CD Reviews

San Diego’s Jessica Lerner has a new EP, After (H) Ours, a self-produced disc of five originals that fit snugly in the piano-based relationship ballad mold. She is a capable singer and pianist, and despite the mix, which tends to swamp her vocal in spots, Lerner steps out effectively; the overall somber feel of the […]

Carlsbad’s Red Fox Tails are a veteran instrumental quartet that has built a sound upon influences that has included surf guitar, brass band, jazz, and funk. Their latest EP is Abeuelos, and it gives listeners a broad sampling of the group’s versatility. The six songs are all group originals, played by J.P. Balmat (sax, clarinet), […]

Intersections is the debut EP by San Diegan Evan Diamond, a young indie singer/songwriter who plays with a pair of accompanists known as the Library (Scott Sigler on bass, John Coreano guitar). She wrote the five songs, her music in most respects fitting into the burgeoning category of Wronged Woman Pop, bemoaning the psychological abuse […]

Local fans of soulful jazz vocals are likely familiar with Tori Roze, who with her band Hot Mess have carved a niche in the local scene for nearly a decade, recording four CDs. The most recent, Baggage Claim, is a ten-song collection of band-written originals (with one cover) that are a great sampler of a […]

Matters of the Heart is a new EP by Frankie T & the Triple B, a local funk/blues combo fronted by guitar/vocalist/ songwriter Frank Tranfaglia, and noteworthy for commitments to organ and a horn section. Tranfaglia has some fiery guitar licks in his holster, and works them into the tracks. The opener and highlight, “Hurricane […]

He has 11 CD releases now with his latest, Heavy Groove, but Billy Watson and His International Silver String Submarine Band are a local jamming blues fixture. He has played his harp and sung with virtually every blues player in town (and many others), while his band is a rotating cast of established blues combo […]

Black Market III has now been around for seven years and have released five CDs, toured the US and Europe, and are on a run of seven straight nominations for San Diego Music Awards, as well as other recognition. Their music has been consistent, a blend of fiery blues originals and well-chosen covers that take […]

As the old expression goes, “We’re getting the band back together.” Chimpos did it for real, infusing a sort of zany OB vibe in the process on their disc Flung Like a Horse. The band is built around a nucleus of former Pt. Loma and Ocean Beach high school garage band mates (and lifelong friends) […]

Not the biggest act to come out of San Diego, nor the longest in service, the Farmers are nevertheless local music royalty. An earlier incarnation, the Beat Farmers, helped establish San Diego as a regional center of original music in the mid-1980s—showed the country (and record label execs) that there was a fertile music scene […]