Connor Leimer

Postcard

Self-Released, 2015

8/10

Listen to Postcard

A teenage multi-instrumentalist (well, he was 19 when this album came out), Connor Leimer sure does impress us on this debut album where members of She’s A Keeper and singer Gracie Schram, among others, lend a hand.

The aptly titled “Groove” starts the listen with bouncy guitar work as Leimer’s smooth, playful vocals complement the upbeat atmosphere, and “6 Days Ago” follows with soulful horns in the laid back, reggae influenced atmosphere.

The title track lands in the middle amid a folk spirited climate that recruits melodic and breezy instrumentation, while “Sunset” is a percussively strong and dynamic display of intricate guitar lines alongside a skilled rhythm section. “Doorbell”, one of the record’s best, then gets bluesy with much beauty in the mature landscape.

The last 2 songs, “Driving” and “Thinking About You”, are just as exceptional, including the piano friendly rock of the former, and the latter shuffles with a warm, energetic approach you could dance to.

At a time when most of his peers were preparing to graduate high school, Leimer was preparing to dive headfirst into a music career with this top notch singer-songwriter album.

Travels well with: Dylan Gardner- Adventures In Real Time; Clemency- You’ve Got The Fire

Charlotte Berg

It’s The Damsel Who Decides

Self-Released, 2016

8/10

Listen to It’s The Damsel Who Decides

A Connecticut native, the songstress Charlotte Berg brings her classically trained piano skills and eloquent vocals to 10 very thoughtful tracks, where Tim Grogan, Bobby Holland, Elliot Ryan and Travis Vance are on hand to help illuminate her timeless song craft.

Berg starts the listen with “It’s My Life”, where her pretty vocals guide the soft, agile instrumentation that benefits much from Ryan’s guitar work, and “Right Through You” follows with warm keys from Berg as her expressive pipes show much range and skill.

Elsewhere, “You And i Won’t Fade” finds itself in sublime balladry as keys and eloquent singing align fluidly, while “Turning Into Nothing” is a folk spirited and cozy display of intricate acoustic guitar amid Berg’s passionate singing. “Just For Now”, the album standout, then pairs keys and Berg’s pipes again with a rich and intimate delivery.

Close to the end, “Tell Me Why” displays Groban’s precise drumming amid the sophisticated, breezy melodies, and “Our Hearts” exits the listen with a playful quality where shades of Americana enter the memorable finish.

Now living in Nashville, Berg certainly embraces the time honored traditions of her current home, and brings a lifetime of experience to a very poetic and accomplished batch of tunes with It’s The Damsel Who Decides.

Travels well with: Yumi Ito- Stardust Crystals; Sarah Morris- All Mine

Clustersun

Surfacing To Breathe

Seahorse, 2017

9/10

Listen to Surfacing To Breathe

An Catania (Sicily) outfit who are well versed in psychedelic sounds just as they are moody post-punk and pop friendly shoegaze, this 2nd album from Clustersun is 8 tracks of precise and captivating beauty and noise in a setting that sounds indebted to the softer sounds of the ‘60s and the punk/goth/New Wave ideas coming out of England in the early ‘80s.

“Raw Nerve” starts the listen percussively strong as a dreamy atmosphere enters with soaring vocals amid a delivery that’s part alt-rock and part post-punk, and “Antagonize Me” follows with moments of calmer buzzing versus loud swells of sonically engaging noise that’s still quite tuneful.

In the middle, “The Whirling Dervish” finds an ambient place to reside, where an ominous quality enters both soothing and abrasive climates, while “Don’t Let The Weight Of Your Soul Drag You Down” glides with an ethereal approach that’s cinematic and majestic.

Closer to the end, “Surfacing To Breathe” brings doom and pop together in its hazy, retro execution, and “Event Horizon” exits the listen on the best track, where shoegaze, space-rock and dream-pop all meet with much creativity.

A band that will appeal to fans of Pink Floyd, My Bloody Valentine or even Bauhaus, Clustersun’s meticulous use of reverb and strategic melodies make Surfacing To Breathe an absolutely incredible record.

