Hinda Hoffman Meets Soul Message

People

Know You Know, 2022

9/10

Listen to People

The robust vocalist Hinda Hoffman brings along Chris Foreman (Hammond organ), Greg Rockingham (drums), Greg Ward (saxophone) and Lee Rothenberg (guitar), i.e. Soul Message, for this lively, adventurous jazz outing.

“All Of You” gets the listen off to a lively start, where Hoffman’s soulful pipes and the firm organ presence make for a timeless jazz opener that showcases Ward’s fluid sax prowess, and “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” follows with Rockingham’s precise drumming adding much to the powerful landscape.

Moving down the line, the moody organ of “Please Send Someone To Love” lends itself to intimate as well as busy bouts, while “Get Out Of Town” is layered with rhythmic, groove friendly song craft that will sound just as great 50 years from now.

Closer to the end, “Old Devil Moon” showcases Lee Rothenberg’s smooth guitar lines amid the key acrobatics and bright sax, and “Angel Eyes” exits with a swift and chaotic display of controlled free jazz exploration where all the members put their inimitable skills front and center at some point.

This is first time Hoffman and Soul Message have worked together, and let’s hope it isn’t the last, cause it’s some of the best modern vocal-jazz that exists today.

Travels well with: Bill O’Connell- A Change Is Gonna Come; The Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Chicago

Delvon LaMarr Organ Trio

Cold As Weiss

Colemine, 2022

8/10

Listen to Cold As Weiss

The Seattle outfit that is Delvon LaMarr (organ), Jimmy James (guitar) and Daniel Weiss (drums) bring us a powerful 8 tracks where their instrumental ways are fleshed out with a raw energy versus meticulous foundation.

“Pull Your Pants Up” starts the listen with plenty of rhythm and funk as playful organ acrobatics and fluid guitar lines make for an inviting opener, and “Don’t Worry ‘Bout What I Do” follows with firm drumming amid the warmth and cozy swagger.

In the middle, “Big TT’s Blues” indeed brings the blues as the proficient drums and guitar complement LaMarr’s firm organ, while “Get Da Steppin’” offers a hypnotic pulse of dynamic interaction between the skilled trio.

“Slip ‘N’ Slide” arrives near the end and recruits playful melodies in the album’s best, and “This Is Who I Is” exits with no shortage of funk friendly ideas as the band’s inimitable formula will certainly get your body moving.

Weiss is now the trio’s permanent drummer, and he brings a wealth of talent to the soul-jazz-groove hybrid that ends entirely too soon on this exceptional 3rd album.

Travels well with: The Nels Cline Singers- Share The Wealth; Tony Glausi- Everything At Once

May Erlewine

Tiny Beautiful Things

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Tiny Beautiful Things

A Michigan songstress with a set of rich and soulful pipes, May Erlewine brings us 10 very thoughtful tunes that lyrically surround heartbreak, empowerment and personal, relatable song craft that’s quite heartfelt.

“Easy” starts the listen with low keys, a slight beat and Erlewine’s radiant pipes highlighting the warm indie-folk climate, and “Changing” follows with a similar, easy going approach where elegant piano complements the expressive and poetic singing.

“Lionheart” arrives at the halfway point and emits a dreamy haze of beauty, while “He Knows” offers a soft, intimate and stirring display of vivid storytelling in Erlewine’s gorgeous vision as she hits some pretty high notes.

Moving towards the end, “World’s Apart” features Theo Katzman and recruits a lush, very pretty landscape of fluid guitar lines amid flowing vocals, and “Brought Me To You” exits the listen with stunning piano balladry that’s instantly stirring and memorable.

An artist with a focus on positive change and environmental advocacy, Erlewine’s songs are all substance and zero flash, as evidenced by this striking and very literate affair.

Travels well with: Lindsay Lou- Southland; Ethan Gruska- En Garde

Mamak Khadem

Remembrance

Six Degrees, 2022

9/10

Listen to Remembrance

A Tehran native, Mamak Khadem brings an incredible voice to a classical Persian style that’s quite modern and welcomes a wealth of influences across this 4th solo album.

The title track starts the listen with a distinct, soothing atmosphere, as Khadem’s captivating pipes enter with plenty of emotion to guide the ethereal climate, and “Mina” follows with graceful keys and light percussive sounds populating the cultured singing.

Halfway through, Chris Martin (Coldplay) makes an appearance on the dreamy beauty of “Across The Oceans”, where gentle piano glides amid the sublime intimacy, while “Dead And Alive” is a bit more dense with agile layers of melody and cascading rhythm.

Near to the end, “Messenger” emits a haze of meditative qualities, and “Don’t Go Without Me” exits the listen some contemporary pop influences under the elegant piano balladry that truly illustrates the depths of Khadem’s vocal prowess.

A founding member of the fusion outfit Axiom Of Choice, Remembrance serves as a profoundly moving tribute to her late father, and there’s an unparalleled amount of sincerity in Khadem’s delivery which resonates a world music beauty that you’re not going to hear anywhere else.

Travels well with: Dom Le Nana- Tempo; Meklit- When People Move The Music Moves Too

The Grace Fox Big Band

Eleven O’Seven

Outside In, 2022

8/10

Listen to Eleven O’Seven

The rising trumpeter and bandleader Grace Fox makes quite an impression on this debut album, where a large cast of female musicians accompany her across the modern jazz listen.

“Right On Red” opens the listen with Kellin Hanas bringing soulful trumpet and Zhane Brown’s skilled trombone, as Bryana Crocket’s proficient drumming anchors the jazz exploration, and “Gospel Interlude” follows with Veronica Leahy’s stunning sax prowess adding much to the more subdued landscape.

In the middle, “I Just Found Out About Love” welcomes Alexis Fox’s smooth and expressive pipes to the timeless big band dynamic, while “Echelon” benefits from Jade Elliott’s emotive sax and Naomi Nakanishi’s intimate keys in the sublime album highlight.

“Sterility” and “Stars” round out the album, where the former uses Elliott’s absorbing brass amid the hypnotic and subdued delivery, and the latter showcases Sarah Hanahan’s elegant sax to complement Fox’s poetic and gentle singing that builds into fuller, big band adventurousness.

A powerful, fluid and timeless outing, Fox’s company comes from all across the country, and the diverse and accomplished skill they bring makes each song a bit different in scope, but always with much attention to detail and a whole lot of creativity present on this excellent starting point for Grace Fox.

Travels well with: Roxy Coss- Disparate Parts; The Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Chicago

Deepak Pandit/Pratibha Singh Baghel

Inheritance

Sufiscore, 2022

9/10

Listen to Inheritance

The esteemed composer Deepak Pandit and the Hindustani vocalist Pratibha Singh Baghel come together for this adventurous outing where they inject Indian romantic poetry into Pandit’s violin, tabla from Prashant Sonagra, string instruments courtesy of Tapas Roy and a live orchestra via the Budapest Live Symphony Orchestra.

“Hamari Atariya” opens the listen with soaring vocals alongside warm keys, playful drumming and flowing winds as the symphony builds the landscape into a cultured and pretty landscape, and “Saiyaan Bina” follows with expressive singing in the emotive and cinematic climate.

The back half of the listen offers the stylish yet cautious “Lakhon Ke Bol”, where frisky percussive sounds are met with the stirring strings, while “Babul Mora” exits the listen with an initially bare opening that leads into sweeping strings, strategic drums and dynamic, varied instrumentation from the many players present.

A listen that’s quite steeped in Indian traditions, Pandit and company embrace classical, chamber and orchestral sensibilities across the stunning creativity and flawless execution of this very well thought out 4 compositions.

Travels well with: Batila- Tatamana; Divahn- Shalhevet

Kate Soper

The Understanding Of All Things

New Focus, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Understanding Of All Things

The Pullitzer Prize-Nominated artist Kate Soper brings her voice and piano to 3 originals and a pair of new improvisations here, where Sam Pluta’s electronic prowess is utilized to make the most impact in the theatric, soprano fueled climate.

The fascinating title track opens the listen with poetic text from Kafka alongside unpredictable tinkering via fixed media that adds much intrigue, and “Dialogue I” follows with Pluta’s live electronics adding much depth to the philosophical spoken word and gorgeous, dreamy singing from Soper.

“The Fragments Of Parmenides” occupies the middle spot and puts more focus on Soper’s lovely pipes amid warm piano, while “Dialogue II” is a display of improvisation that embraces vocal loops, post-glitch ideas and an exciting manipulation of pitch.

The final track, “So Dawn Chromatically Descends to Day”, uses text by Fred Lerdahl and Robert Frost and sublime, eloquent singing that’s accented by the sophisticated and gentle piano.

