Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Featured Single

ALESSANDRO BOTTURA: Morning Grooves

Band Name: Allesandro Bottura
Featured Single: Stern Memories
Album: Morning Grooves
Genre: Jazz Fusion
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Monday, June 29, 2009

"Lost in the Pages" by John Enghauser (Pop Artist from San Francisco, California(CA))

"Lost in the Pages" by seasoned songwriter and producer John Enghauser is a brilliantly crafted pop/rock album filled with radio-ready hits. John's diversified musical compositions keeps listeners engaged, while his skillfully penned lyrics infuse his audience with fervent emotions. The title-track proves to be an auspicious beginning for this album, highlighting John's niche for creating groovy musical hooks that are hard to forget. "Still Waters" and "Breathe Again" reveal a softer side of the record, led by the beautiful sounds of the acoustic guitar, and backed by stellar, heartfelt vocal performances. Moreover, the vintage southern-rock tune, "Kitchen," goes on to highlight the diversity displayed on this album, as well as John's remarkable ability to deliver vocal performances fitting for numerous genres. Polished with superb production, fans of passionate pop and acoustic rock with an occasional vintage undertone will enjoy this CD.

-Xavier and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out John Enghauser's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

"Mosaic" by SpiceHouse (Rock Artist from New York(NY))

SpiceHouse's latest album, "Mosaic," a 20 song 2-CD set of multi-textured tunes ranging from folk-like rock to jazz to trip hop to ethereal soundscapes is, nevertheless, as accessible and tuneful as it is unique. Like similarly adventurous, genre-bending performers (if not as expansive), Over the Rhine or Shivaree, female lead singer, C.R. Keyser-Posner teams with Rick Eppedio on this sonic check-off of contemporary sounds with often riveting results. The CD opener, "Ties That Bind," grips with an understated melody – not unlike one of Annie Lennox's smarter tunes, and is followed by the freakbeat like "Surreal No. 9" (which, on Disc 2, is given a more exploratory, "extended jam" treatment - as are a couple other tracks); "Bleecker Street" has an unhurried and engaging straight-up jazz vibe, while title song, "Mosaic" uses world rhythms to build tension to a chorus release that's both tempered and sublime. Versatile and evocative as its title suggests, SpiceHouse's "Mosaic" CD is a well-conceived and equally well-delivered, mix of pop and electronic styles that's a fine addition to their catalog, and one that is sure to satisfy their fan base and discerning listeners just discovering this terrific outfit.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out SpiceHouse's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Thursday, June 25, 2009

"Free Your Mind" by Too Slim and the Taildraggers (Rock Artist from Washington(WA))

With their 10th studio album, titled "Free Your Mind", the roots-rockers of Too Slim and the Taildraggers deliver an album deserving of a broader recognition than the semi-legendary regional status the band has garnered as a live-circuit fixture in their area. Leader Tim "Too Slim" Langford has mixed classic rock with R&B sensibilities as the Taildraggers more than ably provide a powerhouse ensemble backing on the 11 original compositions. Setting the tone with both his raspy vocals and fiery guitar work, Too Slim exhorts redemption on the slow rocker "Peace With the Maker," does battle with his demons on the blues-rock stomp of "Been Through Hell," and mines the depths of the times on the charged, minor-key gem, "Last Train." With the help of a talented trio of female singers, "Free Your Mind," while relying on a roots-rock vernacular, otherwise transcends easy categorization. The accoutrements are classic guitar-stoked rock, but the individual songs make this album less a product of a genre or type than a fully-realized rock statement. For a band whose recording career spans almost 20 years, it is no less accomplished than what you would expect, and the grit & polish of Too Slim & the Taildraggers' "Free your Mind" will be enjoyed by fans of Tom Petty and ZZ Top.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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"Who Walks In" by Miss Rose and Her Rhythm Percolators (Jazz Artist from Washington(WA))

"Who Walks In," the debut album from Miss Rose and Her Rhythm Percolators, captures the sound & feel of 1920's & 1930's popular jazz styles with a mix of 11 classics & nearly forgotten songs from the era, including wonderful takes on such generation-crossing standards as "Ain't She Sweet" & "'Deed I Do". Singer & ukulele-player Sunga Rose leads a spot-on 4-piece band through a repertoire of pure nostalgia. And yet, this is no museum piece. The Rhythm Percolators quartet gives these songs new life with their deft & bouyant readings, making gems like the sprightly "At the Codfish Ball" sound almost contemporary. In addition, the outstanding title song, "Who Walks In," has a wonderful Eastern European bounce while the ballad "Shanghai Lil," exhibiting some of Miss Rose's best vocals, reveals as much about its era as it does the timelessness of great song craft. As the Deperession era's popular radio hits can be seen as timeless classics, Miss Rose and Her Rhythm Percolators' excellent new release "Who Walks In" is sure to appeal to music fans looking beyond today's hottest sounds and should definitely be given a listen to.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Miss Rose & Her Rhythm Percolators's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Sunday, June 21, 2009

"We R a Nation" by Thumper & Generation One (Jazz Artist from Nebraska(NE))

"We R a Nation," the 3rd CD by Thumper & Generation One, finds the one-man band continuing to navigate the sounds and styles of R&B, jazz, funk, rock, and pop with the intuitive finesse of a veteran ensemble. Opening with a propulsive R&B rock gem, "It's Time," worthy of Prince, Thumper establishes the contours of the 13 tracks to follow. The title song, "We R a Nation," rides an R&B quiet storm groove in a call-out for unity and tolerance, while "Dreams do Come True" is an urban-leaning contemporary song with a smooth jazz composition of both melody and rhythm. Finishing as strong as it started, the album closes with a bang with the bracing funk of "Chicken Pickin'," with its Southern-influenced groove and bursts of soulful horns. But throughout the album, its Thumper's tasteful guitar virtuosity – at times, reminiscent of George Benson, among other stalwarts – that provides the musical backbone to his accessible and catchy compositions. Definitely for fans of contemporary R&B and smooth jazz, Thumper & Generation One's "We R a Nation" CD has more than enough going on to satisfy the broadest of audiences.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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"Time Is Fun When You're Having Flies" by Afterthem (Rock Artist from New Jersey(NJ))

What to make of the outrageous, quirky, mad, goofy, fantastic, funky, and unpredictable sounds of Afterthem? On their latest CD (the 8th since their '03 debut), the aptly titled "Time Is Fun When You're Having Flies," the 5-piece band serves up their brand of deranged psycho-savant-funk-jazz with all the subtlety of the proverbial flying mallet. The CD opener, "Misses Johnson" starts things appropriately enough with a discordant workout over a rhythm whose time signature would give Dave Brubeck a fit of rage. But like an aperitif before a grand feast, the fun is only just beginning. When not channeling the spirit – if not the voice – of mad genius Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet), the bulk of the 18 track album defies categorization or description. Part avant garde, part inspired lunacy, 2/3's part Tom Waits carnival barker's delirium and half sheer inscrutability, it's a veritable hall of sonic mirrors, casting strange and surreal sounds at the listener to confound, confuse, and - if patient enough, utterly floor. And while the singer warns, "just don't get too close" on the whacked-out funk jam, "Coolo Daddyo," my advice is – as to a boxer taking a pounding in the ring – get this album in a clinch and don't let go.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out afterthem's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Thursday, June 18, 2009

"Into the Night - Music for the Road" by Didge Extreme / David Blonski (Electronic Artist from California(CA))

Didge Extreme / David Blonski, talented composer and recording artist, serves up another terrific album titled "Into the Night - Music for the Road," comprised of energetic grooves of electronica and fusion dance music. Blonski's use of the didgeridoo is not only amazingly creative, but the way he incorporates the unique sound of this instrument with synthesized sounds is incredible. The first track, "Twilight Begins," launches off this disc with vigorous beats and the haunting tones of the drone-like didgeridoo with a mysterious charm. Exotic flutes on "Cruise Control" are rich in flavor and reverberate with an ambiance that is lively and full of life. You will sense the Middle Eastern tonality of the percussive drums on "Desert Crossroads" as it takes listeners to what seems like an oasis in a hot desert. "Alien Highway" and "Area 51" are titles that describe exactly what these songs would bring to mind: supernatural and mysterious sound effects. Take a listen to Didge Extreme / David Blonski's album "Into the Night-Music for the Road," and you will journey through sounds of worldwide instruments with vibes that are invigorating and sure to please.

