Time Usa April 16, 2018

"Can't Hide Love" is a 1976 album by Carmen McRae, this was her third and last album to be released on Blue Note Records. This is the type of session that killed Blue Note the first time around. Carmen McRae gamely tries to interpret unsuitable and inferior pop tunes ("The Man I Love" and "A Child Is Born" are the only exceptions) and is backed by an all-star but faceless orchestra that is given nothing to do. The trumpet section (which includes Buddy Childers, Bobby Shew, Al Aarons, Snooky Young, Oscar Brashear and Blue Mitchell) is not given a single solo. The title cut is quite ludicrous and songs such as "Only Women Bleed" and "I Wish You Well" do not fit McRae's style at all. Pass on this one and get her earlier Deccas or her later Novus releases instead.

In the late '70s and early '80s, some people argued that Vernon Burch had made a big mistake by leaving the Bar-Kays. At the time, the Bar-Kays were huge. A combo that was originally known for Memphis soul had successfully reinvented itself as a hardcore funk band, and its albums of the period were doing a lot better than Burch's solo efforts. Naturally, some people couldn't help but wonder if Burch would have been better off sticking around for smashes like "Holy Ghost" and "Shake Your Rump to the Funk." But he didn't want to spend his entire career as the Bar-Kays' guitarist; he was determined to see what he could accomplish on his own. Recorded in 1979, Get Up was Burch's second album for Chocolate City/Casablanca and his fourth solo album overall.

Ryan Meagher (pronounced Marr) is a jazz guitarist and composer who grew up in San Jose, California. His teenage years were split between taking ground balls and hitting soft-toss on ball fields with stomping on distortion pedals and kicking over mic stands in garage band rehearsals. He launched his international reputation in New York City in 2003 after completing his bachelor of music degree at San Diego State University. During his years in New York, he released his debut jazz album "Sun Resounding," followed by his second album entitled "Atroefy" on Fresh Sound New Talent Records (FSNT). His third album "Tone," also on FSNT, was created while he was splitting time between graduate studies at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and New York City.

For any of you that have read my past reviews, you already know that I have a soft spot and a penchant for 80’s hair metal. I grew up on it, spent a lot of time in the scene, and to me it is way more than nostalgia; it is embedded in me. So, when the chance to review the new BulletBoys record came about, I jumped all over it.

"I Am Love" is the 7th studio album by American recording artist Peabo Bryson, released in 1981 under Capitol Records. The album features singles, "There's No Guarantee" and the top ten R&B hit, "Let the Feeling Flow". The lead single "Let the Feeling Flow", became Bryson's highest charting pop single at that time. The song reached #42 on Billboards Top Pop Singles. "I Am Love" peaked to #40 on Billboards Top Pop Albums, earning his second top 40 pop album following 1979's "Crosswinds" (at #35).

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer sometimes referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz, and Lady Ella. She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. After tumultuous teenage years, Fitzgerald found stability in musical success with the Chick Webb Orchestra, performing across the country but most often associated with the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Fitzgerald's rendition of the nursery rhyme "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" helped boost both her and Webb to national fame. After taking over the band when Webb died, Fitzgerald left it behind in 1942 to start her solo career.

"Ankh - Poland's newest major progressive rock group". This is how they were described in the official guide to the Jarocin Rock Festival (Poland's answer to Glastonbury) where they won a record 5 prizes in 1993. They have described themselves as: "a musical surgical operation". This 'operation' was founded in Kielce, Poland in 1991. Since then, they have observed the world and created their music that you can listen to on 4 unique albums. They don't meddle in politics - "it's immaterial and ephemeral". They believe in the "cosmic victory of good".

SISTER MERCY possesses a high energy, blues driven sound. Lead singer April Brown is mesmerizing with her powerful, beautiful presence, full range vocals and complete joy in performance. The talented Scott Garcia adds guitar and vocal textures. Rounded out with Roger Espinor on drums, John Webb on bass and Debby Espinor on keys. Two time semifinalist in the International Blues Challenge 2016 and 2018, SISTER MERCY was nominated for best new band for the Muddy Awards SISTER MERCY represents the Cascade Blues Association of Portland, Oregon. SISTER MERCY presents music that is a pleasure for the ears and a show that is a feast for the eyes.

Philly soul artist/producer Bunny Sigler's third album for Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records label, My Music marked the first time he used his protégé band Instant Funk on an entire album. Sigler seems better for it since he lets his creativity fill the album with engaging surprises. The opener, "I'm the Bunny From the Other Side of the Ocean," is filled with humor, jokey asides, and a tight horn section. The thumpin' percolating title track, co-written by Sigler, Leon Huff, and McFadden & Whitehead ("Aint No Stoppin' Us Now"), slowly builds instrument by instrument as Sigler directs each band member to come in, then the whole funk lesson becomes peppered with James Brown-ish horn riffs.