Eric Herman And The Puppy Dogs

Magic Beans

Butter Dog, 2022

8/10

Listen to Magic Beans

The family musician Eric Herman returns with his first album in six years, and he’s certainly made the wait worth it with these socially and politically aware songs for the young ears, where his diverse form of pop-rock is never predictable.

“Googly Eyes” opens the listen with warm vocal harmonizing before smooth and agile folk-rock unfolds with much playfulness, and “Merry-Go-Round” follows with fluid drumming and cultured percussion entering the hushed singing and dreamy climate that would fit in well in the ‘70s.

The punchy and rhythmic jazz ideas of “Mushroom Pizza” talks about Herman’s disdain for the fungi food, while the breezy and cultured “My Brother” recruits soulful backing vocals that are quite soothing. “Side Scroller”, one of the album’s best, then gets a bit funky, bluesy and very charming and complete with a sax solo.

Close to the end, “Magic Beans” offers a soft, hazy display of gorgeous textures, and “Don’t Worry, Alright?” puts a very easy going spin on a Bobby McFerrin song that’s just as uplifting as the original.

Herman and company are likely to remind you of Shel Silverstein, Frank Zappa, Jerry Garcia, Jack Black and even Mr. Rogers, and the strong attention to detail yet spontaneous feel makes for a kid-friendly listen that will certainly appeal to the parents who still spin their Beatles and Pink Floyd records, too.

Travels well with: Ben Tatar And The Tatar Tots- Seconds; The Laurie Berkner Band- Let’s Go!

Crash Taylor

Retired Outlaw

Fanatic, 2022

9/10

Listen to Retired Outlaw

A veteran songwriter and author, Crash Taylor brings his baritone pipes and fluent guitar playing to these diverse tunes that revolve around a timeless version of Americana.

“Fretboard” starts the listen with crisp drums, moody organ and spirited guitar as Taylor’s smooth, husky vocals guide the thoughtful rocker, and “Idlewild” continues that approach with breezy melodies, soulful guitar picking and well timed backing vocals.

Towards the middle, the thumping and playful roots rock of “Birthday Suit” is quite memorable, while “Where’s My Baby” sits firmly in blues territory with its warm acoustic guitar, meticulous electric guitar and cozy backing vocals.

Closer to the end, the darker textures of “Mona Lisa” are quite expressive, even dreamy, and “Let Him In” follows with some retro folk qualities that truly showcases Taylor’s exceptional songwriting prowess.

There’s also a companion book with the release, titled pot.dot.com: Tales Of A Retired Outlaw. An outsider novel, the story centers around a weed dealer from Greenwich Village who finds themselves getting mixed up with social activists with a penchant for computers, and together they search for the true meaning of existence.

If you’re like me, the name Crash Taylor won’t mean much to you, but spend any significant time with his creative output and you’ll find yourself a fan pretty quick.

Travels well with: Erisy Watt- Eyes Like The Ocean; Bailey Bigger- Coyote Red

David Burnett

Picture Palace

Son Canciones, 2022

8/10

Listen to Picture Palace

A poetic storyteller and multi-instrumentalist, David Burnett takes help from Gabriel Szternsztejn (electric guitar, acoustic guitar), Hector Oliveira (upright and electric bass), José San Martín (drums), Isabel Juárez (viola), and Irene Celestino (cello) for this truly unique singer-songwriter album.

The title track opens the listen with moody strings, warm guitar and Burnett’s easy going vocals in the folk-influenced climate, and “The Spirit Moves Me” follows with precise drumming and Mery Steel’s soulful backing vocals on the cautious and elegant album highlight.

Closer to the middle, “The Interim” shimmers with a cultured spirit that’s showcases Burnett’s range well, while “Thick As Thieves” fits quite well in today’s indie-rock scene with a hint of Americana amid the grit and melody.

“Dear Uri Gellar” arrives near the end and pairs meticulous acoustic guitar with agile singing, and “Requiem For Johnny Reed” exits the listen with stirring strings, light keys and strategic bass complementing the darker storytelling that’s quite gripping.

An artist who uses music as his canvas, amazingly, this is Burnett’s debut album, but he brings a wealth of talent and his worldly experience to very genuine and timeless songwriting that we’ll all want more of.

Travels well with: Wearyland- Letters; The Whitmore Sisters- Ghost Stories

Ermelinda Cuellar

What A Difference A Day Made

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to What A Difference A Day Made

A Houston resident with a glowing set of pipes and fluent composing skills, Ermelinda Cuellar brings her Peruvian roots with her across these diverse songs that take influence from legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall and Betty Carter, to name a few.

“Man With A Horn” opens the listen with graceful keys, soulful brass and Cuellar’s stunning pipes guiding the thoughtful jazz climate, and “Sabor A Mi” follows with Greg Petito’s spirited guitar complementing the cultured singing that emits much beauty and warmth.

Moving towards the middle, the bouncy bass courtesy of Anthony Caceres and frisky drumming from Marlon Simon makes for an indeed dance friendly landscape, while “Angelitos Negros” offers a poetic and playful delivery that really benefits from fascinating finger picking on Petito’s guitar.

Inching towards the end, “Who’s Crying Now” puts a very worldly spin on the classic, which showcases the sublime keys and Andre Hayward’s well timed trombone, and “Alone Together” exits with adventurous vocal scatting, a dynamic rhythm section and an energy that’s quite captivating.

A very alluring Latin tinted affair that’s steeped in timeless jazz nods, Cuellar and company texture the songs with no shortage of grooves that unfortunately includes the percussionist Anibal Ambert’s final work as he passed away from Covid during the recording process.

His contributions are certainly a big part of the inimitable formula that makes What A Difference A Day Made such an exceptional record.

Travels well with: Liz Terrell- It’s All Right With Me; Kristin Lee Sargeant- Falling

Susie Blue And The Lonesome Fellas

Blue Train

Seraphic, 2022

8/10

Listen to Blue Train

The front woman Solitaire Miles and company return with 16 originals and covers delivered with the utmost care in a mashing of blues, roots, Americana and jazz sensibilities.

“I Wanna Rock” opens the listen with Miles’ charming vocals alongside snappy drumming and warm brass in a delivery that will get your body moving, and “Sweet Baby Of Mine” follows with spirited guitar, Miles’ vivid storytelling and Howard Levy’s well timed harmonica.

Near to the middle, “Hummin’ To Myself” showcases her expressive pipes in the blues landscape, while “Chills And Fever” recruits soulful backing vocals to the stylish and swing friendly album highlight.

Moving towards the end, “Do You Love Me? (I Gotta Know)” emits a vintage quality to the charming demeanor, and “The Peter Gunn Theme” exits the listen rhythmic, cinematic and quite memorable in its skilled interpretation.

A listen that’s certainly steeped in retro styles, the ensemble make the most out of Western Swing and Honky Tonk, too, as each song brings new surprises that you can’t help but enjoy.

Travels well with: Courtney Freed- Big Crazy Love; Dawn Derow- My Ship: Songs From 1941

The Diva Jazz Orchestra

DIVA Swings Broadway

DIVA, 2022

9/10

Listen to DIVA Swings Broadway

A 15 person ensemble spearheaded by the drummer Sherrie Maricle, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra bring us their big band prowess to a handful of reimagined arrangements of Broadway classics that we’ve never heard quite like this.

“Heart” opens the listen with Roxy Coss’ tenor sax, Jami Dauber’s trumpet and Jennifer Krupa’s trombone making a big impression in the warm jazz climate, and “Pure Imagination” follows with soft keys aligning with the soulful horns, as Annette Aguilar’s frisky percussion certainly impresses.

