2Lot - Call For Me
Genre-defying band 2ŁØT, known for their commitment to using music as a force for social change, returns with their impactful new single “Call For Me,” alongside a poignant music video. The track, which speaks to the enduring power of love and connection, serves as a heartfelt reminder to reach out to loved ones in times of need. This single is a prelude to their highly anticipated debut album, slated for release later this fall. “Call For Me” highlights the beauty of unconditional love, emphasizing that true connection exists beyond space and time. The song’s soul-stirring melody and powerful lyrics urge listeners to remember the importance of reaching out for support. Its accompanying music video captures the emotional journey of a woman struggling with the aftermath of a relationship and battling substance abuse, ultimately showcasing the healing power of music and human connection.
By offering a modern-day anthem of support and resilience, 2ŁØT delivers a message that resonates deeply in today’s world. Aligning with 2ŁØT’s dedication to social advocacy, a portion of the proceeds from “Call For Me” will benefit The Phoenix, an organization focused on building a sober movement through the power of community. “We’re not just dealing with a substance use problem; we’re facing an epidemic rooted in social isolation,” states The Phoenix. The collaboration underscores 2ŁØT’s commitment to making a tangible impact beyond the music, creating a ripple effect of positivity and change.
AJAY Mathur
AJAY MATHUR’s new single “Miracle” has a feel-good groove of warmth that’s perfect for the Holidays and every day. The track taps into the simple magic of life’s everyday moments: the moon pulling the tide, flowers in bloom, kids laughing, and the warmth of an embrace. It’s about realizing that we’re all part of something much bigger – the miracle that is constantly unfolding around us. As the holiday season kicks in, let “Miracle” be the soundtrack to your times of reflection, wonder and love. Official Lyric Video for Ajay Mathur’s “Miracle” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GYP9-7De3A Eclectic, grounded, and always surprising – this is how the extraordinary trademark sound of Grammynominated singer-songwriter Ajay Mathur can be described. As a musical cosmopolitan and smooth shifter between stylistic worlds, the Swiss-by-choice (with Indian roots) artist presents the single “Miracle” from his upcoming multimedia project (TBA). “Miracle” follows Mathur’s brilliant 2023 collaboration cover album Blow My Cover. This album followed a series of Ajay’s multi-award winning albums: A Matter Of Time (2011), Come See Conquer (2013), 9 To 3 (2015), Little Boat (2018), REMiX(2020) and Talking Loud (2022), which the German Pop Foundation honored with 4 awards at the jury award ceremony of the 40th German Rock & Pop Award. Mathur has also produced a series of chart toppers and award-winning singles. Musicians: Ajay Mathur (vocals, piano, guitar, arrangement), Fausto Medici (drums), Christian Winiker (bass), Toni Nesler (orchestra score)
Anne Stott
The songs of Watershed Synapse Experience, Anne Stott’s third full length release, are teeming with bold aural atmospherics that embody narratives ranging from intimate observations to global visions to astral flares. In conjunction with platinum producer Barb Morrison (Deborah Harry, LP, Rufus Wainwright), and two-time Grammy-nominated engineer and musician Jeremy Kinney, she devises an eclectic sound that evokes Eighties alt-pop and Nineties grunge filtered through modern moody sonic landscapes. Jagged guitars, spacious electronica, ethereal choral arrangements, spoken word refrains and trash can percussive sections are all employed to create the most pop yet most raw album of Anne’s career.
“Working with Barb, there’s no talk of making a song fit into a specific genre or polishing off the rough edges, which is a huge relief and great pleasure for me,” says Anne. “I felt like the songs I wrote would all be respected for exactly what they were.” The album’s title, Watershed Synapse Experience, “Signifies those moments that we get very rarely in life,” says Anne, “where our perception of something shifts one one-hundredth of one degree, and yet it changes how we see everything.” The album features guest appearances from Kenny Mellman (Kiki and Herb, The Julie Ruin) playing powerfully fragile piano on “Future Ruin” and Terre Roche (The Roches) playing guitar and bringing vocal magic to “Fifty Times Around the Sun,” a track that ruminates about the earth’s orbit of the sun at 67,000 miles per hour. Background singers create a call and response chorus on “Water to Blood,” asking, “Time is here now/It’s not coming it’s come/What’s it gonna take/Water to Blood,” in what LA Blade called, “…the Earth Day anthem we forgot we needed.”
Anne Stott
Audible Yays, comprised of the GRAMMY-nominated producers Barb Morrison (They/Them) and Bart Schoudel, take singer/songwriter, actor and political rabble rouser ANNE STOTT‘s grunge meets pop project into the dance music realm with their remix of “I Can’t Hide.” Official Video For “I Can’t Hide (Audible Yays Remix)”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVLhKeo2ANM For Blondie, Barb Morrison was a songwriter behind Panic of Girls, one album that reflects why this collaboration was a good match with Stott’s elastic style that embraces eighties pop and nineties grunge, infused with a modern moody atmosphere. While Bart Schoudel’s Grammy nominations come from working on Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres, Justin Beiber’s Purpose and Beyoncé’s Beyoncé. Together as Audible Yays they masterfully treat Stott’s pop song with clean synths, a sublime house beat and their unique atmosphere.
While previous alternative rock songs by Stott such as her most recent releases “Water to Blood” and “Born Under a Full Moon” make you get up and dance, this remix of “I Can’t Hide” takes the dance party to the next level. On “I Can’t Hide,” Stott shares,” I don’t really feel like I wrote this song. It wrote me and channeled some of my most innocent wishes for myself and the world. And now through the inspired production of Barb and Bart, those vulnerable expressions have been transformed into a joyous dance celebration. Stott’s third album, Watershed Synapse Experience, produced by Barb Morrison drops in September 2024, until then have a happy pride month and keep rocking with Stott.
Atom Stone
“A bona fide anthem rocker drawing magical inspirational fire from the good old days. “ –Jonathan Widran, JWVibe Detroit’s Atom Stone is set to make a bold entrance into the melodic rock scene with the release of the debut album Take Me To The Fire. The album features eleven tracks that fuse melodic rock, pop, and Americana sounds, offering a fresh twist on classic rock. Take Me To The Fire is a deeply personal project for Stone, highlighting his journey as a vocalist and artist. With influences ranging from Steve Perry to Robert Plant and Lou Gramm, Atom’s voice is the heart of the album, delivering soaring melodies and unforgettable hooks.
“This album is the culmination of everything I’ve worked towards as an artist,” says Stone. From the emotionally charged ballad “I Believe” to the riff-heavy “Hell On Wheels,” the album has a diverse range of songs, all tied together by Atom’s distinctive voice. Standout tracks like “Hate Love” capture the raw spirit of a country crossover as well as classic rock, while “Battlefield” reaches a Country Crossover and also infuses a touch of Americana into the mix. Produced and engineered by industry veterans Nick Sturms, Dan Tracey (Alan Parsons), and Dave Albro, Take Me To The Fire is a meticulously crafted album. With a polished production and a sound that nods to the past while staying firmly planted in the present, this album marks the arrival of a powerful new voice in rock.
Atom Stone
“Hate Love” is the new single by ATOM STONE from his forthcoming album Take Me To The Fire on Melodic Revolution Records. “Hate Love” is a selfless song about realizing that a loved one’s true happiness should come first. If they’re not happy being with you and have found true happiness elsewhere, then seeing their joy is what should matter most because that’s what love is about. Atom Stone (KRYR, Voyager, Metallic Green) is a vocalist from New York who started his musical journey as a woodwind player at the tender age of seven. Continuing his exploration of musical instruments, Atom soon became a skilled guitarist. His uncle and father (who was well-known in the local music scene) ran a studio in Utica, NY, where they spent weekends recording their own brand of music.
Stone spent many hours at the studio as a spectator, soaking in inspiration and knowledge. Through his teen years, Atom Stone made a mark on the local scene himself by performing covers and originals in regional bands, nurturing and establishing himself as the vocalist that we see and hear today with a carefully crafted unique and distinctive style and sound. He founded the band KRYR in the mid- 2000’s, releasing his first album in 2010. Circumstances pushed Atom into exploring new musical directions, resulting in the melodic rock sound of his new band and album.
Take Me To The Fire would see Atom working with veteran producer Dan Tracey (Alan Parsons Live Project), Nick Sturms (Nashville Songwriter/Producer), and Grammy-nominated engineer Dave Albro. Atom has a vocal style and sound reminiscent of artists like Steve Perry, Robert Plant, and Lou Gramm. Recorded @ Capricorn Soundworks and Red 3 Music Studios. Produced by Nick Sturms & Don Tracey. www.AtomStone.net
Atom Stone
“Battlefield” is filled with the kind of pure, unadulterated rock and roll pleasure that’s missing in most modern rock music. –IndieBandGuru “Battlefield” is the new single by vocalist ATOM STONE from his forthcoming album Take Me To The Fire on Melodic Revolution Records. “Battlefield” is also a relationship song. According to Stone, “the song is about the struggles of a relationship that’s turned from wine to vinegar, and then picking up the pieces and moving forward with positivity and hope.” Atom Stone (KRYR, Voyager, Metallic Green) is a vocalist from New York who started his musical journey as a woodwind player at the tender age of seven. Continuing his exploration of musical instruments, Atom soon became a skilled guitarist.
His uncle and father (who was well-known in the local music scene) ran a studio in Utica, NY, where they spent weekends recording their own brand of music. Stone spent many hours at the studio as a spectator, soaking in inspiration and knowledge. Through his teen years, Atom Stone made a mark on the local scene himself by performing covers and originals in regional bands, nurturing and establishing himself as the vocalist that we see and hear today with a carefully crafted unique and distinctive style and sound.
He founded the band KRYR in the mid2000’s, releasing his first album in 2010. Circumstances pushed Atom into exploring new musical directions, resulting in the melodic rock sound of his new band and album. Take Me To The Fire would see Atom working with veteran producer Dan Tracey (Alan Parsons Live Project), Nick Sturms (Nashville Songwriter/Producer), and Grammy-nominated engineer Dave Albro. Atom has a vocal style and sound reminiscent of artists like Steve Perry, Robert Plant, and Lou Gramm. Recorded @ Capricorn Soundworks and Red 3 Music Studios. Produced by Nick Sturms & Don Tracey.
Beware Wolves Vol. 5
BEWARE WOLVES is a legend of his own making, a tall tale for modern times. He might be the lost cousin of Dave Van Ronk or the bastard child of Paul and Vashti Bunyan. An apparition or just a wanderer, he works the seams between freak and folk, hammering out melodic gems to travelers on the highways of love and despair. Beware Wolves knows there’s a place where those roads converge, and with only his sweet, soaring voice and rattling guitar, he goes looking for that feeling everywhere. As ever, the songs of Beware Wolves sway like a wind-bent sapling between darkness and joy. On Beware Wolves Volume 5 though, the arc bends toward the light.
“Long Run” offers forlorn echoes of Nebraska-era Springsteen picking through the ruins of a dream: “Oh when I took your hand, I thought we’d make it to the Promised Land,” sings Beware Wolves. “Longshot in the Dark,” on the other hand, sees hope spring, at least for a little while, with a high, fragile vocal line dancing, in the Jeff Buckley style, on the edge of collapse. There’s a more sure-footed swagger to “Medicine Man” with the declaration, “You come in crawlin’, and I help you to stand.” “Miles” is a dreamy idyll set to a minor key, notes of Neil Young passing like the shadow of a cloud. And closer “Myra” is downright optimistic, admitting “Maybe things don’t look too good, but things aren’t what they seem.”
Coleman Mellett
From his upcoming album Sing You A Brand New Song, COLEMAN MELLETT’s charming & upbeat single “Everymornin’” features Chuck Mangione, Barry Miles, Jeanie Bryson, Steve Gadd, Will Lee and others. Besides the audio album, a documentary film titled Sing You A Brand New Song will also be released. Mellett was known as a talented, established jazz guitarist in the Chuck Mangione band. Unknown to most, he was also a passionate songwriter with plans to release an album of original music. Tragically, Coleman Mellett was killed along with 50 others when Colgan Flight 3407 crashed seven miles from the BuffaloNiagara International Airport on February 12th, 2009. Mellett was on his way to playing with Mr. Mangione, his band, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Sing You A Brand New Song documentary preview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8KgobGRH_Y&t=17s Left behind on Coleman Mellett’s computer in his home studio in East Brunswick, New Jersey, were the preliminary vocal and guitar tracks to eleven original tunes and one never-before-heard solo guitar, instrumental arrangement of James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain.” Shortly after the accident, Coleman’s wife, jazz singer Jeanie Bryson (Dizzy Gillespie’s daughter), and dear friend and jazz giant Barry Miles began the journey of completing Coleman’s music with his favorite artists and closest friends. The album, Sing You A Brand New Song, is scheduled to be released on February 14th, 2025.
David Haerle
Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter/guitarist DAVID HAERLE explains the background of his new single, “Hidden Treasure”: “My spiritual mentor, the late Terry Richey, once relayed his belief to me that within all people lie treasures of sorts. He was referring to treasures of the spirit, our human qualities, our individual stories, trials or burdens we have faced, those we have overcome and those we have yet to overcome, or, perhaps, those past difficulties we are just coping with in some way.” According to Richey’s belief, these treasures may not always be readily apparent and might take time to see. Although they lay within all people, sometimes they are hidden or a little harder to find.
“Hidden Treasure” is about keeping that in mind. It is about taking the time to talk with people, asking an extra question or two, and going beyond our initial judgments of others, which may only be surface deep. It’s about making a habit of looking for such treasure. “The rewards can be significant,” states Haerle. “Is there anything like human connection?” Musicians: Lead vocal, electric and acoustic rhythm guitars: David Haerle, Bass, keyboards and backing vocals: Carson Cohen, Drums and percussion: Reade Pryor, Keyboards: Jose Salazar, Saxophone: Andrew Pask.
The Far Out
The FAR OUT, renowned for their infectious retro pop sound, are gearing up to release their mew single “Packed to Go.” With its irresistibly danceable beat and lively brass, “Packed to Go” promises to captivate longtime fans and new listeners alike. “Playing Packed to Go is like downshifting and stepping on the gas,” says saxophone player Colin Senechal. “All I have to do is lean in a bit and the engine of the song takes me for a ride.” The Far Out’s dedication to creating energetic music that also resonates on a personal level shines through in this single. The high-powered groove provides a backdrop for introspective lyrics that capture the thrill of being ready to drop everything and run away with an old flame. Ellie Dolan delivers dynamic lead vocals, supported by signature Far Out harmonies. It’s a throwback to the golden age of soul — reminiscent of classics like “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and “I Want You Back” — while also standing on its own two feet with a fresh, contemporary sound. The Far Out is a funk and soul pop band from the north shore of Massachusetts. All six musicians have been playing together since they were kids – learning and growing through shared experiences in jazz, theatre, a cappella, and orchestra.
Now they engage their audiences with high-energy grooves, powerful vocals, and funky horn lines, supported by undeniable chemistry of a group of lifelong friends. You’ll often catch the group of multi-instrumentalists switching roles during their shows, passing guitars around or joining the horn section between vocal harmonies. Their goal is to include audiences in their infectious joy and make funk and soul music accessible to younger generations. The Far Out’s self-titled debut EP was named Indie Boulevard’s “Best EP of 2023.” In summer 2024, they followed up the award-winning EP with the explosive single “See Red (You’re Dead).” Songs from TFO have been featured on radio stations WXRV and WATD. In June 2024, The Far Out was also crowned New England Music Awards’ “Last Band Standing” and will take the stage at the New England Music Awards later this year.
The Far Out is: Ellie Dolan (vocals, trumpet), Olivia Lowe (vocals, guitar, flute), Drew Phillips (drums), Colin Senechal (saxophone, guitar), Ryan Fremont-Smith (vocals, bass), Henry Zagarella (vocals, keys)
George Highfill
“George Highfill’s songs and vocals are what country music is all about, the swingiest, most irresistible two- step shuffles that we’ve heard in some time.” –Music Connection On his latest album, Thank A Trucker, GEORGE HIGHFILL sings real country & western music about lovers, losers, gamblers, honky tonks, train whistles and hard times. Highfill is one of the best and most promising of the new traditionalists, a singer and songwriter with roots firmly planted in the heartland of America. “My grandfather was a fiddle & guitar player in an early country western band, my grandmother was well-known locally as a poet, and my mother was a pianist in church. Music was a big part of my childhood,” says George.
Highfill polished up his lyrics in college English courses before heading to Music City, USA. After one year as staff writer for Tree Publishing, he returned to his native Oklahoma as the first director of the newlyopened Hank Thompson School of Country Music at Rogers State College. Six years later, at the beginning of the Urban Cowboy boom, George arrived in Los Angeles playing “hard core country places.” He soon found himself in demand as a session musician working on albums with Ricky Skaggs, Chris Hillman, Maria Muldaur and Billy Swan. He opened concerts for George Jones, Merle Haggard, the Judds, Carlene Carter, and others. His own music was also getting noticed and Warner Bros. released Highfill’s debut album, featuring the single “Waitin’ Up,” which gained popularity in the US and Europe. George’s European visits have become an annual tradition with more fans turning on to his traditional, pure country each year.
His music has been featured in several movies, including the 1987 hit, Masters of The Universe. Besides Highfill’s vocals, Thank A Trucker also features bassist Paul Marshall (Wanda Jackson, Hank Thompson), drummer John Lee White (Dwight Yoakam, Rick Shea), fiddler Candy Girard (Jerry Garcia, Delaney Bramlett), and other fine folks.
Jake Aaron
JAKE AARON is a British guitarist and songwriter who has moved in Folk, Rock and Jazz circles. His first EP of acoustic pieces was released in 2015 to positive reviews from folk and indie reviewers. Aaron’s 2018 single “Give Me Your Horse” was a bigger, jazzier number that had airplay on Folk stations as well as Jazz, including the BBC’s Jazz Nights. His debut album in 2019 was a collection of songs, longer lyrical offerings and instrumentals which was nominated for Debut Album of The Year by Fatea Magazine.
