Of the Earth and In the Spirit

Stepping away from the JOHN FOGERTY camp, master of the keys BOB MALONE offers MOJO DELUXE, a solo effort infused with gospel, soul and rock 'n' roll stylings and soul searching lyrics.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Swingin’ and A-Surfin’, All Summer Long: Revisited

A fresh look at one of our 2014 summer picks, SUMMER BEACH PARTY, a collection of tunes from the beach movies of the '60s, with some curious omissions to account for.
by David McGee
 

 

 

His Own Man

DEVON ALLMAN's solo debut, 'Turquoise,' tells us the son of Gregg is his own man--more to the point, that he knows who he is as his own man. No mean feat, that.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘It’s Where Your Life Makes Sense’

On his new solo album, Soo, HABIB KOITE goes home to Mali and draws together all the strands of his life--music, friends, countrymen. 'It's where your life makes sense,' says Habib.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Art Songs, Folk Texts

In praise of POPULAIRES, a fascinating exploration of art songs with folk texts, by French Algerian soprano AMEL BRAHIM-DJELLOUL and pianist Nicolas Jouve, Reviewed by ROBERT HUGILL of Planet Hugill.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Presence of ‘Being’ in Every Note…

Poland's ANNA MARIA JOPEK has sung with STING, collaborated with PAT METHENY and now joins forces with some of Cuba's finest on MINIONE.
by David McGee
 

 

 

We’re Gonna Make It After All

MARTY BROWN emerges boldly and brilliantly on his first new studio album in 25 years, AMERICAN HIGHWAY, aided and abetted by the sure-handed production and musicality of JON TIVEN
by David McGee
 

 
 

Wherein Murph Lights Out for the Horizon, Yet Again

MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY, collaborating with son RYAN MURPHEY, rises to every challenge he sets for himself on ROAD BEYOND THE VIEW, a standout among many in his extensive catalogue.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Life And Life Only

A little bit Montgomery Gentry, a little bit Trace Adkins, but ultimately only themselves, the fellows who comprise the hard hitting country band LiveWire come on strong in their debut album, Livin'.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Hard, Stomping and Merciless

Out of Seattle with a Chicago mindset and some southwestern sizzle, RJ Knapp & Honey Robin offer hard, stomping, merciless urban blues on Don't Blame the Dynamite..If You Can't Light the Fuse.
by David McGee
 

 

 

There Goes the Sun

The 'lost' album from ARTHUR 'BIG BOY' CRUDUP's 1969 Delmark trifecta, SUNNY DAY, may have a placid surface, but things are roiling underneath. The road ain't so sunny.
by David McGee
 

 
 

2013’s Elite Half-Hundred – Part I

Selections 1-25 of the 2013 Elite Half Hundred include THE BENEDICTINES OF MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES, STEEP CANYON RANGERS, DAILEY & VINCENT, ALAN JACKSON, et al.
by David McGee