Browsing Tag

Brighton

Oli Morris takes us on a tour with the Acid Jazz-inspired ‘Bimal’

Posted on 24 June 2021
Oli Morris

It’s always a pleasure to review something a little bit out of the blue and unexpected, and when it’s from someone as accomplished as Oli Morris that holds doubly so. A saxophonist and composer originally born in Northridge, California but now living in Bristol, Oli studied music at the University of Chichester, but soon found himself an in-demand session player and live sideman, performing at Bestival and Glastonbury as well as decamping to Rockfield Studios with festival favourites Cut Capers.

Shortly before the world paused and ‘roadmap’ took on a new, Covid-related meaning, Morris returned from a month-long backpacking tour through India. The result, featuring a collective of Bristol’s up-and-coming music glitterati, is ‘Bimal’, a jazz-neo-soul fusion in two halves, featuring the stunning, silky-smooth vocals of Chrissie Huntley wrapped around Morris’ masterful saxophone, interspersed with Snazzback’s Eli Jitsuto’s deliciously restrained guitar parts and the oh-so-cool jazz-funk rhythm section of Sam Fox and Andee Liu. There’s some serious Rare Groove and Acid Jazz smoothness here, echoes of the Brand New Heavies and Incognito mixed with touches of Galliano’s ‘Joyful Noise Unto The Creator’ around Ruaridh Wilkinson’s Rhodes piano-work; it’s chilled, mellow, and it’s got some serious soul.

Check out Oli Morris here or on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Room Starting Spinning: Brighton’s Leo Aram-Downs reflects on his true love with the excellent ‘White Noise’

Posted on 6 June 2021

After growing tired of being boxed up as merely a normal instrumentalist in the unfulfilling session music world, Leo Aram-Downs breaks free and shows us his dazzling skills on his new single called ‘White Noise‘.

Leo Aram-Downs is a supremely patient guitarist, singer-songwriter and transcriber, who was born in busy London and is now living a peaceful life in happy Brighton in England.

After recently blessing our cold ears with the warm ‘A Life Abbreviated‘ recently, he returns with another top class effort from this productive artist, who never seems to rest.

”My music comes from a unique blend of influences ranging from fingerstyle acoustic guitar to jazz to tech metal, and everything in between.”- Leo Aram-Downs

This soundtrack is absolutely wonderfully creative, with so many fascinating layers inter-webbed inside and deserves to be in a movie or the main song to a series. The intricate intro sets the mood as the foggy midst clears and we are introduced to a skillful musician, who’s vocals are simply lovely on the ear and soothes the soul.

‘White Noise‘ from the talented Brighton singer-songwriter Leo Aram-Downs, shows us into a man’s mindset who misses that true love tremendously. He knows that he has made so many mistakes but believes that they will open the door when he arrives, so that they both may hug tenderly and never let go of each other again.

True soulmates are meant to be together after all.

Stream this top new single on Spotify and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Slip into the choral catharsis of 8udDha bl0od’s ambient single, ‘3ye 0f 7he jAgUAR’

Posted on 24 May 2021

‘3ye 0f 7he jAgUAR’ is just one of the recently released singles from the prolific and unpredictable Brighton-based artist 8udDha bl0od; once again, he’s experimented with his style and instrumentation and achieved in portraying organic expression that benefits the listener just as much as the creator.

4-minutes of unadulterated catharsis may seem like a dream come true in the chaos of our frantic modern world, but that is exactly what you will find in this easy to surrender to surf-rock-inspired ambient track.

Where birdsong would be on your archetypal meditative soundscape, 8udDha bl0od implanted chirping electronic glitches to cut through the choral tones spilling from the dreamy minimalist guitars. It’s mesmerising from the first note to the last, for the sake of my own sanity, I hope to hear plenty more ambient tracks from 8udDha bl0od in the future.

You can check out 8udDha bl0od’s latest single by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Exercise Restraint: Leo Aram-Downs shows us the way to true peace on ‘A Life Abbreviated’

Posted on 17 April 2021

As he sings with such class and leads us into a world that is so much better that what we currently see, Leo Aram-Downs is quite tremendous on his new single called ‘A Life Abbreviated‘.

Leo Aram-Downs is a prolific London-raised, Brighton-based indie singer-songwriter, transcriber and multi-instrumentalist, who makes that thoughtful music, which opens us your heart to that pure bliss that is so hard to find.

