Sharon Sable/Joe Holt

Once Upon A Summertime: The Music Of Blossom Dearie

Self-Released, 2023

8/10

Listen to Once Upon A Summertime: The Music Of Blossom Dearie

A pairing of immense talent, the vocalist Sharon Sable and pianist Joe Holt come together for these 12 intimate and warm interpretations that allow each other to showcase their inimitable crafts.

“Little Jazz Bird” starts the listen with Sable’s pretty pipes and Holt’s mature keys illuminating the Ira Gershwin classic with much warmth, and “You Fascinate Me So” follows with a bouncy playfulness, where the charming singing is complemented by the frisky key progressions in the Cy Coleman standard.

Deeper into the listen, “They Say It’s Spring” benefits much from the bright storytelling, where Sable hits some pretty high notes on the superbly melodic album highlight, while the dreamy “Inside A Silent Tear” uses gorgeous singing amid the soft keys for an emotive and agile delivery.

Close to the end, “Boum” spotlights Amy Shook’s meticulous bass plucking alongside singing in French that’s infectious, and “I Like You You’re Nice” exits the listen with a calm, emotive delivery of soft vocals and atmospheric keys.

Sable has a history in pop music, and Holt certainly brings out her many strengths and plays flawlessly on this absorbing, timeless and really eloquent listen.

Travels well with: Kate Hamann- Momentary Beauty; Aimée Allen- Love & The Catalyst

Hollywood Paul Litteral

Legacy

Outrageous8, 2023

8/10

Listen to Legacy

The sought after trumpeter Paul Litteral returns with his first solo record, where an all-star cast of players and the stunning vocals of Angela O’Neill, plus others, accompany him for the 11 timeless jazz tunes.

“Hard Times” opens the listen with Litteral’s bright and expressive trumpet alongside Michael Rosen’s frisky drums and warm sax interaction thanks to Sam Morgan and Colin Kupka, and “Accentuate The Positive” follows with Lenny Goldsmith’s strong vocal acrobatics illuminating the playful spirit that benefits from Harry Smallenburg’s trombone.

Approaching the middle, “There Will Never Be Another You” welcomes O’Neill’s smooth and eloquent pipes to the stylish, dance floor ready jazz, while “Desperado” trims the pace back with an intimate and powerful delivery of stunning trumpet that’s complemented by Bill Bodine’s precise bass and Rocky Davis’ well timed keys.

Closer to the end, “Shiver Me Timbers” showcases Beth Andersen’s gorgeous voice and BChill’s sublime Hammond organ in the Tom Waits original, and “The Moon Ain’t Made Of Green Cheese”, a late album highlight, is populated by Greg Kupka’s gong and Litteral’s flawless trumpet for the thoughtful, dreamy demeanor.

An artist who has played on over 150 albums, Litteral brings much experience and talent to this first one under his own name, and let’s hope it’s one of many to come for the trumpet extraordinaire.

Travels well with: 3D Jazz Trio- 9 To 5; Libby York- Dreamland

Nick Schnebelen

What Key Is Trouble In?

VizzTone, 2023

10/10

Listen to What Key Is Trouble In?

The guitarist and vocalist Nick Schnebelen is no stranger to accolades, and these 13 animated and memorable tunes will certainly bring him more, as Adam Hagerman (drums), Cliff Moore (bass), Red Young (keyboards), Buddy Leach (sax) and Aaron Mayfield (organs) are along for the bluesy affair.

“Ten Years After, Fifty Years Later” starts the listen with thumping drums, driving guitar and gritty yet tuneful singing in the charged blues rocker, and the title track follows with moody organ and spirited guitar, as much power and emotion enters the rugged climate.

Further on, “Hard Driving Woman” brings a firm presence of soaring and raw blues, while “Pain Aside” bops and shakes with an infectious energy of rhythm and grooves that is so well done, it alone is worth the price of admission.

