Domi Edson Trio

Stories From Solitude

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to Stories From Solitude

The exceptional bassist Domi Edson is joined by Spencer Zweifel on piano and Bobby Wiens behind the drum kit for these swing filled, highly melodic and richly delivered 11 tunes.

“Shiny Stockings” gets the listen off to a frisky start with animated keys and the lively rhythm section making for a dance floor ready opener, and “Domi’s New Blues” follows with the strategic bass plucking emitting a mesmerizing climate.

In the middle, the very melodic setting of “Killarney Glen” really illuminates Zweifel’s finger acrobatics, while “Lush Life”, the longest song, has Edson bowing her instrument with much emotion and skill.

Residing near the end, the upbeat and warm “When You’re Smiling” showcases the trio’s timeless jazz formula, and “Up Jumped Spring” exits with a bouncy, rhythmic and dynamic interaction, where all 3 players shine amid their respective talents.

Although the title references Edson’s inspiration from being alone in nature, the compositions here are quite animated, joyful and easily accessible to anyone with an ear towards any era of jazz.

Travels well with: Jonathan Mills- No Mentions, No Worries; Rodney Whitaker- Oasis

Allen Shawn

Fantasia & Other Pieces

Albany, 2022

8/10

Listen to Fantasia & Other Pieces

The composer Allen Shawn is well versed in symphonies, concertos, works for large ensemble, choral, vocal, chamber music and solo piano, and here plenty of exceptional musicians illuminate his work in a chamber setting.

“Fantasia For Cello” starts the listen with Maxine Neuman’s graceful and expressive cello emitting much beauty and even haunting moments, and “Aria-Caprice” follows with Holger Michalski’s double bass and Julia Bartha’s keys interacting with a very moody quality that pays close attention to timbre and tone.

On the back half, Jim Stubbs (trumpet) and Laurie Stubbs (bassoon) come together for the 4 movements of “Summer Suite”, where a rich intimacy unfolds with a very reflective climate, and “In Memory Of” exits with Jo-Ann Sternberg (clarinet), Sheila Reinhold (violin), Maxine Neuman (cello) and Genevieve Feiwen Lee (piano) making for a melancholic and dense album highlight that thematically surrounds the death of Shawn’s mother.

A very well thought out affair that often recruits instruments across the lower register, both blues and jazz sounds are present in spades here, and the melodic, dreamy and even ominous stabs sure to keep the listener enthralled from beginning to end.

Travels well with: Allen Shawn- Improvisation Diary 2020; Victoria Bond- Blue And Green Music

Skip & Dan Wilkins Quartet

In The Stars

Deer Head, 2022

8/10

Listen to In The Stars

The composer and pianist Skip Wilkins and saxophonist Dan Wilkins join forces here for a listen that’s themed around Skip’s Covid isolation and the beauty of coming together to make music afterwards, and features selections from the Great American Songbook.

“I Walk With Music” starts the listen with flowing brass and frisky drums in the very upbeat and warm climate, and “Lost In The Stars” follows with Skip’s agile keys and Bill Goodwin’s skilled drumming making for a melodic and cozy delivery.

In the middle, Dan’s soulful sax guides the intimate and playful album highlight that is “Sweet Georgia Fame”, while “Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?” is full of spirited musicianship that really spotlights Skip and Dan’s respective skills amid Tony Marino’s adventurous bass lines.

Close to the end, the calm and emotive “I Was So Young” certainly does Gershwin proud with its strong attention to detail and poetic demeanor, and “Why Do I Love You?” bops and shakes with a dance floor ready appeal that finishes the listen with a swift and very memorable tune.

Skip injects new life into these old songs, and with his quartet on hand they celebrate all that is great about live music while illuminating some overlooked pieces of songwriting history.

Travels well with: Kirk Lightsey- Live At Smalls Jazz Club; The Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Kansas City

Jonathan Mills

No Mentions, No Worries

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to No Mentions, No Worries

The composer, arranger and drummer Jonathan Mills turns in an excellent debut here, where the Atlanta artist is joined by Luke Weathington, Patrick Arthur, Tyrone Jackson and Tommy Sauter for the jazz friendly affair.

