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 Eclecticity
Album Info: Eclecticity
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
Unity Quartet Album: Samba of Sorts Label: Sunnyside Genre(s): Fusion Posted By: Robert Silverstein
May 8, 2025
Review
Usually when I think of Brazilian music made by artists from that country I think of Samba and Bossa Nova but with the release of Samba Of Sorts in 2025, Unity Quartet makes a pitch for Brazil as a hub of new jazz fusion. This first album by Unity Quartet, entitled Samba Of Sorts, features an impressive lineup of Brazilian musicians including Hélio Alves, Guilherme Monteiro, Gili Lopes and Alex Kautz. A subtle South American jazz influence permeates the grooves while being based in New York City gives the album a more cutting edge sound.
On Samba Of Sorts, the interplay between the punctuated grand piano style of Hélio and the Metheny-esque electric guitar textures of Guilherme comes across in memorable waves of swinging world fusion at times echoing the mid 1970s Tom Jobim mellowness during his CTI / A&M years as well as the international rise of Brazil’s
Kris Adams & Peter Perfido Album: Away Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Crossover Jazz Posted By: Robert Silverstein
May 6, 2025
Review
Honoring the spirit of the late guitarist-composer Michael O’Neil, drummer Peter Perfido and vocalist Kris Adams released Away in 2025. The 62-minute, 13-track CD features nine O’Neil originals, 2 covers written by drummer Paul Motian and several instrumentals. Recording the album with Peter Perfido and Kris Adams are Bob Degen (piano) and André Buser (bass).
The music on Away is sparse and moody making it perfectly suited for Ms. Adams’ earthy vocals and the drumming of Peter Perfido. Not having heard Minnesota native Michael O’Neil’s music before, I can only attest that the music is equally inspired and melancholy with bold overtones. Although it’s clearly jazz in nature there is an air of experimentalism and improvisation. There’s even a stellar ensemble tribute to legendary sax player Jan Gabarek called “Die Sehnsucht”
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