Both Soper and Pluta have impressive resumes (Pluta is a central member of Wet Ink Ensemble), and together their collective strength and diverse backgrounds make for an unclassifiable listen in the area of electronic, classical and chamber inspired song craft that pays much attention to mood.

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

Roxy Coss

Disparate Parts

Outside In, 2022

8/10

Listen to Disparate Parts

The tenor and soprano sax player Roxy Coss brings along Alex Wintz on guitar, Rick Rosato on bass, Miki Yamanaka handling piano and rhodes, and Jimmy MacBride behind the drum kit for this harmonic, rhythmic and eclectic 14 tracks of original tunes.

After the quick, textured “February (Take 3)”, which emits dreamy brass amid hypnotic keys, “Part I: The Body” follows with a very firm, nearly abrasive display of quick drumming, acrobatic guitar lines and furious sax.

Further on, “Part IV: The Spirit” twinkles with a warm appeal of sparkling jazz melodies, while the title track brings a playful demeanor with its dynamic rhythm section and well timed sax prowess.

Approaching the end, “Sunburn” isn’t lacking any rhythm in the cultured landscape, and “February (Take 2)” exits the listen with a bit of mystery surrounding the soulful brass, unpredictable drumming and atmospheric guitars.

Coss and her company deliver plenty of thriving layers here, and much like the adventure of being a new mom, she’s exploring different avenues of her craft, and it makes for a highly creative version of jazz.

Travels well with: The Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Chicago; Bill O’Connell- A Change Is Gonna Come

Brent Laidler

Wouldn’t Be Here Without You

Bel, 2022

8/10

Listen to Wouldn’t Be Here Without You

The diverse guitarist Brent Laidler returns with his 2nd outing as bandleader, and he’s got 10 originals with him that feature Mark Buselli, Ned Boyd, Jamie Newman, Scotte Pazera and Richard ‘Sleepy’ Floyd.

“Keeping It Simple” starts the listen with Laidler’s agile guitar lines alongside Newman’s smooth organ in the cozy, Latin jazz climate, and “Sunday Mood” follows with Boyd’s soulful sax and Floyd’s drumming interacting with plenty of melody and warmth.

Elsewhere, “City By The Bay” moves with an emotive spirit as Boyd’s dreamy flute mesmerizes us, while “Foo’s Blues” benefits much from Pazera’s skilled bass amid the flowing brass and frisky drumming that punctuates the blues nods.

Deeper still, “Wouldn’t Be Here Without You” makes great use of all the player’s strength in a dynamic and groove friendly album highlight, and “Pretty Little Bossa” exits the listen with a very stylish and meticulous delivery of gentle melody and meditative song craft.

Although he may not be a recognizable name in the area of jazz yet, this eclectic and exciting batch of tunes should change that very quick, as Laidler and company make the most of every second.

Travels well with: TriTone Asylum- The Hideaway Sessions; The Matt Gordy Jazz Tonight Sextet- Be With Me

David Lawrence Atkins

Spitting On A Fish

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Spitting On A Fish

Back in the ‘70s, David Lawrence Atkins was recording under the moniker Dave Curtiss, where a lone album as Curtiss-Maldoon made quite an impression. In 1997, Madonna would rerecord a Dave Curtiss tune and name her album after a lyric of his, and this comeback record has Atkins drawing from his vast talent for a very diverse body of work.

The gritty title track opens the listen with Atkins’ rugged yet tuneful pipes alongside firm ukulele and playful folk-rock ideas, and “Sepheryn” follows with much beauty entering the brass friendly, smooth landscape.

Elsewhere, “And She Danced” certainly will get your body moving to the cultured melodies, while “Blue Like You” burns slow amid soft drumming, Atkins’ expressive singing and a darker spirit of jazz friendly sounds.

Moving towards the end, the romantic “Goodnight” offers a bare but impactful album highlight, and “Shine On Me” exits the listen upbeat, glorious and full of group vocals that you can’t help but sing along to.

You might be reminded of Tom Waits or Joe Henry across these 12 tracks, and the storytelling is as wise as it is absorbing as Atkins will occasionally find a groove amid his blues, folk, jazz, and pop crooning that’s quite timeless.

Travels well with: Scott Kinsey- Mer Sal; Wayne Alpern- Secular Rituals

Trout Fishing In America

Safe House

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to Safe House

The veteran duo Trout Fishing In America, i.e. Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet, return with their 25th album, where a healthy amount of humor and inspiration is present, and their mandatory break from touring during the pandemic allowed the pair to expand off their already diverse song craft.

