Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra w/ special guest Catherine Russell release new album, “Good Time Music” (Community Music, Vol 2.)”. The critics rave:
“Good Time Music” features six well-known numbers, all with a visceral connection to the blues. On every track it spotlights the stellar singing of Catherine Russell, my personal favorite choice as the greatest of all contemporary blues singers (and a champion of jazz and pop standards as well). - Will Friedwald, The Wall Street Journal
“The slide trumpeter Steven Bernstein is what they call a musician’s musician: a decades-long veteran of the New York jazz scene, with the skills, the scars and the encyclopedic recall to prove it. The vocalist Catherine Russell met Bernstein at one of those shows; on “You’ve Been a Good Old Wagon” — Bessie Smith’s send-off to a “broke-down” lover — she’s perfectly in sync with the band. GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO, New York Times
“…Russell is absolutely on fire here, and so is the band.” Take Five, WBGO
“The band’s arrangements are tailored to Russell’s vocals, delivered with authority, verve, and dramatic finesse…Among her outstanding highlights are a coyly teasing rendition of (Bessie) Smith’s “You’ve Been A Good Old Wagon,” and cheerleading brio on Toussaint’s “Yes We Can.”
- George Kansler, New York City Jazz Record
“...featuring the captivating vocals of Catherine Russell, not only one of today’s best vocalists but an expert musicologist in this music, mostly rooted in New Orleans.” - Jim Hynes, Glide Magazine
“Catherine Russell provides a neatly restrained vocal on Percy Mayfield's 'River's Invitation' from 1953 that bubbles out as the momentum of the horn section grows…”
Marlbank, UK (Jazz Review Blog)