The Soultrend Orchestra - Live For Funk (2022)

 Five years have gone by since The Soultrend Orchestra '84 King Street' debut Album was released, the Rome based producer Nerio ‘Papik’ Poggi’ Soul project returns now with the eagerly awaited follow up Album ‘Live For Funk’ and it was definitely worth the wait !

‘Live For Funk’ carries on the legacy that started with '84 King Street', but while it’s predecessor was completely dedicated to the Soul and Disco sounds reminiscent of the legendary New York’s club ‘Paradise Garage’, where in the late 70’s renowned DJ’s like David Mancuso and Larry Levan launched the Disco movement that would eventually spread all over the world, the new work explores a funkier route, specially the English funk sound of early 80’s and the American funk jazz vibes that remind us of artists like Donald Byrd or Roy Ayers (which was brought back to the limelight during the Acid Jazz years in the 90’s).

15 songs make the final tracking list of ‘Live For Funk’, mostly all original compositions, three the Cover versions present in the Album, all three already released as digital singles in the last few weeks.

The three covers are remakes of cult Disco Funk gems from past years like, ‘Get Down Saturday Night’ by Oliver Cheatham, ‘Outstanding’ by the Gap Band and ‘Act Like You Know’ by the Fat Larry's Band.

In the Album, Nerio Poggi teams up with brilliant musicians such as Alfredo Bochicchio on guitars, Peter De Girolamo on keyboards, Massimo Guerra on trumpet, Fabio Tullio on sax, Simone 'Federicuccio' Talone on percussions and Luca Trolli on drums, in addition to a dozen of other guest musicians and eight different singers, amongst them a few names stand out like, Alan Scaffardi, Al Castellana, Kenneth Bailey and Danny Losito of ‘Kaigo’ and renown for his legendary worldwide Hit ‘Found Love’.

To download, go to Telegram

Dorothy - Gifts From The Holy Ghost (2022)

 Gifts From The Holy Ghost, Dorothy Martin's third studio album as frontwoman for their pseudonymous rock band Dorothy, is the album she's always wanted to make. Born from a sense of diving urgency, it's their most bombastic rock n' roll work yet. While the debut album was made on a combination of whiskey and heartbreak, Gifts was built on sobriety, health, and spiritualism, in a way that reverses the cliched "good girl gone bad" narrative. It features the Top 40 Rock track, "Rest in Peace."

To download, go to Telegram

Markey Blue Ric Latina Project - Mississippi Soul (2022)

 

To download, go to Telegram

Markey Blue Ric Latina Project - Jumpin' the Broom (2022)

 Markey Blue and Ric Latina are a true performing and songwriting team, and recently changed the name of their group from just Markey Blue to Markey Blue Ric Latina Project to reflect that.

To download, go to Telegram

Ryan La Valette - New Beginnings (2022)

 Bringing an explosive energy as a triple threat musician and artist to the smooth jazz genre, New Zealand bred and based guitarist, saxophonist and bassist Ryan La Valette will unleash his multitude of melodic and soul-grooving talents to radio starting with the Valentine’s Day drop of “Let It Flow,” his highly anticipated debut single on Trippin’ N Rhythm Records.

Unlike many artists whose first track out of the gate pretty much hints at all we’re going to hear in the future, this spirited, funky and fast rolling guitar driven romp just scratches the surface of the depth of his ever-evolving artistry. His perfectly titled debut label album New Beginnings, due for release April 22, has three tracks each that showcase La Valette’s skills on his three primary instruments, with several interludes between songs that allow him to stretch and solo beyond the infectious, radio friendly main tracks.

Testament to his transcendent array of talents and emotionally impactful songwriting skills, the artist collaborated with three of the genre’s top Billboard #1 keyboardists/producers – labelmate Nicholas Cole and two time Grammy nominees Greg Manning and Chris “Big Dog” Davis. The collection also includes a track featuring another #1 charting Billboard artist, trumpeter Lin Rountree.

“Upon starting this debut album,” La Valette says, “I locked myself into the mindset of making this music sound as modern as possible. There are so many modern genres of music today that I felt would be a bolt of lightning when combined with contemporary jazz, and this first single is no exception! I wanted to bring late 70’s disco back to town with a swish of modern R&B, and I was blown away with the combination. I believe people of all ages will enjoy the vibe this song brings to the table and help to bring a younger audience into the smooth jazz fan base.”

Due to his lifelong passion for the music and style of George Benson – whose classic tune “Breezin’ he first heard around age five when his mother played it in the house – La Valette considers himself primarily a guitar player. Yet the title and cover image of his 2020 independently released EP Dimensions of Me say it all – almost! – about his many modes of musical expression. The photo shows the well-dressed musician on a couch, looking pensive, with a saxophone to his right and an electric guitar to his left. Just a few years ago, after many years of mastering these two instruments, he picked up the bass and effortlessly added it to his repertoire.

