Archive from January, 2010

The Helio Sequence's 2008 album, Keep Your Eyes Ahead, may make the duo sound like another keyboard-and-guitar Sub Pop indie group, and that is because it is. That said, the album shines with sincerity and a sort of boyish charm that is worth the listen.

Lately, I've been on a jazz kick. Actually, I've always been a lover of jazz, as evidenced by such hobbies as swing dancing and playing the saxophone. To say that I am an avid connoisseur of the genre, however, would be a stretch of the truth. In reality, I am not very knowledgeable about the evolution of jazz over the years. That said, I can say that jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara's 2006 album Spiral is worth a listen by anyone interested in the music style. Accompanied by bassist Tony Grey and drummer Martin Valihora, Hiromi presents a mostly light-hearted collection of jazz tunes, integrating rock and electronica elements where appropriate.