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Didge Extreme / David Blonski's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

"Vital Nonsense" by Gabe Rosales (Rap Artist from California(CA))

Musician/lyricist Gabe Rosales' first solo release, "Vital Nonsense," is jammed packed with an abundance of an energetic fusion of Hip-Hop and hard rock. The first track of the album, "Shrodingers Experiment," is a beautiful acoustic guitar piece with Latin flair. There is a wild ride to this disc as it delves into diverse styles with enthusiastic prowess. With the style of a sharp and easy flowing rhymer, "Th Ministry" and "Southside Freedom" has a chill out feel with beats that seep cleverly into your soul. The maximum head banging fury on "This Day" and "Building 7" runs full throttle as the sinister vocals scream to the driving beats. Changing up the genre, "Won't Get None" has funky bass grooves, striking synth hits, and driving word play. Smooth and sultry, "Star" and "Ashes to Clay" charm the listener with their warm and sensuous Latin tonality. If you are looking for something with diversity, creativity, and uniqueness within one album, then Gabe Rosales' "Vital Nonsense" is just the right one with its versatility to play a range of music.

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Gabe Rosales's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

"Zoey and the Yok-Yok Man" by Alain Le Lait (Kids/Children Artist from Colorado (CO))

Singer/songwriter Alain Le Lait's latest release "Zoey and the Yok-Yok Man" is just the right musical entertainment for kids/family fun. Le Lait is quite a musical storyteller, as his amusing lyrics reflect the imaginary world of children's minds. His vocals are crisp and clean, and gleam with energy. The versatility in creating a fun-loving, kid-friendly environment is apparent in songs like "The Yok-Yok Man" and "Where is Zoey," which are catchy and vibrant. Young children show many types of fears but "I Don't Want to Go in the Garden" and "The Search Begins" has lyrics that help to overcome the obstacles of these frights. "Into the Hole" has a nice, easy rock 'n' roll style as the guitar performs a solid solo. Outstanding harmonies, well-balanced instruments, and original and creative melodies make this disc a hit. If you're looking for a delightful and charming musical adventure, look no further than Alain Le Lait's "Zoey and the Yok-Yok Man," as it is full of enchanting songs that will please families with young children.

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Alain Le Lait's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Monday, June 15, 2009

"Another Monday Night" by Swingadelic (Jazz Artist from New Jersey(NJ))

On "Another Monday Night," the latest CD from Swingadelic, the accomplished "little" big band from the NY area shines as an ensemble as much as they do a collection of prolific soloists, proving the timelessness of sparkling and proficient jazz in an era when it sometimes feels like the great American invention has been marginalized. Bristling with solos of melody and bravura – like the stratospheric tenor of "Dance With You" or the deft piano skills of the "Puttin' On the Ritz"-like "Early Morning Special" – this group resembles no less a band (though half the size) than the famed Count Basie Orchestra, investing each number with volleys of inspired but precise mayhem. Can they swing? Absolutely! Their take on Ellington's "The Gal From Joe's" is insistent and nuanced. Can they get down and dirty? The dynamics of the Basie-esque "Buddy's Thang" make that a resounding "yes." What about the blues? They've got it covered. "Busy Body Blues" and "Big Band Blues" are steeped in the language and phraseology of the idiom's best practitioners. They do vocals too: "Back In New York City" is an excellent original, praising the city that never sleeps with a treatment that is both classic and contemporary – or, if you will, timeless. The music and playing on Swingadelic's latest disc "Another Monday Night," will want you hearing more of this swinging jazz with the kind of flair, melody, and dynamics to stir the heart and move the feet.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Swingadelic's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

"Digital Museum" by Jay Jai (R&B Artist from California(CA))

"Digital Museum," the new 7-song digital-only release from Jay Jai, is a smooth and polished R&B collection showcasing a singer with all the seductive powers of the genre's great crooners. With beats and tunes as fresh as they are danceable, Jay Jai's contemporary R&B style (think Ne-Yo, The Dream, and Chris Brown) is a sexy mix that will open ears as surely as it turns heads. Exhorting his ladies with the skills of a true playa, "Slow Step" and "Dress You" virtually boil over with the singer's come-on, while "After Party," an infectious piece of nasty-as-we-wanna-be bravado - with a groove to match, is contemporary soul at its down and dirty best. The fine ballad, "Particular," has a solemn feel that shows Jay Jai's emotional range to fine effect, suggesting there is a lot more depth to be revealed as the singer continues to grow and mature as an artist. As perfect for the dance floor as it is for intimate moments, Jay Jai's "Digital Museum" is sure to please contemporary R&B/Urban Pop fans with its sweet, seductive, and brazenly insistent grooves.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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"What You Talkin' About" by Tom Cherry and Friends (Easy Listening Artist from Hawaii(HI))

