Browsing Tag

Jazz Rock

Get into the ‘East Coast Groove’ with Martin Packwood’s jazz-rock soundtrack

Posted on 2 October 2023

After an installation of tropic percussion and equally as exotic reverb, Martin Packwood’s single, East Coast Groove, gives way to a guitar-driven jazz-rock instrumental soundscape, which amalgamates era-spanning guitar styles from across the globe and unravels as an inexplicably unique tapestry that breaks through the monocultural mould, note by note.

The Birmingham, UK-hailing guitarist has long held a passion for instrumental composition, inspired by a diverse array of riff legends, from Santana to Clapton. By picking up his Strat and finding a refreshing way to pay ode to their styles, Packwood orchestrated a hit of pure rhythmic soul.

If you’re looking to get into the world of groove or you have long been acquainted, you will experience East Coast Groove as four minutes of progressively elevated guitar-driven euphoria.

East Coast Groove was officially released on September 22; stream and purchase the single via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Martin Mayer – ‘Carol Of The Bells’: Cinematically Prodigal Jazz-Laden Piano Pop-Rock

Posted on 14 November 2020

The Beijing Times describes Canadian pianist and composer Martin Mayer as “Canada’s Prince Of The Piano”, and with ‘Carol Of The Bells’ – a soaring, shifting, ringing three-minute eighteen-seconds instrumental track of rolling drums and searing piano melody – Mayer is certainly doing everything to prove himself worthy of that title.

An instrumental fusion of pop-rock, smooth mellow jazz, and strict classical discipline, ‘Carol Of The Bells’ rings and chimes its way through key shifts and tempo switches, alternately lifting and dropping through the full dynamic range to produce an explosive, energetic track.

Mayer’s most recent album, ‘Unbreakable’, was listed as one of the top 25 New Music Critiques of 2018 by Music Connection Magazine, whilst Canada’s National Post predicts that Mayer is “Poised to take over the world stage”. On the basis of ‘Carol Of The Bells’, that truth is close to undeniable.

Hear ‘Carol Of The Bells’ on Spotify; follow Martin Mayer on Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

Dangerbirds – Red Tea: Kaleidoscopically Entrancing Melodic Jazz

Posted on 13 September 2020

‘Immersive’ isn’t usually the first adjective which comes to mind to describe a standout track from Jazz ensemble but discernibly, the Leeds-lauded Jazz outfit Dangerbirds are anything but archetypal.

After forming in 2018, Dangerbirds took their time crafting their transcendently warm album “Shapes”. Part Ambient Jaz and Part Progressive Melodic Instrumental Rock, the album is a deluge of complexity weaved into trustable rhythms. The standout track is undoubtedly Red Tea, it may not use typical time signatures, yet, you’ll want to surrender your pulses to the alchemy weaved by virtuoso-level composer and guitarist Sam Horan regardless.

Never let it be said that Jazz can’t be accessible and fit for contemporary airwaves.

You can check out Red Tea along with the rest of Dangerbirds debut album Shapes via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Digital Dreamers – Matzo Ball Marriage: Obscurely Infectious Avant-Garde Pop Rock

Posted on 12 May 2020

“Matzo Ball Marriage” is the eccentrically orchestrated latest single from Avant-Garde Experimental artist The Digital Dreamers. Any fans of Frank Zappa will definitely want to delve into the aural insanity which ensues after you hit play.

The growling bass notes in the prelude may lead you to believe that you’re about to be introduced to a serious Funk Rock track. But when the endearingly adrenalizing vocals kick in over the up-tempo piano notes as they electrically sail through their progressions, you’ll realise that The Digital Dreamers only takes the quality of their slightly obscure, insanely infectious sound seriously.

They’ve left quite the impression. We’re already stoked to hear what comes next.

You can check out Matzo Ball Marriage for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Big Fat Meanies – Meet Me at the Downbeat: Frenetically Funk-Driven Alt Rock

Posted on 20 February 2020

If you missed the seminal release “Meet Me at the Downbeat” from up and coming Alt Rock artist Big Fat Meanies, it’s our pleasure to introduce you to the frenetic hit.

With Ska, Punk, Rap, Funk, Rockabilly, Swing and Hip Hop all influencing the instrumental style, Meet Me at the Downbeat is a dynamically progressive track which really comes into its own through the stunning solos. Rather than just offering the usual guitar riffs, you’ll also hear drum, bass, and sax solos – each of them is as captivating as the last.

It was a bold move incorporating such a smorgasbord of sounds into their single. But perceptibly, Big Fat Meanies have more than enough talent and energy to pull it off. I can only imagine how immersive a live set would be.

You can check out Meet Me at the Downbeat for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast