Browsing Tag

Jazz Fusion

Imagesong becomes the Patti Smith of this era with her protestive easy listening song, A High Vibration

Posted on 17 March 2022

For her latest single, A High Vibration, the up-and-coming artist, Imagesong, pulled together an impressive roster of world-class professional artists, including arranger and bassist Jon Burr, jazz vocalist Alexis Cole, saxophonist and woodwind doubler Marc Phaneuf, cellist Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf, and pianist Mike Eckroth.

Don’t let the track title and the smooth jazzy timbre of the instrumentals fool you. A High Vibration is far from your average good-vibe inspired song. It contains bruisingly broadsiding lyrics that would start a revolution if the world tuned in.

“How long will we accept the tyranny of power and greed” would be an empowering question if it fell from anyone’s lips. Stemming from Connie Marotta’s elegant chanteuse vocals, there’s a certain magic to them that invites you to imagine the possibility of artists shaping the world instead of capitalists.

The Jazzy ethereal work, A High Vibration, is now available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Michele Thomas lends her gospel neo-soul vocals to easy listening jazz in her single, I Know Because You Told Me So

Posted on 14 March 2022

The jazzy soulstress, Michele Thomas, has recently released her mould-breaking neo-soul single, I Know Because You Told Me So, which may be one of the most narratively-immersive jazz-fusion singles ever released.

The questioning, bold and introspective lyrics come into play once you’re suitably pacified by the mellifluous instrumental grooves. Becoming invested in the narrative that sheds a light on Thomas’ experience in the world is non-optional. Her gospel-Esque chanteuse vocals allow her vibrant and pure-hearted energy to radiate in the single that carries enough ease to fall into the easy-listening category. Yet, thanks to her vocal performance, I Know Because You Told Me So certainly isn’t without its revitalising zeal.

After finding her voice through gospel music, the Chicago-based singer-songwriter, entrepreneur and educator turned her stylistic grace to the freedom in the improvised nature of jazz. The airwaves are infinitely better for it.

I Know Because You Told Me So is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Velvet Lune spares us of our ‘Gloom’ in their riotously explosive alt jazz infusion

Posted on 1 March 2022

Southern California’s most explosive jazz fusion outfit, Velvet Lune, has released their sultriest Avant-Garde single to date with Gloom. With jazz-punk sax riffs that would give Pete Wareham (Nadine Shah, Acoustic Ladyland, Melt Yourself Down) a run for his money and the cinematically debonair crooned vocal lines wrestling for dominance in the jazz fusion track that is just as volatile as anything off Glenn Branca’s the Ascension, Gloom is anything but what it says on the tin. Any fans of Mr Bungle will undoubtedly want to pay attention.

The official music video, which premiered on February 14th, has already racked up over 28k streams. You can check out the video for yourselves via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

E.G. Phillips has released his riotously infectious Timelord-inspired jazz single, Brave Heart, Luna

Posted on 26 February 2022
E.G. Phillips

We couldn’t get E.G. Phillips’ Doctor Who-inspired jazzy folky big band single in our ears fast enough. Brave Heart, Luna took inspiration from the reassurances made by the 5th doctor to his companion in times of intergalactic strife. Yet the single itself was written to quell fears of a friend; we can only imagine how gratified she was to inspire such a triumphant affirmation of her resilience.

Brave Heart, Luna obliterates the notion that only weak minds suffer by celebrating the strength of those battle-scarred by adversity while the vibrantly almost riotous progressions get the dopamine flowing.

If anyone could give Jason Webley’s rampant imagination a run for its money, it is E.G. Phillips.

You can check out Brave Heart, Luna for yourselves by heading over to E.G. Phillips’ official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Eldad Ben Naim has delivered his hypnotic electro-jazz fusion score, Welcome Night

Posted on 13 February 2022

With a score that feels like a jazzier and smokier version of Bladerunner’s aural phonoaesthetic, Eldad Ben Naim’s seminal single, Welcome Night, is a hypnotic introduction to the jazz fusion virtuoso’s gift when it comes to laying down beguilingly elegant arrangements.

The electro-jazz instrumental soundscape puts a polyphonic spin on the blazing solos that you’d expect to blast from a sax or guitar, giving the score a playfully eccentric edge, but never compromising on the high-brow alchemy which keeps flowing your way throughout the entire duration of the 6-minute release. If you’re not left entranced by the outro, you should be pretty worried about the state of your soul.

You can check out Eldad Ben Naim’s single, Welcome Night for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Eldad Ben Naim brings a new flavour to jazz fusion with ‘In a Way of Jazz’

Posted on 31 January 2022

With his contemporary style and flair that doesn’t alienate the old school jazz aficionados, Eldad Ben Naim’s debut jazz fusion album, Watersoul, is an indulgent aural escape away from the fray of modernity.

The time signatures may be complex, but that does little to hinder the mellifluous pull of the melodies in the lead single, In a Way of Jazz. The extended track uses tribal elements along with metronomic effects to keep you entranced through the progressions. As In a Way of Jazz evolves, the sax finds its centre in the soundscape before the electric guitars start to bring arresting gravity to the release. Any existential weight you were carrying before the ambient and experimental outro will undoubtedly dissipate. The instrumental track is enough to leave your soul 10 pounds lighter.

In a Way of Jazz is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ludwik Konopko has released the ultimate bohemian alt-country playlist staple with his latest single, Chickee Chick

Posted on 23 January 2022

Ludwik Konopko’s latest single, Chickee Chick, is the ultimate playlist staple for any alt-country fans that aren’t looking to get the blues. The jazzy and progressive single has warm tones by the smorgasbord between the walking basslines, shimmering acoustic guitar chords and arresting infusion of slide guitars.

Even when the vocals kick in, they are sitting low enough in the mix to bring a touch of the human element but not detract away from the organic alchemy that is blossoming from Ludwik Konopko’s Avant-Garde flair.

The Lviv-born guitarist, composer, and arranger has been performing publicly since the age of 19. Just some of the notable ensembles that he’s been involved with include the Lviv National Philharmonic, Tea Fan Club, popular travelling bands and flamenco fusion groups. Notably, he poured every ounce of his creative life experience into the composition of Chikee Chick. It drips with bohemian cool and doesn’t fail to enamour along the way.

Chickee Chick is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Daniela helps us take the weight of our post-truth reality with her latest smoky RnB Jazz single, Lies.

Posted on 20 January 2022

In a time when words are a means to an end, and the truth is an inconvenience, it feels even sweeter to have the up and coming London-based singer-songwriter Daniela on the airwaves with her latest single, Lies.

The Italian-born independent artist started her vocal training in Milan with the soprano icon, Annamaria Calciolari, before she gained a master’s degree at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

From the first mellifluous jazzy groove Lies affirms that every second dedicated to honing in on her craft was well invested. Lies is powerful enough to vindicate anyone dealing with the frustration following deception, soulful enough to console and debonair enough to let you taste the smoke in an old school jazz bar.

With her debut EP in the pipeline and due to drop in spring 2022, she is definitively one to watch.

Lies is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Maple Sky – Free Her

Posted on 15 December 2021

Jazz, pop and RnB fusionists Maple Sky released their most seminal single to date with ‘Free Her’, which allows anyone in the process of walking away from a toxic relationship to see the light.

It was a bold theme for the ensemble to tackle. Considering that they did it with so much soul-laden compassion, they hit the evocative mark with the track that allows the intricate orchestration to explore the bright path that opens up when shackles of insidious affection are shaken off.

The smooth melodies, authentically airy vocals and wisdom so poignant it’s evident that it was hard fought for pull together to prove that the world isn’t as loveless as narcissists make you feel it is. By all accounts, it’s a stunning track. We can’t wait to hear where the UK-based ensemble take their fusion sound next.

Free Her is available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jazz and blues infuse in the neo-classic gravitas of Robert Johnson’s album, So The Story Goes.

Posted on 18 November 2021
Robert Johnson

Recording artist and record label owner Robert Johnson has spent the last few decades smoothly taking the world by storm. His knee-weakening vocal timbre has appeared on national commercials; he has shared stages with Bob Hope, Stevie Wonder and Roberta Flack; he has appeared in regional productions of iconic shows and won plenty of awards along the way.

Most recently, he has released his highly-anticipated album, So The Story Goes, which will be an instant nostalgia hit for jazz fans and the gateway soundscape for many future Jazz fans.

The album starts with the ardent single, Everything Must Change, which cinematically explores the roots of jazz, blues and RnB before pulling them all together in an exploratively invigorating yet teasingly serene score.

Check out Robert Johnson on his indie record label, Jakarta Records Ltd.

Review by Amelia Vandergast