If William Carlos Williams rose from the dead and told me he wanted to move into songwriting & performing, I’d suggest he begin by listening to NAVIGATOR about two hundred times. Martin Jack Rosenblum is an American original. Twelve years ago, when I could no longer ignore the death of vinyl and the rise of digital music, I bought my first CD. It was Rosenblum’s FREE HAND. I’ve been a fan since. NAVIGATOR is a departure of sorts. Sure, you still get to enjoy Martin Jack’s crystalline fingerpicking (both acoustic guitar and banjo) and the sonic hot molasses of his harmonica, as well as some solid electric guitar salve. You still get the patented vocal growl---sometimes sung, sometimes recited. But the difference on NAVIGATOR is that Rosenblum collaborates closely with Violent Femmes drummer Victor DeLorenzo and Victor’s son Malachi DeLorenzo and turns over some previously Martin Jack-only duties to them. Victor takes the lead vocals on some of the songs, and he does Marty’s words great justice. While I could listen to MJR all day long (and often do) it’s a first-time and wonderful treat to hear his songs interpreted by another vocalist. Victor nails it. I also very much appreciate the addition of instruments never before heard on an MJR album, notably the fine tenor sax work on SO WHISTLE and the cello and viola on the instrumental FOR ME. I also like the congas on LAUGHING DOG and SO WHISTLE. Whoever did the arrangements should win a Grammy. Rosenblum’s spirit is a lightning storm in progress. His words and music crackle with an extraordinarily high-voltage energy. Lightning has to go somewhere; in this case, it formed NAVIGATOR. NAVIGATOR takes you places you need to go, but are unable to locate on any map. See for yourself. Then encourage MVM to go out on tour.