Black Rose Burning

The Wheel

Self-Released, 2021

8/10

Listen to The Wheel

The 2021 release from George Grant’s Black Rose Burning outfit, these 12 songs bring plenty of galactic post-rock ideas into energetic and exciting arrangements.

The firm drumming of the bright “An Anthem For The Strange” opens the listen with Grant’s soaring voice amid the dark yet dreamy climate, and “Black Fun Saturday” follows with Grant’s bass acrobatics adding a hint of playfulness to the flowing delivery.

Halfway through, “Antonia” flirts with goth tendencies amid the meticulous drumming via Luis Infantas’ capable hands, while “Automatic Man” approaches New Wave nods, where no lack of melody is present alongside the radiant singing.

The buzzing title track arrives near the end, and carries a hint of intimacy meshed with the post-punk tendencies, and “Solar Angels” exits with a noisy versus tuneful formula that sounds reminiscent of the ‘80s, but sure suits today’s ominous side of indie-rock, too.

If synthwave, post-punk, and goth-esque songwriting are anywhere near your interests, Black Rose Burning could be your new favorite thing.

Travels well with: Black Rose Burning- Ad Astra; Harry Stafford- Bone Architecture

Black Rose Burning

The Year Of The Scorpion

Self-Released, 2020

9/10

Listen to The Year Of The Scorpion

The New York trio of George Grant, Luis Infantas and Frank Morin, as Black Rose Burning they released these 9 tracks in 2020, and it represents their hard hitting yet cautious brand of rock that flirts with post-punk, goth, alt-rock and synth friendly sounds.

The dense synth buzzing and crisp drums of “Soul Is On Fire” gets the listen off to textured and radiant start, where smooth vocals from Grant are appreciated, and “When We Dance” follows, and is actually dance friendly thanks to the bright melodies and thumping drums from Infantas.

“Dreamtime” and “Two Coins For The Ferryman” occupy the middle spot, where the former is an intimate moment of indeed dreamy, pop influences, while the latter is both rugged and tuneful, as swirling guitars from Morin add much intrigue to the rich landscape.

Arriving near the end, “Under Twin Suns” benefits much from meticulous drumming and a warm guitar tone amid Grant’s bright singing, and “Whisper” finishes with thick bass that suits the post-punk tinted, hazy exit.

An excellent starting point, Black Rose Burning’s prog/goth/post-punk/synthwave formula is as creative as it is timeless, and this first album laid the groundwork for further greatness.

Travels well with: Black Rose Burning- The Wheel; Black Rose Burning- Ad Astra

Scott Emmerman

Spheres

Self-Released, 2023

8/10

Listen to Spheres

The multi-instrumentalist Scott Emmerman is joined by Marty Zevin and Larry Nelson for these 10 tracks that are full of jazz fusion fun.

The precise attention to atmosphere of the title track starts the listen with Emmerman’s skilled guitar alongside Zevin’s fluid drums for the atypical jazz climate, and “Roanoke” follows with Nelson’s warm keys adding much grace to the rich guitar progressions.

Landing in the middle is the thicker presence of “Return To Rogers Park”, where Emmerman’s diverse guitar prowess won’t go unnoticed, while “California Roll” is a more cautious moment of radiant guitar, playful keys and frisky drumming.

Further still, the chunky bass bouts of “Winning Time” carries some animated, cinematic ideas, and “Yearning For Your Love” exits with a cozy buzzing and no lack of grooves that suits the soulful spirit.

A listen that explores rock, swing, funk, world music and, of course, jazz, all the selections are fleshed out with much charm, as Emmerman’s 60+ years of guitar playing has certainly paid off.

Travels well with: Three Story Sandbox- Artful Dodgers; Steven Snyder Trio- Prime Vintage

Black Rose Burning

Ad Astra

Self-Released, 2023

8/10

Listen to Ad Astra

The brainchild of the multi-instrumentalist, producer and engineer George Grant, Black Rose Burning also uses Luis Infantas and Frank Morin for these 9 goth fueled tracks.

The buzzing and harmonic textures of the title track opens the listen with a thumping, post-punk flavor buried in the rock climate, and “Think Too Much” follows with Morin’s gritty guitar alongside Grant’s expressive voice and throbbing bass that touches on alt-rock ideas.

