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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
