Sunday, October 11, 2009

RadioIndy is pleased to present Swingadelic with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Another Monday Night "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Swingadelic with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Another Monday Night "

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Peter One with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Alesso"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Peter One with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Alesso"

Weaving world rhythms and melodies over varied soundscapes that delight as much as they surprise, Peter One's debut CD, "Alesso," is a rare and potent mix of African folk, Afro-beat, and Reggae music styles. Hailing from the Ivory Coast, Peter One's relaxed and engaging voice imbue his nine original songs with a warmth that cannot be imitated, revealing in sing-along-worthy tunes the universality inherent in the African folk tradition. "Ono On My Mind" has a melody as immediate and lasting as they come, "Yamussokro" uses horns and banjo combination in a completely unique – but utterly African way, and "Hozana" bounces along on an insistent reggae beat. Elsewhere, the traditional "Jukru Lov'," with its orchestral textures, is anthem-like while the title track, "Alesso," a song exhorting native empowerment, resonates with deep conviction. Whether singing in his native language or French ("Ono On My Mind" is the only song in English), Peter One's CD has the gift of universal resonance, a quality that makes "Alesso" an excellent primer of original African folk music.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Cody & Bj Productions with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Extinct Is Forever "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Cody & Bj Productions with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Extinct Is Forever "

Entertaining and educational, "Extinct Is Forever," by the talented Cody & Bj Productions, is comprised of catchy lyrics and beats with pop style. What better way to teach young children about saving wildlife and rainforests than using the gift of music. Hear the sounds of the wild on "Enter the Rainforest/Song of the Rainforest" with the soft and gentle voice of poetry. There will be a smile and happy feeling when you hear "Beautiful Macaw" as it gently moves with tropical flair. Kids won't be able to keep from singing to "Let's Be Friends With The Animals" with its sing-along style and bouncy beats. Sincere and heartfelt lyrics shine on "Imagine" as the vocals gracefully flow over the tender melody. "Extinct Is Forever," is just the right album to promote awareness of the rainforests and saving wild animals to families/young children through these enlightening and charming songs.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Tom Cherry and Friends with a GrIndie Award for the CD "What You Talkin' About"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Tom Cherry and Friends with a GrIndie Award for the CD "What You Talkin' About"

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
Check out Tom Cherry and Friends's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Dave Plaehn with a GrIndie Award for the CD "CrazyMan "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Dave Plaehn with a GrIndie Award for the CD "CrazyMan "

Singer/songwriter Dave Plaehn releases his third CD, "CrazyMan," packed with adult contemporary compositions that are flavored with tones of bluesy roots and splashed with savory harmonica riffs. Plaehn reaches to his audience with outstanding vocals that are clean and crisp with smooth and soothing clarity. Catchy and bouncy, "What's This Love Thing?" lends an ear to what vocal harmony is all about. Listeners will enjoy how the vocals flow between lead and harmony with stunning style and ease. Soft touches of syncopated percussion on "Shugum Boom" season the clever lyrics and vocals with a tasty tonality. Moreover, "She's Got Kisses (Any Love I've Known)" highlights Plaehn's abilities to perform on the harmonica with bluesy attitude and refined technique. The musicianship displayed on this collection is top-notch, marked by tight and accentuated dynamics. Overall, "Crazy Man" offers some diversity in styles and is sure to please listeners of adult pop with hints of rhythm and blues.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Planetary Nights with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Elliptical Motion "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Planetary Nights with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Elliptical Motion "

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Heartscore with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Touch Me "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Heartscore with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Touch Me "

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
Check out Heartscore 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Saturday, October 10, 2009

RadioIndy is pleased to present Jerry Harris with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Mama Roots "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Jerry Harris with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Mama Roots "

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
Check out Jerry Harris 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Paul Estro with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Paul Estro "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Paul Estro with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Paul Estro "

Paul Estro's self-titled debut forges a new and delightful territory in the country gospel music scene. Estro's raw and witty lyricism, coupled with his intimate Southern backwoods-style vocal intonations, fuses to create a palatable and innovative collection unlike its contemporaries. Throughout the 8-song CD, Estro relies on twangy guitar and female Gospel chorus - not to mention the occasional power chord - to deliver songs that extol the virtues of his faith, while skewering the trappings of the modern church. Moreover, the musicianship of this work is exceptional in technique and caters well to the emotions each song intends to invoke. Highlights include the country shuffle, "The Church of McWill," a Guitar Town-era, Steve Earle-like rocker called "Welcome Home," and the catchy "Pastor Martin is Coming." Fans of country gospel marked by clever satire will find a humorous solace in this memorable debut.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Andrea Hopkins & Jonathan Katz with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Happy Talk"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Andrea Hopkins & Jonathan Katz with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Happy Talk"

