Cover Girl
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 1, 2026
O's Notes: Ashley Jackson is a powerful woman, an activist, professor, a master of the harp and a wonderful example of someone embracing DEI in all that she does. Cover Girl in her vehicle to transform the works of several women on the pop music scene. This is a beautiful encounter with Jackson displaying the full range of the harp. “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” and “I’m Every Woman” are classics that the old folks will recognize. She also plays “Udhero Na” by Pakistani singer & composer Arooj Aftab, and a fine arrangement of The Cranberries “Dreaming My Dreams”. Those are just four of the eight selections, worth the price of the full album alone!
Familiar Beginnings
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 1, 2026
O's Notes: Heirloom is a contemporary jazz-fusion quartet making their debut on Familiar Beginnings. There is light vocal shadowing by drummer, co-producer Hannah Johnson on “Eucalyptus Breeze”, enhancing the mellow mood of the band with saxophonist Sam Taylor, guitarist, co-producer Ben Dameron, and bassist Tim Ipsen. The theme is consistent and relaxing across nine selections. “Spice Trance”, “Fake Block”, and “Interlude” are other highlights.
Thirteen
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 1, 2026
O's Notes: Soft Machine is a legendary British fusion band formed in 1966. They have continued to evolve into the current quartet with John Etheridge (g) Theo Travis (sax, fl, keyboards, electronics), Fred Thelonious Baker (b), and Asaf Sirkis (d, perc). This is recording number Thirteen, with 13 selections composed by each of the members. The performance is grandiose, combining jazz fusion with futuristic messages and electronic sounds from the 1980s. We liked the electricity of “Green Books” followed by the relaxed “Beledo Belado” featuring Etheridge’s liquid guitar melody, and the mysterious “Daevid’s Special Cuppa” featuring guest Daevid Allen (glissando guitar).
Heartbreak City
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 1, 2026
O's Notes: Guitarist, vocalist Larry McCray has been performing the blues for decades and still performs live sets. Born in Arkansas and starting his music career in Detroit he’s become one of the best blues artists under the radar. On his latest release Larry is singing classic blues starting with “Try To Be A Good Man”, “Heartbreak City”, and “Stop Your Crying”. His accompanying guitar is crying as well, emboldening the stories. He gets support from several artists including Reese Wynans (organ), Kirk Fletcher (g), background vocalists Jade Macrae & Dannielle De Andrea, and some guitar work from co-producer Joe Bonamassa on “I Know What I’ve Done”.