”My music comes from a unique blend of influences ranging from fingerstyle acoustic guitar to jazz to tech metal, and everything in between.”- Leo Aram-Downs

No matter what madness is going on in the world — with the once valued real connection of all, slowly fading away unless you are self-aware enough to truly see through what is real and what isn’t — the message here is that he is enough and he knows it. Finding that true love is the only thing that matters, away from the distracting noise that can consume you and lead you into the wrong direction.

He sings with such delight and meaning, each lyric is so poetic and carefully projected, as his mind is so alive with possibilities, instead of looking to the negative channels like so many.

‘A Life Abbreviated‘ from the Brighton-based singer-songwriter Leo Aram-Downs, is the journey to finding that light at the start of the day, your mind is ready to do whatever you need to do, no matter what it is. That self-enlightenment is so hard to find but when you do, each day is so much better inside your happy soul.

Stream this new deep track on Spotify and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Brighton’s Jacko Hooper treats us to an intimate exhibition of relatable fear with his latest single, ‘This Was the Earth’

Posted on 15 March 2021

Being no stranger to Jacko Hooper’s all-consuming music, I thought I was prepared for what was to come in his latest single, ‘This Was the Earth’. Considering that it perfectly captures the sense of drowning while contending with your thoughts in a world where normality and certainty seem like too much to ask for, I was wrong.

With instrumentals mimicking internal conflict paired with Hooper’s vocals which reach deeper than most, This Was the Earth is an intense listen, but the single isn’t without catharsis. With baroque keys adding a touch of theatrical intensity to the semi-orchestral folk-pop single, you can’t help but find yourself overcome by the fact that it seems to unfold like an aural piece of fine art.

Not only is Jacko Hooper a phenomenal artist in his own right, but he also runs the label and promotions company, Folklore Sessions which has showcased over 200 live acts at their monthly shows. I was lucky enough to find myself at such an event in 2018, with Paper Hawk and Josh McGovern joining Jacko Hooper on stage, each act left me more transfixed than the last with their uniquely hypnotic command of modern folk.

The official music video premiered on March 11th; you can check it out for yourselves via YouTube.

You can check out the other artists involved with Folklore Sessions here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Healing after a tough breakup: Danni Jackson tells the story of those close to her on ‘Stay True’

Posted on 15 December 2020

With an Indie R&B, Pop and soulfully simmering style that embraces you like a heartfelt hug, Danni Jackson shows her compassionate side on her brand new single called ‘Stay True’.

Danni Jackson is an actress and singer-songwriter, who grew up in sunny Brighton but has since made the move to further her career in the bright lights of lively London. Here is an inspirational young lady who has that extra self-motivation deep inside to be successful and do what she loves to do. Nothing seems to hold her back from chasing her dreams and achieving those lofty goals.

The stunning atmospheric piano gets us in the mood quickly followed with the rhythmical beat that makes you tap your feet. Then, the room is filled with a voice that is so striking the electricity plugs spark with excitement but with some sadness too with the loving vocals. She fills the room with so much care and compassion that makes you stop what you are doing and truly listen. You put your phone down and close your eyes, wondering why sometimes relationships end so quickly and gosh, it really hurts so deeply.

Moving on, taking time to heal, being with real friends and taking time to find yourself again is the only way to usher out those toxic energies that do you no good.. You need to let your heart breathe so you can fully love again without the scars visible in your eyes, even though you will always know where they are.

Her stunning tone is so tremendous and you feel a little tear go down your cheek as you wish things could work, but it’s over. At first you feel like it was a waste of time but will soon realize that this was all part of the journey to find someone that matches with you like a bright beam in the body.

‘Stay True’ from Danni Jackson might be the ultimate breakup healer song of 2020. In a cold world, this is a bright light to find understanding when things seem like they can’t get any worse. Time and being with caring friends and family, heals all wounds no matter how deep.

Hear her incredibly unique voice via Spotify and see what Danni has been up to on her FB and IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Keeping the night from ending: Lovable Devon family indie-folk band KoCapoli sing of better days ahead on ‘Sun Don’t Rise’

Posted on 3 December 2020

Devon/Brighton based indie-folk act KoCapoli are back with more beautiful melodies on their latest single ‘Sun Don’t Rise‘.

