2013/11 - month - Indie Music Reviews

JasMaster Unique Lays Down the Romance

Sat, 30 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Jas’Master Unique is a romantic who also likes to have a little fun. “Role Up A Blunt” gives you the impression that this action is being done in secret. All you really get is a hook over some dialogue and puffs. That sentiment continues with the Reggae inspired “Love Yabody.” With “Chicken and Cornbread” the title got you hungry, and the song then satisfied the appetite. The only distractor was a child yelling throughout. He sounded like Bubbles from “The Powerpuff Girls.” Things got a little quite with “Hush,” but that was expected. Jas’Master Unique is more a singer than a rapper in “Hey You Sexy” as he plays the seductress looking for attention. If he wins you over with that, you’re assured it’s love since he stands up for it in “Don’t Be Ashamed to Love.” Jas’Master Unique is a singer who can go from am herbal refreshment to a heartfelt sentiment at the turn of a dial. If you’re the same way, check out Jas’Master Unique. (https://soundcloud.com/jason-rashad-rogers)

Jereaux Cocayne and His Musical Trips

Fri, 29 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000

J’ereaux Cocayne creates far off lands right with just simple arrangements and beats. “Dreams of Tahiti” creates this vacation mood that’s somewhere between reality and drifting off. There seems to be a theme with J’ereaux Cocayne’s music in that there’s almost always a destination be it a thug version of “Cabo San Lucas,” a metropolitan version of “Hawaii,” the relaxation of the “Jamaica Sun.” All the locales are there and sometimes they throw in an ironic twist, be it the white sands of Hawaii being a city or Cabo being in the midst of an urban neighborhood. Not every song from J’ereaux Cocayne is about a postcard paradise, there is the epic sounds of “Bricks for Sale” the adventure that’s all in your head with “Mind Journey.” If you’re into instrumental music that’s based in the beats and sounds realm, check out J’ereaux Cocayne. (https://www.reverbnation.com/JereauxCocayne?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav)

Liars and Thieves Bring On Winter

Thu, 28 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Liars & Thieves “Winter” EP" is a folk record that offers up a trio of well defined tracks. “Winter” reminds me of that “Inside Llewyn Louis” movie that’s out and about right now. The vocals sound as lonesome as the winter season, and all you want to do is keep them company. “The One” sets that same mood, but isn’t as strong as the title track. The last one on the record is “Young Lover’s Eyes” and is starts with this soft musical intro that makes you reminiscent for things that once were, moments that are now memories encased at the back of your brain. The lyrics start and it makes you fall hard for Liars & Thieves. Other than the “Winter,” Liars & Thieves has another one off single featuring Holly Cooper called “Act Of Dying.” You can hear why it wasn’t on the EP, it didn’t fit that mood but it’s still good and reminds me of early Matt Costa. If you’re into folk music, check out Liars & Thieves. (https://bryanadamjones.bandcamp.com/)

Tracy Woody Makes Your Move with Love

Wed, 27 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Tracy Woody is a pop artist who can make you hop on the dance floor in an instant. “Sweet Beat of Love” is a clean cut dance song that could be heard on pop stations because while you can move to it, it has a nice pop feel to it as well. The vocals compliment the music well. They go hand in hand because Tracy’s voice is soft and delicate, while the music is a bit more upbeat in terms of speed. You can also hear her remixes of “Sweet Beat of Love” as well. She offers up a variety ways to hear that song, but also has “Your Love,” a remix done with Soul Seekerz with producing credits. This one’s a bit more club scene with the way the music and the vocals match up, rather than one leading the way. If you’re into pop music that is displayed on the dance floor, check out Tracy Woody. (https://www.tracywoody.com/tracyindex.html)

Christopher Siu Covers The Basics

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Christopher Siu is a singer/songwriter who can handle cover songs, but is much more and proves it with originals. “Good To You” is a cover of a Marianas Trench cover done with the assistance of the piano. Christopher puts a lot of his heart into it as the piano glides. The covers don’t stop there, oh no Christopher takes on former Disney stars as well. Demi Lovato is a powerhouse and when Christopher Siu steps up to the plate, he softens things on “Nightingale.” He then goes for a rock cover with Simple Plan’s “Lose of the Year.” It actually sounds like an acapella group. Then there are originals like “That Day” which is about heartbreak, and “Eighteen,” a song that makes toe tap with its upbeat demeanor. Both songs prove that Christopher Siu can do more than just cover songs. He can take his own words and make them sing alongs as well. If you’re into soft pop music, check out Christopher Siu. (https://soundcloud.com/christopher-siu)