Elsewhere, “The Sound Of Music”pairs strategic bass with warm keys, where Leigh Pilzer’s baritone sax solo alone is worth the price of admission, while “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’” emits plenty of mature melody and playful instrumentation into the album highlight.

Advancing towards the end, “Love Who You Love” enters ballad territory with its gentle flugelhorn courtesy of Barbara Laronga and Alexa Tarantino’s moody baritone sax, and “Get Me To The Church On Time” exits with exciting and busy textures that mash the brass and drums into a busy, absorbing finish.

A powerful, creative and timeless display of exceptional talent and a unique vision, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra carry on their tradition of nostalgic and contemporary jazz sounds that we will never tire of.

Travels well with: Deanna Witkowski- Force Of Nature; The Grace Fox Big Band- Eleven O’Seven

Jason Lee McKinney Band

One Last Thing

Bonfire, 2022

8/10

Listen to One Last Thing

The Nashville residents the Jason Lee McKinney Band offer us 16 spiritual tunes here, where R&B, blues, folk, and country ideas are present and appreciated on this 11th studio album.

“Cross Over” gets the listen off to a rhythmic start, where McKinney’s soaring pipes and playful hand clapping won’t go unnoticed as backing vocals and bright brass make an indelible impression, and “Sing A Prayer” follows fully immersed in gospel ideas, but with the occasionally gritty guitar solo amid the thumping drums.

Deeper into the listen, “Paperback Novels” gets a bit darker in scope, where McKinney and company create a soulful version of their rootsy sound with plenty of melody, while “Sing On” presents a thick and rugged rocker that recruits well timed organ and buzzing guitars.

Further on the back half of the listen, “Song Of Songs” seems indebted to the ‘70s with its nostalgic, groove friendly climate that welcomes playful bass from Billy Wright, and “One Last Thing” lands a bit further with a breezy quality that also brings some rugged song craft into the charming Americana flavor.

There’s a large handful of musicians on hand for the affair, and McKinney even employs his family on backing vocals, too. All of the songs are originals that resonate with a very distinct and substantial version of the band’s roots rock formula, and will be sure to appeal to those who seek out religious themed music.

Travels well with: Suz Slezak- Our Wings May Be Featherless; Steve Dawson- at the bottom of a canyon in the branches of a tree

Markus Burger

The Vienna Sessions

Challenge, 2022

9/10

Listen to The Vienna Sessions

The German native and current Los Angeles resident Markus Burger puts his skills as a concert pianist and composer to work here, where his influences from J.S. Bach, Claude Debussy and George Winston, among others, are on full display across this solo outing.

The 16 track listen opens with the stunning key acrobatics of “Daybreak”, where so much beauty is spread out across the melodic template, and “Morning Mist” continues the elegance with delicate songwriting that’s quite stirring.

Elsewhere, “Harmonic Stroll” offers a quicker pace of meticulous, flowing keys, while “Doom And Gloom” is a brief but impactful display of emotive, poetic playing. “An Afternoon In Vienna”, one of the album’s best, then tells a lovely story without words, as Burger’s pensive playing emits a very pretty landscape.

Inching towards the end, “Merry Gathering Before Walking Home” glides swiftly with much agility, and “Rejoicing” exits the listen with a cozy spirit that’s quite relaxing, even meditative.

An album birthed after spending much time exploring the people and culture of Vienna, Burger’s work is as rich as the city, and his execution is nothing short of stunning.

Travels well with: Yaron Gershovsky- Transitions; David Janeway- Distant Voices

Jose Ramirez

Major League Blues

Delmark, 2022

9/10

Listen to Major League Blues

At just 34 years old, the guitarist and singer Jose Ramirez has shared the stage with the biggest names in the blues industry, and he’s the first Latin American blues artist to sign with the Delmark label.

Here, he’s aligned with the Delmark All-Star Band and the Jose Ramirez Studio Band for 10 memorable and well crafted blues gems, including a pair of covers from masters of Chicago Blues, Magic Sam and Eddie Taylor.