The title track opens the listen with energetic strumming and Ezra’s rhythm guitar and harmony vocals adding much melody to the bright folk-rock, and “Knock Me Down” follows with Keith’s playful bass and Ezra’s infectious drumming making for a retro-rock spirited track.

Deeper into the listen, “We Have Not Arrived” welcomes bongos, udu and a shaker to the cultured climate, while “Barbed Wire Boys” offers gorgeous acoustic guitar alongside Ezra’s poetic storytelling for a calmer album highlight. “I Love My Baby”, another excellent track, then shakes and bounces with a dance floor ready appeal.

Further yet, “We’ll Always Have Ardmore” brings Keith’s upright bass and heckling to a charming and funny exchange, and “Looking At A Rainbow” exits the listen with sublime acoustic guitar in the expressive and uplifting finish.

Keith and Ezra cut their teeth in the Houston outfit St. Elmo’s Fire many decades ago, and have enjoyed a lengthy and esteemed career as Trout Fishing In America. No strangers to rock, jazz, funk, bluegrass and swing, there’s even a pair of covers to be found across these joyful and infectious stories.

Travels well with: Randy Kaplan- Shake It And Break It; John McCutcheon- Bucket List

The Adam Larson Trio

With Love, From Chicago

Outside In, 2022

8/10

Listen to With Love, From Chicago

The saxophonist and composer Adam Larson brings along 2 of Chicago’s finest, Dana Hall (drums) and Clark Sommers (bass), for these songs about the city that’s shaped his artistry and career.

“Angolan Babysitters” gets the listen off to a rowdy start, where flowing sax, acrobatic drumming and strategic bass plucking make for an unpredictable jazz climate, and “The Time You Forgot You Knew” follows with a calmer pace of timeless dynamics that quickly builds into free jazz exploration.

Halfway through, “We See” showcases Larson’s skilled sax prowess, as swift drumming and clever bass enters, while “Twirl” brings both intimacy and adventurousness to the bright brass and tumbling drums.

Near the end, “Tierney’s Song” has the trio each displaying their individual strengths in the album highlight that’s about Larson’s wife, and “Firestarter” exits the listen with a fury of quick sax playing, crashing drums and energetic bass work.

The first in a series of releases that will feature new players to make up the trio, the rhythm section here has 20 years of playing together, and it helps make for an energetic and exciting first installment from Larson’s inimitable vision.

Travels well with: Bill O’Connell- A Change Is Gonna Come; Ron Carter- Skyline

Apocalypse

The Castle

Guerssen, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Castle

A recording originally thought to be lost in a fire, this reel-to-reel demo was recorded way back in 1976, when the high school student Tom Salvatori aligned himself with his older brother Michael, Michael’s wife, Gail, and a classmate named Scott Magnesen.

Apocalypse documented their progressive rock ways across these 5 tracks, and then broke up soon after when half the band went to college and the other half started a family.

“The Spirit” gets the album off to a bright start with its flowing keys, crisp drumming and soothing guitar lines that sound right at home in ‘70s prog-rock territory and benefits from dual gender vocal harmonies, and “Only The Children Know” follows with a calmer pace of warm guitar and buzzing synth.

“Turning Around” takes the middle spot and radiates a dreamy climate of gentle melody, while “The Castle” brings classical ideas into the poetic and stirring album highlight. “All The People” exits the listen, and recruits charming psychedelia into the mysterious but cozy finish.

A record where all the members contribute evenly with both instrumentation and vocals, The Castle fits in quite well with the prog-rock sounds of today as well, and it’s really quite tragic they weren’t able to further explore their dynamic vision, cause there’s clearly a wealth of talent present.

Travels well with: Going Up North- Waiting For The Sun; Alwanzatar- Den Glemte Dalen

Bill O'Connell

A Change Is Gonna Come

Savant, 2022

9/10

Listen to A Change Is Gonna Come

The revered pianist and composer Bill O’Connell is joined by Craig Handy, Lincoln Goines, Steve Jordan and Pedrito Martinez here, as he pens a very topical album that brings themes of racial and political injustice that exist in the pandemic driven turmoil.

