ARI EREV "FLOW"

The music of pianist and composer Ari Erev blends a deep classical touch, producing an intimate, delicate and emotional style which is inspired by pianists such as Bill Evans, Kenny Barron and Fred Hersch, with an energetic, latin-oriented and rhythmic drive, such as those found with pianists Michel Camilo and Michell Petrucciani, to produce a mature voice of his own.One is a stream of water that is directional and repetitive.
However, the repetitiveness is not even and comprises a wide variety of large and small streams, colliding, converging and splitting again. I see resemblance between Flow and Music. Similarly to a flow, music consists of numerous different streams that have the same general direction and – especially with improvisation – never exactly repeat themselves. Another meaning is a state of mind during which one is immersed in a continuous act of doing something, such as learning or creating, usually with great enjoyment and complete focus, without even noticing the passage of time. It is as if the time becomes suspended and the perception of reality is blurred by the unconscious. Some people may regard this as the embodiment of Happiness itself... I feel extremely fortunate to have experienced such emotions while composing and arranging some of the tunes for this album."Flow" is a personal and artistically-performed album which combines percussive Latin rhythms and rich harmonies of post-bop Jazz with gentle and expressive piano touch."excellent new material,... a remarkable performance from a gifted artist whose expressive playing style and clever compositions, elevate him as one of the finest pianists on the international jazz scene today."Edward Blanco, All About Jazz . ARI EREV
 

JASPER HØIBY "FELLOW CREATURES"

Copenhagen-born bassist Jasper Høiby moved to London in 2000 to attend the Royal Academy of Music. In 2005 he created the trio Phronesis which has toured extensively in Europe and North America and won awards for ‘Jazz Album of the Year’ inJazzwise and MOJO Magazines 2010 (Alive, Edition 2010) as well as a London Jazz Award for the trio's Pitch Black performance at Brecon Jazz festival 2012. Phronesis was also chosen for the IJFO's (International Jazz Festival Organisation) new talent support programme, which resulted in performances at eleven IJFO festivals between 2012 and 2014. Høiby has also performed / recorded with a number of original artists, including Mark Guiliana, Django Bates, Shai Maestro, Julian Joseph, Kurt Elling, Antonio Loureiro, Tom Arthurs, Mark Lockheart, Liam Noble, Julia Biel, Marius Neset, Kairos 4tet, Jim Hart and Ivo Neame. He has appeared at jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals across the world and in 2012 won the Copenhagen Jazz Festival's 'Young Spririt Award' alongside honorary award winners Jack DeJohnette and Palle Mikkelborg. JASPER HØIBY

ALLY VENABLE BAND "NO GLASS SHOES"

The 17 year old sensation from Texas, Ally Venable says “I think No Glass Shoes really shows the musicianship of my band as well as the guest artists that performed on this album,” Ally says about the new disc. “The songs on this CD really mesh well together and correspond differently in their own way. My goal for this album is to really connect with people and to let them know it’s okay to feel a certain way. I really cannot express enough gratitude to everyone that contributed to making this album possible.”Ally Venable wrote all of the songs on No Glass Shoes, with the exception of the Junior Wells classic, “Messin’ with the Kid,” and the Bonnie Raitt hit, “Love Me Like a Man,” written by Chris Smither. Ally also composed new music to go with the lyrics of the Alberta Hunter chestnut, “Downhearted Blues.”Houston-based Ally Venable and her band have been racking up critical accolades, including winning the East Texas Music Award last year for Blues Band and Ally for Female Guitarist of the Year. She also placed in the Top 10 of the under 20 years-old category at the 2015 and 2016 Dallas International Guitar Festivals.As leader of the powerhouse Ally Venable Band, she’s ignited tremendous excitement for her musicianship and live performances on the local Houston music scene, with touring now expanded into the southwest region. Ally Venable started singing at an early age in church and in recent years picked up the guitar and found her true passion. She was also voted the 2014 and 2015 East Texas Female Guitarist of the Year. Each of Ally’s bandmates excels on their respective instruments, too. Lead guitarist and keyboards player Bobby Wallace is a master at his craft and his years of experience enhance the band. Bassist Zach Terry brings his passion and energetic flair to every show. Self-taught drummer Elijah Owings brings a steady and dynamic sound to the band. He is the backbone of the Aly Venable Band’s rockin’ blues sound. ALLY VENABLE BAND
 

JON JOHNSON "DAYDREAMER"

Jon Johnson is a U.S. solo guitar artist, songwriter and producer with a flare for the melodic and groovy.Hear the infectious melodies on the new debut full length album titled"Daydreamer. "Daydreamer" is a melodious Electric Guitar Adventure featuring 10 infectious tracks from hard hitting pop rock to soothing, sultry blues. A mix of modern and classic rhythmic soundscapes, grand piano melodies, and dramatic orchestration compliment the charming melodies of Jon Johnson's six-string mind. "Daydreamer" is destined to become the soundtrack to YOUR Daydreams.All Guitars, drum, bass and synth programming by Jon Johnson JON JOHNSON 
 

SUNDAY WILDE "BLUEBERRIES & GRITS"

