EARTHY 6 STRINGS-Robb Cappelletto Group: !!!, Melvin Taylor: Taylor Made, John Stein: Bing Bang Boom!

Here are a few releases by guitarists who have a glint in the eye for a bit of bluesy rock to still their jazz drink

Robb Cappelletto leads a trio with Jon Maharaj/b and Amhed Mitchel/dr on his debut disc and emphasizes some down home playing on this collage of originals and standards. He can get as down and dirty like a Buddy Guy on something like “Scare Tactics” and shows deft style on the pizzicato’ed “Get There.” A fragrant “Corcovado” and “It’s All Right With Me” display his lyricism, while he gets assertive with keyboardist Robi Botos) on “There Are Monsters.” Excellent interplay all around, with some nimble work on the reins and whip by Maharaj and Mitchel as they drive the leader on.

Molasses toned guitarist Melvin Taylor gets rough and ready on this mix of bluesy rhythm tunes. Together with Rick Jones/key and Lou Dupont, Taylor sings, strums and picks the guitar and also thumbs the electric bass on songs like his own “Whenever I See You” or an Isaac Hayes groover like “Do Your Thing.” Bernell Anderson brings his voice to “Heartache,” while Taylors six stringer does some moaning on “Blue Moon” and “Time Out.” Earthy music for a late night.

Bop and blues styled sounds come from John Stein and his team of Jake Sherman/p-B3-key, John Lockwood/b and Ze Aduardo Zazario/dr as they snap and sizzle through burners like an indigoed “Sugar” and agonizing “Chelsea Bridge.” A reading of Mingus’ “Duke Ellingotn’s Sound of Love” shows that this guys got some formidable chops and some rear view mirrors to steer around the sharp curves, whle the take of “Delilah” is filled with crescendos provided by Zazario’s cymbals. Sherman shifts from Hammond to deft piano at the drop of an ivory, with some nice groove laying on the title track and feeding fat filled chords for Stein to munch on during “Waiting for Woody” and “Lover.” Lot’s to enjoy here!

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