The title track opens the listen with thick and timeless blues that benefits from Bob Stroger’s proficient bass which complements Ramirez’s soulful pipes and Jimmy Johnson’s sturdy guitar, and “I Saw It Coming” follows with much emotion thanks to Wille ‘The Touch’ Hayes’ skilled drumming.

“My Love Is Your Love”, the best track with this ensemble, then showcases Roosevelt Purifoy’s exceptional organ prowess and Billy Flynn’s precise guitar, as Ramirez brings a slow burning and lush climate.

The back half of the listen leads with the dynamic and melodic “Whatever She Wants”, while “Forbidden Funk” picks up the pace with a lively energy that’s full of Kenny Watson Jr.’s infectious bass and Andre Key Jr.’s acrobatic keys. “After All This Time” exits the listen, and brings Shelly Bonet’s sublime pipes to the soulful and intimate finish.

An aptly titled effort, Ramirez indeed cements himself as a major player in the modern blues scene with this exceptional sophomore album that features the last recording of Jimmy Johnson.

Travels well with: Johnny Burgin- Live; Bob Stroger & The Headcutters- That’s My Name

Son House

Forever On My Mind

Easy Eye, 2022

8/10

Listen to Forever On My Mind

A collection of never before heard tunes from the ‘Father of Delta Blues’, i.e. Son House, these 9 tracks were captured on November 23, 1964 at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

The title track opens the listen with House’s inimitable picking alongside his soothing and soulful vocals in the bare climate, and “Preachin’ Blues” follows with more firm singing that nears gospel territory as the guitar is manipulated with much adventurousness.

“Death Letter” occupies the middle spot and presents a very spirited, blues gem that’s both raw and melodic, while “The Way Mother Did” displays so much southern blues flavor, the meticulous guitar and diverse singing make an immediate impression.

Close to the end, “Pony Blues” is a raw, poetic album highlight, and “Levee Camp Moan” exits the listen amid warm strumming and plenty of folk nods that exemplified the ‘60s, and sound just as great today.

A body of work collected during a tour of colleges and festivals following House’s rediscovery in 1964, and after he had walked away from music for 20 years prior, House would remain active until the mid ‘70s before retiring again, and eventually passing away in 1988.

He leaves behind an overlooked catalog of work, but thankfully the more recent interest in Delta Blues is putting more focus on his craft, and this quick listen is absolutely vital piece of blues history.

Travels well with: Big Bill Broonzy- The Midnight Special; Johnny Adams- Heart & Soul

Roberto Occhipinti

The Next Step

Modica, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Next Step

The bassist Roberto Occhipinti has made quite an impression in his home country of Canada as well as internationally, and this 6th album as leader has the artist exploring classic jazz ideas, where he brings along Adrean Farrugia (piano), Larnell Lewis (drums) and Ilaria Crociante (vocals) for the 9 adventurous tracks.

“The Next Step” opens the listen with Occhipinti’s elegant bass creating much atmosphere as the meticulous keys enter the dynamic climate, and “Emancipation Day” follows with frisky drumming and bouncy bass making for a very stylish and timeless jazz delivery.

In the middle, “II Muro” brings a very lush and uplifting display of swift drums, dancing keys and strategic bass, while “O Cessate Di Piagarmi”, the lone song with vocals, recruits Ilaria Crociante’s gorgeous and soulful pipes for the stunning album highlight.

“Steveland” and “A Tynerish Swing” exit the listen, where the former is a dreamy, dizzying 7+ minutes, and the latter swings playfully with vivid piano, firm drums and Occhipinti’s inimitable bass acrobatics.

Occhipinti certainly proves why he’s been the recipient of 5 Juno Awards, as this first trio project as leader has him exploring all the characteristics of jazz, past and present, that we will never tire of.

