Connor Garvey

Another End Of A Year

Nine Athens, 2022

8/10

Listen to Another End Of A Year

A singer-songwriter from Portland, Maine who is equal parts poet, storyteller and entertainer, Connor Garvey makes quite an impression with these 11 tracks that employ much emotion, plenty of melody and admirably rich song craft.

The very warm and introspective “The Boat” starts the listen with a hazy folk feel that makes great use of gorgeous vocal harmonies, and “Break The Cage” follows with more emphasis on percussion as soulful moments enter the bright storytelling.

The title track lands in the middle and presents a dreamy landscape of reflective lyrics amid glowing pedal steel and expressive singing, while “Lock Me Away” is very poetic, intimate and with some retro soft-rock nods in attendance, too.

Nearing the end, “The Song” meshes folk and pop with very charming piano, and “Shine, Shine, Shine” exits the listen with Garvery’s smooth and flawless pipes amid soft guitar and bare drumming.

This is Garvey’s 8th release, and it’s really no surprise he’s picked up plenty of awards and become a regular festival performer. He even teaches songwriting at one of the most noted song schools, and he sure does know his way around a timeless and memorable tune you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Edie Carey- The Veil; Peter Donovan- This Better Be Good

Melt Motif

A White Horse Will Take You Home

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to A White Horse Will Take You Home

A band who began in secrecy thanks to Rakel and Kenneth Rasmus Greve, these days Melt Motif also includes Joe Irente, and together they make some very distinct and inviting pop sounds that embrace countless influences and never stay in one place very long.

The spacey and unpredictable buzzing of “Sleep” starts the listen with no lack of electronic fun amid the pretty vocals, and “Mine” follows with a firm beat alongside plenty of atmosphere guiding the soft singing.

Packed into the middle are “Andalusian Dog” and “Black Hole”, where the former warbles with some sci-fi leanings and the latter is quite intimate, dreamy, even stirring in its sparse beauty.

Deeper still, “Not What They Seem” is bit more dense, busy and cinematic in its darkwave nods, and “Random Access Memory” exits the listen with a nearly doom like presence that’s thick, hazy and quite charming in its unusual nature.

Fans of genres as diverse as dream-pop, industrial, indie-tronica and trip-hop will find much to adore here, and the meticulous delivery and strong production do not disappoint either.

Travels well with: Bithammer!- Minimum Style, Maximum Effort; Dang!!!- Sociopathfinder

Pogo Pops

Daylight

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to Daylight

An outfit spearheaded by the always impressive Frank Hammersland, Popo Pops returns with an 8th album, where the original members Nicolai Hamre and Viggo Kruger welcome some guests for the pop and rock flavored diversity.

The title track starts the listen with a warm melody that’s crisp, dreamy and embraces some ‘80s post-punk ideas amid the hypnotic delivery, and “Maybe It Was Just A Dream” benefits much from bright piano and a slight jangle in the glorious indie-pop spirit.

Halfway through, "Fall Into You” finds an intimate place to reside, where a poetic quality enters the bare landscape, while “My Mind Is Like A Radio” is a bit thicker amid the strategic bass and radiant textures.

“A Certain Sound” and “Stay Awake” exit the listen, where the former is a bit soulful and recruits plenty of atmosphere, and the latter thumps loudly with an infectious energy that’s pop friendly but also tips its hat to garage rock.

Popo Pops began in 1987 under the name The Doomsville Boys, and did take a 10 year break starting in the mid ‘90s. Since their reformation, they’ve released 4 albums of eclectic and exiting version of rock, and Daylight is certainly some of their best work to date.

Travels well with: Frank Hammersland- Atlantis; The Lust-O-Rama- Twenty-Six Screams

Anders Buaas

The Edinburgh Suite

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen The Edinburgh Suite

The Norwegian Anders Buaas has an impressive resume that includes having been a touring guitarist for Paul DiAnno (Iron Maiden) and Tim Ripper Owens (Judas Priest) for many years before starting his own project, the instrumental entity The Witches of Finnmark.

