#580 > Emanuel Casablanca - Blood on My Hands (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2022 – Kings County Blues

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 15, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Blood on my Hands, the debut album from Brooklyn-based blues-rocker Emanual Casablanca has quickly garnered my admiration.  Casablanca’s all-in approach to music produces deep and personal songs.  That’s what makes his blues honest and real.  This album contains sixteen tracks of all-original material featuring an amazing arsenal of guests which include Eric Gales, Albert Castiglia, Paul Gilbert, Kat Riggins, Brother Dave, Felix Slim and Jimmy Carpenter.   

Delivered upon a metallic bolt of lightning and a strong System of a Down vibe, “Afraid of Blood” begins this kick-ass musical journey.  With Casablanca staring the listener squarely in the eyes, he confirms what we’re afraid of.  The answer is him.  The blues begins to pour freely afterwards as Gilbert blindsides me with his amazing guitar performance on “In Blood”.  Then Gales comes onboard for title track “Blood on My Hands”.  It’s always a treat to hear this man play.  Casablanca’s vocals are buttery and from the heart.  “Like a Pulse”, a beautiful duet featuring vocalist Kat Riggins and Sanga of the Valley on percussion, is a multi-faceted delight.  Nestled deep within a cloud of unsettled brooding, Casablanca sings of broken dreams and sleepless nights in “Bloodshot Eyes”.  The song, nailed to a hypnotic groove and featuring Castiglia on guitar, is quite infectious.  Felix Slim steps with guitar and harp in hand on “Nashville”.  I love the swampy slide and the sheer grittiness of this track.  It’s impossible to escape the driving rhythm and ear-worm-inducing riff on “Thicker Than Blood”.  The track absolutely rocks.  It’s shindig time when Brother Dave shows up with guitar in hand on “Testify”.  With a recurring riff, and a taste of slide, this one makes for a fun listen.

There’s a definite edge to Emanuel Casablanca’s songs as he presents them as blues, rock, and somewhere in between.  Blood on My Hands is a genuinely great listen from top to bottom and I look forward to hearing more from this emerging artist.       

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For more information about Emanuel Casablanca, visit this website : https://www.emanuelcasablanca.com/

 

#309 : International Blues Challenge #33

Various Artists

International Blues Challenge #33

2017 –Frank Roszak Promotions

Release Date : Oct. 1, 2017

By Phillip Smith; Dec 16, 2017

The Blues Foundation and Frank Roszak Promotions have once again teamed up to release another fantastic album to showcase the talented artists who make the pilgrimage to Memphis, Tennessee for the acclaimed International Blues Challenge.  This fourteen track release focuses on the Solo/Duo division and Band division finalists specifically.

“Shine On” from the first place band winner Dawn Tyler Watson leads off with an exhilarating gospel-rooted, sax-infused shotgun start.  It is glorious indeed.  From North Carolina, Randy McQuay serves up outstanding slow-cooking slide guitar on “Till I Get to Memphis”.  The piano blues on “Don’t Dig Today” from first place, Solo/Duo winner Al Hill, is beautiful and timeless.  A driving rhythm runs through Sobo Blues Band’s “Catfish Boogie” while Daniel Kriman wails on the slide guitar.   It’s captivating how this band from Jerusalem incorporates their American, Russian, and Middle Eastern influences into their music.  I absolutely love it.  Ruth Wyland & The Tribe of One’s  “I Don’t Have Proof” is a mesmerizing and heartfelt tale of unfaithfulness.  From Spain, Felix Slim, masterfully captures the essence of acoustic guitar blues in a captivating performance of “I Hate You Cause I Love You”.  King Bee, out of Montgomery, Alabama hits hard with a heavy riff in their ripping track “Dangerous”, and it sounds great.

The International Blues Challenge #33 CD is a great blues sampler with a ton of terrific music.  It certainly opens one’s eyes on how endearing The Blues is on a worldwide scale.

                 

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Track Listing

1. Dawn Tyler Watson - Shine On

2. Johnny Fink & The Intrusion - Let's Hear Some Blues

3. Randy McQuay - Till I Get To Memphis              

4. Brody Buster's One Man Band - 2029                              

5. Al Hill - Don't Dig Today              

6. Sobo Blues Band - Catfish Boogie

7. Ruth Wyand & The Tribe Of One - I Don't Have Proof   

8. Souliz Band Feat. Sugar & Spice - Good Lovin (Hot & Fresh From The Oven) 

9. Felix Slim - I Hate You Cause I Love You                       

10. Wes Lee - Chains That Bind                                

11. Sam Joyner - Onions Ain't The Only Thing 

12. Rae Gordon & The Backseat Drivers - Elbow Grease

13. King Bee - Dangerous

14. Sugar Brown - Meet Me In The Country

To join The Blues Foundation, or purchase this CD, visit them at their site: blues.org