The title track starts the listen with Sauter’s playfully plucked bass alongside Mills’ proficient drumming in the rhythmic and busy climate, and “For Hadley’s Folks” follows with a calmer demeanor of soulful sax from Weathington, as a very intimate appeal unfolds.

“Solecism” occupies the middle spot and is quite lively with the dynamic guitar and well timed keys making an impression alongside a drum solo in odd time signature, while “Cool Out” benefits much from Jackson’s complicated but accessible piano prowess that adds a very stylish landscape.

“Wait For It” and “Sneak Attack” exit the listen, where the former is full of well thought out harmonic gestures, and the latter finishes with a swift and blues friendly moment that’s scrappy, bouncy and just so much fun.

Mills delivers an impressive first album, and the esteemed help he’s got a long makes for a timeless jazz effort that tips it hat to legends like Max Roach, Thelonious Monk, Larry Goldings and Elvin Jones.

Travels well with: Rodney Whitaker- Oasis; Griffin Woodard Group- Completion

Allen Shawn

Improvisation Diary 2020

Albany, 2022

8/10

Listen to Improvisation Diary 2020

The pianist and composer Allen Shawn went to work on these improvisations during the early part of the pandemic, and recorded them in people’s living rooms, on his phone and on a zoom recorder. The various locations give the listen a spontaneous feel, as we get a peek of the sketchbooks of this artist’s vision.

The aptly titled “Jaunty” starts the listen with upbeat and radiant keys that are as firm as they are lively, and the also appropriately titled “Almost A Waltz” follows with a calm pulse of mesmerizing, expressive song craft.

Further along, the bouncy and animated progressions of “Intersecting Points” is quite exciting, while “Lovely Love” is indeed romantic, and carries a rare intimacy with it.

Deeper yet, the charming and commanding presence of “C Major Obession” makes this one of the album’s best, and “Epilogue” exits the listen with a hushed beauty that possesses so much sophisticated and timeless playing.

A body of work dedicated to his son, Shawn’s ‘sketches’ are certainly more developed than you might think, and his heavy emphasis on blues and jazz nods is his highly creative and quite inviting.

Travels well with: Victoria Bond- Blue And Green Music; Qing Jiang- Dreamed Landscapes

Victoria Bond

Blue And Green Music

Albany, 2022

8/10

Listen to Blue And Green Music

The conductor and composer Victoria Bond always impresses, and here along with the Cassatt String Quartet, Michael Kelly’s baritone and Bradley Moore’s piano, were treated to 70 minutes of textured, meticulous and dramatic musicianship.

The title track starts the listen with stirring strings that make for an emotive and precise interaction that’s haunting, playful and even glorious in its dynamic delivery, and “Art And Science” follows with jumpy keys and diverse singing in the highly intimate but also exciting album highlight.

On the back “From An Antique Land” flows with the animated piano and very expressive singing bringing a poetic and articulate dimension to the listen, and the final piece, “Dreams Of Flying”, is especially emotive, and blends the sublime strings with both moody moments as well as animated bursts of bowing and plucked prowess.

The 4 compositions here are all Bond originals, and they illustrate her melodic and sometimes tense vision that’s unpredictable, mesmerizing and timeless.

Travels well with: Jos Milton/Melinda Coffey Armstead- As One; Qing Jiang- Dreamed Landscapes

Eric Zuber

The Young Chopin

Azica, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Young Chopin

The debut album from the international award-winning pianist Eric Zuber, these 3 pieces by Frédérick Chopin in his early years are fleshed out with much grace, warmth and adventurousness.

“Variations on ‘Lá ci darem la mano’”, from Mozart’s Don Giovani, Op. 2, opens the listen with very precise, complicated keys that are melodic, unpredictable and full of fascinating, sometimes rumbling and other times upbeat and joyful progressions across the 8 chapters.