“Fight!” and “So Cold” occupy the middle spot, where the former recruits synthwave nods to the strong attention to mood, while the latter is more rooted in modern indie-rock moments of noisy melody that make great use of Infantas’ drumming.

Landing near the end, the dynamic qualities and dreaminess of “Stranger” makes this one of the album’s best, and “Per Aspera” exits darkly tuneful, where a slight droning amid the swirling musicianship won’t go unappreciated.

This is Black Rose Burning’s 3rd record, and the expanded guitars and analog help really do illuminate the punk/goth/synth/shoegaze friendly songs that resonate with intrigue.

Travels well with: Harry Stafford- Bone Architecture; CR & The Nones- The Ghosts Are Coming

Boston Modern Orchestra Project

Joan Tower Piano Concerto- Homage To Beethoven

BMOP/sound, 2023

8/10

Listen to Joan Tower Piano Concerto- Homage To Beethoven

A premiere recording from the very capable performers of the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, the pianist Marc-André Hamelin, flutist Carol Wincenc, and bassoonist Adrian Morejon are all spotlighted, where the 4 pieces here pay tribute to Joan Tower’s timeless vision.

“Piano Concerto (Homage To Beethoven)” opens the listen with André Hamelin’s meticulous keys dancing around the diverse strings from the BMOP’s very dynamic players, and “Rising” follows with Wincenc’s intimate and emotive flute complementing the busy string interaction of the often cinematic delivery.

The back half belongs to “Red Maple” and “Flute Concerto”, where the former displays Morejon’s cautious bassoon skills amid rich strings, while the latter focuses on the flute again, which helps cultivate melodic, tense and soaring moments of precise song craft.

Tower earned 3 Grammys and plenty of adoration during her esteemed career, and the BMOP certainly do justice to her craft with their innovative approach to contemporary classical sounds.

Travels well with: BMOP- Walter Piston: Concerto For Orchestra; BMOP- Samuel Barber: Medea

Michael Cohen

Aria

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to Aria

The second album of chamber sounds from the inestimable composer Michael Cohen, the duo, trio, quartet and a larger ensemble lands here and are both studio and live recordings.

The dreamy “Aria for Flute, Oboe, Cello, and Harp” starts the listen with Jennifer Gunn’s flute, Alex Klein’s oboe, Claudio Jaffe’s cello and Rita Costanzi’s harp interacting with much flowing beauty in the light and cautious landscape, and “Fantasy No. 2” follows with violins from Marti Sweet and Katherine LiVolsi and cello courtesy of Fred Zlotkin, as well as Juliet Haffner’s viola, Karen Griffen’s flute, Blair Tindall’s oboe, Charles Yassky’s clarinet and Ethan Bauch’s bassoon for the rich, fluid song craft.

In the middle, “2 Songs on Texts of Edna St. Vincent Millay” pairs Amy Burton’s stunning soprano and J.J. Penna’s intimate piano for much grace and beauty, while “Canção Pequena” is even more absorbing thanks to Rita Costanzi’s harp and Klein’s oboe, which emit gentle, dreamy textures.

The last track, “Monday Morning”, enlists the Trio Casals, i.e. Alexandr Kislitsyn (violin), Ovidiu Marinescu (cello) and Anna Kislitsyna (piano), whose dynamic interaction places the dancing keys amid frisky strings.

A confident collection of sounds with much character, the wide array of instruments and tonality sure do make an impression, where each selection is equally as great as the one before it.

Travels well with: Randy Bauer- dis/entanglements; Kenneth Thompkins- Compelling Portraits

Comateens

Danger Zone/Elizabeth’s Lover

Left For Dead, 2023

9/10

Listen to Danger Zone/Elizabeth’s Lover

The short lived outfit spearheaded by Nic ‘Nic North’ Dembling and Ramona Jan, as Comateens they began their New Wave/punk rock journey in the late ‘70s, and were pioneers of the synth-punk sound alongside Suicide and Kraftwerk.

“Danger Zone” occupies the first half of the listen, and showcases Harry Viderci’s crisp drumming alongside Jan’s melodic and scrappy guitar, where both Jan and Dembling sing with equal parts tuneful and raw deliveries.

