Eclectic Grooves

  So much time has passed since I last found myself here in front of this glowing screen, frantically pecking away at the keys like my life depended on it. I couldn’t tell you why I strayed so far for so long, but I can tell you that there were a confluence of events in the past couple of years that eventually crushed my spirit. It hasn't helped that the pandemic has been an unprecedented, cataclysmic disaster exacerbated by the U.S. governments' inability to effectively act in the country's best interest.  Due to following the guidelines put forth by the CDC and the local government, my girlfriend and I have been fortunate enough to stay healthy so far.   Though, the effects of staying at home and away from people are clear. After close to nine months of dealing with the effects of self-isolation as a means of preservation, my hair has become long and disheveled with crow’s feet and frown lines emerging from my weathered face. I don’t even know if I would be able to hav...

Usually, the type of stuff that floods my inbox is not even remotely related to the type of music I post on Eclectic Grooves. So, I was happily surprised when Yvette Perez of NYC's electro-jazz trio H.E.R. asked me to write a review for her band's stunning debut album on Persian Cardinal Recordings, "Songs About the Mysteries of Housework and Nature". H.E.R- Songs About the Mysteries of Housework and Nature You might be able to guess from the title, that this is a concept album about, well... housework and nature. But this album takes you on a mesmerizing trip into the psyche of a bored and disgruntled housewife who is tired of her mundane existence cleaning the house and tirelessly pushing paper at the office. She yearns to be close to nature again, but fears that going outside will destroy her perfect little existence in her head. H.E.R. is a trio from NYC consisting of Yvette Perez on vocals and synthesizer, Peter Zummo on trombone, trumpet and samba whistle and Da...