Sunday Music Muse Day - RIP Gene Bertoncini

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us saddened by the news of the passing jazz guitarist Gene Bertoncini.   I believed I came late to the party knowing Gene Bertoncini playing and music.  My first expose was buying  the CD by guitarist Steve Greene, who I saw at perfoeming with the group The White Hots at Jazz 90.1 event at the Artisan House. I posted about the "Gene with Greene" in February 2020 and proceeded to acquire eight more Gene Bertoncini CDs.  His name on CD becomes a "must Buy".   I'm sorry I never got to see him play live, in person, since I have several musican friends who played with, and knew him personally.  

My sincere condolences to his family and all his friends. His musical legacy will keep him in our hearts for ever.  RIP ,Gene, and thanks for the music.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Lionel Loueke, Matt Just Pavolka

Just a quick post of the Sunday Music Muse Day first Gilfema + 2. Gilfema is a jazz trio consisting of Lionel Loueke, Ferenc Nemeth, and Massimo Biolcati. The name of the group comes from the musicians' names: Gil, fe, ma. Silly me, I thought it was an African term.  In anycase, the "plus 2 " is Anat Cohen on Clarinet, and John Ellis on bass clarinet and ocarina.  This the second CD I have from the group, which I became interested in through guitarist Lionel Loueke's African unique  playing style.  It's definitely worth a listen. 

My second selection was also the result of my knowing the guitarist from other recordings, and not the leader, bassist Matt Pavolka - Disciplinary Architecture, with Ben Monder on guitar, Santiago  Leibson on Keyboards, and Allan Mednard on drums. This is definitelu a modern jazz sound, not quite hardcore Jazz fusion, but hard to hear any classic styles front and center.  Give it a try and form you own opinion.  after several listening I enjoyed it.

These are two new groups to explore.  Enjoy.

 

Thundercats Treasures Highlighted On Thundercats.org

Over at the Thundercats,org site the video from Only My Toys shows a tour of the Cat's Lair that featured a table with Thundercats treasures, all of them I designed for the series. Bravo. and thanks. https://thundercats.org/features/only-my-toys-interview/

Sunday Music Muse Day - Tom Ollendorff, Jimmy Ponder

This Sunday Music Muse Day features two CD I picked at the Hi-Fi Lounge on Monroe Ave near Twelve Corners in Brighton (Rochester) NY.  First up is Tom Ollendorff - Where in the World. The included press release flyer states this is the guitarist's third album, and first collaboration with "Blue Note artist Aaron Park, pianist.  The quartet with James Maddren on drums, and Conor Chaplin of bass. The promo goes on to state,"Ollendorff's music elegently mixes graceful themes, baroque-like etudes and fast bop swing".  I found it offers nice contemporary jazz. Well worth a listen, and I plan to seek out his other prior releases.

Next is Jimmy Ponder - Steel City Soul. Jimmy Ponder ia strait ahead jazz guitarist in the mold of Wes Montgomery, in fact like Wes, he plays the guitar with his thumb. This is a compilation CD from several Ponder albums. I don't recognize the tunes from the two vinyl albums I owned of his, but sold year ago. Unfortunately, both have not been released on CD. The album Jimmy Ponder Illusions, has his rendition of Ron Carter's Sabado Sombrero, that I feel outshines Ron's original record. Just my opinion. Hopeful some producer will re-release Illusion on CD.

So, that's this Sundday Music Muse Day selection. Hope you find music to keep you sane in these troubled times.  Stay safe, and peace.

Mr Beast and other alternate Action Figure Toy Lines.

In my role as The Serial Accumulator of toys, I was browsing the toy section at Target and came across the Mr Beast latest toy release, Mr Beast Lab Hybrids.  

I first became interested in the Mr Beast Lab Mutators action figures that came with cool "Mutation Chamber".  It reminded me of the mutation tanks in the ExoSquad animated TV series that was used to make Neo-Sapiens Creatures.  I bought a MR Beats Lab Mutation Chamber with the Iconic Panther. I actually looked better than the ExoSquad NeoCat action figure based on my original design.

I actually, totally forgot I had a Chamber in my Warrior in the Mist comic from 1972. 

It seems Mr Beast is a pretty successful media property, including animated series. I scan the QR code on the back of the MrBeast Lab Hybrids and it liked me to the animated series on Youtube. I watched the collection and found it very funny and enjoyable. 

In checking the credits, I spotted a familiar name, Henry Gilroy, one of the series' executive producer and writer.  I recently intereacted with Henry for the Kepyr Foundation Thundercats Art auction. Of course, Henry is best known for his work on many major animated series. I remember him for writing one of my favorite Dark Horse Comic stories Alien: Mondo Pest.  It's show what a small world it could be. Check out the Mr Beast animate series.  It's one of several toy related mini-series I'm cominfg across. Like the DC Metal Force that's a series of short supporting the minor toyline.

Another is an action figure toy line I found at the Dollar General store, Final Faction supported by comic and a animated series on Youtube. 

I'm also keeping an eye out of off-branks action figures like these. The package design can be more interesting than the figures. But, they're a lot cheaper than GI Joes, Star Wars, and Marvel action figures

I'll have to do a more detailed video, sometime.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Jack Bruce, James Blood Ulmer

This week's Sunday Music Muse Day  features two grreat musicians who are sadly no longer with us, but their musicial legacy lives on.  First, Jack Bruce - Jack Bruce Collector's Edition. I was a fan of bassist Jack Bruce from 1960's when he exploded on Rock scene with the power trio Cream, Eric Clapton on guitar and Ginger Baker on drum. Like Ginger Baker, Bruce also ventured into the jazz world, famously playing in the groundbreaking jazz fusion group Tony William's Lifetime, with John McLaughlin (pre-Mahavishu Orchestra). This Collector's Edition contain a lot tunes I never heard of his written by Bruce and Pete Brown, many are live recording.  There is specticular group of guitaristshowcsed on CD such as Eric Clapton,Gary Moore, Clem Clemson, and David Torn.  Bruce does a haunting rendition of Jimi Hendrix' Wind Cries Mary. The music is worthy of anyone's collection. The only down side to the package is the type design is almost unreadable on the CD cover.  It might be better on full size vinyl record sleeve. 

The next election is James Blood Ulmer - Music Speaks Louder Than Words. Ulmer passed away last June 3, 2026.  His music style has been described as "jazz, free funk and blues." His playing on this CD displays that perfectly. Subtitled "James Blood Ulmer Plays the Music Of Ornette Coleman",  it tells you all you need to know. Ornette Colemon is best known as "a principal founder of the Free Jazz genre".  Actually, I found this rather subdued for Ulmer but still was satisfying.  I wish there had been liner notes for it.  But, i guess he title makes the point and his intention clear. 

These are rare gems to be listened to and enjoyed often.  Take care, and peace.

Thundercats' characters I designed become action figures by Super 7

I can't wait to see Jagara and Zaxx (both I designed for the original Rankon/Bass series) on my local toy shelf. If I ever do another comic con I might offer this or my poster (In the comments.)

Here's my version of poster for Jagara.