L.A. Guns

Leopard Skin

Cleopatra, 2025

9/10

Listen to Leopard Skin

The Los Angeles legends L.A. Guns have been quite prolific in recent years, and this 15th studio album has Tracii Guns and crew exploring the many facets of their rock fueled formula.

“Taste It” opens with giant guitar and thundering drums, where Guns’ soaring pipes sure do sound great all these years later, and “Lucky Motherfucker” follows with rhythm and funk rock moments amid the hard rock template.

“Don’t Gimme Away” and “I’m Your Candy Man” land in the middle. The former is a gritty yet melodic burst of timeless, anthemic songwriting, while the latter is percussively strong, flirts with the blues and showcases yet another avenue L.A. Guns excel at.

Deeper still, the driving energy of the album’s best, “Following The Money” incorporates some classic rock nods into the softer moments, and “If You Wanna” exits with some retro glam-pop flavor that still sounds modern, too.

Few bands will ever have careers as lengthy and consistent as L.A. Guns, who have been playing their own brand of rock since the early ‘80s and it sounds better than ever now.

Travels well with: Soen- Memorial; Station- Perspective

Jim Kweskin

Doing Things Right

Jalopy, 2025

9/10

Listen to Doing Things Right

The 84 year old jug/jazz/blues/folk artist Jim Kweskin is joined by The Berlin Hall Saturday Night Revue for these 14 roots and western swing fueled tracks.

“Four Or Five Times” starts the listen with an upbeat energy, where quick piano and call and response singing shuffles with an old time flavor, and “Casey ‘n Bill” follows with Albert Bernard’s well timed tuba alongside Steve Langone’s frisky drums that suit Kweskin’s playful pipes.

Further into the festivities, “I’ll Sail My Ship Alone” uses Titus Vollmer’s spirited guitar amid John Clark’s lively clarinet, while “Mona Lisa” benefits from Matthew Berlin’s well timed bass and the meticulous fiddle.

Deeper yet, “We’ll Meet Again” brings in an entire choir for the intimate mood of beauty, and “Right Or Wrong” exits with Kweskin’s heartfelt story telling alongside crisp drums, bouncy guitar, animated winds and plenty of nostalgic ideas.

A well thought out and retro effort, Kweskin and company pen a pre-war listening experience that’s authentic and timeless.

Travels well with: Ever Lovin’ Jug Band- Move That Thing; Down Hill Strugglers- Old Juniper

Delta Stardust

Snakes Made Of Light

Robot Distro, 2025

8/10

Listen to Snakes Made Of Light

This first album from the Memphis outfit Delta Stardust makes for a rootsy and psychedelic 10 songs that’s spearheaded by the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Graber.

The warm spirit of “Thank You” opens with harmonic singing and layered guitars that unfolds across a hazy climate, and “Memphis Tattoo” follows with whistling before Jesse Dakota’s thumping drums enter the cautious spirit.

“Two Questions” and “Having A Ball, Y’all” land in the middle. The former flows with a dreamy ambience that use the mandolins superbly, while the latter is a fuller moment of psyche-rock flavor and Graber’s distinct voice that helps make this the album’s best.

Close to the end, “What The Fuck Did You Put In My Drink?” uses the frisky keys and a textured, blurry backdrop that’s never short on color, and “Sister Freedom” exits with attention to atmosphere in the 9+ minutes of gentle exploration and spacey-bouts.

Joining Graber is also Kilgore (mellotron, synth, guitar, vocals), Andy Ratliff (guitars, Bouzouki, mandolins, vocals), Carlos Gonzalez (bass, charango, fiddle), Scott Carter (electric, acoustic percussion) and Julia Graber (vocals). Together, they make for a truly original debut, where a haunting mood and plenty of swirling sonic energy is fueled by acoustic, electric and digital instruments.

