Lumsk

Fremmede Toner

Dark Essence, 2023

8/10

Listen to Fremmede Toner

A folk-metal outfit from Norway, Lumsk took inspiration from the author André Bjerke for these 12 progressive tracks, where rich textures and much attention to detail makes this a highly interesting listen.

“Det Døde Barn” opens the listen with a stirring atmosphere, where calm keys and gorgeous singing emits a haunting beauty, and “En Harmoni” follows with emotive strings alongside the expressive singing that builds into a dense prog-rock display of power and melody.

In the middle, the gliding warmth of “Fiolen” unfolds with a brighter tone, while “Das Tote Kind” erupts into buzzing and thick guitar driven rock that’s hard hitting yet elegant.

Approaching the end, the intimate “Under der Linden” uses meticulous piano and poetic singing amid the light strings that eventually finds crunchy, loud places to reside, and the mesmerizing “The Day Is Done” exits with rugged male vocals and metallic ideas complementing the playful synth.

It’s been 16 years since Lumsk released an album, and let’s hope it isn’t another decade and a half, cause their Nordic folk meets prog-metal ways make for a very captivating listen.

Travels well with: Tusmørke- Intetnett; Jordsjø- Jord Sessions

Ed Neumeister

Explorations

MeisteroMusic, 2023

8/10

Listen to Explorations

The veteran trombonist and songwriter Ed Neumeister surrounds himself with excellent company here, where 2 different ensembles illustrate much versatility and skill across the 14 exciting tracks.

The listen opens with the curious “fawg-it #1”, where manipulated vocals, Gary Versace’s soft keys and Tom Rainey’s playful drumming make for an ambient climate, and “Pickled Ginger” follows with Drew Gress’ frisky bass plucking amid the atmospheric keys and bouts of bright brass.

Further into the listen, “Exploration #4” is strategically minimal, where Fritz Pauer’s unpredictable piano and John Hollenbeck’s firm drums populate the avant-garde delivery, while “Exploration #7” showcases Pauer’s lively key progressions and Neumeister’s soulful trombone bursts.

Close to the end, “Exploration #10” is a busier offering of swift keys, thumping drums and plenty of experimental prowess, and “fawg-it #2” exits with a more intimate appeal that allows Neumeister’s eloquent trombone to really shine.

Even though most of these recordings date back to 2001 and 2002, they sound very modern and stylish, where vocal improvisations and a highly iconoclastic version of jazz that has gained much respect from his peers makes for a sizable impression.

Travels well with: Michael Davis- Open City; Nicholas Brust- Daybreak

Fabrizio Modonese Palumbo

ELP

Dissipatio, 2023

8/10

Listen to ELP

A collection of music by Fabrizio Modonese Palumbo that was created for a series of choreographic actions for the dancer/choreographer Paola Bianchi, the 5 involved pieces here showcase Palumbo’s experimental approach to dance music.

“O_N” begins the listen with a low droning that’s mesmerizing and mysterious in its ambient nature, and “Ekphrasis” follows with a brighter tone of highly textured, nearly mechanical sounds that explore both light and dark ideas.

The middle belongs to the 28+ minutes of “NoPolis”, where a distinct buzzing that’s quite cinematic, sometimes jarring, other times meditative, and entirely captivating unfolds, while “Other Otherness” glows with a bare, ominous presence. The final track, “Energheia”, then buzzes like an alarm clock in another dimension before finding more melodic areas to reside.

Palumbo’s esteemed career includes founding Blind Cave Salamander and recording under the solo moniker (r), plus collaborating with artists like Xiu Xiu, Johann Johannsson and Nurse With Wound, among others. Here, he continues his artistic and adventurous vision, where the atypical song craft provides an inimitable listening experience.

Travels well with: C’mon Tigre- Scenario; Fanfaro Station- Boussadia

Plan R

R For Romeo

Moondo, 2023

8/10

Listen to R For Romeo

A collaboration from the esteemed musicians Stuart Ziff and Daniel Stein, as Plan R the duo welcome several players to these diverse tunes that touch on jazz in atypical ways.

The glowing keys from Stein and breezy guitar from Ziff open up the listen with the nearly reggae spirit of “Checkmate” that’s quite soothing, and “Go Play In The Street” follows with buzzing and grooves that benefits from a strategic drum loop.