His 2023 album Always Seeking was loosely imagined as a noir Western soundtrack and featured guest appearances by fusion guitarist John Etheridge, singer Kate Kurdyak from noir-pop band Vox Rea, and original artwork by Anthony Macbain (Grand Theft Auto). Jake Aron says about his new single “Watery Moon”: “When I was strumming the opening chords I started thinking of the great doo-wop songs of the 1950s. I like the melodrama and nostalgia of the piece and enjoyed writing the lyrics too.
It was great to record with the same line up from my last two albums: Steve Lodder on piano and Hammond, Davide Mantovani on double bass and Marc Parnell on drums. They just got it immediately and I think this was the first take. “Watery Moon” is the first single from an album due out next year.
Jerry Burton
I chose to record Soul Man because it is the ultimate American soul song and thus the flagship of my album, Great American Soul Book, Reimagined. Vol l. It’s staying power is singular. This release marks its third incarnation since originally performed by Sam and Dave in the sixties ( whom I saw perform it live). Secondly , it was performed by the Blues Brothers of Saturday Night Live fame, who even used the original backing musicians of Steve Cropper( guitar) and Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn( bassist), on their recording and live dates. And now, of course, my take on it. It is everything that I like about authentic soul music, a great hook, great singers and a great band with screaming horns. Soul Man lent itself to reinterpretation like few other songs did. There were many great soul songs out there to chose from to be the flagship of my new album, but in choosing Soul Man, I chose what is arguably one of the greatest soul songs ever written. www.JerryBurton.com
Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius
“Deninzon is perhaps the finest electric violinist of his generation.” –ProgressiveRockCentral Progressive rock band JOE DENINZON & STRATOSPHEERIUS spent six years making their sixth album Impostor!, partly between Deninzon’s worldwide tour dates as the violinist for KANSAS. The songs on Impostor! share stories of emotional battles Joe has observed in his life and the outside world. “Sometimes you write a bunch of songs and don’t see the thread that binds them together until they are all on one album.” The title track addresses impostor syndrome and the epic “Chasing the Dragon” about “midlife crisis and unrealized dreams and expectations, ‘Are we ever satisfied?’ The dragon represents that elusive goal, always just out of reach.” The song features guest vocalist Chloe Lowery (Trans-Siberian Orchestra). “Outrage Olympics is a rebuke of cancel culture. “Cognitive Dissonance” features guest vocals from Randy McStine (Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree) and explores how religious intolerance destroys childhood friendships.
“Storm Surge” explores anxiety and features some legends in the prog world, including pianist/flautist Rachel Flowers, guitarist Fernando Perdomo and Saga vocalist Michael Sadler, who co-wrote the song with Joe and the group’s drummer Jason Gianni. Inspired by Friedrich Burgmuller’s 19th century piano piece, “L’Orage (the Storm).” Official Video For “Outrage Olympics” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS3aa0g-bXQ The album also includes the Jean Luc Ponty/Jerry Goodman-inspired instrumentals “Voodoo Vortex Part I & II.” The song title “Tripping the Merry-Go-Round” is taken from Bruce Springsteen’s lyric in “Blinded by the Light.”
Joe performs most of the acoustic strings and describes the song; “If Gentle Giant wrote ‘Eleanor Rigby.’ It’s a snapshot of a long relationship where the ‘merry-go-round’ of life keeps people from making adequate time for each other.” Stratospheerius also covers King Crimson’s “Frame by Frame” with backup vocals from Val Vigoda (Groovelilly). Impostor! is being released on Trey Gunn’s 7d Media and features Joe (electric 7-string violin, acoustic violin, viola, chin cello, lead and background vocals, and producer), Michelangelo Quirinale-(Guitars), Paul Ranieri (bass), Jason Gianni (drums), and Bill Hubauer (keyboards). Impostor! was mixed and mastered by Rich Mouser (Tears for Fears, Dream Theater, Weezer). Joe’s music’s been compared to Rush, Muse, Dream Theater, and Kansas, who welcomed Joe into the band in May 2023. “While Kansas became my main gig, it was my work with Stratospheerius that got their attention. Looks like all that “dragon chasing” paid off for Joe and his bandmates!
Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius
“Outrage Olympics” is the new single from JOE DENINZON & STRATOSPHEERIUS’ forthcoming album, Impostor. A scathing rebuke against cancel culture with references to George Orwell and Aldous Huxley, the title for “Outrage Olympics” was taken from a phrase stated by Bill Maher during one of his “New Rules” monologues. “Our society is so easily outraged,” states Deninzon, “that we live in fear of saying the wrong thing or offending someone unintentionally at the risk of being cancelled. Sometimes it seems like everyone is secretly policing each other. As someone who was born in the Soviet Union and grew up hearing stories about life there, this hits close to home.” Joe Deninzon is the violinist/guitarist for classic rock band KANSAS.
He has also played with the Who, Bruce Springsteen, 50 Cent, Ritchie Blackmore, and as the concertmaster for Renaissance. His Stratospheeriuus bandmates include drummer Jason Gianni (The Ultimate Queen Celebration, TransSiberian Orchestra, Neal Morse Band), guitarist Michelangelo Quirinale (Thrilldriver), keyboardist Bill Hubauer (Neal Morse Band/Crack the Sky) and bassist Paul Ranieri (Mark Wood, Riot Act). The band’s new album Impostor also features guest artists Chloe Lowery (Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Michael Sadler (Saga), Randy McStine (Porcupine Tree), and Rachel Flowers among others.
Journos
JOURNOS’ 2023 release In The Key Of WTF! garnered critical acclaim, indie radio airplay. Songs like “Dirty Money,” “Oh Tyranny!,” “Don’t Wake The Trouble,” “Something Worth Feeling Again,” and many more, directly take on the challenges facing the USA today. More great music is coming soon… Official Lyric Video for “Dirty Money” https://youtu.be/f9deAOyIZX8?si=SgzqlUG2-EGQlSQY With In The Key Of WTF!, Journos (Bryan Russo & Ryan Abbott) told us what’s gone wrong; and in early 2025 Journos will re-introduce us to the characters who got us here with their upcoming album The Burning Question, and tell us how to get started fixing things. Already working the new material out on the road, the early reviews of The Burning Question are making waves in the indie Americana/Blues Rock underground! “Journos has that rare ability to make a statement while at the same time remaining entertaining and engaging. Journos stands up and counts for something.” – Malcolm Burn, Grammy winning producer https://wearejournos.com/home
King Llama - Album
KING LLAMA’s new album fata implexis is something special, commanding, and category-elastic. The fiery and whip-smart instrumental band’s tune “Lora Ky” packs an immediate and visceral punch within its sophisticated changes, spidery guitar riffs, tricky unison lines and mosaic-like structure, built from material conjured up by guitarist-songwriter Ryan T. Bailey. It serves as a prelude and on-ramp to an electrifying journey unfolding over six tracks. Official Video For King Llama’s “Bus Stop”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGp5V1gOon4 What to call this music? Drummer Luis Briones wonders if it’s something along the lines of “experimental fusion-influenced jamband music?” Math rock? Prog rock? By whatever name or genre identifier, this music makes a bold statement and paves the way for a bright future for this unique band. At the core of the operation is a deep musical connection between guitarist-composer Bailey and Briones, who have tended the King Llama fires for many years and released their debut, Return to Ox in 2016.
A critical third party entered the equation when veteran producer Dennis MacKay (Return To Forever, David Bowie, Stanley Clarke) met Bailey through record exec Michael Caplan and agreed to work on King Llama’s new album. Among MacKay’s conceptual ideas was the addition of guitarist Billy Paulsen, as a secondary voice to expand Bailey’s guitar-based compositional road maps. Bassist Anthony Crawford provides a firm foundation, along with standout solo moments, and MacKay put in a call to his old friend, Brand X bassist Percy Jones, to add his distinctive fretless bass sound to the atmospheric closing track, “Vita et Mors.”
King Llama
KING LLAMA’s new single “Bus Stop” was originally written years ago, but according to the band, “it was initially a bare bones track compared to the fascinating fusion of instrumental styles that it evolved into. It has taken on a life of its own.” “Bus Stop” is from King Llama’s forthcoming album fata implexus (or “fate intertwined”), which was produced by Grammy-winner Dennis MacKay (Return To Forever, David Bowie, Stanley Clarke). At the core of King Llama is a deep musical connection between guitarist-composer Ryan T.
Bailey and drummer Luis Briones, who have tended the King Llama fires for many years and released their debut Return to Ox in 2016. As with much of the music world, the band’s forward motion was interrupted by the pandemic and the shuttering of live music, which then led to a long process of composing, rethinking and expanding the vision of the band. The result is an instrumental masterpiece of funk, rock, jazz, and jam sensibilities morphed into a unique sound on fata implexus. Among MacKay’s conceptual ideas, along with his addition of melodic and structural ideas on the pieces, was the introduction of another guitarist, the naturally skilled Billy Paulsen, as a secondary voice to expand Bailey’s guitar-based compositional road maps.
