Andrew Staniland

The Laws Of Nature

Leaf, 2025

9/10

Listen to The Laws Of Nature

The Canadian artist Andrew Staniland wrote and performed all the songs here, where electronic and classical ideas mesh with a very creative and timeless vision.

The 6 chapters of “Dancer Portraits” opens the listen with bright key gestures, strong attention to tonality and a rich, electronic presence amid the voices used like an instrument, dreamy waves and bouts of stirring strings.

“The Laws Of Nature” spans the 2nd half of the record. Early chapters like “Interweave” are percussively heavy and mesmerizing, while deeper selections, such as “Pathways”, come with cinematic flavor and much exploration. The final piece then blurs the synthetic with the organic for a classical meets sci-fi presence.

An extremely technical outing that’s also very accessible, Staniland’s vision is one of grace, adventurousness and diversity, where ethereal moments and tense dynamics make for an unpredictable and enlightening affair.

Travels well with: Sean Clarke- A Flower For My Daughter; No Hay Banda- Il Teatro Rosso

David Bailis

Running Through My Mind

Create Or Destroy, 2025

9/10

Listen to Running Through My Mind

The inimitable guitarist, David Bailis, is in the company of Caroline Davis, Andrew Links, Jordan Scannella and Kenneth Salters for these 8 songs that pay tribute to his love of running.

The atmospheric and layered “Ordinary Trash” leads with Bailis’ detailed guitar alongside Davis’ animated alto sax, and “Angles” follows with Salters’ skilled drums complementing the cozy spirit.

“Star Sign” and “Zenith” land in the middle. The former relies on Link’s meticulous keys that add much to the rich delivery, while the latter carries a cinematic quality via Scannella’s playful bass lines and the dynamic interplay between the quintet.

Near the end, “Comet” offers a bright moment of rock influenced song craft that thumps with melody and firmness, and “Jealous Guy” exits with plenty of focus on Bailis’ intricate and memorable guitar chops.

This is Bailis’ 4th album, and much like everything he’s done, it’s diverse, collaborative and features many solos around the 6 originals and 2 covers of exciting modern jazz.

Travels well with: Billy Lester Trio- High Standards; Mitch Towne- Refuge

Emma Hedrick

Newcomer

Pathways To Jazz, 2025

8/10

Listen to Newcomer

Though this might be her debut album, the jazz vocalist Emma Hedrick has already picked up plenty of awards and performed all over the US and Europe, which makes sense since these originals sure seem like the work of a seasoned vet.

“The Idea Of Love” opens with Thor Eide Johansen’s playful bass plucking alongside Hedrick’s smooth and romantic singing that recruits Connor Rohrer’s warm keys, and “Dreamscapes” follows with Anton Kot’s animated drums that suit David Sneider’s soulful trumpet and the emotive singing.

Halfway through, “Tone Poem In Greenwich Village” makes great use of Shane McCandless’ rich sax amid the poetic pipes, while “Spring Haiku Collection” welcomes Peter Eldridge’s mature keys and voice, as well as Alexandra Dewalt’s expressive flute and heartfelt singing for the album’s best.

Further yet, “Come On Home” allows for Andrew Tinch’s meticulous guitar to align with Hedrick’s pretty vocals, and “Waste No More Days” exits with a frisky energy via Amy Azzara and Faith Quashie’s playful voices that complement the rhythmic backdrop.

An artist with a knack for storytelling, Hedrick cites Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington as influences, and her modern approach to vocal jazz results in an excellent first album.

Travels well with: Jennifer Lee- Glimpse; Judy Whitmore- Let’s Fall In Love

Skylark Vocal Ensemble

Shades Of Blue: Choral Music Of Mark Van Overmeire

Kramúsica, 2025

9/10

Listen to Shades Of Blue: Choral Music Of Mark Van Overmeire

The Grammy Nominated Skylark Vocal Ensemble treat us to the choral music Mark Van Overmeire, where world premiere recordings comprise the engaging listening experience.

“Hereafter Am I” occupies the first 3 segments, as the harmonizing voices radiate tremendous beauty and expressiveness in a climate that explores generational influence and belonging.

