I See Hawks In L.A.

On Our Way

Western Seeds, 2021

9/10

Listen to On Our Way

A Los Angeles outfit spearheaded by the multi-instrumentalists and vocalists Paul Lacques and Rob Waller, On Our Way also showcases Paul Marshall’s bass and vocals, and Victoria Jacobs’ drumming and singing, not to mention many guests, across 11 precisely crafted rural tunes on this 10th album.

“Might’ve Been Me” starts the listen with Dave Kirbel’s lively pedal steel and Jacobs’ proficient drumming complementing the crisp alt-country climate, and “On Our Way” follows with Ed Barguiarena’s precise organ alongside Paul Lacques’ fluid guitar work as classic country ideas enter the breezy, jangly delivery.

Moving along, “Kensington Market” places Jacobs on lead vocals as the warm Americana flows with much beauty in a psychedelic sort of way, while “Geronimo” spotlights Kirbel’s glowing pedal steel as folk, country and Americana meet at a timeless intersection. “Stealing”, one of the album highlights, then recruits Rich Dembowski and Woody Aplanalp on acoustic guitar and vocals in the poetic folk landscape.

Approaching the end, “Radio Keeps Me On The Ground” takes help from James Combs on acoustic guitar amid the reflective climate, and “How You Gonna Know?” exits the listen with a lengthy and unusual meshing of country, psychedelia and avant-garde rock exploration.

An album that was pieced together digitally during lockdown, though the band were put into a very precarious spot at the onset of the pandemic, they adapted to the changing times with a career highlight on this very charming and diverse listen.

Travels well with: The Long Ryders- Psychedelic Country Soul; The Jayhawks- XOXO

Explorer Tapes

Explorer Tapes

Omnivore, 2021

9/10

Listen to Explorer Tapes

You’ve probably never heard of Explorer Tapes before, but if you’ve explored Keith Urban’s music, you’ve probably heard their song “Texas Time”, which Urban popularized. Though this debut album was recorded in 2015, label issues have kept it shelved until now, and Max Townsley and Drew Erickson, the heart and soul of band, don’t waste anytime impressing us with their strong songwriting prowess.

“All Depends On You” leads the album with a firm beat as a playful and punchy version of power pop unfolds with smooth singing and flowing guitars, and “Texas Time” follows with plenty of soul entering the warm, stylish climate that benefits from falsetto singing and funk flavor.

In the middle, “Washed Away” enters dreamy territory with some ‘80s nods amid the strings and keys, while “Change Looks Good On You” goes back even further as the infectious retro energy and grooves will get you heading onto the dance floor. “More Than One Can Say” then enters balladry, where soothing acoustic guitar and poetic singing makes for an intimate delivery.

The bonus tracks are quite well done, and includes the synthetic drumming and melodic rock of “Sunset Strip”, and “Still Love Lindsay” exits the listen with a frisky version of pop-rock that’s quite modern in its timeless nature.

Townsley and Erickson are Texans, but ventured to Los Angeles to finish this album and they sure did construct a pop oriented affair tailor made for the FM dial, and it benefits much from Mike Elizondo’s production, bass and keys, as well as Aaron Sterling’s drumming, among many others.

Travels well with: Dennis Lloyd- Some Days; Hiatus- Distancer

Eloise Hynes Stowe

Psalms

Navona, 2021

8/10

Listen to Psalms

A listen with much depth and melody, Eloise Hynes Stowe assembles Stella Roden’s pipes, Jon Hynes’ keys, Lorraine Miller’s flute and David Hays’ violin for 3 compositions steeped in religion that embraces the literary and emotional aspects of biblical texts and ecclesiastical interpretations.

The title track starts the listen with Hynes’ agile piano alongside Roden’s stunning soprano, and, later on, Miller’s dreamy flute adds even more beauty to the spiritual landscape that’s not short on beauty and awe.

The middle track, “Hymns”, brings a massive amount of emotion and grace to the 3 movements, where the keys and vocals weave in and out of each other with melody and warmth.

“Odes”, the last track, then displays Roden’s exceptional range as both intimate moments and fuller swells of careful interaction highlight the glowing climate.

