This Weekend’s CD Release Parties

MICHEAL BENEDICT & BOPITUDE: In late January, jazz drummer/bandleader Michael Benedict slipped into Cotton Hill Studios in Albany for a weekend-long recording session with an all-star line-up that featured trumpeter Chris Pasin, saxman Brian Patneaude, pianist Bruce Barth and bassist Mike Lawrence. (We reported on the sessions in depth with a two-part story by Andrzej Pilarczyk; read it here and here.) The album is being released on the Catskill-based jazz label, Planet Arts, and the band will celebrate with a release party at The Linda in Albany at 8pm tonight (June 10). Tix are $15.

TRADEWINDS: Fronted by vocalist Evan Hummer, the young quintet is throwing a CD release party at Valentine’s Music Hall in Albany at 7:30pm tonight (June 10). Joining in the festivities will be the Night Life, Restless Streets, Scarver and Our Longest Hours. Tix are $8 in advance; $10 at the door.

UNCLE JOEL’S COMB: Punk and ska come together on UJC’s debut album, “That Creepy Uncle,” which will be officially released with a CD party at 7pm tonight (June 10) at Bogie’s in Albany. Sharing the stage will be the Waffle Strompers, the Beatdown, Breaking News and Coach Tunnels. Tix are $8 in advance; $10 at the door.

2LATE: The acoustic duo of Vicki Gayle and Mike Short have been busy in the studio recording their third full-length album, “A Little 2Late.” At the Tree of Life Studios in Guilderland, the twosome recorded 13 new songs – as well as a new studio version of the fan favorite “Duct Tape My Heart.” 2Late will celebrate the release of “A Little 2Late” with a CD release party and performance at St. Madeleine Sophie Church in Guilderland at 7pm on Saturday (June 11). The duo will also be hosting the “Pickin’ with Pancakes” open mic breakfast on Sunday morning at the Rhythm On the Ridge Roots Music Festival at Maple Ski Ridge in Rotterdam.

HOLLAND HOPSON: The ever forward thinking Hopson celebrates the release of his new CD, “Post and Beam,” with a performance at the Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy at 8pm on Monday (June 13). Hopson describes the album as “a collection of songs for banjo and voice with live electronics.” With Matthew Carefully and Century Plants. 8pm. $10 (which includes a copy of the new CD).