Halfway through, “Midtown” showcases meticulous guitar in the dreamy blues climate, while “Blue” finds itself in emotive ballad territory that welcomes a Rhodes solo from Stein.

“You Can’t Be Serious” and “Barney’s Groove” exit the listen, where the former is quite playful, even prog-friendly, and uses frisky drums precisely, and the latter puts an adventurous spin on the theme song to Barney Miller with a throbbing bass line, animated keys, gritty guitar and agile drumming.

Surprisingly, Ziff and Stein have remained behind the scenes as sidemen for most of their careers, but this project puts their talents front and center and it’s a fantastic mashing of jazz, blues, funk and soul that gets better and better with each subsequent listen.

Travels well with: Juan Carlos Quintero- Table For Five; Rique Pantoja- Live In Los Angeles

Jay Carlis

Alive In The Radio Age

Self-Released, 2023

9/10

Listen to Alive In The Radio Age

The Philadelphia Singer, songwriter and guitarist Jay Carlis returns with a sophomore album, where a handful of local musicians accompany him for the authentic and thoughtful 8 Americana tunes.

The very atmospheric “Your Shadow” leads the listen with Carlis’ mesmerizing strumming and dreamy voice alongside Andy Keenan’s glowing pedal steel and Chuck Staab’s thumping drums, and “Backwards” follows with Nicole Tecce’s soulful backing vocals and Charlie Muench’s precise bass complementing the rugged yet smooth climate.

The middle track belongs to the intimate “Ghost Of Thomas Wolfe”, which welcomes Andrea Weber’s mature cello for the emotive delivery, while “Such A Mystery” is a bit thicker, and benefits from Ross Bellenoit’s firm electric guitar amid Carlis’ bright storytelling.

“Volcanoes And Whales” and “To John Perry Barlow” exit the the listen, where the former is subtly powerful and flows with a haze of poetic songwriting, and the latter finishes with a calm folk tune that recruits Jaron Olevsky and Tecce’s inviting backing vocals

An artist who got his start covering Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan, Carlis is quickly making an impression with his solo work, and parallels to Jason Isbell or Robert Hunter won’t be hard to spot or admire across this excellent 2nd album.

Travels well with: Bannister Effect- A Life I Knew; Cabin Dogs- On The Creek

Grace McNally

Full Circle

Self-Released, 2023

8/10

Listen to Full Circle

The South Carolina guitarist and songwriter Grace McNally makes quite an impression with this debut album, where a very worldly approach that embraces plenty of help from friends makes for a highly unique listen.

The listen opens with the charmingly warm '“Asa Branca”, where Gino Castillo’s cozy guitar complements McNally’s strong attention to detail and Jonathan Lovett’s playful organ, and “Bells Of Rio” follows with a mesmerizing quality that comes with plenty of melody amid the upbeat climate.

In the middle, “Give Me Water” recruits The Plantation Singers for the soulful and collaborative, cultured album highlight, while “Bahia” welcomes a stirring intimacy thanks to the pretty guitar playing that builds into a group chanting and rhythmic landscape.

Close to the end, “Me Done Done” benefits much from Tim Khayat’s bass and Abdiel Iriarte’s fluid piano amid much hand clapping and festive fun, and “Open Door” exits with Marcus Amaker’s spoken word populating the infectious energy.

A truly original listen that hosts classical ideas, traditional folk nods, Afro-Brazilian fusion and both busy and bare voices, you’re not going to hear anything like this anywhere else, and that’s a big part of the allure.

Travels well with: Lisa Marie Simmons- Notespeak 12; Leon Foster Thomas- Calasanitus

Aggie Frost

Perlemor

Apollon, 2023

8/10

Listen to Perlemor

The debut album from the Norwegian electro-pop icon Aggie Frost, the 10 tracks here surrounds women, who despite having opportunities, find themselves caught up in rigid requirements they place on themselves.

The soothing and atmospheric “Aurora Lily” begins the listen with fluid beats and mesmerizing programming, where wordless vocals are quite absorbing, and “Tentakler” follows with flashes of buzzing amid the expressive singing and glowing keys.

