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: “Truth Is The New Gold” Feral Five
I like the synths on this one, especially the arpeggiated intro and crunchy lead. The vocals are spoken / sung, the main vocals go up and down on the scale. I like the way it switches from a major to minor key by singing one semitone down on one note. This is definitely worth a …
Single Review: “A Place To Lie” – Art School Girlfriend
The intro is what draws you in on this one, it’s very big, synth-wise, promises epic things, and boy does it it deliver… I love the vocals on this, as well as the drums, they are fluid and really stand out amongst the overall track. When I first heard this I knew it would be …
Single Review: “Sidecar” – Prima Hera
I have heard this song so many times now, I think it’s part of my soundtrack of 2023. It’s such a simple song, Prima Hera’s vocals are gorgeous on this. She has a touch of reverb on her vocals, and she’s able to harmonise comfortably going from a major to minor harmony with the other …
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: “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, …
Single Review: “Into The Groove” – Madonna
For me Madonna was part of the big three along with Prince and Michael Jackson. The 80s was full of their music, and everyone knew their songs, if they weren’t touring they’d be releasing music and they were iconic. They set stages around the world alight. So, it’s weird for me to be saying Madonna …
Single Review: “Without” – Tiger Mendoza ft. Emma Hunter
This track caught my ear because of the lush string arrangement and also Emma’s strong vocal on top. She sits right in the mix. I love the lyrics: “I am like a tree without its leaves I am like a river without its water And nothing will ever be the same…” The beat is four …
Single Review: “Blue Monday” – New Order
As today is supposed to be Blue Monday I thought I’d revisit an 80s classic. This song has all the synthesiser goodness incorporated with early samples. The version I’ve picked out is the original 1983 mix, which clocks in at 7:30 – this would have set the dance floors alight back in the day, because …
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 …