We’re back with our first Get it or Forget it for the month of April, and have five interesting artists for you to check out. Later this week watch for our Ten Great Singles and Ten Amazing Videos articles, as well as our #NewMusicFriday edition of Get it or Forget it. Let’s get going.
Artist Name: Black Cat Biscuit
Album Name: That’s How the Cookie Crumbles
Label: Naked
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Train 66; 2. Haunting Me; 3. Sons of a Vampire; 4. Parrot Woman; 5. Ain’t got Nobody to Come Home; 6. What I Really Need is You; 7. He’s a Fool; 8. Bad James; 9. Hey Little Kiddy; 10. I Don’t Know; 11. So sad and Lonely; 12. Goin’ Home
Publicist: The Bluesbones
Review: This band may be from Belgium, but the have captured the American art forms of the blues to create a debut album that sets the bar high for subsequent projects. Mixing rockabilly with the blues sound of Chicago and New Orleans, every blues lover will find a lot to love about this album. The songs are fun and upbeat, even if they are the blues. We think this band could easily compete in the US with their dynamic style, and hope that they will come to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge.
Recommendation: Go Get this one.
Artist Name: Isa Bell
Album Name: Lightin’ Up Your Day
Label: Self-released
Genre: Reggae/Pop
Track Listing: 1. Hypnotise the Time; 2. All United; 3. Don’t Say It …; 4. Let it Go; 5. Lightin’ up Your Day
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Isa Bell is a work of art – a beautiful woman with a golden voice and the ability to merge a jazz standards style with the chill factor of reggae. Her voice is so classy you’d expect it to be singing by a piano in a smoky bar. Once the reggae beat kicks in, your image changes and you expect her to be singing on an island somewhere. We really love the ska feel of “Don’t Say It.” She is one of the best discoveries we have made this year, and we think she has the goods to conquer the world. We can’t wait to hear what comes next.
Recommendation: This one is a priority – go Get it!
Artist Name: Paria
Album Name: Popsicle
Label: Bøl Records
Genre: R&B./Pop
Track Listing: 1. Disappear; 2. Summer Blind; 3. Tragic; 4. Casual
Publicist: Mystic Sons
Review: Paria has one of those voices that few pop singers have ever possessed – one that soars and climbs ever higher – like those of Minnie Ripperton and Mariah Carey. You can feel the soul and R&B of these tracks, and they soothe your mind as they caress your ears and quickly get you in the mood. We introduced you to her last September when we featured “Casual” in our Monday Mashup, and are glad that she’s come back with more. We just want a full length album.
Recommendation: Definitely worth your time – Get this one and chill.
Artist Name: Charlie Dennard
Album Name: Deep Blue
Label: Self-released
Genre: Jazz
Track Listing: 1. St. Charles Strut; 2. Mojave; 3. Wanderlust; 4. Deep Blue; 5. Trois Fois; 6. Joe’s Crusade; 7. Father
Publicist: Mouthpiece Music
Review: Charlie Dennard is an amazing composer and pianist who is also the music director for the Cirque du Soleil show “Totem,” currently touring the European continent. He has adopted New Orleans as his home, and his music reflects the musical heritage of that special city. This is jazz music for jazz nerds. It’s non-pretentious, primarily piano and jazz snare, and thoroughly chill. Just add a glass of wine or your favorite mixed drink, sit back and relax, and take it all in – you will instantly feel the tension leave your body.
Recommendation: This one is a must-have for all serious jazz lovers.
Artist Name: Sonic Rade
Album Name: Sonic Rade
Label: VDM Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Lost Identity; 2. Let’s Dream Tonight; 3. Black Cloud; 4. Queen of Hearts; 5. Ink in the Water; 6. Back to the Moon; 7. In the Deep; 8. American Eyes; 9. All That we Breathe; 10. Cloverfields; 11. Believers; 12. Indian Calling; 13. Hollywood
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Sonic Rade is a Swiss indie pop/rock trio. Their previous album garnered enough critical support to receive a first-round nomination for the 2016 Grammys, and their new one is no less worthy. Their sound will bring back memories of bands like Depeche Mode and Duran Duran, and the band deserves serious industry attention, especially from college radio. The album is deep with appropriate cuts, especially their first single, “Let’s Dream Tonight.”
Recommendation: Grab it while it’s hot.