Jerad Finck – Criminal EP
URL: https://jeradfinckmusic.com/
The title track starts this EP, and I’d have to say that I’m not a big fan of this kind of over-produced pop music. However, I can listen to this and hear what it would sound like as a song without all the heavy handed production. While this is definitely arranged to be a modern pop hit and will sound dated and trite very soon, the basis of the song is good.
Rachel Lee Ann
URL: https://rachelleeannmusic.com/
Rachel Lee Ann is a relatively new artist in the world of the gospel industry. She is however not a new entry into the music industry. She had been singing secular country music for a few years before she decided to dedicate her life to Christ through gospel music. A little thing that many people might not know about her is, in as much as she began her music career in the secular world, she has been inspired by a couple of gospel artists all through. This transition into the gospel music that happened a little over a year ago can, therefore, be seen as a way of getting back to the basics. Now that she has a better understanding of God’s teachings, she wants to continue spreading the good gospel.
Project Grand Slam - Fire single
URL: https://projectgrandslam.com/
New York based five piece fusion jazz combo Project Grand Slam, the brainchild of bassist and bandleader Robert Miller, has wowed audiences and jazz festivals nationwide since their 2007 formation. While a small assortment of musicians have passed in and out of the band’s ranks since its birth, they’ve experienced enough success that their music has appeared on popular television shows and consistently maintained a level of musical excellence that characterizes every performance and release. Their latest release, “Fire”, is the first single from their latest album Made in New York and surprisingly covers Jimi Hendrix.
Sarah Borges - Caught by the Rain
https://www.facebook.com/SarahBorgesMusic?ref=hl
You can split Sarah Borges’ musical career nearly into two distinct halves. The first, her tenure with The Broken Singles, produced a number of well-received albums and earned Borges a much-deserved reputation as a compelling live performer and promising songwriter. Touring with the likes of Dave Alvin garnered her much reflected glory, but her rise isn’t due to fortuitous connections alone. Talent, unbridled and brimming over with passion, has catapulted her from obscurity into a growing spotlight often reserved for the elite. The latest single from Borges, “Caught by the Rain”, is another finely crafted and frequently moving composition from a major talent who only promises to improve.
The Tosspints - The Privateer
Throw everything you know out the window about folk/rock, because The Tosspints and their blackout drunk take on the genre is a lot harder rocker than anything I’ve yet to encounter. They stow away the acoustic guitars in the shed and instead unleash an electrifying mix of hard guitar meat that’s completely something different than the genre usually offers. The trio from Saginaw, Michigan isn’t fooling around on their 4th LP, The Privateer and it’s obvious they want you up and moving, instead of head down and moping. Mumford and Sons this sure isn’t by a longshot!
Other than cat videos and awesome fails, YouTube is a great place for people to feature covers of their favorite songs. Whether they are singing them or playing their own rendition of them on a wide range of instruments, it’s always interesting to hear another’s take on popular tracks. Jonathan Bailey has tackled some of the most recognizable on his trustee piano and we’re going to talk about it. His take on what is arguably Celine Dion’s best track, “My Heart Will Go On,” is like the lullaby version. It’s soft and sweet, and without the powerhouse moment Dion brings vocally, you hear small subtleties within. Sticking with the divas, we head into Cher’s comeback hit of the late ‘90s, “Believe.” Here Bailey takes what is necessarily a dance track and transforms it into this classical sounding piece. He then takes us into a more recent hit with Lady Gaga’s “Alejandro.” Another pop to classical rendition can be heart here, but this one sounds like something Gaga may do herself for her little monsters. Jonathan Bailey has everything from covers to improvisational pieces on his page, so check him out - he’s a wiz on the ivory. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxi9970JCgyCdagJOyxmTmw/videos)
Tyler Edwards - Too Young For Love
URL: https://www.tyleredwardsmusic.com/
Formerly of South Carolina rock band I Anthem, Tyler Edwards forges out on his own with a new sound and a new EP, Too Young for Love. I’m not familiar with the music Edwards was making before this solo stuff, but if it was of a similar quality then I’d love to hear it! This six song release oozes charm and class with tight arrangements, intensely melodic guitar work and powerful songwriting quality of many facets. He’s a little folk, a little country, a little blues, a little soul and a little pop, all wrapped up into a package that favors coherent song-craft over curveballs and complexity.
Chris Sabatino - Maybe Not This Time EP
CD BABY: https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/chrissabatino4
Singer/songwriter Chris Sabatino has a rich background in the entertainment industry. He interned with Sony Pictures and the series The People’s Court while cultivating and caring for his musical career. Sabatino is a hard-working man that wasn’t born yesterday and his journey is shown in full force on his new EP, Maybe Not This Time. This is his fourth release and he has shown considerable growth as he continues to carve out his place in the pantheon of rock n’ roll.