Robinella and the Ccstringband

Just as I wondered where the next cool thing is going to come from, the bluegrassy-jazzy Robinella and the Ccstringband landed in my life the other day like a soft blanket from heaven. Vocalist/acoustic guitarist Robinella Contreras and mandolin-playing hubby Cruz Contreras have teamed up with Billy Contreras on fiddle, Steve Kovalcheck on electric guitar and Taylor Coker on upright bass for one of the best albums I have heard in a long time. Robinella’s captivating voice—something of a cross between Dolly Parton and Rickie Lee Jones—is showcased on “Dress Me Up, Dress Me Down,” which is reminiscent of Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors.” The groovin’ little “Honey Honey Bee” recalls the quirky jazz sounds of Oranj Symphonette and Combustible Edison. “Always the Same, Always the Best” is just about one of the sweetest songs I ever laid ears on: “It don’t make no difference…/ How long it’s been/ This bond between us/ Must have been blessed/ ’Cause it’s always the same/ It’s always the best.”