Bassist Anthony Crawford provides a firm foundation, along with standout solo moments. Fata implexus also features performances by bassist Percy Jones (Brand x), Dominique Xavier Taplin on Piano/Keys (Toto, Ghost Note), Nate Werth on Percussion (Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note), and Anthony Crawford on bass (Allan Holdsworth). www.KingLlama.com
Ken Serio Quartet
Veteran drummer KEN SERIO has for the past three decades shown remarkable versatility behind the kit. His working trio for the past seven years, with guitarist Sinan Bakir and bassist Jedd Chlebowski, is flexible enough to cover a wide stylistic range. On Serio’s latest album, Brooklyn Oasis, with longtime collaborators Dave Mullen on tenor sax and Tomoko Ohno on piano, and featuring the legendary bassist Ron Carter, the agenda is strictly about swinging. And knowing that jazz royalty would be present on this session definitely affected everyone’s game. “You hold your breath and pray that you play well,” said the leader of his encounter in the studio with the iconic bassist. “But Ron was so solid and so good that he made it so easy for me.” The quartet comes right out of the gate swinging ferociously with Serio tippin’ emphatically, on the supercharged opening track, McCoy Tyner’s “Changes.” With the rhythm tandem of Serio and Carter locked into the surging groove, and Ohno comping frantically alongside them, Mullen rises to the occasion with some intense tenor blowing. The evocative title track “Brooklyn Oasis,” penned by pianist Ohno, finds Serio playing with mallets on toms while Mullen summons up a robust “Harlem Nocturne” vibe on tenor.
Carter also contributes a brilliant bass solo on this noir-ish number. Their take on the late Lyle Mays’ catchy “Hard Eights” tips more into the fusion zone, courtesy of Serio’s crisp, slamming backbeats. Both Ohno and Mullen deliver inspired solos here, with Serio slamming and Carter bubbling underneath. Brooklyn Oasis actually harkens back to Ken Serio’s first recording as band leader, Tomorrow’s Another Day. That swinging 1996 session featured such workhorses as Bird’s “Donna Lee” and “Anthropology” as well as Herbie Hancock’s “Butterfly” and (in a full circle moment) Ron Carter’s “Eighty One.” Nearly 30 years later, they sound equally committed to swinging.
Kyle Davis
“One of the best unsigned artists in the USA.” –Billboard
There was a sheer exhilaration spawning a career that netted KYLE DAVIS success early on. He began recording in his early 20s, spawning a string of albums that effectively expressed a keen sense of melody, infectious energy and hooks that sank in quickly and refused to let go. Davis’ new single “The Last Line” is the latest example of his powerful ability to craft a well-written song that grabs the listener and reels them in. According to Kyle Davis, the song “is about the rainy seasons that we all must go through and mange. The way that we handle those moments in life is what matters; it’s the hope that the last line we write will mean the most.” Official Video For Kyle Davis’ “The Last Line”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJz9Ehl9q1Y Kyle Davis is joined on “The Last Line” by legendary musicians Peter Holsapple, Don Dixon, and Robb Ladd. Although he has been described as a cross between Jackson Browne, David Gray, Peter Gabriel and Mat Kearney, Davis remains his own man, a singular talent with an extraordinary gift for conveying sentiments that are impossible to deny and even more difficult to resist. Musicians On “The Last Line” Kyle Davis- Acoustic guitar & vocals Don Dixon (REM, The Smithereens)- Bass Robb Ladd (Alanis Morrisette, Don Henley)- Drums Peter Holsapple (The Dbs, Continental Drifters)- organ, mandolin Mike Durham (Kacey Musgraves, Tim McGraw)- electric guitar
LD Levy
Jazz multi-instrumentalist and playwright L.D. Levy returns with an album of improvisational originals, d n a n d. A veteran of the jazz scene and self-taught virtuoso, Levy has toured Europe as a woodwinds soloist and played in the past with the likes of Beaver Harris, Ed Blackwell, Don Cherry, Richard Davis, collaborating with the Astral Weeks bassist for a full LP, 1979’s Cauldron. In 1980, Levy’s followup LP, The Eagle and the King was awarded five stars by DownBeat. On d n a n d, Levy takes on the role of multitasker, picking up duty for woodwinds, piano, and bass, constructing improvisations against himself and drummer Paul Westfahl (Max Devereaux, Troubadours of Rhythm). The result is a collection of tracks both tenebrous and intriguing, the record’s often sparse instrumentation laying bare the physicality of the instruments as evinced by Jack Griffin’s stark production.
On album opener “Map,” Levy’s piano chords lay the groundwork for a dynamic improvisation whose whispered woodwinds give way to inflections of controlled chaos. “Smoke” lives up to its name, conjuring images of the hazy nightclubs of jazz’s past. “Saxophone per se I & II” serve as the record’s closer, a solo saxophone suite showcasing Levy’s improvisational virtuosity. d n a n d is an act of pure expression from a singular artist. L.D. Levy: bass clarinet, alto flute, alto sax, piano, bass; Paul Westfahl: drums
Ron Wright and Led Zap
“Such an epic song—we love the guitar work, moving songwriting and vocal delivery!” –Ze Rock Porto LED ZAP’s debut single “Sheila” may be new, but band leader, guitarist and singer Ron Wright is a seasoned and exceptional artist. Arguably one of the most recognizable and accomplished musicians of California’s central coast rock scene, Ron Wright has built a career that most artists would envy.
A guitarist, vocalist and professional recording artist, Wright’s style is cut straight from the golden age of rock, delivering a timeless energy that’s perfectly rooted in the free-spirited vibes of classic rock and the dark, evocative echoes of the blues. Joined by bassist Tony Franklin (Kenny Wayne Shepard, David Gilmour, Kate Bush), drummer Dennis Fongheiser (Tracy Chapman, Nils Lofgren, Counting Crows), vocalist Johnny Collas (Huey Lewis & The News), and produced by Ron Nevison (Chicago, Heart, Ozzy), “Sheila” spins a beautiful, sad tale of a relationship coming to an end. “I knew it was over with the slamming of the door.
Deep down in my heart I knew you weren’t coming around no more.” Official Video for Led Zap’s “Sheila” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QUk3OD82t4 Ron Wright & David Bell composed “Sheila” in Monterey, California at Wright’s Big Electric Tech studios. The song is about a girlfriend who worked for the military and was stationed at multiple bases. While circumstances made the relationship complicated, there were at least some good times to reminisce about. Musicians: Ron Wright – Guitarist / Lead Singer, Tony Franklin – Bass, Johnny Colla – Background Vocals, Jeff Bova – Orchestration, Dennis Fongheiser – Drums
Mykal Rose, Subatomic Sound System, Hollie Cook
Reggae superstar Mykal Rose, original voice of the Grammy Award-winning Jamaican group Black Uhuru, steps into the future with Lee “Scratch” Perry’s former band, NYC dub specialists Subatomic Sound System and London lovers rock queen Hollie Cook on the release of the trio’s collaborative full-length album, Rockin’ Like A Champion, out now on all digital platforms via joint venture between Dubshot Records and Controlled Substance Sound Labs. Rose, Subatomic, and Cook also serve up a visualizer for the title track “Rockin’ Like A Champion,” that premiered today on Subatomic Sound System’s YouTube channel. “We always need to keep moving forward” says Rose, as he prepares for upcoming live dates with Subatomic Sound System, supporting Stephen Marley and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley on key tour stops like the Hollywood Bowl on August 4th. The 15-track Rockin’ Like A Champion, which includes the previously released singles “Get High,” “Put Down The Gun,” and “Happy Is The Man Who Finds Wisdom,” is a musical triumph for one of the most iconic voices to emerge from Jamaica’s golden era of reggae.
Mykal Rose’s voice is in top form, singing timeless melodies and poignant lyrics throughout, beautifully produced and interwoven with music crafted by Subatomic Sound System that respects the roots of reggae while also making bold steps forward into more diverse influences and bass heavy, dub-wise vibes for the next generation of sound system culture. Hollie Cook’s angelic harmonies enhance the spiritual energy of the album, putting it all in a divine balance. Subatomic’s percussionist Larry McDonald (recently inducted into the Jamaican Music Hallof Fame for his work with The Skatalites) lays down congas, shakers, flexatone, triangles and all matter of percussion. Troy Shaka Simms weaves a spell with soprano and alto saxophones, often delving into a variety of ancient melodies from Ethiopia and beyond. Emch anchors the production work as well as playing melodica, guitars, organs, bass, drums, 808s, and effects, dub mixing it all up into a stew.
“This album takes people on a journey,” said Emch. “Reggae is loved around the world, but so many people have lost touch with the Jamaican artists who invented the genre. Being able to have giants like Mykal Rose and Larry McDonald together representing a sound they were integral in creating and bringing to the world is crucial work. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry always told us that to make great music it had to be spiritual, not just the yrics but the vibe. He used to talk about creating sounds he heard on the island, translating the vibe to instruments. Our goal is to translate that spirit for a next generation without losing the original vibes.”
mykalrosereggae.com
Neybas - Album
Extended Flow is the upcoming studio album from NEYBAS (pronounced “nay-bahz”), a Trad Rock-Alt-AmericanaJamband from Connecticut. The album features 16 hook-laden original songs spanning multiple genres. Extended Flow’s tracks date back to recording sessions from 2019 at Connecticut’s Massiphonic Studios with producer John Bolduc engineering, producing, and mastering. The band had set out to record 19 original songs written by singer/songwriter/guitarist Russ Waesche, but with studio deadlines looming, the band had to pick the 12 songs that were ready to go.
