RadioIndy Grindie Awards - All Genres: January 2009

Monday, January 19, 2009

RadioIndy is pleased to present The Teague Stefan Band with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Game Of Life"

The sophomore effort from Central Florida's power trio "The Teague Stefan Band" entitled "Game Of Life" combines elements of blues, rock, and funk to create a highly original, fresh sound. The album is a collection of aggressive, pounding tracks full of intoxicating heart and soul. Teague Stefan, the gifted songwriter, vocalist and guitarist for this trio, employs his talents in both musicianship and composition. The songs are well-written and performed with an enthusiasm and spirit that shines through on each track. "The Leavin' Blues" is a blistering opener, with a strong groove and blazing guitar work. The production is raw and natural, with no post-production trickery. Stefan's dominating guitar is accompanied by drums that are upfront in the mix, providing a powerful, hammering sound. "Tell You Truthful" is a driving shuffle tune with an expressive strut and swagger. "Power Of A Woman" is a soulful blues tune, showcasing Stefan's vocal range as well as his mastery of the guitar. Another highlight is "High Maintenance Woman," which features a passionate performance of emotional vocals and energetic acoustic guitar. "Dues" is a great closer, a straight-ahead rocker that is radio-ready. This is a polished group of songs that will be enjoyed by any fan of rock and blues in the vein of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, or Buddy Guy.

-Rodney and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out The Teague Stefan Band's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present William Edgar with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Heaven In A Nightclub"

"Heaven In A Nightclub" by William Edgar captures the sound and spirit of a live concert combining elements of jazz, spirituals, blues and gospel. This concert was obviously meant to be a spiritual experience as well as a musical one. These skillful musicians take you on a journey through history, from deep sorrow to indistinguishable joy. They begin the set with a spirited interpretation of the jazz standard "Autumn Leaves" and the fiery "Renewal," with the melodic sax of Joe Salvano and the soulful vocals of Ruth Naomi Floyd flowing on top of the rhythmic piano of William Edgar, all anchored by bass virtuoso John Patitucci. Edgar also offers commentary throughout, including his thoughts on the Underground Railroad and jazz composer Duke Ellington. "Motherless Child" begins with an emotional bass intro by Patitucci, continuing with Floyd's smooth, silky vocals while Edgar provides a subtle piano backdrop. "Jesus is on the Mainline" is an expressive and passionate solo piece from Patitucci, and his enormous talent is evident from the first note. "Train Underground" features sizzling vocals from Floyd, once again driven by the strong, unwavering bass of Patitucci. "Lay My Burden Down" is an energetic gospel tune, getting the crowd involved and showcasing the immense vocal abilities of Floyd. This release will be enjoyed by fans of jazz, blues, and gospel music in the vein of both Duke Ellington and Mahalia Jackson.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Judith White with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Awakening Life Force: Our Odyssey"

"Awakening Life Force: Our Odyssey" is an excellent ambient new age album from Washington performer and composer Judith White. White's music responds to the questions of who we are and why we're here on earth, and this release takes these questions and turns them into a concept album about the evolving phases and aspects of life. Through beautiful, skillful, and calming piano-led new age arrangements, White crafts stunning instrumentals that befit each song title. "Take Your Power Back," for example, has a great authoritative stomping beat throughout, creating a sound that says you're on the march, and with direction. "Awakening Life Force" is well-produced, and the ambience, piano, and other instrumental work all sound clean and precise. "Delight" has a beautiful progression that uses the entire piano to tell a calming story of contentedness. "Tension" is a great piano composition that features a continuity of the aggressive beat in "Take Your Power Back," but this time on the high end of the piano, and haunting ambience. With "Awakening Life Force: Our Odyssey," Judith White has crafted a magnificent album with beautiful piano work and an interesting concept. Fans of ambient new age and excellent pianists are going to want to pick this one up.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Judith White's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present TAMIR with a GrIndie Award for the CD "The Way of the Heart' poetry of Rumi"

RadioIndy is pleased to present TAMIR with a GrIndie Award for the CD "'The Way of the Heart' poetry of Rumi"

