I originally purchased this CD form Michael's father, Ken Strautman, whom I had worked with for several years.  Growing up in a musical family I learned early to appreciate all music.  These two gentleman are extremely talented and listening to the CD today made me appreciate them even more. I would love to see them make another CD of more contemporary music. Best of luck to both of them.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
This CD is a unique blend of Christmas traditionals and smooth jazz.  If you don't have it in your Christmas music collection, you are missing out.  The tunes stick in your head like Christmas pudding sticks to your ribs.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
Tucats is a duo comprised of guitarist Paul Petersen and saxman Michael Strautman. After winning a devout following in the Bowling Green area, Tucats have released their debut CD. Called Christmas Like Never Before, the disc is – surprise! – a holiday-themed release, offering the group’s jazzy new age versions of Christmas standards. Similar to the approach taken by Mannheim Steamroller, Tucats transforms old chestnuts like “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night” and “Away in a Manger” into slick, texturally dense displays of instrumental virtuosity. Petersen, a native of South Africa, is a fluid guitarist and bass player whose style is reminiscent of musicians like Alex DeGrassi and Michael Manring (among others), while Cincinnati native Strautman provides jazzier, earthier tones to the Tucat musical palette. Both men are credited with vocals on this release; whichever Tucat it was who sang “O Little Town of Bethlehem” bears an uncanny vocal resemblance to Lyle Lovett. The version of “Greensleeves” included here displays a prominent Afro-Caribbean influence, adding an unexpected twist to this madrigal. These ingredients add up to a holiday album that will provide excellent listening as the season unfolds. The only problem with this disc is that nobody likes to listen to Christmas carols in the middle of, say, July. Tucats should consider doing an album that isn’t season specific. 
Christmas Like Never Before can be purchased at gift shops throughout Bowling Green and Glasgow, or through www.tucatsmusic.com. 
---Jay Ditzer 


                            Read more...