STATION_MANAGER for Hambone's Blues Party
Long Grove, Illinois, United States
Scott "Hambone" Hammer, a Chicago-based attorney, went on-air with Hambone's Blues Party in November 1995, broadcasting from a small Arlington Heights radio station, WCBR 92.7FM. Thirteen years and 650 shows later, he currently can be found on listener-supported public radio, WDCB 90.9FM, simulcast on the web at www.wdcb.org, every Thursday, from 10 p.m. until midnight.
Hambone's Blues Party has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times and Daily... Read More
Latest Album Reviews
Review of Mediterraneo Ostinato
Album Info: Mediterraneo Ostinato
Stefano Saletti & Banda Ikona Album: Mediterraneo Ostinato Label: Finisterre Genre(s): World Posted By: Joe Ross
May 21, 2022
Review
Peaking at #15 on The Roots Music Report's Top 50 World Album Chart back in January, 2022, it was a delight to hear Stefano Saletti & Banda Ikona sing their stories of the “tenacious Mediterranean and its ancient, resilient people” accompanied by a variety of string, wind and percussion instruments. Multi-instrumentalist Stefano Saletti plays bouzouki, oud, saz, guitar, tzouras, gambrì, cavaquinho, piano, bodhran, darbouka, tammorra and marranzano. Other band members layer clarinet, sax, bass and various drums into the mix, while guests color arrangements with occasional violin, organetto, ney, daf, ciaramella, cello, percussion and added vocals. At track 3, “Boulegar” even enlists the Baobab ensemble for a full choir of vocalizing.
Opening the set with “Anima de Moundo,” the vocals of Barbara Eramo and Yasemin Sannino
Bareto Album: El Amor No Es Para Los Débiles Label: Agogo Genre(s): World Posted By: Joe Ross
May 20, 2022
Review
The meaning of Bareto’s new album means “Love is not for the weak,” and the songs composed by guitarist Rolo Gallardo speak to your memory (“Tu Recuerdo”), being lost (“Perdido”) and being asked to be let go or released (“Sueltame”). Opening with birds chirping and lyrics chanting about healing love, “Cura Cura” sets the stage and seems to explain the vision of Bareto’s spiritual music to cleanse one’s being, grateful for healing love that will allow our spirits to run free.
The Peruvian band’s music is straight-forward and direct, and the departure of lead singer Mauricio Mesones left them with a key personnel vacancy, subsequently filled by the recruitment of Javier Arias. This eclectic album also presents a new type of vocal vibrancy featuring sturdy voices of several guest singers.
Vinyl Hampdin Album: Blue Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Fusion Posted By: Robert Silverstein
May 18, 2022
Review
In 2020, the band Vinyl Hampdin released their album Red and in 2022, as promised, they release a new album called Blue. The 12-track Blue continues on loudly with a stellar mix of jazzy blues, rock, pop and much more. Led by group leader, trombonist and composer / arranger Steve Wiest, Blue features the same musicians that played on Red, including powerhouse vocalist Lisa Dodd. For music fans looking for music that evokes the eclectic nature of music from the late 1960s and early 1970s, Vinyl Hampdin’s Blue more than fits the bill.
Much has been said about the musical influences on Vinyl Hampdin leader Steve Wiest, especially the Beatles, while legendary late 1960s bands such as Blood Sweat & Tears and Chicago spring to mind, considering the wide screen horn section that infuses the music on Blue. Every cut here features a group soloist that is credited in the track
Jim Dan Dee Album: Real Blues Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Blues Rock Posted By: Duane Verh
May 15, 2022
Review
Saxophonist Jason “Bobby” Sewerynek colors the ensemble sound and guitarist Jim “Dan Dee” Stefanuk’s powerhouse vocals and fretboard fireworks serve as the formidable front for this tough, tight Toronto four-piece. The leader’s pipes are on full display with the leadoff cover of Guitar Slim’s “The Things I Used To Do”. Tasty originals make up the remainder of the set including an infectious double-shuffle “Two Timing Woman”, the catchy rocker “Two Shakes of a Lamb’s Tail” and the boogie shuffle closer, “Money Don’t Work on the Devil”.
Mirla Riomar Album: Afrobrasileira Label: Self-Release Genre(s): World Posted By: Joe Ross
May 13, 2022
Review
Based in Spain, Mirla Riomar is a Brazilian vocalist who presents her original compositions by teaming with some stellar musicians on guitar, percussion and bass. Guests further color some tracks with flute, clarinet, harmonica, accordion, trombone and cavaquinho (a small 4-stringed Brazilian guitar). The supporting cast of accompanists includes Marcel Vallés, Alan Sousa, Letieres Leite, Gabriel Grossi, Childo Tomas and Jurandir Santana. They provide interesting colorings in selections like “Iworo,” “Sem Eira Nem Beira,” “Maria do Cais,” “Pena Branca,” “Agua Rebolicada” and “Grande Orixa.” Backup vocalists embelish two tracks, “Canto do Mar” and “Mulheres da Minha Terra.”
Riomar’s Afrobrasileira entwines the syncopated rhythms of soulful Bahia jazz,
Apr 15, 2022 -
Cantodiscanto has come out with a new album entitled Pandemusica. There are significant collaborations with artists, old and new fellow travelers... Read Full Article
Apr 15, 2022 -
Visage Music is a record label founded by Claudio Carboni and Riccardo Tesi, focused on the production of world music and Italian songwriting.... Read Full Article
Apr 15, 2022 -
Bologna - On 7th April 2022, neapolitan musician Peppe Aiello released his solo debut CD on the Visage Music label.
Taking inspiration from... Read Full Article
Apr 4, 2022 -
“This new album is about letting my all of my electronic influences out for everyone to see!” laughs two-time Emmy® award winning... Read Full Article
Mar 23, 2022 -
NASHVILLE, TENN. – Life-affirming music- songs and musicians with the power to lift souls into the heavens. They always manage... Read Full Article
Feb 26, 2022 -
A sampler, such as this one released by the CPL-Music label in Germany, is a nice sonic respite for world music exploration. In October 2021, the... Read Full Article
Feb 8, 2022 -
The Independent Music Award-winning artist AMY CORREIA, hailed for her “powerful voice” (NPR) and “richly melodic mix of... Read Full Article
Feb 7, 2022 -
Pianist Pete Malinverni pays tribute to iconic composer Leonard Bernstein with his all-star trio featuring bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Jeff... Read Full Article
Feb 4, 2022 -
Baba Sissoko’s Griot Jazz project was born during the residency for the production of the opera Le Vol du Boli at the Théâtre... Read Full Article
