Ronny Smith

Struttin’

Pacific Coast, 2024

8/10

Listen to Struttin’

The esteemed jazz guitarist Ronny Smith brings us 8 originals and a pair of interpretations here, where a large cast supports him across the melodic and soulful climate.

The stylish and fluid “Get Up” starts the listen with Smith’s bright guitar alongside Gulle Olivera’s soaring trombone and Fabian Silva’s rich trumpet, and “In My Eyes” follows with Damilola Adika’s expressive pipes amid Habbert Cheeks’ agile drumming for the harmonic landscape.

The middle is where the title track lands, and it showcases Alex Bone’s smooth sax that complements Smith’s meticulous guitar lines, while “OBO” carries an intimate spirit via Beto Brag’s eloquent sax and Jose Juvinao’s lively bass.

The 2 non Smith songs exit the listen, where the dreamy “Laura” welcomes Arcangelo Trabucco’s mature keys, and “Angel”, by Wes Montgomery, allows Smith’s mesmerizing guitar to radiate alongside the playful rhythm section.

An effort with plenty of solos and a very exciting take on modern jazz, Smith and company cultivate plenty of grooves and no lack of energy for this exciting body of work.

Travels well with: Dave Stryker- Groove Street; Russ Spiegel- Caribbean Blue

Motu

Acceding To The Apocalypse

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Acceding To The Apocalypse

The esteemed musician Dr. Richard Michelson, i.e. MOTU, brings his vast string abilities to these 10 songs that thematically surrounds mankind’s path of self-destruction.

The warm spirit of “The Cost” starts the listen with MOTU’s gruff voice alongside aching pedal steel and harmonic group vocals, and “Love Is All We Need” follows with meticulous electric guitar and Ed Modzel’s thumping drums for a louder occasion.

“A Test Of Our Love” arrives at the halfway point, and emits a melodic yet raw version of folk-rock that uses Dee Michelson’s pretty backing vocals, while “You’re Just A Pile Of Crap” has MOTU playing the dobro and harmonica via the rugged bluesy nods.

Closer to the end, the rhythmic and soulful “I Can’t Be Denied” carries plenty of roots stabs wrapped up with some southern flavor, and “History Repeats Itself” exits with acoustic guitar balladry, where eloquent storytelling flows amid a wise demeanor.

This is Music Of The Universe’s 23rd release, and very topical subjects like climate change, racism and homelessness are addressed with much sophistication that weaves in and out of blues, rock, folk, roots and Americana moments, all of which are well thought out and timeless.

Travels well with: MOTU- The Water Is High; Matt Smith’s World- Into The Light

Ellie Lee

Escape

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Escape

The rising pianist Ellie Lee makes a significant impression on this debut album, where 7 originals and 1 standard are fleshed out with help from Steve Wilson, Steve LaSpina and Jongkuk Kim.

The melodic title track starts the listen, where Kim’s fluid drums and Wilson’s warm sax complement the meticulous keys, and “Beyond The Blue” follows with firm piano amid soulful brass and LaSpina’s flowing bass lines.

Deeper into the listen, the lower register of “Melrose Breeze” uses the stylish rhythm section in cozy ways, while “Toss And Turn” showcases a strong attention to detail, where the swirling keys align with intimate sax.

“On The Road” and “New Chapter” exit the listen, as the former emits a heartfelt dreaminess, and the latter rumbles a bit, but not without a charming groove.

Lee is classically trained, but shifted to jazz for the freedom of the genre, and these well crafted tunes are as unpredictable as they are memorable.

Travels well with: Paul Kendall- Whisper Not; Ben Miller Trio- Feathers Of Ma’at

Filax Staël

Traces

REV. Lab, 2024

8/10

Listen to Traces

A highly artistic collaboration between Filax Staël and Okko Perekki, the sounds here represent a collage of experiences, conversations and images from a superbly creative mind.

The repetitive throbbing of “Ellipse” starts the listen with a distinct droning, and it isn’t long until “Hunted Beyond The Glory Of Light” emits eerie keys and a unconventional tonality that radiates a brightness amid distant talking.

