David Deacon makes music that makes you want to really listen. His new album, Four, released on Slammin Media, is a tribute to the breadth of his writing ability and his mesmerizing storytelling talent. Four spans a range of heartfelt emotions, relying on songs that require no explanation, just attentive ears and a willingness to … Continue reading
New Roots: Michael Jerome Browne — ‘Gettin’ Together’
Michael Jerome Browne — Gettin’ Together Label: Stony Plain Records When folk/roots artist Michael Jerome Browne says he’s “gettin’ together” with a few other talented folks, he means it. For his latest release, Browne has invited some of the best to come and play: Harrison Kennedy, J.J. Milteau, Eric Bibb, John Sebastian, Mary Flower, Colin … Continue reading
New Soul/Blues: Nalani Rothrock — ‘The Rock House Sessions (extended cut)
Nalani Rothrock‘s new release, titled The Rock House Sessions (Extended Cut), is a spectacular showcase for her vast vocal gifts. Producer and keyboardist Kevin McKendree has delivered an album (on the Jolani Music Group label) that rivals the best from any other label this year. Nalani Rothrock and co-writer/guitarist Joshua Lamkin create and sustain a soulful … Continue reading
New Blues: JW-Jones — ‘Everything Now’
Available now on Solid Blues Records (distributed by Stony Plain Records) Don’t let his model good looks fool you. Canadian guitarist and songwriter JW Jones is as capable of capturing the essence of the blues as the most been-through-the-ringer-looking artist you could ever imagine. He has complete control of his gifts and he has an … Continue reading
New Music: Ute Lemper — ‘Time Traveler’
Ute Lemper’s new album, Time Traveler, is a series of loosely connected refreshing contemporary jazz and pop songs that straddle a 23-year time span. It is a work that is bound to benefit from repeated listenings. Most challenging material this good is always worth the time it takes for the listener to catch up to … Continue reading
Biennale Architettura 2023 returns to Venice
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM MAY 20TH TO NOVEMBER 23RD, 2023 Curated by Lesley Lokko, Scottish architect, professor of architecture and writer with Ghanaian citizenship, the eighteenth Biennale Architettura returns to the lagoon city and will bring to the city the works of 89 participants (over half of whom from Africa or the African diaspora) who will exhibit … Continue reading
New Americana Music: Ben Bostick — ‘The Rascal Is Back’
Grow up loving country music? Been missing it since, well, probably since you got your driver’s license? There’s good news. Ben Bostick‘s new album — The Rascal Is Back — makes it clear that all hope is not lost. It might not be what you expect (which is refreshing), but this collection will bring back … Continue reading
New Jazz: Jason Kush — ‘Finally Friday’
Saxophonist Jason Kush’s Finally Friday is a tonic good for any day of the week. The album is a steadily building state of euphoria that features the Jason Kush Quartet: Jason Kush – tenor saxophone, Alton Merrell – piano, Jeff Grubbs – bass, and David Glover – drums. As a composer, Jason Kush covers territory far beyond what might be … Continue reading
New Jazz: The Las Vegas Boneheads — Sixty and Still Cookin’
From the very first notes on their new release —Sixty and Still Cookin’— the Las Vegas Boneheads lay it all out there. The song is “Al Cohn Tune,” and it is akin to a finely tuned and now rare classic racing car starting its engine and then going for a dizzying spin. There is a … Continue reading
New Folk/Roots: Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy — ‘Canvas’
A canvas is just about the most exciting thing there is. A blank slate upon which anything is possible. On their new album, titled Canvas, Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy — two of the world’s top Celtic fiddlers — bring a musical canvas to life, filling it with passion and drama, and making the disc … Continue reading