We’re back with another edition of Get it or Forget it, now working on the first half of 2019 cycle for the LA Music Critic Awards. During our down time, the requests just kept coming in, and we have almost 100 submissions already for this next cycle. Let’s get this party started!
Artist Name: Shane Guerrette
Album Name: Shane Guerrette
Label: Self-released
Genre: Singer-songwriter Blues/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Nomadic Soul; 2. Ivory and Gold; 3. Runaway Blues; 4. Good Times
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Shane Guerrette is a new breed of artist, who cultivated his following on YouTube before deciding to release his first EP, which was produced by Bob Cutarella, who has worked with the likes of Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons and Jeff Beck. Bob obviously heard something he liked in this young man’s music, and we are here to tell you to believe the hype. Starting off with the first single, “Nomadic Soul,” this EP gets off to a rocking start and leaves no doubt that this young man will soon become a household name. His music packs a wallop, and is radio-friendly and ready. We only wish there were more than four songs here because we could listen to his music all day.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one.
Artist Name: DJ Robert Luis (various artists)
Album Name: Shapes: Mountains
Label: Tru Thoughts Recordings
Genre: Label Compilation
Track Listing: 1. The List (Moonchild); 2. Distant Heart (Wrongtom remix) (The Seshen); 3. Vortex Number 9 (Uniting of Opposites); 4. Night Driving (Ivy Lab remix) (Rhi); 5. Glass Games (Werkha ft Bryony Jarman-Pinto); 6. Blue (Space Captain); 7. Habesha (TeÀmir); 8. California Love (Sly5thAve ft Cory Henry); 9. Ojos Vicheros (Quantic and Nidia Gongora); 10. Can’t Nobody Get Down (Alphabets Heaven remix) (Hot 8 Brass Band; 11. Run Away (Eric Lau & Kaidi Tatham remix) (Moonchild); 12. It’ll Come (Belleruche); 13. Hotline Bling (Quantic y Los Miticos del Ritmo); 14. A GCSE in Dub (Wrongtom Meets the Ragga Twins); 15. Little Steps Dub (Prince Fatty Meets Nostalgia 77); 16. All I Know (Rhi remix) (The Seshen); 17. Freezing Point (Poppy Ackroyd reimagining) (Manuu Delago); 18. Wingbeats (Max Cooper remix) (Hidden Orchestra); 19. Passing Time (Nonames ft Alexa Harley); 20. J-Freq (J-Felix); 21. Car Number 27/Mr. Alpo (Tim Deluxe remix) (Uniting of Opposites); 22. Testimony (Anchorsong); 23. Find my Way (Aurora Dee Raynes); 24. Air Sign (KXNGS); 25. Backbeat (Jonny Faith); 26. Amor en Francia (Sideswipe remix) (Quantic & Nidia Gongora; 27. Cherry Glow (Chug remix) (Rhi); 28. Original Nuttah (Magic Drum Orchestra (ft Bunty); 29. Foundation (Durrty Goodz ft Flowdan & Sharky Major); 30. Bodybag (Flowdan ft Irah); 31. Raving Bully (Sleepin’ Giantz); 32. Still D.R.E. (Ed West remix) (Sly5thAve)
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Tru Thoughts Recordings has been turning out quality records for the past 19 years. With the assistance of DJ Robert Luis, co-owner and A&R of Tru Thoughts, they have put together a dynamic collection of quality original songs and remixes. These songs span the musical gamut from old skool R&B, pop, funk and jazz to reggae, dub step, world and electronic. Best tracks include “Glass Games,” “Blue,” “California Love,” “Runaway,” “It’ll Come,” “Testimony,” “Find my Way,” “Backbeat,” “Amor en Francia,” and “Still D.R.E.”
Recommendation: Definitely worth checking out – we’re sure you’ll find something you like here.
Artist Name: Destroy Boys
Album Name: Make Room
Label: Uncool Records
Genre: Riot Grrl Punk Rock
Track Listing: 1. American River; 2. Methatonin; 3. Vixen; 4. Nerve; 5. BFF; 6. Piedmont; 7. Crybaby; 8. Gold Medal; 9. Duck Eat Duck World; 10. Soundproof
Publicist: Auteur Research
Review: Destroy Boys bring their own version of punk-infused rock and roll that is more akin to the sound of The Runaways and Shiragirl than The Ramones. Lead singer Alexia Roditis’ powerful pipes and haunting melodies combined with Vi Mayugba’s shredding guitar licks are both an homage and an evolution of all things classically punk. They have already impressed legendary Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong, who mentioned the band by name when he was interviewed by Rolling Stone Magazine. Equally impressive is that at the time, neither Roditis or Mayugba had even graduated from high school. Although both are enrolled at Mills College in Oakland, we believe their impressive musicianship will ensure that they won’t need to fall back on their future college degree.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one and hop on their train before it leaves the station.
Artist Name: BlissBliss
Album Name: 3
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. Right Where you Are; 2. I’m Coming Through; 3. No Apology; 4. Unshakable; 5. Bulletproof
Publicist: Heapsaflash
Review: We featured the video for their first single, “Right Where you Are,” in our Ten Amazing Videos from November 2018, and were simply floored by the old school R&B/pop smoothness of Rene Garcia and Lang Bliss, aka BlissBliss. Their sound is truly sophisticated and should appeal to music fans of all ages. All five of these songs are killa and deserve to be put on a loop. You’ll want to hear them over and over again. They are jazzy and radio friendly for a myriad of formats.
Recommendation: Run out and Get this one.
Artist Name: Tolliver
Album Name: Rites
Label: Icons Creating Evil Art
Genre: Alt R&B
Track Listing: 1. I Gotchu; 2. Emmanuel; 3. Picture of you Naked; 4. Twisted
Publicist: Mystic Sons
Review: Born the son of a Baptist minister, Tolliver embraces both the angel and devil in himself with these four songs about not only the pleasures of doing bad things, but the consequences of those actions. The words come from not only his gospel upbringing but personal experience, and he feels comfortable talking about both sides of the equation. His music is sensual and smooth, but also full of wisdom he has learned. Ultimately, he leaves it to the listener to decide whether the consequences are worth the pleasure. Lots of food for thought in these four songs.
Recommendation: We highly recommend you check this one out.
