Sequina DuBose

Blurred Lines: 21st Century Hybrid Vocal Works

Albany, 2022

8/10

Listen to Blurred Lines: 21st Century Hybrid Vocal Works

An adventurous listen that covers opera, classical art song and other ideas, 7 prominent 21st century composers are highlighted thanks to Sequina DuBose’s strong vocals and Gregory Thompson’s precise piano playing.

“Oh Yemanja” starts the listen with Mira Frisch’s stirring cello complementing DuBose’s stunning soprano and Thompson’s agile keys, and not far down the line, “The Aftermath” is full of vivid, diverse singing and scatting amid the radiant and meticulous finger acrobatics on piano.

Further along, the intimate “A Jelly-Fish” is quite pretty, dreamy even with DuBose and Thompson making much beauty, while “Notes From A Town Hall Meeting” showcases Daniel Ferreira (percussion), Mira Frisch (cello), Kari Giles (violin), Jessica Lindsey (clarinet) and Robert Linton (bass guitar), where vivid storytelling is met with both firm and calm moments.

Residing near the end, “I Dream” recruits Daniel Ferreira (percussion), Robert Linton (bass guitar) and David Hughley (tenor) for the very mature and elegant song craft, and “Diva” exits the listen with a poetic and emotive display of timeless, absorbing qualities.

DuBose has much experience touring internationally as a soloist, and Thompson’s resume is packed with both solo and collaborative work. Together, with the exceptional players on hand, they illuminate the vision of the composers with strong attention to detail and an unparalleled delivery.

Travels well with: Allen Shawn- Fantasia & Other Pieces; Victoria Bond- Blue And Green Music

Eddie Palmieri

Sonido Solar

Truth Revolution, 2022

8/10

Listen to Sonido Solar

The globally praised pianist Eddie Palmieri brings along Jonathan Powell (trumpet), Louis Fouché (alto saxophone), Luques Curtis (bass) and Zaccai Curtis (piano), plus many others for the Latin jazz listen of standards and an original.

“Almendra” starts the listen with bright horns, plenty of rhythm and playful drums via the cultured melodies, and “Mambo Influenciado” follows with a lively energy that will get your body moving to the dance floor ready appeal.

In the middle, “Maria Cervantes” flows with soulful brass and very animated percussion, while “Morning” benefits much from Curtis’ skilled key acrobatics, as the eloquent sax prowess emits much grace.

Palmieri himself makes an appearance on 2 tracks near the end, where “Picadillo” blends the congos and his piano amid the well timed brass bouts, and “Suite 176” finishes with the firm horns, swift drums and adaptable keys.

Palmieri is considered ‘The Sun of Latin Music’, and these selections certainly mirror that sentiment with the ensemble putting a very thorough and imaginative spin on already great songs.

Travels well with: Eddie Palmieri- Mi Luz Mayor; Will Vinson- Tripwire

Vixen77

Easy Access

Megaforce, 2022

9/10

Listen to Easy Access

A Philadelphia based outfit of women who are no strangers to punk rock sounds, Vixen77 have a formula that’s firmly rooted in nods to The Stooges or The Runaways, and their raw, rebellious, guitar driven tunes certainly make a sizable impression.

“Your Love” starts the listen with searing guitar and thumping drums, as smooth and gritty singing enters the punk meets hard-rock climate, and “Record Store” follows with meticulous guitar and a bouncy feel to the more subdued track that’s certainly still rugged.

Further on, “Can’t Stand It” is a scrappy and swift album highlight that’s vocally harmonic, while “Cry Baby” showcases the fluid bass lines amid both restraint and firmness.

Deeper still, the furious and busy “Own Me” is a full throttle rocker that’s grungy, punk, metallic and just so memorable, and “Give It Up” exits with a toe tappin’, head bobbin’ charm that’s nostalgic in all the best ways.

A debut that runs parallel to the first wave of punk rock, but also flirts with garage-rock and pop-punk, there just isn’t a second here that’s not uncompromising, authentic and primed for the punk rock crowd.

Travels well with: Foxy- X-Ray Spex Tribute; The Hollywood Stars- Sound City

APB

Something To Believe In

Liberation Hall, 2022

9/10

Listen to Something To Believe In

The Scottish post-punk legends APB see the reissue treatment with this first singles compilation that was originally released in 1985, and it comes with a handful of bonus tracks to further document their greatness.

“Shoot You Down” starts the listen with crisp drums and acrobatic bass lines, as plenty of rhythm enters the punk-funk delivery, and this formula continues to the bouncy and droning “Talk To Me”, and hypnotic and melodic “Rainy Day”.

