Daniel Eboli - Sapiens Ludens

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Out of the two Daniel Eboli tracks I have so far reviewed, I've liked what I've heard. Not that much of a surprise when you see that Daniel Eboli is from Brazil and classed as a World musician, as I am known to be partial to this genre. A genre I am absolutely NOT partial to is New Age and even then Daniel managed to slip one of those by me too, and with no bruising. Says something then about the quality of this musicians work that he can work in an area I despise and still manage to come up with something I can't pick fault with. Doncha just hate it when that happens? Or when someone says - over to Daniel again - 'made in 30 minutes. It just popped out of my fingers'

Ooops, like my finger just popped in your eye? Grrr.

There again, once you get down to the music Daniel comes out with, it's the quality (in all ways) that counts, and wins people over - or at least that's the way I see it. OK, let me get this out of the way. I hate plinky, tinkly things in general and the many tools to tinkle with electronically in particular. One of the banes of my life over the past few years has been the bloody awful sound committed by things called 'pluckers' - yep, FL I'm looking at you - which IMHO should be something else that has 'uck' in it. Even here though, the despair is enormous because the line that Daniel comes out with is soooo pretty you just can't shout at it. Believe me, I tried.

Considering he made this in 30 minutes, the man did good and is a representation of just how good he can be when he's really trying. Mind you, having said that, there is nothing whatsoever wrong with Sapiens Whatsname and much that is just plain gorgeous. About the worst thing I can come up with is that it has more than a whiff of New Age about it but - like Spazio (August 2009) - the quality of the music and melodies gets it over that hurdle. Mind you, I hope this is not going to become an everyday occurrence. All those plinky things make me well twitchy, and that's not good. Not good at all.

Excellent World/New Age (even if dashed off in a moment). Recommended.

Pilesar - Simplexity

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There is strange, there is peculiar, there is clinically insane and then there is the state of Pilesar, a strange aural experience that somehow widens your horizons while messing with the gimbals and widgets of your brain. Even so, I KNOW he is the strangest musician on the planet but to give him a Parental Advisory?? In all the time I have been reviewing Pilesar, I have never known him to be anything other than wholesome and family-friendly - even if that family happens to be weirder than the Adams family. So, having perused the lyrics from ass to elbow, I can confirm that no one seems to have taught Pilesar any naughty words, so what gives?

I try not to use that many quotes in my reviews (I consider it lazy), I couldn't resist this one. Here is how Pilesar describes making this track: 'Some friends came over and asked me to show them how I made my songs. They sat on the couch and over the next hour watched me compose and record this piece on the spot. The only gear I used was a Yamaha keyboard, a few effects pedals, a hand held tape player and a microphone' The really funny thing is that it actually sounds like that AND a piece of work that took thought and patience to put together. Long time fans of Pilesar will understand immediately that he really does pull this stuff right out the air. Where other experimentalists twist themselves in knots trying to come with something different, Pilesar pumps it out in industrial quantities.

Of course, it wouldn't be that good if Pilesar didn't know exactly what he was up to and IMHO, the best Pilesar of all is the Pilesar embodied on this track. If there is one artist I would dearly love to see live it would be Pilesar. Not just because of his incredible dexterity with anything he can lay his hands on (for example, the sander on Simplexity that finishes the track by polishing your ear canals), but because when he is freestyling like this there isn't anyone to touch him. Remember this when you are listening to this track and wondering whether I have lost my mind. I'd like to see you do this, live and on the spot...

Quality weird. Highly Recommended Experimental.

Bikini Black Special - The Grim Mathematics Of Intercourse CD

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Last request from the blog this month is someone we have encountered before, although in a remix stylee. Electric Eye (Big Weenie Blag Spatial Mix) (September 2009) was a remix from our old friend Big Wheel and - as is usual with me and remixes - I had to catch an earful of the original track and I'm real glad I did because it introduced a very capable band to me. I recommended both tracks, the remix and the original, and that doesn't happen that often. Consequently, one of the band contacted me and asked if I would cast my ears on their new CD thingie. 'Engineered and produced at We Have Your Monkey by Paddy Green and Jonti Peters' it says and this is a terrific sound regardless of what you might think about the material.

