Sunday, May 17, 2015

Jesse Ballard, Holding Nothing Back with Solid Hits Let Loose

Cut It All Loose - With a heart full of soul Jesse Ballard opens his heart on this release and lets you into his world. Smooth sounds that sooth the broken heart and calm mind roll from the vocal approach of Mr. Ballard. Whether it’s the driving tone on the title track or the gentle key and flute work on “Every Time I See You”, Jesse creates textures that will appeal to a variety of tastes. In a plea for peace JB sarcastically phrases “Just Another War” in an effort to show the senseless waste of human life that is never truly appreciated. Soundscapes on this record are strong in Pop, Rock and R&B. The mix is well balanced. Guitars shine like a golden sun reflecting off a clear pure shoreline. Percussion work is tight and right in the pocket. Bass guitar work brings a deft amount of groove and undertones the sour feelings, but washes away the pain. With a nod to Folk tones the opening of “Constantly In View” Jesse sings raw and from the heart wishing for and even-handed day. Cranking up the Rock n’ Roll swing JB throws down on “I Just Can’t Wait” for a long lost love and the longing to have them back in his arms. You can almost taste the sweat in the air as he hurries to the airport. Many of the tracks here would be great for a movie soundtrack for the depth of passion and imagery conveyed is poetic and thick. Rounding out the set with “Once Upon A Time” you hear a man dedicated to passing on knowledge through the notes of musical scales. One thing is for certain, and that is Jesse is a tried and true storyteller. With a life lived full of experiences Mr. B isn’t just a love song hack. He is the real deal with a real heart for music. I would highly recommend this album to those that like Rock, Blues, Folk, R&B, Pop and Americana genres. With Cut It All Loose you will definitely cut yourself in on a good time. 


Michael
Music Reviews


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Bucket Fresh Studios, Out From the Underground

Fuck Gotham City Chapter 1 - Concept albums are always tricky business especially in this day of single oriented sales. Bucket Fresh Studios deliver here with a Batman and Robin storyline. With a deep load of samples from the famous franchise and a stable of artists this album takes you off on a journey behind the mind of Batman and his foes. This release is Grade A underground Rap. From track to track you get a delivery of thick beats and variety of background textures that allows this mixtape to evolve while never getting stale. With a top talent producer in Mufasa RKG he reins in all the ideas like a Grand Master chess player. Breakout spins that stand strong are “Pawns” and “The Getaway”. I would recommend this album to those that like the underground vibe in music. While the sample rate on much of the tracks lends to mild sonic distortions the tracks, they hold up strong, and this is one of those keepsakes that you can pull out months later and prove your cred in music by showing that you were into Bucket Fresh Studios before the whole world knew about them. 


Michael
Music Reviews


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Young Tipzey, For a Spin of a Ride You Gotta Hit This Stoner

“Stoner” - An oriental soundscape sets the scene for this number from Young Tipzey, however if you think that this cut isn’t going to have any bounce you got another thing coming. The backing tracks are lush in nature and you almost feel the cherry blossoms raining from the trees and the cool breeze rolling over your skin. While some of the notes seem to fall of beat the track is interesting enough and creates a nice bed for YT to flow over. A tight kick holds the beat in check and provides concrete points to counter over. Young Tipzey either uses an uncommon mic placement or short delay effect on his vocals here. The result is a minor echo or short stutter effect that adds to the dream quality of the track. For a quick freestyle cut this serves a purpose, but for a longer composition I would recommend raising the level of the vocal track or cleaning it up some so that the lyrical delivery is unveiled better. Presentations such as these always makes you wish that they were longer, so inevitably you end up listening over and over again. Young Tipzey shows a talent for flair and thinking outside of the box producing with untraditional sounds. I would recommend this cut to those that like Rap, Hip Hop or Alternative genres. While YT is getting Zen with “Stoner” he shares like a pal and takes you along for the ride. 