Moving towards the end, “Big Mean Dog” recruits a thick, grungy appeal that really allows Schnebelen’s guitar acrobatics to shine, and “People Worry About Me” exits the listen with distorted, buzzing guitars, where the blues are layered precisely and firmly.

If you’ve got an ear for anything blues related and you haven’t yet familiarized yourself with Schnebelen, I wouldn’t waste another minute, cause there are few people today making blues-rock as excellent as this.

Travels well with: The Lucky Losers- Standin’ Pat; Ben Levin- Take Your Time

Various Artists

String Cosmology: Sinfonietta Of Riverdale

Albany, 2023

9/10

Listen to String Cosmology: Sinfonietta Of Riverdale

A collection of live performances culled from the Riverdale Temple and Wave Hill, the conductor Mark Mandarano illuminates the works of Karel Husa, Steven Stucky, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Edward Elgar, and Anton Bruckner.

Husa’s “Divertimento For String Orchestra” starts the listen with dancing strings emitting both melody and mystery in the very intricate 3 chapters that can be dramatic, too, and Stucky’s “Colburn Variations” follows with much attention to atmosphere and warmth in the absorbing 13+ minutes that are cinematic and sometimes tense.

Coleridge-Taylor’s “Noveiette In C. Major, Op. 52, No. 2” occupies the middle spot, and uses bowing and plucking to its advantage via the manipulated string interaction, while “Serenade For Strings, Op. 20”, by Elgar, blends the strings with much awe and sophistication in the album’s best selection,

The final piece, Bruckner’s “Quintet in F Major: Adaigio”, unfolds with a sublime intimacy that allows the strings to wrap themselves in a dreaminess we won’t soon forget.

A listen that makes great use of large chamber symphonies but that isn’t lacking any solos, Mandarano’s roles as principal guest conductor of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, and the current director of the Macalester Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of the Minnesota Youth Symphonies certainly help him shape this timeless, captivating affair.

Travels well with: Robert Xavier Rodríguez- Harlequin’s Rainbow; Larry Thomas Bell- Twenty-Four Preludes And Fugues

Larry Bell

Thoughts And Prayers

Albany, 2023

8/10

Listen to Thoughts And Prayers

A listen that takes into account Larry Bell’s personal, social, national, and international awareness, the esteemed composer brings in help on vocals and strings for these songs that preserve the memory of those lost, and the events that we should never forget occurred, despite how painful they may have been.

“Third Elegy: In Memory Of K.E.O” starts the listen with a solo piano piece from Bell, where his cautious and warm key patterns emit much beauty, and “Halcyon Song” follows with Jennifer Richard Webb’s stunning mezzo-soprano and Sam Ou’s elegant cello helping make for a stirring climate.

Further along, “Nine Variations We Shall Overcome” places Deborah Nemko on piano for the highly melodic and meticulous delivery, while “Prayers Book I” pays tribute to Travon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner and many others who lost their lives due to very unjust circumstances, as Bell’s lone piano alternates between ominous rumbling, dense moments and swift mysteriousness.

Near the end, “Domenica a Filicudi” showcases Webb’s flawless pipes amid David Wallace’s intimate viola and Bell’s mature keys for the album’s best, and “A Postcard From Ukraine” exits the listen with Bell’s single piano that’s full of tuneful, rich playing.

Bell has an impressive resume that includes teaching at the Juilliard School, the Boston Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and the Berklee College of Music, and this exceptional reflection of the often difficult times we live in is quite articulate.

Travels well with: Larry Thomas Bell- Twenty-Four Preludes And Fugues; Allen Shaw- Fantasia & Other Pieces

The Burnt Pines

Don’t Look Down

CEN/The Orchard, 2023

9/10

Listen to Don’t Look Down

The (mostly) Boston folk outfit The Burnt Pines return with a sophomore album, where themes of divorce, escapism and redemption are fleshed out with intimacy, melody and plenty of acoustic and electric layers.

“Bring Out Your Book” starts the listen with warm harmonica from Aaron Flanders, as Luis Barros’ fluid drumming helps cultivate a cozy, folky landscape, and “Don’t Look Down” follows with a driving, roots-rocker that’s playful amid Migual Sá Pessoa’s skilled keys.

Approaching the middle, “What Did You Come Back For?” enters darker territory with its emotive acoustic guitar, strategic double bass from Dan Fox and powerful singing, while “The Ghost Living In My Beer” hints of jazz and pop thanks to Joe Cunningham’s well timed tenor sax and upbeat melodies.

Close to the end, “Daytime TV” flows with a sublime dreaminess with Kris Skovmand’s poetic singing front and center, and “Skating Away (On The Thin Ice Of The New Day)” exits with a bright and dynamic approach to the Jethro Tull classic.

The core of the band, Skovmand, Flanders and Pessoa, are based in both the United States and Portugal, and they emit a multi-cultured presence that is very quickly making The Burnt Pines one of the most enjoyable modern folk bands that exists today.

Travels well with: Afton Wolfe- Twenty-Three; Sam Robbins- Bigger Than In Between

Gabriel Latchin Trio

Viewpoint

Alys, 2023

8/10

Listen to Viewpoint

The British pianist Gabriel Latchin returns with his 4th album, and it’s a personal affair that features the new trio of Joe Farnsworth (drums) and Jeremy Brown (bass).

“Says Who” starts the listen with a frisky pace of warm keys and agile drumming that’s quite stylish, and “Prim And Proper” follows with a cozy melody populating the very playful key progressions.

“A Stitch In Time” lands in the middle, and showcases Brown’s bouncy bass lines amid the swift drumming, while “A Bird In The Hand” welcomes a bit of intimacy into the timeless jazz sensibilities.

Close to the end, “Rest And Be Thankful” recruits a hypnotic appeal that’s rich and uniquely comforting, and “A Song For Herbie” exits with a tribute of sorts to Herbie Hancock, where all the players illuminate their respective talents in the mesmerizing, powerful and cautious finish.

A listen that touches on bebop as well as all the timeless hallmarks of jazz that we could never tire of, Latchin continues to cement himself as one of the finest piano players today.

Travels well with: Connie Han- Secrets Of Inanna; Charles Lloyd- Vanishing Gardens

Robert Honstein

Lost And Found

New Focus, 2023

9/10

Listen to Lost And Found

A percussion focused listen, the composer Robert Honstein takes inspiration from early memories and experience as a new parent, and he’s got the trio Tigue, the duo New Morse Code and Michael Compitello on hand for the atypical experience.

“An Index Of Possibility” starts the listen with 5 chapters of Tigue’s fluent percussion that’s sometimes bare, other times busy, and illuminates the sounds of everyday life via homemade objects, cheap toys, and a whole lot of imagination.

“Down Down Baby” occupies the middle spot, and allows New Morse Code to incorporate the classic childhood game of the same name to utilize cello and percussion in very inventive ways.

The title track exits the listen, and is a solo marimba piece that is tonally expressive, integrates objects, and manipulates timbre and texture with a dreamy energy.

A highly ingenious affair that encapsulates the wonder, confusion and delight of the formative years of childhood, Honstein makes music where there was none before, and weaves unique sonic sounds out of instruments used in orthodox ways.

Travels well with: Lei Liang- Hearing Landscapes/Hearing Icescapes; Scott L. Miller- Coincident

Fella Cederbaum

Speech Acrobats

MahniVerse, 2023

8/10

Listen to Speech Acrobats

The musician, poet and artist Fella Cederbaum is always unpredictable, and these 13 tracks continue her formula with emphasis on communication and coexisting in these unusual times.

“How Do You Know” opens the listen with a warm atmosphere, where Cederbaum’s thoughtful spoken word challenges us to question what we know, and “Experts” follows with graceful piano complementing the insightful talking that surrounds how knowledge manifests itself today.

Further on, “Violence” uses bare keys and soft rhythm that also recruits eerie strings, while “Fear” enters dreamy areas that benefit from the lovely piano and the therapeutic wordplay that we can all relate to.