Further along, “Urania” is full of blurry, ominous waves of dissonance, while “Return -A-” offers fuzzy static that segues into beeps amid a mesmerizing backdrop.

Nearing the end, “BMMF” is populated by dense and bleak layering that seems like it should soundtrack a horror movie, and “84 Lost” exits with a sampled mix of voices and atypical manipulation of synthetic versus organic.

An assembly of found sounds, samples and studio work, the tracks here range from 20 seconds to no more than 3 minutes, and each one is uniquely different, noisy and iconoclastically rhythmic.

Travels well with: TYTO- Mirai; Kabuki Dream- Abstract

Domenic Cicala

Bitter Blues

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Bitter Blues

The guitarist and singer Domenic Cicala is surrounded by a large cast of musicians for these diverse and sincere songs.

“One Horse Town (Mother’s Day)” starts the listen with Cicala’s smooth voice alongside Lynne Hanson’s harmony vocals and Eric Selby’s fluid drums for the melodic climate, and “Baby Come Back” follows with a breezy demeanor that welcomes Carol Ann’s steel pan and Tom Corradino’s playful accordion.

Halfway through, “Hangin’ Tree” makes great use of Arif Durrani’s well timed organ for the hint of mystery, while “Just To Walk That Little Girl Home” is an intimate moment via Ben Holmes’ cautious drums and Tony Denikos’ cozy harmony vocals.

“Whisper” and “Shores Of Sorrow” exit the listen, where the former benefits much from Michelle Hannan, Eryn Michel and Megan Leigh’s harmonies that suit Cicala’s expressive pipes, and the latter focuses much on piano, which is paired with the eloquent singing for the mature finish.

An eclectic body of work that pulls from jazz, pop, country and Americana, Cicala pens songs that we can relate to, and where influences like Woody Guthrie, Elvis and Hank Williams will be appreciated.

Travels well with: Heather Little- By Now; Scott Sean White- Even Better On The Bad Days

Ella Ronen

The Girl With No Skin

BB Island, 2024

9/10

Listen to The Girl With No Skin

The poet, activist and musician Ella Ronen tells the important story of assault that happened when she just 16, and her thoughtful vision embraces both folk and pop ideas.

The drum focused “Truth” starts the listen with Ronen’s gorgeous and expressive voice in a calm, eloquent setting, and “Undercover” follows with warm keys and Dave Nelson’s cozy bass complementing the poetic delivery.

Moving into the middle, the fuller “Fuck Cute” enters indie-rock territory with strong attention to mood and insightful social commentary, while Sam Cohen enters the intimate and heartfelt “Just Want To See You”, which pairs Ronen and Cohen’s voices with much grace alongside the emotive piano.

“Tightrope” and “Rearview” exit the listen, where the former employs Jared Samuel’s radiant keys amid crisp drums, and the latter illuminates mature piano and Ronen’s distinct voice that’s quite stirring.

A powerful and rebellious record, Ronen actually participated in a publication to expose her predator, and these tracks examine that, as well as love with obstacles and the everyday struggles of racism and misogyny that still exists today.

Travels well with: Stella Burns- The Girl With No Skin; Carmen Sea- Sorry

Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

Alone/Together: The Dreams & Diversity Of The American Composer

Albany, 2024

9/10

Listen to Alone/Together: The Dreams & Diversity Of The American Composer

A body of work that highlights 4 American composers with an eclectic vision, the works of Edmund Thornton Jenkins, John Wineglass, Elena Roussanova and Beth Denisch are fleshed out by the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and under the conducting of Julius P. Williams.

“Charlestonia: Folk Rhapsody”, by Jenkins, starts the listen with the orchestra’s cautious yet exciting interaction that builds into sweeping strings and soulful brass, and Wineglass’ “Alone Together” follows with a dreamy ambience via the plucked strings, where tense and uplifting moments unfold across the 2 chapters.

The middle belongs to the 17+ minutes of “The Legend”, which embraces minimal moments of grace but can also recruit mystery and atmosphere, as dense drumming and soaring strings enter the Roussanova piece, while Denisch’s “Yanvalou” is quite animated, unpredictable and flows with meticulous ideas.

The final track, “The Great Chaplin”, also by Roussanova, leads with bouncy keys, before charming winds align with the lively spirit of the album’s best.

All the composers here have different backgrounds, but their vision all mesh together superbly across this technical and flawless orchestral experience.

Travels well with Clara Kathleen Rogers- Songs Of The Gilded Age & Beyond; Bradley Ellingboe- StarSong

Chaos Shrine

Mirror Division

Erototox, 2024

8/10

Listen to Mirror Division

The duo of Paul Beauchamp and Andrea Cauduro, as Chaos Shrine the pair bring plenty of electronic and experimental ideas to these 6 unclassifiable songs.

“Scox” starts the listen with an ominous mood, where waves of mystery flow amid the electronic component, and “Haborym” follows with a chilling, cinematic appeal that’s as mesmerizing as it is eerie.

“Camio” and “Vapula” land in the middle, as the former drones with percussive ideas and hints of melody, while the latter is a dense exercise in haunting, post-punk ambience.

The final and longest track, “Allocer”, buzzes with intrigue via a sci-fi demeanor that unfolds with strong attention to detail.

An avant-garde affair that’s iconoclastic in every aspect, the two artists bring their loops, field recordings and dark, echoed guitar effects to a truly atypical formula.

Travels well with: Vonneumann- Johnniac; you.GURU- UNtouchable

Mercer Hassy Orchestra

Duke’s Place

Self-Released, 2024

9/10

Listen to Duke’s Place

The long running arranger and musician Mercer Hassy is aligned with his Japanese band for these 12 animated Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn classics.

The dizzying “Daybreak Express” starts the listen with the furious sax layering and pounding drums that comes on strong, and “Satin Doll” follows with Ayane Amai’s fluid keys and Hassy’s playful guitar which suits the radiant vibes.

Into the middle, the aptly titled “In A Sentimental Mood” blends soulful horns and a hazy rhythm section, while “Bakiff” employs YUTA’s beatbox skills amid the soft brass and thick presence.

Near to the end, the bouncy and rockin’ title track will get your body moving to the upbeat melodies and Hiroshi Ueno’s lively vocals that help make this the album’s best, and “Happy Go Lucky Local” exits with busy keys, drums, brass and guitars that mesh with a very spontaneous feel.

A body of work that swings with plenty of energy and a timeless appeal, Hassy and company put a fresh coast of paint on already excellent tunes.

Travels well with: Paul Kendall- Whisper Not; Andy Pratt- Trio

Clara Kathleen Rogers

Songs Of The Gilded Age & Beyond

Albany, 2024

8/10

Listen to Songs Of The Gilded Age & Beyond

The British native Clara Kathleen Rogers is a trained opera singer who studied piano, and these 24 art songs illuminate many different styles and influences of her composing prowess.

“The Answer, Op. 26, No. 4” opens the listen with Bryon Grohman’s soaring tenor and Peter Kairoff’s flowing piano interacting with striking beauty and melody, and it isn’t long until “At Break of Day, Op. 10” showcases much emotion from the stirring keys and expressive singing.

Further still, “Aubade, Op. 16” brings Jacqui Carrasco’s meticulous violin into the equation, which adds more richness to the landscape, while “I Have a More Than Friend, Op. 27” spotlights Grohman’s powerful pipes amid the intimate piano for a heartfelt album highlight.

Very close to the end, the dreamy ambience of ‘An Den Mond” has the duo of Grohman and Kairoff collaborating with a cautious yet exploratory dynamic, and “Sudden Light, Op. 33, No. 1” exits with stunning singing and glowing key progressions.

The vocal work here is superb, where Grohman’s delivery hits impressive notes, and the keys and sparing use of violin won’t go unappreciated, either.

Travels well with: Bradley Ellingboe- StarSong; Patrick Yim- New Waves

Bradley Ellingboe

StarSong

Albany, 2024

8/10

Listen to StarSong

The composer Bradley Ellingboe pens a body of work about the atoms that comprise our bodies, and it involves the Albany Pro Musica, American Modern Ensemble and Dann Coakwell meshing their inimitable talents alongside José Daniel Flores-Caraballo’s conducting.

“Instrumental Overture: We are made of star stuff” starts the listen with the American Modern Ensemble’s strong attention to mood that emits much beauty from the building climate that uses brass strategically, and “Music” follows with Coakwell’s soaring tenor guiding the cautious landscape of warmth.

Moving deeper into the listen, the calming winds of “Take Me by the Hand” radiates a distinct intimacy, where the keys adds much grace, while “The Song Of The Stars” benefits much from rich winds and dreamy percussion that aligns with harmonic vocals.

Close to the end, “Questions About Angels” allows Coakwell’s bright storytelling to radiate in the colorful delivery, and “The Mystic Trumpeter” exits with booming trumpet and powerful singing that touches on cinematic ideas.

A highly accomplished listen in the area of choral sounds, the 12 movements with 11 texts embrace technical aspects and memorable musicianship that will always be relevant.

Travels well with: Steven Holochwost- Dialogues & Meditations; Patrick Yim- New Waves

Allison Burik

Realm

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Realm

The debut album from the Montréal resident, multi-instrumentalist and composer Allison Burik, the pieces here are inspired by women and non-binary characters that relate to folktales, lore and real-world history.

“Be The Dragon” starts the listen with the manipulated sax and waves of ambience making for a highly unpredictable climate, and “As The Norms Weave” follows with soft, wordless singing that’s dreamy and lush with a hint of mystery.

Into the middle, “Seal Folk” drones with moody clarinet that’s quite captivating, while “Solstice II (Cycles)” mesmerizes us with swirling dynamics and atmospheric bouts amid the low sax.

Close to the end, “Birka 581” bellows with a slight ominousness which uses vocals like an instrument, and “Fragment 94” exits with bright guitar from Magdalena Abrego that embraces gorgeous singing in a very intimate demeanor.

A multi-faceted record that makes excellent use of field recordings and sparingly used electronica, each track here is full of exciting and memorable surprises.

Travels well with: India Gailey- Problematica; Leslie Ting- What Brings You In

Andrea Wolper

Wanderlust

Moonflower, 2024

8/10

Listen to Wanderlust

The always unpredictable artist Andrea Wolper returns with a 4th album as leader, where 7 original tunes and 5 adventurous re-workings of jazz and pop classics are present.

“Light Out Of Darkness” opens the listen with Wolper’s soulful voice alongside John Di Martino’s mature piano and Jeff Lederer’s glowing clarinet, and “Dog Day Afternoon” follows with a light and intimate demeanor that uses poetic singing and Charlie Burnham’s stirring violin.

Further into the listen, “The Music Is The Magic” benefits much from Ken Filiano’s playfully plucked bass amid the firm keys for a hint of mystery, while “Been To Canaan” showcases Lederer’s dreamy flute alongside much beauty via Wolper’s soft and smooth pipes.

Closer to the end, “I Burn For You” is particularly eloquent, where manipulated strings and mesmerizing keys suit the descriptive wordplay, and “The Winter Of Our Content” exits with flowing vocals and cozy instrumentation for a memorable finish.

Even though it’s been 10+ years since Wolper last released music, she’s stayed busy playing clubs and touring. Here’s she maintains time honored jazz traditions with a bluesy tint and literary references via boundless creativity.

Travels well with: Julie Kelly- Freedom Jazz Dance; Betty Bryant- Lotta Livin’

Abigail Lapell

Anniversary

Outside, 2024

8/10

Listen to Anniversary

A Toronto multi-instrumentalist whose songs are as heartfelt as they are memorable, Abigail Lapell pens songs about love, relationships and loss of youth, where guest spots from the Great Lake Swimmers won’t go unnoticed.

The cozy spirit of “Anniversary Song” starts the listen with eloquent singing alongside crisp drums and hints at pop ideas, and “Footsteps” follows with graceful keys that allow for Lapell’s poetic vocals to emit much beauty.

Further along, the warm strumming of “Blue Blaze” embraces timeless folk qualities that radiate much beauty, while “Someone Like You” layers the emotive singing over a thicker presence of melodic and flowing indie-rock ideas which hint at firmer moments.

Approaching the end, “Wait Up” gets a bit more rugged, where Lapell’s dense guitar is met with soulful brass, and “Stars” exits with a distinct dreaminess that’s mesmerizing and vulnerable.