The back half belongs to the vulnerable “Between The Shadows”, where much emotion, warmth and intimacy is present and appreciated across songs that surround finding the strength to overcome doubt. Deeper into the chapters, a sense of empowerment is instilled, as the voices are layered with much precision and power.

The music and lyrics by Overmeire are handled with the utmost care, as the ensemble make every note sung as memorable and impactful as the one before it.

Travels well with: Skylark- Clear Voices In The Dark; The Crossing- Tower And The Garden

Sinne Eeg & Jacob Christoffersen

Shikori

Stunt, 2025

8/10

Listen to Shikori

The vocalist Sinne Eeg and key player Jacob come together for 12 spontaneous tracks that illustrate dynamic interplay across both originals and interpretations.

“Losing You” opens with the graceful keys and powerful pipes radiating much beauty and eloquence, and “Hebi” follows with intimate piano and expressive scatting making for a dreamy climate.

In the middle, “A Second Chance At Love” emits a sophisticated and romantic mood that tugs on the heartstrings, while “Maria” balances minimal moments with flawless singing via the cozy setting.

Making our way to the end, “Seems Like Yesterday” places the meticulous keys alongside emotive singing that’s both relatable and memorable, and “Soba” finishes with the melodic keys and charming scatting meeting at an infectious intersection.

The sound quality is fantastic for a live recording, and really captures the pair’s chemistry as they flesh out a really genuine vocal jazz experience.

Travels well with: Jennifer Lee- Glimpse; Kristina Kollar- Walk On By

Mark Winkler

Hold On

Cafe Pacific, 2025

9/10

Listen to Hold On

The prolific vocalist Mark Winkler is back with a 22nd album, where mostly originals are fleshed out by several pianists and plenty of winds, brass, guitars and drums.

The title track leads with John Beasley’s frisky piano and Bob Sheppard’s bright sax complementing Winkler’s expressive pipes, and “A Little Taste” follows with Eric Reed’s lively keys and Grant Geissmann’s playful guitar amid the charming vocals.

“It Was A Very Good Year” lands in the middle and enlists Jamieson Trotter on piano and Joey De Leon on percussion alongside the vivid storytelling in a rich delivery, while “My Future’s Just A Memory” carries an infectious energy via George Doering’s meticulous guitar and Brian Swartz’s soulful trumpet.

Close to the end, “The Devil Don’t Want A Saint” benefits from Rich Eames’ keys and Christian Euman’s drums that suit Winkler’s humorous wordplay, and “I Dream Of You Each Night” exits with a sublime intimacy thanks to gentle keys, light brass and cautious drumming.

Whether you’ve been following along for a while or this is your first taste of Winkler, his vocal jazz presence is always top notch, and his interpretations and originals are always relatable and timeless.

Travels well with: Mark Winkler- The Rules Don’t Apply; Mark Winkler- Late Bloomin’ Jazzman

Andy Nevala

El Rumbón (The Party)

Zoho, 2025

9/10

Listen to El Rumbón (The Party)

The Atlanta pianist, Andy Nevala, puts a fresh coat of paint on tracks by Sting, Coltrane and others, where much culture is present thanks to his Afro-Cuban and Brazilian influenced band.

The Stevie Wonder classic, “Isn’t She Lovely”, opens with Nevala’s playful keys alongside Emrah Kotan’s frisky drums, and “Lamento Cuban”, by Eliseo Grenet, follows with the colorful keys and Neff Irizarry’s radiant guitar emitting much beauty.

The middle track belongs to Thelonious Monk’s “Bemsha Swing”, where a quick pace benefits from Carlos Averhoff Jr’s rich tenor sax, while Sting’s “Fragile” is full of rhythm and melody thanks to Frankie Quinones’ animated percussion and Andy Eulau’s meticulous bass lines.

“Countdown” and “Los Bueyes” exit the listen. The former, by Coltrane, has the quintet interacting with much grace and adventurousness, and the latter allows for Nevala’s piano to guide the worldly textures of the Gonzalo Rubalcaba original.

An effort that’s not short on grooves and even injects bouts of improvisation, Nevala and company celebrate movement, energy and communal festivities with so much fun and diversity.

Travels well with: Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Dongfeng Liu- China Afro Cuba; Livio Almeida- Brasilia Sessions

Antonio Adolfo

Carnaval- The Songs Were So Beautiful

AAM, 2025

9/10

Listen to Carnaval- The Songs Were So Beautiful

The prolific pianist and composer Antonio Adolfo turns in a jazz fueled take on the music of Carnaval, and he’s got an excellent cast along for the 9 tracks.

“É Com Esse Que En Vou” opens with the playful keys and Rafael Barata’s lively drums adding much to the rich climate, and “Vassourinhas” follows with Jorge Helder’s frisky bass and Idriss Boudria’s animated sax making for an infectious energy.

Landing in the middle, “Mal Me Quer” welcomes Jesse Sadoc’s well timed horn amid the breezy keys, while “As Pastorinhas” spotlights Marcelo Martin’s cozy sax prowess alongside a charming intimacy.

“A Lua É Dos Namorados” and “Agora É Cinza” exit the listen. The former is a meticulous album highlight that allows for the dreamy flute to shine thanks to Martin, and the latter enlists Andre Siqueira’s colorful percussion that suits Rafael Rocha’s soulful trombone.

The Carnaval festival embraces plenty of Brazilian styles of music, and Adolfo’s jazz influenced versions breathes new life into songs he grew up loving, and that we do, too, now.

Travels well with: Antonio Adolfo- Love Cole Porter; Antonio Adolfo- Bossa 65

Vanessa Wagner

Philip Glass: The Complete Piano Etudes

InFiné, 2025

10/10

Listen to Philip Glass: The Complete Piano Etudes

The inestimable French pianist, Vanessa Wagner, takes on a daring project here, where the 20 piano Études of Philip Glass are fleshed out with unparalleled attention to detail.

The first disc belongs to Etudes No. 1-10, where Wagner’s meticulous fingers interpret a body of work that Glass used to battle his own ‘technical shortcomings’. Wagner flows in and out of each chapter with seeming ease, where elegance and poeticism are present, as is sublime beauty.

Disc 2- the last 20 Etudes- sees Glass entering rhythmic and harmonic areas, as Wagner’s firm gestures and complicated patterns are immediately inviting and resonate much timelessness.

Wagner’s performance is absolutely stunning, and successfully bridges the musical legacies of the 20th and 21st centuries with this powerful, dynamic and profound body of work.

Travels well with: Kaito- Collection; Bruce Brubaker- Eno Piano 2

Anders Hagberg

With Hope

Prophone, 2025

9/10

Listen to With Hope

The Swedish flutist and saxophonist Anders Hagberg is in the company of Johannes Lundberg, Joona Toivanen and Helge Andreas Norbakken for these 11 tracks of reimagined folk melodies and improvisation.

The chilling keys and intimate flute of “Elasticity Of Trees” starts the listen with much attention to mood, and “Elegy” follows with the warm keys and poetic wind interacting with tremendous beauty and wonder.

In the middle, “Circle No. 2” benefits from Lundberg’s dense bass lines amid much mystery, while the title track is a playful album highlight that blends the quick keys, frisky bass and Norbakken’s lively percussion.

Further on, “Woods In Blue” emits gentle melodies via the meticulous piano from Toivanen and the cozy rhythm section, and “O Magnum Mysterium” exits with a moody backdrop, where Hagberg’s vision is one of introspection and elegance that’s stirring.

This is Hagberg’s 2nd solo album, and it balances hope and sadness alongside the precise textures and several different flutes that serves as a very articulate response to the turmoil in the world.

Travels well with: Andorra- III; Luca Sestak- Lighter Notes

Pleasure Pill

Hang A Star

á La Carte, 2025

9/10

Listen to Hang A Star

The San Diego outfit, Pleasure Pill, make an impression with this debut album that all anglophiles should be paying attention to, as the quintet find themselves knee deep in Brit-rock.

“Favorite Color Gold” gets the listen off to a swirling start, where Ethan Paz’s playful rhythm guitar and Dom Friedly’s drumming acrobatics suit frontman Jonah Paz’s flowing voice, and “So Long” follows with a more muscular mood, where dense guitar and Ivan Delgado’s strategic bass won’t go unnoticed.

