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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 […] The post Short…
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 […] The post Slang Of Ages Interview…
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 […] The post Preston discusses his new book and the Booked On…
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…
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…
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 […] The post Short…
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…
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 post Short Tracks: Projekt Gemineye: An Ordinary Day – 2016…
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 […] The…
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 […] The post…
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 Jerry Masucci, regains all its nuance and sonic splendor with this remastering. Now available on 180-gram vinyl in all-analog formatting as well as the standard digital formats, this gem is […] The post Short Tracks: Jose ‘Cheo’ Feliciano — Cheo…
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 his laurels. Instead, Anderson may be busier than ever. He’s coming off a well-received collaboration with fusion icon Jean-Luc Ponty, and has just released another with Roine Stolt (Transatlantic, the Flower Kings) […] The post Slang Of…
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 & Culture Club, directed by Alison Ellwood, does both, offering an intimate, often revealing portrait of one of pop music’s most colorful and influential acts. This long-overdue film doesn’t pull […] The post Slang of Ages – Screen Report: 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 band State Cows, titled The Second One. State Cows leans heavily on the early ’90s sounds of Jay Graydon. Of course, Graydon and his JaR partner Randy Goodrum continue to move forward. […] The post Short Tracks: On Second Thought: JaR – Scene 29…
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, John Palumbo returns with one of the most direct and topical albums of his career. R U SCIENCE? trades much of Palumbo’s trademark surrealism for heady social commentary, delivering eleven […] The post Short Tracks: John Palumbo – R U SCIENCE?…
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 at the forefront. Drawing from jazz, soul, blues, Japanese musical traditions, and contemporary post-bop, Iida creates an album that feels intimate without sacrificing musical sophistication. Inspired by places,…
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 rock side man, singer-songwriter, ambient music artist, and southern California singer-songwriter, classic rocker, just to name a few. One area Perdomo has been consistent with over his many projects is […] The post Short Tracks-…