Halfway through, the throbbing synth of “Stille” is met with a darker backdrop and Frost’s alluring voice, while “Nattebyen” radiates a dance floor ready demeanor of lively electro-pop.

Closer to the end, “Film”, the best track, carries a post-punk appeal that suits the playful beats and charming dreaminess, and “Knokla” exits with a distinct intimacy that’s ambient, cozy and builds into a lush, emotive finish.

Frost wrote, recorded and produced this entire affair, and she did a great job of capturing her trip-hop and electronica influenced version of pop that has already made her a star in her home country, and will certainly gain her fans across the globe.

Travels well with: Michelle Ullestad- Sol/DVLM; Pogo Pops- Daylight

Various Artists

Dimensions Vol. 4

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to Dimensions Vol. 4

This 4th installment of the Dimensions series showcases works of large ensembles for 6 composers, where the powerful and intimate chamber music is quite eclectic.

Liova Bueno’s “Piccola Serenata” opens the listen, where the Brno Contemporary Orchestra’s agile and soaring strings mesh for a very soothing and exciting climate, and “Children on the Playground: Joyful Play”, by Keith Lay, follows with Milan Paľa’s violin and the Brno Contemporary Orchestra making for a very animated and playful delivery that has the capacity for absorbing, bare moments.

In the middle, Octavian Nemescu’s “Cristiascensiocello” places much emphasis on mood, where mysterious moments and chilling, cinematic qualities are present, while “Shallow Streams”, by Ashlee T Busch, is an upbeat and mesmerizing album highlight that’s uniquely textured. The final track, Christopher Jessup’s “Svítání”, then exits with well timed keys in a sparse environment that builds into a lively landscape of booming drums and uplifting strings.

A listen that covers a wide scope of sounds, the winds, strings and percussion are constantly shifting in timbre and tone, and it creates a very captivating experience.

Travels well with: Pinnacle Vol. 3; Beth Wiemann- I Give You My Home

Various Artists

Pinnacle Vol. 3

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to Pinnacle Vol. 3

The contemporary composers Alla Elana Cohen, Andrew Schneider, Dušan Bavdek, and Richard E Brown showcase their inimitable talents across these 6 well thought out compositions, where energetic, somber and stirring moods are covered with much care.

Dusan Bavdek’s “Capriccetto” begins the listen with Jakub Černohorský’s violin, Tomáš Svozil’s cello and Alexandr Starý’s piano moving swiftly with much grace and melody, and it isn’t long until Alla Elana Cohen’s “Watercolors of the Master Who Is Accustomed to Paint Oils” showcases Karel Dohnal’s clarinet and Martin Kasík’s piano in the unpredictable and cinematic climate.

In the middle, “Trio for Violin, Horn, and Piano”, by Richard E Brown, is populated by Anne Howarth’s horn, Ryan Shannon’s violin and Julia Scott Carey’s piano for the dynamic album highlight that’s bright, exciting and full of adventurous song craft.

The last two tracks, both by Andrew Schneider, include “Les Exubérants, Op. 11”, which highlights Dohnal’s clarinet and Jan Souček’s oboe that populate the intimate landscape, and “Les Enchanteresses Dansantes, Op. 12”, where Dieter Flury’s flute, Dohnal’s clarinet and Lukáš Polák’s cello meet at an intersection of dreamy, meticulous and charming musicianship.

A highly eclectic version of modern chamber sounds, each song yields its own sense of color, melody and dramatic ideas that are never in short supply.

Travels well with: Beth Weimann- I Give You My Home; London Cello Connection

Beth Wiemann

I Give You My Home

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to I Give You My Home

A chamber opera inspired by Rose Standish Nichols and the Nichols House Museum in Boston, Beth Wiemann penned this work that’s delivered by the Guerilla Opera, alongside the soprano Aliana de la Guardia, the saxophonist Philipp A. Stäudlin and percussionist Mike Williams.

The stirring and emotive “Scene 1” opens the listen with de la Guardia’s soaring voice alongside the intimate climate, and the stunning vocal acrobatics alongside the playful instrumentation of “Scene 2” follows and emits a very theatric appeal.

In the middle, the conversational “Scene 3” radiates much timeless beauty, while “Scene 4” finds itself in dreamy territory that really showcases de la Guardia’s diverse range.

