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: “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 …

Album Review: “The Synesthete” – Joe Adhemar

Joe Adhemar has released a new album. Let’s break it down shall we? “The Synesthete” available on Bandcamp   Found Out  This is a great track to kick off the album with, very bluesy, I like the way vocals have a slight delay to it, the main guitar riff has chromatic notes in there, and …

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: “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 …

Single Review: “Penny Lane” – The Beatles

“Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes…” You know you sang along with that. I certainly did.  This song is part of English history and on this particular day in 1967, the Beatles did a last minute remix of it along with “Strawberry Fields Forever” the double a side single that they …

Single Review: “Married By Elvis” – Begonia

The title of this song is what got my attention. That and the Bossa nova groove, this is a pretty sweet track, acoustic guitar over a latin groove, the claves haven’t gone unnoticed by the way, and Begonia’s vocals are gorgeous on this, very soulful and playful at the same time. This song is about …

Single Review: “Pull To Refresh” – Devin Gray. Words: Sammy Stein

Devin Gray is a drummer, composer, and bandleader currently working and living in Brooklyn, New York City. Gray is involved in many musical projects and has worked with innovative musicians including David Liebman, Tony Malaby, Gary Thomas, Ingrid Jensen, Dave Burrell, Dave Ballou, Michael Formanek, Nate Wooley, Stephan Crump, George Garzone, Chris Speed, Drew Gress, …

Album Review: “Cabin 19 Fever” – Wild Card. Words: Sammy Stein.

Wild Card is a London-based jazz combo led by French guitarist Clement Regert with British drummer Sophie Alloway and Australian organist/keyboardist Andrew Noble. Formed in 2011 and with five album releases to their name, the trio is popular on the UK jazz scene and performs regularly, with residencies at prestigious venues including The 606 Club and Ronnie …