Brett Hansen

Confluence

Self-Released, 2024

9/10

Listen to Confluence

The Canadian guitarist and singer-songwriter Brett Hansen is joined by Mallory Chipman, Chris Pruden, Murray Wood, Joel Jeschke and Luis Tovar for these modern jazz spirited tunes that excel in both bare and louder climates.

The soulful and touching “Forret” leads with Chipman’s gorgeous voice alongside radiant guitar and strong attention to ambience, and “Perfect Intentions” continues the dreaminess thanks to Jeschke’s skilled drumming and Wood’s intricate bass lines.

Landing in the middle, “Jane’s Song” makes great use of Hansen’s meticulous guitar prowess amid the eloquent, wordless singing, while “Lue” emits much beauty and benefits from Pruden’s light keys.

Deeper still, “Slow January” builds into a lush and dynamic album highlight that’s melodic, heartfelt and gripping, and “Where Have You Gone?” finishes with a distinct atmosphere, crisp drums and progressive guitar playing for a memorable exit.

Hansen and company don’t shy away from folk nods, sublime balladry and pop and rock moments, as they flesh out glowing and intriguing jazz song craft.

Travels well with: Matt Greenwood- Atlas; Andrew Danforth- Homegrown

Pony Boy All-Star Big Band

This Is Now

Pony Boy, 2024

9/10

Listen to This Is Now

The 16 piece ensemble, Pony Boy All-Star Big Band, bring us new arrangements from their esteemed members, where 10 tracks plus a bonus disc illustrate their distinct energy.

“Harrod’s Creek” starts the festivities with Steve Treseler’s lively tenor sax and Greg Williamson’s complicated drumming helping make for much rhythm, and the animated “Sabermetric Samba” follows with Kandin Neri’s flowing tenor max complementing the rich brass and John Hansen’s frisky keys.

Closer to the middle, the intimate spirit of “Rabin” welcomes Mike Mines’ well timed trombone that suits the elegance, while “I Fall In Love Too Easily” spotlights a trombone solo thanks to Conner Eisenmenger via the indeed romantic mood.

Near the end, “The Ray” allows for David Marriott’s precise trombone to enter the soft versus firm gestures, and of the bonus tracks, “I Won’t Dance” will certainly get anyone dancing to the bright melodies that makes great use of Heather Criscaden’s bouncy bass and Keith Karns’ lively horn.

The sound quality here is excellent, and so are the songs, where the influence from Gil Evans and Thad Jones keeps the Big Band traditions alive and radiant.

Travels well with: Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra- Things Will Pass; Randy Weinstein- Harmonimonk

Laird Jackson

Life

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Life

The inimitable jazz vocalist Laird Jackson brings plenty of emotion to these 15 timeless tracks that welcomes an all star cast of instrumentalists.

“I Believe” starts the listen with much warmth, where layered vocals and Jeff Haynes’ playful percussion carries plenty of soul, and “Suhali” follows with a sublime, delicate appeal, as light guitar and sophisticated strings suit the expressive singing.

Moving closer to the middle, “In The Pines” pairs Jackson’s powerful pipes with plucked guitar, while “Rounding The Sun” is strong on atmosphere that allows for Gregoire Maret’s harmonica acrobatics to shine in an otherwise bare climate.

Deeper yet, “ Tender As A Rose” is indeed calm, and showcases Jackson’s flawless talents alongside mesmerizing drums, and “Follow” exits with a pretty demeanor of sophistication and poeticism via the stirring voice and light instrumentation.

An album of mystery, romance and even sadness, the songs here are often sparse but no less impactful in the highly soulful and memorable execution.

Travels well with: Shannon Gunn- On A Mountain; Darden Purcell- Love’s Got Me In A Lazy Mood

Jacob Johnson

Surviving The Dream

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Surviving The Dream

This 4th album from the South Carolina artist Jacob Johnson brings us acoustic guitar fueled tracks that use Americana and folk ideas to his advantage.

“The Sketchiest Motel In Fayetteville” opens with rhythmic and intricate guitar that welcomes spirited electric guitar and punchy drums, and “F. Scott Fitzgerald” follows with a swift and dance floor ready rocker that benefits much from acrobatic drumming and warm accordion.

Half way through, “Old Soul” is a calm moment of beauty that allows for Johnson’s warm guitar to shine, while “Still Is Still Moving To Me” is a crisp and flowing album highlight that benefits from fluid keys.

