CD and DVD reviews
Leslie West who passed away in 2020, was a defining figure as a guitarist/singer along with his power trio Mountain who formed in 1969. Leslie bandmates were producer/bassist Felix Pappalardi and drummer Norman Smart, replaced by Corky Laing. Their 1970 hit Mississippi Queen with it’s cowbell intro has become a classic rock standard, ranking up…
We get an early glimpse of what’s awaiting listeners on Bernadett’s release Redemption with its title song. It’s likely one of the crisper sounding songs included on Redemption and the assertive percussion sound gives the song the sort of urgency listeners usually flock to. It isn’t the driving factor determining the song’s success, however. Bernadett’s…
The Gravel Project is an eclectic bunch of talented players that bring an array of musical influences to the mix. ‘Many Miles Ahead’ is the band’s latest release and includes a barrage of elements from rock, jazz & blues to funk, Latin grooves and soul. The Gravel Project brings an intoxicating display of sound to…
Christian Parker is a talented songwriter, guitarist and American recording artist with over 30 years experience as a musician. Over the last three and a half decades, Christian Parker has released six studio albums and his music has been featured in notable publications and on radio stations across North America, receiving glowing reviews from the…
Phil Lee has got style and proves it right away with the snazzy suit he is sporting on the front cover of his new album titled ‘Phil Lee & Other Old Time Favorites’. With a flashy wardrobe, Phil Lee also has a certain flair with his music that is both stylish and original. On this…
From the first listen of David Lockwood’s latest release, it’s easy to see why he chose the title ‘The Rest Is History’. There’s a sweeping nostalgia swimming throughout this whole album. The lifetime of memories and musical experience is felt from the first opening piano chord of the opener ‘Blue on Blue’. I suppose it’s…
Singer/Songwriter Dynamyte gets real on her newest single “Come Thru.” Born after a night out where all her friends bailed on her last minute, Dynamyte was left thinking about her own values and commitments. For her, showing up for people was a priority not everyone shared. “Come Thru” started that night, a year later she…
“Tráfico,” has that fiery Latin tempo that will have you moving and shaking from the start until the very end. The newest single by multi-instrumentalist virtuoso, Casely, should be the official anthem for Miami tourism, as it literally feels like the city. With a Salsa on Red Bull pace, “Tráfico,“ has every chance and every…
“Heart Shaped Box” is a Nirvana song it just hurts to hear. Kurt Cobain sings it with so much obvious pain in his voice. Lyrically, it’s more Gothic than the grunge style with which Nirvana was consistently associated. At the end of one verse, for example, Cobain sings, “I wish I could eat your cancer…
Toronto Tabla Ensemble’s new album, For The Love Of Tabla, explores feelings of love and devotion. Ritesh Das, founder and artistic director, had yet to explore the theme of love with Toronto Tabla Ensemble. Das set out looking for collaborators all over the world to help create songs that embody those feelings. The pandemic truly…
The art of the “summer single” feels lost after the last couple of years, doesn’t it? After years indoors, there are hardly seasons anymore, let alone songs dominating the charts and airwaves. If you’re anything like most, your taste in music has probably plateaued into old favorites, TikTok curated playlists, and/or podcasts — there’s a…
Someone notify the Grammys, as an out of nowhere sensation has emerged in Dominique Lloyd, better known as Dommo. A member of Gold Standard LTD, Dommo has released a single on his own, “Silver Linings.” The track is a bit of a genre-bender, but the one defining element is Dommo. Something of an Enigma, Dommo…
A wonderful driving rhythm races through Mitch Linker’s “Catastrophizing”. The buildup of the song is majestic. With the overall krautrock-like tempo locking into pace the song sprawls out into the seemingly infinite. His voice truly sells it though sung with a crystal clarity that feels downright reassuring. Volume works wonders for it is an absolute…
We need albums like this right now. As the world seems to be falling around our ears, wars and rumors of wars fill our heads, Kate Lynne Logan’s Sleeping Giants has the potential to act as the musical equivalent fresh air rushing into a smoky room. Her songwriting may not always be embracing the happiest…
Las Vegas is a city known for its entertainment, its food, its nightlife, and more recently, its exorbitance. It’s produced some of the most auspicious, and savvy figures in all walks of life, but especially, show business. 3B Rich is an R&B/Pop/Hip Hop group who has successfully navigated the shark infested music scene of Las…
Uplifting and invigorating – the single, “Trust In Me” from Francesca Beghe shines even if it’s a decades-old song. Proving that time doesn’t matter, Beghe originally co-wrote the track that was eventually picked up and recorded for The Bodyguard soundtrack by Joe Cocker and Sass Jordan. Still resonating all these years later, “Trust In Me”…
A powerful physicality adorns the entirety of Noor’s “Phoenix EP.” The title proves to be aptly named for it rises from the ashes to come into bright, brilliants bursts of color. Flows feature this fiery presence with exquisite detail added to heighten the entirety of the experience. Elements of trap, classic hip-hop, R&B, and EDM…
The R Train explores a riotous strain of classic rock with “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place”. Here is a song that deserves to be played as loudly as possible. Whether that volume helps to drown out the screech of the train brakes at each subway stop or more commonly just a wonderful thing…
It feels like Rob Alexander is always the subject of some serious underground buzz from one year to the next, and while his last LP Dream out Loud already made plenty of waves in 2021, the new single from its tracklist – “Yesterday’s News” – is starting to feel like one of the key songs of the…
The Midwestern wilds of the Dayton, Ohio area aren’t renowned for producing memorable popular music acts but that changes when you take Ludlow Creek into account. The quintet once known as Southbound began playing together as a cover band. A few years passed before the band eliminated covers from their typical set list and, instead,…
