Jonathan Bauer

Sings & Plays

Slammin Media, 2021

8/10

Listen to Sings & Plays

A Canadian native now living in New Orleans, Jonathan Bauer brings his trumpet and vocal skills to this exciting sophomore jazz album where Alexander Geddes, Mike Clement, Ryan Hanseler, Alex Dyring and Gerald Watkins Jr. accompany him.

“Days Of Wine And Roses” starts the listen with Bauer’s bright trumpet that complements his soulful, smooth pipes as well as the frisky percussion from Watkins Jr. and plucked bass thanks to Dyring, and “It Could Happen To You” follows with charming piano by Hanseler amid expressive singing and dynamic interaction between drums and bass. Later in the tune, Bauer’s trumpet enters and flows with incredible warmth.

In the middle, “Love Is Here To Stay” benefits from Geddes’ proficient tenor sax and Clements’ spirited guitar work, while “Just Friends” offers jumpy keys and a swift pace of playful, timeless jazz that just might get you on the dance floor.

At the end, “September In The Rain” displays intricate and rhythmic musicianship in the busy album highlight, and “Doodlin’” exits the listen with all the players showcasing their individual strengths in a fascinating and memorable finish.

Bauer has already achieved much success as part of the Grammy winning outfit New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, and he’s making quite a dent as bandleader, too, with a pair of swingin’ records under his own name, and let’s hope there’s more on the horizon soon.

Travels well with: Al Hammerman- Just A Dance; Joel Frahm- The Bright Side;

The Mystery Plan

You Also Have Eyes

10mm Omega, 2021

8/10

Listen to You Also Have Eyes

A Charlotte, North Carolina outfit who have been around for over a decade now, You Also Have Eyes collects songs from quintet’s back catalog as well as a pair of new ones, and serves as an ideal introduction to their diverse and very skilled song craft.

“Electric Love” gets the listen off to an atmospheric start as playful synth, crisp drumming and dreamy wordless vocals guide the mysterious landscape, and “The Golden Moon And Slivery Sea” follows with inviting bass lines and airy flute as a curious brand of electronic folk enters.

Elsewhere, “Al Gore Rhythms” recruits Snap Nation for the warm keys and club friendly delivery, while “Wonder Why” lands in soulful territory amid a stylish and vocally soaring climate. “Always”, one of the album’s best, then offers a dream-pop gem that’s equal parts crunchy and breezy.

Near to the end, “Before You Go” makes graceful use of strings and piano, and “Weird Things Humans Do” finishes out the listen with a shimmering, post-rock influenced instrumental where the meticulous nature of the track won’t go unnoticed.

Amy Herring, Otis Hughes, Patty McLaughlin, Jefferson Chester and Jason Herring, i.e. The Mystery Plan, sure know their way in and out of pop and folk textures with much charm and intrigue, and these 13 tracks are sure to make a fan out of anyone willing to listen.

Travels well with: Various Artists- Midnight Special; Welcome Center- Talk Talk Talk

Swerve

Ruin Your Day

Self-Released, 2021

9/10

Listen to Ruin Your Day

A Los Angeles outfit who have already released a pair of EPs, this debut album from Swerve brings the best ideas of punk, alt-rock, indie and even pop into a very lively and hook heavy 11 tracks.

The title track starts the listen with a buzzing and gritty version of alt-rock that comes with smooth singing and sharp guitar playing, and this melodic formula continues to the punk influenced “Do You Want To Give In?”, as well as the Brit-pop nods of the precise “Disassociate”.

In the middle the thumping energy of “Little Rich Kids” carries an anthemic quality, while “Waste My Time” showcases the dynamic rhythm section of Mark Gardner and Brandon Duncan amid soaring guitar work. “Ebbs And Flows” then recruits a firmly strummed acoustic guitar as a flowing breeziness enters the album highlight.

Approaching the end, “My Enemy Is Dead” trims the pace back initially with sublime balladry, and “Bush v Gore” exits the listen with a swirling formula of gritty modern rock that escalates into a dense finish to a very exciting listen.

