Farah Kaddour

Badā

Asadun Alay, 2024

8/10

Listen to Badā

The debut for the Beirut artist Farah Kaddour, the talented buzuq player, researcher and educator is well versed in folk and classical Arabic sounds, which is displayed across these 7 worldly tracks.

“Estechial” starts the listen with the meticulous string playing from Kaddour’s very capable hands that mesmerizes us, and “Bulbul el-Afrah” follows with dense strumming that is quite exciting, and occasionally quivering with intensity.

In the middle, “Fil-Bamb” welcomes Ali Hel Hout’s percussion to the dynamic and unpredictable landscape that’s uniquely rhythmic, while “Hijazkar Halek” rumbles with a bit of mystery via the stop and start ideas that build into a swift and exploratory delivery.

The final 2 tracks are equally interesting, where “Taraddud” swirls with an infectious energy, and “Madd ou Jazr” exits with El Hout’s percussive techniques back for a rich and daring exit.

An instrument that hosts few female players, Kaddour’s improvisational technique is both traditional and modern, but still stays true to the folk core of the Levant.

Travels well with: Ruiqi Wang- Subduing The Silence; Eve Egoyan & Maurico Pauly- Hopeful Monsters

Ostrava Center For New Music

Ostrava Days 2023 Live

Self-Released, 2023

8/10

Listen to Ostrava Days 2023 Live

A collection of ensemble and orchestral pieces captured between August 24 to September 2, 2023, both Ostravska banda and the Ostrava New Orchestra were on hand for the 4 lengthy compositions.

Zygmunt Krauze’s “Riviére Souterranine 3” opens the listen with plenty of unpredictable piano bursts alongside electronic manipulation and a chamber orchestra for the atypical and sometimes cinematic bouts of intrigue.

In the middle, “Earth Waves”, by Ann Cleare, recruits thick trombone amid many voices and electronics, which makes for a curious version of atmospheric jazz, while Frantisek Chaloupka’s “Allergory Of The Cave II” builds into a tense and booming display via a symphony orchestra.

The final piece, “Pale Blue World”, by Ian Davis, emits a chilling intimacy, as the cautious orchestra plays gently and with much emotion intact and appreciated.

A meticulous display of contemporary classical sounds, these 4 tracks are culled from 3 digital albums, and is a great way to test the waters of these exceptional performances.

Travels well with: Richard Crosby- By The Waters Of Memory; Debra Kaye- Time Is The Sea We Swim In

Pernice Brothers

Who Will You Believe

New West, 2024

10/10

Listen to Who Will You Believe

The brainchild of Joe Pernice, this is the first Pernice Brothers album in 5 years, and it features Bob Pernice, Patrick Berkery, Laura Stein, Liam Jaeger, Michael McKenzie and Joshua Karp, plus others, for 12 songs of distinct Americana.

The title track opens with Pernice’s warm and inimitable voice alongside crisp drums and cozy guitar playing that’s even a bit dreamy, and “Look Alive” follows with an upbeat flavor of retro ideas that hint at folk-rock and are textured playfully.

Advancing towards the middle, “December In Her Eyes” offers a rich and melodic moment that benefits much from bright brass and orchestral strings, while “Hey, Guitar” is a rugged and gritty burst of searing guitar acrobatics that flirts with arena rock appeal.

Approaching the end, the lush “I Don’t Need That Anymore” welcomes the always stunning Neko Case to the powerful and flowing duet of sublime beauty, and “The Purple Rain” exits with a hazy mood, subdued horns and the Choir! Choir! Choir! in attendance.

Pernice’s career has been lengthy and accomplished, with plenty of full band and solo work. He’s also written for TV and has both poetry and fiction books to his credit. An artist whose name belongs in the same sentence as Paul Westerberg, Lou Barlow or Stephen Malkmus, this is a wise and diverse set of songs that would suit the aging punk as well as the nostalgic folkie.

Travels well with: Caroline Rose- The Art Of Forgetting; The Nude Party- Rides On

Mackenzie Shivers

Primrose Was In Season

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Primrose Was In Season

A New York artist who has dealt with much tragedy lately, this 4th album from Mackenzie Shivers sorts through the emotions of a miscarriage, where lyrically forthright songs are quite diverse.

“A Cautionary Tale” starts the listen with much warmth, where Shivers’ emotive keys are met with expressive and eloquent singing, and “Nest” follows with a dreamy appeal that’s percussive heavy, too, with a swirling demeanor.

Moving into the middle, the intimate piano of “Pedestal” allows Shivers’ poetic singing to resonate tremendous poise, while “Johnny Gown” uses buzzing synth and rich musicianship that aligns with the diverse singing.