Approaching the end, “WHO? Cares” shows us that Cederbaum can sing, too, as gentle melody enters the charming jazz climate, and “Rip The Bonds” exits with some good advice meshing with the sparse keys.

A listen that is entirely Cederbaum beginning to end, there is much worthy commentary present, as the Renaissance woman continues a unique career that uses rap, New Age and cultured ideas with much impact.

Travels well with: Skip Grasso- Becoming; Dave Stryker- As We Are

Robert Xavier Rodriguez

Harlequin’s Rainbow

Albany, 2023

8/10

Listen to Harlequin’s Rainbow

An artist whose music embraces humor, heavy attention to mood and might be described as ‘romantically dramatic’, Robert Xavier Rodríguez pens a song cycle for mezzo-soprano and string quartet based on poems from Albert Giraud's Pierrot Lunaire, as well as “Romance With A Double Bass”, which is for narrator, double bass, and piano and is based on a comic short story by Anton Chekhov.

The title track opens the listen with 12 chapters, where Rachel Calloway’s stunning mezzo-soprano soars with an expressive presence, as Misha Vitenson and Avi Hagin’s skilled violins, Michael Klotz’s well timed viola and Jason Calloway’s moody cello help cultivate a shifting landscape of exploratory, orchestral dynamics.

“Romance With A Double Bass” exits the listen, and places Michael Nix on double bass, Mikhail Berestnev on piano and Mary-Margaret Pyeatt on narration for the engaging storytelling that’s eloquent and complements the unpredictable and mature musicianship superbly.

A listen that continues Rodriguez’s position as an animated and creative composer with a sense of humor, the instrumentation provided by the Amernet Quartet and wordplay from Pyeatt only adds to the appeal of his inimitable vision.

Travels well with: Larry Thomas Bell- Twenty-Four Preludes And Fugues; Allen Shawn- Fantasia & Other Pieces

Larry Thomas Bell

Twenty-Four Preludes And Fugues

Albany, 2023

8/10

Listen to Twenty-Four Preludes And Fugues

A body of work influenced by Bach's magisterial Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, this lengthy recording recruits the pianists Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta, Maja Tremiszewska, Jennifer Elowsky-Fox, and John McDonald to flesh out Larry Thomas Bell’s strong attention to tonality.

The first 12 chapters belong to Rodríguez--Peralta, whose swift keys and exciting sense of melody unfold with moments of sublime beauty amid the quicker bouts, and Tremiszewska takes the next 12 pieces and emits a very playful spirit that can occasionally hold some tension in firm gestures, and other times mesmerizes us with the meticulous progressions.

Elowsky-Fox’s contributions land on the back half, where a stirring sense of intimacy is present and appreciated amid the sometimes lower registers, and McDonald exits the listen with swirling dynamics and a fascinating dreaminess.

All the players on hand have enjoyed careers as recitalists and chamber musicians, and they certainly illuminate Bell’s work with highly technical and universally enjoyable piano music that we could never tire of.

Travels well with: Rochelle Sennett- Bach To Black: Suites For Piano, Volume II; Allen Shawn- Fantasia & Other Pieces

Garth Baxter

Ask Of Me What The Birds Sang

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to Ask Of Me What The Birds Sang

The modern traditionalist composer Garth Baxter brings along a large cast of players for instrumental and vocal pieces here, where he often tips his hat to folk music, and is never short on harmony.

“Spanish Johnny” starts the listen with Katie Procell’s stunning soprano alongside Jeremy Lyons’ melodic guitar in the cultured opener, and “When Lights Begin To Show” follows with Karen Johnson’s dreamy flute and Jennifer Tscheulin’s soothing clarinet making for a very pretty landscape.

Elsewhere, “November 1994” showcases the stunning mezzo soprano of Christine Thomas amid Andrew Stewart’s graceful piano, while “Flirt” allows Valerie Hsu’s flowing keys to complement Procell’s expressive pipes.

