Glen Phillips

There Is So Much Here

Compass, 2022

8/10

Listen to There Is So Much Here

The Toad The Wet Sprocket frontman, Glen Phillips, returns with a solo album the examines the joys and sorrows of everyday life, and he’s got Dave Depper (Death Cab For Cutie), Ji Tanzer (Blue Cranes) and John Morgan Askew along with him for the 11 songs penned during the pandemic.

“Stone Throat” starts the listen with warm guitar and crisp drums, as Phillips offers easily relatable storytelling that comes with a folk/pop formula that he’s most known for, and “I Was A Riot” follows with Natalie Zukerman’s pretty pipes complementing the quick melodies of the subtle ska influences.

Halfway through, “The Bluest Blue” lands in piano balladry, where Phillip’s poetic singing makes for a very intimate climate, while “Center Of The Circle”, the album’s best, uses keys and strings versus the more firm guitars for a hint of grit in the alt-rock flavor.

“Let In Anarchy” and “Call The Moondust” exit the listen, where the former again focuses on piano amid the eloquent lyricism, and the latter recruits synth and samples for the dreamy and absorbing finish.

A listen that balances calm love songs and larger rockers, Phillips is at a great place in his life, and his forced break from touring during the pandemic gave him a new appreciation for sitting still and enjoying all the little things that make life so great, which transpired into this very wise, memorable body of work.

Travels well with: Duncan Sheik- Claptrap; Stephen Kellogg- Blunderstone Rookery

Vertacyn Arc Materializer

Phlodd

10GeV, 2022

9/10

Listen to Phlodd

The San Francisco art-rockers Vertacyn Arc Materializer return with their 3rd album, and it’s as iconoclastic as anything they’ve done and resides somewhere between noise, psychedelia and experimental territory.

“Thank You Florida” starts the listen with an off kilter jangle that showcases lazy vocals and random noises into the harmonic sci-fi formula, and “Ikea Stock Split” follows with a bizarre version of soulful rock that buzzes lightly amid warm guitar bouts and bright brass, too.

Further on, the chunky bass of “Weight Loss 101” segues into calm areas of intimate exploration that builds into a thicker rock template, while “Nicotine Chewing Gum” plows into some sort of post-punk with its hypnotic texturing, driving rhythm section and electronic manipulation.

Near to the end, “Enough On Hand To Forget” drones in a very peculiar way that’s a bit ominous, and “The Slip, Slip, Slip” exits with cozy acoustic guitar and poetic singing that resembles early Radiohead in another dimension.

A record that’s entirely unpredictable, all over the map sonically, and even comes with a padlock to provide the owner of the disc with a Digital Rights Management system (I’m not kidding), you’ve never head anything like this and that’s a big part of Vertacyn Arc Materializer’s charm.

Travels well with: Deru- We Will Live On; Bottler- Journey Work

Guest Directors

Oh, To Be Weightless In The Sky

Topsy, 2022

9/10

Listen to Oh, To Be Weightless In The Sky

The Seattle rockers Guest Directors return with 5 really focused tunes that bring the producer extraordinaire Jack Endino on board for some of their heaviest work to date.

“Another Round (An Echo)” opens the listen with a hazy alt-rock angle that showcases the distinct vocals of front woman Julie D. amid the agile drums and dreamy guitars, and “In The Cellar” follows with a bit of ruggedness in the dense climate that rumbles with a noise-rock appeal.

The middle spot belongs to “Shipwreck”, which focuses on dual gender vocals alongside punchy drumming and shoegaze friendly qualities that help make this the album’s best, while “Hidden Silos” brings both beauty and tension via the throbbing bass, spacey guitar and thick drums. “Words Disappear” exits the listen, and it comes with a scrappy version of indie-rock that’s got some post-punk flavor to the diverse and memorable finish.

An effort that’s more muscular than anything they’ve done recently, there’s still much melody to be found packed in between the reverb, dream-pop and tuneful noise of one of the most exciting bands that exists today.