“Andante splanato & Grande polonaise brillante, Op. 22” follows, and it comes with a dreamy appeal that illustrates so much beauty from Zuber’s very nimble hands, while “Piano Concerto No. 1 in E. Minor, Op. 11” brings in the sweeping, firm strings that complement Zuber’s finger acrobatics.

The solo performances are nothing short of inspiring, and the addition of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra certainly illuminates Chopin’s young vision, as Zuber makes an indelible impression on this first record.

Travels well with: Miriam K. Smith- Momentum; Apollo Chamber Players- MoonStrike

Janis Joplin & Jorma Kaukonen

The Legendary Typewriter Tape

Omnivore, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Legendary Typewriter Tape

This 1964 rehearsal collaboration finally sees its first official release, as Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna’s Jorma Kaukonen and Janis Joplin are captured on a reel to reel machine while getting ready for a show.

After the brief, very accurately titled “Are We Taping Now?”, “Trouble In Mind” unfolds with Joplin’s inimitable, soulful and soaring pipes alongside Kaukonen’s very agile guitar playing.

Elsewhere, “Kansas City Blues” brings both grit and beauty to the rugged, bluesy climate, while “Hesitation Blues” takes that lead a bit further with shimmering guitar and Joplin’s distinct vocal acrobatics.

Approaching the end, “How ‘Bout This?” is an unstructured talking, strumming, singing mix, and “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy” exits with a rhythmic spirit that’s vocally firm and musically melodic, and illustrates the depth of both Joplin and Kaukonen’s talents.

This project features restoration and mastering from acclaimed, Grammy-winner Michael Graves, and the originals and blues covers document an intimate time between 2 artists at the onset of their global fame and influential careers. The background typewriting sounds by Margareta Kaukonen actually add quite a bit of ambience to the mood, too, essentially giving the project an even more unique appeal.

Travels well with: The Kinks- Muswell Hillbillies/Everybody’s In Show-Biz- Everybody’s A Star; Dave Davies- Decade

Dogo Du Togo

Dogo Du Togo

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Dogo Du Togo

The Togolese artist Dogo Du Togo captures the sounds of Togolese festive and ritual rhythms on this very distinct body of work, where voodoo melodies and sharp wordplay are combined with acute guitar playing and call and response vocals.

“Zonva” starts the listen with Jaja Bashengezi’s fluid guitar complementing Dogo’s flowing 6 string, and the expressive singing sure does suit the breezy melodies, and “Sokewo” follows with group vocals alongside Boga Bass’ clever bass lines and the animated percussive sounds that populate the Akpesse-Bobobo rhythm.

“Obligation” arrives in the middle and emits a swift Gazo rhythm that’s quite contagious, while the vocally soulful “Nye Dzi” pairs the soothing percussion with very spirited guitar playing.

There are a few political focused songs present, including the police brutality themed “Adja”, which features Marc Elinam’s wise voice, and “Immigré” exits the listen with Serge Kodjovi’s guitar and Jojo’s skilled bass helping make for a very worldly and charming finish.

A listen that’s full of handclaps, shakers, bells, and acoustic instrumentation, Dogo wanted us to feel like we are in Togo when listening, and he certainly accomplished that with this cultured, personal and political endeavor that the entire would could embrace.

Travels well with: Lorraine Klaasen & Mongezi Ntaka- Ukubonga Gratitude; Katayoun Goudarzi/Shujaat Husain Khan- This Pale

Eva Schubert

The Feel Of Your Love

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Feel Of Your Love

A rising Canadian artist with an exceptional voice, Eva Schubert brings us 7 well thought out songs that blend jazz and blues via her inimitable singing

The title track starts the listen with a dreamy elegance that benefits from Jeremy Bender’s radiant piano and, of course, Schubert’s captivating voice, and “Dark Star” follows with more emphasis on Charlie Ringas’ proficient drumming that welcomes a cozy melody.

In the middle, “Salome” offers a frisky demeanor of firm drums, diverse singing and a fuller climate, while “Astray” highlights Bryant Didier’s skilled guitar prowess amid thicker moments of bluesy nods and soulful singing. The final track, “Hard Hands”, rumbles a bit more intensely, and certainly spotlights Schubert’s sultry pipes and the band’s dynamic interaction.