Though the flute and violin are used sparingly here, they are still quite effective, and though this is most certainly Christian rooted music, one doesn’t need to be religious to appreciate the optimistic and spirited song craft present.

Travels well with: The Crossing- Words Adorned; Carl Vollrath- Old & New Poetry

Christina Petrowska Quilico

Sound Visionaries

Navona, 2021

10/10

Listen to Sound Visionaries

A Canadian pianist with an impressive 50+ recorded albums to her credit, Christina Petrowska Quilico highlights Claude Debussy, Olivier Messiaen, and Pierre Boulez here, where her modern and impressionist abilities are on full display as the versatility and unparalleled attention to detail is nothing short of fascinating.

Claude Debussy’s “Preludes Book Two” starts the listen with mesmerizing piano work that’s both busy and calm, where low rumbling and haunting moments enter later on in the unpredictable climate that spreads across 8 ethereal movements.

The 2nd composition, “Vingt Regards Sur L’Enfant-Jésus”, takes the Oliver Messiaen original and places firm bouts of exploration amid mysterious, even ominous moments are met with dreamy ideas across the 7 portions that hint at a spiritual angle.

The final 2 tracks are both by Pierre Boulez, where “Premiére Sonate” injects calm moments of beauty alongside fuller moments of charming atmosphere, and “Troisiéme Sonate Pour Piano” brings cinematic qualities to a sometimes bare and other times lush landscape.

Quilico was recently named to the Order of Canada “for her celebrated career as a classical and contemporary pianist and for championing Canadian music”, and Sound Visionaries certainly continues her inimitable skill that anyone with a penchant for the piano will adore.

Travels well with: The Crossing- Words Adorned; Inna Faliks- Reimagine: Beethoven & Ravel

The Crossing

Words Adorned

Navona, 2021

8/10

Listen to Words Adorned

The Grammy winning chamber choir The Crossing return under Donald Nally’s conducting and with Takht musical direction by Hanna Khoury, as they illuminate ancient Andalusian poetry in the Muwashshah tradition

Kareem Roustom’s “Embroidered Verses” starts the listen with cautious strings, where waves of soaring, harmonic vocals enter the often full and vocally strong chapters that occasionally move slower with much emphasis on percussion.

The middle track, “Of Nights And Solace”, by Kinan Abou-afach, places much emphasis on moody violin, as the building vocal work illustrates a profound skill. The deeper chapters benefit from strategic cello, where the setting turns quick with incredible dynamics that unfold amid a poetic quality.

The final track, “When He Appeared”, is a live selection, and captures much passion and emits a cultured, animated, vocally stunning delivery in the very capable hands of the all star cast.

The solo vocal work from Dalal Abu Amneh, and the inclusion of the oud, qanun, violin, cello, and percussion makes for another versatile and modern, historical adventure in The Crossing’s already revered body of work that certainly won’t disappoint fans and is an ideal starting point for the first time listener.

Travels well with: Inna Faliks- Reimagine: Beethoven & Ravel; Carl Vollrath- Old & New Poetry

Wearyland

Letters

Son Canciones, 2021

9/10

Listen to Letters

There’s been plenty of interesting Covid music projects, but Wearyland’s Letters might be the most touching. Birthed from letters and songs written between a father and a daughter, who were both struggling with pandemic lockdowns in Belgium, Alain Quateau and Maaike Quateau are joined by Ward Dhoore and Marc Quinart on the musical portion of this sophomore album.

“On A Lonely Night” starts the listen with intimate piano, as breathy vocals enter the very poetic and bare beauty, and “The Old Man Said” follows with soundbites amid the more forceful singing and pretty guitar playing in the folk influenced climate.

Landing near the middle, the soft drumming of “Our Little Town” complements the expressive duet, while “Kathleen (I Won’t Give Up On You)” offers some rootsy flavor in the lush, emotive landscape. “This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Dreams”, the best of the best, then flows with a minimal delivery that’s eloquent and stirring in its simplicity.

Close to the end, the quicker “Till You Walk In Again” emits a heartfelt and sophisticated folk gem that sounds like it could have been penned in any decade since the ‘60s, and “The Swallow” exits with the pair harmonizing in a dreamy finish of sublime song craft.

The sparing use of keys, bass, guitar and percussion is quite effective here, as the often fragile singing truly becomes the focus of these vulnerable and moving songs. The limited edition CD package even comes with the letters the father and daughter exchanged, providing a very personal gesture to the effort.

Travels well with: Teghan Devon- Little Lion; Sarah Morris- All Mine

The Transonics

Tides

Sonic Soiree, 2021

8/10

Listen to Tides

A female fronted outfit from Columbia, South Carolina, The Transonics take pieces of New Wave, psychedelic, surf and pop from the ‘60s to the ‘80s, and run it through a filter of timeless melodies, plenty of hooks and a healthy amount of grooves on this 6 track EP.

The 6 piece start the album with the mysterious and bouncy title track, where the ‘80s nods won’t go unnoticed alongside some psychedelic influences and plenty of atmosphere, and “When You Were Mine” follows with both power and melody entering a pretty yet rugged delivery of hand clapping, firm guitars and acrobatic drumming.

The middle tracks, “Tequila” and “Orange Sunshine”, are both superb, where the former is initially calmer with bouts of busier rock that would be right at home in the ‘70s, while the latter glides with a breezy quality that embraces power pop, too.

Near the end, “Getcha” is a rowdy and lively rocker that sounds like The B-52’s with a gym membership, and “Midnight” exits the listen balancing gentle moments with fuller swells of precise, playful retro rock.

If you were around anytime from the ‘60s through the ‘80s, Tides will no doubt be a nostalgic listen that might make you dig out your Heart and Blondie records. And if you weren’t, well, you’ll get a really good sense of what you missed out on when spending any time with The Transonics and their ‘Surfedelic power pop’ formula.

Travels well with: Oberon Rose- Holographic Blues; Pale Mara- Pale Mara

Emilie Škrijelj & Tom Malmendier

Tropism

Carton, 2021

9/10

Listen to Tropism

The sophomore album from the electric duo of Tom Malmendier and Emilie Škrijelj, Tropism brings drums, objects, a turntable and electronica to 3 very adventurous avante-garde compositions.

“Patoka Mata” starts the listen with unpredictable drumming from Malmendier as screeching, jagged electronica enters the very unusual but highly interesting climate that spends 20 minutes mesmerizing us.

“Pua Pill” occupies the middle spot, and recruits lively percussion alongside a tense and very eccentric form of droning that’s artistic, iconoclastic, and defies any sort of easy classification.

The final track, “Kipo Kipo”, is the best, and displays furious drumming amid light buzzing and dancing electronics. Bridging a tribal spirit with a futuristic quality, at just over 4 minutes the track ends entirely too soon.

Certainly an unclassifiable listen, calling this experimental might be an understatement, as noisey bouts, creative improvising and a highly meticulous attention to detail leave the listener in awe of this exciting performance.

Travels well with: Rifo- Betel; Trojan Panda- Peau

Graham Sharp

Truer Picture

Yep Roc, 2021

8/10

Listen to Truer Picture

A singer and multi-instrumentalist who happens to be a member of the Grammy winning outfit Steep Canyon Rangers, this first solo album from Graham Sharp brings us songs all written and sung by him, and contributions from Seth Kauffman, Matt Smith and David Hartley help him flesh out stories written during and often about these pandemic times.

Sharp starts the listen with the raw folk sounds of “Truer Picture Of Me”, where Matt Smith’s pedal steel complements Seth Kauffman’s light drumming and Sharp’s deep vocals, and “Generation Blues” follows with a swift pace of playful and rhythmic blues ideas.

Entering the middle, “North Star” burns slow with a minimal quality amid a poetic approach, while “Bad Apple” recruits frisky harmonica from Sharp in the gritty Americana climate. “Deeper Family” then welcomes David Hartley on harmony vocals as the setting gets a bit dreamy with some charming bedroom pop nods.

Near the end, the bluegrass banjo picking of “Coming Back To Life” accents the retro-folk influence, and “Come Visit My Island” exits the listen with some country throwback as Sharp finishes the listen with a similar timelessness that he started it with.

Generally a very stripped back affair, Sharp’s intimacy won’t go unnoticed, as his work here parallels the greatness achieved with his full band, and largely resides in classic country and nostalgic folk territory that we will never tire of.