Speaking of which, my best guess is a (kinda/sorta) English B-52's but much, much smoother - and I know the band are going to hate that description. Certainly Schrodinger's Bomb (track 1) gives that impression, although Great Apes (track 2 and wonderful) turns that right on its head and the same could be said for the rest of the tracks. This is a very diverse band, they stretch themselves extremely well, while keeping a definable sound. By the time you are onto tracks 3-4 it's obvious that not only are Bikini Black Special pretty keen musically, they have a smart way with a lyric and/or arrangement; both Black Hat and Nagasaki are intelligent, complex and incredibly detailed songs and show that there is more than a distinctive sound happening here.

Having lived with this eleven track CD for almost a week or so, it's actually taken me that long to finally start hearing the tracks properly, ie without that initial impression getting in the way. In that time I have become quite enamoured with the whole BBS style and - I shamefully admit - such wasn't the case with the B-52's let me tell you. Simply going by the track I heard with Big Wheel, I would never have guessed that the band were as advanced (in style and content) as they undoubtedly are. I'd contend that The Grim Mathematics Of Intercourse is a serious work, and probably should be approached that way; not something you can nosh on during your lunchtime. If you ARE pushed for time have a quick listen to Great Apes, Nagasaki (love the acoustic version) or El Tango Del Hombre, that will give you the whole story. Intelligent, wide ranging compilation that deserves to be heard much, much more widely.

Highly Recommended multi-genre band and CD.

Michael Hughes - Elegy

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As you know, I'm a bit of a veteran of the internet's unsigned music community and - as such - I've met a lot of people in the years I have wasted (oops, sorry) SPENT doing this, so here's a test. How many artists can you name that are conceivably well known? Well, as far as internet based fame goes. None? You obviously haven't been around long enough for names like Maria Daines, Evan Paul, Lex Zaleta to ring the requisite bells, and should rectify this immediately. A couple of other names to throw in that pot while we are at it would be both Michael Hughes and Michael Silvestri and for similar reasons. I have been aware of both of these artists in their own right for a great many years.

Anyway, Elegy is written by Michael Hughes and dedicated to Michael Silvestri and is, no surprise here, an acoustic track. It comes as no surprise because when I reviewed Michael's Cold Rain Water (November 2008) one of the things I raved most about was his choice of both material and instrumentation. On the face of it, Elegy looks every bit as good, featuring High-string parlor guitar (Ed: Wahdat?), baritone guitar, mandolin, octave mandolin and lap steel guitar. Now, that is what I call acoustic, It sounds as good as it looks too, especially if you like this particular instrument line up - and I do.

Michael Silvestri (1953-2009) passed away in February of this year and - if you are a fan of traditional/classical acoustic guitar - is a great loss. Following in the grand tradition set by musicians such as Segovia, Bream, Pena et al, Michael Silvestri was a consummate musician and an absolute joy to listen to after the endless hours of other forms of music. While this is not always my favourite musical watering hole, it is musicians like both Michael's that keep me coming back for more. Elegy is a most fitting tribute IMHO and the baritone guitar sounds absolutely wonderful, it's very tone bringing tears to these cynical eyes and joy to my even more jaded ears.

MUST HAVE acoustic tribute to a great musician.

Wreckless Music (Ejay) - I Cry

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I would imagine that one of the worst things about being a rapper is finding decent music to test your raps against. I know I've heard some real stinkers (and I'm not talking about the rappers here, just the music) and - for my money - there are very few unsigned rappers who haven't come a cropper once or twice over this thorny problem. When I reviewed his first track submitted to me - Gemini (September 2007) - I was deathly afraid that we were not going to see eye to eye on this particular issue. Since then, however, Wreckless Music has upped his game considerably and Old Times (October 2008) ended up as one of my Tracks Of The Year 2008 so he's obviously doing something right. Moreover, unlike a great many unsigned rappers, I don't breathe a weary sigh when I see one of his tracks on my review list.

Always a good start.

Teaming up this time with Jinn Thao (aka JT Instrumentals) who seems to be doing quite well in terms of fans and listener stations but is a new name to me. Considering that Jinn cheerfully admits that he makes his tracks 'on the cheap' it still manages to sound surprisingly good although, for my money, I could have done with a tad more definition on the kick drum considering that its front and centre for much of the time. Jinn Thao's music is, by his own admission, piano driven and that's a difficult act. Simplicity, as always, is the key and this is one thing that Jinn does extremely well; this is one of the sparsest hip hop tracks I have ever heard.

Doesn't stop it working though, and working a treat too. Now, you have to realise that I don't really like the softer side of the hip hop world with all it's incredible 'twee-ness'. Such a charge could never be leveled at Wreckless Music, it's the quality of his lyrics and his delivery that mark him out from the usual wannabees. Mind you, he's still deep in lurve and that's never a pleasant experience (at least not in song) but even so, his lyrics are better than most girl-boy scenarios. Now I admit that I am biased and that normally I would run away from a track like this but I do understand there are lots of people who like this style, and this IS a class example of it at least.

