#^d 2023-12-25
#^h Music Week
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<p><a href="/ocston/arch/rhap/rh2312-1.php">December archive
(in progress)</a>.</p>

<p>Music: Current count 41474 [41422] rated (+52), 21 [21] unrated (+0).</p>

<p>The final number of voters in the 18th Annual Francis Davis Jazz
Critics Poll is 159. It took quite a bit of last-minute hustling to
reverse what initially looked like a small decline and turn it into
a record turnout. Next thing I have to do is to write an essay to
introduce that data, and try to make some sense out of it. As usual,
I keep stewing on it, leaving me little option but to panic tonight
or (more likely, and more panicky) tomorrow. I do have
<a href="https://artsfuse.org/267017/the-17th-annual-francis-davis-jazz-poll-a-profusion-of-geniuses/">
last year's essay</a>, which looks like it might be reusable as a
template.</p>

<p>I also have last year's
<a href="https://artsfuse.org/267021/looking-back-at-the-francis-davis-jazz-poll-winners-2006-2022-and-memoirs-of-a-pollwatcher/">
other piece</a>, with tables of past winners and a memoir/history
of the Poll. We also usually do an
<a href="https://artsfuse.org/267044/arts-feature-jazz-notables-we-lost-in-2022/">
In Memoriam</a>, which I've barely started, but Andrey Henkin's
<a href="https://jazzpassings.com/2023">Jazz Passings</a> website
already has much more than I need.</p>

<p>I need to get all the writing done by the end of the week, plus
clean up some details on the
<a href="https://hullworks.net/jazzpoll/23/">Poll website</a>, so
ArtsFuse can publish the results the following week (January 1-5).
Results and ballots won't be available there until ArtsFuse is set
to go, but the rest of the material is available for anyone who
wants to take a peek. I'd appreciate the extra eyes, especially if
you catch mistakes or have suggestions to make things clearer or
more useful.</p>

<p>I started collecting a few notes on EOY lists, before realizing
that I don't have time for such indulgences right now. (Maybe after
the 1st?) But here's what I had:</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Tim Niland, who (sad to say) shut down his long-running "Music &amp;
More" blog mid-last year, posted this
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/tim.niland/posts/pfbid02K8eCJ6AgS7dsufqtams2v7y9VLMoeDJ4o1CHosv1DE65gbk6yNx9gHj8TYVpyBCPl?__cft__[0]=AZUAHyRiBlE7tqfBMVI8zG74Ou1Wjf-vSGD8erhz03-_I0_JVPcJT_CWk00O607tmJ-1LdbdGVqNg9yA4ra80xwWo0HUkEEDcLeGLTYTANt2MjU7kYWbt7pRGP1LOktyXRNi-9bvbk3rsmxscsGKBWKHlB1qnIWUWTOeDdF3_gGFfg&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R">
2023 Music Rewind</a> list on Facebook, soon to disappear forever.
[PS: <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/2023-music-rewind/home">more
permanent link</a>.]</p>

<p>Some more EOY lists you won't find in
<a href="https://www.albumoftheyear.org/lists.php">AOTY's 2023 Music
Year End Lists</a> (which is the main, but not the only, source for
<a href="/ocston/nm/notes/meta2023.php">my aggregate</a>):</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://humanizingthevacuum.wordpress.com/2023/12/22/the-best-albums-of-2023-the-full-list/">
Humanizing the Vacuum</a> [Alfred Soto]</li>
<li><a href="https://chrismonsen.substack.com/p/end-of-year-picks-december-20th-2023">
Chris Monsen's Listening Booth</a></li>
<li><a href="https://riotriot.substack.com/p/like-a-grandma-with-a-peppermint-85e">
RIOTRIOT</a> [Dan Weiss] 40-1: Also
<a href="https://riotriot.substack.com/p/like-a-grandma-with-a-peppermint">
82-41</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://sterlewine.substack.com/p/stes-best-albums-of-2023?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2ck5j">
So It Goes</a> [Stephen Thomas Erlewine]</li>
</ul>