“My Way To You” occupies the middle spot and showcases lush melodies and plenty of melody, while “Get There Soon” carries a bouncy energy that you could dance to and certainly should sing-along to.

Close to the end, “Wonder How” benefits from Luke Blake’s intricate guitar amid Jonah’s expressive pipes and “Don’t Fly Away” exits with the precise rhythm section and colorful guitars emitting timeless rock qualities.

Far from being another Oasis imposter band, Pleasure Pill flirt with garage and psychedelic ideas across a strong first album that hints at the ‘90s but is still very modern.

Travels well with: Spunsugar- A Hole Forever; Low-Res- Darfor

Newton Faulkner

Octopus

Cooking Vinyl, 2025

9/10

Listen to Octopus

The folk singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner returns with an 8th studio album, where the veteran artist continues his new phase of songwriting with plenty of openness and collaboration present.

“Alright, Alright, Alright” leads with frisky drumming and animated guitars via the lively rock spirit that welcomes the Bloom Twins to the busy climate, and “What Took You So Long” follows with plenty of playfulness and electronic bouts in the buzzing delivery.

Further along, “Honest To God” finds itself in calm territory that’s forthright and heartfelt and builds into a powerful moment, while “Don’t Make Me Beg” escalates into dense and cathartic bouts before retreating to calm.

Deeper still, “Hunting Season” enlists Lissie and Los Bitchos for the rhythmic album highlight, and “Gratitude” exits with harmonizing vocals amid the a cappella beauty.

Now two decades into an esteemed career, Faulkner continues to reinvent himself, where is inimitable brand of folk-rock just keeps on getting more interesting.

Travels well with: Melody Fields- 1991; Devarrow- Heart Shaped Rock

Adrianne Munden-Dixon

Vision Mantra

Neuma, 2025

9/10

Listen to Vision Mantra

This sophomore album from the violinist and electronics wizard Adrianne Munden-Dixon treats us to 4 new commissioned solo pieces and 2 calmer chamber selections that are never short on rawness.

Marcos Balter’s “Vision Mantra” opens with Carrie Frey’s distinct viola and Julia Henderson’s striking cello interacting with a sonic appeal that radiates amid Munden-Dixon’s violin, and “For Adrianne”, by Martin Gendelman, follows with the atypical violin gestures that are both intimate and playful in an artistic fashion.

In the middle, Gemma Peacocke’s “In A Snowstorm Of Moths” offers an emotive and stirring bout of meticulous violin, while “Disentangling” drones via a cinematic mood that’s mesmerizing thanks to Kimia Koochakzadeh-Yazdi’s vision.

Residing close to the end, John Thompson’s “Changing Light” turns minimalism into a refined science with some tinkering sounds and occasional buzzing, and Inti Figgis-Vizueta’s “Shadow In The Garden” exits with detailed attention to tonality thanks to the gripping violin, as more animated gestures arrive late.

A genre defying experience that pairs violin with electronics in an unconventional platform, the timbre, texture and color present is immediately engaging.

Travels well with: Peter Van Zandt Lane- Axils; Thomas Ciufo- The Rising Moon

Peter Van Zandt Lane

Axils

Neuma, 2025

10/10

Listen to Axils

The composer Peter Van Zandt Lane blurs genres with these chamber and electroacoustic selections that enlist many different players.

“Décalcomanie 2” starts the listen with Maggie Snyder’s viola in a haunting, solo setting that uses electronics via artistic and surreal avenues, and “Anabrunch” follows with the Splice Ensemble enlising unpredictable saxophone and chilling trumpet with strategic keys in unexpected and rhythmic waves.

“nodes.branches.loops” and “Composite & Parallax” land in the middle. The former assembles 4 saxophones in a sonically alluring fashion, while the latter is a colorful bout of saxophones and percussion that dance around each other with no lack of melodies and texturing.

Close to the end, “(p)neumes” is populated by Ensemble Vim, who blend the keys, flutes, percussion and cello into both meditative and intensifying positions, and “Coastal Portrait: Cycles And Thresholds” exits with strong attention to tonality and an enlightening demeanor thanks to the UGA Contemporary Chamber Ensemble's strings and the ambient electronics.

