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 Blues In Hand
Album Info: Blues In Hand
Al Basile Album: Blues In Hand Label: Sweetop Genre(s): Contemporary Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Sep 22, 2025
Review
Al Basile punctuates his very personal sounding and frequently friction-laden lyric sets with punchy cornet statements that sound like their searching for a film-noir movie score. The emotional atmosphere here is unchanging to say the least as is Mr. B’s flair for phrase-turning. Standouts include “Blues After Blues”, “Ain’t What You Say” and “All of Your Lies”.
Album Info: Mais Que Tudo: Live at Kerry Hall 1995
Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto Album: Mais Que Tudo: Live at Kerry Hall 1995 Label: Origin Genre(s): Contemporary Jazz Posted By: Joe Ross
Sep 18, 2025
Review
Brazilian master pianist, composer, arranger Jovino Santos Neto is a three-time Latin Grammy nominee. Currently based in Seattle, Wa., he taught piano and composition at Cornish College of the Arts for 26 years. He’s also been closely affiliated with Brazilian master Hermeto Pascoal and was an integral part of Pascoal's group from 1977 to 1992. On this album, track 5 “Candango / Haja Juntas” are Pascoal compositions. The remaining six tracks are Jovino Santos Neto’s originals that emphasize his creative personal style with boundless energy, deft harmony, inspired improvisation, lyrical melodies and cohesive ensemble playing. Standouts are Metamorph, Mais Que Tudo, Caranavalha, Chorelético, Hoping For the Day, and Happy Birthday Ariel! The pianist is joined by Hans Teuber (flute, saxophones), Chuck Deardorf (bass) and Mark Ivester (drums),
Steve Rosenbloom Big Band Album: San Francisco 1948 Label: Glory Music Genre(s): Big Band Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Sep 16, 2025
Review
In 2025, Steve Rosenbloom Big Band released a milestone jazz album called San Francisco 1948. Compared to trio, quartet and fusion, Big Band music has also had an honorable place in jazz history. The more traditional sounding big band music of the 1940’s through the ‘70s, is often borrowed from swing, reworking classic songs from a range of musical eras. The cool thing here is that Alto Sax master Rosenbloom has composed nine original pieces for big band and the result is a fun romp filled with entertaining and energetic sounds.
With Rosenbloom serving as composer of the 15+ piece jazz big band, the colorfully packaged CD release features a range of musicians from Montreal, Canada, from where he hails. Rosenbloom clearly knows what effect upbeat, big band music has on people, and it’s also interesting to note that he also teaches and serves as a psychologist
Bruce Gertz Quintet Album: Octopus Dreams Label: Open Mind Jazz Genre(s): Contemporary Jazz Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Sep 12, 2025
Review
Boston-area bass player and composer Bruce Gertz has released over 20 albums as a leader as well as various collaboration albums. His 2025 album Octopus Dreams, released as The Bruce Gertz Quintet, features seven tracks. With Bruce serving as composer and bassist, Octopus Dreams features worthy support by Phil Grenadier (trumpet, flugelhorn), Rick DiMuzio (tenor saxophone), Gilson Schachnik (piano) and Gary Fieldman (drums).
A few good spins verifies the album makes an exceptional offering for fans of contemporary and straight-ahead jazz. Not a flashy player but solidly down-to-earth and a proficient bandleader, Gertz is mostly celebrated for his technique and expertise of the upright bass.
Starting at age 14 on the electric bass, Gertz evolved into a professor of the bass at the famed Berklee school of music in Boston. A look at his impressive resume shows Gertz has
Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia Album: Blood Brothers: Help Yourself Label: Gulf Coast Genre(s): Blues Rock, Contemporary BluesBlues Posted By: Duane Verh
Sep 7, 2025
Review
That a pair of guitarslingers of their magnitude can turn out songs just as strong as their play is a fortunate find for fans of rockin’ blues. From the leadoff and title track- one nasty shuffle, to the insistent rocker that follows-“Can’t Be A Prophet”, to the power ballad that’s next up-“Alive”, Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia prove an authentic dynamic duo. Dosing their well-crafted songs with formidable fretwork and supported with superb backup they’ve turned out an unarguable “Best of Year” contender.
Sep 9, 2025 -
Chicago-based Indie-folk singer-songwriter Chris Rawlins is set to release his much anticipated sophomore album, Flyover,... Read Full Article
Sep 7, 2025 -
Putumayo Discovery is proud to announce the release of French Groove, a dynamic compilation that showcases the fresh face of French... Read Full Article
Sep 7, 2025 -
Putumayo Discovery's new album, Instrumental Odyssey, out on September 5th, 2025 is a journey across cultures, continents, and musical... Read Full Article
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