Twirling Jonathan Katz's nimble and deft piano accompaniment around her finger like an alluring chanteuse, Andrea Hopkins explores Vocal Jazz styles in a voice as emotive as it is beguiling on their engaging and very fine CD, "Happy Talk." Tackling a collection of primarily Great American Songbook standards – from Hoagy Carmichaels' "The Nearness of You," to Harold Arlen's immortal "Over the Rainbow," to Ray Noble's "Cherokee," Hopkins & Katz neatly strike a balance between provocative interpretations and familiar readings, proving how much life is still left in these old warhorses. Nevertheless, covering such standards as these (as well as "Bye Bye Blackbird" or "Misty") can be a double-edged sword for performers, exposing - as it does, new renditions to the harsh glow of comparison (i.e., to the Sinatra's, Fitzgerald's, and Garlands et al whose voices defined the songbook.) To their credit, the duo handles the challenge with assurance and no lack of self- confidence. Hopkins' voice is equal parts sultry, evocative, and pitch perfect, while Katz' keys delve the melodic and harmonic possibilities of these classic tunes with intelligence and nuance, but always in a manner that allows Hopkins room to interpret. In sum, the combined talents and sheer musicality of Andrea Hopkins & Jonathan Katz make "Happy Talk" an endearing and completely satisfying CD.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Andrea Hopkins & Jonathan Katz 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Gabe Rosales with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Vital Nonsense "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Gabe Rosales with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Vital Nonsense "

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present K-Bass with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Too Much Negativity "

RadioIndy is pleased to present K-Bass with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Too Much Negativity "

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
Check out K-Bass 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present ETx with a GrIndie Award for the CD "The Long Way Home "

RadioIndy is pleased to present ETx with a GrIndie Award for the CD "The Long Way Home "

What do you get when you cross the genres of Gospel, blues, and rock? A delightful and warm spiritual album called "The Long Way Home," by the outstanding group ETx. Overflowing with heartfelt lyrics that are set to the tone of life's ups and downs, this group really brings it all together. You can feel the focused chemistry and dynamic balance between vocals and instruments. Thought-provoking lyrics on "Eternity" awakens the soul with uplifting and joyous emotions. Sweet rock guitar licks and classic organ tones complement the emotive lyrics on "Babylon." The laid-back and bluesy "I'm Sorry" and the upbeat rocking blues of "Thank You Jesus" will impress listeners with the versatility this group offers up. The overall mission of ETx is to spread inspirational words through the gift of music, and they have indeed accomplished this. Listeners will be inspired by Etx's "The Long Way Home," as it serves up enjoyable tunes in memorable style.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Mark Wayne Glasmire with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Life Goes On "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Mark Wayne Glasmire with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Life Goes On "

Mark Wayne Glasmire has such a smooth, polished, natural, and completely engaging, country tenor voice (not unlike James Taylor's), it's a wonder he's not a staple of Country or Adult Contemporary radio. A singer/songwriter who flashes a scalpel-like precision in his song craft (which also reflects his grounding in contemporary folk), his new CD, "Life Goes On," only furthers the storied – if largely unheralded, talents of this veteran performer. Utilizing a top-notch Nashville supporting ensemble, "Life Goes On" is filled with moving vignettes rich with utterly flawless flourishes of mandolin, fiddle, dobro-slide guitar, and Glasmire's own signature and virtuoso guitar playing. Songs like "Everything Is Gonna Be Alright," or "You Opened My Eyes," and lead track, "True Love Knows," resonate with heartfelt narratives and melodies that are both immediate and timeless. In fact, the 12-song CD is filled with songs that stand out as singular and noteworthy. And as he sings on the CD's title track "Life Goes On," "we should've seen it coming…" so too should music fans see the day when Mark Wayne Glasmire's name ranks with contemporaries like James Taylor, Vince Gill, and Rodney Crowell as substantive American artists.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Fred Nash with a GrIndie Award for the CD "TryingTo Find My Way "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Fred Nash with a GrIndie Award for the CD "TryingTo Find My Way "

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
Check out Fred Nash 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Pedro el Poeta with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Pick Your Poison... Hip-Hop "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Pedro el Poeta with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Pick Your Poison... Hip-Hop "