Travels well with: Fireside Collective- Elements; Steep Canyon Rangers- Out In The Open

Martin Scherzinger

Scherzinger Etudes

New Focus, 2021

9/10

Listen to Scherzinger Etudes

This second album on the New Focus label from the composer Martin Scherzinger spotlights the piano prowess of Bobby Mitchell, where the existing work of Brahms, Schumann, Chopin and Paganini is put through Scherzinger’s filter of creativity.

“The Horse Is Not Mine, a Hobby Horse” opens the listen with flowing keys that are both complicated and mesmerizing in their swift beauty, and this very graceful approach continues to the French Baroque style of “Verso il capo”, as well as the unpredictable and adventurous “Errata Erratica”.

In the middle, “Likembe-Liszt” dances with playfulness that also embraces calmer ebbs, while “Paganini, Piano Hero” brings both tension and warmth to a meticulous landscape. “Gigue”, one of the best selections, then rumbles with a profound technical approach that few could parallel.

At the end, “Perso, ma felice” offers a cautious and emotive landscape that’s quite stirring in its sublime nature, and “Verso il capo II” exits the listen with Mitchell and Tom Rosenkranz contributing their inimitable key skills to an ideal finish to a well crafted effort.

An ideal listen for those with an ear towards piano music, Scherzinger occasionally injects ‘Africanized’ rhythmic and motivic manipulation to these European rooted compositions that showcase an inestimable hybrid experience.

Travels well with: Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra & Reuben Blundell- American Discoveries; The City Of Tomorrow- Blow

Matthew Austin Hunt

Two

Edgewater, 2021

8/10

Listen to Two

A veteran musician whose interest in making music goes back to age 7, though marriage, parenthood and the corporate world have comprised much of his life, Matthew Austin Hunt never gave up on songwriting, and this sophomore album has him quickly making up for lost time in the area of genuine, well thought out song craft.

“Things I Find” starts the listen with warm guitars as Hunt’s equally inviting vocals guide the timeless Americana formula, and “Going Home” follows with Isaias Gill’s proficient drumming alongside breezy melodies as the cautious rocker emits much beauty.

In the middle, “Questions” trims the pace back with a more country focused approach, while “These Chains” recruits spirited guitar in a poetic climate as Derek Hames contributes strategic organ. “Change”, the album highlight, then showcases Ellen Story’s moody fiddle amid Hunt’s expressive storytelling.

Near the end, “Fun On The Bayou” benefits from Story’s backing vocals in the textured, rural climate, and “Something Going On” exits the listen in ballad territory, where Hunt’s intricate acoustic guitar complements the dreamy and heart heavy finish.

In addition to the previously mentioned, Will Van Horn brings steel guitar and Roberto Rodriguez III handles accordion on the album, and together with Hunt’s strong attention to detail they create plenty of grooves and grace that resonates with much skill and memorableness on this agile second outing.

Travels well with: Deep Rivers- Nothing Ever Happens To Me; Cody Lee- Woodpecker Crisis

Willie Nile

The Day The Earth Stood Still

River House, 2021

10/10

Listen to The Day The Earth Stood Still

A fixture of the New York City rock’n’roll scene for decades now, the veteran troubadour Wille Nile’s returns with this 14th studio album, where the desolate streets of his home during lockdown provided fodder for one of his best records to date.

The title track starts the listen with gritty guitar work as Nile’s rugged yet tuneful pipes guide the driving pace of folk rock that’s got some punk spirit, too, and “Sanctuary” follows with a punchy and anthemic delivery that’s not short on melody and embraces strategic organ and piano.

The always impressive Steve Earle is in attendance on “Blood On Your Hands”, where a thumping version of roots rock makes a big impact in a soulful sort of way, while “Expect Change” enters darker territory amid a stylish rocker that showcases playful bass work. “I Don’t Remember” then goes the other way with a calm acoustic guitar before building into a warmly textured climate.

Further down the line, “I Will Stand” offers a ballad like climate of poetic song craft, and “Way Of Heart” exits the listen with emphasis on keys alongside Nile’s wise and reflective singing that you can’t help but be drawn to.

