Nemo

Les Nouveaux Mondes

Quadrifonic, 2022

9/10

Listen to Les Nouveaux Mondes

Even though they’ve been on a hiatus for several years now, the French prog-rock legends Nemo decided to treat their fans to this 20th anniversary of their debut by re-recording it with their classic line up, i.e. Jean Baptiste Itier, Lionel B. Guichard, Guillaume Fontaine and JP Louveton.

“Abysses” starts the listen with a hazy atmosphere, before firm keys, thumping drums and swirling guitar enters the gritty yet melodic prog-rock, and “Dr Fergusson et les caprices du vent Vol.1 : Au dessus des toits” follows with a calm climate of expressive singing, where thicker layers and spacey ideas enter the unpredictable delivery.

“Dans la lune encore” lands at the halfway point, and it builds into a dynamic and flowing meshing of retro-rock, hard-rock and calm versus louder prog-bouts, while “Départ / Europe” moves with a quick pace of soaring and complicated rock that’s the best track included.

Approaching the end, “Nouveau monde” emits a dreamy tone that benefits from strategic keys and bursts of driving moments, and the 2 bonus tracks, “Africa” and “Bataille navale”, enlists Pascal Bertrand (drums) and Benoit Gaignon (bass) for some added music that only enhances the appeal of the reissue.

Nemo have released 9 albums of world renowned prog-rock, and here we’re brought back to how it all started. Since they haven’t officially disbanded, we can certainly hope their story isn’t over, but even if it is, the impact of their catalog has been a gift to the world that will forever be treasured.

Travels well with: Babal- Who Will I Be When I Leave?; Nine Skies- 5.20

The New Mastersounds

The Deplar Effect

Color Red, 2022

9/10

Listen to The Deplar Effect

The long running soul and funk revivalists The New Mastersounds return with 13 new tunes, where this 17th album has band leader Eddie Roberts and company fleshing out some of their best work to date.

“Watchu Want” starts the listen with spirited, bluesy guitars, playful organ and acrobatic drumming in the dynamic and soulful climate, and “Gonna Get In My Way”, a tune penned by Shelby Kemp (Royal Horses), is delivered by Lamar Williams Jr.’s flowing pipes amid a lively rhythm section.

Close to the middle, “Highlining” showcases meticulous bass lines in the very worldly flavor, while “High On The Mountain”, a tune inspired by the Icelandic climate, finds a dance friendly play to reside that would fit in well in the ‘60s soul scene.

Near to the end, “Northern Lights” finds plenty of warm grooves as it cultivates much beauty in its instrumental prowess, and “Before” exits the listen with a bit of intimacy that recruits R&B nods to complement the crisp drums, dreamy moments and sincere songwriting.

The Mastersounds offer us a very diverse effort here, where jazz, boogaloo, and New Orleans sensibilities are present and appreciated across the adventurous and heartfelt demeanor that populates the songs from beginning to end.

Travels well with: Pimps Of Joytime- Jukestone Paradise; Lettuce- Crush

SweetNur

Central Station

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Central Station

The Memphis singer-songwriter Chris Nurthen, i.e. SweetNur, brings us a brief listen of songs about adulthood, marriage and family, and his universally embraceable version of roots rock sure does strike a chord immediately.

“Misunderstood” opens the listen with thick guitar, upbeat keys and frisky drumming, as smooth vocals enter the fluid roots rock, and “Bay Dale” follows with a summery country rock approach that’s got plenty of breezy melody present and appreciated.

On the back half, the moody strings and soothing vocal harmonies from Traci De Leon on “This Little House” make this one of the best, while “John Denver” brings De Leon back for the agile acoustic guitar focused exit that builds into a lush, soaring display of glorious Americana that illustrates much skill.

Although he’s been writing songs for a long time now, joining the Naval Academy and starting a family kept his creative side a bit dormant. His commitment to the navy ended in 2020, and now SweetNur’s focused on writing music that we can all enjoy and relate to, as evidenced by this superb EP.

Travels well with: Eden James- All The Good Blank Are Taken; Chuck McDermott- 38 Degrees And Raining

Duncan Sheik

Claptrap

AntiFragile, 2022

8/10

Listen to Claptrap

The award winning artist Duncan Sheik returns with his first album in 7 years, and it’s a therapeutic pop affair that bridges critical wordplay with no lack of melodies in his timeless formula.