Recommended soft hip hop.

National Snack - My Head Hurts

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Although I don't do that many full album reviews, I do get asked to do the odd one or two. You may remember that, a while ago, I reviewed an EP (albeit with six tracks) called Apply Machine for fellow Londoner's National Snack. It received a Must Have rating from me because a) the music was really good and b) it was most decidedly a different sound. Although there are a great many really good musicians amongst the unsigned community - and even some great ones - a lot of musicians tend to stick to the tried and tested, with rock and hip hop being the most favoured markets. There are, I contend, very, very few musicians are are different enough to stand out - National Snack are different enough.

They are a three piece (comprising Gemma Storr and Joe Carlo (guitarist and bassist) and drummer Phil Casey) and the sound they make is - to put it mildly - somewhat punky in tone. However, each of the tracks from Apply Machine is rendered at a full 320kbps which should tell you that whatever they sound like, this band is about a certain kind of fidelity. My Head Hurts then, is the free single download from the EP which you can get by clicking the link above or even here. You'll have to sign up to the bands mailing list to get your free copy but hey, you should be doing that anyway. One of the standout tracks of Apply Machine was My Head Hurts so if the EP is beyond you, try the single.

Musically, as I said in my initial review, this may sound rough and ready but take a REAL good listen to it and it becomes obvious that despite it's just over a minute of life, a lot of thought and innovation went into this track. There is a strain of UK based music that is both hard and good-timey and National Snack plug into that scene like gangbusters, The traditional take on English rock as personified by (say) Ian Dury, Tenpole Tudor and even The Clash at their most raucous is where National Snack have set up base camp, so if that sounds like the kind of thing that might tickle your ear canals, go get a listen.

Short, sharp and to the point. Class high energy UK pop rock, Highly Recommended.

Amorphix - Wreathed in Shadows of Light and Ash

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This has been a good month for welcoming back some once familiar faces, earlier this month Freqen-Cee and now Amorphix returns from some desolate hinterland to display his wares for the unwary. 2006 was dotted with tracks from this very dark Electronica artist and very smart (if well scary) they were too. He's back and assuring us that nothing has changed because 'This one is a real pitch black, dark ambient soundscape and perhaps the darkest and most minimal so far completed' Oh goodie, lets hand out the colostomy bags and blindfolds (because I really, really don't want to see it). Now if you think I am showing more of my Milky Way sized yellow streak a tad more than normal, you'd be right.

When I say 'very dark' in relation to this artist, I do mean exactly that. In many ways the effect Amorphix's music had on me at the time was akin to tracks from The Dead Company - the same brooding menace. First off, let me say it would be best to be horizontal for this track - yep, it's one of those. Even though Ambient has never been a musical favourite of mine, I've always found Amorphix's particular take on the genre to work its magic on me and I see no reason - having listened to Wreathed In etc - why my initial impression of his work is in any way faulty.

Sure, its all a bit floaty, and at just over nine minutes long is going to be a stretch for all but the most intrepid of Ambient heads. While it didn't really fit in so much on my daily round (too much else going on) when I had a quiet moment for (ahem) 'refreshment' and a quick lie-down this was the track that induced the fastest response. Not because it was infinitely boring (as is most ambient IMHO) but because it provided such vivid and realistic visions along with the music. Much more cosmic in nature and sound, I think, than the bulk of this musicians work but just as good.

Class Ambient. Highly Recommended.

The Modems - The Evidence

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Far and away the best thing I have found this year, the UK's Modems have rung bells consistently ever since they first appeared on Soundclick. Put it like this, I have reviewed three Modems tracks, and each of them has a Must Have rating. So, up there with the likes of Azoora, Can't Stop The Daggers et al? Absolutely, and not just because of my own enormous bias towards this kind of UK pop. In the space of those three tracks the Modems proved - beyond all shadow of a doubt - that they not only knew what they were doing, they had some enormous talent to do it with. If you asked me yesterday if I thought the band could top The Devils Lodge (October 2009) I'd have said an emphatic no - and I would have been dead wrong. The Evidence is the Modem's finest moment yet, and it happens to be a track from 2008 (presumably just uploaded).

