Chandrika Tandon

Ammu’s Treasures

Soul Chants, 2023

10/10

Listen to Ammu’s Treasures

The Grammy nominated artist Chandrika Tandon brings along a cast of musical friends for these 35 songs and 21 chants that welcomes folk songs, French chansons, pop music of the ‘50s and ‘60s, and even a 26 minute meditative experience.

Volume 1 opens the listen with Tandon’s soaring voice alongside the cultured melodies of the rhythmic climate, and “I Will Bring You Flowers” follows with a poetic and comforting delivery of expressive singing.

Deeper into this portion, the frisky “Lemon Tree” makes great use of charming percussion amid the flowing vocals, while “Scarborough Fair” exits with an intimate delivery of pretty vocals and rich musicianship.

Some of the best songs present land on Volume 2, where the gorgeous “Molly Malone” resonates much warmth, and the meticulous piano of “Listen To The Pouring Rain” complements the timelessness of the traditional. “Hush Little Baby”, another song we’re all familiar with, arrives close to the end of this portion, and it’s a soothing interpretation that tugs on the heart strings.

The final disc is made up of a series of chants, and they resonate with a distinct serenity that carries a very worldly appeal.

An incredible package that’s housed with 2 sticker sheets and a very thick booklet in a colorful box, Tandon calls this project a ‘hug for the world’, and these songs that populated her childhood sound full of love and wisdom here.

Travels well with: Susie Tallman- Let’s All Sing; You & Us- Calming A Panic

George Lewis

Afterword: An Opera In Two Acts

Tundra/New Focus, 2023

8/10

Listen to Afterword: An Opera In Two Acts

The first opera from George Lewis, Afterword made its first appearance at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago in 2015, and here with the International Contemporary Ensemble and a trio of vocalists we’re treated to two discs from the live performance.

After the brief and dense “Prolouge to Scene 1” opens the listen with quivering strings and deep drums, “Scene 1: Down South” follows with Julian Terrell Otis’ expressive tenor in the cinematic climate that uses Joshua Rubin’s clarinet strategically.

Deeper into the middle of Act One, “Prologue To Scene 4” benefits much from Joshua Modney’s skilled clarinet amid the unpredictable background noises, while “Scene 5: Naming” puts Joelle Lamarre’s soaring soprano to good use alongside Michael Nicolas’ gripping cello.

The back half of the listen is equally absorbing, and begins with animated vocals of “Improvisation: Remembrances”, where David Byrd-Marrow’s well timed horn won’t go unnoticed, and it isn’t long until “Scene 9: Departure” moves with a frisky and meticulous demeanor via the start and stop formula that spotlights Cory Smythe’s piano. The listen exits on the 16+ minutes of “Scene 11: Afterward”, where Gwendolyn Brown’s stunning pipes harmonize with the tenor for the vibrant finish.

Lewis cites this work as an opera of ideas, positionality and testament to the vision of the Association of Creative Musicians, a Chicago born and globally celebrated African American collective that continues to explore innovative and influential ideas- much like ones present here.

Travels well with: John Aylward- Oblivion; Eugene O’Brien- Algebra Of The Night

Mark Davidson

À la manière

Bridge, 2023

8/10

Listen to À la manière

The skilled trombonist Mark Davidson performs the work of 4 diverse composers, and he’s got Viktor Valkov (winner of the New Orleans International Piano Competition) along with him for the expressive listen.

Jean-Michel Defaye’s “À la manière de Schumann” begins the listen with the flowing keys and emotive brass making for much beauty and warmth, and it isn’t long until Ferdinand David’s “Concertino” unfolds with elegant piano and the animated trombone making for a glorious presence.

On the back half, the frisky “Counterplay” has the keys in a lower register amid the unpredictable brass for the quirky Luke Dahn original, while Paul Hindemith’s “Sonatas” exits with a stirring intimacy that meshes the atmospheric keys with booming trombone.

A record that gives us much insight into what a trombone is capable of, Davidson’s playing is exciting and flawless, and Valkov’s contributions won’t go unnoticed either.

Travels well with: Ursula Mamlok- Vol. 6; William Bland- Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2

JM Jazz World Orchestra

Jazz Pops/PopSwings

JMI Records, 2023

8/10

Listen to Jazz Pops/PopSwings

An outfit spearheaded by the trombonist Luis Bonilla, the JM Jazz World Orchestra flesh out both originals and covers across this big band effort.

