Product Reviews

Having seemingly fostered its own community within the tight-knit Ithaca, NY music scene, SoulForce appropriately reflects Thousands of One’s collaborative, socially oriented outlook.

The news on Cure All is how different it is from the Stanton Moore Trio, which prominently features soul-jazz organ player Robert Walter as well.

Scythian brings first-generation authenticity to their unique hodgepodge of Irish, Celtic, klezmer, and gypsy influences.

From the moment laser hits plastic on Turbine's second disc, Reward, the listener is barraged with frenetic tempos, breakneck instrumental breakdowns, and smartly layered vocal harmonies.

A graceful record, and a credit to the durability of Fela Kuti’s seminal genre.

Laura Reed & Deep Pocket’s soul:music is so recognizable and so effortless that it’s hard to imagine it’s the Asheville, North Carolina group’s debut album.

Children’s music isn’t just about children anymore.

The Ragbirds hail from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and while the Irish Hills might not be too far away, there's no pigeonholing this group. On their second album, Wanderlove, the quartet takes listeners on a lengthy trip around the country and the world, from their own backyard to the Appalachian hills and across oceans and deserts far beyond. The talented bunch, including Randall Moore and Tim Dziekan on all grades of crucial percussion, is seemingly driven by Erin Zindle's multi-instrumentalism and songwriting. The improbably named guitarist Matthew Melody also chips in with stellar backing vocals, lending real drama to the proceedings when necessary.

A few short taps on the gate and they're off - and the rodeo clowns better get the heck out of the way, this bronc is WILD! Occasionally I miss my former occupation as a rock critic, and the other day was one of those days. Other days I don't miss it, as I would definitely be even broker than normal, with a beer belly two sizes too big and prolly a couple DUI's by now if my enthusiasm for drug rock hadn't led all the way to being a stone stupid junkie eventually.

Jeff Bujak is gradually and carefully creating his own musical world. It's clear from the first track of his new CD, Building: An Arsenal, that there are countless ideas just zinging around in this guy's head. Here I was thinking that his last opus - 2006's Peaces of Man and Machine - was about as ambitious a solo album as I'd heard. He's bested himself with this new album, a result of the apparent war going on between his inner human and machine.