CD and DVD reviews
“Touch the Sky” shows off the impressive vocal and lyrical stylings of the KC Sisters. Singing a song of hope and encouragement they create a deeply moving inspiring piece of work. Effortlessly blending together elements of jazz and gospel into a satisfying whole, the KC Sisters prove to be adept at storytelling, revealing exactly how…
The latest single from the singing quintet Un5gettable is another helping of their typical understated humor and light country influences. While the band’s concept is predicated on poking fun at the boy band craze of the late 1990’s and early 21st century, “Sorry” is a traditional country ballad at heart, though one with a bare…
Craving the spotlight and blandishments of fame has never motivated Chris Murphy’s long career as a live performer, songwriter, and recording artist. Murphy, instead, has consciously chosen to work his magic along the fringes of popular music, frequently paying respect to decidedly retro forms long fallen from commercial favor. The rewards are ample. There’s a…
Delivered with passion and precision, Eddy Bayes creates a perfectly paired down kind of folk with “Motionless”. By focusing on the absolute essentials Eddy Bayes revels in uncluttered arrangements. Everything appears to be so crystal clear throughout from the nimble expressive guitar work to the strong strings that weave their way in and out of…
Elegant to its very core, Dan Costa’s “Suite Três Rios” is the perfect embodiment of the casual cool of Brazilian jazz. Dan Costa gives lots of room for each instrument to get its own space within the album, as the album virtually teems with life. Stylistically, Dan Costa goes from the energetic samba to the…
Dom Mar Kz’s “Destiny” is a heartfelt ode to forging one’s own path in life delivered with fiery passion. Effortlessly blending together elements of country, rock, and pop, the song comes together so perfectly. Attention to detail is incredibly important as the arrangement is colorful with elements brought together like a vast tapestry of sound.…
Davy Sage’s “Waiting For You” is the sound of celebration. With lyrics poetic in nature the songs explore the concept of love and desire. Throughout it all what ties the collection together is a perfectly crafted pop sensibility. Stylistically these pieces vary from the overwhelming power of dance to delicate R&B ballads. By working with…
Sarantos shows off his deep knowledge of deep house with the joyful dance grooves of “Perfection From Every Angle”. With lyrics that emphasize exactly what people wait for, that moment of absolute freedom, Sarantos creates a lovely world with his song. The celebration of the world becomes apparent as Sarantos sings strongly over the insistent…
Blaza Duval’s “For The Glory” explores the innermost desire to succeed. With lyrics that emphasize accomplishment for oneself, the song is a powerful ode to self-motivation. Throughout the song Blaza Duval’s flow is flawless as he states exactly what is needed in order to achieve his goals. By being in control of his destiny Blaza…
A glorious industrial grey churn defines the compelling and emotionally rich “Joys and Horrors of Broken Souls” showing off Rawzilk’s ability to explore darker impulses. Tying these songs together are carefully delivered lyrics with vocals that appear to rise above the din. Strong beats, unforgettable melodies, and a great sense of song craft brings the…
Mark Baxter’s “Great Escape” opens the collection up on an airy, tropical note. Nicely mixing elements of indie rock with a hint of jazz, the song sprawls out luxuriously. Lyrically the song has a dreamy, longing quality to it. “Follow Your Bliss” shows off A Year From Monday’s blissful grooves. With clean guitar riffs and…
The second of two new full length albums from Kendl Winter and Palmer T. Lee, known together as The Lowest Pair, isn’t an extravagant affair. The eleven track release Uncertain as It Is Uneven is firmly rooted in the folk and bluegrass music that has carried the duo from completely obscurity to being held up…
Style clashes and fusions often produce some of music’s most thrilling breakthroughs. Moon and Pollution is an impressive new duo hailing from the St. Paul, Minnesota area quickly making a reputation for themselves as creative, challenging purveyors of vocal, melodic, and rhythmic art. Make no mistake that Moon and Pollution are capable entertainers. The blend…