“Experience” starts the listen with crisp drums and Sheik’s warm vocals in a very modern, pop friendly climate, and “Isn’t It So” follows with graceful strings, as a bit of an orchestral quality enters the very expressive singing and folk tinted landscape.

Further on, “Smoke And Mirrors” emits a stylish energy that’s made for the dance floor with its shimmering guitar, while “You’ll Never Be Alone” is quite poetic, with much emphasis on atmosphere amid a bit of mystery.

On the back half, “Out From Underneath” is a richly textured and eloquent album highlight that illuminates Sheik’s soaring pipes, and “Scorpios” exits with a bare, soft delivery of gentle acoustic guitar and stirring singing.

Though he will probably never see the mainstream success he had in 1996 with the hit “Barely Breathing”, Sheik is still making very sincere, honest and timeless music that’s quite capable of leaving a lasting impression.

Travels well with: Ann Wilson- Fierce Bliss; Paula Cole- American Quilt

Adventure

The Tales Of Belle Part 2: Unveiled By Fire

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Tales Of Belle Part 2: Unveiled By Fire

The six piece Norwegian outfit Adventure return with a 2nd installment of their music about the mass murderess Belle Gunness, and it includes 10 tracks penned during lockdown that surround the death of her 2nd husband.

“Cruel Mind” starts the listen with crisp drums, and buzzing synth, as expressive vocals enter the mysterious climate, and “I Finally Knew” follows with a more firm display of spacey, psychedelic sounds that emit warmth and a bit of ruggedness.

Halfway through, “Inside Her Mind” offers a hypnotic and ominous moment of thick prog-rock, while “Golden Ore” moves with a more driving pace of retro-rock that’s quite melodic.

“In Court” and “Confession” exit the listen, where the former showcases pretty piano alongside cryptic talking that builds into a richly delivered album highlight, and the latter finishes with glowing synth, thumping drums and plenty of timeless hard rock moments.

A very creative affair that is steeped in ‘70s rock, folk and prog sounds, there’s a nice smattering of harmony vocals, too, as Odd-Roar Bakken (keys), Terje Flessen (guitars), Terje Craig (bass/vocals), Alf-Helge Lund (drums), Elen Cath Hopen (vocals/keys/flute) and Kjell Myran (vocals) impress us yet again.

Travels well with: Jørgen Dretvik- Psykomagi; Sleepyard- Head Values

Jørgen Dretvik

Psykomagi

Apollon, 2022

10//10

Listen to Psykomagi

The Trondheim, Norway guitarist and vocalist Jørgen Dretvik returns with a sophomore album, where he employs symbolic actions to release emotional and psychological blockages via his eclectic version of cautious and adventurous rock’n’roll.

“AminA” opens the listen with an infectious energy of upbeat and warm folk sounds that are as melodic as they are timeless, and “Tårnets Fall” follows with a driving and gritty display of flowing rock that recruits thumping drum acrobatics.

In the middle, “Når Æ Ser På Dæ” moves swiftly, where raw singing and swirling guitars make for an album highlight, while “Overvåka” trims the pace back with moody keys and a bouncy rhythm that emits a slight reggae feel.

Arriving near the end, the spacey sounds of “Min Kjære Hæks” lead into more psychedelic areas, and “Mamma” exits with a richly textured and diverse version of rock that’s mysterious and inviting.

Dretvik is joined by Jon Krogstad (bass), Sondre Mikalsen (drums), Pai Leer (electric guitar), and Ketil Kielland Lund (flugelhorn), and together they make for a very personal and musically unique listen that is perhaps one of the best on the Apollon label, which is no easy feat.

Travels well with: Anders Buaas- The Edinburgh Suite; Sleepyard- Head Values

Dang!!!

The Will Of God

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Will Of God

The Viken, Norway rockers Dang!!! return with 7 more tunes of their inimitable, loud, apocalyptic version of rock that’s as brutal as it is relevant in these turbulent times.

“The New Machine” starts the listen with the sounds of what the cover art would make, before speedy and fuzzed out rock and howled vocals enter the powerful climate, and “Caliphate Hate” follows with a thundering display that’s a bit ominous and touches on ‘90s alt-rock amid the eerie talking.

In the middle, “Taste Of Cruel” takes on industrial ideas amid the driving garage rock nods, while “Lost In Time” presents swirling guitars with a hint of punk rock alongside the playful organ. “Unlawful Interception” exits the listen, and it’s a soaring yet intimate display that erupts into a dynamic and charged anthem for the end of the world.