The percussively strong “Shining Star” opens the listen with bright brass and cozy guitars that spend 9+ minutes mesmerizing us, and it isn’t long until Ariana Grande’s “Greedy” finds a soulful place to reside thanks to the many voices and playful grooves of the melodic climate.

Further along, the intimate delivery of “So Wrong” (Patsy Cline) is a highly expressive and dreamy moment, while George Michael’s “Fast Love” is full of gorgeous singing and well timed horns that make for a jazzy demeanor of the pop classic.

“Truimph” and Carole King’s “Tapestry” exit the listen, where the former is drum focused and populated by vibraphone acrobatics, and the latter uses elegant piano and poetic singing for the stunning finish.

The orchestra’s inception goes back to 2012 and its current version has members aging from 18-26, where 17 nations are represented. Under Bonilla’s inimitable guidance the tracks here embrace worldly, folk, soul and swingin’ ideas that you can’t not admire.

Travels well with: Ben Miller Trio- Feathers Of Ma’at; Joel Goodman- An Exquisite Moment

Harry Stafford and Marco Butcher

Bone Architecture

Self-Released, 2021

8/10

Listen to Bone Architecture

You might recall Harry Stafford from the seminal outfit Inca Babies, and here along with the multi-instrumentalist Marco Butcher he brings us a dozen very diverse tunes that straddle the dirty blues, punk ideas and fuzzy jazz rock.

The title track opens the listen with thumping drums and firm keys alongside Stafford’s mysterious voice in the slightly ominous climate, and “Look Behind You, Look Again” follows with a hazy appeal of textures that touch on Stafford’s post-punk days.

Further along, the calmer presence of “The Sun And The Sky” emits a distinct intimacy via the crisp drums, warm keys, spirited guitar and expressive singing, while “The Worst In Me” is dance floor ready via the playful guitar and frisky drums.

“Horror Film House” and “Arnold Layne” exit the listen, where the former is a bit spooky and carries a cinematic quality, and the latter is more indebted to the early days of indie-rock thanks to its lo-fi qualities and dreamy melodies.

A listen that injects blues, gothic sensibilities and garage rock into a very unique version of rock, Stafford and Butcher’s help from Kevin Davy (horns) and Wasted Pido (guitar) only makes this an even more interesting body of work.

Travels well with: CR & The Nones- The Ghosts Are Coming Home; The Mystery Plan- You Also Have Eyes

Ben Miller Trio

Feathers Of Ma’at

TRRcollective, 2023

8/10

Listen to Feathers Of Ma’at

The pianist and composer Ben Miller brings along Taru Alexander and Joseph Lepore for these 9 originals that come from a lot of experience playing and writing jazz.

The adventurous and fluid keys of “Wise Path” starts the listen, where Alexander’s lively drums keep up with Miller’s finger acrobatics, and “Azoth” follows with the dynamic rhythm section matching the melodic sensibilities of the keys.

“Seahorse Valley” and “Zep Tepi” land in the middle, as the former benefits much from Lepore’s meticulous bass playing via the energetic climate, while the latter comes with no lack of rhythm and culture thanks to the trio’s strong chemistry.

Close to the end, “Rise, Tide, Rise” is full of charming progressions that are rich and very modern, and “Unjaded Hero” exits the listen with a very full appeal thanks to the plucked bass, crisp drums and firm piano.

An excellent debut, Miller’s time in outfits like Orbiting Human Circus Quartet, Jesse Collins Quartet, Taru Alexander Quartet and Justice Freeman Quintet, to name a few, helps him mesh post-bop, contemporary jazz and funky, worldly bouts that will be forever timeless.

Travels well with: Joel Goodman- An Exquisite Moment; Andrew Danforth- Homegrown

Erene Mastrangeli

Loveshine

Angels, 2023

8/10

Listen to Loveshine

The esteemed multi-instrumentalist Erene Mastrangeli makes a sizable impression on this debut album, where nods to ‘70s singer-songwriters won’t go unnoticed or unappreciated.