Those 12 songs were included on the Neybas’ 2019 album Flow, released locally to fans just before the pandemic. Of the 7 songs that were unfinished from those 2019 sessions, three were re-worked and included on 2022’s Sunshine Hotel. The positive response to those three songs, and the Hotel album in general, spurred the band to revisit the remaining four tracks. In 2023, the band returned to Massiphonic Studios with producer Bolduc and finished those four tracks, which they included with the 12 original Flow tracks and release as Extended Flow. A regional favorite in the northeast for decades, Neybas music is organic, energetic, and danceable, with good-vibes and echos of the late 60s and early 70s. The band has played with such talent as the Georgia Satellites, Joan Osborne, NRBQ, Great White, Felix Cavaliere, Todd Snider, and Rick Derringer.
Their most recent album, Sunshine Hotel, released in June 2022, received strong reviews and received enough airplay across the country that it was on the Relix/Jambands.com Radio Chart and the AMA Americana Radio Chart for four months. Neybas: Russ Waesche: lead vox, acoustic & electric guitars, pedal steel guitar, percussion; Kevin “English” Bornstein: vox, bass; Nicholas “Toad” Eckert: vox, acoustic & electric guitars; Emmet Hale: Drums, vox; Greg Marshall: keys. Guest musicians: John Bolduc: vox, percussion; Kate Hubbard: vox; Peter O’Connell: harmonica; Mike Ryan: percussion.
Neybas "N.E. Girl"
Extended Flow is the upcoming studio album from NEYBAS (pronounced “NAY-buhz”), a Trad Rock-Alt- Americana-Jam band from Connecticut. The album features 16 hook-laden original songs spanning multiple genres, and will be released on One House Records in June, 2024. The second single from the album is “N.E. Girl,” an upbeat Adult Alternative Rock number which was one of the first songs written for the album. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Russ Waesche got the idea for the song when his wife was getting ready for bed; she had to work in the morning, while he’d be staying home to write songs: “She’s a hard-working girl, in a holiday world…” The lyrics reflect the singer’s love for a no-nonsense New England girl (N.E. – New England).
N.E. Girl was recorded at Connecticut’s Massiphonic Studios in 2023 with producer John Bolduc engineering, producing, and mastering. A regional favorite in the northeast for decades, Neybas music is organic, energetic, and danceable, with good-vibes and echoes of the late 60s and early 70s. The band has played with such talent as the Georgia Satellites, Joan Osborne, NRBQ, Great White, Felix Cavaliere, Todd Snider, and Rick Derringer, to name a few. Their previous album, Sunshine Hotel, released in June 2022, received strong reviews and received enough airplay across the country that it was on the Relix/Jambands.com Radio Chart and the AMA Americana Radio Chart for four months straight. Music reviewers described the album as “amazing ”… “organically-crafted and totally rockin’”… “an astounding stylistic variety”… “they certainly know how to get a party started and keep it going.”
Neybas: Russ Waesche: lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, pedal steel guitar, percussion; Kevin “English” Bornstein: vocals, bass; Nicholas “Toad” Eckert: vocals, acoustic and electric guitars; Emmet Hale: Drums, vocals; Greg Marshall: keyboards. Guest musicians: John Bolduc: additional vocals, percussion.
Professor Louie and the Crowmatix
“Great piano playing bursts with soulful exuberance. Professor Louie & The Crowmatix have concocted a classic Holiday genre brew!” –Christmasreviews.com “A Different Christmas” is a bonus track on the upcoming album Crowin’ Around by PROFESSOR LOUIE & The CROWMATIX. The new album will be released by Woodstock Records in early 2025. “A Different Christmas” was written for the Holiday season and to celebrate the band’s performance at the CBS6 TV special Melodies Of Christmas, where the group will perform four nights in front of a live audience at The Proctors Theater in Schenectady, NY. Professor Louie & The Crowmatix once again will be joined for their performance by The Empire State Orchestra and The Melodies Christmas Chorale.
Net proceeds from tickets sales will benefit the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancers at Albany, NY Medical Center. Professor Louie is a seasoned live performer, prolific recording artist and multi-instrumentalist who has worked with the greatest musicians worldwide. Producing and performing with The Band, Levon Helm, Graham Parker, and Commander Cody to name a few.
Tour Dates:
Nov 9: Blairstown NJ – Roys Hall
Nov 12: Buffalo NY – The Cave
Nov 22: Syracuse NY – The Westcott Center
Nov: 23: West Falls NY – West Falls Center For The Arts
Nov 30: Greenwich Village NYC – Café Wha
Dec: 8: Hudson Falls NY – The Strand Theater
Dec 15: Palmer MA – Don Odells Legends
Dec 19-22: Schenectady NY – Proctors Theater -CBS 6 Melodies Of Christmas
Dec 28: Woodstock NY – The Colony
Jan 10: Bay Shore NY – The Boulton Center
Jan 18: Bethlehem PA – Godfrey Daniels
Jan 25: Piermont NY – The Turning Point
Feb 8: New Paltz NY – The Lemon Squeeze
Mar 1: Westminster MD – Carrol Arts Center
R. Shayne Floyd
R. SHAYNE FLOYD’s musical journey reaches a new milestone with his forthcoming third album, Heights of the Land, a bold departure from the traditional bluegrass sound that defined his earlier work with the band River Boy. While Floyd’s previous albums celebrated the rich traditions of bluegrass, this latest project showcases the diverse musical influences that have shaped Shayne’s artistry over the years. The new single from Floyd’s album is called “I’m Alive Today,” which finds a way to put a positive spin on unrequited love. R. Shayne Floyd explains: “I think ‘I’m Alive Today’ is sort of unique for a heartbreak song because it’s upbeat and encouraging. I was friends with this woman and and wanted it to be more (i.e. romantic), but it just wasn’t happening. Instead of being down in the dumps about it, I thought – ‘hey, my life is great! I want you, but I don’t need you. And I’ll get over you, given a little time’.” In Floyds songs, listeners will find echoes of Tim O’Brien’s storytelling, the nuanced melodies of Watchhouse, and the genre-blurring styles of Tyler Childers, Lyle Lovett, Gordon Lightfoot, and Sierra Ferrell.
The harmonious voices of Alexa Rose and Clare Elich add richness to the album and provide an extra layer of depth and emotion. Shayne’s collaboration with ultra-talented musician and producer Ryan Stigmon has brought these songs to life with a fresh, dynamic sound that reflects his broadening musical horizons. Musicians R. Shayne Floyd: Lead Vocal, Ryan Stigmon: Acoustic Guitar and Hammond Organ, Norbert McGettigan: Bass, Chris Gelb: Drums, James Schlender: Violin.
Rachel Ryan - Album
Rachel Ryan, a vibrant folk/country singer-songwriter now based in Florida, is releasing her debut album Written, a collection of six songs. Originally from a small New Zealand town and a graduate with a Bachelor of Music in singing and songwriting, Rachel blends folk, acoustic, and country music with vibrant energy and raw honesty. Her lyrics explore personal growth, love, and introspection through soulful melodies. Rachel Ryan’s eagerly anticipated album Written explores the contrasts of life through six deeply personal tracks. This release highlights Rachel’s evolving use of vocal harmonies, which bring a new dimension to her music. The album captures the emotional spectrum of life’s journey from moments of joy and triumph to periods of introspection and challenge, showcasing Rachel’s ability to convey profound personal stories through her music and lyrics.
Producer Bhauraw Avhad plays a key role in bringing the songs to life, infusing them with captivating instrumental hooks that truly make each track stand out. “Written” – the first single release — is a powerful ballad combining soothing vocal harmonies with a captivating fiddle melody. This evocative song explores the struggle to find hope amidst life’s highs and lows, encouraging reflection on fate and resilience. MUSICIANS: Rachel Ryan- Vocals, -Bhauraw Avhad- Piano, bass, acoustic & electric guitars, Adrienne WalshFiddle on “Written,” Jameson Cooper- Drums on “Southern Belle,” “Gone Too Soon,” and “Without You.”
Rachel Ryan
RACHEL RYAN’s new single, “I Want To Be A Southern Belle,” is a charming and upbeat anthem that captures the whimsical aspirations of a woman longing to embrace the quintessential Southern belle lifestyle. Inspired by the romanticized Southern charm found in classic American novels like Huckleberry Finn, iconic films, and the heartwarming melodies of country music, this song is a playful celebration of Southern culture. With its catchy rhythm and bright, refreshing sound, the track paints a vivid picture of Southern states, their rich musical heritage, and the timeless elegance of a Southern lady.
