Album Review: ISQ – ‘Requiem for the Faithful 2.0’ – The Remixes
There’s something to be said about the mere act of dancing, post-covid. Let’s just start with that. Whether you’re into club culture or not, we’ve all had a burning desire to dance, with other people. That free flow ecstatic waltz into movement, that enables us to feel human again. Enter ISQ. A powerhouse of a …
Album Review: Saint Sister dazzle on ‘Where I Should End’
When Where I Should End found its way to my email, so to speak, I welcomed it with a huge smile. I feel compelled to share my own personal connection, if you will, dear reader, with the talented duo. I first heard Saint Sister live in London, in a small but perfectly intimate setting of …
Track: New Duo ‘ Wanderland ‘ debut the heavenly ‘Soon’
I had the pleasure of reviewing songstress Natalie Wildgoose’s debut single “You”, here at Backseat Mafia. Needless to say I wasn’t sure what to expect from this up and coming songstress; I had anticipated a clear, distinctive sound following the likes of a jazzier Laura Marling, perhaps with Imogen Heap influences. Natalie was indeed right …
Track: The Mountain Goats relish in Wild West psychedelia with ‘Dark In Here’
CALIFORNIAN staple The Mountain Goats have released the title track “Dark in Here” ahead of their album, out on June 25th on Merge Records. Led by songwriter John Darnielle, the band’s sound on “Dark In Here” could be summed up as a sinister, wild yet calming Spaghetti Western soundtrack; instead of guns as ammo you …
Album review: Final Step – ‘Disconnections’: passionate, rhythmic and unashamedly funky
I LOVE fusion bands. I really do. You never know what to expect, and that’s because they’re a fusion of flavours. Italian musicians in particular have always delivered when it comes to jazz music, a truly energetic burst of blues, funk and rock and roll. From the multi-lingual border region of Ticino, in Switzerland, guitarist …
News: Joni Mitchell celebrates the 50th anniversary of ‘Blue’ with a remastered set of her four Reprise albums
“I think the artist has always been in conflict, maybe because he has time on his hands to think with a lot of high ideals and values, and he’s got to recognize their beauty. “And at the same time, the flesh is weak and has too many appetites, so you’re in that continual conflict with …
Album review: Portico Quartet – ‘Terrain’: a truly reflective journey
PORTICO QUARTET have always been a vibe. Since their formation, in my opinion they’re one of the few instrumental jazz-psyechedelic-electronic bands to live up to that musical blend, and furthermore, they’ve always been able to tell a story. Their latest album, Terrain, actually exceeded all my expectations in that sense, delivering a much more emotionally …
Track: Cosmic Crooner’s ‘Popsicle Place’ comes highly recommended as a slice of doowop space pop
AMSTERDAM-based singer-songwriter Cosmic Crooner is back in his own Willy Wonka-esque dreamworld of sleazy cool with his new single, “Popsicle Place”. Following the release of his debut, Nouvelle Vague-inspired single “Deep Down In Jazz”, Cosmic Crooner hits all the notes when it comes to bringing the quirks and charm of 70s’ psychedelic lounge music. I …
In Conversation: Morcheeba’s Ross Godfrey – Life Lessons in Music
“We work really hard, we try and make it better. We lose ourselves, we give up, we go mad and then you find the gold at the end of the rainbow. Just when you think everything’s lost, and you’ve lost your own mind, that’s when you know you’ve then come to the end of the road.“ Ross Godfrey of Morcheeba. I …
Album Review: Otooto – smooth Danish jazz grooves with ‘This Love is For You’
When it comes to top-notch conservatoires where fusing classical training into jazz intersect, Denmark, and I would venture the Netherlands, hold a strong reputation for supporting that kind of nuanced and classical sound. The debut album of a very young and talented Danish quartet quintet, Otooto, led by trumpeter Jonas Due and saxophonist Oilly Wallace …