This page will feature record and concert reviews from our DJs. John Hammel (Mozart To Motörhead) and Jeff From Oxford (The Perfumed Garden) get the ball rolling.

January Edition

Luke Marantz & Simon Jermyn – Echoes – Chill Tone Records - Luke Marantz – piano/synth/Rhodes & Simon Jermyn – guitar/bass - Josh Dion – drums – An impressively beautiful soundscape of color and nuance from these three marvelous musicians. Fans of King Crimson wouldn’t be disappointed, although I find this music even more melodious. All the music permeates your being, enveloping one in a miasma of serene creativity, even when the drums are pushing and the guitar is nipping its way into your soul. JH

Rosalia – Lux – Columbia Records – Rosalia Vila Tobella is one hell of an artist. What a mindbender this album is. This is like no other record I heard in 2025. Genre defying in it’s blend of rock, electronica, classical (symphonic & operatic), flamenco, et al. Also utilizing the talents of hot classical composer Caroline Shaw and old school avant-gardists like Bjork, this record should be a must listen for all inspiring artists, although it just might intimidate some out of the arena! It pretty much deals with themes that plague all of us to greater and lesser degrees depending on you intellectual and emotional make-up; divinity, the ability to transform oneself, sainthood, and most especially how to make sense out of an increasingly chaotic or non-sensical world. She is pushing her fan base and envelopes like virtually no other artist out there. The record of 2025. JH

John Vanore & Abstract Truth – Easter Island Suite – Acoustical Concepts Records – Trumpeter John Vanore has composed a big 4-part suite that marries small group intimacy with big band sensibilities. Richly inventive & expressive writing and execution elevate this disc beyond the purview of most efforts in the big band genre. The giant stone sculptured heads on Easter Island have enthralled both archeologists & tourists alike for centuries and this music shares in the sense of awe that these manifestations inspire. This record might well evoke memories of the great Gil Evans/Miles Davis collaborations and easily is able to stand up to the comparison. JH

Mavis Staples – Sad and Beautiful World – Anti-Epitaph Records – Eighty-five and still singing as if our lives depended on it. What an artist. One of planet earths sublime interpreters of song, navigating the darkness of human existence with grace, dignity and forgiveness. Always finding the goodness in life in spite of so much evidence to the contrary. Emphasizing the good over the evil, pushing, prodding and bending the arc of  the universe to her own sense of light & goodness. The key to this album is in her astonishing interpretation of Leonard Cohen’s Anthem. Finding hope among the hopeless situations in life. “There is a crack in everything. That is how the light gets in.” Oh God, continue to shine a light on Mavis Staples. May she live and sing to one hundred years old. JH

Kris Davis & the Lutoslawski Quartet – The Solastalgia Suite – Pyroclastic Records - Kris Davis – piano/composer; Lutoslawski Quartet: Roksana Kwasnikowska – violin; Marcin Markowitz – violin; Artur Rozmyslowicz – viola; Maciej Mlodawski – cello. Something new to learn. This suite’s music deals with solastalgia, a condition which deals with the distress caused by environmental change. Eight movements that aim to encapsulate the shadowy feelings of dread, yearning and hope that partially define the condition. This is a profound composition by Kris Davis, not merely jazz or classical, but an intense synthesis of the two genres. Certainly not just jazz with strings, this is a completely successful amalgamation of the two genres. A commission of the Jazztopad in Poland, it provides a showcase for the uniquely talented Ms. Davis in which she creates a rich narrative composition that is both driven and exultant. Extraordinary playing by all the members of the Lutoslawski Quartet & Davis. JH

Fred Hersch – The Surrounding Green – ECM Records - Fred Hersch - piano/compositions; Drew Gress - double bass; Joey Baron- drums. This trio recording is masterly. Nuance, depth, brilliant use of space and silence and phenomenal interplay between the three players provide us, the listener, with an opportunity to enjoy this highly sophisticated yet accessible music to the fullest. Always the most sensitive of composers & pianists, Fred Hersch draws you into this quiet firestorm of an emotional musical persona with his usual warmth and sensitivity. A plus plus. JH

Raphael Pannier Quartet – Live in Saint Louis Senegal – Miel Music - Raphaël Pannier – drums; Thomas Enhco – piano (and Rhodes); Yosvany Terry – saxophone; François Moutin – double bass - Khadim Niang & Sabar Group – drums & percussion; Mouhamed Niang; elder Cheikh Ndiaye Baba; Abdou Salam Sy, Bathie Gueye, Fallou Gueye, and Khadim’s two sons, Papa Madiodio Niang and Yoro Niang. An album of firsts, most notably, the first time a Senegalese sabar percussion group has worked with a piano jazz quartet. What a magnificent dialogue it is! Jazz returning to it’s cultural roots in Africa. The complex African rhythms blend seamlessly with Pannier’s quartet and the results should be enough to intrigue & lift anyone’s spirits. Mission accomplished. JH

Khruangbin - The Universe Smiles Upon You ii - Dead Oceans Records - Laura Lee Ochoa – bass guitar, vocals - Mark Speer – guitars, percussion, vocals - Donald "DJ" Johnson – drums, percussion, keyboards, piano, organ, vocals. – A rich re-imagining of their 2015 debut album, this recording magnifies the growth in both confidence, nuance & sound sculpting. My oldest son turned me on to this group when they first appeared and his ear is impeccable. There is nothing quite like this band of extremely talented musicians who excel in the slow burning groove orientation inherent in music of this type, employing style & silence better than 99% of shredders. Almost every sound they make fills your ears & soul with a buttery warmth. JH

Vance Thompson – Lost and Found – Moondo Records (www.vancethompsonmusic.com) - Vance Thomspon – trumpet/composer - piano - Taber Gable – guitar - Steve Kovalcheck - bass - Tommy Sauter – drums - Marcus Finnie – Vance Thompson leads a tightly swinging set with his new quartet reveling in a batch of his own tunes and two covers. They hit the musical pavement running with a nifty number entitled Tell It Like It Is. Not the Aaron Neville classic, but instead an energetic piece that lays the foundation for all to follow. Vance is telling it like it is with imagination & courage. Suffering from focal dystonia, an affliction which affects brass players and causing uncontrollable muscle contractions around the mouth, face and jaw, Vance took matters into his own hands. After a highly successful career of over 25 years as a leading jazz trumpeter, he took a few years off to study the vibes. The result is what we hear here. A heady mix of new compositions that stand comfortably beside two covers, and expertly played by all. Their cover of Arlen’s Over the Rainbow is beautifully rendered and I particularly enjoyed their cover of a Donald Brown number entitled My Three Suns. Donald is an underrated & excellent pianist & composer. JH