Travels well with: Cheatahs- Extended Plays; Eagulls- Eagulls

Chandler Travis Philharmonic

Waving Kissyhead Vol. 2 & 1

Sonic Trout, 2016

9/10

Listen to Waving Kissyhead Vol. 2 & 1

The Cape Cod artist Chandler Travis is nothing if not atypical, and his kaleidoscope like delivery has his pop stylings bringing to mind legends like XTC, The Kinks or even They Might Be Giants on this 2016 record.

The album opens with the multifaceted “You Got Me Started”, where a quirky quality that seems indebted to the ‘80s is aligned with melodic rock’n’roll that’s piano friendly, and “Maybe This Is Our Year” follows and is an initially calmer approach where Travis offers smooth vocals amid soulful organ as the tune builds into a busy display of brass friendly exploration.

The Vol. 2 portion of the listen offers 13 songs, and they’re all vastly different, including the dreamy turned hectic “Bobby Brown”, while “Here For A Reason” recruits a jazzy approach with breathy vocals. “Air Running Backwards” then brings falsetto singing to an indie-pop album highlight.

The Vol. 1 tunes, and there’s just 4, offer the chunky guitar and firm vocals of “E”, and “Your Wife And Mother” brings a ska feel to plenty of rhythm in the bouncing landscape. “Make Yourself Happy” exits the listen with a festive spirit, as horn acrobatics and deft organ fun complement the upbeat singing.

Travis has enjoyed a very colorful career, first spearheading Travis Shook and the Club Wow, before releasing 4 albums with the Incredible Casuals. With the Chandler Travis Philharmonic he’s bringing many decades of experience to a charming and really enjoyable brand of off kilter song craft that’s irresistible, as evidenced by this peculiarly addictive record.

Travels well with: They Might Be Giants- My Murdered Remains; R. Stevie Moore- Afterlife

Various Artists

Dashing: Sounds Of The Season

Navona, 2016

8/10

Listen to Dashing: Sounds Of The Season

The Navona label has brought us legions of music in the area of classical, chamber and orchestral sounds, and here they even offer us a holiday album where The Stanberry Singers, the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra are on hand with their inimitable talents.

“A Visit From St. Nicholas” starts the listen with animated narration from Kerry Stratton as warm, bright chamber music soundtracks the story, and “O Holy Night (Cantique De Noel)” follows with both soulful saxophone and stirring strings working together sublimely.

Elsewhere, L Peter Deutsch’s “A Winter’s Rime” recruits The Stanberry Singers as well as Emily S. Van Niman’s english horn for the expressive choral track, while “The Holly And The Ivy” adds Rebekah E. Chesnes on flute to complement The Stanberry Singers in the vocally strong climate.

The back half of the album is exceptional, too, and includes James Shrader’s “In The Bleak Of Winter”, where The Stanberry Singers harmonize sans instruments in the soothing, stirring delivery, and “Behold That Star” benefits from Sean David Taylor’s baritone and Shawn Dawson’s organ in the Chistopher J. Hoh folk song. The lone contribution from the Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, works Kevin Stout’s trombone into the rich melodies of the Henry Wolking tune.

The album highlight arrives late, as Timothy Lee Miller’s “A Christmas Celebration” is fleshed out by the Moravian Philharmonia Wind and Percussion Ensemble with big band dynamics amid the festive, booming finish.

Selected from a varied set of composers, the musicians here turn in some very well executed interpretations that will certainly add much joy, culture and excitement to any holiday playlist.

Travels well with: Jonathan Badger- Piano Quartets; Athenia Trio- Brush Strokes

David Gibson

Boom!

Posi-Tone, 2015

8/10

Listen to Boom!

A jazz trombonist with a massive amount of skill, David Gibson brings Josh Evans, Theo Hill, Alex Claffy and Kush Abadey along for these 10 tracks of beaming, modern jazz.

“The High Road” starts the listen with Theo Hill’s playful keys and deft trumpet from Josh Evans as Gibson’s strategic trombone highlights the lively jazz setting, and “The Rare Truth” follows with calmer, soulful approach that flows with beauty and grace.

