Buckingham Nicks Returns: Lindsey Buckingham & Stevie Nicks’ 1973 Duo Album Gets First-Ever Reissue

For the first time in over five decades, Buckingham Nicks—the only studio album by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks as a duo—will be officially reissued on September 19, 2025. Originally released in 1973, the album has been long out of print and highly sought after by fans. The new edition has been sourced from the original analog tapes for its long-awaited CD release.

A Cult Classic Reborn

When Buckingham Nicks first arrived on September 5, 1973, it made little commercial impact. But what it lacked in sales, it more than made up for in influence. Recorded at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles and produced by Keith Olsen, the album showcased the duo’s hallmark: tightly woven harmonies and contrasting songwriting voices.

Across ten tracks, Buckingham and Nicks revealed their range—from the folk-rock shimmer of “Crystal” to the swaggering energy of “Don’t Let Me Down Again.” Though overlooked at the time, the record became a cornerstone for fans who traced the origins of Fleetwood Mac’s later success.

The Song That Changed Everything

The legend of Buckingham Nicks only grew after Mick Fleetwood visited Sound City in late 1974. While scouting the studio, producer Keith Olsen played him “Frozen Love.” The song’s ambition and raw chemistry immediately caught Fleetwood’s ear.

Not long after, when Fleetwood Mac guitarist Bob Welch departed, Fleetwood approached Lindsey Buckingham to join the band. Buckingham, however, wouldn’t accept unless Stevie Nicks was included as well. Fleetwood agreed—and on New Year’s Eve 1974, the pair officially became members of Fleetwood Mac, ushering in one of the most celebrated eras in rock history.

A Prequel to Greatness

Though their work with Fleetwood Mac would eclipse it commercially, Buckingham Nicks remains a vivid snapshot of two artists on the cusp of stardom. It is a record of partnership in full bloom, brimming with creative sparks that would later ignite classics like Rumours and Tusk.

The album’s tracklist:

1. Crying In The Night

2. Stephanie

3. Without A Leg To Stand On

4. Crystal

5. Long Distance Winner

6. Don’t Let Me Down Again

7. Django

8. Races Are Run

9. Lola My Love

10. Frozen Love

After decades of scarcity, fans will finally be able to experience the original Buckingham Nicks in all its restored analog glory.

Miguel Zenón Earns 2025 Latin Grammy Nomination for Golden City

Internationally acclaimed saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenón has received a 2025 Latin Grammy nomination in the category of Best Latin Jazz Album for his groundbreaking project Golden City. The winners will be announced at the 26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on Thursday, November 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A sweeping extended composition, Golden City traces the demographic and political evolution of San Francisco—from its Native roots to the Gold Rush, waves of migration, and the tech-driven era of today. Commissioned by SFJAZZ and the Hewlett Foundation, the work premiered at the SFJAZZ Center in 2022, performed by an inventive nonet centered on trombones.

Zenón immersed himself in California’s layered history, engaging in conversations with more than 50 individuals. “I wanted to go all the way back,” he explained, “to when it was Mexico, to the Native communities, to the Gold Rush, and the waves of Asian migration. Each story added depth to the music.”

The result is a richly textured album that has resonated with critics and audiences alike. Golden City was named the #1 Latin Jazz Album of the Year in the Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll and highlighted as one of the best releases of 2024 by The Guardian, Jazzwise, Jazziz, and others.

Critics have hailed the album as:

• “A triumph… Miguel Zenón at his creative peak.” — All About Jazz ★★★★½

• “Musically stunning, complex and adventurous.” — Goldmine

• “Startlingly imaginative… a standout jazz album for 2024.” — Jazzwise ★★★★½

With its daring blend of history, narrative, and sonic exploration, Golden City exemplifies Zenón’s ability to balance innovation with tradition, a hallmark of his career.

A Grammy® winner, Doris Duke Artist, Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow, Zenón is one of the most influential saxophonists and composers of his generation. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he has released 17 albums as a leader and collaborated with legends such as Charlie Haden, Fred Hersch, Ray Barreto, Bobby Hutcherson, and the SFJAZZ Collective. Beyond performance, Zenón is deeply committed to education, serving as Associate Professor of Music & Theater Arts at MIT.

