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. …
Single Review: “West End Girls” – Pet Shop Boys
On 11th January 1986 The Pet Shop Boys scored their first UK No.1 single with ‘West End Girls.’ The first version of the song was released in April 1984, becoming a club hit in the United States, after the duo signed with EMI, the song was re-recorded with producer Stephen Hague. Now I remember the …
Single Review: “Love$ick” Bacao Rhythm And Steel Band
Bacao Rhythm And Steel Band – Love$ick Straight off the bat I knew this track immediately… I didn’t go to the PR write up I went straight to the track, it’s my go to thing so I don’t get prejudiced by knowing who the artist is. The drums starts off the party and it’s punchy …
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 …
Album Review: “384,000” – Terence Collie. Words: Sammy Stein
Terence Collie is a talented pianist, composer, and leader. At age seventeen, he joined a band in Jersey, Channel Islands which led to a weekly gig at the Blue Note Bar in St Helier, where he experienced playing supportive concert slots for visiting artists including Teddy Edwards, The Average White Band, Georgie Fame, Andy Sheppard, Jason Rebello, and Digby Fairweather. In …
Single Review: “Bigger Than The Song” – Brittney Spencer
This track caught my ear because of the passion with which it’s sung, especially in the chorus. The chorus name checks Reba, Aretha, and Dolly, and you feel their influence in this because the vocals can be delicate as well as powerful and I love it! This track mixes country, with a slight sprinkle of …
Single Review: “Vienna” – Ultravox
On 1st January 2013 Ultravox’s 1981 hit ‘Vienna’ was voted the UK’s favourite number two single. The song topped a poll by BBC Radio 2 and the Official Charts Company to find the greatest track to miss out on the number one spot. Vienna was held off by novelty track ‘Shaddup You Face’ by Joe …
Single Review: “PWMS1” – Robi Theophilus
This track is short and sweet! Clocking in at 0:56 it still has an impact. There’s a lot here. It starts off with a vocal that I suspect Robi’s sampled and is playing back on the keyboard. The voicing of the chords are so cool! Add to that 808 drums, guitar, bass and a piano …
Single Review: “Time Rift” – inSINcere
What I like about this song is that it easily switches gear. It starts off with a rhythmic acoustic guitar riff over hi hats, then the bassline comes in after a tom and snare hit signalling It but there is more to come…. I want to talk about one thing that drew my attention in …
Single Review: “Save Yourself From Me” – Jim Pearson
This is track three from Jim’s new album “Death To Mortality”, and is probably my favourite track on the album especially for the bass groove from 2:11 in. This song fuses a bit of 70s prog rock with the synths, folk rock style vocals, and the soulful musicianship. The bassline has a hint of James …