Archive for July, 2020

Brian Krock's liddle - 'Viscera' (2020)

Brian Krock’s liddle – ‘Viscera’ (2020)

For the live document ‘Viscera,’ Brian Krock lays out tall orders for his band and they always produce. His liddle quartet is indeed little in size but the ambitions are ‘orchestra big.’

Diamond Hands - 'Diamond Hands' (2006; 2020 reissue)

Diamond Hands – ‘Diamond Hands’ (2006; 2020 reissue)

If you weren’t aware of the copyright date of ‘Diamond Hands,’ you could easily be hoodwinked into thinking it is a long lost George Harrison project.

Toto, "Hooked" from 'Falling in Between' (2006): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Hooked” from ‘Falling in Between’ (2006): Toto Tuesdays

Steve Porcaro’s programming and synth wizardry and Simon Phillips’ engineering are what makes this weird yet enjoyable Toto song so interesting.

Vinyl

David Philips, “Bliss (A Quarantine Song)” (2020): One Track Mind

Over in Barcelona, Spain, David Philips found his own sunny angle, a silver lining to all this despair: Mother Nature is getting a much-needed break.

Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble - 'The Red Planet' (2020)

Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble – ‘The Red Planet’ (2020)

Rick Wakeman’s ‘The Red Planet’ is a grand musical gesture that descends slowly on analog winds and is buoyed by a progressive rock ‘n’ roll parachute.

Alex Jordan - 'The Subtle Exhibitionist' (2020)

Alex Jordan – ‘The Subtle Exhibitionist’ (2020)

Alex Jordan’s ‘The Subtle Exhibitionist’ is a dazzling debut from an artist whose spirited music is primed to make a major impact.

Chicago, "I Stand Up" from 'Chicago 19' (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “I Stand Up” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Artificial drum beats are all that prevent “I Stand Up” from fitting right into 1972’s ‘Chicago V’ or 1974’s ‘Chicago VII.’

Rick Wakeman, Brownout, David Sancious + Others: Preston Frazier's Best of 2020 (So Far)

Rick Wakeman, Brownout, David Sancious + Others: Preston Frazier’s Best of 2020 (So Far)

Preston Frazier’s Best of 2020 (So Far) includes standout recordings from Rick Wakeman, Brownout, David Sancious, Nick Finzer, Susie Blue and others.

Jeff Cosgrove, with John Medeski + Jeff Lederer - 'History Gets Ahead of the Story' (2020)

Jeff Cosgrove, with John Medeski + Jeff Lederer – ‘History Gets Ahead of the Story’ (2020)

Being around William Parker has left a deep impression on drummer Jeff Cosgrove, and some of Parker’s creative flair has apparently rubbed off on him, too.

Quincy - '35 Years On' (2020)

Quincy – ’35 Years On’ (2020)

Quincy has returned with a highly enjoyable set of songs that rank as a sensible extension to the unfulfilled promise of their debut album.