I’ve said before that I believed that Emily Barker’s excellent A Dark Murmuration Of Words was one of the most important albums of 2020. It stands out as a beacon of caution for everything that is going wrong with our world, but it does so beautifully, with conviction, and also with love. To compose such beautiful music, to perform it so well, and to have a cohesive message throughout, would seem like a hard act to follow. Barker seems to have acknowledged that with her reinterpretation of this excellent LP in…
Read MoreRoll the black and white movie, tuck into the shade under the palms on a remote sandy beach where the leading lady sings about her love, and you’ve got the picture! Enter Haley Sales and Never Before (seen/heard here). To say that this is a retro number, would be an understatement, but it works on all levels. Haley has a beautiful voice and makes you visualize everything she sings about. The song was a collaborative writing effort with Sharon Stone, and before you ask, yes, the actress. Haley’s childhood was…
Read MoreOnce in a while, usually about the time I’m getting disillusioned by the state of music and the music business, an artist or band will drop into my lap and change my attitude, reminding me that there are still great artists out there, great talents, that deserve and need to be recognized. Such is the case with Aaron English, who came to my attention via a house concert invitation. Thank you, Matthew Hough! Pride (seen/heard here) came together during the pandemic as a collaborative effort with eight artists from around the…
Read MoreA London-based DJ and producer from Italy, Marco Dalla Villa, doesn’t take himself too seriously. He may have studied music theory and composition, but that is what allows him to step outside, feel the music, and push the emotional and social markers while playing loose with the composition. Enter Wonderful Days (seen/heard here), destined to make your head and feet move, and bring a smile to your face. What more can you ask for in these times? Wonderful Days features bouncy vocals provided by Leanna Gage, a singer…
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