Further along, some New Wave nods populate the playful “Something To Believe In”, while the brighter post-punk sensibilities of “What Kind Of Girl?” sounds right at home in the mid ‘80s UK punk scene.

Of the bonus tracks, “Power Crisis” is particularly luminous, and recruits a buzzing, more ominous quality that swirls with mystery, and “Is The Music Loud Enough?” is dance floor ready with plenty of grit present and appreciated.

A band that have influenced household names like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Franz Ferdinand, these early songs truly prove how ahead of their time APB were, and the timelessness and technical musicianship sounds great to a first time listener like myself.

Travels well with: Satan’s Cats- Satan’s Cats; The Mutants- Curse Of The Easily Amused

Ashley Heath

Something To Believe

Organic, 2022

8/10

Listen to Something to Believe

A former barista who left her job 7 years ago to pursue music, Ashley Heath is armed with a flawless voice and her diverse brand of Americana is both vulnerable and loud, where Patrick Dodd (electric guitar), Daniel Combs (organ, piano), Ryan Crabtree (bass), and Paul Gladstone (drums) accompany these 6 articulate songs.

The title track starts the listen with spirited guitar, as Heath’s soulful, expressive voice enters the powerful Americana, and “I Remember” follows with a very intimate delivery of soft and dreamy instrumentation amid the poetic singing.

“The Letter” and “I’m Used To It” land in the middle, where the former benefits much from Gladstone’s strategic drumming in the cautious climate, while the latter is particularly bare, hushed even, as Heath’s stirring pipes drawn is in.

Approaching the end, “You Think I’m A Fool” uses moody electric guitar and thumping drums for a more firm version of her ominous, rootsy flavor, and “How Long” exits with some country and R&B blended together with lyrics that are entirely questions.

Heath has already made quite a name for herself in her home state of North Carolina, and national attention is certainly forthcoming thanks to this genuine and heart felt debut at Organic Records

Travels well with: Anya Hinkle- Eden And Her Borderlands; Jeremy Garrett- River Wild

Eric Siereveld

Vignettes: Music For Trumpet & Brass

Albany, 2022

8/10

Listen to Vignettes: Music For Trumpet & Brass

A collection of songs for solo trumpet and much more, we’re treated to world premieres and songs commissioned for this project, where the inimitable trumpet wizard Eric Siereveld brings his skills to a diverse affair.

“Cincinnatus Fanfare” starts the listen with the Altus Trumpet Ensemble, where the booming brass flows with a very animated and radiant spirit, and “For Ella” follows with an intimate appeal thanks to Justin Havard’s sublime keys and Siereveld’s soulful flugelhorn.

Further on, Douglas Hedwig’s “Obsidian” is a solo trumpet venture that showcases the tremendous skill from Siereveld, while “Three Sketches” recruits the Krewe Quartet for the textured and dynamic horn interaction that’s as playful as it is controlled.

Nearing the end, Siereveld’s cautious trumpet, Adam Johnson’s stirring trombone and Justin Havard’s elegant piano make “O Come And Dwell With Me” the album’s best, and “Detective Story” exits with Lagniappe Brass on hand for the charming and unpredictable finish.

A commanding listen where each track yields its own distinct personality, Siereveld and company cover a wide array of moods and colors that will be sure to impress fans of trumpet and brass performance.

Travels well with: Allen Shawn- Fantasia & Other Pieces; Victoria Bond- Blue And Green Music

Ruthie Foster

Healing Time

Blue Corn, 2022

8/10

Listen to Healing Time

The singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster returns with her 9th studio album, and the Grammy nominated artist is in fine form across 12 songs that sound very live and thematically surround the tough times and need for healing during the very challenging last few years.

“Soul Searching” starts the listen and is indeed soulful, where Foster’s expressive voice is accompanied by Daryl Johnson’s agile bass, and “Lie Your Way To The Truth” follows with the cautious guitars, moody keys and Conrad Choucroun’s proficient drumming in the powerful delivery.

In the middle, the intimate spirit of “Paradise” flows with calm melodies thanks to Daniel Barrett’s precise guitar and Glen Fukunaga’s skilled bass, while the title track enters gospel territory with its bright, spiritual singing that benefits from the rhythm section of Larry Fulcher and Brannen Temple.

Closer to the end, “Finish Line” finds itself firmly in blues territory with Omari Neville’s playful drums complementing the smooth singing, and “4am” exits the listen with a poetic nature that’s pretty, reflective and shimmering in a wise, stirring demeanor.

