Susie Butler: Susie Sings Sarah

Susie Butler’s “Susie Sings Sarah” is a look back at a great time in music, but in the now. “Can’t Get Out of This Mood” starts off the record on a high note. Her cool and calm delivery is a welcoming embrace. She really sets in the soul as “Misty” plays on and into “Lullaby of Birdland,” which has more of an upbeat tempo that makes toes tap. “Nice Work if You Can Get It” transports you back to a simpler time. You instantly feel as if you’re in Harlem when African Americans were really beginning to find themselves emerged in the arts and started to shine for it. Her elegance is impeccable in “Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year” All in all this is an album for those who cannot get enough of smooth jazz. (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016UNR2G?ie=UTF8&keywords=Susie%20Butl)

The Many Sides of Johnny Derek

Johnny Derek is a man you just can’t peg down. With Ariel by his side on “What If,” the two bring a story to life with a sincere take on music. He picks up the beat with “Jesus in the Morning” and gets a little funky with it. We started out on a more folk note and have definitely switched gears here. This guy is a new man at every press of play. In “If I Knew a Song That Really Sucked I’d Sing That Song For You!” we hear his country side coming through. It’s not just the sound but the lyrics that make this one have that that country vibe. As we head down the list of songs he’s got going on “Tequila Sunrise” sticks out as it paints a Southwest sunset picture in the head of everyone it comes across, while “Mountains of Mourne” really does a number on the heart as the beautiful intro of it cannot be beat. Johnny Derek has a lot of styles going on, but overall what he does best is construct a good time with his sound but if you’re a fan of music that’s more country with a hint of blues, he’s the man for you. So check him out now! (https://www.reverbnation.com/johnnyderek)

Buford Powers: "I Wish I'd Met You"

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Buford Powers’ “I Wish I’d Met You” comes to our ears. Well, it’s not exactly the sweetest story, but it is a romantic sentiment. It’s about wishing to have met the love of your life sooner in time. I think many have felt like that. When they reach a certain age and meet someone, they look at it like - dang, if only we had more time. On the flip side, it could also be when you feel like you’ve wasted too many years without that special someone. Meaning aside, this song has a great, classic contemporary sound that would make fans of the pop standard smile. Fans of acts like Sinatra would be down to download this one. So if that sounds like you, check out “I Wish I’d Met You” by Buford Powers, out now. (https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bufordpowers7)

Funkinchely Beats & Grooves' Name Does Not Lie

bFunkinchely Beats & Grooves creates just what the name suggests and are fit for any soundtrack. “Mapped in Traps” instantly transports you into an arcade in the ’80s and then tosses you into a modern day rave/club. The beat has a hip hop base and is subtle. With “It’s Uptown Saturday Night” once again that arcade feel comes through as you can see yourself inside “Cruisin’ USA.” As we head into “Break It Down,” things take a cinematic turn and we stop with the games. While the platform has changed the era hasn’t. It has an ’80s, metropolitan vibe throughout. We get funky with “Crazy Bout U” and take bits and pieces from electronic and K-pop here. Lastly, “Red Rock and Rock” is quite different than anything that came before it. It’s more about grooving on the island and chilling. It’s a nice change of pace. If you’re in the market for music to be the backdrop to a project, Funkinchely Beats & Grooves is the place to look now! (https://www.funkinchelybeatsngrooves.com/)

Get Romantic with Vocol

Vocol has a dirty side in his romance. We had to make a choice where to start and “Decisions” was ironically it. It’s a nice, soft song that really glides into your ears from the press of play. It has that old school, let’s talk over the beat for a romantic touch aspect to it at parts. In “Heartbeat” the vocals are stronger than in the last but I really want to hear him bring it, like let out that Whitney note. The mood changes with “I’m Guilty.” Before this one, things had been all R&B and romance. With this one Vocol goes a little off the rails and gets a little down and dirty in both the lyrics and the delivery. “Lavish” kind of straddles the line between the two moods he’s created within the confines of this listening session. The beat is smooth but what he’s saying is a bit naughty. Last up, “Turn It Back” was a good song to cap it on. It felt like it brought us full circle and back to the starting line. If you’re a fan of R&B that has some devilish charm, check out Vocol and his music. (https://vocolmusic.com/home/)

Kecajazz's on a Roll

Kecajazz is a mood maker with sound. “Roll” sets the tone for a scene in a movie where the main character is walking through the city at the start of the film and all the supporting characters are given little cameos. It’s a scene setter this one. When “Alison” walks in the mood is somber and turned down. Things take an emotional turn while “Wind and Snow” paint the same picture but with dashes of bright spots. With “Belle Figlie” things lighten up and the tempo comes up a tad, but as we head into “Now You See It Don’t You,” we hear a more rock influence. It’s different than anything we’ve heard thus far. It’s clear that Kecajazz creates music to set a tone and to create action and add ambiance to life, so if you’re into music that does all those things, check out Kecajazz now. (https://www.jango.com/music/Kecajazz)

Under the Bodhi Tree – The Selfish Generation

FACEBOOK**:** https://www.facebook.com/UndertheBodhiTreeMusic

Seattle, once again has found an unknown sub-layer where bands are popping up and have the capacity to change the way we hear/view music. The Selfish Generation, with one sole purpose, to bring back what it meant to be called a ‘freak’. How that word wasn’t a cliché like it is today. Ideas, movements and revolutions started from the individuals that were considered freaks or outcasts. But it would only be these people that made an impact on history.

Reflectivore

LAST FM: https://www.last.fm/music/Reflectivore

Reflectivore is from Duluth Minnesota. Formed by Allen Cragin and Ryan Rusch and recorded at Rusch’s The Weight Room (studio) in Washburn Wisconsin. Longtime friends that have been writing music together and had the focus intensify towards Reflectivore after Allen’s wife passed away last year. Reflectivore worked very recently with True Norse Films on a short to accompany the song “Red Looking Glass” from the album. Band licludes two core members: Ryan Rusch (Piano, Vocals, Organ, Vibe) and Allen Cragin (Guitar, Vocals Bass).