Daniel Lippel

Adjacence

New Focus, 2024

9/10

Listen to Adjacence

The guitarist Daniel Lippel takes on an adventurous project here, where recordings with various ensembles and collaborators unfolds across 2 discs of strong attention to detail.

The original, “Utopian Prelude”, opens with the electric guitar and microtonal classical guitar making for both sophisticated and playful gestures, and it isn’t long until Nico Muhly’s “Wedge” showcases Jeffrey Irving’s frisky percussion alongside Lippel’s mesmerizing guitar.

Further into disc 1, “Moments”, by Tonia Ko, recruits Roberta Michel’s piccolo that suits the detailed guitar across 5 chapters, while Tyshawn Sorey’s “Ode To Gust Burns” starts disc 2 with a busy climate thanks to Cory Smythe’s piano, Clara Warnaar’s percussion, Rebekah Heller’s oboe and Lippel’s guitar via the mystery and wonder.

Residing near the end, “Five Prayers Of Hope” recruits strings thanks to Nurit Pacht (violin) and Jessica Meyer (viola), which emits cinematic gestures, and Adriaansz/Lippel’s “Dystopian Reprise” finishes with Lippel’s electric guitar acrobatics that balances rock with chamber nods.

A very stylistic endeavor that uses microtonality, improvisation, timbral experimentation and texture to its advantage, every selection is a highly articulate version of chamber sounds that warrants repeated listens.

Travels well with: Patrick Yim- One; Adam Mirza- Partial Knowledge

Jimmie Dale And The Flatlanders

All American Music

Omnivore, 2024

9/10

Listen to All American Music

An assembly of all the known original Flatlanders tracks back to CD and a three-sided LP with a “musical saw” etching on side four, All American Music serves as a pivotal Americana affair and an important piece of Texas music history.

“Dallas” opens the listen with a warm spirit, where Dale Gilmore’s fluid acoustic guitar is joined by Sylvester Rice’s playful double bass, and “The Heart You Left Behind” follows with no lack of melody, where harmony vocals and Tommy Hancock’s fiddle won’t go unnoticed.

Further along, the bluegrass nods of “Jole Blon” makes great use of Butch Hancock’s chunky banjo and plenty of atmosphere, while “Stars In My Life” carries a distinct intimacy that tugs on the heartstrings with a playful backdrop and intricate fiddle.

Near to the end, the classic country nods of “I Know You” radiates much beauty amid the cozy guitars and pretty vocals, and the southern mood of “One Road More” finds itself in rural rock territory that welcomes group vocals and no lack of energy.

Recorded in 1972 and scheduled for release the following year, the album would go unissued other than a few copies on 8 track. All the songs have been remastered here, and include liner notes for an effort that still sounds very modern and further explains why so many have been influenced by The Flatlanders.

Travels well with: Charles Wesley Godwin- Seneca; 49 Winchester- III

Ric Harris And The Heat Merchants

Along The Avenue

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Along The Avenue

The sophomore album from the guitarist Ric Harris and his band, the songs here explore the blues, but not without plenty of other influences, too.

The stylish mood and group vocals of the title track opens with some jazz influences present amid Harris’ gritty pipes, and “Keep Rambling On” follows with thumping drums and firm singing, as the melodic keys enter the infectious climate.

Further along, Harris’ meticulous guitar across “Before The Sun Up Above” will get you on the dance floor, while “Gotta Find A Way” recruits dense guitars and crisp drumming for the retro climate of blues fun.

Closer to the end, the playful grooves of “One I Can’t Deny” showcases a flowing guitar solo, and “From Heading Out The Door” exits with bouncy bass and a frisky demeanor that benefits from well timed backing vocals.

There’s plenty of jazz, rock and funk to be enjoyed here, as Harris and his company will make anyone a fan of the blues a fan of Along The Avenue as well.

Travels well with: Ben Levin- Take Your Time; The Nighthawks- Established 1972

Breymer

When I Get Through

One Little Independent, 2024

8/10

Listen to When I Get Through

The recording moniker of the LA-based singer-songwriter Sarah Walk, as Breymer they pen forthright songs about having top surgery and exploring their relationship to gender and identity.

