New music you’d like to share.

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Dann Zinn, Two Roads was released on October 4, 2024.

 

"Two Roads is Bay Area player Zinn's sixth album. It was inspired by the Robert Frost poem "A Road Not Taken," which took on greater significance for Zinn after a jogging accident in which he severely injured his right hand. The album was recorded before the accident, which for a long while made it uncertain whether Zinn might ever be able to play the saxophone again (with some adjustments, he can and is). Zinn says that listening back to the tapes during his convalescence helped him find the focus and fortitude with which to accelerate his recovery."

 

You can read the rest of the article here...

 

 

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Joe Syrian Motor City Jazz Octet, Secret Message was released on November 15. 2024.

 

"No fuss, no frills here, simply forty-seven or so minutes of generally bright and engaging straight-ahead jazz, stylishly performed by drummer Joe Syrian's admirable Detroit-based octet. This is music the group plays often, blending standards from the Great American Songbook with more recent themes by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Leon Russell and others."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

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The Reid Hoyson Project, In Your Dreams was released on April 11, 2025.

 

"The Reid Hoyson Project – In Your Dreams (Reid Hoyson Productions, release 04/11/2025).  Keith Bishop – saxophones / flutes / clarinets, Hendrik Meurkens – vibraphone / harmonica, Billy Test – piano, Tony DePaolis – bass, Reid Hoyson – drums.

 

Pittsburgh drummer Reid Robson is out with another pairing with old-school flutist / saxophonist Keith Bishop.  The sound is completed by Hendrik Meurkens doubling on vibraphone in addition two his more customary harmonica.  The program consists of nine by members of the band plus one cover of Gerald Wilson’s Detroit."  

 

 

You can read the blurb here... 

 

 

 

 

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TFNRSH, Books of Circles was released on January 17, 2025.

 

"Comfortably bending space and time, the psychedelic adventure of Book of Circles by TFNRSH guides our ear through the cosmos.:

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

This is instrumental space prog rock. If you like TOOL, you will probably like this album. 

 

 

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Rodney Jordan, Memphis Blue was released on March 14. 2025.

 

"The aesthetic beauty of this quintet is beyond dispute, and if you are not yet acquainted with this outstanding double bassist, you will be convinced from the very first notes of The Storm Will Pass. The elegance of Louis Heriveaux on piano, trumpeter Melvin Jones, saxophonist Mark Sterbank, and drummer Quentin E. Baxter resonates through every note, every rhythm."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

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Whitney Jones, Based on Reality was released on April 25, 2025.

 

"Whitney Jones is undoubtedly one of the most inspired and inspiring artists on today’s soul/funk scene, her music deeply infused with the spirit of jazz. With an exceptional voice and a new project that, as its title suggests, draws heavily from her personal journey, Jones invites listeners to discover her story the best way possible, by simply listening. This album has been a long time in the making, but one listen confirms: it was well worth the wait."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

[Receiver2000 4,001]

Now that's relaxing

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Efraim Truillo IV, Heroes was released on May 2, 2025.

 

"The great masters of the tenor saxophone are celebrated in Efraïm Trujillo IV's latest album Heroes. Featuring twelve original compositions, the album is a tribute to Trujillo's favorite tenor saxophonists, inspired by legends like Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and Stan Getz. These pieces showcase the saxophone’s versatility and timeless charm."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

[Receiver2000 4,001]

Smokey nightclub sounding jazz

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Samantha Fish, Paper Doll was released on April 25, 2025.

 

"After a wonderful album with Jesse Drayton ‘Death Wish Blues’ back in 2023 two years after her last solo record ‘Faster’ and now Samantha Fish is back like clockwork with her eighth studio album ‘Paper Doll’. You know that rare moment when you catch your breath because everything has fallen in place? Well this is one of those moments. ‘Paper Doll’ has the songs, has the energy, has those wonderful changes of pace, and the track listing is sheer perfection.  If like me you thought that ‘Faster’ was a hard act to follow, then strap yourself in for what just might be Samantha Fish’s most complete album to date."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

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Boney James, Late Night Sax was released on March 4, 2025.

 

No review to date. I'll up my thoughts once I listen to the whole album, or if I find a review.

 

 

 

 

 

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Robin Trower, Come And Find Me was released on May 16, 2025.

 

"If you’re looking for a change in direction you’ll be disappointed as this is what Robin does and he’s not going to change much now. So, it’s business as usual and Trower has once again enlisted his trusted studio band for “Come And Find Me”.

Drummer Chris Taggart once again drives these powerful songs, with returning US bassist Glenn Letsch providing low end on ” Tangled Love” and “I Fly Straight To You”.
Long-standing vocalist Richard Watts brilliantly interprets the guitarist’s highly personal lyric sheets, while guest singer Jess Hayes is a head-turning addition for “Tangled Love” a tough, choppy soul tune."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Receiver2000 4,001]

Female vocal/guitar work timing is nice on Tangled Love.

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50 minutes ago, Receiver2000 said:

Female vocal/guitar work timing is nice on Tangled Love.

 

I think so too. 

 

If you read the whole review, the author states that it's a shame she didn't do more vocals on the album. I have to agree.

[Daddyjt 9,612]

Alison Krauss has a new album out - Arcadia.  I cannot think of ANY artist - any - that has produced consistently spectacular recordings (both musically AND sound quality) as her.  Arcadia is no exception - it is beautifully produced and the content is superb. 
 

