Daniil Trifonov

My American Story: North

Deutsche Grammophon, 2024

9/10

Listen to My American Story: North

The revered pianist Daniil Trifonov brings us on a journey across the Americas, where a reflective mood is soundtracked by jazz, swing and minimal ideas.

The animated and unpredictable “I Cover The Waterfront” starts the listen with Trifonov’s dancing keys instilling wonder and awe, and Gershwin’s “Concerto In F” follows with The Philadephia Orchestra’s booming drums and flowing winds matching the agile keys.

Further into Disc 1, John Adams’ “China Gates” swirls with beauty and warmth, while Disc 2 leads with John Corigliano’s “Fantasia On An Ostinato”, where a minimal approach is met with dreaminess and wonder via Trifonov’s capable hands.

Deeper into the album, “American Beauty”, by Thomas Newman, spends nearly 4 minutes mesmerizing us with its strategic minimalism and droning, and John Cage’s “4’33” exits with a field recording of life in America thanks to the background sounds and light atmosphere.

Trifonov has spent almost half his existence in America, and the selections here reflect his vast experiences in the both busy and sparse sounds. The South version of this concept is due soon, and will undoubtedly be compelling and eclectic, too.

Travels well with: Daniil Trifonov- My American Story: North; Sharon Isbin- Live In Aspen

Aron Rozsa

Golden Thread: The Art Of The Piano Transcription

Acis, 2024

9/10

Listen to Golden Thread: The Art Of The Piano Transcription

The skilled pianist Aron Rozsa makes for a emotive and dynamic performance, where the 5 colorful selections are fleshed out meticulously.

“Amarilli di Julio Romano”, by Giulio Caccini, begins the affair with dancing keys that illustrate both friskiness and warmth, and George Frideric Handel’s “Almira, HWV 1” follows with a cautious mood that explores firm key techniques that, across the back half, also emit melodic gestures.

Closer to the middle, “Prelude and Fugue in D minor, BuxWV 140” showcases much dynamic playing via the lush and colorful keys of the Dieterich Buxtehude selection, while “No. 7a, Durch Adams Fall, BV B 27 (After J.S. Bach’s BWV 637)” unfolds across 2 chapters of exploration and intimacy.

The final piece, “Fantasy and Fugue on the Chorale “Ad nos, ad salutarem undam”, by Giacomo Meyerbeer, then presents 3 segments of dense techniques, waves of bareness and quick, detailed finger acrobatics.

An often intense delivery that can also retreat to sensitive bouts, Rozsa’s debut makes for an artistic and commanding display of his inimitable abilities.

Travels well with: Jeremy Beck- Requiem; Shawn Crouch- Chaos Theory

Dwight + Nicole

The Jaguar, The Raven, & The Snake

Self-Released, 2024

9/10

Listen to The Jaguar, The Raven, And The Snake

Originally released in 2023, this deluxe version of the Vermont duo Dwight + Nicole’s The Jaguar, The Raven, & The Snake recruits a bonus track to accompany the Americana/indie soul/roots sound.

The warm spirit of “The Next Go-Around” starts the listen with hand clapping and spirited electric guitar amid Nicole’s soulful pipes, and “All For You” follows with Dwight’s smooth pipes guiding the intimacy and grace.

Deeper into the listen, the rhythmic and lush “Angel” benefits from crisp drumming and Nicole’s stirring voice that emits a gospel mood, while “Into The Shadows” carries a light buzzing and glowing ambience of beauty.

“Lift” exits the original disc with bright horns and a dynamic rhythm section that illustrates another avenue the duo excel at, and the bonus track, “Saying Goodbye”, recruits R&B nods, some funky gestures and a soulfulness that’s powerful, frisky and timeless.

Ezra Oklan plays drums and Leon Campos handles keyboards here, and together they illuminate Dwight and Nicole’s inimitable talents across 12 songs full of chemistry, maturity and playfulness.

Travels well with: Rachel McIntyre Smith- Honeysuckle Friend; Kylie Fox- Sequoia

Eric Bibb

Live At The Scala Theatre Stockholm

Repute, 2024

9/10

Listen to Live At The Scala Theatre Stockholm

The 3 time Grammy Nominee Eric Bibb fleshed these tracks out in 2022, and it illustrates his inimitable approach to blues and folk with an excellent backing band.