“Because my primary goal is to share my musical gifts and make people happy in the process, I’m excited to show what I can do on the sax and the bass as well,” says the 26-year-old La Valette, a graduate of the School of Audio Engineering (SAE) Auckland. “I am beyond excited to take my first step forward as a signed artist with Trippin’ N Rhythm Records. The four years I spent releasing music as an indie was tough, but a great learning curve. You realize pretty quickly that the resources you have access to when signed to a major label far supersede what you have to work with when independent. I am so grateful to the label for their unconditional support and backing for me to fulfill my childhood dream.”

U.S. smooth jazz fans will get their first taste of the magic La Valette brings to the stage when he plays the Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Panama City Beach, FL the same week as the release of New Beginnings.

Billy Hector - Rock Night In Jersey (2022)

 With Rock Night in Jersey, Billy Hector utilizes his full five 5 decades of experience in mind melting fashion. Through the intricate horn arrangements, masterful songwriting, and undeniable guitar chops, Mr. Hector's skillset is on full display. Backed by a band of world-class musicians and co-written/produced with his creative cohort Suzan Lastovica, Mr. Hector has fashioned a truly noteworthy collection of songs. This is rock and roll like you just don't hear anymore. Ladies and Gentlemen, report to the dance floor for your dose of Fender Therapy; It's a Rock Night in Jersey.

To download, go to Telegram

Eliza Neals - Badder to the Bone (2022)

 The album Badder to the Bone has 10 tracks. It delivered various themes such as motivation, romance, anti-cheater, and heartbreak.

For songs about motivation, “United We Stand” (track #1) is perfect to fight against all problems, which is fitting during this pandemic. The best line is “Join hands together, let’s fight a good fight.” Because of the positivity of the lyrics, I recommend it to listeners who are fighting depression. It is also perfect for a TV series with a positive outlook on life.

If you’re up for romance, listen to “Queen of the Nile”, “Lockdown Love”,  “King Kong”, “Fueling Me Up”, “Can’t Find My Way Home”, and “Queen of The Nile II”.

The best guitar track goes to “King Kong.” Man, I am so amazed. Everything about this track is a masterpiece. It made me headbang and want to dance when I heard the song. The backing vocals are outstanding too. I love the epic high note at the end. If this was a single review, I’ll rate this 10/10.

The longest and one of the sexiest tracks on the album is “Queen of the Nile” (feat. Lance Lopez & Peter Keys). Eliza’s vocals are so sassy and powerful. It has a longer length because of the guitar solo and backing vocals. What I like about this track is the background effects that gave a smooth listening. Its 2nd version, “Queen of the Nile II,” has an improved bass volume and a shorter length, which I think is better.

I mentioned the pandemic a while ago, so we are going to relate to “Lockdown Love” (feat. Michael Puwal). The main point of the song is how partners still love each other, even during the lockdown. Also, Neals sure is creative with her lyrics. There are funny lines about how we store a lot of food before lockdown and how we gain weight because of it.

“Fueling Me Up”, on the other hand, surprised me with its high and sudden opening line “Fueling me Up!” with backing vocals but without intro instruments. The song is an energy booster because of its lines “Boy you make me hotter and hotter” and the rest is history.

Lastly, the love song “Can’t Find My Way Home” has a lonely theme with no sexuality but has an alternative fast beat part in the outro section. When I first heard this track, It reminded me of “I’m With You” by Avril Lavigne. This emotional song could have some violin and piano, but Eliza still focused on the blues rock genre. It really shows that she’s a queen of blues rock.

Now let’s move on to heartbreak songs. The best anti-cheater song goes to “Got a Gun” feat. Billy Davis”. Cheaters, beware!! Your girlfriends have a gun, they will shoot you and the 3rd party. The lyrics and music are so catchy!! The most iconic and badass line is “I got a gun don’t mess with me, I’m gonna use it on you”. It’s perfect for female characters who are being cheated.

The next heartbreak songs are “Bucket of Tears” and “Heathen” but are very different from “Got a Gun”. Eliza Neals showed her emotional side in writing songs. “Bucket of Tears” is so poetic. It shows a deep sadness when a man can’t come home for a girl. The lines hit so hard “Where have you been? I’d cry a bucket of tears for you?”. “Heathen”, on the other hand, is one of my favorites, I absolutely love the piano, sound effects, backing vocals, bass, and everything in this track! It’s mellow and smooth. Eliza still has a powerful voice even on less-rocky songs.

To download, go to Telegram