Dasha : Anna Review
In the vibrant jazz clubs and academic classrooms, where the jazz standards breathe life and innovation, Matt Otto has found his exploration and expression. With a recording legacy spanning well over fifty albums, each a shimmering snapshot of his ceaseless metamorphosis, Otto has evolved from a young, free-jazz firebrand to a musical poet, sage, and mentor.
His journey—three remarkable decades in the making—illuminates an unwavering commitment to his own musical ideals and artistic identity. Now, he embarks on a heartfelt tribute to the [...]
As the winds of change sweep across the musical landscape, Dokken’s return with their 13th studio album, “Heaven Comes Down,” is heralded by the single “Fugitive.” This fresh melody is an unapologetic celebration of what makes Dokken quintessential, yet seen through a wiser, richer lens.
“Fugitive” opens with the tantalizing chime of a shimmering electric guitar. It tells a story through a building arpeggio pattern, akin to the opening lines of an epic poem, before BJ Zampa’s drums and Chris [...]
In the vivid panorama of blues, where rawness dances with elegance and honesty tangoes with fantasy, a new beacon of sound arises, Death Wish Blues, crafted by the magnetic duo Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton. Their harmony redefines the blues, interweaving it with threads of rock’s guttural guitar solos, the vocal grounding of traditional blues, and the atmospheric twang of country, akin to a perfectly multi-faceted art exhibition, where blues, rock, and country genres coalesce into a sonic tapestry of remarkable depth and vibrancy. In addition, The album was produced by [...]
Simply Red’s Time is a living, breathing testament to the enduring power of soul, effortlessly threading together elements of funk, R&B, blues, and pop across twelve magnificent tracks. Mick Hucknall’s signature vocals, as soulful as ever, are the cornerstone, the beating heart that pumps vitality into every song.
The album sets the tone with “Better With You,” a soulful toe tapper that draws you in with its heartfelt melody and deep emotional resonance. Hucknall’s vocals are expressive and powerful, invoking the timeless allure of Simply Red’s signature sound. [...]
Grian Chatten, the expressive vocalist who fronts Ireland’s powerhouse quintet, Fontaines D.C., ventures off the well-trodden path to bring us his solo debut, Chaos For The Fly. This detour isn’t an abandonment of his roots, but rather a bold exploration of a side road. Immersed in the swirl of a relentless touring cycle, Chatten found solace in his own creative space, crafting this collection of nine introspective tracks.
The experience of listening to Chaos For The Fly is akin to traversing a sonic topography, where each peak and valley uncovers new textures, colors, [...]
Pianist and composer, Eric Lilley’s career has gracefully unfurled in the lush jazz landscape, revealing a rich amalgamation of musical influences and experiences. With the release of his third album, Three, he continues to evolve, melding his past influences with his present musical ideations, resulting in a work that is both a nod to tradition and a step towards unexplored territory.
Shannon reviewed his multifaceted album Follow Up in 2021 (READ REVIEW), and now I have the pleasure of exploring Lilley’s Three. The bold trio—Lilley on piano, Mark Diamond on [...]
