Technology may make perfect recordings possible, but perfection is not what gives music life. On State of the Art, arriving October 16 via his Taylor
Jennifer Kaiser does not treat survival as an abstract idea on Guided by the Light. The Miami-based singer-songwriter’s third album grew out of a devastating period
The oud is one of the world’s oldest stringed instruments, but Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol has no interest in treating it like a museum piece. You’ve
Thee Sinseers do not attempt to reinvent vintage soul on Love Stories. Instead, they deepen their connection to it. The East Los Angeles ensemble’s sophomore album
Fernando Perdomo and Kaitlin Wolfberg have worked together for nearly 15 years, but “Revealed” marks the first single from their new duo, Fernando and The
The vibraphonist and composer discusses the history behind his ambitious new suite, recording nine musicians live, the influence of Duke Ellington and the importance of
Some albums define an era. Others redefine an entire genre. Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound’s Lucky 7 belongs in the latter category. Craft Recordings
Singer-songwriter Deborah Holland has been on a creative hot streak. Her critically acclaimed 2025 album, ‘I Made It This Far, ’ converted new fans while
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
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,
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Originally released in 1971 by Vaya Records, this Craft Latino 2026 AAA reissue is long overdue. The album, originally produced by C. Curet Alonso and
Yes co-founder Jon Anderson hasn’t been a regular member of his old band since 2004, but that doesn’t mean the legendary singer-songwriter has been resting on
There are music documentaries that recount history, and then there are those that pull you into the emotional heart of a band’s story. Boy George
It’s amazing how many artists look back for inspiration while their mentors have moved forward. A good example is the recently reviewed project by the
As a native Baltimorean, I can’t help but be familiar with Crack The Sky. After more than five decades leading the legendary progressive rock institution,
On his sophomore release, Bellflower, trumpeter and composer Jun Iida builds on the impressive promise of his acclaimed Evergreen, placing melody, emotion, and personal storytelling
My issue with Fernando Perdomo is that his music discography defies easy categorization. His epic discography finds him wearing many hats, from producer to progressive
Author Scott Robinson examines every officially released song of hard rock’s most enduring success stories, Def Leppard, in the band’s catalog. This edition of ‘On Track’ traces
Hot on the heels of their 2026 reunion tour, the other Canadian power-trio, Triumph, has reissued ‘The Best Of Triumph’ via Craft Recordings. ‘The Best
There is something inherently risky about large-scale collaborative composition. The more voices involved, the greater the possibility that a project will lose focus. Expressions –
There are few artists who have inspired more books than Bruce Springsteen, yet David Starkey’s Bruce Springsteen 1973-1987: Every Album, Every Song finds a fresh
The first single from A.J. Fullerton’s EP, Baretone, is A raw, swampy, spontaneous love letter that blurs the lines between adoration and total worship. “St.
There are concert films, and then there are historical documents. Crime of the Century: In Concert at Hammersmith Odeon 1975 falls firmly into the latter
There are live albums that document performances, and others that document a worldview. Songbook belongs firmly in the latter category. Recorded during Allen Toussaint’s residency at Joe’s Pub
There comes a point in the lifespan of legacy progressive rock bands where survival alone becomes the headline. Yes, called ‘The World’s Greatest Progressive Rock
Feef Mooney returns with her bold new album, ‘ The Really Real’, out now, which, at first listen, seems to be a cross between Rosie
Yes’ penultimate song on 2001’s Magnification started life from an Alan White piano riff. This expertly constructed ballad, while not as adventurous as the preceding “Dreamtime,” is executed
There’s a difference between revivalism and lived-in soul. Plenty of artists can recreate the textures of old lowrider ballads, rocksteady grooves, and sweet soul harmonies.
There’s a fine line between revivalism and reanimation. Plenty of artists know how to recreate the sound of vintage blues-rock, but far fewer know how
Colin Hancock isn’t just a musician; he’s a time traveler with a cornet and a clipboard. On A Texas-Sized Band, his Austin-based Joymakers expand to a ten-piece
There’s a difference between an album that collects sounds and one that moves through them. Wavelength is the latter—fluid, searching, and quietly ambitious. Shane Sato
Preston Frazier: Welcome back to the Slang of Ages.com. We have a very special guest here: Bobby Broom, to discuss his trio’s new album, Notes
There’s something quietly disarming about Willingness. Paul Kahn doesn’t posture as a late-career revelation—he leans into lived-in truths, letting the songs breathe with the ease of someone who’s
There’s a difference between tribute and testimony. Plenty revisit the canon. Bobby Broom rewrites his relationship to it. Notes of Thanks isn’t about playing Sonny
This isn’t just a label history—it’s a pressure map of postwar jazz, where heat, hustle, and happenstance collide. Artist, poet, and writer Tad Richards packs
Fernando Perdomo continues with a dazzling selection of releases for 2026. He recently released his ‘Canyon Trilogy from the forthcoming Perdomo/Kravitz album. This highly anticipated
Some albums hit you on beat one. ‘Niebla’ rolls in like fog. NYC-based, Puerto Rican-born guitarist/composer/visual artist Gabriel Vicéns built a world here, not just
This isn’t a live album. It’s what happens after the songs outgrow their original shapes. When the road pushes them forward, the studio simply documents
Some singers interpret the Great American Songbook, while others restore it—grain, patina, and all. Recorded at the Appel Room, “Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center”
Principle isn’t just a title, it’s a thesis. Dennis Atlas builds this record from the inside out: instinct vs. intention, control vs. surrender. The songs were born in
Some reissues polish history, and then there are reissues that remind you that the future already happened. Vámonos pa’l monteis the latter. Rereleased by Craft
By the time Home By Dawn arrived in 1984, J.D. Souther had already cemented his reputation as one of the architects of the Southern California
In this exclusive interview, guitarist Alex Wintz discusses the making of his new album Collage, recorded live in a single day at Octaven Studios. Wintz
Singer Solitaire Miles has impressive jazz credentials forged by many nights in the most prestigious jazz clubs in Chicago and New York. It is in
Fernando Perdomo is a musician with many layers. He’s a sought-after side-man, brilliant guitarist, and go-to producer. Perdomo’s epic ‘Waves’ album series was a highlight
Six years after Live to Tape, guitarist and composer Alex Wintz returns with Collage, an album that lives up to its title. The record stitches
Jazz guitarist, composer, and educator Alex Wintz joined Preston Frazier to discuss his just-released trio album, Live to Tape, choosing just the right cover song, what Idris Muhammad’s death
Alex Wintz’s Live to Tape was a compelling display of the guitarist, composer and educator’s chops, taste, and improvisational powers. Working with bassist Dave Baron and drummer
A Slang of Ages Q&A with Preston Frazier ⸻ Preston Frazier: New Stages feels like a long time in the making. When did the idea
Steely Dan’s Walter Becker was born on February 20, 1950. To celebrate the birth of the late guitarist, bassist, and producer, Walter Becker has released
Ambitious concepts in jazz can sometimes collapse under their own weight. Fortunately, New Stages from the Mark Wade Trio does the opposite. Instead of feeling
— Preston Frazier: Tim, how are you? Timothy Carman: I’m good. Happy to be here. Thanks for having me on. Preston: Great to see you
Eclectic is surely an overused word in music journalism, yet it applies perfectly to The Longest Way Round, the latest release from the Ben Rosenblum
Argovia have been circling the upper tiers of modern prog/metal for a minute now, and “Ebb & Flow” feels like the track where they stop
As Toto gears up for its 2026 tour, Joseph Williams sat down with Slang of Ages to talk long-form shows, deep cuts, studio archaeology, and
Pianist, band leader, and composerEdward Simon doesn’t interpret tradition so much as invite it into the room, pour it a drink, and let it stretch
Multi-instrumentalist Fernando Perdomo never stays in one place for too long. The talented guitarist, producer, and songwriter has continued his year-long Clouds series while slightly
Parlor Greens don’t so much return as they roll back in, wheels sparking, engine humming, with Emeralds—a sophomore set that sharpens the trio’s greasy soul-jazz
Troy Mercy doesn’t introduce himself on Let The Night Begin so much as he kicks the door off the hinges and dares you to keep
Rush 1984–2015: On Track by Richard James (Sonicbond Publishing); Every album, every song — and a band that refused to stand still Richard James’ book
Following the momentum of his debut solo effort Until We Meet Again, Japanese-American drummer and producer Shane Sato shifts gears with his second single, “Deep
Kansas City’s The Freedom Affair doesn’t revive Southern soul so much as inhabit it. Their self-titled sophomore set moves like Muscle Shoals with a Midwest
Nuit Parisienne à la Havanefeels less like an album and more like an overheard conversation at 2 a.m.—intimate, unguarded, and quietly profound. Pianist Roberto Fonseca
Didn’t multi-instrumentalist Fernando Perdomo give us 120 wonderful Prog-Rock songs in 2025? His “Waves’ series, which culminated with the recently released ‘The Best of Waves’
Some albums capture a moment, and others quietly define an era for the people who lived with them. Stories of a Stranger has always been
In Welcome Back My Friends, author and music historian Bruce Pegg builds a living, breathing oral history of Emerson, Lake & Palmer—one of prog rock’s
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
For a man whose guitar has spoken volumes for nearly five decades, Triangulation feels like both a reckoning and a renewal. From the opening track,
“Torrential Pain” picks up where he was with ’Splinters’ in many respects. Bailey’s preference for hard-charging melodic rock and his ability to look in the
‘Only Fools Love Again’ by multi-instrumentalist Danny Ayala is a throwback to an era of music when songs, not production tricks, ruled the music industry.
Fernando Perdomo has contributed as producer and/or principal artist to several projects that made my top 20 list for 2025. His twelve-album Waves series deserves
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
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.
Prog rocker Ben Craven has been a favorite of mine since his exquisite 2016 album, ‘Last Chance to Hear’. While Craven has produced several stellar
No, the album isn’t Animal Logic III. Instead, it is a fresh, thoughtful, and daring look at life and aging. Holland produced the 11 songs,
Steve Porcaro, a founding member of Toto, makes a bold, intensely personal statement with The Very Day that highlights his mastery as a songwriter while
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
Jazz in 2025 didn’t just look backward or push forward—it did both at once, with purpose, grit, and imagination. This installment of Slang of Ages’
Some records don’t just survive time—they outrun it, dance past it, and dare you to keep up. The Queen of Salsa: Centennial Tributedoes exactly that.
Tim Morse – Transformation – 20th Anniversary Tim Morse’s Transformation, released in 2015, is an impressive showcase of sophisticated songwriting, progressive rock ambition, and heartfelt
Fernando Perdomo has all but completed his twelve-album prog-instrumental ‘Waves’ album series. The multitalented Perdomo has given listeners 120 songs over the last 12 months
Tim Morse’s Transformation, released in 2015, is an impressive showcase of sophisticated songwriting, progressive rock ambition, and heartfelt musicianship. Best known for his work as
Talented multi-instrumentalist Fernando Perdomo brings his year-long, epic ‘Waves’ series to a rewarding conclusion with the release of ‘Waves 12’. The prolific artist/producer has given
Johannes Wallmann isn’t just releasing albums—he’s building worlds. Not Tired follows the wonderful duet album, Holding Space, with saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree. The Wisconsin-based pianist and
Miami-based trio Fat Produce returns with Soulful Days, a warm, analog-driven celebration of deep groove culture—recorded live to tape and rooted in soul-jazz, funk, and
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