"'The Way of the Heart' poetry of Rumi" is a spoken word album by TAMIR, narrator; Amir Vahab, music that brings the insight of the thirteenth century mystical poet back to life. Narrated by the smooth, sultry, and theatrical voice of voiceover artist TAMIR and accompanied by spiritual and befitting backing music by Persian multi-instrumentalist Amir Vahab, this release celebrates Rumi's wisdom on ten penetrable tracks. These stories and poems offer commentaries and teachings on spirituality, divine love, and the mystery of love. "The Way of the Heart" is well-recorded; TAMIR's spoken word delivery is clean and Vahab's instrumentals sound precise and balanced. "Gamble" is a great story about paradox and risk in the game of love, with the inspiring lyric, "Gamble everything for love, if you're a true human being." "Separation" has frantic poetry delivered by TAMIR matched by frantic acoustic instrumental work from Vahab. "Sacrifice" is a poem about a conversation between a chickpea and a chef that comments on the predestination and liveliness of the chickpea. "The Way of the Heart" is an excellent release 800 years in the making, and anyone who marvels at the insightfulness and mysticism of Rumi are going to want to pick "'The Way of the Heart' poetry of Rumi" up.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present 3 Legs On Wheels with a GrIndie Award for the CD "In Our Time Machine"

The multi-talented duo of Steffen Presley and Arnold Mollica make up the wonderfully original sound of 3 Legs On Wheels. Their album, "In Our Time Machine," is a unique, forward-looking recording blending old school funk with more contemporary sounds. The entire album is characterized by Presley's superior Hammond B3 organ-playing and soaring saxophone melodies, along with Mollica's funky, imaginative drumming. "In Our Time Machine" is a solid opener, with Presley's mastery of the Hammond B3 and Mollica's bluesy lead vocals on full display. "Hey Now Mama" is a platform for Presley's abilities on the alto saxophone and Mollica's inventive grooves, and both deliver an enjoyable performance. "Free Fall" is a vehicle for their creativity and flexibility, changing from their customary sounds to a tasteful change of pace. "Veil of Tears" is another highlight, exhibiting once again Mollica's soulfoul vocals and Presley's command of the organ. "French Aire" showcases their versatility, with Mollica starting the tune with brushes before breaking into a rowdy shuffle groove, and Presley adding expressive piano melodies and more fiery work on the alto saxophone. This album is recommended for fans of Rock and/or Blues, and the instrumental tracks that feature saxophone will very likely appeal to jazz fans as well.

-Rodney and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out 3 Legs On Wheels's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present John Neville with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Bird Songs of the North American Prairie"

Nature recorder John Neville is at it again with "Bird Songs of the North American Prairie," a 182-track double CD release that gives the listener the pleasure of hearing the calls of 168 birds and, as an added bonus, six mammals. Neville narrates over each of his live recordings, informing the listener about which bird they are hearing. This release, like his others, serves a wonderful, instructional, and informational purpose, especially for those interested in birdcalls and bird watching. "Bird Songs of the North American Prairie," is well-produced, and Neville's narrative dubs, as well as his initial live recordings are lively and distinct. "Cd1 Introduction" introduces the release with Neville informing the listener that he is spending sixteen weeks recording these birds, many of which are rare and nearing extinction. "Common Loon" displays the calming night chorus of the common loon on a lake. The majority of the other tracks are as straightforwardly approached, so if you're curious about one particular bird you can skip right to it. "Bird Songs of the North American Prairie" is a success, both as an instructional album and as an exploration of nature, and should be picked up by anyone interested in birdsongs and birdcalls.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Jimmy Lott with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Not Enough Love"

Jimmy Lott's "Not Enough Love" is an album ten years in the making, but perhaps Lott needed all of that time, all of those life experiences, to fashion such a solid, diverse, and mature album. Fueled by acoustic work on guitar and piano, Lott touches base in the folk, rock, blues, Americana, and country genres and skillfully crafts beautiful arrangements throughout. Lott has the raw, weathered vocals and country twang reminiscent of latter Bob Dylan, occasionally accompanied by a stunning female backing vocal. Lott's songs are original and poignant, both political, about soldiers and war, and socially conscious, about the world running out of love, the rich getting richer, and moving west. "Not Enough Love" is well-produced and sounds excellent, from the soft piano ballads to the lively Americana tracks, and everything in between. "Ain't No Use" is a bluesy track with nice acoustic and keyboard work, a rhythmic drumbeat, and a great vocal performance from Lott. "Rich People" is a cynical, socially conscious track about "those poor, poor, poor rich people" with great acoustic work and memorable lyrics, including, "Rich people don't get rained on/Rich people don't have to stand in line." With "Not Enough Love," Jimmy Lott has resoundingly returned to the music world and put himself out there with a musically diverse, well-crafted album. Fans of great acoustic work and latter day Dylan should definitely pick this one up.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Jimmy Lott's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Anne Milligan with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Thoughts of Home: Traditional American Folk Music"

