Crystal Bunch moved to the vibrant community of Moab in 2018 and has been an enthusiastic DJ since 2019. If you have tuned it to The Artist Speaks or Desert Sol Soundsystem you have heard “DJ Sunshine” spreading cheer and tunes in Moab and beyond. She previously held the pivotal role of music and program director and has now gracefully returned to ease into that role once more. Her deep love for music began at a tender age, where she delighted in holding concerts... Read More
Latest Album Reviews
Review of Live To Be This
Album Info: Live To Be This
The Boneshakers Album: Live To Be This Label: Gulf Coast Genre(s): Contemporary BluesBlues Posted By: Duane Verh
Aug 17, 2025
Review
Vocalist Jenny Langer secures a spot on the top tier of contemporary female blues vocalists with her incendiary work here, standing up to the built-in swagger of Betty Davis’s “They Say I’m Different” and this set’s leadoff track, “I’ll Kick A Brick (For My Man)”. Blues and ballads are well delivered alongside guests Charlie Musselwhite and Bobby Rush, respectively, on “Evil No More” and “Salty”. Guitarist/partner Randy Jacobs provides a cool counterbalance to Ms. Langer’s thermalistics.
Randy Armstrong Album: Echoes Of Tomorrow Label: UMP Genre(s): Fusion Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Aug 17, 2025
Review
New Hampshire–based guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Randy Armstrong earned critical acclaim for his 2017 album, The Conference of the Birds as well as his 2015 collaboration with Volker Nahrmann, Beyond Borders. Now, in 2025—after releasing several albums for Kitaro’s DOMO Records—Randy returns with what may be his finest solo work to date: Echoes Of Tomorrow. This 11-track CD, LP and DL was released in 2025 on Randy’s own UMP Records label.
In contrast to the multi-faceted Conference of the Birds, which featured numerous guest artists, Echoes of Tomorrow is very much a personal statement—a guitar lover’s dream. Entirely instrumental, the album blends New Age, Jazz, World Fusion, Americana, and Folk, with each track seamlessly drawing from all of these influences.
Randy’s
Ravita Jazz Album: Alice Blue Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Mainstream Jazz Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Aug 15, 2025
Review
A well respected bass player, composer and radio personality, Dr. Phil Ravita released the 2025 album by his group Ravita Jazz and the results are stellar and sparkling sounding. The Mid-Atlantic based Ravita Jazz group features a number of fine musicians and their latest album release, the ten-track Alice Blue features an intriguing mix of original music and covers.
Among the players supporting the acoustic and electric bass work of Phil are Paul Carr (sax), Mark Leppo (percussion), Greg Small (piano), Nucleo Vega (drums). Also on board for a few tracks is Deirdre Jennings (vocals). Most of the tracks are a range of Ravita instrumentals along with a pair of tracks written by keyboardist Greg Small.
There’s also a track here featuring the vocal talents of Ms. Jennings featuring a 1930 jazz standard called “Sunny Side Of The Street” that is combined in a
David Bailis Album: Running Through My Mind Label: Create Or Destroy Genre(s): Fusion Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Aug 12, 2025
Review
Based in Brooklyn New York, guitarist David Bailis released his fourth album Running Through My Mind in 2025. The 8-track, 39 minute album is an impressive follow up to his 2024 album Tree Of Life. With Bailis handling all the electric guitars, Running Through My Mind also features superb support from Caroline Davis (alto sax), Andrew Links (keys), Jordan Scannella (bass) and Kenneth Salters (drums).
Musically, Running Through My Mind sits comfortably between straight-ahead jazz and contemporary jazz fusion. Considering David’s innovative fretboard sounds, one can easily see Running Through My Mind appealing to fans of fusion legend Pat Metheny as well as all sorts of instrumental prog-rock fretboard heroes such as progressive hero Steve Howe.
Bailis employs lots of incredible electric guitar techniques including volume pedal swells to enhance his horn-like guitar sounds. In
Candice Ivory Album: New Southern Vintage Label: Nola Blue Genre(s): Contemporary Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Aug 10, 2025
Review
Candice Ivory and cohorts check all the boxes here, delivering strong on a set steeped to perfection in deep-blues mojo. The St. Louis-based vocalist conjures convincingly though a song list highlighted by roots-savvy and lyrically engaging originals. Standouts include “Ain’t So Blind”, “Blue Blood” and “Strong Black Mattie”. Pianist Ben Levin contributes in large measure to the congenial juke-joint atmosphere of this set.
Oct 24, 2024 -
For fans of Beirut, Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, Regina Spektor and Keren Ann. The lush bucolic folk of ‘Season to Season’ is the first... Read Full Article
Sep 12, 2024 -
Indiana based Singer Songwriter Abbie Thomas to release eagerly awaited second album Sept 27
The candid creative spark behind Abbie... Read Full Article
Jul 31, 2024 -
FOLK MUSICIANS CATHY FINK, MARCY MARXER, AND
CHAO TIAN ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM,
FROM CHINA TO APPALACHIA
THE GLOBAL MUSIC PROJECT... Read Full Article
Jun 12, 2024 -
Embark on a musical journey across Africa that celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of the continent with Putumayo's African... Read Full Article
Jun 3, 2024 -
Few musical compositions have so successfully tapped into that elusive formula of the enduring human spirit that is the recipe for timeless... Read Full Article
May 21, 2024 -
Released in mid-2024, It’s Worth It is the second solo album by Delay Tactics guitarist and keyboard player David Udell. It’s Worth It... Read Full Article
Mar 15, 2024 -
CMH RECORDS (Country. Music. Heritage.) maintains a rich history of classic country and bluegrass albums and is honoring several of these legacy... Read Full Article