</blockquote>

<p>For my lists, I'll just refer you to the
<a href="/ocston/nm/index.php">
index</a>. I'm continuing to update them as I find and hear more.
This week's haul is, for once, mostly non-jazz. But I started off
the week by exploring Joe Bebco's jazz ballot. Bebco is editor of
<a href="https://syncopatedtimes.com/">
The Syncopated Times</a>, which is about the only outlet covering
trad and swing jazz these days (or "real jazz," as I like to call
it). Two of his records hit my A-list, and many more came close.</p>

<p>Despite everything, I managed to scratch out another abbreviated
<a href="http://th.home/ocston/blog/archives/3191-Speaking-of-Which.html">
Speaking of Which</a> yesterday. It left me in a very bad mood,
especially as I ponder the relationship between the year in jazz
and the year in everything else. There is much to be said for
listening -- to jazz, of course, or to pretty much any kind of
music, which continues to evolve in humane ways that enhance
thought, reflection, and/or body movement. One might also note
that even if the business seems increasingly perilous, that
isn't stopping people from making music and enjoying it.</p>

<p>I'm not sure how I'm going to handle this, but I while I
usually end months on the last Monday, I like to extend the
last week of December to the end of the month, so the year
ends per the calendar. In this case, that means next Sunday
(Dec. 31). I didn't want to hold this post back until then,
so I'll probably just declare next week over a day early.
At any rate, this week isn't end-of-month.</p>

<p><hr class="brk"></p>

<p><b>New records reviewed this week:</b></p>

<p><b>A.S.O.: <i>A.S.O.</i></b> (2023, Low Lying): Berlin-based
duo, initials (they prefer lc but I don't) for singer Alia
Seror-O'Neill, cover photo includes producer Lewie Day (looking
askance), first album, easily tagged trip hop, but much more
than just another example.
<b>A-</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Actress: <i>LXXXVIII</i></b> (2023, Ninja Tune): British
electronica producer Darren Cunningham, tenth album since 2008.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Aluna: <i>Mycelium</i></b> (2023, Mad Decent): British
dance-pop singer-songwriter, recorded a couple albums with
producer George Reid as AlunaGeorge, released a good solo album
in 2020 (<i>Renaissance</i>), tops that here.
<b>A-</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Avelino: <i>God Save the Streets</i></b> (2023, More
Music/OddChild Music): London-based rapper, first album, claims
the country from the streets up.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Baby Queen: <i>Quarter Life Crisis</i></b> (2023, Polydor):
Pop singer-songwriter Arabella Latham, from South Africa, headed
to London at 18 with 40 demo CDs, took her six years to get a
contract and an EP, follows up here with her first proper album,
then doubles down with a "Deluxe edition" (9 extra songs, a
second disc adding up to 73:20).
<b>A-</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>David Bandrowski &amp; the Rhumba Defense: <i>French Onion
Superman</i></b> (2021 [2022], self-released): New Orleans banjo
player, band includes trumpet (Mark Braud), clarinet (Tom Fischer),
trombone (Charlie Halloran), bass, and drums. Covers include
"Johnny Too Bad" and "Dippermouth Blues," and sure, they're
liable to slip into rhumba at any time, even when it seems least
appropriate.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>McKendrick Bearden: <i>Bright as the Mines Out</i></b> (2023,
self-released): Singer-songwriter from somewhere South, that doesn't
automatically signify country, had a group called Mothers, also a
side-credit with Faye Webster, before this debut.
<b>B+(*)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Benny Benack III: <i>Third Time's the Charm</i></b> (2023,
La Reserve/Bandstand Presents): Singing trumpet player, third
album, mostly standards, pianist Emmet Cohen is outstanding with
several big solos, guitarist Peter Bernstein appears on a few
cuts. A highlight is the duet with Bria Skonberg (she's another
singing trumpet player) on "In a Mellotone."
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Cigar Box Serenaders: <i>Spasm</i></b> (2022 [2023],
self-released): New Orleans jazz primitives, eponymous debut in
2018, all play homemade instruments: from cigar boxes for the
banjo, guitar, resonator, and violin; plus a "dresser drawer bass"
and "wine box drum set," with Sarah Peterson vocals on three
tracks (including a "Don't You Feel My Leg."
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Jessi Colter: <i>Edge of Forever</i></b> (2023, Appalachia):
Country singer, was married to Duane Eddy (1961-68) before her more
famous union with Waylon Jennings (1969 to his death in 2002). Her
debut album came out in 1970, with a second in 1975, but she got
much more recognition for 1976's <i>Wanted! The Outlaws</i>, with
Willie Nelson headlining. The records spaced out after 1984. This
one sees her turning 80, produced by Margo Price, and mixed by her
son, Shooter Jennings.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Dan Ex Machina: <i>Ex's Sexts</i></b> (2023, self-released):
As a rock critic, Dan Weiss has such widely varied taste that I keep
expecting his records so develop an eclectic (if quirky) syncretism,
but here, especially, he falls back on punk, not as a formalist, but
maybe just because he has a lot of anger to work out, or maybe his
guitar has a mind of its own. Note
that Spotify has a 10:26 title song not on Bandcamp. Lyric I noted:
"I want to use my fucking power to destroy the more powerful."
<b>A-</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Mick Flannery: <i>Goodtime Charlie</i></b> (2023, Oh Boy):
Irish singer-songwriter, eighth album since 2005.
<b>B</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Frog &amp; Henry: <i>England &amp; Italy: 2020-2022</i></b>
(2020-22 [2022], self-released): New Orleans trad group, "string
and brass band," six albums since 2017 on their Bandcamp, the
second namechecking spots in or near Europe.
<b>B+(**)</b> [bc]</p>

<p><b>The Garden of Joy: <i>Bouncin' Around</i></b> (2022 [2023],
self-released): Another New Orleans trad-jazz (I'm tempted to say
folk-jazz) group, promising much in their titles, and mostly
delivering. Hunter Burgamy (guitar/banjo/vocals) seems to be
the main guy here, with others coming and going.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Hannah Gill: <i>Everybody Loves a Lover</i></b> (2023, Turtle
Bay): Jazz singer, 25, based in New York, first album (unless she
recorded something as Hanna Gill and the Hours: Wikipedia has an
entry for the group, suggesting she did, but Discogs doesn't list
anything). Eleven standards from the 1920s through the 1950s, with
a swing band led by Danny Jonokuchi (trumpet), with sax, trombone,
piano, guitar, bass and drums. The upbeat pieces are really up.
<b>B+(***)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Charlie Halloran and the Tropicales: <i>Shake the Rum</i></b>
(2023, self-released): New Orleans trombonist, shows up in a number
of trad jazz outfits, draws on all around the Caribbean for this
("calypsos, biguines and waltzes").
<b>B+(***)</b> [bc]</p>

<p><b>Charlie &amp; the Tropicales: <i>Presents for Everyone!</i></b>
(2023, self-released): Charlie, of course, is trombonist Halloran,
from New Orleans, well-positioned to catch whatever blows up from
the Caribbean. I hate Christmas music, but this promised to be a bit
different, with few obvious standards, and calypsos to open and close
("Party for Santa Claus" and "Postcard to Sparrow"). 
<b>B+(**)</b> [bc]</p>

