Streamnotes: May 30, 2026

Most of these are short notes/reviews based on streaming records from Napster (formerly Rhapsody; other sources are noted in brackets). They are snap judgments, usually based on one or two plays, accumulated since my last post along these lines, back on April 28. Past reviews and more information are available here (26500+ records).

New Music

Atmosphere: Jestures (2025, Rhymesayers Entertainment): Hip-hop duo from Minneapolis, rapper Slug (Sean Daley) and producer ANT (Anthony Davis), debut 1997, many albums, most very good. More consistently interesting than most, runs long (26 songs, 71 minutes) and gets stronger along the way. A- [sp]

MC Paul Barman & Kenny Segal: Antinomian Pandemonium (2026, Fused Arrow): Rapper from New Jersey, debut an EP in 2000 (It's Very Stimulating), only his fifth album, producer has long worked in similar circles. Seems to have slowed down a bit. B+(**) [bc]

Black Nile: Indigo Garden (2026, Hen House Studios): Los Angeles jazz fusion group, principally Aaron Shaw (sax) and Lawrence Shaw (bass), with keys (Luca Mendoza) and drums (Myles Martin), seems to be their fourth album since 2019 (but none on Discogs). B+(**) [bc]

Ryan Blotnick: The Woods (2024 [2026], Fishkill): Guitarist, fourth album since 2007, quartet with Tyler G. Wood (piano/organ), Adam Chilenski (bass), and Otto Hauser (drums). Some nice stuff scattered about here, but more often when it breaks with the sweet guitar than when running with it. B+(**) [dl]

Bobby Broom: Notes of Thanks (2025 [2026], Steele): Guitarist, originally from New York, based in Chicago, has at least 15 albums since 1981, 4 Deep Blue Organ Trio albums, many side credits, including with Dr. John and Sonny Rollins. Trio here, with Dennis Carroll (bass) and Kobie Watkins (drums), playing nine Rollins songs (plus one by Carroll). [Received CD, but unplayable.] B+(*) [sp]

Garret T. Capps: I Still Love San Antone (2026, Nudie): Country singer-songwriter, has several previous albums, including 2021's I Love San Antone, turns up the Tex-Mex when Joe King Carrasco and Augie Meyers drop in, before swinging into Bob Wills. B+(***) [bc]

J. Cole: The Fall-Off (2026, Cole World/Dreamville/Interscope): Rapper Jermaine Cole, opened with a mixtape in 2009, seventh studio album since 2011, all charted at number one, billed as his final album (he's 41), supporting a world tour with 73 dates running from July to December. I've followed the studio albums, impressed by his flow and beats, put off the N-word intensity, but I paused when I saw the size (24 tracks, 101:17) of this effort. Turns out it wasn't much effort. B+(**) [sp]

Alabaster DePlume: Dear Children of Our Children, I Knew: Epilogue (2026, International Anthem): British saxophonist, spoken word poet, actual name Angus Fairbairn, half-dozen albums since 2015, counts this as an EP (5 songs, 26:02), styled as an epilogue to his 2025 album A Blade Because a Blade Is Whole, and a bookend to his 2024 EP Cremisan: Prologue to a Blade. Also plays synths, sampler, and guitars, backed by bass (Shahzad Ismaily) and drums (Tcheser Holmes). B+(**) [sp]

Jessye DeSilva: Glitter Up the Dark (2024 [2026], Nine Athens): Singer-songwriter from Boston, plays keyboards, several previous albums (one on Discogs), writes songs "about religious alienation, mental health struggles, and societal injustice to create a uniquely queer and unholy ruckus." Some politics, some solid rock guitar. B+(**) [sp]

Friko: Something Worth Waiting For (2026, ATO): Indie rock band from Chicago, principally Niko Kapetan (vocals, guitar) and Bailey Minzenberger (drums), second album after a couple of EPs. Has the sound, not that I much care. B [sp]