I freely admit that I have a very soft spot for quality indie music, the kind that marries sound, song and performance into a track that moves and touches and both the bands I mentioned in the first paragraph as famed because of that. The Evidence suggests strongly that those two bands have some very, very nifty competition. I can see you thinking that this is just me floating in a sea of hyperbole as normal but I challenge you to prove me wrong. First off, The Evidence is an impeccable slice of Alternative pop in the finest tradition. It has a decidedly Scots sound about it, and not just because the lead vocal has no problem singing with a brogue. Reminds me some of Jack Bruce, and that's no bad thing.

As if six minutes and change were not enough to convince you that The Modems have an extremely bright future, take a look at the video on the bands Soundclick page. It's obvious that The Modems spent huge amounts of time putting the music together because its damn near faultless, but the video expands that vision to a remarkable degree and is - I suggest - something to do while you are downloading this track. It's well worth while because it's a six minutes plus cartoon which looks tailor made for this track and is something I'd be raving about, had I seen it first. You will need the distraction because you will download the track, its one of those tracks you just can't miss. Right up there with the big boys...

MUST HAVE Alternative Pop. MUST SEE video too.

Silvertrain - Falling Apart

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Well, well well, things continue to look up in the Silvertrain camp, despite any shadows the title of this track might be throwing. Actually you also need to ignore the fact that this is John Brandon yet again up to his tricks. He states, quite brazenly I might add, that Falling Apart is 'me and a guitar that's all', and if that doesn't remind you of the time when it seemed ALL Silvertrain tracks consisted of this where have you been? Except you, I know you went to the toilet. Now, where was I? Ah yes... Not that I have anything whatsoever against John's guitar playing, singing or songwriting but I do prefer it when he and Ritchie and/or anyone else can be roped in to lend a hand. The problem is that John's songs are actually quite hard to grasp in this format but - unfailingly - work like bejeezus when you apply a bit of poke to the track.

Funny thing that, but true.

So what exactly has 'me and a guitar that's all' come up with this time? There's no doubt about it as the years roll on, the quality of his songs improve, as does his ability to render them accurately. There's no doubt his focus is describing the song rather any flashy footwork (Ed: flashy fretwork surely?). Consequently, if some geezer sitting in a corner strumming some pretty chords and whispering sweet nothings in your ear doesn't float your musical boats, best bail out now. Personally I like John's songwriting style, and indeed his measured, sure guitar accompaniments but I know it won't be to everyone's taste. Until, that is, it receives the official Silvertrain touch and then anything is possible. I know, I've seen it a time or two...

First thing that struck me was the depth of John's vocal these days; a very warm, liquid sound just touched the the teeniest reverb. Just right. If I had to get all tight assed about one thing it would be that the guitar doesn't really come across as well as it should, it's a bit bass heavy IMHO. Still, be charitable, this is one of John's more notable 'song demos' and one that I would heartily recommend for the aforementioned Silvertrain touch. Then stand back and be careful not to singe your eyebrows...

Bare bones acoustic song. Recommended.

Cinnabar - Lost and Found II

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You would have think, after all this time, even the village dog would have a really good idea of what makes the Gilmore day go smoother. One thing that doesn't make my day do anything but plummet vertiginously into a gloom the size of a continent is a sentence that starts 'modeled after Genesis'. Moreover, what would really have me hammering planks of wood over the doors and windows is to know that said 'modeled after Genesis' was true to the word. I have a mere snippet of the whole track apparently, the original is over twenty minutes long. My mere snippet weighs in at a truly gut-busting almost ten minutes long. Now considering that Cinnabar has fared extremely well by me, even grabbing a couple of Must Have's along the way, I have to ask....why me???

Yeah, yeah, I know. I ask for it.

As I say, over the space of around three tracks, I have found Cinnabar much to my liking which is why I went against all my fears for my sanity and with great trepidation started wading through this track. At least I knew I had a very good chance of being entertained at least, even if the style doesn't suit me. If you have ever heard the work of Nad Sylvan and Bonamici (collectively known as Unifaun) then Lost and Found is right up your alley because it does indeed follow in some hallowed footsteps. Musically this is everything I have come to expect from these excellent musicians (also a duo incidentally); quality music and production regardless of your own personal preference. Back in the day I much preferred the version supplied by Yes than by Genesis and this track sounds like a blend of the two thus, to my ears at least, eminently more listenable.

