Browsing Tag

mind

In Aid Of mind.org.uk: Simon Turner and Associates show us that some people just don’t appreciate help on ‘Nova Scotia’

https://soundcloud.com/simonturnerassociates/novascotia-1?in=simonturnerassociates/sets/my-crisis-of-confidence

Taken off the important debut three-track mental health fundraiser EP called ‘My Crisis Of Confidence’, the brave Simon Turner and Associates tell us about the story of ‘Nova Scotia‘.

Simon Turner and Associates is a courageous UK-based Jonny & The Mental Breakdowns bassist, who has completed an incredible project that originated from demos back in 2003. This quality release has been used as a way of self-therapy to move beyond the past, and to look towards the future.

”A photographer and musician with a long history of depression, anxiety and an attempted suicide behind him, Simon has been behind many fundraising efforts for Mind including the very well received 2017 ‘Top Of The Punks’ compilation and numerous charity auctions, raising £8,000 to date. This time it is a project 17 years in the making featuring contributions from his many talented friends, or ‘Associates’.” – Simon Turner

This sterling effort features contributions from members of Paul Weller, Shura and Jazz Colossus, with all proceeds going to the mental health charity mind.org.uk.

He plays with such vigor and love, each note is made with tender care and you feel the world class quality here. The lyrics are catchy and the vocals are a pleasure on the earlobes, as you relate to the story of trying to forget about the one person that made you feel so small, when you totally didn’t deserve their disrespect.

Nova Scotia‘ from Simon Turner and Associates, is that striking story that digs deep into your thoughts, as it shows you that even if you want to help, some people will also take advantage of you which causes a terrible feeling in your stomach. The will to assist is there but you need to be careful to who you help, as some just take and never give back.

Stream this true-life inspirational story on Soundcloud and see more news on his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Clear your mind with DEVIN’s track ‘Bring You In’

An argument can be made that music of all genres are different iterations and expressions of the human soul. It’s that word though, soul, which has truly been able to define a very specific type and level of understanding and vulnerability and power in honest expression. For DEVIN, it requires only the simplest elements. A piano performance, a snap-beat and a chance to let herself shine through is all that’s needed for a soulful performance. To capture something so beautiful and so simple is a tradition of R&B, but all the more reason to respect these styles. Bring You In is DEVIN’s invitation to stop your day, clear your mind and focus on only this gorgeous sonic message.

Despite the rudimentary nature of the mix, it’s not right to discount the music as lazy. While the spotlight remains on the smooth and caring vocal performance, the piano isn’t just dropping compressed loops like a lot of musicians who strive for minimalism. There’s heart in every stroke. The snaps don’t provide much rhythmic variety, but act as a grounding element coming from something more intimate than the traditional metronome or bass and snare combo. In some ways, this incredibly basic beat can be called more intentional and romantic than layered beats with a richer sense of motion. All things said and done, this song is beautiful and worth slowing down your daily momentum to appreciate.

-Paul Weyer