This is the sixth release from award winning blues and roots artist, Sunday wilde from Northern Ontario. This album was recorded in Memphis and Clarksdale, produced by 2 time Grammy nominee Gary Vincent , and is the result of two major trips from Northern Ontario to the Delta. Sunday retains the theme of “men” in her sixth release with her prayer to god to “Show Me A Man” with the list of things that she wanted to find in the perfect man and “That Man Drives Me Mad” her take on a complicated relationship. She also covers a Willie Dixon tune “John the Conquer Root” twisting the meaning of the original into what a woman can do to get by in the world and changing the mood to be an eerie tale. She also does a Ruth Brown Cover called Daddy Daddy, a soft and sultry cover bringing back the feel of Mississippi John Hurt into the tune, as well as a sexy sad duet with Reno Jack called “One of These Days”. All the songs retain her distinctive delivery and vocals with an array of emotions. The album contains ten songs, with all acoustic instruments including a 1857 cottage pump organ played by Grammy winner Billy Earheart from the Amazing Rhythm Aces, trumpet by Roger Reupert, upright bass by Reno Jack, Dobro by Sturgis Nikides, drums by Rickey “Quicksand” Martin, washboard by April Mae, other guitar tracks by Dave Fecca, Johnny Cass, Robert Hughes, and backup vocals by Watermelon Slim and Mandy Lemons. “With each release she has furthered her position as one of the top singer songwriters within the blues world. Truly the voice of the people, she captures everyday life and trials in an unique and truly memorable fashion. She has elevated her game with this release.” ChefJimi, Blues411 “This album is solid on all fronts, Wilde nails it on vocals and piano and proves that she has the chops to stand amoung today’s great women of the blues” M. McChristie, The Walleye Magazine nday has won numerous awards with her past releases including 2x win of the Independent Music Awards Voters Choice Best Blues Song, 2 x win for the Best International Blues Release by Blues 411, Honorable Mention for Blues (the only Canadian artist in 2015) for the International Song writing competition, hit #1 on Siriusxm Radio on BB King’s Bluesville and has been played worldwide on roots and blues radio stations, while some of her releases remain on the Roots Music Report charts for months. She is from Northern Ontario Canada and lives in a remote town on Hwy 11. SUNDAY WILDE
 

THE JIMMYS "HOT DISH"

Marcia Ball says: "Wow! I love this record! It’s funky and rambunctious and I was dancing from the first note. Soul music for the 21st Century. If you like Delbert and the Phantom Blues Band, you’ll love this “Hot Dish”. Tinsley Ellis says: The Jimmy's have mined pure R&B gold with "Hot Dish". From the opening hit of the Ray Charles influenced "Lose That Woman" to the sultry swagger of "Freight Train" , "Hot Dish" is a winner from top to bottom. Try to not dance when listening to "Funk Schway". It simply can't be done! And the Jimmy's are a great live act as well. Look for them on tour soon as they hit the road to support this album of great music. "Hot Dish" indeed! So deserving of this continent's attention! If you like keys (Jimmy), horn and great guitar (Perry Webber) this band is chock full of soul and boogie, get you some JImmy's, and I recommend starting with Wrecking Ball on this album. Then when you've downloaded this album and the earlier one, get on the website, find out where to catch these guys live esp at an outdoor fest all over Wisconsin and the surrounds,and you will have the best of great ear candy. Watch Jimmy pull in with his big red band wagon and the goose bumps start coming just thinking about how near you are to gettin that sound and watching Jimmy bounce those converse tennies and jump around. Thanks for this musical treat fellows! THE JIMMYS
 

MELANGE "VIA MARIS"

Melange seamlessly blend music from North Africa, the Middle East and Mediterranean, incorporating elements of jazz improvisation and dynamic arrangements. The group was formed by cellist Shirley Smart on returning to London after 10 years living and working in Jerusalem with several of the different traditions there – Moroccan, Egyptian, Lebanese, Turkish and Persian, as well as jazz.The group now performs a mixture of traditional and original material, drawing its inspiration from the above traditions while also reflecting their links also to western music. They combine also traditional and modern improvisation, including both maqam and jazz. Melange is a true reflection of modern cosmopolitanism, comprising musicians from Greece, Spain, Morocco, Iraq, Italy and the UK. MELANGE
 

SEAN FORAN "FRAME OF REFERENCE"

Acclaimed Australian pianist, Sean Foran, steps away from his work with the progressive piano trio Trichotomy, to release an album with a brand new ensemble of cutting edge British players. Featuring a collection of original works by Foran for the inventive line up of piano/Rhodes, guitar, saxophone, cello anddrums.Award winning pianist/composer“Lyrical expression in the manner of pianists John Taylor or Bobo Stenson” - BBC Online“a gifted pianist with abundant ideas and the technique to go with them - Irish Times“Foran's compositions are always interesting using restraint and intricate subtlety, incorporating classical ideas into a jazz-format” - The Australian.He has been the recipient of the prestigious Brisbane City Councils Lord Mayor’s Artist Fellowship in 2007, which together with funding from the Ian Potter Cultural Trust enabled him to complete his MA with distinction, studying with artists such as John Taylor, Lars Jansson, Tord Gustavsen and Matthew Bourne around Britain and Europe. SEAN FORAN

URBAN HILL "THE REAL DEAL"

LATHAN "Pudgee" HILL: guitar and vocals, has been knocking around in music for 50 years, playing with or opening shows with Candi Staton, King Floyd, Mel and Tim, Phyllis Hyman, John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Luther Alison, Kenny Neal and others. His influences include jazz guitarist Eric Gale, David T. Walker, and Grant Green. PAUL URBAN: guitar and vocals, has been playing up and down the East coast for over 40 years. He counts among his main influences Muddy Waters, BB King, John Lee Hooker, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Duane Allman and Johnny Winter. DENNIS LIVRERI: drums, has been playing drums intermittently since the age of 12 and started playing seriously in 2006. His playing leans heavily towards jazz and blues. He counts among his main influences Joe Morello and Gene Krupa. KEVIN YODER: bass guitar, has been playing music all of his life. He is a self taught acoustic guitarist, having switched to bass guitar about 15 years ago. He has played locally in the Tidewater area with the Duchess Wilder Band and several others. Currently he plays bass in a couple of bands including his church worship team and orchestra. He counts among his influences Stanley Clarke, John Entwistle and Jaco Pastorius. URBAN HILL