With Golden City, Zenón continues to expand the horizons of Latin jazz—connecting past and present, history and sound, community and art.

Frank Sinatra’s In The Wee Small Hours Returns in Blue Note’s Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Series

Frank Sinatra’s In The Wee Small Hours (Capitol Records, 1955) remains one of the most influential albums in popular music history. Often described as a melancholy masterpiece of lost love and heartbreak, the record marked a turning point in Sinatra’s career—cementing his transition into a more mature, emotionally raw vocalist.

Produced by Voyle Gilmore with sublime arrangements from Nelson Riddle, the album presented deeply personal interpretations of Great American Songbook standards, including “Mood Indigo,” “I Get Along Without You Very Well,” and the haunting title track. Unlike most records of the era, Sinatra conceived the project as a complete long-playing statement rather than a collection of singles—making it one of the very first concept albums in pop music, and also among the first to be issued as a 12-inch LP.

The impact was immediate: In The Wee Small Hours rose to #2 on the Billboard charts and solidified Sinatra’s comeback following his Capitol Records signing in 1953 and Academy Award win for From Here to Eternity. The record not only rejuvenated his career but also set the template for the confessional album format that countless artists would follow.

Now, the album receives the ultimate vinyl treatment through the acclaimed Blue Note Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series. Overseen by Joe Harley (the “Tone Poet”), mastered directly from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI), this edition spares no detail. Packaged in a deluxe, tip-on gatefold jacket with session photos by William Claxton & Ken Veeder, the reissue stands as the definitive presentation of one of Sinatra’s most essential works.

Tracklist
Side A
A1 In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
A2 Mood Indigo
A3 Glad To Be Unhappy
A4 I Get Along Without You Very Well
A5 Deep In A Dream
A6 I See Your Face Before Me
A7 Can’t We Be Friends
A8 When Your Lover Is Gone

Side B
B1 What Is This Thing Called Love
B2 Last Night When We Were Young
B3 I’ll Be Around
B4 Ill Wind
B5 It Never Entered My Mind
B6 Dancing On the Ceiling
B7 I’ll Never Be the Same
B8 This Love of Mine

Amanda Pascali Finds Home in the In-Between with Roses and Basil

"The academic and artistic collide in fascinating fashion on singer-songwriter Amanda Pascali’s latest album, Roses and Basil…” – KXT

*"Her silky voice and globe-trotting sound might strike a chord with fans of Laufey…" – Dallas Morning News

On September 15, 2025, rising Texas artist Amanda Pascali released Roses and Basil, her most ambitious project to date. Produced by fellow Texan and acclaimed songwriter Robert Ellis, the album is a sweeping blend of folk and Americana storytelling with Mediterranean, Balkan, and Latin rhythms that reflect Pascali’s immigrant roots and cross-cultural upbringing.

Pascali describes the album as a bridge between worlds: “It’s a conversation between past and present, a way of singing about everything from reckless abandon and unrequited love to the quiet moments of nostalgia that connect me to my parents’ journey to the United States.”

The daughter of immigrants — her mother born in Cairo with a childhood split between Paris and New York, her father a refugee from Communist Romania with Italian heritage — Pascali grew up navigating cultures that didn’t always fit neatly together. After her family moved from New York to Texas, she often felt out of place. Music became her anchor.

By age 12, Pascali was writing songs on guitar, and by her twenties, she was revitalizing Sicilian folk music — eventually earning a Fulbright fellowship and recognition from both the U.S. State Department and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Viral performances of Sicilian classics like “La Mafia E Li Parrini” and “Cu Ti Lu Dissi” further cemented her reputation as an artist who honors tradition while pushing it forward.

Roses and Basil is both deeply personal and universally relatable. Pascali calls it a record “for the outcasts, the third-culture kids, the oldest daughters of immigrant families — for anyone who has ever felt the push-and-pull of cultures and identities.”

Highlights include:

• “Wake Up, Baby!” – A fiery reimagining of a traditional Sicilian serenata, told from the woman’s perspective.

• “Amuri” – A love song that begins with ancient Sicilian prose before erupting into a cumbia groove, echoing the Latin sounds of Pascali’s Texas upbringing.

• “Cleopatra” – A tribute to her mother’s resilience, honoring women who cross borders and break barriers.

• “Sweet Sixteen” – Written for her younger sister, the song shifts from tender folk ballad to soaring 70s-inspired rock anthem.

The title track, “Roses and Basil,” captures the heart of the record — the way beauty and hardship intertwine, much like the herbs and flowers that fill her family’s kitchen garden.

While Roses and Basil is steeped in folk tradition, it’s unmistakably modern. Themes of displacement, belonging, and love echo in every lyric, yet Pascali’s voice is firmly of this moment — intimate, confident, and unafraid to challenge the boundaries of genre.

She sees the album as a testament to resilience and the enduring search for home: “I’ve always been caught between worlds. This record is about finding your footing in that space, embracing the power of love, and realizing that home is a feeling you can carry with you, no matter where you are.”

To mark the release, Pascali will perform a special hometown show in Houston at the historic Anderson Fair on October 10, 2025. Fans can expect an intimate performance filled with storytelling, tradition, and the vibrant, border-crossing sound that defines Roses and Basil.

Enoch Smith Jr. Returns with The Book of Enoch, Vol. 1

After an eight-year pause from recording, pianist and composer Enoch Smith Jr. is back with The Book of Enoch, Vol. 1, due out November 7 on his Misfitme Music label. The album finds Smith and his long-running trio—Kai Gibson (bass) and David Hardy (drums)—breathing new life into gospel classics with a joyful blend of blues, swing, and soulful straight-ahead jazz.

This is Smith’s sixth recording, but it carries a particular sense of renewal. Drawn from his work at the Jazz Vespers services at Allentown Presbyterian Church (APC) in New Jersey, the album’s seven tracks reimagine familiar hymns with groove, grace, and a spirit of celebration.

Take his buoyant arrangement of Andrae Crouch’s “Soon and Very Soon”, brimming with optimism, or “Gracefully,” his luminous adaptation of “Amazing Grace”. The trio’s take on “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho” is full of swing, colored with a surprising Afro-Latin flair. Yet the music also has a reflective side: “Holy City” unfolds with quiet majesty, while “Christ Is All” and “A Quiet Place” radiate calm assurance. The album closes with “Mitch’s Moves,” both celebratory and contemplative, tying together Smith’s dual gifts for joy and introspection.

Smith, Gibson, and Hardy recorded the album in one full take—just as they perform it in church—capturing spontaneity, trust, and the sense of uplift that has always defined their collaboration.

For Smith, this project isn’t about chasing a scene but about offering something meaningful. “I’ve just always loved creating music,” he reflects. “I’m hoping to just add something to this beautiful landscape.”

Born in Rochester, NY, and raised in the church, Smith’s musical journey has taken him from singing in children’s choir to teaching himself piano at 14, to graduating from Berklee College of Music. His previous albums, from 2010’s Church Boy through 2018’s To Houston, With Love, have all traced the fertile meeting place of gospel and jazz.

In recent years, Smith has been rooted in Allentown, NJ—raising a family, teaching Brazilian jiu-jitsu to underprivileged kids, and shaping worship through music at APC. The encouragement he received for his jazz-gospel hymn arrangements ultimately inspired this latest album.

With The Book of Enoch, Vol. 1, Smith reminds us of gospel’s enduring vitality—and how deeply it can swing when placed in the hands of a trio that plays with faith, fire, and heart.

Emma Hedrick Makes a Striking Jazz Debut with NEWCOMER

Emerging jazz vocalist, composer, and bandleader Emma Hedrick announces her debut album, NEWCOMER, a captivating collection of ten original compositions showcasing her voice, storytelling, and compositional skill. Out now, the album highlights Hedrick’s ability to balance contemporary pop-mellow jazz textures with classic jazz sensibilities.

A native of Indianapolis, Hedrick trained at the Frost School of Music in Miami and earned her Master of Music at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, Holland. Even before turning professional, she garnered recognition with seven Downbeat Student Music Awards, two National YoungArts Awards, and was a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.