Travels well with: The Royal Arctic Institute- Russian Twists; Modern Stars- Psychindustrial

Kosmos Trio

Brev til en ven

April, 2022

8/10

Listen to Brev til en ven

The Denmark outfit Kosmos Trio make quite an impression with this debut album of Nordic jazz, where the pianist Frede Holger Thorsen, drummer Gustaf Hagelskjær and bassist Harald Hagelskjær navigate around 8 very adventurous tunes.

“Mørkevandring” starts the listen with warm piano, before crisp drums and strategic bass enter the warm but frisky formula, and “Slow Motion” follows with stirring keys that emit a unique intimacy in the cautious climate.

“Blue Garden” occupies the halfway point, and showcases a dynamic interaction between the trio that makes great use of mesmerizing textures, while “En anden gang” mixes beauty and tension with meticulous musicianship in the album’s best selection.

The last two tracks are equally interesting, where the rumbling, nearly ominous “Langfredag” highlights the firm drumming, and “Ved kysten” exits with an absorbing dreaminess that really benefits from the hypnotic keys and drawn out bass.

A striking listen that’s full of complicated metters, calm ebbs and no lack of harmony, rhythm and grooves, Brev til en ven is hopefully the first of many records from this talented and creative trio.

Travels well with: Mario Gaiotto- Cosmopaulista; Quadro Nuevo- Odyssee- A Journey Into The Light

Brian Blake

Book Of Life

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Book Of Life

The debut album from the Memphis singer-songwriter Brian Blake, this concept album is packed with songs about Blake’s family and their history in the Liberty, Texas area, and they’re full of cautious detail and much warmth.

“Rich Fields In The Distance” starts the listen with Blake’s charming acoustic guitar and expressive storytelling guiding the folk meets Americana sound that’s quite gripping, and the title track follows with much beauty thanks to the pretty female backing vocals that complement the cozy mood.

In the middle, “Meant To Be” welcomes brushed drums and radiant fiddle to the country spirited landscape, while “New Year’s Day” showcases a strong attention to atmosphere in the richly played folk climate.

“Little Boys” and “Nothing Gold Can Stay” exit the listen, where the former is quite intimate and pairs precise strumming with emotive singing, and the latter finishes with aching pedal steel and intricate guitar amid Blake’s poetic pipes.

A great starting point for the troubadour, Blake’s meshing of Americana, folk and country makes for a very compelling listen, and the help from Chris Beall, Rich Brotherton, John Chipman and Betty Soo, among others, is certainly appreciated and well received, too.

Travels well with: M. Lockwood Porter- Communion In The Ashes; Angela Easterling- Witness

Ben Levin

Take Your Time

Vizztone, 2022

8/10

Listen to Take Your Time

The Cincinnati youngster Ben Levin returns with more of his exceptional piano based blues tunes, and it’s some of his best and heaviest to date that features legends like Lil’ Ed, Bob Stroger, Lil’ Jimmy Reed, Johnny Burgin and Noah Wotherspoon.

The title track opens the listen with Levin’s bouncy keys and soulful voice guiding the rugged yet melodic climate, and “Jazzman Blues” follows with a swift and dance floor friendly appeal that welcomes Stroger’s inimitable voice and bass playing.

Further on, the vocal harmonies of “Hole In The Wall” are met with crisp drumming, Ed’s agile pipes, and, of course, Levin’s firm key acrobatics, while “Bad Boy” trims the pace back with a calmer but no less impactful demeanor of emotive blues that benefits much from Stroger’s 92 year old voice.

Deeper still, “Lump Of Coal” brings plenty of grit from Reed for the timeless blues, and “Mr. Stroger’s Strut” exits the listen with a bouncy instrumental thanks to Stroger’s bass, Wotherspoon’s guitar and Levin’s adaptable piano playing.

At just 22 years old, Levin is already a seasoned vet, and his song craft is just as luminous as those that inspired him. No matter where you start in his esteemed catalog of music, you’re sure to get top notch blues rock, as evidenced by this excellent body of work.

Travels well with: Chris Badnews Barnes- Badnews Rising; Gabe Stillman- Just Say The Word

Aarktica

We Will Find The Light

Darla, 2022

9/10

Listen We Will Find The Light

The recording moniker of the guitarist and vocalist Jon DeRosa, as Aarktica the artist employs ambience and very meditative texturing for the sometimes darker folk presence of this very unique listen.

“Like Embers” starts the listen with a haze of warmth, as wordless vocals emits both beauty and mystery, where bowed strings meet a very mesmerizing version of post-rock, and “Can’t Say I’ve Missed You” follows with hypnotic guitar amid the dreamy, nearly shoegaze sensibilities of the soothing landscape.

In the middle, “Goodnight” is quite poetic, even emotive, in its folk friendly delivery that pays close attention to mood amid its eloquent lyricism, while “A Quiet Places” drones with a bit of ominousness to its highly creative gestures.

Making our way towards the end, the sublime grace of “Sirenita Bobinsana” emits Latin influences via its airy tone, captivating acoustic guitar and gentle singing, and the title track exits the listen with an ethereal, instrumental foundation of wonder and awe.

DeRosa takes help from the cellist/violist Henrik Meierkord, the keyboardist Charles Newman and vocalist Nicole LaLiberté, and together it makes for an absolutely original and absorbing listen in the area of post-everything, precise atmosphere and highly technical experimentalism.

Travels well with: Drifting In Silence- False Awakening; Heron- Sun Release

Jojo Green

The Summer Tree

In Mono, 2022

9/10

Listen to The Summer Tree

A fusion friendly outfit from St. Paul, Minnesota, the vocalist and keyboardist Sharisse ‘Jermaine’ Germaine spearheads Jojo Green, and this follow up EP to their 2021 debut album, The Line, has the outfit offering 5 more rich, creative and diverse tunes.

The title track opens the listen with bright sax guiding the warm melodies and Nancy Long’s crisp drumming, where the setting gets a bit thicker with dense guitar from Conner Allen , and “Fire Escape” follows with a dance floor ready funk appeal that benefits much from Germain’s glowing, soulful pipes.

“Billie” occupies the middle spot and showcases Scott Yonke’s strategic bass amid the stylish, retro energy, while “Station” gets intimate in its poetic demeanor that’s powerful, eloquent and full of well timed keys, stirring brass and hypnotic bass.

“Tennessee” exits the listen, and it bops and shakes with an infectious quality that’s fusion at its finest, where jazz, rock and funk meet at a very exciting intersection.

A listen that embraces pop, rock, country, jazz, soul and funk, Jojo Green might be a relatively new band, but they deliver like seasoned vets and will be sure to make an indelible impression with anyone willing to give a listen.

Travels well with: Lake Street Dive- Free Yourself Up; Sister Sparrow- Gold

Chris Murphy

Two Rivers Crossing

Friendly Folk, 2022

8/10

Listen to Two Rivers Crossing

An artist with Irish heritage and who embraces bluegrass and folk ideas into his song craft, Chris Murphy has released 18 solo album in his lengthy career, and this quick EP brings themes of love, loss, redemption, hope and fear that’s guided by his superb violin playing.

“Early Grave” starts the listen with Murphy’s meticulous and playful strings amid his warm and vivid storytelling, and “Into The Past” follows with a calmer approach of gripping lyricism alongside his emotive violin prowess.

In the middle, the Irish nods of “Complete Surprise” won’t go unnoticed as Murphy delivers swift playing to complement his inviting voice, while “The Wolves Of Laredo” is quite poetic, where his pipes soar and his gripping strings mesmerize. “Shantallow” exits the listen with a very exciting and moving instrumental that reveals an inestimable ability with his instrument.

Murphy makes his living writing, performing and recording original music, and while his 2021 release hosted 20+ musicians, Two Rivers Crossing is an entirely solo affair, where his inimitable skills make for a brief peek at a highly talented artist.

Travels well with: Riddy Arman- Riddy Arman; Carolina Story- Dandelion

Kelley Smith

Moon Child

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to Moon Child

A Minnesota multi-instrumentalist and rising songstress, though Kelley Smith may have gotten into songwriting later than most, she makes quite an impression with these 5 folk friendly originals that are quite personal and contain much sincerity and warmth.

The title track starts the listen with cozy acoustic guitar and Smith’s inimitable, expressive singing in the gentle folk climate, and “Marriage” follows with Christopher Merrill’s skilled upright bass complementing the very pretty vocals and well timed, subtle percussion from Lyle Molzan.

