Brielle Von Hugel has a new single we are streaming. The "Stronger (Exodus x Sweet & Sour Remix)" track features the rapper B.o.B. I have never been a fan of rap however I can appreciate the difficulty and pace that you have to keep up with sing that way. I certainly could not do it, I would loose my breath and turn blue! It is an art form no doubt and it has many admirers. To be honest I liked what was presented here and thought it worked well.
Brielle has a powerful and emotional touch to the vocals she delivers. Her style and flair are a perfect match for the music, which is a mixture of pop, dance and electronica. She steps aside to let the pro B.o.B. handle the rap duties which he does with ease.
Check out the stream and the video of what inspired Brielle to sing this song. You will be able to understand the emotion and purpose that drives this track once you watch her video.
Brielle’s dynamic, soulful, emotive voice and personality can be described as modern-day vintage. This singer/songwriter mixes pop-edge with yesterday’s bluesy, smoky tones to give her musical storytelling grit—unapologetically honest and straightforward—commanding her audience ...READ MORE...
Roots Rock and Americana are really taking hold. It has been for several years and the more I hear it the more I can see why it has become so popular.
Music from artists such Amilia K. Spicer, like her track "Fill Me Up," will give you a good idea of what this music sounds like, or should sound like.
Spicer's voice has that edge country influenced music needs.The vocals gives it all more heart and soul. Truthfully, the reason I like the music so much is because it is so honest and emotional.
"Fill Me Up" comes at you locked and loaded and ready to fire away. The music is very earthy with a heavy influence from country (and I don't mean all polished with rock and pop for a looped radio playlist) just as all Americana or Roots Rock.
Check out this great music and the hypnotizing vocals of Amilia K. Spicer.
It may be her haunting, husky voice that first grabs a listener, the way it glides over melodies like smoke, but it’s the songwriting that Spicer really wants you to hear-
The turns of phrases, the wistful poetry, the smart (and sometimes smart aleck) lyrics...READ MORE...
Kathryn Kaye is a piano player extraordinaire.The beauty and grace she commands from the ivory keys is beyond reproach. With her new album Reflected In A Flowing Stream arriving on New Year's Eve we have the pleasure of getting a sneak peak of what is to come. The focus track is "Winter's Deepest Sleep." People that live in the Northeast and beyond can relate to that title. The beauty of that process is revealed in the music. As winter puts all kinds of life to sleep for several months we are assured of a reawakening in the Spring.The song is graceful, beautiful and delicate as life itself. It conveys a sense of spirituality and oneness that only nature brings. Listen and relax to the warm and flowing sounds of Ms. Kaye on her track "Winter's Deepest Sleep."
Kathryn Kaye grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of southeastern Kentucky. She began playing piano at the age of four, and music immediately became an essential part of her life. She majored in voice and keyboard in college, after which she moved to Germany to further her training. Prior to and during her years in Germany, Kathryn performed professionally as a folk singer and soprano soloist in concerts, recitals, and operas, and she has appeared as a solo performer on television in both Germany and the United States...READ MORE...
Cranky George is back on Rate The Tracks to bring listeners another interesting and entertaining track.
This time we get to stream "Misery Road" from their recent albumFat Lot of Good.
"Misery Road" gives you windshield wipers for your tears. Man, what kind of car comes equipped like that? What a great line from the song! As usual I enjoyed the music, in fact I think the entire Fat Lot of Good is a truckload of musical entertainment.
This is one example of the band's special blend of rock, Americana, blues and folk. They stir the pot of the emotional stew and its a good time so check it out. Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
The genesis of Cranky George dates back to 1989, when James Fearnley (accordion-player and founder-member of London/Irish band The Pogues) met, first, Dermot Mulroney (renowned actor, star and co-star of ‘The Family Stone’, ‘The Wedding Date’ and ‘About Schmidt’), and then Dermot’s brother, Kieran (erstwhile actor in ‘From The Earth To The Moon’ and ‘The Spitfire Grill’, now writer and director) on film locations in Colorado and Virginia...READ MORE...
Angie and The Deserters pay us another visit with a great track for listeners to check out. "Forgetting To Forget" is a melodic pop rock song that will stay in your mind for a long time.
The track is crafted specifically for Angie's emotive vocal style. The musicianship is superb as usual and the lady hits her stride as the story unfolds.
Love, loss, heartbreak and "Forgetting To Forget" about you is the main focal point of the track. Don't miss out on streaming this track you will love it!
