Browsing Tag

Guitarist

The underdog won: Jay Saffran is fascinatingly free-spirited on the crafted gem ‘Porcupine in the Rain’

Posted on 11 March 2021
Scenes from a Whirligig by Jay Saffran

Taken off his promising experimental five-track debut called ‘Scenes from a Whirligig‘, the supremely creative Jay Saffran spikes our coats off the rack with the fantastic ‘Porcupine in the Rain‘.

Jay Saffran is a joyful hipster, humble traveler, Downstate New York-born family man and Vermont-USA-based mind-blowing indie-psychedelic guitarist, keys player and percussionist, who majestically blends his music to chill out your soul and takes you to a far-away place, so you can happily escape this whirlwind world for a while.

The splendid sounds are consistently mesmerizing all throughout this sumptuous ten minute experience to the outer reaches of space and his movie-like journey on the road comes back to life, this is the type of free-lifting music to just let play the whole way through and immerse your whole body in gently.

After sleeping in his car for some time whilst travelling around most of the USA, before meeting his loving his wife through mutual friends, it feels like we are witnessing all of his previous experiences meshed into a dazzling sound like no other. He is the underrated creator, the diamond in the rough that is slowly being found with each passing day, as his captivating music gets found by willing music fans each day to enjoy gleefully.

‘Porcupine in the Rain‘ from Vermont’s multi-skilled Jay Saffran, is a wondrous palate-feeding smorgasbord of different sounds that your curious ears will find a healing layer to hold onto, as your body shakes in delight.

This is the unexpected encounter you probably needed to rinse all the doubts away, so you can just lay back, close your eyes and apprise your soul with this spectacular track.

Hear this delightfully original single on Bandcamp and see more on his FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Doing things the right way: Levi Cadle heats up that special soul food on ‘How We Like It’

Posted on 30 January 2021

Powered by Bentley Records, Levi Cadle grooves his way into our lives with a memorable performance to remember, on the funky-driven new single ‘How We Like It‘.

Kentucky, USA-based guitarist, singer-songwriter, former band member of various local acts and sincere music scholar Levi Cadle, expertly mixes blues, funk and smooth soul vibes inside your whole body, to get your feet tapping and your blood flow back to normal again. After being bitten by the music when he was just thirteen years old, instead of using the mosquito spray, he instead jumped straight into the music nest and is happier for the spiritually enhancing experience.

This the funky story of doing things the right way in life, as you know this is the proper formula to follow to reach inner happiness. There might be other tempting shortcuts around but you and your team know that the correct path, will lead you to the end goal with smiles on your cheerful faces.

With a soulfully pure voice that sends your heart into a state of delightful bliss, we are treated to a studied musician who has performed in many duos, trios, bands and for other artists, but now it feels like he is thoroughly enjoying this electric carpet solo ride. With so much more freedom to create, he is only getting better and better like that tasty fine wine.

‘How We Like It‘ from Kentucky’s indie-soul groove mover Levi Cadle, is the type of song you put on and feel instantly better for the time you spent listening. He has that inner self-awareness to read his audience and know that they need healing, in this time of unrest in our world.

Doing things your way can work out long-term, if its the authentic and right way of doing things. This feels like one of those times where a self-aware musician has that special sauce stored inside, that fills our stomachs and souls with that old school quality- that this planet needs more of.

Hear this fantastic music wonderland on Spotify and see his laid-back vibes on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Finding that special soul: Marz Fay is so incredible on the beautiful lo-fi love story ‘Sunsets and Beaches’

Posted on 18 December 2020

You want things to stay the same forever and for her to never leave. South London’s immensely talented self-taught pianist, guitarist, videographer, lyricist, presenter and proudly LGBT musician Marz Fay, sings so beautifully on her new single ‘Sunsets and Beaches‘.

The stunning lofi-fi beat drifts above the lucid sea that simmers above all, as the clean waters shine through as the glorious sunset makes your heart shiver. You feel a sense of peace and calm in your heart after a crazy few months and you start to relax like you are on a perfect holiday.

Soon, her gorgeous vocals lifts the mood around and you feel the quality here as this is quite different from most copy and paste music. Her amazing tone holds throughout and nothing seems to be a strain, her voice seems effortless and natural, just the way truly inspiring music changes your perceptive.

This is the story of that sweet love as we are invited into this authentic story of how things can be so incredible with someone you really trust and care about. You laugh together, gaze into each others eyes all the time, share your hopes and fears and can keep their secrets. This is what true love is, as when you hold each other hands the fish jump in the water next to you and when you kiss each others lips, the stars sparkle from the sky above. Life is so beautifully simple and you remember each second as the time seems to slow down and you feel like you are in a different world.

‘Sunsets and Beaches‘ from South London’s multi-talented Marz Fay is a song that you can’t forget easily. The crackle of the vinyl adds so much class and her love story lyrics are so romantic. With a voice that is so genuine and sweet, this is my favorite release of 2020 and a tear streams down my cheek as I hope that these two can stay together forever. This is such a stunning song that shows that if you both want it enough, you can be with the person of your dreams.

Hear this lovely song via Spotify and see more of her journey on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

DigB uses their Malaysian roots to rhythmically revitalise Rock in “Vortex”

Posted on 16 October 2020

It was a pleasure to get acquainted with Indian Alt Rock virtuoso DigB through the official music video to their standout single Vortex.

