After the success of the previous album, Blinded by the Night, a live show at The Cutting Room in New York that was widely supported by the public and critics, The City Boys Allstars went to the studio for the new album, with the same training, Thirteen musicians well known at home in the US, a mini big band, sound great! The leader is the guitarist Mike Merola. The sax section consists of Tom Malone (also on trombone), already in the bands of Gil Evans and the Blues Brothers, Lou Marini, who was also with the Blues Brothers and Andy Snitzer. Tony Kadleck on trumpet and as an arranger and producer, the other trumpeter and in practice the Soul of this band is Lew Soloff, protagonist of contemporary jazz and gone after the pressing of this record, it is to him that the album is dedicated. The rhythm is made up of Rob Clores on keyboards, Al MacDowell on bass, Nick Saya on drums and Daniel Sadownick on percussion. The singers are three, Bill Kurz, Angel Rissoff and Horace Scott II. It starts with Joe Zawinul’s “Birdland”, which remains the only cover tune. The rest of the songs were written by the musicians of the band, four come from the pen of bassist Al MacDowell. Music is the usual mix of funk, soul, jazz, Rhythm & Blues, a cocktail that seems pretty consistent in their hands thanks to the extraordinary work of the soloists, each with his own special qualities. “Sugar Bowl”, written and performed by Angel Rissoff with blues guitar in the background of the leader is a beautiful example of what the band can do in general. “Baby” is sung by Horace Scott II, here we go with South American rhythms. Bill Kurtz himself is the author and performer of “I’m a Real Nice Guy You Wouldn’t Like Me”, a soul song that Rob Clores ‘ acoustic piano provides a great riff. This mini big band , one that leaves a trail to listen to, and this explains their success, are musicians who know exactly how to play to live listeners but also in the work in the studio, like this, showing an exuberant vitality that places them among the best performers of the genre.
Genre: Soul, R & B
Label: Self-produced
Year 2015

Genre: Soul, R & B
Label: Self-produced
Year 2015

The City Boys Allstars  New Album “Personal Thing”  was reviewed by Music Zoom.