Wu Wei – Martin Stegner – Janne Saksana – Pur Ti Miro – ECM New Series

Wu Wei – sheng - Martin Stegner – viola - Janne Saksala - double bass – Pur ti miro in Italian means "I still gaze at you." It is a sensual declaration of love between the Roman Emperor Nero & Poppea from Monteverdi’s opera, The Coronation of Poppea. The music of Monteverdi, Vivaldi & Bach rendered anew with richness & vibrancy in this exacting trio recording utilizing instruments that expand rather than restrict the music. The sheng in particular, a Chinese mouth organ, integrates expertly with viola and bass to inform this music with colors I had not previously imagined. All captured with ECM’s fine recording standards. JH

Moor Mother – Analog Fluids of Sonic Black Holes – MDG Gold Records - Beethoven Orchestra Bonn – Dirk Kaftan – conductor - Wooden Elephant -  String Quintet – Aoife Ní Bhriain (violin), Hulda Jónsdóttir (violin), Ian Anderson (viola), Stefan Hadjiev (cello), and Nikolai Matthews (double bass) - Moor Mother – Camae Ayewa – This extraordinary composition from Moor Mother, originally released in 2019, has been stunningly re-imagined for full orchestra and string quartet. Dear God this is an amazing record. This composition dares you to look away from the horrors of human bondage and man’s inhumanity to man & the consequences that ensue for generations & hundreds of years. Powerfully visceral, it incorporates core elements of hip-hop, jazz, classical, electronica, industrial, geez, name a genre it doesn’t tap on the shoulder in its quest to pull everyone into its darkly honest artistic vision. Listen to this record at your emotional peril. That’s half a joke. Just listen to this record. JH

Theo Bleckmann – Love and Anger – Sunnyside Records - Theo Bleckmann – vocals - Mike King - piano & organ - Matt Penman – bass - Ulysses Owens, Jr. – drums - Timo Vollbrecht - saxophone & flute (1, 4, 5, 12) - Ben Monder - guitar (1, 5, 12) – Theo Bleckmann has always surrounded himself with top notch musicians and this has enhanced both his sound & appeal. This is primarily an album of covers and Theo is out to showcase his versatility and interpretative abilities. He is a nonpareil translator of other people’s material and in this case brings his imaginative abilities to the fore. Wonderful accounts of Kate Bush, The Beatles, disco icon Sylvester, Henry Purcell and more are both to new life with able support from his musical associates. JH

Suzanne Baca – Live at WOMAD 2023 – Real World Records - Susana Baca – vocals - Oscar Huaranga – Musical director, bass - Jonathan Mendoza – Acoustic guitar - Renzo Vignati – Electric guitar - Miguel Díaz – Percussion - Alexandro Quijandria – Backing vocals - Recorded at the WOMAD Festival 28 July, 2023, Charlton Park in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England. This perennially great Peruvian singer has been gracing us with her hypnotically infectious music making for over 60 of her 81 years. Her style if laid back and alluring. The voice intimate and gently emotional. This document from the 2023 WOMAD festival is an essential addition to her expansive catalog. She is backed by a terrific group of bandmates who complement her singing & story-telling as if they’re connected by DNA. JH

Keith West - Cross That Bridge - The Anthology 1965-1999 (Strawberry)

Keith West secured his place on the British psychedelia pedestal as singer and composer (with Ken Burgess) of Tomorrow’s legendary eponymous album. This 46-track compilation selects six tracks (including the recently-discovered ‘My White Bicycle’ acetate) and adds the entire output from their mid-‘60s mod/soul progenitors Four + One and The In Crowd. The former’s two covers ape the Stones’ versions right down to West’s Jagger impersonation, but The In Crowd’s raucous proto-punk banger ‘Things She Says’, the Sonny Bono-via-Barry McGuire ‘Why Must They Criticize’, and two outtakes from the Blow-Up soundtrack spotlight West’s versatile vocals encompassing blues, soul, and garage screamers.

West’s solo debut (the theme from Mark Wirtz’s aborted Teenage Opera project) was a #2 smash but the follow-up ‘Sam’ and the brilliant shouldabeen a hit ‘On A Saturday’ failed to excite, and West concentrated on production and songwriting.

Disc two focuses on “1970s Recordings Plus.” Following two Deram solo efforts with a decidedly mellow CSNY/Brinsley Schwarz/Mighty Baby vibe, he released his lone solo album, the German-only Wherever My Love Goes, most of which is included. Featuring all-star backing from members of Stealer’s Wheel, Jeff Beck Group, Strawbs, Misunderstood, and Animals, it continues that stony Flying Burritos/Traffic style. Highlights include the magnificent ‘West Country’ (an even-better demo is on Disc 1), a heavy-lidded ‘Leitmotiv’, ‘Hope You’re Feeling Better’ (with its surprise ‘My White Bicycle’ coda!), and the dreamy ‘Sad Song.’ Favourable comparisons with Action singer Reg King’s solo albums would not be misplaced.

His next venture was the one-off Moonrider with Family guitarist John Weider and future Attractions bassist Bruce Thomas. Four tracks are on offer: earlier single ‘Having Someone’ gets a fresh coat of countrified paint and the funky ‘Living On Main Street’ are my favourites. Overall, more of the same excellent laidback grooves with hints of Plainsong to enjoy. Weider’s solos are particularly tasty.

