Album Review: “The Things In The Past”- Ikumi Koyama. Words: Sammy Stein

The Things In The Past  Ikumi Koyama Ikumi Koyama is a Japanese pianist and singer from Yokahama, Japan. This debut recording introduces Koyama to a wider audience. Koyama began learning piano aged just two and later studied jazz piano at Shobi University, enrolling as an exchange student at New York City College for a semester, …

Album Review: “Motherland Journey” Blue Lab Beats. Words: Del Osei-Owusu

Blue Lab Beats – Motherland Journey Sky Reflections  The first track on this opens with with an instrumental, you could just imagine this as a concert entry music… The way that this starts off is uplifting, and I love it. I love the the synth chords start out, and I really need to find out …

Single Review: “Jouska” – Josephine Pascoe

This instrumental is… Full of life. In a time when the world needs to get up and celebrate what we have, this track hits the spot. Josephine plays the violin and flute on this and while you wouldn’t really associate the violin and flute occupying the melody line for jazz and funk, she does it …

Single Review: “Gotta Go Fast” Blue Lab Beats X Poppy Daniels

Gotta Go Fast – Blue Lab Beats  Blue Lab Beats are back with more fire following up the monster of a track from 2021 “Motherland Journey” with “Gotta Go Fast”.  Listening to this I ask myself can these two talented individuals do any wrong? Probobly not. It’s hit 10,000+ – yes let me lay it …

Album Review: “Law Of Attraction: The Remixes” Mike Casey. Words: Sammy Stein.

Mike Casey  Law of Attraction: The Remixes Piano: Benito Gonzalez Bass: Matt Dwonszyk Drums: Corey Garcia Mike Casey has been receiving attention for many years now. I interviewed him in 2016 as an emerging star, and since then, he has, well, emerged. His innovative, powerful experimentation sits easily alongside his interpretation of more traditional delivery.  …

Album Review: “How To Build A Boy” – Kiffie

This is the 12th album in a year long project for Kiffie. He completed the cycle with a 10 track release which also came out on CD. Let’s dive in. Surprise “It Shouldn’t be a surprise, that I still love your eyes, I think I need you more, than I did before.” This lyric just …

Blog interview: Blue Lab Beats

Congratulations on the release of “Motherland Journey” how does it feel?   Honestly it feels like a dream come true to have the legendary Fela Kuti featuring on this track! We would’ve never expected to ever have the chance to use his acappella but his publishers and Nigerian and European teams made it happen.   …