Rhythm & Booze An online music webzine created by music lovers for music lovers.

4 January, 2015

James Robinson-Start A Fire

Filed under: indie,pop,Recorded Reviews,singer-songwriter — Tags: james robinson, New EP, start a fire — willmunn @ 17:50

Singer-songwriter James Robinson first made waves in the music industry as the frontman of Brighton based alt-pop band Two Spot Gobi, a combo who managed a great deal of success, touring the US, UK and Europe and supporting the likes of household names Jason Mraz and Bruno Mars, but for James something just didn’t sit right and with a desire to express himself further he decided to break away from the band.

James resurrected lyrics written on napkins and forgotten melodies on old garage band files as he set about writing and recording a new four-track EP, showcasing a new maturity away from the screaming Mars and Mraz crowds.

Start A Fire is an impressive affair, the opening, title track is an instantly catchy affair complete with busy percussion an infectious vocal refrain and a melody that could have been ripped straight from the pages of Mumford And Sons songbook, whilst James vocal tones are rich and soulful with a lovely (native) Devon twang.

Demons is a slowburning, understated jazz-tinged number build around James expressive vocals, wonderful bubbling bass line and a simplistic yet effective beat, proving that James is no one trick pony and sounds equally at home, stripped right back. Holes In The Sky straddles that divide between indie and the more typical singer-songwriter sound, as busy drums and electric guitar joins, an already evocative mix bringing to mind the likes of Noah And The Whale, whilst the EP’s closing number, Smoke & Ashes is a hushed, subdued, reflective number with James crooning gently against a piano melody further highlighting the stunning arrangements contained within the four tracks on offer.

James is perhaps brave to venture out solo as there are numerous singer-songwriters out there, however the four tracks on here put him in good stead to make an impact, he has an obvious talent at writing infectious pop melodies (Start A Fire and Holes In The Sky) but it’s the bruised ballads that really help James standout from the crowd, along with that distinctive, soulful voice.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 8

www.jamesrobinson-music.com

13 October, 2014

The Humdrum Express-Cryptic Self Pity

Filed under: dance,electronic,Recorded Reviews,singer-songwriter — Tags: cryptic self pity, new single, the humdrum express — willmunn @ 19:09

Following on from the recent Steve Lamacq (6 Music) approved recent single, Festival At Home, Kidderminster based Humdrum Express return with a rather different follow up single, Cryptic Self Pity. Whereas Festival At Home showcased that punchy acoustic style that Ian Passey (the man behind The Humdrum Express) has become renowned for, the new single showcases an electronic dance element.

But do not fear Cryptic Self Pity isn’t some kind of mid-life crisis or vain attempt to snare a new audience, yes there are repetitive programmed beats, but there are few dance tracks that feature wry, observational spoken word humour and there’s probably not another track in history that talks about last minute goals my Tony Pullis managed teams and Phil Collins in the same song!!! If that wasn’t impressive enough Ian lobs in a massive hook-laden yob friendly chanted chorus that you’ll land up hollering along by the end of the first spin.

I love the candid observational lyrics of The Humdrum Express, they remind me of a dry Arab Strap (and that is a very high recommendation from me!!) Whether that’s over a backdrop of acoustic guitars or indeed beats and glitchy electronics.

I urge you to track down sardonic wit of Ian Passey and embrace the everyday humdrum (pardon the pun) that he portrays so brilliantly.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 9

www.thehumdrumexpress.com

21 September, 2014

Alex Rainsford-Gone Away

Filed under: acoustic,folk,indie,Recorded Reviews,singer-songwriter — Tags: alex rainsford, gone away, New EP — willmunn @ 19:14

Alex Rainsford is one of those singer-songwriters that I’d heard about, from playing around the local (Worcestershire) music scene, without ever managing to catch him perform live. Now having listened to the Bromsgrove based performer’s second EP, I can see I need to rectify that situation at the next possible opportunity, before he can only been seen gracing the UK’s biggest stages.

Looking through a brief biography I stumbled upon online, it would seem that Alex is already on the cusp of big things, back in 2013 he manage to grace the likes of Glastonbury and Oceanfest, sharing  a stage with the likes of Gabrielle Alpin Bastille and Willy Mason among others, whilst a trip around Europe saw him support both Hudson Taylor and Broken Bones.

Reading the self same blog online there are comparisons to such names as Ben Howard and Mumford And Sons, however I’d say that Alex has a sound that’s very much his own, sure there are folky elements in places, acoustic guitars run throughout the six track duration of Gone Away, however there’s more drama than either of the aforementioned artists mentioned, the clash of quiet subtle acoustic verses and the soaring choruses catch you off guard but you can’t help being caught by the passionate delivery and the uplifting indie-like hooks.

The EP opens with a glorious statement of intent in the form of Better Man, a track that begins with that strummed acoustic guitar, broken with bursts of electric before breaking into a spellbinding, soaring chorus that lifts the already impressive track to another level.