Travels well with: Jeff Rupert With George Garzone- The Ripple; Dave Young Quartet- Ides Of March

The Kenneth Brian Band

Keys To The Kingdom

Southern Shift, 2022

8/10

Listen to Keys To The Kingdom

The singer-songwriter and guitarist Kenneth Brian is back with his finest work to date, where his timeless brand of Americana, southern sounds and alt-country flows with raw guitar work, sturdy vocals and plenty of soulfulness.

The title track opens with plenty of grit and melody entering the thick southern rocker that’s capable of being a bit bare but also quite powerful, and “Falling Again” continues with soaring guitar amid the thumping drums and emotive, nearly cathartic singing.

“Crazy” occupies the middle spot and brings poetic balladry to the sparse climate, while “She Is The Night” offers a warm and upbeat display of bluesy, rootsy sensibilities that you can’t help but sing along to.

Nearing the end, the slow burning ruggedness of “California” recruits country influences in Brian’s genuine vision, and “Rimrock” exits the listen with both tension and tunefulness entering the album highlight.

Brian penned these tunes while living in Southern California the last 5 years, and they certainly showcase the wealth of talent he’s been armed with since his first album in 2002. Joined by a robust rhythm section, you won’t have a hard time enjoying these 10 well thought out tracks.

Travels well with: Brock Davis- A Song Waiting To Be Sung; Micki Free- Turquoise Blue

Man's Body

A Set Of Steak Knives

NocturnalSol, 2022

9/10

Listen to A Set Of Steak Knives

The sophomore album from the L.A. and Chicago trio Man’s Body, Greg Franco, J. Niimi, and Marco Obaya describe themselves as ‘soft-punk’, and there’s a whole lot else going on in these varied and unpredictable tunes, too.

“Contact Sigh” opens the listen with a dreamy atmosphere and gentle, cozy singing that touches on ‘80s New Wave with its warm synth, and “The Natural Host” follows with thumping drums and a lo-fi jangle that touches on early ‘90s college rock.

Moving along, “Hit The Bricks!” brings an anthemic quality with more firm vocals, hand clapping and plenty of grit, while “Bed Of Nails (Trying)” recruits a thick buzzing that’s got a bit of grunge to it. “Blue Ruin”, perhaps the album’s best, then presents a lush and cautious display of hazy, cinematic, artistic rock.

Approaching the end, “A Shower And A Cigarette” emits some post-punk ideas into the angular and throbbing landscape, and “I Left The Set Of My Own TV Show” exits with agile drumming, shimmering synth and pretty vocal harmonies.

An extremely smart and well crafted affair, this is an ideal listen for aging punks, those nostalgic for early ‘90s rock and even modern day indie-rock fans who are tired of the same old same old.

Travels well with: Hushdrops- The Static; Charming Disaster- Our Lady Of Radium

La Típica Folklórica

La Diablera

TAC, 2022

8/10

Listen to La Diablera

The French folklore heroes La Típica Folklórica return with 15 tracks that highlight rural Argentinean folk music, where they blend their piano, violon and bandonéon with incredible fluidity.

“Chacarera del violin” starts the listen with very adventurous violon playing alongside rumbling piano and warm bandoneon thanks to Milagros Caliva, and “Agitando panuelos” follows with an intimate spirit that recruits pretty guitar amid the moody bandonéon and aching strings.

Further along, “Le arenosa” recruits a festive quality that weaves in and out of lush textures and benefits much from bright flute, while “La diablera” showcases poetic singing courtesy of Alfonso Pacin that’s backed by well timed keys and carefully plucked guitar.

Deeper yet, “Puente Pexoa” offers a charming and dreamy album highlight that integrates the keys, accordion and strings with much awe, and “La cumparsita” continues the meticulousness with firm strings, dancing keys and all sorts of rhythmic gestures that are quite exciting.

A world music affair that’s accomplished and never predictable, La Típica Folklórica consists of players from many different backgrounds, and that diversity welcomes tango, timbre manipulation and a very distinct rhythm to this cultured and absorbing adventure.