The set starts with “Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad”, where Bibb’s intricate acoustic guitar and soulful voice is met with Greger Andersson’s warm harmonica Glen Scott’s bouncy bass, and “Silver Spoon” follows with Johan Lindstrom’s pedal steel guitar and Esbjorn Hazelius’ playful fiddle adding much to the rhythmic delivery.

At the halfway point, “Things Is ‘Bout Comin’ My Way” places on Christer Lyssarides on mandola amid Bibb’s intimate pipes and cozy guitar, while “Rosewood”, the best tune present, benefits from Christopher Ohman’s viola and Josef Ahlin’s cello and violins from Hanna Helgegren and Sarah Cross that help make for a graceful and dreamy mood.

Landing close to the end, “500 Miles” is a very cautious take on a classic with Olle Linder on drums and sublime fiddle, and “Mole In The Ground” exits with many backing vocals and piano thanks to Scott that emits much beauty and timelessness.

A sublime performance of folk and blues sounds, Bibb sings from the heart and the all star cast on hand complement his always uplifting, enlightening and relatable song craft.

Travels well with: Eric Bibb- In The Real World; Eric Bibb- Ridin’

Kelly Willis

What I Deserve (25th Anniversary Edition)

Omnivore, 2024

10/10

Listen to What I Deserve (25th Anniversary Edition)

Originally released in 1999, this Anniversary Edition of Kelly Willis’ 4th studio album includes previously unreleased bonus tracks of her inimitable country sounds.

The warm country rock of “Take Me Down” gets the listen off to a pretty start, where Willis’ distinct voice is met with scrappy drumming from Larry Aberman, and “What I Deserve” follows with an intimate mood of poetic and harmonic songwriting that benefits from Michael Been’s bass lines.

Further along, “Not Forgotten You” makes great use of fluid acoustic guitar, Amy Noelle Farris’ mandolin and emotive singing with strong imagery, while “Time Has Told Me” is a bare moment of beauty that tugs on the heartstrings with much grace amid Michael Ramos’ keys and Lloyd Maines’ pedal steel guitar.

The original album exits with “Not Long For This World”, where Willis draws us in with her superb singing amid Mark Spencer’s dreamy guitar, and the live bonus tracks from November 14, 1999 on Mountain Stage include 5 tracks from the LP that are fleshed out meticulously and memorably.

What I Deserve is Willis’ highest charting record to date, and the originals with Gary Louris and tunes by Paul Kelly, Paul Westerberg, Nick Drake, and Dan Penn makes this a must in the area of Americana and alt-country sounds.

Travels well with: Joe Ely- Driven To Drive; Brennen Leigh- Prairie Love Letter

John Luther Adams

An Atlas Of Deep Time

Cantaloupe, 2024

9/10

Listen to An Atlas Of Deep Time

An effort commissioned and recorded with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and guided by the vision of music Director Delta David Gier, John Luther Adams’ involved work surrounds the geological time with a formal structure that is modeled on the topography of western North America.

The lone track offers a nearly 42 minute piece that rumbles deeply with mystery before the layered strings, winds and horn meet at a place of density and tension for the waves of cinematic ideas. Closer to the end, the strong percussive elements enter, and it ultimately exits with a distinct richness amid striking tonality.

An effort rooted in the desire surrounding the struggle of human affairs to grasp the totality of the earth, there’s certainly a topographic element to this turbulent and fascinating body of work.

Travels well with: Toomai String Quartet- Passos Brasileiros; Pathos Trio- Polarity

Ēriks Ešenvalds/Rachel Laurin

Mass Of The Eternal Flame

Acis, 2024

9/10

Listen to Mass Of The Eternal Flame

The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Houston and conductor Robert Simpson illuminate the works of Eriks Ešenvalds and Rachel Laurin with unparalleled attention to detail.

“Kyrie” opens the 12 tracks with strong attention to mood, where the soaring voices and radiant instrumentation emits much beauty, and “Gloria” follows with the elegant organ complementing the powerful harmonies that are quite intimate.

Moving into the middle, “Lux Aeterna” finds a dreamy place to reside via the stirring instrumentation and ethereal singing, while “The Heavens’ Flock” pairs the sopranos and baritones with incredible grace.

Near the end, “Dedisti Domine, Op. 85” is a heartfelt moment of light organ and gentle vocals, and “Diptych (Diptyquie) Op. 107” exits with 2 segments of meticulous keys and lower registers.

Thomas Marvil and Daryl Robinson provide organ and the Paragon Brass, Craig Hauschildt’s percussion and Laura Smith’s harp are also in attendance for these choir fueled, timeless and colorful selections.

Travels well with: Michael Kris/The Kris Collective- Cor Collaborandi: A Transitional Celebration Of The Early Modern; Rami Levin- Wings

Hannah Gill

Spooky Jazz Vol. 2

Turtle Bay, 2024

8/10

Listen to Spooky Jazz Vol. 2

The esteemed vocalist Hannah Gill returns with a theme of autumn music, where 11 eerie songs welcome many esteemed players.

“I’d Rather Be Burned As A Witch” begins the album with haunting ambience, as spoken word leads into nostalgic fun thanks to Ricky Alexander’s upbeat clarinet and Ben Zweig’s frisky drums, and “My Man’s An Undertaker” follows with Gordon Webster’s playful piano and Mike Davis’ lively trumpet adding much to Gill’s fluid voice.

Closer to the middle, “Hummin’ To Myself” is a calmer moment that benefits from Philip Ambuel’s precise bass and, of course, Gill’s distinct pipes, while “Oogie Boogie’s Song” mixes talking, singing and howling with Justin Poindexter’s well timed guitar.

“That Old Black Magic” resides near the end, and is a rhythmic, stylish album highlight that’s dance floor ready, and “Shine On Harvest Moon” exits with harmonic singing, bass plucking and radiant guitar that’s complemented by the lush clarinet.

The sequel to a digital EP that began during the pandemic, the humor, ambience and no lack of grooves makes this retro affair an enjoyable listen all year round.

Travels well with: Hannah Gill- Everyone Loves A Lover; Cathy Segal-Garcia- Social Anthems Volume 2

Julian Taylor

Pathways

Howling Turtle, 2024

9/10

Listen to Pathways

The Canadian singer-songwriter Julian Taylor brings us 8 new tracks of his timeless version of Americana, where the wordplay is just as well thought out as the musicianship.

“Weighing Down” opens the listen with much intimacy, where the soulful singing is met with warm guitar and strong attention to mood, and “Love Letters” follows with a folk friendly appeal of vivid storytelling.

At the halfway point, “Pathways” welcomes Allison Russell’s gorgeous voice to the soft drums and dreamy guitar, while “Running Away” is a frisky, blues fueled moment that’s destined for the dance floor via its infectious energy.

“Ain’t Life Strange” and “Into The Waves” exit the listen. The former is a stylish and mysterious album highlight that spotlights meticulous guitar amid a late night feeling, and the latter finishes with a poetic, bare delivery of sublime beauty.

Taylor sums up this album in 3 words: righteousness, acceptance and enlightenment. Even though the songs often surround burdens, the mood is soothing, wise and optimistic about life’s path and it certainly does further support why Taylor’s seen multiple Juno Award nominations.

Travels well with: Mike Evin- Something Stirs When You Sing; Ian North- Everything Is Incomplete

Various Artists

Home For The Holidays

New Folk, 2024

8/10

Listen to Home For The Holidays

An assembly of 20 Christmas focused songs that are both traditionals and originals, some of the best guitarists in the world are present here and help make for a global effort.

Doug Smith’s “Conventry Carol” begins the listen with much warmth from the intricate acoustic guitar, and it isn’t long until Steve Orchard’s “Lake House In Winter” recruits mature keys for the reflective mood.

Moving closer to the middle, Denny Jiosa puts a unique spin on “Silent Night” that you won’t soon forget, while PK Mayo’s “Joy To The World” radiates beauty and dreaminess via the meticulous guitar playing.

Deeper still, “Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella” showcases Alex DeGrassi’s inimitable vision with incredible fingerstyle techniques, and “O Holy Night” exits with glorious strings to complement Doyle Dykes’ heartfelt guitar prowess.

An effort that highlights 3 Grammy Award winners, 5 Grammy Nominees and 12 different guitar playing awards, the familiar songs sure do sound great in these interpretations, and the originals leave an indelible impression, too.

Travels well with: That’s Why We Stand; Nolen Sellwood- Cadence To The Flame

Frise Lumière

Ambo

Tapenade, 2024

8/10

Listen to Ambo

The moniker of the artist, musician and composer Ludovic Gerst, as Frise Lumière he produces rhythmic, harmonic and percussive melodies across these 9 tracks.

“L’Écume Des Mots” begins the listen with a minimal approach of distinct bass manipulation that builds into complicated patterns, and “Jeziorko” follows with a light ambience that emits floating melodies and warmth.

Deeper into the listen, “Le Cri Du Vent” is drum focused and cinematic via the frisky approach, while “P_oema” offers a meticulous moment of jazz fueled ideas that are quite intriguing.

Landing near the end, “Suor Luminoso” strums firm amid harmonic nods, and “Riviére” exits with bare beauty and strong attention to atmosphere.

An experimental outing that embraces broomsticks, mallets and drumsticks, Gerst blends rawness, noise and voiceless chanting into a truly atypical experience.

Travels well with: Double Deuce- Warm Ham In A Foreign Home; Alan Regardin- Ritual Tones

Brandon Seabrook

Object Of Unknown Function

Pyroclastic Records, 2024

9/10

Listen to Object Of Unknown Function

The guitarist, banjoist and composer Brandon Seabrook fleshes out a highly iconoclastic listen, where layers of vintage instruments and cassette recordings make for a bizarre jazz-noise hybrid.

The title track begins with hypnotic banjo playing that’s hypnotic, cinematic and even jarring, and “Melodic Incidents For An Irrational World” follows with a quivering approach of hazy manipulation that unfolds with a sci-fi quality.

Further along, the rumbling and spirited “Perverted By Perseverance” comes with a distinct rhythm, while “Historical Importance Of Eccentricity” spotlights Seabrook’s hypnotic guitar playing amid a charming dreaminess.

Deeper still, the meticulous “Gondola Freak” is a melodic album highlight that swirls with imagination, and “The Snow Falling, Falling” exits with a chilling mood via the eloquent and mysterious instrumentation.

A highly curious effort that blends jazz, metal, classical, folk, and punk, Seabrook’s talents are varied and timeless for this really engaging body of work.

Travels well with: Patricia Brennan Septet- Breaking Stretch; Ches Smith- Laugh Ash

Bear Of Bombay

PsychoDreamElectroGaze

Waddafuzz/Shoredive/No Me Escucho, 2024

9/10

Listen to PsychoDreamElectroGaze

The solo project of Lorenzo Parisini, as Bear Of Bombay the multi-instrumentalist lands somewhere around dream-pop, electronica, New Wave and psychedelia across these 9 distinct songs.

“Tears From Space” starts the fun with dense buzzing and frisky percussive sounds, where the animated synth welcomes Clustersun for waves of New Wave nods, and “Movin’ On” follows with a charming, electronica fueled moment you could and should dance to that emits smooth vocals.

Halfway through, The Mystic Morning is present on “A New Wonder”, where soft melodies float amid the beats, while “Close Your Eyes” comes with an ethereal backdrop to suit the punchy electronics and intimate singing.

“The Castles” and “Be Your Blood” exit the listen. The former is a punchy and atmospheric album highlight, and the latter is more reserved, emotive and finishes on a creative and memorable vision.

It won’t be hard to spot Krautrock, synthpop and post-punk influences here, as Bear Of Bombay turns in a nostalgic yet modern approach of colorful melodica.

Travels well with: Mr. Diagonal- Join The Dots; La Cozna- Ni Nuit Ni Jour

David Friesen

A Light Shining Through

Origin, 2024

8/10

Listen to A Light Shining Through

The multi-instrumentalist David Friesen is joined by some excellent players for nods to the ‘70s thanks to these 16 organic and emotive songs.

“Little Ella Bella” starts the listen with Friesen’s hemage bass alongside Joe Manis’ tenor sax and Alex Fantaev’s percussion for the uniquely rhythmic opener, and “Time Through Light” follows with Friesen handling percussion alongside the sax from Manis that emits much warmth.

