Browsing Tag

big band

London’s most enchanting jazz siren, Camille Rose, soulfully reimagined the 50s classic ‘So This is Love’ for her latest release

Posted on 13 February 2024

Camille Rose, the South-East London songstress, has elegantly redefined the 1950s classic ‘So This is Love’, known from Disney’s Cinderella. This loungey, bright, and warm rendition is a testament to her ability to enchant; even if she sang acapella, the release would want for nothing with her soulful harmonies reaching the epitome of class as they hit the high notes.

Her approach to breathing new life into the release is a delicate balance, maintaining the gravitas of the original while infusing it with a contemporary zeal in opportune moments. Resulting in a rendition that respects its roots yet feels fresh and relevant.

The transformation of this well-known melody into a 21st-century jazz piece is nothing short of remarkable. With a brass section, backbeats, and basslines, Camille creates a texture-rich track that grooves effortlessly. Her velvet-smooth vocals, reminiscent of and influenced by Amy Winehouse are delivered with a playful spontaneity that mirrors the song’s narrative excitement.

Starting with just vocals and bass, the track explores a dynamic range, culminating in a rich backing by a 7-piece live band. This arrangement not only showcases Camille’s vocal prowess but also her deep understanding and love for jazz-infused soul music.

‘So This is Love’ is available now, preceding Camille Rose’s second EP ‘Be Alright’, set for release in April 2024; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Anni & John Lister taught a lesson in cinematic seduction in their jazz score, Man of Mystery

Posted on 18 September 2023

The art of seduction is stitched across the intricate tapestry of the latest cinematic jazz score from multi-instrumentalist and producer John Lister of Fingerman Studios and singer-songwriter, Anni. With Anni’s demurely siren-esque vocal lines narrating a tale of a Man of Mystery over the retro big band spy movie sound and the soft jazz stylings bringing decadence by the smorgasbord, the espionage-centric vignette will leave you hot under the collar and beyond.

If the producers for the next Bond film don’t enlist the superlative talents pertaining to Anni and Lister, who co-wrote the song together, they will have missed a lascivious trick. Heaven knows the franchise needs to redeem itself after Billie Eilish sang the last Bond theme.

The official music video for Man of Mystery premiered on September 8th; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Neo doo-wop champion Philly Cuzz has weighed in with his nostalgically elevating single, Then They Wonder Why

Posted on 22 April 2022

It is probably no coincidence that when doo-wop mostly disappeared from the airwaves the world plummeted into existentialist angst. Case in point Philly Cuzz’s seminal single, Then They Wonder Why.

The endlessly energetic single finds a doo-wop roots-deep way to playfully berate quite literally hopeless romantics that can’t see their shortcomings that lead them to confused scorn. The tempo never falters into nostalgic pedestrianism around the handclaps, harmonically dynamic vocals, and of course, swoon-worthy guitars. It scarcely comes as a surprise that Philly Cuzz has made it into the East Coast Hall of Fame with his fresh neo spin on a now-archaic genre.

Then They Wonder Why is now available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Flow State serves soul food in their latest single, Pancake Love.

Posted on 22 May 2021

Alt electro duo Flow State has unleashed their most archaically avant-garde single to date with their jazz fusion single, ‘Pancake Love’.

The South-West, England-hailing artist delivers a versatile fusion sound that makes jazz, electro-swing, ska and blues-rock the cornerstone in Pancake Love. As soon as you hit play, you’re forcibly shunted from the 21st-century by the sun-bleached reggae tones that brighten the subversively surreal track that bears reminiscence to Creepshow, Horrorpops and The Brains. But as you can probably gather from the track title, Pancake Love comes with sticky sweet flair and affection as opposed to macabre inclination.

You can get your fill of Pancake Love by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

John David delivers a jazzy invitation to live happy with his swinging Pop hit “Drama”.

Posted on 10 November 2020

With a thriving, Jazzy pulse, Pop newcomer John David’s latest single Drama (I’m Going Off) comes to life and introduces you to a stylistic infusion of new school and old school.

The Minnesota teen is already able to offer maturity and nuance in his sound, but his true talent lies in his ability to lead you into a soundscape that you’ll become utterly enraptured by. We all have those people in our lives which bring unnecessary drama to our doors, hit play on this swinging show tune and you’ll enjoy their pedantry being torn to pieces by John David’s soul-stroking crooning.

You can check out John David’s single Drama on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Treat Your Playlists to Some Rhythm with ALAN’s latest single “Don’t Tell Me No More”

Posted on 18 December 2019

You may not find many tracks similar to ALAN’s latest single “Don’t Tell Me No More” in the UK Top 40. But if their vintage sound was more prolific, there’d be much more indulgent euphoria in the charts.

For any fans of vibrant rhythms, you’re sure to appreciate the flair instilled into the Brazilian Samba serves up plenty of instrumental ingenuity with plenty of lyrical depth. The song was inspired by unrequited love due to the allure of materialistic desire. Everyone knows that money can’t buy happiness, and it won’t help us to buy the charade either.

Expect theatrical stylings, shimmering percussion, commanding basslines, and the sax and trumpet which bring another effervescent dynamic texture to this archaic delight which borrows a few tones from 20s – 40s Jazz.

You can check out Don’t Tell Me No More for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hot Potato Band’s ‘Little Bird’ Will Get You Moving

Posted on 9 September 2017

I am sitting in a coffee shop with my headphones as I am writing this music review – immediately after pressing play, I noticed my head couldn’t stop moving and my feet were tapping on the wooden floor – people were looking at me a little bit, but I didn’t really care, because “Little Bird” is one of those tracks that want to make you move unapologetically. Hot Potato Band set out to create a unique sonic texture by combining great pop and R&B with funk and “Big Band” sounds. Think of what would happened if Maroon 5 where to jam with Vulfpek!

The result is a driven, eclectic and bright sound with a positive atmosphere and a really stunning groove, perfect to appeal to listeners of all walks of life.

The song has a driven and edgy feel, but it takes a step back in the bridge, toning it down a notch only to bring it back later on into the mix! It’s not easy to create catchy music without sounding trite and without compromising on the integrity of the musicianship, but Hot Potato Band certainly nailed it on this track!