Tag: Reflections

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it – South Florida Jazz Orchestra, Vuyo, Mac Murray, William Elliott Whitmore, XTR HUMAN

We’re down to our final two Get it or Forget it articles for October before heading into the home stretch in November.  We still have plenty of new music for you to check out, starting with these five artists, so let’s get going.

Artist Name:  South Florida Jazz Orchestra

Album Name:  The Music of Gary Lindsay:  Are we Still Dreaming

Label:  Summit Records

Genre:  Jazz

Track Listing:  1.  Moment in Time; 2.  Spring is Here/Up Jumped Spring; 3.  Toward Hope; 4.  Easy Living; 5.  Better Days Ahead; 6.  Are we Still Dreaming; 7.  ‘Round Midnight; 8.  Ummg

Publicist:  Mouthpiece Music

Review:  Gary Lindsay is a Grammy-nominated arranger of big band music.  The South Florida Jazz Orchestra, created and directed by bassist Chuck Bergeron, pays homage to Lindsay’s work with this stunning collection of some of his best known works. The album has already reached the Top Ten on the jazz charts, and we believe that this collection will remain a viable source of jazz music history.  Grab a glass of wine and sit back and enjoy these relaxing tunes.

Recommendation:  If you love jazz, then this is a must for your collection.

Artist Name:  Vuyo

Album Name:  Home Cooked Meals

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Hip-Hop/Rap

Track Listing:  1.  Intro; 2.  THBP; 3.  Vuyo’s Woman; 4.  Can’t Go; 5.  Floating; 6.  Window; 7.  Outro

Publicist:  Mystic Sons

Review:  Yuyo is a Norwegian/South African rapper and producer and part of the North Of collective.  On his debut EP, he shows that he knows how to not only write brilliant rhymes, but also how to spit them with the best.  His lyrics have deeper meaning than your typical hip-hop, especially “THBP” (The Half-Blood Prince), which is inspired by Harry Potter, bringing in real-world comparisons to this story.    This is hip-hop for nerds, as they will have fun exploring the deeper meanings of the words and songs.

Recommendation:  Definitely worth checking out.

Artist Name:  Mac Murray

Album Name:  Civil Wars

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Civil War; 2.  Deep End; 3.  Magic; 4.  That Look; 5.  Crusade; 6.  Be Like You (bonus track)

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  UK-based singer-songwriter Mac Murray has hooked up with Jamie Bragg of JB Studios to create a stellar EP reminiscent of some of the best from Kings of Leon.  The album kicks off with the amazing drums and guitar riffs of the title track, which is brilliantly written and sung by Murray.  “Civil War” could easily top the charts, and like the rest of this all-too-short five-song EP, is extremely radio friendly and deserves industry attention.  This one definitely deserves to be heard over and over again, and we love every song.  We think these songs are also ripe for placement opportunities, including the emotional and hard-driving “Deep End.”

Recommendation:  Run out and Get this one!

Artist Name:  William Elliott Whitmore

Album Name:  Kilonova

Label:  Bloodshot Records

Genre:  Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Fear of Trains; 2.  Busted; 3.  Don’t Pray on Me; 4.  Hot Blue and Righteous; 5.  Five Feet High and Rising; 6.  Ain’t no Sunshine; 7.  One Glass at a Time; 8.  Run Johnny Run; 9.  Country Blues; 10.  Bat Chain Puller

Publicist:  Bloodshot Records

Review:  After six albums of original tunes that run the gamut from country and blues to folk and punk, William Elliott Whitmore brings us a cover album of 10 songs that have influenced his 15 year career.  His gravelly voice is perfect for this type of music, and he brings such passion to his interpretations of these songs, creating songs that will easily stand the test of time.  They are worthy of inclusion in music history classes and belong in the music library of every lover of great music.  Best tracks include “Fear of Trains,” “Busted,” and “Ain’t no Sunshine.”