Approaching the end, “Scene 5” is full of expressive and poetic singing that suits the eloquent sax playing and “Scene 6” finishes with an incredible high notes being explored by the fantastic pipes of de la Guardia.

The opera premiered in Boston on June 3, 2022, and tells the story of Rose, a professional Bostonian woman, and focuses on her professional work as a landscape architect, plus her efforts to affect change through activism in the Women’s Peace Movement and Women’s Suffrage. The players on hand are nothing short of exceptional, and under Wiemann’s guidance they enthrall the listener from beginning to end.

Travels well with: London Cello Connection; Legends And Light Vol. 3

Various Artists

London Cello Connection

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to London Cello Connection

Here, we’re treated to 8 pieces from 8 composers that are fleshed out by the cellist Ovidiu Marinescu, the London Symphony Orchestra with conductor Miran Vaupotić.

Marvin Lamb’s “Sarabande” gets the listen off to a dreamy start with the twinkling percussion and quivering strings that emit much emotion, and “Celebratory Music”, by John Robertson, follows with booming brass and playful string interaction that flows with a cinematic appeal.

Halfway through, “I Am My Home” showcases elegant bowing amid the lifting melodies thanks to Joanna Estelle’s vision, while “Soul Dance” is quite stirring thanks to the lower register of the cautious execution of the Diane Jones piece.

The final two tracks are among the best, where Keith Kramer’s “Luce Del Sole” radiates warmth and mystery, and Art Gottschalk’s “Brunetti Meditations” exits with a calm demeanor that benefits much from Marinescu’s skilled cello prowess.

A highly technical display of contemporary sounds, each track present illustrates contrasts in texture that makes for an exciting listen.

Travels well with: Legends And Light Vol. 3; Animo Two

Various Artists

Legends And Light Vol. 3

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to Legends And Light Vol. 3

A collection of new works for large ensembles that are fleshed out by the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava, we’re treated to 5 pieces by modern composers for the expressive, classical sounds.

Ben Marino’s “Tenebron” begins the listen with giant percussion and dynamic strings making for cinematic swells of grace and mystery, and “Binn an tsíorsholais (the Peak of Eternal Light)”, by Fergus Johnston, follows with a meticulous attention to mood, where dreamy bouts are met with tension, too.

Joungmin Lee’s “Sanctuary Tree” lands in the middle and uses booming brass strategically amid the minimal versus dense bursts, while “L’arte Di Volare (the Art of Flying)”, the best piece, is populated by mesmerizing, cryptic instrumentation in the Raffaele Marcellino composition. The final track, Josef Suk’s “Serenade, Op. 6” then showcases lifting, gorgeous string interaction that we could never tire of.

A listen that displays an acute contrast between darkness and light, there’s a unique artistic quality to these orchestral driven ideas that really allows for the classical template to radiate.

Travels well with: Animo Two; Globe Travel Homeland

Nadia Washington

Hope Resurgence

NLW, 2023

8/10

Listen to Hope Resurgence

An album that was six years of work to make, this debut from the powerful vocalist Nadia Washington has her playing many instruments across the 9 songs that surround perseverance and faith.

The warm and cautious title track starts the listen with John Davis’ playful drums and Josh Hari’s precise bass complementing Washington’s inimitable voice and percussion, and “Broken” follows with Brad Allen Williams’ fluid guitar playing in the rhythmic climate that makes good use of Jesse Fischer’s frisky keys.

Further along, “Cyclone” features Nicholas Payton’s bright trumpet amid the strong attention to mood thanks to Washington’s poetic pipes, while “Nabi”, the album’s best, spotlights Jake Sherman’s lively organ that suits Washington’s impressive range and animated singing.

“Fire” and “Pagliacci’s Lament” exit the listen, where the former emits Jiri Nedoma’s keys and congas from Washington that strategically cultivates many grooves, and the latter is populated by Washington’s synth, Moog bass and glockenspiel in the intimate and pretty finish.

An excellent debut that’s heartfelt and collaborative, Washington’s time with Dianne Reeves, Terri Lynne Carrington and Esperanaza Spalding, plus many others, has certainly prepared her for being front and center.

Travels well with: Lauren Henderson- Conjuring; Danielle Wertz- Other Side

CC Voltage

Berliner Pilsner

Snap!!, 2023

10/10

Listen to Berliner Pilsner

The Vancouver songwriter CC Voltage turned an ignored submission to a songwriting competition for a German beer into this formal release, where the anthemic pop ideas and gritty garage rock of these 2 tunes just might remind you of Cheap Trick, The MC5 or Bad Nerves.

The title track gets the listen off to an energetic start, where Voltage’s melodic singing and precise bass are complemented by Jason Solyom’s thumping drums and swirling guitars from Rich Jones and Jay Millette for the driving garage rock fun.

“Bummer Party” makes up the other half of the listen, and welcomes Marcel LaFleur on guitar alongside Graham Tuson’s well timed backing vocals for the punk spirited blast of power and melody.

Voltage has an excellent resume that includes playing for The Spitfires, Dsynea Boys and Autogramm, plus others, and these 2 excellent tracks mesh punk rock, garage-rock and power-pop into a formula that just begs for an LP.

Travels well with: Autogramm- What R U Waiting 4?; Night Court- Nervous Birds Too

La Faute

Blue Girl Nice Day

Sony, 2023

8/10

Listen to Blue Girl Nice Day

A debut album of dreamy folk song craft from La Faute (aka Peggy Messing), the 11 songs here take influence from seminal artists like Lana Del Ray, Chet Baker and Massive Attack.

The title track opens the listen with cozy acoustic guitar and La Faute’s very eloquent singing amid much atmosphere that carries a cinematic quality, and “Watercolours” follows with breathy singing and a stylish demeanor in the calm delivery.

“Eraser” arrives in the middle and is quite intimate, poetic and minimal, while “Let It Burn” showcases a darker landscape of modern dream-pop that buzzes softly and builds into an emotive, lush album highlight.

Arriving closer to the end, “Mastermind” uses precise bass lines and a focus on ambience that adds even more appeal to La Faute’s expressive pipes, and “Eraser” exits with graceful keys and artistic nods that finish the affair with as much intrigue as it began.

A listen that’s ethereal and haunting, La Faute clearly put a lot of work into this first album, and the strong attention to mood, grooves and rhythm are very much appreciated.

Travels well with: Astral Swans- Astral Swans; Adna- Black Water

Arwen Lewis

Under The Stars

Omad, 2023

8/10

Listen to Under The Stars

The singer-songwriter and guitarist Arwen Lewis is carrying on the musical tradition of her family (her father is Peter Lewis and her grandmother is Loretta Young), where this sonically exciting EP welcomes excellent friends to the 6 diverse tracks.

“Doctor My Eyes”, by Jackson Browne, begins the listen with warm strumming, Austin Beede’s fluid drumming and Jeff Elliott’s soulful brass in the smooth, melodic jazz meets folk climate, and “Winter” follows with a thicker presence of slow, textured rock that’s poetically dense.

“I Think I Understand” and “Man On The Moon” land in the middle, where the former welcomes dreamy guitar amid Lewis’ expressive voice, while the latter burns slow via well timed backing vocals, soft brass and a hypnotic rhythm section.

Close to the end, the very pretty “Black Moon” touches on Americana thanks to the gentle singing and slight twang of her father’s song, and another version of “Winter” exits with graceful piano from Jason Achilles and cello by Angus Cooke complementing the gorgeous singing from Lewis.

Lewis was raised on Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone and Jimi Hendrix, and those influences certainly are present across the eclectic listen, where Jonathan McEuen, George Adrian and Peter Lewis’ guitars help make an ever greater impression.

Travels well with: John DeNicola- She Said; Peter Lewis- Imagination

Austin Gilliam

I’m Sorry, I’m Fine

Self-Released, 2023

8/10

Listen to I’m Sorry, I’m Fine

An esteemed sideman since he was a teenager, Austin Gilliam brings his muscular guitar work to country and rock focused songs that highlight his rugged baritone pipes, as he takes center stage on this solo effort.

“A Little Dirt” opens the listen with plenty or rugged warmth, where the breezy honky tonk is harmonic and memorable, and “I’m Sorry” follows with an intimate, dreamy approach that’s powerful and emotive and benefits from the hazy pedal steel and Gilliam’s expressive voice.

