Category: Review

Recommendations to music releases I like. Each review features track descriptions of my favourite tracks. A download link can be found at the bottom of each posting.

Kali – [2012] Eclipse

Netlabel Phonocake is always good for that slightly eclectic sound. Singer Kali from Italy delivers an IDM/Soul crossover performance. Music is reduced and tightly produced. The album’s main attraction is voice, and what a voice it is. Go listen for yourself!

Wed, 13th Feb 2013
Sandro Marinoni, Stefano Roncarolo, Roberto Padovan – [2009] Cold Flowers

The netlabel Clinical Archives does not cease to surprise me with its variety of styles. This week I present you a (slightly) experimental instrumental jazz release from Italy. Over 40 minutes or 8 tracks worth of saxophone, piano, bass and percussion await you.

Wed, 6th Feb 2013
Alex Tiuniaev – [2012] Rachel EP

Webbed Hand Records specialise on ambient electronic music. This short two track EP from Russian musician Alex Tiuniaev sounds like a relaxed science fiction nostalgia movie soundtrack. Both tracks are good for a short break from anything. Read on for a short description of both tracks and the download link.

Wed, 30th Jan 2013
Kognitif – [2012] My Space World (LP)

This is my first review of a release by Dusted Way Kingdom that focuses on instrumental hip hop. Most releases, while enjoyable, sound too loopy in my ears. But not so with this gem by Kognitif from the French Midwest. This release is reminiscent to good old trip hop, think Massive Attack. Vinyl loops are…

Wed, 16th Jan 2013
Superspink – [2010] Elements

Chiptunes meets techno rock. 8 bit nostalgia goes dance floor, but so well. Conventional beats, fat bass lines are juiced up for an elementary experience. The four greek elements plus void make five tracks, each different but all together danceable. Thanks go to the Japanese netlabel Bumb Foot that has been publishing great electronic for…

Wed, 9th Jan 2013
Silence is Sexy – [2007] Everything You Should Know

Rock-solid indie pop rock. Walls of guitars, neatly arranged by the Dutch band Silence Is Sexy. While the twelve tracks of this release are too similar for my taste, this alone is no reason to not like its outstanding tracks. For me, this album is perfect background music for not-so-quiet moments.

Wed, 5th Dec 2012
John Harrison with the Wichita State University Chamber Players – [2011] The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)

Take some excellent musician, create a flawless recording of a classical evergreen composition and release the result under a Creative Commons license (BY-SA). Instant win – for all us listeners! The natural sounding mix has a nice, dry room acoustics, a cough once in a while in the background and the earned applause in the…

Wed, 28th Nov 2012
The Nuri – [2011] Music Box

Nightwish without fairy dust. Hard, epic rock with strong yet soft female vocals. Slower and faster songs have their place in this 16 track album. Both rhythm and melody excel in all of the songs. It was harder than usual to select only two songs to present here.

Wed, 21st Nov 2012
Hot Fiction – [2010] Dark Room

Smoky blues rock, straight from the garage. I smell some White Stripes from time to time. All parts are superbly played/sung. From the juicy bass lines up to the adorable lead voice. If you rock, rock on here!

Wed, 14th Nov 2012
Anamanaguchi – [2010] Power Supply

Yummy chiptunes from New York! Powerful beats, juicy chords and lovely melody lines show what sound can be made from those old 8 bit sound chips from vintage computers and consoles. Seven very different tracks make this one of the few chiptune releases that I like to hear from start to finish without getting bored.…

Wed, 7th Nov 2012
Jonathan Dimmel – [2009] Closer at the start

Adorable piano pop rock, featuring a great lead singer. I can’t claim much credit for finding this artist: Jamendo already featured him on their homepage, where I also stumbled upon him. This seven track release is a great soundtrack for everyday. During the morning commute, writing a music review, or simply chilling.

Wed, 31st Oct 2012
Year of the Tiger – [2010] Electric / Make It Work

And another release from the (at least for me) elusive netlabel Vulpiano. It specialises in “ambient, electronic, and acoustic”. This album clearly is neither ambient nor acoustic. It is rather a furious electro pop meets Avril Lavigne (at least to my ears) voice. The result is a sweet and catchy blend that stands up to…

Wed, 24th Oct 2012
Various Artists – [2010] Don’t believe the hype

This compilation by the Italian dance music netlabel Sostanze Records is for the inclined connoisseurs of glitchy drum & bass. Nothing stands still, everything is beat. And yes, you don’t have to believe the hype that is made of this genre to enjoy this incarnation. Following: two tracks as short previews, then the download/release page/streaming…

Wed, 17th Oct 2012
Paolo Pavan – [2009] Looking for a Way Out

This album comprises 6 slow and mellow jazz tracks by the Italian artist Paolo Pavan. The jazz combo consists of tenor saxophone, drums, bass and piano. This release is on the edge of smooth jazz and fusion, i.e. it can’t decide whether you sit in a smoky bar after your third bourbon or are at…

Wed, 10th Oct 2012
Various Artists – [2011] SOUNDSHOCK: FM FUNK MADDNESS!!

What happens if you let chiptune artists create Funk music? This compilation, I would say. Stuffed with citations from classic video games, this 18 track long release well states that chiptune music has evolved much since its initial days. Too broad is the span of music styles, so that the two presented tracks are only…

Wed, 26th Sep 2012