The title track opens the record with Ivo Parlati’s crisp drums and Daniele Sinigallia’s warm electric guitar alongside Mastrangeli’s powerful and pretty voice, and “Butterfly” continues the elegance with Mastrangeli handling acoustic guitar and keyboards with much care amid the poetic textures.

Elsewhere, “Rain, Rain” benefits much from Andrea Ruggiero’s stirring violin and Maurizio Loffredo’s well timed steel guitar for the rich delivery, while “Let’s Take It Slow” spotlights Matteo Pezzolet’s electric bass and Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies) lyrics for the rhythmic, breezy album highlight.

Near to the end, “I Can Turn Away” is a very intimate moment of thoughtful keys and cozy electric and acoustic guitar that enters dreamy territory, and “We Are Treasures” exits with Mastrangeli’s comforting voice and emotive piano playing.

A listen that thematically surrounds love in a time of so much hate and inequality, Mastrangeli’s training in jazz and classical sounds are very much present, and similarities to Joni Mitchell or Carole King sure do go a long way.

Travels well with: Lauren Minear- Invisible Woman; Sweet Megg- My Window Faces The South

James Ricci

String Quartet No. 1 (1984)

Self-Released, 2024

9/10

Listen to String Quartet No. 1 (1984)

A listen recorded on May 8th and 9th, 2008 at the Traina Center for the Arts, Razzo Hall Clark University in Worcester, MA, although it wasn’t long ago that James Ricci brought us an album of piano music, this body of work is fleshed out by the QX String Quartet, and features violin, viola and violoncello.

The 4 movements opens with tense but meticulous string interaction that showcases Peter Sulski’s gripping viola as the mood relies heavily on pitch, and the 2nd movement continues the setting with percussive friendly ideas that spotlights the melodic gestures of the unpredictable playing.

The back half has movement 3 emitting very rich tonality via Rohan Gregory and Krista Buckland Reisner’s detailed violin playing, and movement 4 exits with an upbeat demeanor and no lack of solos, where Jan Müller-Szeraws’ violoncello is particularly luminous.

Now available on all major streaming locations, this Boston based outfit handle Ricci’s work with much care, and the composer Martin Boykan’s help was invaluable for this expressive, harmonic and tonally strategic affair that has certainly aged very well.

Travels well with: Bowed Colors 2; Sirius Quartet- Playing On The Edge 3

Jackie DeShannon

The Sherry Lee Show

Sundazed, 2023

8/10

Listen to The Sherry Lee Show

A legendary singer-songwriter who has penned songs that we are all familiar with, we’re treated to 2 discs of honky tonk sounds from when Jackie DeShannon was working under her birth name, Sherry Lee Myers.

“Y’all Come” opens the listen with an upbeat and playful spirit that comes with call and response vocals and plenty of lively plucking, and it isn’t long until the warm and barnyard rockin’ “Why Baby Why” draws us in with its expressive singing.

Further along, “Walkin’ After Midnight” trims the pace back with its cozy vocals and bouncy climate, while “I’m Counting On You” lands in more intimate territory with its heartfelt and sincere delivery that uses the stirring fiddle superbly.

Deeper still, the raw but pretty presence of “Baby Let’s Play House” might be the best selection, but “Blue Monday” is a close second thanks to DeShannon’s soaring pipes amid the frisky instrumentation.

The songs present are culled from radio performances by DeShannon from 1956 and 1957 as broadcast on WMRO in Aurora, Illinois, and they’ve never been formally released. Even if DeShannon’s name seems foreign to you, you’ve most likely heard her work as she wrote hits for Kim Carnes and The Searchers, and these tracks from the early years give us a great idea of what was to come later for her.

Travels well with: Kentucky Colonels- 1966; Graham Sharp- Truer Picture

Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros

Live At Acton Town Hall London

Dark Horse, 2023

10/10

Listen to Live At Acton Town Hall London

A performance that certainly needed to be documented, these 16 songs were the last time Joe Strummer reunited with Mick Jones, and contains early versions of Mescaleros staples during this London benefit show.

“Shaktar Donetsk” opens the listen with Strummer’s immediately recognizable pipes alongside the cautious drumming and elegant violin, and “Bhindee Bhagee” follows with playful flute and crisp drumming that complements the rhythmic interaction of the vivid storytelling.