Structurally this is pure unadulterated prog-rock complete with sweet sounds, flashes of ambience and shows that Gary Judge and Matt Tyson (aka Cinnabar) know their genre extremely well. Well enough to stretch it far enough to even encompass a well known prog philistine like a certain reviewer we know. Now that takes some skill, and believe me I'm unusually critical of prog-rock and alert for any sniff of ego stroking. What seems to have changed in the prog-rock world (at least the online one anyway) is too be making pieces of music that make perfect sense - even for a whole ten minutes. If Lost and Found were my track, I'd be feeling a hell of a warm glow from it and probably wouldn't give a toss what anybody else thought.

Perfect prog-rock. (Ed: OMG!! OMG!!! They killed Gilmore!!!) MUST HAVE.

Bilbozo Ft Devodale - Magic

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Are you aware that Mix Radio is now broadcasting a show every night? My problem is finding the time to spend there but whenever I am in the house working away during that time you can bet Mix Radio is on in the background. Aaahhh, I can hear the howls of rage from here and it pleases me. Oh perfidious Gilmore, where is your damn loyalty? Welp, Soundclick doesn't have an actual radio station per se, does it? Let alone LIVE DJ shows such as Mix Radio features. The reason I am banging on this particular drum is that one of the collaborators on this track is also a Mix DJ (hint: it isn't Bill). Bill Smith (aka Bilbozo) is a guitarist, and this being Mixposure that is hardly a surprise, it being an unashamed plank spanker site. Think then how Bilbozo feels knowing that he (or any other guitarist for that matter) faces competition every which way. A bit like being a hip hop musician on Soundclick I guess; only the very best really stand out.

As it happens, and because of my continued exposure to Mix, I have developed a nice little taste for a lot of the guitarists over there; Bilbozo being just one of them. I heard a track on last Saturday's Mike-K show featuring Bil and Buddrumming and absolutely loved it, nodding like some car back seat animal - and I don't often do that. Too old, ya see. Scared my ******* head will fall off. Anywayyyy, Bil gets guitars, bass, arrangement and production honours on Magic, Devodale supplied keyboards and drums and someone called of Songboy3 coming in with lyrics and vocals. First off, I think all three spirits involved need to receive a well deserved pat on the back for the effort put into this track; great in every single way - and nowhere more so than vocally.

Whoever Songboy3 is, he has a very serious set of pipes on him...

Magic turns out to be a nice blend of electronica and rock with vocals that are somewhat reminiscent of one Jon Anderson of Yes. Certainly as far as performance and material this is indeed a slice of magic, but whoever pixie-dusted this bad boy off they missed a spot. Getting the vocals in the mix in the right place sometimes doesn't quite work, especially where the vocal doubles up; either that or the mix doesn't quite cut right in those spots. An atom sized quibble though, when combined with the musical muscle and drive this track has in its favour. Worth listening to for the vocals alone but by God Bil can reduce a grown guitar to matchsticks and Devodale is someone I need to look into in his own right.

Excellent blend of rock and electronica. Highly Recommended.

Ron Gragg - Unrelenting Strength (New Version)

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And no, I didn't get to hear the first version, so don't go there. I've reviewed around seven of this Christian Rock musicians tracks and - give or take - liked much of which I heard. I have to admit that it's his more overtly Christian tracks I have liked most but Ron is a very decent guitarist and songwriter whatever you may think of the genres he chooses to work in. On the surface of it, Unrelenting Strength (in whatever version) has Biblical allusions - where do you go in times of trouble type of thing - but as I say that has never put me off any Christian artist and indeed has been a goad to finding the best of them.

Like a lot of home musicians, Ron does the best with what he's got and the result isn't too bad, although most of his work has that inevitable home produced ring. Unrelenting Strength is a song, something which Ron has a taste and aptitude for, even though I have yet to hear something from this musician that truly inspires me. Still, the one thing I have learned is that you never can tell where the next surprise is going to come from and Ron certainly knows enough to be able to up his game soon...

Like a lot of Europeans, I find a lot of American music mawkish and sentimental; especially about lurve. This is exemplified most (and one of the reasons most people shun it) in the Christian Rock category but could well apply to a large amount of American solo projects. I lived in the US, I married an American and I understand that - however it may look to outsiders - they really mean what they say. Fortunately. Ron has only skirted that particular swamp a time or two but not on Unrelenting Strength. Its an acoustic song, performed with Ron's usual skill and while not likely to set the world on fire, nothing to be ashamed of either. Except for the odd mix, this is a very pleasant acoustic listen indeed.

