Single Review: “Shelter” – Marie Keane

This is a gorgeous ballad. Marie’s voice is accompanied by a cello, drums with brushes, a bass, and piano. This is from her album “Mná”, and is one of the slower paced tracks on there. It shows off her vulnerability vocal wise but also shows her versatility too. In fact the whole album is very …

Single Review: “Love Has Come” – SōMuch

SŌMuch are back and they’ve got an EP! This is one of the new tracks that hasn’t yet been heard.  The sound is sophisticated, very polished – but what would you expect of a band mentored by Ralph Rolle of Chic?  Let’s break it down.  The back beat is laid back, the hats give the …

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: “Few And Far Between” – Calum Baird

The thing I like about Calum’s voice is that it’s… Honest. What do I mean about that? Well first of all, you can hear his Scottish accent coming through real true, there are no heirs and graces there. He’s a folk singer telling a story in his songs, and you have to have a believable …

Single Review: “Married By Elvis” – Begonia

The title of this song is what got my attention. That and the Bossa nova groove, this is a pretty sweet track, acoustic guitar over a latin groove, the claves haven’t gone unnoticed by the way, and Begonia’s vocals are gorgeous on this, very soulful and playful at the same time. This song is about …

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: “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 …