Ruby Colley & Exaudi

Hello Halo

New Amsterdam, 2025

9/10

Listen to Hello Halo

The violinist, composer and sound artist Ruby Colley is joined by EXAUDI’s many voices for these unclassifiable 6 tracks that uses field recordings and much imagination.

The title track opens, and employs Colley’s brother, Paul Colley, who is neurodivergent and non-verbal, where gestures through live voice and recordings fuel the folk influenced start.

“What Is It?” follows, and radiates many bright voices in a harmonic fashion, while “Duet 1- Then” pairs the tense strings with various vocal inflections that are unpredictable and intriguing via both intimacy and exploration.

On the back half, “Echoes” emits a distinct rhythm thanks to the meticulous violin and wordless voices, and “Cosmology” exits with lovely singing and a striking ambience that recruits beauty and a strong tonality.

Colley is versed in folk, classical and plenty of avant-garde ideas, which are all present across these emotive and meticulous pieces that are from unconventional yet easily enjoyable.

Travels well with: Daniel Wohl- Artificial; Adam Tendler- Inheritances

Modern Silent Cinema

Guitarworks First Folio

Bad Channels, 2025

9/10

Listen to Guitarwords First Folio

The prolific artist Cullen Gallagher presents 11 duets for classical guitar and synth, where electronic stabs are present for the originals that are experimental and highly creative.

“Fade In” starts with a lush beauty that’s warm and poetic, and “Hard Time II: The Premoniton” follows with a dreamy ambience that’s soothing, even meditative.

Entering the middle, “Shamus” is layered with much color in its brief delivery, while “Switching Channels” is strong on atmosphere and even flirts with New Age nods.

“Sharky’s Machine” and “At Long Last Love” exit the record. The former radiates a very sophisticated and rich demeanor, and the latter emits waves of wonder and mystery that wrap the listener around the mesmerizing playing.

Gallagher embraces traditions akin to Leo Brouwer and Toru Takemitsu, where the finger picking technique is executed with much culture and timelessness.

Travels well with: Modern Silent Cinema- Passages XXXIII-XLIII; Steve Carface- Familiar Traps

Rose Bishop & Heather Neuenschwander

Unseen//Unheard

Strange Moon, 2025

9/10

Listen to Unseen//Unheard

An album entirely of duets for alto flute and bass flute, Rose Bishop and Heather Neuenschwander bring their respective talents to these 10 classically influenced songs.

“Vicuna”, by Nicole Chamberlain, starts the listen with percussive ideas alongside the playful bass and alto flute interaction, and “Fremont Street” follows with a hazy of dreaminess via Leanna Li Keith’s vision of beauty.

Yoshi Weinberg’s “Cat’s Cradle” lands in the middle and emits mystery and warmth, as the pair interact with grace and poeticism, while “Hag Of Beara” carries a cinematic appeal that’s tonally bright and highly intriguing in the Lisa Neher piece.

Close to the end, Arturo Rodriquez’s “A Wandering Journey”, the album’s best, sees the duo using melody and wonder to their advantage, and “Night-Blooming”, by Sonya Leonore Stahl, exits with a colorful and emotive blend of the pair’s inimitable talents.

An enlightening and very engaging collaboration, this is the first ever album of its kind in the area of bass and alto flutes, and both Bishop and Neuenschwander guide the listener through much awe.

Travels well with: Joane Hétu- Elle a son mot á dire; Adrianne Munden-Dixon- Vision Mantra

Public Enemy

Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025

Enemy, 2025

9/10

Listen to Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025

The hip-hop icons Public Enemy are back with their first album in 5 years, where they again address the ills of society, politics and corporations that serves as effort of sincere gratitude toward their fans.

“Siick” opens with soundbites and a thumping drum before Chuck D’s unmistakable voice enters the buzzing climate and Flavor Flav’s backing commentary, and “Confusion (Here Come The Drums)” follows with a firm beat and plenty of rhythm that invites dancing to the infectious hip-hop.

Getting near the middle, the love letter to hip-hop, “C’mon Get Down”, spotlights Flav’s distinct voice and C-Doc’s lively musicianship that invites singing-along, while “Messy Hens” pairs their signature blend of rap and rock with the timelessness the band are known for.

Landing close to the end, the R&B spirit of “Ageism” has Chuck D taking the lead in a song about aging that recruits soulfulness, and “March Madness” exits with an anthem that surrounds school shootings, where Public Enemy don’t pull any punches lyrically, of course.

Few outfits have done more for hip-hop than Public Enemy, and all these decades later they’re proving there still very in tune with political and social issues, where their progressive version of rap settles in just as well as it did in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Travels well with: Detroit Illharmonic Symphony- Everything Is Shattered; Dedicated Servers- Colors

Nick May + Alex Siu Lun Li

You Me Us

Neuma, 2025

9/10

Listen to You Me Us

Nick May’s saxophones and Alex Siu Lun Li’s piano come together for these 7 tracks that give queer artists a voice for their experiences in life and how it relates to their music.

Sebastian Zhang’s “White Socks?” opens with the bright wind and playful piano interacting with much warmth and melody, and “On Queer Survival”, by Stuart Beatch, follows with a softer ambience that’s heartfelt and radiates authenticity.

Further along, Aaryn S. Ricucci-Hill’s “Queer Turquoise” lands in intimate territory via the gentle piano, as the soulful sax weaves in and out, while Darius D. Edward’s “Where Will My Flowers Go?” emits a dreamy mood thank to the lush sax and fluid keys.

“Close Your Eyes, If You Can” arrives late, and sees the duo execute with mystery and cinematic flavor thanks to Xenia St. Charles Iris Llyllyth’s vision, and the title track, by Spencer Arias, finishes with 4 animated movements that contain a rare energy that can rumble and is often colorful.

A body of work that’s powerful, pertinent and uplifting, the stories of struggle, love, and self-discovery are fleshed out here with a tremendous impact.

Travels well with: Phillip Schroeder- Radiance Within; Alex Lubet- Amy Levy: Songs Of Love And Loss

The Rubinoos

Live At Rockpalast 1978

MIG, 2025

9/10

Listen to Live At Rockpalast 1978

Jon Rubin, Tommy Dunbar, Royse Ader, and Donn Spindt, i.e. The Rubinoos, tear through 15 of their pop-rock gems on this night in Hamburg, Germany

The playful hand clapping and sing-along fun of “Rockin’ In The Jungle” opens, and “Tonight” follows with Dunbar’s frisky guitar playing guiding the power-pop melodica.

Further into the set, the smooth and groove filled “Hard To Get” makes great use of Ader’s skilled bass, while “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” allows for Spindt’s animated drums to complement the jangly delivery.

The band’s biggest hit, “I Think We’re Alone Now”, arrives late and sure has aged well, where the band’s harmonics are front and center, and “Rock’n’Roll Is Dead” exits with grit and density from The Rubinoos, as Rubin’s firm vocals illustrate how diverse he can get.

The sound quality from this show is superb, and the songs, of course, are some of the best power-pop then or now, as it captures the band on the rise with plenty of spirit and humor.

Travels well with: The Rubinoos- The CBS Tapes; Marshall Crenshaw- From ‘The Hellhole’

Modern Silent Cinema

Passages XXXIII-XLIII

Bad Channels, 2026

9/10

Listen to Passages XXXIII-XLIII

This 37th release from Modern Silent Cinema sees the multi-instrumentalist and composer Cullen B. Gallagher fleshing out post-modern, lo-fi classical sounds via piano, bass and guitar.

“Passage XXXIII” opens with the mesmerizing and bright keys making for an inviting climate of warmth, and “Passage XXXIV” follows with the dense bass and radiant piano creating mystery amid much atmosphere.

In the middle, “Passage XXXVII” showcases Gallagher’s meticulous guitar playing that gets a bit busy and rock fueled, while “Passage XXXIX” takes that a step further with thicker waves of cinematic qualities.