A very curious aligning of classical and experimental prowess, there’s a profound aspect to these often minimal arrangements that radiate much wonder and beauty.

Travels well with: Thomas Ciufo- The Rising Moon; Shannon Wettstein- Con Grazia- A Century Of Italian Piano Music

Thomas Ciufo

The Rising Moon

Neuma, 2025

9/10

Listen to The Rising Moon

The composer, improviser, and sound technologist, Thomas Ciufo, pulls from ambient and electroacoustic ideas for these 10 sonically engaging tracks.

The title track leads with a warm and rich landscape that allows for the waves of synth to unfold with mystery, and “Still Arriving” follows with a chilling, cinematic appeal via the meticulous layering and atmosphere.

The middle spot belongs to “Out Of Silence”, where a bit of a haunting aspect enters the exploration, while “Light And Shadows”, the album’s best, carries traces of sci-fi nods in its moody and dreamy presence.

“The Quiet Sun” and “Loss And Acceptance (Still Listening)” exit the listen. The former radiates introspectiveness thanks to the strategic analog delivery that uses vocals like an instrument, and the latter emits a nearly spiritual component to its 8+ minutes of captivating song craft.

Ciufo blends analog, digital, acoustic and experimental noisemakers for a really introspective, sometimes tense and other times enlightening journey that wraps you in immediately.

Travels well with: Shannon Wettstein- Con Grazia- A Century Of Italian Piano Music; Professor Girlfriend- My Mother In Love: The Summer Sessions

Shannon Wettstein

Con Grazia- A Century Of Italian Piano Music

Neuma, 2025

9/10

Listen to Con Grazia- A Century Of Italian Piano Music

The exceptional pianist Shannon Wettstein explores modern and contemporary Italian piano works, where the 9 selections span 1930-2018.

Giacinto Scelsi’s “Con Grazia From Suite No. 5” opens with the unpredictable keys emitting intrigue and charm, and “Anamorfosi”, by Salvatore Sciarrino, follows with the bright piano radiating warmth and mystery.

Further along, Luigi Dallapiccola’s “Quaderno Musicale di Annalibera” flows across 7 chapters via bare moments, lower registers and animated bouts, while Franco Donatoni’s “Rima” offers an animated and playful spirit.

Residing close to the end, “Antipodes”, by Ivan Fedele, is a bit haunting in its minimal presence, and Silvia Bianchera’s “D’eco” exits with expressive and dense qualities that are both creative and memorable.

A highly complicated but easily accessible body of work, Wettstein’s vision illustrates old and new ideas colliding with a modern, classical appeal that’s quite striking.

Travels well with: Professor Girlfriend- My Mother In Love: The Summer Sessions; Jeannine Wagar- Into The Night

Professor Girlfriend

My Mother In Love: The Summer Sessions

Neuma, 2025

9/10

Listen to My Mother In Love: The Summer Sessions

The trio of Anna Weesner, Charles Mueller and Charlotte Mundy, as Professor Girlfriend they present songs that surround domestic unease, where 17 other musicians are in attendance across the 14 tracks.

The title track starts with Mundy’s expressive and rich voice alongside much ambience, and it quickly escalates into thumping drums, bright strings and some rock focused ideas. Deeper into the 10 chapters, the singing become powerful, the strings radiate intimacy and playfulness is present via the winds.

Nearing the end, the emotive and lush “Circular Argument” is quite frisky and lovely, while “When Girls Learn The Alphabet” benefits from Mueller’s mesmerizing guitar amid the vivid storytelling.

“Why The Dialectic?” exits, and pairs the meticulous guitars and flowing vocals with an orchestral backdrop that’s also got some rock’n’roll spirit.

Mundy’s vocal performance is outstanding and diverse, and the music is equally eclectic and unpredictable. Though the subject matter is often delicate, the sounds can be forceful, though beauty is always part of the artistic equation, too.

Travels well with: Jeannine Wagar- Into The Night; Duo Aya- Cycles

Timothy McAllister & Liz Ames

Project Encore, Vol. 2

Neuma, 2025

9/10

Listen to Project Encore, Vol. 2

The esteemed saxophonist Timothy McAllister and intimitable pianist Liz Ames come together for these newly commissioned works by some of today’s best composers.

Wynton Marsalis’ “Book Book Nova” opens the listen with 3 segments, where the expressive keys and rich sax interact with grace and warmth, and “McAllister’s Ceilidh”, by Adam Silverman, follows with the playful keys and flowing sax radiating a frisky energy.

In the middle, Jennifer Higdon’s “A Fine Line” carries a cinematic quality thanks to the animated keys and colorful wind, while “The Spaces Between” showcases a very adventurous mood via the firm keys and swirling sax prowess in the Andrew Bishop piece.

Further along, Iman Habibi’s “Sulfuric Rivers” comes with plenty of emotion in its poetic and cautious landscape, and Gregory Wanamaker’s “Coda For World Peace” exits with intimacy and a soothing nature to the stirring finish.

An extremely detailed effort that touches on jazz and classical ideas, there’s rhythm and harmonies to enjoy amid the duo’s introspective, haunting and lively presence.

Travels well with: Timothy McAllister & Liz Ames- Project Encore, Vol 1; Anna Rubin- Powehi

Mary Strand

I Don’t Need Your Permission

Hygh Tension, 2025

10/10

Listen to I Don’t Need Your Permission

The Minneapolis guitarist, singer, author and former lawyer, Mary Strand, is joined by Ryan Smith, Mark Wade and Jack Strand for these diverse rock tunes that might bring to mind Joan Jett or Chrissie Hynde.

The driving guitar rock spirit of “Take Your Time” opens with Strand’s melodic and distinct vocals alongside Jack’s thumping drums, and “Yours Until Tomorrow” follows with Smith’s melodic guitar and Wade’s playful bass in a heartfelt climate.

Further along, “Stay Or Let This Go” carries a warm mood and plenty of retro nods in its frisky nature, while “Least Of All Her” builds into a gritty and fluid modern rocker that showcases the meticulous rhythm section and some dreamy waves.

Deeper still, “If We Could” uses soulful backing vocals and scrappy punk rock nods, and “Does Any Of This Really Matter” enlists some folk-rock sensibilities that has Smith handling sitar and mellotron, as Strand’s inviting voice guides the sophistication.

Strand’s band have an impressive resume that includes playing in Soul Asylum, The Melismatics and Outta Coentro, and her vintage rock vision will make anyone a fan who is willing to take the journey.

Travels well with: Stephen Jacques- Pioneers And Fragrant Flowers; The Scarlet Goodbye- Speedway

The Royal Hounds

Low Class Songs For High Class People

Self-Released, 2019

9/10

Listen to Low Class Songs For High Class People

While there are certainly legions of bands residing in Nashville today, none are quite like The Royal Hounds. Now armed with Brazilian guitar virtuoso Matheus Canteri, frontman and slap bassist Scott Hinds adds yet another dimension to his wild roots rock on their 3rd album, Low Class Sounds For High Class People

“The Walk” starts the listen with high energy fun as organs complement the retro rock’n’roll spirit, and “Whackity Do” follows with thumping percussion in the festive, quirky sing-along.

Near the middle, “Pororoca” offers us toe tappin’, surf-rock fun in the instrumental that sounds like it could soundtrack a spy movie set in a distant land, while “Pizza Party” certainly could be played loud at a party, but you’ll need a dance floor in addition to toppings.

Towards the end, “Manteiga Braganca” recruits guitar acrobatics and cultured rhythm from Canteri in the complicated instrumental, and “Chinese Buffett” puts a roots rock and rockabilly spin on a story about a trip to devour sweet and sour chicken. “Ghost Riders In The Sky”, the lone cover, finishes the listen on a busy tune with breezy melodies and expressive vocals that again reiterate how much talent is on hand here.

An eclectic outing that touches on honky-tonk, psychobilly and many ideas from rock’n’roll, though much of the subject matter is humorous, The Royal Hounds are seriously talented, unique and, quite honestly, one of the most interesting outfits today.

Travels well with: The Reverend Horton Heat- Liquor In The Front; Rocket From The Crypt- Hot Charity