Phantom Phunk is bringin’ the Phunky, Fresh noise and living “Day By Day” on their latest single. Phantom Phunk is a creative bunch from Tampa, Florida where they create super original music out of their Harmonic Factory studio. Phantom Phunk is most certainly not your typical band of today as they push musical boundaries and…
She calls Cape Cod, MA home and Kathleen Healy is dubbed the “Saltwater Songwriter” for good reason. Much of her inspiration is drawn from the cool waters of Cape Cod where the salty sea consumes Kathleen’s soul. The music exhibits heavy oceanic elements with a splash of Americana and good ‘ol fashioned folk as Kathleen…
Sonomaris is a hard-hitting act from Los Angeles, California and they are pushing full steam ahead with their latest single, “Million”. Just as “The Wall of Sound” was created long ago, Sonomaris has their own blast of audio that will blow you away. This band combines elements of hard rock and progressive rock and the…
If you’re assuming that this band is a bunch of pompous, ego-maniacs who think they are beyond brilliant and that there music is superior then THINK again my friends! Just like you should never judge a book by its cover, much of the same applies here with The Brilliance. This NY-based outfit offers a break-out…
The Artist from Down Under is back and better than ever with her latest released titled ‘Nothing Ventured’. I have had the pleasure to work with eM many times over the years and I have yet to be disappointed. eM is a very talented vocalist/producer who seems to know exactly what works every single time…
I’m thrilled to get a chance to listen to and review this recent album titled ‘The Bending of Light’ by Belle of the Fall. I have had the opportunity to interview Belle of the Fall, (https://skopemag.com/2019/01/03/jimmy-rae-ringing-in-2019-with-belle-of-the-fall), and review a classic cover by the Connecticut-based duo, (https://skopemag.com/2018/11/21/belle-of-the-fall-release-scarborough-fair). If brilliant harmonies and acoustic folk are your thing,…
I had the pleasure to review Sophie Dorsten’s single, “Roses”, last year and knew that I had come across a one-of-a-kind artist, (http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=207319). This Phoenix-based singer/songwriter may be a teenager still in high school, but Sophie sings and performs like a seasoned pro. Sophie Dorsten is a true talent with star potential and you will…
Lynne Taylor is showing off her ‘Shades of Blue’ in all its glory on the brand new release. This Massachusetts-based artist has come out with an album that is like a musical buffet of enticing melodies, notes, lyrics & vocals. Lynne Taylor is an accomplished vocalist & pianist who writes & sings straight from the…
Dubbed as Neo Classical Afro Jazz, Mustafa Khaliq Ahmed and his latest album titled ‘Son Of The Drum Song’ give the listener a refreshing mix of styles. Mustafa is the master of percussion handling: bongos, chimes, claves, congas, cowbells, cymbals, djembe, drums, flexitone, gongs, granite blocks, jingle bells, rain stick, shakers, tambourines, triangles, vibraslap, vibratone…
Get ready for singer/songwriter Ernie Hendrickson and his high-spirited album titled ‘Roll On’. Ernie mixes in some good ol’ fashion southern rock with Folk and Americana roots on the new release. Ernie covers the entire spectrum of human emotion on ‘Roll On’ tapping into the good times, bad times and everything else in between. This…
International Orange stands by the motto: “Guitar driven musical sunshine dancing to a global beat”. This band certainly has an international flavor due to the exotic rhythms that can be linked to countries such as: Brazil, Africa and India. With elements of jazz & funk heavily in place, I.O. is barking up the right tree…
When you think of Blues legends, names such as: B.B. King, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Albert King, Buddy Guy and Elmore James come to mind. Dudley Harris is keeping this treasured music alive with his new release titled ‘All The Money’s Gone’. The much anticipated album is nothing but old-time…
I had the pleasure to work with the super-talented and highly optimistic Radio Drive once again and couldn’t be happier! Radio Drive’s music oozes with positive messages and pleasant melodies that will lift up your spirits for days to come. The new album, ‘In The Light’, is no exception to this rule as the record…
Farrah Frostt is one diligent woman but all work and no play makes Farrah a monotonous girl. “Work Hard, Play Harder” Featuring Mateo: is the perfect solution offering up plenty of harmless fun & entertainment. Farrah Frostt is letting her hair down in the new video and enters into a world that is equipped with…
One thing is for certain and that is whoever this “Lizzy White” is, she doesn’t giving a flying f!?k about conventional music. Norwood is an eccentric band that doesn’t play by the rules and defies the odds, which I dig. I wish more bands would take risks musically these days, so hat’s off to Norwood…
They say timing is everything and the timing couldn’t be more right for Radio Drive! Radio Drive’s sixth, full-length album was just released in August of 2019 and has been receiving rave reviews; one after another! The good news doesn’t end there for Radio Drive because the single “Sweet Thing”, featured on the album ‘She…
This new EP by singer/songwriter Emme Lentino is dedicated to the summer months and she adds, “It’s a nostalgic musical journey and I wrote it so that folks traveling on the road this summer would enjoy driving to these tunes!” ‘Summer This, Summer That’ is one HOT EP that is simply on fire, so the…
‘Incendiary Heart’ is the right title for this new album from Andy Michaels because it is exploding with love & compassion. This record is jam-packed with feeling as Andy Michaels covers the entire scale of emotions from A-Z. Immediately, one will be immersed in the richness of the recordings allowing for the listener to be…
If you’re looking for a fun, happy-go-lucky and upbeat album then this won’t be your cup of tea. But, if you’re looking for a raw & somber record that cuts right through then ‘Champagne and Childhood Hunger’ is your ticket. Eric Terino has delivered a haunting performance that will stir up many emotions on the…
This was a fantastic listen because the recordings are stripped completely down and the project wasn’t some over-the-top, over-produced production full of bells & whistles. Sylvius just lets the piano do all the talking on his new EP titled ‘Here With Me’. The result is refreshing to say the least and the effect it will…
Vicki F has a long musical history dating back to the 70s and early 80s, but she took a break from the music scene for years. Her new EP titled, ‘Definite Yes!’, is making a loud statement that Vicki F is back and better than ever. This new release proves that Vicki F has not…
Right away, I am instantly gravitated toward Scheckler Brothers and their recent video/single, “Love You So” because the siblings have a way of pulling you in. “Love You So” is not just a cool music video but also a featured single on the new album titled ‘Magic’. I am lovin’ everything about this song/video from…
Desolo is an army vet born in Venezuela and he now resides in Olympia, Washington. I wasn’t able to decipher the lyrics due to the words not being in English, BUT that didn’t even phase me! Reason being is because Desolo has a way of universally connecting with listeners through the music itself. “Te Extrano”…
Get ready to hail this “Taxi” because Caldonia is giving the listener one hell of a ride! Whatever your destination in life is, Caldonia has you covered with one steady route. Caldonia is a six piece band from Alabama and “Taxi” is the exciting, new single/video that is sure to get you where you need…
This duo’s explosive sound blew me away on their brand new album titled ‘Pretty Little Secrets’. Grifters & Shills is made up of: John and Rebecca Stoll and together their chemistry on and off stage is impeccable. The two Texans met back in 2008 while playing in a classic rock/blues jam band and the rest…
They say timing is everything and Lisa Rich feels it’s the absolute perfect time to release her third album, ‘Highwire’. Lisa Rich actually recorded this album back in 1987, but it was never released until NOW! I’m so glad this material is seeing the light of day 32 years later because the record is just…
I remember interviewing Paul Graves back in 2016 and was just so enthralled with his mountainous music and wildlife lifestyle, (https://skopemag.com/2016/10/07/jimmy-rae-goin-squatchin-with-mountain-man-paul-graves). They say home is where the heart is but in Paul’s case, home is where the heartfelt music stems from. Surrounded by spectacular views and pure nature at its finest, Wenatchee, Washington is where…
