MUSIC_DIRECTOR for 89.1 Jazz/Blues Time
Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States
Michael Jewett is the long-time host of 89.1 Jazz every weekday afternoon. Besides his on-air work; Michael is WEMU’s Operations Manager. Mr. Jewett started working for WEMU in 1983. He’s been on the air longer than any other current WEMU music host.
As you might imagine; Michael has a pretty large personal music collection. Most of those titles are jazz & blues, but there is also a fair amount of rock, soul, & reggae plus some hip-hop and... Read More
Latest Album Reviews
Review of Tradisyon
Album Info: Tradisyon
Wesli Album: Tradisyon Label: Cumbancha Genre(s): World Posted By: Joe Ross
Jan 31, 2023
Review
Appearing at #23 on The Roots Music Report's Top World Album Chart for 2022, Wesli’s Tradisyon is the first of a two-part project that retells the story of Haiti’s past and imagines its future. The Montreal-based winner of the prestigious 2019 JUNO Award, Wesli says that you have to know where you’re from in order to know where you’re going. The sixth album from Wesli has 19 songs on Tradisyon that explore traditional chants from the voodoo religion, as well as songs incorporating traditional yanvalou, pétro, congo, nago, igbo or dahomé rhythms. “Wawa Sé Rèl O (Hommage à Wawa Rasin Ganga)” has a more explosive carnival rara rhythm, and at least five tracks feature more lilting, folksy twoubadou songs.
Opening with a thrilling call of the koné, a metal trumpet used in carnival parades,
Johnny & The Mongrels Album: Magnolia & Pine Label: Bent River Genre(s): Contemporary Swamp Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Jan 29, 2023
Review
Vocalist Johnny Ryan reads soul and ballad fare with a telltale rock edge, marking a piece of New Orleans music turf for himself and this NOLA-by-way-of-Fort Collins CO outfit. The crisp horn chart adorning the soulful strut that leads things off, the shouting-for-airplay “Love’s Got Something To Do With It”, may induce Allen Toussaint flashbacks for savvy listeners. Other infectious fare includes the ballad “Big Screen” and the insistent rocker “Treme Woman”.
Klangwelt Album: Here And Why Label: Spheric Music Genre(s): Electronic Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Jan 25, 2023
Review
One of the best synth-keyboard record labels in the world, Germany-based Spheric music continues releasing high-quality electronic music. After many years of issuing critically acclaimed electronic CDs, Spheric is back in 2022 with Here And Why, the fifth album by the artist known as Klangwelt. There are plenty of comparisons being bandied about, including Euro-Trace sounds of Jean-Michel Jarre, Vangelis and also Germany’s own Kraftwerk. The brainchild of Klangwelt is audio guru Gerald Arend and he truly excels on this pulsating album of high-tech electronica.
Being all-instrumental in nature, there are no borders to the accessibility of the sounds of Klangwelt. Whatever keyboard-based instrument Klangwelt implements to get across his music – from piano to synths and mellotrons the sound soars through the sonic galaxies to great effect. With 12-tracks, clocking in just
Teresa James Album: With a Little Help from Her Friends Label: Blue Heart Genre(s): Contemporary BluesBlues Posted By: Duane Verh
Jan 22, 2023
Review
Vocalist Teresa James does justice to an interesting cross-section of Beatles fare, serving up some satisfyingly soulful fireworks on simpatico material such as “Oh Darlin’” and “Don’t Let Me Down”. Stylish workups of “Happy Just to Dance With You” and “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” are attention-worthy as well. Small-group backup is solid throughout.
The Pat Petrillo Big Rhythm Band Album: The Power Station Sessions Label: Autumn Hill Genre(s): Big Band Posted By: Joe Ross
Jan 21, 2023
Review
Peaking in December 2022 at #3 on The Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Jazz Album Chart, The Pat Petrillo Big Rhythm Band’s The Power Station Sessions has diverse material presented by an impressive cast of accomplished musicians led by New Jersey drummer Pat Petrillo. With jazz, rock and funk grooves, the band keeps the party up-tempo and chock full of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, guitar and rhythm instruments. Glen Burtnik’s vocals only appear in “It Won’t Be Long,” and their most relaxed arrangement appears at track eight with a medium-tempo’ed version of Stevie Wonder’s “Knocks Me Off My Feet.”
Besides drummer Pat Petrillo, some other featured band members are Tommy Timko (woodwinds), B.D. Lenz (guitar), David Cook (piano, organ), Scott Ambush (bass), Steve Jankowski (trumpet, valve trombone), and Plinky Giglio
Dec 26, 2022 -
Merging ancient Indian, Chinese, Persian and African music with an exquisite Jazz backbone, they deliver what film director Jan Pinkava says,... Read Full Article
Dec 12, 2022 -
With over two dozen albums as a leader and multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy nominations, pianist, arranger, composer, and bandleader ANTONIO... Read Full Article
Nov 30, 2022 -
A new book called "Rock on Film: The Movies That Rocked the Big Screen" by Fred Goodman is now available, just in time for the... Read Full Article
Oct 17, 2022 -
Ukubonga [Gratitude], the new recording from South African singer Lorraine Klaasen and South African guitarist, composer, arranger, musical director... Read Full Article
Oct 11, 2022 -
With his signature world-weary, raspy vocals and a penchant for epic, power-ballad guitar licks, Florida-based singer-songwriter, and... Read Full Article
Jul 26, 2022 -
Oslo-based American-Norwegian trio Buster Sledge released their first studio album Call Home in May 2022, following up on their self-recorded and... Read Full Article
