DEBORAH HOLLAND, I Made It This Far (2025). A marvelous collection of deep and personal songs from a magnificent singer/songwrirer. Holland’s new work is reflective and (perhaps) autobiographical. She’s been through it, but she’s come out grateful on the other side. It’s easy for the listener to relate to what she’s singing about. Deborah Holland knows both herself and you, even if you don’t realize it.

https://deborahholland.bandcamp.com/album/i-made-it-this-far

MASON RAZAVI, Even Keel (2025). Swingin’! Guitarist Mason Razavi and his quartet hit the ground running, leaving listeners no choice but to tap their feet and bob their heads on this solid jazz effort. Each player holds his own nicely both as a soloist and as part of the ensemble. It’s a lovely bit of musical symbiosis. This is definitely one of those records you should seek out if you truly appreciate the sound of jazz guitar played straight ahead with no excess frills, just pure talent.

https://masonrazavi.bandcamp.com/album/even-keel

CHRISROPHER IRINGER PILGRIM, Human Intelligence Live (2025). A sonic tsunami that manages to straddle the fine line between avant-garde and straight-ahead jazz. This is one of those albums where it’s best to find a single element you enjoy, then enjoy it for the duration of the tune being played. Saxophonist Christopher Iringer’s compositions can be a tough get, but the effort is worthwhile. Guitarist Dave Gisler is free to fire off blistering guitar runs, complimenting pianist Stefan Arby’s piano stabs. Meanwhile, Raffale Bossard (bass) and Michael Stulz (drums) stay on top of the seemingly cosmic rhythm shifts. This album probably needs repeated plays to truly bond with it, but the effort is worthwhile.

https://christophirniger.bandcamp.com/album/human-intelligence-live

RODNEY WHITAKER, Mosaic — The Music of Gregg Hill (2025). While there’s no questioning the fact a bassist leads this group (his forward position in the mix is impossible to ignore), Rodney Whittaker doesn’t overwhelm his highly talented band. The bassist channels his inner Mingus while the group performs the compositions of Gregg Hill, with this being their fourth collaboration. The grooves are tight and each instrumentalist is on top of their game. This is a fun compilation from a collection of musicians who deserve more recognition.

https://originarts.com/recordings/recording.php?TitleID=82912

GRACIE ABRAMS, The Secret of Us (2024). Singer/songwriter Gracie Abrams writes music that lands somewhere between Tori Amos and Taylor Swift, with a smattering of Billie Eilish electronics. Her songs are sincere and catchy, making the most of relatively simple chord progressions and grooves. With some 4.6 million followers on Spotify, the formula seems to be working! The music isn’t bad, even if no real original ground is being broken.

https://shop.gracieabrams.com/

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If you would like to have your music reviewed, contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.con