Uvu-News

Any Road


Jon Hain - Catalog

Exploring the far reaches of jazz and improvisation. From the super-modern to the whimsical - a feast for the ears. Saxophone, clarinet, marimba, theremin, bass, drums, electronics and unusual percussion instruments.

Tomato Box is a contemporary jazz band that prompts nods to the fluidity of jazz forms past and present, while at the same time ushering in a vital styling of post-jazz -- one that writhes and wriggles itself a striking and dynamic individuality. Working from traditional jazz-oriented instrumentation (... [read more]

Ghosts of Yesterday


Jon Hain - Catalog

Acoustic Rock with folk and country flavors thrown in for good measure.

Ghosts of Yesterday features original songs that explore life, love, restlessness, defiance, disillusionment and hope in the backdrop of the American heartland. The music is acoustically driven, featuring mandolin, acoustic guitar, drums, bass and piano.

One can hear influences of rock, country, gospel and folk. The writing style and instrumentation are reminiscent of Mellencamp, Springsteen, Tom Petty and Steve Earle.

Track 4, "The Sweetness" won... [read more]

Simpatico


Jon Hain - Catalog

Sara Pace spend the last three years working on Simpatico - her second release - and it was time well spent. Featuring a host of local players this disc hits home with direct, from the heart, songwriter and lovely production.

This is solid Americana with just enough twang to pull at the heartstrings.

"Even without considering the instrumentation, Simpatico would score highly on the vocal strength of Sara Pace alone. Pure and true, her voice evokes the perfect overtones of a finely crafted bell. Add to that her penchant for... [read more]

No Camouflage Anti-War CD


Jon Hain - Catalog

No Camouflage is a powerful anti-war cry by many of Madison's top artists. Spearheaded by Wendy Bugatti of Coney Island studio, No Camouflage features original new recordings of an astounding array of music and spoken word pieces, plus US soldier testimonials directly from Iraq. The release of this CD is an event that has brought together Madison artists, members of local peace organizations and political leaders who support and create community-based change. All money raised by this project go to Madison peace organizations.

... [read more]

Star Belly


Jon Hain - Catalog

"Rearick's a genre-bounding vocalist, keyboard player and trumpeter who takes great care bringing together things indie with her classical and art-music influences." - The Isthmus

Stephanie Rearick has been performing and recording since 1993, as frontwoman for Your Mom, Your Mom SRO, and the Coma Savants, occasional side-musician, silent film composer and accompanist, and solo artist.

"Star Belly, the oddly titled third album by a singer/songwriter who succinctly describes her sound as "piano-based classical/cabaret/pop,"... [read more]

The Midwesterners


Jon Hain - Catalog

What do you think of when you think of the Midwest, Wisconsin in particular. Cheese? Frozen tundra? Cornfields? The heartland? Small towns? All these everyday elements go into the songs of The Midwesterners. From the honky tonk story in Dark Tavern Blues, to the resurgence of hope in The Winter of 96', to the joy of rock and roll in Unsafe At Any Speed and Guitar Problem. Everyday life, salt of the earth characters, journeyman musicianship, and a pinch of humor are the elements for "Midwestern rock and roll."

The Midwesterners is the... [read more]

Out of the Blue


Jon Hain - Catalog

Combining several genres of music, from rock to ragtime, blues to jug band music, jazz to rockabilly, Richard blends them seamlessly into an entertaining album. Taking a cue from Chet Atkins, Doc Watson, and Mississippi John Hurt, Richard plays in the finger-picking style pioneered by these greats. And now his new CD, "Out of the Blue", pays tribute to these men. It's a collection of some of the greatest songs of the last century, from St. Louis Blues and Deep Water Blues, to La Vie En Rose and A Good Girl is Hard To Find, and even a finger... [read more]

Bitches and Machines


Jon Hain - Catalog

There's huge lots mucho good to say about "Bitches and Machines," the dynamite sophomore effort from Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter Pablo. Pegged by some as a "Folk artist with a post-punk sensibility," I prefer to describe Pablo as "Some guy with a guitar who, lyrically and experimentally, makes the rest of the CD's currently in my CD player sound like shit. And I don't listen to shit." This CD grabbed my attention right from the start, when the ending to the initial track, "Rebecca," made me laugh out loud with surprise at Pablo's... [read more]