Embarking on a stay at Hotel Souza is a lot like sinking into silky, cool but familiar sheets. There’s a decidedly old-fashioned air to Karen Souza’s follow-up to her debut Essentials You May Also Like: How I learned to love (or at least tolerate) Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Why NeutralRead More
In 1995, she was trudging herself across a desert and screaming out an angst-ridden tune that was possibly about the dude from “Full House.” My teenaged-self went into overdrive at this Alanis Morissette You May Also Like: Forget What You Heard About Alanis Morissette’s Flavors of Entanglement, And Just ListenRead More
The pairing of legendary pianist Dick Hyman and wondrous vocalist Heather Masse takes flight on Lock My Heart, a charming and easygoing record. You May Also Like: David Gilmour, “Rattle That Lock” (2015): One Track Mind Kansas, “With This Heart” from The Prelude Implicit (2016): One Track Mind Steve KuhnRead More
A hired gun and a second fiddle for almost his entire career thus far, Johnny Marr finally slips into the driver’s seat with The Messenger. His debut solo record is his own creation from top to bottom, a propulsive and diverse recording top-loaded with raucous accoutrements and immense souvenirs. NME’sRead More
Perhaps the best birthday present a woman named Svetlana has ever received, Jazz for Svetlana is what happens when two musicians gather to lay something down without expectations. You May Also Like: Bob Mintzer, Snarky Puppy, Grace Fox + Others: Big Bands, Big Sounds and Big Results Mort Weiss –Read More
To commence Nou La, Vo-Duo sends blessings to the sacred heart of the Asoto drum, to the spirits and finally to the listeners. This modest, exquisite acapella piece, called “Bonjou,” foretells the loveliness and sanctity to come. You May Also Like: David Philips + Abel Boquera – ‘The Duo Sessions’Read More
Of the influences for Holy Fire, Foals vocalist and guitarist Yannis Philippakis lists “The Delta, voodoo, the swamp, sexuality, Byzantine iconography and music, syrupy rhythms, the mountains, the abyss, the decline of the bee populations You May Also Like: Projekt Gemineye, “The Holy Shield” (2021): One Track Mind Richard Turgeon,Read More
Whether you loathe his brand of operatic pop or love him like only a Grobanite can, there’s no doubting the sheer prowess of the 31-year-old Josh Groban. You May Also Like: Paul McCartney says the Beatles used Motown as a template – for what not to do Forget What YouRead More
A deeply personal record, Ron Sexsmith’s Forever Endeavour is a cutely titled examination of what happens when an extremely gifted songwriter turns things inward in an almost overpowering fashion. You May Also Like: Ron Sexsmith, “Can’t Get My Act Together” from Carousel One (2015) Richard Turgeon, “Live Forever” (2020): OneRead More
Sometimes an outfit so impressive takes to your ears with poise and confidence so exceptional that it almost overwhelms. Even the smoothest, gentlest aspects of jazz can strike with that impact You May Also Like: Ryan Blotnick – Kush (2016) Ryan A. Miller – ‘Atrophy Torque Fly’ (2018)
