Single Review: “So We Find Ourselves” – Fink

Well this is a beauty of a track to start the month off with! This starts off so simply, just a piano and what sounds like a muted floor tom playing triplets. But it’s the vocals that come in low that sets it off because when the harmonies come in it’s spine tingling. They come …

Blog interview: Samuel Oscar

Hello Samuel how are you? I am great, thank you for asking!  Congratulations on the release of “I Need Your Love” how does it feel?  Thank you very much! I feel scared and excited to hear what everyone thinks about it. It’s from your album “Happy Ending Fantasy”, what was it like recording the whole …

Single Review: “Heed The Call” – Sir Archer

This tune is stunning! This could easily be one of my top tunes of the year! 16th notes on the hi hat with with percussion, lovely bit of electric piano but then the chorus hits with that distorted bass…. The vocals are so soulful it hurts… oh lord the guitar solo! Wowwwwwwwww! I’m in heaven …

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 …

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 …

Music News: Blue Note Records Celebrates 85th Anniversary

BLUE NOTE RECORDS CELEBRATES 85th ANNIVERSARY THE FINEST IN JAZZ SINCE 1939   85 years ago in January 1939, a German-Jewish immigrant and passionate Jazz fan named Alfred Lion produced his first recording session in New York City founding what would go on to become the most iconic and longest-running Jazz label in the world. …

In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks to… Kym Vincenti

Kym Vincenti on music and life Kym Vincenti is a songwriter and vocalist who has featured in major publications and on BBC Radio. Her music draws on life experiences and the world as she sees it. Her songs are evocative and emotionally charged with lyrics that explore themes including love, loss, and self-discovery. A trail-blazing …

EP Review: “The Darkside Of Christmas Ch. 2” – Collette Cooper. Words: Sammy Stein.

Multi-talented performer Collette Cooper is signed to independent label, Thelonius Punk Records. She has been featured on BBC radio, Jazz FM, and Soho radio as a musician. She has also been the subject of interviews in books and is an actor, recently undertaking a role portraying singer Janis Joplin, in the play (that she also …

Single Review: “Flutter” – Amelia McFall

Just piano and vocals? Yeah you got me from the moment this song started. This is a stunning ballad which shows off Amelia’s vocal abilities, it’s soulful but also has jazz elements too. Her voice is so rich and warm on this, especially when she sings in her lower range. My favourite bit though, is …

Single Review: “Give And Take” – Rosie Frater-Taylor

Rosie is back with the opening track from her upcoming album “Featherweight”, it switches gears well – going from Latin-jazz flavour to distorted riffs – I’ve been a big fan for a long time. Her voice is as strong as ever, my favourite part is at 1:20 nice bit of guitar playing but then there’s …