CD and DVD reviews
Prepare to reel in this catch of the day with Gordon Thomas Ward’s festive single titled “Fisherman’s Carol”. Soak up this cheerful number that will fill you with joy during this Christmas season as “Fisherman’s Carol” is calling your name. Gordon Thomas Ward is a masterful storyteller with a gift for bringing lyrics to life…
Doug MacDonald has been part of the Southern California jazz scene since the 70s and continues to come up with dynamic records. MacDonald has been a part of at least 28 albums dating back to 1979 as a solo artist and featured session player on numerous projects. His latest album is titled ‘Santa Monica Session’…
This new release by Danae Xanthe Vlasse will knock your socks off as popular figures in Greek mythology come to life right before your ears! ‘Mythologies II’ is more than just a regular album; it’s a cinematic experience that will tantalize your being. ‘Mythologies II’ is already nominated for a 2025 Grammy for “Best Classical…
Austrian singer-songwriter B.B. Cole’s second studio album, Of Love and Loss, is an ambitious leap forward. It establishes her as one of the genre’s brightest new artists. While Austria is better known for its classical music lineage and Alpine folk traditions, B.B. Cole carves out a unique niche, blending country and soul with elements of blues, gospel, and…
Route 3’s Just Believe follows up their 2022 collection Losing Time with seven outstanding examples of modern bluegrass. Vocalist/guitarist Jason Jordan penned six tracks, one with mandolin maestro and fellow singer Greg Potter. However, the former’s undeniable stamp on the band’s identity may be initially misleading. Route 3’s newcomers will quickly realize what the band’s existing fans already know…
If you drop a lucky coin into a well hoping for a young, indie pop artist to emerge on the scene, Ava Valianti will appear with “Wishing Well”. This new single by singer/songwriter Ava Valianti is so well done and offers rich material for your listening pleasure. Ava is no pop-tart by any means and…
Pete Price’s sophomore solo album, Pictures in Time, is a luminous addition to the Americana landscape, weaving deeply personal narratives with timeless instrumentation. Price, a seasoned storyteller and musician, crafts a 12-track journey through the complexities of life, love, and self-discovery, cementing his place among the genre’s most reflective voices. Anchored by Price’s warm, soulful…
If you’re searching for music that is completely outside-the-box and unconventional, then Vincenzo Virgillito’s ‘Precondition’ is your cup of tea and will be released January 1, 2025. This is not your typical jazz record by any means with Vincenzo exploring a vast array of musical styles, song structures and sound textures. As a highly-skilled bassist…
Bluegrass and, to a lesser extent, folk music are inextricably woven into Tennessean Jim Hurst’s musical DNA. The guitarist, singer, and general force of nature within bluegrass circles has enjoyed a two decades-plus long run as one of the most well-respected musicians in that style. His new single, “One More Lonesome Train”, travels through familiar…
A glorious funk-rock groove rolls through on Omer B’s “Sneak String.” This is a physical sort of funk that forces you to get up and dance. Omer B avoids trends for something timeless by going for a classic stance, with the neat mix of the guitar and bass allowing for a balanced approach. Melodies come…
If you crave an original progressive rock album that goes outside the box to create new ideas & spaces, then ‘Cautionary Yell’ by SLUKA is for you. This new release is SLUKA’s 14th studio album and ‘Cautionary Yell’ is already receiving quite the buzz. Being referred to as some of their best material to date,…
It’s hard to believe that this is a solo debut album release for Sam Kuslan because he sounds like a seasoned vet in the studio with ‘Runaway Love’. This independent artist brings to you a refreshing style that merges a wide array of musical elements & genres. Kuslan is inspired by the likes of Jamie…
L.D. Levy is a jazz multi-instrumentalist and playwright who is a self-taught musician. As a longtime member of the jazz scene, L.D. Levy has toured Europe as a woodwinds soloist and has played with the likes of Beaver Harris, Ed Blackwell, Don Cherry, Richard Davis, collaborating with the Astral Weeks bassist for a full LP,…
If you’re in the mood for jazzy swing tunes, then ‘Brooklyn Oasis’ by Ken Serio Quartet is your ticket! Bringing me back to my high school days where I played alto saxophone for jazz band and just fell in love with this style of music. With all the freedom to improvise and fuse different stylings,…
If you’re ready to give your ears an extreme workout, then look no further than Jason Blake’s new release titled ‘A Confusion Sequence’. With so many different elements hitting your ears from all directions, Jason is not holding back and appears to have no limits musically. Brace yourself for one wild ride as Jason Blake…
One may be thinking by the title that this is some sort of drug-induced reference or that this Rob Massard fellow is high as a kite! Quite the contrary as Massard is, in fact, high on life and can hang his head high in the clouds with this new release “So Very High”. In a…
A limber energy runs through Liz Cole’s infectious “I Want to Be Happy.” The band picks up on her spirit, following and punctuating her lyricism. With a lovely demeanor, the songs unspool and work best when taken together. She leaves plenty of room for the rest of the group to stretch out, with some nice…
“The Wayfarer’s Inn” by Peter B. Unger is a captivating and profound story about spiritual journeys, confronting doubts, and rediscovering faith. The narrative begins in a dramatic setting—a cold and dark night—where a tragic accident on a desolate highway sets the tone for a reflection on the fragility of life. The tense atmosphere and detailed…
A slew of genres within a bluesy framework defines BMK’s reflective “Tales of the Upright & The Electric Pulse.” Songs get stripped bare to the core essentials. Rhythms have a timeless grace. Thoughtfully avoiding trends, they go for a timelessness, feeling like they could have emerged from any decade. Vocals have a world-weary cadence, lending…
Ginetta’s Vendetta delivers a tasteful and elegant take on jazz with an outright timeless approach to “Fun Size.” Utilizing a pocket trumpet, she sculpts an entire world teeming with life. The songs flow one into the other, ensuring the album works best when taken together as a coherent whole. Best of all, her instrument of…
The real core of rock and roll and the spirit that it embodies is put on full display here with ‘Rock and Roll Emotions Part Two’. Rhett May captures that rebellious tone in brilliant fashion by delivering raw ‘Rock and Roll Emotions’. I had the chance to review ‘Rock and Roll Emotions Part One’ back…
Margaret Slovak and Chris Maresh present a hushed reverence with “A Star’s Light Does Fall.” These skeletal musings feel undoubtedly intimate. Every gesture gets amplified in the vast open space by keeping arrangements to the absolute essentials. The interplay between them feels inspired, as they rely upon the themes as a starting point. How they…
Michael Burke goes for an elegant, elastic, and confounding series of grooves with the constantly twisting “A Strange Mistake To Make.” Indie rock, electronica, and folk all get filtered through his distinctive, unique vision. The lyrics have a pained expression behind them as he pours his heart out. Nods to groups like Lambchop’s most recent…
A classic country bluesy charm defines “Wonder Woman,” with D’Lee’s brassy, bold vocals possessing an inherent American beauty. The songs sidestep trends for a timelessness, for there’s a true-blue authenticity that comes through. Her lyrics are the centerpiece of exploring the messy dynamics of relationships, discovering one’s purpose, and embracing individualism. That’s not to say…
Dave Stryker goes for a tasteful, inspired combination of classical, folk, and jazz with the elegant “Stryker with Strings Goes To The Movies.” The production embraces cinematics with a sound that feels bright and airy. A sense of wonder underpins the entirety of the album. Ups and downs, the high energy alongside the mellowed grooves,…
Acid alliteration and melted psychedelic rock adorn Strange New World’s aptly named “Escape.” Instrumentation goes for an expansive approach, ensuring each detail reverberates within the vast space. Her voice has a hypnotic quality, lulling the listener into a sense of peace. Like some off-kilter series of lullabies, the narratives that form feel like they draw…
Midwest Dilemma with ‘Searching for the Cure for Loneliness’ I’m pretty sure Midwest Dilemma has not found the exact cure for loneliness, BUT I can definitively say that Midwest Dilemma has delivered original music in its purest form. Fronted by singer/songwriter Justin Lamoureux, ‘Searching for the Cure for Loneliness’ is one for the ages. With…
GREGORIAN RELEASES NEW ALBUM ‘PURE CHANTS II’ Gregorian, the signature achievement of legendary producer, Frank Peterson who co-created Enigma and the “chant” phenomenon in contemporary music, reinvigorates ancient traditions with the hollowed ground of “Pure Chants II.” The songs have a stripped-down beauty behind them. Drawing upon centuries’ worth of musical history, the pieces flow…
RIVIT Present New Single ‘AWAY’ Wow I feel like I just woke up and it is the glorious late 90’s. I want to welcome you all to the new single by RIVIT called ‘Away.’ From the moment the track plays it comes on hard. The guitar and drums grabs you and does not let you…
The Tim Lancaster Conspiracy with “Bang Bang, Bang Bang” Get ready because The Tim Lancaster Conspiracy is firing off a hot, new single titled “Bang Bang, Bang Bang”. If you’re in the mood for something fresh ‘n’ original, then look no further than “Bang Bang, Bang Bang” by The Tim Lancaster Conspiracy. Hoping to shoot…
D’Lee Presents New Single ‘Whispering Like a Yell’ D’Lee shows tremendous patience with the slow burn of “Whispering Like a Yell.” The song’s buildup is majestic, for the rest of the group holds back, allowing her vocals to take center stage. Everything here works, from the arrangement that embodies the best of rock, country, and…
A retro flavor flows through Cheyanne Summer’s joyous throwback atmosphere of “Prom Queen.” The classic rock quality is handy as it unfurls in this joyous fashion. Her vocals are a real treat while they straddle the line between the blues and 1950 doo-wop rock. Riffs run through with a surfer effect, adding to the song’s…
Tasteful and stately, Tim Qualls shares his very soul with the powerful statement “Feel (Stripped).” He keeps things to the essentials – drum kick and soaring yet understated synthesizer sweeps- and they have a majesty even while retaining this approachability. Vocals are the core of the entire journey from which all else radiates. With these…
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A swinging, stately good time races through Gunhild Carling’s gleeful “Jazz Is My Lifestyle.” From the vocals to the expansive sonic palette, the rhythms go for this unhinged atmosphere. They keep things speeding up, with the horn interjections feeling downright joyful. At times, the album feels ready to give itself up for a decadent, chaotic…
Gino Amato goes for a wild, party-like atmosphere with the playful “Latin Crossroads.” Nods to many genres appear within the fringes of the sound – from Bossa Nova to pop and 70s-era rock, a golden era mining occurs within the work. Vocals rest right in the center of the entire experience. Instrumentally, he incorporates flute,…
A soulful ballad emerges as Sylvie’s Songs goes for a compassionate ode with “Heart Break Like Mine.” The song keeps things relatively soft. Folk, pop, and classical emerge, blending into this cohesive whole. By far, the highlight comes from the vocalist. With a delivery that perfectly embodies the tender tones of the band, things come…
A beautiful trip of ambient bliss and bubbling synths rises from Jon Wirtz’s mystical “Beautiful Illusion.” Conjuring up dream-like orchestras out of thin air, the melodies, alongside the evolution of the textures, result in this entirely immersive universe. It is easy to get lost in the many different layers that Jon utilizes with ease. The…
Aaron Bleiweiss releases debut solo album called: “Twists and Turns”. On September 6, 2024 Bleiweiss delivered a record composed and drenched in various genres inspired by the world of New York. “Twists and Turns” is a compilation of 11 breathtaking and staggering tracks that take the listener into a profound and extensive world. Somewhere in…
Linn Holmes unveils her latest single called: “Cruisin’ With You”, released on September 6, 2024. The talented and gifted singer originally from Sweden and now based in Los Angeles, strikes the rock scene again with a nostalgic and catchy tune. Linn Holmes’ single portrays a distinctive sound, blending rock, pop, and country. Somewhere in between…
