instrumental Archive
30 Aug 2023
Album Review: Martin Denny – Deep Exotica
Some readers of this blogzine may remember the 1990s, a period when – for a moment, at least, it seemed – exotica made a comeback. Exemplified by the self-consciously retro […]
25 Aug 2023
Album Review: Chuck Owen and the WDR Big Band – Renderings
It’s more than a bit remarkable that the big band format has sustained into the 21st century, no less into 2023. But indeed it has, and much of the credit […]
23 Aug 2023
Album Review: Soft Machine – Other Doors
A different set of “rules” apply to jazz than to rock. In rock – especially of the so-called classic variety – there’s endless contention as to what constitutes a “real” […]
21 Aug 2023
Album Review: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy – Evenings at the Village Gate
Across three days in October 1960, John Coltrane and three associates recorded session that yielded My Favorite Things, one of his most celebrated releases. Hitting shelves in March ‘61, the […]
15 Aug 2023
30 Days Out, August 2023 #2: Phuncle Sam, tu-NER, Tangerine Dream, The Nude Party
There’s never any shortage of fantastic live music on offer in Asheville. Highlights over the next 30 days include a beloved Dead-flavored local band, another local band often mentioned among […]
01 Aug 2023
30 Days Out, August 2023 #1: Circles Around the Sun, Hearts Gone South, Matisyahu, BJ & BJ
Two local-based legends, one other excellent WNC-based artist, and two very popular touring acts: Those are just some of the highlights of live music in and around Asheville in the […]
15 May 2023
30 Days Out, May 2023 #2: Jonny Couch, Acid Mothers Temple, Sierra Ferrell, Randall Bramblett
Four nationally-touring acts are among the live music highlights in Asheville in the coming 30 days. Go see ‘em, and support local artists as well. Artist: Jonny Couch Venue: Fleetwood’s […]
14 May 2023
Hundred Word Reviews, May 2023 Part 3
Jason Blake – Subsequent Ruins Seeing the 7D Media logo on this CD meant that Subsequent Ruins went straight onto the must-hear pile. Y’see, that’s the New Mexico-based label that’s […]
13 May 2023
Hundred Word Reviews, May 2023 Part 2
Hey hey – it’s time for some more succinct surveys of superb sounds. Hundred-word stylee. Here we go. Ransom and the Subset – Perfect Crimes It’s been nearly a decade […]
30 Apr 2023
Album Review: Stephan Thelen — Fractal Guitar 3
The idea that classical music and popular forms of music can coexist isn’t a new one. The Moody Blues bridged the gap between the two with Days of Future Passed […]