In the middle, “Persephone” displays strong chemistry between the brass and keys, as the tune builds into a busy, rhythmic album highlight, while “Empathy” flows with an agile and warm spirit that glides gently but also with rich textures as Gibson’s trombone skills shine bright.

As we near the end, “The Cup Bearers” finds a busy place to reside, where much dynamic musicianship exits between the players, and “Change The World” exits the listen calm and intimate, as a pretty landscape is executed with much poise in the unique cover.

Gibson’s taken up the bandleader spot on several recordings before and after Boom!, and there’s no really no bad place to start in his discography for the fist time listener, especially if timeless jazz sounds are your cup of tea.

Travels well with: Jared Gold- Reemergence; Douglas Olsen- 2 Cents

Come Wind

Move In Place

Self-Released, 2015

8/10

Listen to Move In Place

The debut album from the Ohio outfit, Come Wind made quite an impression with Move In Place, where their lush brand of indie-rock is both rooted in Americana and pop ideas, and are fleshed out with a heartfelt approach that you can also dance to.

“Move In Place Pt. 1” starts the listen with plenty of warm atmosphere as sublime vocals suit the emotive, Americana inspired setting, and “Birds Will Never Fly” follows with spirited guitar lines, where more emphasis on percussion enters the busy and rhythmic display of intricate, exciting indie-rock.

Near the middle, “Clarity” buzzes with an anthemic energy as the band approach stadium sized rock, while “Come & Go” resides in gentle, stirring territory with a sublime acoustic landscape. “Winter” another very strong track, then alternates between calm melodies and punchy, upbeat bouts of thriving rock.

Close to the end, “Found” approaches club friendly pop sensibilities as bouncy bass lines suit the contagious energy well, and “Move In Place 2” exits the listen similar to how it started, sparse, pretty and with graceful singing.

The quintet released a trio of records after this one, all of which were well received. Things have been a little quiet on their end in recent years, but let’s hope more new music on the horizon, as their varied and unique formula is much appreciated.

Travels well with: Chris Laterzo- West Coast Sound; The Americans- I’ll Be Yours

Arrica Rose & The ...'s

Low As The Moon

POprOck, 2017

9/10

Listen to Low As The Moon

The always unpredictable and impressive Arrica Rose finds herself and her band residing in some form of California folk-pop here, where vintage rock’n’roll nods are in attendance that give Low As The Moon a very classic feel.

Rose starts the listen with the warm and expressive “All And None Of These Things”, where her breathy vocals align with spirited guitar work in a darkly textured folk atmosphere, and “Whole Lotta Lows” follows with much beauty as pop friendly melody surrounds the dreamy, inviting display.

There’s 13 tracks here, and each one is substantial, including the bare but impactful “Angels And Whiskey”, where a poetic climate is accented by Rose’s stirring pipes, while “Molecules In Bloom” benefits greatly from a reflective tone that even brings some playful singing. ”Bobby”, one of the album’s best, then recruits a melodic and buzzing rocker that’s both cautious and frisky and so, so memorable.

Further still, “Summer Somewhere” finds itself in very soft territory, where Rose’s light singing is met with soothing strings, and “Youth Are Wasted” exits the listen with another slow burner as sparse percussion complements the emotive landscape and gentle guitar lines.

Rose has come a long way from her teenage years playing in punk bands, as she embraces Americana, pop, rock and even moments of grit that point to her formative years on this lyrically eloquent and musically rich effort.

Travels well with: Kate Tucker & The Sons Of Sweden- The Shape The Color The Feel; Lydia Luce- Azalea

Alex Bird & The Jazz Mavericks

Whisky Kisses

Self-Released, 2020

8/10

Listen to Whisky Kisses

A Canadian jazz singer-songwriter with a penchant for classic sounds akin to Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra or even Elvis, here with The Jazz Mavericks, i.e. Ewen Farncombe, Eric West and Scott Hunter, Alex Bird turns in 11 originals with plenty of nostalgic flavor.

“Fire Not Warmth” starts the listen with low bass, warm organ and moody percussion as Bird’s inimitable vocals enter the jazz friendly landscape, and “Baby, I’ll Have You” follows with graceful piano steering a tune that parallels the timelessness of Sinatra or Bublé.