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  XTR HUMAN

Album Name:  Reflections

Label:  Blackjack Illuminist Records

Genre:  Shoegaze/Post-Punk

Track Listing:  1.  Immersive Spaces; 2.  Disturbia; 3.  True Lies; 4.  Courage; 5.  Limelight; 6.  Reflections

Publicist:  Blackjack Illuminist Records

Review:  From an electronic opening track to full-on post-punk, XTR Human quickly show why they are such a hot ticket on the underground German music scene.  The beat comes in red-hot and the guitars elevate the sound to an almost hypnotic pace as the music takes over your senses, bursting forth in a cavalcade of sounds and experiences.  This music will make just about everyone want to get up and dance to the sheer power of the beat.  It is non-stop, and truly enticing.

Recommendation:  Definitely give this one a spin – we guarantee you can’t sit still while listening.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Gina Sicilia, Kayla Starr, Rare Americans, Mike Stapleton, Eyes of Love

(cue Peter, Paul & Mary)  By the time you read this, we will have left on a jet plane heading to a family reunion in North Carolina for the Labor Day weekend.  We are so proud to bring you these next five artists, including the latest from multiple LA Music Critic Awards winner and Blue Élan Records artist Gina Sicilia.  Here we go!

Artist Name:  Gina Sicilia

Album Name:  Heard the Lie

Label:  Blue Élan Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Heard the Lie; 2.  How Many Times; 3.  Ready for Love; 4.  Brighter Day (ft Janiva Magness); 5.  Angels Watching; 6.  Man in the Sky; 7.  Sugar; 8.  Darling; 9.  Light me Up; 10.  I do Bad Things; 11.  Growing Dim

Publicist:  MAD Ink PR

Review:  It’s been 10 years since she recorded her first of eight albums, and this one is her best yet.  Grammy-nominated producer Dave Darling brings it all together for this young blues superstar whose songwriting abilities continue to amaze us.  From the first notes of the title track, it becomes quickly obvious that the listener is in for a treat, as the husky voice of Gina Sicilia fills the songs with so much soulfulness.  Her version of the blues borrows considerably from classic R&B, and comparisons to great singers like Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight are a natural conclusion.   This is baby-making music that soothes your soul and lets you know that you are not alone in what’s happening around you.  She gives us a blistering and soulful cover of Bad Company‘s “Ready for Love” and also hooks up with her labelmate, Grammy-nominated blues singer Janiva Magness, for an amazing duet on “Brighter Day.”  She even goes a little country on “Sugar” and does her best impression of 60s girl groups on “Darling.”  You can’t go wrong with this album, and will find yourself listening to these songs over and over again.

Recommendation:  If you treasure great songs sung by an amazing vocalist, then you simply MUST Get this one.  Rush out and grab it today!

Artist Name:  Kayla Starr

Album Name:  Exception to the Rule

Label:  Grunge Pop Records

Genre:  Alt Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Say you Will; 2.  Dangerous; 3.  Truth; 4.  Deepest Sea

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Kayla Starr is a genre-defying artist who mixes alternative rock, trip hop, electronics and grunge pop into a unique style that is all her own.  She wrote and co-produced all four songs on this stellar EP.  Her voice is silky smooth and strong, and rises above most of her peers in the indie community.  Her songs are truly radio friendly and are worthy of heavy rotation on major stations, especially college radio.  “Dangerous” is a true hit in the making, and would make a great break-out single.  She could easily be the next Meghan Trainor.

Recommendation:  This one is a must-have.  Get it now!

Artist Name:  Rare Americans

Album Name:  Rare Americans

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alt Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Cats, Dogs & Rats; 2.  Moss Park; 3.  Balmoral Hotel; 4.  Night After Night; 5.  I vs I; 6.  Pay me Back

Publicist:  Effectively Immediately PR

Review:  Rare Americans are a pair of Canadians who only started writing songs a year ago.  Before recording this debut album, the songs were made into music videos where they quickly became viral hits on YouTube, including over a million views on “Cats, Dogs & Rats.”  They mix punk, hip hop and rock into their version of alt rock, with lyrics aimed at calling out the bad in the world so that it can be dealt with.  This is high energy music that will make you think as well.  The vocals are not pretty but they are perfectly suited for this type of music.