Residing near the end, “Passage XLIII” meshes the soft keys with ambient guitar and a backdrop of strategic droning, and “(House)” exits with what seems like field recordings and a toy that only enhance the intrigue of this atypical effort.

This installment was tracked in Gallagher’s old family home during his mother’s hospital stay (mom did the cover art), and it represents solitude and isolation. The experience provided the impetus for this avant-garde and neo-classical journey that meshes noise with sophistication like few others could.

Travels well with: Steve Carface- Familiar Traps; Demoted- Shit For Brains

Prawntail

Prawntail

Endectomorph, 2025

9/10

Listen to Prawntail

Evan Main, Walter Stinson and Steven Crammer make up the Brooklyn trio Prawntail, and across these 8 adventurous jazz tracks, each player holds our attention equally.

“Meryl” starts the festivities with Main’s distinct keys alongside Stinson’s chilling bass before the tune gets a bit lively and unpredictable, and “There’s A Special Place In Hell For The Reagans” follows with curious key patterns that suits the busy yet meticulous climate.

In the middle, “Prince ‘37” radiates tremendous warmth via the dancing keys and cozy rhythm section, while “Flop Sweat” offers a spontaneous and exploratory peek into the trio’s creative jazz ideas.

“Fire (Sale)” and “Get A Job” exit the listen. The former is bit cinematic and uniquely rhythmic thanks to Crammer’s skilled drums, and the latter finishes with dense bass plucking, radiant keys and reserved drumming where the chemistry between the 3 is undeniable and picks up steam near the end.

An excellent debut from a group who are used to being sidemen, Prawntail will make anyone with an ear for modern jazz a fan.

Travels well with: Kevin Sun- Quartets; Hannah Marks- Outsider, Outlier

Sacha Boutros

Paris After Dark

Hear Me Roar, 2025

9/10

Listen to Paris After Dark

The multi-lingual jazz vocalist Sacha Boutros celebrates 100 years of French and American composers with these 10 tracks that touch on pop, blues, jazz and swing.

The warm guitar from Hugo Lippi opens “Je Reviens te Chercher” with plenty of warmth amid Boutros’ elegant pipes, and “Si tu Vois Ma Mère” follows with Franck Amsallem’s intimate keys that suit the cozy enunciation via the flowing vocals.

Halfway through, the frisky “April In Paris” welcomes Thomas Bramerie’s playful bass to the timeless jazz singing, while “La Javanaise” makes great use of Tony Rabeson’s stylish drumming alongside the infectious voice that creates a charming mood.

“In The Still Of The Night” arrives late and is a hushed, romantic album highlight, and “La Belle Vie” exits with a contagious energy that utilizes Stéphane Belmondo’s glowing trumpet to complement the precise rhythm section.

Essentially a love letter to Paris, Boutros treats us to French pop songs of the ‘60s and ‘70s, as well as American standards with her inimitable voice front and center.

Travels well with: Hannah Gill- Spooky Jazz Vol. 3; Emma Hedrick- Newcomer

Trace Nixon

Hand Me Down Name

Charlotte Avenue, 2025

8/10

Listen to Hand Me Down Name

This first release from the Nashville artist Trace Dixon brings a soulful quality to traditional country ideas, where the 5 songs welcome some impressive musicians.

“This One’s For Alan” opens with Dave Flint’s warm guitar and Shawn Fitcher’s thumping drums that suit Nixon’s heartfelt voice, and the title track follows with Tony Paoletta’s emotive steel guitar alongside the intimate singing and Deanie Richardson’s spirited fiddle.

The middle track belongs to the lively rocker “Secondhand Hold On Me”, where grit and melody make this the EPs best, while “Ready For The Takin’” enlists Dave Francis’ cozy bass amid the romantic storytelling. “Love Lost Has Been” exits, and is a dense and rugged finish that invites singing-along to the raw country which benefits from Chris Nole’s piano.