“Elizabeth’s Lover” then spotlights Jan’s expressive voice, where Dembling’s playful bass and Lyn Byrd’s well timed synth suit the ‘60s girl group nods and no lack of New Wave melodica.

Release on a very limited 12” slab of vinyl, Comateens would go on to release 3 albums before breaking up in 1985. These 2 selections were recorded in 1979, and truly show how ahead of their time they were, and how Comateens clearly influenced legions of other bands.

Travels well with: Miirors- Motion And Picture; The Senders- All Killer No Filler

Fanya Lin

Rhapsodic

Navona, 2023

9/10

Listen to Rhapsodic

The esteemed pianist Fanya Lin brings her skilled vision to songs by George Gershwin and Sergei Rachmaninoff here, where the 2 involved pieces benefit from adaptable and powerful interpretations.

Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue” occupies the first half of the listen, as the bright winds and brass complement Lin’s dynamic keys for a very adventurous reworking of the classic that’s rich, booming and articulate.

The remainder of the listen belongs to Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43”, where the dancing keys are nothing short of fascinating, and emit so much charm and spirit and allows for subtle strings to enter the changing mood.

A complicated listen that still universally enjoyable, Lin’s precision, thoughtful and animated gestures will easily strike a chord with those who adore piano music.

Travels well with: Kenneth Thompkins- Compelling Portraits; Myroslava Khomik- Protest

Various Artists

Dashing: Sounds Of The Season Vol. 4

Navona, 2023

9/10

Listen to Dashing: Sounds Of The Season Vol. 4

A collection of solo and ensemble pieces that will remind us of much colder holidays, the Dashing series again brings us familiar and new tracks that emits much joy.

The festivities start with Daniel Powers’ “Overture - Rejoice and Be Merry”, where the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra’s lively strings flow with warmth and energy that’s quite cheerful, and “Watchman Tell Us Of The Night”, by James Shrader, follows with the Brno Contemporary Orchestra’s cautious interaction that carries a rare intimacy amid some playful percussion.

In the middle, the solo pieces of “Holiday Works” allows Gerry Bryant’s meticulous piano to captivate us across rare selections as well as the favorite, “Jingle Bells”, while Kim Diehnelt’s “Bell Carol Fantasy” recruits the Janáčkova Filharmonie Ostrava for a particularly moving and pensive delivery of rich strings.

Arriving near the end, the many voices of The Kühn Choir of Prague populate the harmonic setting of “A Child This Day is Born”, and David Peoples’ “Variations on a Winter Theme II” finishes with Emily Howard’s violin mesmerizing us with its specific mood and emotion.

A record that can be enjoyed any time of the year, the diversity and range of tonality present is very much appreciated.

Travels well with: Dashing Vol. 2; Dashing Vol. 3

Giovanni Piacentini

Orígenes

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to Orígenes

The guitarist and composer Giovanni Piacentini meshes American and European culture across these many tracks that tip their hat to these legendary guitar composers.

“Chôros No. 1”, by Heitor Villa-Lobos, opens the listen with fluid, Spanish influenced patterns that emit much beauty and culture, and it isn’t long until Antonio Lauro’s “4 Valses venezolanos: No. 3” unfolds with strong attention to melody via the complicated progressions.

In the middle, “New Allemande”, an original, is packed with radiant and rich techniques that are a bit dreamy, while “Scherzino mexicano (Version for Guitar)” carries a breezy demeanor that’s heartfelt and warm in the Manuel M. Ponce piece.

Arriving near the end, “Verano porteño” is full of sublime intimacy thanks to the stirring guitar playing, and “The Nomad” exits the listen with frisky and exciting waves of colorful song craft- much of what embodies all of Piacentini’s other originals, too.

An excellent solo, instrumental body of work, Piacentini’s guitar playing is meticulous, inviting and memorable from beginning to end.

Travels well with: Sophie Dupuis- Comme Bon Lui Semble; Joanna Estelle- Transmutation

Various Artists

Joe’s Tango

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to Joe’s Tango

The work of Chick Corea, Hugh Montenegro and Jorge Machain are fleshed out by the UNLV Wind Orchestra, Joseph Alessi and Boston Brass for this classical, rhythmic and rich body of work.

