Browsing Tag

Jazz Blues

AP Project – Hi. Ro. Mi.: Modern Jazz Fusion at its Finest.

Posted on 14 January 2020

Jazz has never been the most accessible of genres. Yet, with the magnetic pull of the fluidly explorative soundscape which is AP Project’s latest single “Hi. Ro. Mi”, that issue may become a thing of the past.

The Jazz Fusion single abstracts elements from Hip Hop, Blues, and RnB before infusing them into a work of dizzying distinction.

With Hi. Ro. Mi., you not only get the perfect introduction to AP Project’s deft instrumental mastery. But you also get to experience the mesmerism of surrendering yourself to a rhythm without knowing which way or how fast you’ll be pulled along. The refusal of the Modern Jazz Fusion artist to leave any amount of predictability between the notes is most felt when the soundscape surges into jaw-droppingly intricate piano melodies which carry the perfect dose of Jim Jones-style frenetic energy.

You can check out AP Project’s single Hi. Ro. Mi. for yourselves via SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Joey Rodriguez – Loathsome Blues: Meet Your New Jazz Blues Guitar Hero

Posted on 25 November 2019

If you’re not compelled to hit play on up and coming Jazz & Blues artist Joey Rodriguez’s latest release “Loathsome Blues” for the melancholically intriguing name alone, there are plenty of added incentives infused into the soundscape itself.

The first being the sheer talent of Joey Rodriguez as an instrumentalist, it’s not just about the technical ability possessed to create such absorbing riffs, but it’s their ability to lace each note with resonant emotion. With the percussion and bass setting a solid backbone of the track, Joey Rodriguez’s Bluesy riffs are free to soar above the rest of the arrangement. And that’s all before the archaically inspired vocals kick in. Even though Joey Rodriguez may have borrowed a few dulcet tones from decades past to create Loathsome Blues, through the production there’s still a modern, sleek feel to the track.

Jazz and Blues may not be commonly found in the UK top 40, but it is tracks such as Loathsome Blues which make the genre more accessible than ever.

You can check out Joey Rodriguez’s Hendrix-style riffs and Blues Pop vocals for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lou Clarke – Down Again: Jazz Blues Catharsis

Posted on 22 March 2019

Lou Clarke played a pretty ingenious game with the experimental prelude to his latest single “Down Again”. Instead of constructing your average prelude the Blues Crooner invites you to imagine what it would be like to step into a dive bar and be mesmerised by the free form of the sound.

Needless to say, Down Again was accessible from the start, the swells contained within the progressions of sound will ensure that you’re kept more than captivated with the light yet decadent notes of Jazz Blues. Even though Down Again isn’t the most contemporary sound we’ve heard this year, there’s no denying that the sound resonates with a sweet hit of aural catharsis.

Considering that Down Again sounds like a soundscape born out of New Orleans, it was a little surprising to discover that he can carry such authenticity in his sound when hailing from Stockport, UK. Mainly due to the serendipity of finding such a mesmerising talent from my own home town which isn’t exactly prolific in breeding exceptional artists.

You can check out Lou Clarke’s smooth Jazz Blues ensemble for yourselves by heading over to Soundcloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sauce – Virginia Wine: The Cathartically Mesmeric Blues Single You Never Knew You Needed

Posted on 25 November 2018

“Virginia Wine” is the stunningly striking latest single from up and coming recording artist Sauce’s debut self-titled album. Straight from the prelude to the track, you’re gripped into the alchemically alluring progressions of the Jazz Blues guitar which switches into an off-beat rhythm once the hypnotically resonant vocals kick in.

Even after Virginia Wine concordantly swept to a close, there was no forgetting the cathartically mesmeric single which came alive through eclectic instrumental arrangements. Vocally, Sauce’s timelessly hard-hitting soulful vocal prowess should be enough to leave even the most acclaimed Blues crooners audibly quaking. There really is no overstating the strength behind his unrestrained, raw style. Fans of Michael Bublé will definitely want to check out the singer songwriter’s contemporary twist on Jazz Blues infused Pop

You can check out Sauce’s latest album by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tal Ornan & The TalorMads – Nobody’s Woman: Delicately Captivating Jazz Blues

Posted on 18 September 2018

Nobody’s Woman is the unpredictably stunning latest single from Tal Ornan & The TalorMads. Even after the first verse has run through, you’re still not sure what to expect from the uniquely prodigal progression of the single. The prelude almost has you believing you’re about to listen to a standard ballad unfold, yet the fluidly compelling composition takes a pensively different direction. The quaint arrangements captivate you through the raw energy of the delicate keyboard melodies around the nostalgically inclined bluesy jazz rhythm. If Depeche Mode took their sound in a more acoustically ethereal direction, I’m pretty sure the end result would sound a little like Nobody’s Woman. Whilst Tal Ornan’s style may not be the most mainstream, it’s clear that he’s a composer and artist worthy of recognition for his soul-steeped beguiling works of alchemically charismatic authenticity.

You can check out Tal Ornan & The TalorMads’ latest single Nobody’s Woman for yourself by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

FAKE PARTY – Welcome to the Party: The Sultriest Party Anthem You’ll Hear All Year

Posted on 21 August 2018

Welcome to the Party is one of those rare tracks, which for the first time you listen to the soundscape unfold you get transfixed by the progression. The unadulterated Jazz Blues introduction created by the trio of artists seamlessly progresses into an ambiently eclectic mix which infuses digital and acoustic instrument and effect for a mesmerising finish. If I told you you’ve never heard a friendlier keyboard, that would be no understatement. You get to over three minutes into the track before you’re treated to a quaint offering of non lexical vocals, but God damn, they are transfixing.

You can check out the official video to FAKE PARTY’s latest single Welcome to the Party for yourselves by heading over to YouTube now. Any fans of ambiently orchestrated blues will almost definitely join me in agreement that FAKE PARTY are the perfect aural party hosts.

To keep up to date with the trio’s latest releases, head on over to their Facebook page. Maybe you can grab yourself an invite to the next party.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pammi Zacharia – The Gravel | Grind: Sonorously Minimalist Jazz Blues

Posted on 22 April 2018

If Pammi Zacharia’s latest track The Gravel | Grind was any more laid back, it would be horizontal. If you have a penchant for laid back Jazz Blues, you’ll be in heaven listening to the sonorously minimalist, yet ethereal sound which the musicians conjure up together. Dan B. Soria’s vocals behind the band’s latest single was an interesting pairing, rather than going for the same old soulful approach, the vocals were undeniably of a Folkish sensibility. The contrast in styles is what made Pammi Zacharia’s sound infinitely immersive, then again you can’t go far wrong with a double bass, a guitar and a trumpet can you?

The Gravel | Grind is just one of the tracks recorded from their ‘Long Island City Sessions’ recording which took place in November 2017. It’s safe to say that after hearing their ambient yet instrumentally resounding sound they will be part of my playlists for years to come.

You can check out the official video to The Gravel | Grind on YouTube for more music & info head on over to Pammi Zacharia’s website where you can download the entire Long Island City Sessions 8-track album. Keep your eyes peeled for the bands live tours around New York.

Review by Amelia Vandergast