It’s a delightful homage to the grace and hospitality that define the South, inviting listeners to revel in the joy and charm of Southern life. Rachel Ryan is a vibrant and honest folk/country singer-songwriter who’s now based in Florida, preparing to release her debut EP, Written. Originating from a small country town in New Zealand, Rachel’s musical journey began amidst the humble confines of her childhood home, where she was immersed in the timeless sounds of The Beatles and Elvis Presley through cherished cassette tapes. After relocating to Brisbane City, Rachel’s musical horizon expanded dramatically. Influenced by contemporary artists such as Passenger, Ed Sheeran, and Mumford & Sons, along with a renewed appreciation for classic influences, she felt a deepened inspiration to explore music on a personal level. Rachel also earned a Bachelor of Music, which transitioned her focus from reinterpreting beloved classics to crafting her own original compositions.
Her music reflects a fusion of her rich, diverse influences and a distinctive voice that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth. MUSICIANS: Rachel Ryan-Singer, Bhauraw Avhad-Acoustic guitar, bass guitar, percussion, keyboards electric guitar, Jamie Cooper on drums.
Reagan Hudson- Album
House Arrest Ankle Bracelet is an album filled with unique songs and stories about everything from happy times to heartaches. The title track, “House Arrest Ankle Bracelet,” is all about having fun and partying while under house arrest, while “Broken Pieces of My Heart” and “Everyday” are songs about lamenting lost loves. “Mama’s Going to Rehab” is about a dysfunctional family where each induvial has their own unique problems, leading into the comedic ending. The other songs and stories on the project cover a variety of topics and experiences. Reagan Hudson is a cattle farmer in western NC, and has played with many bluegrass, country, and gospel bands in the area. He is an avid history buff and possesses a wealth of knowledge in folklore and country living. Musicians Reagan Hudson: vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Dale Meyer: electric guitar, bass, keyboard, James Brock: drums, Jim Ashton: steel guitar
Refestramus - Album
Step into a realm where the echoes of ‘70s prog rock giants are reborn. The new album Intourist by REFESTRAMUS weaves a tapestry of soul-stirring epics, from the rush of a comet’s trail to the eternal dance of zombie love, each track a prayer made manifest. Get lost in a narrative odyssey of otherworldly desires and heartfelt homecomings, all set to a soundtrack of fiery riffs that are destined to resonate with the rebels of yesterday and today. This is not just music—it’s a portal to a time when rock was a revolution, and every note promised a journey into the extraordinary. Derek Ferguson, the driving force behind Refestramus, leads this ensemble as both writer and drummer. Named after a word coined by his mother, Refestramus represents rearrangement—a concept embraced by Derek and producer Ian Beabout. Their latest album Intourist showcases their unique sound.
Ferguson’s talent lies in his ability to inspire through writing and musician discovery, often sourcing talent from platforms like Fiverr.com. Tracks like “Smiling” delve into the complexities of masking emotions for societal norms. Born in May, Refestramus began as Derek’s home studio project. With a background in Chicago’s progressive rock scene and influenced by Ian Beabout’s Prog Rock Deep Cuts radio show, Derek collaborated with Ian and other musicians to bring the album to fruition. The addition of multiinstrumentalist Dave Newhouse enriched the project, guiding it to completion. Refestramus is… Derek Ferguson – Drums, Jerry King – Bass, Derek Pavlic – Guitars, Mellotron and Viola, Rogelio Souza – Keys.
Refestramus
The new single Refestramus single “Smiling” weaves the haunting poignancy of lost love with the enigmatic presence of the Cheshire Cat. The song and its accompanying video (directed by Anna Fokin of the St. Petersburg State U. of Film & Television) invite listeners into an ethereal soundscape reflective of the song’s elusive character. The band’s signature genre-fluid songwriting and intricate compositions navigate the complexities of concealing pain behind a facade, capturing an emotional journey with audio artistry.
This single, from the forthcoming album Intourist, was acclaimed by Prog magazine for its “high-brow concepts” and “bizarre comedic turns.” “Smiling” promises to connect with fans of thought- provoking music and storytelling, sealing Refestramus’s reputation in the progressive rock genre. Derek Ferguson, the driving force behind Refestramus, leads this progressive rock ensemble as both writer and drummer. Named after a word coined by his mother, Refestramus represents rearrangement—a concept embraced by Derek and producer Ian Beabout. Their latest album Intourist showcases their unique sound. Musicians Derek Ferguson – Drums, Jerry King – Bass, Derek Pavlic – Guitars, Mellotron and Viola, Rogelio Souza – Keys.
Ross Valory
ROSS VALORY always had pieces of music tucked away that he’d written, although his songwriting contributions as the bassist for Journey slipped away after the first three “experimental” albums. As a member of Journey, Valory concentrated on shaping the rhythm section and contributing his baritone vocals to the background blend. During the band’s second coming, following the 1995 reunion album Trial By Fire, Ross Valory began sorting through his files and polishing up some of his old notes.
In between tour dates, he pulled together a tight-knit group of collaborators and began to finish what he’d started. After a lifetime in music, Ross scrupulously etched out All Of The Above. The album was co-produced by Valory, Jacob Stowe, and Eric Levy. From the Latin-fired intensity of “Wild Kingdom” to the ethereal dirge of “No One Wins a War,” the raucous party on “Low Rider” or the brilliant reprise of Santana’s “Incident of Neshabur,” the album presents an evolved artist fully in command of his vision, a lifetime of experience behind the project, augmenting his core associates with guest musicians such as Gregg Errico of Sly & the Family Stone, drummer Steve Smith, and saxophonist Marc Russo.
The nine tracks on the album represent the full maturity of Valory’s musical gifts. He plays keyboards, guitar, and, of course, many basses in a display of cultivated virtuosity across a palette far broader than could be found in his work with Journey. He is stepping out from behind his bass and, for the first time in his more than half-century as a professional musician, representing his vision and his compositions.
Ross Valory
“I have been revisiting material that has been accumulating, and I am sharing some of my favorite songs for the first time!” – Ross Valory ROSS VALORY, regarded as one of rock’s best bass guitarists and an original member of the multiplatinum band Journey until his 2020 departure, returns with the single & video “Tomland” from his new album All Of The Above. Penned by Valory, the all-instrumental “Tomland” marks the first track done entirely at his new studio in the East Bay area of Northern California. “Tomland” builds to a ripping, climactic solo by red-hot guitarist Miles Schon, drummer Prairie Prince and keyboardist Eric Levy.
Ross Valory had the basic parts of the song kicking around since shortly after leaving the Steve Miller Band in 1972, a bluesey set of chords that roll into each other mellifluously, something he had jammed on a lot over the years. He pulled it out to fashion a piece that not only recalls the passing of collaborator Tom Size (engineer known for his work with Mr. Big, Y&T, and Aerosmith), but also offers an affirmation of resolve to move forward, the sunlight of optimism illuminating the process.
Official Video for Ross Valory’s “Tomland” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw6tKIAmUok ROSS VALORY always had pieces of music tucked away that he had written, although songwriting contributions to Journey slipped away after the first three “experimental” albums. As a member of Journey, Valory concentrated on shaping the rhythm section and contributing his baritone vocals to the background blend. During the band’s second coming following the 1995 reunion album Trial By Fire, Valory began sorting through his files and polishing up some of his old notes. In between tour dates, he pulled together a tightknit group of collaborators and slowly began to finish what he started. After a lifetime in music, Ross Valory scrupulously etched All Of The Above. The album was produced by Valory and co-produced by Jacob Stowe and Eric Levy. www.RossValory.com
Sam Kuslan - Album
SAM KUSLAN’s solo debut album, Runaway Love, is the refreshing new upbeat sound of American pop, inspired by Sam’s musical heroes, Jamie Cullum, Sammy Davis Jr. and John Mayer, with generous helpings of New Orleans tradition and vintage Americana, soul and jazz. Sam wrote and arranged the nine tracks on the album, and sings and plays piano and guitar on them all – from the rock ‘n’ roll feel of the title track, “Runaway Love,” to the lush love ballad, “Without Your Love,” to new country pop like “(I Wanna Call Love An) Old Thing.” Recorded at Studio in The Country in Bogalusa, LA, the album features a brilliant cast. Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph (Galactic, Tank and the Bangas), Kayla Jasmine (GRiZ, Ha Sizzle) and Sasha Masakowski (Nicholas Payton, Jason Lindner) lend their voices throughout the album as well as appearances from the Naughty Professor horns (“I Wanna Call Love an Old Thing”) as well as Brad Walker (Sturgill Simpson), Scott Frock (Nathaniel Rateliff) and Mark Mullins (Bonerama). The rhythm section throughout the album is held down by Kevin Nolan (Lainey Wilson, Rude Music) and Max Bronstein (Slugger) both on slide and electric guitar, Calvin Morin-Martin (Noggin) on bass and Shawn Myers (Leyla McCalla).
Sam tours extensively in the USA and Europe, either as a featured artist with jazz-funk Naughty Professor, as a sideman with Nashville Country/American-folk artist Sean McConnell, rock’n’roller David Shaw, or as musical director and leader of the National Park Service Centennial Band. He’s highly sought after as an arranger, artist and performer for his musical versatility. having shared the stage with Anders Osborne, Marcus King, Chali 2na, Shaun Martin, Isaiah Sharkey, Leroy Jones, and many more. Sam writes and records with Alex Ebert (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) and tours with Naughty Professor.
