Music Reviews

Music & Culture

'Sing Me Back Home' Showcases The Partnership Between Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard

1:29pm October 11, 2018

by Ken Tucker

Dickens and Gerrard were successful solo folk musicians who also shared an eclectic approach to music. A new album of previously unreleased recordings feature the pair "unvarnished" and "unplugged."

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Phony Ppl's mō'zā-ik. comes out Oct. 19.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Phony Ppl, 'mō'zā-ik.'

10:17am October 11, 2018

by Sidney Madden

Incorporating jazz, funk and bossa nova, the Brooklyn band offers a subconscious vacation for the soul.

Becky Warren's new album, Undesirable, comes out October 19.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Becky Warren, 'Undesirable'

5:01am October 11, 2018

by Brittney McKenna

The Nashville-based songwriter uses her platform to share the untold stories of the city's homeless and formerly homeless population.

Music & Culture

Yo-Yo Ma Presents Bach As A Wise And Spellbinding Storyteller In 'Six Evolutions'

2:44pm October 10, 2018

by Lloyd Schwartz

Ma began learning Bach's famous cello suites when he was 4. Now in his 60s, Ma has released his third recording of the pieces. Critic Lloyd Schwartz says this latest iteration may be his favorite.

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Music & Culture

Hurricane Maria Gave Composer Miguel Zenón's 'Yo Soy La Tradición' Emotional Urgency

6:53pm October 08, 2018

by Michelle Mercer

The latest album from composer Miguel Zenón, Yo Soy la Tradición is an eight-part suite written as an homage to his native home of Puerto Rico.

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Adam Hood's Somewhere In Between comes outs Oct. 12

Music & Culture

First Listen: Adam Hood, 'Somewhere In Between'

5:00am October 04, 2018

by Jewly Hight

Adam Hood has written songs for big-name acts like Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town, but for his solo work, he prefers a leaner, more low-key approach.

Ambrose Akinmusire's new album, Origami Harvest, comes out Oct. 12 on Blue Note Records.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Ambrose Akinmusire, 'Origami Harvest'

5:00am October 04, 2018

by Nate Chinen

The trumpeter and composer's audacious, politically exigent and altogether astounding new album features a string quartet and the rapper Kool A.D.

Music & Culture

Prince Fans Get First Look At His Vault With 'Piano & A Microphone 1983'

6:08pm October 02, 2018

by Tom Moon

Piano & A Microphone 1983, a new release from Prince's vault, gives fans a look at his creative process.

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Swearin's Fall Into the Sun comes out Oct. 5.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Swearin', 'Fall Into The Sun'

5:00am October 01, 2018

by John Vettese

A rejuvenated Swearin' packs its first record in five years full of indie-rock rippers from an older and wiser vantage point.

Magos Hererra's new album, Dreamers, with the string quartet and Brooklyn Rider, is steeped in Latin American culture.

Music & Culture

Erasing Genres En Español: A Smoky-Voiced Jazz Singer Meets Classical Strings

4:46pm September 28, 2018

by Tom Huizenga

The resourceful Mexican jazz singer Magos Herrera partners with the string quartet Brooklyn Rider, creating an album that's steeped in Latin American culture.