On this very exploratory two track album, Buaas brings much skilled guitar playing to the unpredictable and flowing climate.

“The Edinburgh Suite Pt. 1 Old Town” leads the listen with warm guitar, playful banjo and crisp drumming across the 20 minutes of upbeat and progressive melodies that touches on jazz sensibilities, too.

“The Edinburgh Suite Pt. 2 New Town” exits the affair, and is a bit more spacey in nature, before bursting into thicker territory that weaves in and out of radiant, timeless prog-rock moments that can be a bit tense at times, too.

Buaas is joined by Marco Minnemann, Tony Franklin, Christian M. Berg and Richard Garcia, and together they continue an exceptional body of work that will appeal to all fans of prog-sounds, past and present.

Travels well with: Sleepyard- Head Values; Strange Horizon- Beyond The Strange Horizon

Shilpa Ray

Portrait Of A Lady

Northern Spy, 2022

10/10

Listen to Portrait Of A Lady

The New York art-punk icon Shilpa Ray never does anything conventional, and this new batch of tunes is no different as she explores personal aspects of her life related to the #metoo movement, the Trump administration and her own experiences with abuse.

“Straight Man’s Dream” gets the listen off to a calm start, where Ray’s expressive singing and warm keys make for a cozy opener, and “Manic Pixie Dream Cunt” follows with a thundering, punk rock explosion of power and melody as Ray’s shouted vocals are as urgent as the fiery music.

Further along, “Lawsuits And Suicide” benefits much from firm drumming and dense guitar amid some post-punk influences, while “Bootlickers Of The Patriarchy” flows with a haze of slow moving intimacy before bursting into a rugged New Wave rocker.

“Charm School For Damaged Boys” arrives near the end and is a scrappy garage-rocker, and “Last Wave” exits the affair with a subdued and dreamy finish that flirts with electro-pop, too.

A listen that can be ferocious as well as delicate, and that’s as likely to end up in reverb as it is searing guitars or electronic beats, Shilpa Ray is truly on her own distinct path, but it’s one that can remind us of The Stooges, Ministry or Babes In Toyland in a brawl that breaks out at a poetry reading.

Travels well with: Sneaks- Happy Birthday; Titus Andronicus- An Obelisk

Sidney Jacobs

If I Were Your Woman

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to If I Were Your Woman

The vocalist, songwriter, arranger and composer Sidney Jacobs is clearly an artist willing to go against the grain, and here along with many guest musicians he brings his baritone voice to R&B, jazz and pop spirited tunes.

“We All” starts the listen with atmospheric, wordless vocals in the brief opener, and this transitions into Josh Nelson’s warm piano and plenty of soulful brass as Jacobs’ expressive singing guides the timeless jazz demeanor of “On A Clear Day”.

Making our ways towards the middle, “Like A Star” finds an intimate place to reside, where poetic singing in the R&B influenced sophistication makes an impression, while “I Feel Pretty” moves swiftly with Gene Coye’s acrobatic drumming and Soloman Dorsey’s playful bass to complement Jacobs’ diverse pipes.

Deeper into the back half, “Been So Long” benefits from Rickey Woodard’s elegant sax and Munyungo Jackson’s strategic percussion as Jacobs shows us his falsetto, and “Conversations With Bernice” exits the listen with a bit of ambience and electro-pop nods.

A very adventurous sophomore album, Jacobs blend poly-rhythmic ideas, rich harmonies and folk, gospel, classical and soul moments into a very distinct and atypical formula you’ll want to listen to again and again.

Travels well with: Bill Ortiz- Points Of View; Chris Standring- Simple Things

Tom Skinner's Science Project

First Set

Horton, 2022

8/10

Listen to First Set

A debut from Oklahoma all stars who joined together to honor the spirit of Tom Skinner, a singer, songwriter, Red Dirt music pioneer and Oklahoma Music Hall of Famer who passed away in 2015, Skinner’s longtime musical partner, Don Morris (Brandon Jenkins, Red Dirt Rangers, Jana Jae) assembled this outfit.

