Browsing Tag

Chicago Blues

Swirling Smoke and String Mastery in Peter Trappen’s ‘Cottonmouth Blues’

Posted on 8 September 2024

Peter Trappen, with his four decades of experience and a Grammy nod under his belt, became a blues mesmerist with his latest single, Cottonmouth Blues.

The atmosphere of a blues bar unfurls through the release as Trappen’s textured Jim Morrison and Jimmy Buffet-esque croons drape over the guitar progressions which testify to his intuitive connection with his fretboard and his ability to materialise seductive echoes of alchemy with his notes.

Reminiscent of Eric Clapton’s and Mark Knopfler’s deft grooves, the guitars are an aphrodisiac to the rhythmic pulses as they introduce the sound and soul of a man who has soaked in the flavours of Motown, Memphis Soul, and Chicago Blues. The Epiphone Les Paul through a cranked Fender Blues Jr. ensures every note is a reverent whisper to blues’ storied past and a bold statement in its ongoing evolution.

The backing instrumentation, featuring stalwarts like Paul Hirsh on keys and Martin Ditcham on drums, complements Trappen’s work perfectly, making every moment of the track resonate with bluesy purity.

Stream Cottonmouth Blues on SoundCloud now and follow Peter Trappen on Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The 1930s Hot Club Jazz Scene is in Full Swing Once More in Bowmanville’s Seminal Single, Annie & Me

Posted on 3 August 2023

Almost 100 years stand between today and the Parisian 1930s Hot Club Jazz scene; listening to the raconteurs of sonic nostalgia, Bowmanville, you would be forgiven for thinking that it was only yesterday when beatniks with affinities for wild time signatures, swinging grooves and foot-tapping beats crowded clubs and started a movement that will never be lost to history.

Especially on the basis of the Chicago-hailing outfit’s swinging, smoky rhythmic drive and cinematically vibrant fusion of Jazz and Blues in Annie & Me, taken from their eponymous debut LP, produced by none other than the Grammy-nominated producer Doug Nelson.

Violinist Ethan Adelsman, harmonicist and vocalist Graham Nelson, percussionist Noah Plotkin, bassist Oliver Horton and guitarist Mason Jiller on guitar know just how to synergistically spill baroque alchemy as they blaze through the progressions in the instrumental score, which gives each pays ode to Chicago blues and the unmistakable timbres of Parisian Jazz.

Annie & Me is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Terry Blade warns even unconditional love has its limits in his Country-Blues single, ‘Won’t Be Around’

Posted on 6 January 2023

Two-time recipient of the Global Music Awards, Terry Blade, lined himself up for more prestigious accolades by recording his latest single, Won’t Be Around. The stripped-back simmering melting pot of Gospel-Esque Soul, Blues and Country commands your adoration from the first gravelled in feisty-fervour vocal note.

From there on out, the lyrics compel you to take stock of the protagonists in your life as you’re reminded that unconditional love always has its limits. With his voice commanding the soundscape, which paid homage to the roots of Americana with the minimalistic trickle of bluesy keys and strummed acoustic guitar notes, you’re left with no option but to be arrested.

During his career, which sheds light on his experience as a black gay artist, Terry Blade has picked up over 40 awards, And something tells us his glory days are far from behind him.

Won’t Be Around will officially release on January 6th. Hear it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Take a rural trip with Mike and the Psychedelic Humans debut single, ‘UFO’.

Posted on 4 June 2021

Why listen to Alex Jones ranting about UFOs when you could listen to Mike and the Psychedelic Humans’ debut single, UFO, which brings small-town rural vibes to international airwaves and celebrates the quintessential nature of them?

UFO is a psych-rock soiree that takes you deep into the heart of the old-school Louisiana funk sound while tapping into the soul of raw Chicago blues. It’s a psychedelic trip that any city slicker will want to take. With vocal reminiscence to Frank Zappa, UFO is all too efficacious at abducting your consciousness and filling it with kaleidoscopic colour. Naturally, we can’t wait to hear what comes next from Mike and the Psychedelic Humans.

UFO is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast