Single Review: “What The Thunder Said” – Flakebelly

Another weather related track in the faves? Is this a theme? You never know. This one is a Wurlitzer led track, very dreamy. It’s got a psychedelic feel to it especially with the whispery vocals. Add to that the way driven given guitars, the big drums this transports you back to the 70s! It feels …

Single Review: “Solve” – Izzy Withers

PSA: I’ve said this so many times and I will never stop saying it. When @kwamekwaten sends you an artist you listen. And he always hits the spot. ALWAYS. This then, is no different, this is the new single from Izzy Withers, and she’s a natural born storyteller with her lyrics. “I tried to solve it all,Stepped …

Single Review: “In The Way” – Slic Vic X TravizWILDE

Slic Vic and TravizWilde have come together on a jazz soul spiced tune and it’s… beautiful. The track starts off with a drum beat with a guitar playing the four chords around which the track is built. The song has elements of 90s R&B in the harmonies, which are beautifully layered – you can almost …

Single Review: “Listen” – Project Blackbird

Project Blackbird are back with a track that’s a slick bit of production! You have Ming’s vocals switching between melody and spoken word effortlessly. Given the fact that the lyrics are in poetic form that’s probably not an accident. I like the layers to the vocals, where there’s a deeper voice emphasising on certain words …

Single Review: “Money” – Ahmala

Well! This combines jazz, hip hop, neo soul, a touch of Motown and some gospel into this lovely track! There’s a flute to kick off proceedings over a bass that I’m suspecting is played live on the recording – it’s got some depth to it. Add to that a Rhodes piano and an upright piano, …

Single Review: “Last Call” – Summer Lee Carlson X Mute Speaker

Keeping with their overall vibes of old school soul Summer Lee Carlson and producer Mute Speaker are back. This takes a drop in tempo but maintains the same temperature, there are snare drum rolls with ghost notes as well as some sneaky percussion to keep the groove going – there are some synth pads in …

Single Review: “Dream On” – Aerosmith

I’m gutted to hear about Steven Tyler’s decision to retire. It’s epic. The vocals at the point that I’ve picked where he goes full on banshee wail gives me goosebumps! Admittedly the first time I heard this song was when Eminem sampled it for “Sing” but when I went back and listened to the original …

Single Review: “Love Love Love” – The Gulls

This is a fun acoustic number combining a bit of folk, and old fashioned rock n roll lyric wise! This track is about being in love with someone and it’s expressed in such a fun way, the chorus is catchy as hell, because they’re declaring that they’re in love love love love love.  Love.  My …

Single Review: “Evergreen Time” – Erica Jean

This one starts off with a warped electric piano playing a progression that sounds like it’s been passed through old tape.. great effect! Add to it finger snaps that have a ping pong delay on it.. it gives it a real blues/soul vibe! Add strings to it then you’re away. This has such a summery …

Single Review: “Sunlight To My Soul” – Angelique Kidjo

An extraordinary thing happened yesterday. I met a couple from South Africa and we talked about music. Complete strangers. But the thing that connected us was that I love Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and the late great singers Miriam Makeba and Lionel Petersen. We talked about their impact and for just a brief moment we sang …