Like a sunset on the beaches of Hawaii, "What You Talkin' About," the new CD by Tom Cherry and Friends, offers all the warmth and comfort of a Hawaiian breeze over the course of 10 songs as engaging as they are relaxing. With a sound anchored deep in '70's soft-rock waters, Cherry's smooth-as-sand-pebble voice is right at home on light and breezy R&B like pop songs of love and romance, and the channels our emotions navigate. The CD opener, "Sweet Honey" has all the earmarks, with its accented guitar fills and funky bass style. Further along, such '70's stalwarts as Michael Franks and Al Jarreau are convincingly conjured on tunes like "Driving to Lahaina" and "I Believe in Me" as Cherry and Friends mirror R&B / contemporary jazz veins of inspiration. "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" captures the milieu of the '70s era in a re-styling of the Creedence Clearwater hit, while the tender treatment accorded "Fool Such As I" shows Cherry at his relaxed best. Showing more adventurousness, Cherry re-works Dylan's "Watchtower" in a jazzy, funk-bottomed rendition that's fresh and respectful. Filled with hopefulness and affirmation, Tom Cherry and Friends' "What You Talkin' About" CD captures the mood and sound of another era to perfection, making it, in the process, a fine collection of Adult Contemporary pop for today's audience.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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"Elliptical Motion" by Planetary Nights (Rock Artist from New York City, New York(NY))

Leading off with the jaw-dropping, adrenaline-charged rocker, "Road Trip," Planetary Nights sets the bar pretty high on their debut CD, "Elliptical Motion." What follows is a further 14-track exploration of rock styles fused by spot-on instincts and flashes of potent song craft. Built on a classic rock attitude of tuneful and engaging hooks, "Elliptical Motion" is jam packed with songs of raw intensity such as "Luck Runnin' Out," or "Release The Peace" and soulful balladry of "If Ever" or "Hide Away," as well as radio-ready fare defying the constraints of categorization "Don't Hold Back," and "Ebony Eyes." "Countin' On You" features some fine Southside Johnny-style harp licks, while "Starting Over" sways with a mean Clarence Clemons-style tenor sax part that's both gritty and urbane. Regardless of influences, though, Planetary Nights' "Elliptical Motion" is a cohesive and sparkling CD that succeeds because it blazes its own path of genuine fire and passion; a trail that starts and ends at the heart of rock 'n' roll.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Planetary Nights's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

"Midnight" by Mark Gothard (Rock Artist from Los Angeles, California(CA))

On Mark Gothard's third CD, "Midnight," a collection of bare-bones contemporary folk songs, the singer-songwriter goes back to the beginning. The 15-track CD contains songs newly recorded, but written in his college days, well before his first album from '03. Songs that he "wrote on napkins at bars, in parking lots, in alleyways at 3 a.m..." As such, there's a youthful immediacy that is next to impossible to replicate as one matures. Stripped down, haunting pieces built primarily on acoustic guitar, with some spare use of piano and drums provide the sonic template, a lo-fi texture that puts the songs front and center. "Skies Painted Blue," one of the most affecting tunes on the album, is a beautiful love song, aching with the singer's passion and desire; "Dressed In Red," with its rich-as-soil vocal, nimbly weds melody to guitar flourishes with imaginative lyrics as impressionistic as they are sublime; on "To Heaven We'll Go," Gothard strikes pay-dirt with a fragile, minor-key tune that lingers long after the song has ended. Filling out the rest of the CD are equally smart and elusive songs that attest to Gothard's original and noteworthy song craft.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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Sunday, June 14, 2009

Featured Single

JENUINE J.A.: The Burden of ProofBand Name: Jenuine J.A.
Featured Single: Stackin' Bundles featuring San Quinn
Album: The Burden of Proof
Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
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Friday, June 12, 2009

