With a slightly off-bear snare snap from Massimo Buonanno and Rose Ann’s electric piano and vocal up front, the dozen tunes here start with the jumpy “Forever Day By Day.” Even more grooving, and snare-rim-shuffling is the sexy and spikey “10 Miles to Empty.” And we are into the first of the ballads here with a swirly piano sound and Rose Ann pleading for a sweet, soft and seemingly well-needed, “Dinner For One.” As It’s Time opens up its pedals we hear loud and clear how expressive this trio can manage a melody and beat, and how emotional Rose Anna’s vocals can get the listener.

Jamiroquai Automaton (Virgin) It’s been seven years since Jamiroquai released an album, but it sounds like they haven’t missed a beat on […]

Of Montreal Lousy With Sylvianbriar (Polyvinyl) “Restless” is a good word to use when describing Of Montreal’s output. The past decade has […]

The Menahan Street Band The Crossing (Daptone Records) You might have heard The Menahan Street Band in some unexpected places and wondered, […]

Victor Wooten Sword and Stone (Vix Records) While not necessarily a household name, there’s no denying the impact that Victor Wooten has […]

True Soul Vol. 1 & 2 (Various Artists) (Now Again) These albums are a truly head-spinning collection of classic, regional, true soul, […]

Those Shocking Shaking Days Indonesian Hard, Psychedelic, Progressive Rock and Funk 1970-1978 (Stones Throw) Born of the love and dedication that only […]

Rikki Ililonga & Musi-O-Tuna Dark Sunrise (Now Again Records) One of the pioneers of African rock and funk, Zambian Rikki Ililonga, is […]