Gilad Atzmon/Daniel Bulatkin/Taras Volos/Dušan Černák

Praying For More Songs To Come

Self-Released, 2025

9/10

Listen to Praying For More Songs To Come

An all-star quartet who tracked these 5 pieces in 4 hours and with no edits, Gilad Atzmon, Daniel Bulatkin, Taras Volos, and Dušan Černák bring their inimitable talents to a modern jazz approach.

“The First Day Of The Year” is the first song of the album, and emits a cozy spirit thanks to Volos’ warm bass and Atzmon’s detailed sax playing, and “Early Blues (I Listen To)” follows with Bulatkin’s meticulous keys amid the plucked bass and rich wind.

“My Old Flame” occupies the middle spot and is a romantic moment of timeless beauty and much soulfulness, while the title track benefits from a more firm presence via the animated sax, rumbling keys and atmospheric drumming.

The last track, “Autumn In Baghdad”, is also excellent, where cautiousness and emotion enter, as Černák’s restrained drumming really adds to the distinct intimacy.

There’s an undeniable introspection to the effort, where strong interplay between the quartet and spontaneity are appreciated via the timeless jazz and fusion dynamics that you can’t not admire.

Travels well with: Teis Semey- En Massei!; Henry Spencer- The Defector

Mighty Joe Castro And The Gravamen

Between The Lightning And The Thunder

Self-Released, 2025

9/10

Listen to Between The Lightning And The Thunder

The Philadelphia roots rockers, Mighty Joe Castro And The Gravamen, return with 10 new songs that tip their hat to Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash and Nick Cave.

“Can’t We Just Start Again” opens with a warm spirit, where Castro’s heartfelt singing is met with cozy guitar and Dallas’ light drums, and “Embers In The Ash” follows with a frisky energy that flirts with folk-rock.

In the middle spot, “Look Of Eagles” comes with atmosphere and Mike Stingle’s fluid guitar in a dance floor ready moment, while “Automatic Amnesia” is full rockabilly and reverb in its textured and cautious delivery.

Moving towards the end, the light jangle and soft melodies of “The Dying Breed” are heartfelt and memorable, and “I’m Just An Old Chunk Of Coal (But I’m Going To Be A Diamond Someday)” exits with a gritty demeanor and Matt Hagele’s lively upright bass that does justice to the Billy Joe Shaver classic.

A really fun record that floats around Americana, rockabilly, folk, retro-rock’n’roll and many other rootsy flavors, Castro and company take their vision the more cinematic route, and it’s their best work yet.

Travels well with: Mighty Joe Castro & The Gravamen- Come On Angels!; Miss Georgia Peach- Class Out The Ass

Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto

Mais Que Tudo: Live At Kerry Hall 1995

Origin, 2025

9/10

Listen to Mais Que Tudo: Live At Kerry Hall 1995

Jovina Santos Neto’s piano is joined by Hans Tueber, Chuck Deardorf and Mark Ivester for these jazz, classical and Brazilian inspired 7 tracks that document their first public performance.

The animated spirit of the lead off track, “Metamorph”, benefits from Neto’s quick keys and Teuber’s lively winds, and the title track follows with much elegance, where the keys and wind welcome Ivester’s skilled drums.

In the middle, “Chorelético” showcases Deardorf’s meticulous bass before the bright interplay starts between the 4, while “Candango/Haja Juntas” spotlights Teuber’s colorful flute amid much melody and warmth.

“Happy Birthday, Ariel!” exits, and allows for the atmospheric keys and festive mood that’s busy, swift and exciting thanks to all the player’s dynamic prowess.

Although this recording is over 30 years old, it sounds very current and illustrates a worldly flavor from the Quarteto that exudes life, creativity and love.

Travels well with: Randy Napoleon- Waking Dream: The Music Of Gregg Hill & Randy Napoleon; Ben Thomas Tango Project- The Hat With The Grim And The Chuckle

Milan Verbist Trio

Time Change

Origin, 2025

8/10

Listen To Time Change

Milan Verbist, Toon Rumen and Jens Meijer come together for this debut recording that showcases their inimitable chemistry with 9 adventurous jazz tracks.

“Time Change” leads with Verbist's dense keys that eventually take company from Meijer’s restrained drums and Rumen’s unpredictable bass, and “Bosonossa” follows with playful bass plucking amid the firm keys and crisp drumming.

“Happy House” and “Brigitte’s Waltz” occupy the middle spots. The former is a frisky and animated moment that allows for the trio to dance around each other, while the latter is a lush and melodic album highlight that radiates timeless, improvised jazz.

Further on, “The Silence Between” illuminates each player’s individual strengths that shine in both busy and soft gestures of melody, and “Flutter Step” exits with a more introspective nature that uses colorful keys, meticulous bass and subdued drumming via a mesmerizing fashion.

The trio make an impression on both the originals and covers here, and it’s an excellent starting point for the Belgians that will resonate with anyone who appreciates jazz.