"Harp of the Heart" by Theresa Tremmel (Instrumental Artist from Indiana(IN))

In this day and age, our lives are rushed and hurried from the hectic/stress of everyday living. One needs to have a time of serenity to release the mind of the worries of the day. Theresa Tremmel has just the right antidote with her tranquil and beautiful disc "Harp of the Heart." This soothing collection of tranquility, featuring her stunning gift on the harp, will leave you with repose of peacefulness. Tremmel lets the listeners feel the effects of the calming harp, as it is clean and crisp, while she performs with strong, heartfelt emotions. The titled track, "Harp of the Heart," not only instills a calm ambiance but the strings adorn the melody with harmonious formation. As her fingers gracefully move across the strings on "Sand and Sea," the glissando (the gliding over the strings) feels like the waves of the sea gently rolling in to shore. "Gateway" and "Calm Vista" display a warm, inviting piano accompaniment which balances well with the melodious harp. If you need a little down time or just want to hear some soft and peaceful music, then "Harp of the Heart" will bring you to the place of rest and relaxation.

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out BAND_NAME's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

"Beauty and Fire" by Tomas Michaud (Instrumental Artist from San Francisco, California(CA))

Picture yourself in a serene, tropical paradise with a warm gentle breeze lightly blowing through an open and airy room that has a soft and atmospheric quality, as you hear the velvety and melodious songs of "Beauty and Fire" by Tomas Michaud drifting all around. Michaud takes his talented flair of playing acoustic Flamenco guitar and melds it ever so gracefully to silky and delicate melodies. His abilities to lure you into his music starts with the very first song and title track, "Beauty and Fire," with an elegant guitar that stirs a vision of peace and serenity. Not only will the soothing guitar melt your heart, but the simple yet effective percussion sounds of "Embrace in the Mist" and "My Secret Cave" seem to intermingle with charming style. A beautiful piano and violin embellish the tender and heartwarming song "Beginnings-Prelude to Paradise," while the guitar plays with affectionate appeal. If you need to take the edge off from having a bad day, then serve up your favorite refreshment, sit back and enjoy the wonderful contemporary instrumental guitar music of "Beauty and Fire," and let it take you away to peaceful bliss.

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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Tuesday, June 9, 2009

"Touch Me" by Heartscore (Rock Artist from Germany)

Heartscore's latest CD, "Touch Me," an inventive, adventurous, and – at times, bold, blend of modern rock styles, is both flamboyant and heady, a mixture as explosive as it is effective. Trading off Zappa-like song-shifts, sweeping dramatics worthy of Queen, or Progressive rock evocations reminiscent of Be-Bop Deluxe and /or Yes, "Touch Me" finds German multi-instrumentalist Dirk Radloff exploring rock's cerebral corners to produce a work that's both unusual and accessible. And while modernist and intellectual in its idiosyncrasy, tracks like "I'm Running" and the pretty, "You Are So Beautiful" attest to Heartscore's ability to neatly meld untamed and provocative arrangements with tunes that are fine and tuneful. Elsewhere, angular and abrasive torrents of sound make originals like "Never Leave the Highway" and lead song, "I Did It" into gems of propulsive dissonance. With Radloff's affected and stylized vocal delivery filling in the blanks, and smart synthesizer fills supplementing a guitar-bass-drum core, Heartscore's "Touch Me" CD is a triumph of substance and style sure to appeal to fans of progressive and original rock.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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Monday, June 8, 2009

Featured Single

GAL TAMIR: VoluntadBand Name: Gal Tamir
Featured Single: Voluntad
Album: Voluntad
Genre: Latin/Pop
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Friday, June 5, 2009

"Maximum Action" by Marc James (Pop Artist from Cleveland, Ohio (OH))