“Sleeping Dogs”opens the listen with warm pedal steel and crisp drumming giving the rootsy flavor a very cozy and inviting demeanor, and “Can’t Wait Any Longer” follows with a breezy spirit of agile and melodic Americana.

Closer to the middle, “Love Revolution” benefits much from some retro-rock spirit and playful drumming amid the intricate guitar work, while “Down The Road” head towards country music with its intimate and poetic nature that’s a bit dreamy, too.

Further on, “Without You” emits a timeless folk spirit and “Headed South” exits the listen with a slight jangle amid the upbeat, and rootsy Red Dirt formula that sounds right at home with their Oklahoma roots.

Morris is in the company of guitarist Brad James (Medicine Show, Stoney LaRue, Steve Pryor, Brandon Jenkins), drummer Rick Gomez (Reba McIntyre, Roy Clark, Red Dirt Rangers, Jana Jae, Okie Soul, Tweed) and bassist Dylan Layton (Whirligig, Steve Pryor, Brandon Jenkins), and together they preserve Skinner’s legacy with much care.

Travels well with: Monica Taylor- Trains, Rivers & Trails; John Calvin Abney- Familiar Ground

Armelle LC

L@ Dérive (The Drift)

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to L@ Dérive

The singer and multi-instrumentalist Armelle LC welcomes a large handful guest musicians on this very well thought out and worldly listen that touches on classical, pop, folk, indie and experimental ideas.

“I wish…” opens the listen with Mike Sington’s atmospheric synth complementing the cinematic, dreamy climate of soft singing, and “High Time” follows with Armelle’s soaring, pretty pipes alongside Thierry Chassang’s production skills and plenty of gorgeous string manipulation.

In the middle, “Poétique” benefits much from Thérèse Johnston’s harpsichord in the verses and piano in the chorus, as Armelle’s distinct vocals get much more firm, while “A New Penelope” embraces Philippe Joucla’s electric guitar and Paul Jenkins’ classical guitar for the mysterious and warm Eastern influences.

“False Divisions” arrives near the end and places Lucie Martineau on cello for the poetic and very expressive album highlight, and “Where (the drift)” exits the listen with TNO handling guitar and Amanyth contributing strings and percussion to the powerful, memorable finish.

A very artistic endeavor that has singing in both English and French, L@ Dérive is a concept album, where reality made of symbols and myths are often harp focused, although Armelle also plays synth, keyboards, strings, piano, harpsichord, bass guitar, bendir, tambourine, Indonesian rain stick, Tubular bells and kikongi on this very delicate and atmospheric journey.

Travels well with: Bruno Karnel- Las Ilusiones; Maya Magub- Consolations

The Hogtown Allstars

Hog Wild

Stony Plain, 2022

8/10

Listen to Hog Wild

Although this is the debut album from The Hogtown Allstars, the players include Downchild Blues Band alum Chuck Jackson (lead vocals/harmonica), Pat Carey (sax), Gary Kendall (bass), Jim Casson drums), and Tyler Yarema (piano/organ) alongside Maple Blues Band alums Teddy Leonard (guitar) and Howard Moore (trumpet), who are some of the most noted and esteemed players on the Toronto scene.

“Mr. Lucky” leads with flowing keys, bright brass and Jackson’s gritty yet inviting pipes in the timeless blues climate, and “Hog Wild” follows with spirited organ and thumping drums complementing the raw singing and dense landscape.

“Angel In My Bed” occupies the middle spot, and trims the volume back with much intimacy and soulful backing vocals from Quisha Wint, Jill Zadeh and Selena Evangeline, while “Subway Cassanova” brings power and melody into the album highlight thanks to the strategic bass lines, intricate guitar and gravelly singing.