Sam Kuslan
“Runaway Love” is the first single from New Orleans artist SAM KUSLAN’s upcoming album by the same name. Drawing inspiration from country, R&B, boogie woogie, and Stevie Wonder, “Runaway Love” is about the kind of love that you want, but that can be hard to get ahold of. According to Kuslan, “this song flowed out of me like water, in about an hour. Like water, love can easily slip out of your hands.”
Runaway Love is the first solo album Sam Kuslan has released. It features 9 original songs written and arranged by Kuslan and calls upon elements on jazz and pop music; likened to his musical heroes, Jamie Cullum, Sammy Davis Jr. and John Mayer. Sam sings and plays piano and guitar on all tracks – moving from the raucous rock ‘n’ roll of the title track to lovey lush ballads like “Without Your Love,” to country pop tunes like “(I Wanna Call Love An) Old Thing.” Recorded at Studio In The Country in Bogalusa, LA, the album features a brilliant cast.
Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph (Galactic, Tank and the Bangas), Kayla Jasmine (GRiZ, Ha Sizzle) and Sasha Masakowski (Nicholas Payton, Jason Lindner) lend their voices throughout the album as well as appearances from the Naughty Professor Horns, as well as Brad Walker, Scott Frock and Mark Mullins. The rhythm section throughout the album is held down by Kevin Nolan (Lainey Wilson, Rude Music) and Max Bronstein (Slugger) both on slide and electric guitar, Calvin Morin-Martin (Noggin) on bass and Shawn Myers (Leyla McCalla).
Sluka
“Sluka carries the torch of glam-tinged theatrical rock and roll.” – Music News UK
Cautionary Yell is the 14th studio album by the band that Big Takeover described as giving us “glimpses of the future,” SLUKA. The San Diego outfit’s latest release is their best record yet, and is also the third produced by Grammywinner Alan Sanderson (Fiona Apple, Weezer, Fleetwood Mac). Asked to describe what Cautionary Yell is about, bandleader Christopher Sluka said, “my lyrical inspiration is about being optimistic in the face of impending doom. The album title is about remaining calm while facing horrific events in our world.” While Christopher covers guitar, keyboards and vocals, he’s joined by bassist Anna Eppink as she was on their previous two albums. “Anna has a very unique style,” says Sluka. “She comes up with bass parts I never would have thought of. She also has many visual ideas for our videos and live show.
She also influences me greatly through our discussions of life on this planet.” Official Video for “Sunset Screamer”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGYK4FPF2Qc Musicians on Cautionary Yell Christopher Sluka – Vocals, Keys, Drums, Guitar, Anna Eppink – Bass, Michael Bedard – Drums, Nico Hueso – Violin & Viola, Erdis Maxhelaku – Cello, Brad Steinwehe – Bassoon, Piccolo, & Flute.
Sluka
“Sluka is slightly experimental with a heavy dose of the dramatic thrown in. It generally takes more than a quick listen to appreciate, so take a little time when you do.” –Slate The third single from SLUKA’s forthcoming album Cautionary Yell is “When The Genie’s Out,” released on July 16th to coincide with the anniversary of the first atomic bomb explosion in 1945 at the Trinity test site in Nevada… the genie was out of the bottle. The track was produced by Grammy-winner Alan Sanderson (Elvis Costello, Rolling Stones, Fiona Apple). Official Video for “When The Genie’s Out”: https://youtu.be/ikMEpQ6ezXk Christopher Sluka first rose to prominence in New York City performing at legendary venues such as CBGBs, The Ritz, and The Palladium.
In 1989 his band Sluka released their first full length album on Mitsubishi’s Meldac label, leading to success in Japan and Europe and multiple albums throughout the ‘90s. An obsession with flight led Chris into a hiatus from music, opening a flight school, and piloting jet planes, and yet songs continued to emanate from his musically inventive mind. Anna Eppink – Bass, Michael Bedard – Drums, Christopher Sluka – Vocals, Piano, Synths, Nico Hueso – Violin & Viola, Erdis Maxhelaku – Cello. Produced, Engineered, and Mastered by Alan Sanderson at Pacific Beat Recording Studio in San Diego, CA.
Sluka
“Sluka is slightly experimental with a heavy dose of the dramatic thrown in. It generally takes more than a quick listen to appreciate, so take a little time when you do.” –Slate Produced by Grammy winning producer Alan Sanderson, the new single “Sunset Screamer” by SLUKA is a reflection of our polarized society. The fascinating track focuses on someone who was once dismissed as a lunatic ranting and screaming at the sunset, and whose followers want him to resume the US presidency and dismantle or eliminate our democratic institutions. “Sunset Screamer” is the second release from the new upcoming album Cautionary Yell to be released later in 2024.
The single will be serviced to radio (worldwide), new video, press, and social media across multiple platforms. Video for “Sunset Screamer”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGYK4FPF2Qc&t=72s Christopher Sluka first rose to prominence in New York City performing at legendary venues such as CBGBs, The Ritz, and The Palladium. In 1989 his band Sluka released their first full length album on Mitsubishi’s Meldac label, leading to success in Japan and Europe and multiple albums throughout the ‘90s. An obsession with flight led Chris into a hiatus from music, opening a flight school, and piloting jet planes, and yet songs continued to emanate from his musically inventive mind.
Anna Eppink – Bass, Michael Bedard – Drums, Christopher Sluka – Vocals, Piano, Synths, Nico Hueso – Violin & Viola, Erdis Maxhelaku – Cello. Produced, Engineered, and Mastered by Alan Sanderson at Pacific Beat Recording Studio in San Diego, CA.
Stephen Clair
Two years is unprecedented for Stephen Clair and his longtime bandmates Daria Grace (bass) and Aaron Latos (drums) to spend making an album. 2020’s The Small Hours took a couple of weekends—and it was nothing to sneeze at. Transmissions is Clair’s 11th studio album. And yeah, not only did they spend two years getting thigh slaps, tympani, 80s synth arpeggios, and ever-present electric guitar sounds just right, they then mixed and mastered the album. After that, another year went by and they mixed and mastered the album a second time.
Whew. This 9-song excursion wildly goes to all of Clair’s favorite places, from 2-chord Patti Smith–style rock drama to The Cars’ era synth melodies, to the Hold Steady vibes, undoubtedly furthering the Deer Tick, Wilco, and Spoon comparisons yet again. Ultimately, Clair has forged his own path, and his sound and songs are all his own. This album is not only full of surprises, but the songs are just hooky as hell. Stephen Clair has been called “delightfully enchanting” (Maximum Volume Music), “the kind of citified troubadour that the roots songwriting world needs these days” (Performing Songwriter), and “viscerally rock ‘n’ roll, without pretense or artifice” (Power of Pop).
The truth is that Clair is all that and more. Stephen Clair was featured in the June 2024 issue of Relix as an artist to watch. Read that piece and you’ll see how Clair has been obsessed with music since kindergarten, which he skipped because he was listening to records with his grandfather. And when it comes to making songs that obsession comes through in every word, every note, and even the air in between. And get a load of his live band that’s touring in support of Transmissions.
Steven Chesne
These lyrics represents our shared origin, the interconnectedness of all humanity. They are sung in 79 languages, and are nearly the only lyrics on the new album “Descendants (in 79 Languages),” by composer/producer Steven Chesne. The 79 interwoven vocal tracks are overlaid in counterpoint creating incredibly unique textures throughout the album. The opening song also features platinum recording artist Fredo Bang performing the English language rap. This first-of-its-kind collection is the fruit of four years of production.
It is a reaffirmation of our common origin. This eclectic collection includes joyous dances, epic orchestral arias, a rapper, mysterious electronic dub grooves, world and ethnic stylings, and soaring New Age style vocal solos.
Stephen H Scott
“Steven H. Scott’s lyrics are poetic and deeply personal while his music is nothing less than soulful.” — Parentwithangst.com Singer-songwriter STEVEN H SCOTT has always been about taking the backroads. His curiosity, sensitivity and hunger for adventure are traits that he carries with him as an artist. And it’s all reflected in the music. “Small Town Days,” Scott’s first new single in over two years, is from his new album, coming out next year. Growing up in a “kinda” small town in New Hampshire, music was an escape from the everyday routine for Steven H Scott. He was never the tallest, the fastest or the most popular on the block. Like most introverts, his childhood was dosed with anxiety and self-doubt.
But all of this created the building blocks for him to become the artist that he is today. With his combination of roots & blues mixed with a hint of classic rock and folk, Steven’s music is filled with smooth vocals, acoustic instruments and personal storytelling that helps the listener wind through various emotions. Or as Scott describes it, “Rock n’ roll, but a little hippie.” Steven H Scott’s first EP – Albino Road – was released in 2021. It was well received by critics and reviewers and live music fans alike. The title track was derived from an old legend about two albino boys that were drowned by elders in a town located 20 minutes away from Steven’s hometown. Scott’s music is honest, open, transparent and passionate, with influences ranging from Cat Steven’s to Nine Inch Nails to modern folk.