The soft climate of “The Truth” starts the listen with cozy acoustic guitars and gentle singing that tugs on the heartstrings, and “Medication” follows with a backdrop of strings and a fuller delivery of rich song craft.

Further along, “See You” is full of mystery and ambience, where thumping drums and personal wordplay surround the album’s best, while “Better Friend” balances pop and rock gestures with light buzzing and strategic backing vocals.

“The Night Before” and “Anesthesia” exit the listen. The former is intimate and recruits sophisticated keys, and the latter offers a dreamy landscape of gorgeous and lush ideas.

A Minneapolis native, Breymer’s songs are armed with power and hope, and anyone with an ear for names like Imogen Heap and Florence And The Machine should be playing close attention to this young talent.

Travels well with: Chessa Smith- Deeper Sleeper; The Cranberries- To The Faithfully Departed

Coincidence

Mets Tes Lunettes Et Écoute Comme Ca Sent Bon!: Volume 1

Castle, 2024

9/10

Listen to Mets Tes Lunettes Et Écoute Comme Ca Sent Bon!: Volume 1

Originally released in 1976, this jazz fusion masterpiece from Coincidence has Jean-Claude Llabador, Jean Pierre Llabador, Jean Pierre Barreda and Jacky Cataldo showcasing their instrumental ways across 6 adventurous tracks.

The buzzing bass from Barreda opens with fluidity across “Berceuse Chinoise”, which also spotlights Jean- Claude’s frisky keys with prog-influences, and “Les Grenouilles” follows with Cataldo’s skilled drumming amid some funk flavor for the unpredictable 7+ minutes.

In the middle, “Soleils” relies heavily on soft acoustic guitar before soaring electric guitar enters alongside plenty of classic rock flavor, while “Séquences” comes with intimacy and grace via Jean- Pierre and Jean-Claude’s meticulous guitar interaction where grooves arrive spades.

The album ends with “Sucre D’orge”, as the precise rhythm section and radiant guitars sound far ahead of their time and display detailed musicianship.

Sadly, Jean-Claude was killed in a car accident not long after this record was made. His memory is very much alive thanks to this reissue on CD and LP for the first time, and it holds up well to this day in the area of vocal-less, jazz rock.

Travels well with: Delay Tactics- Out-Pop Options/Any Questions?; David Udell- It’s Worth It

Durango 95

BOOTSnBOOZE #5

Pirates Press, 2024

8/10

Listen to BOOTSnBOOZE #5

Here’s the 5th installment of the Santa Cruz skinheads, punks and rude boys via the 48 page comic book that accompanies these 2 tracks from Durango 95, where were actually recorded in the early ‘90s.

Side A offers the bouncy and melodic “So The Story Goes”, where Misty Hecht’s pretty pipes and Don Collas’ punchy drums complement the bright horns and Mike Crowell’s meticulous bass lines.

The back off is where “Little Views From Big Windows” lands, and it showcases Tony Johnson’s expressive pipes amid Rick Kendrick’s animated trumpet and Jordan Parks’ well timed trombone for the ‘60 soul ideas.

A great sampling of Durango 95’s obscure back catalog, the ensemble share members with The Liquidators, and their retro soul and detailed use winds and brass makes for a great companion to the eye catching comic book.

Travels well with: The Slackers- Kill You; The Drowns/Plizzken- Split

Geneviéve Racette

Golden

9/10

Listen to Golden

The Montreal vocalist Geneviéve Racette returns with a 4th album, where highly personal wordplay surrounds the healing effort.

“From Friends To Strangers” starts the listen with much warmth, where Racette’s pretty voice is complemented by Charles Guay’s crisp drumming, and “X2” follows with a dreamy ambience via Francois Pierre Lue’s graceful keys.

In the middle, the bare “My Thoughts Of You” lands in folk balladry via the heartfelt singing, while “Instagram” is an upbeat moment that benefits from cozy guitar and Marika Galea’s gentle bass.

Landing near the end, “Home Movies” takes a trip down memory lane with emotive vocals, pensive keys and strong attention to mood, and “The Reasons (I’ll Be Alright)” exits with a powerful and appreciative gesture to loved ones.

Racettte handles acoustic guitar, banjo, electric guitar and vocoder, and the excellent help make for a folk-pop affair of timeless beauty that is relatable, touching and memorable.

Travels well with: Rebecca Kilgore- A Little Taste: A Tribute To Dave Frishberg; Amy Speace- The American Dream

Rich Willey

Boptism Christmas

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Boptism Christmas

The multi-instrumentalist and composer, arranger and bandleader Rich Willey assembles tunes penned for local jazz Christmas concerts over the year, and he’s got an impressive cast to flesh out the playful holiday tunes.

The animated and scrappy drumming from Justin Watt starts off with “Merry Gentlemen Kings”, where Willey’s lively trumpet won’t go unnoticed, and “White Christmas” follows with much grace, as Zack Page’s skilled bass makes an impression.

In the middle, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” benefits much from Alex Taub’s smooth piano for the sublime intimacy, while “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” recruits Russ Wilson’s expressive vocals for the only track with singing that puts a charming spin on the classic.

Further yet, “The Christmas Song” is full of grooves and melodic jazz via Andy Page’s fluid guitar and soulful sax thanks to Dylan Hannan and Ashley Pritchard, and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” exits with a rich and dynamic finish that allows for Willey’s trumpet to shine amid the meticulous rhythm section.

An excellent set of timeless takes on already time honored tunes, Willey and company flesh out an album that can be enjoyed all year round.

Travels well with: Rich Willey- Puttin’ On The Ritz; Rich Willey Boptism Big Band- Down & Dirty

Sara Serpa

Encounters & Collisions

Biophilia, 2024

8/10

Listen to Encounters & Collisions

The esteemed vocalist Sara Serpa is joined by Ingrid Laubrock, Erik Friedlander and Angelica Sanchez for these 18 autobiographical and jazz flavored tracks.

“Story 1” opens the listen with Serpa talking about her journey to the US, and “Language” recruits Laubrock’s gorgeous keys that align with Serpa’s expressive and heartfelt singing.

The next song, the aptly titled “Visa”, makes great use of Friedlander’s skilled cello, as both speaking and singing blend with a busy, often dizzying landscape, while “Between Worlds” pairs the elegant keys with touching strings, where Serpa’s flawless singing relates many observations.

Deeper still, the vocal acrobatics of “Labor” makes for a rich album highlight, and “Music Makes Me Who I Am” offers a cozy climate of intimacy via the use of Laubrock’s meticulous sax. “Two Cities, Many Homes” then exits with adventurous keys, firm strings and animated sax that complements Serpa’s impressive range.

A record of much sophistication but also friskiness, Serpa relays her Portugal to the US transition, and it’s an enlightening jazz outing that uses narration superbly.

Travels well with: Brandon Seabrook- Object Of Unknown Function; Patricia Brennan Septet- Breaking Stretch

The Conformists

Midwestless

Cmptr Stdnts, 2024

8/10

Listen to Midwestless

The St. Louis rockers The Conformists return with a 5th album, where the now trio setting fleshes out a diverse version of rock.

After a 10 second, unnamed intro, “Song For Rincon Pio Sound” brings all sorts of complex math-rock ideas into the unique rhythm and unpredictable delivery.

In the middle, “Psh Psh” showcases the atypical drumming patterns amid the mesmerizing, nearly hypnotic riffs, while “Wrong Off” is a dense burst of noise rock that allows for the meticulous bass to resonate.

Close to the end, “Mr. Biron” uses vocals alongside post-punk nods that might bring to mind Burning Airlines, and “Five-Year Napsence” exits with 11+ minutes of artistic and dynamic rock that’s raw, atypically melodic and jagged.

The album was produced by the almighty Steve Albini, and the time signature changes, memorable guitar tone and strategic repetition makes everyone moment here a welcomed surprise.

Travels well with: The Poison Arrows- War Regards; Daydream Three- Stop Making Noise

Colin O'Brien

Thirteen

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Thirteen

The esteemed guitarist Colin O’Brien spotlights the work of Leo Kottke, and it adds in O’Brien’s inimitable vision across these 13 acoustic tracks.

The warm 12 string prowess of “Shipwreck” begins the listen with a cozy melody that’s immediately striking, and “Jimmy” follows with a Merle Travis inspired moment of mid-tempo grace.