Not surprisingly, Kentucky native Anne Milligan's "Thoughts of Home: Traditional American Folk Music" is an excellent traditional Appalachian folk album with tracks that span the history of the United States. Milligan's vocal performance makes this album, as she sings beautifully, heartfelt, and with such purity, reminiscent of folk predecessors such as Joan Baez and Emmylou Harris. Roughly, this is a collection of songs about home, both literally, as she sings about Kentucky and America, and figuratively, about the feeling that home brings. The arrangements are diverse, keeping with the traditional folk sound in some, relying solely on her strong acapella performance for others, and modernizing the sound with piano renditions on still others, such as "My Old Kentucky Home," the state song of Kentucky, and "Amazing Grace." "Thoughts of Home" is well-produced though not over-produced, so it maintains that great raw folk sound. "Keep On the Sunny Side" is traditionally done, with a clean and beautiful vocal performance and nice vocal harmonies on the chorus. "Angel Band (3-part Acapella)" is a hauntingly beautiful acapella performance from Milligan of this song modernly popularized by the Sirens in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" where which Milligan sings all three acapella parts. The album closes with "I'd Come Home Today," a Milligan original that sounds just as timeless as the other songs. Fans of traditional Appalachian folk music and stunning female folk vocalists should definitely look into Anne Milligan.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Anne Milligan's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present zOE's iMAGINARY fRIEND with a GrIndie Award for the CD "zOE's iMAGINARY fRIEND"

"zOE'S iMAGINARY fRIEND" is the impressive alternative rock/folk debut from Denver outfit zOE'S iMAGINARY fRIEND. Accompanied by a sensual and effortlessly talented female lead vocal, ZIF's arrangements are diverse and thorough. The songs range from slower acoustic alt-folk tracks to heavy alternative rock, and incorporate, a plethora of instruments, including fuzzy wailing guitars, muted trumpet, poppy piano, and viola. The lyrics also cover a wide range of subjects, from driving trucks to snapping photos, but they all have a great storytelling quality to them that keeps the listener hanging onto every word. "zOE'S iMAGINARY fRIEND" has a raw quality great for the group's sound. "Sweetness" is an energetic, fast-paced rock song with great riffs, rocking beats, catchy lyrics, and an outstanding vocal performance. "Fisheye" aptly begins with the sound of snapping photographs then moves into a mellow drum, bass, and guitar arrangement with more great lyrics and vocals, and some excellent male backing vocals. "zOE'S iMAGINARY fRIEND" is a fantastic debut from a talented set of musicians with an admirable do-it-yourself mentality. Fans of alternative rock, alt-folk, and great female lead vocals should definitely check out this CD.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out zOE's iMAGINARY fRIEND's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Chris Huff with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Death And Texas LP"

"Death And Texas LP" is an upbeat and quirky rock album from singer/songwriter Chris Huff that fuses British and American rock influences to create a unique sound. At times, Huff's vocals can sound eerily similar to David Bowie, and at other times they're reminiscent of Philadelphia outfit Dr. Dog. The arrangements are solid and guitar-based, drawing from the power pop, psychedelic, folk, reggae, and funk movements, in addition to rock. Huff's songs are fun and upbeat, quirky and lyrical, sometimes non-sensibly so. "Death And Texas LP" is well-recorded, having both the vocals and arrangements sound clean and professional. "Oceans Never Freeze" is a catchy, head-bobbing track with Zeppelin-esque guitar work, Bowie-like vocals, and enjoyable lyrics. "For The Trees" features some excellent funky bass work, a reggae guitar rhythm, a laid-back beat, group vocals, and more great lyrics from Huff. With "Death and Texas LP," Chris Huff has created an entertaining album that uniquely blends together a plethora of influences from the last four decades. Fans of quirky, lyrical rock and David Bowie-style vocals should definitely check out "Death And Texas LP."