Travels well with: Vigüela- A la manera artesana; Deepak Pandit/Pratibha Singh Baghel- Inheritance

Rachel Rudich

Karl Kohn: Complete Works For Flute

Bridge, 2022

8/10

Listen to Karl Kohn: Complete Works For Flute

A very thorough 2 disc set that compiles all of Karl Kohn’s solo and chamber music for flute, Rachel Rudich provides much of the flute sounds here, and she’s accompanied by an all-star cast on guitar, piano, organ, violin and flute.

“Encounters For Flute And Piano” starts the listen with the agile flute and stirring keys working together with both grace and adventurousness, and “For Four Flutes” follows with the winds interacting with mystery and melody in a very soothing delivery.

Elsewhere on Disc A, “Romanza For Flute And Piano” flows with a very dreamy quality, while “Paronyms For Flutes And Piano” unfolds with 3 chapters of exploration that’s capable of being tense, cinematic and quite exciting.

“Ternaries For Flute And Piano” opens up the back half of the listen, and presents both turbulent and pretty textures, and “A Bar For Three” continues the creativity with violin being added to the dizzying interaction between the flute, strings and piano. “Recollections For Flute And Piano” exits the listen, where a poetic demeanor is packed with gorgeous instrumentation.

An excellent display of chamber and classical sounds, one doesn’t necessarily need to be familiar with Kohn’s work to appreciate this precise and skilled musicianship from Rudich and company.

Travels well with: Stephen Jaffe- The Music Of Stephen Jaffe, Vol. 4; George Walker- Five Piano Sonatas

Arcomusical

Emigre And Exile

New Focus, 2022

9/10

Listen to Emigre And Exile

A listen spearheaded by the percussionist, composer and scholar Gregory Beyer, this unique effort focuses on the berimbau, an Afro-Brazilian instrument that resembles the body game of capoeira.

Jeremy Muller’s “Singularity” opens the listen with 4 berimbaus played by Beyer, Raychel Taylor, Ethan H. Martin and Elena Ross all flowing together with much warmth and melody, and Beyer’s “Fios e linhas” follows with Beyer handling berimbau, glockenspiel, vibraphone, marimba ganza, caxixi and cymbals with a soothing intimacy that’s quite mesmerizing.

Beyer’s most bare best work, “Berimbau Solo No. 4, ‘Sakura Park’”, is just his lone instrument finding some very meticulous places to reside, while Matt Ulery’s “Emigre And Exlie” recruits 6 berimbaus and Ulery double bass for an extremely pretty and charming album highlight.

“Repercussio”, by Alexandre Lunsqui, finishes the listen, and brings a dreamy quality into the many berimbaus, as their strings are manipulated with a nearly sci-fi quality.

Beyer’s originals are extremely well done, and the contributions certainly impress, too, on this chamber, folkloric, and world music journey that truly is in a league of its own on so many levels.

Travels well with: Pathos Trio- When Dark Sounds Collide; David Liptak- Brightening Air

Vigüela

A la manera artesana

ARC, 2022

8/10

Listen to A la manera artesana

A Toledo rooted outfit with a penchant for tribal like sounds and creative world music nods, Vigüela makes great use of castanets, tambourines, shearing scissors, cowbells, sieves, and the lute-like bandurria medieval fiddle, among others, across these 21 Spanish songs.

“Estrellitas matutinas (Morning Stars)” opens the listen with swiftly strummed strings and gorgeous, flowing vocals in the very cultured climate, and “Quisiera y no quisiera (I Would Want to and I Wouldn’t)” follows with a snappy spirit of festive song craft that will certainly get your body moving.

Deeper into the listen, “Ay, Vivito del alma (Ay, Vivito of My Soul)” emits a vocally strong and soulful demeanor, while “Antón, a la miel (Antón, to the Honey)” radiates a nearly gospel flavor with its fluid vocal harmonizing.

