Paul Litteral

The Litteral Truth

Outrageous8, 2025

9/10

Listen to The Litteral Truth

Paul Litteral brings his trumpet to these songs that inspired his personal musical framework, and he’s got an excellent cast along for the 10 covers.

“Home At Last” opens the listen with Rocky Davis’ smooth pipes alongside Ken Rosser’s warm guitar for the rich start, and “Give It Everything You’ve Got” follows with Litteral’s animated trumpet and Bill Bodine’s frisky bass that illuminate the festive mood.

In the middle, “Do It Again” benefits from Colin Kupka’s alto sax, tenor sax and flute amid the radiant trumpet, while “New York, By Dreams” spotlights Anna Oribson and James Oribson’s harmonizing voices in a busy and meticulous climate.

Getting close to the end, “Virtual Insanity” places Craig Kupka on trombone and Anna’s rich singing via the Jamiroquai original, and “Follow Me” exits with a distinct intimacy that’s heartfelt and stirring thanks to the Davis’ cozy keys.

Litteral’s got an excellent resume that goes back to the ‘70s, and these interpretations of timeless songs are executed flawlessly and further proof of his inimitable rock and roll credibility.

Travels well with: Hollywood Paul Litteral- Legacy; Pete Mills- For The Record

Pete Mills

For The Record

Mighty Ernie, 2025

9/10

Listen to For The Record

The Toronto native and saxophonist Pete Mills pens a love letter to the timeless sound of the tenor saxophone and Hammond B3 organ quartet, where Tom Davis, Jon Eshelman and Zach Compton are in attendance.

“For The Record” starts with Mills’ rich tenor sax and Zach Compston’s frisky drums that make for much melody and rhythm, and “The Kid” follows with Tom Davis’ dreamy guitar that suits the bright sax prowess.

Entering the middle, “Kenny, Ken” offers a lively bout thanks to Jon Eshelman’s frisky organ prowess, while “Z Is For Zadie” takes a more emotive direction via the cozy wind, warm keys and strategic drumming.

Landing near the end, “Step On It” moves quickly and playfully thanks to the quartet’s frisky interaction, and “Baby Simon” exits with intimacy and sophistication that we could never tire of.

Mills draws from the rich heritage of Columbus, Ohio and takes inspiration from the likes of Stanley Turrentine and Jimmy Smith or Rusty Bryant and Hank Marr, and it’s an effort that’s not short on soulfulness and a striking personality.

Travels well with: Randy Napoleon- Waking Dream: The Music Of Gregg Hill & Randy Napoleon; Shawn Purcell- Oblivity

Jay Hooks

Tequila & Bullets

Joplin Street, 2025

9/10

Listen to Tequila & Bullets

The Texas blues guitarist Jay Hooks is joined by an all star cast for these timeless 12 blues rockers.

The lively “Evinrude Boat Motor” opens with Jorge Castillo’s flowing rhythm guitar that suits Hooks’ soulful pipes and sturdy guitar licks, and the title track follows with a rugged and thumping energy that enlists Brock Proctor’s well timed bass which complements the powerful climate.

Landing in the middle, “Your Touch” offers plenty of rawness and grit that benefits from Matthew R. Johnson’s drumming acrobatics, while “Left Me Cold”, the album’s best, blends the swirling guitar and animated rhythm section.

Getting close to the end, “I Was Wrong” meshes melody and meticulous via the driving dynamics, and “Mexican Larry” exits with a hint of intimacy amid the dense interaction.

It’s been awhile since Hooks released an album, and he more than makes up for the wait with these defiant and rugged tunes that any fan of the blues will enjoy.

Travels well with: Fred Hostetler- Blues Back Pages; Teskey- White Wolf

Lily Vakili

Oceans Of Kansas

Self-Released, 2025

9/10

Listen to Oceans Of Kansas

The New Jersey artist Lily Vakili brings her inimitable storytelling to these 10 folk influenced songs.

“Okoboji” opens with Vakili’s soaring pipes amid Joseph Yount’s animated drumming for the lively delivery, and “Hold On They Say” follows with Chris St. Hilaire’s fluid keys that complement the expressive singing.

Landing in the middle, “Photograph” finds a dreamy place to reside via Dave Mann’s playful sax, while “One Human Being” welcomes Mann’s flute to the rhythmic and cultured album highlight.

Close to the end, “Rocket” benefits from Seth Barden’s strategic bass and warm guitar playing, as Vakili’s sings with much soul, and the radio edit of “I’ve Been Hiding” exits with Reed Turchi’s guitar prowess via the layered finish.

Vakili balances intimacy, balladry, fuller bouts and plenty of rawness, as her distinct and timeless song craft continues to impress us.

Travels well with: Adam Tilzer- Cult Leader; Annie J- Been Loving You

Daidrum

All At Sea

Self-Release, 2025

9/10

Listen to All At Sea

The London artist David Foster began Daidrum during the lockdowns of 2020, and this sophomore album arrives after a unimaginable tragedy and showcases a wide range of influences.

“Trafalgar Blues” opens with much ambience, before warm guitars and Chris Haigh’s meticulous fiddle enters the layered climate, and “There For You” follows with mature piano, Foster’s expressive singing and thumping drums that complements the rich delivery.

Moving into the middle, “Merry Go Round” comes with a progressive dreaminess that you could sing along to, while “Lonely Planet” makes great use of bright keys amid some folk-rock nods that help make this the album’s best.

“Nether Street” and “Song Of Time” exit the listen. The former enlists grooves and soulful singing that floats around the melodies, and the latter recruits Hannah Foster’s pipes for the 10+ minutes of light buzzing and lush song craft.

Foster has an impressive resume that includes playing drums for Eight Miles and Lord of Darkness, plus others, and this prog, pop, folk and rock meshing illuminates his diverse abilities.

Travels well with: Discipline- Breadcrumbs; Fearful Symmetry- I’ve Started, So I’ll Finish…

Bob Corritore & Friends

Early Blues Sessions

VizzTone, 2025

10/10

Listen to Early Blues Sessions

Here we have another excellent installment of old songs from Bob Corritore & Friends, and this time it’s recordings from 1984 to 2007 that includes remixed and unreleased tracks.

The bouncy spirit of “I Want To Be The One” starts with Little Milton’s raw voice and spirited guitar that suits Corritore’s unmistakable harmonica, and “So Glad I’m Living” follows with Sam Lay’s soulful pipes amid Chico Chism’s thumping drums.

Moving towards the middle, “Naptown Blues” enlists Eddie Hollis’ playful organ that complements Robert Lockwood Jr'.’s meticulous guitar and the firm harmonica, while “Showers Of Rain” welcomes Pops McFarlane’s skilled bass to the flowing blues climate.

Inching close to the end, “Ramblin’ On My Mind” allows for Lockwood’s rugged voice to shine alongside Mario Moreno’s energetic bass, and “West Texas Blues” exits with Corritore’s glowing harmonica and Lowell Fulson’s cozy guitar and voice for the bare finish.

Many of the artists here are no longer alive, and these recordings honor their memory while giving us another taste of Corritore’s authentic blues vision.

Travels well with: Bob Corritore & Friends- Doin’ The Shout; Bob Corritore & Friends- Phoenix Blues Rumble

Todd Herbert

Captain Hubs

Self-Released, 2025

9/10

Listen to Captain Hubs

The saxophonist Todd Herbert is joined by David Hazeltine, John Weber and Louis Hayes for these 10 jazz tracks that are both originals and covers.

The frisky title track opens with Herbert’s dizzying sax acrobatics and Hayes’ frisky drums that make for an animated climate, and “Prophet’s Oracle” follows with Hazeltin’s soft keys that complement the intimate spirit that also gets quite lively.

Landing in the middle, “You Go To My Head” makes great use of Weber’s agile bass amid the rich sax, while “In The Moment” bops and shakes with an infectious energy via the meticulous rhythm section and Herbert’s bright sax.

Close to the end, “The Mind’s Eye” offers a busy and dynamic album highlight that’s got a contagious energy, and “Straight Street” exits with Herbert’s sax acrobatics and the trio’s inimitable chemistry that radiates timeless jazz qualities.

A really memorable effort that’s not short on solos, Herbert and company know their way around melodies, bop-friendly bouts and plenty of swingin’ fun.

Travels well with: Bruce Gertz Quintet- Octopus Dreams; Chris Wabich- 1978 (STEEP)

Trojka

Tre Ut

Apollon, 2019

8/10

Listen to Tre Ut

On this sophomore album from the Norwegian trio, Trojka deliver what they do best- a fusion type of rock where few genres are off limits and exploration unfolds in spades.

Opening track, “President”, starts out with beat friendly smooth jazz sounds that touch on prog-rock, and “Penger” follows with a cosmic influence of psyche-rock where warm synth makes a grand presence.

Near the middle, “Orkan” puts percussion at center stage on the retro-fun that takes nods to the ‘70s, while “Fly” brings a calming, subdued moment of elegant folk inspired playfulness.

At the end, “Grenseland” recruits bouncy bass work into not so subtle homage to prog-rock giants like King Crimson, and “A se” uses atypical melodies in a restrained, lush fashion. The album ends on the title track, which offers 7 minutes of adventurousness that encompasses pop, prog, folk and experimental, artistic flashes, too.

An exciting and fluid display of prog-pop fun, Trojka make their genre skipping appear effortless as they wind in and out countless ideas with incredible skill from the three. Although they’ve been underground heroes in their hometown of Bergen for many years, Tre Ut will certainly and understandably bring them legions of new fans who appreciate their unique vision.

Travels well with: Knekklectric- For Mange Melodia; Hatifnats- Before It Is Too Late