As we near the middle, “Gotta Run” moves with plenty of grooves amid a stylish and vocally strong setting, while “The Colours Of October” is a playful venture into lounge dynamics with keys, drums and bass all working together sublimely. “The Way She Moves”, one of the album’s best, then swings with much rhythm where Farncombe’s key make an indelible impression.

Near the end, “A Beautiful Girl” is a beautiful song with much melody in an atmosphere that sounds like it could have been made in any decade since the ‘60s and will fit in for decades to come, and “Whisky Kisses” exits the listen in balladry, where expressive singing and restrained musicianship highlight the talent present.

Very much a modern take on the traditions of the Great American Songbook, Bird resonates with a quality parallel to Tony Bennett or Harry Connick Jr., and this debut album easily solidifies him as a highly skilled artist with both intimate and adventurous song craft that sounds as great today as it will 30 years from now.

Travels well with: Rebecca Hennessy- All The Little Things You Do; Manteca- The Twelfth Of Never

Bo Armstrong

Where We Are

Self-Released, 2018

8/10

Listen to Where We Are

A Dallas native who now resides in Nashville, the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bo Armstrong is nothing if not heartfelt, and the 5 tracks on this debut release certainly retain his Texas roots while embracing the sounds of his current home.

Armstrong makes an immediate impression with the warm harmonica and rugged yet tuneful melodies of the country rocker, “Bonnie And Clyde”, and “Thick And Thin” continues the rural landscape with lush, pretty balladry as Armstrong displays much versatility in his comforting vocals.

The remainder of the tracks are equally well executed, including the folk sensibilities of the bare “Love And Leave”, while “Strangers” flows with a breezy and reflective quality. “Where We Are” exits the listen with the longest song, where Armstrong’s timeless song craft unfolds alongside spirited guitar work, cautious drumming and a poetic quality.

Armstrong possesses a wealth of talent and a keen sense of songwriting dynamics, as Where We Are is an excellent starting point for the future Americana star, whose debut album, Chasing Ballads, was just released.

Travels well with: The Lowdown Drifters- Last Call For Dreamers; Kolby Cooper- Vol. 2 EP

Robert Prester & Adriana Samargia

First Snow

Commonwealth Ave., 2020

8/10

Listen to First Snow

The pianist and vocalist Robert Prester and Adriana Samargia have been collaborating for nearly a decade now, and here the pair sprinkle in some fuller tunes amid their intimate moments on the very holiday spirited First Snow.

“Joi To The World” starts the album with many vocals harmonizing in the percussively strong and delightfully upbeat setting that’s classically inspired, and the sublime and swift keys of “First Snow” follows, where brief flashes of soaring, wordless vocals accent the mood of the lone original on the album.

Further along, “In The Bleak Midwinter” resides in ballad territory with gorgeous singing from both Adriana Samargia and Joe Samargia unfolds alongside graceful piano and light drumming in the jazz atmosphere, while “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” is a solo instrumental that display the massive amount talent Prester possesses with the piano. The ensemble more than do justice to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, as they put a Latin spin on it with some playful vocal scatting, too.

As we approach the end, “Masters In The Hall” flows with swinging jazz fun, and “Blue Christmas” exits the listen with The Parson Brown Singers, i.e. Josef and Jacob Samargia, offering an a cappella version of a tune popularized by Elvis Presley.

Prester has an acclaimed background in jazz and classical sounds, and Samargia is well versed in gospel, sacred, classical and jazz singing, and together with the esteemed contributors present they put a very eclectic and inviting make over on these timeless holiday songs.

Travels well with: Noah Bless- New York Strong- Latin Jazz! Jeni- Slotchiver- American Heritage

Enrico Degani/ Fabrizio Modonese Palumbo

Time Lapses

Auand, 2020

9/10

Listen to Time Lapses

The Italian guitarist and composer Enrico Degani joins forces with Fabrizio Modonese Palumbo on this very unique effort where a series of improvisations were edited by subtraction, leaving 8 instrumentals that are bookended by their atypical cover of “Over The Rainbow”.