“Moment’s Notice” starts the listen with O’Connell’s daring finger acrobatics, as Goines’ frisky bass complements the playful jazz spirit, and “Loco-Motive” follows with Jordan’s agile drumming aligning well with Martinez’s percussion amid the unpredictable delivery.

“Sun For Sonny” occupies the middle spot and showcases Handy’s bright soprano sax prowess, while “Enough Is Enough” trims the pace back with Handy’s tenor sax, Goines’ proficient bass and O’Connell’s firm keys making for a more cautious landscape.

Residing near the end, the busy but very controlled “Chaos” makes great use of Martinez’s vivid percussion and Handy’s soaring soprano sax, and “My Foolish Heart” exits the listen with Goines plugging in his bass and O’Connell handling Fender Rhodes on the dynamic and meticulous finish.

O’Connell’s lengthy career in music really took off in 1978 when he became the keyboardist for Mongo Santamaria’s Latin jazz band, and here he proves he’s still got the chops for a timeless jazz outing and that he certainly warranted his recent Grammy Nomination, too.

Travels well with: David Finck- BASSic Instinct; Dave Stryker- As We Are

Scott Martin

Corner Of The World

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Corner Of The World

The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Scott Martin has plenty of help across these diverse 10 tracks, where nods to the ‘70s aren’t in short supply, and traces of bluegrass, folk and Americana won’t go unnoticed, either.

“The Absence Of Angels” starts the listen with fluid acoustic guitar, and Pete Damore’s cozy banjo in the poetic Americana, and the title track follows with T. Scott Martin’s strategic pedal steel complementing Martin’s versatile pipes in the intimate landscape.

“Roxham Road” lands in the middle and showcases Martin’s cautious formula amid the vivid storytelling, while “A Little Mystery” recruits Scott Laningham’s skilled drumming and Ed Berghoff’s guitar talent to punctuate the vocal harmonies.

Close to the end, “Invisible” moves with a bare, emotive quality that provides a warm platform for Martin to explore his range, and “Deep Dark Night” exits the listen with a similar sparseness that’s packed with timeless folk sensibilities.

Martin took a 25 year break from making music due to a near fatal climbing accident, and this 2nd album back proves that his hiatus didn’t detract from his craft, as each track here is filled with exceptional songwriting.

Travels well with: Jefferson Ross- Southern Currency; Dan Weber- The Way The River Goes

Kate Klim

Something Green

Self-Released, 2022

10/10

Listen to Something Green

An album penned during some very difficult times, the folk-pop artist Kate Klim returns with a 4th album that was created amid the height of the pandemic and a crumbling marriage.

“Something Green” starts the listen with warm piano, agile drums and fluid guitar playing as Klim’s pretty, poetic vocals guide the breezy melodies, and this formula continues to the intimate keys of the eloquent “Songbird”.

Halfway through, “Take The Driving” brings plenty of cautiousness to the thoughtful songwriting and dreamy landscape, while “God & Magic” offers a hypnotic display of very personal wordplay that suits the emotive climate.

Approaching the end, “Head To Toe” resides in a more lush territory that showcases Klim’s powerful pipes alongside textured musicianship, and “Highland Park” exits the listen in piano balladry which welcomes some atmospheric percussive sounds to complement the captivating finish.

A listen that touches on hope, love, change and new growth, Klim’s vision is one of sublime beauty, forthright lyricism and a timelessness that parallels the greats in the area of indie-folk.

Travels well with: The Lied To’s- The Lesser Of Two Evils; Dan Weber- The Way The River Goes

The Music Of Andy Teirstein

Restless Nation

Navona, 2022

9/10

Listen to Restless Nation

A very diverse effort, Andy Teirstein offers us Bedouin singing, Scandinavian folk music, and evidence of his time as a folk fiddle and banjo player across these 4 pieces that welcomes a string quartet and spans many moods and textures.

The title track opens the listen with a pair of violins, a viola and cello interacting in swift, dynamic ways as the the strings are meticulously played with power and emotion. By the time the later chapters arrive, such as “Of Rocks And Rivers”, the setting is more calm, intimate even, as each instrument shines in its own light.

The middle tracks, “Secrets Of The North” and “Azazme Songs”, are particularly luminous, where the former spotlights a nychkelharpa solo from Marco Ambrosini to complement the cautious string interaction, and the latter recruits a playful, busier landscape that benefits from Yair Dalal’s oud and Teirstein’s dulcimer.