Survivors of the Kraken
They say a second act is rare, but 20 years after playing their first notes together, a simply epic on-stage implosion, and a mythical creature attack at sea—SURVIVORS OF THE KRAKEN have released their new album, Amid Life Crisis. According to bandleader Justin Marra, “our new album is the sound of human beings playing real instruments and making music together, which is why it was recorded & mixed using no computers.” Talented, hungry, and musically adroit, high school mates Allan Furtado (bass), Brian Decoteaux (drums & percussion), and Justin Marra (vocals & guitar) honed their sound in the southern New England music scene of the early 2000s, boasting a sound captivating enough to put them on stage alongside national and regional acts alike. Contemporaries of the pop/punk scene that would later explode in RI, their melodies were always a little bit out of place.
But with high school coming to end, and venues shuttering in the aftermath of the tragic fire at The Station nightclub, the trio embarked on different paths, projects, and pursuits, but eventually ended up together again. Agreeing that there “was still something there,” the trio began rehearsing regularly and the result for 2024 is their new album, Amid Life Crisis. “Ultimately, the album explores the dichotomy between the fantasies you dream in adolescence with the realities you manifest through the actions you take as you move through life,” says Marra. “Did you live out your dreams? Did you dream new ones? Did you achieve your goals? Are you happy?” Over the last decade Survivors of The Kraken has shared the stage with the likes of Senior Discount, No Plateau, The Pogs, and Sweet Babylon. They have appeared at Boston Greenfest, PVD Fest, Boston’s Hard Rock Cafe.
Tristan Israel
“Mueller’s ‘King Kong’ is more Zappa than much of Zappa. Cinematic storytelling, punctuated with great solos. Among the best arrangements from Mueller’s notable album, Slight Of Hand.” –Bob Cohen (aka “Dr. Jazz”) TOBIN MUELLER’s “King Kong” is a reinterpretation of the Frank Zappa classic from Mueller’s latest album, Slight Of Hand. First released in 1967 on Lumpy Gravy, the track is Zappa’s most recorded composition—Zappa himself released 15 different versions. Mueller’s arrangement highlights the genius of Zappa while adding new flavors and interpretations, fusing jazz, progressive rock and R&B. Tobin Mueller’s version of “King Kong” is powerful and lurching, reminding one of the giant gorilla on the move.
Solos by Mikie Martel (trumpet) and David Dejesus (baritone sax) are Miles-esque and romantic, reminding one of the internal “love story” from the films. But the highlight may be Grammy-winner Paul Nelson’s untamed guitar solo, which shifts focus to the feral freedom and savagery of the deep wilderness. Throughout the track, Mueller’s prog-fusion keys, and drummer Isaiah Schmidt’s jungle rhythm create a driving yet graceful framework.
“King Kong” Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHXo6Zpoc4Y&list=PLZR-DHjgyV2JVEQzJkLzb67j9WabDGjJ&index=11
December is “Frank Zappa Appreciation Month” because of two important dates: Dec 12, 1940 is Zappa’s birthday; Dec 4 1993 is the day he died. Tobin Mueller’s birthday also falls in December, making this tribute even more relevant and timely. Please Add this fresh instrumental to your playlist and help educate your audience on the brilliance of Zappa.
For more info visit: www.tobinmueller.com/zappa • Paul Nelson: electric guitar • Mikie Martel: trumpets • David Dejesus: flutes; alto, tenor, baritone saxes • Bill Barner: clarinets • Tobin Mueller: B3 organ, DX7 & Wurlitzer electric pianos, synths, Trilian acoustic bass • Isaiah Schmidt: drums
Tristan Israel
“House Always Wins” is the new single from the forthcoming album Snake Hollow by the Tristan Israel Band. This will be the fourth album from a unique songwriter and vocalist who’s been performing and recording for almost 60 years. Snake Hollow showcases the band’s virtuosity and Tristan’s unique songwriting abilities. From Monarch butterflies to the Astrolabe, an ancient seafarer’s navigational tool, Tristan’s songs take the listener to a variety of moods and places. The lyrics are poetical and well thought out. Tristan’s music varies in style but is always consistent in its surprising deliveries. He says that although this may well be his best album, he will continue to create new music at his home in Snake Hollow on Martha’s Vineyard, MA.
Although he’s called Martha’s Vineyard home for many years now, Tristan Israel grew up near New York City, influenced by many musicians and genres of music. Musicals on Broadway, the Village folk scene, jazz at the Vanguard, and early rock and roll at the Brooklyn Fox all helped to shape his own music. His mother also instilled in him a love for poetry that still guides the way he crafts his lyrics. His songs are poems that create unique paintings of the world as he sees it. Musicians: Tristan Israel – vocals & guitar, Paul Thurlow – bass, guitar, keys, Nancy Jephcote – violin, Mike Israel – drums.
TT
Refuge. Resilience. Redemption. For TT, that’s what music has always represented: an opportunity to turn life’s challenges into something beautiful and empowering. TT began making that discovery when he was diagnosed with a chronic kidney condition at six years old, decades before he began recording his upcoming album, Man on the Corner. The newest single from the album is “My Confession.” TT explains the origin and meaning of the track: “There were many times in my deeper relationships where I felt that I was an inadequate provider. It’s not always a romantic relationship, it can also be children, friends and those in need – I just don’t feel like I ever give enough. At the same time, I have been blessed and grateful to have strong women in my life.
They have the ability to support, console, and assist. “My Confession” is about exactly this—a man and a woman who are struggling with financial hardship, they’re both good people, and it’s the strength of their bond that keeps them together. The man feels guilty because he wants to provide his wife with a good lifestyle. Yet, he keeps failing. She’s a wonderful woman who remains a rock and is steadfast and loyal. But his feelings of failure persist, and this is his confession.” Musicians: TT: vocals & guitar, Terry Watkin: drums & percussion, Holger Fath: guitar, Mick Mahan: Bass, Kara Britz Burnell: backing vocals.
TT
Refuge. Resilience. Redemption. For TT, that’s what music has always represented: an opportunity to turn life’s challenges into something beautiful and empowering. TT began making that discovery when he was diagnosed with a chronic kidney condition at six years old, decades before he began recording his upcoming album, Man on the Corner. TT’s new album may be inspired by his own experiences, but his songs cast a wider net. The album’s single “Let Us Breathe,” for instance, tackles the looming threat of a rapidly changing planet.
According to TT, “’Let Us Breathe’ is a plea to those who can stop climate change, but it’s also about acknowledging that things we build up can sometimes also destroy us.” The single’s momentum is driven forward with the help of Pat Benatar bassist Mick Mahan and drummer Terry Watkin. Official Video For “Let Us Breathe” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoXk0YQWwG8 While TT’s condition left him crippled as a child, it also gave him the opportunity to hear a lot of music at home while he struggled with physical ailments. “My mother used to sing musical theatre tunes around the house, and I also heard a steady stream of country, rock and classical music. As I was relearning walking, music was a big inspiration in every way.”
Kidney issues eventually improved enough that TT bought a guitar before his teens with money he’d earned from caddying and bussing tables. He eventually moved to Los Angeles and began playing gigs across the area while supporting a family via business. Unfortunately, while working in Southern California, his kidney condition came out of remission and he was given a limited time to live. For TT, this meant a stronger dedication to his music and general well-being. The positive result is not only his forthcoming album, Man On The Corner, but thankfully his kidney condition has gone into remission once again. The healing power of music! Musicians: TT: vocals, guitar, keyboard, Terry Watkin: drums & percussion, Holger Fath: guitar, Mick Mahan (Pat Benatar): Bass, David Kelly: keyboards, Lacy Watkin & Justin Richard: back-up vocals.
Ute Lemper
“I wanna live my dreams and not my fears.” With this powerful message, UTE LEMPER perfectly encapsulates her new single on Jazzhaus Records. “I do not want to falter and surrender to my fears, instead I want to thrive on fulfilling and living my dreams,” explains Ms. Lemper. “I wanna live my dreams and not my fears” is a track that captivates with its distinctive guitar line and Lemper’s unmistakable vocals. Her voice – powerful, expressive, and at the same time experimental – has long made her an international icon. Having called New York City home for many years, Ute Lemper embodies the glamour and cosmopolitan ease of the metropolis like few others. This is also reflected in her music, which always shines with elegance and sophistication.
In “I wanna live my dreams and not my fears” Lemper combines her characteristic, often expressionistic vocals with a groovy and melodic guitar sound that gives the piece a refreshingly danceable vibe. The single also has an unmistakable influence from Al Jarreau. “For decades, I have been inspired by Al Jarreau and his work,” states Ms. Lemper. “The impression and inspiration he’s given me are simply unforgettable – his creativity was endless.” This homage to one of the greatest jazz artists of our time lends the piece a deep emotional layer and connects tradition with a modern, groovy approach. “I wanna live my dreams and not my fears” is a bold and life-affirming statement that perfectly matches Ute Lemper’s personality and charisma. The single will be released digitally on all platforms on December 13.
Musicians: Ute Lemper – vocals & keys, Jim Hickey – guitar, Andy Ezrin – keys & bass, Todd Turkisher – drums & percussion. Produced by Ute Lemper & Todd Turkisher