review Archive

Album Review: Ray Barretto – Acid

Launched in New York City in 1964, Fania Records quickly became a major force in the salsa music world. Over the years, Fania has released important works by some of […]

Album Review: Eddie “Blues Man” Kirkland – It’s the Blues Man!

Though he released a string of solo singles in the early 1950s, Jamaica-born Eddie Kirkland earned his stripes touring with John Lee Hooker for more than a decade. Right around […]

Album Review: The Trip – Never Too Late for… The Trip

I’m a pushover for a musical act with an interesting back story. Of course, having a fascinating and/or compelling tale is no substitute for good music; to hit the sweet […]

Hundred-word Reviews for July 2026: Blues and Jazz

So much good music, so little time. Here’s a quick look at five newish releases. Duke Robillard – Blast Off! Guitairst Duke Robillard has been a recording artist for more […]

Album Review: T Staggs – Southern Soul Era, Vol. 2

Sweet soul is a subgenre that’s been with us for awhile now. Built on the foundation of ‘60s soul of the Stax and Motown varieties, these days it’s often infused […]

Album Review: Alf Jetzer – Unfolding

Based in Switzerland, Alf Jetzer makes atmospheric music with elements of worldbeat, ambient and trance, all informed by classical and pop textures. His sound paintings are more impressionistic than melodic, […]

Album Review: St. Divine – The Devil You Know

Every reviewer has his/her/their own musical preferences, and those tastes inevitably inform how they approach and evaluate new music. In my own case, when I encounter the word “Americana,” I […]

Album Review: Stan Snow – Road to the Sun

Seattle-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Stan Snow has an impressive résumé; he’s worked with quite a few household names (well, they’re well-known names in my household, at least). On Road to […]

Album Reviews: Two from the Hyperspace Communications Label

Next World Sound Vol. 5 Dark ambient: that’s the most succinct distillation Ican come up with to describe this LP. Featuring one side each of works from a pair of […]

Book Review: Listening to Prestige

One potential function of a book-length treatment of a subject is as a springboard to initiate a wider discussion. In the hands of a skilled writer, a book about a […]