Foster aligns herself with some exceptional company on both production and musicianship, and they sure do illuminate this very aptly titled album that will be sure to leave you feeling much more at ease with the world today thanks to her jazz, blues, soul, folk and gospel vision.

Travels well with: Joanne Shaw Taylor- The Blues Album; Rory Block- Ain’t Nobody Worried

Modern Stars

Space Trips For The Masses

Little Cloud, 2022

8/10

Listen to Space Trips For The Masses

A neo-psyche band from Italy, Modern Stars are also well versed in shoegaze, electronica, and techno across this adventurous 3rd album.

“Starlight” opens the listen with a hazy, spacey approach that’s got a minor jangle amid the Eastern nods and psychedelic backdrop, and “Monkey Blues” follows with a dense demeanor that’s hypnotic in its futuristic jam band nods that are a bit ominous, too.

Further along, “My Messiah Left Me Behind” spirals with both harmonic and noisy gestures that benefits from proficient drumming and chanting versus singing, while “Everyday” contains much beauty in its expressive and dreamy climate. “Ninna Nanna” exits the listen, and it comes with a distinct, sonic layering that parallels the greatness achieved by Dead Can Dance, which is no easy feat.

A listen that drones, buzzes and textures itself with very exciting interactions, every song here is worth repeated listens, and you’ll likely want to seek out Modern Stars’ other albums as well, or at least I sure did.

Travels well with: Dead Can Dance- In Concert; Orbel- Lur Hezea

Satan's Cats

Satan’s Cats

Salamander, 2022

8/10

Listen to Satan’s Cats

A project that brings together the UK punks Satan’s Rats and the singer Puss Johnson of Pussycat and the Dirty Johnsons, this 5 song EP was born during Covid, and has the players reworking 4 classic Rat’s tunes and a Thin Lizzy cover.

“You Make Me Sick” opens the listen with searing guitar from Steve Eagles and Olly Harrison’s furious drumming, as Johnson’s biting yet pretty singing guides the scrappy punk tune, and “Facade” follows with swirling guitar work and much gritty melody that leaves it unclear if you should leap into the nearest pit or find the dance floor.

“Sex Object” occupies the middle spot and benefits from Dave Sparrow’s bouncy bass lines in the calm verses dense moments, while “Year Of The Rat”, the EP’s best, balances both firmness and tunefulness as an anthemic quality unfolds. The final tune, Thin Lizzy’s “The Rocker”, showcases dense guitar acrobatics and a dynamic rhythm section, where Johnson’s vocal performance is quite impressive, and the band do justice to the classic amid their retro-punk spirit.

All the players present have lengthy and exceptional careers that includes opening up for The Sex Pistols in 1977, and this really fun listen that embraces all the hallmarks of the early days of punk, but is still modern, is hopefully the precursor to an LP

Travels well with: The Mutants- Curse Of The Easily Amused; Professor And The Madman- Séance

Sarah Elizabeth Charles

Blank Canvas

Stretch, 2022

8/10

Listen to Blank Canvas

The esteemed vocalist Sarah Elizabeth Charles returns with her band, Jesser Elder, Jordan Peters, Burniss Earl Travis II and John Davis, plus some special guests, for these deeply personal and emotive 11 songs.

“Guest House Intro” opens the listen soft and soothing, with calming singing alongside a distinct dreaminess, and “Borders” follows with Elder’s atmospheric keys complementing the soulful singing from Charles that builds into a cathartic rocker.

In the middle, the sublime piano balladry of “Malba” showcases Charles’ impressive range, while “Brother”, which recruits Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, is textured richly with harmonic vocals, precise guitar and a nearly spiritual quality to the stirring delivery.

Near to the end, the mesmerizing “Blind Emotions” benefits much from Davis’ acrobatic drumming amid the very powerful singing, and “The Message” exits the listen with much attention to mood and poeticism populating the flowing melodies and strong lyricism.

Charles has been very prolific these last few years, but she’s also dealt with a lot of turmoil, including a miscarriage and the loss of her brother. Now a mother and entering a new version of herself, these songs are full of forthrightness, self-examination and an ebullience that embraces jazz, soul, R&B and rock’n’roll in unpredictable and memorable ways.