Twin sisters Alice, Kit and brother Billy, have been performing since they were youngsters and being in a band was always the plan. Their family has grown a bit bigger recently and they have brought in their friends Robin on drums and Ben on bass. With funk, folk, soul, and alternative sounds all woven into one, this is an outfit that make sweet music that leaves you wanting more treats to fill up your empty heart.

This is the story of wanting that special night to last just a bit more and longing for this to happen. You are with friends or lovers and don’t want it to end as everything is so perfect. This is that rare moment when the stars align just right and everything blends in your heart as you smile so bright and you don’t want the day to come, only the night.

The twin’s vocals are so pure and heartfelt and the mellow guitar adds a layer of sweetener to make this is a warm cuppa tea for the battered heart, tired of being locked inside and lonely. This is exactly what we need more of in the world; dreams and desires instead of gloom and doom that does nothing to help.

This is a lively band that has so much fun together and loves a good laugh and each other’s company while attempting to make Instagram videos. Their laughter is infectious (in a good way) and this type of happy energy is transported into their music.

South Devon/Brighton based KoCapoli miss each other a lot as they are separated due to current times but hopefully their bond has grown even stronger. ‘Sun Don’t Rise’ is a caring story of love and has been released like a caged bird, to bless us when we needed it most. Life is about being with those we care about most after all.

Hear this piece of calming beauty via their Spotify and find out more about the band on their IG & FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

8udDha bl0od immerses us in ‘Khaos’ with their latest release

Posted on 16 November 2020

8uddDha bl0od is an artist whose work always transcends genre or type, working instead to portray a sense of time, space, and location, through his music. This is music as out-and-out art, striving to directly convey emotion to the listener.

‘Khaos’ is 2’28” of repeating vaguely middle-eastern tinged motifs, pipes and chimes over a curiously at once both disturbing and yet soothing atonal background of droning strings. It is chaotic, certainly, yet at the same time, there’s an order and structure within the echoing pattern of reiterative notes, juxtaposed against the counterpoint of the disturbing, unsettled background soundscape. It’s, without doubt, a transportive piece, carrying the listener to an experience of a different place; in that, 8udDah bl0od has certainly succeeded.

Listen to ‘Khaos’ on Soundcloud.

Review by Alex Holmes

The incomparable UK band 8udDha bl0od are imperious on ‘Herb Albert Arturo & The 5UPer Silver Haze’

Posted on 27 October 2020

The incomparable UK band 8udDha bl0od are imperious on ‘Herb Albert Arturo & The 5UPer Silver Haze‘ and this is a ride that will have you gasping for air through the journey of life.

The tingled start shines early on with the guitar and harmonica trading turns to wake us up inside. This is that type of music to turn on when you just wake up, when you still need to brush your teeth and take a shower. The quality resonates with the track as we are transported into a magnificent world.

The Brighton band with a style like no other, 8udDha bl0od continue to stun on this new release. Their style changes each song, single are dropped like a life-awakening moment. You look forward to each song as this is creative music. This is authentic, real and feels good in the ears. ‘Herb Albert Arturo & The 5UPer Silver Haze‘ is a blaze in the sky, the smokey story gives you a buzz like no other.

Click here for the Soundcloud link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The mysterious 8udDha bl0od bless us with new electro track ‘(((?)))’

Posted on 30 September 2020

The magically brilliant Brighton band 8udDha bl0od are back with the beautiful ‘(((?)))‘.

There are no vocals on this one as we are transported into a translucent journey, full of lights and possibilities. You get locked into the song but it is never hard to imagine here, your eyes closed as you are put into a trance. This is such amazing music as I feel so much more free. There are droplets of electronic energy here as you look for the answer in your heart. What is life about really?

The UK act 8udDha bl0od are in fine form once again on their new single, the beautiful ‘(((?)))‘. This is a band that doesn’t make any bad songs. The musicianship is so classy yet so intriguing. You feel like you are perhaps floating into the sky, the clouds are no match as you float away, in your happy place. This is a sparkling effort from a band with so much potential. They need one of their songs to be a movie or series. Perhaps this will be when the world really appreciates this fine band from Brighton in the UK.

Head here for the Soundcloud link.

Click here for the Facebook page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen