Jason Stein/Marilyn Crispell/Damon Smith/Adam Shead

spi-raling horn

Irritable Mystic, 2024

9/10

Listen to spi-raling horn

Jason Stein (bass clarinet), Marilyn Crispell (piano), Damon Smith (double bass) and Adam Shead (drums) bring their respective talents to 7 daring and atypical free jazz tunes here, and it makes for a lasting impression via their spontaneous ways.

“A Song Paid By Singing” leads with Stein’s flowing bass clarinet, as Shead’s animated drums enter the dizzying jazz landscape, and “A Universe Of Otherwise” follows with the lively wind meshing alongside Crispell’s playful key bouts.

The middle belongs to “Saturant Moon Water” and “So Close It Cut My Ribs”, where the former leads with a sort of ‘found objects’ tinkering before a distinct dreaminess enter, while the latter cultivates intimate beauty via the pretty piano and warm clarinet.

The final track, “A Rusted Bell’s Clank”, then gets quite busy, nearly furious, and allows for Smith’s well timed double bass to complement the controlled chaos.

The quartet turn improvised jazz into a refined science here, and every unexpected twist and turn will be enjoyed immensely.

Travels well with: Stein/Smith/Shead- Hum; Stein/Smith/Shead- Volumes & Surfaces

Stein/Smith/Shead

Volumes & Surfaces

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Volumes & Surfaces

Jason Stein, Damon Smith and Adam Shead come together for these 5 unpredictable and exciting jazz tracks that showcase their inimitable talents.

“Heterodox Symmetry” starts the listen with Stein’s animated bass clarinet and Shead’s acrobatic drumming making for a very interesting, free jazz climate, and “The Deaf Voice Of The Light” follows with Smith’s well placed bass lines amid the low wind and frisky drumming that cultivates a distinct mood.

The middle track belongs to “Blue Isn’t For Sitting”, where a minimal landscape leads into cinematic waves of avant-garde nods, while “The Non Dimension Of The Present” squeals with experimentalism and the clarinet and drums interact with intrigue and artistic qualities.

The final piece, “Cleary, Blue Is For Sitting”, nearly sounds like field recordings before plenty of swift drumming, melodic clarinet and clever bass surround the record’s best.

An improvised effort that’s dynamic and creative, the titles come from the writings of Eduardo Chillida, and the trio’s collaborative effort makes an indelible impression.

Travels well with: Stein/Smith/Shead- Hum; The Heavy Hitters- The Heavy Hitters

The Texas Trio

TX3

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to TX3

An outfit comprised of Kyle Park, Jason Roberts, and John Michael, as The Texas Trio they bring 60 years of combined live performance and studio experience to this debut album.

The warm and playful “Concho Valley Ride” starts the listen with smooth vocals alongside Roberts’ charming fiddle and Whitby’s frisky keys, and “Miss Molly” follows with an upbeat, rhythmic display of old time fun.

Into the middle, “Something To Me” uses flowing vocal harmonies amid Park’s cozy acoustic guitar and an animated piano solo, while “Hot Headed Honey” makes great use of the bouncy keys and plenty of retro-melodies.

Close to the end, “Naomi” is an intimate moment, where the heartfelt singing is met with calm instrumentation, and the lively, dance floor ready “Jesse Polka” exits with a fiddle focused tune.

A listen that embraces traditional country music and Western swing, the trio bring a wealth of talent and experience to a timeless first album.

Travels well with: Gregg Hill- Bayou St. John; Birds Of Play- Birdsongs Of The American West

Rubyjoyful

The Pie Chart Of Love

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to The Pie Chart Of Love

The bluegrass and folk influenced sextet Rubyjoyful bring plenty of guests along for these organic and fluid 12 tracks that embrace the magic of their mountain town of Paonia, Colorado,

“10 To 1 Love Wins” starts the listen with Dan Rubinoff’s warm voice and fluid guitar that’s joined by David Alderdice’s agile drumming, and “All My Friends Got More Money Than Me” follows with a dreamy mood thanks to the soft vocal harmonies and Eli Emmitt’s meticulous guitar playing.

Moving into the middle, Andy Thorn’s cautious banjo complement the poetic singing of “The Same Day”, while “One Long Truth” carries a darker spirit via Joice Moore’s strategic bass and Drew Emmitt’s exciting mandolin acrobatics.

Residing near the end, the album highlight, “Gonna Be Great”, is a rich moment of graceful keys thanks to Michael Webb, not to mention the heartfelt vocal harmonies and aching fiddle from Stuart Duncan, and “On The Way To Alone” exits with plucked strings and plenty of thoughtfulness.

Thorn and Emmitt are both members of Leftover Salmon, and founding members Rubinoff and Moore’s love for American sure does make for a relaxing and creative listen that’s sincere and memorable.

Travels well with: The Texas Trio- TX3; Gregg Hill- Bayou St. John

Lainie Fefferman

Here I Am

New Focus, 2024

8/10

Listen to Here I Am

The composer Lainie Fefferman draws from ancients texts from the Hebrew Bible, and along with TRANSIT New Music and many vocalists, this unique chamber rock experience produces 10 distinct tracks.

After the brief spoken word “Introduction” details the 12 tribes of Israel, Andie Tanning’s striking violin leads into dreamy ebbs, where Fefferman’s expressive pipes suit Joe Bergen’s thumping drums across “Lot’s Daughters”

Arriving at the half way point, Martha Culver, Mellissa Hughes and Caroline Shaw’s vocal trio prowess populates the Greek Chorus of “Offerings”, while “Sword On Thigh” spotlights Meaghan Burke’s animated voice amid David Friend’s well timed keys and Taylor Levine’s distorted electric guitar.

Close to the end, “Lineage” has the trio voices return for an extension of the 12 tribes from the opening piece, and “Take Your Son” exits with harmonic strings, Hughes’ solo vocals and subtle percussion from Pete Wise for a soothing finish.

A project that is 15 years in the making, Fefferman’s intellectual and emotional vision flows out via these lush, sometimes minimal, other times maximal selections that are artistic and thought provoking.

Travels well with: Kate Soper- The Hunt; Jessica Meyer- I Long And Seek After

Modney

Ascending Primes

Pyroclastic, 2024

8/10

Listen to Ascending Primes

The esteemed violinist and composer Modney welcomes a handful of peers to these 10 experimental and contemporary classical pieces.

“Ascender” starts the listen with Modney’s solo violin and distortion pedal for 7+ minutes of manipulated string ideas that mix classical and rock ideas, and “Lynx” follows with Modney’s quivering violin alongside Mariel Roberts’ animated cello and Sam Pluta’s curious electronics that emit much intrigue.

The back half of the listen belongs to the 4 chapters of “Fragmentation And The Single Form” and the 3 movements of “Event Horizon”. The former makes great use of Charmaine Lee’s well timed voice and electronics amid Dan Peck’s bellowing tuba and Cory Smythe’s melodic piano for a haze of avant-garde fun.

The latter is a nearly other worldly affair, where Anna Webber’s wild tenor saxophone, Nate Wooley’s soaring trumpet and Kate Gentile acrobatic drums are joined by plenty of strings and keys for the dizzying, busy, nearly chaotic finish- which is a far cry from its minimal beginnings.

A highly technical and exploratory experience, every moment here is unpredictable, exciting and worth revisiting many times for the artistic, chamber and classically inclined.

Travels well with: David Leon- Bird’s Eye; Noah Haidu- Standards II

The Brenan Brothers

Valley Of Silence

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Valley Of Silence

The Alberta residents Craig and Jim Brenan bring their trombone and B flat saxophone to these 8 diverse songs that also recruit plenty of Canadian musicians.

“Blackbird” opens the listen with Jim’s bright sax amid Dave Laing’s frisky drums for the rich jazz climate, and “Rosewood” follows with Craig’s lively trombone that suits David Lavoie’s well timed trumpet and Earl MacDonald’s firm keys.

Into the middle, the flowing melodies of the animated “Serenity” certainly could soundtrack the dance floor, while “Theme For Maxine” is an intimate moment of sublime beauty that allows for the elegant sax and pretty keys to radiate a distinct dreaminess.

Further still, “Fly With The Mind” blends Sean Craig’s alto sax into the textured delivery, and “49th Parallel” exits with Rubim De Toldedo’s adaptable bass that helps illuminate the layered brass.

An infectious listen with plenty of hard-bop flavor, the Brenan’s embrace funk, rock and Big Band ideas into this striking and memorable body of work.

Travels well with: Mike Downes- The Way In; Will Régnier- Traces

The Staple Singers

Africa 80

Omnivore, 2024

8/10

Listen to Africa 80

We’re treated to a live set from the globally revered gospel, soul and R&B outfit The Staple Singers, where the tracks are captured from their first time on the African continent.

After a brief introduction of playful group vocals, “Ease On Down The Road” follows with the melodic singing aligned with frisky keys and lively drumming for a very animated presence.

Further along, “Come Go With Me” brings plenty of charming rhythm via the hand clapping and call and response vocals to a highly soulful climate, while “Why Am I Treated So Bad” is a more cautious moment that touches on pop ideas via the careful vocal layering.

Close to the end, “He’s Alright” carries a festive spirit that will get your body moving and groovin’, and the gentle “Touch A Hand, Make A Friend” exits with 2 versions, where the full band version comes with plenty of gospel nods amid the powerful pipes and uplifting mood.

The Staple Singers were active until the mid ‘90s, and then briefly again in ‘99 when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. The only surviving member is Mavis Staples, who is still active today, but the legacy the family band lives on, especially with their timeless “Respect Yourself”, which is still considered one of the greatest songs of all time.

Travels well with: The Stylistics- Love Is Back In Style; Doris Troy- Another Look

Andy Ezrin

I Was Here

Ez It Iz, 2024

9/10

Listen to I Was Here

A hard working jazz pianist, Andy Ezrin is joined by several esteemed players for these 13 timeless and well thought out selections.

“Grapes” starts the listen with Randy Brecker’s bright trumpet and John Patitucci’s playful bass that complement Ezrin’s elegant keys, and “It Is What It Is” follows with Donny McCaslin’s soaring tenor sax that radiates much warmth amid Ezrin’s Rhodes prowess.

Arriving near the middle, “Siren Song” is an intimate moment, where Ari Hoenig’s agile drums help cultivate a personal mood, while “Ain’t That Some Shit” places Ezrin on Hammond B3, as tonality and rich textures make this the album’s best.

Arriving close to the end, “Lost Days” is a trio format that allows Hoenig’s frisky drums and Patitucci’s skilled bass to illuminate the gorgeous keys, and “Cascades” exits with a solo piano moment of meticulous finger acrobatics.

A highly precise affair that’s not short on melody, emotion and timeless jazz qualities, Ezrin’s piano playing is flawless, and the company he brings will be appreciated, too.

Travels well with: Ian Wardenski Quartet- Unfoldings; Leigh Pilzer- Beatin’ The Odds

Steven Keene

This World Is Your World

Self-Released, 2024

10/10

Listen to This World Is Your World

The New York City singer-songwriter and folk artist Steven Keene received the green light from the Woody Guthrie estate for this adaptation of the iconic protest song, and he’s got some excellent company along for the interpretation.

Keene’s soft voice and warm acoustic guitar starts the calm mood, as Matt O’Ree’s electric guitar, Chris Russo’s drums and Joseph Chiarolanza’s bass turn up the volume with much melody. Further along, Lisa Testa’s subtle backing vocals, Arne Wendt’s playful keys and Joseph Napolitano’s well timed pedal steel give another dimension to the legendary tune.