The final two tracks, “She’s Got The Stuff” and “I Ain’t Lyin”, continue the sturdy blues formula, where the former welcomes plenty of grooves, and the latter bounces and shakes with a dance floor appeal of lively piano, well timed brass and finger acrobatics on the organ.

Collectively, there’s 20+ Maple Blues Awards, five JUNO Awards, two Lifetime Achievement Awards, and countless International blues and jazz music awards spread out across the members. Most importantly, however, is their ability to pen an authentic blues tune you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames- Nightwalk; Brad Absher And The Superials- Tulsa Tea

Deidre McCalla

Endless Grace

MaidenRock, 2022

9/10

Listen to Endless Grace

The veteran singer-songwriter and guitartist Deidre McCalla returns with a 5th independent album, and much like everything she’s done it’s full of powerful, honest and very literate song craft that surrounds the human spirit.

“When The Ground Shifts” leads the listen with much attention to mood, where keys and flugelhorn accompany the acoustic guitar on a tune about the magnitude of the pandemic, and “Shoulder To The Wheel” follows with a Celtic meets country feel that recruits fiddle, dobro and bodhrán percussion for the unique and timeless energy.

Further along, “One Foot” emits a Caribbean demeanor that’s got plenty of rhythm in the feel good atmosphere, while “Even Now” strips the setting bare with much intimacy that discusses a profound loss and benefits from soft piano and McCalla’s soulful pipes.

Nearing the end, “That’s How We Pray” uses violin, piano, and polyrhythmic hand percussion for the album highlight that discusses human resiliency with a celebratory climate, and “I Do Not Walk This Path Alone” exits the listen full of country, R&B, folk and gospel sensibilities that are anthemic and praises those whose shoulders we stand.

A Black woman, mother, activist, lesbian, feminist and active songwriter for nearly 50 years, McCalla pens a very wise and eloquent record that should be required listening in these very turbulent, uncertain times.

Travels well with: Edie Carey- The Veil; Wes Collins- Jabberwackies

John-Henry Crawford

Corazón

Orchid Classics, 2022

8/10

Listen to Corazón

The cello extraordinaire John-Henry Crawford returns with the pianist Victor Santiago Asunción and the guitarist JIJI for Latin American music that includes works by Leo Brouwer, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Carlos Guastavino, Manuel Ponce, Egberto Gismonti, and Astor Piazzolla.

Brouwer’s “Canción de cuna” opens the listen the cello and guitar interacting with much beauty and culture in the very cautious, stirring climate, and “O canto do cisne negro”, by Villa-Lobos, flows with a distinct dreaminess that swirls with a moving, emotive appeal.

Further down the line, Villa-Lobos’ “Pequeña Suite: Melodia” pairs the cello and piano in a very poetic and classical light, while Piazzolla’s “Legrand Tango” blends piano and cello with tango rhythm and jazz sensibilities that posses a very radiant energy.

Making our way towards the end, “Sonata in G minor for violoncello and piano” unfolds in 4 segments that alternate from bare to rich, and Piazzolla’s “Oblivion” exits with a haunting melody that suits the tone of the cello superbly.

A stunning listen that covers over 140 years of Latin American music culture, Crawford and company embrace the heritage of Argentina, Brazil, Cuba and Mexico, and it results in a very heartfelt and passionate journey that the listener will be enthralled with from beginning to end.

Travels well with: John-Henry Crawford- Dialogo; Chelsea Guo- Chopin In My Voice

Shiri Zorn & George Muscatello

Into Another Land

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Into Another Land

Shiri Zorn brings her soulful, powerful voice to George Muscatello’s meticulous guitar work here, and along with Mauricio Zottarelli’s diverse percussion they make for a worldly and melodic 8 tracks.

“Witch Touch” opens the listen with Zorn’s versatile and charming pipes alongside playful percussion and warm guitar, where much culture is present and appreciated, and “How Deep Is The Ocean” follows with a stylish and rhythmic approach that emits much distinct beauty.