Moving into the middle, “Billy” is textured richly and showcases O’Brien’s meticulous skills, while “Earth And Ether” is broken into 3 parts the emit slide melodies, up tempo slide gestures and even introspective intimacy.

Residing near the end, “Little Oak” recruits blues nods into the album’s best, and “Crooked Creek” exits with articulate and mesmerizing 12 string acrobatics that few others could replicate.

An album that radiates much beauty, O’Brien’s talents are expressive, dramatic and often improvised with unparalleled attention to detail that is very much appreciated.

Travels well with: Jenny Burtis- Woodbird; Christian Parker- Sweethearts

Mark Farner

Closer To My Home

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Closer To My Home

The inimitable guitarist and singer-songwriter Mark Farner brings us 10 heartfelt songs that collaborate with Mark Slaughter and Jim Peterik and surround the ideas of past and present, and the work ethic of the rural man.

The bright and rich “Anymore” opens with soulful backing vocals, where Farner’s soaring pipes and rugged guitar playing guide the dense rock, and “The Prisoner” follows with Pat Cronley’s smooth keyboards and Mike Williams’ animated trumpet that aligns with the rich landscape.

In the middle, the stylish “Oh Darlin’” benefits much from Joshua Seth Egan’s fluid drumming, while “Surveiling Us” welcomes Farner’s meticulous slide guitar, as Slaughter plays all the rest of the instruments across the classic rock spirited album highlight.

Deeper still, the softer delivery of “Tiny Fingers” allows for Pat Ojibway’s graceful keys to shine amid the poeticism, and “I”m Your Captain (Closer To Home)” exits with 9+ minutes of driving retro rock, waves of ambience and even jam band qualities.

Farner is the original singer and guitarist of the rock band Grand Funk Railroad, and his distinct voice and powerful guitar playing is still vital and relevant all these years later.

Travels well with: Amanda McBroom- Wintersong; Foghat- Sonic Mojo

Librarians With Hickeys

How To Make Friends By Telephone

Big Stir, 2024

9/10

Listen to How To Make Friends By Telephone

The Akron, Ohio rockers Librarians With Hickeys return with a 3rd album, where plenty of tuneful guitar pop enters the infectious 12 tracks.

The bright melodies of “Hello Operator” opens with Ray Carmen’s soaring voice and flowing guitars, and “Listening” follows with Mike Crooker’s guitar, bass, keys and backing vocals adding much warmth to the breeziness.

“Out Of Your Hair” and “What Happened To My Heart” arrive in the middle. The former uses acoustic guitar and a hint of dreaminess via a nostalgic feel, while the latter is an intimate moment that blends the duo’s guitars and voices with harmonies and emotion.

Landing close to the end, the quick and scrappy “Have You Heard” is the album’s best and benefits much from driving guitars and thick keys, and “Everything Will Be All Right” exits with Crooker’s bouncy bass and well timed mellotron making for a textured and memorable finish.

Librarians With Hickeys released their debut in 2020 and it didn’t take long for them to throw their hat in the ring as one of today’s best in the area of power-pop and jangly rock, as evidenced by these tunes that you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: The Half/Cubes- Pop Treasures; The Armoires- Octoberland

Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne

Ooh Yeah!

Stony Plain, 2024

9/10

Listen to Ooh Yeah!

The legendary bluesman, Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne, brings plenty of boogie woogie spirit and frisky funk to these 12 excellent tracks that recruit plenty of local guests.

The rhythmic and lively title track opens with Wayne’s smooth pipes and animated keys alongside Joey Dimarco’s swift drumming and soulful backing vocals, and “Whatcha Gonna Do Now?” follows with Jimmy Bowskill’s intricate banjo that suits the firm melodies and crisp percussion.

“My Point Of View” lands in the middle and showcases James Anthony’s meticulous guitar in the dreamy climate, while “Wishing Well” places Ian McKeown on drums amid Wayne’s firm keys and expressive pipes for a distinct intimacy.