No stranger to the music scene, the talented Hip-Hop/Rap artist Pedro el Poeta sets in motion a compilation of beats and grooves with his latest release, titled "Pick Your Poison… Hip-Hop." Poeta's spoken words are poetically infused with colorful instrumentation blends which give a cohesive and consistent sound. His voice is strong and rich and he reveals his abilities as an easy flowing rhymer. The language voiced throughout this collection is both English and Spanish, as listeners will hear on "El Problema." Smooth and silky word play is heard on "What Better Time (feat. Manny)" with soft drums beats and synth sounds. Mysterious tones swirls around the harmonious poetry with style and ease on "Unheard" and "Para Mis Padres." "Pick Your Poison… Hip-Hop" by Pedro el Poeta is Hip-Hop/Rap with artistic poetry that pulses with upbeat energy and demonstrates the talents this performer has to offer.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Tubie Pushe'e with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Blue With Envy "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Tubie Pushe'e with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Blue With Envy "

Tubie Pushe'e and his outstanding third release, "Blue With Envy," shines brightly with original and creative Texas-style blues. The first track, "Gimme Back My Car," leads off the disc with a flurry of good ol' blues. The vocals belt out the trials of love gone wrong, while the harmonica blows harmonious riffs and the walking bass line moves the steady and solid beat. Generous helpings of organ hooks and edgy guitar riffs heat up the bluesy tones of "Me and My Woman" which gives this song a deep, country roots feel. A bit of down home country flavor highlights the vocals while the piano complements the sweet guitar solo on "Home." "Skubie's Do 2" is a lush and lyrical guitar solo which is not only blues expression at its best but shows the great talent offered up on this disc. Pushe'e not only displays his love of the blues with engaging style but he also offers some diversity with tempo changes throughout the album. You can't go wrong listening to the well-fashioned songs of "Blue With Envy" by Tubie Pushe'e, as it is packed with terrific vocals, lyrics, and a solid support of instruments.

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

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

RadioIndy is pleased to present Stephen W. Duncan with a GrIndie Award for the CD "The Full Moons "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Stephen W. Duncan with a GrIndie Award for the CD "The Full Moons "

Stephen W. Duncan has ingeniously and eloquently mirrored the episodic events of the moon with his expressive and appropriately named album, "The Full Moons." Duncan has created an atmosphere of beautifully orchestrated compositions using various types of instrumentation with tones of classical and New Age finesse. Stunning and powerful, "Snow Moon," casts out a luscious melody highlighted by dazzling dynamics as the strings swell only to gently recede ever so softly. A bright and crisp piano cascades across the keys on "Flower Moon" while the Eastern tonality of various instruments gives way to a charming melody. Upbeat and lively, "Harvest Moon" impresses with country style with the banjo plucking away, while the percussion taps to a steady beat. The motif of Stephen W. Duncan's "The Full Moons" holds thought-provoking melodies with wonderful instrumentation of classical/New Age flair and would be a great addition to anyone who likes to hear and feel the sounds of tranquility.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Kid Goat with a GrIndie Award for the CD "These People Aren't You "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Kid Goat with a GrIndie Award for the CD "These People Aren't You "

Tom Petty once proudly sang about the southern accent where he came from. Well, despite Kid Goat's eastern (DC & PA) origins, that accent imbues everything about Kid Goat's excellent "These People Aren't You" CD, an exploration of roots and alternative country-leaning rock that adds up to Americana at its finest. With Matt Aquiline and Belen Pifel trading off lead singing duties, Kid Goat strikes a nifty balance over 13 guitar-driven songs that alternately rock, swing, and sway. A jangle guitar underpins the hook-filled opener, "Must Be Blind," as the duo harmonize in the best southern tradition, while on "From You," Pifel's delicate country-tinged voice, which is reminiscent of Tift Merritt's, is the perfect vehicle for an memorable, pretty tune. Elsewhere, Aquiline's voice calls to mind the breakthrough BoDeans debut LP, with songs like "Pennsylvania" and "Working World" capturing the rawness at the heart of great rock 'n' roll. All told, "These People Aren't You" is a solid debut CD for Kid Goat; one that knocks down borders in the service of terrific Americana rock.

