A pair of rich sounds with six strings out in front.
Warm toned guitarist Vin Venezia delivers some swinging originals out in various group settings on this latest album. On electric guitar, he bops well with Bob Magnuson/ts, David Budway/p, Harvie S/b and Richie Morales/dr on the swinging “Watch Your Step” and delivers a hip swagger on “Blues For Remus.” He adds a synth guitar along with the deft percussion of Manolo Badrena on loan from Ahmad Jamal for a quirky “Two Squirrels” and pulsating “Song For Deb.” On nylon string guitar, he leads a sublime trio on a pretty “Ella” which is coaxed along by Morales’ cymbals. He gets even more spartan with his baritone guitar teaming with Kermit Driscoll’s base for a folksy title track and going solo with the strings on an intimate “Didn’t Want To.” Sublime strings with a dash of spice.
Bill Hart fronts a bopping team of Pat Strawser/key, Alex McGinnis/sax, Dwayne Wallace/b, Steven Walker/dr and Emrah Kotan/perc through a recorded performance from June 2, 2017 at the Red Clay Theatre in Duluth, Georgia. Hart rocks his axe through “Deep Skies,” “Elected” and “That’s Purdy” with Wallace’s bass creating a deep pulse. McGinnis’ alto is smooth on “Sara’s Song” while the team gets into a Weather Report mood on the electrically electrifying “Candese Africano.” Hart is fluid on the throbbing “Spazio Aperto” and swings hard on “Beachside Isle.” Lots of muscles flexed this night.