Travels well with: Dred Scott- Rides Alone; Claudia Acuna- Duo

Richard X. Heyman

67,000 Miles An Album

Turn-Up, 2022

9/10

Listen to 67,000 Miles An Album

The 15th solo album from an original member of the ‘60s heroes The Doughboys, the multi-instrumentalist Richard X. Heyman continues with his diverse power-pop ways that even welcomes strings and brass to the affair.

The album leads with the Brit-pop nods and harpsicord complementing the warm harmonies of “You Can Tell Me”, and “Misspent Youth” follows with a bit more firmness to the dreamy, ‘60s sensibilities that’s textured richly.

Further on, “Washington Rock” is a bit jangly in a retro folk-rock sort of way, while “History” offers speedy, blue-rock ideas mixed into the thick riffs and very busy yet controlled climate.

Arriving closer to the end, the sweet vocal harmonies, agile guitar and meticulous bass lines of “High Line Scenes” help make this the album’s best, and the title track exits the listen with 3 parts that recruits tuneful pop-rock, flourishing synth bouts and even jam band stabs that you won’t soon forget.

Although this is mostly a one man show, Heyman does take help from Nancy Leigh, his wife, on bass and harmony vocals, Julia Kent on cello, Chris Jenkins on viola and Probyn Gregory’s brass prowess. Much like everything he’s been a part of, 67,000 Miles An Album is an eclectic and accomplished body of work that further solidifies Heyman as one of the best songwriters alive today.

Travels well with: Tim Foljahn- I Dreamed A Dream; The Handcuffs- Burn The Rails

Mathieu Soucy

Recollecting

Inner-Bop, 2022

8/10

Listen to Recollecting

The Montreal guitarist Mathieu Soucy brings along Gentiane MG, Mike De Masi, Jacob Wutzke and Caity Gyorgy for these originals and standards that swing playfully and welcome plenty of precise solos, too.

“Lennie’s Changes” starts the listen with the guitars, drums and piano mixing with meticulous melodies that you can’t help but enjoy, and “Where Or When” follows with Gyorgy’s flowing, expressive pipes guiding Soucy’s spirited guitar lines and De Masi’s bouncy bass.

In the middle, “Blues For Barry” is a mid-tempo jazz rocker that benefits much from Wutzke’s skilled drumming, while “Thinker And A Fool” follows with a boss nova demeanor that showcases Gyorgy’s easy going voice.

“Reflections” and “Recollecting” exit the listen, where the former is indeed cautious in its solo guitar delivery of the T.S. Monk original, and the latter is a charming, improvised finish that spotlights MG’s agile key acrobatics amid the frisky drums and adaptable bass and guitar.

Soucy is a rising talent in the Canadian jazz scene, and this excellent and adventurous debut will certainly make a sizable impression with anyone who enjoys modern, straight ahead jazz that we could never tire of.

Travels well with: Russ Hewitt- Chasing Horizons; Gary Eastman Trio- Trust Me

Mali Obomsawin

Sweet Tooth

Out Of Your Head, 2022

8/10

Listen to Sweet Tooth

The Wabanaki bassist, composer and songwriter Mali Obomsawin brings us a compositional suite here, where stories passed down from her family are quite personal and welcome field recordings and also tells the tale of the Wabanaki people.

“Odana” opens the listen with soulful sax and Obomsawin’s soothing, expressive singing in the very powerful and intimate climate of cautious beauty that benefits much from atmospheric drums by Savannah Harris.

“Lineage” and “Wawasint8da” follow, where the former embraces some jazz nods amid the hypnotic guitar, while the latter uses marching band style drumming and sublime brass amid the poetic, pretty vocals.

On the back half, “Pedegwajois:” incorporates spoken word from Theophile Panadis and Obomsawin’s playfully plucked bass, and “Fractions” showcases Allison Burik’s agile clarinet, not to mention the rich saxophones and bare guitars. The final track, “Blood Quantum (Nəwewəčəskawikαpáwihtawα)”, is an exercise in wild, free jazz exploration that mesmerizes us for 11+ minutes.

A very diverse body of work that embraces blues, jazz, hymns, folk, and Native culture ideas, Obomsawin and company mix art and culture into a very enlightening, innovative display of indigenous sounds.

Travels well with: Curt Sydnor- Deep End Shallow; Michael And Peter Formanek- Dyads

Eric Demmer

So Fine

Gulf Coast, 2022

8/10

Listen to So Fine

The sax wizard Eric Demmer is joined by Mike Zito, Jonn Del Toro Richardson, Mark May and The Funky Rick Marcel, as well as several others, for these 12 authentic, soulful blues songs.