Deeper into the set, the warm strumming of “Mega Bottle Ride” carries plenty of melodic spirit amid the thumping drums, while the lively, early take on “Get Down Moses” comes with plenty of rich grooves and thick layers of well done and dense riffs.

Jones makes his appearances near the end, where “Bankrobber” is a reggae tinted classic that sounds just as great as it did in 1980, and the always wonderful “London’s Burning” exits with plenty of grit and no lack of punk spirit in the anthemic delivery.

This is the first time the album has been available on CD and vinyl, and the 2XLP package comes with clear wax, gatefold packaging, new liner notes and new photos- not that any fan of Strummer would need anymore reasons to pick this up.

Travels well with: Joe Strummer- 002: The Mescaleros Years; Joe Strummer- Assembly

Yuja Wang

Rachmaninoff

Deutsche Grammonphon, 2023

8/10

Listen to Rachmaninoff

The globally revered pianist Yuja Wang is aligned with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel for 4 piano concertos the Paganini Rhapsody, recorded live at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The precise string interaction and rumbling keys of “Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor” opens the listen with waves of beauty entering the busy versus calm moments, and “Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor” follows with a very dramatic presence of acrobatic piano playing and plenty of lively strings that allows much melody to enter the shifts in tone.

The 2nd disc belongs to “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor” and “Piano Concerto No. 3 in minor”, where the former uses lower registers with much cautiousness amid the rich musicianship, and the latter embraces dreamy moments of intimacy via the graceful textures and fluid, complicated keys from Wang’s inimitable playing.

A powerful performance of large scale works, Wang and company make for a highly animated, respectful and expressive endeavor that will be forever timeless.

Travels well with: Randall Goosby- Violin Concertos; Isata Kanneh-Mason- Childhood Tales

Bruce Levingston

Without Words

Sono Luminus, 2023

8/10

Listen to Without Words

The inimitable pianist Bruce Levingston focuses his talent on Felix Mendelssohn for this 10th studio recording that is as colorful as it is timeless.

Mendelssohn’s “Songs Without Words” occupies the first 7 tracks, where the agile and smooth progressions emit much beauty and melody via Levingston’s flawless attention to detail.

The middle selection belongs to Price Walden’s vision, and showcases the elegant keys that make for a dreamy climate of both intimate and exciting gestures.

The listen exits with more Mendelssohn, where the swirling dynamics are entirely complex but easy to absorb, making for an imaginative and rich finish.

Levingston is one of today’s most streamed classical artists and it’s clear to see why; his mastery of his instrument is awe inspiring across this wordless effort.

Travels well with: Gerald Cohen- Voyagers; Yvonne Lam- Watch Over Us

Jonah Tolchin

Dockside

Clover, 2023

8/10

Listen to Dockside

The exceptional singer-songwriter and guitarist Jonah Tolchin continues his superb output, and here we’re treated to a blues inspired 12 tracks that are all originals.

The thumping “Blues With A Feeling” opens the listen with Terence Higgins behind the drum kit for the rich and rugged blues climate, and “Searching For My Soul” follows with plenty of playful grooves thanks to Chris Joyner’s precise keys and Marley Munroe’s soulful backing vocals.

Further along, “Can’t Close My Eyes” uses distinct singing amid Luther Dickinson’s inimitable rhythm guitar prowess, while “Trust Someone” places Dickinson on lead guitar for the melodic textures and smooth singing of the album’s best.

Approaching the end, Chavonne Stewart lends her incredible pipes for the dreamy, elegant “Too Far Down”, and, even deeper, “Vermillion River” brings in Carey Frank on keyboards for the breezy spirit and upbeat keys.

Recorded at the legendary Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana, the New Orleans nods are captured by Dickinson, whose contributions on lead and rhythm guitar and clave are substantial, and the Americana and R&B moments are greatly appreciated, too.

Travels well with: Matt Charette & The Truer Sound- Lo Fi High Hopes; Eric Whitacre- Home

Ronald Hannah

Music For Piano & Organ

PGMaudio, 2023

9/10

Listen to Music For Piano & Organ

An artist with a bit of a nomadic spirit, Ronald Hannah pens a worldly version of folk music, where piano and organ suites unfold with dates from 1975 to 2021.