Close to the end, “Songs Without Words In Miniature” unfolds across 6 movements of solo piano from Bonghee Lee that are quite absorbing and reflective, and “Still Falls The Rain” exits the listen with Linda Sitková’s meticulous organ meshing with the Kuhn Choir of Prague.

A very diverse take on contemporary chamber sounds, each song resonates with a distinct take on melody, and the unparalleled talent on hand sure do execute flawlessly in Baxter’s inimitable vision.

Travels well with: Frank Felice- The Beauty Of Innuendos; Laurence Sherr- Fugitive Footsteps

Steve Dawson

Eyes Closed, Dreaming

Black Hen, 2023

9/10

Listen to Eyes Closed, Dreaming

A Canada native who now calls Nashville home, Steve Dawson brings us his 3rd installment of pandemic fueled songs, where help from Ben Plotnik, Kaitlyn Raitz, Gary Craig and many others make for a very sincere and eloquent, rootsy listen.

“A Long Time To Get Old” starts the listen with a very cozy, soulful version of Americana in the Ian Tyson classic, and “A Gift”, an original, follows with much attention to mood amid the meticulous guitar picking and mysterious climate.

In the middle, “Small Town Talk” interprets the Bobby Charles original with well timed backing vocals and a breezy, textured display, while “The Owl”, also an original, is full of vivid storytelling and a charming ambience that’s even a bit ominous.

Near to the end, “Singin’ The Blues” emits powerful guitar playing in the indeed bluesy climate that benefits much from absorbing piano playing, and “Let Him Go On Mama” exits the listen with just Dawson’s bright imagery and flowing acoustic guitar that carries a timeless folk spirit.

An artist who wears many hats, Dawson is also a session player, sideman, and acclaimed producer, and this very diverse body of work brings in horns, is often busy, but can also retreat to calm. It might also be one of the best albums of the year, which, if you’re looking at his past work, isn’t so surprising.

Travels well with: Steve Hill- Dear Illusion; Eric Demmer- So Fine

Esthesis Quartet

Time Zones

Ears And Eyes, 2023

8/10

Listen to Time Zones

Although Elsa Nilsson, Dawn Clement, Ema Dayhuff and Tina Raymond all live in different parts of the country, as Esthesis Quartet they come together for 7 improvised originals here, where their creativeness and energetic performances are much appreciated.

“Blue Light” starts the listen with Dayhuff’s playful bass plucking, as the calm drumming from Raymond enters a warm, free jazz climate, and “Brush Fire” follows with intimate piano from Clement that sets the mood for the reflective tone that builds into a busy, thick display.

In the middle, Nilsson’s dreamy flute populates the upbeat and melodic “Hollywood”, while “Serial” rumbles in mysterious ways, where the agile flute and firm drums won’t go unnoticed or unappreciated.

The album exits on the acrobatic bass lines of “Getting Through”, where quick flute, even quicker drums and animated keys make this the best selection present.

A superb sophomore album that’s never short on spontaneity, the 4 artists bring a wealth of talent and exploration, and in the area of contemporary improvisation, it just doesn’t get much better than this.

Travels well with: Ben Zucker’s Fifth Season- Semiterritory; Mike Allemana- Vonology

Frank Felice

The Beauty Of Innuendos

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to The Beauty Of Innuendos

The diverse composer Frank Felice brings his “consonant adiatonicism” to these 4 extensive pieces that are fleshed out with help from Mitzi Westra’s mezzo-soprano and Gregory Martin’s piano, where a variety of texts are illuminated with a distinct creativity.

“Four Songs Of Jennifer Haines” starts the listen with Martin’s radiant keys and are pretty, can rumble a bit, and are used intimately alongside the soaring vocals that spotlight the text of Jennifer Haines-Bennett, and “Thirteen Ways Of Looking At A Blackbird” follows with a bit of ominousness populating the mysterious, sometimes bright and other times turbulent landscape that suits Wallace Stevens’ text.