Alex has this ability throughout the EP to deliver a soulful croon one minute and a big sing-a-long vocal hook the next and the second track, Same Kind, showcases that ability perfectly, one moment he delivers this restrained soul like vocal, the next he unveils a massive wordless hook that sucks the listener, urging them to holler along. The title track shares that same light and shade, subtle and subdued passages give way to an anthemic hook, whilst the closing number Blood Lines is a big indie folk anthem that the likes of the previously mentioned Mumford And Sons or Noah And The Whale would give their right arm for.

However my favourite track is the short yet rather wonderful Lady Traveller, a solo acoustic number that features a stunning weathered vocal that belies Alex’s years, before finishing with a near falsetto that again points at the diversity of Rainsford’s sound.

Gone Away is a wonderful six track affair that deserves to be heard and enjoyed the masses (and I highly suspect it will, given the right push!!), I highly recommend you join me next time Alex graces a local stage and marvel at one of the most intriguing and infectious singer-songwriters to hail from round these parts in some time.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

www.facebook.com/alexrainsfordmusic

11 September, 2014

Roxanne de Bastion-Seeing You

Filed under: acoustic,folk,Recorded Reviews,singer-songwriter — Tags: New EP, roxanne de bastion, seeing you — willmunn @ 16:45

A year or so ago I had the great pleasure of reviewing the debut album by Berlin born, now London based singer-songwriter Roxanne de Bastion, the disc, The Real Thing, was something of a revelation, a stunning blend of 60’s influenced folk and blues topped with the most incredible, evocative voice you can possibly imagine. The album not only grabbed my attention but also the likes of Artrocker, BBC Introducing, 6Music and XFM all championed Roxanne and her mesmeric debut, with Artrocker even going as far as to make such comparisons as Martha Wainwright, Joni Mitchell and Laura Marling, whilst the BBC stated “if you ever get the chance to see her live-definitely do”.

Well now Roxanne is back, building on that initial success, with a brand new four track EP, entitled Seeing You and again showcasing her unique songwriting talent and emotive delivery with a quartet of songs that should, in a just world, see de Bastion become something of a household name.

The EP opens with the title track, a subtle blend of acoustic guitar and pattered percussion are interspersed with a tasty slice of electric slide guitar, whilst Roxanne’s vocals have something of a celtic folk tinge that instantly hooks you into lovelorn tale.

From there Roxanne delivers the delicate, Wasteland, a beautiful bewitching, hushed number lamenting the demise of the East Side Gallery in Roxanne’s native Berlin, with it’s lulling instrumentation and Roxanne’s inviting croon, the listener is encouraged to shut out the outside world and concentrate completely on the compelling story told within the three and a half minute duration. Rerun continues the soft, delicate vibe with Roxanne again delivering a beautiful, emotive vocal over a gorgeous understated mix of piano and strings that further intoxicate the listener.

The EP finishes on Same Moon, a solo acoustic number with whispered vocals and fragile finger picked guitar weaving a magical spell proving again that less is more, as Roxanne seduces with her stripped back to basics approach and heart warming vocal croon.

Seeing You is a lovely EP that showcases a singer-songwriter at the very top of her game, one of those rare releases that you want to immerse yourself completely in, perhaps with a light fruity glass of red and the lights down low, mesmeric from start to finish.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 9

www.roxannedebastion.com

21 August, 2014

Paddy Clegg-Dancing Shoes

Filed under: acoustic,folk,pop,singer-songwriter — Tags: dancing shoes, new single, paddy clegg — willmunn @ 21:56

Paddy Clegg is a seventeen year old singer-songwriting hailing from the musical mecca of Liverpool who developed an early love for music at a young age that has seen him playing drums for a number of bands, before taking up the guitar for the first time in 2013.

Since then, Paddy has been busy writing and recording his first forays as a solo singer-songwriter, at first crafting his material in his bedroom before performing in and Liverpool quicking attracting a great deal of attention from local bloggers. Paddy soon caught the ear of SWC Management, who quickly recognised his talent and signed him up.

At the start of this year Paddy released his debut single, back To The Start, which saw him received further plaudits and airplay from radio stations across the North West of England.

Dancing Shoes is Paddy’s follow up single and is something of a belter, opening with an infectious strummed acoustic guitar, before Paddy reveals his instantly contagious vocal, complimented by a marching beat, horns and a tasty line in harmony hooks that can’t help lift the darkest of moods. Paddy has been compared the likes of Jake Bugg in the past and you can hear an affinity in the voice, however I’m not sure Jake has ever penned anything as upbeat as Dancing Shoes to date, this is an instant summer sing-a-long that’ll weld a smile on your face and quite possible make you….put on those dancing shoes!!!

Rhythm & Booze Rating 9

https://www.facebook.com/paddy.clegg

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