A powerful and intimate affair, people like Springsteen, Townshend and Bono are all fans of Nile, and it’s easy to see why; the guy can write a song you won’t forget anytime soon. Here there’s 11 of them, and let’s hope that the pandemic that inspired the record can let up so he can get out and play these rock’n’roll gems live.

Travels well with: Jesse Malin- Outsiders; Dave Alvin- From An Old Guitar: Rare And Unreleased Recordings

Gintas K

The Ways

Self-Released, 2021

8/10

Listen to The Ways

A Lithuanian artist with a penchant for electronic exploration, Gintas K is well versed in experimental and electroacoustic ideas, and that’s quite evident across the 10 very creative tracks of The Ways.

“one way#1” starts the listen with no shortage of glitchy, abstract manipulation as the highly technical approach instantly draws the listener in, and “one way #2” follows with 8+ minutes of precise and unpredictable sounds that buzz, bleep and boop in frisky ways.

Elsewhere, “another way#1” embraces an unconventional form of rhythm in its unusual delivery, while “both way Longer” spends 20 minutes amazing us with its sci-fi and certainly otherworldly approach to electronica. The aptly titled “almost the end”, the record’s best, then takes on an almost meditative quality that bursts into an artistic display of fascinating, unclassifiable territory.

The final pair of tracks, “yet again” and “infinity way”, are, thankfully, more of the same, as the former flows with a futuristic videogame-esque demeanor, and the latter takes on a sonically charming execution that’s capable of swift, hypnotic moments as well as bare bouts of minimalism.

Active since 1994, and also working in the area of film and sound installations, amazingly, Gintas played and recorded this live, without any overdubs, where his computer, midi keyboard and controller make for a captivating and aesthetically distinct experience you’re not going to hear anywhere else.

Travels well with: Body/Negative- Fragments; Peter Gilbert- Burned Into The Orange

Adrian John Szozda

The Life Of Someone I Once Knew

Rockershop, 2021

8/10

Listen to The Life Of Someone I Once Knew

A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Ohio, Adrian John Szozda cultivates a very unique brand of indie-rock where folk, roots, psychedelic and blues are part of his diverse formula that takes help from Zac Dowell, Bobby May and several others.

The title track starts the listen with warm guitar as Szozda’s flowing vocals enter the timeless folk rock climate that’s quite poetic, and “Terrified Romantic” follows with playful acoustic guitar alongside a more rugged approach that benefits from Keith Roach’s proficient drumming and soothing backing vocals.

Close to the middle, “Wanderlust” emits some rasp in Szozda’s pipes as the swirling resonator guitar makes an impression, while “Barefoot In The Rain” welcomes Aaron Rutter’s well timed violin amid the breezy Americana climate. Elsewhere, “Bloodstream” makes good use of Szozda’s banjo acrobatics as both grit and melody interact superbly in the album highlight.

Approaching the end, the intricate guitar work and expressive singing of the indeed bluesy “Baby Blues” showcases tremendous skill, and the romantic and string friendly “Wedding Song” glows with an emotive quality that’s both dreamy and memorable.

A record that tells a story about love in a non-traditional sense, Szozda is also the front man of both The Blue Hook and Octoberfield Report, but let’s hope that he continues to find time for solo work, too, cause his versatile vision makes for a very inviting listen.

Travels well with: Keith Curtis- Happiness Is Hard; Jay Stott- Wreckage Of Now

Juraj Kojs

Imagine

Neuma, 2021

8/10

Listen to Imagine

A highly creative artist from Slovakia who has lived in Denmark, Virginia and now Miami, Juraj Kojs brings contemporary, traditional and experimental ideas to this precisely executed listen that welcomes several performers to his electronics and spoken word.

The three part listen starts with “Face Forward, Hawaii”, where Eric Umble’s soothing clarinet, Adam Marks’ adventurous piano and Kojs’ mesmerizing electronics unfold across experimental moments, the sounds of rain, percussive sounds, and cinematic exploration. With song titles like “Roosters”, “Rainforest Birds” and “Lava Rocks In Your Palms”, the references to the ecology of Hawaii won’t go unnoticed.