The back half of the listen offers the emotive and poetic “Letters To Derrick”, which flows superbly with the words of Tammy Cutler Randa, while “Four Antiphons Of Hildegard Of Bingen” exits the listen with both sparse moments and firm gestures of eloquent and swift song craft that meshes Bingen’s text with a dynamic and flawless delivery from the pair.

A body of work that further solidifies Felice’s position as one of the most ingenious composers today, Westra’s vocal chops and Martin’s finger acrobatics don’t disappoint across the eclectic journey.

Travels well with: Michael Nix- Aperçu: New Classic Banjo Project; Laurence Sherr- Fugitive Footsteps

Mike Zito/Albert Castiglia

Blood Brothers

Gulf Coast, 2023

9/10

Listen to Blood Brothers

Two of the best in the area of modern blues come together for these 11 guitar driven tunes that are powerful and welcome some pretty exceptional guest players, too.

“Hey Sweet Mama”, a Zito original, starts the listen with the duo’s charged and driving guitars being complemented by Ephraim Lowell’s lively drumming in the animated blues rock, and “In My Soul” follows with expressive singing and a soulful spirit populating another Zito tune.

In the middle, the always impressive Joe Bonamassa makes an appearance on the Castaglia piece “A Thousand Heartaches”, where the sublime intimacy benefits much from Lewis Stephen’s organ, while the gritty and retro-rockin’ “Bag Me, Tag Me, Take Me Away” thumps and shakes with an infectious energy of raw melody.

“Hill Country Jam” and “One Step Ahead Of The Blues” exit the listen, where the former emits flowing guitar riffs amid the crisp drums, and the latter uses hand clapping and minimal instrumentation in the Roger Tillison track that carries some swampy, southern flavor.

Zito and Castiglia both have exceptional solo careers, and together with Josh Smith (guitar), Calvin Turner (bass), Jimmy Bowland (sax) and Steve Patrick (trumpet) to name a few, they deliver one of the best blues records of the year.

Travels well with: Albert Castiglia- I Got Love; Mike Zito & Friends- Rock’n’Roll: A Tribute To Chuck Berry

Luumu

Elephant Love Song

TOURBO, 2022

9/10

Listen to Elephant Love Song

The Danish singer/pianist Adina Luumu pens 10 songs following the death of a close friend, where her Nordic roots are front and center, and folk and jazz nods aren’t that far away, either, as she’s joined by Simon Iten (double bass, synth, E-bass) and Andy Shelker (drums, glockenspiel), plus others.

“All That’s Left” opens the listen with soft, poetic singing, where the mesmerizing keys unfold amid the dreamy, wordless moments of sublime song craft, and “The Castle” follows with soulful backing vocals and Shelker’s light drumming complementing the reflective mood.

Halfway through, “Fragments” illustrates hypnotic piano playing and expressive singing in the swirling climate, while “Circle Of Existence” is a more upbeat offering that benefits from Florian Pittet’s well timed backing vocals.

Close to the end, the stirring strings from Gabriel Miranda Martínez (violin), Christina Mozer (violin), Shih-Yu Tang (viola) and Anna Jeger (cello) help cultivate a lush album highlight, and “The Hope Of Fools” exits with a powerful and elegant display of Luumu’s stunning voice and very captivating piano prowess.

Also in attendance are Patricia Brogli (flute), Nils Fischer (sax, bass clarinet), Sonja Ott (trumpet) and Simon Petermann (trombone), and together under Luumu’s cautious and gorgeous vision, the songs here are so very charming and emotionally gripping in a way that’s orchestral, surreal and memorable.

Travels well with: Kosmos Trio- Brev til en ven; Bttrfly Quintet- Coast

Kimi Djabaté

Dindin

Cumbancha, 2023

9/10

Listen to Dindin

The inimitable artist Kimi Djabaté turns the trauma of his childhood into songs of love, joy and activism here, and his jazz, rock, funk and Afrobeat influences are certainly present and appreciated across the 11 worldly tracks.