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Willem van Leeuwen with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Mijn Wereld (My World)"

"Mijn Wereld (My World)" is the terrific big band/jazz debut from singer/songwriter Willem Van Leeuwen that features big band standards and Van Leeuwen originals. Lead by the crooning vocals of Van Leeuwen, not unlike Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé, "Mijn Wereld (My World)" is filled with splashy big band arrangements of booming horns and woodwinds, as well as some great piano jazz. This release is filled with fun and upbeat songs that make you smile and sway, including Dutch big band renditions of classics from the Great American Songbook, including "I Feel Good" and "Strangers in the Night," respectively entitled "Voel Me Goed" and "Vreemdgaan in De Nacht." "Mijn Wereld (My World)" is well-produced, and the recordings and arrangements all sound outstanding. "Geboren Uit Nood (One for My Baby)" is a pleasant, jazzy track with beautiful piano work, a simple but fitting drum beat, and a lovely vocal performance from Van Leeuwen. "Droom (Home)" is an emotive closer with more excellent piano work and crooning vocals. With "Mijn Wereld (My World)," Willem Van Leeuwen has welcomed us to his world with open arms, no matter what language we speak. Fans of Dutch big band and jazz are definitely going to want to pick this one up.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Willem van Leeuwen's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Jean Laughlin with a GrIndie Award for the CD "No Easy Way"

"No Easy Way" is a noteworthy release by Chicago jazz singer/songwriter Jean Laughlin, who is known for her broad vocal abilities and incredibly personal style. The writing is skillful and intelligent with fresh, clever arrangements. She is backed by an incredible orchestra of talented musicians featuring brilliant soloists and swinging horn sections. The rhythm section is fabulous, setting up and emphasizing the ensemble figures with ease while also providing wonderful support throughout. "Open" is a sincere and genuine opener with honest lyrics and Laughlin singing straight from the heart. Another heartfelt track is "Moment to Moment," which not only touches on the struggles of everyday life, but also offers inspiration. Her personality and individuality shine through on each tune, from her fun sense of humor on "Party Down" and "Lookin' at the Downside" to her warm, smoky style on the ballads "Sad Eyes," "Cast Away," and "Home ( a lullaby)." One ballad that really stands out is the touching "Friendships Broken," featuring an illustrious string arrangement and passionate vocals. Another excellent track is the lively "Simplify," with her vocals dancing atop the rhythmic figures of the horn section and Laughlin again showcasing her humorous side. This album is highly recommended for any fan of adult contemporary vocalists and/or big band music.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Seraphim Winter with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Seraphim Winter"

"Seraphim Winter" is the excellent self-titled debut EP from San Francisco outfit Seraphim Winter that features outstanding female lead vocals and delightful ambient arrangements. All of the members of Seraphim Winter lend their vocals to the EP, though the beautiful and sensuous lead vocals of Mary F. Connors and the harmonic backing vocals of Stephanie Eike fuel this release. The songs are soothing, enticed with melodic keyboard, guitars, and percussion, and Western influence serving as a great accompaniment to the vocals. The songs are ethereal, moody, and meditative--great for relaxation. "Seraphim Winter" is well-produced, bringing the vocals to the forefront while keeping the instruments soft and befitting. "Dawn" opens the EP with a beautiful vocal harmony, ambience, and worldly beat, then has an excellent build that moves the song into a relaxing instrumental segment. "Welcome" closes the album with a nice beat, minimalistic keyboard work, a beautiful, worldly vocal performance from Connors, and great vocal layering and harmonizing. This is a great debut EP with moving female lead vocals and great atmospheric arrangements that leave you in eager anticipation of full-length versions. Fans of new age and superb female vocals should definitely give this EP a listen.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Seraphim Winter's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Jackson Garrett with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Please Call Me, Sanjaya!"

Jackson Garrett's "Please Call Me, Sanjaya!" is a blend of a wide variety of musical styles, moods, and influences. This release showcases Garrett's ability to be comfortable and shine in any genre, including blues, jazz, rock, pop, and even Latin-oriented styles. This album is all about versatility, from the Brazilian flavor of "The Wedding Samba" and "Let It Burn," to the straightforward rock of "Champagne Tower." The instrumentation also varies, with the appropriately titled "Cool And Easy" featuring the subtlety of brushes on the drums and a soprano sax providing a melodic solo. This is a well-produced release, focused on creating memorable songs that are easy to listen to. Other notable moments include the catchy, Steely Dan-influenced pop of "You Can't Do That," the funky horn section of "Messin' With The Kid," and the fun swagger of "Easy Strut." If you enjoy easy listening vocals in the jazz-rock style, this album is worth checking out.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Andrea Esposito with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Antìpodi"

