Production Lyrics Music Vocals Musicianship
Production Lyrics Music Vocals Musicianship
Production Lyrics Music Vocals Musicianship
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OuterEdge
Kaci Brookz
Contact: chase.edge22@gmail.com Web: outeredgemusic.com Seeking: Label, Booking Style: Alternative/Indie
Contact: brook.singz@gmail.com Web: kacibrookz.com Seeking: Label, Film/TV Style: R&B, Hip-Hop
Tight and talented, this Florida three-piece is fronted by singer-guitarist Chase Edge, whose vocals have a nice raspiness and an ability to scale higher. “Twisted” is the trio’s strongest outing, a surly, soulful groove that shifts to a cool reggae breakown. Though it’s the band’s best tune, it shows a persistent weakness––its chorus is not as strong as it should be. “Starchild” has a tasty bass line and an impressive falsetto vocal. The vocal harmonies on “Time” are fine and the drumming and guitar licks really shine. But, again, the song’s hook underwhelms. And the lengthy instrumental coda, though it’s cool, seems way out of its element here. Nevertheless, this band shows strong potential.
The obvious takeaway from southwest London rapper Kaci Brookz’ music is his truly impressive vocals. Brookz has carved out his niche in the UK hip-hop scene by displaying his vocal talent through perfectly produced runs and swaying, catchy tunes. He has a clear talent for identifying perfect hooks for his beats, which sit perfectly in the background with simple but effective melodic structure that allows his own melodies to glide seamlessly on the forefront. This is the case on almost every track we listened to. Brookz simply needs to continue developing the themes of his lyrics, which seem mostly material and surface level. That being said, his potential is clearly through the roof.
Production Lyrics Music Vocals Musicianship
8 7 8 9 8
Arielle Silver
Marius Holth
Contact: amanda@trendpr.com Web: ariellesilvermusic.com Seeking: Booking, Film/TV Style: Americana, Singer-Songwriter
Contact: Powderfinger Promo Web: mariusholth.com Seeking: Label, Film/TV Style: Singer-Songwriter
Blessed with a strong, authoritative voice, Arielle Silver is a born communicator, an artist whose structured songwriting exudes intelligence and humanity. And the best part is, she’s also got a knack for catchy pop hooks and fun arrangements. “What Really Matters” is a song of personal exploration and struggle and it demonstrates how relateable this artist can be. How many of us have left the shelter of our hometown only to return to a class reunion? She details that experience in “Headlights,” imbueing it with country-folk mandolin and delivering a celebratory finale spiced with organ and piano. A determined optimism powers “Laugh About It” as she and her significant other carry on through tough times.
Norwegian artist Marius Holth has enlisted first-rate, top-notch support to bring his theatrical, high-concept material to life. They’re songs with lyrics (voiced mainly by Holth himself) that are highly descriptive of events that unfold in misty, mysterious, magical settings. “Gypsy Priest” is remarkable due to the manic wailing/yelling of solo vocalists, first a female then a male. Holth’s own singing skills improve over the course of subsequent songs, such as the light, sweet and melodic “Lady on Foggy Lake,” where his intonations add a Hobbit-like aura, and “Wild Poem” where Holth injects every decibel of dynamism, commitment and vitality he can muster. This artist is unusual, operatic, and not for everyone.
Production Lyrics Music Vocals Musicianship
9 6 6 7 9
Branden & James
Maia Zakay
Contact: info@brandenjames.com Web: brandenjames.com Seeking: Label, Booking, Film/TV, Distr. Style: Classical Crossover
Contact: uri.zakay1@gmail.com Web: maiazakay.com Seeking: Label, Film/TV, Distr., Radio Style: R&B/Pop
Recordings by cello and voice duo Branden & James–– featuring singer (and AGT finalist) Branden James––are lushly arranged and passionately performed, often with a theatrical flair. Right away, “Viceremo” proclaims the duo’s classical opera pedigree with an arrangement that blossoms with flute and other support. The song’s plea for togetherness is a timely one and it’s this sort of idealist, inspirational spirit that carries throughout their songs, such as “Till We See,” which calls upon humanity’s best, most unselfish qualities. Mix in some covers of Ed Sheeran and classic folk-rockers Don McLean and the result is an experienced pop-classical duo with multi-generational appeal.
We hear good flows in these songs from Maia Zakay, whose lyrics focus on the diverse dimensions of human interaction, be they emotional or sensual. Above all, Zakay’s producer/co-creators bring a high level of artistry to these recordings, creating multi-layered soundscapes for her solid, appealing voice to inhabit. Can someone be too nice? That’s the sometimes troubling issue Zakay explores on “2 Nice.” She shifts to a sunnier outlook on “How Lucky,” whose beat has layering and effects that are alluring. Same goes for the sexy comeon, “Rooftop,” a sonically skill-drenched production that perfectly conveys the power of physical attraction. No reason why a label shouldn’t check out this artist.
Production Lyrics Music Vocals Musicianship
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Music Connection’s executive committee rates recorded music on a scale of 1 to 10. Number 1 represents the lowest possible score, 10 represents the highest possible score. A final score of 6 denotes a solid, competent artist. For more information, see Submission Guidelines on the next page. 44 August 2020
musicconnection.com
