Richard Cameron-Wolfe

Passionate Geometrics

New Focus, 2024

9/10

Listen to Passionate Geometrics

The composer and pianist Richard Cameron-Wolfe brings us 8 detailed chamber pieces, where a variety of players lend their inimitable talents.

Marc Wolf’s poetic guitar and hushed singing starts the listen with the cozy and reflective mood that is “Heretic”, and “Time Refracted” follows with “Gayle Blankenburg’s low keys and Caleb van der Swaagh’s gripping cello for the cinematic swells.

Halfway through, “O minstrel” welcomes Stephanie Lamprea’s expressive soprano and Daniel Lippel’s meticulous guitar via the conversational tone and pretty backdrop, while “Kyrie(Mantra)IV” is populated by Roberta Michel’s dreamy flute and Lippel’s guitar for the solos and polyrhythmic moments of the album’s best.

“Lonesome Dove: a True Story” and the title track exit the record. The former brings Geoff Landman’s tenor sax and Umber Qureshi’s watcher to the melodic and timbral focused landscape, and the latter recruits Nina Berman’s soprano that complement the wind, guitar and strings for a finish that relies on tuning and pitch with great effect.

An impactful body of work, both tiny gestures and fuller, rich bouts will be appreciated here, as Cameron-Wolfe pens an engaging and memorable chamber experience.

Travels well with: Fotina Naumenko- Bespoke Songs; David Kaplan- New Dances Of The League Of David

Fotina Naumenko

Bespoke Songs

New Focus, 2024

9/10

Listen to Bespoke Songs

The soprano Fotina Naumenko presents a works of commissioned pieces, where texts by female authors and well executed instrumentation unfolds with strong attention to detail.

Jonathan Newman’s “Bespoke Songs” starts the listen with Garrick Zoeter’s dreamy clarinet and Timothy Roberts’ alto and soprano saxophones complementing the elegant strings and Naumenko’s soaring and precise voice. The 12 chapters are calm, poetic and emit much beauty, where Marika Bournaki’s mature keys make an impression, too.

The middle belongs to “‘Hope’ Is The Thing With Feathers”, by Jennifer Jolley, as Julietta Curenton’s airy flute and Colin Davin’s warm guitar add much to the thoughtful and harmonic climate.

On the back half, Carrie Magin’s “How To See An Angel” benefits much from Ryan Romine’s low bassoon and Bournaki’s mesmerizing keys via the rhythmic and chamber nods, while “Let Evening Come” welcomes Nadia Pessoa’s swirling harp and Julian Schwarz’s sophisticated cello to the dramatic bouts and bright textures of the Benedict Sheehan composition.

A highly articulate and tonally aware effort, Naumenko’s diction and expression guides the tracks through neo-romanticism, theatric moments, jazz and strategic minimalism that leaves an indelible impression.

Travels well with: David Kaplan- New Dances Of The League Of David; The Rhythm Method- Pastorale

Rose Mallett

Dreams Realized

Carrie-On, 2024

9/10

Listen to Dreams Realized

The veteran soul singer Rose Mallett brings plenty of emotion and skill to these 11 interpretations of standards, where Jamison Trotter, Trey Henry, Mike Shapiro, Robert Kyle and ‘Munyungo’ Jackson are in attendance.

“Ain’t Nobody” starts the listen with Kyle’s warm sax and Trotter’s dreamy keys that suit Mallett’s inimitable delivery, and “Feeling Good” follows with incredible vocals that are surrounded by Shapiro’s drums and elegant strings.

Halfway through, “Send In The Clowns” welcomes Yvette Devereaux’s violin for the soft versus hard swingin’ gestures, while “The Way He Makes Me Feel” leads with elegant sax before firm keys and Henry’s precise bass enter the rich album highlight.

Further still, “It’s Impossible” displays a heartfelt mood which benefits much from the pretty singing and graceful instrumentation, and the dramatic “If I Never Sing Another Song” exits with profound beauty amid a soaring atmosphere of timelessness.