Further along, “Blue And Red” benefits from Friesen’s bright keys amid the playful sax, while “Staircase” allows for the soulful sax and playfully plucked bass to shine next to the violins and viola thanks to the Kyiv Mozart String Quartet.

Much deeper, “Festival” lets the bass buzz and percussion mesmerize in a bare climate, and “Forgiveness” exits with Manis lending clarinet to the intimate keys from Friesen that makes for exceptional beauty.

An effort of charming vignettes that touches on ancestral discoveries, the origin of this album goes back to Friesen’s visit to his mother’s home of Ukraine, and it yields a record of spirituality, hope and purpose.

Travels well with: Andy Wheelock- Whee3trio: In The Wheelhouse; Jason Keiser- Kind Of Kenny

Kevin Sun

Quartets

Endectomorph, 2024

9/10

Listen to Quartets

A double album that recruits two quartets, Kevin Sun has been showcasing his saxophone prowess in the New York scene and we’re treated to plenty of modern jazz here.

“Dance Notation” starts the listen with Sun’s bright sax alongside Matt Honor’s thumping drums and Dana Saul’s firm piano, and it isn’t long until “Shadows Over The Sea” finds itself in balladry thanks to lovely keys and dreamy sax.

Close to the end of disc 1, “Storied History” finds itself lively and dynamic thanks to Walter Stinson’s meticulous bass and Sun’s playful wind, and “Heideggerdashian” opens disc 2 with quick, unpredictable sax amid Christian Li’s mesmerizing piano.

Further into the back half, “That Lights A Star” allows for Kayvon Gordon’s agile drumming to complement the animated sax, and “Kierkegaardashian” exits with Stinson’s plucked bass and Li’s dancing keys suiting the colorful sax playing.

An accomplished effort that draws inspiration from video game music, electronic pop and mid-century auteur cinema, the rhythms, textures and atypical vision will impress fans of any era of jazz sounds.

Travels well with: Sakoto Fujii Quartet- Dog Days Of Summer; Patricia Brennan Septet- Breaking Stretch

Adam Mirza

Partial Knowledge

New Focus, 2024

9/10

Listen to Partial Knowledge

The first solo portrait album from the composer Adam Mirza, the 7 selections were penned between 2006 and 2022 and welcome some well known names in the area of chamber sounds.

“Reading: (A Mish-Mash) For A Man/I Will Never” begins with loadbang’s inimitable sounds that recruit eccentric winds, horns and voices to a collage of noise, and “Triangles” follows with Alice Teyssier’s flute, Josh Modney’s violin and Cory Smythe’s piano interacting with tense bouts of cinematic and unpredictable gestures.

“Growth” and “QXTR” arrive in the middle. The former is fueled by the Unheard-of//Ensemble and meshes genres with a bit of a haunting quality, while the latter spotlights the Mivos Quartet’s quivering strings amid a blurry sci-fi execution.

Deeper into the creativity, “Shared” allows for the Amorsima Trio’s minimal bouts of atypical and intriguing songwriting, and Olivia De Prato’s violin soundtracks “Time Patterns”, which ends with string acrobatics that few others could replicate.

A highly curious blend of unsynchronized parts, live electronics and spoken text, every moment is artistic, unclassifiable and exciting in its modern chamber presence.

Travels well with: David Fulmer- Immaculate sigh of stars; Arthur Levering- OceanRiverLake

Amanda McBroom

Wintersong

Gecko, 2024

9/10

Listen to Wintersong

Although you may not recognize the name Amanda McBroom, we’ve all heard her work as she penned the Bette Midler hit “The Rose”, and here we’re treated to 12 standards and originals that are holiday focused.

The mature keys of “All About Love” opens the listen, where McBroom’s flawless pipes guide the romantic spirit of the timeless jazz, and “The First Snow Of The Year” follows with the dreamy piano amid expressive singing that matches the sublime intimacy.

Landing in the middle, “Maybe This Christmas” emits much emotion, glorious strings and playful drumming, while “A Star Stood Still” is percussively strong, where vivid storytelling tugs on the heartstrings.

