Album review overview: Geoffrey Keezer, Charly Bliss, Jon Anderson and more

Dozens of new albums arrive at Maxazine’s editorial staff every week. There are way too many to listen to them all, let alone review them. It ensures that too many albums are left behind. And that’s a shame. That is why today we post an overview of albums that arrive at the editors in short reviews.

Geoffrey Keezer – Live at Birdland

Geoffrey Keezer’s “Live at Birdland” marks his triumphant return to the live format, with his first live trio album in over 15 years. Together with bassist John Patitucci and drummer Clarence Penn, Keezer captures the vibrant energy of Birdland, New York, across six distinct sets. The album is infused with technical precision and emotional depth. It opens with Chick Corea’s “High Wire – The Aerialist,” where Keezer and his trio immediately impress with their dynamic interplay and improvisation. Wayne Shorter’s “Flagships” is beautifully executed, with a delicate balance between control and emotion. Keezer’s compositions, such as “Song of the Canopy” and the closing track “Madame Grenouille,” add a personal and creative layer to the album. “Live at Birdland” is both a tribute to jazz greats Shorter and Corea and a showcase of Keezer’s own virtuosity and compositional talent. (Tobias Braun) (7/10) (MarKeez Records / ECN music)

Charly Bliss – Forever

Charly Bliss is an American band based in New York, playing a mix of indie and power pop. The term bubble grunge is also often used to label the music of Charly Bliss. This may apply to their debut “Guppy” (2017) and a lesser extent their follow-up “Young Enough” (2019), but certainly not to this album. Grunge is nowhere to be heard on “Forever.” Lead singer Eva Hendricks has a good voice but lacks a distinct sound. The same can be said for the music of Charly Bliss. It all sounds very familiar, and the tracks could just as easily be on albums by similar acts like Pink, Taylor Swift, or Veruca Salt. It’s a mystery to me why the American music press is so taken with this band. (Ad Keepers) (5/10) (DGR Music)

Haldi & ans Flamingo – Õige aeg

With their debut album “Õige aeg,” Haldi & ans Flamingo introduce a refreshing sound to the Estonian music scene. Released in collaboration with the Funk Embassy label, the EP blends influences of Estonian soul, disco, and variété with modern elements. The band, founded in 2023 for the Võnge Festival, is led by Haldi Välimäe and bassist Mattias Tirmaste. Their music pays homage to icons like Marju Kuut and Els Himma, while also incorporating elements of ’90s Brazilectro, similar to artists like Da Lata, Negrocan, and Zero7. The EP’s artwork could easily be from the collection of Dee Lite. The six tracks on “Õige aeg” are carefully crafted to combine both nostalgic and contemporary sounds. The opener “Südasuvised ööd” immediately sets the tone with its summery vibe and catchy groove. “Meile kahele” and “Muusika” bring forth deeper emotion, while the title track “Õige aeg” captures the essence of the EP with a perfect balance of retro and modern. These tracks were recorded without a metronome, giving the album a lively and organic energy. The music feels spontaneous, with Haldi’s unique voice and the rich instrumentation bringing each song to life. (Norman van den Wildenberg) (9/10) (Funk Embassy Records)

The Georgia Thunderbolts – Rise Above It All

“Rise Above It All” is the second album by the American Southern Rock band The Georgia Thunderbolts, a relatively young band whose members not long ago were earning a living as street musicians. Their debut album “Can We Get A Witness” was released in 2021 amid the pandemic. Despite the inability to promote the album through touring, The Georgia Thunderbolts still made their mark (with over 6 million streams on Spotify). The band’s trump card is singer TJ Lyle, who elevates the songs to an even higher level. The album features 13 excellent Southern Rock tracks, with the robust “Rock And Roll Record” standing out as a must-listen. There are also two covers on this album: “Ain’t Got No Money” by Frankie Miller and “It Ain’t Easy” by Ron Davies, the latter being well known due to David Bowie’s use of it on “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.” If you’ve ever wondered how it would sound if Paul Rodgers with Bad Company joined forces with Lynyrd Skynyrd, this album is the answer. (Ad Keepers) (8/10) (Mascot Records)

Jon Anderson & the Band of Geeks – True

“True” by Jon Anderson & the Band of Geeks is a nostalgic trip that centres on Anderson’s unmistakable voice. While the music is powerful, the album feels dated, as if it came straight from the late ’70s or early ’80s. However, this does not make it any less appealing to prog-rock fans, especially those who hold Yes dear. Tracks like “True Messenger” and “Still a Friend” clearly evoke the spirit of Yes and are among the highlights of the album. “True” is a solid work that will primarily appeal to collectors and loyal fans, but it offers little new for a broader audience. (Jan Vranken) (7/10) (Frontier Records)