Mallett formed her first band at the age of 16, and she’s stayed busy since then with her dynamic range and both tender and animated voice that captivates us here.

Travels well with: Monika Herzig’s Sheroes- All In Good Time; Paul Kendall- My Shining Hour

Hazel Gaze

Hazel Gaze II

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Hazel Gaze II

The NYC outfit Hazel Gaze return with 9 new songs, where the band’s diversity and rock’n’roll spirit is greatly appreciated.

“Dirty Little Secrets” opens with plenty of classic rock flavor, where Hanz’s powerful pipes are met with Spiros Arnakis’ hard hitting drums, and “Who’s Sorry Now” follows with Russ Soper’s intricate guitar that suits the grooves and rhythm of the blues nods.

Moving into the middle, “What Coulda Been” benefits much from Konrad Payne’s precise bass, where soulful backing vocals balance ruggedness and melody, while “No Regret” thumps with an infectious energy that you could dance to.

Closer to the end, “Do As You Please” allows for Molly Klein’s backing vocals to complement the riff filled and lively rock’n’roll mood, and “Father’s Ruin” exits with a calmer approach, as Hanz’s gritty voice is met with bright keys and harmonic interaction between the players.

An eclectic affair that brings the ideas of the ‘70s and ‘90s, reference points like Led Zeppelin and The Black Crowes will give you some idea of how timeless Hazel Gaze are.

Travels well with: Eb & Hal- On My Way Home; Sun Q- Myth

Augie Haas + 8

Live At The Speakeasy

Playtime, 2024

9/10

Listen to Live At The Speakeasy

A set of 10 tracks from the trumpeter and singer Augie Haas, each selection was captured in one take before a live audience in May of 2024.

“Jamo Rocks” starts the fun with Dick Sarpola’s playful bass before the bright brass enters with much energy, and “The Sound” follows with Hailey Brinnel’s quick scatting that suits the frisky drumming and rich sax prowess from Troy Roberts and Todd Groves.

“You Can Fly!” occupies the middle spot and showcases Rick Germanson’s fluid keys amid Haas’ glowing trumpet, while “I Put A Spell On You” features Kacie Sky’s soulful pipes and the textured horns that complement the precise rhythm section.

Close to the end, “Feelin’ Alright” comes with a charming intimacy, where the meticulous trumpet matches the cozy mood, and “Za Toba Pójde Jak Na Bal” exits with a festive demeanor and no lack of melody thanks to the dynamic interaction of the esteemed players.

A top notch jazz performance with excellent sound quality, whether this is your first time with Haas or you’ve been following along for a while, you’re going to be impressed with the blues nods, playful spins on classics and abundance of grooves.

Travels well with: Augie Haas- Have We Met?; Steve Elci & Friends- All Together Now

Brock Davis

Everyday Miracle

Raintown, 2024

8/10

Listen to Everyday Miracle

The Santa Cruz resident and singer-songwriter Brock Davis returns with 13 new Americana tunes that he describes as ‘agnostic gospel’ and welcomes plenty of friends for the occasion.

“Everyday Miracle” opens with Davis’ warm voice and Pat McGrath’s stirring acoustic mandolin, as a fuller climate builds with much emotion, and “Keep On” follows with Marcus Finnie’s thumping drums that complement Michael Rojas’ well timed piano for the rugged versus melodic gestures.

Moving along, “You’d Think I’d Know By Now” offers a crisp and rootsy appeal thanks to Duncan Mullins’ strategic bass and spirited electric guitar, while “It Takes Just One” is an intimate moment of beauty that erupts into a gospel delivery thanks to the many backing vocalists.

Further still, “September Rain” emits plenty of timeless folk qualities via the poetic storytelling, and “My Promise To You” exits with a rich and dreamy demeanor of heartfelt song craft.

A body of work that surrounds life after resetting yourself, Davis blends country, rock, folk and roots into his own sincere and memorable version of Americana.