"Antìpodi" by Andrea Esposito is a collection of beautiful acoustic guitar and double-bass duo pieces that incorporate a variety of styles and influences including classical, flamenco, Brazilian, and jazz. The guitar style of Esposito is complimented extremely well by the double-bass of Luca Chiaraluce, with each musician contributing to each composition both individually as well as collectively. The majority of the tunes have a theme, followed by an improvisational section, and then a finale. Listen to the fittingly titled "Freedom," a prime example of their ability to stay within the harmonic structure of the tune while also having the freedom to improvise. Chiaraluce provides a spacious groove, allowing Esposito to weave his guitar lines through the framework of the song. "Beijo" is a gorgeous bossa-nova piece, with Esposito providing a beautiful melody over Chiaraluce's supportive, continuous groove. The Flamenco-influenced "Zàngola" is another fantastic track, offering a brilliant melody and a danceable rhythm. "Senza Rete" is of a free, ethnic nature, creating an airy, stimulating mood and texture. The Brazilian flavor of "Ansia" features a great swinging rhythm and spirited interaction between the two musicians. This music would be appealing to fans of jazz, acoustic, and new age music, as well as most anyone who enjoys improvised instrumental music.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Jonathan Adam with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Face In Your Crowd"

"Face In Your Crowd" is the excellent pop rock debut from Texas singer/songwriter Jonathan Adam. Adam (stage name of Jay Arseno) delivers a great vocal performance reminiscent of many of his influences, including Better Than Ezra and Vertical Horizon, and the entire album features outstanding vocal layering and harmonies. His songs have a solid rock foundation with great guitar riffs and solid beats, and Adam fuses it nicely with great pop elements, including electronica keyboards, whistles, flute solos, and Adam's stellar pop vocal performance. The songs themselves are melodic and catchy, heartfelt and real, and have great lyrics about love and life, often in rhyming verse. "Face In Your Crowd" is well-produced and sounds clean and professional with a great balance of vocals and instruments. "15 Minutes" is a fast-paced arrangement with matching frantic electronic drums and lyrics about the proverbial fifteen minutes of fame. "Cinematic Tragedy" has catchy and metaphorical lyrics and excellent musical transitions with electronica elements. "Face In Your Crowd" is truly an impressive debut from Jonathan Adam with its original pop rock arrangements, electronica elements, and powerful vocals. Fans of pop rock with a great modern rock foundation should definitely pick this one up.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Jonathan Adam's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present A Secret Sense with a GrIndie Award for the CD "The Piano Solo"

Evoking the sheer beauty of a single instrument, A Secret Sense's "The Piano Solo" is a magnificent piano instrumental album with great classic and pop elements. A Secret Sense is the solo project of German pianist and composer Stephan Prinz, and these ten clearly inspired tracks put on display his raw talent as both. This release is filled with melancholic and moody songs with beautiful progressions and soaring melodies. These are the type of songs that you close your eyes and listen to and feel calm and at peace. "The Piano Solo" is well-produced, and the recordings sound clean, every stroke of ivory distinct and beautiful. "Never Ending" has a great arrangement that utilizes the entire piano and has a melancholic, sad sound. "Tell Me Why" is a more upbeat and poppy arrangement, beautifully and skillfully crafted. The only vocal track on the album is on the closer, "Tell Me Why – Vocal Version," which features a beautiful female vocal accompaniment and catchy, sad lyrics and the same arrangement as the original track. "The Piano Solo" makes the statement that Stephan Prinz is one of the premier classical and pop pianists in the world, as well as an excellent songwriter capable of evoking emotion and beauty solely with the keystrokes of his piano. Fans of great instrumental piano work with classical and pop influence should check out A Secret Sense.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out A Secret Sense's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Phil Shoenfelt & Pavel Cingl with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Live At the House of Sin"