This was the band’s 2nd attempt at making this record, after the 1st time through didn’t yield the sound they wanted. Thankfully, this go around with Adam Lasus on production captures a band that’s quite modern while utilizing bits of rock’s past with no shortage of melodies, rhythm and timeless songwriting.

Travels well with: Bizou- Tragic Lover; Palm Ghosts- Lifeboat Candidate

Boi

Coron o Chwinc

Recordiau Crwn, 2021

8/10

Listen to Coron o Chwinc

The Welsh alt-rockers Boi might not be a name you’re familiar with, but this debut album sure does pack a memorable punch as the guitar focused and giant walls of sound present all substance and no fluff across the 10 flawlessly composed tunes that are capable of bristling intensity just as they are of careful introspection.

“Heido Mae’r Locustiaid” starts the listen with a buzzing, spacey display of melodic and charged, harmonic indie-rock, and “Ddim Yn Sant” follows with flowing drums and a bouncy climate that’s got an infectious energy to its pop leanings.

“Rheswm Am Godwm” lands in the middle and trims the pace back with a gritty and tuneful delivery, while “Twll Dan Staer” enters electro-pop territory with its playful and busy execution of ‘80s sensibilities. “Cael Chdi Nol”, one of the album’s best, then thumps amid a very stylish and modern version of indie-rock that comes with a chorus you won’t forget anytime soon.

At the end, “Lladd Amser” welcomes warm keys and firm guitar work as classic rock nods make their presence, and “Tragwyddoldeb” exits the listen in poetic piano balladry that builds into a retro-folk influenced finish.

Even though not a moment of this in English, I was hanging on every word, and am highly impressed with this raw, charged and daring first record from a band we should all be gushing over.

Travels well with: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club- Specter At The Feast; Castaway Hounds- Come On Down

Matt Jaffe

Kintsugi

Self-Released, 2021

8/10

Listen to Kintsugi

A veteran of the Bay Area scene, Matt Jaffe is now 5 album deep into his pop-rock and indie-rock songwriting, and Kintsugi arrives after some health problems that provided fodder for these heartfelt 7 songs.

“Cut Me Down The Middle” starts the listen with a warm and melodic display of soaring pop rock that’s anthemic and immediately memorable, and “Weekend Lover” follows with much beauty amid a slight rootsy feel in the groove filled climate.

“Voodoo Doll”, the album’s best, lands in the middle and flows with a poetic and elegant spirit that recruits strings, while “Shape Of Fear” buzzes with both tension and grit as Jaffe cultivates an introspective mood amid electro-rock.

Rounding out the listen are “Save Your Sorrow” and “Hurt Me Now”, where the former offers a ballad like delivery of sophisticated piano and bluesy guitar, and the latter exits the listen with a thicker presence of alt-rock alongside a very sincere and timeless delivery.

Discovered by Jerry Harrison (of Talking Heads) at a very young age, Jaffe’s got an impressive set of pipes, and his diverse song craft and strong attention to detail make every track here worth repeated listens.

Travels well with: The Cold Stares- Heavy Shoes; Dennis Lloyd- Some Days

Borderlands Ensemble

The Space In Which To See

New Focus, 2021

8/10

Listen to The Space In Which To See

The Borderlands Ensemble, led by Johanna Lundy, brings us cultured songs from Arizona and Mexico here, where their easily accessible version of classical music highlights the works of Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti, Jay Vosk, Vivian Fine, Charles Daniels and Alejandro Vera.

The title track, by Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti, starts the listen with quivering strings and strategic horns that emit much mystery and an ominous quality as atypical rhythm in the cello and a stirring, often unstable environment unfolds, and Jay Vosk’s “Passing Ships” follows and blends horns and strings in a somber tone of expressive dialogue.

Elsewhere, Vivian Fine’s “Songs And Arias” unfolds over 6 movements of diverse songwriting that’s romantic, humorous and full of plenty of charm while taking nods to music of many decades ago, while “Dream Machine” showcases the strings dancing around the brass in an indeed dreamy climate.

Close to the end, “La Llorona”, an arrangement of a traditional Mexican song, displays Bill Tyers and Johanna Lundy’s classically influenced vision and “Sobre las Olas”, also a traditional, exits the listen with Lundy’s meshing of European waltzes, polka and mazurkas amid a playful spirit.