The album leads with “Over The Rainbow (in)”, where soft vocals complement the atmospheric landscape of restrained guitar, and “Blop Blop Blop” follows with warm, simmering post-rock ideas, as does the cinematic, ominous “Stardust Bath”.

At the midpoint, “Postcard” moves slow, with much beauty in its bare but impactful climate, while “Night Hunting” flows with a hazy feel that sounds like it would soundtrack a night time drive through the desert. “Shall You Dance With Me”, the album’s best, then takes a more abrasive turn into a nearly industrial like buzzing.

At the end, “Once I Was There” offers a sparse and dreamy place to reside, and “Over The Rainbow (out)” finishes off the listen with a continuation of the first track, where the deep, expressive singing suits the surreal environment splendidly.

Certainly a very meticulous effort, Time Lapses is full of reflective intimacy, just as it is moments of sci-fi like richness, where each track draws the listener in with its skilled textures and boundless imagination.

Travels well with: Submarine FM- Crawl; Christopher Sky- What It Is, It Isn’t

Joe Bowden

Roots- Tales Of The Urban Yoda

Self-Released, 2020

8/10

Listen to Roots- Tales Of The Urban Yoda

The Toronto resident and drummer Joe Bowden is well versed in grooves and funk sounds, and here the veteran musician injects plenty of jazz flavor, too, as he gets help on saxophone, trumpet, keyboards and bass.

“Doodlin’” starts the listen percussively strong and with glowing keys from Robi Botos in a soulful and swift display that builds into a frenzied fusion of funk and jazz, and “Groovin’ High” follows with warm horns guiding the laid back climate.

Near the middle, “Second Skin” is a bright and punchy delivery of timeless jazz ideas, while “The Golden Rule” flows with acrobatic drumming, spirited keys and strategic brass where a solo from Luis Deniz makes a large impression. “Jazz Days”, one of the album’s best, then lays down intricate textures with both adventurousness and restraint from the esteemed cast.

“All For You” and “Bustin’ Loose” exit the listen, where the former is an upbeat and fascinating album highlight, and the latter exhibits a dynamic rhythm that finishes the record on a very high note.

Bowden has a glowing resume that includes touring with Salome Bey, and working alongside Dave Young and Jackie Richardson, among many others. Consistently a busy artist, he’s most recently been playing drums in a residency, and this 4th album from the seasoned musician showcases his influences from Herbie Hancock and James Brown in a very exciting and unique landscape.

Travels well with: Dave Young Quartet- Ides Of March; Doxas Brothers- The Circle

Jonathan Badger

Piano Quartets

Ravello, 2020

8/10

Listen to Piano Quartets

The composer and guitarist Jonathan Badger takes a firm leap into classical sounds here, as the quick EP recruits piano and saxophone amid electronics from Badger and are delivered with a very innovative execution.

“Piano Quartet No. 1” starts the listen soft and warm with graceful keys from Joshua Espinoza, as a trio of saxophones and electronics from Badger enter the very playful climate, and “Piano Quartets No. 2” follows with much atmosphere as the electronics place an ominous quality amid Rose Hammer Burt, Tiffany Defoe and Jarrett Gilgore’s cautious brass.

The final tune enlists the same line up, and exits with a busy, adventurous display of quivering song craft where each instrument shines in its own light and yet together as a cohesive unit that welcomes rock and jazz sensibilities, too.

Though he’s most known for his earlier post-rock and neo-baroque chamber music, this very original excursion will certainly gain and keep the attention of anyone willing to take the trip.

Travels well with: Mind & Machine: Organic And Electronic Words- Volume Three; Bill Whitley- Then Elephant Speaks

David Myles

It’s Christmas

Self-Released, 2014

8/10

Listen to It’s Christmas

The Canadian singer-songwriter David Myles has had an impressive career that includes countless genres explored, and here be brings his immense skill to a very warm and inviting holiday record.

“It’s Christmas” starts the listen with graceful strings as soulful vocals from Myles enter the majestic, feel good opening, and this leads into the playful, vocally strong “The Christmas Song”, as well as the slow burning beauty of the pedal steel friendly “Star Of Hope”.

In the middle, the charming “Never Brings Me A Banjo” moves with a quirky folk spirit, while Myles’ version of “Let It Snow” recruits horns and strings with much warmth. “Les Cloches Du Hameau” then offers singing in French with female backing vocals on the very cultured Celine Dion tune.

Deeper yet, “Sleigh Ride” is a frisky, guitar friendly late album highlight, and “Silent Night” finishes off the listen with less than a minute of sublime singing in the emotive exit.

We’ve all heard these songs before, but they’ve never sounded quite like this, as Myles put his inimitable spin on the classics. An artist with an acclaimed catalog of original music, too, there’s really no bad place to start when delving into his work.

Travels well with: Catherine MacLellan- Coyote; Jenn Grant- Paradise

Athenia Trio

Brush Strokes

Navona, 2020

8/10

Listen to Brush Strokes

The trio of Alison Brown Sincoff (flute), Michele Fiala (oboe) and Matthew Morris (bassoon), Brush Strokes offers us 6 pieces by 6 different composers here, where the 3 instruments act like paint brushes across the varied and often lush canvas of these timeless arrangements.

Clyde Thompson’s “Four Miniatures For Woodwind Trio” starts the listen with 4 quick blasts of upbeat and playful woodwind tunes that also has the capacity to move soft and with much agility, and “Brush Strokes”, by Alyssa Morris, follows with cautious, gorgeous interplay across the 4 movements that blends the flute, oboe and bassoon with much intimacy.

In the middle, “Three Rondos For Wind Trio” glides with a cinematic approach of subdued, dreamy instrumentation, while Robbie McCarthy’s “The Blind Men And The Elephant” illustrates a very detailed and precise execution where spoken word leads each movement.

Eduardo Grau’s “Trio De La Fiesta Mayor” exits the listen with no shortage of swirling melodies as well as calm, reflective moments of beauty as the pretty finish recalls the festival music that resonates in Spanish villages.

A listen that is often rooted in Latin-American traditions, the 3 artists accomplish much variety with their respective instruments on this unpredictable and glowing body of work.

Travels well with: Michael J. Evans- The Adventures Of Florian; Shuying Li- World Map

Various Artists

Mind & Machine: Organic And Electronic Works- Volume Three

Ravello, 2020

8/10

Listen to Mind & Machine Organic And Electronic Works: Volume Three

A very adventurous outing, on this 3rd installment of the Mind & Machine series, 6 compositions unfold with technology and organic sounds intersecting to elicit a very unique listening experience.

Gemma Peacocke’s “Skin” starts the listen with Jose Antonio Zayas Caban’s blurry alto saxophone amid Peacocke’s ambient electronics in the playful and ominous setting, and “What Will Sound (Was Already Sound)”, by Jeffrey Bowen, displays Maja Gerar’s manipulated violin that nearly sounds mechanical while Bowen sparsely and expertly adds electronics.

Later tracks include Hubert Howe’s “Improvisation On The Undertone Series”, which flows with a dreamy, cinematic quality, while “Creatures From The Black Bassoon”, the most unusual track, presents a rowdy bassoon that sounds like birds under Kyle Vanderburg’s precise skill. “Yellow” exits the listen and emits a series of video game-esque noises that are as quirky as they are fascinating.

A record that brings together 2 seemingly opposite ideas on the musical spectrum, Mind & Machine again proves that in the hands of esteemed players and with deft song craft present there can exist much magic and enlightenment.

Travels well with: Bill Whitley- Then Elephant Speaks; Lachlan Skipworth- Lachlan Skipworth

The Next Great American Novelist

Careless Moon

Self-Released, 2020

8/10

Listen to Careless Moon

The one time solo project of Sean Cahill, these days The Next Great American Novelist also includes Jason Cummings and studio drummer Danny Sher, and together this sophomore album illustrates strong, timeless and relatable song craft with some of their biggest and most exciting songs to date.

“Blackberry” starts the listen with dreamy indie-rock as soaring vocals guide the warm melodies and lively rhythm section, and “Gravity’s Rainbow”, the first single, follows with a soothing quality to its fluid pop influences and vocal effects.

