Single Review: “Japanese Knotweed” – Karolina Wilgus

This new single from Karolina Wilgus is genius. From the way the vocals are arranged over a hypnotising hip hop jazz beat this brings a lot of different things to keep you interested. For one thing, the vocals in the intro have an operatic quality, nicely layered so you can separate the alto, tenor and …

In The Spotlight – Sammy Stein Talks To Germana Stella La Sorsa

Italian singer Germana Stella La Sorsa has been a fixture of the London jazz scene since 2017. She released her debut album ‘Vapour’ in 2021 on 33 Jazz Records and her second album ‘Primary Colours’ is out now on the same label. singing both privately and at Morley College (London Platinum Mind decided the spotlight …

Single Review: “Bump Into Me” – Maya Lane

Maya Lane is back in 2024 with a great indie pop track that screams summer hit for me! The muted guitars under Maya’s voice are like idling engines – this song is about escaping so it fits in nicely – poised ready to go! I love the fact she’s got a picture of a camper …

Gig Review: Tom Robinson Band, Blackheath Halls.

L-R: Andy Treacey (Drums), Adam Philips (Guitar/Vocals), Tom Robinson (Lead Vocals and bass), Lee Forsyth Griffith (Guitar/Vocals), Jim Simmons (Piano). On a rainy night in south London I ventured out to Blackheath Halls to go and see the Tom Robinson Band, and boy am I glad I did. I’m by no means a gig reviewer …

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 …

In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks to… Kym Vincenti

Kym Vincenti on music and life Kym Vincenti is a songwriter and vocalist who has featured in major publications and on BBC Radio. Her music draws on life experiences and the world as she sees it. Her songs are evocative and emotionally charged with lyrics that explore themes including love, loss, and self-discovery. A trail-blazing …

Single Review: “Waking Up” – Echo Northstar

This track is moody, a piano drenched in reverb, giving it a really dark element to it in the part from 1:04, there are no lyrics at this point just humming and vocalising. This is how I’d visualise waking up in the morning, especially on a cold Sunday morning like we had today.  The one …

Single Review: “Give And Take” – Rosie Frater-Taylor

Rosie is back with the opening track from her upcoming album “Featherweight”, it switches gears well – going from Latin-jazz flavour to distorted riffs – I’ve been a big fan for a long time. Her voice is as strong as ever, my favourite part is at 1:20 nice bit of guitar playing but then there’s …