Here are two self produced releases by artists and groups trying to develop their own sounds.
Wide Hive Players consists of Matt Montgomery/b-key, Gregory Howe/B3, Calvin Keys/g, Doug Rowan/sax, Mike Rinta/tb, and Thomas McCree-Josh Jones/dr. Montgomery and Howe do the songwriting which consists of dark and thick tunes such as “All the Right Wrong Notes” and “Changing Times.” Dark textures abound as on “Winding Up” and the thunderous “Winding Dub” with a mix of rock rhythms as well as bluesy harmonies as on “Left Coast Sangria” reminding you of late period Pink Floyd.
Alan Blackman plays piano, pan flute, glockenspiel and the “ebow” as he creates a suite with Rogerio Boccato/perc, Donny McCaslin/ts-ss, Max Murray/b and Frank Russo/dr on this collection of gentle ensemble pieces separated by thoughtful solos. A quiet rumble of percussion on “Before Dawn” opens the disc before reed and piano floats in on “And Again She Rises.” Bass, percussion, piano , drums and sax solos separate the lilting tenor and trio “Driftwood” and funky “Steps In The Sand” with the album ending with a caressing finish on “Fractured Moonlight.” An audio trip through Highway 1.
Wide Hive Records
Alan Blackman Music