He's a talented journeyman with broad musical interests, a musician of integrity, and if he can neither compete for attention with pop acts or find new territory for jazz to explore, he's at least keeping the flame alive. On Trio Fascination , Lovano collaborates with esteemed drummer Elvin Jones and bassist Dave Holland, blowing with fervent and sensitive impressionism. Trio Fascination is redolent of pre-rock Miles Davis, restating where jazz has settled after surviving fusion. It's a good album in a genre where greatness has become scarce. Since the early '80s, Minneapolis' Boiled in Lead has been revving up Anglo-Irish balladry and Americana, reinventing old traditions for a new era of uncertainties.
Alloy collects tracks from their five previous CDs along with live cuts, demos and rarities.
The true spirit of country music somehow finds its finest contemporary outlet in the hands of a UK native Jon Langford, the man from the Mekons. With Christmas right around the corner, here's a wonderful compilation of classic and original holiday tunes from Milwaukee vocalist Tom Anthony. All of these classics are given a fine mix of tradition and contemporary pop. The album's true revelation, though, lies in the two originals, written by Anthony and Freisinger. According to legend, Leadbelly sang his way out of prison.