Multidisciplinary artist Cleveland Watkiss’s energy and drive are behind many music projects, and he has proved inspirational for upcoming talent on the music scene. He has worked with Wynton Marsalis, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Dusseldorf Symphony Orchestra, Art Blakey, and countless others. His new album ‘The Great Jamaican Songbook’ is released, coinciding with a …
Single Review: “Forgive Yourself” – Caitlyn Scarlett, Her Ensemble
Caitlyn Scarlett – Forgive Yourself This is a track Kwame Kwaten sent to me, and…. Wow. So, where do I start? It’s piano led, strings, and Caitlyn’s vocals just really give me goosebumps. I like goosebumps. This is beautiful, it just reminds me that the ability to write an emotional song is never going away. …
Single Review: “Bad Blue Boy” – Airinna Namara
This is beautifully crafted 80s pop that I reckon Stock Aitken Waterman would be proud of.. I’m a fan for sure that’s my era! Airinna sent me this track and… I’m in love. This song is so catchy, great vocals great four on the floor beat which gets your foot tapping. I like the synth …
Single Review: “Nothing’s What It Seems” – Serotones
I chose to feature this song on the blog not least because the PR behind it Sally Newman is someone I trust implicitly with my music tastes but because… Well, this song changes and keeps my ears tickled with some music goodness. What do I mean? Good question. Well, when it starts it lulls you, …
Single Review: “Right Now” – Luke White
This is the new single from Luke White, and it’s…. Stunning. It’s a ballad, the vocals, are out in front, which gives it a solid thumbs up for me, it starts off on just the guitar – I love the attention to detail here with the guitar strings, drums come in at 0:15 just rim …
Single Review: “Deadpan” – Autosuggestion
The way this song starts interested me, the arpeggiated guitars in triplets following the drums. It’s a rich track and got me head nodding, it’s moody as the title suggests but don’t be fooled, because Jacob’s vocals are so strong, nothing deadpan about it, and made me want to listen to him again, with that …
Single review: “A Perishing Of Cherished Things” – Barbara
This song whisks me back in time with the use of kitsch organ noises especially, with the radio tuning noise at the beginning, and there’s a violin being played. I like storytelling songs in the lyrics, and a good example of this is the fact that this song is about Wendy, who was a writer …
Single Review: “Invisible Strings” – Black Lilys
What I like about this song is how it runs at a fair pace; the drums are cinematic, the kick is an 808, but the rest are percussive. The vocals are well produced, the harmonies are bang on. The vocals remind me of someone, but I just can’t quite place my finger on it — …
Single Review: “Goldfinches” – Ceitidh Mac
This is a cool acoustic number with synths getting all atmospheric for the background, what caught my ear was the bass sound… Having reviewed a band recently that showed me the versatility of the cello, I’m getting the feeling that’s not a bass…. Why do I think this? Well, Ceiltidh Mac is a cello player, …
Single Review: “Please Go Gently” – Amelia Coburn
This song is acoustic guitar led, very much a lullaby, but written in a letter form… Amelia Coburn’s vocals are very soft and breathy, and that’s what catches my ear straight away. I closed my eyes and just listened, and she’s got a voice that could calm a soul. I’m no ukulele aficionado by any …