"Live At the House of Sin" is an incredible collaboration between English singer/songwriter Phil Shoenfelt and Czech violinist and guitarist Pavel Cingl. Recorded live at the Nova Sin club in Prague, this album features digs into the Shoenfelt songbook and features Shoenfelt on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, reminiscent of Iggy Pop and Nick Cave, and Cingl contributing incredible violin and electric guitar work to accompany the acoustic rhythms and give the tracks a full sound. The resulting songs have a great mix of gothic and folk, as Shoenfelt delivers intelligent and memorable lyrics of sorrow, love, life, and death. This is the type of performance best heard live, and "Live At the House of Sin" is recorded cleanly and the product sounds great. "Saviour's Day" begins with clean acoustic and violin work, then moves into a sorrowful violin progression that perfectly matches the sadness of Shoenfelt's lyrics of lost love. "Shivers Inside" features electric and acoustic guitar work, and is an incredible, slow and lyrical love song from Shoenfelt. "Hospital" is another great violin and acoustic collaboration that creates a beautiful harmonic sound and features more great lyrics from Shoenfelt. "Live At the House of Sin" is a great album, beautifully arranged, and thought-provoking from a couple of talented musicians with a lot of street cred. Fans of goth, folk, and the likes of Iggy Pop and Nick Cave should definitely pick this one up.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Phil Shoenfelt & Pavel Cingl's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Elizabeth Salvatico with a GrIndie Award for the CD "It All Belongs to Him"

"It All Belongs to Him" is the outstanding, eclectic contemporary Christian solo debut from singer/songwriter Elizabeth Salvatico. Salvatico blends her own cultural diversity with the influence she gained from a mission trip to Kenya to craft songs with African and Latin, as well as gospel, blues, jazz, symphonic orchestra, and piano rock qualities. This album also has songs sung in English, Spanish, and in chant form from the Masai of Kenya, though, regardless of language, all of the songs are about glorifying God. Salvatico has an excellent vocal range and takes lead on these songs well, and these recordings also feature some great vocal accompaniment from the Wilmington Chester Mass Choir. "It All Belongs to Him" is well-produced, the vocals and arrangements clean and professional sounding. "The Masai Song" opens up the album with an all-encompassing track that begins with a pleasant chant from the Masai, then introduces rhythmic conga beats that are soon after accompanied by violin and piano, and the three instruments just jam for a while. Salvatico lends her native tongue to the title track, "It All Belongs to Him," and "Your Love (Tu Amor)," which features excellent Latin guitar and piano work as Salvatico praises God for his love, alternating between English and Spanish. All of the other tracks are strictly in English, and have a great piano rock feel to them. "It All Belongs to Him" is a musically and vocally impressive debut from Elizabeth Salvatico, and any fan of eclectic contemporary Christian music should check it out.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Elizabeth Salvatico's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Marco Ulloa with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Apuntale a la Verdad"

"Apuntale a la Verdad" is an excellent acoustic-driven release from singer/songwriter Marco Ulloa that features great Latin and world elements. Ulloa delivers with a clean, moving, and heartfelt vocal, primarily in the Spanish language. The arrangements on this album are also phenomenal, with great Latin-influenced acoustic work accompanied by world percussion, harmonica, and shakers to give the songs their full sound. The songs are sad and heartfelt, mostly about love but also about spirituality, as can be heard in "Jesus" and "Todo Por EL." The simple production of "Apuntale a la Verdad" effectively provides clean instruments and vocals while maintaining a great raw quality. "Tu y Tu Gracia" opens up the album with some fantastic acoustic work and heartfelt lyrics, and puts Ulloa's broad vocal range on display. "A Bit More" is the only English language track on the album that features more great acoustic work and the memorable chorus, "All I want is your soul, your love, your time, and a bit more." Overall, Marco Ulloa has put together an impressive album penetrable to both Spanish and non-Spanish speakers due his soothing and heartfelt vocals and well-crafted acoustic arrangements. Fans of Spanish language acoustic songs with world and Latin elements should definitely check this one out.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Marco Ulloa 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Spinous with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Searching For You"

"Searching For You" is the impressive debut from UK multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Spinous. This album is filled with ten catchy and groovy pop songs that draw from rock, funk, and r&b. With the exception of some of the drum and bass work, Spinous composed and performed all of the arrangements on this release, showing his skill both in layering and arranging. Spinous gives a strong vocal performance that sounds somewhere between Sting, Seal, and Prince. The songs are catchy and melodic, with great toe-tapping beats and meaningful, memorable lyrics. Spinous also self-produced "Searching For You," and it sounds great, his full vision fulfilled. "All I Need Is Time" begins with a nice drumbeat and keyboard work, then builds to incorporate a groovy guitar line and moves into great lyrical verse. "All The Things" is an incredibly poppy song with an energetic drumbeat, refined keyboard progressions and solos, more great lyrics, and a catchy chorus. Overall, "Searching For You" is a great debut from Spinous, with great groovy tracks that'll simultaneously make you want to move and sing along. Fans of groovy pop with rock, r&b, and funk influences should check Spinous out.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Mythos with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Surround Sound Offensive"