Near the middle, “Baby Duck Song” finds a romantic place to reside in its piano friendly delivery, while “It’s Been You” brings some of the best singing alongside hazy atmosphere in the very graceful landscape that even takes nods to jazz. “Drag”, the album’s best, then finds itself in buzzing alt-rock that sounds indebted to the ‘90s in all the best ways.

As we get towards the end, “Kubler” moves with a calm, indie-folk quality amid an orchestral backdrop to the break up song, and “Ice Moon” exits the listen with a stylish, intricate execution of retro rock and pop moments that don’t shy away from psyche-rock, either.

An outfit who have been compared to both Weezer and Queen, there’s certainly elements of those legends present, as well as some of the brightest, most adventurous names in recent indie-rock, as Cahill and company continue to flourish with their familiar yet unique brand of modern rock.

Travels well with: The Americans- I’ll Be Yours; Air Traffic Controller- Echo Papa

The Justin Rothberg Group

Hurricane Mouse

Self-Released, 2021

8/10

Listen to Hurricane Mouse

A guitarist known for his innovative and varied execution, Justin Rothberg aligns himself with Todd Groves (woodwinds), Jon Price (bass), Hiroyuki Matsuura (drums) and Andy O’neill (percussion) here, where the quintet inject funk, rock and world music into their atypical jazz template.

The title track starts the listen percussively strong as bright brass flows alongside Rothberg’s warm guitar lines in the soulful, jazz inspired setting, and “Justin Rothberg- Tom G” follows with flowing interplay between guitar, drums and woodwinds where there’s no shortage of rhythm.

Moving along, “Bad Apple” has an almost reggae feel in its laid back, island groove, while “Green Room” offers plenty of dynamic musicianship in its busy and fusion friendly display. “The Layoff Song”, one of the album’s best, then pairs jazz and funk with exciting, memorable results as Groves pulls of tenor sax acrobatics.

Near the end, “Piece Of Mind” recruits a dreamy feel with experimental ideas that lead into a textured, smooth jazz approach, and “Old Gift Card” exits with bouncy bass lines amid plenty of rock’n’roll spirit in the varied and exciting finish.

This is Rothberg and company’s 3rd release, and like everything they’ve done, it’s not easy to classify but surely easy to appreciate, as they weave in and out of funk, blues and many other genres with no lack of solos and atmosphere in an impressive performance.

Travels well with: Damia Timoner- Jerry’s Smilin’; Funk Shui NYC- Shark NATO On A Plane

Grifters & Shills

Pretty Little Secrets

44 Stone, 2019

8/10

Listen to Pretty Little Secrets

A husband and wife outfit from Houston who call their music ‘high lonesome heavy metal’, Grifters & Shills have been quite prolific in their 10 year existence, as Pretty Little Secrets is their 6th album.

“Running Out” starts the listen with harmony friendly Americana that’s rugged yet still melodic, and “Music Man” follows with a warm folk spirit as the tune gets playful but with a cautious spirit.

Near the middle, “Disappear” offers a vocally expressive bare track with timeless beauty, while “2-55” finds a bluesy place to reside with a swift and shuffling pace of rowdy fun. “Highway Ride” then brings us the album highlight with its guitar acrobatics and gritty rock’n’roll that flows well with the pretty vocals from Rebecca Stoll.

Deeper into the listen, “Last Leaf Has Fallen” recruits balladry with a breezy country spirit, and “Left Right Left” brings a rural rockin’ friskiness that could get anyone dancing on their back porch. “Somewhere To Go” exits the listen soft and agile, with dual gender vocals as a lone guitar and harmonica set the mood perfectly.

At 15 tracks, this one requires some time, but Rebecca and John Stoll keep the setting varied with at least dozen instruments and textures that are as likely to get soulful as they are raw with an infectious energy.

A completely DIY effort from beginning to end, the pair show a strong chemistry on this fantastic record that anyone will benefit from hearing.

Travels well with: Kacy & Clayton- Carrying On; Buddy & Julie Miller- Breakdown On 20th Ave. South