Jim Griffin isn’t just making records—he’s building monuments. The veteran progressive rocker follows up his impressive 2023 release, Marginalia Suburbia with perhaps his best work
Preston Frazier: Hello Mark Anthony K. It’s always a pleasure to speak to you about your new music. You are so prolific—not only with Projekt
Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber has been defying categories for over two decades, blurring the lines between funk, rock, soul, and free jazz. If You
Ah, the games afoot. Fernando Perdomo’s 2025 efforts have included a varied yet stellar selection of albums. The twelve-album ‘Waves’ series has been a worthy
Preston Frazier: Hello, Danny. How are you? It looks like you are on a tour bus?! Danny Ayala: Yes, I’m currently on tour, so I’m
If you were fortunate enough to catch The Steve Morse Band on its recently completed fall tour for Triangulation, you are already familiar with the
In this Slang of Ages conversation, Preston Frazier reconnects with British multi-instrumentalist Joe Bailey to discuss his latest solo album, Torrential Pain. Known for his
I’ve enjoyed the Original Demo series by the Spain-based label Contante & Sonante. Last year’s Tonio K / Burt Bacharach release remains one of my favorites, and
If you are a fan of Fernando Perdomo, you know how prolific and talented the multifaceted artist is. Perdomo has given us a box set’s
Out now on Craft Recordings is a remixed classic. Sylvester’s Step II wasn’t just another disco record—it was a declaration. Released in 1978, it shimmered
⸻ Saxophonist and composer Ron Blake has built a career defined by taste, tone, and versatility—whether onstage with the Saturday Night Live Band or in
La Tanya Hall Interview for Slang of Ages Blog Preston Frazier: La Tanya, how are you? La Tanya Hall: I’m doing great! I just got
The latest Steve Morse Band album, ‘Triangulation’, won’t be out until November 14; however, if “Texus”, the latest single from the album, is any indication,
Fat Produce’s sophomore LP, Soulful Days, is a vibrant celebration of soul-jazz and funk, steeped in both reverence for its influences and the fresh energy
Projekt Gemineye’s The Dark Days of Yesterday is a powerful, intricately produced album that explores personal struggle, resilience, and reflection. Across its tracks, band conceptionalist
Preston Frazier: Travis, how are you? Travis Hall: I’m doing well, thank you. I’m super excited to be here today. Preston Frazier: I’m glad to
Travis Hall’s debut album, HeART Museum, is a genre-blending journey that fuses the elegance of classical opera with the soul-stirring essence of R&B and NeoSoul.
‘Only Fools Love Again’ by Lemon Twigs touring member Danny Ayala is a throwback to an era of music when songs, not production tricks, ruled
Fernando Perdomo’s year-long , ‘Waves’ series reaches the 100 songs milestone, and a bit of a quandary. Perdomo has consistently provided engaging songs on these
When pianist Armen Donelian recorded his debut album Stargazer in 1981, he was hardly a newcomer to the jazz world. Having already played with Sonny
Guitarist, composer, and Living Colour co-founder Vernon Reid has never been one to play it safe. From shaping the sound of Black Rock in the
La Tanya Hall’s ‘If Not Now, When… ‘ (out on October 10) is more than just a return; it’s a reclamation. After losing her voice
With The Very Day, Steve Porcaro makes a bold and deeply personal statement, one that highlights his mastery as a songwriter while refusing to be
Vernon Reid has always been a restless innovator. As the driving force behind Living Colour, his guitar redefined what Black artistry could sound like in
– Preston Frazier How are you? – Steve Porcaro I am fantastic. – Preston Frazier It’s good to hear new music from you. This is
Say Yes is the latest release by versatile singer La Tonya Hall. She recorded this first new work since 2009’s It’s About Time in between dates as a backup
– Preston Frazier I’m speaking with Miguel Zenon regarding his new album, his first live album with his quartet called ‘Vanguardia Subterranea’ . Miguel, how
Two-thirds through his epic ‘Waves’ album series, it seems that guitarist, composer, and acclaimed side-man Fernando Perdomo has no bottom to his well on finely
“2X Lover” featuring Jude Cole is the next single for Stecve Porcaro’s highly anticipated second solo album, ‘The Very Day’. Written by Porcaro and Cole,
Pete Fucinaro’s Little Window is a dynamic journey through contemporary jazz, expertly blending traditional roots with modern improvisational flair. The album, recorded at Clubhouse Recording
It’s hard to believe that New York-based, multi-Grammy-winning alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon has not done a proper live album this far into his career. While
– Preston Frazier Hello, Catherine and Colin, how are you? – Catherine Russell I’m fine. – Colin Hancock Good, how’s it going? – Preston Frazier
1. Ambient Den was born out of the lockdown era. What was the moment or conversation that sparked the formation of the band? The lockdown
Preston Frazier Tim, welcome. I’ve been a fan since ‘ Transformation” first came out back in 2005. – Tim Morse Wow, yes, the original album
The August installment of prog-rocker Fernando Perdomo’s ‘Waves’ series continues its devotion to the ocean/water theme with another ten forward-leaning songs. Dedicated to the late
The second single from Steve Porcaro’s second solo album, ‘The Very Day,” brings in Michael McDonald on lead vocals. McDonald, who contributed lead vocals on
Powerhouse saxophonist Ron Blake follows up his critically acclaimed 2023 release, ‘Mistaken Identity’, with a profoundly personal and evocative release, ‘ SCRATCH Band featuring Reuben
The pairing of a multi-instrumentalist/jazz scholar, Colin Hancock, with a multi-Grammy-nominated vocalist, Catherine Russell, is a match made in heaven. Russell, fresh off her 2024
Beto Martinez, guitarist with Brownout, joined Preston Frazier for a Sitdown covering everything from the band’s latest – titled Brown Sabbath Vol. II – to his early musical experiences
Produced by Willie Colón | Released on Fania Records | Reissued by Craft RecordingsHéctor Lavoe’s sixth solo album, El Sabio (“The Wise One”), originally released
The second and final Best Live / Reissues of 2017 honorable mention goes to Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou. Better known as Vangelis, he has already made his
There must be at least two other Richard Thompson box sets, not to mention a greatest hits compilation. This raises the question of whether the
The Miami-based trio Fat Produce and the infectious groove-laden track, “No Way”. The single, out now on F-Spot Records, pairs the funky in-the-pocket drumming of
Steve Howe released at least three releases in 2017, and all of them are great. His second Anthology could have easily been divided into two. At 56
Yes produced their greatest live album ever this year. It’s a remarkable feat, considering this is the first not to feature founding member Chris Squire. Topographic Dramadocuments, in
The Walter Becker-produced original recording from 1985 is already a masterpiece and a gem among China Crisis’ stellar albums. How can you make a great
Craft Recordings continues with its series of essential salsa reissues. “Guisando” by Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe is a vibrant and classic album that showcases
BOB DYLAN – TROUBLE NO MORE: THE BOOTLEG SERIES, VOL. 13 1979-1981 (ROCK/FOLK ROCK): A pre-release review of this box set questioned how good this would be. Don’t believe my
Short Cuts: 5 Fleetwood Mac songs by Christine McVie who was born July 12, 1943. 1. “Oh Daddy” – ‘Rumours’ (1977) “Oh Daddy” is one
‘ Waves 7’ stays the course of the Waves series as we enter the dog days of summer. Multitalented producer and guitarist Fernando Perdomo delivers
Maestro Steve Porcaro helped make the holiday weekend extra special by releasing the first single from his upcoming album, ‘The Very Day’. “Miss Jane Sinclair,”
British Prog-Metal multi-instrumentalist Joe Bailey follows up his epic 2023 release ‘Splinters’ with ’Torrential Pain’, which is out now on Reficul Records. Not that Joe
Initially released in 1981, ‘Celia y Willie’ returns remastered and available in high-quality vinyl. The reissue, part of Craft Recordings’ celebration of Cruz’ Centennial is
Projekt Gemineye concludes its single series of releases with the soaring “The Silent Flight”. Mastermind Mark Anthony K ups his keyboard/synth game with expressive patches
Louisiana-born soul-singing sensation Durand Jones got started, long before his debut album Durand Jones and the Indications was even a dream yet, in the church. That laid
Down Under prog rocker Ben Craven has been a favorite of mine since his exquisite 2016 album, ‘Last Chance to Hear’. While Craven has produced
The third of Projekt Gemineye’s single series, “Hold Your Head High,” is full of Gibson SG goodness, which supports the direct, and dare I say,
It seems Projekt Gemineye mastermind Mark Anthony K intends to release four singles in rapid succession from his singles collection. Song #2, “ Rides The
“Force Of Nature”, the first of four non-album cuts to be released by Mark Anthony K’s dynamic Projekt Gemineye, has a familiar yet different feel.
I randomly landed on the Durand Jones song “Now I’m Gone,” recorded live in Boston, when I was shuffling my iPhone and I remembered why
I always have a high level of anticipation for a new Jon Herington release. His Jon Herington group has released excellent record after excellent record.
Champlin (lead vocal), was expecting a big hit from the first single from the album. The #13 showing of the song on the old people…ah,
When Lyle Lovett and His Large Band was released in 1989, it was clear that Lovett, for his third album, wasn’t interested in playing by
– Preston Frazier I have the great pleasure of interviewing producer, guitarist and writer Fernando Perdomo. We last talked in June of 2024 about his
The sixth installment of Fernando Perdomo’s critically acclaimed Waves series picks up where Waves 5 left off, and that’s a good thing. With ten distinctive
City Life, initially released in 1975 and now expanded and remastered, is a defining album by The Blackbyrds, a jazz-funk group formed by trumpeter Donald
Thelonious Monk’s solo piano album Thelonious Himself gets a new life with Craft Recordings’ reissue. The album, part of Craft’s relaunched Original Jazz Classics, features
– Preston Frazier Jaime, Nice to meet you. I’m a fan of your band, Superfonico. This album is your first solo album.
Ben Tweedt and his trio mates, Tom Buckley on drums and Justin Dawson on bass, have cracked the code for delivering a powerful yet nuanced
Jaime Ospina, working with a powerful group of musicians for five days in the Lechehouse Music studios in Buda, Texas, produced a challenging and innovative
Fernando Perdomo’s Wave series of albums keeps coming out, and this month’s release, ‘Waves 5,’ is no exception. It’s another deep dive into the producer,
I know I should quit my bitching. I was excited by the prospect of live recordings from the Steely Dan band featuring Donald Fagen and jazzed
Part of the joy attached to the new reissue of China Crisis’ 1985 album Flaunt the Imperfection is the inclusion of so much bonus material. The expanded
Yes, I love Donald Fagen. Yes, I love The Nightfly, but I’d rather listen to the album that beat it for album of the year, Toto IV.
Former model Rosie Vela jumped into music in a big way here, enlisting Gary Katz as her producer. The result is a release with a
:“The Horses,” written by Rickie Lee Jones and her Flying Cowboys producer, Walter Becker, is one of my favorite songs. But Jones’s fourth LP is
CHINA CRISIS – DIARY OF A HALLOW HORSE (1989): China Crisis always had a knack of obtuse lyrics. When he hooked up with Steely Dan’s Walter Becker for
Hot on the heels of his fantastically insightful book, Steely Dan FAQ comes Anthony Robustelli’s interpretation of Steely Dan songs. If you’ve picked up his book, you’ll
Listening to Ben Craven’s prior album, Last Chance To Hear, nearly endangered my driver’s license. No surprise, then, that the album made my year-end ten list, with its
Evanston, Illinois-based Chris Greene’s music always makes for great road music, and Boundary Issues is no exception. Greene and his long-term band blend stunning new compositions like
I wore out my vinyl copy of this long ago, and never thought Greg Phillinganes’ Pulse would be released on CD and digital. Well, here we are
Southern Pacific’s Killbilly Hill is a vibrant and dynamic blend of country rock that perfectly showcases the band’s tight musicianship and knack for crafting infectious
The fourth installment of Fernando Perdomo’s all-instrumental progressive rock series doesn’t yield any musical surprises. That is a good thing, as the quality of this
Out now on Craft Recordings is Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco’s album Tremendo Caché, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, having been released in
Jazz guitar hero Bobby Broom continues to march forward while also looking back. His ten-song collaboration with the famed Chicago Jazz Orchestra, led by Artistic
The last genuinely new Toto album was released on March 20th, 2015. I’ll admit it left me a little underwhelmed upon its initial release. Upon
Preston : How did the band start? Tom Welch:The band as I guess many have as a project at the start of lockdown during Covid.
I’m doing great. Thank you so much for all that you do, not just for having this chat with me but for all the independent artists that you feature. It’s appreciated to have somebody who takes the time to listen Thoughtfully and ask questions and discuss, and it’s really building the community, and we it’s really
Appreciate it.
In 1998, Dennis was preparing for a tour of the Midwest—I believe it was your first tour with your group. The piano player you had lined up pulled out at the last minute, so you needed a new one.
Bassist Shem von Schroeck had already had an impressive career with gigs with with Kenny Loggins, Don Felder, Steve Perry, Gary Wright and Ambrosia, among many others.
‘I Made It This Far’ is available now as a download and CD. It’s quite a journey. Thank you for your time.
‘My Magical Wonderland’ is this creation of a selection of songs that I wrote, very personal experiences, and it’s my solo album; it came out in 2021, and now it’s coming out again but in a new way in 2025.
‘Reissued on heavy, high-quality vinyl in honor of Craft Latino’s celebration of Celia Cruz’s centennial, ‘Son con Guaguancó’ is a vibrant and rhythmically rich album
March brings us to the third in a series of twelve albums by Fernando Perdomo. The progressive rocker continues to raise the bar in his
“Nothin’ But The Blues (featuring Theresa Needham” is a perfect opening to Terry Blade’s first full studio album since his award-winning 2023 release, ‘Ethos: Son
Deborah Holland is a jack of all trades and the master of several. A member of the musically talented trio The Refugees, Holland, along with
I’m hardly a fan of greatest hits collection. However, the artists and songs on this collection make it worth repeated listening. Fania Records is synonymous
Perhaps guitarist, singer/songwriter, and producer Fernando Perdomo should have slowly ramped up his twelve-album series. ‘Waves,’ released in January 2025, is an inviting and daring
The third release by the Omar Thomas Large Ensemble is just as bold as the group’s last release, ‘We Will Know: An LGBT Civil Rights
Holding Space is a musical collaboration between two musical titans that is long overdue. Wallmann and Mitcheltee have been musical and personal friends for almost
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