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 …
Single Review: “Getting Away With It” – Electronic
It was Bernard Sumner’s birthday on the 4th January, and I thought I’d celebrate it by reviewing a song that he collaborated with Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys and Johnny Marr on – they are the key players on this but there is more on this later on in the review. If you …
Album Review: “You Matter” – Julie Campiche Quartet. Words: Sammy Stein
Harpist Julie Campiche is a truly innovative artist. A pioneer of the jazz harp, she has created her style through the exploration of improvisation, classical and electronic musicand her sound plumbs the depths of classical and jazz techniques. Campiche has performed in clubs and at festivals across Europe. She is curious and always seeking new …
Album Review – “Satya”. Words: Sammy Stein
Satya ( Resonant Artists 2022) Satya comprises Phil Raskin on percussion and Frank Doblekar on saxophone. They are joined on the eponymous album ‘Satya‘ for two tracks by Ratzo Harris on bass. Raskin has been a professional musician since his teenage years in Cleveland, Ohio, and his four-decade-plus career has taken him across the world. …
Album Review: “First Light” – Village Of The Sun. Words: Sammy Stein
Village of The Sun ‘ First Light’ A few years back, I was vaguely watching Jools Holland’s ‘Later’ on the BBC. A due came on, and I was awake -searing sax and wonderfully intuitive drumming– and such energy. That duo was Binker Golding on sax and Moses Boyd on drums. I contacted them through their …
Single Review: “Roll With It” – Toby Corton
Wow… this is a TUNE! The soulful vocals mixed with a hip hip beat and strings is what sold it to me. Toby flies in with a vocal that’s lazy and sings with a drawl that’s not unpleasant to listen to, there’s a cello accompanying him and it’s brilliant! It’s the chorus that hits me …
Single Review: “White Horses” – Art Block
White Horses This is a piano led number, the second track in sequence on the EP, I’m liking Art Block’s vocals on this, he starts out low, then the chorus comes in and he opens up fully, it’s showing off his range. His voice is very distinctive, and he’s not afraid to show it. The …
Single Review: “Big”- Rainn Byrns
Ahh this song’s lyrics make me laugh…. “Charlie’s made it big on the TV set and I’m still cleaning toilets trying not to regret…” This song is typical of Rain’s sense of humour and backed with summery surfer vibe this calls for some serious airplay. The way that this song is performed, it’s just …
Single Review: “The Comet Is Coming” – CODE. Words: Sammy Stein
The power trio The Comet is Coming, comprised of Dan Leavers ( Danalogue), Shabaka Hutchings (Shabaka), and Max Hallett (Betamax), have released ‘Code’, the first single from their forthcoming album ‘Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam’ which will be released late September on Impulse. ‘Code’ is hailed by their label as an ‘intergalactic head-banger that explores hidden meaning …