Roots Music Report

Latest Album Reviews

• 

  Brian Wilson
  Album: At My Piano
  Label: Decca
  Genre(s): Rock & Roll
  
  Posted By: Robert Silverstein
  Jan 16, 2022

  When you consider the lifelong impact of the renowned 1936 song “Smile”, written by Charlie Chaplin, it almost leads you to imagine the importance of these songs written by Brian Wilson as standards in their own right. Stripped of the Beach Boys harmonies and that famous studio production, and totally devoid of lead vocals, Brian Wilson's At My Piano makes a genuine plea for the inclusion of these songs into the Great American Songbook. Like a black and white soundtrack of his colorful life in the 1960’s, At My Piano features Brian's own intimate solo piano covers covering a sampling of his most famous song melodies, this time without any lyrics. Never before has Brian Wilson attempted a completely instrumental album, although he has released solo instrumental music in the past as he did with his contribution to 1997’s Songs Without Words on
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• 

  Sarah Camille
  Album: Vingeslag (Beating Wings)
  Label: Kirkelig Kulturverksted
  Genre(s): World
  
  Posted By: Joe Ross
  Jan 13, 2022

  From Norway, singer Sarah Camille may be best known as a musical storyteller for kids who was awarded a noteworthy 2020 Spellemann Prize for her children’s album, Traces of Drops and Red Beaks. She also received a Cardamom Scholarship in 2021, from The Egner Family, in appreciation of the work she’s done, and to support future projects. As a communicator, she focuses on building participation, spirit and dialogue. I listened to her latest album, 2021’s Vingeslag (Beating Wings) on a very rainy winter’s day in Oregon, and I found her singing and spoken word, whether it be in Norwegian, French or Creole, to be warm, pleasant, relaxing, charismatic and full of magic. Now targeting an adult audience, Sarah Camille has an enchanting, effervescent style with a unique sense of artistic expression.    With haunting, new age instrumental
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• 

  Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion
  Album: Veneta
  Label: Mountain River
  Genre(s): World
  
  Posted By: Joe Ross
  Jan 12, 2022

  Melding flamenco, Cuban, classical Indian and jazz musical forms, Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion formed in 2018 and has been thrilling enthusiastic audiences with their exhilarating world music ever since.  Guitarist Miguel Espinoza learned to play at age four in the early ’60s and moved to Madrid after high school to apprentice with flamenco masters.  First encountering jazz in a New York City club in his late twenties, he returned to his Denver home and began developing his signature sound that fuses jazz with sounds from around the world. The mid-90s found Espinoza playing with tabla player Ty Burhoe in the band Curandero (meaning “healer” in Spanish). They released a 1996 album, Arás, that included banjo phenom Bela Fleck and bassist Kai Eckhardt. Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion’s first CD, Turtle Dreams, debuted their colorful, vibrant
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• 

  Reddog and Friends
  Album: Booze, Blues and Southern Grooves
  Label: Survival South
  Genre(s): Contemporary Blues
  
  Posted By: Duane Verh
  Jan 11, 2022

  An ear-pleasing female backup chorus dropped in all the right places provides the ideal touch to this soulful, blue-collar set.  Guitarist/vocalist JK Higgins aka Reddog’s own laid-back delivery wears equally well throughout this batch of appealing original blues and ballads.  Standouts include “The Blues Will Get You Everytime”, “Simple Song” and “Searching for Some Soul”.  Veteran backup features keyboardist Clayton Ivey.  
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• 

  Diana HP
  Album: Fazer e Cantar
  Label: Z Production
  Genre(s): World
  
  Posted By: Joe Ross
  Jan 11, 2022

  On the title cut of Fazer e Cantar, Paris-based Brazilian singer/songwriter Diana HP opens her new album with Portuguese lyrics, “E muito bom poder cantar aqui, e como abrir as portas do alem” meaning “It’s great to be able to sing here, and to open the doors of the beyond.” It sets the stage, bossa style, for her world music that combines sensuous singing with Latin rhythms and infectious electronic spunk. Next up, Diana HP sings “Le Jour” in French about the day dawning, sun shining and her feeling of contentment.   In 3/4-time, the only cover is “Voo no silêncio do azul” that is music for a breezy flight through blue skies. While the previous two albums from Diana HP (aka Diana Horta Popoff) have been more standard and acoustic in nature, Fazer e Cantar is more focused on retro-futuristic musical exploration
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Latest Articles

Press Release:
SOUL TRAIN AWARD-WINNING VOCALIST NICOLE HENRY RELEASES TIME TO LOVE AGAIN

Dec 3, 2021 -   On TIME TO LOVE AGAIN, vocalist NICOLE HENRY performs an eclectic mix of jazz standards and reimagined pop...
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Press Release:
Pianist David Janeway releases his third trio recording, Distant Voices

Nov 23, 2021 - Pianist David Janeway releases his third trio recording, Distant Voices, on Steeplechase. This is the first recording for his working...
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Press Release:
Jimmy Ryan releases Astral Café CD and Book "The Raindrop and the Bubble"

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<p>Following his 2017 solo album <em><strong>21st Century Riffology</strong></em>, Jimmy Ryan is back in action with a new album that some long-time fans are calling his finest musical achievement to date. Released in 2021, the 13-track <em><strong>Astral Caf&eacute;</strong></em> finds the guitar legend behind the Flyin&rsquo; Ryan Brothers in stellar form. As the cofounder of The Flyin&rsquo; Ryan Brothers, Jimmy Ryan and his brother Johnny Ryan released 7 albums between 1999 and 2011 and <em><strong>Astral Caf&eacute; </strong></em>brings his sound back alive and well in the roaring &lsquo;20s.</p>