Recommendation:  Give this one a good listen – we think it will grow on you, or at least make you think about the world in general.

Artist Name:  Mike Stapleton

Album Name:  Reflections

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Folk/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  When no one Cares; 2.  Reflections; 3.  Anxiety Builds; 4.  Goodwill; 5.  We Both Shall Ride; 6.  Empty Space; 7.  Burn a Hole; 8.  Thickly Settled; 9.  Ignorance and Greed; 10.  Everything I Own; 11.  Go Away; 12.  Abide

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Hard to believe we just reviewed this artist’s last album Mid-Winter Blues only six weeks ago, and here he is back with another one.  Trust us, we are not complaining, because we simply love his material, which continues to improve.  Like his previous album, these are songs meant for airplay on NPR stations, and would also be great for placements in television and film.  We simply adore the title track, “Anxiety Builds,” “We Both Shall Ride,” “Burn a Hole,” “Thickly Settled,” and “Everything I Own.”

Recommendation:  This one is definitely worthy of your attention.  We recommend you Get it soon.

Artist Name:  Eyes of Love

Album Name:  End of the Game

Label:  Wharf Cat Records

Genre:  Pop/Rock/Experimental

Track Listing:  1.  Homeowners; 2.  New; 3.  Version of Tomorrow; 4.  Piano 1 Final; 5.  Players of the Field; 6.  Breakers at Midnight; 7.  Classifieds Strings; 8.  There’s a Party; 9.  End of the Game; 10.  Classified; 11.  Millionaire; 12.  DDT & the Undertaker; 13.  Elevator; 14.  New Piano

Publicist:  Promo Juke Box

Review:  Eyes of Love, spearheaded by songwriter Andrea Schiavelli, is the perfect representation of chaos and harmony.  The style floats between breezy pop, alternative rock and experimental music to provide a look at the world in general.  The album even includes a pair of piano instrumentals as well as a strings arrangement for their song “Classifieds” to truly keep the listener on their toes.  With the musical diversity, every listener should be able to find something that they like here.  Our favorite track is “Players of the Field.”

Recommendation:  This one is different enough to warrant your attention.  Check it out today.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Phantom Phunk, VTCN Radio, John Verity, Matt Westerman, Lavender Child

Well, it’s our final Get it or Forget it for 2017.  We will have reviewed 316 albums and EPs this year, with only 40 or so more to review after today’s article, plus another 15 requests for the new year.  We’ll knock the 2017 ones out early in January, as well as our list of the Best Albums and EPs of 2017 before launching into our nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards for the second half of 2017 and the new requests for 2018.  That is going to be a gargantuan task, since we have had more than 200 submissions during that period (225 to be exact), and so many of them are amazing.  Stay tuned.  In the meantime, here are our final five reviews for this year.

Artist Name:  Phantom Phunk

Album Name:  Turtle Stand

Label:  Harmonic Factory

Genre:  Alternative Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Back Seat Sax; 2.  My Hands; 3.  Sleepy Willow; 4.  Turtle Stand; 5.  Paper Neck; 6.  Raymond Saunder’s Funhouse; 7.  Shadow Lawn; 8.  Memory’s a Ghost; 9.  Steep Your Body; 10.  People Watcher; 11.  Arecibo’s Lullaby

Publicist:  Presstown PR

Review:  Phantom Phunk packs a lot of energy into their songs, mixing alternative rock and powerpop into a bundle of interesting indie funk.  The first track is a little out there, but the band hits their stride on the second track, “My Hands,” which was also their first single.  The goodness continues with the instrumental track, “Sleepy Willow,” before they come back harder with solid vocals on the title track.  “Paper Neck” starts out as just another crazy instrumental, before the vocals kick in and it becomes almost prog rock-like in its sound.  We also like “Shadow Lawn,” “Memory’s a Ghost,” and “People Watcher.