Linwood Riley - Brainiac Theme

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Little did we know back in the days of LeO IcON9 ByTE19 (that's a bandname btw) that we were looking at a veritable hit factory wherein ALL the members have subsequently branched out with considerable solo projects - the most prominent member currently being the much applauded Rascal Theorist. The Muse Machine (which LeO IcON9 etc eventually became) aren't exactly prolific though, I've only reviewed a couple of tracks of theirs. Speaking of which this is the second Linwood Riley track I have reviewed, the earlier one being Gotham Raid/Who Is The Brain? (June 2009). Mmmmm, wait a minute. Gotham? The Brain? and now the Brainiac Theme? I smell a DC fan in the building and I'm not talking about Washington. If you think I've suddenly taken to spouting rubbish (Ed: they always thought that, people only come to laugh at your attempts at English) ALLOW me to explain.... Harumphhh DC Comics is what I'm talking about chums. Home of all things Gotham. Comics! The stuff of boyhood and wild dreams.

Obviously made a BIG impression on Linwood because he's still there :P

Seriously, ALL of the fourteen tracks on his Soundclick page have a DC comics theme to them, but I guess thats not much of a surprise seeing as Linwood cavorts in the Instrumentals: Film Music category. I can tell by that sudden intake of breath that you know what's coming next. Well, as it happens, you forget the earlier reference to everything that comes from this talented group of individuals. Linwood isn't going to do your standard film music you and I have become innured to. For a start, Linwood, like all his bandmates is a consummate sound professional - whatever he makes is gonna sound great. Then it's just a question of deciding whether you like it or not. Ahhh, but there is an added ingredient and you can see it by clicking here.

See ya in a few...

While they are finding out that Linwood has a very ambitious project in the works, which looks utterly amazing which is why I put the link there, Let's delve into the aural underworld of Brainiac, courtesy of the man. Whatever else it is, it's a dark and lonely spot, heavy with menace and foreboding - all very DC so far then. As I say, one of the prime elements of this track is the setup and production, bringing an awesome build that just goes on and on until you want to run out in the street and scream at your neighbours. It finally lets you go, like an aurally drowned puppy, three and a half minutes later with a palpable sense of relief and well-being. Now that is what I call film music, who needs the pretty pictures, this is enough to scare the beejeebers out of most listeners. Can't wait for the project to go live... and yes, I'm a comic buff too. There, I admitted it.

Brilliantly wrought, edge-of-your-seat terror. Highly Recommended Soundtrack.

Pidgeman - Solitude

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It was OK keeping track of things at the beginning, I used to only review on one site, now I'm reviewing through damn near thousands and - as usual - having trouble keeping it all straight. I try and stick as close as I can to the Soundclick list in principle but there is always something else elbowing its way in. Victim of this snafu this month is my old friend Pidgeman, and for that I offer big time apologies, and get right on the case. Pidgeman is actually an artist I look forward to reviewing; he's a rock animal through and through who knows that the key to it all is the song - and he's written his share of good ones.

I've actually reviewed the companion piece to this track, surprisingly enough called Alone (June 2009) but don't run away with the impression that Pidgeman is one of these morose sorts. Far from it, nearly all of this musicians tracks have a lightness of being for all of its rock content. Funnily enough Alone was the first instrumental this musician had ever given me, and this is the second. Where Alone was mainly a rock instrumental (and a ballad to boot), Solitude is an out-and-out acoustic rock instrumental, and yes almost a ballad.

As we all know, instrumentals are a dime a dozen around here, so why should this one be any different. The key word here, my disbelieving friends, is taste, and lots of it. As well as having a truly beautiful sound (not an easy thing with acoustic instruments and percussion) the guitar leads - there are two: acoustic and electric - are exactly right. The pace and phrasing is as impressive as the sound and I can see this one doing extra well over at Mixposure - the radio friendliness of this track is awesome. Now, I don't particularly like either ballads or instrumentals but I certainly make an exception for this solitary beauty.

Excellent acoustic guitar instrumental. Highly Recommended and a MUST HAVE for Pidge fans

Mike-K - Rain Dance feat RwK

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There is a saying that people come to resemble their pets, and if you know Mike Kohlgraf (aka Mike-K), you'll know that he has a dog. This is not just any dog mind, this is a dog who believes its his right to demand to Mike take him for tinkles right in the middle of his Saturday Night Rocks radio show. Not once, but lots of times. Unless, of course, Mike is out there for a crafty smoke. Anyway, to get back to the point. Seen the pic of his dog? He's the one with the intelligent look in his eyes, the one who is sticking his tongue out at you on many of Mike's tracks. Now, study the pics of Mike and his dog and whammo, it's like a stereo picture...