“Afonhe” starts the listen with plenty of funk flavor, as rhythmic gestures and soulful singing are present, and “Yensoro” follows with fluid guitar work and warm accordion that make for a dreamy climate.

Approaching the middle, “Alidonke” recruits electric guitar and a firm beat for a rock meets blues swagger that benefits from Paulo Borges’ agile keys, while the title track welcomes soothing and cozy folk influences that flow with grace and playfulness and are never short on strong percussion thanks to Marcos Alves.

Close to the end, “Mbembalu” uses mesmerizing percussive and drumming patterns amid the expressive singing and Mbye Ebrima’s strategic kora for the album’s best, and “Djugu Djugu” exits with the acoustic guitar fueled beauty that’s guided by Djabaté’s friendly pipes.

An intimate affair that is dedicated to his friends and family, Djabaté’s music is highly genuine, globally embraceable, and touches on the human spirit in universal ways.

Travels well with: Wesli- Tradisyon; Sarazino- Mama Funny Day

Marc Ducret

Palm Sweat: Marc Ducret Plays The Music Of Tim Berne

Screwgun/OOYH, 2023

9/10

Listen to Palm Sweat: Marc Ducret Plays The Music Of Tim Berne

A highly creative project that began when Tim Berne dropped off some raw, unrecorded pieces that the guitarist Marc Ducret ran through his inimitable vision, Palm Sweat has him playing many instruments, and not all of them have strings.

“Curls / Palm Sweat / Mirth of the Cool” starts the listen with dense guitar that makes it seem like the listen may segue into crunchy, stoner-rock territory, as well timed, firm drums enter, and “Rolled Oats 2” follows with strategic guitar picking that unfolds with mystery and a mesmerizing spirit.

Further along, the hypnotic buzzing of “Shiteless 1” carries a cinematic, sci-fi presence that recruits some ambient noise, while “Stutter Step” emits an almost mechanical droning that’s spread out over 10 minutes that eventually welcomes Fabrice Martinez’s soulful trumpet.

Near to the end, the multifaceted “Static” showcases Bruno Ducret’s skilled cello amid the guitar acrobatics and percussive bouts, and the brief “About This Recording” exits the listen with Ducret’s distinct and exciting guitar playing front and center.

In addition to those listed above, Sylvaine Hélary plays alto flute and Chrstiane Bopp handles trombone, and collectively there is much manipulation with pitch and distortion present, where the retrograde melodies alongside the colorful and textured dynamics make for a very original and fascinating listen.

Travels well with: Mali Obomsawin- Sweet Tooth; Curt Sydnor- Deep End Shallow

Che Apalache

Rearrange My Heart

Free Dirt, 2019

8/10

Listen to Rearrange My Heart

An outfit spearheaded by Joe Troop, the North Carolina raised artist is well traveled, and eventually settled in Argentina, where he assembled Che Apalache with an all star cast of Latin musicians.

“Saludo Murguero” starts the listen with vocal harmonies in a sparse environment sans instruments, before the stringed acrobatics of “Maria”, where Joe Troop’s strong vocals soar over subtle flamenco stabs.

In the middle, “Rock Of Ages” is banjo fueled fun that parallels the Americana sounds of Nashville, while the playful “The Wall” is just multiple voices in the ultra tuneful highlight. The title track is one of the most moving pieces included, and finds a nice place to reside between folksy, roots sounds and the Latin influence from their homelands.

At the end, “Over In Glory/New Swing” hints at bluegrass fun as melodic vocals guide us through the organic prowess, and “Once Took Me In” finishes the listen with some experimental ideas in the cultured, cautious exit that builds into a busy display of tense beauty.

An extremely well done debut album, you’ll find Japanese folk sounds alongside rural bluegrass and plenty of nods to the Mexican and Argentinian heritage from the band, as Che Apalache deliver socially aware subject matter with their own unique version of gospel.

Travels well with: Old Crow Medicine Show- Remedy; Bela Fleck- Deviation