Browsing Tag

Eric Clapton

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

Martin Packwood wrapped his latest jazz fusion, Moonlight in Paris, in the warmth of the Parisian night

Posted on 15 March 2024

Martin Packwood’s latest single, Moonlight in Paris, is a scintillatingly smooth journey through the streets of jazz fusion, where every note feels like a step along the Seine under a starlit sky. This amorous installation unravels as a sensory expedition, wrapped in the warmth of a Parisian night.

Packwood’s guitar work, reminiscent of the bluesy soulfulness of Eric Clapton, intertwines effortlessly with the jazz keys. The bluesy guitar notes, like whispers of a distant love affair, meld with percussive fills that don’t just give the score structure, they fill Moonlight in Paris with anticipation.  Each progression in the track teases the listener not unlike the narrative arc of a classic romance.

The genius of Packwood lies in his ability to draw from a diverse palette of influences. His style, a confluence of Santana’s rhythmic mastery and the improvisational spirit of jazz, makes Moonlight in Paris a track that transcends mere auditory experience. It’s a piece that paints pictures, evoking the filmic aura of a David Lynch creation.

This release, following Packwood’s consistent contributions to the jazz-rock fusion domain, confirms his place as a sculptor of soundscapes rather than just a musician. Moonlight in Paris is a nocturnal stroll through the heart of jazz fusion, leaving listeners with a longing for just one more night in the city of lights.

Moonlight in Paris will officially release on March 15; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Salvatore Manalo – Rain: Winters Antidote

Posted on 17 December 2017

Through the impossibly competitive music scene of Portland, Oregon emerges Salvatore Manalo with his debut track Rain.

It’s a mixed bag of genres, but when you get to the bridge, putting a label on his majestic sound quickly floats to the back of your mind as you find yourself fully attuned to his sound. With riffs more fitting in Rock tracks this R&B Funk Pop enigma allows the track to flow with sweet unpredictability.

The entire ensemble is flawless, from the vocals to the instrumentals, the lyrics to the Jazz vibes that taint the track with poignantly upbeat symphonies. I’m really not sure how Manalo remains on the underground with such an array of talent. There’s a true narrative to his emotions which he explores through his command of rhythm.

Sadly, Rain falls under the category of the type of track that you’re likely to hear whilst dining at an upmarket restaurant or wandering round the supermarket. It’s not a sound that you’d hear in trendy cocktail bars or being spoken about fondly by teenagers. Never the less, if you’re looking for a sound to dispel the winter blues look no further! (Despite what your friends may think)

https://soundcloud.com/salvatore-manalo/5-rain/s-FPEy3?in=salvatore-manalo/sets/salvatore-ep/s-GfAbd