The middle track belongs to the melodic Americana of “Runnin’” that comes with a heartfelt energy, while “I’m Fine” showcases Gilliam’s agile guitar playing amid the thumping drums and soaring singing. “Never Gonna Die” exits the listen, and it’s a loud, European influenced version of rock that’s anthemic, rugged and invites an immediate sing-along.

A record that might bring to mind Slaid Cleaves or Jason Isbell, Gilliam’s big guitar presence has already gained him plenty of fans in his home state of Texas, and it’s pretty likely he’ll turn more ears his way with this thoughtful and gentle versus firm country-rock.

Travels well with: Matt Hillyear- Glorieta; The Stubborn Lovers- Come A Reckoning

Atlas Maior

Hadal

Silver Phantom, 2023

8/10

Listen to Hadal

An eclectic instrumental album from the Austin, Texas outfit Atlas Maior, the partnership between Joshua Thomson and Josh Peters tip their hat to Jazz, Arab, Turkish and Latin American musical traditions across these 4 tracks.

“Basalt” begins the listen with Thomson’s lively sax and Peters’ warm oud alongside frisky drums for the African and Arabian influenced song craft, and “Ignis Fatuus” follows with a calmer approach of soulful sax and unpredictable atmosphere of the improvised jazz spirit.

On the back half, “Hadal” is quite mesmerizing thanks to Tarik Hassan’s playful double bass playing, while “Fata Morgana” exits with a nostalgic version of jazz inspired by New York’s Loft Jazz, and is quite busy, dynamic and exciting.

Aaron Parks and Stefan Del Bosque handle drums on the recording, and they do a great job of anchoring the diverse, moody and rhythmic ideas populating the cultured affair.

Travels well with: Frederico7- Exotico Americano; Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah- AXIOM

Louise Burns

Element

Light Organ, 2023

8/10

Listen to Element

The Canadian songwriter and composer Louise Burns doesn’t hide influences like Kate Bush or Depeche Mode on this 5th solo album, where a self-described ‘pop album for introverts’ unfolds across 9 adventurous songs.

“I Don’t Feel Like I Used To” wastes no time making an impression with Burns’ expressive singing alongside the dreamy back drop and synthetic drumming, and “Let It Die” follows with a firm beat and plenty of swirling melody in the dance floor ready delivery.

“Kids” and “Element” land in the middle, where the former recruits a charming intimacy that’s soulful and cozy, while the latter is intially bare, mysterious even, and builds into a hazy, stylish album highlight with gorgeous vocals.

Close to the end, “Hot Girls” is a lush, dynamic and very smooth display of multi-faceted talent, and Depeche Mode’s “See You” exits with a buzzing, infectious demeanor that retains the spirit of the original, but with Burns’ radiant personality present.

A record that was pieced together between her home and Mexico over 2.5 years, Burns touches on bright ‘80s moments, chilling atmospheric bouts, and trip-hop bursts, which makes Element a captivating listen.

Travels well with: Tungz- A Good Dream; Blue Amber-Rockland’s Workshop

Gerry Beckley

Five Mile Road

Blue Elan, 2019

8/10

Listen to Five Mile Road

Though you may not recognize Gerry Beckley’s name, we’ve all heard as work as he’s a co-founder of the legendary outfit America. On Five Mile Road, Beckley reflects on his own journey, with shades of America’s classic approach, where harmonies, layering and timelessness are certainly in attendance.

“Life Lessons” gets the album off to a warm and melodic Americana fueled setting where Beckley’s voice sounds better than ever, and “Something To Remember” follows with keys in a more pensive setting of lush soft rock.

Further along, “So Long Marni” offers thoughtful picking in the hushed, folk spirit, while “Heart Of The Valley” recruits strategic keys in the emotive album highlight.

Near the end, “Calling” delivers soft horns to punctuate the graceful and wise atmosphere, and “Sudden Solider” picks up the pace and volume with a full roots rocker. “Two People At Once” exits the listen with piano balladry, as harmonicas help set the mood of cautious reflection.

Now approaching 50 years of songwriting, Beckley’s work is as emotive and stirring as it was in the ‘70s, and Five Mile Road proves that this legend has plenty of tunes left in him that we all want to hear.

Travels well with: Joe Walsh- Ordinary Average Guy; Robert Lamm- Living Proof