Pacifica Quartet

The Korngold Collection

Cedille, 2025

10/10

Listen to The Korngold Collection

The always flawless Pacifica Quartet flesh out the work of Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s complete string quartets other rare chamber pieces, which has Orion Weiss, Milena Pájaro-Van De Stadt and Eric Kim in fine form.

“String Quartet No. 1 in A major, Op. 16” opens with Pájaro-Van De Stadt’s stirring viola that radiates tremendous warmth amid the elegant cello across 4 chapters, and “String Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 26” follows with graceful strings that move with fluidity and much emotional depth.

Disc 1 finishes with “String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 34”, where a poetic ambience and strong attention to tonality makes for a eloquent climate, while “String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 34” starts disc 2 with animated viola and Kim’s meticulous cello that dance around each other with tremendous color.

Arriving near the end, “Piano Quintet in E major, Op. 15” allows for Weiss’ unparalleled keys to mesmerize us via the timeless beauty, and “String Sextet in D major, Op. 10” exits with intimacy and adventurousness that you can’t not admire.

Once again, the Pacifica Quartet execute with fascinating precision for a chamber experience we won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Pacifica Quartet- American Voices; Karisa Chiu- Home

Ross Neilsen

Within Tension

Under Pressure, 2025

9/10

Listen to Within Tension

This 7th album from the Canadian guitarist and songwriter Ross Neilsen brings grit and soulfulness to his inimitable brand of the blues, where several guests are along for the 10 authentic tracks.

The thick guitars and Jay Sheffield III’s pounding drums opens with the powerful blues of “Rock Ranger”, and “Best For You” follows with a playful groove thanks to Neilsen’s buzzing guitar and John C. Stubblefield’s flowing bass.

At the halfway point, “Come To Be” trims the pace back with intimate singing and warm acoustic guitar, while “Devil’s Picasso” thumps with a bouncy energy that’s dance floor ready and benefits from Rick Steff’s rowdy keys.

Moving closer to the end, ”Good Enough” enlists Marc Franklin’s glowing trumpet to the careful delivery that’s heartfelt, and “Bold And Beaten” exits with a soft ambience of poetic and stirring songwriting.

Neilsen knows his way around a song you won’t soon forget, and in both loud, booming bouts and gentle ebbs he fleshes out some top notch, modern blues.

Travels well with: Ron Houston- R.O.A.M.; Jon Hines- Memphis Sun

John Clay

About Time

Claytone, 2026

8/10

Listen to About Time

The veteran drummer John Clay is in some excellent company for these 10 timeless jazz songs that are upbeat and instill plenty of joy.

“A Lark” starts the listen with Enrique Haneine’s warm piano amid the hazy winds and brass for a rich opening, and “Humpty Dumpty” follows with Clay’s animated drums that suit Matt Garrison’s flowing sax acrobatics.

Halfway through, “Dubai” benefits from Sean Conly’s playfully plucked bass and Shunzo Ohno’s soulful trumpet, while “Highway 14” offers an infectious mood via Ruby Pucillo’s charming scatting.

Moving closer to the end, “Prelude To Spring” lands in intimate territory thanks to the emotive keys and “My New Friend Old Friend” exits with drums and keys interacting with grace and the well timed bass plucking that won’t go unnoticed, either.

The impetus for this album came from Clay’s time playing with Haneine, and the addition of horns, bass and vocals only adds to the appeal of the authenic, uplifting jazz.

Travels well with: Pete Mills- For The Record; Shawn Purcell- Oblivity

Forest Sun

All Hearts Are Free

Self-Released, 2025

9/10

Listen to All Hearts Are Free

The San Francisco singer-songwriter Forest Sun is now 14 albums deep, and this time he brings a dance friendly spirit to his laidback version of roots that enlists Gawain Mathews and Lara Louise.

The warm mood of the title track opens with Sun’s easy going voice alongside Mathews’ cozy percussion, and “Waking Up In The Dark” follows with dreamy keys that suit the melodic folk flavor.

Further along, “Walk The Path That’s Yours” recruits plenty of soulfulness to the grooves, while “Slow” is a pretty and intimate moment that’s populated by poetic singing and gentle guitar that tugs on the heartstrings.

Getting closer to the end, “Lay Lady Lay” allows for Louise’s pretty backing vocals to shine amid the lush climate, and “Let The Shine” exits with a wise, reflective tone that’s uplifting and relatable.

A very breezy and feel good effort, Sun’s use of roots, folk, reggae and pop moments makes this the perfect companion for a glorious day when the sky’s so blue you’d want to dive in it and the birds are singing in the distance.

Travels well with: Forest Sun- No Finish Line; Forest Sun- Hey Magnolia

Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters

Live At The Grey Eagle

Organic, 2019

10/10

Listen to Live At The Grey Eagle

Do you ever hear music so good that you’re actually embarrassed to say that you were previously unfamiliar with said greatness? That’s how I feel about this Asheville, North Carolina outfit who have been around for well over a decade now, and certainly know their way around a folk, country and Americana tune you won’t soon forget.

Recorded over 2 days in their hometown, Live At The Grey Eagle catches Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters at the height of their career, where the chemistry between the members and the strong songwriting prowess is at an all time high.

“90 Miles” gets the listen started right with warm energy and their organic beauty with gorgeous vocals from Platt, and that spirit flows well through the fuller sounds of the folk/country “Jukebox” and the Americana shuffling of “All You Ever”.

At 17 tracks there’s much to absorb here, but it’s all so well delivered and immediately memorable that Platt and company never out welcome their stay. Deeper cuts like the lush and bright singing of “Golden Child”, and the emotive “18 Wheels” help keep our attention with no problems, while “Irene” brings us into ballad territory with a rustic southern quality that’s impossible not to adore. One of the the best tracks, “The Road”, resides near the end, and brings a sparse folk moment with timeless beauty.

While I generally reserve live albums for the unwavering fan, this installment worked well as an introduction for me, making me an admirer before the first tune ended and I feel pretty confident it will have the same effect on you.

Travels well with: Balsam Range- Aeonic; Sarah Shook & The Disarmers-Years