Travels well with: Graber Gryass- Late Bloom; Graber Gryass- Waking Up

Kalya Ramu

Trio

Self-Released, 2025

8/10

Listen to Trio

The Canadian vocalist Kalya Ramu returns with a 3rd album, where Julien Bradley-Combs and Duncan Hopkins accompany her for 9 ballad friendly and swingin’ selections.

The romantic “I’m In The Mood For Love” begins with Ramu’s lovely voice alongside Bradley-Combs’ gentle guitar, and “Hayalda Hachi Yafa Bagan” follows with Hebrew singing, where Hopkins’ gentle upright bass adds much to the graceful delivery.

“Caravan” lands in the middle and offers a mesmerizing climate of warmth and mystery, while “When The Moon Is High”, the lone original, allows for Ramu’s expressive suits to complement the meticulous bass playing.

Closer to the end, “Out Of Nowhere” is a rich and eloquent album highlight that emits both playfulness and beauty, and “You Go To My Head” exits with a stirring intimacy via the emotive singing and heartfelt presence.

Ramu makes for a flawless performance, and the strong attention to timbre and texture from the trio yields a timeless and memorable listening experience.

Travels well with: Sarah Jerrom- Magpie; Andrea Superstein- Oh Mother

Various Artists

Symphonic Stradivarius

Navona, 2025

9/10

Listen to Symphonic Stradivarius

The inimitable violinist Davide Alogna and globally revered London Symphony Orchestra come together to illustrate the diversity and creative vision of modern classical composition via these 12 composers.

“Dragonflies”, by Sophia Serghi, opens with Alogna’s precise violin amid the busy and dynamic orchestra, and Joseph T. Spaniola’s “A Solitary Tree” follows with much beauty and grace that flows in a very rich delivery.

Moving along, “Evening On The Hill” blends the strings and winds with much color thanks to Liova Bueno’s vision, while Nan Avant’s “Nani Lahaina”, which is a rhapsody for violin and orchestra, swirls with a distinct dreaminess and tells the story of the 2024 fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui and the town of Lahaina.

Residing close to the end, “Wave Forms”, by Paul Paccione, is a cautious moment that’s stirring and cinematic, and Richard E. Brown’s “Fire Dance” exits with animated percussion, lively strings and booming brass for an upbeat finish.

An invitation album of detailed songwriting, each selection embraces the idea of ‘environment’ as inspiration and is fleshed out flawlessly.

Travels well with: Marcus Eley- That’s A Different Groove; Scott Brickman- Baltic Sketches

Loveseat

Our Way

Self-Released, 2025

8/10

Listen to Our Way

The debut from the husband and wife duo LoveSeat, the 8 tracks touch on folk, rock, country and bluegrass, where JJ and Bill Passalacqua’s inimitable talents are present in spades.

Bill’s expressive pipes start the listen with “The Old Me”, where soft guitar welcomes accordion, and “Our Way Instead” follows with a warm duet that uses spirited harmonica amid the cozy acoustic guitar.

“Kiss Me” and “Hard To Believe” land in the middle. The former is a melodic folk moment of pretty songwriting and vivid storytelling, while the latter is a frisky moment that use Bill’s smooth pipes alongside crisp drumming and flowing guitars.

Residing close to the end, “Time Stand Still” focuses on JJ’s pretty voice and dreamy guitar, and “In These Shoes” exits with an upbeat and dance floor ready finish of cultured songwriting and spice.

A really diverse first effort that can waltz, get stripped down and heartfelt and also get your body moving, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Travels well with: Annie Stokes- Ghostwriter; C. Daniel Boling- It Matters

Annie Stokes

Ghostwriter

Self-Released, 2025

9/10

Listen to Ghostwriter

A consistent figure in the D.C. music scene for a decade, this very personal album from Annie Stokes welcomes her husband, Will Berger and Austin Bello for the 8 Americana songs.

The quick pace of “Country Wife” opens with Stokes’ warm voice alongside Bello’s frisky drums via the energetic, roots rocker, and “Twice As High” follows with a pretty mood via the dreamy acoustic guitar and firm melodies.

Halfway through, “Belong Here” comes with a haziness that’s colorful and suits the soaring vocals, while “Twenty Three” offers an animated, country rocker that invites singing-along to the scrappy album highlight.

Close to the end, “Built To Last” is a calm moment of poetic, folk inspired songwriting, and “Open Secret” exits with pop nods amid the busy song craft that uses fiddle strategically.

The themes present revolve around gender dynamics, grief, belonging and permanence, and the tracks are all very well written and executed flawlessly. Certainly rooted in folk/Americana/country, there’s a universal appeal to Stokes’ vision, too.

Travels well with: Helene Cronin- Maybe New Mexico; Sarah Pierce- Blessed By The West

C. Daniel Boling

It Matters

Berkalin, 2025

9/10

Listen to It Matters

The guitarist and vocalist C. Daniel Boling is joined by Tom Paxton’s voice and many others for these 16 sincere songs that explore politics, society, religion, love and nature, among many other relatable topics.

The warm banjo from Boling across "Hidey-Ho” begins with Paxton’s warm and gritty pipes, and it isn’t long until “Sgt. Reckless” carries a pretty tone via Boling’s poetic pipes and Char Rothschild’s well timed tin whistle and Kelly Mulhollan’s cozy ukulele.

Closer to the middle, Paxton’s distinct voice guides the rural spirt of “Old Red Barn”, where Gina Forsyth’s fiddle and Jon Gagan’s upright bass make an impression, while “Whistlin’ Our Song” recruits James Raymond’s mature keys and Bill Hearne’s dreamy guitar amid Lucy Moore’s upbeat whistling.

Later still, “God Is Too Big” places Brant Leeper’s moody B3 organ alongside Boling and Paxton’s flowing vocals, and “Goodnight” exits with a soft and intimate finish that carries a lullaby appeal.

A harmonic and wise effort, the stripped back, acoustic folk playing from these 2 veteran musicians comes with timeless storytelling and much authenticity.

Travels well with: Domenic Cicala- As Good As It Gets/Vamoose; Eric Schmitt- Wait For The Night

The Bolshoi Brothers

The Bolshoi Brothers

Self-Released, 2025

8/10

Listen to The Bolshoi Brothers

The duo of Trevor Tanner and Paul Clark, as The Bolshoi Brothers they make an impression with this debut album that might bring to mind artists as varied as Paul Weller, David Grey or Pink Floyd.

“Just A Girl” leads with both singing and talking in the prog-influenced climate that’s harmonic and colorful, and “Suburbs” follows with an ominous backdrop amid vivid storytelling that embraces gothic tendencies.

Further along, “Steam Funk” uses spirited guitar and some playful buzzing for a bit of a sci-fi delivery, while “Cauldron” emits plenty of melody via the warm and meticulous songwriting that comes with a retro spirit.

The last 2 tracks don’t disappoint, either. “Built In Obsolescence” benefits much from precise keys, crisp drumming and the occasional cinematic swell in its mesmerizing template, and “This Town” exits with an intimate moment of light strings, soft keys and emotive singing.

The band they were in, The Bolshoi, actually broke up 35 years ago, but the pair came together again during Covid. The songs are all originals, and they welcome many influences to a very eclectic version of indie-rock.

Travels well with: History Of Guns- Half Guns; The Awakening- The Awakening

Domenic Cicala

As Good As It Gets/Vamoose

Self-Released, 2025

9/10

Listen to As Good As It Gets

The Maryland singer-songwriter Domenic Cicala slaps a pair of EPs together here, where the 10 songs showcase his genuine roots rocks and Americana formula.

As Good As It Gets starts the listen with the thumping drums of “Dance With The Devil”, where harmonic vocals and bright keys that are quite colorful, and “Never Be The Same” follows with a calm intimacy of pretty singing and a heartfelt mood. This portion exits with the acoustic strumming of the title track, where a scrappy version of rural rock unfolds with melody and well timed sax.