A body of work that’s often steeped in balladry, Lapell can bring to mind Gillian Welch or Laura Veirs, and her finger-style guitar, harmonica and piano prowess touches on the human experience in relatable, thoughtful ways.

Travels well with: Andrea Von Kampen- Sister Moon; Lowland Hum- At Home

Albare

Beyond Belief

Alfi, 2024

9/10

Listen to Beyond Belief

The inimitable guitarist Albare brings along Phil Turcio, Phil Rex, Pablo Bencid and Lionel Cole for these 10 worldly jazz songs that are rich with global ideas.

The rhythmic and dynamic “Missing In Action” opens the listen with Bencid’s fluid drumming and Albare’s meticulous guitar radiating much melody, and “MAD’s Happy Day” follows with Rex’s mesmerizing bass and plenty of warmth that emits a cultured appeal of timeless jazz.

At the midpoint, “I Believe” uses Cole’s expressive vocals for the dreamy album highlight, while “Ladino Jazz” adds a hint of intimacy to Turcio’s sophisticated keys that suit Albare’s playful guitar.

Landing near the end, “Blue Bossa Reimagined” is full of lively energy thanks to the intricate rhythm section and very detailed progressions from Albare’s finger acrobatics, and “Hypothetical Retrospection” exits with the eloquent guitar being complemented by agile keys, animated drums and careful bass.

Albare’s song craft is as diverse as his upbringing, which includes living in Morocco, Israel, France and Australia, and the interplay with the other musicians is nothing short of stunning.

Travels well with: Ron Rieder- Latin Jazz Sessions; Paul Kendall- Whisper Not

Triad

Triad

Ropeadope, 2024

9/10

Listen to Triad

Triad, i.e. Dominick Farinacci, Christian Tamburr and Michael Ward-Bergeman, plus special guests Jamey Haddad and Shenel Johns, make music that draws from South America, Argentina, Brazil and New Orleans for these 10 very meticulous songs.

The intimate spirit of “Libertango” starts the listen, as Tamburr’s moody vibraphone meets Farinacci’s soulful trumpet in a very poetic climate, and “Federal” follows with Ward-Bergeman’s animated trumpet that is joined by Haddad’s percussion for a uniquely rhythmic delivery.

Further along, the rich “Domingando” showcases the energetic trumpet amid the intricate vibes, while “I Put A Spell On You” is a thick and tense jazz rocker that showcases Johns’ powerful vocals.

Approaching the end, “La Lucha Dura” meshes the swift brass, bright vibes and playful accordion with much skill, and “Stop This Train” exits with strong attention to ambience, where the eloquent singing and dreamy musicianship is quite mesmerizing.

A timeless and creative jazz endeavor that also embraces chambers nods, the addition of vocals on 2 tracks really does add even more intrigue to this charming and worldly experience.

Travels well with: Lakecia Benjamin- Phoenix; Claudia Acuña- Duo

Dánae Olano Trio

Children’s Corner

Lulaworld, 2024

8/10

Listen to Children’s Corner

The Cuban pianist and composer Dánae Olano creates a debut album in a trio setting, where Joanna Majoko, Jane Bunnett, Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernandez, Marcos Bernaza, Amado Dedeu and Reimundo Sosa are all in attendance.

“Step In” starts the listen with flowing melodies and plenty of rich songwriting, where Bunnett’s dreamy flute makes an impression, and “Danzón Para la Abuela” follows with Olano’s harmonic keys that suit warm drumming and cozy mood.

“Ausencia” arrives at the halfway point and pairs the eloquent piano and brushed drums with a very expressive tone, while the upbeat and rock focused “Un Poco Loco” is full of cultured rhythm that’s certainly dance floor ready.

Residing close to the end, “Thinking About That Name” places Hernandez on drums for the mesmerizing and textured album highlight, and “Raices” exits with Majoko’s animated vocal scatting that complements the bata drums from Sosa that populates the distinct finish.

A worldly listen that fuses jazz, classical, and Afro-Cuban traditions, Olano’s move to Canada is certainly influencing her craft in exciting, timeless ways that we are all benefitting from.