Although she possesses a skillset that might remind you of Helen Mirrell, Peggy Lee, or Nat King, Schubert’s vision is also quite modern, and at 7 tracks this body of work exits far too soon. However, it seems pretty likely that more songs are on the horizon soon, thankfully.

Travels well with: Vanessa Racci- Jazzy Italian; Diana Panton- Solstice/Summer

Ashley Davies

Gold

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to Gold

The Australian composer Ashley Davies brings his multi-instrumental skills to this rock based listen that often tips its hat to the ‘60s and welcomes plenty of guests for the very diverse affair.

“Birth” gets the listen off to a swift, jangly start, where classic rock nods are met with scrappy drumming and no lack of melody and harmonic vocals, and “Bush” follows with spirited electric guitar and an exploratory, rhythmic nature.

The title track occupies the middle spot, and brings much chilling ambience that embraces soulful brass amid the jazz sensibilities and dreaminess, while “Meeting” showcases intricate acoustic guitar and bright horns alongside the playful drumming.

The final 2 tracks, “Lost” and “Death”, are equally meticulous, where the former is heavy on mood and alternates between minimalism and thick bursts of rock, and the latter uses piano strategically alongside wordless vocals and atypical grooves.

A listen that inches pretty close to prog-rock, Davies makes for a truly unique, sonically engaging body of work that’s textured in unpredictable and complicated ways that you can’t not be in awe of.

Travels well with: Delay Tactics- Elements Of Surprise; Zan Zone- Start Where You Stand

Native Harrow

Old Kind Of Magic

Loose Music, 2022

8/10

Listen to Old Kind Of Magic

Stephen Harms and Devin Tuel, i.e. Native Harrow, return with their 5th album, and it’s one of their most focused and intimate efforts yet, where many ideas are embraced via their unique form of Americana.

“Song For Joan” starts the listen with expressive and fluid singing in the very mature, graceful climate of warm keys, and the title track follows with a dreamy spirit of retro folk ideas in the highly soulful delivery.

Halfway through, “Used To Be Free” showcases Alex Hall’s flowing piano amid the jazzy nods, while “As It Goes” benefits much from Georgina Leach’s layered one woman strings in the nostalgic landscape.

Approaching the end, “I Remember” pairs the poetic singing with Joe Harvey-Whyte’s well timed pedal steel for the album’s best, and “Find A Reason” exits with a stirring display of gentle acoustic guitar and pretty singing.

A listen that reminds us of the Laurel Canyon scene, just as it does ‘70s psychedelia, Harms handles guitar, bass, oud, piano, organ, rhodes and percussion and Tuel holds down vocals, guitar, percussion and keys. Together, with their guests, they make for a rich, sweeping and eclectic folk-rock affair.

Travels well with: Reed Turchi- I’ve Chosen Love; Joe And The Feels- Unsupervised

Tom Swafford

Rough Spaces

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Rough Spaces

A veteran composer and arranger who can handle a violin with much skill, Tom Swafford brings us 18 very unique, improvised tunes here, where punk, jazz, folk, experimental and classical ideas are all present and appreciated.

“The Surrogate” opens the listen with the swift and dynamic string manipulation unfolding with a very intense and focused delivery, and “Worms” follows with strong attention to mood as Swafford plucks and bows with much allure.

Further on, “Brain Pig” is quite inventive with the violin emitting both playful and stirring gestures, while “Wyoming” is a bit dreamy, cinematic, and mesmerizes us with its complicated yet accessible tones.

Deeper still, “Evacuate Now” quivers with a very technical spirit that’s incredibly meticulous, and “Floating Out To Sea” exits with both calm and firm bouts of well timed progressions.

An album that soundtracks the experience of the pandemic on Swafford and his wife, as a full time subway performer he was left with no way to monetize his skills, and the pair were left to deal with physical space challenges, as well as mental space issues. Like any good artist, he parlayed that difficult time into an exciting body of work with a solo violin listen that few, if anyone, could replicate.

