Maverick Smith’s “We Make Fire, They Make Smoke” lands not with a thud, but with the distinct, satisfying crackle of something catching alight. It’s a title that carries the grit of the Ohio Valley in its consonants, a resolute statement from a band – Paige Bosic on commanding vocals and rhythm guitar, Sean Boynes sculpting soundscapes on guitar, Jim Courtney’s intricate drumming, Charlie Kovach’s...

Some records hit you like a sudden downpour on a sweltering afternoon. You do not see the clouds gathering, but within seconds, you are completely soaked and surprisingly grateful for the shock to your system. That is the exact energy driving 'Water To Wine", the new collaborative album from Cashus King and Big O. It is a project that grabs you by the collar and...