Travels well with: Ollee Owens- Nowhere To Hide; Seth Lee Jones- Tulsa Custom

Charlie Apicella & Iron City Meet The Griots Speak

Call To Action/Call To Prayer

OA2, 2024

9/10

Listen to Call To Action/Call To Prayer

The composer and drummer Charlie Apicella brings along The Griot Speak and Iron City for these spiritual and cosmic tracks that illustrate a very worldly vision of jazz.

“Call to Action: An Invocation of Those Who Came Before” starts the listen with William Parker’s mesmerizing bass and Juma Sultan’s playful percussion for the soothing opener, and “Call to Action: With One's Elders” follows with a busier approach of flute via Daniel Carter which suits the drumming from Apicella and adventurous spirit.

Deeper into the listen, “Call to Prayer: Zen Flesh, Zen Bone” strategically places Carter’s sax and Sultan’s shaker with much appeal, while “Call to Prayer: Il Nostro Sogno” is percussively daring and welcomes organ thanks to Brad Whitely for the unpredictable album highlight.

Residing close to the end, “Call to Prayer: These Boxes Are Mostly Empty” comes with a hypnotic delivery of jazz fueled ideas and global rhythm, and “Call to Prayer: Cascading Wave of Change” exits with well timed flute, rowdy keys and thumping drums.

A highly eclectic affair that touches on NYC’s loft scene of the ‘60s as well as hard bop sensibilities, there’s no lack of droning, grooves and swirling, urban energy that showcases fascinating improvisation to be enjoyed here.

Travels well with: Robby Ameen- Live At The Poster Museum; Mai-Liis- Kaleidoscope

Kris Bowers

For A Younger Self

Orchid Classics, 2024

9/10

Listen to For A Younger Self

The first platform for symphony orchestra from the Academy Award winning composer Kris Bowers, this emotive body of work recruits Charles Yang and the American Youth Symphony for 4 very well thought out selections.

The title tracks starts the listen with 3 in depth chapters. “Moderato ma non troppo” begins with Yang’s gripping violin alongside the atmospheric and moody backdrop via the AYS, and “Larghetto (Gently)” takes that lead into an intimate and dreamy display of poetic and heartfelt song craft that illustrates incredible strings.

This portion exits with the animated gestures of “Presto (With Ease and Confidence)”, where the lively mood showcases tremendous interaction between Yang and the orchestra.

The last selection, Arnold Schoenberg’s “Chamber Symphony No. 1”, is quite rich and unpredictable thanks to the charming winds and well timed brass that unfold with cinematic qualities.

An enlightening set of performances, Carlos Izcaray’s conducting won’t go unappreciated, where the players and Yang’s presence blend classical, orchestra and chamber moments into detailed and memorable songwriting.

Travels well with: John-Henry Crawford- Dvořák | Tchaikovsky; Scott Wollschleger- Between Breath

Drum & Lace

Semi Songs

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Semi Songs

The brainchild of Italian native and current Los Angeles resident Sofia Hultquist, as Drum & Lace she brings sampled field recordings, plenty of synth and moments of contemporary electronica on this very unusual and alluring spin on classical music.

“Outsider Complex Part 1” gets the EP started off with a dizzying display of jarring classical sounds before a calmer setting enters of strings and keys, and “Parhelion” follows with a moody atmosphere where a cinematic quality of cascading beauty winds between the cellos and violin.

The last two tracks follow a similar course, including the sparse opening of “Gardenia” that, in its 14 minute duration, offers twinkling keys amid a soulful ambience that unclassifiable, and “Outsider Complex Part 2”, which ends the listen with a bouncy approach where the strings dance and the keys ruminate with a thoughtful spirit.

Although she has primarily worked in the area of film, this debut penned for two cellos, violin, piano and electronics proves that Hultquist absolutely should be devoting her time to formal albums, too, as her eclectic and captivating skill is impossible to deny.

Travels well with: Sound X Sound-Music For 8 Recorders; Lost In The Trees-A Church That Fits Our Needs