Eclectic singer/songwriter Jason Ludwig (formerly of the band Noctaluca) celebrates the release of two new albums Friday at the Southgate House in Newport. The Newbees and Sassy Molasses kick off the 9 p.m. show. Tickets are $9 or $12 at the door. Most artists would die to have one album in their catalog as strong, deep and catchy as either Tanglings or Lost In Love, the Kickstarter-funded releases being feted Friday. With World music leanings and orchestral flourishes, the connecting factor between the two releases is Ludwig’s songwriting, which has always been strong, but seems to have advanced a couple decades since Ludwig’s solo debut in 2003. Tanglings and Lost In Love
both stand to place highly on any list of the best locally produced albums of 2012. Those attending the release party — at which Ludwig is to be backed by members of The Newbees, Cincy Brass and Noctaluca — receive a voucher for a free copy of the album of their choosing (and a discount on the second). Give both releases a sampling at jasonludwig.com.
• Locally based, nationally successful Christian Hip Hop artist D-Maub presents the release party for his most recent offering, Death Before Dishonor, at 7 p.m. this Friday at The Underground in Forest Park. This is D-Maub’s second nationally released album through Dedicated Music Group and his own One Route Entertainment label, with distribution through Universal’s Christian music division. Death Before Dishonor has been embraced by the Holy Hip Hop community since its release last month, drawing positive notices from several outlets online. Friday’s release concert — which will reportedly be filmed for later DVD release — also features performances by Canton Jones, Pettidee, Pastor AD3 and Gospel Gangstaz, one of the legends of D-Maub’s genre. Tickets are $12 in advance (available through itickets.com) or $15 day of the show. (
HYPERLINK "http://www.onerouteentertainment.com/"
www.onerouteentertainment.com
)• The East Price Hill Improvement Association hosts its second annual “EPHIA presents Jazz” concert this Saturday afternoon at Dempsey Park (959 Hawthorne Ave., Price Hill). The free event features sets by local Jazz favorite Mike Wade and his group, the Jazz Ambassadors, and The Cincy Brass, self-described as “New Orleans brass band meets Cincinnati Funk.” The Walnut Hills High School Jazz Ensemble opens the show at 2 p.m. Music runs until 6 p.m. The concert is free. For more on the organization hosting the event, visit www.ephia.org.
• Former radio personality and Blues bassist-turned-New Age/Healing music performer Ron Esposito has released his third solo album, We Are One, once again showcasing his soundscaping work with Tibetan brass bowls and crystal singing bowls. Esposito will be spinning bowls to curb stress and encourage healing and relaxation this Saturday for a sound meditation session at Shine Yoga in Hyde Park (at 2 p.m.) and at Elemental Om in Montgomery (5 p.m.). For more on the performances and the new album, visit ronesposito.com.
• Terminal Union, the Americana/AltCountry duo with the best band name ever to come from a Cincy-centric source (with apologies to Over the Rhine and 4192), are the October “Artist in Residence” at the Southgate House, meaning they’ll perform free shows every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. this month in the venue’s intimate Juney’s Lounge. The promising duo — featuring David Faul and Ian Mathieu — specialize in well-crafted songs inspired by Roots tradition but never shackled by it. Terminal Union came to many locals’ attention when they recorded and released “Have Another Round,” an excellent musical statement that came about after Mathieu witnessed the aftermath of the local police shooting that killed local musician David “Bones” Hebert. Sean Geil of The Tillers is slated to appear with the band for this week’s A.I.R. performance. (The duo plans to have different artists open each week during its Juney’s run.) Give the band a listen at
HYPERLINK "http://www.reverbnation.com/terminalunion"
www.reverbnation.com/terminalunion
.CONTACT MIKE BREEN:
