Nyla Sings – Focus This is a gorgeous acoustic number! WOW. Nyla’s voice comes in giving the whole song warmth, over a bed of acoustic guitar, finger snaps, 808 drums and synth bass. The beat stutters nicely skipping little bits here and there which makes it pleasing to the ear. Thing is though…. It’s short …
Single Review: “Bluff” – Morena Santi and D’Larm
This tune… Morena comes out all cylinders firing with a fine vocal over drums made up 808 sounds, and analogue synth parts. This is the kind of tune you can easily get down to. Morena delivers a playful vocal, which sits right on top of the instrumental, and you can tell she had fun while …
Single Review: “Patience” – JFlames ft. Amethyst
JFlames is back with a smooth retro soul track! And he’s brought with him a singer that delivers the goods! Amethyst is the star here, bringing a vocal that’s so warm to the ear, and boy can she harmonise. JFlames has given her a lush blanket of a beat to wrap her vocals around. The …
Single Review: “You’re My Favourite” – Alice Offley
Alice Offley is back with a funky disco track that’s got that summer energy, as the days are getting longer and sunnier this is the tonic that we need. The guitar riff is reminiscent of 80s pop, but Alice brings the bass action making it just as funky – this being her instrument it’s no …
Single Review: “Silence Is Music” – Florie Namir & Franck Biyong
Florie Namir is back with a stunning ballad and a duet partner – Franck Niyong. Their voices are very different, Frank has a soulful touch whereas Florie’s vocals are suited to folk/jazz but they find a middle ground, and this song is a perfect vehicle for this. It’s an acoustic number, the percussion is gorgeous, …
Single Review: “Love Has Come” – SōMuch
SŌMuch are back and they’ve got an EP! This is one of the new tracks that hasn’t yet been heard. The sound is sophisticated, very polished – but what would you expect of a band mentored by Ralph Rolle of Chic? Let’s break it down. The back beat is laid back, the hats give the …
Single Review: “Wish You The Best” – Brave James ft. Blue Lab Beats
Having been a fan of Brave James since the release of their fantastic track “Spaceships”, it came as no surprise that collaboration with one of my favourite production teams was definitely going to be special. This is a slower paced track, starting off with percussion and marimbas and it’s gorgeous. The track as a whole …
Single Review: “A Day Out With Memorial Device” SkinnyBoy Tunes
A Day Out with Memorial Device by SkinnyBoy Tunes I like it when songs reference other acts in their titles or lyrics. SkinnyBoy Tunes becomes a foley artist with this one, using the sounds of a train station and even recruits a Scot Rail announcer to speak over the top of some lovely chords and …
Single Review: “Living Proof” – Pearl’s Cab Ride
WELL!!! This… is…. FUNKY! The stabs in the intro promise so much and over deliver, this is professional musicianship at its best. From the horns, drums, bass, vocals, hammond organ this is a blast to listen to – it reminds me of early 90s acid jazz, and it’s so well done, I don’t want to …
Album Review: “Letters To George” – John Hollenbeck. Words: Sammy Stein
https://johnhollenbeck.bandcamp.com/album/letters-to-george John Hollenbeck is a genre-fluid composer/percussionist, renowned in both the jazz and new-music worlds. He gained widespread recognition as the driving force behind the unclassifiable Claudia Quintet, and the ambitious John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, groups with roots in jazz, world music, and contemporary composition. He has earned six GRAMMY nominations and has worked …