Album Review: “Sun” – Lara Eidi. Words: Sammy Stein.

Lara Eidi is one of life’s polymaths. Known for her genre-bending style and captivating presence, she describes herself as a jazz/folk/vocalist/songwriter/pianist/educator/workshop leader. She created the songwriting podcast ‘The Notes Between’ and was a founder of the educational music platform Phonica Music Coaching.   As if this is not enough she is also a sought-after vocal …

Album Review: “Greek Street Friday” – Ian Shaw. Words: Sammy Stein.

I first heard Ian Shaw in 2021 when I reviewed Hannah Horton’s album ‘Inside Out’ on which Shaw was the guest vocalist on tracks ‘Frozen Light’ and ‘Breathing Out’. Horton told me, “I mentioned I was recording a new album and he (Shaw) offered to take a listen and then wrote the lyrics for ‘Frozen …

Single Review: “24F” – Maya Lane

This song is a thing of beauty, it’s acoustic, and has Maya’s signature vocal… She sings strongly over an acoustic guitar that has percussion underneath. For me it’s the harmonies that are doing the job, especially where they are adding more and more in the chorus – there are harmonies throughout the song, but the …

Single Review: “No Blame” – Christina Chong

This track is interesting in so many ways. It’s a powerful ballad, which starts off guitar led, and I get the feeling that the acoustic guitar plays a vital part in the pecussion of the overall arrangement. I’ll explain why shortly.  Christina’s vocals are warm, it sits right at the front of the mix, she …