“Don’t Talk To Me” starts the listen with Hugo Rodriguez’s spirited guitar complementing the bright brass and gritty vocals from Demmer, and “She’s So Fine” follows with Jerre Jackson’s playful drums amid the breezy approach that benefits much from Richardson’s flowing guitar work.

Further along, the rugged yet tuneful “I’m A Guitar Player” showcases meticulous guitar alongside the raw singing from Demmer, while “Start It All Again” trims the pace back with a soulful intimacy thanks to Barry Seelen’s keys and the emotive singing.

Close to the end, the funk nods and groove filled “Any Day Get Away” places Danielle Demmer’s soaring pipes front and center, and “Have You Ever Loved A Woman” exits with Dennis Delfino’s precise bass playing illuminating Demmer’s booming voice and intricate sax prowess.

Demmer’s built a lengthy and esteemed career as a top notch sideman, and this solo effort is pretty great, too, where blues, funk, rock-n-roll and R&B are all packed with heart and soul.

Travels well with: Backtrack Blues Band- Your Baby Has Left; Albert Castiglia- I Got Love

Akiko Aoki

Pure Imagination

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Pure Imagination

The jazz and ballad singer Akiko Aoki returns with the Tim Ray Trio plus many guests for these heartfelt interpretations of some of her favorite standards.

“Almost Like Being In Love” starts the listen with Ken Peplowski’s flowing sax and Tommy Campbell’s frisky drums complementing Aoki’s smooth pipes, and “Yesterday I Heard The Rain” follows with Greg Hopkins’ soulful trumpet amid the very pretty singing in the cautious jazz climate.

Arriving in the middle, “You’ll Never Know” benefits much from Tim Ray’s graceful piano and Aoki’s expressive singing in the intimate landscape, while “Just The Two Of Us” continues the sophistication with Mike Monaghan’s well timed sax and Mari Aoki’s backing vocals adding much warmth.

The title track arrives late in the listen, and is populated by stirring trumpet, playful keys, skilled drumming and gorgeous singing, and “Smile” exits with just poetic piano and both Aoki’s absorbing voices that emits some R&B flavor.

Aoki started turning heads with her debut in 1998, and this record serves as a return to music after raising a family and running her late husband’s business. Not so surprising considering her past work, it’s a diverse and very memorable jazz affair that swings, gets vulnerable, and makes a lasting impression.

Travels well with: Loren Daniels- Ticket To Ride; Yola Nash- Manhattan Whispers

Angela Strehli

Ace Of Blues

New West, 2022

8/10

Listen to Ace Of Blues

It’s been almost 20 years since Angela Strehli released an album, and the veteran singer makes up for the break with 11 muscular, soulful and sultry interpretations of classic tunes, plus an excellent original.

“Two Steps From The Blues” starts the listen with bright horns, as Strehli’s deep, expressive singing enters alongside the soulful climate, and “Person To Person” follows with firm keys and thumping drums, where plenty of rhythm is present in the lively blues delivery.

Elsewhere, the bouncy and dance floor ready appeal of “You Never Can Tell” is full of animated melodies in the rugged yet harmonic album highlight, while “Gambler’s Blues” is a powerful and intimate display of gritty guitar work and Strehli’s flawless, stirring singing.

Closer to the end, the timeless blues flavor of “Take Out Some Insurance” uses strategic bass amid the dense and head bobbin’, toe tappin’ rocker, and “SRV” exits with a very pretty execution that enlists some very meticulous guitar playing to complement the poetic vocals of the lone original that serves as a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Strehli is accompanied by an excellent band, including Jim Pugh (organ, B3), Bill Gibson (drums), and Marvin McFadden (trumpet), to name a few, and it makes for an excellent come back effort for the 76 year old, who proves that she’s still got the chops for blues rock like few others ever will.

Travels well with: Gina Sicilia- Unchange; JD Taylor- The Coldwater Sessions

Will Vinson

Tripwire

Whirlwind, 2022

8/10

Listen to Tripwire

Amazingly, the saxophonist and composer Will Vinson recorded these 7 tunes in one day, where a chord-less trio album is executed with a healthy amount of energy and spontaneity thanks to Matt Penman and Eric Harland.

The title track wisely starts the listen with Vinson’s animated brass and Harland’s playful drumming in the adventurous jazz climate, and “Blue And Sentimental” follows with an intimate spirit of flowing sax amid the well timed bass plucking from Penman.

The guest tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana is on hand for two tracks, where “Things” is especially rich, with the dueling saxophones making for a very mesmerizing appeal, and she also appears on the final track, “Resting Jazz Face”, where a very busy yet controlled presence emits stylish and frisky jazz tendencies.