“Beautiful Love” arrives in the middle and is indeed romantic in Zorn’s poetic delivery amid the sublime instrumentation, while “I Wasn’t Ready” makes great use out of the spirited guitar lines and the light percussion as Zorn’s delicate singing is quite dreamy.

Near to the end, “Willow Weep For Me” is quite sophisticated but also adventurous as the trio blend their talents with a charming, dynamic appeal, and “Detour Ahead” exits the listen intimate and with a precise cautiousness between the 3.

A listen that recruits Zottarelli’s Brazilian heritage and Muscatello’s angular guitar skill, Into Another Land is a vocal jazz affair that embraces Zorn’s classical background, too, and it makes an immediate and lasting impression.

Travels well with: Ariane Racicot- Envolée; Deanne Matley- The Alberta Lounge

A Fragile Tomorrow

It’s Better That Way

Mpress, 2022

9/10

Listen to It’s Better That Way

It’s been a busy 15 years for A Fragile Tomorrow, and their diversity is at an all time high on this art-rock influenced 7th album that welcomes some recent line-up changes.

“All Signs To Amsterdam” opens the listen with a smooth and vibrant version of psyche-influenced rock that benefits much from acrobatic drumming and warm guitars, and “Feeder” follows with a bit of jangle in the technical and melodic indie-rock.

Closer to the middle, “Another Club” presents a mysterious intimacy that’s layered artistically, while “Eye For An Eye” is bit more firm, with dreamy moments of alt-rock flavored fun that you can’t not admire.

Deeper into the back half, “Look Out!” buzzes playfully amid the stylish demeanor of indie meets electro-pop, and “Riding A New Wave” exits with an indeed New Wave spirit populating the angular rhythm and infectious energy of the album’s best tune.

The A Fragile Tomorrow veterans Sean Kelly, Brendan Kelly, and Shaun Rhoades have recently welcomed Josh Kean (Electric Century -Mikey Way of My Chemical Romance, Sub Pop/Kill Rock Stars indie legend Danielle Howle) and Peter Holsapple (dB's, R.E.M., Hootie and the Blowfish, Continental Drifters), and their collective strength and vast experience makes for one of the most eclectic and memorable listens of the year.

Travels well with: Seth Glier- The Coronation; Grace Pettis- Working Woman

Maya Magub

Consolations

CRD, 2022

8/10

Listen to Consolations

The British-American violinist Maya Magub is accompanied by the pianist Hsin-I Huang here, and together they construct a pandemic record, where they recorded their portions separately, though you would never know it by listening to this live sounding collaboration.

Robert Schuman’s “Abendlied” opens the listen with the keys and strings interacting with incredible beauty that makes an immediate emotional connection that’s quite absorbing, and “Meditation from Thaïs” follows with the string manipulation finding a very heartfelt place to reside amid the graceful piano in the Jules Massenet song.

Elsewhere, Franz Liszt’s “Consolations” unfolds across 6 segments of poetic, expressive musicianship that’s a bit hypnotic, too, while “Largo From Xerxes”, by George Frederic Handel, makes the most out of a mature melody that showcases much skill on the piano and tremendous warmth from the violin.

Close to the end, Felix Mendelssohn’s “Songs Without Words” moves at a quicker pace of agile keys and lovely violin, and “Raindrop’ Prelude exits the listen with a very sublime interpretation of Frederic Chopin’s vision.

Although there are no words sung here, Magub expresses much with her artistic approach, and by turning to music for solace during the lockdowns she’s created a timeless body of work.

Travels well with: Variant 6- New Suns; Margaret Brouwer- Reactions

Alberto Patron

The Ten Aporetic Tropes: Les Moments Musicaux

Albany, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Ten Aporetic Tropes: Les Moments Musicaux

A composer, music theorist, writer, philosopher, and artist, the Italian Alberto Patron sees Lucius Weathersby on piano, Chiara Urli on cello and Valentino Dentesani handling violin as they interpret Patron’s Ten Aporetic Tropes and two works from his Les Moments Musicaux.