Born in Upstate NY in a small town called Potsdam in what many refer to as the North Country, singer-songwriter Angie Bruyere spent her childhood running through the backwoods and roaming the train tracks, living the simple life that inspires imaginations of which lyrics and melodies are made. Settling in Southern California at a young age, Bruyere began a modeling career that took her on a journey around the world...experiences that can be felt throughout many of her songs. Pen and paper always in hand, she began writing poetry and playing her guitar, lending itself naturally to combining her two passions into what has become a body of musical work that she continues grow daily...READ MORE...
Bunny Sigler is back to pay us a visit again and this time it's about the Holidays. "White Christmas" is his 2016 Remix.
His new Christmas single is here. A funky and soulful version of a timeless classic. You have my personal guarantee that you have never heard this song performed this way.
Sigler knows how to get an audience in the right mood. Before you know it Thanksgiving will be here then Christmas.
Let the legendary Bunny Sigler usher in the Holiday spirit with "White Christmas."
It would be difficult to reflect on the musical era of the 60.s and 70.s without a mention of the name Walter Bunny Sigler Instant Funk.s (I Got My Mind Made Up), Patti Labelle.s (Somebody Loves You Baby), The Whispers. (Bingo), Jackie Moore.s (Sweet Charlie Babe) and The O.Jays (Sunshine¡) all came from the pen of Bunny Sigler. An integral part of the Philadelphia Sound and Leon Huff & Kenny Gamble.s Philadelphia International Records, (Mr. Emotion), as he was called, positioned himself as one of the day.s most significant musical players working with artists such as Curtis Mayfield...READ MORE...
On October 28th Kelly Andrew will release his new recording Rendezvous. This highly acclaimed instrumentalist, producer and sound engineer is now introducing the title track as an introduction to the release.
His piano playing is rhythmic and flowing. "Rendezvous" will get your senses aroused, your heart pumping and your toes tapping in a matter of seconds. The combination of piano and sax in the track brings a nice mixture of classical, new age and jazz that will delight all kinds of music lovers. Check out the provided stream now! Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
Kelly Andrew is an award-winning musical artist, composer, pianist, producer, and sound engineer with an emphasis in melodic, lyrical, and emotional Contemporary Instrumental, Pop, and Orchestral music...READ MORE...
"You" is the second focus track on our site for the dynamic band Angie and the Deserters. It is also the title of the band's new EP.
This time out the track has more of slower pace and pop flavor. It is a love song with all the emotions that pull on your heartstrings.
Angie and the band know how to get the message across with the right words, vocals and music. The three main ingredients of a great track are here, the triangle of success is complete with "You."
Born in Upstate NY in a small town called Potsdam in what many refer to as the North Country, singer-songwriter Angie Bruyere spent her childhood running through the backwoods and roaming the train tracks, living the simple life that inspires imaginations of which lyrics and melodies are made. Settling in Southern California at a young age, Bruyere began a modeling career that took her on a journey around the world...experiences that can be felt throughout many of her songs. Pen and paper always in hand, she began writing poetry and playing her guitar, lending itself naturally to combining her two passions into what has become a body of musical work that she continues grow daily...READ MORE...
Hennie Bekker is an award winning artist with numerous recordings to his credit. His most recent release Beyond Dreams brings you Brain Entrainment and Relaxation Music. No, that is not a typo! Entrainment is the practice of entraining one's brainwaves to a desired frequency.
Bekker presents the desired frequency with the featured track here titled "Letting Go." The accompanying visual is purposely basic for a focus point, which is traveling through space. The music is beautiful and trance like. Bekker's piano is graceful and it expresses the feeling of floating away. All you have to do is listen and watch the video.
Hennie Bekker is an award winning, multi-platinum selling musician whose eclectic career spans decades, continents, generations and genres. Best known for his New Age sound on the Solitudes, Kaleidoscopes and Hennie Bekker's Tranquility album series, he was also a creative force behind BKS, one of Canada’s most successful techno/dance bands. READ MORE...
Angie and the Deserters will steal your heart and soul with their new EP Blood Like Wine.
The featured track here is "The Gift" and man is it ever a knockout punch! Angie's voice is sexy and emotive but it has just enough grit to make sure her point gets across with some impact.
The guitar playing really resonates and seems to bounce off the walls while Angie wails "I will cry for you, I will die for you."
