September - 2020

Sep 30, 2020

HĒRAN SOUN, Undeaf

The unusual, provocative title of Undeaf, the richly atmospheric, tenderly ethereal debut album by soulful, dreamy voiced singer-songwriter James Freeman-Turner aka Hēran Soun , is beautifully vulnerable, allowing us to cheer on his one of a kind musical journey. Whatever we think of the hypnotic, expansive, liquid immersion like listening experience itself – and it requires multiple patient listens to truly grasp all the sonic details and the deft, intricate subtleties of hi

Jonathan Widran

Sep 29, 2020

GRAND NATHANIEL, At The Lagoon

At a fraught and anxiety ridden juncture like 2020, nothing soothes the nostalgic soul like a revisit to the vibe of the synth-happy 80s. Fortunately, Lafayette, Louisiana based musical chameleon J Burton’s quarter century journey puts him in that place. Rebranded as Grand Nathaniel, on At The Lagoon he draws powerfully on the lively sonic symphonics of that era while but pushing it forward with deeper introspection, rhythmic variation and edgier gravitas. Charting that evolu

Jonathan Widran

Sep 27, 2020

BETH SNAPP, "Higher Love"

During difficult, challenging and anxiety ridden times – the numbers 2020 start flashing not too subliminally here – there’s no greater turn to for comfort than familiar pop music from an earlier, comparatively simple time in our lives. For non-millennial adults of a certain age this year, that could range anywhere from the 70’s to the 90s. Post punk and pre grunge, the new wave, synth and pop/R&B/dance 80s is an era that only positive, uplifting thoughts can come from revisi

Jonathan Widran

Sep 24, 2020

PETER MANNING ROBINSON, Double Helix

In reflecting upon music created by innovative composers and artists who venture off the beaten path, it’s almost become a cliché to use the descriptions “inventive” and “revolutionary.” Yet any discussion of Emmy and multiple BMI award winning pianist Peter Manning Robinson’s debut two-CD, 16 track collection Double Helix must include those terms because he’s not only charting a new sonic course for new age and experimental music, he’s using the first eight pieces on the pro

Jonathan Widran

Sep 24, 2020

Douyé, Quatro (Bossa Nova Deluxe)

Nigerian born, Los Angeles based vocal jazz virtuoso Douyé,- whose professional moniker is as singular, unique and coolly exotic as her ever-evolving artistry – is one of those rare artists who can reveal her inner truths and vibrant history via her interpretations of classics penned by others. True to its provocative subtitle, the singer’s lush, highly adorned, all at once exquisitely intimate and percussively exhilarating vehicle of choice on her latest epic collection Quat

THE MICHAEL O'NEILL QUARTET, And Then It Rained

Jonathan Widran

Sep 17, 2020

THE MICHAEL O'NEILL QUARTET, And Then It Rained

Don’t let the wistful title or the impressionistic cover painting give you the wrong impression. And Then It Rained by the newly formed Bay Area ensemble of regional greats The Michael O’Neill Quartet, offers a generous mix of moody, sensual ballads (“Emerging Impressions”), lyrical whimsical gems (“Early Spring”), swinging and freewheeling Latin cookers (“Port of Spain,” “Mavericks Samba”). A clarinetist and multi-saxophonist nonpareil, O’Neill has been a mainstay at countle

JOHN DAVERSA QUINTET, Cuarantena: With Family At Home

Jonathan Widran

Sep 17, 2020

JOHN DAVERSA QUINTET, Cuarantena: With Family At Home

The John Daversa Quintet’s elegantly melodic, rhythmically exotic and eclectic collection Cuarantena: With Family at Home is truly reflective of the crazy year we’re all navigating through. Arranged by the multiple Grammy winning trumpeter and bandleader and featuring the seamless, dynamic and fiery ensemble action of – and colorful spoken narratives by – Daversa and Latin jazz greats Gonzalo Rubalcaba (piano), Dafnis Prieto (drums), Sammy Figueroa (percussion) and Carlos De

Michael Hoppé, Peace & Reconciliation: Choral Music

Jonathan Widran

Sep 17, 2020

Michael Hoppé, Peace & Reconciliation: Choral Music

If you’ve ever experienced the majesty of Sedona, Arizona first hand, you’ve no doubt felt it. As breathtaking as all the natural red rock outcroppings and sculptures are, you know there’s much more there than meets the eye. As we learn from the Visit Sedona website: “Beneath the endless beauty beats a healing heart. Sedona has long been regarded as a place both sacred and powerful. It is a cathedral without walls. . People travel from across the globe to experience the myste

Jonathan Widran

Sep 17, 2020

JUSTIN MAKI, "Different Kind of Love"

Between mandated facemasks, adapting to new at home work modes (if we can), social distancing and lockdowns, let’s face it, there’s hardly a single aspect of our lives that hasn’t gone haywire. We’re all looking for silver linings and an out for creativity at a time when artists can’t perform in traditional ways. In a time when we’re eager for anything that can bring us even a lighthearted distraction and joy, multi-talented Canadian singer/songwriter Justin Maki delivers the

Jonathan Widran

Sep 16, 2020

JACO, Dose

Although the jangling yet edgy, offbeat but super-melodic power pop jam Dose is technically the second solo album of a trilogy by longtime Vulture Whale and Wes McDonald drummer Jake Weitzman (dba Jaco), its infectious high energy boom is actually the latest result of his seamless, ever-crackling partnership with Lester Nuby, a production master who also handles the nearly non-stop, though rhythmically varied punch of electric guitars; Weitzman is the visionary singer songwri

Jonathan Widran

Sep 16, 2020

CLAY HARPER, Dirt Yard Street

Describing Clay Harper’s latest solo album Dirt Yard Street as “raw” does a disservice to the word. Vocally, instrumentally and production wise, it’s the most organic slice of real-deal front porch (or kitchen table) folk-Americana you’ll probably ever here. The renowned Atlanta based musician – who launched the musical side of his life in the 80s with The Coolies, probably the only band to ever do punk covers of Simon & Garfunkel – isn’t shy about that slow drawl, organic re

Jonathan Widran

Sep 16, 2020

ANDRE CAVOR, "Heat Index"

A veritable musical institution in his hometown of Cleveland, saxophonist Andre Cavor got it right when he called his 2017 debut album Road Trip. Produced by hit maker and fellow saxman Darren Rahn, the collection – featuring the Billboard charting title track – established him as a versatile alto and tenor player while tapping into his passions for pop, R&B and gospel music. It was one of those rare debut albums that made my annual Top Ten list for Jazziz magazine that year.

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THE JW VIBE

Music That Sticks To My Soul

HĒRAN SOUN, Undeaf

GRAND NATHANIEL, At The Lagoon

BETH SNAPP, "Higher Love"

PETER MANNING ROBINSON, Double Helix

Douyé, Quatro (Bossa Nova Deluxe)

THE MICHAEL O'NEILL QUARTET, And Then It Rained

JOHN DAVERSA QUINTET, Cuarantena: With Family At Home

Michael Hoppé, Peace & Reconciliation: Choral Music

JUSTIN MAKI, "Different Kind of Love"

JACO, Dose

CLAY HARPER, Dirt Yard Street

ANDRE CAVOR, "Heat Index"