Mr. Envi’ shows off his impeccable flow with the flawless “Evryday Hustle”. Lyrics focus on the daily grind, on the things that come up on a day to day basis. By creating a vast carefully woven narrative throughout the collection Mr. Envi’ shows how people live, what they long for, and what they can achieve.…
This single by Junk Parlor is definitely a keeper. For all of who are into Alternative-Americana and Indie-Rock music, or even just know the song “Dear Doctor” by the Rolling Stones, you would very much appreciate this song. It’s somewhat dark with a meaning that’s just unclear to me as this genre is definitely not…
Jonnie & Joy consists of Jonnie Rockwell (keyboards and backing vocals) and Joy Tolbert (lead vocals), two old-timers that were once part of 80s Bangles-esque all-girl band Starchild. After spending nearly two decades apart, Rockwell (who attended med school and became a family medicine doctor before returning to music) and Tolbert (who recorded and toured…
Something Like Sound weaves together elements of rap, grunge, and folk into a flawless whole on “Mortails”. Impossible to pigeonhole Something Like Sound seemingly does it all and does it well. Over the course of “Mortails” Something Like Sound show off their impressive chops from the commanding rhythms to the soulful vocals. Tying all of…
Full of heart and soul, Jordan Bennett’s “Outcasts and Untouchables” is a perfect kind of pop. With emotive vocals the songs simply soar. Lyrics are highly articulate akin to conversations with cared-for friends. Arrangements serve as the ideal accompaniment hitting the right kind of vulnerability. Stripped down to the absolute essentials everything works from the…
Gesso Mysticeyes creates an effortlessly stylish groove with “Love Vibrations”. Funky to its very core everything about “Love Vibrations” works wonders. The guitar work is magnificent going from mere support of the infectious rhythm to its absolutely exquisite soaring into the sky. Strong vocals serve as the center of the song as all else revolves…
Tapping into rock n’ roll’s heart and soul, Bruce Lev’s “The Declaration of Independents” is pure fun. With a wide variety of styles the pieces are woven together impeccably. Vocals are sung straight from the heart, the arrangements flawless, and with the right amount of passion. From the rollicking swagger of “LIVE On Alabama Drive”…
Bucky Hayes and the The Commonwealth create a true classic with “100 Miles to Macon”. Sung with absolute honesty, “100 Miles to Macon” is a gentle kind of joy. With soulful delivery, Bucky Hayes creates a sense of wonder with his poetic lyricism. Accompanying him is just the perfect mixture of Americana, country, rock, all…
Charles Wright is a Mississippi boy, seasoned musician, with a musical career that spans over 50 years. I like this guy, he’s groovy, funky and cool; funking it up all over the place. Fun FUN and just when you think you’ve had enough fun he goes and makes you have even more fun. Wright…
Sung straight from the heart Michael Todd’s “Crashland” presents the best of Americana. “Crashland” serves as a series of short stories, exploring what it means to alive in the world. Thus what results is a sense of humor, tragedy and introspection coming together into a satisfying whole. By weaving together such a wide variety of…
Dwen’s sound is positively dominating. With a sense of celebration throughout the two pieces Dwen creates an undeniable sense of joy. Rhythms positively bounce. Volume is an absolute must as the songs work best at an almost physical amount of sound. By far the highlight of the pieces is Dwen’s impeccable flow which is the…
Tinsley is another of the well traveled bluesmen. He’s shared the stage with numerous blues legends. This is his 19th release to accompany yet another tour. All I Think About is a moderate shuffle paced song, about himself. Givin’ you Up is a nice cut that has a certain Motown feel. Don’t Cut It is…
The Jelly Jam is made up of Ty Tabor (King’s X) on vocals, keys, and guitar, John Myung (Dream Theatre) on bass, and Rod Morgenstein (Winger, Dixie Dregs) on drums. Ty either wrote or collaborated on the songs. Care is a medium paced metal influenced song. Stain On The Sun is a ballad paced song…
Jeff was definitely a solid force in the blues/rock field for quite a while before his untimely passing in 2008. This offering is comprised of previously unreleased material written by Jeff during the period of 1996-98. He is well remembered for his unique ability to easily crank out riffs with his “Axe-on-the-lap” playing style. Recently…
