Ada Bird Wolfe & Jamieson Trotter

He & Me

Self-Released, 2020

8/10

Listen to He & Me

The esteemed singer and lyricist Ada Bird Wolfe is aligned with pianist and arranger Jamieson Trotter here, and together the pair deliver jazz standards and originals across a dozen well crafted tracks.

“Mind To Mind (ESP)”, a Wayne Shorter tune where Wolfe was given permission to add lyrics, starts the listen with jumpy keys as Wolfe’s soulful, smooth vocals enter the warm jazz setting, and “Night In Tunisia” follows with mature songwriting as graceful piano complements the radiant landscape.

The middle of the listen offers some of the best tracks, including the playful Portuguese singing of the dance friendly “Logo Eu”, while the original “Too Much Stuff” moves cautiously with bursts of firm musicianship. “Blue And Green/All Blues” then gets quite introspective as Wolfe’s expressive alto guides the dynamic keys.

As we get to the end, “But Beautiful” brings much romance with its sublime delivery, and “Done With That” exits the listen upbeat with piano acrobatics amid Wolfe’s inimitable timbre.

Wolfe and Trotter work together with divine chemistry on He & Me, as each song is precisely built and executed with adventurousness, timelessness and first rate jazz and blues sounds.

Travels well with: John Daversa Quintet- Cuarentena; David Sills- Natural Lines

Michael Flynn

Survive With Me

Self-Released, 2020

8/10

Listen to Survive With Me

The North Carolina pianist Michael Flynn returns with his 3rd solo album, and much like everything he’s been apart of, it’s lyrically strong, intimately beautiful and full of varied song craft that explores the challenges of navigating through these tumultuous times.

Flynn starts the album with the graceful keys of “But it Lived”, where his soft vocals guide a very mature brand of indie-pop, and “Easy To Love” follows with playful percussion, bright brass and plenty of rhythm in a soulful setting.

In the middle, “No Promises” flows with a bare, soothing approach, while “Bear Strategies” moves with a darker spirit that really displays Flynn’s versatile pipes. “Perfect Crime” continues the calm mood with plenty of strategic horns, subdued drumming and, of course, Flynn’s expressive singing.

At the end, the soulful waltz of “Satan Take The Wheel” nearly enters jazz territory, and the bonus track, “Anything But”, exits with a gospel flavor that’s as striking as it is timeless.

An album that welcomes marimba, banjo and synth in addition to the heavier use of piano and horns. Flynn’s tenor and falsetto anchor this installment flawlessly, as the former member of Charleston’s Slow Runner again proves that his solo efforts are just as grand as his full band resume.

Travels well with: Incan Abraham- Tolerance; Sean Watkins- What To Fear

Jim Stanard

Color Outside The Lines

Self-Released, 2020

8/10

Listen to Color Outside The Lines

This sophomore album from the singer-songwriter Jim Stanard brings in producer extraordinaire Kip Winger as well as Afghan Whigs guitarist Jon Skibic, among others, to a very genuine and well thought out record where Stanard’s expressive voice illuminates his imaginative storytelling.

“Home” starts the listen vocally strong as Bethany and Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary) lend their sturdy pipes on the smooth folk song, and “Same River” follows with a warm Americana spirit as Standard’s bright story telling benefits greatly from breezy melodies.

Near the middle, “Arkansas” brings Bethany and Peter back to the rootsy album highlight, while “Fake News” moves with a quicker pace of country influenced rock you won’t forget anytime soon. “Color Outside The Lines”, another noteworthy track, then displays Stanard’s soulful vocals amid soaring song craft.

Deeper still, “Each Other’s Minds” brings a playful approach with plenty of sublime, organic instrumentation, and “Soft And Gentle Smile” exits the listen with a flowing, romantic delivery of timeless songwriting.

Stanard is clearly very much influenced by the sounds of the ‘60s, and his lifetime of experiences help him create emotionally mature and easily relatable tunes that will certainly age as well as his creative vision has.

