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 …
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 …
This song is so strong.. vocals, lyrically, musically, it is so well put together and it’s not afraid to challenge what is going on in the world… What do I mean about the lyrics? Well the opening line is: “You got blood on your hands, There’s blood in my pants, what’s the difference? My …
I don’t usually review albums at full length, when it’s already out in the world. But I chose to review this for many reasons, the main one being the premise. Desire, is inspired by a year-long adventure through the states in a beat-up 40-year-old RV she transformed into a tiny house with an on-board …
This track starts off with a beautiful piano part, heavy on the left hand to compensate for the bass part, then Cara’s voice comes in – she brings a real soulful touch to this and it becomes more evident with the drums that come in. The drums are well crafted, giving a little stutter when …
Northern Flame by Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat comprises Emma Johnson on tenor saxophone, Fergus Vickers on electric guitar, Richard Jones on piano, Angus Milne on double bass, and Steve Hanley on drums. This collective is fast achieving recognition as one of the most innovative and diverse collectives around. I discovered Johnson …
Let there be horns! This comes in high and fast, Marie’s new single just comes in full whack! The drummer brings out the brushes, and leads the song through with stops and starts. The organ that comes in calls to mind country blues. Marie brings that soul, singing about someone living that single life but …
Kiffie has released his new album. These are my words on it. The End Kiffie opens this up with a track that fades up with a synth pad that kind of modulates, lots of chorused synthesis in this. In this slice of the pie there’s also a very low arpeggio that you don’t notice on …
This launches at a fair whack with big heavy toms, this a rock track for the ages… I played this on the show this weekend and had a feeling it would be a winner with our readers — it certainly was. The chorus is epic, and the vocals reflect this. I love the riffing at …
This song has so much of a punch behind it I don’t even know where to begin. First up, the production value is up there… It combines eastern melodies and otherworldly synth sounds with electronica and pop sounds. The lyrics speak of uncertainty in life but when it comes down to it when you take …
