new release Archive
25 Sep 2022
Album Review: No. 2 – First Love
First things first: this band isn’t thenewno2, Dhani Harrison’s project named after the succession of characters who portrayed the mysterious leader in The Prisoner. No, this No. 2 has been […]
24 Sep 2022
Album Review: BakerzMillion – Live in Racine
While it is unlikely ever again to have a fan base on par with its 1950s-’60s heyday, hard bop jazz remains very much alive. And even with all manner of […]
23 Sep 2022
Real People, Great Radio (Part 2)
Continued from Part One… Community perspective on community radio Volunteer-driven and nonprofit, AshevilleFM was launched to offer a non-commercial, community-focused listening option for Asheville radio listeners. The station’s mission statement […]
22 Sep 2022
Real People, Great Radio (Part 1)
AshevilleFM curates all-local project spotlighting Asheville music When the internet developed to the point at which it could support high quality audio and video, pundits prognosticated the imminent death of […]
21 Sep 2022
Album Review: Ella Fitzgerald – Ella at the Hollywood Bowl
The pros far outweigh the cons on this thrilling set. First, the good news. According to the one-sheet (which I trust), until now there’s never been a live Songbook from […]
20 Sep 2022
Album Review: Junior Wells – Blues Legend
On first hearing of this release, my initial reaction was to shudder. While Cleopatra Records and its associated imprints have been responsible for many fine releases, there have been some […]
18 Sep 2022
EP Review: Salim Nourallah – See You in Marfa
Salim Nourallah is from Texas, but for See You in Marfa, his project collaborator is the great Marty Willson-Piper, former guitarist for The Church and a superb musician, singer and […]
17 Sep 2022
Album Review: Mark Duda – Bodega Flowers
I’ll be honest: this one confused me. From the Halloween-themed font to the woman on the cover (is that Mark Duda?) And the Japanese(?) lettering, I had no idea at […]
11 Sep 2022
Album Review: Jem Records Celebrates Pete Townshend
Too often, various-artists tribute albums are like celebrity roasts: it’s far less about the ostensible honoree, and for more about the roasters (or, in this case, “tributers”). And I’m on […]
10 Sep 2022
Album Review: Keith Lamar and Albert Marques – Freedom First
A visceral, moving and thought-provoking project, Freedom First is unlike most anything else you’re likely to hear in 2022. Against a varied backdrop of jazz improvisation (and sometimes more structured […]