Further still, “It’s Pouring Down” benefits much from James Rasmussen’s dense bass and harmonic backing vocals, and “That Crazy Monkey” exits with well timed brass and winds thanks to Remi Cormier (trumpet), Kaven Jalbert (tenor sax) and Mathieu Mousseau (baritone sax), which gives a hint of a Big Band appeal.

An adventurous effort that might bring to mind Billy Strings or Duke Ellington, Wayne proves that even at 80 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down.

Travels well with: Eric Bibb- In The Real World; Mitch Woods- Happy Hour

999

Emergency At The Old Waldorf 1979

Liberation Hall, 2024

10/10

Listen to Emergency At The Old Waldorf 1979

The English punk band, 999, fleshed out this energetic set in 1979, where Nick Cash, Guy Days, Jon Watson and Pablo LaBritain unleashed 17 rowdy and raw tunes.

“Pick It Up”gets the night started with Cash’s melodic singing alongside LaBritain’s thumping drums and Watson’s animated bass, and it isn’t long until “Let’s Face It” offers a speedy and bouncy anthem of early punk sounds that you could even dance to.

Deeper into the evening, “Nobody Knows” showcases Days’ meticulous guitar amid the meticulous rhythm section, while “Rael Rean” even brings grooves to the gritty spirit that recruits pub-rock ideas.

Further yet, “Nasty, Nasty” emits plenty of fury and tunefulness that invites a sing-along, and “Boiler” exits with a song so catchy, you have to wonder how these guys never saw worldwide fame.

A band the existed during the era of The Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks and The Clash, 999 certainly hold their own against those legends, and these live tracks are a great representation of their timeless delivery.

Travels well with: APB- The Radio 1 Sessions; Pearl Harbour- Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too

Delay Tactics

Out-Pop Options/Any Questions?

Multiphase, 2024

9/10

Listen to Out-Pop Options/Any Questions?

Here we’re treated to a pair of remastered albums from the ‘80s techno-pop outfit Delay Tactics, where their innovative, instrumental ways use looping, sampling and delay effects strategically.

“Yellow Samba” opens Out-Pop Options (1982) with Walter Whitney’s skilled synth amid Carl Weingarten’s meticulous guitar with a mesmerizing tone, and it isn’t long until Jim Mayer’s bass acrobatics populate the playful and rhythmic “On The Roll”.

Deeper into this portion, “Chasing Moroder” comes with a dance floor ready beat amid the soundbites and spacey ideas, while the previously unreleased “Initial Opus” unfolds across 12+ of dreamy beauty, distinct mystery and ambient waves.

Disc 2, Any Questions? (1984), leads with Mayer’s atypical bass and Whitney’s buzzing synth that take help from David Udell’s strong percussion across “Pterodactyl”, but it’s the soulful vocals via Joan Bouise that makes “Oysters” worth the price of admission.

Further into this album, “Fictionmusic” is a busy but precise display of jazz and prog-rock nods that you could never classify, and “Nuke The Beat”, a bonus track, blends the dense synth, curious programming and serious guitar shredding from Weingarten.

A band who were clearly ahead of their time, the ‘60s influences and techno exploration sounds great even today, and the 10 bonus tracks are nice addition to these seminal albums.

Travels well with: Carl Weingarten- The Simian River Collection 1980-2020; Delay Tactics- Elements Of Surprise

The Cowsills

Global

Omnivore, 2024

9/10

Listen to Global

Originally released in 1998, this first album of new material in nearly three decades from The Cowsills sees the reissue treatment with 3 bonus tracks, where a vinyl format is available for the first time.

The warm and melodic “What About Love?” opens with flowing vocal harmonies and showcases John Cowsill’s meticulous drumming, and “Under The Gun” follows with Bob Cowsill’s cozy guitar that suits Susan Cowsill’s pretty pipes.

Further along, the vocally strong “Cross That Line” benefits much from Paul Cowsill’s buzzing synth, while the punchy “Far Away” thumps thanks to Robby Scharf’s intricate bass, where retro-rock ideas enter the crisp album highlight.

Close to the end of the original disc, “Some Good Years” carries psychedelic nods that incorporates tuneful pop as well, and, of the bonus tracks, “Maybe It’s You” comes with grit, as power and melody enter the infectious energy.

A classic album that embodies the (mostly) family band’s signature brand of pop, the esteemed guests Vicki Peterson (The Bangles, Continental Drifters), Berton Averre (The Knack), Peter Holsapple (The dB’s, Continental Drifters) and John Stamos only add even more greatness to this timeless body of work.

Travels well with: Dave Clark Five- All The Hits; The Vogues- At Co & Ce- The Complete Singles & More

Lenglet Bodart Bramnk

L’humeur Des Non Jours

Circum Disc, 2024

8/10

Listen to L’humeur Des Non Jours

Falter Bramnk, Phillippe Lenglet and Samuel Bodart bring their inimitable talents to these avant-garde tunes that put a very unique spin on jazz.

The animated “Loose Obedience” opens with Bodart’s wild drumming and Bramnk’s found objects strategy making for calculated noise, and “Réflexion faite” follows with no lack of effects and adventurous keys from Bramnk that quiver with atypical gestures.

Landing in the middle, “Fouilles” has Bodart’s distinct drumming guiding the off kilter rhythm, while “Le clou” drones with strong attention to ambience via the strategic bass drum and Bodart’s creative guitar sounds.

Deeper yet, the cinematic nods of “intimisation” are largely bare but impactful via its tinkering appeal, and “Traumen” exits with a dense landscape that’s ominous, mysterious and busy.

A strong exercise in repetition and expressionism, the plucked versus struck strings, hammered keys and scraped, struck and prepared percussion blends melody and noise in a way that few others could replicate.

Travels well with: Woo- Hoo-Ha; Kaze- Unwritten

Matthieu Prual

La Démesure du pas

Ormo, 2024

8/10

Listen to La Démesure du pas

A highly creative assembly of Matthieu Prual, Carol Robinson, Gabriel Lemaire, Toma Gouband and Joris Ruhl, the 12 songs here are full of unpredictable and experimental ideas.

“Somewhere” opens the listen with strong attention to mood, where a distinct droning emits the sounds of nature, too, and “Marche dans l’epaisseur” follows with a soothing quality, as Prual’s dissonant sax is met with Gouband’s distinct percussion.

In the middle, “Marche fictive” recruits wordless vocals and Robinson’s squealing clarinet to the cultured delivery, while “Sainte Marguerite” brings field recordings into soft layeres of manipulated sound that’s uniquely intimate.

Landing near the end, the tense “Eau to crunch” carries a nearly sci-fi appeal of glitchy noise, and “After” exits with a bare moment of bright alto sax from Lemaire via the sparse but colorful finish.

A truly imaginative outing, each selection is distinct from the previous one, and the solo, duo and quartet settings radiate wonder, mystery and awe.

Travels well with: Bear Of Bombay- PsychoDreamElectroGaze; Mr Diagnonal- Join The Dots

Jacques Gaines

Volume Won

Vega, 2019

8/10

Listen to Volume Won

A thriving artist living in Tacoma, Washington, Jacques Gaines has spent much time making commercial music as well as TV and film in recent years, though prior to that he spearheaded the revered Canadian outfit Soul Attorneys in the mid ‘90s.

“Something Wrong With Me” starts the listen with acoustic guitars and soaring vocals from Gaines before a firm beat and layered voices enter the pop-rock formula, and “Countin’ On My Friends, with Rodney Skeritt, brings a soulful influence into the textured hip-hop flavor.

Elsewhere, “Friend For You” recruits a campfire-esque feeling to the upbeat fun, while “I Know That You Want To” offers an anthemic quality to the bluesy guitars, which brings even more variety to the affair.

Near the end, “Ottie Bootie Jello” shifts the listen into electro-pop sounds that are highly danceable, and the emotive rapping versus pretty singing of “Down To You” provides a deep album highlight. “I Am A Stone” ends the record with vocal harmonies and acoustic instrumentation on a poetic and thoughtful conclusion to a very well crafted journey.

A triumphant return indeed, Gaines proves that his creative prowess hasn’t subsided at all during his hiatus from pop music, and might actually be even stronger. Let’s hope that he’ll find more time for projects like this soon, as Volume Won is just what today’s music needed, i.e. more substance.

Travels well with: The Philosopher Kings- One Night Stand; Les Respectables- Sweet Mama