“Five Variations on a Theme of Violet Archer” opens listen with a solo piano delivery that showcases the playful and very intricate key manipulation from Christopher Devine, and “Five Preludes for Organ” follows with Marnie Giesbrecht’s moody organ making for a particularly distinct tone that’s a bit mysterious.

Further along, “Ballade for Camille” is quite intimate thanks to Sylvia Shadick-Taylor’s emotive presence on piano, while “Domestic Dialogues” is a frisky album highlight via Zuzana Simurdova and Mikolaj Warszynski’s dancing keys and the flowing melodies.

The final piece, “Suite 75” is another solo piano effort, where Jeffrey Greiman’s fluid fingers guide us through mesmerizing and adaptable songwriting.

A record with a wealth of diversity, Hannah is versed in romantic tones just as he is ragtime, jazz or dance bursts, as evidenced by this flawlessly executed body of work.

Travels well with: Ronald Hannah- Chamber Music; Tatiana Warszynski- The Shape Of Things

Galeet Dardashti

Monajat

Self-Released, 2023

8/10

Listen to Monajat

An artist who is carrying on a familial tradition, Galeet Dardashti is the granddaughter of Younes Dardashti, a Persian legend in the area of classical music, and his work is illuminated here with much attention to detail.

“Melekh” opens the listen with Younes’ distinct vocals, before Philip Mayer’s unique drumming enters the rich climate, and “Adon Haselichot” follows with Max ZT’s flowing dulcimer alongside Galeet’s expressive, soaring pipes.

Further along, “The Awakening” emits Eastern influenced melodies that are quite pretty, while “New Year Invitation” showcases Galeet’s powerful pipes amid plenty of atmosphere thanks to Zafer Tawil’s percussive techniques.

The title track arrives near the end, and brings back Younes’ inimitable vocals that are acutely fascinating, and “Im Afes (In Early Morning Tehran)” exits with a vocally strong and very cultured finish of poetic song craft.

Younes was known as “The Nightingale of Iran,” and these selections are preserved well in Galeet’s care, where the detail of his work is very much present, yet with some modern touches that are aesthetically exciting.

Travels well with: Plena Libre- Cuatro Esquinas; Michela Musolino- La Notti Triunfanti

Jesse Dietschi Trio

Gradient

Self-Released, 2023

8/10

Listen to Gradient

The bassist Jesse Dietschi brings along Ewen Farncombe and Ethan Ardelli for these 10 tracks that straddle today’s jazz and modern, classical chamber sounds that spans a variety of emotions.

“It Is What It Is” begins the listen with Ardelli’s frisky drums alongside the warm keys from Farncombe, where Dietschi’s bass anchors the energetic, jazz focused climate, and “The Road Home” follows with a more classical vision that’s harmonically rich.

At the midpoint, “Lake Effect” sits closer to chamber territory thanks to the acrobatic drumming and strategic bass lines of the dynamic landscape, while “Canmore” touches on folk nods amid the graceful keys and crisp drumming patterns.

Close to the end, “Archetype” is full of precise grooves that are capable of hard driving moments, and “The New Normal” exits with a busy, improvised flair that has all 3 players showcasing their inimitable strengths with fluid interaction.

A truly collaborative effort that’s stylish, introspective and constantly shifting in tone and pattern, Dietschi make every track here a stand out.

Travels well with: Teri Parker- Shaping The Invisible; Andrew Rathbun- The Speed Of Time

Aleksandra Bilińska

Witchcraft

PGMaudio, 2023

8/10

Listen to Witchcraft

A collection of electroacoustic pieces from Aleksandra Bilińska and Piotr Grella-Możejko, the compositions here focus strongly on ambience and use plenty of synthetic noises.

The droning presence of “Contrasts” opens the listen with a mysterious mood, where buzzing, spacey qualities and much exploration is present, and “The Bell Jar” follows with a bare, ominous angle of meticulous, minimal energy.

Further on, the nearly mechanical delivery of “Alphaville” carries a sci-fi demeanor, while the eerie tinkering of “Love Letter Never Sent” sounds more abstract than romantic.

Grella-Możejko’s contributions include the atmospheric and waves of cinematic wandering of “Darg II”, and “Darg IV” exits with 11+ minutes of soft, barely audible moments versus wordless voices and mesmerizing buzzing and fuzzed out art.

