Oh. Okay. The sun has gone down, it’s got a bit colder and after a nice saturday afternoon I’m going through my emails, and Quite Great drop this little gem on me…. It starts off with a tasty drum solo for an intro. Go ahead. I’m listening. Oh there’s not just drums there’s some percussion …
Blog interview: Alice Offley
Congratulations on the release of “POUR” how does it feel? I’m so happy with how Pour was received! Lots of people contacted me to say it really made them feel good and dance, even at home!! That was my goal, to spread good vibes! I also had 3 producers approach me to do different style remixes, so …
Single Review: “Garden” – Night Porter
This song is gorgeous. The piano part is full of lovely chords… but it’s not this that catches you. It’s the chorus. The oohs and the duetted saxophone, is what caught my ear. This is how I’m introduced gently this sunny morning to the new duo Night Porter. Technically they aren’t new to me, at …
Single Review: “Emotions” – Amo Jr. Words: Sammy Stein
New Release from Amo Jr ‘Emotions’ Independent Ever heard a song sung with such feeling you feel your heart swell? Put this on and experience the gorgeous tones of Amo Jr on ‘Emotions,’ the forward release preluding his album’ Good Quality’ to be released later this year. Amo Jr’s release has elements of gospel, …
Album Review: “Electric Soul Machine” – The Heavy North.
The Heavy North album just dropped! Let’s do this. The Genie It starts off with feedback to open it up, then drops into a blues jam, nothing less than what you’d expect from this band, it’s very 70s influenced – but what you don’t expect is the muted trumpet solo at around 2:38, it’s absolutely …
Album Review: “The Great Jamaican Songbook, Vol.1” – Cleveland Watkiss. Words: Sammy Stein
Multidisciplinary artist Cleveland Watkiss’s energy and drive are behind many music projects, and he has proved inspirational for upcoming talent on the music scene. He has worked with Wynton Marsalis, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Dusseldorf Symphony Orchestra, Art Blakey, and countless others. His new album ‘The Great Jamaican Songbook’ is released, coinciding with a …
Album Review: “Maximise” – Perry. Words: Sammy Stein
Perry is the alias of instrumental smooth jazz/experimentalist Max Clemmons Jr. As Max Clemmons, he played piano on a disco recording called ‘Billy Who’ with the late drummer and studio musician Yogi Horton. He released ‘Dancing For Your Love’ on Spider Records, a number written for his cousin, Joe. Perry’s latest album is independently released. …
Single Review: “Forgive Yourself” – Caitlyn Scarlett, Her Ensemble
Caitlyn Scarlett – Forgive Yourself This is a track Kwame Kwaten sent to me, and…. Wow. So, where do I start? It’s piano led, strings, and Caitlyn’s vocals just really give me goosebumps. I like goosebumps. This is beautiful, it just reminds me that the ability to write an emotional song is never going away. …
The Extraordinary Journey Of Jason Miles: A Musical Biography. Interview with Sammy Stein.
The Extraordinary Journey of Jason Miles A Musical Biography Jason Miles has been behind some iconic recordings. He is in the process of releasing his book, and it promises to be as iconic as some of the musicians he has worked with. I was privileged to see a copy a few weeks back and I …
Single Review: “Please Go Gently” – Amelia Coburn
This song is acoustic guitar led, very much a lullaby, but written in a letter form… Amelia Coburn’s vocals are very soft and breathy, and that’s what catches my ear straight away. I closed my eyes and just listened, and she’s got a voice that could calm a soul. I’m no ukulele aficionado by any …