“Based on the variety in animals” starts the listen with the bright instrumentation of the jumpy keys and agile strings blending with much playfulness, and “Based on the differences in human beings” follows with the stirring violin being complemented by the plucked cello in a very mature, creative fashion.

Into the middle we find “Based on positions and intervals and locations” showcasing incredible attention to detail among the strings, and the key manipulation doesn’t disappoint either, while “Based on the fact of relativity”, the best track, flows with a sophisticated intimacy that’s just so mesmerizing in its profound beauty.

Approaching the end, “The Rains Of March” showcases the low keys in a cinematic, reflective tone, and “Far Away (Poeme)” exits the listen indeed poetic, amid dreamy keys and a very thoughtful vision.

A leader in the area of aporetic music and the non-standard use of musical instruments, Weathersby, Urli and Dentesani make for an absorbing and immediately striking listen that highlights Patron’s immeasurable talent.

Travels well with: George Rochberg- Caprice Variations; Barbara White- Farewell To Music

Raffi & Lindsay Munroe

Nursery Rhymes For Kinder Times

Craft, 2022

8/10

Listen to Nursery Rhymes For Kinder Times

The world famous children’s entertainer Raffi and the award winning singer-songwriter Lindsay Munroe align here for a very delicate and creative take on traditional nursery rhymes that we’ve all heard before, but not quite like this.

“Three Kind Mice” starts the listen with soft vocal harmonizing and harmonica adding much warmth to the agile guitar playing, and “Diddle Diddle Dumpling” follows with whistling complementing the gentle, folk spirited climate.

Further on, the pair put their soothing slant on “Rock-A-Bye Baby”, where the lullaby is especially pretty, while the upbeat, hand clapping fun of “Jack And Jill” offers a simple and memorable version of the classic.

Close to the end, “Old Mother Hubbard” brings in elegant strings alongside the animal noises and calm singing, and “There Was A Nice Lady” exits the listen with a charming dreaminess that might be aimed at the youngsters lyrically, but musically will be adored by adults, too.

Thankfully, many of the lyrics of these classic songs have been updated, so these versions are caring and compassionate, and also promote social and emotional intelligence. Raffi and Munroe created new melodies, too, and though the songs certainly remain true to their originals, they are much more appropriate for this generation of little ears.

Travels well with: Kelli Welli- Robots Don’t Tell Jokes; Jenn Cleary- Happy Day

Efraín Amaya

Constellations

Albany, 2022

8/10

Listen to Constellations

A chamber opera that’s inspired by the life and work of Spanish artist Joan Miró, Efraín Amaya’s music and Susana Amundarain’s libretto is illuminated by Raquel Winnica Young, Dan Kempson and Sara Shafer’s vocals.

“Act 1 Scene 1: Opening” leads the listen off with the Arts Crossing Chamber Orchestra meshing their elegant and adventurous sounds with Young and Kempson’s powerful vocals providing the vivid storytelling, and “Act I Scene 2” continues the very expressive instrumentation and soothing vocals thanks to Young’s stunning mezzo-soprano and, later on, Shafer’s chilling soprano that suits the mysterious textures.

Deeper into the story, “Act I Scene 5” showcases Kempson’s baritone amid the energetic and uplifting interplay of the orchestra, while “Act I Scene 6” moves with a very reflective tone that’s a bit dreamy, and occasionally cinematic.

The later tracks include the 3 chapters of Act II, and has the ability to swirl with a mesmerizing quality (“Pi, My Child”), as well as rumble with a turbulent demeanor (“What Is It? Jo, Are Those Explosions?”). “They’re Bombing The Village!” exits the listen, and is quite volatile, where emotive singing and dense musicianship emits a strong sense of urgency.

A very tonal focused listen that spotlights incredibly moving singing from the trio, Amaya’s inimitable vision is in very capable hands on this fascinating chamber opera.