Recommendation:  If you’re feeling adventurous, then give this one a spin.  We guarantee it’s different from your average indie alternative rock sound.

Artist Name:  VTCN Radio

Album Name:  Mydriase

Label:  Five to Six Records

Genre:  Experimental

Track Listing:  1.  Mydriase; 2.  Riddle Song; 3.  Subtle Body; 4.  Venus Flytrap; 5.  Moon Motion; 6.  Late Night Shuttle; 7.  Bucket List; 8.  POP; 9.  Wet Widow

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We love the sound of the rain, and the way this album starts, with the rain, hooting owls and other sounds is very interesting, soothing and reflective.  There are no words to describe the genre their music falls into, so I guess we’ll call it experimental environmental bliss.  It definitely shows a classical influence, as well as that of those nature albums you put on as white noise.  Still it retains the beauty of nature as well as the intensity of good music, and is the type of album you can leave on repeat for your daily musical backdrop.  It’s not radio friendly, but is still commercially viable, and would make a great soundtrack for documentaries and commercials.  Best track is “Subtle Body.”

Recommendation:  Another one for the adventurous type, or just someone who likes to have music in the background of their life.  It’s definitely worth checking out.

Artist Name:  John Verity

Album Name:  Blue to my Soul

Label:  VaVoom Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1/  Such a Feeling; 2.  This old Dog; 3.  Blues in Heaven; 4.  The Blues is my Business; 5.  Never Gonna Change; 6.  Alabama Blues; 7.  Say the Word; 8.  Wasted Years; 9.  A Better Way; 10.  Hold Your Head Up

Publicist:  ABIK Promotions

Review:  This is the 20th album for John Verity, and he continues to show why he has lasted so long in the indie world.  This release contains six original tunes, as well as four covers, including the classic rock smash “Hold Your Head Up.”  He hits the ground running with “Such a Feeling,” and the album just takes off from there.  The first track  has a “Journey” feel, almost more like classic rock than the blues, which he returns to with his second and third tracks, “This Old Dog” and “Blues in Heaven,” before turning in spotless covers of “The Blues is my Business,” “Never Gonna Change,” and the totally relevant story contained in “Alabama Blues.”  He closes out the album just as strongly, with the rocking “Say the Word,” the soulful “Wasted Years” and “A Better Way,” and his final cover.  What an incredible album.

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer – Get it now!

Artist Name:  Matt Westerman

Album Name:  Life Out Loud

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Don’t Give up on You; 2.  One Fine Day; 3.  Wait and See; 4.  Flower Dress; 5.  She’s More; 6.  Sunrise

Publicist:  Far Digital PR

Review:  Matt Westerman’s music is like a beacon in a foggy sky, illuminating the hope that gives a promise of better days in the future.  His voice is soothing, his lyrics are well-crafted, and the simple accompaniment is the perfect supplement to make his songs well rounded and perfect for your musical library.  These songs are memorable and deserve industry attention for both radio and future placements in television and film.  Our favorite tracks are “Don’t Give up on You,” “One Fine Day,” “Wait and See,” “Flower Dress,” actually the whole damn album!

Recommendation:  Definitely get this one.

Artist Name:  Lavender Child

Album Name:  Reflections

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Dream Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Beautiful Landscapes; 2.  Plutomania; 3.  Happy Illusions; 4.  Reflections (Interlude); 5.  Reflections

Publicist:  Auteur Research

Review:  In a similar vein to VTCN Radio, but with a more meditative and reflection vibe, Lavender Child brings their unique style of music to the world on their debut EP, Reflections.  As you can imagine, this album is perfect for your yoga workouts, your introspective reflections and mediation time.  It reminds us of the music of Enya with a more environmental sound.  It’s not for everyone, but we happy to appreciate its uniqueness.  Hopefully, you will too.

Recommendation:  We bet you don’t have anything like this in your current library.  We recommend you add this EP.