Track 1, Looks Like The End Of the Road, is incredible.  Her vocals, the layered guitars, and the bass - at about :32, there is a bass hit that is lower than anything I’ve heard, short of a few Telarc discs. 
 

Track 4, Granite Mills, is a touching rendition of a true historical fire that claimed the lives of several child laborers. 
 

If you are a fan of hers, this album does not disappoint.  I picked up a signed version at my local record store for $15.

 

 

 

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Cyrus Chestnut, Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony was released on April 25. 2025.

 

"Cyrus Chestnut’s latest release, Rhythm, Melody and Harmony, is a trio-plus-one session that puts another notch in a prolific discography. The well-structured set has a vibrant blueprint for modern acoustic jazz flavored with contemporary gospel. Chestnut’s playing has always married virtuosity with narrative clarity, and here, with saxophonist Stacy Dillard, bassist Gerald Cannon, and drummer Chris Beck, he leads a quartet with a true sense of cohesion."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

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Tony Saunders, The Romance Continues was released on August 16, 2024.

 

The latest album "The Romance Continues" is a 15 song set the clocks in at just over an hour. It is as smooth as lake water on a calm night and cool as the underside of the pillow. One of the things that becomes apparent is the ensemble effort of a team of great players.There is plenty of space for everyone to shine on these songs and they collectively knock the ball out of the park.

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

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Peter Smith, Smitty Straightens Out was released on April 11, 2025.

 

"An album that captivates from the very first notes, drawing the listener into a world where the composer and pianist masterfully channels his years of experience into a singular, compelling, and spectacular style. One can already sense the power of its live performance, as the artist’s greatest strength undoubtedly lies in the sheer effectiveness of his arrangements."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

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Rembrandt Frerichs Trio, Blue Hour Sessions was released on June 6, 2025.

 

"Rembrandt is a musician's musician—an artist of immense and subtle sensibilities. He breathes jazz, but infuses his playing with influences from music of the Baroque to music of the Middle East.

 

In this album, the music is a collection of standards from the Great American Songbook—familiar, yet anything but predictable. The sound we hear is uniquely fresh and different. It comes from Rembrandt's mood and emotional connection to the song. And each piece reflects a performance style that is wholly that of the Rembrandt Trio—nothing derivative, nothing imitative, just pure music freshly flowing from a collective sense of what sounds right and true in the moment. "

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

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The Doobie Brothers, Walk This Road was released on June 6, 2025.

 

"With the Doobie Brothers' 16th LP, Walk This Road, McDonald joins cofounders Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons and guitarist John McFee, an on-and-off member since 1980, for their most satisfying album since their late-'70s heyday. Some of that credit belongs to McDonald's return, but as soon as he shares vocals on "Learn to Let Go"'s chorus with Johnston and Simmons, proof that the band has always been greater than just one person comes into clear focus."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

Mavis Staples sings on the title track.

 

 

 

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Acoustic Alchemy, The Empire of Lights Part One was released on June 13, 2025.

 

"THE EMPIRE OF LIGHTS, PART ONE is the first in a series of releases leading up to a combined album. The Grammy-nominated, UK ensemble Acoustic Alchemy has packed up their traveling show and performed their jazz-infused, guitar forward, jazz-infused soulful music for loyal fans thousands of miles from their own shores for nearly four decades. Roaming cities, towns and open land; spending time on coasts and in mountains of foreign countries leaving American music enthusiasts obsessed with the band's reflection of the world, near and far. Acoustic Alchemy's blended heritage and wordless musical expression continues to morph into a broader scope of sound that encompasses our land, your land and their land, becoming an empire of their own experience."

 

You can read the review here...

 

 

 

 

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Paul Brown, So Much To Say was released on June 27, 2025.

 

"One of the beauties of So Much To Say is Paul Brown’s seamless ability to fuse a multitude of divergent influences into one cohesive and thrilling experience. This is not a surprise given the fact that he cites Wes Montgomery, Peter Gabriel, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, and Jerry Garcia as primary influences."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

 

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Alí Bello & The Charanga Syndicate, Alí Bello & The Charanga Syndicate was released on May 9, 2025.

 

"Bello’s journey to charanga was anything but direct. At six, he picked up the violin, and marinated in music from all over the world — from reggae to salsa to rock and metal. After studying at El Sistema (the National System of Youth Orchestras of Venezuela), then relocated to New York City, where he worked with ensembles like Los Jóvenes del Barrio and Orchestra Broadway. In the process, he immersed himself in a range of genres — pop, R&B, jazz, rock, salsa, and, ultimately, his beloved charanga."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

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Julia Hülsmann, Under The Surface was released on Jan 32, 2025.

 

"Within her discography with ECM, pianist Julia Hülsmann’s development has been a joy to follow. From trio and quartet recordings and the excellent Although A Clear Midnight (2015) with vocalist Theo Bleckmann and Tom Arthurs on trumpet and flugelhorn, the pianist has always sought to explore new avenues. In doing so she has, quite rightly, never deviated from the core sound that she has established with her long-standing trio with bassist Marc Muellbauer and drummer Heinrich Köbberling."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...

 

 

 

 

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Southern Avenue, Family was released on April 25, 2025.

 

"Southern Avenue’s fourth recording and first for Alligator Records is an amazing piece of musical work. This Memphis band has put together a collection of songs that they liken to a family photo album, expressing their connections to their past , the world and each other in the music they produce."

 

You can read the rest of the review here...