CD REVIEW: Trombone Shorty "Backatown"

This is not your grandma's jazz music. Trombone Shorty takes jazz and mixes it with a whole lot of funk on his newest album, showing off his brass instrument in ways that it has never been showcased before. It's always fun to hear music that is out of the ordinary. And, even though the style of music that you get from this album is familiar and accessible, it's the fact that Trombone Shorty is the purveyor causes all the excitement. Lenny Kravitz and New Orleans' own Marc Broussard lend their vocal abilities to a few of the tracks, adding a bit of rock and roll into the funky mix. Firing on all cylinders, the entire album hits hard from end to end in a fury of fantastic horn madness and proves that even a trombone can rock as hard as any instrument.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Carl Broemel - All Birds Say
• Roy Jay - Fairfax Avenue
• Jenny And Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now
  

CD REVIEW: Carl Broemel "All Birds Say"

My Morning Jacket's guitarist Carl Broemel has branched out on his own for the second time, this time releasing an incredibly mellow folk album on ATO Records. Broemel, known for his classic rock style guitar riffs with MMJ has taken a huge left turn with this album showing off his inner Bob Dylan. Broemel, a master of many instruments, almost performs every single musical part in each song. "Carried Away" and "Life Leftover" are lyrically poetic. Elements of jazz and classic 50's era pop are sprinkled throughout the midwest folk compositions making for a collection of music that is unlike any other recently released folk recording. "Enough" is probably the most interesting recording on the disc, combining modern synth beats with old school folk. The album sounds both new and classic at the same time and Carl Broemel definitely can have a solo career if something horrible happens and MMJ calls it quits.

CD REVIEW: The Romany Rye "Highway 1, Looking Back Carefully"

Not enough can be said about The Romany Rye. The fact that his music is not more widely available, though, is a huge issue since it is some of the best indie folk rock recorded in recent years. While everyone has been digging on Edward Sharpe, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, and fellow tourmates Dawes, The Romany Rye has been quietly living in the shadows. His debut album, although short, is full of powerful songs that are both lyrically beautiful and sonically powerful. The opening track "Brother" sets the tone for the entire album and shows off how The Romany Rye's delivery of the music can really take your breath away. "Dear Holly" and "Old Soul" follow, further dragging you deeper into his musical world. The Romany Rye is certainly destined for wide critical praise and should rightfully receive it. The music contained within this debut album is hands down awesome and upon first listen everyone will become an instant fan.

CD REVIEW: Arman Srsa "Underneath The Sun"

Arman Srsa is a bit of an international mutt. He was born in Croatia, raised in South Africa, and recorded his new album in Argentina, a place he currently calls home. That all being said, it's hard, from his music, to really decipher where he is from, being that it sounds a whole lot like much of the mellow indie and folk rock being released by bands from the US, UK, and Australia. Regardless of where the music comes from, or sounds like it comes from, it's still pretty darn good. It mixed typical mellow folk similar to Jack Johnson with acoustic reggae for a unique twist on a familiar sound. Fans of Jack Johnson will love the similarities of Srsa's music, particularly on "Shine On Me" and "Trouble All Around," which are two of the album's best tracks. The Bob Marley fan will fall deeply in love with "Passer By" with is mellow reggae vibe and summery feel. Arman Srsa is a great unknown talent that is sure to gain tons of fans once their ears take in this album.

CD REVIEW: Mason Jennings "Live At First Ave."