One listen to Berlin electronica group Mythos' "Surround Sound Offensive" will change the way you listen to music forever. Mythos frontman Stephan Kaske has composed an incredible, artistic instrumental album that gives a new meaning to fullness of sound. Self-produced by Kaske in Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound, "Surround Sound Offensive" constantly has a variety of sounds going in different places at the same time that artfully come together as a compositional whole. These instrumentals, minimalistically labeled "S.S.O.-1" through "S.S.O.-11" are excellently crafted, well-layered, catchy, and unique. These songs are, by nature, best when listened to loudly on a surround sound system, and the album is meant to be listened to from beginning to end, as an artistic whole. "S.S.O.-2" has an '80s feel to it with a great beat and a full sound that brings lots of different sounds together. "S.S.O.-8" has a lot of spacey ambience going, more great beats, and excellent instrumental layering with well-timed fades and dueling instrumentation. "Surround Sound Offensive" is an electronica masterpiece filled with amazing, full instrumentation that fills the canvas with Kaske's artistic expression. Fans of electronica, and anyone with a surround sound system are going to want to pick this one up.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Rosalina Vega with a GrIndie Award for the CD "He Is Here"

"He Is Here" is a great praise & worship album from Panamanian gospel vocalist and songwriter Rosalina Vega. Vega delivers with an inspiring and heartfelt vocal performance and a great range that breeches the operatic, similar to the vocals of Dionne Warwick. On the majority of the tracks, Vega's vocal is solely accompanied by traditional, though skillful, piano arrangements crafted by pianist Michael Andrews. These simple arrangements bring the message of her words to the forefront which is, simply, praising God through song. "He Is Here" has four Vega originals and six traditional hymns and worship songs, and she sings each song beautifully, with immense inspiration and an open heart. The album is well recorded and creates a nice balance between the vocals, piano, and gospel message. "I Give My Heart" is a Vega original with nice piano work and inspiring, heartfelt lyrics about giving it all to Jesus. "Forever More" is a spiritual track with a soothing arrangement and hopeful lyrics about the afterlife. Her variations on traditional songs, including her operatic, multilingual rendition of "O Glorious Love" and her beautiful rendition of the standard hymn, "I Surrender All," are also noteworthy. "He Is Here" is a great album with an inspiring message, and should be looked into by anyone who enjoys praise & worship music and great female vocalists.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Rosalina Vega 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present STEHM with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Pointing North"

"Pointing North" is an excellent live rock & roll album from San Diego outfit STEHM. These guys are all about producing fun and upbeat rock & roll music. The songs are guitar-driven, full of outstanding solos, riffs, and progressions, and accompanied by great drum and bass work. The vocals are always energetic, though the entire band contributes to the vocal performance. That said, some vocals are gritty and sound like a combination of Rush and Blind Melon; others are sheer rock & roll and sound like Stevie Ray Vaughn and Mick Jagger. "Pointing North" is a live recording and has a raw, non-studio sound, which is perfect for a band like STEHM. "Sally the Girl Dog" has a catchy guitar riff and drum accompaniment, group vocals, and humorous lyrics that accurately describe the behavior of a dog. "Don't Tell Me Anything" pleases the ears with its superb guitar work, gritty vocals, and memorable lyrics. STEHM really represents what rock & roll is all about with its impressive guitar work and upbeat, fun songs. Fans of Stone Temple Pilots and fun rock & roll music are going to want to check out this CD.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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RadioIndy is pleased to present Francesco Buccheri with a GrIndie Award for the CD "The Call"

"The Call" is an inspiring instrumental new age EP from Italian musician Francesco Buccheri. These four songs are inspired by, and dedicated to, Buccheri's stay at the Monastery of Camaldoli, where his interactions with the monks came to influence his music and his life. The songs are religious, spiritual, and meditative, and the ambience and new age sound are great for introspection. "The Call" is well-produced, and the arrangements are clean and crisp at any volume. "Il sogno" is a peaceful track with waves of ambience, a laid-back beat, and melodic guitar. "Four Movements" is a less calming and more exciting, louder track with a lot of ambience created by epic guitar playing, the occasional cymbal crash, and rolling waves of drums in the background. With "The Call," Francesco Buccheri elaborates upon his religious experiences while keeping his music approachable by both the non-secular and secular world. Fans of inspired new age music are going to want to pick this one up.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Francesco Buccheri 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites