The superb video for the latest song by talented New Jersey R&B artist Jo Rivers was launched (or ‘dropped‘ as the cool kids say) this week [September 15, 2020] – reflecting a late summer vibe and all the potential that a new relationship offers. The video for Create A Vibe was made by my namesake … Continue reading
Category Archives: Songwriting
How Carys’s ‘Fat ‘n’ Clean’ charity song could have been much dirtier
Many performers have been keeping busy online during the coronavirus lockdown – none more so than actress, singer and writer Carys Eleri, who has released two hilarious comedy songs for charity. Downloads of Fat ‘N’ Clean and Beyond The Fence are raising money for Tarian Cymru, a campaign to make and distribute personal protective equipment … Continue reading
From Bath to the Bay – the smooth Latin sounds of Michelle Pollace
Michelle Pollace (it’s pronounced poh-LAH-chi) is a super-talented musician, who can often be found playing her smooth Latin Jazz rhythms at venues around the San Francisco Bay area. This Californian native and her keyboard (with backing from some of the Bay area’s finest musicians) are equally at home in quiet, upscale restaurants and outdoor concert … Continue reading
Saucy Horsey gallops through Cardiff with a song in his heart
My adopted home city of Cardiff has an interesting and sometimes surprising history on film (remember the Wolf Man?), but a new project, Saucy Horsey, is perhaps the most surprising. Continue reading
She’s no Barbie – so don’t ignore Laura Comfort
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and the same goes for CDs. Pick up a copy of Laura Comfort‘s new album Don’t Ignore Me, and you may think this is all about the look and not much about the sound – style over substance. But you’d be very wrong. Continue reading
Soul with a hint of funk: Can you dig it?
If you’re in any doubt about what to expect from the new Gina Carey album, Can You Dig It, a glance at the tracklist will soon put you straight: songs include Funkalicious and Gimme The Soul. Continue reading
Love Supreme is here to stay (I hope)
After just three years, the Love Supreme Festival seems to have established itself as a firm fixture on the jazz (and blues and soul) calendar. This year’s edition, again in the beautiful East Sussex countryside at Glynde Place, offered veterans Chaka Khan and (Sir) Van Morrison as main stage headliners, with the likes of Neneh … Continue reading
‘Kinky’ and funky acts add to jazz festival line-ups
The founder of legendary rock band The Kinks, and the DJs of Funky Sensation are among the names that have been added to the line-ups at two of the summer’s big jazz festivals. Continue reading
Whatever this is, I want more – Zeeteah serves up tasty Juice
“Whatever this is, I want more” is the catchy refrain from the opening track on the superb debut studio album from Zeeteah Massiah. And I agree. Juice will leave you wanting more. What is this? Well, it’s jazz, but it’s totally accessible, with hints of blues, soul, R&B, even reggae, without lapsing into pop. Many … Continue reading
Tributes worth hearing – the Brecon Jazz line-up is announced
‘Tribute’ acts don’t often cause much excitement, or top the bill at a serious festival. But what if the tributes are performed by multi-Grammy winner Dr John and Britain’s own Jazz FM award-winning Neil Cowley? Continue reading