Closer to the end, “Shine Down Love” makes great use of fluid vocal harmonies amid the lush climate, and “A Happy New Year” exits with cozy guitar, agile drumming and the gorgeous singing we’ve come to expect from the songstress.

There’s a good reason why McBroom is often considered the greatest cabaret singer/songwriter of this generation, and these timeless songs can and will certainly be enjoyed all year round.

Travels well with: Lisa Lambe- Juniper; Jess Jocoy- Such A Long Way

En Esch

Dance Hall Putsch

Give/Take, 2024

9/10

Listen to Dance Hall Putsch

The German industrial artist En Esch returns with his first album in 8 years, where a politically charged affair unfolds with a penchant or electronic and alternative forms of music.

The bright “Get Lost” starts the listen with rapid fire drumming and thick guitars, as Vas Kallas lends her ominous vocals, and “I’m So Sick” follows with Mea Fisher’s animated electronica that makes for a beat driven and buzzing climate.

Deeper into the 12 tracks, “Eden” features Gabriel Lennox’s inimitable vocals for the melodic versus biting delivery, while “Wumms” recruits Raymond Watts via the spacey and ambient album highlight that manipulates sound with intrigue.

Landing deeper on the back half, “Yum Yum Beauty & The Nasty Thief” is tailor made for a late night club with its infectious energy and Guenter Schulz’s swirling guitar, and “World Of Deceit” exits with a lush, even pretty version of dance-rock that’s graceful and intimate.

Many will know Esch from his work in the legendary outfits KMFDM and PIG, among many others, and these collaborations with many of his ex-band members and players in outfits like Lords of Acid and Hanzel und Gretyl will leave fans of anything industrial related in awe.

Travels well with: Lovataraxx- Sophomore; TYTO- Mirai

Bill Moio

Try This

Iti, 2025

8/10

Listen to Try This

The inimitable guitarist Bill Moio is joined by an all star cast for these 10 diverse tracks that make up his first album since 1999.

The title track opens the listen warm and soulful, where Moio’s spirited guitar is met with bright sax from Eric Marienthal, and “720 Berkeley” follows with George Whitty’s playful keyboards aligning with Moio’s upbeat drum programming and guitar.

Moving closer to the middle, “Need To Know” showcases Tommy Brechtlein’s fluid drumming amid the meticulous guitar, while “Chuckles” comes with some funk flavor that’s a bit hazy and strong on mood.

Near the end, “Struttin’” offers a fuller climate thanks Wayne Bergeron’s trumpet and Andy Martin’s trombone that help layer the setting with grace and adventurousness, and “Arroz Con Pollo” exits with the brass in attendance again, as Whitty holds down Rhodes and keyboards that suit the cultured rhythm.

An eclectic return that touches on funk, blues and soul, whether it’s a full tune or balladry, Moio’s version of jazz sounds better than ever.

Travels well with: Marc Ciprut- Moonshine; Wayne Alpern- Gotham

Howie D

Which One Am I?

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Which One Am I?

For the uninitiated, Howie D was and still is a member of the international superstars the Backstreet Boys. A true renaissance man, he also dabbles in acting, real estate, and he’s even released 3 solo albums to date as well, including this new effort, Which One Am I?

The title track starts the album with Howie poking fun at himself for being the Backstreet Boy that people least recall, as he croons with soulful pipes on a playful pop-rocker, and “Back In The Day” follows with a retro groove in a fun story about his formative years.

Elsewhere, “Shy” puts the focus on keys as Howie shows us his strong vocal range on a ballad turned oldies vibe, while “Worry” has the album settling into reggae with fantastic results.

The back half of the record keeps the variety strong with the Spanish influenced “School Bell Tango”, the upbeat “Small Time Blues”, which leaves a big impact with bouncy blues, and the arena ready pop stylings of “The Me I’m Meant To Be”. Howie exits on “Lean On Me”, where he puts a modern twist on a classic that sounds perfect under his smooth pipes.

An album penned along with Broadway performers, Howie delivers an often theatric and family friendly record that revolves around themes of conquering insecurities and growing into his own. Even if he is the least internet searched Backstreet Boy, Howie D leaves an indelible impression on this eclectic and instantly enjoyable listen.

Travels well with: AJ McLean- Have It All; Chris Wallace- Push Rewind