On the Good Foot, an extraordinary, rhythmically eclectic and sonically expansive two EP set by longtime collaborators and drum circle pals James Asher and Arthur Hull, artfully celebrates the deeper complexities of “Energy” and “Chill” with an otherworldly swirl of all the musical vibes that the UK based Asher – a composer and multi-instrumentalist whose arsenal includes keyboards, percussion and drums - has spent his lengthy career exploring. Driven alternately by dense per

On his vibrant, edgy, infectious and insightful debut single “Broken Promises,” emerging Chilean born, Los Angeles based pop/rock/electronica artist Rob C. draws creates a deeply personal yet truly universal anthem for anyone who has ever faced the steep challenges of the creative struggle to be heard and appreciated. With catchy grooves, a colorful soundscape and spirited rock tinged energy, he proves himself to be a masterful and soulful sonic architect. The true emotional

It’s likely that you’ve never heard of either Brookhaven or Scatter Swept, the two Oakland based, electric guitar heavy bands who join forces to create something of a hypnotic shoegazing masterpiece in Modern Remains. So let this fascinating, mostly instrumental journey full of sly seductively melodies, dark brooding moods, blistering licks and wild, cathartic exultations be a primer on both entities. Brookhaven’s got the longer history, with guitarist Sonny James collaborati

Considering her massive talents and the sonically expansive multi-verses she creates, it’s ironic that the supremely enigmatic, endlessly fascinating NoCal based singer, songwriter, keyboardist and musical visionary Margaret Stutt chose her professional name Pezzettino after a character in a classic children’s fable (by the late Leo Lionni) that declares, “I must be a piece of somebody. I must belong to someone else.” We can speculate that her ethereal yet feisty, ambient new

If there is anything I have learned from listening to ambient new age composer, performer and improvisational master Scott Lawlor’s musically expansive and consciousness expanding works, it’s that grief and its many stages of acceptance and transcendence take time. In May 2018, I was privileged to experience and absorb (for a listener doesn’t merely “hear” his soul-transporting music) his extraordinary recordings Transition and In a Dark Room. These were emotional, deeply hyp

Engaging in pianist/composer Shoshana Michel’s sensitive, insightful and deeply compelling new album Reflection while perusing her bio, a few striking pieces of background information stand out. Considering the rich melodic and rhythmic flow of her current music, it made perfect sense to read that she fell in love with New Age solo piano music in 1990, and was heavily inspired by some of my own heroes of the genre, including David Lanz, Suzanne Ciani and Jim Chappell. I was d

Whether it’s truly from Einstein is anyone’s guess, but we’ve all heard the well-worn, wisdom filled phrase that inspired the crafty title of veteran Ohio based Hammond B-3 master Tony Monaco’s latest multi-faceted, soulful and spark filled jam session The Definition of Insanity. Having survived a recent life threatening health scare has inspired the multi-talented musician and singer – who also plays piano and accordion – to be in the perfect mindset to make everything fun,

Charlie Dennard’s longtime “day job” and globetrotting ways as musical director of Cirque Du Soleil’s “Totem” provide the perfect metaphor for the dynamic, stylistically freewheeling flights of fancy the veteran New Orleans based keyboardist, composer and arranger (working with his rhythmically eclectic trio of bassist Max Moran and drummer Doug Belote) gifts us with on Deep Blue. In only seven tracks, Dennard creates an expansive sonic universe best epitomized by the dreamy

Upon a first casual listen to this spirited, sometimes easy and often frenetically swinging album, it feels like an amiable, imaginatively played collection spotlighting a major new jazz talent, Tampa based drummer Dave Rudolph, and a powerful group of local players assembled to help him fulfill his mostly high octane mission. But when we look past the exuberant “Bounce” and brisk, playful “Whimsy” (two of the actual titles, perfectly reflecting their buoyant moods), we learn

One of the leading figures in traditional and contemporary tango, renowned Argentine born bassist Pablo Aslan – a Grammy and Latin Grammy award nominee - has been critically touted as the “heartbeat” of an emerging jazz-tango fusion style. The multi-talented composer and artist explains that this all at once dramatic and sweeping, jubilant yet sensually intimate collection of bass/string quartet arrangements was prompted by the suggestion of bandeonist, arranger and composer

The title track and sweeping grand finale of the Ernie Watts’ quartet sublime, stylistically eclectic and multi-dimensional Home Light is a gospel tinged dedication to the memory of saxophonist’s dear friend, famed drummer Ndugu Chancler. Passionately infused with both melancholy and life affirming joy, it’s the emotional centerpiece of a recording that grooves and darts in many different directions – almost as if to celebrate Chancler’s life and our own. The quartet bounces

Because fans of legendary bands like Styx often focus on the nostalgia of hearing the hits, it’s easy to dismiss or overlook fresh new gems like The Mission. Released in 2017, the band’s first batch of original material in 15 years is a bona fide futuristic concept album about a mission to Mars. The LP length set thrillingly and compellingly fulfills Tommy Shaw’s vision via colorful storytelling, powerful hooks, trippy interludes, soaring vocal harmonies and titillating eleme