<p><b>Jaimee Harris: <i>Boomerang Town</i></b> (2023, Thirty Tigers):
Austin-based singer-songwriter, second album. Slow to slower, gloomy
till it doesn't matter any more, which helps.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr.: <i>Congo Square Suite</i></b>
(2023, Truth Revolution): Alto saxophonist, born into New Orleans
Indian royalty, where his father and namesake was a Big Chief, but
this is the first time he's adopted the title (although he did don
the regalia for the cover of his 1992 <i>Indian Blues</i>). Serious
about the "suite" here, with his quartet giving way to a classical
orchestra. Bottom line: the orchestral stuff (most of it) is, ugh,
patently classical (if a bit on the grand side); the quartet, when
they get a chance to play, is pretty good.
<b>B</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Malcolm Holcombe: <i>Bits &amp; Pieces</i></b> (2023, Singular):
Singer-songwriter from North Carolina, plays guitar, 18th album
since 1994.
<b>B+(***)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Ice Spice: <i>Like . . ? [Deluxe]</i></b> (2023, 10K
Projects/Capitol, EP): Bronx rapper Isis Naija Gaston, produced
a six-song, 13:08 EP under this title back in January, reissued
in April with a seventh song, now reissued again, this time
packed with eleven songs (including two takes of "Princess
Diana"), but still only 22:07. The extra heft helps, giving
time to let the clipped beats and words find their own magic.
<b>A-</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Wata Igarashi: <i>Agartha</i></b> (2023, Kompakt):
Japanese techo producer, fifth album since 2012.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>King Krule: <i>Space Heavy</i></b> (2023, XL/Matador):
English singer-songwriter Archy Marshall, relased one album
under that name, four more under this alias.
<b>B+(*)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>MJ Lenderman and the Wind: <i>Live and Loose!</i></b> (2023,
Anti-): Singer-songwriter from North Carolina, initials for Mark
Jacob, has been slotted country but rocks pretty hard here, but
so does that other band he plays in, Wednesday.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Man on Man: <i>Provincetown</i></b> (2023, Polyvinyl):
Roddy Bottum, played keyboards in Faith No More and guitar in
Imperial Teen, formed this duo with boyfriend Joey Holman and
released an eponymous album in 2021, back with a second album
that's pretty explicit. They go for an '80s new wave sound,
a bit on the heavy side.
<b>B+(***)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Rainy Miller/Space Afrika: <i>A Grisaille Wedding</i></b>
(2023, Fixed Abode): British singer-songwriter, produces brooding
electronica, with occasional breaks and asides. Space Afrika is a
Manchester-based duo, and several pieces have featured guests.
<b>B</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Nicki Minaj: <i>Pink Friday 2</i></b> (2023, Young Money/Republic):
Fifth studio album, resurrects the title of her triple-platinum
2010 debut (and her 2012 sequel, and mostly her 2014 follow up).
Big-time operation, lots of writers and producers and some
no-doubt-pricey samples, the basic digital edition running 22
tracks, 70:14, with four other variations (mostly bonus cuts, but
also a 10-track, 32:05 "physical" -- which may solve the overkill
problem, but probably doesn't). Still, much more idiosyncratic
than expected, not least when she leans into those Trinidadian
roots.
<b>B+(***)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>The New Wonders: <i>The New Wonders</i></b> (2023, Turtle Bay):
New York-based trad jazz band, led by Mike Davis (cornet/vocals),
named for Bix Beiderbecke's favored cornet model, backed by Roy
Alexander (clarinet/alto sax), trombone, banjo, piano, bass sax,
and drums.
<b>B+(**)</b> [bc]</p>

<p><b>NewJeans: <i>Get Up</i></b> (2023, ADOR, EP): South Korean
girl group, second EP, six songs, 12:10.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Michel Pastre/Louis Mazetier/Guillaume Nouaux: <i>Fine Ideas</i></b>
(2023, Camille Productions): French retro-swing trio: tenor sax,
piano, drums. Pastre started out in 1996 with Tuxedo Swing Band
and Paris Swing Orchestra, led his own big band on a 2001 album
called <i>Diggin' the Count</i>, has a 2015 <i>Charlie Christian
Project</i>. The others have similar backgrounds -- Mazetier is
probably best known for Paris Washboard.
<b>B+(***)</b> [bc]</p>

