NEW VIDEO FROM STATIK SELEKTAH FEAT BUN B

The official video for Statik Selektah’s second single “Get Out The Way” featuring Bun B and Cory Mo, from the album Stick 2 the Script, in stores now.

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AT&T PRESENTS ON THE BRINK / MEDIA PLAYER

This series follows the lives of an eclectic group of young musicians as the struggle with their bandmates, parents, girlfriends and fans all while teetering on the Brink of success.

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BIG CHIEF FEAT JIM JONES / MP3

Big Chief is ready to make his name known in the hip hop game. He has just teamed up with Jim Jones with this new single, “My Swagg.” This laid back track is catchy and should create a nice buzz for Big Chief.

BIG CHIEF FT. JIM JONES “MY SWAGG”:

SKOPE IT HERE!

BIGG JIGG RELEASES VIDEO FOR “FLY AS A PLANE”

Midwest rapper and 106 & Park champion Bigg Jigg prepares new album “The Go 2 Man” for release In 2009!

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JORDAN ZEVON WINS 2008 USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION

Jordan Zevon wins the Overall Grand Prize of the 2008 USA Songwriting Competition along with co-writers Jordan Summers & Morty Coyle. His winning song home will be on the USA Songwriting Competition’s compilation CD this year. Jordan is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles won 1st Prize in the 2006 USA Songwriting Competition but was not placed in the Overall Grand Prize, Overall 2nd Prize and Overall 3rd Prize at that time. This year Jordan improved to the Top position. He is signed to New West Records. His 2006 winning song “The Joke’s On Me” is the first track on his debut album “Insides Out” with New West Records. He has also appeared on TV’s “Late Night with David Letterman”.

www.songwriting.net

JAN/FEB 2009 SONICBIDS “ARTISTS 2 WATCH”

It’s that time again to look at a sampling of emerging artists from Sonicbids. You will notice a couple of changes in this column. First, it is converting to bi-monthly status. And second, I will be on hiatus for a few months. It has been my pleasure to introduce new talent to our readers at Skope. I have found some really great bands and solo performers here, and I hope you have, too. 

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Adolfo Lazo, On Tape

Lazo takes a break from being a drummer for Celtic Rock powerhouse, Tempest to come out with his first solo record.  Always an exciting time when an artist wants to bust out into the solo scene and the anticipation I’m sure is intense.  Can’t even imagine how it all feels inside; a blend of emotions from extreme excitement to utter fear perhaps. 

When I pushed play on Lazo’s solo project, the first thing I heard right away was a Latin rock vibe.  The sound was very hip and lively and I was thinking that this record was going to be one huge Latin Explosion party.  Haven’t listened to a good Latin Rock album in awhile, so I was definitely down with that.  That whole idea of don’t judge a book by its cover had major implications here, but except with a different twist to the saying.  That is:  Don’t judge an album by its first song, in which I did in this case unfortunately.

I was completely taken back by what proceeded after song 1, “Rey de España”, but in a surprisingly good way.  Next song follows with a country-western groove and a laid-back sound that didn’t sound anything like Latin Rock.  Wow, what a 360 degree turnaround here!  Followed next is a number called “Morgan” and off-base once again with a slowed-down beat and folk-like sound.  And lyrics that I’m still trying to wrap my finger around: “Did your head come with your body?  It doesn’t look like it to me”….mind boggling??

On Tape also offers a short instrumental, country-rock riffs, dance grooves and even a Greek-inspired style all to the tune of fast and not so fast beats.  The diversity that Lazo offers on this solo record is nothing short of impressive.  To mesh together so many different styles of music onto one piece of work is not an easy feat, I’m sure. And to be able to record all of it successfully is a major feat, so job well done Adolfo Lazo with On Tape. 

For more on Adolfo Lazo and his new solo project, Skope out www.adolfolazo.com.  If you’re in the mood for something different and original, then you owe it to yourself to take a listen.  Or, in better words if you like a little bit of this and a little bit of that, then you’ll more than likely enjoy what Lazo has done here.

Review By: Jimmy Rae

Rating:

Peel, Die In June

First off, I have to say I was taken back by the album title because my birthday is in June.  Definitely wasn’t a good feeling, but who knows why they named it that.  I’m sure there’s a perfect explanation behind the depressing title and I’m certain it’s not revolved around a birthday in June.  At least, I hope not!…ha 

Peel is a Norwegian group made up of five members: Pim (lead vocals/guitar), Bertzkii (drums), Dan (guitar/vocals), Bjorn (guitars/keyboards) and Frikk (bass/vocals).  Die in June is a 4-Song EP that offers a lot of variety in musical tastes.  Everything from heavy metal to alternative to progressive rock to modern rock and even some Goth-rock is offered on this record.  The Goth-rock feel comes by way of Pim’s darker lyrics and Peel’s darker melodies on the album.  Makes sense that these elements would be included because Norway has extremely harsh/cold winters. In turn, those extreme weather conditions are turned into cold/dark notes and melodies within the songs.  It’s all making sense to me now!…a-ha

Now, don’t think the record is all about gloominess because it most certainly isn’t.  Peel also brings an element of Pop sensation that could potentially be on a regular, poppy radio station.  Not sure if the band would want that or not, but some of the songs definitely could be played by a push of a button or turn of a dial if marketed just right.  Never know?

