Monthly Archives: February 2016
RENE ROSNES – WRITTEN IN THE ROCKS (SMOKE SESSIONS)
Live studio date showcasing the musical chops of Rene(piano/composer) and the wonderful band assembled for this date.Tracks 1-7 are in tribute too the natural and mystical beauty of the Galapagos island chain. Steve Wilson flute(1,2,3), soprano sax(1,&7) and alto sax(6,9) Very Good. (dc)
JULIAN LAGE – ARCLIGHT (MACK AVENUE)
Guitarist Lage gathers his touring friends , Scott Colley(bass) and Kenny Wollesen(drums) on their debut trio effort. Julian has recorded,toured as a band leader,solo artist and duet performances. He has toured and recorded with Gary Burton the last few years. Julian is a fantastic player who really shines with this dynamic rhythm section. All original […]
FRED HERSH – SOLO (PALMETTO RECORDS)
Live solo performance from August 14, 2014. An eclectic mix of original pieces,standards and a take on Both Sides Now. Fred is an amazing pianist and a joy to hear with his trio or solo. […]
DICK OATTS / MATT HOLMQUIST NEW YORK JAZZ ORCHESTRA – A TRIBUTE TO HERBIE + 1 (MAMA RECORDS)
A triumphant dedication to the great Herbie Hancock lead by Dick Oatts(alto/soprano sax) and conductor Matt Holmquist. Featuring musicians from NYC area and from Scandinavia. Wonderful arrangements and excellent throughout. The +1 is a Holmquist composition. (dc)
HRISTO VITCHEV QUARTET – IN SEARCH OF WONDERS (FIRST ORBIT SOUNDS)
This two cd set is Hristo’s(guitar/composer) 7th as a leader and at 35 has shown continued growth as a composer. His playing is subtle with adventurous undertones that allow for some open playing by this veteran unit. (dc)
ARK OVRUTSKI QUNTET – INTERSECTION (ORIGIN RECORDS)
Ark(bass) is based in NYC where his musical vision has continued to progress and grow with an expanding musical statement. Michael Thomas stands out on Alto/Soprano Sax. 3 original cuts, 2 band member pieces and nice takes on songs by Bill Evans, Wayne Shorter and Kenny Dorham. (dc)
HERLIN RILEY – NEW DIRECTIONS (MACK AVENUE)
Legendary New Orleans drummer fields his first date as a leader in some time. Herlin is rock solid and capable of playing in many different settings. 7 of the 10 songs are original compositions from the drummer who should record as a leader a little more often. Nice interplay between Bruce Harris(trumpet) and Godwin Louis(tenor/soprano […]
SVETLANA AND THE DELANCEY FIVE – NIGHT AT THE SPEAKEASY (OA2 RECORDS)
Russian born vocalist and all-star band are in great spirits on this seductive and swinging effort. A vibrant,joyous performance that has 2 originals(1,4),jazz standards and classic’s with a Brian Wilson cover(8)and a Lennon/McCartney(10) tune. (dc)
Pillar Point – Marble Mouth
Marble Mouth is the sophomore album from Pillar Point, the electronic dance-rock project of Scott Reitherman, also from the band Throw Me the Statue. The songs on this album are less catchy but more experimental than Pillar Point’s debut. Marble Mouth was produced by Kevin Barnes from Of Montreal, which explains why the album at […]
High Highs – Cascades
Brooklyn duo High Highs are back with their sophomore album Cascades. You probably know them for their songs “Open Season” and their cover of College’s “A Real Hero” (from the Drive soundtrack). On their new album, they mix dream pop with 80s nostalgia. The songs on Cascades sound best suited for a movie soundtrack or […]
Sultans of String – Subcontinental Drift (MCK)
Fifth CD in 8 years from this award-winning Canadian band, here also with a featured guest, sitar master Anwar Khurshid. A mix of world music styles arranged for guitars & violin, & Cuban-flavored percussion, but most distinctly Indian-flavored on this CD.
Los Hacheros – Bambulaye (Chulo)
Masters of vintage Latin musical styles, this 5-member band from Brooklyn delivers fine salsa, son montuno, & guaracha with lots of Cuban clave, Puerto Rican Bomba, & impressive improvisation. Great musicianship & highly danceable.
La Orquesta Sinfonietta – Canto America (Patois)
A blend of Afro-Cuban, jazz, & classical orchestral elements, seamlessly combined in this effort led by Afro-Cuban percussion scholar Michael Spiro & fellow scholar, producer, & trombonist Wayne Wallace. Orchestra members are top musicians from San Francisco & from Jacobs School of Music in Indiana. Fantastic!
Various Artists-Star Wars Headspace
The compilation Star Wars Headspace is the brainchild of producer Rick Rubin. Rubin gathered fifteen different producers and artists and gave them free reign with the sounds, effects and voices from the Star Wars movie series. From Darth Vader’s breathing to laser blasts to C3-PO’s annoyed vocals and Princess Leia’s plea for Obi Wan Kenobi’s […]
Pearl River Sound-Kiss My Smiling Face
Kiss My Smiling Face is an Ep from Pearl River Sound. The four track album is full of pounding Techno/Acid House with some Jungle thrown in that will rattle your skull and get you on the dance floor. RIYD: Gesaffelstein, Koxbox Tracks: 2,3,4 FCC: 1
ODESZA-It’s Only Remixes
It’s Only from ODESZA has been remixed. The disc contains five remixes from 20syl, Kania, LuQuS, RUFUS DU SOL, and Fei Fei. The music is mostly EDM but smooth and good to jam to. Tracks: All Good
Bullion-Loop The Loop
Artist Bullion’s full length debut is titled Loop The Loop. The music is a little hard to describe. The closest genre would be Indie Dance but it has a very quirky, off beat sound that is nonetheless catchy and hooks you in. There are some hints of Middle Eastern music, Tropicalia, Jazz and 8-bit add […]
MICHAELBRAILLEY-Weekend
Weekend is the latest work from MICHAELBRAILLEY. The music mixes MICHAELBRAILLEY’s falsetto vocals with Ambient, Atmospheric Bass Music, and Dubstep. The tracks have a haunted, ethereal, futuristic feel to them creating a dystopian feel. Worth checking out. RIYD: VVV, Eaves Tracks: 1,2,3, FCC: 4,6
Zona-Peace, Love & Understanding
Debut album from the duo Zona is titled Peace, Love & Understanding. The album is an upbeat mix of Disco, Acid Jazz, House, Soul and Ambient. The tracks all have a positive message behind them and the music is very upbeat and fun. Check it out! RIYD: Metro Area Tracks: 1,2,4,5,7,9,12
Kodomo-Endless Waves
Endless Waves is a single and the latest from artist Kodomo. The single contains four tracks, the original edit of Endless Waves, two remixes and the track Mind Like A Diamond(Allies For Everyone Remix). The tracks bounce around a bit from Minimal Techno to mellow Ambient but they are skillfully crafted and the remixes are […]
Porches – Pool
New York City band associated with Frankie Cosmos. A darker sounding chill-wave; imagine an indie Greenwich Connecticut version of The Weeknd. Quite excellent all the way through and every track has something interesting to offer. Check out highlights “Underwater”, “Be Apart”, “Car”, “Shaver” and “Shape” RIYL: Majical Cloudz, Chromatics, James Blake, Frankie Cosmos, Try: 1,3,9,10,11, […]
POP ETC – Souvenir
Formerly The Morning Benders, this band excels at “pop” songwriting but does not take many risks. Gone are the lush surf rock/ Beach Boys experiments of Morning Benders records like Big Echo. We are now given something not much different than the band Fun. This is very pleasant, arena sized indie rock. Just edgy enough […]
Marlon Williams – Marlon Williams (Dead Oceans)
Marlon Williams self-titled debut album delivers a dark, eerie, and ominous tone. He preaches about the dry feeling of loneliness with Country-rock and roots Americana. You’d think the 23-year-old New Zealand native was from the midwestern prairies. He shows off his wide operatic vocal range on “When I Was a Young Girl.” He’s got a […]
Low Cut High Tops – Eh, Whatever (self-released)
David Burns is the angsty 23 year-old art school dropout behind the Low Cut High Tops. Writing, producing and mixing it all from his bedroom, he is an inspiration for the teenage bedroom musician who can’t get a long with his or her parents. The gender ambiguous lyrics reflect the title of his album Eh, […]
The N’we Jinan Tour is a music initiative that brings a mobile recording studio into schools and community centres across First Nation communities in Canada. The tour is a collaborative project commissioned by the Cree Nation Youth Council in Quebec. The program is aimed to create an environment where youth can express themselves musically and […]
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