Pure emotion with great alternative country is the right combination for this band. Check out this track, I guarantee it will satisfy and have you looking for more.
Born in Upstate NY in a small town called Potsdam in what many refer to as the North Country, singer-songwriter Angie Bruyere spent her childhood running through the backwoods and roaming the train tracks, living the simple life that inspires imaginations of which lyrics and melodies are made. Settling in Southern California at a young age, Bruyere began a modeling career that took her on a journey around the world...experiences that can be felt throughout many of her songs. Pen and paper always in hand, she began writing poetry and playing her guitar, lending itself naturally to combining her two passions into what has become a body of musical work that she continues grow daily...READ MORE...
Well , where do we start...The singer was born Walter Sigler in Philadelphia on 27th March 1941. Bunny recalls, "They called me Bunny right off because I was born two days before Easter. The first singing I did was in church - Sunday school. I wouldn't say it was very funky, just straight...READ MORE...
Jazz collective Sasha’s Bloc has earned the best reviews of their burgeoning career via coverage of their new CD ‘Heart On Fire’ and recent LA concerts. The band, conceived by bassist Alex Gershman and featuring guest vocalists Jane Monheit and Alvin Chea, evokes the Big Band Jazz Sound of the 1920s-40s: “Gershman and his Sasha’s Bloc serve as a reminder of the reason we fell in love with jazz in the first place. It makes you feel nostalgic and free.”
Kathryn's recording output has been totally consistent and complete quality for many years and I would anticipate another wonderful group of tracks on the new album.
One example that surely indicates that is the focus track "Learning To Waltz With Clouds." The title alone suggest something so beautiful and spiritual that it cannot miss hitting you just the right way. Her piano playing is gorgeous and you can envision getting in step with the billowing clouds above. The thought of it brings a quiet to your inner being and of course the music leads the way.
This is a great introduction to her latest outing and I certainly look forward to hearing more of the same!
Kathryn Kaye grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of southeastern Kentucky. She began playing piano at the age of four, and music immediately became an essential part of her life. She majored in voice and keyboard in college, after which she moved to Germany to further her training. Prior to and during her years in Germany, Kathryn performed professionally as a folk singer and soprano soloist in concerts, recitals, and operas, and she has appeared as a solo performer on television in both Germany and the United States.
Kathryn has been influenced by the simple harmonies of the folksongs and hymns that she heard, sang, and played as a child, by her years of experience with classical music, and by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains where she now lives. Her music ranges from compositions with strong, emotional melodies through more contemporary, meditative, instrumental pieces.
Joe Heinemann's new release Gratitude says how the artist feels about life and he then translates that in his music. The track of choice is "Lenape." It is a beautiful dance of grace and sound. Joe's fingers are the translator and his piano is the messenger. The soft intro pulls you in and grabs your attention. The pace is purposeful and meaningful. "Lenape" is one example of what is in store for the listener on the new release. Lovers of instrumental, classical and new age music will find this an enjoyable piece to listen to. Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
Raphael Groten has a new release out titled Journey Home. Our focus track is the beautiful and delicate "Sweetness." Groten takes his acoustic guitar and turns it into a tool to soothe and caress the human mind, body and spirit. With the video provided you will also see what the message is in addition to hearing it. What I enjoyed is the simplicity and directness of the track. "Sweetness" can come in many different ways and in this case it is being with a loved one and enjoying the splendor of nature and all its gifts. Groten delivers to the listener and an audio visual treat to help you to realize that the simple things in life are what are most important. Look around you and take it all in and enjoy your life and everything it brings to you on a daily basis. One man, one guitar and music of solitude and gratitude is what I hear. I like the way the video ends with Groten creating a totem on a tree with his guitar and bird feathers. Our Native American father's would be proud! Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
Acoustic guitarist Raphael Groten exhibited amazing patience in waiting until now to release his first solo recording, seeing as he has been playing the instrument for thirty years (and loving every minute of it). His story involves perseverance, happenstance, and coincidence, and even though the seeds of what germinated for years have finally sprouted with the release of 2015's Journey Home, getting there involved some diversions as well as the development of a deep-rooted belief in a world of personal spiritual growth and commitment to using his talent for the betterment of others.