Montenegro’s “Fanfare For The New” opens the listen with the UNLV Wind Orchestra’s booming presence making for giant swells of winds, brass and drumming that’s highly animated, and Corea’s “Concerto For Trombone” follows with Alessia’s adaptable and soulful trombone leading us through 4 chapters of precise, sometimes intimate, other times frisky instrumentation.

The last two pieces belong to Machain, where the dreamy and radiant “Her Name Is Nessa” unfolds with much beauty and charm, while “Five Cities” recruits the Boston Brass quintet, i.e. José Sibaja, and Jeff Conner’s trumpet, Chris Castellanos’ horn, Domingo Pagliuca’s trombone and William Russell’s tuba for the powerful, exciting song craft that’s cautious yet exploratory.

An exciting and textured display of 21st century work, Corea’s selection is a world premiere, and the others are equally well executed and timeless.

Travels well with: Our Stories; Vincent Ho- Sandman’s Castle

Various Artists

Our Stories

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to Our Stories

A listen that showcases the talents of the cellist Thomas Mesa and pianist Michelle Cann, Our Stories highlights composers who are underexposed in the area of classical music.

Andrea Casarrubios’ “Silbo for Cello and Piano” begins the listen with the strings and keys interacting with both energy and intimacy, where the pair illustrate a strong emotive chemistry, and “Nerv! Toccata for Cello and Piano” has the piano quivering amid the precisely plucked cello that carries an animated demeanor in the Sebastian Quesada piece.

Kevin Day’s “Cello Sonata” lands in the middle, and unfolds across 3 chapters of upbeat and rich playing, as well as calm, sublime beauty that’s highly melodic, while “Tres Campanas de Rere (Three Bells from Rere)”, by Mario Oyanadel, shows much restraint between the duo, as poetic keys and stirring strings meet at a very thoughtful and intimate moment.

The final selection, Carlos Carrillo’s “Will the Quiet Times Come”, then exits with a heartfelt and poetic meshing of twinkling keys and mature cello playing.

Thematically, the topics of human connection, fear from the media and the unwavering change and loss we all experience are touched upon, and it’s all delivered with care and unparalleled skill.

Travels well with: David Harris- You Loved Me Then; Laurence Sherr- Fugitive Footsteps

Princess Thailand

Golden Frames

A Tant Rever Du Roi, 2023

9/10

Listen to Golden Frames

The French rockers Princess Thailand return with a 3rd album of their atypical and noisy version of rock, where 10 tracks are focused on aesthetics and sonically engaging sounds.

The bright and booming presence of “Blinded Fool” opens the listen with thumping drums and expressive voices in a buzzing, noisy climate, and “Ghost Car” follows with a post-punk energy that could still soundtrack a night at the club, despite residing in darker areas.

“Machina” is the middle track, and it brings both intimacy and busy ideas to the rich and propulsive landscape, while “Basement” carries a distinct prettiness buried under the swirling guitars and strong attention to atmosphere that even hints at dream-pop.

The last 2 tracks, “Endgame” and “Imperator”, don’t disappoint, as the former finds itself in droning, mesmerizing territory, and the latter recruits sci-fi nods and bare singing amid the cinematic ebbs of minimalism that bursts into a giant, emotive blast at the end.

An often hard hitting record that still embraces plenty of gentle qualities, the no-wave ideas certainly add even more intrigue to the affair, and the synthetic textures versus dense guitars don’t hurt either, as Princess Thailand continue to captivate us.

Travels well with: You.guru- UNtouchable; Orbel- Lur Hezea

Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio

Jet Black

Libra, 2024

8/10

Listen to Jet Black

The pianist and composer Satoko Fujii is aligned with Takashi Sugawa and Ittetsu Takemura for these unique jazz tunes that embrace improvised techniques across 6 tracks.

The dancing keys and rumbling spirit of “Along The Way” starts the listen with strong attention to space, where Takemura’s drumming almost seems robotic in its delivery, and “Gentle Slope” follows with Sugawa’s playfully plucked bass alongside the firm key acrobatics.

“Sky Reflection” and “From Sometime” reside in the middle, where the former uses minimalism like a refined art via the bare and warm sounds, while “From Sometime” takes that lead into melodic areas of flowing piano and frisky drumming.