<p><b>Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra: <i>Take Me to the Ragtime
Dance</i></b> (2023, Rivermont): Eleven piece "ragtime-era orchestra"
directed and conducted by Andrew Greene, couple previous albums. The
instrumentals play like light classical music, with occasional circus
airs, while the songs -- several celebrating America's entry into WWI --
take musical theatre back into the age of operetta.
<b>B</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Maisie Peters: <i>The Good Witch</i></b> (2023, Gingerbread Man):
English singer-songwriter, second album.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Grace Potter: <i>Mother Road</i></b> (2023, Fantasy):
Country-rock singer-songwriter, two early albums as Grace Potter
and the Nocturnals (2002-04), third solo since 2015. Rocks hard,
though the change-of-pace works just as well. Message: "you can't
keep a good time down."
<b>A-</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Priya Ragu: <i>Santhosam</i></b> (2023, Warner): Born in
Switzerland, parents Tamils from Sri Lanka, stage name shortened
from Ragupathylingam. First album, story reminds one of MIA,
sometimes the music does, too.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Regal86: <i>La Onda: Groove In-Groove Out</i></b> (2023,
self-released): Techno producer from Monterrey (Mexico), Discogs
lists three albums (not including this one, or others on his
Bandcamp). Earns its reputation as "hardgroove," which while
highly repetitive never wears out one's patience.
<b>B+(***)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Logan Richardson: <i>Holy Water</i></b> (2023, Wax Industry):
Alto saxophonist, from Kansas City, sixth album since 2007.
<b>B</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Molly Ryan: <i>Sweepin' the Blues Away</i></b> (2022, Turtle
Bay): Jazz singer, mostly swing standards, fourth album since 2008
(including one featuring Dick Hyman, another with Bucky Pizzarelli),
Bandcamp page also includes three Dan Levinson albums featuring her.
Hard to find credits here, but turns out Levinson is her husband,
playing tenor sax and clarinet here, and Rossano Sportiello is the
pianist.
<b>B+(***)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Smoking Time Jazz Club: <i>Six Blues, Five Joys &amp; a
Stomp</i></b> (2023, self-released): New Orleans-based trad jazz
band, ten or more albums since 2012, nine members, Sarah Peterson
the main vocalist, three horns (Charlie Halloran on trombone),
lots of banjo. Thirteen songs, twelve from 1926-40 singles,
mixed per title.
<b>A-</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Soggy Po Boys: <i>It's Good to Laugh Again</i></b> (2022,
self-released): Another trad jazz group, but this one from New
Hampshire. Seven pieces (two sessions with different bassists),
guitarist Stu Dias the singer.
<b>B+(***)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>The Streets: <i>The Darker the Shadow the Brighter the
Light</i></b> (2023, 679/Warner Music UK): English rapper Mike
Skinner, appeared in 2002 with a breakout album. Beats are
interesting enough, words are awkwardly hit and miss; e.g.,
"behind every great man, a girl rolls her eyes"; "work is so
much more fun than fun"; "outside of the night club I don't
know what to do/ inside it's too dark to care."
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>The Third Mind: <i>The Third Mind/2</i></b> (2023, Yep Roc):
Best-known member of this "supergroup" is guitarist Dave Alvin, but
Jesse Sykes is the singer, and first named, followed in a banner
on the cover that I perhaps should have taken as the artist list
by Alvin, David Immerglück (guitar), Michael Jerome (drugs), Victor
Krummenmacher (bass guitar/harmonium/melotron).
<b>B+(***)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Leon Thomas III: <i>Electric Dusk</i></b> (2023, Ezmny/Motown):
Possible that the III doesn't appear on the album, but I picked it
up from a review, I'm old enough to associate the name with a jazz
singer (1937-99) old enough to be his grandfather (but I'm pretty
sure isn't). First album for this one, but he has a Wikipedia page
as an actor and music producer.
<b>B+(***)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Dlala Thukzin: <i>Permanent Music 3</i></b> (2023, Dlala):
South African dj/producer, "famous for his versatility of blending
amapiano, afro tech, and gqom." Solid groove for five tracks, 33:01.
<b>B+(***)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>David Toop &amp; Lawrence English: <i>The Shell That Speaks
the Sea</i></b> (2023, Room40): Toop is an English author and curator
as much as a musician, his first album <i>New and Rediscovered Musical
Instruments</i> with Max Eastley on Brian Eno's Obscure Records (1975),
his most famous the compilation <i>Ocean of Sound</i>, a soundtrack
for his book of that name. English is an Australian in the same mold.
Together, they made a darkly ambient album which never quite engaged
my interest.
<b>B</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Tuba Skinny: <i>Hot Town</i></b> (2023, self-released):
New Orleans trad jazz band, close to a dozen albums since 2009,
got on my radar when Maria Mauldaur recorded <i>Let's Get Happy
Together</i> with them (2021). Erika Lewis and Greg Sherman sing
here, with Todd Burdick's sousaphone the gravity that holds them
together -- also cornet, clarinet, trombone, guitar, banjo,
washboard, and bass drum.
<b>B+(***)</b> [bc]</p>