Travels well with: Marc Seales w/Ernie Watts- People & Places; Mike Pope- The Parts You Keep

Third Of Never

Damage The Pearl/Original Sountrack

343, 2025

9/10

Listen to Damage The Pearl/Original Sountrack

The North Carolina outfit, Third Of Never, make for an unclassifiable listen here, where the songs soundtrack a road movie that’s hitting the film festival circuit.

“Grab The Ground” opens with Doug MacMillan’s smooth voice alongside Jon Dawson’s flowing guitar for the garage rock spirit, and “Rolling Down A Hill” follows with Steve Kilbey’s fluid backing vocals alongside Jade Haskins’ playful bass via the driving rock delivery.

Entering the middle, “Frank And Paul’s Theme” is strong on atmosphere thanks to Sara Bell’s strategic mandolin and Dawson’s tabla guitar, while “Safety Pin” makes great use of Steve Potak’s piano and Dawson’s synth prowess in a dreamy landscape.

Further still, “Damage The Pearl” benefits from thumping drums, a bit of a jangle and soaring alt-rock nods, and “Alone At The Fair” exits with field recordings entering the experimental and spacey exploration.

A superbly unique effort that surrounds progressive, psychedelic and post-rock ideas, every track here carries a healthy amount of intrigue that requires repeated listens.

Travels well with: Hattie Webb- Wild Medicine; Slinky Vagabond- King Boy Vandals

Musica Sierra

Garden

Self-Release, 2025

9/10

Listen to Garden

The Grammy-nominated composer and educator Owen McIntosh is joined by The Nightbirds and Fire & Grace for this family affair that incorporates the cycles of growth, care and renewal found in a garden.

“Dawn” opens with Ashley Hoyer’s warm mandolin and the playful percussive sounds emitting much warmth, and “Grow” follows with Jade Hendrix’s expressive and uplifting voice guiding the graceful strings.

Moving into the middle, “Drought” enlists William Coulter’s fluid guitar amid Edwin Hulzinga’s stirring violin, while “Give” allows for Samantha Harvey’s animated accordion to complement the pretty and colorful singing.

“Dig It” and “Harvest” exit the record. The former is a frisky and organic album highlight, and the latter finishes with a rich, bluesgrass inspired moment of sublime beauty and organic ideas.

A very lush and enlightening effort, McIntosh’s vision strengthens families’ understanding of nature and how it relates to us all, and we’re all better off for listening.

Travels well with: Debi Derryberry- Go To Sleep; Andy Z- My Voice

Rodney Crowell

Airline Highway

New West, 2025

9/10

Listen to Airline Highway

The legendary singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell is joined by some of the brightest stars in today’s country and blues scene for these heartfelt and authentic 10 tracks.

The dense guitar licks of “Rainy Days In California” opens with Lukas Nelson’s warm voice alongside the thumping drums of the country rocker, and “Louisiana Sunshine Feeling Okay” follows with Larkin Poe in attendance for the breezy folk presence that’s got plenty of melody.

Halfway through, “Taking Flight” welcomes Ashley McBryde’s pretty pipes to the intimate spirit that makes great use of piano, while the frisky “The Twenty-One Song Salute” features Tyler Bryant’s meticulous guitar via the bouncy mood that’s infectious.

“Heaven Can You Help” and “Maybe Somewhere” exit the listen. The former showcases Charlie Starr’s distinct pipes amid glowing keys and a gritty rhythm section, and “Maybe Somewhere Down The Road” finishes with much emotion, as strings from Eleanor Denig emit stirring sophistication.

Like everything Crowell does, this one’s relatable, touching and some of the best modern Americana being played today. The large amount of guests sure do add to the appeal, too.

Travels well with: James McMurtry- The Black Dog And The Wandering Boy; Elijah Johnston- Stupid Soul

Slimboy

Hopeless & Addicted

Ambulance, 2019

10/10

Listen to Hopeless & Addicted

I’m pretty embarrassed to say that this was my first time listening to Switzerland’s Slimboy, because, as a longtime fan of all things punk related, this trio parallels the greatness achieved by MXPX, Millencolin or The Ataris and should have already been in my collection.

The title track starts out the EP with a loud and thundering display of gritty melodies and a kinetic rhythm section in the blistering opener, and “‘92” follows with a punky spirit amid a raw execution of anthemic sing-alongs.

Elsewhere, “Hey Brother” recruits fuzzy guitars and alt-rock tendencies that would make J Mascis smile, while the turbulent “Never Let It Die” really showcases the band’s busy, buzzing appeal that flows alongside immediately irresistible hooks. “14.10.15” ends the listen initially sparse but builds into a throbbing, triumphant execution of power and pop.

A fantastic record that embodies all the hallmarks of punk rock, Hopeless & Addicted is nothing if not timeless in its incendiary, reckless and fluid delivery.

Travels well with: The Menzingers- On The Impossible Past; Face To Face- Three Chords And Half A Truth