The themes surrounding the tracks include Sylvia Plath, poetry, office buildings and woman who were accused of witchcraft to name a few, and the duo’s sonically engaging digitally processed sounds is quite gripping from beginning to end.

Travels well with: Tatiana Warszynski- The Shape Of Things; Ronald Hannah- Chamber Music

Tatiana Warszynski

The Shape Of Things

PGMaudio, 2023

8/10

Listen to The Shape Of Things

A solo violin effort of works by composers from both Canada and Europe, the esteemed Tatiana Warszynski fleshes out 8 very diverse pieces that are never short on technique, aesthetics and inspiration.

The title track, by Erin Rogers, begins the listen with vivid storytelling and plenty of quivering string manipulation from Warszynski’s fingers, and Mark Nerenberg’s “Resonance” follows with 6 movements that embrace both traditional and modern layers of open strings.

Halfway through, the stirring intimacy of “Horizon” is quite inviting, where a meticulous version of serenity unfolds in the Kristin Flores piece, while Diane Berry’s “Reflections” emits much emotiveness that’s very pretty in its cautious nature.

Close to the end, Veronika Krausas’ “Inside The Stone” carries a poetic quality that’s inspired by the Canadian author Gwendolyn MacEwen, and “Kristall-Traume I-III” exits with a 12 tone technique that’s quite intricate in its harmonic demeanor.

A captivating album length solo debut, Warszynski possesses a wealth of talent and an incredible delivery via these flowing selections.

Travels well with: Aleksandra Panasik- OBOElectronics; Ronald Hannah- Chamber Music

Arielle Silver

Watershed

Seeding Thunder, 2023

8/10

Listen to Watershed

A singer-songwriter who calls California home, Arielle Silver returns with a 5th album that blends her Americana, rootsy, and Laurel Canyon ways into 10 warm songs.

“Soft On The Shoulder” opens the listen with Silver’s soft voice alongside Rob Hodges graceful cello and Darby Orr’s agile bass for the crisp folk-rock, and “Bramble Vine” follows with a stirring intimacy that welcomes Denny Weston Jr.’s agile drumming amid Orr’s cozy piano playing.

At the halfway point, “Asteroids And Chaos” gets a bit fuller thanks to Shane Alexander’s glowing guitar playing and Orr’s well timed organ, while “Worth Waiting For” is a pretty acoustic strummer that’s heartfelt, poetic and makes great use of Justine Bennett’s soulful backing vocals.

“Riverdock And Sunset” and “Bottle Up Tonight” exit the listen, where the former benefits much from Jesse Siebenberg’s Weissenborn in the cautious delivery, and the latter showcases Silver’s expressive song craft via the gorgeous singing, light keys and dreamy electric guitar.

A listen that points towards her childhood and environment, Silver embraces influences like Paul Simon, Elton John, and Joni Mitchell, and her vision carries a similar timelessness and beauty.

Travels well with: Glen Phillips- There Is So Much Here; Calling Cadence- Calling Cadence

Mike Pachelli

High Standards

Full Blast, 2019

8/10

Listen to High Standards

The guitar wizard Mike Pachelli is aligned with Tony Levin (bass) and Danny Gottliebl (drums) on this instrumental listen where standards are reworked through the trio’s very skilled vision.

“When You’re Smiling” gets the album off to soothing jazz sounds and blues spirited guitar work, and “There Will Never Be Another You” follows with a stylish and highly melodic swing jazz venture.

Elsewhere, “Sweet Georgia Brown” brings a shuffling pace and dance friendly sounds to the soulful tune, while “Yardbird Blues”, the sole original track, brings in Keb’ Mo’ on guitar for a dynamic and meticulous display of gorgeous interplay between the musicians.

Near the end, “Put On A Happy Face” puts a vibrant jazz feel on a classic, and “Cute” exits the listen with guitar acrobatics amid a playful setting of sophisticated and timeless jazz.

Amazingly, this is Pachelli’s 18th album, and it’s one you can listen to repeatedly with new finds, though the upbeat and positive atmosphere is always present, thankfully.

Travels well with: Joe Pass- Joe’s Blues; Pat Martino- Exit