DJ for The Blend
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Steve Miller hails originally from Columbus, Ohio, and moved to Massachusetts in 2013. He spent his career working in the world of insurance and now works as a semi-retired consultant when not spinning discs at WICN. Steve first heard jazz in his parents’ home and his passion for the music truly ignited in high school and college. He lives in Central Massachusetts with his wife Leslie and their highly ridiculous dog, Coltrane.
Latest Album Reviews
Review of Chasing Echos
Album Info: Chasing Echos
Jon Gold Album: Chasing Echos Label: Entropic Genre(s): Contemporary Jazz Posted By: Robert Silverstein
May 19, 2025
Review
Pianist / composer Jon Gold released his album Bossa Of Possibility on the esteemed BluJazz Records back in 2012. 13 years later he returns with an album of all-new material called Chasing Echos. The less than common spelling of the album title notwithstanding, the 11-track / 65-minute CD is a positive joint production by Jon Gold and Brazilian-born, NYC-based Mauricio Zottarelli, the latter being a renowned drummer in the realms of Brazilian and Latin jazz.
The beauty of the album is the diversity and inspiration of music culled from the ranks of Brazilian and other exotic South American musical locales. As one would rightly construe, Zottarelli brings in a prevalent rhythmic backdrop. Composer and keyboardist Gold himself often draws from a diversity of regional Brazilian music yet he also sometimes makes his point with other eclectic and atmospheric influences like Stravinsky and
Euphoria Station Album: Smoking Gun Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Progressive Rock Posted By: Robert Silverstein
May 18, 2025
Review
Back in the Fall of 1969, the American rock music scene was growing up. Blessed by a year that featured new and groundbreaking albums from the rock elite, a new sound arrived. Best known as Southern Rock, the album that shot it all forward was the self-titled debut album by The Allman Brothers. One thing led to another and in no time, the entire Capricorn Records roster, from the Allmans to Marshall Tucker band and even Wet Willie, was all the rage.
Much missed artists one and all, yet the classic Southern Rock class of ‘69 is revived fully and more on the 2025 album by Euphoria Station. Highlighted by 13-tracks, the 64-minute Smoking Gun album is very much rooted in Americana rock. In fact, Euphoria Station takes the classic American rock music sound from 1969 and adds in a touch of much needed earthiness delivered part and parcel by group founders and main composers Saskia
Albare Album: Eclecticity Label: Alfi Genre(s): Fusion Posted By: Robert Silverstein
May 15, 2025
Review
He might not be as well-known in the US today, yet the jazz-fusion guitarist that goes by the single name Albare strikes a chord for global unity through the power of music with his 2025 album release entitled Eclecticity. With the word eclectic featured in the album title, the ten-track, 68-minute CD is an entertaining and diverse romp into the world of urban and urbane instrumental jazz.
Connecting the expertise of two different musical lineups, including The Jazz Alchemists and The Harmonix Experience, Eclecticity features the Australian-based Albare doing what he does best; making easy on the ears, guitar-centric instrumental music that skillfully bridges the gap between smooth jazz and a more serious form of mainstream jazz that honors its historic roots.
Keyboardist Phil Turcio has done an admirable job, not only on the keys but serving as well as executive producer. The
Brandon Santini Album: Which Way Do We Go? Label: Momojo Genre(s): Contemporary BluesBlues Posted By: Duane Verh
May 11, 2025
Review
Brandon Santini’s robust vocals prove to be a driver on par with his supercharged harmonica play, propelling the listener through this potent, all original set. Insistent blues-rockers are the main bill of fare here and among these “The War Ain’t Over” and “See That Pony” stand out. A stylish take on the Texas shuffle, “Blues So Bad”, sports a killer harp chorus that should grab ears as well.
Patricio Morales Album: La Tierra Canta Label: Northsound Genre(s): Crossover Jazz Posted By: Robert Silverstein
May 9, 2025
Review
In the spirit of accordion great Astor Piazzolla, Chilean-born, NYC-based guitarist Patricio Morales enchants the listener with his 2025 album La Tierra Canta. The Piazzolla connection comes into play thanks to the accordion and piano work of Vitor Goncalves and a host of other fine musicians that support Patricio throughout the album.
For the 9-track, 38 minute album, Morales revisits music he wrote early in his career. Backing his sonorous, very easy on the ears nylon string classical guitar are gifted players including the rhythm section of Sebastian De Urquiza (upright bass) and Rodrigo Recabarren (drums), while other players lend further support on indigenous Brazilian and Portuguese percussion.
In addition to the South American influences, La Tierra Canta also features very continental, European influences overall that makes it very smooth with a kind of NYC vintage
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