An excellent starting point for Nixon, I would expect him to be a very familiar name in country music circles within a year, thanks to his classic twang, honky tonk influences and southern rock flavor.

Travels well with: Daryl Mosley- Long Days & Short Stories; Alex Miller- Country

Paul Richards

Crossing Brooklyn Ferry

Meyer, 2025

9/10

Listen to Crossing Brooklyn Ferry

The Florida composer Paul Richards recruits many players for this contemporary classical and chamber listen that unfolds across 2 discs of sophistication.

The warm spirit of “Entanglements” opens with the precise keys from Evan Mitchell and Kristen Stoner’s cozy flute that mesmerize us for 9+ minutes, and “Ouroboros” follows with a cinematic quality that weaves in and out of unpredictable chamber ideas thanks to Stoner’s flute, Dale Fedele’s clarinet, Janna Lower’s violin, Steven Thomas’ cello, Hsiang Tu’s piano and Kenneth Broadway’s percussion.

In the middle, “Syncretisms” enlists Silviu Ciulei’s animated and meticulous guitar for 5 movements of diverse songwriting, while the title track exits with Christopher Pfund’s tenor and Jasmin Arakawa’s piano interacting with much beauty and grace via the powerful and expressive songwriting.

Even though these selections are uniquely different, they all possess cyclic patterns in time, themes of memory and expectation and nods to fresh contexts for the presentation of similar materials. The title track is a direct reference to Walt Whitman, and the esteemed players emit much intrigue in solo settings, classical bouts and post-minimalism.

Travels well with: Sean Hickey/Vladimir Rumyantsev- Sapiens: A Brief History Of Humankind; Gerald Cohen- Steal A Pencil For Me

Patrick J Meaney

Welcome To Space

Self-Released, 2025

9/10

Listen to Welcome To Space

The filmmaker and musician Patrick J Meaney brings us a 10 track, sonic exploration that surrounds themes of peace and our connection to planet earth.

The warm spirit of “I Love This Planet” opens with Marc Wolf’s smooth guitar that suits Meaney’s dreamy vocals, and “Wonder Why” follows with playful flute before Gregg Sulzer’s frisky drums enter the rhythmic climate.

Landing in the middle, the fuller sound of “Earth Must Live” benefits from Meaney’s mature keys and expressive singing amid breezy melodies, while “Souls Live On” recruits some classic rock fueled guitar to complement the fluid keys.

Residing close to the end, the dreamy flute aligns with the lush delivery of “Save Our World”, and “Happiness” exits with Meaney’s cozy keys and gentle voice that illuminates the harmonic finish.

A thoughtful record that meshes love songs for Earth with sci-fi themes, Meaney’s vision lies close to folk-rock, and it’s cautiously executed and certainly delivers a cosmic experience worth revisiting.

Travels well with: Ryan Townsend Strand- Dear Mrs. Kennedy; Michael Mizrahi- Dreamspace

Alex Dowling

Breathers

Little Magic, 2026

9/10

Listen to Breathers

The Irish musician and composer Alex Dowling recruits a string quartet for these tunes that embrace breathwork meditation, and it’s fleshed out by members of the L.A. based Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra.

“Wind Chime Green (Coherent Breathing)” opens with Luke Hsu and Ann Miller’s violin gestures making for a distinct, soothing appeal that actually carries a rhythm similar to deep breathing, and “Cloud White Loops (Slow Exhale)” follows with Rainer Crosett’s meditative cello emitting a mesmerizing tone amid the rich layering.

In the middle, “Blue Sky Boxes (Box Breathing)” radiates a unique intimacy via the quartet’s sublime interaction, while “Echo Branches On Silver (Slow Exhale)” comes in waves of minimalism and strong attention tonality that employs Arianna Smith’s viola strategically.

The last track, “Snow Moon Pink (Slow Exhale)”, continues the theme with a hazy and therapeutic finish of enlightening song craft.

If you close your eyes and concentrate on breathing, this record with undoubtedly make one feel better in body, soul and mind, as the classical ambience guides the healing.

