The Music Of Sound X Minimums – First Light This has such a cinematic feel to it, and I wouldn’t expect any less from Minimums having played and reviewed their work before. This is like an overture to the album and it’s an inspired choice both in choice of remixer and the sequence in which …
Single Review: “Do-Re-Mi” – Julie Andrews
This has got to be an ear worm for the ages. Anyone who’s seen “The Sound Of Music” will know this straight away. In honour of Dame Julie Andrews’ 89th birthday on 1st October I thought I’d choose this as my track of the day. The melody is so simple, and it’s a great way …
Blog interview: Andrew Hartshorn
Hello Andrew how are you? I’m doing great thanks and the sun is shining at last. Congratulations on the release of your EP “Sketches For The Requiem” how does it feel? Thanks, I’ve been a bit overwhelmed by some of the comments and making it on to the Fresh Faves was a pleasant surprise. It’s …
Single Review: “Queen Of Every Night” – Cassandra
This song combines opera with pop. POPERA! The operatic vocal at the beginning will fool you – but when that beat drops? You’re in trouble. This is a banger, and it’s done so well! Probably my favourite track of the year so far! I like opera, and the crossover for me works, it’s combining classical …
EP Review: “Modern Artifice” – Freyja Elsy
Freyja is here and she’s brought four stunning tracks! Let’s get into it. Sad Girls This track opens up with ethereal sounds, bells and what sounds like an arpeggiated muted guitar. The drums are quite complex once they get going – hi hats switching between 8th note rhythms to 32nd rhythms, the rim shot playing …
Album Review: “Green Park” – Benet McClean. Words: Sammy Stein.
It’s the energy that grabs you. I reviewed Benet Mclean’s ‘The Bopped and The Bopless’ back in 2016 and have not tired of it. So, it was a little trepidation I pressed ‘play’ on Mclean’s latest release ‘Green Park’. I mean, how can you top ‘The Bopped and The Bopless’? Mclean does not even try …
Album Review: “Admiratio Magna” – Frank Clare. Words: Sammy Stein.
Frank Clare is a neoclassical pianist and composer. His debut album ‘Admiratio Magna’ is inspired by his appreciation for 19th-century classical music, philosophy, science, and mindfulness. The album explores themes including the cycles of creation and the power in stillness, and curiosity. Clare began playing piano when he was 15. Finding he was better at composition …
Blog interview: Samuel Andreyev
Hello Samuel how are you? A bit dazed from having been on the road for 6 weeks, but otherwise well enough, thank you. Congratulations on the release of “In Glow Of Like Seclusion” how does it feel? I’m very happy with how the disc has come out, in every respect, and thrilled to have the …
Blog interview: Carol Jarvis
Hello Carol how are you? I’m really great thanks, how are you? I’m thrilled you said that my single had you dancing around Covent Garden! Hope it has set you up for a happy day ahead?! Knowing that has definitely made me smile! I’m great thanks for asking! And yes, I did dance in Covent …
Album Review: “Rags And Ragas” – Charu Suri. Words: Sammy Stein.
Composer and pianist Charu Suri has released ‘Rags and Ragas’ and she has achieved a beautiful and well-crafted merger of two cultures. A raga is a modal scale, usually performed at a specific time of day. There are hundreds of such ragas found in India and here Suri introduces us to just a few of …