Storyland (on Instant Replay/Fontana North Universal), is the latest release from Canadian-based vocalist Sherri Harding. The album blends soul, blues, and R&B, and delivers a thoroughly satisfying Canada-meets-Memphis listening experience. Harding invests every note with her soul, resulting in a collection of songs that immediately connect. Combined with the clear, heartfelt delivery is the material … Continue reading
With Chapter 3, The Shaelyn Band take the listener on a journey through the different layers of relationships. Using up-tempo grooves and catchy lyrics, The Shaelyn Band surrounds you with a world of passion, sincerity and raw emotion. Some of the best tracks remind you how the healing power of music allows you to escape … Continue reading
For many blues fans, the classic Chicago blues sound is the standard. One location where Chicago blues initially formed was Theresa’s Lounge—a tiny Chicago basement with no bandstand, room for about 50 patrons, and a history that began in late 1949 when Theresa Needham opened its doors. John Primer, whose stories and reflections shape this … Continue reading
The best music is the kind you can hear and feel. On his newly released album, Happening in Buenos Aires, Tom Ricci makes it clear that he is sharing some of the best music ever. Need proof? Play track nine—”What A Wonderful World.” Ricci’s attention to detail makes the familiar tune a voyage of rediscovery. … Continue reading
With her latest album, A Crossroads Communion, Denise La Grassa casts a hypnotic spell. Her powerful vocals guide the listener through nine alluring songs that are worthy of her talent. The album is one captivating blues/roots track after another. La Grassa’s energy and focus come through the speakers with a vibrancy that is impressive. Denise … Continue reading
The summer vibe has arrived. Beyond the Veil is a jazz-fusion album by drummer and composer Jason Kruk that explores the space between the physical and the spiritual. Featuring leading modern jazz artists such as Wayne Krantz, Adam Rogers, Michael League, and Bob Lanzetti, the project blends complex polyrhythms with a balance of composed structure and … Continue reading
Jaana Narsipur’s latest release, The Re-Collection unfolds as an eclectic musical journey, with each track bringing its own mood and sound. Swing Out Sister’s “Breakout” launches the album with an upbeat pop-funk groove, driven by lively horns, a stylish trombone solo, and a poised, soulful vocal that blends precision with personality. Peter Gabriel’s “In Your … Continue reading
On A Blue Time, drummer Joe Syrian and the versatile Motor City Jazz Octet offer new takes on some classic material. Made up of seasoned musicians who blend rock, pop, blues, and Latin influences into their distinctive jazz sound, Syrian and his accomplished octet return with their second release on the Circle 9 label. Drawing … Continue reading
Bill Wharton, a.k.a. the Sauce Boss, is a skilled slide guitarist and dedicated blues musician. Luckily for us, he has released another especially enjoyable album, With Extra Sauce. Each track makes it clear why he is considered one of the most dynamic musicians around. The album shows how a blues guitarist is capable of expressing … Continue reading
Latin Jazz meets Opera, the new album from Christopher Sánchez, does not disappoint. It is a unique blend of Latin jazz, ballroom dance, and Italian opera combined with Caribbean rhythm, jazz energy, and operatic drama in an elegant package. The songs that have been chosen for the album are all incredibly appealing, with arrangements that … Continue reading
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