The set concludes with several unreleased demos, the best being the Dylanesque Moonrider outtake ‘Baby Blue’, and two collaborations with Tomorrow cohort Steve Howe. The title track is an upbeat pop banger demo rejected by Robert Palmer, but Dylan’s ‘Lay Lady Lay’ is rather pedestrian. JFO

Moonrider - Moonrider (Think Like A Key)

It's a Keith West bonanza this month! Following his brilliant work as singer/songwriter in the much-loved Tomorrow and a German-only solo album with a stoney Brinsley Schwarz vibe, Keith West (aided by Animals/Family guitarist John Weider and future Attraction Bruce Thomas) released this one-off venture. Weider’s guitarwork is exemplary, West’s melodic songs evince a relaxed, West Coast vibe a la Help Yourself, Mighty Baby, and Plainsong, and the whole album is a buried treasure ripe for rediscovery. This 50th anniversary remaster appends live BBC performances of most of the tracks demonstrating the band were a formidable live act. ‘Having Someone’ and ‘I Found Love’, the hit singles that never were and the funky ‘Living On A Main Street’ are highlights, but Thomas’s bubbly basslines (‘Too Early In The Morning’), the Dead-infused ‘Ridin’ For A Fall’, and the dreamy ‘Danger In The Night’ are worth a few extra spins. JFO

The Black Watch - Varied Superstitions (Blue Matter)

John Andrew Fredrick and his revolving band of merrymakers’ twenty-sixth album continues a long line of power pop confections with psychedelic overtones, Beatlesque nudges, literate lyrics (Fredrick is also a novelist), and a whole lotta great music. Seven-minute opener ‘It Is What It Isn’t’ questions reality while delivering crystalline guitar lines that shimmer like the sun on the ocean. The title track is an eponymous litany set to a toetapping dance beat while ‘Living Backwards’ encourages us to forsake the past and concentrate on making the future a better place. While a sense of frustration with the world we live in permeates some lyrics (“Have we all gone insane?”, ‘Some People Will Believe’), Fredrick paints them with such tender brushstrokes of shoegazing guitars (‘Jolly Melancholy’, ‘In This Town’) that we’re whisked away to safer environs where only the music matters. JFO

December Edition

Brandon Sanders – Lasting Impression – Savant Records - Brandon Sanders: drums - Stacy Dillard: tenor saxophone -  Eric Scott Reed : piano 1-7 - Eric Wheeler: bass – 1-7 - Warren Wolf: vibraphone - Jazzmeia Horn: vocals (on tracks 2 and 7 – Ameen Saleem – bass 8 – Tyler Bullock – piano – 8.

Although strongly rooted in prior jazz traditions, Sanders et. al. revel in energetic expression and strongly accessible new paths to enliven and push forward the old ways. The rhythm section pushes and pulls this session along with expert synchronicity and drive. Mixing well established covers with two new compositions from the leader, 'Lasting Impression' and 'Tales of Mississippi,' this is a highly listenable set that satisfies and leaves you hungering for more at the same time. JH

Warren Haynes – The Whisper Sessions – Fantasy Records - Warren Haynes: Vocals, Guitar - John Medeski: Keys - Kevin Scott: Bass - Terence Higgins: Drums -  Greg Osby: Saxophone.

Profound emotional depth and feeling permeate this release. Talk about stripping yourself down to the bone. A brave excursion into a blend of southern rock, soul and blues from a whisper to another naked whisper. I never appreciated Haynes’ vocal abilities until this record. Fine, fine songwriting contributes to a magnificent release. The record is augmented with some fine players & playing by those listed above and they contribute accordingly, subtly adding nuance where appropriate. JH

Amanda Shires – Nobody’s Girl – ATO Records – A terrific mix of genres. This is Shires’ emotionally confessional “comeback” album, if you will, displaying a deeply personal and emotional tale of her breakup and self-recovery after a traumatic breakup. Her fiddle playing and vocals augment and underscore the lyrics' profound honesty. This is a kitchen sink production with orchestral strings, pedal steel, rocking rhythms & heartfelt vocalizing. A strong "A" album. JH 

John Edwards  Luis Vicente  Vasco Trilla - Choreography of Fractures – FSR Records  - John Edwards - double bass - Luis Vicente – trumpet -  Vasco Trilla – percussion - all music by Edwards, Vicente, Trilla.

Soft dynamics, nuance, subtlety, exquisite technical control.... What could go wrong? Absolutely nothing! Myriad textures teem on this record of combined improvisation and exploration. The music shapeshifts constantly segueing into various forms and formulations; phrase by phrase and song by song. Great use of silences with deftness & sensitivity and space invigorate this outstanding release. JH

Brandi Carlile – Returning to Myself – Interscope/Lost Highway Records – Brandi Carlile has matured as a major artist about as well as anyone can. Vocally, lyrically and musically. Some critics have carped about this album being on the safe side. I love that fact that she wears her likes & dislikes as well as her influences on her sleeve. She is taking complexity and breaking it down to easy-to-digest levels while synthesizing her sound to incorporate country, pop, synth, et. al. The album may be more mellow than some of her rockier outings, but there is nothing not to like here. I, for one, can’t get enough of Brandi Carlile. JH

Ivo Perelman & Army Anderson - 12 Stages of Spiritual Alchemy - FSRecords  - Ivo Perelman - tenor sax - Ray Anderson – trombone.

Two great players showing off their improvisational and technical skills at levels of virtuosity & imagination that few could imitate or emulate. Highly experimental, but not for the uninitiated. I’m not sure that the casual listener will find this music compelling. This is stuff for folks who like to stretch their brain cells a bit. I love doing so but I’m an anomaly in the sense that I like pop fluff and the avant-garde in almost equal measures. JH

Bruce Springsteen – Nebraska ’82 – Expanded – Columbia Legacy Records – If you’re a serious fan of the Boss, this is beyond essential. A boldly courageous performance at the time of its release, not only for its stripped-down settings but for the way in which he laid his persona & emotions this bare for the first time. This release expands on that initial proffering by incorporating outtakes, full band versions and a live outing with several close members of the E Street assemblage. This release is a validation of Bruce’s instincts that this was the right record at the right time AND also showcases the timelessness of the material. As resonate today as in 1982. The live versions are at least as good as the source material and in some ways surpass them. It is also wonderful to hear demo versions of songs which did not appear on Nebraska but would be absorbed into his next record, Born in the USA. A superlative re-issue. JH

Spinifex – Maxximus –Trytone Records -  Evi Filippou - vibraphone, percussion, Elisabeth Coudoux – cello - Jessica Pavone – viola - Bart Maris - trumpet, piccolo trumpet - Tobias Klein – alto saxophone, bass clarinet - John Dikeman - tenor saxophone, bass saxophone - Jasper Stadhouders – guitar - Gonçalo Almeida – double bass - Philipp Moser – drums, percussion.