The title track exits the listen, and it comes with a distinct dreaminess that wraps the mature keys around atmosphere and mystery.

A creative, thoughtful and articulate version of free jazz exploration, Fujii and company make for a colorful and textured listen that welcomes odd meters and intense bouts of energy that are quite striking.

Travels well with: Susan Alcorn- Canto; Sara Serpa and André Matos- Night Birds

Cheval De Frise

Fresques Sur Les Parois Secretes Du Crane

Cmptrstdnts, 2023

8/10

Listen to Fresques Sur Les Parois Secretes Du Crane

A French duo whose inception goes back to the late ‘90s, Vincent Beysselance (drums) and Thomas Bonvalet (electro-acoustic guitar) make up Cheval De Frise, and this debut album from 20+ years ago lives again in an expanded form.

“Lucarne des combles” begins the listen with firm acoustic guitar and agile drumming making for warm versus busy gestures, and “Bora Lustrai” follows with very swift dynamics that mesh the flowing guitar alongside acrobatic drumming.

Occupying the middle spot is the firm and soft ideas of “Songe de perte de dents”, where a bit of rumbling enters the reflective mood, while “Fresques sur les parois secrètes du crâne” carries no lack of melody amid the precise instrumentation that benefits much from the crisp drums.

The final tracks, “IX” and “Chiendent”, are just as exciting, as the former is a complex and artistic representation of Bonvalet’s skill that exhibits a rare dreaminess that swirls with charm, and the latter is quite mesmerizing and a fitting closer.

A somewhat hidden treasure in the area of mathy, somewhat prog inspired rock, Fresques Sur Les Parois Secretes Du Crane sure has aged well, and is available on LP and cassette for the first time.

Travels well with: Rifo- Betel; Gilles Poizat- Champignon Flamme

mokroïé

Moving Forward

Self-Released, 2023

9/10

Listen to Moving Forward

A Paris outfit with a penchant for eclectic ideas, mokroïé bring trip-hop, pop and electronic ideas to these very unique 6 tracks.

The instrumental title track opens the listen with a fluid beat and no lack of atmosphere entering thanks to the buzzing synth and thick bass throbbing, and “Forest Of Uncertainty” follows with a more rock focused moment that welcomes mysterious spoken word amid the electronic nods.

The middle track belongs to “To The Heroes”, where plenty of melodies and cinematic qualities enter the rich and meticulous climate, while the dense “More” features M.A. Jouveaux (Trank) comes with a post-punk meets industrial delivery that welcomes powerful, soulful vocals.

The final 2 tracks are instrumental versions of “Forest Of Uncertainty” and “More”, where dreamy bouts surround the sci-bursts, darker hints and overall stylish, synthetic exploration.

An EP that flirts with soul, jazz and even Afrobeat, this is raw, poetic and pop friendly in iconoclastic ways, and there just isn’t a moment here that’s not exciting and unconventional.

Travels well with: Parquet- Sparkles & Mud; Taughtme- Laugh On Me

Ribozyme

Celestial Low

Apollon, 2023

10/10

Listen to Celestial Low

The hard rock Norway outfit Ribozyme return with an 8th album, where 8 tracks unfold with energy and precision thanks to Cato Olaisen, Bard Kristinson, Kjartan Ericson and Thomas Lonnheim.

The thick guitars of the melodic and bright “Newly Defeated” opens the listen with a punchy and radiant delivery, and “Bloodwords” follows with a swirling, nearly post-hardcore approach that reminds us of Jimmy Eat World on steroids, as it unfolds with power and melody.

The middle track, “Order” carries a hint of dreaminess, where Olaisen’s charged drums and Kristinson’s glowing bass are meticulous, while the title track buzzes with some traces of prog-rock embedded into the soaring, anthem album highlight.

“Biggest Upset” and “Square” exit the listen, as the former is nearly is dance floor ready, albeit in an alt-rock sort of way, and the latter leads with warm ambience before segueing into dynamic, thumping and ferocious yet harmonic territory.

A listen with as much radio appeal as, say, Foo Fighters or Placebo, if your interests surround anything near modern rock, alt-rock or hard rock, Ribozyme will be right up your alley.

Travels well with: Spirit Tomb- Spiritus Lacrimarum: Dolorem in Lacrimas Efundere; Strange Horizon- Skur 14

Hannah Marks

Outsider, Outlier

Out Of Your Head, 2023

10/10

Listen to Outsider, Outlier

A bassist, composer and educator who resides in New York City, Hannah Marks brings some punk, noise and free improvisation spirit to these powerful 10 tracks that are highly imaginative.

“(I Wanna B Ur) 90s Dreamgirl” opens the listen with inviting bass work and pretty singing thanks to Sarah Rossy, where plenty of wordplay about ‘90s rock welcomes thumping drums from Connor Parks and post-punk ideas, and “Graduation” follows with Lex Korten’s warm piano and Nathan Reising’s animated alto-sax making for a jazzy-punk hybrid.

In the middle, the rumbling and tense “Fairytale” showcases Marks’ incredible bass prowess amid the striking vocal acrobatics via the shrieking, furious landscape, while “No Way Out” is a more intimate moment, initially, that builds into a distinct droning that’s richly textured and busy in an oddly harmonic fashion.

Close to the end, “I’ll Ask Anyway” touches on folk-rock nods and benefits from Lee Meadvin’s cozy guitar playing, and “Jessie’s Lullaby” exits with tremendous beauty and poetic singing that tugs on the heartstrings.

An artist who can remind us of Sonic Youth, Tori Amos and Ornette Coleman- often all in one song- Marks’ formula is raw, sincere, and emotionally aware, and it’s about the best jazz-rock you’ll hear anywhere.

Travels well with: Marc Ducret- Palm Sweat: Marc Ducret Plays The Music Of Tim Berne; Jessica Pavone- Clamor

A Flying Fish

El Pez Que Voló- Act I

Apollon, 2023

8/10

Listen to El Pez Que Voló- Act I

The Fish Who Flew, i.e. El Pez Quo Voló, is on a journey to unearth the divine gem buried within, and this musical path introduces Teezuck, the strange son of a bird and a fish who resides in the darkests corners of the ocean.

“Obertoora” opens the listen with graceful keys and haunting ideas that set the tone for the storytelling and group vocals, and “Genezees” follows with 9+ minutes of mystery, warmth and powerful singing that carries much dreaminess.

Deeper into the story, “Twin Snails” is wrapped in a hushed intimacy of soft drumming and gentle vocals, while “Holy Fruit” gets a bit spacey, experimental and entirely avant-garde in its unconventional delivery.

The last 2 tracks, “Mama, Papa!” and “Destiny Calls”, are equally interesting, where the former displays marching band style drumming and orchestral strings, and the latter welcomes some of the prettiest singing amid stylish beats that builds into a symphonic and giant finish.

A meticulous and captivating project, similarities to Danny Elfman and Devin Townsend won’t be hard to spot or appreciate here, and the East versus West dynamics are also quite exciting.

Travels well with: Ocean Of Lotion- LouiLouiLoui; Heatwaves- Kappa

Paolo Spaccamonti

Volume Quattro

Escape From Today/Dunque

8/10

Listen to Volume Quattro

A Turin based guitarist and composer, Paolo Spaccamonti’s 4th solo album again proves why he’s one of the most revered artists in Italian’s thriving avant-garde scene.

After the mysterious and meticulous sounds of the opener “Cuocere verdure e fare il brodo con le ossa”, “Ablazioni” follows with an experimental edge to its post-punk and ominous tone where hip-hop beats are in attendance and used stragetically.

Moving along, “Nessun codardo tranne voi” recruits some spacey like dirge with plenty of moments of thick exploration, while track “Un gelido inverno” trims the pace back to a cinematic, almost New Age-ish soothing quality.

Near the end, the fuzzy “Fumo negli occhi” seems like it could soundtrack a space launch in another dimension, and “Luce”, the longest track at over 7 minutes, pushes and pulls with warm tension and gorgeous texturing. “Diagonal” ends the listen dramatic and droning, effectively putting the exclamation point on this highly unique record.

Amazingly, all sounds on this album were made with a guitar (other than the beats), as Spaccamonti manipulates his instrument in ways that no one else could even come close to.

Travels well with: Stefano Pilia- Dust & Mirrors; Julia Kent- Green And Grey