<p>Although Jimmy Ryan released his solo album, <em><strong>21st Century Riffology </strong></em>to favorable critical acclaim in 2017, the 2021 release of <em><strong>Astral Caf&eacute; </strong></em>proves to be a most auspicious release. No guitar genre is overlooked on Astral Caf&eacute; - from new takes on the soaring hard rock instrumental sound to inspired symphonic fusion instrumentals, coupled with several vocal tracks featuring Jimmy&rsquo;s vocals. Every track here has something to offer long time Flyin&rsquo; Ryan Brothers fans. <em><strong>Astral Caf&eacute;</strong></em> is so well recorded, with its strategic lineup of tracks, that newer fans will scratch their heads wondering where this giant of the guitar has been in more recent times.</p>

<p>Adding to the sound of <em><strong>Astral Caf&eacute;</strong></em> is drummer and album co-producer Dan Van Schindel, whose style combines both power-rock combined with a jazz-fusion dexterity. Fans that miss the guitar interplay between Jimmy and brother Johnny will note the appearance of Johnny Ryan on the album&rsquo;s eight-minute closer &ldquo;Quiet Flight&rdquo;. When it comes to the classic instro-rock sound you would be challenged to find a more talented composer / artist than guitar great <a href="http://www.ryanetics.com">Jimmy Ryan</a>.</p>

<p>JIMMY RYAN: <em><strong>ASTRAL CAF&Eacute;</strong></em> TRACKS AND TIMES (Total time: 63 minutes)</p>

<p>1. Starlord (4:16)</p>

<p>2. Shatterbrain (5:21)</p>

<p>3. Crossroads (5:29)</p>

<p>4 Earthrise (2:57)</p>

<p>5. Skydance (4:35)</p>

<p>6. Black Ice (3:35)</p>

<p>7. I&rsquo;m Ready (5:09)</p>

<p>8. Dulcinea (3:31)</p>

<p>9. Berserker (4:12)</p>

<p>10. Plectrumelectrum (4:53)</p>

<p>11. Dreadhulk (1:51)</p>

<p>12. Celestial Voice (8:07)</p>

<p>13. Quiet Flight (8:12)</p>

<p><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(15, 17, 17); font-family:amazon ember,arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px">Jimmy Ryan is a Grammy-nominated guitarist, writer, and producer. His soundtrack work garnered him a Telly Award. He is the proud father of two incredible daughters and grandfather to four wonderful grandchildren. Jimmy Ryan also recently took his first foray into writing a children&#39;s book, <em><strong>The Raindrop and the Bubble</strong></em>, inspired by visits from his grandchildren. His daughter, Julie, beautifully illustrated <em><strong>The Raindrop and the Bubble. </strong></em></span></p>

<p><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(15, 17, 17); font-family:amazon ember,arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px">A raindrop and a bubble decide to switch places, thinking they would enjoy themselves more by being able to do all the things the other could do. At first, it&#39;s exciting and new, but after a while, it wasn&#39;t the same. Through their journey, they both learn a valuable lesson in self-discovery: &quot;Be the best you that you can best be!&quot; With its positive message, it&#39;s Aesop meets Dr. Seuss: A cross between a classic fable and an illustrated nursery rhyme with delightful characters that jump off the page thanks to the colorful artwork.</span></p>

<p><img alt="" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51aVqfuKJzL._SX367_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" /><img alt="" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/2?ui=2&amp;ik=5adbcdcbaf&amp;attid=0.1&amp;permmsgid=msg-f:1717524086342286209&amp;th=17d5df0e839bfb81&amp;view=att&amp;disp=safe&amp;realattid=f_kwgu7lg20" style="float:right; height:341px; width:512px" /></p>
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Nov 23, 2021 - Following his 2017 solo album 21st Century Riffology, Jimmy Ryan is back in action with a new album that some long-time fans are calling his...
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Press Release:
Rick Faris Is Ready To Tackle "The Next Mountain" With Launch of New Album

Nov 22, 2021 - Award-winning Bluegrass artist Rick Faris is celebrating the release his sophomore Dark Shadow Recording album The Next...
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Press Release:
“Lamenta”, Xanthoula Dakovanou’s new album, coming November 26

Nov 18, 2021 - Xanthoula Dakovanou will unveil her new album “Lamenta” on its release November 26, 2021 on Quart de Lune / UVM...
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Press Release:
Underground to be released November 19, 2021 via Libra Records

Nov 17, 2021 -   Half a world away from each other, pianist-composer Satoko Fujii and vibraphonist Taiko Saito recapture the...
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Press Release:
Bill Abernathy Releases Single And Video For "Who Are You, Who Am I?"

Nov 12, 2021 - "Who Are You, Who Am I” is the title track to Bill’s latest EP. It follows his #1 South Africa Country chart hit,...
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Music Video:
Digitally Restored Release of Robert Mugge's Landmark Music Doc, DEEP BLUES

Nov 10, 2021 -   In 1990, commissioned by award-winning musician, songwriter, producer, innovator and Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart, veteran music...
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Press Release:
Nigerian Roots Artist Sonia Aimy Reconnects

Nov 9, 2021 - Beloved Nigerian vocalist, entrepreneur, actress and activist Sonia Aimy reconnects with her creative heart via quarantine-inspired reflections and...
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News:
Gentle Glow Releases New Single “LaST Call”

Nov 7, 2021 - The indie-pop group GENTLE GLOW started with their second single “LaST CaLL”, which has been available everywhere since October 22nd, a...
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