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 Octopus Dreams
Album Info: Octopus Dreams
Bruce Gertz Quintet Album: Octopus Dreams Label: Open Mind Jazz Genre(s): Contemporary Jazz Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Sep 12, 2025
Review
Boston-area bass player and composer Bruce Gertz has released over 20 albums as a leader as well as various collaboration albums. His 2025 album Octopus Dreams, released as The Bruce Gertz Quintet, features seven tracks. With Bruce serving as composer and bassist, Octopus Dreams features worthy support by Phil Grenadier (trumpet, flugelhorn), Rick DiMuzio (tenor saxophone), Gilson Schachnik (piano) and Gary Fieldman (drums).
A few good spins verifies the album makes an exceptional offering for fans of contemporary and straight-ahead jazz. Not a flashy player but solidly down-to-earth and a proficient bandleader, Gertz is mostly celebrated for his technique and expertise of the upright bass.
Starting at age 14 on the electric bass, Gertz evolved into a professor of the bass at the famed Berklee school of music in Boston. A look at his impressive resume shows Gertz has
Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia Album: Blood Brothers: Help Yourself Label: Gulf Coast Genre(s): Contemporary Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Sep 7, 2025
Review
That a pair of guitarslingers of their magnitude can turn out songs just as strong as their play is a fortunate find for fans of rockin’ blues. From the leadoff and title track- one nasty shuffle, to the insistent rocker that follows-“Can’t Be A Prophet”, to the power ballad that’s next up-“Alive”, Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia prove an authentic dynamic duo. Dosing their well-crafted songs with formidable fretwork and supported with superb backup they’ve turned out an unarguable “Best of Year” contender.
Chris Wabich Album: 1978 (steep) Label: ADW Genre(s): Fusion Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Aug 28, 2025
Review
A mainstay on the Los Angeles jazz scene for years, drummer and composer Chris Wabich joins forces with Josh Nelson (piano) and Dan Lutz (bass) for an album of sublime, instrumental jazz. Some notable influences here include ethereal vibes of legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans, Peanuts theme-maker Vince “Cast Your Fate To The Wind” Guaraldi and even some of Dave Brubeck’s vintage piano jazz to name a few. The difference here is that that 1978 (steep) is described by the artist as being “an immersive song cycle, capturing the essence of intrinsic positivity”.
Running 40 minutes, 1978 (steep) is totally relaxing and impressionistic New Age sounding jazz in places especially compared to mainstream bop jazz and fusion. It’s worth noting that Wabich has also worked in the past with songwriter poet Leonard Cohen and Sting, and the quiet introspection is
Monster Mike Welch Album: Keep Living Til I Die Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Contemporary Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Aug 24, 2025
Review
Axe-meister Mike Welch’s taut vocals are an ideal match for his to-the-point lyrics on tracks such as “Love Me Baby” and “Do What You Want With My Grave”. There and elsewhere here, he justifies his nickname with predictably furious and focused fretwork. Multiple voicings work to pleasing effect on his instrumental workup of Bob Dylan’s “Dear Landlord”. Standing out as well are “Your Problem To Solve” and the title track.
Lili Maljic Album: The Nearness Of You Label: Pacific Coast Jazz Genre(s): Contemporary Jazz Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Aug 23, 2025
Review
European-based singer Lili Maljic dives deep into the Great American Songbook on her debut album The Nearness Of You. With every song a classic, The Nearness Of You benefits from the skills of trumpet master Jim Rotondi, who sadly passed away in 2024. Before he died Jim brought his vast experience as a producer, arranger and musician to this album. In her liner notes, Lili praises Rotondi as her mentor and inspiration and, the album title is even subtitled In Loving Memory Of Jim Rotondi.
The album kicks off with what is commonly referred to as one of the true American music classics, “The Shadow Of Your Smile” written by composer Johnny Mandel in 1965. Hard to top this song for sure, yet Lili gives it a strong showing before delivering fresh remakes of all-time classics from the pens of Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington and many others. The connection here is
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Released in mid-2024, It’s Worth It is the second solo album by Delay Tactics guitarist and keyboard player David Udell. It’s Worth It... Read Full Article