Travels well with: Jason Kao Hwang- Uncharted; The Nels Cline 4- Currents, Constellations

Gintas K

Mountains, runlets caves & cascades

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Mountains, Runlets Caves & Cascades

The Lithuanian artist gintas k returns with another iconoclastic batch of tunes, where all the pieces were played and recorded live and use a computer, midi keyboard and controller with no overdubs present.

“Mountains, runlets, caves & cascades #1” opens the listen with a warm backdrop alongside creative percussive sounds that unfold in a sci-fi sort of way, and “Mountains, runlets, caves & cascades #2” follows with faint hissing sounds that shimmer in ambience.

On the back half, the longest track, “Mountains, runlets, caves & cascades #4”, is a busier display of noise manipulation that’s sometimes haunting but always inventive, while “Mountains, runlets, caves & cascades #5” drones with a cinematic presence.

“Eastern Bells”, the final track, makes great use of dense bells that are well timed and make quite an interesting companion to the rest of the listen.

A driving force in the Lithuanian experimental scene since 1994, gintas k was an important piece of the industrial/electronic outfit Modus, and his seemingly unbounded creativity is still very much intact.

Travels well with: gintas k- Nervous Vagus; Body/Negative- Fragments

Ronboy

Pity To Love

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Pity To Love

The debut album from the LA artist Julia Laws, as Ronboy the multi-instrumentalist brings plenty of atmosphere to these 10 songs that swirl with beats and grooves, too.

“Always” starts the listen with a low buzzing, as soft beats and pretty singing populates the indie-pop that welcomes dense drums, and “Forget It” follows with a calm dreaminess that utilizes more firm bouts amid the cautious climate.

“Your Way” occupies the middle spot with warm piano and poetic singing that lands in ballad territory, while “Oceans Of Emotion” is a thicker version of electro-pop that pays close attention to mood.

“Mercy” and “Off The Record” exit the listen, where the former twinkles with a soulful intimacy, and the latter exits with a haze of mystery and beauty that’s also indebted to ambience in some post-punk ways.

An emotional, sometimes haunting and occasionally anthemic affair, Ronboy’s vision of pop is quite exciting and nostalgic, and the addition of violin and cello further solidifies this as an excellent starting point.

Travels well with: The Paranoyds- Talk Talk Talk; Agender- No Nostalgia

Martin And Rose Music

Dear Heart

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to Dear Heart

The husband and wife duo of Stefani Rose and Daniel Martin make some superb family music across these 9 tunes that cover Americana, country, folk and pop with plenty of Nashville spirit.

“Half Right” gets the listen off to a very melodic and warm start, where punchy drumming, smooth singing and playful guitar makes for a glowing Americana demeanor, and “Cars” follows with warm acoustic strumming and expressive singing that’s indebted to classic country nods.

Further down the line, the dreamy intimacy of “Small World” is quite stirring, while the more rugged Martin led “Big Dog” is a thicker display of thumping country influenced rock.

Approaching the end, the vocally harmonic “Lemonade” balances both swift moments of fluid roots rock and calm ebbs of beauty, and “Dear Heart” exits the listen with Rose’s pretty pipes front and center across the energetic finish.

This is the 6th album from the duo, and it sure is full of family friendly themes that are universally relatable, and the music is instantly memorable, meticulous and heart warming.

Travels well with: Wendy And DB- Into The Little Blue House; Again Again- Your Voice Is Magic

Farrow & The Peach Leaves

Buttermilk Brine

Dream Cabin, 2022

9/10

Listen to Buttermilk Brine

A very diverse outfit from Nevada City who have a penchant for blues, country, rock’n’roll and Americana, this live to tape recording has the members Graham Farrow Knibb (vocals), Zach Peach (drums), Leif Bonfils (bass), Keith Knibb (guitar), Justin Peach (guitar) and Hunter Jones (pedal steel/keys) in fine form across the 9 tunes.

“Adeline” starts the listen with warm pedal steel from Jones, before thick bursts of alt-country enter the clever soft versus loud dynamics of the rugged yet pretty climate, and “All Blue” follows with a thicker delivery of melodic country rock that benefits much from Peach’s thumping drums.

