Single Review: “Brother Chumbo” – Kontiki

Years ago I knew a kid in my neighbourhood called Chumbo. His family were from North Africa. I’m not sure exactly where. He was a bright kid, loved his football, and always had a big smile. When he moved, his friends around him were so sad, I never saw him again, and nothing on the …

Album Review: “Delta Breakdown” The Heavy North.

Grumble grumble… Liverpool…. grumble grumble… Talent from drinking the water of the river mersey. Grumble… Annoyingly good songs.  Grumble.  Oh hey!  So…. My boys from Liverpool The Heavy North dropped their new album. And guess what?  It’s bloody brilliant.  This for me takes over from where their debut album left off, it’s bluesy as hell, …

Song Review: “She Moves” – Carrie Grant

Carrie Grant released her album today, and this is the third track in the running order. I have not been able to progress past this one. It’s a piano based ballad, with strings and a strong backdrop of harmonies that are hinted at but it only appears once just leaving space for Carrie to do …

Interview: Judith Owen. Words: Sammy Stein

Judith Owen is a British vocalist, pianist, and songwriter. She has had a lengthy career and received praise from fellow musicians including Annie Lennox and Jamie Cullum.   ‘Come On & Get It’ is Owen’s thirteenth album and features tracks by strong, hugely talented female jazz musicians from the 40s and 50s including Nellie Lutcher …

Music News: Jacob Collier Announces Final Instalment of Groundbreaking Album Series

Jacob Collier Announces Final Instalment Of Groundbreaking Album Series That Has Earned Three Grammy Awards & Six Grammy Nominations Including Album Of The Year Djesse Vol. 4 will be released on February 29th 2024 via Hajanga / Decca / Interscope   *The album’s first official single Little Blue (feat. Brandi Carlile) is released today* Listen …

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 …

Single Review: “Mindfulness” – River Nelson.

This track starts off with a jazzy gospel part that’s just two chords over some lush strings.  When Andy Kettle sent me this, he had me from the chord progression.  But this is not where I was invested.  Oh no.  No no no. The hard hitting drums?  Nope.  The lack of bassline?  Oh yeah I …