May is when we're supposed to get out, plant the tomatoes, paddle Goose Creek, head to the races, sit outside with a glass at Slater Run Vineyards, and throw some steaks on the grill. You should also listen to some new music, and there is some great material that has come out since the New Year. So drag the speakers out on to the patio and put on some music. Here's a ten pack of new music that I'm listening to right now on my back porch. Throw on my Spotify playlist and see what you think. If you like what you hear, dig in further.

Bernstein Reimagined-- Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra (2021) What is a glass of Pappy and a good cigar after dinner without some big band music? The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra gives us a modern set of compositions by the indefatigable Leonard Bernstein. More listening music than for swing dancing, these tunes give you a range of Bernstein's songbook, played by some amazing musicians, that will keep you wanting that next tune.

Brand New Good Old Days-- Leftover Salmon (2021) --This group could be the penultimate hippie country party band, or as they put it in one tune, the Boogie Grass Band. If you have ever seen this band live, you understand--they are a fusion group combining electric and acoustic styles, with mandolin, guitar, synths, drums, playing with a progressive bluegrass songbook. If I could choose one band to play a BBQ party on a bluebird day, it's these guys.

Blue Heron Suite--Sarah Jarosz (2021). I have seen Sarah Jarosz at Telluride, and she has become a powerhouse in the acoustic/roots/folk scene, with her virtuoso string playing and superb vocals. While this studio set is rather poignant, both in melody and lyrics, it is uplifting in a meditative way, and well worth a listen and regular revisits.

Live at Pine Creek--Kitchen Dwellers (2021) Definitely inspired by the Jeff Austin era of Yonder Mountain String Band, The Kitchen Dwellers bring it on big with this new live album, a release I have been waiting for since first heard them playing remarkable covers of Pink Floyd tunes. The new set gives us a string of up tempo, progressive bluegrass compositions that will be your toes tapping and your head bobbing.

Live from the Telefunken Soundstage--moe. (2021) Recorded not in Germany, but in South Windsor, Connecticut at the fine Telefunken Soundstage facility, moe. breaks their silence with a full set of classics, improve and some new tunes as well. The set closes with my favorite, Rebubula, and it delivers everything good thing moe. is known for. Play this one really loud.

Milagro--Alan Pasqua (2021) A rerelease from 1994, this powerhouse acoustic jazz album features Pasqua on piano, Michael Brecker on Tenor sax, Dave Holland on Bass and Jack DeJohnette on Drums. You can't put together a much better band than this, and it was a good time to release it again, it sounds fresh and timely nearly three decades later.

Seven--Cameron Graves (2021) I love jazz rock fusion, primarily from the seventies. It's really hard to find fresh 21st century fusion out there, but I discovered some from pianist Cameron Graves that harkens back to the good ole days while still sounding fresh for 2021. Strong electric rhythms and a unique sounds puts Graves set at the top of my new Fusion list. It doesn't hurt that fusion pioneer Stanley Clarke mentored him. A friend of mine commented to me about this album--"mind blowing."

Vessels of Wood and Earth-- Dan Wilson (2021) It's good to hear a new Jazz guitarist, and Dan Wilson is really showing the Jazz world who he is on this new album, released on Christian McBride's Brother Mister Productions label. Wilson is from the George Benson school of jazz guitar, and he drives his archtop through a rousing set of standards and new compositions. The band is hot as well, inspired by and feeding off each other's prowess as they power along.

Vijay Ayer Trio-- Uneasy (2021) Pianist Vijay Ayer has released stellar after stellar album on ECM, and this new trio release, with bassist Linda Oh and Tyshawn Sorey on drums, only adds to his fine reputation. This trio has chops, and they use them, in a very collaborative way to produce some really powerful renditions of Ayer's songbook. This is a good soundtrack for your next cocktail party, or a listening session with headphones on. Every time you play it there is something more to discover.

Singles-- Some cool new singles have come out from some of my favorite newgrass bands. On The Great Divide (Billy Strings and Luke Combs), the duo gives us a great Nashville style epic, could easily climb the country charts, with Billy's incredible picking and a solid and catchy melodies. I'm in Asheville (John Hiatt and The Jerry Douglas Band) Haitt sings a bluesy ballad with Douglas' powerful dobro providing a perfect counterpoint to Hiatt's growly voice. The Band has a new single out, from the Ed Sullivan Show in 1969, playing their classic Up on Cripple Creek--this tune speaks for itself. Finally, where would we be without a new Sturgill Simpson cover single of John Prine's Paradise?

I love finding new music. Seeking out and listening to new tunes continuously expands my musical boundaries and keep me from getting stuck on one band or genre, that's a good thing. You can get access my playlist here tinyurl.com/2be56m54, and be sure to follow me on Spotify.

Steve Chase is on the porch in Unison listening to new tunes.