Artistas, Músicos y Poetas is Chembo Corniel’s sixth album under his record company Chemboro Records, Inc. Everything about this project is extraordinary. The material, the structure, the consummate musicianship, and the album art (by Andres Chaparro and Charlie Rosario) all contribute beautifully to Corniel paying homage to his musical roots. It is a highly satisfying result. If … Continue reading
Category Archives: Music
New Music: Speech Acrobats (Music & Poetry by Fella Cederbaum)
Multimedia artist Fella Cederbaum is a writer, a director, a painter, a filmmaker, and an artist who is brave enough to be an original. For that alone, she deserves our admiration… especially since her art is aimed at embracing reality. Although I’m uncertain about future desires to play Speech Acrobats again and again, I must … Continue reading
New Music: Brandy Clark — “Buried” (single)
It’s a simple song. The best ones often are. It speaks in a melancholy voice, with hushed tones aiming directly to the heart. Let’s face it — when a song begins with “I’ll fly myself to France, first class, New York to Paris… get drunk on wine, and dance, someone who ain’t embarrassed…”, you know … Continue reading
New Blues/Rock: Sam Morrow — “Addicted To Love” (single)
When is a cover of a classic song just as good as the original? Not often enough. Unless, of course, you’re talking about the new single released by Sam Morrow. His take on “Addicted to Love” (produced by Eric Corne) is a close to definitive as a cover can get. The track features Scott Sharrard … Continue reading
New Roots Music: Lynn Miles — ‘TumbleWeedyWorld’
Label: True North Records Release date: April 7, 2023 Entering the “TumbleWeedyWorld” of Lynn Miles on her new album is a pleasure. It features ten songs examining the fragility of life, and the metaphoric tumbleweeds that are encountered as we travel along. The album’s journey is also a soothing trot, with songs and words that … Continue reading
New Country: Jake Ybarra — ‘Something In The Water’
Ready to fall in love with country music again? I know, it’s happened before, but these things come in waves and the time to renew your appreciation for clear, meaningful music, compellingly sung is approaching. All it will take is your discovery of Jake Ybarra. He’s the rich voice that you’ve been longing to find … Continue reading
New Jazz: Michael Rabinowitz — ‘Next Chapter’
What a delight to encounter the inspiration of a jazz bassoon-centered album. Who knew that this all too frequently overlooked woodwind could create such a playful, imaginative, addictive response? I could listen to Michael Rabinowitz play all night and still want more. I love the experimental spirit at the heart of this release. The featured … Continue reading
New Jazz: Maria Jacobs — ‘Back at the Bop Stop’
A good live album can provide that oh so difficult to achieve feeling of being in the room, encircled by swirling, gliding notes, full of life and spontaneity. Jazz artists Maria Jacobs’s new album, Back At The Bop Stop, accomplishes it from the first inviting drum kick-off of the Freddie Hubbard / Abbey Lincoln waltz … Continue reading
New Blues/Roots: Eric Bibb — Ridin’
Label: Stony Plains Records Release date: March 24, 2023 Eric Bibb‘s follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2021 album, Dear America, Ridin’ is a continuation of the vision that informs Bibb’s artistry as a modern-day Blues troubadour. Grounded in the folk and blues tradition with contemporary sensibilities, Bibb’s music continues to reflect his thoughts on his … Continue reading
New Blues: Savoy Brown — ‘Blues All Around’
Savoy Brown — Blues All Around Label: Quarto Valley Records It begins with a repeating guitar phrase that is its own call and response. There is something seductively timeless happening. Eventually, a vocalized “Falling through” beckons twice, and we are transported to a multi-layered world of pain, healing, and redemption. We have solidly landed in … Continue reading