PICK OF THE WEEK

I won’t mince words, Vol 1. Open Sesame Vol 1” the album by Istanbul-based artist Barista (real name Bahadir Han Eryilmaz) is a musical tour de force. I think there needs to be a stronger distinction between those who love music and those who LOVE music. What I mean is …

Heartbreak is almost as strong a motivator as love itself, and this is something Cory Williams seems well aware of with his sophomore release Bird Mouth, an LP born out of lost love as much as it was reborn, phoenix-like, out of the ashes that blossomed into a new relationship. …

Concept records admittedly aren’t everyone’s cup of tea; that said, some of these epic recordings are simply too culturally, artistically, and spiritually relevant for even the most discriminating of critics to ignore, and Fredo Viola’s My New Head definitely fits this description. My New Head dabbles in more than a few eccentricities and throws …

Moon & The Stars & The World is the new album from John Moore And Missing Star. Featuring a rousing mix of nocturnal delights, thought-provoking lyrics, it’s a wild sonic journey that goes beyond any run-of-the-mill sound. These guys bring back the album orientated rock without sacrificing a modern sound. From …

Prolific songwriting speaks for itself, and in the case of a player like Jerry Salley, it comes to define an entire career. Salley has been writing and singing in one of the most competitive scenes on earth, Nashville, for almost forty years now, and his talents are put to work …

Solo projects can oftentimes come out of three things: vanity, inspiration, and (least likely, yet still possible) utter boredom. It’s not every solo project that finds itself existing out of pure and total necessity, but for Robert Miller, this would end up being the case with his album Miller Rocks, …

Linda Imperial’s latest release Heart Rock is an EP worth of songs packing a punch as any full-length album. Imperial evidences little if any interest in writing and recording superficial entertainments. Her music will definitely bring smiles to the faces of many listeners, but her overriding reason for writing and recording these …

  Alex Lopez has built a considerable following and critical reputation since his 2013 recording debut, His latest release Rising Up is an eleven song collection highlighting Lopez’s increasing songwriting finesse, guitar prowess, and the top-notch cadre of musicians complimenting his artistic vision. The Xpress is more than capable accompaniment; they are …

“A Fleeting Life in a Square” kicks off Ian Bouras’ A Blind Painter’s Guide to Coloring Breath. The eight song collection benefits from superb production despite his independent status and its success is even more notable thanks to the conditions under which he wrote the tracks and the fact they are …

Pardon my language, but Martha Wash is a f**king saint, or maybe an angel in disguise. We’re talking about a woman who started off as a daughter of devout Christians who at a young age developed an affinity for music just as much as she did for people. Taking actions …