Marc James' 8-song CD, "Maximum Action," is a brilliant mix of David Bowie-meets-Bryan Ferry Euro-pop that is fit for a dance club as well as for a cabaret. Relying primarily on ambient, synth-infused soundscapes, James delivers wry, clever, and funny lyrics with an arch delivery invoking a dapper rogue completely unaware of his obviousness. The lead track, "The Perfect Stranger," captures this most effectively with a dry but melodic vocal in full seductive mode. "Hard Driving Music" rides a bouncing disco-like bass-line in a tuneful exercise that is pure schmaltz ("Do you want to swing, to dance, and sway to that hard driving rocking and rolling") - and is absolutely irresistible. On "Tribute to Marilyn" (yes, Monroe) James references Ray Davies' classic "Celluloid Heroes" with a straight-faced ingenuousness that is as subversive as it is catchy. Closing the album as strongly as it begins, "You Have A Secret" is built on a classic doo-**** chord progression that becomes transformed by a breathy, understated narrative (a la Leonard Cohen), and embellished by a solemn and perfect background chorus. In the end, Marc James' "Maximum Action" CD is that rare intriguing album by an artist that will win you over with his lush, melodic accessibility.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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Thursday, June 4, 2009

"Trying To Find My Way" by Fred Nash (Soul/Country Artist from California (CA))

Not that it matters, but the fact that Fred Nash's high tenor voice, which bears a resemblance to "I Can See Clearly Now" artist Johnny Nash, can't help but make a listener wonder if Fred is an offspring of the highly acclaimed former hit maker and impresario. That his CD-single, "Trying To Find My Way" has a similar soulful pop feel (albeit, without the reggae flavor), buoyed by an engaging, instantly captivating melody, only adds to the mystery. Regardless, "Trying To Find My Way," with its tasty, Steve Cropper-like guitar accompaniment accenting a spare, church-like arrangement, is a veritable throwback to an era when artists such as Nash, James, and Bobby were fashioning a crossover sound out of melding pop and soul sensibilities. Spiritual and meaningful, "Trying to Find My Way" is a fine debut CD-single from an artist who is likely to command attention not for his name, but for his escalating talent.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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"Too Much Negativity" by K-Bass (Reggae/Pop Artist from Arizona (AZ))

K-Bass' splendid debut CD, "Too Much Negativity" is an exuberant and invigorating 11-track Reggae / Dancehall, bi-lingual feast of rhythm and melody cast in perfect harmony. Whether singing in French on the decidedly pop strains of "Union Africaine," or in English on the terrific Bob Marley-influenced title track, "Too Much Negativity," K-Bass strikes a balance between cultures that is accessible and profound in its cross-pollinations. The world-pop strains of "Douahode" provides a perfect example of this, featuring an incendiary surf-style guitar solo (reminiscent of Shakira) on a song with Middle Eastern tonalities, while the sing-along chorus of "Yuwa" reminds us that regardless of origins, great melodies cut across culture and ethnicity. Throughout, the band sparkles with stylized textural and dynamic flourishes as background choruses celebrate the inherent inclusiveness at the heart of Caribbean music. But whether it's Reggae, Dancehall, Afro-Beat, K-Bass' "Too Much Negativity" is world class: it's an upbeat, tuneful, completely danceable, and an engaging CD for the musically adventurous.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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"Mama Roots" by Jerry Harris (Reggae Artist from New York (NY))

With his deep, gruff, and oh-so-soulful voice, Jerry Harris's "Mama Roots" CD is a funky reggae album with roots as deep as the singer's own legacy. The prolific composer, a fixture in the NY reggae scene since the '70s, has once again delivered an album of potent rhythm and soul, a propulsive mix of Roots Reggae and Rocksteady that reflects the legion of key Jamaican talents he has worked with in 4 decades as a leading and important Reggae artist. Highlights include "Just a Little Love We Need" and the topical "Global Warming," both owing a debt to Bob Marley-influenced grooves, but on "Mama" he shines with a Jimmy Cliff-like pop sensibility that transcends mere reggae-style labels. On "Mama Roots" Harris is once again backed by a stellar rhythm section, typically concise guitar fills, affecting horn parts, and backing vocals from a female chorus that is integral and subtle. Lyrically, there is a '70's-centric affirmative and positive social relevance running through all his songs as he alternately exhorts, cajoles, and pleads for the kind of world that seemed nearer to realization in those more innocent times. Nevertheless, there is nothing out of date about either Jerry Harris' message or the timeless brand of reggae he so effortlessly puts forth. Jerry Harris' "Mama Roots" CD continues an ageless tradition of intoxicating Reggae/Rocksteady music.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Featured Single

AURADRONE: Whitelite BriteliteBand Name: AURADRONE
Featured Single: AutoErotic
Album: Whitelite Britelite
Genre: Alternative
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