Travels well with: Philip Scott Poli- One Sky; Gordon Thomas Ward- Eiderdown

Ring Van Mobius

The 3rd Majesty

Apollon, 2020

8/10

Listen to The 3rd Majesty

The Norwegian prog-rock masters Ring Van Mobius return with a sophomore album, and the trio are in fine form as they bring hammond organ, synthesizers, theremin, timpani, bells, strings, and plenty of guitars to 4 lengthy tunes of exciting, vintage rock.

“The Seven Movements Of The Third Majesty” starts the listen with 22 minutes of spacey synth, cinematic ambience and proficient drumming where bursts of organ acrobatics and soaring vocals populate the progressive climate, and “Illuminati” follows with an equally adventurous spirit of retro-fueled rock where ethereal singing really complements the atmosphere.

The back half of the listen benefits greatly from the orchestral strings of “Distant Sphere”, as soft vocals enter a very cautious display of both firm and gentle throwback sounds, and “The Mobius Ring” exits the listen loud, busy and full of precise, playful nods to the ‘60s and ‘70s.

While there’s certainly no shortage of compelling music coming out of Norway these days, Ring Van Mobius are among the best, and this 2nd album illustrates their nostalgic and charming ways splendidly.

Travels well with: Yobrepus- Mycelium Days; Laughing Stock- The Island

Malin Pettersen

Wildhorse

Die With Your Boots On, 2020

9/10

Listen to Wildhorse

A Norwegian songstress who possesses a quality to her song craft that runs parallel with the sounds of Nashville, where this album was created, Malin Pettersen brings players from the bands of Kacey Musgraves, Rayland Baxter, and Luke Bryan to this rich and varied display of exceptional skill.

“California” starts the listen with warm, pretty Americana as Pettersen’s gripping vocals draw us in immediately to the cautious song craft that tips it hat to the Laurel Canyon sound, and “Hometown” follows with some country spirit packed into the pedal steel and rustic melodies.

Near the middle, “Let’s Go Out” injects some pop ideas into the upbeat and danceable spirit, while “Arkansas” is so well executed it alone could make Pettersen a household name with its pretty singing and engaging melodies. “I Don’t Care”, another strong track, recruits plenty of intimacy amid a poetic execution that seems wise beyond her years.

Closer to the end, the rhythmic “Mr. Memory” offers playful roots rock adventure, and “Queen Of The Meadow” exits the listen with a sweet atmosphere of dreamy musicianship that easily solidifies Pettersen as a first rate songwriter.

Managing to sound both modern and also indebted to the ‘70s, Pettersen is an Americana artist we should all be paying attention to, and my guess is, after one listen of Wildhorse, you’ll agree with me.

Travels well with: Lilly Hiatt- Walking Proof; Gretchen Peters- Dancing With The Beast

Emily Kuhn

Sky Stories

Bace, 2020

8/10

Listen to Sky Stories

The Chicago trumpeter, composer and educator Emily Kuhn makes quite a dent on this debut album, where a large handful of guests help her flesh out jazz and chamber ideas that are never predictable and weave in and out of engaging, often stirring textures.

“Roses” starts the listen with gorgeous, expressive singing as warm trumpet complements the Helios band and Ben Cruz, and “Horizon” follows with contributions from Katie Ernest, Nate Friedman and Joe Sulhkonen in the free jazz meets chamber music mashing.

At the midpoint, “Fit” tumbles playfully with drum acrobatics from Friedman as Kuhn’s eloquent trumpet takes center stage, while “Catch Me” brings elegance and dynamic instrumentation to the flowing melodies. “Beanstalk”, one of the album’s best, then recruits plenty of lively rhythm to a cultured display of timeless musicianship that leaves an indelible impression.

Further on, “Anthem” relies heavily on cautious bass lines amid lively texturing, and “Jet Trails And Shooting Stars” exits the listen and brings lovely singing back as plucked bass and moody violin help cultivate an enticing atmosphere.