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

Monday, October 5, 2009

RadioIndy is pleased to present Marc James with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Maximum Action "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Marc James with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Maximum Action "

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
Check out Marc James 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present the archimedian pOiNt with a GrIndie Award for the CD "genre specific"

RadioIndy is pleased to present the archimedian pOiNt with a GrIndie Award for the CD "genre specific"

"genre specific" is a most curious title for the debut 6-song CD by, the archimedian pOiNt, because within its rocking but accessible grooves are the kind of stylistic shifts that render such labels as metal, progressive rock, thrash, or post grunge simply inadequate. Yes, "genre specific" can boast tasteful and well-executed excursions into these more or less identifiable genres, but such exclamations are carried only in service of the song, and never as superfluous window dressing. Promoting an agenda of social consciousness and global awareness, songs like "Overdrive" & "Relic" rock with fierce - and classic hard rock (think Rush, Fugazzi, System of a Down) intensity, while the mix of acoustic guitar with sampled George W. Bush speechifyin' in "Hubris" recalls nothing less than G'n'R-like grandeur. But in the languid lead vocal of "Nemesis Domesticus" an echo of Kurt Cobain gives way to the sonic charge of thundering guitar riffs that Led Zeppelin began perfecting four decades ago. All in all, the CD "genre specific" by, the archimedian pOiNt, is a very promising blast of rock bravado from an undersized behemoth (it's a 2-man group) with hard rocking roots.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Refracture with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Left For Dead Ep "

 

RadioIndy is pleased to present Refracture with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Left For Dead Ep "

House music is a mystifyingly multitude of Electronica / Dance music with numerous degrees of specialization and nuances. Beats Per Minute (BPM), textural definition and use / non-use of vocals are but a few of the defining characteristics that divide such subgenres of House as Dirty House, French House, and Electro House. Refracture's 3-song CD EP, "Left for Dead," blends elements of different subgenres - most notably Electro House - meaning, the music has the requisite BPM's, is anchored by propulsive bass lines, and features the sonic balance / blend associated with the House styles. All 3 tracks are catchy, infectious, and danceable as all get-out (i.e., very danceable indeed!). The title track, "Left for Dead" kicks things off with a slow-build synth swirl that hesitates before exploding into an irresistible groove punctuated by sonic squeaks and squalls that drop out of nowhere, keeping the mix continuously fresh. "Space Riot" and "Energy Flow" are both more immediate and insistent, but no less engaging, and each makes a case for being the best of the 3 mixes on the CD. If you're a House music connoisseur you will make up your own mind about the House attributes and qualifications of Refracture's "Left for Dead" EP, but if you're an Electronica music fan I think you'll find this CD delivers where it counts: on the dance floor.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Tomas Michaud with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Beauty and Fire "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Tomas Michaud with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Beauty and Fire "

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
Check out Tomas Michaud 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Emilio Palame Band with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Be Who You Are "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Emilio Palame Band with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Be Who You Are "

Urbane and sophisticated, Emilio Palame Band's "Be Who You Are" CD is a smart collection of contemporary R&B trading funk grooves with interludes of traditional jazz piano spread over 23 tracks of pure musicality. Boasting influences that range from the lyricism of Billy Strayhorn to the dynamism of Earth, Wind & Fire; "Be Who You Are" is a throwback to an era when musical prowess trumped the constraints of genres and target audiences. On "Runaway" the Palame band invokes a subtle Latin vibe that recalls Chicago (the group), while the brilliant pianism on "Emily's Dancing Eyes" is but a backdrop to an R&B workout showcasing the bands elastic and nuanced dexterity. Where "Piano Prelude to We Are Love" finds pianist Palame beautifully exploring the richness of Bill Evans-like jazz piano, the electric keys of the full-band version of "We Are Love" swing it in a Stevie Wonder-like direction that smoothly melds the background chorus in grand harmonic convergence. The charged and dynamic "New Day" gives this amazing band a chance to flex its considerable muscle revealing, if nothing else, how the 1-2 punch of great charts in the hands of polished musicians can unlock the oft-hidden depths a song contains. But whether it's straight-up funk, '70's-grounded R&B, or the classically melodic jazz at the heart of Emilio Palame's artistry, "Be Who You Are" is a CD that succeeds because it pays tribute to its influences by invigorating the artistry that fueled them.

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

RadioIndy is pleased to present Flora Ware with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Insight "

RadioIndy is pleased to present Flora Ware with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Insight "

Highly talented in the arts, singer/songwriter Flora Ware reaches well beyond the roots of jazz with her smooth vocal style on her latest album "Insight." Ware's voice is impressive with pure and polished clarity, yet there is a wonderful silky and sultry taste to it. She projects her voice with clean articulation only to be complemented by the dynamic and well-balanced instruments. Molded for a night club scene with a soft and subtle atmosphere, "You Don't Know What Love Is" is sweet and has sophisticated elegance. Feel the relaxed orchestrated production on "I've Never Been In Love Before" as the horns dance around Ware's graceful vocals and stunning lyrics. Flora Ware's "Insight" is an album that has the versatility to mix jazz with R&B and pop with progressive, modern touches. This treasure of exquisite jazz songs will have listeners wanting more of this gifted artist, and is an album well worth listening to.

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