Close to the end, “Finiquito de un gañán (Severance Pay of a Farmhand)” pairs expressive singing with muzzled brass like sounds, and “Camina (Walk)” exits the listen with bright winds and the poetic singing making a lasting impression.

A listen with no shortage of sturdy rhythms, fluent vocal melodies and timeless folk nods, Vigüela turn in a very rich and captivating listen.

Travels well with: Deepak Pandit/Pratibha Singh Baghel- Inheritance; Batila- Tatamana

Stephen Jaffe

The Music Of Stephen Jaffe, Vol. 4

Bridge, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Music Of Stephen Jaffe, Vol. 4

This 4th installment of Stephen Jaffe’s vision takes some pretty esteemed help, where 3 works written between 2006-2009 birth a very stunning meshing of orchestral, chamber and classical sounds.

“Light Dances (Chamber Concerto No. 2)” opens the listen with the Da Capo Chamber Players emitting much warmth, mystery and atmosphere across 3 segments that display well timed percussion, dancing keys and playful winds.

The middle track, “String Quartet No. 2 (Aeolian and Sylvan Figures)", spotlights the Borromeo String Quartet for the waves of meticulous and stirring sting interaction that is never predictable, and is capable of tense moments as well as uplifting waves.

“Sonata In Four Parts” exits the listen, and places David Hardy on cello and Lambert Orkis on piano for the intimate and poetic finish that can be bare and calm, but also jumpy and daring in its dynamic interaction between the pair.

Jaffe stated that he’s ‘searching for sounds and musical relationships to create something new, like a poetry--where listeners may discover lyrical expression and an arc of narrative’ with this body of work, and it’s safe to say that he’s succeeded with this exceptionally crafted affair.

Travels well with: Anne-Marie McDermott- Schubert Piano Sonatas; George Walker- Five Piano Sonatas

Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini

Auburn Whisper

Groundup, 2022

8/10

Listen to Auburn Whisper

The singer, trombonist and songwriter Natalie Cressman and the guitarist, composer and vocalist Ian Faquini found themselves unable to tour in 2020 for their last album, and instead adapted to pandemic life by slowly piecing together this Brazilian influenced and expansive 13 tracks.

“Afoxé” opens the listen with eloquent singing alongside light, dreamy brass, and “Rear Window” follows with a similar approach of intimate trombone amid Cressman’s gorgeous singing.

Further on, the title track mixes agile guitar and soulful trombone with a calming spirit, while “Cazadero” places Faquini’s pipes front and center in a very bare climate.

Moving towards the end, “Hood River” is again Faquini focused in the hazy, nearly blurry delivery, and “Madrugada” exits the listen with the duo’s inimitable talents in an absorbing execution.

A highly reflective listen that allowed the pair to take a larger role as producers, and for Cressman as arranger, this is a lovely and very alluring spin on world music meets jazz meets folk sounds that resonates with much warmth.

Travels well with: Michael Leonhart Orchestra- The Normyn Suites; Bill O’Connell- A Change Is Gonna Come

John A. Carollo

Symphony No. 3

Navona, 2019

8/10

Listen to Symphony No. 3

John A. Carollo is aligned with the London Symphony Orchestra and conductor Miran Vaupotic here, as he brings plenty of modern touches to classical music across these 4 elegant tracks.

“To Morning” starts the listen graceful with sweeping melody in the classical setting where the instruments converge into a lush delivery, and “Gestural Rituals” follows with a more forceful execution of tension as ebbs of gentleness contrast with the fuller swells.

The last 2 tracks bring us the wordless soprano of Emily Tring on “In The Garden Of Earthly Delights”, where tone and ambience are manipulated with sophistication, and “Let The Evening Stillness Arouse” exits the listen with warm strings and precise musicianship that’s as glorious as it is timeless.

Carollo is also a poet, and that aspect of his vision unfolds here with a very nature-esque approach to extremely well thought out compositions on Symphony No. 3.

Travels well with: David William Ross- Amor Fati; Jeffrey Jacob- Dreamers