<p><b>Marta Warelis: <i>A Piece of Earth</i></b> (2021 [2022],
Relative Pitch): Polish pianist, has several co-credits with free
jazz players, goes solo on this one. No details on how the piano
was prepared, but I'm imagining some sort of variable-pitch table
saw (aka "timbral possibilities" moving "in constantly interfering
waves of energy").
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Westside Gunn: <i>And Then You Pray for Me</i></b> (2023,
Griselda/Empire): Buffalo rapper Alvin Worthy, fifth studio album
(plus a lot of mixtapes). Nominally a sequel to <i>Pray for Paris</i>
(2020). Super long: 75:17.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Recent reissues, compilations, and vault discoveries:</b></p>

<p><b>Baikida E.J. Carroll: <i>Orange Fish Tears</i></b> (1974 [2023],
Souffle Continu): Trumpet player, played in the Black Artist Group in
St. Louis. First album as leader, of only five through 2001, omitting
the initials after this one. Also plays flugelhorn and percussion, with
Oliver Lake (alto/tenor sax, flutes, percussion), Manuel Villaroel
(piano), and Nana Vasconcelos (percussion). Starts very hot, wanders
when the piano drops out.
<b>B+(***)</b> [bc]</p>

<p><b>Dick Hyman: <i>One Step to Chicago: The Legacy of Frank
Teschemacher and the Austin High Gang</i></b> (1992 [2022],
Rivermont): Not the easiest cover to parse, starting up top with
"George Avakian Presents," ending "featuring Kenny Davern &#183;
Dan Levinson (clarinets)," and also lists the band members, with
Hyman's name prefaced by "transcribed and directed by." Adding
to the confusion, the back cover credits the first six songs to
Dick Hyman and His Frank Teschemacher Celebration Band, the next
seven to Kenny Davern and His Windy City Stompers, and the finale
to "Dick Hyman-Kenny Hyman and Their Combined Bands." Levinson
plays clarinet in Hyman's band, but Hyman plays piano in both --
the only other musician to appear in both bands is Dan Barrett
(trombone), but on only two of the former's tracks. Teschemacher
(1906-32) started played clarinet and alto sax with his Chicago
west-side high school chums, a legendary group including Bud
Freeman and Jimmy McPartland. Classic jazz, expertly done.
<b>A-</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Old music:</b></p>

<p><b>Molly Ryan: <i>Let's Fly Away</i></b> (2014 [2015], Loup-Garous
Productions): Swing-era standards singer, cobbled this together from
two sessions, consecutive days but "featuring" pianist Dick Hyman
only appears on half the tracks, with Mark Shane on the rest. Other
personnel varies, and arrangements are split between Dan Levinson
(9) and Dan Barrett (5).
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Molly Ryan: <i>Swing for Your Supper!</i></b> (2013, Loup-Garous
Productions): Dan Barrett (trombone) does most of the arrangements
here, 13-to-5 over Dan Levinson (clarinet/saxophones). Front cover
lists Bucky Pizzarelli as "featuring," but Chris Flory plays most
of the guitar (13-to-5, again). She has a fine voice for these songs,
and the band -- mostly Arbors Jazz regulars -- is superb, so I'm a
bit surprised that this doesn't quite take off.
<b>B+(**)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Dlala Thukzin: <i>Permanent Music</i></b> (2020, Dlala):
South African dance grooves. Cover adds <i>EP</i>, but at 37:53
from six tracks, we'll ignore that. The grooves are compelling
enough, but the occasional vocals raise the excitement.
<b>A-</b> [sp]</p>

<p><b>Dlala Thukzin: <i>Permanent Music 2</i></b> (2021, Dlala):
Beats about the same, voices sparser and toned down a bit. Six
tracks, 35:57.
<b>B+(***)</b> [sp]</p>

<p><hr class="brk"></p>

<p><b>Unpacking:</b> Found in the mail last week:</p>

<ul>
<li>None.</li>
</ul>