Title: Have Harmony Will Travel 2 (Sunset Blvd. Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Timothy B. Schmit, Peter Noone, Gene Clark, Percy Sledge
Tell me more: Lovers of stellar duets will want to hear Carla Olson's wonderful Have Harmony Will Travel 2 (released March 20 via Sunset Blvd. Records). The album features the talented Austin, Texas spawned singer-guitarist and former leader of Los Angeles' Textones teaming up with 11 notable guests to share lead vocals on a follow-up to her 2013 disc "Have Harmony, Will Travel." The track listing is uniformly strong with a celebrated and eclectic lineup of great singers artfully joining their voices with Olson's own. The decidedly rootsy "Timber, I'm Falling In Love" (with Stephen McCarthy on vocals and guitar), the Byrds-flavored "Goodbye My Love" (featuring Herman's Hermits lead singer Peter Noone) and "After the Storm" (with actress-singer Mare Winningham), and Americana nugget "Bossier City" (featuring I See Hawks In L.A.) are among my favorites on the album. The album's final track, the folk tale "Del Gato," has legendary Gene Clark and Olson joining voices in a nuanced performance. This is an album that reveals its magic more fully with each subsequent listen. Information: SunsetBlvdRecords.com.
Title: Step Up (Artistry Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire
Tell me more: After more than 50 years, Tower of Power remains a musical treasure. Just listen to the Oakland-spawned outfit's Step Up (released on March 20), an intoxicating 14-track journey through the collective's blend of R&B and funk anchored by one of the world's great and enduring horn sections. Led by founder and tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo, Tower of Power's timeless sound is celebrated with power and zeal. "The Story of You and I" is a wonderful musical explosion featuring a driving rhythm section amidst horns, fiery lead guitar and soulful lead vocals. The soulful ballad "Who Would Have Thought," shimmering "Addicted To You," and dance-minded funk romp "Look In My Eyes" are early highlights on the disc, while the jazzy "Sleeping With You Baby" and joyful soul of "Beyond My Wildest Dreams" are among the great tracks on the latter half of Step Up. Information: TowerOfPower.com.
Title: The Mirror (Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Music Group)
You might like if you enjoy: Gerald Clayton, Tyrone Wells
Tell me more: Raul Midón is back with his new album The Mirror, an outstanding jazz effort which comes on the heels of the singer-guitarist's Grammy Award nominations for his previous two LPs (2017's Bad Ass & Blind and 2018's If You Really Want). This time out there is again plenty to celebrate as the talented artist (who has been blind since birth) showcases that he has an otherworldly ability to interpret the world around him and translate that into luxurious and probing songs that resonate with a master's touch. The diversity of the material is impressive. The album kicks off with the acoustic guitar-driven "I Love the Afternoon," Midón's soulful vocals balanced by some select harmonies that augment his voice; the track is further bolstered by a strong solo on his guitar. The lovely romantic-themed "A Certain Café" finds the New Mexico native joined by vibraphonist Joe Locke. On the breezy title track, he blends his signature jazz style with some flashy blues-meets-jazz guitar licks for a stylish approach. The gorgeous "Cold Cuts and Coffee" and "Deep Dry Ocean" are other standouts. He even enthralls with two solo spoken-word works ("If I Could See" and "One Day Without War"). The Mirror is a wonderful step forward for Midón. Information: RaulMidon.com.
Robert Kinsler
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