Crystal Bunch moved to the vibrant community of Moab in 2018 and has been an enthusiastic DJ since 2019. If you have tuned it to The Artist Speaks or Desert Sol Soundsystem you have heard “DJ Sunshine” spreading cheer and tunes in Moab and beyond. She previously held the pivotal role of music and program director and has now gracefully returned to ease into that role once more. Her deep love for music began at a tender age, where she delighted in holding concerts... Read More
Latest Album Reviews
Review of Heroes
Album Info: Heroes
Rick Keller Album: Heroes Label: Vegas Genre(s): Fusion Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Oct 6, 2025
Review
The city of Las Vegas may be known best as a vacation destination, its proximity to the Palm Desert and for its casino gambling, yet there has also been a fine jazz scene growing there as well. Also in Las Vegas is Vegas Records, a cool record company that has released music by a range of jazz artists. A recent release on Vegas Records sure to attract the attention of jazz fans is Heroes, the third solo album by veteran sax maven Rick Keller.
With 14 tracks clocking in around 70 minutes, Heroes pays tribute to some of Rick’s major jazz influences. For example, the lead-off track, a tribute to jazz guitar legend Pat Metheny, is titled simply “For Pat”. Clocking in at just under eight minutes, the track is a perfect showcase for Rick’s sax solos, coupled with some tasty piano work by Dave Siegel and the fleet-fingered guitar work of Camilo Velandia. An excellent
Henhouse Prowlers Album: Unravel Label: Dark Shadow Genre(s): Contemporary Bluegrass Posted By: Joe Ross
Oct 4, 2025
Review
I was fortunate to catch the henhouse Prowlers live at a winter music festival in Florence, Oregon about a year ago where they played several of the songs off their albums. From Chicago, the bluegrass group formed in 2004 and went full-time in 2007. Besides composing and performing the soundtrack to a 2008 PBS documentary “The Ride of Our Lives,” the band won the Rockygrass band contest in 2010, won Chicago Music Award for “Best Country/Western Entertainer” in 2010 and 2011, performed several tours overseas for the U.S. Department of State, and released four albums. Now associated with the Dark Shadow recording label, The Henhouse Prowlers never specifically call themselves a bluegrass band but they build their signature sound around banjo, mandolin, guitar, bass and vocals.
“Unravel,” the new album is called “an amalgamation of thoughts,
Raphael Wressnig Album: Committed Label: PepperCake Genre(s): Electric Blues Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Oct 1, 2025
Review
One of the world’s leading Hammond B-3 organists, Austria-based Raphael Wressnig released his album Committed in 2025. The 9-track, 41-minute album follows the release of his acclaimed 2021 album Groove & Good Times. Backing Raphael’s B-3 are Enrico Crivellaro (guitar) and Hans-Jürgen Bart (drums). True to form, Committed is very much an instrumental album in the spirit of 1960’s organ great Booker T Jones, leader of Booker T. and the MG’s.
With its mix of jazzy blues, soulful music, R&B and funk, Committed is an upbeat and groove-friendly instrumental album made real through the use of vintage music and vintage gear. Throughout, Wressnig also sounds influenced by his big B-3 influences; Jimmy McGriff, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Brother Jack McDuff and Jimmy Smith. The album perfectly balances classic tracks as well as a fresh batch of Wressnig
Angelo Spinazzola Album: Harp-Centric Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Contemporary Blues Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Oct 1, 2025
Review
Way up in Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia Canada, multi-instrumentalist Angelo Spinazzola weaves a potent spell with his 2025 14-track album Harp-Centric. Musically, it’s a one-man show yet the album is well recorded and Angelo proves his worth as a composer, harp player and guitarist. There’s even some fine drumming and percussion to accompany the music.
When we mean harp here we’re not talking Harpo Marx. Angelo lets it rip and the sound is one part Magic Dick (of J. Geils Band fame) and one part Charlie Musselwhite, yet his electric guitar work also sparkles. Musically, the all-original songs, while derivative of the blues, work the grooves nicely. Being all instrumental means the focus is on his bluesy harp and his fine guitar work completes the sound.
Angelo is well-regarded in his home based in Nova Scotia, Canada. He’s released a number of
Gino Amato Album: Latin Crossroads 2 Label: Ovation Genre(s): Contemporary Jazz Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Sep 29, 2025
Review
Music arranger Gino Amato strikes Latin-jazz gold with Latin Crossroads 2. Co-produced by Gino Amato and Oscar Hernández, the 11-track album features a wide range of musicians. The important aspect here is that Latin Crossroads 2 features select classics from the Great American Songbook newly revived with a decidedly Latin, Salsa and Merengue beat. These are songs that have weathered ages and eras and this new spin is both stimulating and exhilarating.
Central to Latin Crossroads 2 is the wide range of singers featured. Another aspect is that these singers not only take lead vocals but also harmonize voices with impressive precision. Believe it or not, one of the first images that came to mind is the 5-part vocal harmony that Brian Wilson often directed with the Beach Boys and also on his solo projects. Of course, most of the songs here are timeless standards, composed before
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