Deeper yet, “Jessica” recruits Mickey Raphael’s well timed harmonica for the breezy and rootsy flavor of the Allman Brothers tune, and “The Goodnight Chorus” exits with a charming farewell that’s meticulous, cozy and timeless.

There’s some significant help on hand, including Jack Ryan and Stephen Campbell of The Marcus King Band, and Johnson’s 20 year career touring sure does help make this a meticulous and playful effort.

Travels well with: Jeremy Dion- Bend In The Middle; Nick Taylor- Not Alone

Captain Of The Lost Waves

Beautiful Ugly

MRR, 2024

9/10

Listen to Beautiful Ugly

The UK artist Captain Of The Lost Waves was involved in a devastating car accident when a stolen vehicle fleeing from the police hit him and his family, and the difficult recovery and trauma of the experience was the impetus for these 9 diverse tracks.

“Obsidian Whispers” opens with much beauty, where Captain’s expressive voice and mesmerizing guitar welcome Wendy Ross’ lovely violin for the gentleness, and “Dirty Windows” follows with Damian Clark’s radiant keys suiting Captain’s poetic pipes.

“Gothic Balladeer” and “Older” reside in the middle. The former carries a cinematic quality via the eloquent storytelling, while the latter pays close attention to mood thanks to the dreamy backdrop and introspective singing of the album’s best.

Near the end, “Neighbourhood” tugs on the heartstrings and is populated by gorgeous singing and mature keys, and “Beautiful Ugly” exits with a haziness and strong wordplay that emits much melody and timelessness.

Somewhere between indie-folk, orchestral-pop and prog-rock, Captain turns tragedy into great art that resonates long after the music stops.

Travels well with: Gabriel Keller- Hope Despite Everything; Long Earth- An Ordinary Life

Dean Mueller

Wishes Never Gone

Ripping Glass, 2024

8/10

Listen to Wishes Never Gone

A singer-songwriter who pens songs from the heart, Dean Mueller uses Americana and folk ideas to his advantage across these 12 personal and relatable tracks.

The thumping and gritty “I Don’t Live There Anymore” opens with Jason Wilber’s fluid electric guitar and Mueller’s vivid storytelling making for a loud start, and “Fireflies” follows with Jim Hoke’s playful clarinet and Dave Jaques’ well timed bass suiting the cinematic climate.

Further along, Nalani Rothrock lends her pipes to the breezy strumming of “Bulleit Train”, while the McCrary Sisters are present for the rugged yet melodic “Teach No Lies”.

Deeper yet, Hoke’s spirited harmonica enters the bouncy spirit of “I’ll Be There”, and “Lonesome Sky” exits with a dreamy ambience that makes great use of the poetic singing, emotive guitar and cozy percussion.

Mueller also touches on jazz and the blues, too, and the influence from his hero, John Prine, won’t go unnoticed across this honest, vulnerable and timeless body of work.

Travels well with: Ron Houston- R.O.A.M; Billy Coulter- 5ingles

Jaco

You Know

Cornelius Chapel, 2019

9/10

Listen to You Know

Jaco is Jake Waitzman, who’s spent much time playing drums in bands like Vulture Whale, The Wes McDonald Plan and Ham Bagby, but here he’s front and center on some giant sized rock that takes the influences of his many endeavors and packs an extremely memorable punch on this debut.

“On The Ground” gets the album off to a synth heavy start with bright sounds that settles into crisp and energetic alt-rock ideas, and “For Myself” follows with a more subdued approach that soars with a dreamy setting.

Elsewhere, “Blackboard” puts percussion center stage on a mid ‘90s rocker that will satiate any Sedadoh or Pavement fan, while the swirling guitars of “I Don’t Mind” help make this a stand out track on a listen where every tune is top notch.

The back half of the record is just as glorious, with the driving rock of “Shoe”, the classic rock tinted “You Way” and kinetic sounds of “Again”, which is a tune so well written, it’s worth the price of admission alone. “All Your Love” ends the fun on a multifaceted approach to Jaco’s eclectic and charged presence.

As far as first records go, it just doesn’t get much better than this. Technically proficient, daring in the all the right ways and finding the perfect balance between intensity and melody, You Know is absolutely one of the best records of the year.

Travels well with: Teenage Fanclub- Grand Prix; Big Star- Radio City