The Squid's Ear Magazine


Higgins, Tyler (w/ Monticello / Stevens): Broken Blues (Shhpuma)

Blues with a strong sonic sense in Atlanta, GA guitarist Tyler Higgin's 2nd release on Shhpuma, his trio again featuring drummer Paul Stevens, and here adding bassist Gabriel Monticello, known for symphonic, jazz and rock forms, bringing masterful skill to this album that richly blends blues, gospel, folk, jazz and rock forms with passion and style.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Tyler Higgins-electric guitar, feedback, organ, composition, arrangements

Gabriel Monticello-upright bass

Paul Stevens-drums, piano


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UPC: 5609063800609

Label: Shhpuma
Catalog ID: SHH060
Squidco Product Code: 29398

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2020
Country: Portugal
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold
Recorded at 800 East Studios, in Atlanta, Georgia, in December, 2016, by Thomas Avery.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Can you imagine Charles Mingus jamming with the band Earth at a Baptist church service? No? Well, here it is, by the hands (and head) of a multi-instrumentalist in love with electric guitar feedback and the vast blues, gospel, folk, jazz and rock patrimony of that big, deep, fascinating and contradictory melting pot we call the United States of America. But no, Tyler Higgins isn't your average fusion musician.

All those music genres and styles coming from the African-American diaspora have been deeply absorbed and are decanted by experimental means so you have the feeling of the music but with the obvious reference points and sign posts removed. It sounds like a Baptist church was overrun by underground freaks and free jazz musicians ready to sing in the choir.

Broken Blues sounds familiar, but at the same time so strange that you have to reset your brain and your ears to discover in a new way what you thought you knew all along. The 21st Century has developed its own Americana, and that's good news. There's a future coming, in spite of everything..."-Shhpuma


Artist Biographies

"Tyler Higgins is an Atlanta, GA-based guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who plays experimental rock that draws on folk/blues/jazz melodies."

-Squidco 5/14/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Gabriel Monticello's music career is a diverse blend of genres and styles. He is one of the top freelance classical musicians in the Southeast. Gabriel earned a Bachelor of Music Performance from Valdosta State University under the tutelage of Dr. James Barket and a Master of Music from The University of Florida where he studied with Mr. Kevin Cassiday.

Gabriel serves as principal bass for the Albany Symphony and frequently performs in the Savannah Philharmonic, Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Hilton Head Symphony, Sinfonia Gulf Coast and many others in the region. Gabriel has toured internationally with The Hollywood Concert Orchestra and Spaceseed. He can be heard performing with modern ensembles including The Artifactual String Unit, Panthera Leo Atrox, and Chamber Cartel. Gabriel also plays bass guitar for Space Mirrors which includes members from The United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Russia. Gabriel has frequently performed with the art duo The Ghosts Project, and has had the honor of performing with artists such as 2cellos, Kristen Chenoweth, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Sarah McLachlan, Chris Tomlin, Il Divo, Il Volo, The Nathaniel Johnstone Band, Walfredo Reyes Jr, Rachel Barton Pine and János Starker.

In addition to serving as bass faculty for the Atlanta Chamber Music Festival, Gabriel has served as a clinician for many camps including Upbeat String Camp, Bass Day at Columbus State, Valdosta State University Bass Day, University of Florida Bass Bash as well as many High Schools and Middle Schools in the Atlanta Area."

-Gabriel Monticello Website (https://www.gabrielmonticello.com/)
5/14/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Paul Stevens is an Atlanta, GA-based drummer, pianist, and multi-instrumentalist known for the bands Grand Vapids, Chamber Cartel, Slow Parade, and his work with guiarist Tyler Higgins.

-Squidco 5/14/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Day Is Done 3:18

2. Electricity 4:24

3. Let It Shine On Me 2:42

4. Farther Along 3:20

5. I Want Jesus To Walk With Me 3:33

6. Yes, Jesus Loves Me 3:49

7. Texas Is My Home 3:08

8. The Truth Is Marching On 2:28

9. Broken Blues 3:26

Related Categories of Interest:


Clean Feed
Rock and Related
Improvised Music
Improvised Rock
Guitarists, &c.
Trio Recordings
New in Rock Forms

Clean Feed
Rock and Related
Improvised Music
Improvised Rock
Guitarists, &c.
Trio Recordings
New in Rock Forms
Squidco's Clean Feed 50% Sale

Search for other titles on the label:
Shhpuma.


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The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

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