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he Direct Buzz offers reviews by a team of professional music critics. Any AirPlay Direct artist or label interested in being considered for a review, should contact us. Choose three songs from your DPK, and we’ll give you our opinion of them. We can’t guarantee a rave review, but we can assure you that it will be honest and constructive. We will try to honor all requests, but it might take a while. As such, your patience is appreciated.
Sounds of Blackness
Michael Martin Murphey
Asphalt Messiah
The 3rd Gift: Story, Song, and Spirit
Buckaroo Blue Grass
No Way
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Grammy-winning ensemble Sounds of Blackness hit the charts with their 12th album, The 3rd Gift: Story, Song, and Spirit. Though the group covers many genres from jazz to R&B and hip-hop, this newest offering leans heavily toward gospel. With a new president in Barack Obama and a strong sense of optimism, as reflected in the song “Audacity of Hope (We are One),” Sounds of Blackness proclaims this to be a time for inspiration and spirituality. In doing so, they invite you into their church, for a little soul saving, where the deep, rich voices of the choir carry you above the clouds and into the heavens. The dark, heady version of “God Bless the Child” is worthy of attention, and is in contrast to the group’s classic a cappella take on “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” that has a delicate and sincere delivery which will touch even the hardest of hearts. Oprah Winfrey is a big Winans fan. Well, take note Oprah. You might want to upload The 3rd Gift into your iPod’s “inspirational” playlist. In fact, for anyone who loves gospel, or appreciates its influence in modern music, this album is a strong addition to your collection. Paula Munoz
Michael Martin Murphey reaches deep down in his catalog and pulls out a stellar list of songs for his latest album, Buckaroo Blue Grass. His eloquent, narrative-like lyrics captivate you right from the get-go, beginning with the classic, “Carolina In The Pines.” The album’s beautiful melodies, wrapped in silky smooth guitar, create sensual pleasures much like the smell of a fresh rainstorm and a beautiful vista on the horizon. In fact, mountain views, crystal waters, and the emerald hills of Ireland can all be found in this majestic work of art. “Dancing in the Meadow” is a fun Irish/country jig that is as crisp as the morning dew, while “Healing Spring” offers a great story amid an intricate combination of instruments. “Boy from the Country” and “Lone Cowboy” showcase the extraordinary talents of the top bluegrass and acoustic pickers of today, as they bend sixstrings seemingly at will. Indeed, anyone who has ever thought about country life will find a lot to like here. Whether you’re into bluegrass or not, you’ll find that this music will bring you on an idyllic journey… one that will have you turning up the volume instead of turning it off. Tom Laurie
Blending rock and hip-hop is not exactly a new, or groundbreaking, concept. However, it’s clear that Asphalt Messiah truly wish to make this marriage of genres their own… and, more importantly, they do it on their own terms. This band sets itself apart with heavy guitar sounds that are closer to classic rock riffs than the nu-metal chugging we generally hear. Lead singer/MC, Automatic has an absolutely captivating voice; and executes his melodies with passion and skill. The lyrical content is honest but, at times, can feel slightly forced, as if there was a shortage of words that could rhyme. “Fall Back” and “Buried Alive” suffer from this deficiency to a small degree. Additionally, the riffs in some of the songs make it seem as if the guitarist wrote them in the ‘80s. Nonetheless, these shortcomings occur only occasionally, and are really the only criticisms regarding this otherwise talented band. Of particular note is the song “No Way” which, after a slow start, picks up steam and transitions through unexpected grooves, eventually crescendoing into an epic and emotive piece. Overall, the heavy guitars, backed by a tastefully mixed orchestra, compliment Automatic’s raw vocal energy perfectly. Hans Fink