Jazz Articles about Mike Smith

About Mike Smith

Album Review

Capping twenty years of running Lumo Records--a record label dedicated to her multifarious projects--with Canons, trumpeter Lina Allemano has assembled several innovative ensembles to give voice to her distinctive chamber-jazz aesthetic. While it might not be as obviously adventurous as some of her previous releases, it retains Allemano's signature emphasis on finding the ideal pivot point between composition and improvisation. And it is often a quite beautiful listening experience as well. Allemano has always been a crafty improviser, ...

Liner Notes

Josie Falbo: You Must Believe in Spring

by Howard Mandel
February 28, 2023

The first moments of Josie Falbo's You Must Believe in Spring sweep us into a lush soundscape, through a cinematic introduction, up close and intimately to her marvelous voice. Her voice is full, rich and pure top to bottom, fluid and shapely as anything imaginable, imparting true faith into lyrics valuing a lifetime's experience, acceptance, appreciation and hope. Josie Falbo gives voice to a heartening message, that like all 13 selections here issue sincerely from the glorious musical gifts she ...