Do you think I was happy about receiving the new CD from the Bravuras. Well let me just answer that by saying there "Ain't No Doubt" about it.

Changing the rhythm section since "Jerry's Blues" - their first release back in the summer of 2009, the band now consists of: Bandleader, John "Pooch" Puccio on Lead Vocals; John P. Hufford, Sr. on guitar, harmonica & vocals; Felix Mayer on lead guitar; Bert Torres on bass; Steve Biondi on drums; John Valby on keyboard & vocals; Tony Grisanti on tenor sax & vocals; and Bob Volkman on the Hammond organ. "Ain't No Doubt" contains fourteen tracks and all are band originals.

"Sideways Richie" kicks things off with a sound you'll soon become familiar with. It's a shuffle that flip-flops between soft then smoking, featuring the rhythm section locked into a tight groove while Felix and Tony alternate hot guitar and sax leads. The Bravura's may not have invented this style but they've certainly perfected it.

"Juke Joint Mama" sounds like one of those women that you're better off without but you just can't do without her. One that causes one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't kind of relationships. At least she makes for a good song. This one features Felix and Johnny Huff sparring on the guitar and harmonica while mamas got Pooch singing 'bout a bad case of the blues.

Pooch is sounding a lot happier on "The Way She Do". Seems he's dumped the juke joint mama and found himself a woman that drives away the blues. Good move Pooch. Bert and Steve get way down low on this rhythm romper which also features several very nice guitar, sax and piano exchanges.

Is the title track a smoker? Does it feature the band jammin' their asses off? Can the new rhythm guys sound any better than they already have? What about the Hammond, does it kick some ass? Does the sax player really cut loose? Is the band any good at vocal harmonizing? All of those questions - and more - can be answered in three words...."Ain't No Doubt".

I just couldn't stand saying bye-bye as "Bye-Bye Baby" came to an end. This is one of those four minute tracks that should have been twenty. So here I am - five replays later still diggin' the hell out of it. With Pooch singin' it similar to the way the fat man did.... Johnny V tappin' out a wonderful piano melody.... Tony blowin' the bliss outta the sax.... Johnny Huff tearin' it up on guitar, the new guys continuing to be the precision rhythm machine they've been and the vocal harmonizing of the chorus lines, this one is easily the disc's best. BTW, I'm now at about thirty two minutes.........

"You Got To Get Up" is a song with lyrics intended to induce dancing. Good but not necessary - everything this band does is dance inducing.

The first minute of "Cold Woman Blues" had me thinking I was listening to an absolutely beautiful instrumental and I was loving every second of it. Then Pooch started singing and this slow, bluesy ballad became even better. These are the types of songs you'll always hear me associate with the phrase "song of the year". Torch burning lyrics, sultry sax riffs, soft piano, steady & enticing organ, and scorching guitar leads get me every time. Excellent track.

Other tracks included on "Ain't No Doubt" include: "Evil Girl", "Can't Have Me", "Torn And Tumbled", "She's Got The Blues", "Free Hearted Woman", "Scars On My Heart", and "Old Man".

The best way to contact the Bravuras is via Facebook - www.facebook.com/pages/The-BRAVURAS/221739764522 or Myspace - www.myspace.com/thebravuras. Either way, they'll be happy to hear from you. They'll also be happy to know that the Blewzzman sent you and you came to buy a CD or two.