Leave That In There finds Sullivan Fortner turning inward without sacrificing the adventurous spirit that has made him one of jazz’s most compelling pianists. Produced by acclaimed bassist Derrick Hodge, the album is less a collection of compositions than a carefully woven tapestry of memories, family history, Black musical traditions, and musical self-reflection. Anchored by a […]
Interview by Preston Frazier Bill Champlin’s career stretches from the adventurous Bay Area soul-rock of the Sons of Champlin to his 28 years with Chicago, an extensive solo catalog, and three albums with Champlin/ Williams/Friestedt. Along the way, the two-time Grammy winner has written, sung and recorded with artists including David Foster, Jay Graydon, Steve […]
Living Colour reshaped rock music by fusing hard rock, funk, metal, blues, jazz, and socially conscious lyrics into a sound that refused to be categorized. Author Preston Frazier joins Booked On Rock to discuss his book Shade of Living Colour and trace the band’s remarkable journey—from New York’s CBGB scene and the Black Rock Coalition […]
Tim Morse has spent much of his career crafting melodic progressive rock that balances technical precision with emotional resonance. On The Fourth Crossing, however, he deliberately changes course. Morse, following the expanded 20th anniversary re-release of his brilliant progressive rock collection, ‘Transformation- 20th Anniversary Edition ’, does not look forward with ‘The Fourth Crossing’ but progressive. […]
Vibraphonist and composer Jalen Baker traces Houston’s ancestral and cultural footprint with extraordinary care on RePaved, an ambitious eight-part suite honoring the city’s historic Third, Fourth and Fifth Wards. As gentrification threatens to obscure the identity of these predominantly Black neighborhoods, Baker responds by preserving their churches, streets, schools, struggles and celebrations in music. The instrumentation […]
Layla’s debut EP, Into The Blue, arrives with an impressive creative pedigree. Recorded at GB’s Juke Joint, LIC, NY, co-produced by Grammy-winning vocalist Catherine Russell and guitarist Gerry Leonard, both former members of David Bowie’s final touring band, the four-song collection blends atmospheric art pop, folk, jazz, and rock without settling too comfortably into any […]
Interview by Preston Frazier Paris-born singer-songwriter Tiwayo returns with Outsider, an intimate and deeply soulful album shaped by family, loss, artistic perseverance, and the enduring influence of American blues, gospel, and Southern soul. Released April 10, 2026, Outsider was produced by Black Pumas co-founder Adrián Quesada and recorded with an impressive Austin-based ensemble featuring drummer […]
This is such good stuff that it’s easy to almost overlook Mark Anthony K’s uplifting lyrics. “The Journey” has been in a battle with “Funny Feelin’” for my favorite track on Ordinary Day. The song kicks off with a clear e-bow-sounding guitar lead over a rhythmic synthesizer backdrop. By now, it’s clear that Mark Anthony […]
The best concept albums don’t simply tell stories, they invite listeners to examine their own. On Dishes Ain’t Clean, vocalist April May Webb and trumpeter/composer Randall Haywood, recording as Sounds of A&R, craft an emotionally transparent collection that blends jazz, neo-soul, Americana, hip-hop, gospel and contemporary R&B into a deeply personal meditation on authenticity. The album’s […]
Some artists spend their careers chasing identity. Tiwayo sounds like he stopped chasing years ago and simply lives it. On Outsider, the Paris-born singer-songwriter reconnects with the blues, Southern soul, and gospel traditions that have shaped his musical journey, creating an album that feels lived-in rather than manufactured. Produced by Black Pumas mastermind Adrián Quesada at […]