Joseph Jones and His Range of Sounds

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Joseph Jones is a multifaceted singer/songwriter who relies heavy on his attention to musical detail. “Blues and Greens” is just like a jam session in the back of a friend’s house late one night, when everything’s right and falls into place. “Not My Style” has more of a city feel to it. You can see fog filled streets, yellowed lights and a bad idea in someone’s mind as the music lurks through the night. “Blues Jam” is where Joseph Jones gets his hands a little dirty with this gritty take on the blues. Then in an instant the mood is changes, the atmosphere goes from the home place of the blues to the deserts of New Mexico in an instant with “Messing Around.” It’s that kind of skill that is to be admired in a musician who keeps his music void of words. Then just as you think, one thing, he adds lyrics to “To the Moon.” Even then, the music is welcoming. If you’re into music that ranges from blues to folk, check out Joseph Jones. (https://www.reverbnation.com/marklar)

Eddie West and His Album Natural Philosophy

Sun, 24 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Eddie West’s Album Natural Philosophy Eddie West is a folk singer/songwriter from Princeton with an album titled “Natural Philosophy.” On it you’ll find laid back songs like “Meditation.” With that you can just sit back and see the summer day it paints a clear picture of. Eddie seems to take the long route at the beginnings of his song, he did with the last one we mentioned and then again with “Eyeshadow of Gold” and “Candy Mae.” This isn’t to kill time; it’s to showcase the musicianship of a man who isn’t just a voice, or a songwriter. West shows he can do all the things that come with making music. He continues to do so as we see and hear the buildups throughout “The Light” and find solace in the timid ways of “Search.” “Natural Philosophy” wraps up with the natural tone of “Flower Season.” If you’re a fan of folk music that verges on light rock, check out Eddie West. You can actually get the record for a “name your price” price at his site. (https://www.eddiewestmusic.com/)

Kym Larsen and the Rock and Roll Royalty

Sat, 23 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Kym Larsen is a female musician who puts a lot of pressure on herself by covering one of the greats, but she pulls through. “Rock N Roll Queen” tells the story of the rock royalty rather than displays it. If you were expecting this Pat Benatar like song, you expected wrong. Kym Larsen’s soft voice carries the song well. I was going to say that if you’re a fan of Stevie Nicks and wanted someone who was obviously influenced by the Fleetwood Mac singer, then you’ll have to listen to Kym Larsen but she beat to it kind of by covering Mac’s “Gold Dust Woman” and doing the original proud. You have to respect anyone who takes on a band like Fleetwood Mac. Back to the originals though, “Ready for a Landing,” has a little more flare than the other and the cover. It’s a bit more up-tempo and showcases a more fun side of Larsen’s musical abilities. Rounding things out is “All I Ever Wanted.” It could go well is the other upbeat song musically. Kym Larsen has a nice blend of the serious tracks and the ones that let her let loose a little. If you’re a fan of Nicks, check out Kym Larsen. (https://www.reverbnation.com/kimlarsen)

Mr. Unknown Makes Romance Well Known

Fri, 22 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Mr. Unknown is the musical representation of Valentine’s Day. His songs are so romantic, Cupid wants to hire him. “I Was Wrong” is a song that every woman will love because it puts what they’ve always knew to song; that the man is always wrong. That’s not the only reason though. Mr. Unknown can sing and that’s apparent with one note into this song. Right away “You Got Me” reminds me of the sincere classics we’ve come to know from hit makers like R. Kelly. Mr. Unknown gets real with “Hard Times” but it’s hard to tell when the vocals are so clean – You can do nothing but agree to his orders when he sings “Listen To Me.” He picks things up just a bit with “Rock Your Body,” but not by much because it’s still this smooth, sexy flow of R&B coming through the speakers that just make you groove nice and slow. Speaking of sexy, that gets put into high gear with “Up Inside My Bed.” If you’re a fan of sensual R&B that’s both romantic and sensual, check out Mr. Unknown. (https://www.reverbnation.com/theoriginalmrunknown)

Dan Formidoni Comminications

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Dan Formidoni’s “Communications” is a pop rock record that set an upbeat mood. “One Brighter Light” has a light pop rock sound that verges on the adult contemporary. It sets up the mood for the rest of the album. Jessica Mack lends her voice to a solid performance on Dan Formidoni’s “Can You See Beauty?” That’s not the only duet found on “Communications,” Michelle Gordon also helped out on “Listen.” Both girls did a great job and only added on to make an even more well-round record. If you were listening to a soft rock station you would hear the sounds and styling’s of Dan Formidoni in between Michael Bolton classics and the latest from Norah Jones. Songs like “Thursday Night,” “Teddy the Ghost,” and “At This Place, On This Corner…” would all be on FM stations daily playlists due to the way they are easy on the listeners’ ears. If you’re into artists like Dream Theater and Dan Fogelberg, check out Dan Formidoni. (https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/danformidoni)