Category Archives: Misc Reviews

Sakis Gouzonis – Amazing Space

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Sakis Gouzonis is a Greek, electronic music composer, and “Amazing Space” is his 10th studio album. The songs are all instrumental and would be suitable as both intelligent dance tracks, but I could see myself listening to this while on a long, late night drive out of town. It provides an energetic spacey ambiance, but one that you could “think” to as well as dance to. My favorite song on the album is “Into the Stars” which is reminiscent of some of the more epic tracks from classic video games like Final Fantasy VI.

http://www.sakisgouzonis.com/amazing_space/

http://www.sakisgouzonis.com/

NYKOBANDZ – “Lift Off”

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New Orleans based rapper Nyko Bandz has a new video out for his jam, “Lift Off.” It unexpectedly features a cute little dog in the opening. The song itself showcases Nyko’s unique and somewhat unconventional delivery style helps to distinguish him from other similar rappers. The strategic repetition of certain lines such as “I feel like Rick Ross. I’m about to lift off” combined with the slow, deliberate and methodical beat give the song almost a hypnotic quality. Pretty solid video from a rapper with a memorable brand.

http://www.nykobandz.com/

Big Chris – Bad Timing

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Big Chris is back with an album titled, “Bad Timing.” In addition to some smooth RnB vocals, these new tracks contain more of the quality synth work that has become a staple of his songs. The synth backing often creates the impression at first that you might be listening to a high energy, radical 80’s dance jam. Then the light hip hop / RnB singing kicks in and you get a sense of the eclectic mix. The combination of groovy, seemingly retro styled dance tracks with Big Chris’s smooth and assertive lyrical delivery give these songs an original style. Big Chris has carved out his own niche here and continues to develop himself as a true artist.

http://www.bigchrisrnb.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bigchrisrnb/
https://www.facebook.com/BigChrisRnB/
https://twitter.com/BigChrisRnB

Keveaux x Commas (Future) Freestyle

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Hip hop artist Keveaux, from South Atlanta, has a new track out.  A musician known as Future handled the instrumental and the video was shot & directed by ToadGod.  Keveaux  confidently delivers his lines with crystal clarity. His freestyle skills are pretty solid and the production quality on the song as well as the vid is top notch. The video is only shot in what appears to be 2 or 3 locations. However, it is instantly appreciable for the car that’s in the background, which appears to be a late 80s or early 90s vehicle that features an awesome menacing mouth with teeth, painted on the side. This was a brilliant creative choice and will be memorable to viewers, to go along with the clean and professional  sound of Keveaux.

Oxaï Roura – Afro-Himalayan 01: GanEshou

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Oxaï Roura’s experimental track “Afro-Himalayan 01: GanEshou” is one of the more unusual tracks I’ve heard. It’s kind of a mix between tribal spoken word (with multiple voices layered,) and synth. It’s very minimalist. Oxaï lists filmmaker David Lynch as one of his influences, and this music would not seem out of place in a Lynch-like movie. I imagine these songs would also work well in tandem with an artistic dance performance art of some kind. Wisely, the artist keeps these songs to a relatively short length so that they hold the listener’s attention for the duration.

For more info:
https://www.reverbnation.com/oxaïroura

Kid-Ro -New Keisha

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Chicago based artist “Kid-Ro” has a track out titled “New Keisha” (produced by Niko the Great.) He describes his sound as “new age hip hop with an international feel.” Kid-Ro comes across as a capable and solid rapper. Throughout the song he maintains an intuitive pacing. His delivery is articulate, with well timed vocals accentuated by some echo type effects, yet none of it is obscured by over processing. What makes the song memorable for me though is the terrifically eerie synth backing, which is reminiscent of something in between a 70’s Italian horror movie soundtrack and 80’s video game music. The background track is good enough to stand on its own as an instrumental. It’s good to see hip hop getting more creative and branching off into new sub-genres. Kid-Ro’s music is helping to contribute to that welcome trend.

For more info:

http://twitter.com/ItsKidRo
https://soundcloud.com/kid-ro/kid-ro-new-keisha-prod-niko-the-great

One New Spirit – Follow Peace

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One New Spirit’s song, “Follow Peace” brings something new to the table in that it’s part of a growing yet not often talked about genre of “indie” new age music. As more people seek relief from the ever increasing toll of modern life takes on the psyche, there is a yearning for the transcendent, for meditation and most of all…for inner tranquility. “Follow Peace” is there to fill the void. The talented Krista Gardner’s naturalistic vocals seem to be tailor made for this style of music. Producer Marko Fazio wisely allows Krista’s singing to take center stage and doesn’t muddy up her performance by tinkering with a lot of unnecessary effects and processing. True to its title, “Follow Peace” is a very calming song, which invites contemplative meditation and reflective solitude. The same thing goes for the lyric video (see below.) While the aesthetic is minimalist (lyrics set to a vaporwave styled ocean backdrop) it’s perfect for meditation, and anything more would probably distract from reaching any higher level consciousness.

There is clearly a high level of talent associated with this production at all levels. I expect Krista and the rest of her team will continue to dream up more of these great electro new age songs in the future.

Absoloot – The Truth

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Hip hop artist “Absoloot” has delivered a new track titled “The Truth.” It’s very well produced and would be worth listening to even for the groovy musical arrangements alone. Absoloot’s pacing and tone flows well throughout. Despite the provocative title and cover, Absoloot’s political message comes across as rather nuanced, as he levels his constructive criticisms at multiple sides and doesn’t fall into the trap of cliched predictability. Regardless of your views on the state of current affairs in these tumultuous times, this is a great quality song, and the political message is conveyed in a manner that won’t rub you the wrong way if you don’t agree with parts of it. Expect this guy to continue to put out good material in the days ahead.

Available on itunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/truth-feat.-captain-single/id1200622143

www.twitter.com/absoloot
www.facebook.com/absoloot
www.reverbnation.com/Absoloot
www.youtube.com/absolootube

Charles Luck and Tino Red – Limitless: Lost In Space (Produced By DansonnBeats)

Charles Luck and Tino Red have cranked out another track. This one’s titled “Limitless: Lost in Space” and is produced by DansonnBeats. It has more of an epic feel to it, with an almost opera like, dramatic musical backing. The song takes a somewhat urgent pacing, which correlates with the tone and subject matter..(saving the world, etc.) Tino’s vocal skills come through like always as he demonstrates his usual combined rapping/singing adeptness. He also shows an uncanny ability to deliver material with class and in a unifying, elevating way. As a bonus, there’s even a slick reference to Paul McCartney and the Beatles song, “Eleanor Rigby” about a third of the way through.

Fore more info:
https://soundcloud.com/blackastronautx/charles-luck-tino-red-limitless-lost-in-space-produced-by-dansonnbeats


http://twitter.com/BlackAstronautX

http://facebook.com/LuckOnMars
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http://www.youtube.com/c/BlackAstronaut
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TimbDagod – Bars No Lyrics

Humbly named hip hop artist TimbDagod has a new single out titled “Bars No Lyrics.” One thing that’s very apparent in this jam is his technical skill when delivering. His timing is tighter than a metronome. He’s able to maintain the consistency for long periods as well, not just short bursts of rhymes. His rapping style has kind of a rhythmic, hypnotic quality to it. It doesn’t express a lot of attitude or exaggerated emotions. “Bars No Lyrics” is a worthy effort, and TimbDagod certainly knows his craft.

For more info:
http://timbdagod.com/
http://www.audiomack.com/song/timbdagod/bars-no-lyricshttp://www.audiomack.com/song/timbdagod/bars-no-lyrics