30 Day Song Challenge Day #3: A song that makes me happy

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Rob

Jazztronik - Colour of Days

This song represents joy wrapped up in six minutes and four seconds. It is one seriously happy record. Between the perky strumming of the double bass, the light piano work and Yurai’s colourful vocal scats it is a song full of wonder and glee.

It is like Dandelions floating in a warm summer’s breeze. Perfect for what is a gorgeous day in London Town right now!

Rob

Filed under: 30 Day Song Challenge | Tagged: Color of Days, Colour of Days, happiness, happy, Jazz, Jazztronik, song, Yurai | Leave a Comment »

Song of the Week: A Night Like This by Caro Emerald

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Rob

Caro Emerald – A Night Like This

Firstly, I need to explain the lack of posts to start the year. I kicked off 2011 in the Philippines seeing the wonderful wedding of two dear friends, Karen and Dion Dilla. Then I was whisked away to the Italian half of the Alps by my super-amazing-girlfriend.

Given the travels, I am not more musically versed… however I have heard some stonking music (particularly in the Philippines – more on that another time).

My travels (in Italy) gave me this record for song of the week, Caro Emerald – A Night Like This. Ms. Emerald , a voluptuous jazz-styled songstress, is somewhat of a superstar on the continent. Her debut album, Deleted Scenes From the Cutting Floor, spent an astonishing 6 months (27 weeks to be exact) at the top of the Dutch album charts! It seems like only us living in cold old Blighty who missed her.

A Night Like This epitomises Caro’s sound; 50’s influenced bouncy pop – that kinda feel good record that’s not particularly original but still sounds great… well sounds identical to Lina’s debut album but hey, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time you make a record! And what Caro Emerald does is mix all the right ingredients into a Michelin starred piece of feel good music.

Soulside Funk

Filed under: Song of the Week | Tagged: 50s, A Night Like This, bee-bop, Caro Emeral, Deleted Scenes From the Cutting Floor, Italian, Italy, Jazz, Music, New Music, Philippines, song, Song of the Week | Leave a Comment »

Gig News: Jamiroquai play London show in October

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Rob

Jamiroquai is back in London on October 20th. He will be playing The Forum, Kentish Town in support of his newest album, Rock.Dust.Light.Star, which is due to be released later this summer (well year!).

If his recent shows are anything to go by this should be pretty stellar. Tickets go on sale on Sept. 1st @ 9am.

If I get a sniff of any pre-sale tickets I will post the link on this site

Soulside Funk

Filed under: Gig Alerts, Gig News | Tagged: Concert, Funk, Gig, HMV Forum, Jamiroquai, Jazz, Kentish Town Forum, Live Music, London, Music, nu-jazz, Rock.Dust.Light.Star, show, Soul, tickets | 1 Comment »

Gig News: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings come to the Roundhouse

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Rob

Been a little off the pace recently, however this one (which is a long long long long long way away) is well worth a note in the diary. Sharon Jones and her Dap Kings are returning to London on November 3rd, to play Camden’s Roundhouse. After their stonking show early this year at Koko, this one is a definite for any diary.

Tickets are £22.50 plus change which is well worth it if the show is as good as the last one.

Don’t fear rest of the UK, they’re also playing Manchester (4th November @ The Ritz) and Edinburgh (5th November @ The Queens Hall – why is it all the Northern venues sound so much more regal and dramatic than the London ones; “The Roundhouse”… could at least call it the Royal Roundhouse or summat!).

You can pick-up tickets for all from SeeTickets – here

Soulside Funk

Filed under: Gig News | Tagged: Camden, Concert, Dap Kings, event, Funk, Gig, Jazz, London, Music, Roundhouse, Sharon Jones, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Soul, Tour, UK Tour | Leave a Comment »

Song of the Week: Box of Secrets

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Rob

Zarif – Box of Secrets

A re-release of sorts after it first emerged at the start of last year (featured in a Sky advert). From there Zarif went from music-journo starlet, to supporting Beyonce, to seemingly disappearing… good news is she’s back… even if it is with the same single that launched her.

This time round though she’s added MC of the moment Mz. Brattz in to the mix, for a featur that shouldn’t work over this 30′s bee-bop sounding pop song, but does so so well.

The single is due out 16th August, which will hopefully (at long last) be followed by her debut album; can anyone say “whoop, whoop!”

Soulside Funk

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Filed under: Song of the Week | Tagged: Box of Secrets, Jazz, New Music, Song of the Week, Soul, UK Soul, Zarif | Leave a Comment »

Song of the Week: I Kinda Think He Does

Posted on September 21, 2009 by Rob

SOTW - 2009.09.21 - I Kinda Think He Does

Amy Lynn & The Gunshow: I Kinda Think He Does

Nothing can beat a good bit of blues, and in I Kinda Think He Does, Amy Lynn and the Gunshow have re-created that classic blues sound on a record oozing memories of days gone by.

It is a gentle tune about Amy’s lover that kind feels like a warm hug on a cold night. Take a listen and see what you think.

Soulside Funk

formatting

Filed under: Song of the Week | Tagged: Amy Lynn & The Gunshow, Blues, I Kinda Think He Does, Jazz, Song of the Week | Leave a Comment »

Gig Review and Pictures: Chrisette Michele @ The Jazz Cafe

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Rob

Hearing jazz at the Jazz Cafe is not something I am used to, so when R&B singer Chrisette Michele took the stage it was not something I was expecting… however as the night progressed we were treated some serious jazz vocals.

I should have know something was up when she opened her set with Epiphany, Be OK and Best of Me. I could have actually gone home at the point because all my tunes had been performed (well there is Golden, which followed shortly afterwards). So 10 minutes in, all the best songs gone, where on earth does she go? Well she slows it down and sings that old fashioned jazz/soul/blues is where she goes. She spent the rest of the evening showing off the powerful, husky voice that makes her so distinctive. Blues to bebop-esque scatting, she did it all.

As great as her voice is, I did want to jam and move a little more, so it would have been nice to get a few more fast paced songs, something to wiggle to.

Chrisette Michele, put on a thoroughly enjoyable night. Catch her if she comes to London again and enjoy a night of jazz vocals with an R&B twist.

Soulside Funk