Travels well with: Daniel Gall- Exit Paradise; Peter Scott Lewis- Pacific Triptych

Bruce Levingston

The Elastic Heart Of Youth

Sono Luminus, 2025

9/10

Listen to The Elastic Heart Of Youth

The always impressive pianist Bruce Levingston interprets the work of Jean Sibelius, Leoš Janáček, Augusta Gross, Claude Debussy, W. A. Mozart, Domenico Scarlatti and Missy Mazzoli, where his adaptable playing is nothing short of stunning.

“Le Sapin, Op. 75, No. 5”, by Sibelius, opens and allows for Levingston’s fluid keys to radiate warmth and beauty, and “Sonata 1.X.1905, “From the Street”” follows with waves of intimacy and grace via Janáček’s vision.

Moving into the middle, Debussy’s “Étude pour les arpèges composés” has the keys swirling with a dizzying display, while Mozart’s “Fantasy in D minor, K. 397” display tremendous attention to detail thanks to the eloquent delivery.

Scarlatti’s “Sonata in A minor, K. 54” lands at the end and is full of melodic gestures, and the title track, by Mazzoli, exits with a mesmerizing quality that’s a bit mysterious and absorbing from beginning to end.

Levingston never ceases to amaze us, and this time he embraces tension, release, stillness, motion, loss and restoration into a body of work you’ll be in awe of.

Travels well with: Peter Scott Lewis- Pacific Triptych; Rachel Yonan- Kiss On Wood

Sophia Agranovich

A Reverie of the Soul: Piano Works by Robert Schumann

Centaur, 2025

9/10

Listen to A Reverie of the Soul: Piano Works by Robert Schumann

This 12th album from the pianist Sophia Agranovich interprets the work of Robert Schumann, where she embraces Romanticism with a stunning attention to detail.

“Piano Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22” opens, and allows for Agranovich’s fluid playing to emit melodies, firmness, quick bouts and softer ebbs of rich and timeless execution.

“Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13” occupies the bulk of the tracks and starts soft and intimate, but it’s not long until bouncy, rhythmic patterns arrive, while “Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18” showcases meticulous finger acrobatics that radiate much warmth.

“Papillons, Op. 2” exits, and it’s a dreamy and bright album highlight that winds in and out of agile and memorable dynamics.

Agranovich handles Schumann’s work with much care, where energetic, introspective and much emotion surrounds the inimitable performance.

Travels well with: Chelsea Hollow- Cycles Of Resistance; Dana Kaufman- Emily & Sue

Nicolás Lell Benavides

Canto Caló

Aerocade, 2025

9/10

Listen to Canto Caló

The New Mexican composer Nicolás Lell Benavides makes an impression with this debut album that enlists the Friction Quartet and Melinda Martinez Becker’s voice for the 2 chamber and classically influenced tracks.

The title track opens, and it makes great use of Mitzo Floor’s striking viola amid Becker’s expressive voice that incorporates dialogue, too. Deeper into the movements, Doug Machiz’s elegant cello illustrates much depth that suits the powerful singing.

The back half belongs to “El Correcaminos”, where the interaction between Otis Harriel and Kevin Rogers’ meticulous violins are strong on tonality and ambience, as the segments unfold with sophistication and exploration.

The selections embrace New Mexican identity, ancestral memories of grandparents, and how those live and breathe within us, and it makes for much culture, tradition and enlightenment to absorb.

Travels well with: Friction Quartet- Proper Nostalgia; Beth Levin- Blackbird & Ancestors

Susan Narucki/Curtis Macomber

György Kurtág: Kafka Fragments

Avie, 2026

9/10

Listen to György Kurtág: Kafka Fragments

Susan Narucki’s soprano and Curtis Macomber’s violin come together for this lengthy György Kurtág piece that embraces minimalism and allows for the duo’s inimitable talents to shine.

Across the 40 chapters, Narucki’s adaptable pipes can be light and poetic, just as they can be soaring and reaching impressive notes with power and emotion.

