Roundup Spotlight:
JACKANORY & THE BALL “EP”
I must say, London duo Jackanory & The Ball know how to make one satisfying four song EP. Singer/songwriter Tom Skelton and producer/DJ/pianist Michael Rendall have a strange kind of fusion going on – and this kind of strange is really strong and entertaining. I could be wrong, but I think it might start with some jazzy Steely Dan influence, moving through new wave and pop electronica of the 80’s, then into some hip hop and dance club sounds of the 90’s, yielding a pastiche of sometimes humorous pop that sounds as theatrical as it does melodic. The duo is like a British companion-piece to American veteran duo They Might Be Giants (“Birdhouse in Your Soul”, one of my faves from 1990). Be sure to check out “Audio Precision”, perhaps the most accessible track – listen for Pac-Man – with bouncy rhythm and sing-along lyrics. The other tracks – “Not The One”, “Too Long” (the most R&B/hip hop oriented track), “Come Away with Me” – are equally unique, with rich melodic weaves but straight forward words and themes. All in all, it’s an EP full of promise which lends natural curiosity to how Mssrs Skelton and Rendall can perform these songs in a live show. Be sure to check them out if you’re in England (and let me know!).
BILLY FRANKS “Euphoria”
UK singer Billy Franks had generously put his Euphoria compilation online for free. It’s a cozy and energetic 12 song record compiled from six releases from the Faith Brothers leader and creator of the charity single “The Beautiful Game”. Despite the varying production qualities from track-to-track, Euphoria has a terrific pub-next-door feel – its genuine warmth overall is contagious. And if you’ve ever heard the Faith Brothers, no one, but no one, writes emotionally rich songs like these like Billy Franks. With live tracks like “Sleep A Little Easy When It Rains” as well as other songs full of beautiful and brutal honesty like “Just”, “Beautiful Heresy”, “She’s The Messiah In Me”, and “50/50 America”, it’s easy to get caught up in such fine and raw veteran musicianship. Be sure to provide a donation if you can.
COLIN MUNROE “I Would Die 4 U”
Toronto’s Colin Munroe came to my attention in 2008 with the release of his adventurous mixtape Colin Munroe Is The Unsung Hero, which featured covers as diverse as songs like U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and originals, sometimes with some better known friends, such as the shouldabeenahit “Will I Stay”, featuring Wale and Dallas Austin. Well this singer/producer/DJ is back in the aftermath of what sounds like a record deal gone (near?) sour, and he’s boldly chosen a Prince cover to stage his re-entry. Yes, “I Would Die 4 U” is a favourite of many Prince fans, but Colin has slowed it down a bit to give it more emotional, almost retrospective or even introspective quality. And no, that is not autotune folks. It’s free with subscription to Colin’s newsletter – worth it always to find out what he’s up to next!
PETER KATZ “Dangerous”
The iTunes single of the week feature often brings intriguing tracks and artists to the attention of the public, and being from Canada I see a regular and different selection. Toronto-based Peter Katz’s “Dangerous” is edgy, thoughtful folk/pop that stays in your head, and reminds me of Michael Penn’s best efforts of the early 90’s. It’s from his fourth release, and first through Sony, called First Of The Last To Know, and you can hear tracks from it at his website . And it looks like he’s touring a lot, so check out his tour schedule too.
DARIN “Lovekiller”
OK hit me over the head with a large plank or something, but after many repeated plays, Darin’s “Lovekiller”, a Swedish #1 hit, has finally sunk in. I thought the song was perhaps too derivative of too many other songs that I could think of (including the beginning, sounding a lot like INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart”, or as a male version of “Unfaithful” by Rihanna), but the slow-burning mystery appeal has finally sunk in. Strange, because I was a big fan of 2008’s “Flashback”, which featured the Kat DeLuna duet “Breathing Your Love” and the “Just Dance” soundalike “Girl Next Door”, both of which landed in the Top 5 on my chart. But the new record is definitely more mature and better written, and perhaps I just wasn’t expecting that. Darin should be Sweden’s next natural pop export. I can’t see why this song shouldn’t do well internationally.
ADAM TYLER “Over The Top”
Ah yes LA’s Adam of the “Friction”, one of my current favourite songs, alerted me a few weeks back through Twitter that “Over The Top”, one of the songs recorded for his upcoming Lullabies for Rattlesnakes release, had been leaked online. It’s a mid-tempo pop/dance track not too far removed from “Friction”. It has an undeniable hook but could benefit from a perkier remix. You can either check out a clip of the song from Adam Tyler’s official site or try to locate it in its leaked version online.
SHANE HARPER “Dance With Me” and “Good Friends”
Another new guy from LA, Disney Channel fans already know singer/actor/dancer Shane from a supporting role in the new show “Good Luck Charlie”. And his first could-be hit “Dance With Me” is pure teen/tween late-night-on-the-beach confection, sort of what Jesse McCartney started a few years back before the more grown up Departure album. Top marks though for Shane’s very good voice and dance moves in the video. As a bonus, he’s made the ballad “Good Friends” available as a free download with an email subscription to his newsletter . Shane Harper definitely has my curious ear at hand – and I like triple threats!
THE SCRIPT’s “Science & Faith”
The Irish trio’s sophomore album after its very long-lasting 2008 debut has joined what looks like a wonderful week of record releases starting September 13 (also including Bright Light Bright Light’s “Love Part II” and Brandon Flowers’ “Flamingo”).
CLAYTON SENNE’s “And Her Name Is Music”
Kansas-born but Florida-based piano man Clayton Senne tweeted a few weeks back that he would release his second album on January 1, 2011 – for binary code fans that’s 010111 🙂 On Saturday, August 29, he performed a new song full of urgency with oodles of potential called “Floodgates” on Orlando Live Streaming , during which he also announced that the title of said release would be “And Her Name Is Music”. I hope to be blogging a bit more about this talented new artist and this record in the coming months, so watch for it! In the meantime, check out his official site.
RICHARD BARONE “Glow”
The former Bongos member and creator of a number of fine solo albums, including 1990’s Primal Dream and 1994’s Clouds Over Eden, is back with his new CD “Glow” (also due next week, on September 14), and will be performing several club dates in the New York/New Jersey areas. I saw Richard in concert many years ago in Toronto and he can captivate an audience very easily.
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