Between the chiming strings of “Baby, You’re My Weakness” and the lusty harmonies that cling to a rock-inspired rhythm in “A Girl Like You,” Barry Muir is covering a lot of aesthetical ground in his latest album Gentle, much of which is summed up in the record’s lead single “She’s a Little Wildflower.” Artistically speaking, Gentle unites the…
‘Hillbilly Hippie Shreddin’ Folk Rock’. That’s how Blind Uncle Harry describes his music and it’s completely spot on. In fact, that can now be a genre in its own right as Blind Uncle Harry is back shreddin’ yet again with another folk-rock single ‘I Just Want You To Know’. What always amazes me when I…
Alias Wayne has shown he has a knack for creating captivating and creative songs time and time again. His whole discography is bursting with colour and creativity, as his unique blend of Americana, blues and Caledonian soul has, quite frankly, created a genre in itself. In his latest release ‘Chaperon’ he’s swayed into the sweet…
A rustic slice of Americana comes through with Southbound 75’s soulful odes. Done with a great amount of dignity he proves to be an exceptional storyteller. The worldview depicted amongst these pieces has a grandeur about it, one that feels doubly fresh. Guitar work features a greatness to it. Riffs have a beauty about it,…
Kristina Koller employs a noir jazz pop perfection with the sultry “Get Out of Town”. The arrangements have a sophisticated, timeless elegance to them. Done with such dignity, nods to Chet Baker’s output emerge throughout for it is that refined. Melodically rich these elements float on through the air in a gracious fashion. Interplay amongst…
Merit Maker embodies the ethos of skater punk on the undeniably catchy choruses of “Breaking Edge”. Volume is a given for they hold nothing back at all. Layer upon layer intermingles to create this colossal stunning sound. These songs teem with life for the interplay has a fantastically frantic quality. Nods to groups like Blink…
Gravelle & Perinbam taps into rock’s very soul with their urgent yet thoughtful takes on that classic sound. Percussion hits like a force of nature, and the guitars are stellar. The group truly listens to each other playing off each other’s strengths. Vocals are mixed prominently front and center of the entire rest of the…
“My Tears Fall” revels in the exquisite storytelling of Sarantos. With this piece, he gets personal with the Greek language adding to the intimacy of the work. A nice juxtaposition of the ancient and modern the song seemingly exists outside of time. Instruments here further add to this sense of otherworldliness. Quite catchy, the elements…
Pure club vibes race through “17 (houson boombox remix)” for Hannyta captures a psychedelic dance experience. Volume is a given for the whole of the journey has a bombastic feeling. Bass goes deep into the red for each hit of the drum has a heaviness to it. All of it seems to swing around with…
Ludlow Creek rolls on through with a country rock grace on “What About Love”. Beyond the clear references to country rock, bits of the blues, pop, and the fine singer-songwriter tradition. The colors that emerge out of the sound feels righteous, absolutely blissful to the very core of the situation. Within this sound there is…
What I love most about Kali Indiana’s recent single ‘Probably Not’ is the track’s ability to make you laugh, make you sigh and allow you to feel totally seen all at once. This single is a complete love letter to strong women… or, as Kali Indiana puts it, it’s a “manifesto for the ladies who…
Nied’s Hotel Band features a gorgeous, communal spirit on the updated big-band bombast of “We’re Just Fine”. Optimism shines through the entirety of the track. The lyrics help to fully convey this sense of contentment. Interplay amongst the group has a lot heart to it, for they truly listen to each other. A great amount…
Hard rock, the blues, with a blast of bombast make up “Stand Up – Two Cities,” showing off the exquisite skill of Christopher Meredith in sculpting a massive sound. Everything about this track feels gigantic – from the vocals to the riffs running through, all the way to the chorus. Inspired by Charles Dicken’s classic…
Playboi Brando aka Brandon James Thayer is a young, up-and-coming artist who is relentless on the microphone. With an aggressive approach, Playboi Brando is aiming high with his new release titled ‘The Commando Chronicles’. Playboi Brando is all set and bringing his A game, so ready…aim… FIRE! This new album is an interesting listening experience…
Whether it be waking the dead or a next door neighbor, “Illuminating Nightmares” is sure to rattle some bones and eardrums. This recent single by 3Mind Blight is a scary, good time and will have you on the edge of your seat all day and all night long. Nightmares might keep you up at night…
3Mind Blight is a one man show who is a former producer turned solo artist. 3Mind Blight is from Oklahoma and brings 15 years experience to the table as a music producer and as of 2018 is now embarking on an exciting solo career. 3Mind Blight is an international, award-winning artist, musician, producer and songwriter…
“We hope that people find this song to be true and relatable – love is definitely one of the most important themes in country music,” states brother-sister duo Juna N Joey as they describe the inspiration behind their most recent single ‘Til Your Heart Breaks.’ Hailing from Nashville, 16-year-old Juna and 19-year-old Joey narrate the…
Jarea Wilson’s voice rings fine and true on the confessional “Love Needs An Answer”. The minimalism of the sound gives it a dreamy-eyed presence. Firmly rooted in the R&B tradition, the song gets plenty of room to roam. A futuristic gloss adorns the entirety of the piece, for hers is a sound akin to newer…
It takes a lot of effort to make rock music sound compelling in 2022, given how exploited the genre has become through the years, but somehow Starfire manages to find a way in their new record Dreaming of Destiny, and it’s getting the attention of critics and fans alike this month. Dreaming of Destiny doesn’t…
Willie J “The Philosopher” brings good vibrations with “Let’s Save The World” and “Be a Father to Your Child”. For both of these tracks lyrics prove to be of the essence. Lyrics are chosen with care with each verse carefully balanced on top of the last. Melodies, rhythms, these are all secondary to the sheer…