Macomber’s violin is nothing to spit at, either, where bare moments and animated string gestures are executed with precision and unpredictable playing.

Together, the pair illuminate Kurtág’s vision with eloquence, and a variety of moods that stems from diaries and letters of the mercurial novelist Franz Kafka. Even though many of the movements last less than a minute, they make a significant impression in the area of contemporary classical sounds.

Travels well with: Friction Quartet- Proper Nostalgia; Beth Levin- Blackbird & Ancestors

Friction Quartet

Proper Nostalgia

Aerocade, 2026

9/10

Listen to Proper Nostalgia

The San Francisco outfit Friction Quartet bring us 4 selections from 4 composers via their unique and memorable classical and chamber abilities.

“DIRTWORK” opens with strong attention to ambience, as the 4 players emit much meticulousness and warmth via the 4 segments that can get playful, especially with Doug Machiz’s animated cello.

The title track follows, and it’s full of sublime intimacy via Otis Harriel and Kevin Rogers’ emotive violins, where atypical rhythm and upbeat plucking are also present, while “unveiling” offers an animated and cinematic landscape thanks to the melodic versus heartfelt instrumentation.

“Inner Orbits” exits, and in 2 chapters it swirls with wonder and awe, where Mitso Floor’s well timed viola is particularly radiant.

The composers present are Michi Wiancko, Andrew M Rodriguez, Alex Dowling, and Isaac Io Schankler, and the quartet serve their visions well with detailed and vivid playing. The impetus for this album goes back to 2021, and you can tell a lot of work went into the process, which yields a thought provoking and relevant body of work.

Travels well with: Beth Levin- Blackbird & Ancestors; Daniel Gall- Exit Paradise

Stanton Street Duo

Lengua al viento: Stanton Street Duo plays Astor Piazzolla

Self-Released, 2025

9/10

Listen to Lengua al viento: Stanton Street Duo plays Astor Piazzolla

The husband and wife duo of Alan R. Lopez and Tatiana Senderowicz pen a love letter to the composer Astor Piazzolla via these cultured and enlightening 10 songs.

“Libertango” opens with a distinct rhythm and plenty of friskiness, and “Midnight Tango Pursuit” follows with a sense of cautiousness thanks to the warm guitar and soulful harmonica.

Halfway through, “Lengua al viento” moves gently with emotion and intimacy, while “Piazzollarmonica” allows for Lopez’s mouth acrobatics on harmonica to shine with much playfulness.

Arriving near the end, “Cafe 1930” emits poeticism and grace due to the pair’s rich talents, and “Yo soy Maria” follows with a fluid melody thanks to the meticulous guitar and colorful harmonica.

A really enlightening listen that explores tango, Latin and classical ideas, every moment comes with respect to Piazzolla’s vision and is executed superbly.

Travels well with: Chamber Winds Of South Dakota- Moxie; Peter Scott Lewis- Pacific Triptych

Welsh Avenue

New Ways

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to New Ways

The brainchild of Mark DiLillo, as Welsh Avenue the songwriter has his foot firmly in the sounds of electro-pop and alt-rock with plenty of strategic keys along the way on this thriving EP.

After the sparse keys on the opening introduction, “Open Book” dives right into a beat friendly electro-pop tune with plenty of upbeat, flowing melodies as well as restrained fun with layered synth.

In the middle, the title track brings playful keys and plenty of pop friendly rhythm, while “The Fervor” recruits a soulfulness in a club friendly anthem with strong production present.

Near the end, “Two-Door Coupe” offers an ambient setting of warm pop meets indie-tronica, and “Disco Moon” adds a spacey element to a dance rock exit that will be sure to turn many heads his direction.

Often taking nods to the ‘80s with this dreamy and highly tuneful approach, the now Austin, Texas resident pens a very likable listen here, and it will be exciting to see what unfolds next for Welsh Avenue.

Travels well with: The The- Dusk; The Shins- Port Of Morrow