In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks to Cheryl Pyle

Cheryl Pyle is a jazz flutist who has been playing on the world’s stages for decades. She has played with many of the jazz luminaries and continues to be a dedicated and prolific artist. We decided it was high time for a Cheryl Pyle interview. Here, Cheryl offers an insight into her musical life and …

Single Review: “Japanese Knotweed” – Karolina Wilgus

This new single from Karolina Wilgus is genius. From the way the vocals are arranged over a hypnotising hip hop jazz beat this brings a lot of different things to keep you interested. For one thing, the vocals in the intro have an operatic quality, nicely layered so you can separate the alto, tenor and …

Mr. Bennett's Mind - Photo by Alexa Drew.jpg

Album Review: “Mr. Bennett’s Mind” – Daniel Bennett Group. Words: Sammy Stein

‘Mr Bennett’s Mind’ (Manhattan Daylight Media, 2024) is the 10th studio release from the Daniel Bennett Group. Having reviewed several of their releases, this is a musical progression in the fullest of senses. The album was recorded at the iconic Big Orange Sheep Studio in Brooklyn, New York, and produced by Grammy-nominated producer MP Kuo. …

Single Review: “All Black Everything” – Amy Gadiaga

Amy Gadiaga brought beauty and grace to this track… it starts off with a piano part that’s like a call to action for a jam session, and boy does the whole thing bring its a game from Amy’s bass line and the drums staying in pocket… Her vocals here are the star, with layered harmonies …

Single Review: “Retrospective” – Charlotte Adelle

The thing that struck me about this song was the atmospheric production of it. It’s epic, the single note on the piano keeping time, along with the swirling synths. This is beautiful. The chorus is where it got me though both lyrically and musically. The song starts off with the acceptance that no amount of …

Single Review: “The One” – Leigh Thomas

have one question to ask. Why is Leigh not playing packed out arenas? This dude has just released a single that packs a solid punch, it comes with an intro that hits the ground running. And it sounds like he’s got a full band in the studio and they’re having a ball; this is a …

Blog interview: Annie Moscow

Hello Annie how are you? I’m great, thank you! Congratulations on the release of “Land Of Dreams” how does it feel? It feels wonderful! I’ve been working hard, and I am very proud of this one! What’s the story behind it? The song “Land of Dreams“ was inspired by Latin jazz. I’ve always been a big …

Gig Review: Tom Robinson Band, Blackheath Halls.

L-R: Andy Treacey (Drums), Adam Philips (Guitar/Vocals), Tom Robinson (Lead Vocals and bass), Lee Forsyth Griffith (Guitar/Vocals), Jim Simmons (Piano). On a rainy night in south London I ventured out to Blackheath Halls to go and see the Tom Robinson Band, and boy am I glad I did. I’m by no means a gig reviewer …

Single Review: “Twenties” – Rosie Frater-Taylor

This is a great acoustic number, over a Latin groove mixed in plus a little bit of rock in the chorus… but what caught my ear was Rosie’s scat vocals it reminded me of George Benson and “Give Me The Night”. He sings over the guitar solo which must be hard to do as I’m …