CD Reviews

Indie singer/songwriters are having an epic summer, all things considered, and if you look at the new record from Brendan Staunton, Last of the Light, I think you’re going to understand why. Staunton is by no means the leader of any underground movement, but in his nine-track solo debut, he definitely …

Every band has influences. If they didn’t, they would be trying to basically reinvent music, and that would seem insane. However, sometimes bands really wear their influences on their sleeves. I mean, they really wear their influences on their sleeves. There are bands that practically sound like tribute bands toward …

You can’t go wrong with Beatrice Betley. Already, you probably like her name. With only a few singles released from her upcoming collection Upside|Down (Not A Fox Records), the jazz and crossover singer’s latest song is “Flow”. With never an instance to dwell, Betley’s up tempo beats purify the jazz …

2020 definitely hasn’t produced much worth writing home about on the rock n’ roll front, but if you look beyond the surface of the mainstream, you’ll find that the underground is still ensuring rockers’ needs will be met this summer. Take Dizzy Box Nine for example – this July, the …

Bursting out of the silence with a rollicking, somewhat rock-flavored beat, we find the opening chords of Wild Fire’s “Rolling With the Stones” ready to captivate anyone who is within earshot of the growing harmony. There aren’t any synthesized chills pouring into the air, nor do we have to contend …

Light hearted grooves and a transcending melody – the new track “Ododo” from African-jazz saxophonist Shola Emmanuel is poetry in motion. The triumphant tune is a love letter to life’s bounty. It’s packaged optimism. It’s the spirit of romance, but with the endearment of a proud citizen to his country. …

Round Eye have been steadily building a cult-like following for over half a decade now, and in their latest album – appropriately titled Culture Shock Treatment – they unleash their most evocative and potently intense statement on life, politics and the human condition yet. From the get-go in the album’s title track …

Toronto Tabla Ensemble’s new album, Unexpected Guests, is perhaps best summarized as a black and white effort that spellbinds its audience using much more than cosmetic sophistication. Included in its tracklist are seven stylish songs – some of which bring winds, strings and even some decadent vocal harmonies into the melting …

Gasoline Tequila have been wowing audiences since 2016 with their charismatic and emotive guitar-focused songs. The indie rockers, who are noted for their Flamenco-driven rhythms, strike magic again in the vibrant single “Indulgent Fool”. New York City-based, this enigmatic and charismatic band is led by Massimo Lusardi. “Indulgent Fool” is …

DANNY BEARDSLEY (www.dannybeardsley.com ) will reveal an acoustic reworking of his debut album, Blood From A Stone on 17th July. With this in mind, we asked Danny for a track by track breakdown of the songs on the album: “ACCEPT DEFEAT The theme of this song is inspired by people not …