Come on, I got to start with something....

Mike has worked with some truly stunning musicians over the years, pretty much a roll call of the major figures of this scene over the last four or so years anyway. A great deal more, I might add, once the fame of Mike's radio show spread. Reaping the rewards now, Mike gets to work with one of my favourite guitarists of the moment; Rick Kresiak. If you've ever been around Mixposure for any time at all you will have heard Rick's work by the bucketload, all of it rocking as only this guy can rock. From the getgo, Rick's sound and style grabbed my attention and I'm VERY particular about plank spankers, being a founder member and leading light in the religeon of Jimi (wherein Eric Clapton discovered he wasn't God, just John The Baptist). Something about the way this guy plays sets him out, so to see Mike and him getting together was awesome (if somewhat expected ;) )

I was fortunate enough to see Fleetwood Mac right at the very beginning (at some cheesy festival in 1968/9) having followed them from John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and all because Peter Green was by far and away the most impressive guitarist of the lot. Rick Kresiak has much of that tonal quality and fluidity of playing Green is famed for, and on Mike's excellent musical underpinning, he swoops, he soars and he scores, time and time again. In all ways, both these guys have given us one of their best. It even avoids many of the usual pitfalls I level at Mike, it's smooth but not overly so and it may well be easy listening but when listening to music of this quality who gives a damn about labels. Now, if only I could get my hands on a Moog guitar I might chance into sounding like this, but it isn't for mere mortals...

Very high class guitar instrumental. Highly Recommended.

Digital Amnesia - Overload

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I think we are all suffering a considerable amount of digital overload in our lives, so much new space to fill and so much junk to fill it with. Damn, have we ever had so much fun? For me this digital world we now live has enormous blessings, not the least of it being that I can make music for pennies rather than hundreds of thousands. It also exposes us to the almost unlimited amounts of fellow musicians (hereinafter referred to as The Competition) who listen and comment on our work, although true listeners are obviously the real deal but hey, any port in a storm; got to get what you can. So, what are the odds on Digital Amnesia being an electronica musician? Kinda sounds all space age and electronicky doesn't it?

Nothing on the webpage other than his name (Eddie Shelbourne seeing as you asked, and he's from Nottingham so stfu now) and a page that shrieks dance Ibiza style. Uh oh right enough. As you know Trance is not my favourite musical tipple, in fact most of it makes me want to vomit copiously - which I gather is also part of the ritual. No matter, because I have heard some damn fine trance and being an intrepid and fearless reviewer, I crank it up. AS I WAS SAYING (turns down sound), most trance to me isn't all that interesting to listen to, it definitely fits the bill when you are off your face and on the dance floor but to actually listen to? Now maybe I'm just a damn philistine about all this (Ed: you are, you are, now dance ****** dance!!) but... Still, even Overload contains enough musical meat on its four-to-the-floor bones to keep even a wizened Philistine's lunch where it belongs.

Although it is obviously home produced, Overload is surprisingly crisp and punchy (also rare for indie trance which is probably why I hate it so much). Its only noticeable in certain sections and only if you know what to listen for. I think most people would either groove on this - because it is a good dance track with a great deal of inventiveness - or not, depending on what they thought of the genre. Now I'm as loose as Lucy the call girl as far as music is concerned but most trance does bother me. Overload actually didn't (although there is considerable sparseness in there) because of the times the track was happening. I could certainly see this going down well in the place it was intended; the dancefloor.

Inventive (now there's a thing) Trance. Recommended.

(am) - Soundtrack CD

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There is no doubt that over the last couple of years, the review blog has introduced me to a great many musicians from outside Soundclick, sometimes with excellent results and sometimes not. To be honest, getting tracks from elsewhere is also my own way of stopping Soundclick becoming stale for me. As it happens, several people have said that they like the oddities I come up with this way while others say I should stick to 'the list' ie the review thread on Soundclick. See, can't win. Whatever, it's my review situation and it works for me - and by extension - for Soundclick. It attracts these musicians there, and it introduces to Soundclick's musicians artists from hither and yon. Such cross fertilisation is a good thing. How, for example, would I have come across (am)?

