A light hand, melodies with space to breathe and a fullness of flow describe the natural touch that Spiral Trio has on their new CD, Broken Blue. While “Rubicon” is a stunner of a tone poem, the jaunty attitude of “Bipolar” has sense and style, and they swing light but sure on “Blue Flower.” “Portrait... Continue Reading →
Thomas Mitrousis Quartet’s First Bold Step into the Light: The Seed
The debut offering from Athens, Greece’s Thomas Mitrousis Quartet gives a whirlwind, feet-off-the-ground experience. Leader and guitarist Mitrousis has all the fingerwork to keep the vibe easy even when the drums and brushes are briskly whisking us along. In nine fresh tracks, this CD is a simultaneous exploration into musicians that gel beautifully together while... Continue Reading →
Michael Lauren Trio’s New CD “Live at Mobydick Records”
Something new from drummer/composer Michael Lauren coming April 29, all the way from Braga, Portugal: a CD called “Live at Mobydick Records.” The live album was recorded with his trio (guitar, bass and drums). The track “Biji” is brisk and bright; “Ritual Do Cabrito” has a dense noir feel dominated by a hearty guitar and... Continue Reading →
New Single “Pleiades” by Simeon Davis Group is Up There Being Celestial
A fugue of tones and textures where vocals sail away with violin might give a clue to the surprises in one song, a new one by the Simeon Davis Group. “Pleiades” is an awesome mixed-tempo expression with violin very much central in modes minor and major, grinding, stabbing and double-stopping while the other instruments (horn,... Continue Reading →
Raise Up the Ukulele: New Music from Stephen Godsall Tells Us Why
Throw out what you thought you knew about the ukulele. Yes, it can be quaint, charming, a wanna-be, higher-register guitar in miniature. Enter Stephen Godsall, who has set out to play the uke to its fullest potential, funkifying it, making it swing like gypsy jazz, riffing out in hearty solos. His latest work, Ukulele Forms... Continue Reading →
Twists, Turns and Funk Spill Out in Big Brooklyn’s Latest “Everyone Everywhere”
Nine new tracks from Big Brooklyn show the light peeking through after lockdown and two difficult years for all of us. “Everyone Everywhere” is the CD that invites us to restore music to its rightful place in our lives. The song “Send it to Me” rolls right along with a tight hook and lots of... Continue Reading →
Viktoria Leléka Opens Arms Wide to Show the Lush Landscape of Ukraine
Socially, politically and musically, vocalist Viktoria Leléka wants to show the world the beauty of life and culture in Ukraine. Maintaining that the Western world (especially) confuses and confounds Ukraine with an extension of Russia, Leléka’s passion is to demonstrate not necessarily the differences between the two nations but to paint a fully rounded, loving... Continue Reading →
Swing, Swang, Swung – The Jazz Saxophone Book by Tim Armacost Teaches All the Things
Tenor sax player Tim Armacost has taken all that he knows about music and brilliantly placed it into the new book The Jazz Saxophone Book (Sher Music, 2022). A large spiral-bound book full of clear instruction, easy-to-follow examples and personal commentary, this book is a friendly and highly accessible helping hand for sax players just... Continue Reading →
Anatomy of a Music Publisher: Sher Music
Chuck Sher Instruction from the masters and the icons of jazz is one genre of literature that always has an eager audience. Whether it’s learning how to improvise, a new take on well-loved chestnuts or how to master the key changes, musicians need their fingers and their ears to be in tip-top shape. How does... Continue Reading →
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