Ellen Chamberlain, Joseph Rousos-Hammond, Freya Creech, Ann Weaver, Sarah Toy, Robert Chamberlain, and José Luis Puerta accompany Lundy, and their vast talents illuminate the rich culture of the American Southwest with much intrigue.

Travels well with: Michael Compitello- Unsnared Drum; David Tanenbaum- As She Sings

Various Artists

Midnight Special

10mm Omega, 2021

8/10

Listen to Midnight Special

An underground label from North Carolina, the 10mm Omega Recordings camp brings us a diverse set of songs from their roster, where 6 artists give us a taste of the quality music the label has been releasing for over 20 years.

Occam’s Portal starts the listen with the dreamy, atmospheric “Peace And Love”, where soulful and playful hip-hop is met with a mesmerizing climate, and Vonfunkhauser’s “Player” follows with a beat friendly and busy display of electro-pop amid a club friendly demeanor.

Halfway through, “Wonder Why”, by The Mystery Plan, brings warm keys and bouncy guitar work to some of the best singing on the album as soaring female vocals align with expressive male pipes, while Winfield’s “Simple Things” enters darker territory with its lush and poetic duet that’s as stylish as it is memorable.

Near to the end, Heart Of A Ghost remixes Vonfunkhauser’s “Moth To The Flame” with a dance inspired pulse of layered ideas, and Latino Chrome’s “Juned (Version 2)” exits the listen calm and hazy, as much subdued melody enters the ethereal finish.

A label that’s as likely to release country and reggae as it is indie-rock or hip-hop, there’s historically been much great music coming out of the Carolinas, and here we’re treated to a bit more, and I doubt anyone’s going to have a problem with that.

Travels well with: Magdalene Baker- Found Objects; Welcome Center- Talk Talk Talk

Michael Compitello

Unsnared Drum

New Focus, 2021

8/10

Listen to Unsnared Drum

It isn’t very often you’re going to hear a solo snare drum record, but Michael Compitello joined forces with 4 composers for this unusual but exciting effort that truly illustrates the versatile potential of the instrument, where dramatic moments meet sophistication amid much intrigue.

“Heart.throb”, by Nina C. Young, starts the listen with tumbling drums that makes great use of space and tension as the rim of the drum and is used percussively and combined with a transducer attached to the head of the drum, essentially making it a speaker.

Hannah Lash’s “Start” follows with a very crisp and dynamic delivery, where hands, brushes, and chopsticks help cultivate the precise flow, while “Ghost In The Machine” presents a soulful and adventurous 9+ minutes of fascinating snare drum prowess in the Amy Beth Kirsten tune.

“Negative Magic” exits the listen and eases the drums tuning to elicit a rhythmic, harmonic and melodic appeal that’s detectable to only the most ardent listener and, that, near the end, ushers in waves of sonic, drumming acrobatics.

Compitello has already worked with Robert Honstein, Thomas Kotcheff and many others, and this venture furthers his resume of iconoclastic and articulate leaps into the possibilities of percussive instruments in a way that few others could replicate.

Travels well with: David Tanenbaum- As She Sings; Van Stiefel- Spirits

Anya Hinkle

Eden And Her Borderlands

Organic, 2021

9/10

Listen to Eden And Her Borderlands

The singer-songwriter Anya Hinkle is never far from the mountainous roots of her Virginia upbringing, and this debut record of her song craft brings 6 prior singles plus 5 other well thought songs that illustrate her diverse Americana that also welcomes bluegrass, folk and country into the equation.

Hinkle wisely puts the title track in the opening spot, where DaShawn Hickman’s warm pedal steel and Nick Falk’s precise drumming complement Hinkle’s inimitably pretty singing, and “Lady Luck” follows with a calmer spirit of country influenced songwriting that takes help from Wendy Hickman’s harmony vocals.

Entering the middle, the swift “Hills Of Swannanoa” brings us into a lush and busy climate of bluegrass friendly sounds, while “My Faithful Sparrow” is a bare and sublime moment of poetic intimacy that benefits from Duncan Wickel’s cello. “What’s It Gonna Take” then recruits Graham Sharp’s playful banjo to the cautious and stirring album highlight.

Further yet, the quirky “Why Women Need Wine” displays Julian Pinelli’s frisky fiddle and Johnny Calamari’s plucked bass, and “Merciful Dawn” exits the listen gentle, rootsy and soaked in expressive and timeless music that we could never tire of.

A personal body of work that can at times be dark, Hinkle’s vision is one of profound depth while being socially and politically aware, and the radiant help she brings along makes for one of the year’s best in the area of multifaceted Americana.

Travels well with: Aaron Burdett- Dream Rich, Dirt Poor; Zoe & Cloyd- I Am Your Neighbor

David Tanenbaum

As She Sings

New Focus, 2021

8/10

Listen to As She Sings

The veteran guitarist David Tanenbaum brings his inestimable talent to 5 rich and diverse tracks here, where he puts his inimitable stamp on compositions by Sérgio Assad, Ronald Bruce Smith, Dusan Bogdanovic, John Anthony Lennon, and Tanenbaum’s father, Elias.

Assad’s “Shadow And Light” leads the listen with intricate and soothing guitar playing as Tanenbaum plays with an agile and instantly memorable approach that’s also capable of tension and dissonance, and “Five Pieces For Guitar With Live Electronics” follows with a quivering, atmospheric delivery that’s occasionally bare and sometimes forceful with firm strumming, but never predictable in its digital processing and synthetic manipulation.

Elias Tanenbaum’s “Music For Guitar” occupies the middle spot with its sparse execution that’s picked precisely, while Bogdanovic’s “Games” showcases Wendy Hillhouse’s stunning mezzo soprano alongside Stacy Pelinka’s flute and ceramic gongs from Tim Dent and Matt Canon that cultivate grooves and blues ideas. The title track, by Lennon, then exits with Tanenbaum’s poetic and intimate guitar that’s melodic, somber and the ideal end to this well crafted album.

A very flexible and often modern affair, Tanenbaum’s body of work is both lengthy and impressive, and As She Sings fits in quite nicely with his solo and chamber works, where his long standing relationship with the guitar is showcased superbly.

Travels well with: Van Stiefel- Spirits; David Liptak- Dove Songs

Ana Egge

Between Us

Storysound, 2021

8/10

Listen to Between Us

The onset of the pandemic made the process for Ana Egge’s 12th album a bit different than her previous work, where she worked with the Irish singer-songwriter Mick Flannery virtually for 9 of the 11 songs that make up Between Us.

“Wait A Minute” starts the listen with soulful sax from Sonny Step and Darius Chrisitan’s agile trombone as Egge’s poetic and expressive singing makes for a mature yet playful opening, and “The Machine” follows with a more bare approach of warm acoustic guitar alongside a sublime indie-folk delivery that’s also synth friendly thanks to Lorenzo Wolf.

Some of the best tracks land in the middle, including the richly layered “We Let The Devil”, which embraces vibraphone, recorder and Corey Fonville’s drums, while “Don’t Come Around” presents breathy singing that’s met with a thicker display of crunchy rock by way of Egge’s very capable electric guitar and Michael Isvara Montgomery’s strategic bass. “Lie Lie Lie”, a truly exceptional tune, then showcases Egge’s gorgeous pipes amid firm drums and plenty of atmosphere that includes Jonny Lam’s steel guitar and Alphonso Horne’s trumpet.

Near to the end, the upbeat “Want Your Attention” recruits J. Hoard’s vocals on the buzzing, dance-floor friendly fun, and the deeply personal “We Lay Roses” exits the listen with a stirring intimacy that has bass, trumpet and synth accompanying Egge’s eloquent and dreamy singing and guitar.

A listen that’s as diverse as the musicians that are present, there’s no dull spot in Egge’s impressive body of work, but if you’re new to the experience you may as well start here, as it’s some of her best yet.

