In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks To Diana Torti

Diana Torti is an improviser, singer, and composer who specialises in jazz but blends ancient music, bel canto, and contemporary repertoire. Her performances have encompassed many prestigious venues, and she has collaborated with Ennio Morricone and Mula Francesco among other luminaries. Her project On A Cloud was mentioned among the best jazz albums of 2019 …

Blog interview: Flo Perlin

Hello Flo how are you? That’s a BIG question. I’m feeling excited.  Congratulations on the release of “Clay”, how does it feel?  Thank you very much! It feels surreal. It’s called a ‘release’ for a reason as that’s literally what it feels like.  It’s a ten track project, what was the inspiration behind it? This …

Album Review: “The Gospel Of Getting Free” – Lara Taubman. Words: Sammy Stein.

Lara Taubman is a singer/songwriter from southwest Virginia, residing in New York City. She believes in the power of song and story as an aid to people needing respite in a rapidly transforming world. Her third album is ‘The Gospel of Getting Free’ which follows her albums ‘Revelation’ on Wolfe Records and ‘Ol’ Kentucky Light.’  …

Single Review: “Good Day” – Titus Glenn

This song has the feel good factor from top to bottom!!! What did I just listen to??!! Gospel choir? Check. Piano playing a great upbeat part??? Oh yes. Bass giving me Motown vibes? Come on now. Oh and the harmonies… yes there are harmonies. This song just made me feel a hundred times better. I’m …

Single Review: “Who We Are” – Ngaio

This track combines a strong soulful vocal over a fantastic dance beat that sounds exotic, I love the build up to the hook on this, the bass line is hypnotic, and the percussion wanders in and out. But when it gets going you have a song that really is anthemic, I mean it’s a call …

Single Review: “Star In A Reasonable Priced Car” – Rubberband Girl

This is the new single from Rubberband Girl and… it’s a cracker. It’s like a cleaned up “Hand In My Pocket” with a banjo in there, and the drums are “properly” recorded, not as gritty. The title reminds me of a segment of Top Gear which *shock horror* I’ve never seen but was having a …

Single Review: “You Are Not Nosferatu” – C-Beem X The Fantom Man

I picked this song as my track of the day because the synth sounds are instantly recognisable to me. The harsh clap (It’s not a snare funnily enough) is a synthetic sound that Cameo have used on “Word Up” and of course the orchestra hit sound was what I judged my synths by back in …

Single Review:-“Every House Gets Dark When The Sun Goes Down” – Project Blackbird

This is the second single from the upcoming Project Blackbird album, and it reinforces what I’ve always known about this band.  They produce damn fine songs.  This starts off with an electric piano bathed in warm chorus, over which trumpet player Jon Read plays a really simple melody over this chord progression – G Maj …