Although there isn’t a bad track present, “For All We Know” is especially noteworthy, where a soulful, poetic demeanor is present thanks to Vinson’s eloquent sax that is met with gentle bass and bare percussion.

A listen that’s loose but meticulous, melodic but sometimes firm and experimental but never esoteric, Vinson and company pull off an amazing project in this one off recording session.

Travels well with: Simon Belelty- Pee Wee; Kirk Lightsey- Live At Smalls Jazz Club

Claudia Acuña

Duo

Ropeadope, 2022

9/10

Listen to Duo

The exceptional musician Claudia Acuña returns with themes about reflection and re-dedication, where duets of songs from her native country, Chile, comprise the 9 songs that are lush, eloquent and possess much cultured beauty.

“Medianoche” gets the listen off to a warm start, where Kenny Barron’s sublime piano complements Acuña’s stunning pipes in the poetic and powerful opener, and “Eclipse de Luna” follows with Christian McBride’s precise bass plucking that helps create a gorgeous intimacy via the stirring singing.

In the middle, “Jurame” brings along Fred Hersch’s agile piano prowess for the soaring album highlight that has Acuña showcasing her impressive range, while “Manifiesto” benefits much from Carter’s superb violin acrobatics for the selection that places much emphasis on mood.

Close to the end, “Crystal Silence” is a vocally strong and precisely delivered Chick Corea original, and “Yo” exits with Acuña handling bombo leguero, too, as she sings with a mesmerizing appeal.

A veteran artist who arrived in the United States in the mid ‘90s, Acuña enjoyed a prolific and well received career until she took time off for motherhood. A return to music in 2019 yielded a Latin Grammy Nomination, and this excellent body of work certainly proves that her vision and delivery is worth repeated listens.

Travels well with: Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah- Ancestral Recall; Dred Scott- Rides Alone

Simon Belelty

Pee Wee

Jojo, 2022

8/10

Listen to Pee Wee

The veteran guitarist, arranger, sideman and producer Simon Belelty brings along an all star cast for these heartfelt, authentic and timeless jazz songs.

“Habiba” starts the listen with Kirk Lightsey’s agile piano and Asaf Yuria’s soulful sax in the warm, emotive climate, and “415 Central Park West” follows with Jason Brown’s fluid drumming complementing Belety’s spirited guitar work amid much melody.

“Witch Hunt” occupies the middle spot, and is quite intimate, where Darryl Hall’s precise bass lines are met with bright brass and meticulous guitar playing, while “More Than You Know” is rich with firm keys and eloquent sax to populate the careful landscape.

“United” and “Never Let Me Go” exit the listen, where the former benefits from thumping drums and animated interaction between the guitars and brass, and the latter focuses on Belelty’s meticulous guitar playing in the dreamy finish.

In addition to those mentioned above, Josh Evans plays trumpet, Gilles Naturel handles bass and John Betsch sits behind the drum kit, and they sure do illuminate Belelty’s inimitable playing across 11 tracks you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Kirk Lightsey- Live At Smalls Jazz Club; The Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Kansas City

Adam Ezra Group

Better Than Bootleg Vol. 3

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Better Than Bootleg Vol. 3

A live recording from a performance at The City Winery in Boston, Massachusetts on December 2, 2018, this 3rd live installment from the Adam Ezra Group captures their animated Americana sound and dynamic musicianship perfectly in their preferred setting.

“The Toast” starts the album with cozy acoustic strumming and elegant strings, before Ezra’s raw yet melodic vocal set in to the enticing opening, and “Like A Thief” follows with a percussively heavy, jam band friendly tune.

At 16 tracks there’s much to absorb here, but there’s also much diversity, as piano balladry like “Hold Each Other Now”, which was co-written by John Oates flows well alongside the spirited, rootsy and backing female vocals of “All I Am” (also co-penned by Oates). Elsewhere, “Juna” flirts with playful folk rock where keys add much to the setting, while “Steal Your Daughter” finds a nice groove amid a grittier atmosphere.

Near the end, “Let Your Hair Down” has the outfit entering elegant and breezy territory with flowing melodies, and “I Believe” ends the listen with a soaring, cautious and extremely accomplished exit.

Though they have plenty of studio records as well, Adam Ezra and company shine brightest when on stage, and here the band is documented at their creative peak.

Travels well with: Stephen Kellogg- Blunderstone Rookery; William Elliott Whitmore- Kilonova