Travels well with: Mark Erelli- Blindsided; Shook Twins- Some Good Lives

Ari Lehtela

The Year The Earth Stood Still

Self-Released, 2021

8/10

Listen to The Year The Earth Stood Still

Not only is the North Carolina artist Ari Lehtela an extremely talented guitarist, he also makes guitars and other instruments, many of which are used on this very topical listen that welcomes Tom Harling on saxophones and Dave Bullard handling drums for the instrumental and improvisational affair.

“Prologue” starts the listen with a collage of stringed instruments meeting at a very exploratory place that touches on jazz, and “Sight Distance” follows with an intimate and mysterious display of harp and brushed percussion.

Deeper into the listen, “Pandemonium” showcases unpredictable sax prowess amid a playful, melodic climate, while “Foot Divide” flows with a dreamy quality of Eastern influences. “Interlude”, an especially great tune, then emits warm guitar playing as Lehtela’s vision is both stirring and soothing.

Further yet, the title track has guitar and sax working together with a haunting, bare demeanor, and “Epilogue” finishes with 30 seconds of swift drumming and a lively pulse of avant-garde sounds.

Certainly experimental and containing bits of jazz, prog and even neoclassical moments, there isn’t anything else out there that quite sounds like Ari Lehtela, and anytime spent with this impressive record is absolutely time well spent.

Travels well with: Carl Vollrath- Old & New Poetry; Mark John McEncroe- Fanfare Suite

Magnatar

Parallel Worlds

Self-Released, 2018

8/10

Listen to Parallel Worlds

A Florida prog-rock outfit spearheaded by mandolinist and composer Glenn Smith on this recording, this debut from Magnatar also hosts Joey Costa (bass), Reed Hayes (drums), Ryan Rivas (guitars), and Dave Norton (keys), as they offer us 9 instrumental tunes that might just remind you of the almighty Yes.

The title track starts the listen with a swift and meticulous display of soaring guitars, bright percussion and firm drumming in the melodic prog-friendly climate, and “Fourth Passage” showcases strong drumming amid the propulsive and thick landscape of memorable and creative rock.

Halfway through, “New Galaxy” is packed with exceptional guitar work and chunky bass lines, while “Night Changes” quickly lands in retro dynamics and flowing and timeless prog sounds that resonate as great today as they would have in the ‘70s.

Near the end, the sounds of birds enters the mysterious and spacey delivery of the hard hitting yet also serene “She Flies”, and “Augmented Reality” exits the listen with detailed progression as each player showcases their inestimable talent in spades.

Very tragically, Smith passed away a year after this first album arrived. At the request of Smith’s family, Magnatar will move forward with Jerry Hemby as a second guitarist, who has a lengthy history with Smith, Costa, and Norton that goes back to the Hot City/Fantasia days of the ‘70s. It will be exciting to see Magnatar’s movement forward with this addition, and though Smith’s contributions are irreplaceable, something tells me the band will continue to produce top notch, instrumental songs that embrace all the hallmarks of prog-rock we love.

Travels well with: Pixie Ninja- Colours Out Of Space; Laughing Stock- The Island

Erik Dahl Ensemble

Gethenian Suite

Svalka, 2021

8/10

Listen to Gethenian Suite

The Swedish composer and keyboardist Erik Dahl brings Anna Malmstrom (clarinet), Anna Cochrane (viola/violin), Andreas Thurfjell (sax), Tove Brandt (double bass), and William Soovik (drums, percussion) to this 13 song adventure the bridges jazz and classical ideas with inspiration from modern era Gothic chamber music.

“Gethen” starts the listen with much atmosphere as quick moments of percussive sounds invade the ominous backdrop that later on has keys and strings interacting with much beauty, and “Parade” follows with a fuller climate of strategic drumming amid moody violin.

Further on, “The Foretellers” emits a hazy beauty of warm keys, soulful sax and cautious song craft, while “Karhide Prelude & Fugue” pushes and pulls with a dynamic and thoughtful approach that balances intimacy and mystery with plenty of jazz undertones. “Pulefen Farm”, one of the album highlights, then displays bouncy bass work as the setting rumbles with an avant-garde approach of dense, emotive strings and drums.

