Gracii, the newest precious stone to come out of the pulsating centre of New York City's music industry, is a formidable opponent that cannot be ignored. A new age of musical eclecticism is about to begin, and it will be ushered in by her mix of daring attitude, rich flair, and distinctive sound. Her lyrical cadence promises an experience that is comparable to that of...

There's an intimacy to the new FREE/MAN release, "The Reconnection EP," that borders on a welcome invasion of personal space. It is the sonic equivalent of someone leaning in, not to share a secret, but to create the silence where your own might finally surface. Charlie Freeman hasn't built a grand cathedral of sound here; he's simply furnished a quiet room with stark, necessary...