Dave Gunning

Field Notes

Self-Released, 2026

9/10

Listen to Field Notes

The folk storyteller Dave Gunning treats us to an album that was recorded outdoors on vintage equipment and with a very bare bones approach for his authentic and poetic tunes.

“World Of Make Believe” opens with an elegant protest song that pairs Gunning’s warm voice with soft acoustic guitar that’s insightful, and “Going Nowhere Tonight” follows with a cozy mood and romantic spirit via the upbeat and timeless mood.

Further along, “Sunrise Trail” burns slow with touching balladry that’s both beautiful and tragic, while “Pursued By Grace” recruits grooves and rootsy flavor which suits the vivid storytelling.

Residing near the end, “The Cost” offers a mid-tempo moment that’s more driving in nature as Gunning reflects on the life of an artist, and “She Is The Swan” exits with a spiritual and intimate aspect to the powerful yet sparse songwriting.

A Canadian treasure, Gunning’s vision touches on the human experience and this 15th solo album is another emotive and humble peek into a very thoughtful mind.

Travels well with: Tom Chapin- Songs Of Hope; John McCutcheon- Field Of Stars

Gafieira Rio Miami

Beleza Pura

Brazilianaire Music/DBB, 2026

9/10

Listen to Beleza Pura

The Miami based outfit, Gafieira Rio Miami, carry on the spirit of Rio de Janeiro’s dance halls of the ‘40s and ‘50s with these lively 10 tracks that enlist a small army of players.

The lively mood of “I’m Coming Back” opens with Isa Duarte’s flowing voice alongside Peter Francis and Kate Hamann’s lively trumpets in the festive climate, and “Ideal Lady” follows with Tito Camargo’s animated keys and Jason Arkin’s rich sax that suit the expressive singing.

The halfway point brings us the quick pace of “One To Zero”, where Yamandu Costa’s meticulous guitar won’t go unnoticed amid the fast melodies, while “The Voice Of The Favela” spotlights Luciana Mello’s smooth voice for the textured and rhythmic album highlight.

“Jazz Samba” arrives late and benefits from Antonio Adolfo and Nestor Torres, plus Amed Torrecilla’s tenor sax via the rich delivery, and “The Return Of Gafieira” exits with Eggy’s soaring voice and Diogo Brown’s rapping that illustrates another avenue where the ensemble shine.

An effort that’s all over the place musically, culturally and expressively, Gafieira Rio Miami are never short on energy whether they’re flirting with funk, jazz, tangos and waltzes, as they provide the soundtrack to anything fun, anywhere on the globe.

Travels well with: Sacha Boutros- Paris After Dark; Socrates Garcia Latin Jazz Orchestra- Shadows Of Tomorrow

The Riflebirds Of Portland

April

Regional, 2026

9/10

Listen to April

Originally released on cassette in 1989, this debut from The Riflebirds Of Portland lives again and showcases the band’s humble roots and emotional capacity for folk spirited melodies.

“Pieces Of Time” opens the listen with Kate Oser’s flowing and expressive voice that suits Kevin Kraft’s pretty guitar and guest Phil Parlapiano’s well timed accordion, and “Memory Street” follows with Lee Oser’s skilled bass amid Jerry Donahue’s thick guitar playing in a moody climate.

Landing in the middle, “Michael” benefits from Greg Leisz’s emotive pedal steel and Michael Danner’s sophisticated piano that complement the powerful singing, while “The Rain” recruits Marvin Etzioni’s mandolin and Skip Parente’s fiddle for the poetic and heartfelt delivery.

Getting closer to the end, the animated and jangly “And Your Bird Can Sing” is a bright and melodic roots rocker that’s so well executed it should have made the band a household name, and “Might As Well Stay” exits with Kevin Jarvis’ frisky drums amid the soulful soft rock nods.

The album sure sounds great 36 years later, and it seems like Kraft, the Oser’s and Jarvis definitely were ahead of their time but dissolved before they could be globally appreciated. Thankfully, they’re back together, and revisiting this first album is a must for anyone interested in ‘80s folk-rockesque sounds.

Travels well with: The Far West- Everything We Thought We Wanted; KP Hawthorn- Til The Glitter End

Benjie Porecki

Faster Than We Know

Funklove, 2026

8/10

Listen to Faster Than We Know

The keyboardist Benjie Porecki is joined by Cory Baker and Mark Prince for 8 originals and a cover, where plenty of diverse ideas are present and appreciated.

