STATION_MANAGER for Hambone's Blues Party
Long Grove, Illinois, United States
Scott "Hambone" Hammer, a Chicago-based attorney, went on-air with Hambone's Blues Party in November 1995, broadcasting from a small Arlington Heights radio station, WCBR 92.7FM. Thirteen years and 650 shows later, he currently can be found on listener-supported public radio, WDCB 90.9FM, simulcast on the web at www.wdcb.org, every Thursday, from 10 p.m. until midnight.
Hambone's Blues Party has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times and Daily... Read More
Latest Album Reviews
Review of Up the Hill and Through the Fog
Album Info: Up the Hill and Through the Fog
The Slocan Ramblers Album: Up the Hill and Through the Fog Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Contemporary Bluegrass Posted By: Joe Ross
Jun 16, 2022
Review
From Toronto, Ontario, Canada, The Slocan Ramblers are Frank Evans (banjo), Adrian Gross (mandolin) and Darryl Poulsen (guitar). All three sing, and each contributes original compositions on their new 2022 album, Up the Hill and Through the Fog. They are joined by Charles James (bass, vocals). During the last decade, they’ve released their 2012 debut Shaking Down the Acorns, 2015’s Coffee Creek and 2018’s Queen City Jubilee. In 2015, Coffee Creek peaked at #2 on The Roots Music Report's Top 50 Bluegrass Album Chart, and in 2018, Queen City Jubilee peaked at #24 on that chart. In 2020, The Slocan Ramblers received IBMA’s Momentum Award for Band of the Year.
On Up the Hill and Through the Fog, Poulsen penned “You Said Goodbye” and “Bill Fernie” with clear, concise ideas that tap into the traditional roots of the bluegrass genre. Evan
Caroline Spence Album: True North Label: Rounder Genre(s): Contemporary Folk Posted By: Joe Ross
Jun 13, 2022
Review
Peaking at #10 on The Roots Music Report's Top 50 Contemporary Folk Album Chart in mid-May 2022, award-winning singer/songwriter Caroline Spence’s fourth album, True North continues to emphasize her rootsy original material that is presented in deliberative arrangements with graceful instrumentation, gorgeous vocals full of soul and poignancy. Multi-tracked during the pandemic, Spence plays the acoustic guitar, sings both lead and background vocals. She also has many masterful instrumentalists contributing to the passionate radio-friendly folk and Americana repertoire. The album was produced by multi-instrumentalist Jordan Lehning who also contributes piano, organ, guitars, vibraphone, mellotron and even chimes on the closing track (“There’s Always Room”). With all lyrics includes in the 16-page CD booklet, Spence’s focus is squarely on prolific
Les Fils Canouche Album: Nagori Label: Vlad Productions Genre(s): World Posted By: Joe Ross
Jun 13, 2022
Review
Performing their own compositions, Les Fils Canouche is Xavier Margogne (guitar), Samuel Thézé (clarinet) and Stéphane Cozic (double bass). On Nagori, we also hear several stellar musicians featured on accordion, percussion and oud. The band initially formed in 2005 as a quartet of friends focused on having fun with Gypsy jazz, and their band’s name, Les Fils Canouche, roughly means “The Sons of a French Gypsy Poodle,” a nod to their musical style and dog logo. Now making it a career, their music is best described as jazz manouche décalé, or quirky Gypsy jazz that makes it unique, intriguing and captivating. This contemporary evolution of Django Reinhardt’s genre takes us on a journey emphasizing mournful bass clarinet, firm La Pompe guitar strums, flowing bass lines, and propulsive rhythmic percussion. Their January 2020
Soadan Album: Pieds Nus Label: Foudrage Genre(s): World Posted By: Joe Ross
Jun 13, 2022
Review
Soadan’s Pieds nus (meaning “Barefoot”) is a dreamy, cheery and soulful project of jazz infused with the band’s inspirations from the trio’s encounters during three winters in West Africa. While English translations aren’t provided, I’m told that the French lyrics refer to “images and metaphors such as sea and islands, trees, nature’s beauty and themes such as knowledge transmission, values sharing and immigration.” It helps to contemplate the translated song titles: The Anchor, The Ink, The Salt, Where to Go?, Let’s Make Love, Marumba, Robben Island, Granny Creole, The Village.
Opening with the project’s captivating title cut (“Barefoot”), Soadan’s music then flows seamlessly with a relaxed groove that creates sonic impressionism with elements of African funk, Congolese rumba, high life,
Radha Botofasina Album: The Spirituals, Vol. 2: Carry On Label: Shaila Genre(s): World Posted By: Joe Ross
Jun 13, 2022
Review
Harpist and vocalist Radha Botofasina serves up some stirring and inspirational gospel music that draws heavily on traditional spirituals, presented in her fresh renditions co-arranged by pianist John Lehman. I enjoyed hearing her understated harp embellishments in a few of the tracks such as “Mind on Jesus / God on God” and “Mary Don’t You Weep,” “Move on Up a Little Higher” and “Satan We Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down.” Background vocals and occasional colorings of organ and percussion establish a heart-warming groove that helped the album peak at #3 on The Roots Music Report's Top 50 World Album Chart in mid-May 2022.
The strength of “My Soul Gonna Shine” is its lively incorporation of tight, expertly played brass, while the full sounds of the strings on “Going Back With Jesus” make that an exquisite
Jun 22, 2022 -
With the release of his sophomore album, Noli Me Tángere, saxophonist, composer and educator Matthew Muñeses magnifies the... Read Full Article
Jun 19, 2022 -
George Lernis is a drummer, percussionist and composer whose unique musical influences and upbringing meld to create a sound and vision that... Read Full Article
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Drummer and composer Clemens Grassmann’s latest creation, Grass Machine, is a tale of the strength of community and support amidst the... Read Full Article
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Elsa Nilsson is a flutist, composer and educator from Gothenburg, Sweden currently residing in Brooklyn, New York where she can often be found... Read Full Article
Jun 10, 2022 -
Trumpeter and composer Kalí Rodríguez-Peña blurs the lines between genres as he pays homage to the 21st-century mindset with... Read Full Article
Apr 15, 2022 -
Cantodiscanto has come out with a new album entitled Pandemusica. There are significant collaborations with artists, old and new fellow travelers... Read Full Article
Apr 15, 2022 -
Visage Music is a record label founded by Claudio Carboni and Riccardo Tesi, focused on the production of world music and Italian songwriting.... Read Full Article
Apr 15, 2022 -
Bologna - On 7th April 2022, neapolitan musician Peppe Aiello released his solo debut CD on the Visage Music label.
Taking inspiration from... Read Full Article
Apr 4, 2022 -
“This new album is about letting my all of my electronic influences out for everyone to see!” laughs two-time Emmy® award winning... Read Full Article
