Right away when listening to this new release, I’m thinking back to the glory days of hip-hop without all of the fancy studio loops and auto-tune effects. Fabp aka Fabpz the Freelancer is back to basics on the 14-track album titled ‘Underground Styling Breeze’. So, for that fact alone I give Fabp props for…
Right away when I Hit Play on this new EP, I was thinking to myself that Few Miles South is bringing back that classic, country sound and honky-tonk atmosphere and way of life. What a refreshing taste going away from the constant Pop County realm that is heavily saturating Today’s country music market. This is…
Laura Cheadle is not one to just kick back and do nothing but rather she is a fierce, go-getter with a pedal-to-the-metal-type attitude. But, Laura Cheadle decided to ease off the accelerator and slow things down a bit on her latest release, ‘Chill’. The title of the record matches the mood & tone of the…
The first thing I noticed right away when listening to Camille Nelson’s latest album, Lead Me Home, is just simply the sheer joy that went into each song. This 12-track recording is an absolute labor of love for Camille and one spiritually uplifting experience. Camille Nelson has been in the music industry for over 8…
This is one I’m particularly excited to review after I read D.L. Byron’s backstory and how he has quite the musical past! Byron was signed by Clive Davis the year I was born in 1979 to Arista Records and had his debut album produced by Jimmy Iovine, which churned a Top 40 Hit single and…
Look over your shoulder and be aware because the wildly zany bunch known as The New Occupants are urging people to “Be Careful What You Listen To”. I have heard all kinds of acts from all over the world but I can honestly say I’ve never heard anything quite like this group. Right away, I…
I’m getting punched with such pristine grace as Annie Fitzgerald belts out the song “Black and Blue”. This track is off of Annie’s second album titled You & Me & the Sun which just came out on June 1, 2018 with a CD release party at The Hook & Ladder Theatre & Lounge in Minneapolis,…
I always have to keep in mind not to judge a book by its cover because at first glance I’m seeing a boy in a strange mask pointing aimlessly at nothing. So, right away I’m not sure what to think but as I move past the imagery and into the music I’m suddenly revived. Considering…
Finally, we have an up-and-coming artist of Today that truly wants to bring back studio magic! When I think of masterful sessions and legendary studios, I first think of the original Sun Records recordings with Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and many others who helped shape & define the…
Noone is quite sure when this band officially started which adds to the allure of Bud Collins Trio and their eclectic nature. We do know that the musical journey started many years ago for Bud Collins Trio and the music never died. This Connecticut-based band has shared the stage with the likes of: Blues Traveler,…
Hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, Robert Ashley is bringing you a sound that is so damn inviting and so freakin’ personal. I’m not sure what drugs Robert is referring to here but let me be the first to say that it’s the perfect amount and just the right dosage to soothe all of the senses. “The…
Briannagh D is a young woman who is loaded with talent and full of gusto. Not only is Briannagh a singer/songwriter and musician but she is also a dancer and actor who has been in short films, commercials and television shows such as “Bizaardvark” on Disney Channel. Briannagh D is a true symbol of hope…
This was a dream come true for my lovely guest/fiancée, Heather Davis, and I who are HUGE fans of Billy Joel. We couldn’t believe we were seeing the Piano Man live as it was all surreal and just an incredible event. I have to give a BIG thanks and major shout-out to Kimmy Adamson with…
The Australian sensation is back with a music video that is out of this world! Electronic Dance Music (EDM) is her bread & butta as eM has been mixing it up for years on the music circuit. eM is an established & accomplished artist/producer/vocalist who I’ve known for a long time and have had the…
It’s not often these days that you come across someone whose sound is just as genuine and sweet as the person inside. But that is Katie Garibaldi to the core as she sings from deep within and has a BIG heart to boot. For example, when I received the album from Katie it was signed…
I have to say that this new album is perfect timing with the frigid, cold temperatures we’re experiencing here in Indiana as well as many other parts of the country. Erica Sunshine Lee is spreading plenty of sunny sound that warms me up from my head to my toes on ‘Buried Treasure’. This Georgia Peach…
Noah Archangel & The Band of the Hawk are at it again pumping out tracks like madmen mercenaries as I’m starting to think these guys are some of the hardest working kats in the rap game today. Relentless with material, Noah Archangel & The Band of the Hawk deliver 22 fresh mixes and cool cuts…
Hip-Hop producer Houey Freeman, formerly known as Ash RA, drops his new single “Dirty Dollars (Reloaded)” and it’s a HOT one! This track also features: The Band of the Hawk (Breeze, Yeaux Majesty, Noah Archangel) & J Hope and together they are tearin’ the roof off the damn thing. “Dirty Dollars (Reloaded)” is just a…
So this guy’s last name certainly stands out but rest assured there is absolutely nothing cheesy or lowbrow about this artist or his music. This new single by Tim Cheesebrow is like a good, strong cup of coffee in the morning to start your day off right. “You Will Never Walk Alone” has just the…
The state of Kansas never sounded better and after residents get a load of Sky Orchid and their latest single, “The River”, they’ll probably be saying I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore. Sky Orchid is sweeping through the area with high intensity and velocity consuming everything in its path. “The River” has such a…
When I see the words Black Bluebirds and “Love Kills Slowly”, I’m thinking this may be of a very dark nature and possibly in the realm of Goth Rock but I was pleasantly surprised and somewhat off-base. This Minneapolis, Minnesota-based band and their song “Love Kills Slowly” encompass a wide array of styles & elements…
Right away when I hear the name of this band, I’m thinking Johnny Rotten-esque, anti-establishment rebel-rousers who don’t give a damn about the status quo or PC crap. My hunch is correct because come to find out Rejectionist Front is exactly that as they seek to create positive change through socially-charged songs. Rejectionist Front should…
When I hit play, right away I was thinking this is one dynamo and a real firecracker with a distinct spark and flare about her. The singer/songwriter from Chicago brings you “Docs” that has got style, charm and hard-core meaning all wrapped up into one power-packed song. Leah Capelle hits you with an edgy &…
Who says Halloween is strictly about trick-or-treating, ghoulish costumes and horror movies? How about a show centered around some of the greatest American, popular music ever created thrown into the bag as well? If you said yes, then Motown The Musical is the perfect candy that will satisfy your sweet, musical tooth. Opening night for…
When I pushed Play on “Circles”, I was instantly attracted to the glorious sound coming through. Blue Apollo is firing off a Hit Song here that is sure to take off and make a successful landing. This four-piece band from Dallas, Texas has created a sound that is insanely compelling. “Circles” is a bonus track…
I’m no stranger to Les Fradkin as I have been lucky enough to work with this extraordinarily talented singer/songwriter/composer/producer on numerous occasions. Not to mention, Les is a masterful guitarist and MIDI guitar innovator taking the instruments and technology to a whole new stratosphere. So, it’s safe to say I am a certified Les Fradkin…
Jupiter In Velvet runs the gamut with an explosion of sound that is like no other. This one-man, wrecking crew & chameleon of sorts brings a wide array of musical elements, styles and tastes to his new album titled ‘In2 the Arms of Love’. I’m no stranger to Jupiter In Velvet and his eclectic act…
Listening to this Mixtape made me think back to the Golden Age of Rap/Hip-Hop when things were simpler and the music was hype. My very first Rap record was The Fat Boys LP from 1984 and that’s when I fell in love with this art form called Rap. Even at just five years old, I…
Putting the spotlight directly on the wonderful genre of Reggae, Robert Ledesma looks to make a big impact and take the music to another level. Reggae artists and songs simply aren’t tearin’ up the U.S. charts today but Ledesma hopes to change that with his debut album titled ‘Any Moment’. The record has plenty of…
I’m sure you’ve contemplated that pesky and complex question “What is the meaning of life?” over and over in your head with no clear-cut and concise manuscript provided. Well, singer/songwriter Karen Littman attempts to tackle that very tough question and many others on her debut album titled ‘The Dream of Life: Set Yourself Free’. Littman…
The New Zealand rock powerhouse is back with a vengeance with their highly anticipated album titled ‘One’ due out this month. I first heard this group back in 2013 and knew then that Merrin had that special, unique quality and powerful sound that would help them stand out in a sea of musicians. Four years…
It’s been a little over seven years since I last worked with Steven Bryan and reviewed his album ‘One Way’ back in 2009, – https://skopemag.com/2010/06/22/steven-bryan-one-way. I said then that “You haven’t seen nothing yet from the man they call Steven Bryan; just get ready and prepare yourself because it’s gonna be HUGE!” And man does…
I’ve had the pleasure to work with Rhett May many times over the years and his Classic Rock & Indian roots are what truly shape him as an artist. Rhett is relentless when it comes to perfecting his music/sound and I can honestly say I have heard the sharp transformations and swift adjustments just over…
The King of Midi Guitar himself, Les Fradkin, never ceases to amaze me by continuing to evolve with his innovative style of music. ‘Welcome To The New Age’ is just that with a whole new perspective and direction from Les guiding the listener through airy soundscapes. Fradkin and his Starr Labs Ztar incorporate elements of:…
Hard to believe that it’s been nearly 8 years since I first heard Katie Garibaldi for the first time and reviewed her album ‘Next Ride Out’ for Skope (https://skopemag.com/2009/11/19/katie-garibaldi-next-ride-out). I knew then that this artist had something truly unique and the raw talent to go far in the music industry. That’s why I am so…
This is more than just another project for Tim McDonald; it is a real, heart-beating dream with a breath of fresh air. This has been a long time coming and a labor of love for Tim going back to 2010 where the idea originated. McDonald is singer, songwriter and guitarist for the indie rock band…
Right away when you hear the band name and album title you’re probably thinking what the hell is this all about and gets you intrigued right? Well…that exact thing happened to me back in 2014 when I interviewed this Swedish-based group for the first time and got a real good sense of them after that,…
Are you ready for a game-changing, trend-setting record that doesn’t play by conventional rules or standards? If you said yes, then ‘Groove Possessed’ by Gene Pritsker is your ultimate destination as Gene is your musical wizard with plenty of tricks under his sleeve. I was introduced to Gene’s eclectic nature back in 2014 when I…
Nick Dakota embodies cool with a sound that rocks hard but is also downright country to the core as he puts his own, rad spin on things. Dakota came across as a seasoned and polished singer/player, so was shocked to hear that ‘Vision’ is his debut album. Thought maybe my eyes were playing tricks on…
First thing I heard right away from Brent Daniel’s voice was that distinct clarity and also a real down home, country tone. When I discovered that this is Brent’s first recorded album I was absolutely floored! Reason being is because Brent Daniel sounds like a pro who has been playing for years and this effort…