The middle track belongs to “Dust”, which emits a very poetic intimacy thanks to Smith’s eloquent storytelling and stirring guitar, while “Tea And Whiskey” brings Merrill’s bass back for the Americana tinted landscape. “I’ll Let Go” exits the listen, and displays Smith’s violin prowess across the cautious, orchestral influenced finish that arrives far too soon.

Smith provides vocals, bells, harmonica, acoustic guitar and violin, and Joel Schwartz handles Resonator guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, tenor banjo, mandolin, and keyboards for this unassuming and easily enjoyable quick listen that is hopefully the precursor to an LP.

Travels well with: Sarah Morris- All Mine; Brennen Leigh- Prairie Love Letter

Amanda B. Perry

My Time

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to My Time

A Twin Cities singer-songwriter with a powerful set of pipes and a penchant for pop and soul sounds, Amanda B. Perry makes the most of these 9 songs with strong attention to melody and lyricism.

“Raindrops” opens the listen with Joe Peterson’s warm piano alongside Perry’s expressive voice and Tarek Abdelgader’s agile drums, and “Gales” follows with Julia Floberg’s graceful cello complementing the poetic and intimate delivery.

“Spinning” and “Change” occupy the middle spot, where the former uses David Feily’s dreamy acoustic guitar as Perry hits some pretty high notes, while the latter places Eric Blomquist on synth, Ken Valdez on guitar, and JT Bates behind the drum kit for the lush and emotive album highlight.

Arriving near the end, the aching pedal steel from Ben Waligoske suits the stirring vocals from Perry, and “Feels Like Home” exits with keys, guitars and drums interacting with an upbeat, soulful rock finish.

A very mature and timeless affair, Perry further cements herself as yet another Minnesota artist worth your attention, especially if names like David Gray or Adele are in your rotation.

Travels well with: Kelley Smith- Moon Child; Jessica Lynn- Lone Rider

Rachel Barton Pine

Violin Concertos By Black Composers Through The Centuries

Cedille, 2022

9/10

Listen to Violin Concertos By Black Composers Through The Centuries

The Chicago resident Rachel Barton Pine brings her superb violin skills to the work of criminally overlooked black composers, and she takes help from the Encore Chamber Orchestra and The Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Joseph Bologne and Chevalier deSaint-Georges’ “Violin Concerto in A major, Op. 5, No. 2” opens the listen with the flowing musicianship emitting so much warmth, melody and gracefulness, as the sweeping strings are full of intricate song craft. José White Lafitte’s ”Violin Concerto in F-sharp minor” follows, and brings a sublime intimacy that’s full of careful and stirring string manipulation.

The back half of the listen offers us the indeed emotive “Romance in Gmajor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 39”, by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, which is quite poetic, and Florence Price’s “Violin Concerto No. 2” exits with initially firm drumming that segues into a soothing, cinematic quality.

Pine has enjoyed a career spanning 40 albums as an orchestral soloist, recitalist and chamber musician, and she’s picked up awards and charted along the way. A project destined to be among the best in her catalog of work, these interpretations are fleshed out flawlessly.

Travels well with: Julian Velasco- As We Are; Aznavoorian Duo- Gems From Armenia

Joseph Shipp

Free, For A While

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Free, For A While

The debut album from the Nashville singer-songwriter Joseph Shipp, these personal songs were penned during an isolating time when Shipp and his wife moved back east to start a family.

Shipp starts the listen with the warm, acoustic guitar fueled “Rest Assured”, where a poetic quality flows amid much beauty, and “Where You Are” follows with a fuller approach that embraces some pop melodies alongside the folk-friendly qualities.

Entering the middle, “American Man” emits a bare Americana approach that’s full of eloquent storytelling, while “Turned Into Someone Else”, the best track, booms louder with a crisp, country-rock appeal.

Closer to the end, “dod” recruits plenty of atmosphere for the cinematic demeanor that’s darkly dreamy, and “Lonely Youth” exits the listen with meticulous guitar playing to complement Shipp’s soft, stirring voice.

A very absorbing, even cathartic affair, Shipp’s move from California to Tennessee provided fodder for this articulate record that’s often intimate, but can still rock with plenty of grit, too.