Travels well with: Spatial Forces Duo- Little Spectacle; George Rochberg- Caprice Variations

Finola Merivale

Tús

New Focus, 2022

9/10

Listen to Tús

The debut release from the Irish composer Finola Merivale, Tús pulls from 10 years of her work with the New York based Desdemona string quartet, where texturing and energy are key components in the very well executed chamber environment.

“Do You Hear Me Now?” opens the listen with Adrianne Munden-Dixon’s violin, Carrie Frey’s viola and Julia Henderson’s cello making for a very chilling and fascinating start, where the strings are manipulated in ways that are both ominous and exciting.

“Arbores Erimus” and “Release” occupy the middle spots, as the former pairs violin and electronics in a stirring climate, while the latter drones more aggressively, where Munden-Dixon’s violin and Margarita Rovenskaya’s piano emits much tension and wonder via the string acrobatics and firm keys that make this the album’s best.

“The Language Of Mountains Is Rain” exits the listen, and presents an abstract version of Irish melodies thanks to the string quartet’s meticulous interaction and Merivale’s diverse vision.

A very modern and precise display of unparalleled skill, there is much subtlety to be found here, and the balancing of intensity and serenity is handled with the utmost care, effectively making this a superb first album.

Travels well with: Marti Epstein- Nebraska Impromptu; Tom Flaherty- Mixed Messages

Tom Flaherty

Mixed Messages

New Focus, 2022

8/10

Listen to Mixed Messages

The cellist and composer Tom Flaherty brings us an electro-acoustic listen that welcomes an all-star cast on strings and keys, as Flaherty handles electronics with a versatile vision that draws inspiration from extra musical events and phenomenon.

“Shepard’s Pi” starts the listen with Genevieve Feiwan’s playful toy piano alongside Flaherty’s mysterious electronics in the very creative octave manipulation and atypical rhythmic gestures, and “Threnody” follows with Maggie Parkins on cello as Flaherty weaves his craft into a meditative and chilling display.

Packed in the middle is the 3 segments of “Recess”, where violins, viola and cello from the Eclipse Quartet brings orchestral ideas into electronic moments that recruits a rare energy and strategic repetition, while “Violelation” makes great use of Cynthia Fogg’s plucked violin that pairs with live electronics and tips its hat to Balkan music.

“Release” exits the listen, and in 11+ minutes it blends Jeff Gauthier’s violin and Parkins’ cello in tense, cathartic moments that can be bare and then later dense with harmonic and timbral appeal.

Flaherty has enjoyed a lengthy and successful career that includes a Grammy nomination, and along with the exceptional help he births a highly unique electro-acoustic experience that few, if anyone, could replicate.

Travels well with: Bergamot Quartet- In The Brink; String Noise- Way

Miki Purnell

Midnight Bloom

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Midnight Bloom

Singer Miki Purnell returns with a sophomore album where she explores themes around the wonders of nature at night with an all star cast on hand, including Tamir Hendelman and Bob Sheppard.

“(There Ought To Be A) Moonlight Saving Time” starts the listen with upbeat and playful swing jazz sounds alongside Purnell’s charming vocals, and “Embraceable You” follows with elegant and warm sounds as flutes contribute to the formula.

Near the middle, “Quiet Now” has Purnell’s vocals getting especially expressive, while “Love Dance” recruits strong guitar work from Pat Kelley on the busy, melodic highlight.

Deeper tracks bring us the romantic ballad “Solitary Moon”, the horn friendly “Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams”, and the sparse, radiant beauty of “Stars (Endless Stars)”. The title track ends the listen with strong keys on the emotive and soaring exit

An artist born and raised in Hiroshima, Purnell got an early start with classical music before discovering jazz in college. Though music was set aside while she pursued her career as a doctor, this 2nd strong record proves that the songstress is in top form with her timeless vocal prowess.

Travels well with: Coniece Washington- Shades Of Shirley Horn; Carolyn Lee Jones- Close Your Eyes