Richard Gilman-Opalsky: A Fierce and Gentle Force (2025 [2026], Edgetone): Drummer, has a couple albums, following early groups like Jody Crutch, The Judas Iscariot, Countdown to Putsch, and End Times Trio. This one is solo. Caught me in an agreeable mood. B+(***) [cd]

Jasper Høiby's 3 Elements: Conversations of Hope (2026, Edition): Danish bassist, based in London, third album with this trio with Xavi Torres (piano) and Naima Acuña (drums). B+(**) [bc]

Ize Trio: Global Prayer (2023-25 [2026], self-released): Names, also on the cover: Chase Morrin (piano), Naseem Alatrash (cello), and George Lernis (percussion), plus a "featuring John Patitucci" (bass). Second group album. B+(**) [cd] [06-12]

Ingrid Jensen: Landings (2025 [2026], Newvelle): Trumpet player from Canada, debut 1995, seems like her recent efforts have been lost in collaborations (including Artemis) and exotica, but this one focuses on her trumpet, backed by Gary Versace (organ), Marvin Sewell (guitar), and Jon Wikan (drums). B+(***) [dl]

Paul Kahn: Willingness (2026, Carl Cat, EP): Singer-songwriter, unless I'm confused, has a previous album from 1999, various production credits as far back as 1977. Six rather breezy songs (24:05), produced with backing vocals by Catherine Russell (also pictured on cover), with some reputable jazz musicians helping out. B- [cd] [06-19]

Kehlani: Kehlani (2026, Atlantic): R&B singer-songwriter, fifth studio album since 2017, first couple certified gold. B+(**) [sp]

Ella Langley: Dandelion (2026, Sawgod/Columbia): Country singer-songwriter from Alabama, second album (after an EP), this one keynoted by a hit single, with a Miranda Lambert duet. B+(***) [sp]

Los Thuthanaka: Wak'a (2026, self-released, EP): Bolivian-American electronica/collage duo, originally Elysia and Joshua Crampton, the former aka Chjuquimamani-Condori, had an eponymous album that placed high on some 2025 EOY lists, return here with a 3-track, 18:27 EP. Considerable noise quotient here, one I'm finding hard to take. B [bc]

Brian Lynch: Torch Bearers (2024-25 [2026], Holistic MusicWorks): Trumpet player, started in a group with Charles McPherson (1980-81), moved on to Horace Silver, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Art Blakey, and especially Eddie Palmieri, with his own string of albums starting in 1986. He's reunited with McPherson (alto sax) here, along with Boris Kozlov (bass), various pianist and drummers, and singer Samara Joy (2 tracks). Has an old bebop feel, especially with McPherson. B+(***) [sp]

Myra Melford/Satoko Fujii: Katarahi (2024 [2026], RogueArt): Duets by two of the avant-garde's world class pianists, b. 1957-58, Melford got a start with a 1990 album that Francis Davis rated a pick hit for his brief Village Voice Consumer Guide, Fujii was a student at New England Conservatory in 1994 when she was introduced to Melford by Paul Bley. They have a previous duo album from 2007. I'm not a big fan of solo, let alone duo, piano, but they are astonishing, which by now is just what you expect. A- [cd] [05-15]

Hedvig Mollestad Weejuns: Bitches Blues (2026, Rune Grammofon): Norwegian guitarist, trio with Ståle Storløkken (keyboards) and Ole Mofjell (drums), group name from a 2023 live album (evidently some slang term for Norwegians). Opens with tough fusion, then relaxes a bit. B+(***) [sp]

The Monochrome Set: Lotus Bridge (2026, Tapete): British group, appeared in the post-punk new wave of 1980, took breaks 1985-90 and 1995-2012, singer Bid Seshadri the only constant member, although Andy Warren (bass) has been around nearly as long, with Athen Aryen (keyboards) and Steve Gilchrist (drums) recent additions. I recall the name but not the sound (I had an LP in my ungraded list). This lacks the edge I associate with the early 1980s, moving it more into Cure-Suede territory. B [sp]

Maisy Owen: Dark on a Sunny Day (2026, Tompkins Square): Folkie singer-songwriter, a Nashville native, plays guitar, viola, bass, and piano, first album, 8 songs, 26:31. B+(*) [sp]

Andreas Røysum Ensemble: With Marvin Tate (2025, Motvind): Norwegian clarinetist, large group (tentet here) has three previous albums, digital was rushed out a week after recording, but LP could qualify as a 2026 new release. Tate is a poet/artist from Chicago, has several albums since 1997, mostly with his D-Settlement group, as well as appearing on albums by Mike Reed and Jaimie Branch. Strong spoken word over delightful music, lost a bit at the end. B+(***) [bc]

Maria Schneider Orchestra: American Crow (2025 [2026], ArtistShare, EP): Big band composer/arranger, a Gil Evans protégé, albums start with Evanescence in 1994, has swept the Jazz Critics Poll three times[*], every album since 2007's Sky Blue. Undoubtedly talented, but I've never warmed to her work — the only occasion where Francis Davis doubted not just my judgment but my sanity. Title piece here was commissioned in 2022 and recorded along with a second piece, totalling 18:37, but here is padded out with an alternate take and some crow vocal samples. [*Her 2015 album was tied for 1st on points, but had fewer votes, which at the time was the tie-breaker; but Davis declared a tie.] B [os]

Serokolo 7: Maramfa Musick Pro (2026, Nyege Nyege Tapes): DJ/producer/sound system operator from Limpopo, in far northeastern South Africa. B+(*) [bc]

Bria Skonberg: Brass (2025 [2026], Cellar Music Group): Trumpet player from Canada, also sings (just the last song), eighth album since 2009, backed by piano (Luther Allison), bass, and drums. B+(**) [sp]

Harry Styles: Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. (2026, Erskine/Columbia): English singer-songwriter, started in boy band One Direction, has by far the biggest solo career of the quintet, fourth chart-topping album. I've never been a fan, but this is fairly agreeable. B+(*) [sp]

Tokischa: Amor & Droga (2026, Warner Latina): Dominican rapper-singer, as a bunch of singles since 2018, seems to be her first album, with ties to rap and reggaeton and who knows what else. B+(***) [sp]

Álvaro Torres Trio: Mairena (2025 [2026], Fresh Sound New Talent): Spanish pianist, based in New York, website has several previous albums, trio with Masa Kamaguchi (bass) and Kresten Osgood (drums), but recorded live in his old home town of Madrid. Five originals, plus a Cole Porter cover. B+(**) [cd]

The Twilight Sad: It's the Long Goodbye (2026, Rock Action): Post-punk band from Scotland, some industrial slag combined with shoegaze guitar fuzz, sixth album since 2007, a 7 year break this time. B+(**) [sp]

Steve Wilson: Enduring Sonance (2025 [2026], Smoke Sessions): Saxophonist (alto/soprano, also flute), has a couple dozen albums since 1992, many more side credits, including big bands (notably Maria Schneider). With Joe Locke (vibes), Renee Rosnes (piano/electric), Jay Anderson (bass), and Kendrick Scott (drums), plus french horn on two tracks. B+(*) [sp]

XG: The Core (2026, Xgalx): X-pop vocal group, identified as Japanese but based in South Korea and mostly rap and sing in English, first album after two EPs, 10 songs, 29:46. I'm not going to think about the lyrics beyond "if you don't like it, fuck you." As snappy as anything I've heard this year. Follows the most infectious song with a ballad, which works nearly as well. A- [sp]

Recent Reissues, Compilations, Vault Discoveries

Terry Callier: At the Earl of Old Town (1967 [2025], Time Traveler, 2CD): Singer-songwriter from Chicago (1945-2012), ranges into soul and jazz but mostly figures as folk. Has something of a cult rep, but Christgau dismissed him as "the black Jim Webb, only warmer — and less talented." Live set here at a Chicago folk club, just singer and guitar, predates his 1968 debut album, and is all cover songs, with "Work Song," "The Seventh Son," "Gallows Pole," "and "My Girl Sloopy" the ones I most readily recognize. Seems like a nice night out with a fairly distinctive interpreter. B+(**) [cd]