Michael 
Music Reviews


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The Mighty Cash Cats, Not Just Reliving the Past but Spinning Towards the Future

The Ballad of Johnny and June - With a press of play this release from The Mighty Cash Cats will make you think you dusted off your collection of old Johnny Cash LP’s. You don’t have to worry about record scratches or the hiss of the needle crawling across the vinyl here. Just sit back, relax and enjoy 9 great Cash tracks. The guitar work here has done some embellishments to spruce up the well known Cash sound. Those that loved the trumpets in “Ring of Fire” maybe a bit sad to hear their omission, but the core of the songs hold solid and intact. Bass and drum work is more forward on these versions which help the songs have a fresh and pushing sound. A personal favorite of mine was the cover of “Long Legged Guitar Pickin’ Manthe” it had attitude and swagger much embodied in the original. Singing duties on this album come very close to the mark of the originals. No one can ever cover all the nuances of the original Mr. Cash, but Michael nails it bout as good as anyone could, and his “June” does darn good job as well. I will say that I nearly got a case of whiplash on the last track. Coming out of the blue the song, “Ballad of Johnny and June” cut from the rest of the pack. The song had a heavy dose of spitfire. While the world still awaits the arrival of the next Johnny Cash, Michael J. and his Mighty Cash Cats do an excellent job of keep things covered. I would recommend this group to anyone that is a lover of things Johnny Cash and June Carter.



Michael
Music Reviews


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The Black Delta Movement, With Groove and Grit It’s Time to Take a Trip

“The Trip” - Guitars Soaked in reverb and fuzz open this song sure to take you on a trip through the mind’s visualization abilities. Vocal delivery saunters out of your speakers like a man who cares little about life and throws a wad of cash up in the air to only let it rain to the ground. To be a great rock singer/frontman you don’t have to have perfect classical delivery, you need attitude and here that quality is on full display. Guitars rage but still obtain a laid back quality that make you feel like you are in the back of a ’62 Impala with the top down with your feet up. Bass guitar holds the groove for this track and will make you feel like you have the perfect buzz on. The Black Delta Movement don’t let you down on this track, and you have no fear of a harsh crash. The drum work holds the ride and keeps the flow fresh. With the kick and snare riding the beat you will feel as if you can kick back and coast this ride all night long. At the 2:18 mark the Movement mellows things out a bit and guitars howl for a spell. You find that moment of space in the song just like when you lock eyes with a beautiful woman and feel compelled to go and introduce yourself. As the tempo begins to ramp up the song peaks into pure Rock n’ Roll jubilation. I would highly recommend this track to those that like Rock, Classic Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Alternative and Garage Rock. Life can be too serious too much of the time. Take “The Trip” with The Black Delta Movement and cut loose for a few. You won’t regret it and they’re happy to come along for the ride. 




Michael
Music Reviews


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Cats Park, Reveling Organic Bliss in Plastic World

“Plastic World” - With hypnotic guitars that call to your soul and beckon you to come out to play, Cats Park deliver an excellent track once again. With silky vocals from Faijee, she will enchant you senses. You will it find it difficult to not want to sing along wether you know the words or not. Bass lines will carry your feet as you try to float across the floor like the cool breeze. Drum work has just the right amount of groove and swing making it nearly impossible to keep your hands below shoulder level. Guitar tones employ an amount of grit that exemplifies the tension in the world surround. Keyboard textures adds a mellow pulse to this piece that excellently counters the guitar tones and empowers the passion in the percussion work. Together this collection of sounds come together in perfect unison. At the 2:23 mark a cool chill out middle pause helps the song regroup as it builds toward another plateau. Cats Park defines themselves as “Trip-Rock” and live up to the title. I would highly recommend this to those that like Pop, Alternative, Rock and Psychedelic genres. While the onset of a “Plastic World” may be ensuing, Cats Park is here defining what a truly human and organic experience of bliss can sound like. 




Michael
Music Reviews


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The Whereabouts, True Careless Rock n’ Roll Bliss

“I Don’t Care” - There is just something about a slinky guitar that puts a swagger in your step, and makes you strut like gigolo on a Friday night. With a dash of sneering attitude vocals come bouncing out of your speakers ready to corrupt your eardrums and then you mind. Wayne has a grit to his vocal approach that will make all the fathers lock up their daughters when this band comes to town. Crooning from behind the mic and rocking the guitar with lead guitarist Scott the two tear up the calm silence and rip chords in tandem that will make you want to dance till you're raining sweat. Hopping up the back of the stage and the seat of your girls pants is Joseph on bass guitar. The infectious bounce he adds to this track will make your girl want to sway and bounce till you go mad. Countered by the searing feedback and slick leads from Scott you will find yourself coming back for more and cranking it up each time. Holding this band of madmen together is Dara on the drums. Holding the tempo and beat down solid he can still throw in snare rolls that make it sound like a humming bird is playing the kit. These guys are authentic Rock n’ Roll. I would highly recommend this to those that like Rock, Garage Rock, Alternative and Pop Rock. While the Whereabouts are screaming “I Don’t Care” at the top of their lungs you will l, and will not want to miss out. 




Michael
Music Reviews


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