Neff Irizarry

Cambio (Change)

Blue Canoe, 2024

9/10

Listen to Cambio (Change)

The composer, guitarist, author and educator Neff Irizarry meshes Latin, Puerto Rican and Nordic ideas into these 11 worldly tracks that recruit Martin Fabricius, Jimmy Haslip and Ricardo Padilla.

The frisky energy of “Adelante (Come Forward)” starts with Padilla’s lively percussion alongside Irizarry’s warm guitar tone, and “Cuatro Minutos (Four Minutes)” follows with Haslip’s fluid bass and Fabricius’ glowing vibraphone complementing the rich delivery.

“The Rain Song” lands in the middle and is full of soft beauty via the dreamy guitar and light percussion, while “El Swing de La Finca (Farm Swing)” comes with rhythm and playfulness that you could dance to.

Residing near the end, “San Miguel de Los Acordes (St Michael of the Chords)” is a rich and dynamic album highlight thanks to the swift percussion, flowing bass, meticulous guitar and animated vibes, and “Todo lo que Fuiste (All That You Were)” exits with an infectious and cultured energy that makes for a lasting impression.

A superb body of work that pays homage to the pairing of guitar and vibraphone, there’s no lack of rhythm, melodies and fusion to be adored here.

Travels well with: Randy Hoexter- Tomorrowsville; Bill Moio- Try This

John McCutcheon

Field Of Stars

Folk Music, 2025

9/10

Listen to Field Of Stars

The 72 year old folk star John McCutcheon had intended to release this album in 2020, but shelved it to work on other projects.

“Here” begins the listen with warm piano from Jon Carroll and Stuart Duncan’s soft fiddle, where McCutcheon’s friendly voice guides the authentic storytelling, and the title track follows with a sublime duet with Carrie Newcomer that’s full of calm beauty.

Further along, “Stubby” recruits JT Brown’s fluid bass and harmony vocals for a hint of grit, while “At The End Of The Day” enlists a choir and Pete Kennedy’s well timed electric guitar via the uplifting album highlight.

Deeper still, “Tired” is a darker moment of blues nods, where moody lap steel guitar suits McCutcheon’s emotive pipes and “Blessing” exits with a hymn appeal that makes great use of a chorus by Windborne amid much grace and honesty.

This is McCutheon’s 45th album(!), and it’s yet another eloquent and timeless version of his inimitable folk songwriting.

Travels well with: Tom Paxton & John McCutcheon- Together; Sean Kiley- Postcards Of The Reckoning

Joe Pug

The Flood In Color

Nation Of Heat, 2019

8/10

Listen to The Flood In Color

After a nearly half decade hiatus from recorded music, Joe Pug returns with a career highlight, where an organic process that was never forced allowed this back to basics approach to resonate with a cautious, timeless feel.

“Exit” starts the listen soft and agile, as Pug’s wise, warm vocals guide us through timeless folk sounds, and “The Flood In Color” follows with pristine harmonicas as the setting finds a sparse, emotive delivery.

Elsewhere, “The Letdown” and “Long Midnight” are full of vivid storytelling with a rustic quality, while “Blues Came Down” unfolds with a calm blues touch on an intimate, contemplative stand out.

Late in the disc, “Here Again” flows with bare beauty, and “The Stranger I’ve Been” recruits a playful approach with accordions. The album exits on “Empty Hands And Broad Shoulders”, where more grace and sublime songwriting helps solidity this as Pug’s best work to date.

Now a family man with plenty of hobbies outside of music, Pug seems like he’s in a great place in his life, and his music follows suit with stripped down reflection that’s easy to embrace.

Travels well with: M. Ward- Post-War; Justin Townes Earle- The Saint Of Lost Causes