The dreamy mood of “Chrysalis” opens with Porecki’s warm keys alongside Prince’s agile drumming that helps create much beauty, and “Right Direction” follows with Baker’s playful bass that suits the scrappy drumming and quick keys.

“Headed Home” and “Make It Bring You Up” land in the middle. The former is a rich and reflective moment of cautiousness, while the latter comes with infectious melodies and plenty of frisky interaction.

Arriving near the end, “It’s Gonna Be Alright” touches on gospel ideas in its sincerity and “Faster Than We Know” exits with Baker’s intricate bass lines adding much to the laidback mood.

Porecki and his company find plenty of exciting places to reside in between Latin sounds, balladry and plenty of grooves for this timeless and meticulous effort.

Travels well with: Todd Herbert- Captain Hubs; Bruce Gertz Quintet- Octopus Dreams

Living With Tollways

Eponymously Titled

Signbearer, 2026

9/10

Listen to Eponymously Titled

This first album as Living With Tollways has Matt Riggen, Randy Trubitt and Kevin Almazan fleshing out a handful of tracks of New Jazz ideas that are as creative as they are unpredictable.

“Waller Em” opens with Trubitt’s animated tenor sax alongside Almazan’s frisky drumming, and “News From Home” follows with an infectious energy via the rich wind and scrappy drumming.

In the middle, “Brett Quasar And The Search For More Juuls” offers a calm moment that benefits from Riggen’s upright bass playing, while “Stellar Nurseries” is attentive to mood and improvisation in its dynamic interaction.

“Flannel” and “Eponymously Titled” exit the record. The former enlists wordless, manipulated vocals for the mysteriousness that bursts into an upbeat jazz rocker, and the latter carries a contagious energy that’s dance floor ready and immediately inviting.

A diverse outing that’s cinematic, touches on spaghetti western ideas and even ‘90s grunge, the trio’s chemistry is undeniable and 8 songs is just not enough.

Travels well with: Finely Tuned Elephants- No Goats; Dave Wilson Quartet- When Even Goes East

Finely Tuned Elephant

No Goats

Self-Released, 2026

9/10

Listen to No Goats

The Canadian instrumental quartet Finely Tuned Elephant return with a 3rd album, where a highly technical version of jazz fusion unfolds via their first recording as a full quartet playing together.

The warm spirit and grooves of “Chunky Monkey” starts with Alex Lugli’s flowing keys and Jordan Robinson’s spirited electric guitar making for an inviting climate, and “Gamblin’ Man” follows with frisky drums thanks to Kyle Iveglia that suit the colorful interaction.

At the halfway point, “Over Yonder” allows for Cryrus Robertson Orkish’s funky bass lines to complement the animated melodies, while “Thievius Raccoonus” bops and shakes with an infectious energy that mixes in fierce guitar licks.

“Rush Hour” and “No Goats” exit the listen. The former pays close attention to mood alongside the meticulous rhythm section and firm keys, and the latter spends 10+ minutes mesmerizing us with its harmonic yet gritty bouts of progressive jazz ideas.

An extremely technical outing that displays some top notch instrumental jazz-rock fusion, each song carries its own distinct identity amid the melodic, cinematic and cohesive environment.

Travels well with: Dave Stryker- Blue Fire: The Van Gelder Session; Russ Spiegel- Nitty Gritty

Critical Mess

Man Made Machine Made Man

Metalville, 2019

8/10

Listen to Man Made Machine Made Man

Though you might think Germany’s Critical Mess are a new outfit, they’ve actually existed in some form since 2012, though their core line up wasn’t solidified until 2016. On this, their sophomore album, the metal heads bring old school death metal, hardcore/punk and even some current metallic ideas to the affair, resulting in a brutal display of riffs, breakdowns and frontwoman Britta Gortz’s intense vocal performance.

After the atmospheric opening of “Revolution 5” that builds into chugging guitars and guttural vocals, “Echo” follows with an incendiary rhythm section and a blistering pace of throaty metal.

The band stick to their abrasive formula all the way through, and the first single, “Cut The Cord”, puts thundering percussion on display in a furious anthem, and the booming vocals and apocalyptic setting of “Demise” complements the mayhem.

Near the end, Critical Mess injects some hardcore punch into the pit friendly “No Gods”, and the album ends on the dark, hard hitting “Prequel”, where strategic classic metal guitar licks are present.

A listen that will appeal to fans of thrash metal, death metal and even the harsher side of hardcore, these Germans are a band to keep an eye on, as they’re clearly getting better with each subsequent album.

Travels well with: Walls Of Blood- Imperium; Rezet- Deal With It!