Mariam The Believer

Breathing Techniques

Repeat Until Death, 2024

8/10

Listen to Breathing Techniques

The Swedish singer-songwriter Mariam The Believer returns with a 3rd album, where the appreciation of air, space and breath radiates via her tender and sincere vision.

“Both Arms” starts the record with strong attention to mood, where a mesmerizing quality unfolds with soft keys and soothing vocals, and “Home” follows with drums and violin making for a poetic and rhythmic delivery.

“A Heart” and the title track land in the middle. The former is quite soulful and moves quicker with beauty, while the latter allows for Mariam’s intimate singing to emit mystery and warmth alongside rich textures.

Deeper still, “Dreams” showcases the impressive range of Mariam’s pipes amid playful strings, and “Highest Peak” exits with no lack of ambience from the haunting mood that complements the distinct singing.

A creative effort that revolves around jazz, soul and even spiritual sounds, the subtle but effective use of synth and harp adds even more grace to this enlightening listen.

Travels well with: Melody Fields- 1991; Endless Forms- The House Of Love

Life In Grooveland

The Hymnal

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to The Hymnal

An instrumental affair spearheaded by the dummer and percussionist Justin Amaral, the 10 detailed tracks welcomes some heavy hitters to the indeed large amount of grooves present.

“All Creatures Of Our God And King” starts, and pairs Amaral’s agile drumming with meticulous fiddle from Billy Contreras for a unique mashing of strings versus rock sounds, and “Holy Holy Holy” follows with Ilya Portnov’s harmonicas and jaw harp that align with unpredictable drums.

The middle spot belongs to “On Christ The Solid Rock”, where Fats Kaplin lends Sacred Steel to the Southern spirited hymn, while Paul Hiehaus’ steel guitar makes an impression for the well thought out and melodic “Come, Thou Font Of Every Blessing”.

Landing near the end, “Doxology” features Dave Coleman’s precise electric guitars amid thumping drums that emits plenty of bluesy flavor, and “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” exits with Daniel Seymour’s acoustic and electric bass for counter melodies and a dynamic interaction that finishes on a very strong note.

A highly creative effort, Amaral interprets traditional hymns with a world beat flavor, and with a different musician present on each track, the album is one pleasant surprise after another.

Travels well with: Steve Dawson- Ghosts; Jeff Coffin- Look For Water

Alexis Cole And The Taipei Jazz Orchestra

Jazz Republic

Tiger Turn, 2024

9/10

Listen to Jazz Republic

The revered vocalist Alexis Cole is joined by the Taipei Jazz Orchestra, where the 11 Big Band songs unfold with much energy and precision.

The busy presence of “Common Ground” starts the listen with Cole’s soaring voice alongside Yi-Hsuan Kuo’s lively drums and the bright brass, and “Begin The Beguine” follows with a calm mood that recruits talking and elegant vocals amid the soothing winds thanks to Cheng-Yu Jimmy Lee.

Moving deeper into the listen, the charming scatting of “Bye Bye Blackbird” emits an infectious mood via Keda Kinya’s rhythmic bass, while “Here’s That Rainy Day” offers an intimate moment that benefits from expressive singing and Michael Wang’s well timed trombone.

Further yet, “Beyond The Sea” spotlights James Linahon’s animated trumpet and vivid storytelling, where Cole’s pipes captivate us, and “You Make Me Feel So Young” exits with a dance floor demeanor that’s infectious and memorable.

Cole already has 12 albums under her belt, and this installment is yet another display of her inimitable talents, but in a cross-cultural setting.

Travels well with: Alexis Cole- Sky Blossom; Natalie Jacob- Sooner Or Later

The Lost Weekend Band

One Hell Of A Time

Self-Released, 2024

9/10

Listen to One Hell Of A Time

The Los Angeles Honky Tonkers The Lost Weekend Band make an indelible impression with just 5 songs here, where a guy named ‘Hardcore Dave’ fronts a country-ish band.

“Pay The Rent” starts the listen with firm guitar from Parker Richey and Carl Bryon’s rowdy keys that complement Dave’s raw and animated pipes, and “Sunlight” follows with Dave handling harmonica, too, as a bouncy and dance floor mood fills the bluesy spirit.

The middle track belongs to “Sing With Me”, where intimacy and beauty radiate amid the heartfelt storytelling, while “Madison Country” is a thick bar rocker that benefits from Eliot Lorango’s precise bass and well timed backing vocals.

The final tune, “In The Morning”, is another creative moment, as pedal steel and percussion suit the emotive singing of the sincere exit.

A band with an interesting backstory, Hardcore Dave got turned onto the outlaw country of Merle Haggard when he was touring with the hardcore outfit Agnostic Front. Still very much clinging to his roots, there’s plenty of fierceness to be embedded in these blues, country, Honky Tonk and rock’n’roll anthems.

Travels well with: David Luning- Lessons; Breezers- Hideaway

Jimbo Ross

Jazz Passion & Satin Latin

Bodacious, 2024

8/10

Listen to Jazz Passion & Satin Latin

The viola and violin player Jimbo Ross heads back to his roots for these 13 songs, where the jazz sounds touch on American standards, classics and even originals.

The bright and harmonic “Delilah” begins the listen with Ron Wagner’s playful drumming and Ross’ meticulous strings that suit the upbeat delivery, and “Polka Dots & Moonbeams” follow with a sublime intimacy, as Stuart Elster’s mature keys align with pretty string manipulation.

Closer to the middle, the bouncy “Lolita” benefits much from Joe Gaeta’s fluid guitar and a frisky rhythm section, while “Emily” showcases Peter Marshall’s upright bass amid the eloquent album highlight.