A song that’s as relevant as it was in 1940, when it was written, Keene channels Guthrie’s spirit with tremendous adaptability, where an updated spirit carries on the legendary message.

Travels well with: Yosef Gutman Levitt- The World And Its People; Maha Maya Band- A New Day

Xenopraxis

In A Sedimental Mood

Halocline Trance, 2024

9/10

Listen to In A Sedimental Mood

A Toronto artist with an affinity for the unconventional, Xenopraxis makes plenty of unclassifiable sounds across these 4 involved and unpredictable pieces.

“Side A” begins the listen with mature keys and playful harp entering the uniquely dreamy climate, and “Side B” follows with a bit more rumbling, where psychedelic nods allow for much creativity to be explored.

The final two pieces, “Side C” and “Side D”, don’t disappoint either, where the former is more firm, and pairs the dense keys with the harmonic yet frisky harp, while the latter is an atypical baroque venture via the detuned Rhodes and strategic Harmolodic bass.

Sometimes referred to as a ‘schizophrenic magician’, Marc Couroux, i.e. Xenopraxis, recorded each line in isolation, and the psychoacoustics of the 4 lengthy sides draws us in from beginning to end.

Travels well with: Temporal Waves- Temporal Waves; Leslie Ting- What Brings You In

Nicolas Hurt

Serenade, I Miss You

Oak, 2024

8/10

Listen to Serenade, I Miss You

The Texas guitarist Nicolas Hurt fleshes out 1 original and 3 selections from his peers for this personal, solo guitar effort.

Zeke Jarmon’s “Lemonade” starts the listen with much grace and warmth, where the sunny disposition and ragtime ideas make an impression, and the title track, by Justice Philips, emits both emotive and sonic qualities via the distinct intimacy.

The back half belongs to “The Springs” and “Lantern”. The former, the lone original, is populated by pastoral harmonies and swirling beauty, while Claire Puckett’s final piece is a mesmerizing moment of timeless folk qualities and highly introspective songwriting.

A quick record that is heartfelt and cinematic, Hurt’s agile fingers make each track a creative and touching moment of classical and folk nods.

Travels well with: Sam Wilson- Wintertides; An Laurence- Almost Touching

Nova Pon

Symphonies Of Mother And Child

Redshift, 2024

8/10

Listen to Symphonies Of Mother And Child

A Canadian composer with an impressive resume, Nova Pon enlists the Turning Point Ensemble for these 6 involved, classically influenced pieces that embrace experimental ideas, too.

“World Within” starts the listen with the soaring horns and rich climate making for a careful delivery, and “Symphonies Of Mother And Child” follows with “I. Entrancement” being particularly intimate and meticulous via the dreamy demeanor.

The remainder of the listen are also movements of “Symphonies Of Mother And Child”, where “III. Explore And Implore” uses the intricate strings with plenty of allure and emotion, while “V. Eternity’s Sunrise” allows the brass to radiate amid the moody winds of the unpredictable and often animated landscape.

An effort that possesses profound beauty just as it does complicated bursts, the Romantic and Post-Minimalist nods won’t be hard to appreciate, either.

Travels well with: Rodney Sharman- Known And Unknown: Solo Piano Works By Rodney Sharman; India Gailey- Problematica

Sam Wilson

Wintertides

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Wintertides

The guitarist and songwriter Sam Wilson is aligned with Jen Yakamovich and Geordie Hart for this 4th album that focuses of folk and jazz ideas.

“Light Through The Bend” gets the listen off to a warm start, where flowing guitar is met with Hart’s sublime bass for the poetic mood, and “Sandlines” follows with more emphasis on Yakamovich’s rich drumming amid the mesmerizing guitar tone.

The middle spot belongs to the intimacy of “The Moon Song”, where a breezy melody surrounds the coziness, while “Dance Of The Fungi” is a frisky moment of playful progressions and jazz rock nods.