Eleanor Tallie’s Israeli upbringing and classical musical training isn’t the usual pedigree for a soul singer, but Tallie isn’t your usual pop performer. Her debut EP No Turning Back introduces the world to much more than just a great singer – her songwriting skills and talents as a multi-instrumentalist set her far apart from many…
Sung straight from the heart, Jay Brown’s “Can’t Help But Wonder Disc 1” harkens back to the proud tradition of the solitary singer-songwriter. With a sound that teems with life, Jay Brown’s work feels completely honest. Lyrics guide these rustic piece all the way through, with the just right mixture of storytelling and poetry. Arrangements…
Sasha’s Bloc Band is Alex Gershmann and features guest vocalists, Jane Monheit and Alvin Chea. Gershmann brings the airy feel of big band and jazz with a splash of R&B that puts you right in the groove. This single, Runaway Blues is a perfect blend that accomplishes what this band set out to do, make…
Angelic in tone is the grandeur of Cooper Philip’s “Silence”. Sung straight from the heart her vocal delivery is phenomenal with light accompaniment done via the strong and expressive piano work. The song unfurls ever so gently with her story serving as the beating heart of the piece. Her voice simply soars as she reveals…
Ashley J, a lovely young lady out of Orlando, FL. She is not only a pretty face, but a black belt, dancer and singer/songwriter, triple threat. She is celebrating her latest Pop goodness, Dare Ya. It has the same vivacious charisma we’re used to hearing from this budding new artist. She is fearless and puts…
With a strong sense of play Barbara Mamabolo’s “Hold Up” – (Bring It Down)” brings the funk. At times reminiscent of Parliament’s delightful sense of style the song feels perfect. Paul Pesco’s incredible work on the guitar helps to keep the entire thing fully grounded as the rhythm works its impressive magic. By opting for…
Defiant in tone is the rebellious, independent-minded sound of Natalie Jean’s “Please Don’t”. Cleverly framed in a tragic story, the song expresses how exactly to overcome deep loss. Lyrics express exactly one becomes sick of a bad relationship, of how a bad relationship can poison a life. With lyrics cowritten by Natalie Jean and Michael…
Sly and seductive, Natalie Jean’s “Now I See” offers a luxurious inviting sound, one perfect for the summer. With a dubstep affect to it the piece feels ever so clear. At times reminiscent of James Blake’s careful approach to song craft the piece positively shimmers in tone. Downright glorious the build of the song results…
With a nice mixture of the blues and classic rock is the stylish sound of Topham McCarty’s “All Your Love”. Romantic to its very core Topham McCarty plays with tempo to great effect. Incredible guitar riffs abound throughout the piece showing off their impressive chops. Plainfield Slim utilizes a playful approach with the giddy work…
The duo of Kendl Winter and Palmer T. Lee, collectively known as The Lowest Pair, has followed an idiosyncratic path since their 2013 formation. Few performing and songwriting units embody the idea of “following the songs wherever and whenever they come” as completely. Like any professional musical act, The Lowest Pair understand the value of…
Formed in 2012, the Los Angeles based big band Sasha’s Bloc has been wowing audiences worldwide with their own particular brand of Americana music – a chops-laden, full on invocation of popular jazz from the early through mid 20th century. This isn’t intended as a purely academic, retro-fitted tribute to past forms. Instead, this is…
Norwood’s “Notes To My Blood” is valentine to the downtrodden and wanderers of the world. All their strengths, all their faults are laid bare. Small snapshots of people, little stories, are peppered throughout the album. Tying it together is Christopher Norwood’s passionate performance and impeccable arrangements. From the slow and steady to the absolute frenzied…
Lush and languid, Sarantos creates an introspective atmosphere with “Hero Falls”. Sensitive to its very core, “Hero Falls” explores what love can do with a person, of how it can carry a person forward. Through this strength a person is able to continue onwards, more powerful in knowing they are truly cared for, together with…