A larger ensemble on this outing, fleshed out with guest musicians, allows Spinifex to engage in more complex, sonically engaging architecture. Improvisation is still crucial to this band’s raison d’etre and is on full display here with the band shape-shifting rapidly and at will in order to fulfill their sonic mission. Creative tone painting adds to the overall enjoyment. JH

Wolfgang Muthspiel – Tokyo – ECM Records - Wolfgang Muthspiel (electric guitar) - Scott Colley (double bass) - Brian Blade (drums).

A fluidly lyrical guitarist, Muthspiel, here with his long-established trio, plays in a richly evocative manner. Seemingly simplistic melodic lines are augmented with highly sophisticated harmonies that captivate and wash over you like a warmly efflorescent early summer’s day. This is a gorgeous record weaving complex music out of genre-defying blends of folk, rock, jazz & classical. Easily one of the best jazz records of 2025. JH

Mark Sherman – Bop Contest – Miles High Records - Mark Sherman – vibes – Donald Vega – piano – Ron Carter – bass – Carl Allen -drums - Joe Magnarelli – trumpet & flugelhorn – 2 & 5.

A stellar lineup of musician’s heralds a return to vibes for leader Mark Sherman after years concentrating on piano. He’s apparently never missed a beat as his vibes skills have survived intact on this excellent outing of classic jazz & bebop. Some might carp about a lack of adventure but for me this is a vibrant set of covers and two originals from Mark 'Love Always, Always Love' & the title track, capped by his duet with himself on piano & vibes on the Hoagy Carmichael standard 'Skylark.' JH

Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream – Polydor Records – Wow! Raw, cathartic & highly emotional. Perhaps the most visceral of Florence Welch’s career. Most of the lyrics cover trauma and recovery specifically dealing with her recent ectopic pregnancy. She has courageously shared her experience of female oriented physical problems with deep urgency. The album kicks off with the brilliant 'Everybody Scream' urging listeners to allow their emotions to surge out rather than keeping them inside and thus deepening angst & trauma. The entire production serves her lyrics well with a powerfully edgy soundscape. This is strongly uplifting album and on my top ten list for the year. JH

Convergence – Reckless Meter – Capri Records - Eric Gunnison (piano), Greg Gisbert (trumpet and flugelhorn), John Gunther (saxophones), Mark Patterson (trombone), Mark Simon (bass), and Paul Romaine (drums).

Recorded live in Denver, Colorado in 2019 it certainly captures the live energy of performing for an audience rather than the confines of a muted studio. This is music firmly rooted in tradition yet pushing against the walls of modernism. Fine interplay between all the players makes for an enlivening achievement of improvisation and spontaneity. Reckless Meter indeed w/o losing their sense of balance. JH

Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl – Republic Records  - Taylor is incapable of making a weak album. She’s just in “that” category of artist. So big that she it is impossible to ignore her or criticize by “normal” standards. That said, this is another very good outing from Ms. Swift with her usual genius pop instincts firmly intact. Lyrically I’ve never found her to be especially artistic or poetic. More confessional and colloquial and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The production is what you would expect from an artist of her stature. Big, showy, impressive mixing and powerfully exhilarating. For me, her outsized appeal eludes me. Like her male counterpart Ed Sheeran, I don’t fully get it. Appreciate it and can see the appeal but doesn’t rock my universe. JH

Lena Bloch – Marina – Fresh Sounds Records - Lena Bloch tenor & soprano saxophones - Kyoko Kitamura vocals - Jacob Sacks piano - Ken Filiano bass Michael Sarin drums.

Lena Bloh, expat Russian, continues to impress with her magnificent musical imagination and technique coupled with her ongoing inspiration with the poetry of Marina Tsvetaeva. The album is titled Marina and Bloch translates several of the great poet’s works into English for stunning vocalist Kyoko Kitamura to interpret, which she does so gloriously. Tsvetaeva was a tragic figure, losing her husband and two daughters, eventually taking her own life. The music of this tribute is a whirling incandescence of free jazz buoyed by strongly attenuated structure accompanied by powerful melody & harmonic structure. Great record. JH

Erkki-Sven Tüür - Aeris – ECM New Series - German Hornsound - Christoph EßFrench Horn - Marc Gruber - French Horn - Stephan Schottstädt - French Horn - Timo Steininger - French Horn - Estonian National Symphony Orchestra Orchestra -  Olari Elts - Conductor.

Estonian composer Erkki-Sven Tüür is a marvel of poly-stylistic writing. He has from the start synthesized elements & sounds of rock, classical, Minimalism, Gregorian Chant, et. al. along with loud/soft, tonal/atonal methods side-by-side and somehow has made it all work. The sound quality of this ECM release is up to their usual superlative standards and works well to establish the nuanced sound world conjured by Tüür & ably executed by this orchestra & conductor. The HornSound Quartet augment the full orchestra for the intensely energetic symphony 'Aeris.' 'Phantasma', with its roiling back and forth in the orchestra is modern ear candy. 'De Profundis' is an instrumental take on the Old Testament psalm which builds softly & slowly to a turbulence which finally resolves to transcendent peace. All-in-all a superb record of a vital modern composer and proof that one does NOT have to reside in the realms of the old masters to find incisively cogent and easily accessible music. JH

Satoko Fujii Quartet – Burning Wick – Libra Records - Natsuki Tamura – trumpet – Satoko Fujii – piano/voice/compositions - Hayakawa Takeharu – bass/voice – Tatsuya Yoshida – drums/voice.

