Anne Burnell & Mark Burnell

This Could Be The Start Of Something Big

Spectrum, 2024

8/10

Listen to This Could Be The Start Of Something Big

Veterans of the Chicago jazz scene, Anne Burnell brings her flowing voice and Mark Burnell lends his inimitable keys and singing to these 13 interpretations and originals that are quite memorable.

The frisky and upbeat title track starts the listen with Anne and Mark trading off vocals amid Jim Widlowski’s lively drumming, and “I Could Have Danced All Night” follows with a calm mood, where Anne’s pretty pipes are met with Mark’s mature keys.

Moving into the middle, “Give Me One More Song” showcases Fareed Haque’s spirited guitar amid Anne’s soulful delivery, while “Fiets Don’t Fail Me Now” highlights Mark’s expressive pipes and makes great use of Joshua Ramos’ skilled bass.

Deeper still, the mesmerizing “Two” uses hypnotic keys and harmonizing vocals for the dreamy album highlight, and “Let’s Eat Home” exits with playful scatting, meticulous guitar and animated keys populating the rich finish.

A diverse effort that embraces Afro Cuban nods, funk and blues, the Burnell’s put a fresh coat of paint on some classics and inject some timeless songs of their own, too.

Travels well with: Monika Herzig’s Sheroes- All In Good Time; Rose Mallett- Dreams Realized

Devarrow

Heart Shaped Rock

Paper Bag, 2024

9/10

Listen to Heart Shaped Rock

The Canadian rocker Devarrow returns with his 4th album, where plenty of varied indie-rock surrounds the 13 well crafted tracks.

The bouncy and fun mood of “Lightning Bolt” starts with whistling and crisp drumming in its folk-rock demeanor, and “Likewise” follows with soaring vocals and warm acoustic guitar that’s melodic and breezy.

Deeper into the listen, the harmonic and pop tinted “Together Again” comes with a charming playfulness, while “Half Of You” benefits from mature keys and emotive singing that tugs on the heartstrings and is the album’s best.

Residing closer to the end, “All The Little Things” showcases Devarrow’s falsetto in a pretty yet firm delivery, and “Come Again” exits with a cozy, dreamy ambience that uses that soothing whistling again.

A really memorable record that might remind you of Fleet Foxes or Peter, Bjorn and John, Devarrow (real name Graham Ereaux) describes his music as ‘Carpenter-surf-folk-pop’, and it could easily soundtrack a day at the beach, just as it could a camping weekend.

Travels well with: Mariam The Believer- Breathing Techniques; KOYO- Onism

Eric Person

Rhythm Edge

Distinction, 2024

9/10

Listen to Rhythm Edge

The sax player Eric Person is surrounded by some incredible company for these 14 jazz fueled tracks that welcome avant-garde and fusion ideas.

The busy and dynamic “Tyner Town” starts the listen with Peter O’Brien’s animated drums and Person’s bright sax guiding the timeless jazz, and “The Multitudes” follows with a calmer mood, where Jarod Kashkin’s mature keys are met with Daniel Sadownick’s skilled congas.

Further along, the aptly titled “Beauty” comes with an intimate spirit via the eloquent sax and Cary DeNigris’ well timed guitar, while “It’s Time Again” bops and shakes playfully thanks to Ingrid Jensen’s rich trumpet bouts.

Landing closer to the end, “Pendulum Swing” allows for Adam Armstrong’s meticulous bass lines to shine, and “Pretty Strange Love” exits with a colorful and intricate meshing of unpredictable sax, a frisky rhythm section and well timed trombone courtesy of Robin Eubanks.

Originally released in 2007, the album is remixed and remastered and sounds better than ever, which is no easy feat considering its excellent starting point.

Travels well with: Matt Panayides Trio- With Eyes Closed; David Bailis- Tree Of Life

Benjamin Boone

Confluence: The Ireland Sessions

Origin, 2024

9/10

Listen to Confluence: The Ireland Sessions

The alto-sax extraordinaire Benjamin Boone is in the company of some fine musicians for these colorful and dynamic 9 tracks.

“On The Banks Of The Shannon” starts the listen with Dan Bodwell’s playful bass plucking before Rodridgo Dalla’s dreamy percussion enters alongside Boone’s elegant sax, and the title track follows with a lively spirit that carries an infectious energy thanks to James Miley’s swift keys and Rory Murphy’s electric bass.

Into the middle is where “Monkette” resides, and it emits a dynamic interaction via the bright sax and John Daly’s animated drumming, while “In The Twilight” features JaYne’s soulful pipes that help illuminate the intimate mood that builds into a dizzying jazz climate.

Residing near the end, “Stern Warning” benefits much from Joe O’Callaghan’s meticulous guitar amid the flowing sax bouts, and “She Moved Through The Fair” exits with a soft demeanor of elegance and grace that showcases JaYne’s gorgeous pipes.

A collaborative affair that excels in post bop areas just as it does gentle, moving song craft, Boone and his friends have no problem keeping our attention from beginning to end.

Travels well with: Michael Dease- Found In Space: The Music Of Gregg Hill; Russell Haight- Go Forth

Gena Britt

Chronicle: Friends And Music

Pinecastle, 2019

8/10

Listen to Chronicle

Though Gena Britt cut her teeth as a member of Daughters Of Bluegrass, she might be best known as a current player in Sister Sadie, who have quickly become the supergroup that everyone in the bluegrass scene is admiring.

On this, her sophomore solo album, which arrives over a decade after her last one, Britt is in great company with plenty of contributors, as she handles banjo duties on all tracks and vocals on about half.

“Over And Over” gets the album off to a strong start with quick banjo work and soaring, pretty vocals from Britt, and “You Don’t Get Over That” follows with a softer, gorgeous display of restrained skill.

Further along, “Get Up In Jesus’ Name” is a gospel influenced tune with plenty of backing vocals, while “On And On” illustrates adventurous interplay between the organic instruments with flowing vocal harmonies.

The back half offers the timeless “Traveling Poor Boy”, where Marty Raybon lends his fluid pipes, and the cautious atmosphere of “Untold Stories”, where many voices illuminate this bluegrass highlight. “Looking Forward To The Good Life” ends the listen calm and agile, where Robert Hale harmonizes with Britt as aching mandolin helps punctuate the emotive landscape.

There’s a very good reason why Sister Sadie were Grammy Nominated; the songwriting and execution of that ensemble is nothing short of extraordinary, and Britt brings that talent to this highly accomplished and extremely timeless affair.

Travels well with: Sister Sadie- II; Dale Ann Bradley- The Hard Way