This is Laura Cheadle’s favorite time of year and the singer/songwriter is already off to the races this season. Laura Cheadle and her band are playing numerous shows on the East Coast and have a BIG event coming up with Robert Randolph & The Family Band. Her highly-acclaimed album ‘Chill’ was released in 2017 and…
There may be language barriers but when it comes to music there are no obstacles because music truly is the universal language. Leiva proves that here with his fourth solo album titled ‘Nuclear’ that is exploding with style & finesse. I may not be able to follow along with the lyrics but I certainly can…
This is the second album in a row where I didn’t understand all of the words due to the songs/lyrics being in Spanish, but yet again it doesn’t matter because the music speaks for itself. Eljuri is a NYC-based singer/songwriter with Ecuadorian roots and she brings global tastes and mass appeal on the new record.…
Even though I couldn’t understand the words due to the lyrics being in Spanish, I know good music when I hear it. And No TeVaGustar offers very good-sounding music on ‘Otras Canciones’ that is professionally done and so full of life. No TeVaGustar is referred to as “the most important group in Uruguayan rock and…
Nothing tricky about it, Fingertrick is breakin’ through with their latest single “Thin Ice”. This song slides along at a consistently comfortable pace with Fingertrick giving a record-shattering performance on “Thin Ice”. This track is featured on the band’s album titled ‘If Requiems Were Record Deals’ and showcases a young & hungry trio from Memphis…
Katy Vernon is a true songbird coming to light on this latest single, “In Your Shoes (For Daisy)”. This new song is featured on her album, ‘Suit Of Hearts’ and is a real gem of a tune. The track is actually inspired by Daisy Vanderwood’s Mother’s Day card to Katy several years ago. With plenty…
Barrett Martin Group and the new release, ‘Songs Of The Firebird’, are soaring high with the band and album hitting all the right notes. This is a double album that contains 20 incredible instrumentals and also serves as a direct soundtrack to Barrett Martin’s new book, “The Way Of The Zen Cowboy”. The book is…
This band is truly something spectacular transcending mundane mainstream music and creating a musical montage that is both rich in substance & texture. Esthema is comprised of five members: Andy Milas on guitar, Onur Dilisen on violin, Mac Ritchey on oud & bouzouki, Tom Martin on bass and George Lernis on drums & percussion. This…
As soon as I hit Play on this track, I was immediately overtaken with infectious audio penetrating my eardrums. Hailing from Sin City, Rockie Brown was named as “one of the city’s most promising artists” by Las Vegas Sun. I can understand why because this artist is a real firecracker lighting up The Las Vegas…
This is now the third review I’ve done for this talented duo from Georgetown, TX and I know Tough On Fridays won’t let me down because they have yet to disappoint me. The latest single, “Summer”, is perfect timing with plants & flowers blooming and that sweet, summertime breeze right around the corner! Tough On…
Matt Nakoa is a talented singer/songwriter who has gone from rural living under the stars to big city dreams afar. Nakoa is a skillful player & vocalist who has such catchy style of music. A new album was just released titled ‘Casting Shadows’ and already receiving rave reviews! The breakout single, “Touch & Go”, will…
It’s been 10 years since I last heard from Straw Dogs and their infectious sound as I reviewed their last album titled ‘Love And Then Hope’: https://skopemag.com/2009/05/04/straw-dogs-love-and-then-hope. I can tell you firsthand that it was well worth the wait because ‘Your Immaculate Machine’ is the band’s sixth record and one prized possession that will raise…
Fabp is grinding out hot, new tracks with his recent album titled ‘For Tha Crown’. Fabpz the Freelancer doesn’t know the word quit as this NYC artist/producer consistently churns out Fresh To Def recordings. This latest project by FabP is no exception as the relentless rapper looks to achieve hip-hop royalty with ‘For Tha Crown’.…
