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All Life Long (LP)

Kali Malone
Any classical composer that can upset French integralists enough to ban their performance in a church is alright by me. Having experienced the joy of hearing Malone perform her organ pieces at the First Congressional Church of Los Angeles back in 2022, one would surmise that the French Catholic conservatives never actually heard her music. Malone’s compositions can be dense, yet the layers of ravishing overtones wash over the listener unexpectantly. What feels like a drone soon permeates through the body, giving one a connection from earth to the heavens. Read more

New Blue Son (LP)

Andre 3000
I understand the disapointment of folks expecting this to be a rap album and it is not. I understand the folks who are inspired that an artist like Andre 3000 can grow and change direction. I have no opinion, either way. The thing that got me is that I cannot stop listening to this album. Granted, I am the “prototype” (Insert dad joke groans here) for an album like this. I dig artists like Laraaji and Alice Coltrane. I also enjoy projects produced by Carlos Niño, who collaborated with Andre 3000 on New Blue Sun. I would have liked this album if Andre 3000 were not on it, but the fact that he is makes him susceptible to criticism as well as praise from folks who do not usually listen to spiritual jazz influenced music as I do. As much as I enjoyed New Blue Sun, it was also an enjoyable cultural experience. I watched people slow their lives down for just a moment so that they could listen to something they normally would not have, and that rarely happens these days. Read more

World Wide Whack (LP)

Tierra Whack
That flow, that creativity! I hear the Hip Hop's early aught influences (Outkast, Busta Rhymes) but it’s just that; an influence, not a replication. I love where she is going with this. Read more

Siembra: 45 Aniversario (LP)

Ruben Blades
it would be hard pressed for Ruben Blades to mess up a classic like Siembra. The greatest Salsa album ever made. But do we really need a live version of it forty-five years later and without Willie Colon, the other half of the legendary duo? The answer is an overwhelming yes! Blades, along with his bandleader Robert Delgado just burn on this recording. The songs are still relevant, the energy is relentless, and Ruben’s voice still sounds as perfect as it was forty some odd years ago. Read more

Ritual Sonoro Para Ruinas Circulares (LP)

Manongo Mujica
Peruvian Percussionist, composer, and visual artist Monongo Mujica has been blending Peruvian Traditional music with avant-garde jazz since the mid-eighties. The blend of classical instruments with jazz and traditional Peruvian percussion conjures images of magnificent storm clouds over breathtaking Andean Mountain ranges where logic ends and spiritually begins. Read more

The Great Puccini - Deutsche Grammophon (CD)

Johathan Tetelman tenor,
Mr. Tetelman, a young Chilean-American tenor, is a standout opera star of his generation. In this gorgeous collection of Puccini's tenor arias, his singing displays both a miraculous breath control in quieter moments, as well as a brilliant tone and impressive power in the upper range. This fine young singer is a pleasure to hear, in this beloved standard repertoire. Read more

10 Album Classics - Sony Classical (CD)

Leonard Bernstein
This CD set showcases 10 of Maestro Bernstein's most seminal recordings on the Columbia label. His musical versatility is clearly evident, whether as the piano accompanist to the great baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, in a set of Mahler songs, or when conducting The New York Philharmonic or The Columbia Symphony, in master works of Haydn, Beethoven, Dvorak, or the definitive recordings of his own compositions such as 'An American in Paris', 'Candide' and 'West Side Story'. Read more

'Childhood Tales" - Decca (CD)

Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano
Isata, of the accomplished Kanneh-Mason family, has already made a great name for herself, both as recital partner with her cellist brother Sheku, and as a piano soloist. This collection of works, the titles all pertaining to children, is not easy or elemental piano at all. The artist does perform them with a warmth and facility that is a treat for the listener, and the Debussy "Children's Corner" set is particularly charming in her rendition. Read more

World Premiere Recordings 'Out of the Depths' Music by African American Composers (CD)

Jack Stamp conducting The
This refreshing recording by the nimble Keystone Wind Ensemble makes a great case for the worth of these little known compositions by little known African American composers. It makes the listener feel curious as to what else might be available to be heard, both by the composers, and by this ensemble. Read more

Atlas (LP)

Laurel Halo
If you like experimental/ambient music I strongly suggest checking this album out. Field recordings, synths and saxophone flares galore. Great night time or rainy day listen Read more

The Greater Wings (LP)

Julie Byrne
Julie Byrne is a singer songwriter who has a beautiful voice and writes some of the most moving songs I've ever heard. Her latest record is a monumental shift in a new direction adding synths to the acoustic arrangements she's known for. This record has very real themes of loss, her collaborator and dear friend passed away during the making of it so the melancholy is extra heavy on this one. Great for crying in the car. Read more

Can You See The Future?

Yellowcake
Arizonian D-beat by the likes of Totalitär/Anti-Cimex/Framtid with some truly gunfire-esque drumming by one of the best in the game. Read more

Your Love Keeps Me Off The Streets (LP)

Wings Livinryte
Wings Hauser, legendary PM Entertainment era actor from movies like Vice Squad, Tough Guys Don't Dance, and The Art of Dying. Most of these songs have a ballad-like quality so it's not for everyone, but you've got to throw this on when it's time to sit back and start livinryte. Read more

Spiritual Pollution (LP)

Public Interest
Bay Area post-punk by Chris Natividad from Marbled Eye. Catchy with memorable guitar riffs and absolutely worth your time. Read more

Harvest (LP)

Poison Ru​ï​n
Dungeon.. punk? I don't know, dude. I honestly hate describing a genre. This is just good. I read somewhere it's part Legend of Zelda part Ramones and that's kind of accurate. Everything they've put out is just exceptional. Read more

Red Rock West (BLU)

There's a(nother) new blu-ray label on the market and at the time of writing this, they've put out two beautiful releases of this and 'Little Darlings'. In 2023 I thought it would be a good idea to watch every movie Dennis Hopper showed his face in, but this movie stood out. Well, this one, The Indian Runner, and Catchfire did. Nic Cage is broken vet with a bum knee and Lara Flynn Boyle is perfect. It's got a Twin Peaks feel to it while just being a classic to the 90's neo noir genre. Read more

Dellamorte Dellamore (Cemetery Man)

Severin recently restored this Italian masterpiece that COULD be described as a riff on Dead Alive by Peter Jackson meets Taxi Driver. Its potentially more insane than that. It's also incredibly funny, bloody, and bizarre with plenty of zombies, guns, and eroticism. It's a contender for best zombie movie of all time that's for sure. Read more

Conan The Barbarian

Shout Factory just released this classic on beautiful 4k. I don't have a single complaint about this movie. Sword and sandal movies never interested me until I realized I was being a fool so I dove in. It's got one of the best beheadings, countless great lines that were used by dopey stoner metal bands you listened to, there's a silly wizard, a snake cult, and almost every type of animal. Pro-tip: if you're ever near Arnold then don't let him go near a camel. He's been known to punch them. Or at least he does here. Multiple times during the commentary audio track, Arnold goes " this is the scene where I punch that Camel!!" The director John Milius calmy tells him for another time that this is not that scene. Read more

Lovelight (LP)

Gloria Weems
Killer reissue of mostly forgotten South American garage (as in larry levan) album from '83. A personal grail for years, happy to finally be able to play "Push It Up", don't sleep. Read more

Excursions EP

Max In The World & Kroba
Unusually good "Soulful House" (?) from long time twitter homie & Saxophonist Kroba with Bliss Point label boss Max In The World. Sublime, spiritual, fresh take on the sound that took over NYC's deep house scene in the late 90's via Joe Claussell and Ron Trent. For fans of both and jazz generally. Cop it! Read more