Formed by trombonist and JPL spacecraft engineer Jim Lewis in the 2000s, the multi-faceted, high energy horn fired funk and jazz ensemble San Gabriel 7 has, over the course of over 10 albums since 2006, lived up to its trademarked motto: “Music the Way It’s Supposed to Feel.” Somewhere in the mid-2010s, they blissfully evolved from an inspired and eclectic instrumental only band into a unit whose driving purpose seems to be glorifying the great, sometimes underrated female ja

Considering that he’s been one of the contemporary urban jazz’s most consistent, sure fire hitmakers – with nine #1 and 17 Top 10 airplay hits – over the past 20 years, it was inevitable that Chris Standring, one of the genre’s most melodic, grooving and sonically adventurous guitarists, would quickly follow-up his lovely orchestrated standards excursion Wonderful World with yet another set chock full of soulful, funky and delightfully trippy potential smashes. True to form a

From a promotional standpoint, it makes sense to entice listeners to experience extraordinary new (though deeply old soul) artists like indie folk/Americana duo Wood Willow with stylistically relatable comparisons. So as you let the powerful individual lead vocals and insanely heartwarming and soaring harmonies of the Oklahoma based, bluegrass-fueled Joel Parks (vocals/guitars) and Becca Herrod (vocals/mandolin) wash over your senses throughout the duo’s sparkling and eclecti

With the release of his socially conscious, pop, soul and gospel influenced ballad/anthem “The Greater Good,” veteran singer/songwriter caps a powerful, incredibly moving and thought provoking and inspirational trifecta in capturing the American Zeitgeist these past few years. His string of indie singles began in 2018 with “My Brother’s Shoes” (a powerful reminder about choosing loving over judging) and continued on the prayer-like “Times Like These,” a rallying cry to put ou

Closing in on ten years since he unleashed his wildly adventurous, sonically intricate, groundbreaking and musically mind bending Refractor Piano™ vibe on the world with the live album Falling Through Clouds, Vol. 1, pianist, composer and inventor Peter Manning Robinson takes his vision to a fresh level of transcendence with his cleverly titled 10 track opus Celestial Candy. Though the seven “refracted” improvised experimental pieces on the set seem more designed to demonstra

Looking back on my review of symphonic pianist/composer Samer Fanek’s second album Guide Me (2018), I realized there’s a bit of gushing at his powerful array of talents – and mostly how his lush and lively, sometimes gently swaying but often percussive string-swept tunes reminded me of similarly great works I was enamored with in the 90s. Glad I got that and all the impressive accolades he has received – Global Music Award, Hollywood Music in Media Award nomination, Top 12 on