There is a track on Soundtrack called Taleopptak that is sooooo different than anything I have heard on Soundclick (or anywhere else for that matter) it makes reviewing the accompanying CD a pleasure. You can imagine my mood when I was pitched this 'soundtrack' album but the sheer quality of (some) of the work negates any real criticism. Then when I heard the opening track of this twelve track project, my spirits plummeted through the floor. Two minutes of tinkly piano sounds and a crackle is not my idea of fun. What came next is exactly my idea of fun; music with fire, vision and more ideas than you can shake a stick at. Musicaoltranza Digital Label is the place where it can be heard and believe me this is so worth hearing. Naif.super introduces you to the real deal and don't let that tinkly intro fool you. The vocals are not as full blown as in subsequent tracks but this is a lovely piece of music.

(am) are a duo from Italy and I notice that Ophelia Dorme (another Italian band) share the same net label, and both made a marked impression me so checking out Musicaoltranza's catalog is a must for me. There are some pretty long tracks on this CD but they all are so listenable you don't notice how much time this is all taking up. It's taken me for-fekkin-ever to really assimilate this huge body of work, and even then I've only just scratched the surface. Oh, btw, the tinkly pianos seem to be standard for every intro and after a while you don't even notice it. I singled out Taleopptak as being one of the highlights of this project but every track after that steams. It seems kind of unfair to praise one but not others. All told, this is a very bold sound, and as I say, so much to take in it will keep you busy for weeks. About as original as it gets my friends, go see...

MUST HAVE oddness with a stroke of genius.

The Dead Company - The Pain Of Mr Who

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Being dead maybe isn't such a drag. Certainly most Goths would agree with that statement as would no doubt members of The World Organisation of Funeral Operatives (gravediggers to the rest of us) who coin it in no matter what the weather. If you think I made that organisation up, you need to get out more but try and avoid this or maybe - who knows - it'll open up a whole new career path. So, obviously The Dead Company are the ones to blame for this spate of abyss staring but being a Dead Company musically isn't always as sepulchral as it may sound. In all the time I have known them (getting on for six, seven years) never once have they ever fallen back on the old 'Dr Phibes' organ sound. Fallen back on everything else within human hearing range and a few outside of it too, but that's a whole other story.

The Pain Of Mr Who is also a piece of Dead Company history and although I never officially reviewed the original track, I came across a review of a remix done by Long John Sliver. In it I describe the original track: 'The production is spot on, willfully insisting on building a sullen, brooding tune that has a rhythmic heart as sensual as warm honey, rippling over your senses with an almost reggae-ish twitch to its buttocks' and having listened to this remix I find it still fits the bill perfectly. Mind you, I think this is by far and away one of my all time favourite TDC tracks, along with one of my fave line ups.

Now, finally, you get to hear TDC as I first heard them all those years ago and I think you'll agree that the combination of Sean Boyle's voice (he was also known as Black Circles btw) and Jon Bushaway's adventurous musical is magical. At the time there was absolutely nothing around like them, and experimental was still being sniggered at. That is in no to denigrate the musicians who have since worked within the TDC framework, all have contributed to the story. However, this is a slice of the band when I first met them and - cleaned and brushed up in its new mix - shows exactly why they meant so much at the time to so many people. Probably the most accessible TDC ever, this is their idea of pop ;)

MUST HAVE slice of TDC history.

James Crosbie Hancox - Walking Wounded

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Fourth one down so far for Liverpool's very own James Crosbie Hancox who is definitely not yer ordinary Liverpool musician. Nope, James Crosbie Hancox is an awkward cuss, musically speaking. In real life he's probably a real nice bloke, the kind you'd happily down a beer with (Ed: face it, you'd down a beer with a brick wall), musically though he will insist on being, well, one dimensional. That's partly because all of the tracks I have reviewed so far are from the 'Painting in numbers using only one colour' project which basically means that each track is in one chord. Mmmmm, sounds like fun.

Well actually it is, kinda/sorta.

Although I have problems with each of the tracks soundwise, I don't really have a problem with the material itself. In fact considering what it is, it's surprisingly listenable - and that applies to this track as much as any of the other three. He's a bit handy with the old tune you see, and that is what always seems to save his bacon every time. Regular readers will already know that I will overlook all kinds of sonic errors so long as the energy and spirit of the track is there, I have to say, in this musicians defence, that I am not so perturbed about this tracks sound, everything sounds excellent.

Moreover, when all is said and done, Walking Wounded is an absolutely cracking song, full of tasty little aural surprises not the least of it being the vocal. A splendid turnout all round, I'd say and far and away the best James Crosbie Hancox track I have heard so far. It would have been nice to glom some lyrics (what I could make out I liked) while I was about this review but hey, that's the way it goes. Give this a bit more time than you normally would and I think you'll find it grows quite successfully

Excellent Alternative song. Highly Recommended