By fusing elements of Rock with the rhythmic roots of their hometown of Malaysia, you can expect the guitar licks to ensnare you with their blissfully paced canter. After signing with Bentley Records, USA, that’s a sure sign of even bigger things to come from the solo artist who has enough dextrous flair to transfix fans of Ritchie Blackmore.

Artists create music for a wide range of reasons, for some, it’s fame, for some, it’s expression, but for Dig8, you palpably get the sense that his soaring dynamically sonic soundscapes are born through nothing but passion and dedication to the art form.

You can check out the official music video to DigB’s single by heading over to YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Half Way to Saint Petersburg rock in with solo effort on ‘Forever Yours’

Posted on 23 September 2020

Half Way to Saint Petersburg rock in with solo determination on ‘Forever Yours‘ and this is a strong effort.

After several failed attempts to start a band, the artist known as Half Way to Saint Petersburg flies into the music game with this new single.

This is a one man band and this is the way he likes it. He is accountable and just wants to play music and learn new skills. The Sound engineer, producer, guitarist, bassist and drummer, you can tell that he really wants this. After learning from trial and error, he knows now what it takes to get the album done as smoothly as humanly possible.

Half Way to Saint Petersburg is on top form here on ‘Forever Yours‘ and this is a solid effort from the multi-talented artist with a lot to give. He is just getting started and is loving this music journey.

Click here for the Spotify page.

Head through on the Insta page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Jakub Byzia is here with tremendous single ‘Beloved in the Fairground’

Posted on 7 September 2020

Polish singer-songwriter Jakub Byzia is here with a fantastic new song and it’s called ‘Beloved in the Fairground‘.

Jakub Byzia is a guitarist, composer, producer currently based in Warsaw, Poland. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Jakub pursues a career in the music industry as a solo artist. He is such a talent and the class shines through here.

Born in Warsaw, POLAND, Jakub started singing early on and later picked up the guitar when he turned 11. To further his music education, he studied jazz for two years in Dublin, Ireland and later completed his music studies in Boston. His performance history covers multiple music contests, various Warsaw music clubs, the Grand Orchestra of Christmas Charity concert in Berlin, Polish National Television appearances and a number of regular shows at the Warsaw music theatre, Studio Buffo.

This is about remembering your youth and those days in the playground. With exquisite guitar riffs and that fine voice, this is a top song with lots of heart. With a long intro, you really get into this song as it builds up all the way. ‘Beloved in the Fairground‘ from Jakub Byzia is such a fine effort as this has class written all over it.

Click here for the splendid Spotify link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Soulful Steve Schuster is back with united ”One Lonely Voice’

Posted on 2 June 2020

The soulful singer-songwriter from Westborough in Massachusetts, Steve Schuster, returns with his new song called ”One Lonely Voice”. This is a united message of speaking up if you have something positive to say and how we should all support this notion. One lonely voice can indeed change the world and its great that Steve has brought out this song during the highly challenging and stressful COVID-19 time.

I like this song for a variety of reasons and the main one is that it is so simple. You could teleport back to the 60’s and it wouldn’t be out of place in that era of game-changing music. This is ear-food for consumption that won’t make you sad but instead do the opposite and inspire you.

With a happy-soaked base, Seattle-born Steve Schuster’s strong lyrical content coupled with a rhythmic guitar riff & his vibrant voice, ensures that ”One Lonely Voice” should be treasured as one of 2020’s most uplifting theme tunes.

Stream more from Steve Schuster on his SoundCloud page and look inside for more fantastic music.

Review by Llewelyn Screen

The incredible Kellindo shows us his solo chops with sun-gazing ”Summertime”

Posted on 1 June 2020

With a start so fresh you just want to keep it chilled in the freezer. The lead guitarist for singer Janelle Monae, steps up to the solo mic and sends through good time vibes to our hungry souls. This could be the summer anthem for all of those who need some motivation. Kellindo is here to build us up and his single ”Summertime” just heals everything.

With a 70’s vibe all over this track, lots of solos that last for ages in a truly beautiful manner, this is a happy kind of song that needs to be played all over the world.

A quality singer-songwriter himself, Kellindo shines on his new single ”Summertime”. The guitar skills are absolutely legendary, the way he creates sounds is such a pleasure to witness. I feel like he had a a lot of fun making this and just wants to help the world celebrate that good summer the right way. The beat is funky and I feel like I’m sitting on the beach, shades on, grooving away with a refreshment in my one hand and a big smile slapped all over my sun-kissed face. What a song.

Stream this excellent musician right here on his Spotify channel.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Dan Plants and Nate Cronk- Stay: A journey through the sound of Synthwave

Posted on 27 March 2020

‘‘Stay’’ was created by two great friends Dan Plants and Nate Cronk, it dives straight into the Synthwave style as it introduces a variety of different sound effects as well as some catchy vocals.

From start to finish it has this up-lifting beat that gives the track so much energy, there’s a mixture of hard-hitting drum beats, insane riffs on the guitar as well as the synth effects that intertwine themselves into the vocals and instrumentation.

It tells a story throughout about love and heartbreak, but even if it tends to have a more poignant meaning, it still manages to keep your spirits high as the melody is so contagious and it gives off this cheery feeling.

Dan and Nate have made something that’s creative, something that may not be for everyone, considering the overall sound is not as popular as it once was, but even then Stay shows just how good it can be. It has some incredible rhythms and a superb lyrical approach, if you’re one that hasn’t really delved into the world of Synthwave music then you must!

You can check out Stay for yourselves by heading over to YouTube now.

Review by Karley Myall