Review: Michael Bellar/The As-Is Ensemble - Turned On Turned Up

Michael Bellar/The As-Is Ensemble - Turned On Turned Up
2009, Left Three Lanes Music

Michael Bellar and The As-Is Ensemble were, at one time, the house band at New York City's Blue Note jazz club. They have played Lincoln Center (NYC), The Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.) and the JVC and Bell Atlantic Jazz Festivals. Their latest album, Turned On, Turned Up, displays the band's penchant for high-energy jazz and sense of mischief, as if anything might happen at any time. Featured performers on Turned On, Turned Up include bassist Rob Jost (Imogen Heap, Bjork); drummer Brand Wentworth (Aretha Franklin) and percussionist Robert Di Pietro (Norah Jones, Jessie Harris). Michael Bellar himself has toured/recorded with Art Garfunkel, Amos Lee, Howie Day, Wheatus, Jump Little Children and Giorgia

Turned On Turned Up opens with Squashing Pollyanas; serious Funk with an incredibly infectious bass line and high quality organ work over the top. This highly creative and danceable instrumental gets The As-Is Ensemble off on the right foot. The choice of Ben Folds' Fred Jones Part 2 as a cover is interesting. The instrumental version offered up here reminds us that Folds isn't just bombast and keys but a pretty mean songwriter as well. Bellar plays around the edges a bit but leaves the melody line essentially intact while burying it in reverb on the synth. All Things Rabbit is a high-energy jazz/rock instrumental featuring keyboard work vaguely reminiscent of The Who.

The As-Is Ensemble turns expectations on their heads with Fur Turban, carrying a Middle Eastern Flavor and Latin Rhythms. The song is highly energetic in presentation and is very entertaining. The Damage Done captures a European sound that verges on melancholy before busting out into a bass-driven, accordion-led chorus. Unravel is an introspective rainy-day peace, with a melancholy-yet-hopeful feel that's more intriguing with each listen. The As-Is Ensemble takes on Led Zeppelin with their instrumental version of Misty Mountain Hop, which turns out to be a big treat. Turned On Turned Up closes out with Yoga For Prison Girls, a questionable selection as the arrangement is mellow and frankly, it's likely the weakest track on the disc.

Michael Bellar/The As Is Ensemble are a highly original and intriguing bunch. Turned On Turned Up a bit uneven at times, but overall is a very strong release.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Michael Bellar/The As-Is Ensemble at http://www.michaelbellar.com/. You can purchase Turned On Turned Up as either a CD or download from Amazon.com. You can also download the album from iTunes.

Review: Esthema - The Hereness And Nowness Of Things

Esthema - The Hereness And Nowness Of Things
2009, Esthema

Boston’s Esthema may be one of the most original acts we’ve come across. A World Fusion band that takes that label to heart, Esthema blends Eastern European, Middle Eastern, South American and Far Eastern Sounds with Progressive Rock and Classical elements to create magic. Esthema released their debut album, Apart From The Rest in 2007, receiving significant positive press. They follow up on November 3, 2009 with their sophomore effort, The Hereness And Nowness Of Things.

Esthema leads off with Change Of Season, mixing Western, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern sounds in a dynamic musical composition that sounds like it should the opening score element of a major motion picture. The piece has a highly distinctive sound and style and is very enjoyable. The cultural genre-bending continues on Eastern Dance. Highly energetic and danceable, Eastern Dance varies significantly from the sort of popularized dance music currently in vogue, relying on pulsing and morphing organic rhythms that travel from percussion to strings and back again. The focus changes slightly on the Mediterranean flavored A Place To Rest before Esthema returns to a grand cinematic feel for Arrhythmia. Nuanced and vibrant, A Place To Rest co-mingles Middle Eastern and old world Spanish styles and sounds in pleasurable ways.

Four Colors features a vibrant, almost frantic energy in an explosively energetic dance number before Esthema rolls into Illusion Of Truth. Illusion Of Truth has a cloudy feel to it, with a theme that's roiled and punctuated by turbulence. It's as if "facts" and "truth" collide atmospherically in a cycle that never ends, winding and unwinding throughout the composition sparking sometimes storms and sometimes unsettled skies. Esthema closes our with the "Pop-iest" selection on the disc. On & On has a serene feel that's neither ethereal nor ambient but lends to a sense of transcendence. You can almost hear an arrangement of this forthcoming from Keith Lockhart.

We noted that Esthema's Apart From The Rest was a magical musical experience. On The Hereness And Nowness Of Things, Esthema leaves behind the magical world for the gritty, earthy charm of The Mediterranean, where culture upon culture washes upon the shore with sometimes unpredictable outcomes. The Hereness And Nowness Of Things is a musical breadbasket where loaves and fishes mix in fantastical ways and there's always enough to fulfill you as a listener, no matter how many times you return.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Esthema at http://www.esthema.com/ or www.myspace.com/esthemamusic. The Hereness And Nowness Of Things drops on November 3, 2009. Keep checking Esthema’s website for availability.

Review: Kristina Train - Spilt Milk

Kristina Train - Spilt Milk
2009, Blue Note Records

Kristina Train was destined to wind up where she is. Yesterday, Blue Note Records released Train’s debut album, Spilt Milk. Blue Note has pursued Train for several years, but at her mother’s assistance she went to college before pursuing her dream. In the process, Kristina Train learned more about the world, but she also learned more about herself. More confident and self-assured than she was at nineteen years of age, Train approached Spilt Milk with a clear idea of what she wanted to accomplish. Recorded and produced by Jimmy Hogarth (Corinne Bailey Rae, Duffy, James Blunt, Spilt Milk makes Train’s influences abundantly clear without sounding like anyone other than Kristina Train. Shades of Aretha Franklin, Raelette Mable and Karen Dalton can be heard, but the voice that emerges can be no one than the Savannah Georgia native with the wonderfully textured voice.

Train opens with the title track, sounding like a sultrier, worldlier version of Norah Jones. Train mixes the modern silk of Jones with the classic Rhythm N Blues sound of artists like Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner and newcomer Melinda Doolittle. Spilt Milk plays like a classic tune with a theatrical feel to it. No Man's Land keeps that classic R&B/Soul feel in a diva-like performance from Train. The melody is one that will get stuck in your brain, and you'll find yourself swaying along. Don't Remember and Don't Beg For Love have similar styles, leading into the Turner-esque It's Over Now, a song steeped in the history of R&B but which could very well chart today.

Train has a true Diva moment on You're Still Going To Lose, showing the presence and dramatic sense to command attention with the right material. This is the biggest highlight of the album. Moon Rivers And Such is more in the Norah Jones realm, but the gentle rasp and power in Train's voice set her apart. Train is able to capture a classic sound while coming across young and hip here and throughout the disc, an unusual quality that should do well for her. Call In The Maker is one of the more intriguing songs on the disc; mixing elements of Gospel, Soul and The Blues in a dynamic performance that sounds like it might have come right out of Muscle Shoals. Half Light is all about regrets that stem from entering (or re-entering) a relationship you shouldn't be involved in. The writing here is nuanced, but Train is chomping at the bit here to break out and the song never quite allows that opportunity. Train closes out with Far From The Country, a classic love song with a Motown feel to it.

Kristina Train has an amazing voice, and she gets to display it amply on Spilt Milk. The down-tempo nature of the album might restrict here a tad here and there; the moments when she's allowed to truly soar are tempered by slower material that's not conducive to the big impressive belt she's capable of, although they do happen. Along with folks like KT Tunstall, Melinda Doolittle and Joss Stone, Kristina Train looks to bring some old school magic to modern music. Look for Spilt Milk to garner Train a lot of critical praise and expect her to be around for a good long while.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Kristina Train at http://www.kristinatrain.com/ or www.myspace.com/kristinatrain. You can purchase Spilt Milk as either a CD or download from Amazon.com. You can also download Spilt Milk through iTunes.

Review: Simone White - Yakiimo

Simone White - Yakiimo
2009, Honest Jon Records

Simone White was practically born into performing. Her mother a folksinger, her father a sculptor and her grandmother a burlesque performer, the limelight is in White’s genes. White was writing songs a Capella in her head for some time before she taught herself to play guitar. In 2000, White moved from London to New York City and found the stage to begin performing her songs. In 2004 she went to Nashville to record with Mark Nevers (Calexico, Lambchop, Will Oldham) and walked away with a record deal with the UK’s Honest Jon Records. She’s gone on to play major stages all over the world, and even had one tune, The Beep Beep Song, featured in a commercial for Audi. Her latest album, Yakiimo is already out in the UK, and sees a US release date of November 10, 2009.

Simone White is eclectic. Her voice is so soft and pure you'd she's become lost in the wash of instrumentation, but White's sound is so distinctive that she stands out. There's a razor's edge that lies beneath the surface of that soft voice that's full of wit and intelligence and not a little pluck. All of these qualities come dancing through on Yakiimo's opening track, Bunny In A Bunny Suit. The song is all about someone who has trying to change herself for others for so long she doesn't even know who she is anymore. Bunny In A Bunny Suit is compelling, stripped down as it is into bare instrumentation. The honest and vulnerability that emanates from White are made all the more believable by her uncharacteristic vocal sound. On Candy Bar Killer, White tells the tale of a free spirit with a dark side. It's a mellow and serene song with a melody that dances for you. Baby Lie Down With Me is a mellow yet enthusiastically happy love song. Intelligent and sweet, White displays just how good of a songwriter she is right here.

Yakiimo are roasted sweet potatoes sold by street vendors in cities in Japan and elsewhere. The song is a lament of their effect as harbingers of winter. Simone White has an uncanny ability to unnerve listeners at times, using her sweet and out-of-the-ordinary voice to deliver messages with the impact of left hooks at times. A Girl You Never Met shows this ability grandly. It's a mellow yet starkly worded breakup song. The narrator takes on all the responsibility and then turns and tells him/her how happy she was before (s)he came along. The most entertaining song on the CD is Train Song, a fun listen you won't be able to get out of your head. Your Stop sounds like a song of reverie over a lost love, or it might have a darker side in light of the next track, Olivia. Olivia is a vaguely creepy song of obsession. The tone and tenor here and gentle, but the narrator has been following/studying the object of her affection for some time. The story is well told in song with a great melody and arrangement. Let The Cold Wind Blow is another free spirit song, written about a soul who's perfect in her imperfection. White closes out with a cover of St. Louis Blues, a stark tale of adultery done in a wonderful acoustic blues setting. White's voice is the perfect foil for the guitar in this song.

Simone White gets your attention quickly with a sound that's a bit unlike most anyone else in Pop/Rock/Folk music. Yakiimo continues to garner White attention, a trend likely to grow with the November 10, 2009 release of the album in the US. This is one release not to skip out on. It's always possible you won't like it, but it's more likely that you'll be kicking yourself later on for not checking out Simone White.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Simone White at http://www.simonewhite.com/ or www.myspace.com/simonewhite. Yakiimo drops in the US on November 10, 2009. Expect wide availability.

Review: Silverbird – Silverbird

Silverbird – Silverbird
2009, Heritage Recordings

Silverbird is the Atlanta, Georgia duo of David Leinweber and Bob McMillan. Career musicians, Leinweber and McMillan play covers that range from easy listening to rock but are most at home playing their own original material. Silverbird plays almost everything but are primarily influenced by the music of the 1960’s. Their debut album, Silverbird, was released earlier in 2009.

Silverbird slips gently into Boomer Rock mode on their self-titled debut, following in the footsteps of bands like The Band, Crosby Stills & Nash and the like. Thursday Ride bespeaks of a time when cruising was the thing to do. Heart Of A Song sticks with reverie, but this time about the music that inspires us. Musician's Prayer is a bit kitschy but cute. A prayer with a sense of humor, Musician's Prayer will be entertaining for most. Daphne is presented in both studio and live versions, and was written about the character of the same name from the old Dark Shadows TV program. Played by Charlie's Angel Kate Jackson, Daphne is the reason for a bit of inspired story telling here. I, for once, actually preferred the studio version to the live versions. Sweet Delilah is a song I viewed with some skepticism when I saw it on the track list as the subject has been covered as long as songs have been written, but Silverbird surprises with the best songwriting and performance on the CD. A great hook, great melody and unforgettable chorus make this a must-have disc, much less song. The power of music is revealed in Mitch Ryder Revisited, which recounts the ability of the music of our youth to pick us up all throughout our lives. Silverbird closes out with Some Like It Hot, a decent Blues tune with some fiery guitar play.

Silverbird is a decent enough debut, with some great moments and a few where things get a little lost. The balance sheet points to good things here, however. The songwriting is nuanced and mature, the musicianship is great, and vocalist David Leinweber has a highly pleasant voice to listen to. Silverbird is definitely a bit more oriented to the Baby Boomer market, but fans of great music of all ages will find something here to like.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Silverbird at http://www.davidleinweber.com/ or www.myspace.com/silverbirdduo. No online outlet was noted to purchase Silverbird, but if you contact the band through their MySpace page I’m sure they’ll be happy to help you out.

Review: Kathryn Caine - Down Home Girl

Kathryn Caine - Down Home Girl
2009, Kathryn Caine

Kathryn Caine is a North Carolina girl transplanted to Virginia who’s been performing regionally and on the Nashville scene for a dozen years now. With High Lonesome streaking through her voice, Caine has been a demo and backup singer as well as performing with her own band. With three albums under her belt, Caine will release her fourth, Down Home Girl, on October 31, 2009.

Caine gets things rolling with a song about the draw some people feel to the road. Wheels is upbeat, accessible and danceable without sacrificing a thing. Far Away is a song of unrequited love. The guitar work here is incredible and worth trying to figure out if you're so inclined. Caine is in fine voice, which is vaguely reminiscent of Dolly Parton's but in a lower register. Settlin' Down might just be the next big anthem of the small-town country girl. The bluegrass arrangement seems to say how things will go in a relationship; the song is an instant classic. The Fall makes for compelling listening; it's a song for cynical people on the verge of love. The Fall is well-written and intelligent with a melody that will stick around well after the CD/download ceases to play.

For You is an adulterous love song where the protagonist is plotting continue her affair while hiding it from her husband. The song plays like something from a Country-flavored Broadway Musical. Honeyhill crosses over into Rock N Roll country for an ode to the narrator's favorite place on earth. A strong melody combined with knockout vocal harmonies make this a big winner. My personal favorite song on the disc is Working Man, a well-written piece of Country/Pop, setting the stage for the closing number, The Dream. This tune is a heartbreaker about a little brother who passed away young and how he continues to make his presence felt. The song is beautifully written and if you don't have a tear in your eye by the end you probably weren't listening.

Kathryn Caine dazzles on Down Home Girl. Based in Country but dabbling with Folk and Rock N Roll, Caine's dynamic Country debut is among the elite debuts in 2009. Her voice has a classic country sound, and Caine always sounds like she's giving her heart on every song and enjoying it completely. Make sure you spend some time with Kathryn Caine and Down Home Girl!

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Kathryn Caine at http://www.kathryncaine.com/ or www.myspace.com/kathryncaine. Down Home Girl is due for release on October 31, 2009. Keep checking Caine's website for where/how to purchase copies/downloads.

Review: Johnny Neel And The Criminal Element - Volume 2

Johnny Neel And The Criminal Element - Volume 2
2009, Silverwolf Records

Johnny Neel has it all, really. A top-level session player in Nashville, Neel has a Grammy nomination under his belt and has written songs recorded by The Allman Brothers, John Mayall, Joe Louis Walker, The Oak Ridge Boys, Marie Osmond and Travis Tritt. Neel is also well-respected as a performer, with a small but significant following mostly on the East Coast of the US. Neel’s sixth solo album, Johnny Neel And The Criminal Element Volume 2, was released earlier this year; A mix of Rock and Blues pervades the disc.

Volume 2 opens with Go, a great mid-tempo Blues/Rock hybrid with some intriguing minor-key vocal harmonies in the chorus. The song is strong overall, but the chorus adds that "gotcha" that draws listeners in and convinces them to stay for a while. Pass Out is a funky Rock jam that turns psychedelic before slamming back into the funk. Thing P-Funk meets Pink Floyd. Thunder is an impressive track, combining a pure Classic/Southern Rock sound with elements of Jazz, Funk and Soul. You'll want to get moving when this song is one. Smackin' Pepper goes for the ten-minute instrumental jam thing and ends up sounding a bit like album filler, although the Moog work in particular is impressive. Hot Beer Emergency mixes Styx-style keyboards with Southern Rock guitar for the most intriguing composition on the disc. Here Right Now is a fun and catchy Classic Rock paean that turns into an extended jam. Neel closes out with Playin' On The Tracks, a decent tune but probably not the best choice as a closer to the album.

Johnny Neel rips it up with his guitar, playing some of the hottest Rock and Blues guitar out there. The songwriting and composition here ranges from above average to excellent, although the extended jams do end up sounding like filler at times. Neel's band is as sharp as a tack, and no matter your inclination you'll find something here to enjoy. Johnny Neel And The Criminal Element, Volume 2 is definitely worth checking out.

Rating: 3 Stats (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Johnny Neel And The Criminal Element at http://www.johnnyneel.com/, www.myspace.com/johnnyneel, or www.myspace.com/thecriminalelement. You can purchase a copy of Johnny Neel And The Criminal Element Vol. 2 in Neel’s online CD Shop. You can download Volume 2 from iTunes.