A very creative execution of calculated and improvisational skill, Kuhn pulls off an exceptional first record, as jazz, folk, classical, Latin and world influences are used strategically and flawlessly.

Travels well with: Kitt Lyles- Wake Before Dawn; Paul English- Girl In Green

Brudini

From Darkness, Light

Apollon, 2020

8/10

Listen to From Darkness, Light

The London based, experimental artist Brudini delivers a debut album where he wrote, recorded and played the bulk of the instruments on a highly creative endeavor.

“Roselight” starts the listen with warm piano as soft storytelling creates a soothing, somewhat mysterious setting, and “Nightcrawler” follows with fluid percussion as intricate guitar enters the playful display of multifaceted musicianship.

Closer to the middle, “Female Rimbaud” benefits from acoustic guitar amid the intimate talking, while “Emotional Outlaw” follows with a rumbling spirit as the climate turns a bit more ominous before entering dance-rock territory. “Radiant Man”, a particularly noteworthy tune, then unfolds with a more folk-like approach where keys and gentle drums complement the hushed singing.

Deeper still, “Everything Is Movement” is full of stirring atmosphere and burns slow with a poetic execution, and “Boulevards” exits the listen dreamy, and full of sublime beauty with bare synth and strumming guitar.

An album that truly defies classification, Brudini uses jazz and soulful ideas strategically, as eloquent and artistic qualities populate this very unique and fascinating effort.

Travels well with: Pymlico- On This Day; Laughing Stock- The Island

Pymlico

On This Day

Apollon, 2020

8/10

Listen to On This Day

A vocal less outfit from Oslo, Norway that is fronted by drummer and composer Arild Broter, on this installment Pymlico brings horns and much attention to grooves on a very fusion friendly 8 tunes that are superbly produced.

“Heliotrope” starts the listen with bright synth, as plenty of textured melody enters the progressive setting, and “Time-Turner” follows with a jazz fusion approach that embraces saxophones and plenty of smooth percussion.

Halfway through, “Real People” offers much rhythm amid the cautious, dynamic interplay, while “Partners In Crime” gets danceable with bright trumpet and creative bass guitar prowess. “Jump Start”, one of the album’s best, then takes nods to the ‘80s with both electric and acoustic guitars alongside flowing instrumentation.

The last two tracks keep the instrumental template strong, with the busy, powerful delivery of “Sidemen Inc.”, and “Solex Agitator” exits the listen calmer, where strings and a gong drum add much to the varied climate.

This is Pymlico’s 6th album, and it certainly solidifies them as one of the most exciting groups in the area of instrumental progressive rock and fusion jazz, as each tracks flows into the next with precision and control.

Travels well with: Fatal Fusion- Dissonant Minds; Laughing Stock- The Island

Philip Scott Poli

One Sky

Self-Released, 2020

8/10

Listen to One Sky

The Canadian troubadour Philip Scott Poli makes quite an impression here on his debut solo album, although with his impressive resume in the Toronto music scene that includes a decade performing with The Fabulous Haircuts, we shouldn’t be surprised.

The title track starts the listen with mandolin and steel guitar giving it a warm Americana slant as Poli’s deep pipes are complemented by pretty female vocals, and “Already Want You” follows with soothing accordion from Caroline King as folk qualities enter the soft, thoughtful climate.

At the halfway point, “I’m Right There” recruits piano balladry, as Poli’s strong pipes are on full display amid vivid storytelling where Mark Evitts contributes strings, while “Dream Me Eagles” takes nod to country music with an inimitable delivery of cautious, memorable songwriting. “In My Father’s Heart”, one of the record’s best, then benefits greatly from a sublime atmosphere as Poli’s expressive singing suits Dale Rivard’s pedal steel and Johnny McCullough’s piano.

“Shine” and “The Story” exit the listen, where the former is a dreamy and powerful execution of timeless song craft, and the latter pairs piano alongside Poli’s versatile singing with much beauty and depth.