Landing near the end, the atmospheric “Terracotta Floors” emits a reflective mood via the textured songwriting, and “Whatever It Takes” exits with more emphasis on drums, as the firm keys and pop fueled melodies make this the album’s best.

A body of work that explores healing, the organic drums, charming dance beats, well timed electric guitar and, of course, Shivers’ first rate piano playing and vocals present grief in very artistic and honest ways.

Travels well with: Loreena McKennitt- The Road Back Home; The Northern Belle- Bats In The Attic

Queen Esther

Things Are Looking Up

El, 2024

9/10

Listen to Things Are Looking Up

The New York City vocalist, songwriter, lyricist, actor and playwright Queen Esther brings us both originals and songs by Billie Holiday, where her quartet and the Jeremy Bacon Trio are both in attendance.

“Blow, Blossoms” starts the listen with playful piano and cozy guitar complementing Esther’s soulful and lively vocals, and “Having Myself A Time” follows with a melodic climate that unfolds with much warmth amid the mature keys and light drums.

Halfway through, “Gold Standard” uses the frisky bass that suits the bright piano and Esther’s expressive pipes, while “Clean Blue Flame” carries plenty of bluesy flavor thanks to the animated keys and Esther’s disctinct delivery.

Closer to the end, “Big Stuff” illustrates Esther’s impressive range in the Leonard Bernstein piece, and “If The Moon Turns Green” exits with carefully plucked bass and plenty of romantic spirit.

A powerful Black Americana Celebration of Billie Holiday, Esther’s eclectic vision is appreciated across this profoundly gripping effort.

Travels well with: Judy Sings The Blues- Come Over Here; Julia Vari- Somos

Debi Derryberry

Gotta Go Green

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Gotta Go Green

An active Hollywood voiceover artist, Debi Derryberry pens songs about, you guessed it, going green, where she brings a lot of fun to being aware and eco-conscious.

The playful and charming “Gotta Go Green” starts the listen with plenty of bright pop flavor, and “My Electric Car” follows with dreamy, electro-pop nods that uses processed vocals and a fluid beat.

In the middle, the dance floor ready “Recycle!” makes for an infectious sing-along, while “I”m A Great Recycler” showcases Derryberry’s skilled acoustic guitar and backing vocals from the young voices.

Closer to the end, “Carbon Footprint” carries a bit of a jangle amid the harmonic singing of the sunny album highlight, and “Earth Day’s My Birthday” exits with a lively, folk influenced demeanor that’s a lot of fun, too.

A diverse listen musically but that lyrically only surrounds how to help the environment, Derryberry has 400+ IMDB credits to her name, but her first love is music and that is exemplified well across these relevant and timeless tracks.

Travels well with: Rolie Polie Guacamole- Diggin’ In The Dirt; Laurie Berkner- Buzz Buzz

Julia Vari

Somos

Alternativa Representa, 2024

8/10

Listen to Somos

The esteemed Mexican-American vocalist Julia Vari enlists the Latin Grammy nominated Negroni’s Trio for these 7 standards that are sung in 4 different languages.

José Negroni’s warm keys open up the rich and expressive “La Bikini”, where Vari’s expressive pipes soar, and “Nature Boy” follows with Nomar Negroni’s fluid drumming that suits the cultured singing of the melodic climate.

In the middle, “Song For My Father” showcases lively scatting amid the firm bouts of bright jazz song craft, while “Noche de Ronda” finds itself in sublime intimacy, where the graceful keys match Vari’s gorgeous pipes.

The final 2 tracks don’t disappoint either, where “C’est Si Bon” is a frisky moment that welcomes Rafael Valencia’s skilled bass, and “Historia de Un Amor” exits with a distinct dreaminess that carries a cozy and stylish demeanor.

A fun but also cautious listen that can swing just as it can retreat to vulnerable moments, Vari and Negroni’s Trio make for a worldly and charming set of interpretations.

Travels well with: Sarah McKenzie- Without You; Yuka Mito- Love In The City

Ron Rieder

Latin Jazz Sessions

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Latin Jazz Sessions

The debut from the composer Ron Rieder, the 10 Afro-Cuban jazz tracks here make great use of solos from an esteemed cast.

The frisky “Un Coco Loco” starts the listen with Gerson Lazo-Quiroga’s lively bass and Mike Tucker’s glorious tenor sax that make for an animated opener, and “The Samba Moon” follows with Fernando Brandao’s dreamy flute guiding the light melodies and infectious energy.

The middle spot belongs to “St. John”, where Mark Walker’s crisp drums and Ron Reid’s inviting steel drums don’t disappoint, while “Spring Serenade” turns intimate and elegant, as Oscar Stagnaro’s cozy bass suits Ricardo Monzon’s warm percussion.

