It’s the energy that grabs you. I reviewed Benet Mclean’s ‘The Bopped and The Bopless’ back in 2016 and have not tired of it. So, it was a little trepidation I pressed ‘play’ on Mclean’s latest release ‘Green Park’. I mean, how can you top ‘The Bopped and The Bopless’? Mclean does not even try …
Album Review: “Admiratio Magna” – Frank Clare. Words: Sammy Stein.
Frank Clare is a neoclassical pianist and composer. His debut album ‘Admiratio Magna’ is inspired by his appreciation for 19th-century classical music, philosophy, science, and mindfulness. The album explores themes including the cycles of creation and the power in stillness, and curiosity. Clare began playing piano when he was 15. Finding he was better at composition …
Single Review: “Witness Me” – Jacob Collier, Kirk Franklin, Stormzy, Shawn Mendes.
Well, this is…. HUGE. A multi instrumentalist with prodigious amounts of talent. A gospel music legend. A British rapper who is larger than life. An incredible singer songwriter from Canada who’s killing it right now… Plus a 500 voice choir no less. This starts off with Jacob’s signature tones, rich in sound, backed by finger …
Single Review: “Master Narrative” – Barbara
Well! This is a stonker of a track from Barbara. Electric piano put through a slight phaser for the intro, it comes at you with the feel of a musical theatre song, you can just imagine the gaudy colours and big gestures. Just to add to that the big vocals with harmonies panned left and …
Single Review: “Enough” – Amahla.
Chill out track of the day – “Enough” @amahlamusic That fat electric piano. THAT voice! Amahla states emphatically that Nina Simone was the blueprint and that she makes protest songs for gen z. It is sad that we need protest songs in this day and age it should be used to document ancient history. That …
Album Review: “The Summoned” – Mama Terra. Words: Sammy Stein.
I became aware of Mama Terra when I took part in a Jazz FM panel show at Pizza Express, Holborn, London. The band was exploring and recreating partially, Herbie Hancock’s 1973 album ‘Head Hunters’. I was impressed by co-leader Marco Cafolla’s animated exposition of why he likes Herbie Hancock – and then by the music …
Single Review: “Give And Take” – Rosie Frater-Taylor
Rosie is back with the opening track from her upcoming album “Featherweight”, it switches gears well – going from Latin-jazz flavour to distorted riffs – I’ve been a big fan for a long time. Her voice is as strong as ever, my favourite part is at 1:20 nice bit of guitar playing but then there’s …
Blog interview: Samuel Andreyev
Hello Samuel how are you? A bit dazed from having been on the road for 6 weeks, but otherwise well enough, thank you. Congratulations on the release of “In Glow Of Like Seclusion” how does it feel? I’m very happy with how the disc has come out, in every respect, and thrilled to have the …
Single Review: “Finally Alive” – Edsun
Track Of The Day “Finally Alive” @edsunmusic This starts off as what I thought would be a retro disco track, especially with that piano and the bass drop.. but then it kicks into something funky, loving the muted guitar on this… watch out for the drum rolls because that’s where it changes up into a …
Blog interview: Giselle And Erik
Congratulations on the release of “Take It All Away.” How does it feel? Thank you! It feels so right to share “Take It All Away” and now, the rest of the “Healing” EP as well. It’s a time capsule for us of an incredibly challenging and life changing season in our lives, and we hope …