Somehow meshing Gothic, psychedelic, power-pop, alt-rock and garage-rock into one menacing listen, Dang!!! paint a bleak portrait of the world, and it's one that’s musically fierce and lyrically aware.

Travels well with: Dang!!!- Sociopathfinder; Mythopoeic Mind- Hatchling

Jakob Dreyer

Songs, Hymns And Ballads: Volume 1

Fresh Sound New Talent, 2022

8/10

Listen to Songs, Hymns And Ballads: Volume 1

The bassist and composer Jakob Dreyer brings along Jason Rigby (tenor sax), Jon Cowherd (piano) and Jimmy MacBride (drums) for these 8 well executed jazz tunes that introduce us to his very exciting talents as bandleader.

“Milchstrasse” starts the listen with soulful brass and playful drumming, as much elegance and warmth enters the equation, and “Gothamburg” follows with much focus on the acrobatic drumming, where graceful piano adds much beauty.

Elsewhere, the infectious energy of “Epistemology” bounces and shakes with swift and dynamic musicianship, while “J-Song” places much emphasis on the strategic bass lines in the dreamy album highlight.

“Kaspar” and “The Cure” exit the listen, where the former flows with a very modern jazz flavor thanks to the charming sax, frisky drums and stunning bass prowess, and the latter spotlights Dreyer absorbing bass manipulation amid sophisticated sax and poetic keys.

Dreyer has been a sideman on over 20 releases, and this first listen as bandleader is a superb and timeless outing that thankfully has a sequel, too.

Travels well with: David Binney- Tomorrow’s Journey; Steve Shapiro- Plan To Be Spontaneous

Peter Boyer

Balance Of Power

Naxos, 2022

8/10

Listen to Balance Of Power

The American orchestral composer Peter Boyer brings us 8 of his recent compositions, where the London Symphony Orchestral helps flesh out the cinematic, sweeping and glowing song craft that welcomes some esteemed guests, too.

“Curtain Raiser” starts the listen with vibrant strings and booming drumming in the very animated and dramatic setting, and the title track follows with 18+ minutes of intimate ebbs, where the dreamy winds help build into a majestic presence that again retreats to calm.

In the middle, “Rolling River” moves with a stirring, gorgeous display of sublime string interaction, while “Elegy” brings in Christine Powell on English horn and Bryn Lewis on harp for the mesmerizing and reflective album highlight.

Further yet, “In The Cause Of The Free” enlists James Fountain’s trumpet for a very soulful and poetic demeanor, and “Fanfare, Hymn And Finale” exits with a firm, thumping and triumphant spirit of loud drums, energetic horns and dynamic strings.

The songs here were commissioned for the the 95th birthday of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and were also composed for the inauguration of President Joe Biden in 2021, and they represent the scope of Boyer’s talents, as well as the spirit of America with much attention to detail.

Travels well with: Margaret Brouwer- Reactions; Frederic Hand- Across Time

Jennifer Grim

Through Broken Time

New Focus, 2022

8/10

Listen to Through Broken Time

The flutist Jennifer Grim brings her inimitable talent to Michael Sheppard’s agile piano skills, as they do justice to compositions of Afro-Modernism and post-minimalism ideas thanks to a handful of esteemed composers.

Tania León’s “Alma” starts the listen with Grim’s unpredictable flute prowess alongside Sheppard’s warm keys in the very calming landscape that embraces Cuban grooves, and “Argoru III”, by Alvin Singleton, follows with a solo flute performance that’s sometimes bare, and other times quivers with a complicated and fascinating manipulation of tonality.

David Sanford’s “Klatka Still” arrives in the middle, and it presents both beauty and darkness in the lush climate, while “Homeland” focuses on the flute with very ambient and unorthodox gestures that makes this the album’s best thanks to Allison Loggins-Hull’s vision. “Wish Sonatine” is near the exit, and it combines low keys and stirring flute for the tumultuous, rhythmic and powerful presentation of Valerie Coleman’s artistry.

A multi-dimensional effort that is quite meticulous and diverse, there just isn’t a second here that’s not exciting and memorable.

Travels well with: Mikel Kuehn- Entanglements; Steven Ricks- Assemblage Chamber

Kramies

Kramies

VanGerrett/Hidden Shoal, 2022

8/10

Listen to Kramies

The singer-songwriter Kramies (Kraim-iss) pens an autobiographical listen, where he takes contributions from some very well known musicians, who help him illuminate songs about death, addiction, and heartfelt nostalgia.

“Days Of” opens the listen with sounds from Patrick Carney (The Black Keys) and Jason Lytle (Grandaddy) for the slow burning elegance that’s a bit darker in scope, and “Horses To Maine” follows with some atmospheric twinkling that showcases a poetic and cinematic folk demeanor.

“Ohio I’ll Be Fine” occupies the middle spot and is soaked in soft and minimal folk sounds, while “You’d Be The Fall” is particularly dreamy, and unfolds with a very harmonic tone of lush beauty.

Close to the end, “Owl And The Crow” builds into a cathartic folk-rocker that soars high, and “4:44am” exits with a bare singer-songwriter appeal that’s shrouded in mystery and so much warmth.

Somewhere between dream-pop and indie-folk, the listen also features Tyler Ramsey (Band Of Horses), Jerry Becker (Train), and Jim Bogis (Counting Crows), and they help make for a journey that’s steeped in self-reflection and growth.

Travels well with: Derek Hoke- Electric Mountain; M. Lockwood Porter- Communion In The Ashes

Babal

Who Will I Be When I Leave?

Melodic Revolution, 2022

9/10

Listen to Who Will I Be When I Leave?

A very eclectic prog-influenced outfit from the UK, Karen Langley (vocals), Rob Williams (guitars, guitar synth, bass, programming) and Jon Sharp (drums) make up Babal, and they’ve got some guests along for these very unpredictable 9 tracks.

“3 Minutes” starts the listen with an atypically textured version of prog-rock sounds that benefits from pretty singing and Sharp’s agile drumming, and “Sitting Pretty” follows with a driving pace of bright synth and swirling guitars, as the setting turns into a highly melodic execution.

Further on, the dreamy quality of “Dead End Friends” give it almost a cinematic quality, where expressive storytelling balances warmth and tension, while “The Wolf Slips Up Quickly” recruits Paul Smith on bass and showcases Lee Henderson’s lyrics amid busier, precisely textured dynamics.

Near to the end, the glowing synth and eloquent talking of “Baby Wants Freedom” makes for a distinct, psyche-rock flavored album highlight, and the title track exits with a thicker presence of their prog ways that’s as memorable as it is complex.

Often times reminding us of the creative sounds coming out of Norway’s prog-rock scene, whether this is your first experience with Babal or you’ve been following all along, you’re going to be impressed.

Travels well with: Wobbler- Dwellers Of The Deep; Bjorn Riis- Everything To Everyone

Nica Carrington

Times Like These

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Times Like These

The jazz vocalist Nica Carrington possesses a very soulful spirit to her voice, and on this debut she interprets songs from the Great American Songbook with John Proulx (piano), Chuck Berghofer (bass) and Joe Labarbera (drums) by her side.

“Skylark” starts the listen with Carrington’s soulful voice amid the gentle piano, as much beauty unfolds in the intimate landscape, and “Left Alone” follows with the well timed drums adding much to the cozy jazz climate.

In the middle, “We’ll Be Together Again” showcases plenty of emotion in Carrington’s poetic delivery, while “The Summer Knows” builds into a somewhat fuller display of graceful keys, light drums and subtle bass in a very powerful album highlight.

Deeper still, “The Shadow Of Your Smile” is quite charming in a playful sort of way, and “Here’s To Life” exits with a stirring quality that radiates warmth, humility and a wiseness that’s present across the entire affair.

Although Carrington’s been singing and studying voice since childhood, it took the pandemic to push her into the world of recorded music, and she delivers like a seasoned vet on this timeless and superb first effort.

Travels well with: Tracye Eileen- You Hit The Spot; Vicki Burns- Lotus Blossom Days

Jason Kao Hwang

Uncharted

Toast Science, 2022

10/10

Listen to Uncharted Faith

Jason Kao Hwang is an extremely talented artist with an iconoclastic vision, and here he takes the company of an equally unique mind, J.A. Deane, who handles electronics like few others will even attempt.

“Parallel Universe” opens the listen, and it makes a sizable impression with its waves of sci-fi like noises and ambient textures that hardly seem like they could originate on this planet, and “Singularity” follows with manipulated strings, electronic tinkering and a whole lot of imagination.

In the middle, the low sounds of “Crossing The Horizon” emit a bit of an ominous quality, while “Shamans Of Light” is downright haunting in its strategic squealing and eerie layers of avant-garde jazz.

The listen exits on “Speaking In Tongues” and the title track, where the former is awash in buzzing electronics, and the latter spends 20 minutes mesmerizing us with its strategic balance of space and tension.

Very tragically, Deane did not see this body of work in its finished form, as he passed away from a cancer he chose not to seek treatment for. Instead, he wished to transition with his life partner, who had passed away in 2019. An innovator in electronic music from the ‘80s, his contributions here are awe inspiring, and certainly help illuminate Hwang’s violin, overdrive, distortion, fuzz, wah-wah, phaser and whammy acrobatics.

Travels well with: Jason Kao Hwang- Human Rites Trio; Steve Tintweiss Spacelight Band- Live At NYU: 1980

The Commoners

Find A Better Way

Gypsy Soul, 2022

8/10

Listen to Find A Better Way

Yet another excellent roots rock outfit from Canada, Toronto’s The Commoners don’t shy away from firm riffs, soulful singing and colorful harmonies across these nostalgic 9 tracks.

The title track gets off to a lively start with the thick guitars and thumping drums that are met with moody organ and soaring vocals, and “Fill My Cup” follows with an initial calmer display of cautious, southern rock, but it doesn’t take long to build into a driving and busy climate of powerful retro sounds.

Further along, “Too Much” swirls with contagious riffage that’s rugged yet tuneful, while “I Wont” enters more intimate areas of thoughtful, flowing and lush, soulful rock.

The final two tracks, “Hangin’ On” and “Alive”, are just as robust, where the former emits a bit of dreamy, folk influence, and the latter exits with a cathartic, acoustic fueled moment with well timed pedal steel.

The band are comprised of Chris Medhurst (vocals/guitar), Ben Spiller (bass), Ross Citrullo (lead guitar), and Adam Cannon (drums), and they thankfully don’t hide their influences from The Black Crowes, Marcus King and the Allman Brothers on this exceptional body of work.

Travels well with: Bywater Call- Remain; The Georgia Thunderbolts- Can We Get A Witness

Timothy McAllister & Liz Ames

Project Encore, Vol. 1

Neuma, 2022

8/10

Listen to Project Encore, Vol. 1

Timothy McAllister brings his inimitable, classical sax playing to the stunning piano playing of Liz Ames here, where both minimalism and modernism fill the Latin, jazz, funk and theater nods across these daring 14 tracks.

Nina Shekhar’s “Careful Shouts” opens the listen with unpredictable sax squeals and subtle, atmospheric keys that manipulate space well with a very curious version of jazz, and "Lilac Tears”, by Jennifer Jolley, follows with the dreamy keys and soulful brass building into a soaring display.

Moving on, Griffin Candey’s “Kid Gloves” finds an intimate place to reside, where the poetic sax and gentle keys meet at a stirring intersection, while “Elegy” seems like it could soundtrack a fairy tale with the soothing gestures and very pretty song craft that nearly gets meditative in the Marianne Ploger composition.

Further down the line, the upbeat and lively “Obstacle Illusion” is populated by bright finger acrobatics and complicated sax as the pair do the Zoe Cutler piece justice, and Jim Territo’s “When The Heart Breaks Through” exits with an initial vulnerable quality that segues into a very charming, uplifting finish.

A very unique listen that embraces abstract pop moments as well as rich moments of dramatic swells, McAllister and Ames create a highly atypical version of contemporary classical sounds that requires repeated listens.

Travels well with: Richard Carr- Landscapes And Lamentations; Lawson & Merrill- Signals

Truth & Salvage Co.

Atoms Form

Blackbird, 2022

9/10

Listen to Atoms Form

The long running Los Angeles rockers Truth & Salvage Co. return with 14 new tracks, where their heartfelt and gorgeous singing illuminates folk, country, Americana and rock’n’roll ideas amid their exciting version of roots rock.

“Charm City” starts the listen with a dense atmosphere that’s even a bit cosmic, where precise drums complement the swirling guitars, and “24 Hours” follows with Brian Wright’s guest banjo alongside Lissie’s soulful voice adding much allure to the cautious climate.

Elsewhere, “Silver Lining” thumps with an infectious energy that benefits from soaring vocals in the loud roots rock, while “Bird On A Wing” finds a more lush play to reside, as both grit and melody enter the lovely textures.

Close to the end, the stylish and dance floor friendly “Island” radiates both playfulness and beauty, and “Alive” exits with an eloquent intimacy that burns slow, powerfully and with much warmth.

