MUSIC_DIRECTOR for 89.1 Jazz/Blues Time
Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States
Michael Jewett is the long-time host of 89.1 Jazz every weekday afternoon. Besides his on-air work; Michael is WEMU’s Operations Manager. Mr. Jewett started working for WEMU in 1983. He’s been on the air longer than any other current WEMU music host.
As you might imagine; Michael has a pretty large personal music collection. Most of those titles are jazz & blues, but there is also a fair amount of rock, soul, & reggae plus some hip-hop and... Read More
Latest Album Reviews
Review of Magnolia & Pine
Album Info: Magnolia & Pine
Johnny & The Mongrels Album: Magnolia & Pine Label: Bent River Genre(s): Contemporary Swamp Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Jan 29, 2023
Review
Vocalist Johnny Ryan reads soul and ballad fare with a telltale rock edge, marking a piece of New Orleans music turf for himself and this NOLA-by-way-of-Fort Collins CO outfit. The crisp horn chart adorning the soulful strut that leads things off, the shouting-for-airplay “Love’s Got Something To Do With It”, may induce Allen Toussaint flashbacks for savvy listeners. Other infectious fare includes the ballad “Big Screen” and the insistent rocker “Treme Woman”.
Klangwelt Album: Here And Why Label: Spheric Music Genre(s): Electronic Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Jan 25, 2023
Review
One of the best synth-keyboard record labels in the world, Germany-based Spheric music continues releasing high-quality electronic music. After many years of issuing critically acclaimed electronic CDs, Spheric is back in 2022 with Here And Why, the fifth album by the artist known as Klangwelt. There are plenty of comparisons being bandied about, including Euro-Trace sounds of Jean-Michel Jarre, Vangelis and also Germany’s own Kraftwerk. The brainchild of Klangwelt is audio guru Gerald Arend and he truly excels on this pulsating album of high-tech electronica.
Being all-instrumental in nature, there are no borders to the accessibility of the sounds of Klangwelt. Whatever keyboard-based instrument Klangwelt implements to get across his music – from piano to synths and mellotrons the sound soars through the sonic galaxies to great effect. With 12-tracks, clocking in just
Teresa James Album: With a Little Help from Her Friends Label: Blue Heart Genre(s): Contemporary Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Jan 22, 2023
Review
Vocalist Teresa James does justice to an interesting cross-section of Beatles fare, serving up some satisfyingly soulful fireworks on simpatico material such as “Oh Darlin’” and “Don’t Let Me Down”. Stylish workups of “Happy Just to Dance With You” and “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” are attention-worthy as well. Small-group backup is solid throughout.
The Pat Petrillo Big Rhythm Band Album: The Power Station Sessions Label: Autumn Hill Genre(s): Big Band Posted By: Joe Ross
Jan 21, 2023
Review
Peaking in December 2022 at #3 on The Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Jazz Album Chart, The Pat Petrillo Big Rhythm Band’s The Power Station Sessions has diverse material presented by an impressive cast of accomplished musicians led by New Jersey drummer Pat Petrillo. With jazz, rock and funk grooves, the band keeps the party up-tempo and chock full of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, guitar and rhythm instruments. Glen Burtnik’s vocals only appear in “It Won’t Be Long,” and their most relaxed arrangement appears at track eight with a medium-tempo’ed version of Stevie Wonder’s “Knocks Me Off My Feet.”
Besides drummer Pat Petrillo, some other featured band members are Tommy Timko (woodwinds), B.D. Lenz (guitar), David Cook (piano, organ), Scott Ambush (bass), Steve Jankowski (trumpet, valve trombone), and Plinky Giglio
Spencer Brewer Album: Behind the Veil Label: Self-Release Genre(s): New Age Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Jan 20, 2023
Review
Well regarded for his 1980s works on Narada Records, California music icon Spencer Brewer released his 15th album Behind The Veil in early January 2023. Behind The Veil is actually the first Spencer Brewer album since his 2008 double CD set Cinematic. Behind the Veil is very much Americana in the best sense of the word, blending a highly refined composite of sonic components. The lead off track “Parasols In Paris” sets the tone remarkably well with its effective Continental European character. A number of musicians appear, including Nancy Rumble (English horn and Oboe), Paul McCandless (soprano sax) and strings from the Quartet San Francisco. Overall, Behind The Veil is a noteworthy instrumental solo piano New Age experience.
Clocking in with 12-tracks, the 48 minutes Behind The Veil works on so many different musical
Dec 26, 2022 -
Merging ancient Indian, Chinese, Persian and African music with an exquisite Jazz backbone, they deliver what film director Jan Pinkava says,... Read Full Article
Dec 12, 2022 -
With over two dozen albums as a leader and multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy nominations, pianist, arranger, composer, and bandleader ANTONIO... Read Full Article
Nov 30, 2022 -
A new book called "Rock on Film: The Movies That Rocked the Big Screen" by Fred Goodman is now available, just in time for the... Read Full Article
Oct 17, 2022 -
Ukubonga [Gratitude], the new recording from South African singer Lorraine Klaasen and South African guitarist, composer, arranger, musical director... Read Full Article
Oct 11, 2022 -
With his signature world-weary, raspy vocals and a penchant for epic, power-ballad guitar licks, Florida-based singer-songwriter, and... Read Full Article
Jul 26, 2022 -
Oslo-based American-Norwegian trio Buster Sledge released their first studio album Call Home in May 2022, following up on their self-recorded and... Read Full Article
Jul 16, 2022 -
PIONEERING INSTRUMENTAL SYNTH-POP BAND DELAY TACTICS REUNITES FOR 2022 ALBUM “ELEMENTS OF SURPRISE”
FIRST SINGLE “VIOLA’S... Read Full Article
Jul 6, 2022 -
Austin, TX - Of course, Lone Star State honky-tonkers The Western Express are aware of the renewed interest in the eras of country... Read Full Article