Here’s a review of “From Wilderness Cove” that was published in today’s Pasa Tiempo: The New Mexican’s Weekly Magazine of Arts, Entertainment & Culture.
“LUMPY From Wilderness Cove (self-produced) More than a year in the making, this CD is the newest project from classically trained trumpeter Bryan Highhill, who plays with the popular Santa Fe Latin/funk/hip-hop collective Felonious Groove Foundation. Recorded at the College of Santa Fe, CalArts, Warehouse 21, and bedroom studios between October 2008 and December 2009, From Wilderness Cove is a glistening cherry atop an already generous sundae of great local talent. Highhill ditches the strict party vibe of his funkified Felonious self in favor something more personal, all the while channeling Weezer, Beat Happening, Daniel Johnston, Fishbone, Beirut, Bowling for Soup, and They Might Be Giants. But Highhill is no imitator - nor is he a one-horn wonder. Assuming roles throughout the album as a vocalist, percussionist, piano player, Rhodes keyboardist, fluegelhorn player, trumpeter, guitarist, and programmer (and mixer, and co-producer, along with Frogville Records engineer Matthew “Kabby” Kabakoff), Highhill comes into his own as a refreshingly original and honest lyricist with versatile instrumental chops. He’s not alone in the endeavor, enlisting the help of local guitarist Peter Williams (Love Gun, The Rev. Karol King Kong, W21’s School of Rock), drummer Tim Carr, and bassist Graham Chapman, to name a few. To purchase the album and hear samples of songs (as well as Lumpy covers of tunes by Jimmy Cliff and Sam Cooke), visit bryanhighhill.com.
-Rob DeWalt”