04.12.23
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Musique Noire Connects with The Younger Musical Generation in their Album ‘intergenerational’

Musique Noire is the Detroit based all female jazz fusion group. Members Michelle May (violinist and flutist), Leslie Deshazor (violist), JoVia Armstrong (percussionist), and Leah Lucas (violist and violinist), are all accomplished musicians who have performed with high-profile artists such as Stevie Wonder, KEM, and Aretha Franklin. The group’s name reflects their interest in jazz and world music, and their music is informed by the culture of Black people.

Musique Noire’s latest album, intergenerational, showcases the band’s signature jazz and world music fusion sound with a unique twist. The album is a collaboration with three talented up-and-coming musicians, who were asked to write based on their experiences as women or from a woman they admired. The result is an eclectic mix of tracks, each with its own story to tell.

Intergenerational opens with Leslie’s arrangement of the traditional spiritual “Motherless Child,” which incorporates African-style rhythms. Leah’s original composition, “Kaleidoscope,” is a beautifully crafted jazz tune, written by her husband John, who is a pianist, drummer, and composer. JoVia’s contribution, “Nirvana – Feast or Famine,” features lyricist Mahogany Jones and explores themes of Afro-futurism. Michelle’s “Cuban Sunset (Arterdercer Cubano)” is an entirely improvised tune that showcases her violin and flute playing skills.

The impressive collection of tracks reveals the unique talents of Musique Noire and their collaborators. The band believes in leaving a legacy and wanted to have a unique way to reach out to a younger generation.

The album’s sophisticated sound and unique arrangements of world, jazz, soul, and R&B traditions make it a must-listen. With a nomination for a 2023 Detroit Music Award for Outstanding World Recording, Musique Noire continues to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Connect with Musique Noire via:

Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Spotify / Soundcloud

04.12.23
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Mark Westin’s “Tales” is an Insightful Release

Mark Westin’s “Tales” is an album filled with character-driven narratives, akin to a collection of short stories. You have the option to follow the sequence from start to finish or pick and choose the ones that pique your interest at the moment, then come back for more later.

Recorded at The Building in Marlboro, New York, “Tales” was a product of Mark’s desire to make a classic album with a band after the solitary recording process of Covid. The Restless Age, consisting of talented musicians who have worked with several prominent artists, joined him on this project.

To ensure that the album sounded fresh and spontaneous, Mark gave the band only basic outlines of the songs, allowing them to rely on their first instincts. They played together live, and most songs were captured in no more than three takes.

The album was recorded in two days, with only a few overdubs, including a fiddle part by Sara Milonovich and a bodhran from Scott MX Turner, along with some backing vocals and guitar parts. The majority of what you hear on the album is the band’s initial or second performance of the song.

Tales is available on all major streaming services and as a vinyl album, CD, or high-quality digital download on Bandcamp.

04.10.23
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Peter Calandra’s “The Gambit” is Dedicated to the Artists That Inspired Him

Peter Calandra is a prolific composer and keyboard player whose solo albums are wonderfully diverse, spanning world music, jazz, contemporary jazz, new age, pop, and neo-classical. The thread throughout his music is the lyrical expressiveness of the compositions and purity and purposefulness of the musicianship. Three of his recent albums of original music — First Light (2015), The Road Home (2017) and Carpe Noctem (2018) were nominated for ZMR Awards.

His newest single, “The Gambit” is is a beautiful tribute to the late Keith Jarrett and his influential solo piano albums Lausanne-Bremen and the Koln Concerts. As we get older musicians we admire leave us. When Peter was a developing musician, there were a handful of pianists who came to prominence in the late 1950’s-1960’s that were inspirational, influential, and whose music has been a constant companion throughout his life.

Calandra’s emotional connection to the music of Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett is apparent in the lyrical expressiveness of his compositions and the purposeful musicianship.

“The music these people created not only taught me but the stories and feelings that their music evoked were there to help me through turbulent times. Almost as a salve to the uncertainty of being a lost teenager and being a companion as I grew into an accomplished musician,” shares Peter.

Connect with Peter Calandra via:

Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Spotify / Soundcloud

04.10.23
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Acapella Group, The RockNRoll Chorus, Share Their Original Work “Heaven in My Soul”

New Jersey’s own RockNRoll Chorus is an acapella group run by singer/songwriter and composer Joe Cantaffa. The RockNRoll Chorus launched its first tour and full length album, What They Didn’t Teach Us In School, in 2007 and since then have been blessed with amazingly talented singers and performers over more than 15 casts.

RNRC has performed with, and opened for, Bruce Springsteen, Darlene Love, Jacquie Lee, Judy Collins, Gavin DeGraw, Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles, Jefferson Airplane, Foreigner, Kenny Loggins, The Chieftains, Classic Albums Live: Pink Floyd, The Wall, Willie Nile, Max Weinberg, Jay Leno, Danu, Jill Tirrell, The Chicago Children’s Choir, and many studio recordings as a guest choir.

The RockNRoll Chorus’ newest acapella song, “Heaven In My Soul,” is a moving and uplifting tribute to the power of love and the human spirit in the face of loss. The song, which speaks to the pain of losing a loved one and finding solace in memories and the support of others, is a testament to the power of music to heal and inspire.

The song’s opening notes immediately set the tone, with a haunting and soulful melody that sets the stage for the group’s signature harmonies to take center stage. As the song progresses, the lyrics evoke a sense of hope and optimism, celebrating the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

What is particularly striking about “Heaven In My Soul” is the sheer power and emotion that the RockNRoll Chorus is able to convey through their voices alone. The lack of instrumentation only serves to highlight the strength and beauty of the group’s vocal arrangements, which are nothing short of breathtaking.

This is a song that speaks to the heart, and one that is sure to resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced loss and the pain of grief. The RockNRoll Chorus has once again proven themselves to be among the most talented and innovative acapella groups working today, and “Heaven In My Soul” is a true masterpiece.

Connect with RockNRoll Chorus via:
Website / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Spotify / Soundcloud

04.08.23
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Gary Dranow & the Manic Emotions Debut Epic New Single “Day I Was Born”

Gary Dranow & the Manic Emotions, a classic rock band hailing from Park City, Utah, has produced a flagship blues tune called “Day I was Born,” which showcases some of Gary’s best work yet. Unlike most of their songs, this tongue-in-cheek blues tour de force is reminiscent of legendary musicians such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Van Morrison, and Eric Clapton.

Listen here:

The song provides a retrospective look at the day Gary was born, which he can actually remember. The vocals are smooth and soulful and are accompanied by a beautifully arranged track featuring lush strings, keyboard, and stunning guitar work. The song exudes warmth and comfort while reflecting classic blues and rock traditions and the early stages of Gary’s life.

“We recorded this one live in the studio, and I had a bet with the band that I could play all my solos without repeating a lick. They all paid me $20 when we finished,” jokes Gary.

Gary Dranow turned to music as a coping mechanism for his bipolar disorder and the effects of a stroke after establishing successful business ventures in outdoor sports. The band’s genre-defying collection of songs provides comfort to those who are also struggling.

Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions are a force to be reckoned with, and they will release all tracks as singles leading up to an early 2023 release of the full EP, Destiny Road. The album features the talents of Sherm Tate on bass and vocals, Marty Steinberg and Jethro DeFries on drums, the brilliant Jerry Manfredi on bass and musical direction, and Tommy Mars on keyboards.

Connect with Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions: Website // Instagram // Facebook // YouTube // Spotify // Soundcloud