Recorded during the period of Covid isolation, One Sky brings in an international cast of musicians to help flesh out this very well thought out and precisely performed album that surrounds love, loss, connection and hope- themes that we can all relate to right now.

Travels well with: Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt- Shadow Of The Cyclone; Ken Dunn- Ashes In The Morning

Quadro Nuevo

Mare

GLM, 2020

8/10

Listen to Mare

The esteemed German outfit Quadro Nuevo return with another batch of tunes where Arabesque, Balkan swing ballads are present, and vintage European melodies unfold with an undeniable chemistry that the band has possessed since their inception in 1996.

“Sambadi Didi” starts the listen with playful keys as light woodwinds enter the rhythmic and memorable opener, and “Torna A Surriento” follows with soulful accordion as precise picking helps complement the dreamy climate.

Further along, “Saluti Di Parigi” finds a gentle place to reside with saxophone acrobatics alongside bass plucking, while “Ragazzo Samba” builds into a dynamic execution of brass and keys working together meticulously. “Ikarus’ Dream”, an album highlight, then indeed offers a soothing display of thoughtful, reflective song craft.

Close to the end, “Cinema Paradiso” moves softly, with a romantic spirit, and “Valse De Amor Increible” exits the listen elegantly, with a timeless jazz appeal amid very cultured musicianship.

Quadro Nuevo have explored the globe numerous times across their 3000 performances, and they bring that worldly experience to these engaging stories about the Mediterranean on this exceptional 16th album.

Travels well with: Nicholas Brust- Frozen In Time; Kenny Kotwitz & The LA Jazz Quintet- When Lights Are Low

Great Peacock

Forever Worse Better

Self-Released, 2020

9/10

Listen to Forever Better Worse

Great Peacock return with a 3rd album of their rugged yet tuneful brand of Americana, where Andrew Nelson, Blount Floyd, and Frank Keith IV take their vast touring experience and plug it into a guitar fueled affair that’s all substance and no flash.

“All I Ever Do” starts the listen with warm Americana as Nelson’s strong vocals lead a very melodic and breezy setting, and “Heavy Load” follows with a calmer approach of sublime rootsy rock that mirrors the greatness achieved by legends like Jason Isbell.

Closer to the middle, “Dissatisfaction” moves swiftly with some tuneful grit amid the harmony friendly Americana as Steve Daly lends his slide guitar skills, while the title track recruits aching pedal steel into an emotive and expressive display of rustic beauty. “Rock Of Ages”, one of the record’s best, then carries a reflective spirit amid the classic rock nods as Sadler Vaden makes an appearance on lead guitar.

Near the end, “Help Me Lord” recruits strings and keys strategically in the powerful and elegant delivery, and “Learning To Say Goodbye” exits the listen gently with some folk ideas that help solidify Great Peacock’s diversity and highly proficient song craft.

Great Peacock reside in Nashville, and they carry on the tradition of their hometown while also keeping their options open with electric guitars, violin, saxophone and synth, too. The trio clearly work very well together as they weave in and out of extremely memorable textures on this first rate effort.

Travels well with: Sadler Vaden- Anybody Out There?; Carolina Story- Dandelion

Patti Page

This Can’t Be Love

Hindsight, 2020

8/10

Listen to This Can’t Be Love

Patti Page enjoyed an exceptional career that spanned 6 decades of pop and country songs while amassing over 100 million records sold. Here, the songstress has her work reissued with John Forbes and The Sentimental Pops Orchestra, who effectively add more appeal to these vintage recordings where Page collaborated with Lou Stein.

“Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me” starts the listen with Page’s pretty, elegant vocals guiding the gentle, soothing song craft, and “Blue Moon” follows with mature strings in a playful setting as Page’s pipes soar high.

In the middle, the frisky “Exactly Like You” is a dance friendly delivery that will get your body moving, while “Don’t Blame Me” glides gently with a powerful and dreamy execution. “It Started Over Again”, an album highlight, then recruits warm piano from Stein amid gorgeous strings.