“Waterside” and “Winterides” exit the listen, where the former allows for Wilson’s mesmerizing guitar to captivate us alongide the glowing rhythm section, and the latter emits a distinct ambience via the manipulated guitar.

An effort that arrived after a residency in British Columbia, the trio illuminate Wilson’s finger-style playing with strong attention to mood and melancholic moments steeped in minimalism that can often bring to mind the almighty Low.

Travels well with: Rodney Sharman- Known And Unknown: Solo Piano Works By Rodney Sharman; India Gailey- Problematica

Rodney Sharman/Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa

Known And Unknown: Solo Piano Works By Rodney Sharman

Redshift, 2024

8/10

Listen to Known And Unknown: Solo Piano Works By Rodney Sharman

The inimitable pianist Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa fleshes out a portrait album of the Vancouver artist Rodney Sharman, a project that’s been in the making since 2016, and showcases Iwaasa’s meticulous abilities.

Book 3’s “Mercurio dal ciel in terra” starts the listen with the gentle and intriguing keys that occasionally use deeper registers, and “Wounded” finishes this book with much atmosphere, where ominous moments populate the tense keys.

Book 2 offers us the stirring intimacy of “Carmen”, where the gentle progressions emit much beauty, while Book 1’s “La Rondine” tugs on the heartstrings with its emotive quality and moving demeanor.

The deeper tracks include the talking mixed in with the adventurous and firm keys of “The Garden”, which recruits exciting unpredictability, and the title track, which exits the listen with a quaint and lovely 9+ minutes of sublime song craft.

A project that embraces plenty of harmonic gestures and extended techniques, Iwaasa illuminates Sharman’s distinct vision with exceptional, gripping and timeless playing.

Travels well with: Cheryl Duvall/Patrick Giguère- Intimes Exubérances; India Gailey- Problematica

Temporal Waves

Temporal Waves

People Places, 2024

8/10

Listen to Temporal Waves

The brainchild of the Montreal artist Shawn Mativetsk, as Temporal Waves the multi-instrumentalist brings us 15 unclassifiable and exciting tracks that take help from Jace Lasek on occasion.

The low buzzing of the sci-fi friendly “I Remember” starts the listen with much intrigue, and it isn’t long until the thumping drums and bright synth of “Sprawl Twilight” surrounds our ears with radiating warmth.

Moving into the middle, Lasek’s well timed guitar enters “Cortical Network Oscillations”, where the rich synth and tribal spirit makes an indelible impression, while “Cyclotron” buries a swirling dreaminess amid the mesmerizing synth and Lasek’s meticulous guitar playing, as the setting turns towards rock territory.

Residing near the end, the rhythmic climate ”Warmth Of The Winter Sun” places Lasek on vocals makes for a dizzying album highlight of hypnotic and flowing sonic exploration, and “Postlude” exits with a haze of space synth for the quick 2 minutes.

A highly creative outing that flirts with ambient, electronic, synthwave and world fusion, Mativetsk’s adoration of Indian classical music is certainly present, and the healthy dose of analog synth sure does make for an atypical and fascinating body of work.

Travels well with: Leslie Ting- What Brings You In; India Gailey- Problematica

Cheryl Duvall/Patrick Giguére

Intimes Exubérances

Redshift, 2024

8/10

Listen to Intimes Exubérances

The revered Montréal-based composer Patrick Giguère and inimitable pianist-interpreter Cheryl Duvall come together for these tender solo piano pieces that are both touching and thought provoking.

“Part I — à la frontière de l'intangible” leads the listen with the soft, emotive keys that abruptly shift to firmer layers of expressive finger acrobatics, and “Part II — tisser le present” follows with a distinct dreaminess that has the mesmerizing piano radiating warmth.

The back half of the record brings the rumbling and louder presence of “Part III — corps, hors du temps”, where the unpredictable 10 minutes is the album’s best, while “Part IV — lueurs en voix” finds itself in intimate areas of reflection, as the setting allows for brighter moments amid the soft backdrop.

