Bob Corritore & Friends

Doin’ The Shout!

VizzTone, 2025

9/10

Listen to Doin’ The Shout!

The harmonica wizard Bob Corritore is surrounded by some very specials guests for these 12 songs that were recorded between 2023 and 2024.

“Say Baby Say” opens and uses Thornetta Davis’ soulful and playful voice alongside Corritore’s lively mouth harp amid the flowing blues, and “Woman Wanted” follows with Oscar Wilson’s soaring voice that’s expressive and suits the spirited guitar.

Closer to the middle, “Its My Life” comes with an infectious energy via Nora Jean’s animated pipes and the thumping drums, while “I’ve Got Three Problems” comes with some funk nods amid Bobby Rush’s distinct voice, the meticulous harmonica and bouncy bass.

“Same Old Thing” and “My First Love” exit the listen. The former swings with fun and benefits from Jimi ‘Primetime’ Smith and Carla Denise’s singing that is complemented by plenty of rhythm, and the latter uses Bob Stroger’s gritty vocals and Corritore’s meticulous mouth harp in the southern influenced finish.

The is Corritore’s 30th album, and like everything he’s been a part of, it’s full of timeless and authentic blues that’s fleshed out with the perfect balance of precision and spontaneity.

Travels well with: Bob Corritore & Friends- Phoenix Blues Rumble; Bob Corritore & Friends- Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me

Ben Markley

Tell The Truth

OA2, 2025

9/10

Listen to Tell The Truth

The always impressive pianist and composer Ben Markley is joined by Steve Kovalcheck, Wil Swindler, Rodney Whitaker and Kyle Swan for these hard swinging tunes that pay tribute to the ‘60s Blue Note quintet sessions.

The energetic and playful title track leads, where Swindler’s lively sax complements the frisky keys from Markley, and “Tuesday Morning Feeling” follows with Whitaker’s skilled bass amid the dreamy piano and warm atmosphere.

The middle tracks, “Snowy Range Blues” and “Spencer’s Mood”, don’t disappoint, either. The former showcases Kovalcheck’s spirited guitar progressions, while the latter bops and shakes with a contagious delivery via the bright sax and Swan’s agile drumming.

Landing near the end, “The Picture Outside My Window” is a soft moment of stirring intimacy thanks to the reflective keys and soulful gestures, and “Rimshot” exits with animated drumming, swift keys and quick bass that makes for a memorable and exciting finish.

An effort with no lack of grooves or dynamic interaction, Markley and crew tip their hat to legends like Bill Evans and Cedar Walton across these timeless 8 tracks.

Travels well with: Brad Goode Polytonal Big Band- The Snake Charmer; David Friesen- A Light Shining Through

Ronn Yedidia

24 Preludes Of Dusk & Dawn

Albany, 2025

8/10

Listen to 24 Preludes Of Dusk & Dawn

These 24 selections penned during the Covid lockdowns by the composer Ronn Yedidia are fleshed out by Gila Goldstein’s fingers, where the solo piano emits uplifting and soulful expressions.

The flowing keys of “Allegretto scorrevole con mistica (C-sharp minor)” opens the listen with much care and warmth, and it isn’t long until “Rose in the Garden" (B-flat Major/C Major)” showcases Goldstein’s inimitable playing with rich and quick progressions.

Deeper into the listen, “"Storm of Fate" (G Minor)” allows for more dramatic bouts to enter the highly technical playing, while “Before the Snow" (F-sharp minor)” offers both busy and intimate gestures of sublime piano.

Arriving near the end, “Orly" (E minor)” emits much wonder and creativity that can be quite firm and rumble intensely, and “Oath and After..." (D-sharp minor)” exits with Goldstein’s finger acrobatics instilling beauty and awe.

Yedidia pays homage and tribute to his mentors, inspirations, and loved ones with these compositions, where the proficient playing draws us in from beginning to end.

Travels well with: Christopher Rouse- Concertos; Cecil Price Walden- Hours

Michael Kurek

Symphony No. 3: “English”

Navona, 2025

8/10

Listen to Symphony No. 3 “English”

The composer Michael Kurek pens a romantic body of work, where he tips his hat to the history and natural beauty of England via the 4 detailed selections.

“Symphony No. 3: “English”: Upon a Walk in the English Countryside” opens with the careful winds and strings interacting with much prettiness and grace, and “Symphony No. 3: “English”: Stonehenge” follows with a dramatic mood that flows in and out of profound emotion and cinematic swells of elegance.

On the back half, “Symphony No. 3: “English”: The Lady of Shalott” finds itself in playful areas via the animated strings and dreamy winds, while “Symphony No. 3: “English”: The Major Oak of Sherwood Forest” finishes with well timed drumming and rich brass that suits the charming winds and heartfelt strings.

A very lush and poetic record, Kurek’s work is fleshed out with a similar, timeless appeal of the nature and art that these compositions touch on.

Travels well with: Scott Brickman- Baltic Sketches; Frank Horvat- More Rivers

Scott Brickman

Baltic Sketches

Navona, 2025

8/10

Listen to Baltic Sketches

The composer Scott Brickman presents symphonic works inspired by Brickman’s Baltic and Slavic ancestry here, where the 4 involved pieces are fleshed out with strong attention to detail.

