Innocence and wonder allow creativity to flow endlessly, without inhibition. Bill Frisell knows and practices innocence in everything he does. He continually changes his sound in relation to the context in which he places himself. What the listener will hear is always Frisell though, abstractions, melodies, and all. Frisell takes away all preconceptions about his task of making music...

I remember it all as though it were yesterday, the first time I heard Chris Botti's music. It was a typical sunny Bel Air afternoon in October of 2000. It was my freshman year in college and I was studying for my first set of midterms. I went to my laptop computer, and noticed that I had just received...

On...

James Brown, performed to a sold out show at Toronto's Massey Hall on the night of Monday, November 29, 2004. If you've never encountered the man who gave 'soul' its name ... its definition ... raising it to a musical art form -- then you're in for a treat! True musical expression from heart, to ears to soul -- that's what the James...

Buddy Guy is truly a blues legend. His Chicago nightclub, Buddy Guy's Legends is legendary for the fine talent that's performed there. Mr. Guy was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2005. Congratulations to Buddy behalf of all his blues fans worldwide for this recent and well-deserved honor bestowed upon him.

A little...

Classically trained Virelles studied piano...

Ann Hampton Callaway – Blues In The Night (2006 Telarc) Your emotions will fall from your eyes when the first spin takes off into your heart from the vocals of Ann Hampton Callaway and her Blues in the Night. Excellence in the “blues feel” is as simple as I can script it. With a tearful sax in the background...

Tenor sax aficionado Buck Hill extracts the classic tunes of Miles Davis, Charlie Parker along with himself to fashion a spin worth any collection. Distinct reverberations such as the Ozment organ thrusting out mystic grooves offers to the listener added adventures presented on this disc. The project is a very respectful example of...

Solomon Burke’s arrival at Toronto’s Massey Hall after a 15-year hiatus was greeted with a burst of applause seldom heard around these parts. It signaled the beginning of festivities that would shake the venerable concert hall to its foundation. I’ve never witnessed as warm and as embracing a welcome as the one afforded the King Of Rock And Soul,...

The Roots...

McCoy Tyner was announced, the crowd stood and applauded, a heroes welcome. Many in the audience worship the keys that Tyner dances upon. Bassist, Charnett Moffett, many including myself, worship the keys he plays in and drummer Eric Kamdu Gravatt took to the stage. Tyner was not with them, regroup, locate McCoy Tyner and take two. The audience breathed...

It was a privilege to have attended the Ultimate Doo Wop Show, a touring package that appeared recently at Buffalo’s majestic Shea’s Performing Arts Center.  For starters, Pookie Hudson of Spaniels' fame qualifies as the highlight of this nostalgic extravaganza, but a host of Doo Wop greats helped set the stage for the much esteemed Mr. Hudson who is back-in-action after being sidelined...

Godboo recently toured the world...

Marcus Belgrave is...

Botos, who was born...

Bold, Brassy, and bursting of Blues is the only way to script this groove we are stuck in when Ms. Bonnie Bramlett vocalizes. At first listen I was caught up in her delivery and execution of deep soulful emotion. This will be the equivalent for you! Selections range from standards to...

Hot sizzle with a splash of elegance, as one would say pure temptation! It’s a continuous groove from spin to spin with charisma injected into the soul of Canadian sensation Ranee Lee and Oliver Jones as they perform Just You, Just Me and of course...

If your choice vocals are that of the “Girl Next Door” appeal then I will make your day with a recommended spin of this jewel box “Yours”, for Ms. Gazarek is it! Intimate and tender sultry yet innocent at times, her presentation is very much worth the listen. Her 2006 “Yours” possibly...

Rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson sang her ever-lovin’ heart out at Toronto’s Cadillac Lounge, for two nights of high-energy partying, Fri. & Sat. Oct. 14 & 15, 2005. This writer saw the latter of these two amazing performances, and it’s a memory that will be cherished as long as I’m around.

Wanda Jackson was the first female singer to record rock...

In 1995, Bob Engel and John Harrington launched one of the most celebrated jazz acts of its kind ever observed in recent history. What has since become a multi-talented touring package made up of a wide and varied group of artists commonly referred to as “Guitars & Saxes” is now one of the most phenomenal franchises in performance history. At various...

If you're into jazz, you're surely into Miles Davis. The money-makers know this too, which is why you see countless Miles tributes and marketing tie-ins. But all cynicism aside, last Friday's 80th Birthday Party in East St. Louis was the real deal. A simple idea to celebrate...

Kevin Yost is a Waynesboro Pennsylvania native. At the age of eleven he developed an interest in House music and started DJing at school parties, dances, and the like. Kevin was a very musical child, his love for music specifically drums and piano was fostered during this time. Growing up in such a rural town with limited opportunities to...

Get your CD in the SPOTLIGHT!