Near the end, “You’ve Changed Again” is highly expressive and emotive and the bouncy “Goody Goodbye Again” exits with strategic percussion from Alan Hanlow aiding in the memorable finish.

Probably best known for massive hit “Tennessee Waltz”, Page proves here that she was quite comfortable singing jazz standards, too, on this swinging reissue that was recorded early in her illustrious career. Page passed away in 2013, and she left an incredible legacy behind, as evidenced by this timeless release.

Travels well with: Rex Allen- America’s Last Singing Cowboy; Sons Of The Pioneers- The Lost Masters

Antonija Pacek

Forever

Navona, 2020

8/10

Listen to Forever

The composer and pianist Antonija Pacek brings us an album of minimalistic piano songs, where her classical and pop influences are illuminated amid a very soulful execution that touches on the spectrum of human emotion.

“Sofia” starts the listen with Pacek’s sublime keys in a stirring setting of divine beauty, and this continues to the flowing melodies of “If Only Time Allowed”, as well as the introspective spirit of “Gone Young”.

The middle of the album offers us the calm, elegant “Almost Goodbye”, while “Deep Red” moves lightly with much agility alongside some jazz qualities that leave an indelible impression.

Further on, “Wanna Dance” recruits a hypnotic quality as Pacek gets a bit more firm with her delivery, and she exits on the live “Before The Storm”, where her careful and gorgeous song craft resonates warmth and timelessness.

This is Pacek’s 4th album, and while a listen entirely of just piano might be resigned to background music for less capable hands, Forever often carries a captivating romantic spirit and an exceptional performance that will have you hanging on every note.

Travels well with: Craig Madden Morris- Chamber Music For Our Times; James Lentini- Through Time And Place

Sirius Quartet

Playing On The Edge 2

Navona, 2020

8/10

Listen to Playing On The Edge 2

The Sirius Quartet, i.e. Fung Chern Hwei (violin), Gregor Huebner (violin), Ron Lawrence (viola) and Jeremy Harman (cello), return with another installment of their string prowess, and much their earlier work, it’s full of precise and flawless instrumentation.

Bruce Babcock’s “Watcher Of The Sky” starts the listen with 4 movements as elegant, stirring strings open the tune and continue with sublime sophistication, and Dayton Kinney’s “The Canary Who Sang” follows with a bouncy, quirky spirit that nearly gets cinematic with it’s unpredictable landscape.

Deeper into the listen, “Variations On Emotions” moves cautiously, emotively and with no shortage of quivering strings that bursts into a brisk pace of meticulous instrumentation where joy, anger, happiness and sorrow are represented, while “String Quartet- MVT 1” weaves dramatic moments into lush avenues of timeless classical music that’s layered superbly. The 3 movements of “String Quartet No. 1- Landscapes” exits the listen, and brings plucked and bowed playfulness to the also very intimate climate.

An excellent follow up to their 2019 effort, it will be exciting to see what Sirius Quartet come up with for part 3 of this fascinating series.

Travels well with: Bill Whitley- Then Elephant Speaks; Patterns- Chamber Works

Erin Harpe

Meet Me In The Middle

VizzTone, 2020

8/10

Listen to Meet Me In The Middle

We’re used to Erin Harpe playing with her esteemed band The Delta Swingers, but this time she’s just in the company of her husband, Jim Countryman, as the pair offer intimate song craft that often goes back to Harpe’s country blues roots.

Harpe starts the listen with the intricate guitar of “All Night Long”, where her strong vocals are complemented with backing vocals in the bluesy, Americana setting, and “Hard Luck Woman” follows with plenty of soul amid some warm folk spirit that’s immediately memorable.

At the halfway point, “I Hate That Train Called The M&O” recruits gospel influences where Harpe’s soaring pipes are on display, while “Rollin’ And Tumblin’” moves with a playful approach as the interplay with Countryman is both sublime and dynamic. “Pick Poor Robin Clean”, one of the album’s best, then showcases a quirky, yet charming landscape with some strategic vocal scatting.