Travels well with: Angela Easterling- Witness; Will Payne Harrison- Tioga Titan

Yaya Diallo

Kachii

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Kachii

The author and musician Yaya Diallo brings us a very soothing body of work, where that traditions of coredjouga in Minianka culture are present amid the strings, winds and sublime voices.

“Kachi Zie” starts the listen with Diallo’s intricate balafon and the warm strings helping make for a very worldly flavor alongside the dreamy chanting, and “Tien” follows with Fili Gibbons’ graceful cello adding much beauty to the meditative climate.

In the middle, “Hakili” is quite stirring, where emotive violin from Jeanne-Sophie Baron brings a unique demeanor to the mesmerizing textures, while “Gifono” picks up the pace with Diallo’s firm djembe playing for the hypnotic gestures.

Nearing the end, “Teriya” showcases Malia Pellerin and Sara Rénélik’s soaring voices to complement the precise drumming, and “Hoo” exits with David Gossage’s atmospheric flute taking focus across the distinct and memorable finish.

A listen that highlights ‘lost’ and ‘hidden’ songs no longer played in Minianka villages, Diallo handles balafon, djembe and talking drum with much care and adventurousness, and the band support him with their superb talent that bridges European and African music in fascinating ways.

Travels well with: Shujaat Husain/Katayoun Goudarzi- This Pale; Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble- Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble

Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers

Jonathan Sings!

Omnivore, 2022

9/10

Listen to Jonathan Sings!

Their first record of the ‘80s, Jonathan Richman assembled a new Modern Lovers band for this fan favorite album of acoustic, harmonic songs that ended up at at #8 in The Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop critics poll, and NMEput it at #19 in their Album of the Year list.

“That Summer Feeling” opens the listen with Ellie Marshall and Beth Harrington’s pretty voices complementing Richman’s distinct talk/singing in the warm climate, and “This Kind Of Music” follows with a swift, oldies feel that showcases Michael Guardabascio’s frisky drums.

Further on, “Someone To Hold Me” gets romantic with Greg Keranen’s agile bass playing amid the soulful turned dance floor ready appeal, while “Those Conga Drums” is certainly drum focused alongside the female backing voices and Richman’s inimitable storytelling.

Deeper still, the strategic sax adds much to the scrappy lo-fi rock of “Give Paris One More Chance”, and “When I’m Walking” exits with Richman’s playful guitar and unique singing that has captivated fans for decades.

Richman and company made quite a few new fans with this album, as they steered into the direction that paved the way for their many trips to the Late Night With Conan O’Brien and eventual appearance in the film There’s Something About Mary. Now back in print in vinyl and CD, these great songs sound even better now.

Travels well with: Modern Lovers- ‘Live’; Jonathan Richman And Modern Lovers- Back In Your Life

Fred Argir

Despair & Ecstasy

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Despair & Ecstasy

The Minneapolis artist Fred Argir brings his 3 decades of recording and performing experience to these dozen new tunes where he plays every instrument thanks to his DIY approach to rock.

“Jumper” starts the listen with a stylish atmosphere, as soaring guitars and crisp drumming sounds enter the vocally expressive and ominous moments, and “Lay Me Down” follows with both grit and melody guiding the busy, textured rock climate.

Further on, the soulful backing vocals of “The Misunderstood” and searing guitars complement the talk/singing that’s a bit cryptic, while “Bloodlines” uses bouncy bass and a hypnotic tone for the album’s best, which alternates between a calmer haze and thicker bouts of creativity.

Deeper still, the buzzing tone of the dreamy “Leave A Trace” hints at prog-rock nods, and “Triage” exits the listen with both ruggedness and beauty aglow in the dynamic and tense finish.

Argir is now 7 albums deep into an impressive solo career, and his ability to navigate so precisely around many instruments and his diverse approach to rock’n’roll makes Despair & Ecstasy essential for the longtime fan and a great starting point for the first time listener.

Travels well with: Fred Argir- Still Alive; Hemisphere- Unity

Here's To Us

Kaukasus

HOOD, 2022

8/10

Listen to Kaukasus

A quartet from Stockholm with an affinity for chamber jazz improvisation, Josef Kallerdahl (double bass), Lisen Rylander Love (saxofon), Susan Santos Silva (trumpet) and Nils Berg (bass clarinet), i.e. Here’s To Us, deliver a highly creative listen that’s centered around Georgian culture.