The middle track, “Under The Blanket Of Your Lullabies”, starts out like the exact opposite of what you’d expect, where dense, screeching ominous sounds emanate from Megan Arns’ percussion, Zach Sheets’ flute, Clara Kim’s violin and Wei-Han Wu’s piano. Further on, the setting turns bare with sparse percussion as much attention to atmosphere is present on “V”, while the playful, upbeat “VI” pairs flute with frisky keys. At the end of this portion, “IX” brings voices into a minimal but effective display of meticulous instrumentation.

The final track, “Where You Are”, unfolds at just under 15 minutes, and recruits spoken word, chamber, orchestral and theatrical nods in a way that seems like you’re almost listening to a play, where oboe, bass clarinet, alto sax and bassoon interact in exciting, unpredictable ways.

A listen that’s not short on imagery, both postmodern and postclassical influences are in attendance, and Kojs and his esteemed company pay much attention to pitch, time signature and timbral manipulation in the imaginative vision.

Travels well with: Pamela Z- A Secret Code; Agnese Toniutti- Subtle Matters

Pearring Sound

Socially Distanced Duos

Self-Released, 2021

8/10

Listen to Socially Distanced Duos

The alto saxophonist Jeff Pearring brings us an album entirely of duets, that, despite being distanced, emit much chemistry and strong communication as he works with 6 different musicians across 8 frisky jazz tunes.

“Twisting Pavement” leads the listen with Billy Mintz’s inviting drums as Pearring’s bright and soulful alto sax enters the rhythmic duet, and “Time In Isolation” follows with Mintz and Pearring again aligning for the gentle jazz waltz that showcases the alto sax.

At the mid point, “A Continuous Conversation Renewed” displays Ken Filiano’s precise bass plucking alongside Pearring’s adventurous brass work, while “Solar” places Cameron Brown on bass as the pair do justice to the Miles Davis original with much playfulness.

Inching towards the end, “Present Value Impact, The Gift” finds itself in ballad territory, where horns from Pearring and Daniel Carter harmonize together in unconventional ways, and “Extempore Arquitectura”, with Francisco Mela on drums, finds the adventurous duet beginning furious yet calculated, before shifting into sublime, warm and cautious towards the finish.

A very good example of just how impactful and creative a duet can be in the right hands, for fans of modern and free jazz, there won’t be a second to miss on this exciting effort.

Travels well with: Julian Gerstin- Music For The Exploration Of Elusive Phenomena; Bob Mintzer & WDR Big Band Cologne- Soundscapes

Dave Miller Trio

The Mask-erade Is Over

Summit, 2021

8/10

Listen to The Mask-erade Is Over

The pianist Dave Miller sure is prolific, and thankfully the quality of his work matches the quantity, as he offers us his version of some of his favorite standards with the help of drummer Bill Belasco and bassist Andrew Higgins.

“Anthropology” starts the listen with a quick pace of frisky drumming and lively keys that will leave you unable to sit still to its energetic pulse, and “Be Careful It’s My Heart” follows with much emotion and sophistication in the Irving Berlin tune.

Landing near the middle, “Someday I’ll Find You” offers a playful and dynamic interpretation of the Noel Coward classic, while “Yardbird Suite” shuffles with incredible interplay between the trio as they do justice to the Charlie Parker original. “In Your Own Sweet Way”, one of the listen’s best, then displays dancing keys alongside strategic bass and agile drumming.

Close to the end, the glowing “Hallucinations” glides with an infectious charm as Miller’s acrobatic keys don’t disappoint, and “Just Imagine” exits the listen in sublime balladry, where graceful piano is met with a timeless spirit- much like everything present on the record.

Miller sure knows his way around a jazz tune, and most of these are standards he hasn’t recorded before, which makes for another top notch effort in his already exceptional body of work.

Travels well with: Rebecca Dumaine And The Dave Miller Trio- Someday, Someday; Schapiro 17- Human Qualities

John R. Miller

Depreciated

Rounder, 2021

9/10

Listen to Depreciated

The debut album from the West Virginia native John R. Miller, the guitarist and singer-songwriter brings a rich set of pipes to country, folk, and even bluegrass influenced songs that suit the panhandle near the Potomac River where he grew up.