The title track lands in the middle, and brings a crisp folk-rock appeal that’s harmonic and gritty, while “Madrid Sky” lands in ballad territory with its graceful piano and poetic vision of heartfelt song craft.

“Bell Rung” and “The River” exit the listen, where the former recruits some retro rock flavor to the rhythmic album highlight that’s dance floor ready, and “The River” exits the listen with soothing acoustic guitar amid both dense and calm textures.

A listen that culls the band’s interest in ‘70s rock, blues and their home region of the Sierra Nevada Foothills, Farrow & The Peach Leaves birth a unique brand of Americana that you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Oh Lonesome Ana- MEG/DETH TEE; The Shootouts- Bullseye

The Great Divide

Providence

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Providence

The originators of the Red Dirt sound, The Great Divide, return with their first album in 2 decades, and they pick up where they left off with relatable stories about the last 15 years of their lives, as well as what’s to come in the future.

“Wrong Is Overrated” starts the listen with a breezy version of Americana that benefits from agile drumming, warm keys and Mike McClure’s smooth pipes, and “I Can Breath Again” follows with aching pedal steel and a dreamy climate of poetic, bare beauty.

“Slippin’ Away” occupies the middle spot, and showcases bouncy bass lines and a bit of island flavor to the groovy spirit, while “Heaven Is High” embraces some gospel influence into the reflective, rootsy ideas.

Closer to the end, the thumping country rock moments of “Until We Cross” helps make this one of the album’s best with its gritty versus melodic formula, and “Infinite Line” exits with a bit of ruggedness entering a thicker appeal that’s quite timeless.

The Great Divide achieved a bit of fame in the early 2000’s, but dealt with a tumultuous break up. Now older, wiser and more certain of what they want out of life, this is indeed a triumphant return and with more to come, hopefully.

Travels well with: Jeremy Nail- Behind The Headlights; The Lied To’s- The Worst Kind Of New

Stanley Grill

Ahimsa

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Ahimsa

The skilled composer Stanley Grill returns with the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice and the conductor Marek Stilec for these 4 chamber orchestra pieces that are inspired by those who had a profound impact on Grill’s own way of living.

“What My Grandfather Taught Me” opens the listen with a very warm, soothing spirit, where the agile strings provide much grace amid the well timed winds, and “Mahatma Gandhi” follows with a reflective and stirring presence that flows with a wise demeanor.

The back half includes the dreamy, dynamic and melodic gestures of “Martin Luther King”, and “John Lennon” exits with both calm ebbs and swifter bouts of bright brass, soaring strings and precise musicianship that embraces a timeless vision.

Grill has been quite prolific lately, and this body of work again illustrates his strong attention to detail that will be sure to appeal to fans of classical, chamber and orchestral sounds.

Travels well with: Stanley Grill- Und das Lied bleibt schon; The Crossing- Tower And The Garden

Wildwood Kin

Wildwood Kin

Silvertone, 2019

8/10

Listen to Wildwood Kin

The acoustic based trio Wildwood Kin return with a sophomore album that explores their vocal harmonies and gentle folk-rock in personal, empowering and very reflective ways.

‘Headed For The Water” starts the listen with elegance and harmonic vocals in the soothing, cautious opener, and “Time Has Come” follows with playful percussion in the pop filled atmosphere that’s easily embraceable.

Elsewhere, “Wake Up Sleeper” brings breathy vocals amid the reserved beauty that hints at country, while “Never Alone” gets more forceful with emotive song craft mixed alongside ebbs of intimacy on one of the most touching tunes, which is about drummer Meghann Loney’s loss of her brother to suicide.

Near the end, “How I Feel” recruits some of the best vocal harmonies that certainly point towards earlier decades, and “Signals” ends the listen with strong keys on a exit flowing with mature, timeless melody.

Although all three woman are youngsters, they play like old souls here, and, from what it would appear, are just getting started on what they’re capable of; talent like this is destined for fame.

Travels well with: Andrea Von Kampen- Old Country; Lissie- My Wild West