The back half, Vamoose, opens with the cozy pedal steel illuminating the prettiness of “Still Around”, and it isn’t long until “One Good Reason” offers an emotive duet that’s gentle and sincere via the aching Americana. “The Road We’re On” exits, and it’s a soulful and thoughtful finish of grace in a country sort of way.

Though both the records are certainly attached to Cicala’s vision, they present both rock and country nods separately, and listening to them back to back makes for a memorable and timeless experience.

Travels well with: Eric Schmitt- Wait For The Night; Jefferson Ross- Backstage Balladeer

Cavatina Duo

River Of Fire

Cedille, 2025

9/10

Listen to River Of Fire

The guitarist Denis Azabagic and flutist Eugenia Moliner are joined by the Pacific Quartet for these world premiere recordings of 5 works that embrace classical and Romani ideas.

The profound climate of “Romani” leads with Brandon Vamos’ gripping cello complementing the cautious beauty that, in later chapters, becomes more animated thanks to Moliner’s animated flute via the Stacy Garrop selection.

Sergio Assad’s “Contos Ciganos” follows with Simin Ganatra’s fascinating violin playing that suits the rich delivery, while “Râga "Ibriama", by Atanas Ourkourzounov, showcases dancing strings and colorful winds amid a busy mood.

The last 2 tracks include “Three Artisans” and “Four Scenes”. The former radiates wonder and awe thanks to the gentle strings of Matthew Dunne’s vision, and the latter, by Clarice Assad, showcases swift and intricate musicianship that’s cinematic and exciting.

A body of work that seeks to dispel the negative stereotypes of the Romani people, the duo and quartet pen a technical yet accessible effort that continues to solidify both the outfit’s positions as leaders of modern classical and chamber sounds.

Travels well with: Shawn E Okpebholo- Songs In Flight; Eight Blackbird/David Lang- Composition As Explanation

Renegade Queens

Salsa de la Bahia Vol 3

Patois, 2025

9/10

Listen to Salsa de la Bahia Vol 3

The Renegade Queens highlights women who put in the work to bring their Latin ideas to San Francisco’s Mission District across these 2 discs of cultured and enlightening songs.

“Were Born To Drum” opens with indeed plenty of animated drumming, where the soaring brass and expressive pipes make an impression, and it isn’t long until “La Lagrima” emits a frisky mood via the soothing winds and cautious percussive bouts.

Futher into disc 1, “Can’t Eat Cloud” showcases harmonic singing that’s complemented by the soulful horns and lively keys, while “Odie” exits the first half in a dreamy haze of sublime beauty and worldly flavor.

The back half doesn’t disappoint, either. “Moving Day” offers a rhythmic and timeless jazz delivery that uses upright bass superbly, and “Samba Nova” exits with a highly dynamic and melodic burst of busy and meticulous songwriting.

The arranger Wayne Wallace and filmmaker Rita Hargrave are the driving forces behind this series, and they again do a fantastic job of illuminating the women of the Bay Area's rich jazz and salsa scene.

Travels well with: Sylvie Courvoisier/Mary Halvorson- Bone Bells; Sylvie Courvoisier/Wadada Leo Smith- Angels Falls

Jeffrey Gimble

Brand New Key

Café Pacific, 2025

8/10

Listen to Brand New Key

The esteemed vocalist Jeffrey Gimble returns with a sophomore album, where standards and originals come together thanks to Josh Nelson, Larry Koonse, Dan Lutz and Dan Schnelle’s contributions.

The frisky “Bye Bye Blackbird” begins with Schnelle’s crisp drums and Nelson’s playful keys that suit Gimble’s smooth pipes, and “Tryin’ Times” follows with Lutz’s warm bass plucking and a calm climate that emits much style.

“The Nearness Of You” occupies the middle spot and showcases graceful keys amid poetic singing via a sincere intimacy, while the title track is a fuller moment that makes great use of Koonse’s lively guitar licks and plenty of grooves thanks to the meticulous rhythm section.

Landing close to the end, “Quietly There” is indeed gentle, where rich songwriting suits the emotive singing, and “The Music’s The Only Thing On My Mind” exits with a cozy and dreamy demeanor that highlights Gimble’s expressive voice.

An effort that embraces the spirit of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Gimble’s timeless jazz vocal ways make every track powerful, melodic and hearfelt.

Travels well with: Steve Knight- For Years Gone; Russ Spiegel- Nitty Gritty

Steve Knight

For Years Gone

Self-Released, 2025

8/10

Listen to For Years Gone

The revered guitarist Steve Knight is in the company of Justin Peterson and Linard Stroud for these 10 jazz tracks of standards and originals.

The lively energy of “Lure” gets started with Stroud’s frisky drumming that suits Knight’s spirited guitar, and “Pure Imagination” follows with mesmerizing guitar and Peterson’s playful bass lines that make for intrigue and a bit of mystery.

“For Years Gone” and “Kothbiro” occupy the middle spots. The former tugs on the heartstrings thanks to the dreamy guitar tone, while the latter pairs the ambient drums with low bass and the hypnotic guitar prowess.

Close to the end, “7 Come 11” builds into an animated album highlight where the trio showcase their inimitable talents, and “In A Sentimental Mood” exits with a dance floor ready mood that’s bouncy, and infectious.

Knight’s debut in 2022 turned plenty of ears his way, and this excellent follow up will do the same thanks to the timeless jazz fun.

Travels well with: Russ Spiegel- Nitty Gritty; Zhengtao Pan Jazz Orchestra- Scenery In My Story

Loadbang

A Garden Adorned

New Focus, 2025

9/10

Listen to A Garden Adorned

The always impressive chamber outfit loadbang return with works by Oscar Bettison, Raven Chacon, Yotam Haber, Christina J. George, and Laura Cetilia, where their technical and dynamic interaction makes for endearing interpretations.

The title track, by Bettison, opens with translations of a poem by Ibn Zamrak that unfold with expressive and mysterious gestures in a largely minimal landscape, and “Reckoning”, by Chacon, follows with a strategic buzzing and cinematic swells of timbrally expressive bouts and guttural moments of intrigue.

Haber’s “In A Rug Of Water” occupies the middle spot and encorporates brass, voice chorales and dense swells that benefit from the triple quartet setting, while “Liminal Songs” spans 5 chapters of self-reflective lyricism, bittersweet balladry and a rich ensemble presence via the George selection.

At the end, “Breath Of Cinder, Depth O Moss”, by Cetilia, is the lone track with electronics, and simmers with white noise, sine tones, and manipulated samples of a vinyl record player that emit a soothing capacity.

Yet another fascinating outing from loadbang, the aesthetics and ability to channel the human experience leaves the listener enthralled again.

Travels well with: Nils Vigeland- Perfect Happiness; New Thread Quartet- Saxifraga

Maureen Toth

Blur

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Blur

Though her 4th studio release may be a short one, Maureen Toth leaves quite an impression with her strong song craft and timeless folk-rock ideas on Blur.

“Blur” starts the EP strong with Toth’s pretty singing against cautious, elegant instrumentation, and “Fundamental” follows and finds its way into ballad like territory with a breezy folk-like approach.

Further along, “Deep Dark” leads sparse and raw before building into a mysterious and a melodic Americana anthem, while “Siren” puts her powerful vocals on display in a darker setting of rootsy rock feelings. “Island” ends the EP with sunny acoustic strumming in a radiant and jangly exit that leaves us wanting more of her charming, and often touching delivery.

Toth manages to get both intimate and playful here, and has the ability to birth loud rock as well as soft reflection, resulting in a gem of an EP that easily warrants repeated listens.

Travels well with: Patty Griffin- American Kid;Shelby Lynne- Not Dark Yet