Miller starts the listen with the bouncy bass lines and warm guitar of the breezy “Lookin’ Over My Shoulder”, and the climate stays just as memorable with the strategic Wurlitzer from Robbie Crowell and fiddle bouts by Chloe Edmonstone on “Borrowed Time”.

“Coming Down” lands in the middle, and displays both grit and melody with Miller’s agile acoustic guitar flowing alongside Adam Meisterhans’ electric guitar, while “Old Dance Floor” is a rugged and tuneful rootsy rocker where John Clay’s thumping drums accent the driving pace. “Back And Forth”, one of the record’s best, then touches on more traditional country ideas, where John Looney’s mandolin makes a big impression.

Near the end, “Half Ton Van” makes good use of Russ Pahl’s moody pedal steel amid the playful Americana, and “Fire Dancer” exits the listen with a bare approach that showcases gentle electric guitar from Miller and sparing Wurlitzer to complement the poetic, rural beauty.

It’s hard to believe that this is just his first album, cause Miller delivers like a seasoned veteran on a listen that possesses no shortage of influences from names like Earle, Prine or even similar punk rock royalty from the Virginia’s, Tim Barry.

Travels well with: Steve Earle & The Dukes- Ghosts Of West Virginia; Chris Laterzo- West Coast Sound

Julian Gerstin

Music For The Exploration Of Elusive Phenomena

Zabap, 2021

8/10

Listen to Music For The Exploration Of Elusive Phenomena

The percussionist, arranger, composer and lyricist Julian Gerstin brings us a very diverse set of songs here, where he touches on the folk music of Latin and South America, afrobeat and jazz, and he’s got an all star cast of players to help him flesh out the dozen tracks.

“American History” starts the listen percussively strong, where Wanda Houston’s soulful and powerful vocals are complemented by Josh Francis’ fluid drumming and bright saxophones from Jim Heffron and Jon Weeks, and “Too Happy To Sleep” follows with plenty of trumpet from Jon Anderson, as Bob Everingham’s tenor guitar flows alongside Sara LeMieux’s wordless singing in the African influenced climate.

In the middle, “Long Journey Home” brings much intimacy thanks to Zara Bode and LeMieux’s pipes in the cultured climate, while “The Almost Happy Camel” benefits from Gerstin’s playful drumming amid Wes Brown’s agile bass and Eugene Uman’s frisky keys amid the rhythmic album highlight.

Approaching the end, Carlene Raper lends her vocals to the poetic “Ways To Hear Each Other”, where a minimal quality makes a big impression with just keys and light percussion, and “All Day Every Day” exits the listen with Gerstin on marimba and several other percussive instruments, where his inimitable talent is showcases superbly.

Even though the 19 musicians present recorded their respective parts individually during the pandemic, you’d think they’re all playing in the same room, as Gerstin’s worldly vision is illuminated in a daring and exciting effort that is certainly one of the best he’s spearheaded yet.

Travels well with: Irina Zubareva- Bridges To Rio; Nelson Riveros- The Latin Side Of Wes Montgomery

An Orchestrated Impulse

An Orchestrated Impulse

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to An Orchestrated Impulse

The new project of Matt Pond and Chris Hansen, who have collaborated on many records under Matt Pond PA, as An Orchestrated Impulse the pair are aligned with visual artist Eva Magill-Oliver as 12 paintings, 12 instrumentals and 12 keys are all explored with much care and detail.

“Chroma” starts the listen with calm keys and a light ambience that simmers in bare beauty, and “March” follows with a haunting, cinematic quality where mood is key.

An entirely vocal-less affair as intricate sound manipulation defines the listen, some faint traces of Pond’s indie-rock past are evident on “Stillness”. Mostly, though, it’s an artistic and experimental outing, as the nature-esque feeling of “Pink Waves” displays guitars and synth that are balanced profoundly, while the playful and sonically adventurous “Awosting” pushes and pulls with gorgeous instrumentation.

Though it’s a far cry from Pond’s many glorious, sing-along, indie-pop records, it’s certainly no less impactful in its meditative, calming and imaginative delivery.

Travels well with: El Ten Eleven- Transitions; The Royal Arctic Institute- Accidental Achievement