Single Review: “Get Better” – Dusty Boots

This is pretty appropriate given that we are in that dull part of the year where it’s still dark when we get up in the morning, pay day is still a decade away, and it’s the winter blues. This song is a bit of a statement to say, it’s going to get better no matter …

Blog interview: Mike Lindup

Hello Mike how are you? Very well, thank you. Busy!! Congratulations on the release of “Perplexity” how does it feel? It feels amazing! This tune is so authentically up my street, inspired by a combination of a Belize roots rhythm, the melodicism of my Keyboard heroes, Chick Corea and George Duke, and the music of …

Single Review: “Broken Homes” – Hannah Scott

Another electric piano laden track! I’m blessed. While the chords and melody are very pretty this hides within it the pain of families breaking up: My father’s scars were etched upon his skin,By his parents’ fighting and the state it left him in,They had little choice,But the world has spun around,So I stand and I …

Single Review: “My Heart Belongs To…(The Beaches) – Gorstey Lea AKA

Gorstey Lea AKA are back and have gone through a bit of a change, it’s quite funny really because just as I was about to embark on the review of this as if by magic I got an email from them requesting airplay – complete with bio and everything! What I like about this is …

Single Review: “What’s That Thud?” – Marina Florance

Marina Florance will always have a special place in my heart, as this year we achieved something that was a bucket list moment for me. BBC Radio 6 Music airplay courtesy of Mary-Anne Hobbs, and BBC Introducing Mixtape courtesy Tom Robinson.  She’s revisited the spoken word this time reading the book that she’s just published …

Album Review: “Eleven Short Stories – The Remix Album” – The Music Of Sound

The Music Of Sound X Minimums – First Light  This has such a cinematic feel to it, and I wouldn’t expect any less from Minimums having played and reviewed their work before. This is like an overture to the album and it’s an inspired choice both in choice of remixer and the sequence in which …

Single Review: “No Future” – The Great Leslie

The Great Leslie are back with a track that’s an absolute stomper! Big rock drums that swing on the toms, big vocals, big crunchy guitars… well what do you expect from the great Leslie? A lot and then some. This is a message with several layers – let’s start with the cover – a picture …

Single Review: “Money” – Ahmala

Well! This combines jazz, hip hop, neo soul, a touch of Motown and some gospel into this lovely track! There’s a flute to kick off proceedings over a bass that I’m suspecting is played live on the recording – it’s got some depth to it. Add to that a Rhodes piano and an upright piano, …

Single Review: “Evergreen Time” – Erica Jean

This one starts off with a warped electric piano playing a progression that sounds like it’s been passed through old tape.. great effect! Add to it finger snaps that have a ping pong delay on it.. it gives it a real blues/soul vibe! Add strings to it then you’re away. This has such a summery …

Single Review: “Sunlight To My Soul” – Angelique Kidjo

An extraordinary thing happened yesterday. I met a couple from South Africa and we talked about music. Complete strangers. But the thing that connected us was that I love Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and the late great singers Miriam Makeba and Lionel Petersen. We talked about their impact and for just a brief moment we sang …