A high-intensity, genre-busting outing from the Satoko Fujii Quartet! Great, great interaction throughout the recording by this group with stop-on-a-dime shifts of energy, nuance & volatility. Terrific atmosphere and perturbation. All the music is composed by Fujii and every track is a standout. This is about as adventurous as one can get and still retain accessibility. All of the instrumentalists shine on this record, particularly Tamura who pulls out all the stops in his explorations of the material his wife has presented for the band to delve into. JH

James McMurtry – The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy – New West Records – Nothing to see here. Move along, move along. Just the usual world class songwriting standards from one of the most literate songwriters ever. Most of the thematic material concerns aging and mortality. Yup, that’s happens and becomes a running theme for folks of a, ahem, certain age. You learn to grapple with it & find acceptance and grace. This is an impactful album with astonishing depth and acuity. There are two covers which fit in with the originals neatly. Kristofferson’s 'Freedom Song' and Jon Dee Graham’s 'Laredo (Small Dark Something).' The production is nonpareil and McMurtry’s vocals are balanced front and center, which is as it should be. Another record of the year. JH

Jussi Reijonen – Sayr – Kaiho – Live in Helsinki -  Unmusic Records – This record is a companion piece to Jussi’s recording Salt, released shortly prior and is not for general public consumption. It is a unique guitar workout. Like my friend Peter Biedermann whose music is also highly original & unique, Reijonen creates a music soundscape & vision that is almost unduplicatable. Also, like Biedermann, this music is deeply contemplative & spiritual. One must concentrate to garner the full enjoyment inherent from this challenging but ultimately rewarding music. JH

Jeff Tweedy – Twilight Override – dBpm Records  - I haven’t seen a double (or triple) release in my life that the majority of critics didn’t lament the sprawling nature of and offer advice on how it coulda, shoulda been a shorter record and all the better for it. And then. Years later those same critics laud the release as one of the greatest of all time. So I’m not going out too far on a limb to label this Tweedy release a masterpiece and the three CD/LP/DL set is perfect just the way it is. Great variety & songwriting. Jeff seems to be in a contemplatively introspective mood on this record revealing more about himself than on most outings. Less bombastic than Wilco records, Tweedy is content to draw you closer into his world. The music making is concise and to the point with fine interplay between Tweedy’s pere & fils, along with several other guest multi-instrumentalists. JH

Keith Oxman – Home – Capri Records - Keith Oxman: Tenor Saxophone - Derek Banach: Trumpet • Clint Dadian: Guitar - Bill McCrossen: Bass • Todd Reid: Drums.

A finely-oiled hard bop session from Keith Oxman and bandmates. Nothing earthshaking here, just a collection of well-crafted compositions and a few covers executed to the nth degree with precision and expertise. Music you could listen to all night and leave for home with a snug musical belly full of satisfying tunes done to perfection. JH

Saul Williams / Carlos Nino Aja Monet – The Water is Rising – as we surpass the firing squad – International Anthem Recs – There is simply nothing to criticize here. Only praise. This is exemplary poetry rendered sublime with gorgeous music, both underscoring the words brilliantly & added color and nuance. The spoken word by Monet & Williams is raw & meaningful, with thematic material addressing colonialism, racism, environmental concerns and deeply humanistic spirituality that rises on the wings of these performances to inspire hope, always hope. Instrumentation is augmented by the presence of giants like Carlos Nino, Aaron Shaw & Kamasai Washington. JH

Joe Morris / Tyshawn Sorey / Peter Evans – COMPREHENSIVE – FS Records
Peter Evans - trumpet, piccolo trumpet - Joe Morris – bass - Tyshawn Sorey – drums.

This is the way genius improvisation is supposed to work, with the music evolving in the moment as if in spontaneous composition. It’s heady stuff and not for the uninitiated. Sharp, taut, stratified, & dynamic. This is music for the chess-playing set of musical aficionados. Three masterful players having tons of fun and not giving a whit whether you’re in on it. They’re just doing what they must do. Elegant, improvisatory creation. JH

Jonathan Richman – Only Frozen Sky Anyway – Blue Arrow Records – The fresh-faced insouciance of Jonathan Richman’s oeuvre continues unabated with this superlative new release. If you are not charmed by JR’s honesty and intimate musings, you are an unfeeling beast! I have always delighted in his lighthearted positivity. Even his cover of the Bee Gees 'Night Fever' is a blast of introspection and digging for hopefulness in the oddest of places. The depth of Jonathan Richman’s creativeness ofttimes creeps up on you and before you know it, you’re tapping your toes and nodding along and wondering where the hell that warm glow permeating your entire being is coming from. That is part of the magic of JR. JH

Salvatore Mercatante - Stega III Dianus Of Doorways – Library of the Occult Records - Stega III: Dianus Of Doorways is the final part of Mercatante’s trilogy based on the Italian dreamwalking spirits, the Benandanti. New York-based Mercatante is a master of synth manipulation. He is capable of making music out of the most disparate of sounds and sources. This is the final part of a trilogy focusing on the dark adventures of a coven of young witches. The music dances & shimmers & shivers along creating a darkly intriguing & alluring sound world. This is the stuff of Giallo legend. JH

Luke Haines & Peter Buck – Going Down to the River to Blow My Mind – Cherry Red – Two guys rough and edgy, complementing each other beautifully. Some of the lyrics might strike one as eerie or perhaps eerily familiar if you are so inclined. All in all this is a rich album of vivid writing and playing. A diverse outing with Buck laying down guitar playing which shows off his eclectic stylings. JH

Robert Plant – Saving Grace – Nonesuch Records – You don’t need me to inform you of the overall greatness of the vocal talents of Robert Plant. One of the greatest of all time, any genre. This phenomenal album of duets with Suzi Dian recalls his triumphant re-imaging as a highly nuanced, intensely personalized singer. Their voices blend like magic on these cuts of mainly traditionals and covers. Suzi shines like a bright star in the firmament on her feature, 'Too Far From You.' The instrumentation is spot on with special mention going to banjoist Matt Worley. JH

Majid Bekkas / Nguyên Lê / Hamid Drake – Gnawa World Blues – ACT Music - Majid Bekkas - guembri, oud & vocals - Nguyên Lê - guitar & backing vocals, Hamid Drake – drums.

A masterly blend of global music. Everything from African, jazz, rock, and folk all coalescing into a melodious stew of exhilarating sounds that will get your feet moving, toes tapping, hips swaying and before you know it, you’re jumping around the room, glad to be alive. Uniquely left-field takes on John Lee Hooker’s 'Boom Boom' and Hendrix’s 'Purple Haze' should bridge any gaps in a deep appreciation for what this trio has pulled off. The fact that it is all pulled off in front of a live audience is too mahvelous for words dahlings. JH

Radiohead – Hail to the Thief – Live Recordings 2003-2009 – XL Records  - C’mon we’re talking Radiohead here. One of the greatest musical bands of all time. I don’t care if you don’t like them. That’s your problem. I’ve met my share of folks who can’t stand the Beatles and the world's still spinnin’. These are stunning & powerful versions of classic Radiohead material. Pumped-up versions of the album's tracks with subtle & not-so-subtle re-workings illustrate that these musicians have their antennae extended so much further out than most bands. I still recall a co-worker who turned me on to them after their second album and they continue to knock me out with every release. JH

Mozart - 1  2  3  4 Solo Duo Trio Quartet – Harmonia Mundi Records - Julien Libeer – piano - Pierre Colombet – violin - Máté Szücs -  viola - Eckart Runge  - cello.

This is Herr Mozart, one of the most talented musical geniuses to ever grace this planet rendered with virtuosity, & with beautiful sensitivity whether in quartet, trio or duo formats. These performers outshine many of their contemporaries in capturing the overall nature of each piece; the darkness of the quartet; the sheer brilliance of the solo violin sonata, et. al. Cellist Runge can be a bit overbearing in spots but this is a small caveat for an otherwise outstanding addition to the Mozart catalog. JH

Kristina Marinova – The Bus Came By and I Got On – Navona Records – Kristina Marinova – piano.

I heard the superb interview that our own DJ Easy Wind (Signpost To New Space had with pianist Kristina Marinova and had to rush out to get this record. What a joy of crossover genius. Classical & Grateful Dead. Yowser! Although classically trained, Ms. Marinova is not only uninhibited but inhabits these interpretations from the inside out. What a fabulous record. She extrapolates from the source material a wealth of insight and variety. If you weren’t already a convert to the Dead’s unique genius, perhaps this record could convince you of their innate musicality & genius. JH

Terrapin Gun - Transformations, Visions, Incarnations, Ascension - Infinite Spin Records

Terrapin Gun is the multi-instrumental duo of Sterling DeWeese and Scott Levine and this is their sophomore release following a reconnect two decades on from a compilation of 1998-2003 recordings. Opening with a song called 'Queasy' signposts your trip, with Levine's decidedly gloomy/doomy vocals floating around an iceberg flow synth backing. Andrew Eldritch fronting Spacemen 3? Perhaps, but there's more to come once you glue your skull back together. (It's companion 'Ultra Queasy' adds a headswiriling touch later on in the trip.) The minimalist terror of 'Sideways' bleeds (I use the term advisedly) into the soporific strum of melancholic head nodder 'Candy Coated Telekinesis.' 'Can't Get Love For Nothing' gets an echoey, wah-wah vocal treatment, adding to an already trippy vibe, and 'Won't Wait For You' imbibes me with a baggy-trousered Happy Mondays Madchester groove.

I'll be dipping into the 'Sugar Bowl' more than my doctor would like, but its sweet melody and vibrato guitar solo is too good to avoid. 'Get Fucked' and 'Holy Operator' wear their Jesus and Mary Chain/Primal Scream influences on their proverbial sleeves - psychedelic garage anyone?  I broke into my whirling dervish happy dance for these before 'Turiya' levitated me to that "fourth state" of consciousness that I typically assume before spinning some Brian Jonestown Massacre. I think I saw Anton Newcombe out of my third eye grooving over in the corner of the room.

As the needle hits the final track, 'Deh Deh Deh' is all I could manage to mumble out of my satisfied mind, which is just as well, because this freaked out Stooges-meets-JAMC mindfuck will need some chill out time to come down from. The pair own up to an affection for Brian Jonestown Massacre, Spacemen 3, and Jesus And Mary Chain with a side order of the Stooges and Pretty Things, so if that floats your boat as much as it does mine, you know what to do. But do it fast, as only 125 LPs and 50 CDs are available. JFO

Great Lakes - Don't Swim Too Close (Happy Happy Birthday To Me)

Ben Crum co-founded Great Lakes over 30 years ago but a move to Athens, Georgia found him falling in with the Elephant 6 crowd, with members of Apples In Stereo, Neutral Milk Hotel, Olivia Tremor Control, Of Montreal, et. al. contributing to the early records. Now based in New York, Great Lakes' eighth album features the steady lineup of Crum on guitar and bass, Suzanne Nienaber on vocals, and drummer Kevin Shea that have been together for about 15 years. Assorted friends continue to contribute keyboards, bass, guitars, and drums, but the whole project seamlessly gels throughout.

We were very excited about their previous release (2022's Contenders) and Don't Swim Too Close justifies our earlier reaction. I have to admit to an agreeable Tom Petty-ish groove to opener 'Another Klaxon Sounds', although its distinctive "oogah" is mercifully omited! 'On The Way Back' revisits the Neil Young and Crazy Horse fuzz-driven guitar workouts I enjoyed on Contenders, and there's a subtle 'I Feel Fine' guitar figure  permeating 'Carry The Message' that also drags a little 'Mr. Soul' riff along for the ride. Add a little wah-wah guitar and Dead-ish jam and we're off to a great (pun intended) start!

Is that 'Seeds and Stems (Again)' peeking out behind the slow nodder 'Like An Open Grave'? Kyle Forester's barrel house piano accompaniment is particularly tasty on this one. The title track is a nice country rocker with a steady toe-tapping beat and smooth vocal backing from Nienaber, while instrumental 'San's Blues' is a nice, slow-burning detour to end Side 1.

Forester propels 'Seeing Through Her' through its slow-dancing-swaying-to-the-music paces, Petty's ghost drops by to add atmosphere to 'The Freer Heart,' and Nienaber's soft vocals, not unlike John Prine and Kris Kristofferson's duets with their respective wives, soothe the sarcastic humour of 'Meant To Fly.' 'Song For The Old Man' is a tender, heartfelt tribute to Crum's late father, reminding me favourably of the similar sentiment in Five Chinese Brothers' 'My Dad's Face,' Graham Gouldman's 'My Dad,' and Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon)'s 'I Love My Dad.'

'Are We Here Accidentally' ends the album on an eloquent, existential note with a gospel-inflected chorus that induces goose pimples and discussion points while you flip the album over and enjoy it all over again. JFO

November Edition

Bartok – Duke Bluebeard’s Castle – Karina Canellakis – PentaTone Records
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra – Karina Canellakis – conductor

Rinat Shaham – Judith; Gabor Bretz – Bluebeard. The first thing that strikes me about this stark, psychological drama is the depth of emotion balanced with subtle nuance by the two main protagonists. Both Rinat Shaham & Gabor Bretz bring warmth & intensity to their parts, underscoring the disturbing emotional conflict at the core of this astonishing opera. The orchestra is expertly led by conductor Karina Canellakis who keeps a tight rein on the action and delineates its intense drama. I loved this new version of one of my favorite 20^th century operas. JH

Spinal Tap – The End Continues – Interscope Records   - David St. Hubbins (portrayed by Michael McKean) – lead vocals, rhythm and lead guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar   - Nigel Tufnel (portrayed by Christopher Guest) – lead and rhythm guitar, backing & lead vocals, bass guitar, piano, violin, violin bow, mandolin - Derek Smalls (portrayed by Harry Shearer) – bass guitar, backing & lead vocals   - "Caucasian" Jeffery Vanston (portrayed by himself) – keyboards, backing vocals - Didi Crockett (portrayed by Valerie Franco) – drums, percussion.

It’s so good to have the Tap back proving that old rock ‘n’ rollers don’t fade away or die. They just keep on doing what they’ve always done best. Giving the people what they want whether they asked for it or not. But serially, the Tap have their tongues more firmly planted in their cheeks than the last time and this time they’re out to prove their musicianship has come up to the levels of their distorted and self- deluding egos. The reference to Mozart in (Listen To The) Flower People lit my candle. I love the duet with Paul McCartney on Cups and Cakes. Actually Paul takes the lead vocal. Yeah, yeah, yeah! Some critics took them to task for lacking some of the punch and humor they’ve displayed when they were younger, but with age comes wryness & restraint. The production is much more professional incorporating horns, strings and classical elements and that’s fine for classic metal rockers. Perhaps at their encroaching dotage they’re more inclined to tap into your emotions rather than rippin’ yer spines out! They end the album with a collaboration with Sir Elton John. Okay. “Nuff said. Well done ST. - JH

Raphael Pannier – Live in Saint-Louis Senegal – Miel Music Records – Raphael Pannier – drums/arrs/compositions – Yosvany Terry – alto sax/shekere – Thomas Enheo – keys – Francois Moutin – bass – Sabar Percussion Group – Khadim Niang – leader. Raphael Pannier’s quartet live in concert with the Sabar Percussion group led by Khadim Niag from the 2024 Saint Louis Int’l Jazz Festival 2024 in Senegal.

This is a gorgeous melding of covers & originals. John Coltrane, Dave Brubeck & Ornette Coleman’s music helps to illustrate what an international and interrelated concept jazz/music can be and is when it is presented through the personalities & hands of master musicians. Marvelous playing & creates a kaleidoscope of sound that should excite & delight your aural sensibilities. JH

Sara Serpa & Matt Mitchell – End of Something – Obliquity Records – Sara Serpa – voice – Matt Mitchell – piano.

A devotee of Pauline Oliveros’ Deep Listening technique would be well suited to enjoy & served with this release. Sara Serpa is a master of wordless vocalizing & profound emotion. Her partner in glorious musical crime, Matt Mitchell, seems to be joined at the heart. He not only accompanies but effortlessly makes the most ineffably beautiful music with Serpa no matter where her improvisatory muses may take her. He adds to the depth & nuance of these recordings. The tracks all have titles allowing the listener to bring their own memories & emotions to the proceedings. Another marvelous class in how to make the most w/o burning down the house. JH

Joe Hertenstein - The 7th Dinner LIVE - Fundacja Sluchaj! Records - Ray Anderson - trombone - Michael Moore - alto saxophone and clarinet   - Michael Formanek - bass  - Joe Hertenstein – drums.

Wide open musical vistas are summoned and on full display from the onset with Joe Hertenstein setting an exuberant and acrobatic pace on the opening track, The 7^th Dinner, which also happens to be the title of this exuberantly infectious live album recorded during the quartets central European 2024 tour. Hertenstein, laying down rock solid foundational AND creative patterns throughout is flanked by some of the best players on planet earth for creative, swinging improvisational jazz. All the players are in mind meld form with striking interplay between them, turning on dimes and handing out nine cents change. Ray Anderson slips into the stream fully engaged and sounding wonderful, as always, playing with his three musical compadres as if he has been a full member for years, in spite of being a recent addition for this tour. Enough cannot be said for this energetically engaging record chock full of melodious experimentation. These guys know how to stretch your mind without a whiff of alienation. Especial kudos for the second track Alles Jutta (for Jutta Hipp), an all but forgotten female German born jazz pianist, originally influenced by Lennie Tristano, who suffered not only from the vagaries of Nazi censorship, but war displacement and her own battles with depression. Emigrating to America she suddenly ceased playing music in 1955 and spent the remainder of her life working in the clothing industry, rarely playing or even discussing music. This record is an A+ and one of my favorite jazz releases of the year. JH

Walter Trout – Sign of the Times – Provogue Records -   Walter Trout (guitar/vocals) - Teddy Andreadis (harmonica, keyboards, vocals) - Michael Leasure (drums) -John Avila (bass).

Looking for a great blues album to introduce someone to the genre; start here. Blistering, even when subdued, guitar from Trout and a backing band that’s locked into the leader and the blues. At 74 Walter has never sounded better or better able to take on the world. This is a deeply felt and well thought out signifier of the times. Whether it’s the cacophony of emotion involved in personal relationships or questioning this questionable world we’re living in, this record will get you thinking, your feet and hips moving and engage your brain as well. One of W. T’s best records ever. His guitar work in particular shows every other axe-man and/or poseur how it’s supposed to be done. JH

David Byrne – Who is the Sky – Matador Records  - Exuberant music making from David Byrne. Again. He’s always been child-like with his lyrical & musical excursions and continues to build upon his outstanding oeuvre both with Talking Heads and his solo projects with this record, perhaps his most directly focused recording yet. Byrne for me has built his outstanding musical persona & creativity because of his unvarnished curiosity and ability to break things down to their fundamentally constituent parts. His collaboration with The Ghost Train Orchestra and Tom Skinner adds a refined chamber like quality to these arrangements. Rhythmically complex yet pleasing despite the myriad twists and turns. Contributions from Annie Clark a.k.a. St. Vincent & Hayley Williams add to the immense charm of this delightful record. JH

Dave Douglas – Alloy – Green Leaf Music - Dave Douglas, trumpet - Alexandra Ridout, trumpet - David Adewumi, trumpet - Patricia Brennan, vibes - Kate Pass, bass - Rudy Royston, drums.

Alloys are blends of metal to create stronger, more alluring materials. Dave Douglas, an innovator and creative master, has been enticing listeners to deepen their understanding of his art & ergo art in general. With the concept of blend/alloy, the music here leans heavily on harmonics and group interplay and with these masterful musicians on form one gets easily swept up in the swirl of emotional energy they are putting out. The only unfamiliar face to me is new bassist Kate Pass and she easily holds her ground against her more experienced and erstwhile bandmates. JH

Joni Mitchell – Joni’s Jazz – Rhino Records -  4 cds celebrating the jazzier side of Joni Mitchell, one of the world’s musical treasures. I have loved her upon first hearing so many decades ago. Her lyrics could stand alone as fine poetry and her sinuous approach to melody and songwriting in general has always elevated her above the folk music genre in general and most of her peers. Some tracks on this collection stretch the definition of jazz but that is a mere quibble as all of the tracks exemplify her extraordinary range and abilities. Some of the tracks are not the officially released original recordings, but demos. They stand shoulder to shoulder with the album cuts elegantly & eloquently. The sound quality is first-rate and this is a treasure trove of Joni material. JH

Ethel Cain – Willoughby Tucker I’ll Always Love You – Daughters of Cain Records – Magical realism. In literature and music it requires of the audience to accept fantastical elements as normative, in a way to enhance the story and underline themes and metaphors. Ethel Cain utilizes this concept expertly in this densely alluring new record. There are talking animals, ghosts, supernatural events etc. All become part and parcel of this unique universe tied together with modally flowing music that engulfs the listener.  Some may find the flow of time and energy to be trying but I found it immersive. Most of the songs explore themes of lost innocence and the acceptance of death. Painful subjects that ultimately prove rewarding if you’re willing to take the step into the otherworldly soundscape of Ethel Cain. – JH

Laura Cannell – The Visible Light of Other Worlds – Brawl Records – I’ve always been intrigued and stop just short of enthralled with Laura Cannell’s music. That doesn’t mean I don’t always find it appealing. Soothing and a reservoir of calm inside a chaotic world we all live in. Perhaps necessary music making. Although I am drawn to its hypnotic appeal it lacks a certain exuberance and joy which would better serve as balm for my soul. Nevertheless, this twelfth release in her canon is another masterpiece of musical synthesis and control. What am I listening to, you could well ask. With elements of medieval music and ambience and neo-classicism, this is music that has the ability to draw you in and keep you in her imaginative musical world(s) as long as it likes. JH

Lucian Ban - John Surman & Mat Maneri - Cantica Profana  - Sunnyside Records

Lucian Ban - John Surman & Mat Maneri – The Athenaeum Concert   - Sunnyside Records - This is creative improvised music taken to a magnificent level! Trio improvisations based on the classical transcriptive extrapolations of Bela Bartok’s musical investigation of Transylvanian folk tunes. These records were released in March & September respectively. There are three versions of Violin Song & two of Dowry Song across the two releases and they put the extravagant talents of these masterful musicians on full display, capturing the essence of dancelike rhythmic vitality with a taffy-eque push and pull; operating on telepathic levels to achieve music of universal relevance and vibrancy. There isn’t a dull track here and ample opportunity for Lucien Ban – piano – John Surman – bass clarinet & soprano sax & Mat Maneri – viola to dazzle you with their artistic mastery. JH

Mike Reid & Joe Henry – Life and Time – Work Song Inc – Mike Reid: Vocals; Joe Henry: Vocals - Levon Henry: Woodwinds (saxophone, clarinet) and bass - Ross Gallagher & David Piltch: Bass and vocals – Patrick Warren – keys – Bonnie Raitt – vocals – The Bridge - Rose Cousins: Vocals on Leaning House - Pedal steel – Steve Dawson.

A beautifully understated release from two celebrated songwriters whose styles enhance & complement each other in these gorgeously understated songs & performances. Poetic lyrics underscore these explorations of the nuanced intricacies of the human spirit: life, loss, sorrow, memory, et al. JH

Wagner – Der Fliegende Hollander – Decca Classics - Dutchman: Gerald Finley (bass-baritone) - Senta: Lise Davidsen (soprano) - Daland: Brindley Sherratt (bass); Erik: Stanislas de Barbeyrac (tenor) - Mary, Anna Kissjudit (contralto) - Steersman, Eirik Grøtvedt (tenor) - Chorus and Orchestra of Norwegian National Opera/Edward Gardner - rec. live, 2024, Oslo Opera House, Norway.

The big draw for this record is certainly Lise Davidsen’s committed performance of Senta. She is the moral crux of this opera and her selfless decision is compelling. Ms. Davidsen’s force of nature vocalizing and interpretation put her in the upper ranks of sopranos in this role. The orchestra is dramatically incisive and exciting under the baton of Maestro Gardner. He keeps a tight rein on the proceedings and has centered this interpretation on narrative drive with verve and energy. Stanislas de Barbeyrac as Erik brings passion galore and vocal beauty to the Steersman. One of the finest I’ve ever heard. The opera’s ultimate success rests firmly with the Dutchman and Gerald Finley is one of the finest singers of our times, so there is nothing untoward to report here. His singing is fully secure and dramatically committed. Overall, a fine recording of this first major success of Wagner and one to be enjoyed again in the future. JH

FRANÇOISE HARDY - Voilà: The Very Best Of (Warner Music France 2LP/CD/CD-DVD)
Whittling Hardy’s 60-year discography down to two-dozen “greatest hits” is a fool’s errand, tantamount to assembling an 80-minute Beatles or Dylan package. Except for a successful Blur collaboration her non-French recordings are omitted, but aside from these minor quibbles this “first-ever career-encompassing” Best Of chronologically traces her transition from ‘60s yé-yé pop superstar to her later chanteuse period that successfully balanced the funky disco of 1978’s ‘J’écoute de la musique saoule’ and her melancholic swan song ‘Le Large.’ Most of the familiar singles are included and her collaborations with husband Jacques Dutronc, “Micky” Jones (Foreigner), Jerry Donahue (Fairport, Fotheringay), Blur, et. al. demonstrate her cache in the rock and folk world. The vinyl includes an extra track, but collectors may want to spring for the limited edition CD/DVD version which includes videos for most of the tracks. JFO