The faves start off beautifully today with a piano instrumental. Most of you will know that I play the piano so this is right up my street. It’s gentle, there’s a tendency to add strings or augment piano instrumentals with synths to bulk it out, but this is not the case for this one. The …
Album Review: “Eleven Short Stories – The Remix Album” – The Music Of Sound
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: “The Stars (Interlude”) – James Earl Jones
We lost a man whose voice is instantly recognisable to multiple generations. James Earl Jones passed away earlier this week at the age of 93. This track is from the Lion King album the gift which is made up of tracks featuring sound bites from the film, this is the interlude that comes before probably …
Interview: Loic J Tuckey
Congratulations on the release of “Beyond The Sun Road” how does it feel? Well, now. Thank you very much. To be perfectly honest, I’m absolutely thrilled with it. It took a long time to complete and now it’s finished it’s a huge weight off my shoulders. I can actually enjoy listening to it now without …
Single Review: “Kitty Paw” – Shook
This track is full of 80s goodness! What do I mean? Well, this track has what I reckon is a LinnDrum machine – very much that synth pop vibe, combined with synth chords with a touch of vibrato, and that bass line is part of the Yamaha DX7 playbook – Lately Bass at least? This …
Single Review: “Axel F” Harold Faltermeyer
While everyone’s gripped in election fever, I thought I’d revisit a track that holds a lot of good memories for me. Not only is it a track from a film that holds a very special place in 80s pop culture it’s also a pop culture reference in itself. That film was Beverly Hills Cop, and …
In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks To Diana Torti
Diana Torti is an improviser, singer, and composer who specialises in jazz but blends ancient music, bel canto, and contemporary repertoire. Her performances have encompassed many prestigious venues, and she has collaborated with Ennio Morricone and Mula Francesco among other luminaries. Her project On A Cloud was mentioned among the best jazz albums of 2019 …
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: “You Are Not Nosferatu” – C-Beem X The Fantom Man
I picked this song as my track of the day because the synth sounds are instantly recognisable to me. The harsh clap (It’s not a snare funnily enough) is a synthetic sound that Cameo have used on “Word Up” and of course the orchestra hit sound was what I judged my synths by back in …
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 …