Articles by Kyle Simpler

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A Time Capsule in Sound: Jim Pugh’s New American Symphonies

by Kyle Simpler
September 25, 2026

On the surface, Jim Pugh's New American Symphonies might seem like just another interesting new album release, but there is much more involved here. Behind the album cover lies a story of experimentation, loss, and rediscovery that adds a fascinating dimension to this well-crafted recording. To get the full picture, however, we have to go back several decades. By the late 1930s, swing bands dominated American popular music, and Tommy Dorsey had established himself as one ...

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How John Coltrane Changed Rock Music: Santana

by Kyle Simpler
August 18, 2026

When the Santana band first started in the San Francisco area in the late 60s, hardly anyone outside of the Bay Area was familiar with the group. This changed after their performance at the Woodstock festival in 1969. Seemingly overnight, everyone knew about Santana, and the band, under the leadership of its namesake, Carlos Santana has since maintained a strong presence in rock music. Of course, many people familiar with Santana's work know that he has a strong affinity ...

Album Review

Cindy Blackman Santana: Coherence

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by Kyle Simpler
July 29, 2026

Some musicians communicate their passion almost before they ever play a note, and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana is one of them. Whether performing jazz, rock, soul, or world music, she approaches each style with the conviction that music ultimately transcends categories. Coherence is possibly her clearest statement of that philosophy. Blackman Santana's broad musical perspective comes naturally. She began busking on the streets of New York during the 1980s before quickly moving onto major stages, performing with jazz ...

Album Review

Frank Swart: This Is The One! (Raison D'êTre)

Read "This Is The One! (Raison D'êTre)" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
July 27, 2026

There is a common misconception that musical artists who release albums usually tour to promote them. While this may be true for the most part, there are exceptions. San Francisco-based bassist and composer Frank Swart is quick to point out that artists such as The Beatles were more focused on spending time in the studio creating albums than taking the show on the road. Swart's project Funkwrench Blues uses the studio to full effect, and this is evident on This Is The ...

Album Review

Zacc Harris: American Reckoning

Read "American Reckoning" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
July 13, 2026

Americana originally developed from folk and country music, but in recent decades it has grown to incorporate other musical genres. For example, jazz artists such as Bill Frisell and Pat Metheny frequently incorporate elements of Americana into their work. With American Reckoning, guitarist Zacc Harris follows their lead, drawing from sources ranging from traditional folk songs and Stephen Foster compositions to Brian Wilson and Bob Dylan. Harris, a Minneapolis-based guitarist and composer, established a reputation for his expressive ...

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How John Coltrane Changed Rock Music: The Grateful Dead

by Kyle Simpler
June 24, 2026

The Grateful Dead, probably more than any other rock band that emerged from the 1960s, tapped into the full scope of American musical tradition. From their earliest days, they were an eclectic rock band, blending elements of blues, r&b, country, bluegrass, and jazz. But rather than trying to replicate particular genres exactly, the band's goal was to allow their music to amalgamate these influences in a natural and unpretentious manner. The Dead's broad musical foundation, although something of ...

Album Review

Bobby Wiens: Focus

by Kyle Simpler
June 18, 2026

Even though a recording is a finished product, it still captures the feeling and intensity of the session. When players have a good working rapport, everything translates through the music. Clearly, the musicians assembled by drummer Bobby Wiens for his second album, Focus, share a strong rapport, and that chemistry is evident throughout the recording. Originally from Calgary, Wiens grew up surrounded by music. He developed an interest in drums during middle school, which ultimately led to years ...

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More Than Inventory: How Euclid Records Built a Community Through Music

by Kyle Simpler
June 3, 2026

Vinyl seems to show up everywhere these days. Department stores, clothing outlets, and even bookstores now carry small selections of records. Yet serious music fans still seek out independent record stores, and the reasons are fairly obvious. It takes much more than inventory to make a great record store. Although many factors are involved, three things stand out. An exceptional record store needs a welcoming atmosphere, a unique personality, and a genuine sense of community. The employees should ...

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How John Coltrane Changed Rock Music: Eight Miles High

by Kyle Simpler
May 16, 2026

In a 1969 interview, Miles Davis said, “I could put together the greatest rock 'n' roll band you ever heard." In many ways, Davis did just that, though it remains a point of contention among many of his fans, who might argue otherwise. Davis himself later made the point that his music from the late sixties and seventies was not rock music. But whether you consider it rock or not, artists like Davis, Herbie Hancock and Larry Coryell laid the foundation for ...

Book Review

Death of the Soccer God

by Kyle Simpler
May 10, 2026

Death of the Soccer God Dimitry Elias Léger 222 Pages ISBN: # 978-0-374-61988-6 Farrar, Strauss Giroux 2026 The old cliché about a person's life flashing before their eyes immediately before death is the essence of Dimitry Elias Léger's novel Death of the Soccer God. Gilbert Chevalier was the king of the world after he scored the winning goal in the 1950 World Cup. Now, he finds himself facing a firing squad at Fort Dimanche, the ...