Mike Dollins and I have been cyber buddies for a while now. Mike and I are the same age, both being born in 1945 we have received the same musical influences throughout our lives. Early R &B, Rock and Roll, Jazz both traditional and modern as well as Blues. I have several of his computerised digital studio produced solo recordings, "Jazz Rhythm &Blues," "Blues, Boogie, Shuffles &Stomps," and "Blues Guitar." Very cleverly produced CD's, some of the techniques I am sure learnt from one of the famous "Chess" label technicians Mike worked with a while back. Mike has had a varied career, playing guitar in his first band at high school, in a band with the "Neville Brothers" during his Airforce days and many more since, notably "Blues Incorporated," "the "Big Daddy Rucker band," the "King Biscuit band" with harp king Ken Schoppmeyer, as well as his own "Mike Dollins Band."
On this album we have Mike Dollins teamed up with his old school chum Victor Marquez another noted San Diego blues guitarist, together with the "Enjambre Family Latin Jazz Connection" Roy Enjambre on bass, Dominic Enjambre on keyboards &Roy Enjambre Jr. on drums forming a fusion called the "Cruize Brothers Band."
This CD unlike Mikes previous solo studio efforts is a "LIVE" band recording by his wife Jo Ann at the San Diego Bay Cruise Ship Terminal Festival 2003. The sound quality is not up to modern day standards with all it's knob twiddling etc but it gives an authentic jazz/blues feel of the 60's era to this thoroughly enjoyable jam session, all the guys givin' their all. It's great to have two masterful lead guitarists, Mike and Victor vying with each other bringing out the best in themselves and from the rest of the band.
This exceptional CD has a mixture of standard jazz and blues tunes, 3 of them instrumental numbers, 5 vocal numbers. Two original tunes "Cruize Control" and "Downtown," both well written and performed. The style of the vocal numbers reminds me of Hound Dog Taylor, just great. All numbers are extended giving plenty of time for great solo's by guitars, harp, keyboards and bass, together with great drums, solid man. Listen out for the Cruise ship "horn" section on track 1.
Try this CD for yourself, it's enjoyably good music, played "LIVE" as it should be.
Track listing:
1 Cruize Control
2 All Right
3 Sky Train
4 Summertime
5 Who Been Talkin'
6 Downtown
7 Stormy Monday
8 Every Day Blues
I enjoyed all tracks, my choice... tracks 1, 2, 3 and 8.
Mike has an extremely informative website that needs checkin' out!
www.mikedollins.com
J.A.M. Records ASCAP
POB 191207
San Diego, CA 92159
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