NEWCOMER is a collaborative effort, featuring a band of rising jazz talents: Connor Rohrer (piano), Anton Kot (drums), Thor Eide Johansen (bass), and Shane McCandless (saxophone), alongside guest artists David Sneider (trumpet), Andrew Tinch (guitar), Amy Azzara, Faith Quashie, and a full string section. Veteran jazz vocalist Peter Eldridge produced the album, contributing piano and vocals to select tracks.

The album opens with “The Idea of Love,” one of Hedrick’s earliest compositions, followed by tracks like “Dreamscapes” and the title track “Newcomer,” inspired by her time studying abroad in the Netherlands. From the samba-infused warmth of “In the Warmth” to her interpretation of Langston Hughes’ “Tone Poem in Greenwich Village,” Hedrick blends literary inspiration, personal experience, and inventive jazz arrangements.

Other highlights include “Spring Haiku Collection,” based on Hedrick’s master’s research in adapting haiku structure to jazz lyrics, and “Inside Your Mind,” an emotive reflection on mental and emotional states expressed through free improvisation. Hedrick closes the album with “Waste No More Days,” a contemplative piece featuring her longtime friends on background vocals.

With NEWCOMER, Emma Hedrick establishes herself as a bold new voice in jazz, merging contemporary storytelling with a reverence for tradition, and proving her artistry extends well beyond her years.

Lena Bloch Channels Russian Poet Marina Tsvetaeva in New Album Marina

Acclaimed Russian-born saxophonist and composer Lena Bloch returns with Marina, a striking new album out November 14, 2025 via Fresh Sound Records. Featuring her quintet with vocalist Kyoko Kitamura, pianist Jacob Sacks, bassist Ken Filiano, and drummer Michael Sarin, the album reimagines the poetry of 20th-century Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva in a vibrant jazz suite commissioned by Chamber Music America.

Bloch’s approach sets her own English translations of Tsvetaeva’s works to music, blending improvisation, composition, and intimate storytelling. “Tsvetaeva’s themes resonate with me as a lifelong nomad,” says Bloch. “Her work celebrates strength and the power to speak freely despite all circumstances—qualities that inspire this album.”

The album opens with “Refuse,” where Filiano’s plaintive bass and Kitamura’s impassioned vocals echo Tsvetaeva’s defiance, and continues through lush, dynamic tracks like “Insomnia” and “Such Tenderness.” Bloch and Kitamura’s interplay highlights emotion, nuance, and musical sensitivity, particularly in pieces like “Tired,” “Immeasurable,” and the title track, where spoken and sung text converge to powerful effect. Marina closes with “The Time Will Come,” a testament to endurance and the lasting power of art.

Since moving to New York in 2008, Bloch has established herself as a prominent figure in the city’s jazz scene, performing internationally and leading ensembles including her Feathery Quartet. With Marina, she brings Tsvetaeva’s poetry to life for a modern audience, fusing Eastern European influences, contemporary jazz, and improvisational brilliance into an album full of heart, intimacy, and profound musical depth.

Bloch will celebrate the release with an album concert on Saturday, November 15 at IBeam in Brooklyn, NY.

kwaNTU: Two Generations of South African Guitar Mastery in Dialogue

Bringing together Madala Kunene, the elder statesman of the Zulu guitar, and internationally acclaimed Sibusile Xaba, kwaNTU unites two generations of South African guitar virtuosity. The album, whose title can be translated as “the place of the life-spirit,” captures a rare collaboration between teacher and student, blending tradition with contemporary expression.

Madala Kunene, born in 1951 in Cato Manor near Durban, is revered as the King of the Zulu Guitar. With a recording career beginning at the close of apartheid, Kunene has long been celebrated for his transformative approach to the maskanda tradition and his spiritually infused musical sensibility. Even in his mid-seventies, he remains a guiding light for South Africa’s contemporary musicians.

Sibusile Xaba, a native of Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, grew up immersed in music through his parents and local culture. From homemade tin guitars to formal studies in Pretoria, Xaba developed a distinctive style drawing from South African guitar lineages and US jazz masters like Wes Montgomery and Jim Hall. Over the past decade, he has studied under Kunene, forging a close mentorship that became the foundation for kwaNTU.

Recorded in Utrecht at Kwantu Village, the album is the product of five days of intensive collaboration, improvisation, and deep listening. Joined by Gontse Makhene on percussion and backing vocals and Fakazile on vocals, Kunene and Xaba created the bulk of the album in a single-night recording session, with additional overdubs completed later in Johannesburg. The result is a meditative, richly textured work that foregrounds dialogue, responsive interplay, and the passing on of musical knowledge across generations.

kwaNTU highlights not only the virtuosity of its two principal players but also the continuity of South Africa’s rich guitar traditions. Kunene’s guidance and Xaba’s dedication converge in a recording that resonates with history while pointing confidently toward the future, offering international audiences a first-time glimpse of the elder master alongside one of the country’s most exciting contemporary voices.

Atlantis Quartet Explores New Musical Horizons on Live at Berlin

Minneapolis jazz mainstays Atlantis Quartet return with Live at Berlin, out October 24, 2025, on Shifting Paradigm Records. Captured during the opening week of the city’s newest jazz venue, the album presents five bold new compositions that highlight the group’s fearless improvisational spirit and deep musical chemistry. Available on vinyl, CD, and digital platforms, the release marks a fresh chapter for the Twin Cities ensemble.

Formed in 2006, Atlantis Quartet—saxophonist Brandon Wozniak, guitarist Zacc Harris, bassist Chris Bates, and drummer Pete Hennig—has built a reputation for blending intricate composition with free improvisation, seamlessly fusing jazz with rock, funk, and post-bop. Critics like Bill Milkowski have praised their adventurousness, calling the band “startlingly original.”

After a quieter period during the pandemic, the quartet reconvened in 2024 with renewed purpose. Guitarist Zacc Harris reflects, “We had deeply explored a certain sound that we'd developed as a group and were ready for a fresh challenge. We wanted a more open sound with greater freedom for interaction and taking chances. These five tunes exemplify that direction.”

Live at Berlin opens with the rhythmically dynamic “Evasive Maneuvers,” combining rock energy with melodic focus. “You Are Here” channels the playful, free-swinging spirit of Ornette Coleman, while “Bucket List” propels listeners through an odd-meter 11/8 romp, highlighting the quartet’s tight cohesion. “Vantage Point” offers a spacious, sensitive ballad, and the album closes with the intense, adrenaline-fueled finale “Rush Hour,” capturing the band at the height of their inventive power.

While all compositions are by Harris, the album reflects the ensemble’s collaborative ethos. Wozniak’s lyrical sax, Harris’s bold guitar, Bates’s inventive bass, and Hennig’s energetic drumming coalesce into a performance that is both spontaneous and precise. Live at Berlin is more than a live recording—it’s a snapshot of a band evolving, reconnecting, and redefining its sound after nearly two decades together.

Live at Berlin will be available October 24, 2025, on LP, CD, and all streaming platforms.

Track Listing:

1. Evasive Maneuvers (8:27)

2. You Are Here (11:09)

3. Bucket List (8:30)

4. Vantage Point (12:16)

5. Rush Hour (10:50)

Catina DeLuna and Otmaro Ruíz Shine on Lado B Brazilian Project 2

The timeless sounds of Brazilian music have long enchanted listeners in the United States, from the bossa nova wave of the 1960s to today’s jazz-infused interpretations. Vocalist/composer Catina DeLuna and pianist/composer/arranger Otmaro Ruíz take a fresh approach on Lado B Brazilian Project 2, exploring lesser-known gems of Brazilian song while offering inventive takes on classics.

The pair first collaborated in 2016 on the original Lado B Brazilian Project, which earned a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals despite limited promotion. DeLuna, born in São Paulo and now based in Los Angeles, gained recognition from legendary drummer Peter Erskine, who introduced her to Ruíz, a celebrated Venezuelan pianist and arranger. Their shared passion for Brazilian song and deep musical knowledge sparked a collaboration that goes beyond standard repertoire.

Rather than revisit familiar hits, DeLuna and Ruíz focused on the “lado B” of Brazilian albums—songs that are often overlooked but rich in lyrical and melodic beauty. Ruíz’s arrangements balance simplicity and complexity, leaving space for exceptional performances by guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Edwin Livingston, Brazilian percussionist Edu Ribeiro, percussionist Gregory Beyer, and woodwind master Bob Sheppard. The duo’s inventive reinterpretations illuminate the depth and nuance of Brazilian music while retaining its heartfelt essence.

Highlights include Jobim’s “Passarim,” given cinematic motion with a background choir; Buarque’s “Mar e Lua,” featuring Carol Robbins on harp; and Caymmi’s playful “Requebre Que Eu Dou Um Doce”, with Sheppard’s clarinet and Bruno Mangueira’s guitar. The album also features duets like “Choro Das Águas” with Fabio Cadore, and a transformed rendition of Jobim’s “Águas de Março,” incorporating flute and Udu clay pot for a unique cross-cultural flair. Energetic tracks like “É Luxo Só” and “Aluvião” further showcase the duo’s dynamic approach, while the album concludes with a lively interpretation of Caymmi’s “Vatapá.”

Critics and musicians alike have praised the project. Renowned bassist Abraham Laboriel called it “a quantum leap forward in style and imagination,” and Peter Erskine described it as “the freshest-sounding music I’ve heard in years… a sense of discovery that makes it feel personal yet universal.”

Released on July 18, 2025, Lado B Brazilian Project 2 demonstrates DeLuna and Ruíz’s ability to honor Brazilian tradition while breathing new life into the repertoire. It’s a standout recording for jazz and Brazilian music enthusiasts alike, available via SunnysideRecords.com and all digital platforms.

Christian McBride Brings His Musical Universe to Life on World at Sea

Nine-time GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader Christian McBride is offering fans an unprecedented glimpse into his expansive musical world with Christian McBride’s World at Sea, a week-long music cruise sailing January 20–27, 2026 from Ft. Lauderdale to Jamaica and Grand Cayman aboard the Celebrity Summit.

This curated journey features daily performances, jam sessions, and candid conversations, bringing together a roster of extraordinary talent. Artists set to perform include Samara Joy, Ledisi, Cécile McLorin Salvant, José James, Angélique Kidjo, and McBride’s own ensembles: Christian McBride Big Band, Inside Straight, Ursa Major, and Remembering Ray Brown with Benny Green and Greg Hutchinson. Fans will also enjoy performances by Sullivan Fortner, Christian Sands, Julius Rodriguez, Steve Wilson, Dan Wilson, DJ Jahi Sundance, Eric Marienthal, and comedians Alonzo Bodden and George Wallace.

McBride has been building anticipation with new collaborations and releases this summer. The Christian McBride Big Band recently released “Old Folks” featuring Samara Joy, and Ledisi’s lead single “This Bitter Earth” from her upcoming Dinah Washington tribute album is produced by McBride and features performances from his Big Band and jazz trio. These projects offer a preview of the live creativity and synergy attendees can expect on the cruise.

“These new songs and albums are like a sneak peek into what we’re building at sea,” says McBride. “Everything I’m doing right now, from the Big Band record to producing Ledisi’s new album, is part of the same vision. This cruise is a way to bring that world to life—not just the music, but the community and artistry that fuels it.”

Guests aboard World at Sea will experience a living, breathing festival of jazz, R&B, and global music. From luxurious accommodations and world-class venues on the Celebrity Summit to up-close interactions with the musicians, the cruise offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with McBride’s evolving musical universe.

McBride’s career spans decades of artistic excellence, including leadership roles as Artistic Director of the Newport Jazz Festival, NJPAC, the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, along with hosting NPR’s Jazz Night in America and The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian on SiriusXM. Known for fostering collaboration, mentorship, and creativity, McBride continues to expand jazz’s reach through innovative projects like this immersive cruise experience.

Irving Flores Unleashes Afro-Cuban Jazz Brilliance on Armando Mi Conga

Acclaimed pianist, composer, and arranger Irving Flores is set to release his most ambitious project yet, Armando Mi Conga (Amor de Flores Productions), available on CD and all streaming platforms beginning August 26, 2025. A vibrant celebration of Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz, the nine-track album blends virtuosity with soul, featuring an all-star lineup of legendary musicians including Giovanni Hidalgo (congas), Brian Lynch (trumpet), Horacio “El Negro” Hernández (drums), John Benítez (bass), and Norbert Stachel (sax, clarinet, flute).

“This is a love letter to Latin America,” says Flores. “It’s my journey and a tribute to the rhythms that shaped me.” The album includes eight original compositions and a bonus solo piano rendition of “With Amanda en Favignana,” written for his wife while on holiday in Sicily. The title track, “Armando Mi Conga,” arrives as a lead single on August 8, spotlighting the infectious energy and precision of the ensemble. All About Jazz has already named it a Song of the Day.

Written in Mexico City as a tribute to legendary conga player Armando “Pinaca” Espinosa, the track features an introduction by Giovanni Hidalgo, honoring his father José “Mañengue” Hidalgo. Flores reflects, “One of the most exciting moments of my life was recording with these giants in New York City. It was an explosion of talent and happiness.”

Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Flores was immersed in Afro-Cuban rhythms from an early age, guided by his father, the founder of the Tampico Orchestra. He began performing on organ and alto sax, eventually leading his own ensemble, the Irving Flores Super Combo. After formal studies in Mexico City and a move to the U.S., Flores has become a driving force in Latin jazz, collaborating with icons like Poncho Sanchez, Airto Moreira, and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

Recorded live at East Side Sound in New York during two intensive 10-hour sessions in March 2024, Armando Mi Conga captures the spirit of live performance with extraordinary immediacy. Each track showcases a different facet of Flores’s vision—from the fiery rhythms of “Gary en Nanchital” and the lyrical beauty of “With Amanda en Favignana”, to the contemplative solo piano rendition of the same tune as a bonus track. Other standout pieces include “Tramonto A Massa Lubrense”, “Samba Con Sabor”, and “Recuerdos”, all demonstrating the interplay between piano, rhythm section, and horns in moments of breathtaking improvisation.

Flores celebrates the release this fall with live performances at the San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival (Oct. 2) and an album release show at Sam First in Los Angeles (Oct. 4), followed by appearances in Tijuana, San Jose, San Francisco, and Palo Alto. Armando Mi Conga stands as a testament to a lifetime of musical mastery, passion, and devotion to the Afro-Cuban jazz tradition.

Fillies Finazz: Philadelphia’s Finest Voices Unite on Singing For Tomorrow

Four supremely talented vocalists—Lorna Young, sisters Alicia and Denise Amaro, and Sandra Gail Brown—all come from musical families and grew up singing in church from an early age. Together they form Fillies Finazz, a group that truly lives up to their name as Philly’s finest.

Lorna Young, the visionary behind the project, knew she had something special the moment she assembled this cast of seasoned vocalists. With the Amaro sisters’ impeccable blood harmony paired with the diverse stylings of Young and Brown, Fillies Finazz represent a vocal quartet performing at the very top of their game.

Sandra Gail Brown brings a wealth of experience, having joined the group Sassafras right out of high school. With her sister Vera Brown and close friend Carlstein Levere, the group recorded an album for the H&L label and shared the stage with legends like B.B. King and Ray Charles. After Vera Brown became lead singer of the world-famous Ritchie Family, Sandra toured internationally as a background vocalist with both the Ritchie Family and The Village People, performing across the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Bavaria, Holland, and beyond.

The Amaro sisters have left their mark throughout the tri-state area, including performances at the prestigious Uptown Theater. Alicia Amaro has distinguished herself not only as a powerhouse singer but also as a sought-after choreographer and vocal coach, working with numerous Philadelphia artists.

Lorna Young, who gained early confidence as a performer when she joined Ultimate Experience as a teenager, has shared the stage with many notable artists over the years. Now she feels she has finally found the perfect blend of voices and personalities in Fillies Finazz.

The group’s collaboration with famed producer Butch Ingram of Society Hill Records solidified their path forward. Early singles received glowing reviews from DJs and industry professionals around the globe, paving the way for their acclaimed full-length album Singing For Tomorrow. Celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic, the project further confirmed the quartet’s artistry and power.

As a gift to “Steppers” everywhere, one of the standout tracks from the album, “So I Can Love You,” has been newly mixed and released as a special single—showcasing once more the vocal brilliance of Fillies Finazz.