Antoine Dougbé: Antoine Dougbé Et L'Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou (1977-82 [2026], Analog Africa): I was initially tempted to file this under the Benin band, which already has a substantial database entry (starting in 1973). Dougbé (1947-96), dubbed the Devil's Prime Minister, released three albums in this brief period. A- [bc]

Fight the Fire: Digital Reggae, Conscious Roots and Dub in Nigeria 1986-91 (1986-91 [2026], Soundway): Reggae has had a niche role in West Africa since the mid-1970s, with Alpha Blondy perhaps the best known exponent. No names I recognize here, but these 14 pieces are remarkably steady. B+(***) [bc]

Roy Hargrove: Bern (2000 [2026], Time Traveler): Big-time trumpet player (1969-2002), has had a couple of stellar archival releases recently. Live set from Switzerland, a quintet with Sherman Irby (alto sax), Larry Willis (piano), Gerald Cannon (bass), and Willie Jones III (drums). B+(**) [cd]

This Is Lorelei: Box for Buddy, Box for Star [Super Deluxe] (2022 [2026], Double Double Whammy): Nate Amos, the tunesmith behind singer Rachel Brown in Water From Your Eyes, released this solo album in 2024, followed by a "Deluxe" edition (+3 songs) in 2025, and now this "Super Deluxe" (+10 songs, all covers by others). Variety is nice, but doesn't make a lot of difference. B+(**) [sp]

Old Music

Ryan Blotnick: Kush (2016, Songlines): Guitarist, third album, mostly quartet with Michael Blake (tenor/soprano sax), Scott Colberg (bass), and RJ Miller (drums), plus guest pedal steel on one track. Blake is often impressive here, and the guitar fills in expertly. A- [sp]

Terry Callier: The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier (1964 [1968], Prestige): Black singer from Chicago ("childhood friend of Curtis Mayfield, Major Lance and Jerry Butler"), learned piano before guitar, started in doo-wop groups, recorded a single for Chess in 1962, moved into folk clubs, had a brief duo with David Crosby. First album, folk/blues covers (mostly trad.), with guitar and bass. Good singer, but not especially interesting music. [The 2018 reissue added a bunch of bonus tracks, but the 2025 remaster dropped them.] B [sp]

The Monochrome Set: Strange Boutique (1980, Dindisc): British group, made some noise in the early post-punk period, caught my attention but didn't sink in enough to make my early ratings database. Singer-songwriter went as Bid, with Lester Square (lead guitar), Andy Warren (bass guitar), and JD Haney (drums). Upbeat stuff has some snap and crunch, but not all that memorable. B+(*) [sp]

Limited Sampling

Records I played parts of, but not enough to grade: -- means no interest, - not bad but not a prospect, + some chance, ++ likely prospect.

Grade (or other) Changes

Sometimes further listening leads me to change an initial grade, usually either because I move on to a real copy, or because someone else's review or list makes me want to check it again. Also some old albums extracted from further listening:

Rechecked with no grade change:

Additional Consumer News:

Grades on artists in the old music section.

Music Weeks

Music: Current count 36534 [36534] rated (+0), 149 [149] unrated (+0).

Excerpts from this month's Music Week posts:

Notes

Sources noted as follows:

• [cd] based on physical cd
• [cdr] based on an advance or promo cd or cdr
• [lp] based on physical lp (vinyl)
• [dvd] based on physical dvd (rated more for music than video)
• [bc] available at bandcamp.com
• [r] available at napster.com (formerly Rhapsody)
• [sc] available at soundcloud.com
• [sp] available at spotify.com
• [yt] available at youtube.com
• [os] some other stream source
• [dl] something I was able to download from the web; may be freely available, may be a bootleg someone made available, or may be a publicist promo

Grades are probably self-explanatory, aside from B+, which is subdivided 1-2-3 stars, because most records that come my way are pretty good, but they're not all that good.