“Mival Guriashi” opens with carefully plucked bass and warm brass in the very cautious climate, and “Aghmosavlidgan Mzisa” follows with a very intimate interaction that emits a very stirring demeanor.

At the halfway point, “Tsmindao Ghmerto” is handled with much emotion, as the horns mesh with much grace, while “Mravalzhamieri” focuses on the strategic bass playing amid the layered brass.

The title track resides near the end, and flows with much emphasis on the moody clarinet, and “Shen Khar Venakhi” exits with a unique ambience that few could replicate.

A very atypical listen that bridges the ancient traditions of Georgian music and modern jazz sensibilities, Here’s To Us brings 4 musicians each with their own inimitable voice on this fascinating sophomore album.

Travels well with: Foaie Verde- Phoenix: Balkans And Beyond; Quadro Nuevo- Odyssee- A Journey Into The Light

Avi Granite

In Good Hands

Pet Mantis, 2022

8/10

Listen to In Good Hands

The Canadian composer and guitarist Avi Granite highlights some of the best from his country across these solo performances that are intimate and offer very careful interpretations of his best work.

“Like A Magazine” opens the listen with Pat LaBarbera’s soulful and meticulous tenor saxophone that’s full of warmth, and “19 Seconds Or Less” follows with Ted Warren’s acrobatic drumming, which is quite exciting in its flawless execution.

Further on, Ted Quinlan brings his spirited electric guitar prowess to the soothing, graceful “Like John”, while “Basho” recruits playfully plucked bass from Neal Davis for one of the album’s best selections.

Approaching the end, “Boston” lets Tom Richards’ vivid trombone skills shine, and Nic Fraser’s proficient drumming exits the listen with the adventurous and very controlled “Critical Eddie”.

A listen where each track radiates in its own distinctive light, the all star cast illuminate Granite’s esteemed work with much poise and a timeless quality you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Ernesto Cervini- Joy; Jacob Chung- Epistle

Greg Stuart

Subtractions

New Focus, 2022

8/10

Listen to Subtractions

The esteemed percussionist Greg Stuart brings along Sarah Hennies and Michael Pisaro-Liu for these solo pieces that embraces virtuosity, vulnerability and dialogue into the 3 meticulous works.

“Border Loss” leads the listen with Hennies handling many different percussive noisemakers that manipulates timbre, atypical rhythmic patterns and higher pitches amid the angular, sometimes dense and acutely irregular demeanor.

Pisaro-Liu handles both “Side By Side I” and “Side By Side II”, and it features bass drum on cymbals for the first half, where scraping and friction are implemented precisely, and the back half showcases vibraphone and glockenspiel for the more melodic gestures that ring in a meditative fashion.

A very exciting virtuosic anti-virtuoso affair, Stuart’s vision is one that’s experimental, sharply focused and occasionally subtly political in its creative expanse.

Travels well with: Departure Duo- Immensity Of; Peter Gilbert- Burned Into The Orange

Trrma' Charlemagne Palestine

Sssseegmmeentss Frrooom Baaari

BeCoq, 2019

8/10

Listen to Sssseegmmeentss Frrooom Baaari

A collaboration between Trrma’, who is Giovanni Todisco (percussion) and Giuseppe Candiano (synth), and the American composer, performer and visual artist Charlemagne Palestine, this 2 track album brings their collective talent into an extremely unusual and artistic display of complicated dissonance.

“Segment 1” takes up the entire Side A with 21 minutes of aberrant noise as manipulated synth and percussion collide in hazy, blurred gestures of meticulousness that gets more ominous as the tune progresses.

“Segment 2” follows a similar path, where dissonance and eccentric rhythm unfold in intricate and unpredictable ways, as xylophones and more forceful percussion add to the abstract quality.

Certainly a niche listen, those with an ear for unorthodox ideas who truly appreciate the nuances of sound will be enamored with this really adventurous experience.

Travels well with: Sound X Sound- Music For Chromatic Tuners; Sound X Sound- Music For 8 Recorders