Andrew Bird’s long solo career has established him as a dependable singer-songwriter who consistently releases high-quality, idiosyncratic chamber-pop and indie folk-rock. It can be easy to forget, though, that he got his start in the mid-90s as a member of swing-revival act Squirrel Nut Zippers, and his early albums with solo project Bowl of Fire…
In Green / We Dream is the debut album by soul-jazz-funk trio Parlor Greens, but the players involved are far from rookies. The band is essentially a Colemine Records supergroup, which features Adam Scone on organ (Scone Cash Players, The Sugarman 3), Jimmy “Scratch” James on guitar (True Loves, formerly Delvin Lamar Organ Trio), and…
A Trip To The Moon is the fourth full-length album from Ghost Funk Orchestra, the brainchild of producer and multi-instrumentalist Seth Applebaum. An immersive and playful song-cycle inspired by moon missions past and present, factual and fictional, the album adds new elements to their already diverse sound while retaining the funky, jazzy psych-soul sound that…
Electricolorized, the third installment from the enigmatic instrumental powerhouse Penza Penza, featuring Estonian composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Misha Panfilov, is an earworm-filled journey that defies easy categorization. This album serves as a testament to an artist who effortlessly blends genres, creating a unique and captivating musical experience. Penza Penza now stretches their funky jazz psych…
jaimie “breezy” branch, was a trumpeter and composer who had rapidly ascended as one of the brightest stars in the jazz world when she tragically passed away on August 22, 2022, at the age of just 39. In July 2022, this exceptional trumpet player and composer found herself in Chicago at International Anthem (IARC) studios,…
Who is Pale Jay? The artist, one of Karma Chief Records’ latest signings, is something of an enigma, although we do know a few things about him: he’s trained as a jazz vocalist and pianist, calls southern California home, and always wears a red ski mask and white bucket hat that obscure his appearance. The…
If you’re a fan of alternative Americana rock, there’s no chance you haven’t heard Marc Ribot’s play guitar, and I’d bet even without knowing who was playing you were blown away by how it was perfect for the moment, and yet completely outside of the box of your usual expectations. Ribot’s bio reminds us that…
Durand Jones is the lead vocalist of the modern soul band Durand Jones & The Indications, which has released three solid studio albums including their self-titled debut in 2016. Wait Til I Get Over is his debut release as a solo artist that showcases Jones’ smooth and emotive vocals, while exploring worth and belief through…
Magnolia, the debut album from jazz trio Okonski, uses a simple formula: piano, bass, and drums. But simplicity can be deceptive, and Magnolia manages to cover a lot of musical and emotional ground over its seven tracks. Bandleader Steve Okonski’s piano work is the primary focus conjures a range of moods and styles, but “meditative”…
When Ghost Funk Orchestra’s debut LP for Karma Chief, Song For Paul, made its way onto turntables back in 2019, it felt like it was created in some alternate version of the early 1970s. Helmed by sonic mastermind Seth Applebaum, the band’s jazz-funk rhythms, psychedelic guitars, staccato horns, and soulful female harmonies drenched in reverb…