“Symphony #5” starts the listen with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra making for a very colorful and dynamic delivery under the conducting of Ivan Josip Skender, which pulls from Latvian folk traditions, including folk dances, songs, and Lutheran liturgical music.

In the middle, “Symphony #1” employs the meticulous strings of the Kiev Philharmonic amid Robert Ian Winstin’s conducting that guides the unpredictable and sometimes soft gestures, while “Symphony #4: Restoration” benefits much from the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava and Jiří Petrdlík’s conducting via the cinematic and tense bursts.

“Symphony #6” exits the listen and showcases the Filharmonie Brno and Petrdlik’s conducting in a busy but controlled finish that spotlights the soaring brass and winds with an animated presence.

Some of the themes covered here include current socio-political events, including military conflict in the Middle East and the climate crisis, as Brickman’s eloquent vision is fleshed out superbly.

Travels well with: Frank Horvat- More Rivers; Kai-Young Chen- Constraints/Creativity

Ron Pope

American Man, American Music

Brooklyn Basement, 2025

9/10

Listen to American Man, American Music

The always impressive singer-songwriter Ron Pope examines survival, love and resilience with these roots rock songs that recruits a long list of guest musicians.

The lively “Nobody’s Gonna Make It Out Alive” opens with plenty of Nashville energy, where Billy Contreras’ soaring fiddle adds much to Pope’s distinct singing, and “I Gotta Change (Or I’m Gonna Die)” follows with a calmer mood, as Seth Taylor’s elegant mandolin complements the intimacy and grace.

Landing at the midpoint is “I Pray I’ll Be Seeing You Soon”, which spotlights Jeff Picker’s meticulous upright bass and Elizabeth Dewey’s gorgeous harmonies with much emotion, while “The Queen Of Fort Payne, Alabama” is a dense and dance floor ready album highlight that benefits from Robbie Crowell’s acrobatic drumming and Kevin Black’s fluid bass lines.

Residing near the end, “Where You’re Kept” welcomes Kaitlyn Raitz’s sophisticated cello and Shaun Richardson’s acoustic guitar via the poetic and heartfelt delivery, and “The Life In Your Years” exits with Pope’s inimitable storytelling that’s fueled by cozy guitar.

You have to hand it to Ron Pope. The guy’s work ethic has been nothing short of admirable. Being a fully independent artist in a field as wide as a singer-songwriter is no easy task, and the New Jersey native’s been plugging away since the early 2000s. He’s lived in Nashville now for 10 years, which has undoubtedly affected his songwriting, and he’s making some of his best music yet.

Travels well with: Effie Zilch- Multitudes; Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms- Gold In Your Pocket

Slamdinistas

Wild & Restless

Rum Bar, 2025

9/10

Listen to Wild & Restless

A band since 2020, this sophomore album from Slamdinistas shows the quintet expanding on their rock’n’roll template with plenty of diversity.

The charged guitars of “Where I Belong” opens the listen with front man Gabriel Johns’ raw yet tuneful pipes and Brian Irving’s thumping drums making an impression, and the title track continues the energy with an energetic punk flavor that benefits much from Peter Downing’s bouncy bass.

Moving towards the middle, “Weather The Storm” showcases Loren Molinare’s playful guitar amid much melody, while “Latch Key Kids” is allows for the precise rhythm section and Mike Gavigan’s meticulous guitar to shine in the rugged but harmonic album highlight.

Residing close to the end, “Should Have Known Better” is a more cautious moment that’s still plenty gritty in a retro-rock sort of way, and “I’m Okay”, the last tune before a pair of alternate versions of an earlier song, recruits power and emotion into the sing-alongs and anthemic climate.

Slamdinistas have an incredible resume that includes playing in bands like FiDo, Adam Sandler Band, the Blessings and Pat Todd & the Rankoutsiders, and their collective strength makes for a bluesy, country and punk fueled rock affair that you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: The Hollywood Stars- Starstruck; Ellen Foley- Fighting Words

King Ropes

Gravity And Friction

Big And Just Little, 2019

9/10

Listen to Gravity And Friction

The (mostly) Montana outfit return with a 3rd album, and much like everything King Ropes has done it’s difficult to categorize, but easy to enjoy.

“Saint Peter” starts the album soft and mysterious with an ambient version of Americana influenced indie-rock, and “Butterfly Joint” follows with a mix of strings and loud guitars in a quirky alt-rock meets art-rock meshing.

A listen where each song explores different territories, “California Stars” takes on garage rock ideas with plenty of exploration, while “Brown” recruits spoken word and orchestral moments in a psyche-rock package.

Near the end, the title track finds the quintet flirting with desert rock on an unclassifiable highlight, and “Giacomo’s Assistant” offers strings in a dark, moody, adventurous journey. The record ends on “These Days”, where ambience and texture invade the atypical twang.

In the hands of many others, an approach like this would be a fumbling mess. However, when King Ropes take it on, we get unconventional melodies, unique arrangements and a creativity that runs parallel with names like Lou Reed and Stephen Malkmus.

Travels well with: The Velvet Undergound- Loaded; Wilco- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot