Kenneth Whalum Broken Land 2 (2021)

Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, Vol. 2, the follow up to the original 2010 tribute record. With tracks from Sturgill Simpson & Brandi Carlile revealed so far, the release adds to an esteemed legacy for Oh Boy Records, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. At least 3 more tracks will be revealed prior to street date. Proceeds from each track will go to a charity of the respective artist’s choosing. John’s last recorded song “I Remember Everything” just won 2021 Grammy awards for Best American Roots Song & Best American Roots performance. Additionally, Brandi Carlile performed the track on the broadcast. This track from Brandi Carlile will be part of this tribute release.

Is it possible that Tim Dwyer’s Off Land project, like fine wine, just keeps getting better with age? You bet. In fact, if there were any justice in the world, Off Land’s name would be up there in lights alongside colleagues Brennan, Global Communication, Eno, Froese, Orb, et al. The man’s surely paid his dues at this point, for his catalog is now one of formidable prowess; one thing he doesn’t lack is ingenuity, for there’s hardly a duff note amongst it. This latest missive for Carpe Sonum is a beautifully minted thing, its electronics cascading off a million reflective surfaces in starbursts of colors every bit as prismatic as the multi-layered synthesizer lines sporting them. Look no farther than the spiraling miasmatic sequencers of “Weathered Patterns”, which sets up its own ecosystem of immersive atmosphere, like riding abreast the silkiest little fluffy clouds imaginable. “Granular Shore” does it one better, a percolating analog bubblebath within which whispery, mellotron-like filters open to reveal all sorts of wondrous beings and their strangely shifting sounds dancing the light fantastic.

Descendants of the original cold wave, such as Lena Willikens, Tolouse Low Trax, Job Sifre and many more tend to the sound’s branches in the modern day with stacks of grubby x scuzzy killers.

Former Styx frontman Dennis DeYoung is back with the second volume of his fond farewell to recorded music, "26 East, Vol. 2.” As with the preceding volume, "26 East, Vol. 2" once again hints strongly at DeYoung's rock roots with Styx. The production and musicianship are EPIC, and those timeless vocal arrangements get delivered in spades. A fitting goodbye and a final signature on an outstanding body of work which will stand the test of time!