#Reviews

Album review | Meet Me At The Crossroads

#Reviews #Soul #Jazz #USA

Sweet Lu Olutosin released a very entertaining Soul-Jazz albumWith a Billboard #1 Traditional Jazz album to his credit and a mission to rejuvenate the souls of audiences everywhere, "Sweet Lu" Olutosin continues to shine the light of his 'spirit music' with his latest release "Meet Me At The Crossroads".

As the album title suggests Sweet Lu invites the listener to meet him at the crossroads of R&B/Soul and Jazz music. 

For the occasion Lou has lyricised a number of classic Jazz instrumentals and included original songs as well. In doing so he has produced a very fresh and informative album. Lou is an excellent vocalist as well as a entertaining story teller at the same time. 

The irony in

Eric Bibb | Global Griot

#Reviews #World Eric Bibb

A message from the global messenger Master Chef Bibb is serving us so many different dishes and flavours with this release - 24 in total - that there is simply no way of denying or disliking what he has on offer. 

Upon receiving Eric Bibb's new album from Dixiefrogs - thank you Philippe -  our first, rather underwhelming thought was: what's a griot?

For many others who might have the same response, here's Webster's definition:

Griot: a member of a class of travelling poets, musicians, and storytellers who maintain a tradition of oral history in parts of West Africa.

Logically, a 'global' griot

REVIEW | Neil Young | 'Cortez the Killer'

#Reviews #Rock Neil Young

Alternate view on a classic track'Cortez the Killer' is a song by Neil Young from his 1975 album, "Zuma". It was recorded with Young's band Crazy Horse.

'Cortez the Killer' is about Hernan Cortés, one of the infamous ‘conquistadores’ who caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of what is now mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century. Cortés was part of the generation of Spanish colonizers who began the first phase of the Spanish colonization of the Americas.

Arriving on the continent

Sly & Robbie meet Dubmatix | Overdubbed

#Reviews #Reggae #Dub Dubmatix

It’s about time for a Grammy…In Reggae, all roads lead to the “Riddim Twins”, Sly & Robbie. Now, Sly & Robbie meet Dubmatix. The Canadian producer and multi-instrumentalist got his hands on original Sly & Robbie tracks and spent months crafting this new album, "Overdubbed". 

The opening track ‘Dictionary’ spells out the terms for this album. MASSIVE bass is taking away your breath. “Are You Ready?” is the rhetorical question. Yes, we are!

For those of you who are not familiar with Sly Drumbar’s and Robbie Basspeare’s work - which is after all possible, especially for the younger generations - don’t worry, you will be able to quickly catch up. After listening to

Louis Ville | “Eponyme”

#Reviews #Pop #Jazz #France Louis Ville

Album review. A collage of deep thinking, deep feeling, and deep music. "Eponyme" is the latest release by Louis Ville, who has staked the roads of France and Europe with several hundred concerts.

Do you remember the time when vinyl records were mainstream, not a niche? Then you might also remember the excitement of browsing through rows upon rows of records in your local record bar. I do, I remember that time, the smell and sounds of years gone by.

Well, vinyl may have become less relevant, music, however, its significance, its function as an art form has remained unchanged. And, it is

All This Huxley | "All This Huxley"

#Reviews #Rock #Indie #USA All This Huxley

This eclectic indie album from All This Huxley shows off the band's considerable talent for pairing their erudite, dystopian lyrics with majestic guitars and insistent riffs, drawing inspiration from the likes of Modest Mouse, Tom Waits, Warren Zevon, The Districts, and old Wilco.

Yerry Rellum | 'I Feel Love'

#Reviews #Soul #NL #Surinam Yerry Rellum

Strong Soul. A modern day Soul Classic. Yerry Rellum orginating from Surinam but based in the Netherlands, has released what may turn out to be a modern day Soul Classic.

'I Feel Love' is a song that bespeaks beauty such as is felt and interpreted right within your soul. I will be telling you as much of it as I can translate into words in an attempt to communicate them to you.

First, it begins with a touching piano intro that kicks off like a shaft of morning sun; sudden but not startling, as though you've been readying a welcome for it all the while. I'm

Faces | Long Player

#Reviews #Blues #Rock

British Blues Rock at its bestLONG PLAYER was the second album by the British rock group Faces with Rod Stewart, Ronnie Lane and Ronnie Wood amongst its members. On a good day, Faces could wrestle the title of greatest rock & roll band away from the Rolling Stones.

LONG PLAYER was the second album by the British rock group Faces. Among the highlights are a live cover version of Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed", the wistful "Richmond" and "Sweet Lady Mary", the rave-up "Had Me a Real Good Time" and the opening "Bad 'n' Ruin". "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "I Feel So Good" were recorded live at the Fillmore East, New York on October 11 1970.

"On this second

Hugh Masekela | Stimela (Coal Train)

#Reviews #Jazz #SouthAfrica Hugh Masekela

A song of hope against a backdrop of social injusticeHugh Masekela - who passed on Jan 23, 2018 - is an integral part of South African modern history, being part of the resistance against 'apartheid' oppression, the social issues he addressed in his music as well as being a larger-than-life figure.

'Stimela' was first released in 1974 on the album "I am not afraid" while Bra Hugh was still in exile following the political unrest surrounding the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre. Masekela studied at London's Guildhall School, then later on at the Manhattan School of Music. In New York he befriended Harry Belafonte, who helped him to settle in the United States as a student.

The song was also