“Know It All” lands deeper and offers a dynamic and richly executed moment, and “Say’s You” continues the strong interaction with an animated delivery that’s destined for the dance floor.

Ross has an excellent resume and a wealth of experience, which is all clearly evident across these timeless jazz tunes.

Travels well with: Matt Booth- Sun Prints; Bill Banfield’s Jazz Urbane- Take Time To Listen

India Ramey

Baptized By The Blaze

Mule Kick, 2024

9/10

Listen to Baptized By The Blaze

The singer-songwriter and guitarist India Ramey returns with a 5th studio album, where honkytonk and Spaghetti western influences enter the 11 tracks.

The bouncy spirit of “Ain’t My First Rodeo” opens with Tommy Hardin’s lively drums and James Mitchell’s flowing guitar that suits Ramey’s playful voice, and the title track follows with a calmer mood, as Scotty Sanders places strategic pedal steel amid the soaring vocals.

Halfway through, “She Ain’t Never Coming Home” makes great use of Alyson Prestwood’s meticulous bass alongside the powerful pipes, while “Down For The Count” comes with plenty of classic country nods via the expressive singing and punchy climate that will get you on the dance floor.

Residing near the end, “Never Going Back” is a rich and thoughtful album highlight that’s harmonic, and “Go On Git” exits with a slight jangle and no lack of melody that invites singing along.

It’s not hard to think of Loretta Lynn or Neko Case when enjoying these tracks, and it’s pretty safe to say that Ramey is a luminous voice in the area of modern country.

Travels well with: Geanies- Can’t See The Sun; Rosie Flores- Working Girl’s Guitar

New Earth Farmers

The Sky From The Underground

Windfall, 2024

9/10

Listen to The Sky From The Underground

The Bay Area luminaries New Earth Farmers return with 8 originals and 2 covers, where their unclassifiable craft is as interesting and memorable as anything before it.

“Big Questions” gets the listen off to a rich start, where Nigel Twist’s dense drums and Kevin T. White’s precise bass complement Paul Knowles’ expressive voice, and “In The Sunlight” follows with warm acoustic guitar and swirling electric guitar via the retro-nods and dreaminess.

The middle tracks offer “Have Love Will Travel” and “Behind That Locked Door”. The former is melodic and intimate, where Melissa Phillips DePrato’s lovely harmony vocals won’t go unnoticed, while the latter welcomes Dave Zirbel’s touching pedal steel via a heartfelt climate.

Approaching the end, the rugged “Windfall” thumps and shakes with plenty of rock’n’roll spirit that invites a sing-along, and “He Broke Your Heart” exits with Adam Rossi’s soft B3 via the building landscape that soars with beauty and wonder.

A very meticulous body of work that explores many angles of Americana with nods to The Clash, The Who and The Beatles, every track here is full of substance and creativity.

Travels well with: The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio- Rocket Fuel Logic; David Luning- Lessons

Chief Keegan

The Piles High Club

Self-Released, 2024

9/10

Listen to The Piles High Club

The Irish band, Chief Keegan, return with Eddie Roberts, NOLA Trombone Legend Big Sam and Eddie Barbash for these 11 diverse and creative tracks.

“Crocs ‘n’ Jocks” opens the listen with Eddie Roberts’ flowing guitar for the funk filled climate that’s playful, and “Creamy Screamers” follows with Luke Dunford’s adventurous keys that suits the meticulous drumming.

Halfway through, “Love Pudding” showcases firm piano amid Mark Dudley’s spirited guitar licks for the rich album highlight, while “Frosty Nips” recruits Eddie Barbash’s skilled sax alongside exploratory grooves and timeless jazz nods.

Closer to the end, Richard Farrell lends his stunning voice via the intimate and elegant soulfulness of “Waking Up To The Light”, while “Shallow Gander” is populated by Big Sam’s bright trombone and Alan Elliott’s precise bass which makes adds much to a textured and busy finish.

A record with a very unique approach, the Irish sensibilities are complemented by jazz, funk and grooves that are nothing short of exciting and memorable from beginning to end.

Travels well with: Hollaway- Jazz-ish; Papo Vazquez- Songs Del Yucayeke

Eyal Vilner Big Band

Swing Out!

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Swing Out!

The Eyal Vilner Big Band have built up a lot of momentum with their last 3 albums, and this 4th effort continues their jazz and swing prowess with 18 of New York’s best musicians on hand.

“Downhill” gets the listen off to a vibrant and sophisticated start of big band sounds with hard bop nods, where horn solos are in attendance, and Duke Ellington’s “In A Mellow Tone” follows and indeed stays calm with keys and strong, soaring vocals from Brianna Thomas.

Elsewhere, the swift shuffling and washboard fun of “Dinah” is perfectly suited for the dance floor, while the elegant “Do You What It Means” offers us piano and brass solos on the feel good tune.

Deeper cuts like the festive, solo filled “Big Apple Contest” and the soulful, retro sounds of “My Baby Just Cares For Me” keep the song craft top notch, and near the end “5-10-15 Hours” lets the baritone sax shine on the ultra melodic album highlight with call and response fun. The album exits on the ambient “I’m On My Way To Canaan Land” where emphasis on drums invades the highly creative, flute friendly and cultured conclusion.

Swing Out! was recorded live in the studio, and it’s quite obvious with the boundless energy present, though the flawless musicianship hardly seems possible without overdubs. Vilner, an Israel native who now lives in NYC, crafts one memorable tune after another here, primarily rooted in the ‘50s style of Big Bands, although all ages will appreciate the timeless appeal here.

Travels well with: Duke Ellington- Blues In Orbit; Count Basie- Warm Breeze