Music Reviews of World, Adult Contemporary, Jazz, Blues, Country
Band Spotlight
Chiodos
Perhaps no one can explain the sheer ferocity and timid quietness it is better than when vocalist Craig Owens says “we don’t want to let the kids down” when discussing the group’s intense vocals live at shows. Well they never let a single kid down with their vicious assault on the ears and grip on the jugular...
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Skinny Puppy - Mythmaker
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03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of World Music, Adult Contemporary, Reggae, Jazz, Blues, Classical
Vayo — Tango Legends Buy it at Amazon
Vayo is a tango singer who is paving the way to revitalizing the forbidden dance. Tango is a beautiful art form that is both a gorgeous dance and a luxurious sound often buoyed by brilliant vocals in Spanish. Spain of course was where the dance and sound was originated and Vayo perfects it in its native language with his voice merely back by traditional acoustic instruments. Clear the dance floor!
- J-Sin
Ben Swift — Pull Buy it at Amazon
Swift’s debut solo release “Pull” is a myriad of jazzy rock, pop, and singer/songwriter blues. His voice is sincere and honest, coated with a slight element of sweetness. Ben’s talents are beyond the standard singing and songwriting though as he also co-produced and engineered “Pull”. Sophisticated arrangements are merely one element that shows why he’s an artist that you should be focused on.
- J-Sin
Dustin O'Halloran — Piano Solos Vol. 2 Buy it at Amazon
I am a sucker for piano. I love classical piano, pop keyboards, anything synthesizer, or bridges with just key smashing—it doesn’t matter as long as it’s a keyboard or piano. Dustin’s magical and majestic opuses throughout “Piano Solos Vol. 2” are both stirring and disconcerting in that they move you like the tide of the ocean. Moon beams of lightly played keys tickle your emotions and grip you like a full orchestra might. His “Opus 23” is heard on the upcoming Sofia Coppola (director of “Lost in Translation”) film “Marie Antoinette” and if that movie is as moving as this solo epic I can’t wait to see it.
- J-Sin
Therese Neaime — Livin' Buy it at Amazon
Lebanese singer/songwriter Therese Neaime has received plenty of accolades in her native Middle Eastern country as well as the neighboring countries of Jordan, Dubai, and Udania. Her voice is strong and the production is spotless. Adult contemporary rhythms with dance beats and pop choruses give “Livin’” plenty of air to breathe. Not too bad but nothing really jumps out and screams “hit” to me.
- J-Sin
Eliot Popkin — Endless Ride Buy it at Amazon
AAA pop artist Eliot Popkin reminds me of a slightly less talented John Mayer. He is gifted with a velvety voice and has surrounded himself with a bevy of talent including Grammy-nominated producers and session players. “Endless Ride” is a fun journey through pop’s various twists and turns; it may be predictable as pop so often is but it’s enjoyable and at the end of the day isn’t that all that matters?
- J-Sin
Johnny Smith — San Francisco Bay Jazz Buy it at Amazon
Rich vocal harmonies are coalesced with light jazz numbers and nice jazz blues guitar. Soulful vocals aside, “San Francisco Bay Jazz” is an outright declaration of love for the jazz genre by Johnny Smith. You can close your eyes and instantly be whisked away to some far off night club in an unnamed city. Impressive!
- J-Sin
The Steve Hall Quintet — The Steve Hall Quintet Buy it at Amazon
Steve Hall’s debut release on Moovealong Records is a swinging slurring proto-jazz album that boasts smooth Hammond organ and perfected jazz compositions. You’ll find your fingers snapping and toes tapping to the beats and groove. A musician that has seen plenty of action over the years since the mid-sixties stricks out on his own and does a great job.
- J-Sin
Paulette Dozier — With You Buy it at Amazon
Vocal jazz is a style that has been around for decades. It’s been perfected, nuanced, and delivered differently many times over. Paulette’s voice is deep, sexy (somewhat), and steady. I’m not feeling it though, the pacing isn’t as good as I usually like in jazz—but the rest of the cast is terrific.
- J-Sin
Various Artists — Explorations - Classic Picante Regrooved Vol. 1 Buy it at Amazon
Downtempo DJs listen up. Here’s some new ambience to flavor your turntables with. Killer chill-out vibes riddled with speckles of cutting-edge beats and Latin jazz influences mark a remix album that is beyond the definition of ‘hip’. Some of the remixers include Masters at Work, Hex Hector, Dan the Automator, Thievery Corporation, Cut Chemist, and Ozomatli.
- J-Sin
Billhouse — Welcome to the Smalltime Buy it at Amazon
Indeed, “Welcome to the Smalltime” seems poised to be almost right on the money in its title. But not the type of “Smalltime” you may be thinking—this group after all has had their music featured on such big-name teen television dramas as “Beverly Hills 90210”, “Dawson’s Creek”, and “Party of Five”. Billhouse occasionally shrugs off the “smalltime” folk-country tunes for something a little more rock (or pop if you’re a Southern bastard), but often it’s the slowed down fashion of alt. country with whispers of folk and Americana woven in. Nice.
- J-Sin
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