Travels well with: Vanisha Gould and Chris McCarthy- Life’s A Gig; Alla Boara- Work & Song

Bowling Green Philharmonia

New Music From Bowling Green: Volume 9

Albany, 2024

8/10

Listen to New Music From Bowling Green: Volume 9

A very atypical series that actually has the composers talk about their work, the Bowling Green Philharmonia flesh out pieces by Mikel Kuehn, Shulamit Ran, Gabriela Frank, Louis Karchin, and Augusta Read Thomas.

After Kuehn’s comments on his piece, “Sfumato” brings both tense and pretty string interaction that’s unpredictable and even a bit mysterious, and “Yearning for Solo Violin & Strings with Cello Obligato” follows, where Caroline Chin’s violin and Brian Snow’s cello bring a stirring component to the very meticulous delivery of the Ran original.

Halfway through, by “Illapa: Tone Poem for Flute and Orchestra”, by Frank, emits a distinct intimacy, as Conor Nelson’s dreamy flute guides the eloquent album highlight, while “Four Songs on Poems of Seamus Heaney” recruits Heather Buck’s soaring soprano that cultivates much richness amid the textured mood via Karchin’s vision.

Thomas’ “Galaxy Dances, a tone poem” exits the listen, and is full of exciting percussive ideas that suits the exploratory strings and booming finish.

Emily Freeman Brown handles conducting here, and her skills have guided orchestras in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and South America, and those experiences certainly help shape this unique body of work.

Travels well with: Patrick Yim- New Waves; Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra- Harmony In Black

University Of South Dakota Chamber Singers

Out Of The Ashes

Navona, 2024

8/10

Listen to Out Of The Ashes

Under the conducting of David Holdhusen, The University Of South Dakota Chamber Singers deliver adored choral works with a fresh coat of paint on them.

“Dies Irae”, by Michael John Trotta, starts the listen with the harmonic and fluid voices allowing for dreamy moments, and Carlos Cordero’s “Holding Our Breath” follows with much beauty emanating from the soaring vocals in often minimal moments.

Further along, “Ave Maria” showcases Marty Balmer, Nathan Kraayenbrink and Brian Shirley’s pipes via the emotive solos thanks to the Franz Biebl composition, while Jacob Narverud’s “Healing Heart” emits a spiritual aspect amid the meticulous singing from the ensemble.

Landing near to the end, “Ain’t That Good News” features solos from Denisse Balandran, Jacob Olson, KJ Phillips and Bekah Bahn that showcase bright storytelling, and “I’ll Fly Away” exits with the choir blending their voices with so much precision and warmth.

A listen that seeks to send comfort and reassurance after times of hardship, The Chamber Singers breathe new life into luminous songs of the choral repertoire with profound care.

Travels well with: Heidi Radtke- Convergence: Music For Saxophone & Fixed Media; Richard Crosby- By The Waters Of Memory

Swoll

Unwound

Blight, 2019

9/10

Listen to Unwound

Spearheaded by Matt Dowling (the EFFECTS, Paperhaus, Deleted Scenes), it turns out Unwound is Dowling’s favorite band, and the Olympia post-punk legends inspired this sophomore Swoll album.

“L4F” starts the listen with glowing synth before playful vocals enter the eccentric pop setting, and “Setting Sun” follows with a firm beat amid an adventurous and post-punk influenced delivery.

Elsewhere, the title track bares little resemblance to the Olympia heroes and instead flows with a soulful, electro-pop spirit, while “Shudder To Think” has a few similarities to the DC legends, and offers a buzzing template of experimental ideas that draws more parallels to Girls Against Boys.

At the end, “Where You Go” comes with some of the best falsetto vocal work present in the dreamy package, and “Haydee’s” exits the listen with a blistering pace of punchy, charged, ‘80s nods and New Wave friendly genius.

Though synth and beats are handled by Benjamin Schurr, everything else is Dowling, and while on the surface this bares little kinship to Unwound’s music, Swoll embraces the artistic side of rock in like-minded ways that help make Unwound an exceptional record.

Travels well with: Luna Honey- Peace Lives; New Order- Movement