Landing near the end, “Estraven” spotlights the agile keys in a very melodic landscape as Dahl’s talents make an indelible impression, and “The Ekumen” exits the listen with a busy, dizzying execution of fascinating chamber ideas that pauses for a stark and mesmerizing finish.

An album that truly defies categorization, Dahl and company bring no shortage of artistic qualities, cinematic bouts and exploratory musicianship that’s never so esoteric it can’t be enjoyed by anyone with an ear for pop, jazz, prog or classical music from any period.

Travels well with: Cary Heuchert- Hourglass; Magnatar- Parallel Worlds

Cary Heuchert

Hourglass

Oddiyo, 2021

8/10

Listen to Hourglass

The sophomore album from the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cary Heuchert, Hourglass offers us 10 tracks that are quite personal as his unique brand of folk welcomes psychedelia and progressive ideas into the intimate and adventurous effort.

“This Is The Time” starts the listen with Heuchert’s warm guitar and equally cozy singing as a timeless folk climate is cultivated with much grace, and “The Sea Of Faces” follows with Grant Ball’s drums entering the cosmic, psychedelic approach of cautious rock.

Elsewhere, “Waiting For You” gets hazy with its cautious, pensive delivery, while Jay Semko contributes harmony vocals on the piano friendly and firm “Forever And So Far”. “Together”, one of the best tracks here, then benefits from Collin Wade’s proficient bass amid the melodic and bouncy landscape.

The title track arrives near the end and has Heuchert playing a fretless bass on the curious psyche-folk, and “When Fortune Smiles” exits the listen with Miles Hill handling 5 -string fretless bass alongside a bare but playful finish that puts an exclamation point on the very meticulous record.

Heuchert and his esteemed help are nothing if not diverse, and they breed new life into retro ideas across this very original and charming body of work.

Travels well with: Meer- Playing House; Tusmørke- Nordisk Krim

Zanov

Chaos Islands

Self-Released, 2020

8/10

Listen to Chaos Islands

One of the earliest artists in the area of electronic music, France’s Zanov put out 3 albums between 1977 and 1983, and then resumed his craft in 2014 with a revamped synth sound. Chaos Islands, his 6th album, takes us on an unpredictable, emotive and innovative journey that’s often on the cusp of chaos.

“Edge Of Chaos Island” opens the listen with a mysterious, cinematic quality that soars with complicated keys and buzzing synth, and “Inception Island” follows with a firm ambient appeal as hypnotic and even soothing song craft unfolds with warmth and sci-fi nods.

In the middle, “Three Body Island” floats with a dreamy quality that flirts with New Age sensibilities, while “Phase Space Island” certainly gets other worldly in its electronic manipulation of mood and tension.

“Instability Island” arrives late in the listen, and recruits an ominous approach of precisely layered skill, and “Emergence Island” finishes the listen with no shortage of prog-rock , where more emphasis on drumming lends itself to being the record’s best.

Zanov was clearly ahead of his time, and his current work resides comfortably in the today’s version of electronica that’s capable of being meditative, might score a film, and certainly is progressive, exploratory and unique.

Travels well with: Methods- Anything; Fair Visions- A Way Out

Adna

Black Water

Despotz, 2021

8/10

Listen to Black Water

The Sweden native and Berlin resident Adna returns with 10 new tracks that continue her rich, ambient and often slow burning song craft where the intimate and stirring vocals suit the heartfelt climate perfectly.

“Kad Procvatu Behari” starts the listen with Adna’s expressive, smooth pipes that are accompanied by warm piano and plenty of atmosphere, and the title track follows with a fuller approach of indie-pop ideas that are complemented by playful drumming and moody strings.

“You Are” lands in the middle and flows with versatile singing that comes with a highly melodic and melancholic setting, while “November” emits a firm beat in its dreamy execution. “Bloom”, the album’s best, then embraces much beauty that points towards folk music but with an updated indie appeal.

Further down the line, “Elsewhere” alternates between bare moments and swift bouts of creative pop prowess, and “This, Now, Here” exits the listen with an emotive and raw take on her precisely textured formula.

