Just when we thought we were caught up, we get additional review requests over the weekend. Consequently, we have five reviews for you today that have already been released. Tomorrow we will bring you the Top 10 Singles Releases we have received recently. Thursday and Friday we will have 10 reviews for albums being released on March 16. Here we go!
Artist Name: Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps
Album Name: Here in Babylon
Label: Jesi-Lu Records
Genre: Blues/Soul/Roots
Track Listing: 1. I Know I Ain’t Been so Perfect; 2. Here in Babylon; 3. Give me a Holler; 4. Head up, Heart Open; 5. I Keep Drifting Away; 6. Ground Zero; 7. Hold On; 8. You had to Bring That Up; 9. The day the Blues Came to Call; 10. I Gotta Roll; 11. 21st Century Man; 12. Find me a Bar
Publicist: Blind Raccoon
Review: The first thing you notice about this album is the sweet and smooth voice of Teresa James, which rises above the instrumental background. The band James has assembled are some of the best in their field, and time and time again they provide her with the perfect accompaniment for her voice and the well-crafted songs. Right off the bat, the amazing B3 of Mike Finnegan meshes nicely with the Wurlitzer of James. Add to that the funky drumbeat of Jay Bellerose, the magnificent bass of Terry Wilson and the perfectly harmonious guitar of Billy Watts and the musical package is complete. On top of that all-star lineup, a horn section composed of Joe Sublett and Darrell Leonard join in on the NOLA-inspired track “Give me a Holler.” James also pays her respects to the incredible Greg Allman on the track “The Day the Blues Came to Call.” In fact, this entire album rocks, but our favorite tracks were “I Know I Ain’t Been so Perfect,” the title track, “Give me a Holler,” “I Keep Drifting Away, “Ground Zero,” “Hold On,” “I Got to Roll,” and “21st Century Man.”
Recommendation: Get this one like there’s no tomorrow. It will appeal to just about everyone.
Artist Name: Roberta Donnay & the Prohibition Mob Band
Album Name: My Heart Belongs to Satchmo
Label: Blujazz
Genre: Jazz/Blues
Track Listing: 1. Sugar (That Sugar Baby o’ Mine); 2. My Bucket’s Gotta Hole in It; 3. I’m in the Market for You; 4. Ol’ Man Mose; 5. That’s my Home; 6. Basin Street Blues; 7. Up a Lazy River; 8. I’m a Ding Dong Daddy (from Dumas); 9. Do you Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans; 10. On the Sunny Side of the Street; 11. The Music Goes Round and Round; 12. Sweet Georgia Brown; 13. I’m Shootin’ High; 14. A Kiss to Build a Dream On; 15. Pennies From Heaven
Publicist: Blujazz Label and Promotion
Review: Roberta Donnay has made it her mission to bring back the musical stylings of the Jazz Age in America. She has compiled an impressive list of standards, and put her own twist on them, including a mixture of jazz, blues, swing and soul influences into these brilliant covers. Donnay’s voice is pure sugar and honey, and captures the emotion of these time-honored jazz standards. These tracks would make the perfect soundtrack for a number of television shows, including The Originals, NCIS: New Orleans, and more, as well as film and commercials. Among the best tracks are some of our favorites, including “Sweet Georgia Brown” and “Pennies From Heaven.,” as well as “I’m in the Market,” “That’s my Home,” “Basin Street Blues,” “I’m a Ding Dong Daddy (from Dumas),” “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” “The Music Goes Round and Round,” and “A Kiss to Build a Dream On.”
Recommendation: Don’t hesitate – complete your collection with this amazing album. Get it Now!
Artist Name: Melanie Edwards
Album Name: Just Don’t Stop
Label: Self-released
Genre: Singer-Songwriter/Jazz
Track Listing: 1. Just Don’t Stop; 2. Last Days; 3. Blue Velvet Tears; 4. Venus Too; 5. Alone; 6. Blame; 7. Lorelei
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: The beautiful sound of a solo piano lifts up the music, topped off with the cherry that is the sweet, airy and uplifting voice of Melanie Edwards. These songs are so well written that they should be considered as instant classics, and would provide music supervisors the perfect balance for their film, television and commercial project. The title track could be the theme song for almost any athletic championship, with its encouraging words. The organic flow between piano and organ on “Venus Too” is simply heavenly, as are the strings and synth on “Alone.” The album closes with the masterful “Lorelei,” which could have been written by one of the Renaissance composers like Mozart or Handel. It’s airiness and majesty are exquisite, and it provides the perfect ending for this masterpiece. All we can say is that we feel better after having listened to this album than we did before we began. We expect great things in the future from this songbird.
Recommendation: This album will provide hours of relief from stress and will encourage you to keep up the fight. Don’t delay, Get it Today!
Artist Name: Teddy and The Love Gang
Album Name: Kid Forest: Twisted Homes
Label: Nordic Records/PaintedBlack
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Go With the Dream; 2. Nozomi; 3. Daddy Flew; 4. Mommy Sinking
Publicist: Nordic Records
Review: This band comes to us from Norway with an ambitious project – three EPs that combined are one cohesive concept album, featuring the character of Kid Forest and his journey. The EP kicks off with the upbeat pop sound of “Go With the Dream,” reminiscent of the 70’s music scene before the advent of disco. “Nozomi” continues in that vein but adds a heavy bass beat that makes you want to get up and dance. “Daddy Flew” goes back to the late 60’s Motown sound, while the final track, “Mommy Sinking,” brings a more rocking sound to the smooth groove. We can hardly wait for the next EP, which will be released in April.
Recommendation: This one has a uniquely refreshing sound, and we highly recommend you Get it for your music library.
Artist Name: Tim Woods
Album Name: Human Race
Label: Self-released
Genre: Blues/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Can you Feel It?; 2. Every Day; 3. Step; 4. Take a Minute; 5. Human Race; 6. Black Maria; 7. TW Funk; 8. Image is Clear; 9. Trixie; 10. Have Mercy; 11. Where did she Go?; 12. Leave the Earth Alone
Publicist: Blind Raccoon
Review: Tim Woods of the Woods Family Band is a rocking blues artist with that perfect gravelly voice and guitar licks that don’t quit. He would be at home with artists like Ricky Van Shelton, The Allman Brothers Band, The Doors and the Grateful Dead. This album is a kick from the first song, “Can you Feel It?” and the resounding answer is “Yes!” You can feel it from the hair on your head down to the tips of your toes, and the feeling is great. This is a classic rock album that needs to be at home with every true lover of music.
Recommendation: Drop everything and run to Get this one!