The core of the band consists of Adam Grace (organ, keys), Tim Jones (guitar, vocals), Scott Kinnebrew (guitar, vocals), Bill Smith (drums, vocals) and Walker Young (piano, vocals), and they bring in a few contributors as well. Somewhat of a comeback album after being on a hiatus for years, Atoms Form shows the band at a career high, where clearly a lot of work went into each memorable and absorbing tune.

Travels well with: Jeffrey Halford And The Healers- Soul Crusade; Derek Hoke- Electric Mountain

Various Artists

A Dream Is A Wish: A Special Tribute To The Magical Kingdom

Pinecastle, 2022

8/10

Listen to A Dream Is A Wish: A Special Tribute To The Magical Kingdom

A very adventurous project where Tony Wray plays guitar and banjo and Tim Crouch handles fiddle throughout the entire record, each song brings different vocalists to the formula, and it’s an all star cast of very familiar names in the area of bluegrass.

“The Lord Is Good To Me” opens the listen with Jim Denman’s smooth pipes guiding the gospel flavored bluegrass that’s quite warm, and “Put It Togther: Biddidi Bobbidi Boo” follows with Kim Roe’s talking and singing in the playful and charming climate.

Halfway through, “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” recruits Dennis Parker’s harmonic singing alongside the stirring fiddle and fluid banjo, while “Baby Mine” places Dale Ann Bradley, Denman and Wray on vocals for the sublime intimacy that’s quite dreamy.

Further on the back half, Sarah Logan’s eloquent pipes illuminate the poetic beauty of “When You Wish Upon A Star”, and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” puts a very fun twist on the classic with its meticulous, instrumental dynamics.

A project that keeps the spirit of the originals alive while also putting a very distinct twist on the songs, each vocalist’s inimitable singing makes for much diversity, and the nostalgia is quite fun.

Travels well with: Route 3- Losing Time; Wildfire- Quiet Country Time

Tony Wray/Tim Crouch

Ultimate Bluegrass Gospel

Pinecastle, 2022

8/10

Listen to Ultimate Bluegrass Gospel

The Pinecastle label brings their Ultimate series back, and this time it showcases 10 instrumentals that interpret legendary Gospel tunes via Tony Wray and Tim Crouch’s meticulous performances.

“What A Friend We Have In Jesus” starts the listen with chunky banjo, before stirring fiddle enters the warm climate, and “In The Garden” follows with soothing acoustic guitar that emits much beauty in the breezy demeanor that’s a bit twang friendly.

“Softly And Tenderly” occupies the middle spot, and it’s both of those things in a very intimate way, while “Life’s Railway To Heaven” flows with meticulous string interaction via the timeless bluegrass flavor.

“Pass Me Not” and “Sweet Hour Of Prayer” exit the listen, where the former radiates a dreamy quality in the emotive musicianship, and the latter exits with a bare and absorbing tone that instills a reflective mood.

Some of these songs go back to the 1800’s, and a few you’ve probably heard before, but never quite like this. Pinecastle did take a 9 year break from this series, and this return will be sure to please those with an ear for gospel influenced bluegrass.

Travels well with: The King James Boys- Walk On Faith; Route 3- Losing Time

Shannon Gunn

Gunn’s Ablazin’

Jazz To The Bone, 2019

8/10

Listen to Gunn’s Ablazin’

A trombone wizard from Washington D.C., Shannon Gunn is in fine company here as these tunes take help from both the Firebird Organ Trio and the Shannon Gunn Quintet on this very eclectic jazz listen.

“Orange Noise” is a trombone led, jazz filled setting with playful vibraphone that’s dedicated to all the lies littering Twitter, and “Missing Perspective” follows with mystery as the instrumentation turns reckless yet precise.

In the middle, “Ms. Cheverly” offers brushed percussion from the trio under the brass fun, while “Cruash” is a busy, dynamic delivery of massive skill that few people could replicate.

Deeper cuts bring us the stylish and subdued cover of H.E.R.’s “Carried Away”, and the shuffling jazz of “Cycal”, which is one of the album’s best. “Rainbow Connection” ends the listen and, yes, it is the classic tune redone with Gunn’s trombone leading the way on the tribute to Aretha Franklin.

Both very artistic and also providing social commentary, the incredible talent present makes it quite easy to see why Gunn was voted Best D.C, Trombonist in two separate years. Similarly, it wouldn’t surprise me if Gunn’s Ablazin’ finds itself being one of the best jazz albums this year.

Travels well with: Carl Fontana-The Fifties; Wycliffe Gordon- Somebody New