Close to the end, “What’s The Matter With The Mill” flows with an exceptional blues appeal, and “One Fine Day” exits the listen cautious and country influenced, as a soothing climate helps the record finish on a very high note.

Harpe’s finger-style guitar work is in fine form here, and much like everything she’s released in recent years, it’s full of timeless originals and well done traditionals as she plays acoustic, slide, and 12 string guitar, as well as kazoo and foot percussion. Yet another quality release in her catalog, Harpe’s stripped back concept is yet another area she excels in.

Travels well with: Rory Block- Prove It On Me; Heather Newman- Rise From The Flames

Altered Labyrinth

You Can’t Improve An Animal

Cream Cloud, 2020

9/10

Listen to You Can’t Improve An Animal

An extremely exciting duo from California and Chile, Matt Dickey (guitar, vocals, bass, synth) and Matt Garfein (drums) make up Altered Labyrinth, and the pair create some pretty giant swells of post-punk, but also don’t shy away from calmer ebbs on this 3rd album.

“In The Embers Of A Giant Fire” starts the album with throbbing bass, plenty of fuzz and thumping drums in the loud, post-punk fueled setting that also offers brief moments of dreaminess, and “The Maggot’s Tail” follows with a similar intensity, though with a bit more melodica buried amid the nearly psychedelic haze.

Closer to the middle, the title track glides near modern indie-rock territory, though certainly with plenty of grit and calculated racket, while “The Gentle Tapping” gets a bit weird with an eccentric, artistic approach. “Half Of A Thought”, one of the record’s best, then builds into dense, angular walls of sonic pounding that parallels the greatness of all your favorite ‘90s punk legends.

Deeper still, “Waking In A Horrid Mask With Me” is a gentler moment with a slight jangle, and “Fleeing From The Icy Fingers” exits the listen alternating between soft ebbs of melody and mammoth bursts of visceral, pulsating energy.

Altered Labyrinth have been at it since 2014, and how they’ve remained in relative obscurity is beyond me, cause this is top notch songwriting for those who enjoy luminaries like My Bloody Valentine, Wire or even Joy Division.

Travels well with: Bob Mould- Blue Hearts; The Persian Leaps- Bicycle Face

Little Richard

Lifetime Friend

Omnivore, 2020

8/10

Listen to Lifetime Friend

The Omnivore label continues their reissuing of Little Richard albums, and this time it’s 1986’s Lifetime Friend, which arrived after a 7 year hiatus from music while Richard worked on a career in the ministry. Penned after his mother died, Richard kept a promise to her that had him mixing his rock’n’roll roots with gospel on the album,

“Great Gosh A’mighty” starts the listen with Richard in fine form on the rowdy piano rocker where gospel backing vocals meet lively guitar solos, and “Operator” follows with plenty of smooth soul alongside many warm grooves.

Further along, “I Found My Way” recruits some rapping into the energetic display of dance friendly instrumentation, while “The World Can’t Do Me” sounds right at home in the ‘80s with its buzzing melodies and FM dial demeanor. “Big House Reunion” ends the original album with lively brass and crisp percussion as Richard’s voice soars high alongside strategic harmonica.

The bonus material included is both the single and extended version of “Operator”, which charted in the UK, and we also get new, in depth liner notes from Bill Dahl and some photos. Lifetime Friend would be the only album Richard would release in the ‘80s, and includes some of the best songs of his career. Thankfully, they’re preserved well in this excellent reissue.

Travels well with: Little Richard- The Second Coming; Mike Zito & Friends- Rock’n’Roll: A Tribute To Chuck Berry

Jim White

Misfit’s Jubilee

Fluff & Gravy, 2020

8/10

Listen to Misfit’s Jubilee

You never know what to expect from Jim White, but you can always rest assured that it will be unorthodox, iconoclastic and ultra creative. This time, he draws from original songs penned across several decades as longtime drummer Marlon Patton, banjo/guitarist Geert Hellings and bassist/keyboardist Nicolas Rombouts accompany him on the blue collar journey.