“From Dawn To Dusk” and “Capitol Mayhem” exit the listen, where the former showcases Claudio Ragazzi’s fluid guitar amid the soulful sax via many grooves, and the latter finishes with a rich and dynamic emphasis on Latin jazz that you can’t not admire.

An excellent debut for Rieder, the songs here contain a global appeal that offers one memorable song after another.

Travels well with: Jose Gobbo Trio- Current; Antonio Gavrila- Tango Suite Buenos Aires

John Primer & Bob Corritore

Crawlin’ Kingsnake

VizzTone, 2024

9/10

Listen to Crawlin’ Kingsnake

The 4th collaboration between Primer and Corritore, these 12 tracks bring in Bob Stroger, Jimi ‘Primetime’ Smith, Anthony Geraci and Wes Starr to the listen of Chicago blues.

The rowdy and animated “Take A Message” starts the listen with Corritore’s soaring harmonica suiting Primer’s gritty and powerful pipes, and the title track follows with Geraci’s lively keys and Primer’s spirited guitar that fuels the timeless blues appeal.

Moving into the middle, the rich and softer “Chains And Things” benefits much from Starr’s agile drumming via the soulful mood, while “Stuff You Gotta Watch” bop and shakes with an infectious energy thanks to Stroger’s playful bass, no lack of rhythm and Smith’s well timed backing vocals.

Residing near the end, the dense and melodic “This Little Voice” blend’s Corritore’s meticulous harmonica with expressive singing and a cozy rhythm section, and “Feel Like Going Home” exits with Smith and Primer’s guitar guiding the sort of thoughtful blues that will always be relevant.

Primer and Corritore’s contributions to the blues are immeasurable, and here with an excellent cast they deliver tunes you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Bob Corritore & Friends- Phoenix Blues Rumble; Bob Corritore & Friends- High Rise Blues

Nina Ernst

Dunkles Licht

GLM, 2024

8/10

Listen to Dunkles Licht

A Berlin singer and actress, Nina Ernst brings along, Tino Derado (piano), Max Hacker (flutes, clarinet, saxophone), Raphael J. Zweifel (cello), and Andreas Weiser (percussion) for these worldly jazz sounds.

“Ich hab’ nie nachgedacht” starts the listen with Ernst’s very expressive vocals alongside warm keys and playful percussion for a opener with much beauty, and “Dein Garten” follows with emotive strings and sophisticated keys that suit the soft singing of the poetic delivery.

Entering the middle, the frisky percussion of “Wenn ich ein Kätzchen wär’” recruits bright vocals and moody keys for the unpredictable grace, while the swift and animated “Die letzte Sucht” comes with plenty of charm amid the flowing keys and plucked strings.

Close to the end, “Im Meer” is an intimate moment of dreamy ideas that allow for Ernrst’s stirring voice to tug on the heartstrings, and “Was bleibt’ exits with a lush and cozy finish of rich and globally welcoming song craft.

An effort that’s not without soul or melancholy, Ernst meshes jazz, Brazilian sounds and classical ideas into a dark versus light experience that is quite alluring.

Travels well with: Quadro Nuevo- Happy Deluxe; Christian Winninghoff- Cloud Sounds

Sunny War

Shell Of A Girl

Hen House, 2019

9/10

Listen to Shell Of A Girl

Though it wasn’t too long ago that Sunny War was a homeless punk, these days the songstress is seeing worldwide acclaim, sponsorship endorsements and stability, thanks to her thriving career as an articulate, topical and moving songwriter who hits a career high with her sophomore album, Shell Of A Girl.

“Shell” starts the listen elegant and warm with a bluesy, cultured tune where War’s expressive vocals shine, and “Where The Lost Get Found” follows with a touching acoustic guitar fueled folk song where harmonica adds much to the atmosphere.

In the middle, “Love Became Pain” shuffles with a playful pace to the frisky picking and emotive delivery, while “Off The Cliff” flows with pretty instrumentation in a display of cautious songwriting that touches on Latin influences. The album highlight, “Soul Tramp”, is indeed soulful, and brings to mind the delicate atmosphere that Elliott Smith could create.

Deep in the listen, “Got No Ride” unfolds with a confessional spirit as soft percussion and harmonica punctuate the mood, and “XO” finishes the listen with soft keys on a sparse yet powerful exit of hushed beauty.

Now in her late 20’s, War is still very much evolving as a musician and human, and this effort touches on many of the darker sides of the status quo with a lyrically upfront delivery that musically borrows from folk, blues, country and rock, yet with a biting edge leftover from her punk years.

A truly exceptional artist, Sunny War has the potential to become one of the most important songwriters of this generation, or at least this record is a step in that general direction.

Travels well with: Birds Of Chicago- Love In Wartime;Ida Mae- Chasing Lights