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: “Twenties” – Rosie Frater-Taylor

This is a great acoustic number, over a Latin groove mixed in plus a little bit of rock in the chorus… but what caught my ear was Rosie’s scat vocals it reminded me of George Benson and “Give Me The Night”. He sings over the guitar solo which must be hard to do as I’m …

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: “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 …

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: “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: “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 …