Title: Technicolor (Mono Mundo Recordings / Thirty Tigers)
You might like if you enjoy: Sass Jordan, The Mavericks
Tell me more: Lovers of both classic and modern rock will discover plenty to love about Cuban quintet Sweet Lizzy Project. The emerging Havana-spawned band's new full-length American debut LP Technicolor bristles with a palpable energy and true originality across 10 alluring tracks. From the experimental psychedelic title cut to the reggae-tinged "Turn Up The Radio," there is a confidence and ambition that defies the group's humble roots planted far from from the long-established American rock scene. Case in point: the edgy "Ain't Nobody To Call" is an exhilarating and mesmerizing 3½-minute rush. Lead vocalist and lyricist Lisset Diaz has an expressive and lovely soprano, her vocals resonating whether singing in English or Spanish (just listen to the power ballad "These Words"). Her duet with Mavericks singer Raul Malo – the Baroque pop sortie "The Flower's In The Seed" – is another standout on the wonderful album. On "Travel to the Moon," Diaz sings of hopes for a peaceful future when humanity will venture into the cosmos while leaving behind the turmoil that grips our world in the here and now. The disc-ending "December 31st" is a gorgeous and sweeping genre-defying masterpiece that draws favorable comparisons with the heights reached by modern day heroes Radiohead, Other Lives and elbow. Sweet Lizzy Project's winning lineup is completed by co-writer and bandleader Miguel Comas (guitar), keyboardist Wilfredo Gatell, bassist Alejandro Gonzalez and drummer Angel Luis Millet. This is one writer – and admitted fan – who hopes America and the rest of the world catches on to this amazing young band. Technicolor will be released on Feb. 21, 2020. Information: SweetLizzyProject.com.
Title: Stay With Me: The Richard Perry Sessions (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: The Righteous Brothers, Harry Nilsson
Tell me more: Armed with a distinctive tenor, Bobby Hatfield was one-half of the acclaimed Righteous Brothers duo that scored a number of enduring mid-1960s hits including "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' " and "Unchained Melody." After the Righteous Brothers broke up in 1968, Hatfield embarked on a solo career that led to a fortuitous meeting with producer Richard Perry (Barbra Streisand's Stoney End and Harry Nilsson's masterwork Nilsson Schmilsson). In 1971, Perry produced a number of tracks for Hatfield – most of which have never been commercially released. That changes on Feb. 14, 2020 with the release of Stay With Me: The Richard Perry Sessions. The 13-track set includes completed songs, as well as alternate takes in development that were never finalized. The sessions that yielded the track listing were primarily recorded at Apple Studios in London with an all-star cast of top-tier musicians including drummer Ringo Starr, bassist Klaus Voormann and multi-instrumentalist Al Kooper. The range of material here spans from the bluesy rocker "Baby Don't You Do It" (several versions of the song are included) to inviting reworked renditions of George Harrison's "What Is Life" and "Sour Milk Sea." The blue-eyed soul vocalist also thrills on the inspired ballad "Stay With Me" and '70s-styled rocker "Rock 'N Roll Woman." Sadly, Hatfield died in 2003 after suffering a heart attack. He was only 63. Stay With Me: The Richard Perry Sessions provides another reason to celebrate his legacy. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: In This Town You're Owned (Thirty Tigers)
You might like if you enjoy: David Serby, Bruce Springsteen, Waylon Jennings
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Robert Vincent hails from Liverpool, England but his authentic Americana-styled album In This Town You're Owned (set to land on Feb. 14) will have listeners believing he mastered his craft on this side of the Atlantic. But make no mistake, the rich tapestry that stretches from '50s rockabilly ("My Neighbours Ghost") and Memphis soul ("The Kids Don't Dig God Anymore," "If You Were You") to the Latin-flavored "The Ending" and a score of countrified acoustic knockouts ("Conundrum," "This Town," "The End of the War") rings true with every note on "In This Town You're Owned." Vincent's artistic reach extends to the far corners of roots music as evidenced by the cosmic sounds of "Husk of a Soul" and the ambitious "I Was Hurt Today But I'm Alright Now." Information: ThirtyTigers.com.
Title: Lâcher Prise (Compass Records)
You might like if you enjoy: BeauSoleil, Dr. John
Tell me more: Singer-fiddler Michael Doucet's new album Lâcher Prise is a lively and spirited romp through Southwest Louisiana, with infectious rhythms and refined performances from the artist and his new group known as Michael Doucet avec Lâcher Prise (Doucet along with bassist Chris French, guitarist Chad Viator, drummer Jim Kolacek and singer-guitarist Sarah Quintana) sure to delight. The songs on the disc delight with the dance-minded "Marie Catin," captivating "Chere Emelie," spaghetti western detour "He's Got All the Whiskey" and wistful "Walking on Mardi Gras Day" among this writer's favorites. Those unfamiliar with the intoxicating sounds of Cajun music should explore the wonderful Lâcher Prise set for release on Feb. 14. Information: CompassRecords.com.
Robert Kinsler
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