We started this article on Tuesday, but time and circumstances didn’t allow us to finish it. Thankfully, we’re getting closer to the end of the reviews for submissions for the first half of 2018 of the LA Music Critic Awards, because this cycle has been almost overwhelming. Here are another five contenders, three of which are courtesy of ABIK Radio Promotions.
Artist Name: Krystal Klear
Album Name: The Division
Label: Cold Tonic/Running Back
Genre: EDM Instrumental
Track Listing: 1. Neutron Dance; 2. Division Ave; 3. Shockzoid; 4. Moonshake Miner
Publicist: Worldwide Friendly Society Communications
Review: From the shores of Dublin, Ireland comes Krystal Klear and he is set to deliver the best instrumental dance music you have ever heard. According to our resident EDM connoisseur, “This music just makes me want to dance.” We believe his music would do very well here in the States, and encourage all DJs and mix-masters to check out his tunes for their next club date.
Recommendation: This one is a must for all EDM lovers.
Artist Name: Sweet ‘n’ Salty
Album Name: I Done Told ya
Label: Self-released
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Mr. Sam’s Blues; 2. Won’t be Worried Long; 3. Bluesman in my Graveyard; 4. You Don’t Rock my World; 5. Worrying Times; 6. Big Love
Publicist: ABIK Radio Promotions
Review: Libby Rae Watson and Wes Lee, both amazing blues artists in their own right, have combined their talents to form Sweet ‘n’ Salty. Their sound is a throwback to that of such blues pioneers as Leadbelly, Charley Patton and Robert Johnson, with instrumentation on an acoustic guitar, sad lyrics and rough vocals. They would have fit in perfectly with that early Delta Blues sound, and their artistry is worthy of attention from every true blues lover. On “Bluesman in my Graveyard,” they shift gears a bit, and Watson’s vocals take on a Bonnie Raitt quality.
Recommendation: If you love the blues, and especially traditional Delta Blues, then you must Get this one for your collection.
Artist Name: Lee Ainley’s Blues Storm
Album Name: Shoot me Down
Label: Self-released
Genre: Blues/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Contemplation; 2. Degenerates; 3. Tin Star; 4. Dream Catcher; 5. Fed From the Bottle
Publicist: ABIK Radio Promotions
Review: Lee Ainley and her band bring us blues-tinged rock that sounds great and would provide the perfect soundtrack for your summer activities. With a driving bass beat, upbeat and killer electric guitar tracks, and that smooth voice of Ainley joined by perfect backing vocals, Shoot me Down is definitely going on repeat for my next cook-out. The band also kicks in some amazing soul and funk vibes that mesh perfectly with the blues and rock foundation. Hard to believe these guys are from the UK, because they rock it like they were born to play.
Recommendation: You simply MUST Get this one!
Artist Name: Accent
Album Name: In This Together
Label: Self-released
Genre: A Capella Jazz vocals
Track Listing: 1. Aux Aurores; 2. Just Wondering; 3. Love is Just That Way; 4. Twilight; 5. Who You Are; 6. Only One Love
Publicist: Mouthpiece Music
Review: A capella has always been one of our favorite musical styles. We never missed an episode of The Sing-Off, loved the Pitch Perfect movies, and even supported Pentatonix on Patreon. Needless to say, we were drooling at the prospect of hearing a new a capella group, and Accent did not disappoint. They even exceeded our expectations, leaping past our previous favorites like Pentatonix and Home Free, truly establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with, not only in the pop world but jazz as well. In addition, these guys hail from five different countries, with only the bassist from America and the rest from Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Sweden. Talk about a worldwide super-group!
Recommendation: Run, don’t walk, and Get this one today!
Artist Name: Peggie Perkins
Album Name: Influences
Label: Self-released
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Shotgun; 2. Dust my Broom; 3. I Need a Little Sugar in my Bowl; 4. I’m a Woman; 5. Further on up the Road; 6. Mama, he Treats Your Daughter Mean; 7. Dreams; 8. Baby I Love You; 9. Hold on, I’m Coming; 10. Angel From Montgomery; 11. Alright OK, You Win; 12. Crossroads Blues; 13. Since I Fell for You; 14. Shaky Ground
Publicist: ABIK Radio Promotions
Review: This was the perfect album to close out today’s reviews. Peggie Perkins has been singing for more than 30 years, and chose songs during that period of time that heavily influenced her musical style, which combines elements of funk, blues, R&B, soul and rock and showcases those Janis Joplin-like vocals. Those influences range from contemporary artists like Jr. Walker & the All Stars, Stevie Nicks, Peggy Lee, Bobby Bland/Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Sam & Dave, Bonnie Raitt and the Temptations to legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Robert Johnson, Nina Simone and Count Basie.
Recommendation: Don’t miss this opportunity to add some of the greatest songs ever written into your musical library. Get this one now!