This is Adna’s 3rd album, and her vulnerable, cautious and very thoughtful craft certainly draws parallels to Bon Iver or Daughter, as she continues to carve out a very distinct and welcoming place to mull things over

Travels well with: Lucy Kruger And The Lost Boys- Transit Tapes (for women who move furniture around); Still Corners- The Last Exit

Steve Eulberg

Between The Tracks

Owl Mountain, 2019

8/10

Listen to Between The Tracks

A California born guitarist and composer, this 9th album from Steve Eulberg showcases his affinity for Americana, folk, blues, Latin sounds and even ragtime as he delivers 13 well thought instrumentals.

“Habits” starts the listen with warm Latin flavor mixed into Eulberg’s precise guitar playing that’s as soothing as it is memorable, and this formula continues to the flowing melody of “For Emily”, as well as the timeless acoustic folk of “Planxton’s Farewell”.

Deeper into the listen, Eulberg displays blues influences that populate the intricate “The Guitar Twiddle”, while “Morning Pages” shifts to a calm, introspective mood of sublime beauty.

Near to the end, “Traded My Thyroid” offers a complicated and instantly irresistible progression of charming blues, and “Walking Down The Trail” exits the listen with stunning finger acrobatics as Eulberg finishes the listen just as strong as he started it.

For those with a penchant for guitar music or who appreciate the meticulousness of finger style playing, Eulberg draws parallels to legends like Leo Kottke, Mason Williams or even Antonio Carlos Jobim on this extremely accomplished record.

Travels well with: Matt Smith- Parlor; Matt Smith- Being Human

David Fulmer/New York Philharmonic

Sky’s Acetylene

New Focus, 2021

8/10

Listen to Sky’s Acetylene

A composer, conductor and violinist, David Fulmer penned “Sky’s Acetylene” for the New York Philharmonic, who bring 5 instruments to the many solos and precise, rhythmic interplay of the nearly 14 minute track.

The tune opens with an atmospheric and exploratory approach, where Daniel Druckman’s ominous percussion aligns with Nancy Allen’s firm harp prowess that both glides serenely and crashes with firm dynamics. It isn’t long before Mindy Kaufman’s versatile flute and Eric Huebner’s rumbling piano make an impression, and by the back half of the composition we’re in busier textures of dizzying harmonics that are anchored by Max Zeugner’s bass and Jeffrey Milarsky’s conducting.

Fulmer’s commitment to contemporary music is much appreciated here, and the band’s fascinating performance makes this a quick but impactful listen in the area of orchestral and chamber music that’s unpredictable and unassuming in all the best ways.

Travels well with: Van Stiefel- Spirits; Martin Scherzinger- Scherzinger Etudes

Anne Phillips

Live At The Jazz Bakery

Conawago, 2019

8/10

Listen to Live At The Jazz Bakery

Anne Phillips sure does take her time between albums (at one point there was a 41 year gap), but it’s not as if the jazz songstress has been sitting idly by. In fact, she’s been quite busy doing commercials and filing away tunes for future projects.

Here, we get a peek into the veteran’s current abilities, and not so surprisingly, she sounds just as glorious as ever on this set.

“I’m Gonna Lay My Heart On The Line” starts the listen with calm keys as the smooth vocal delivery from Phillips settles in nicely, and “Born To Be Blue” follows with a gentle yet powerful delivery.

Elsewhere, “Easy Street” flows with agile melody, while “Watching You Watching Me” gets frisky with vocal acrobatics from Phillips.

Near the end, “After All These Years offers a timeless appeal of lush jazz, and “Embracabeable You’ illustrates the true scope of Phillips’ voice with an expressive highlight. “There Will Never Be Another You” ends the listen playful and upbeat, as saxophones really complement the mood.

Phillips is accompanied by her husband Bob Kindred on sax, Roger Kellaway on keys and Chuck Berghoffer holds down bass, as the ensemble deliver an intimate set with stories mixed in between tunes. Even though it’s just her 3rd record in 60 years, Phillips ensures a great time of primarily originals of strong, timeless vocal jazz.

Travels well with: Lyn Stanley- London With A Twist; Julio Botti- Jazz Tango Fusion