Before listening to a single note of Suris’ new album, “Pertinax”, I spent a few minutes just looking at the word. Pertinax. It has the distinct ring of a Stoic philosopher’s last defiant utterance or maybe a type of beetle known for its unusually stubborn shell. What a curious flag to fly for a collection of songs in an age of fleeting distraction. But...

James Keen's 'Crossover': A Solo Triumph Blending Pop-Rock Mastery with Acoustic Soul Award-winning singer, songwriter, and composer James Keen goes back to his roots with a truly solo 'Crossover' album that he wrote, recorded, performed, produced, and mixed all by himself. The album is just as ambitious in terms of the richness of the musical landscape, the mixing of genres, and the variety of sounds. 'Crossover,' which...