs left behind by the original. Thus is the case for this live performance by Maryjo Mundy last year at the Gardenia in […]
Ben Winship Toolshed + Acorns (two complete and separate albums) Snake River Most musicians have their own kind of tool shed we suppose. Roots musician, recording engineer and in-demand sideman Ben Winship is perhaps titling one of these two albums about his backyard studio in Idaho that he calls The Henhouse. Like most studios, contrary […]
Freeloader The Path of Least Resistance Rumbar Those of you that long for the days of blaring, crunch rock n’ roll will enjoy these veteran rockers from Boston, Freeloader. Theirs is down and dirty, no frills rock, the kind that gets you shaking, sweating, and maybe even screaming. And, for whatever reason, it’s a sound […]
Terry Hanck I Still Get Excited Vizztone Label Group Chicago born Terry Hanck, saxophonist, singer and songwriter, was influenced by the blues and jazz of the late fifties and sixties. Hanck moved to California in 1967. Hanck formed the Grayson Street Houserockers before appearing on Elvin Bishop’s “Struttin’ My Stuff” in 1975. Hanck joined the […]
Delbert McClinton and Self-Made Men + Dana Tall, Dark, & Handsome Hot Shot Records The Texas troubadour Delbert McClinton was born in 1940. He worked in a blues band that backed Sonny Boy Williamson II, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Howlin’ Wolf and Jimmy Reed. In 1962 McClinton played harmonica on Bruce Channel’s “Hey Baby”. Ten years later […]