Add in some cool Electronica sound effect elements and you have yourself an eclectic Alt-Rock bunch from the land of Scandinavia.  Peel seems to be quite innovative on this recording by incorporating so many different elements and styles of music.  Maybe this Norwegian band will take the U.S. by storm next.  Just as long as it’s not in June!…ha

For more on Peel and Die in June, Skope out www.peeltheband.com and www.peelgrimrecords.com. 

Review By: Jimmy Rae

Rating:

Blue Island Tribe, The 5 Hits of Ecstasy

First thing I noticed was the man jumping into the bright, blue ocean on the front cover.  On the flip-side: the silhouette of the woman sitting beside the water with waves crashing in and rays from the glaring sun beaming down.  Considering I’m a big-time summer and tropical person, I automatically picked up on this theme.  You get a very care-free, peaceful and tranquil feeling right away just from the front and back covers alone.  Made me wish I was an exotic island somewhere instead of messing with freezing rain, ice and snow.

After admiring the cover art and the fact that I wasn’t going to be on an island anytime soon, I realized that there was an album to hear.  They call themselves Blue Island Tribe and you would think the members are more than likely from some tropical place—WROOONG!!  The band is actually from Iowa, go figure, and yes they play reggae-rock music, which makes them incredibly original and authentic right from the start.  And you know what, that’s very cool and very OK with me because music is music no matter what part of the world you’re in.  Music comes from the heart, so if you’re from Iowa but truly love reggae-rock music then just go with it man! 

Just five songs on The 5 Hits of Ecstasy, but Blue Island Tribe pack a powerful punch of island flavor on this record.  Track one, “Down”, starts out with that fun in the sun vibe while rockin’ out to the chorus line of: “IN THE MORNING, IN THE EVENING, EVEN IN THE AFTERNOON.  ALL I EVER WANNA DO IS JUST GET DOWN WITH YOU”.  YAHHH MONN!!  As a former alto sax player, I simply loved hearing the soothing sounds of the saxophone on “ecstasy”.  “March on” is a terrific song made up of a jumpin’ beat, rock-hard riff and a sweet guitar solo.  And when I found out that it was written as a tribute to our brave soldiers, it made the song even more worth while.  The line, “Can You Feel it in Your Soul”, says it all and so much more—March On!

For more on the six-person Tribe from Iowa, Skope out www.blueislandtribe.com and www.myspace.com/blueislandtribe.  If you like a little rock and a little reggae, then you just might like this EP.  Also, if you’re a fan of Sublime then you should definitely take a listen because there are many similarities here.

Review By Jimmy Rae

Rating:

Faces of March, Confessions

When checking out the album cover, I couldn’t help but notice the very dark and gothic appeal.  You see a jet-black woman’s boot that could be worn either by a dominatrix or Cat-Woman, take your pick.  The whole background displays very dark/black colors giving a sense of gloominess.  And on the back side of the album, you see all four members of Faces of March displaying no bright colors as well—just blackness and darkness screaming out.  Seeing this made me think what the album might sound like, BUT my friends I have a confession of my own—never judge a record by its cover.  I learned this a long time ago with books and the same rules apply here.  The real art and magic is on the inside, not outside and that definitely applies here.

Faces of March hails from Miami and is made up of Gia on vocals, Joe on guitars, Marcelo on bass and Eli on drums.  Right away I could tell how fine-tuned this band was and the chemistry was right on.  All four members gel together like peanut butter and jelly on Confessions; vocal, guitar, bass and drum lines all in unison and all as one full circle. 

Couldn’t help but notice the similarities with a group you may have heard of, Evanescence.  The Miami foursome brings a rock beat with heavy and dark chords, but also brings to the table a very powerful and sincere sound.  Gia’s vocal abilities are quite impressive on this album and she seems to belt it all out of her on this one.  In a sense, she is releasing herself and all of her vulnerabilities through way of her singing.  Power, emotion and sincerity all heavily felt by Gia and her band.  Mix all of this together with some Pop and you get an overall, incredible sound from Faces of March.

One of Gia’s finest vocal performances comes by way of “Too Late” where all of these emotions just seem to come together during one hell of a song.  The way she seems to balance the song through her voice and vocal capabilities while evoking the emotions that go along with it is simply an amazing sound.  I was blown away by that aspect more so than anything else.  This band freakin’ rocks hard and knows how to make it all work as 1. 

For more on Faces of March and their new album, Confessions, Skope out www.facesofmarch.com and www.myspace.com/facesofmarch.  This group is 4 real and that is because they are true to their music and true to themselves.  I feel this group can go very far in the music world because they seem to have a lot to offer.  Be on the lookout for Faces of March!

Review By: Jimmy Rae

Rating:

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