Being that this is Mason's first widely available live album, it's pretty awesome. The album features a live performance from the tour Jennings went in support of the release of his last studio release "Blood Of Man." The set is heavy on tracks from that album, but also features a few classic Mason Jennings songs from older albums. Some of the highlights of the album include the heavy rockers "Ain't No Friend Of Mine" and "Be Here Now," as well as the stirring and emotional tracks "Black Wind Blowing" and "The Field." Mason also shines during performances of the subtle classics "Ballad For My One True Love" and "Rebecca DeVille." His interaction with the crowd showcases just what an excellent and down-to-Earth performer he is and the fact that the performance was in his home state of Minnesota makes the performance extra special for Mason and the crowd. The album features thee unreleased songs as well, "Born," "Lonely Computer Screen," and "Grow Old With Me." "Born" could have easily found its way onto any of Mason's albums and the other two tracks are beautifully performed by Mason solo with just his acoustic guitar. "Godless," a gem from his first album closes out the set and bridges the entire performance from then until now. Many of his fan favorites and radio singles are missing from the performance, but if he found time to include them all, he'd need about a 4 hour show and probably have to release it as a box set. Mason's live versions of his songs are very similar to his studio recordings, so the fun is in experiencing them live on stage. This is the closest most will get and it's a great representation of what it's like to be there,

CD REVIEW: J.J. Grey & Mofro "Georgia Warhorse"

Florida swamp funk is not the kind of music you hear a whole lot of these days. That's why J.J. Grey & Mofro are an essential part of the music world. Grey combine funk and soul with country and blues for a distinctive sound that no other band is playing. Their fourth album, possible their most accessible yet, is a testament to this style of music, showing off all facets of Grey's musical talents and influences, and even a few new ones. Jam band guitar virtuoso Derek Trucks lends his talents on slide guitar to the album's closer. Toots Hibbert (of Toots & The Maytals) shares vocal duties on the album's first single "The Sweetest Thing," which is one of Mofro's best songs. You'd think that with Toots singing that the song would have a reggae vibe, but it actually doesn't. It's a very soulful, horn-driven tune that is perfect for a sunny day. J.J. Grey shows off his acoustic guitar skills in a big way on the song "King Hummingbird" and rocks pretty heavily on the blues and funk filled "The Hottest Spot In Hell." J.J. Grey & Mofro are one of those anomalies in the music industry today. They are a band who does their own thing, conforms for no one, and puts out great records that fans love and this album displays all of that and then some

CD REVIEW: The Dandy Warhols "The Capitol Years (1995-2007)"

The Dandy Warhols are one of those underappreciated rock band that make hit records but fade away in between. That doesn't mean that they aren't an excellent band, it just means they get in, get it done, and get out. With each of their album they have reinvented themselves while expanding their very distinctive sound. They mix the charm of an indie rock band with the psychedelia of 70's synth rockers, and the angst of grunge era alternative rock music. This collection features most of their best songs released as early as 15 years ago. You'll fine their hits like "Bohemian Like You," "We Used To Be Friends," and the song that helped them break out, "Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth." The album also features some of the music that their fans came to love but didn't receive as much commercial appeal such as "Godless," "Get Off," and "Boys Better." They've also included an unreleased track "This Is The Tide," which fits right into the collection as it could have been included on any of their albums. Greatest hits collections can often define the end of a career for a band, but for The Dandy Warhols, it's more of a "here's what we've been doing, wait here while we do some more" kind of vibe and it it's a must have for any fan if the band and modern alternative rock music.

CD REVIEW: Jesse Harris "Through The Night"

Jess Harris became well known as the Grammy award winning songwriter of the Norah Jones hit single "Don't Know Why." But, what many people don't know is that Jesse Harris is an incredible musician on his own, and he has released eight excellent albums of his own music. This latest album, the first in a double album release, shows off his jazz roots with light pop music that is full of soul. "Tough As Water" and "Put It Out Of Your Mind" are the album's standout tracks. The entire collection of music is so incredibly natural and organic and is the true mark of a superior songwriter. Not only are the lyrics magical and poetic, but they are sung over a backdrop of music that is beautifully written and performed. With this album, coupled with the pending release of a fully instrumental album, Jesse Harris is showing the world why his Grammy award is the real deal, and with or without Norah, he would have won one eventually.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• The Dandy Warhols - The Capitol Years 1995-2007
• J.J. Grey & Mofro - Georgia Warhorse
• Jesse Harris - Through The Night
• Mason Jennings - Live At First Ave.
• Ra Ra Riot - The Orchard