A exciting and enlightening display of modern classical ideas, Duvall and Giguére’s skills unfold with melodic and harmonic sensibilities that shift in tone and mood via much intrigue and memorableness.

Travels well with: Allison Burik- Realm; India Gailey- Problematica

Foreign Affair Trio

Sous Le Vent

Zoho, 2024

8/10

Listen to Sous Le Vent

Hector Martignon, Eduardo Dudú Penz and Raphael Nick, i.e. Foreign Affair Trio, come together with some guests for this cultured New York meets Geneva affair.

“Prelude X” opens the listen with warm keys from Martignon, as Nick’s light drums enter the gentle climate, and the upbeat “Pasilleando” follows with Luis Bonilla’s bright trombone and Jean-Lou Treboux’s swift vibraphone making for a melodic delivery.

Into the middle, “One Step Behind” emits playful bass lines from Penz for the rich album highlight, while “Johnny Come Lately” swings with plenty of flavor via Xavier Paternot’s well timed flute.

Landing near the end, “Bye Bye Brasil” embraces loads of Brazilian emotion via the textured beauty, and “Gabriela” exits with Martignon’s meticulous piano that suits the frisky drums and Penz’s agile bass.

A worldly version of jazz, Foreign Affair Trio bring much intimacy and exploration to this enlightening and playful record.

Travels well with: Eric Frazier- That Place; Shawn Maxwell- J Town Suite

Noah Haidu

Standards II

Sunnyside, 2024

8/10

Listen to Standards II

The esteemed pianist Noah Haidu is joined by Buster Williams and Bill Hart for these 7 well thought interpretations.

“Over The Rainbow” stars the listen with Hart’s frisky drums alongside Haidu’s warm keys that makes for a unique contrast between quick versus soft, and “Someone To Watch Over Me” follows with intimate keys and are complemented by Williams’ well timed bass plucking.

“Obsessión” and “Days Of Wine And Roses” land in the middle, where the former radiates plenty of culture amid Haidu’s meticulous keys, while the latter allows the cautious rhythm section to illuminate the flowing keys of the album’s best.

The last track, “I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)”, is a slow burner, where the elegant keys, calm bass and cozy drums emit much beauty.

An effort that’s heartfelt and exploratory, there’s 5 decades of collaboration between Williams and Hart, and that chemistry helps illuminate Haidu’s harmonic, swingin’ and diverse vision.

Travels well with: Kevin Sun- The Depths Of Memory; Aline Homzy- Éclipse

Yvette Norwood-Tiger

Love Is

Sweet Serenity, 2019

8/10

Listen to Love Is

An acclaimed international jazz vocalist and songwriter, the Detroit native Yvette Norwood-Tiger returns with a dozen tunes that are both jazz standards and well crafted originals, too.

“Equinox” starts the listen with Norwood-Tiger’s beaming vocals across the playful percussion and stylish jazz tune where trumpets punctuate the mood, and “Song For My Father” finds the songstress getting soulful and emotive alongside keys and soothing rhythms.

In the middle, “Long Lost Friends” offers a quick pace of danceable jazz fun, while “Come Sunday” recruits a gospel feeling into the powerful anthem that’s immediately memorable.

Near the end, “Time Is A Wrecking Ball”, a Norwood-Tiger original, has her flawless pipes on full display as keys illuminate the album highlight, and “Agua De Beber” settles into a frisky, snappy jazz number that’s impossible not to enjoy. “That’s All” ends the listen key heavy and elegant, firmly putting an exclamation point on the robust listen.

Norwood-Tiger reworks tunes by John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and Edith Piaf, among others, that celebrate love and her renditions are delivered with much passion, and even more sincerity and authenticity on this glowing, warm album.

Travels well with: Billie Holiday- Music For Torching; Nancy Wilson- A Touch Of Today