“Monkey In A Silo” starts the album percussively strong as a very atypical version of Americana unfolds with psychedelic moments amid bright horns, organ fills and a bit of mystery, and “Wonders Never Cease” follows with some well timed banjo as melodic pop ideas enter the unpredictable setting that even touches on jazz.

In the middle, “Smart-Ass Reply”, one of the album’s best, then roars loud with a firm alt-rock execution that soars high and bristles with a timeless energy, while “The Mystery Of You” moves with an initially calmer, darker approach that builds into anthemic burst of classic rock inspired song craft. “Highway Of Lost Hats”, another stand out track, then utilizes acoustic guitar and playful drumming in an lively display of Lou Reed like song craft.

“My Life’s A Stolen Picture” and “The Divided States Of America” exit the listen, where the former recruits hand clapping, banjo amid talk/singing to the vivid storytelling, while the latter offers soothing backing vocals in the powerful commentary about life in America today.

Though White certainly has plenty of Americana spirit, he’s also a bit quirky and oddly poetic and this appropriately titled 8th studio album is one unpredictable gem after another that might go along well with a Jack Kerouac novel.

Travels well with: David Dondero- The Filter Bubble Blues; Whim- Abuzz In The Abyss

Devin B. Thompson

Tales Of The Soul

Severn, 2020

8/10

Listen to Tales Of The Soul

The Chicago soul/bluesman Devin B. Thompson returns with a handful of soft and lively tunes, where Johnny Moeller, Benjie Porecki, Steve Gomes, and Robb Stupka are on hand, as are a four-piece horn section and plenty of backing vocals, too.

“Love To See You Smile” starts the album with punchy horns and plenty of soul as Thompson’s smooth vocals guide a highly melodic and groove friendly opening, and “I’m Gonna Cry A River” follows with pretty backing vocals complementing the funk nods in the playful Little Milton tune.

The remainder of the tracks are originals, and closer to the middle, “I Ain’t No Good” recruits a laid back, nearly reggae feel to the fuzzy guitars and gospel tinted atmosphere, while “Get Home Tonight” brings in plenty of proficient rhythm to the silky smooth delivery. “Deeper”, a stand out track, then uses brass strategically as some of the best singing on the album resides on this dynamic and timeless tune.

Near the end, “Time After Time” is a piano ballad where Thompson’s expressive pipes are front and center amid nods to R&B, and “Tell Me” exits the listen with Thompson’s thoughts on being black in America today with Curtis Mayfield influences in the powerful finish.

A record that sounds as great as it was crafted, David Earl and Kevin Anker helped Thompson with production on this ‘modern look back at authentic soul music’, and it paid off in spades with a sophisticated yet adventurous appeal that sounds right at home in any decade since the ‘60s.

Travels well with: Willie Nile- Uncovered; Little Richard- The Second Coming

JS Williams

From A Plane

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to From A Plane

The Montreal artist Jean-Sebastian Williams has spent plenty of time backing up other musicians in his career, but here the composer and guitarist is front and center on this solo debut.

“Only Oceans” starts the listen with mystery in the darker setting of introspective indie-folk, and “Montmarte” follows with light melodies and breathy vocals as the music remains elegant and cautious.

Elsewhere, “My Name Is December” unfolds with bare beauty that recruits strategic percussion near the end, while “Hotel Des Arts”, with Alejandra Ribera, offers a fuller approach of a slight jangle amid the singer-songwriter delivery where Ribera’s inimitable pipes add much to the setting.

Towards the end, “Forest Fires” uses playful rhythm to its advantage on the atmospheric album highlight, and “Rachel Est.” ends the listen stripped back with a soulful delivery of thoughtful, moody song craft.

An extremely poetic and contemplative first album, while Williams handles guitars and primary vocal duties, synth is used effectively across this ideal listen for fans of the calmer side of indie-rock.

Travels well with: Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago; Grizzly Bear- Painted Ruins