URL: https://www.kinderjazz.com/christobel.html

Kinderjazz is the Christobel Llewellyn founded the band together with her partner David Llewellyn as a means for young children to learn about music and instruments used in a jazz orchestra. Originally, Kinderjazz started as a 10 piece but after a chance meeting at Billy Hyde’s music store in Sydney with Latin Percussionist Aykho Akhrif, the band soon added an eleventh musician on Congas. Aykho has inspired many Latin charts for the band with five of these being named after him. The twelfth member was a second trumpet, Liz Geyer who decided to go solo shortly after joining, making way for Tom McElvogue to replace her.

URL: https://www.courtneychambers.net/

Courtney Chambers’ fourth album, Tales of the Aftermath, moves the posts for her in a significant way. While her traditional concern as a songwriter, matters of the heart, remains in full view, the new album’s ten songs take a nuanced, genre-hopping musical approach and exhibit a sharp writer working at or near the peak of her powers. Each of the songs contains a handful of dramatic lines that, when Chambers delivers them with her customary soulful commitment, will knock the wind out of many listeners for a second. Despite the deliberate tempos and careful orchestration, Tales of the Aftermath is never a staid effort. The production gives it a live intimacy without ever being overbearing and balances its focus well between the multiple instruments. The guitars and Chambers’ gently insistent voice are captured particularly well.

URL: https://azaima.com/

This is a solid release. It has some problems with the production. Beyond that, there are times when the vocals seem a little lackluster. Overall, though, this is quite strong. The other album I reviewed by this artist is more consistent and stronger, but you really can’t complain with this one.

Jangly guitar sounds bring the opening title track in. It’s a pop country song. It’s not bad, but feels a bit tinny in terms of the production. The lyrics have double meanings, and that’s a cool thing. More of a jazz pop vibe is heard on “Time Wasted.” I like this one a lot. It makes me think of a lot of 80s music. It has a better production value than the first song did, too.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ofmmusic/ 

Portland, Oregon’s One From Many, formerly known as FarCry, follows up their impressive debut LP The Alleged Album with a new EP release, 29:11, brimming over with enough emotional content for three full lengths. Born from the ashes of a failed marriage and other personal upheaval, vocalist Andrew Supina and his band mates have created a five song effort that isn’t so much of a collection as it is a journey. Grief and regret receive a wide airing, but there’s acceptance peering its way out of the gloom and it helps make this a fully rounded songwriting experience. One From Many embraces evocative, but never overwrought, production that gives surprising weight to their largely low-fi, acoustic-based sound. Big choruses and harmony vocals abound, but the overriding hallmark of the band’s music is an endlessly inventive melodic sensibility that makes even the EP’s lesser tunes essential listening.  

URL: https://www.lharmonic.com/music/

The Review: North East based singer-songwriter Leo Harmonay has one of those voices that’s familiar but yet you can’t quite put your finger on him. His latest CD, “Somewhere over the Hudson” starts off with “Colors” a carefree folk/rock opener painted with colorful vocal harmonies, earthy tones, and popish appeal. Track 2 “Dark Sunday Gray” keeps the flow going in the right direction. It also shows how well these cats can really play outside the a-typical Pop embellishment. More emotional title track really open thing up as Harmonay’s acoustic guitar-voice tandem really flourishes. Slowly but surely you are introduced to Harmonay’s inviting deep voice via more great music. CD gets better and better as it advances. This is the perfect setting for a hungry Adult Contemporary Pop audience. The earthy foundation, poppy backdrop, and touches of acoustic guitar and layered instrumentation really make an impact. The almost soulful vocal tonality of Harmonay I was actually surprised to see he was a white man. His voice/guitar coupled with a nice reverb soaked snare drum/guitar both compliment each other well. It’s a very modern sounding CD, but don’t worry - there are no Kanye West guest appearances here. On standout racks “We Are Two”, “Rocks at Your Feet” and “Running Days” you will hear flawless transitions and impressive choral finales that will bring you back into familiar pop territory. Harmonay’s voice is spot on as he demonstrates remarkable vocal control and power. He also shows great depth as a writer. Some of these songs are brilliant. As I listened to these songs over and over again, I noticed how fluid all of the arrangements really were. The whole CD moves from one moment to the next, one transition /track to the next. And despite the lack of ‘jolting moments’ to catch you off guard, all of all the tracks manage to grab your attention with their gentle, lighthearted style. There’s some nice acoustic guitar work, and vocals and rhythmic touches really mesh well together within the sonic space. Some tracks give hint to an almost Jazzy-Folk territory.