The final track, “Letter From Woody”, showcases the vast talent of the Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra and Teirstein’s harmonica prowess in the soothing delivery that builds into a soaring, majestic finish that pays homage to Woody Guthrie.

A student of Leonard Bernstein and Henry Brant, Teirstein brings a wealth of talent to these Appalachian influences and chamber and orchestral nods, and it results in a very worldly adventure that’s as accomplished as it is memorable.

Travels well with: Various Artists- Legends And Light Vol. 2; Trio Casals- Moto Finale

Bjorn Riis

Everything To Everyone

Karisma, 2022

8/10

Listen to Everything To Everyone

The songwriter and guitarist Bjorn Riis returns with his 4th solo record, and he recruits members of Airbag, Wobbler, Oak and Caligonaut to the textured and meticulous 6 tracks that are quite progressive in nature.

“Run” opens the listen with a swirling, hypnotic approach, where firm drums and soaring guitars help construct a classic rock inspired, prog-rock landscape, and “Lay Me Down” follows with a dreamy intimacy that makes use of soulful, dual gender singing that tips its hat to the ‘70s.

In the middle, the warm piano of “The Siren” helps cultivate a romantic mood of poetic songwriting, while “Every Second Every Hour” moves with mystery and ambience amid the charming strumming, expressive singing and folk-friendly moments.

“Descending” and the title track exit the listen, where the former puts a layer of haze across the 4.5 minutes of dreamy but dense ideas, and the latter is initially bare before building into a powerful duet.

Riis makes the most of every second here, and his esteemed company help make for a throwback and prog-filled affair that’s quite absorbing.

Travels well with: Wobbler- Dwellers Of The Deep; Caligonaut- Magnified By Giants

Jefferson Ross

Southern Currency

Self-Released, 2021

8/10

Listen to Southern Currency

An artist who certainly isn’t trying to hide his southern influences, Jefferson Ross brings along Thomm Jutz (guitars, harmony), Mike Compton (mandolin), Mark Fain (upright bass), Tammy Rogers- King (fiddle, harmony), and Lynn Williams (drums, percussion) to this cautious yet playful acoustic venture.

“Alabama Is A Winding Road” starts the listen with warm mandolin, soothing drums and Ross’ breezy, poetic pipes guiding the light Americana, and “Two Kentucky Brothers” follows with well timed fiddle and glowing vocals harmonies as bluegrass ideas enter the timeless climate.

Elsewhere, the sublime and expressive “Turquoise And Tangerine” glides with gorgeous dual gender vocals, while “You Can’t Go Home Again” is a more swift display of rural beauty alongside the plucked bass and cozy guitars. “High Times In The Low Country”, one of the album’s best, then brings smooth singing and eloquent melodies that you can’t help but admire.

Deeper still, “The Nashville Neon Waltz” will indeed get you on the dance floor with its gritty yet very tuneful approach, and the title track rounds out the listen with a frisky pulse and vivid storytelling populating the agile drumming, flowing vocal harmonies and string prowess.

The geography theme amid the song titles gives you a good idea of what you’re getting into here, as Ross and company bring a genuine spirit to the southern cultured songwriting.

Travels well with: Dan Weber- The Way The River Goes; Malcolm MacWatt- Settler

Jamie Drake

Everything’s Fine

Antifragile, 2019

8/10

Listen to Everything’s Fine

Though this is Los Angeles artist Jamie Drake’s first album, she’s already collaborated with stars like Jim James, Moby and Mikael Jorgensen. Covering a lot of ground in the indie-folk vein, Drake delivers a rich, thoughtful and often playful debut here, where her strong voice guides us through the unassuming listen.

The title track starts the listen with Drake’s flowing, expressive vocals on the introspective and subdued pop tune, and “Redwood Tree” follows with a dance friendly component to her quirky formula where even a whistle solo is present.

Elsewhere, “Make A Spark” is a gorgeous and melodic modern-folk gem, while “When The Tides Come In” utilizes vocal layering on the lush and orchestral influenced, heartfelt highlight.

Near the end, “Wonder” finds a playful and almost cinematic place to reside, and the acoustic and twinkling beauty of “Allison” ends the record with much grace and beauty.

Drake makes great use of harps, cellos, mandolins, and violins, among others, and her strategic fluidity with harmonies and timeless melodies help make this first album one that is difficult to forget.

Travels well with: Jenny Lewis- On The Line; Cat Power- The Greatest