Raphael Groten was born in Philadelphia forty-two years ago on Christmas Day, 1973, into a true music-loving environment. From happy times as the family sang during long car trips to the sizable jazz and classical vinyl collection in the house (with a particular emphasis on bossa nova and Latin-influenced jazz) to the ubiquitous presence of multiple guitars during holiday gatherings, there seemed to be something musical going on at all times. Despite there being a piano available, Raphael first picked up the saxophone as his chosen instrument, beginning with alto sax in the 4th grade and graduating to tenor from grades 7 to 10. He moved on to guitar when he turned 13 and, as they say, the rest is history. First acquiring some informal music training from his mother and sister, Raphael then moved on to formal studies at the University of Vermont, where he majored in Philosophy and minored in Music. While still in high school, he became immersed in folk music and by the end of his Freshman year of college he had composed over 100 songs, collaborating with friends when it came time to write lyrics. After his diploma, he launched his own ten-piece Latin/jazz/funk ensemble, Saudade. The group performed extensively during the late '90s in Burlington, Vermont, and released two albums of Raphael's own compositions.
Even as he was experiencing success with his band, something stirred inside him, some part of him wanted to affect positive change in the world. In 1993, while taking a holistic health class, he met his first shamanic teacher, Susan Grimaldi. In 2001, she would reenter his life at a pivotal moment when he sought personal healing after his four and a half month old son was involved in a near fatal accident. That first night in intensive care he played guitar for his son, while the following day a therapeutic harpist paid them a visit in his son's room, performing for them. It was at this moment when an epiphany dawned for Raphael—his life calling was to compose, perform, and eventually record intentional healing music for people in need. Shortly thereafter, he began shamanic studies, first with Grimaldi and then with Zacciah Blackburn in the field of Sound Healing. He graduated to being a practitioner himself, which he does to this date, offering Sound Circles, individual sessions, group work and apprenticeships, using voice, medicine drum, crystal bowl, flutes and more.
In addition to his work in the Sound Healing field, Raphael also teaches children folk music, and uses singing, dancing, clapping, music theory and song-writing as part of his teaching repertoire. In addition, he also holds private lessons for both guitar and ukulele. As if that wasn't enough to keep him busy, he is also a contractor, carpenter, and furniture maker, with his own company, Barnoire Furniture and Cabinetry (started in 2001).
It was while sitting in one of his daily meditations in nature (he currently lives in a log cabin atop a mountain in Starksboro, Vermont) that yet another turning point occurred in Raphael's life. He was moved, purely through intuition, to email one of his guitar tracks ("Black River") to Will Ackerman, Windham Hill label founder and owner of Imaginary Road Studios, also in Vermont. In his email, he also requested a meeting to discuss the possibility of Will producing Raphael's first solo recording, featuring fingerstyle acoustic guitar. Fate smiled on him and Will responded the next day. A scant two months later, Groten's debut, Journey Home, was recorded in just two days at Imaginary Road. The experience left a huge impact on Raphael, as he states "I would be remiss in not mentioning the enormous influence and presence of Will Ackerman in my life... I now see, first hand, how Will champions music of this nature."
When asked about his goal for his music, Raphael replies with rock-solid conviction: "To me, being a musician involves offering an uplifting, contemplative, and ultimately healing experience to each listener. As I play each concert and as I write and record each song, I imbue my music with mindful intention for the well-being and healing of all life."
Tim Neumark's Moments-Solo Piano Op.7 is another collection of instrumental piano tracks. I would have to say that Tim is rapidly becoming one of my favorite artist to listen to. His music is serene and at the same time uplifting and full of positive energy. "You Are Here" is the focus track and it is a beautiful sojourn into a billowing cloud of sound that lets you float away with it. The key to Tim's music is the rhythm and ever changing tones and colors that make it interesting from start to finish.
"You Are Here" is another fine example of his abilities to deliver excellence through the keyboard. Listen once and you will become a fan forever. Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
Tim was born and raised in the Mid-Atlantic, spending much of his youth in Frostburg, Maryland. In his childhood and early adulthood his foremost passion was athletics, and he participated in baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, and track. He also developed a taste for classical and new age music in his teenage years, but it wasn't until his later high school years that he discovered his talent for the piano. For years, Tim travelled the country for work, frequently playing his own compositions in hotel lobbies. At the urging of his wife and others, he finally released his debut CD in 2007. Tim currently lives with his wife and two daughters in the Washington, DC area.
About Tim's Music:
Tim composes solo piano music that is "emotional, beautiful music that tells a story." Featuring a combination of classical and new age styles, he has released six solo piano albums. His 2014 album Storm was named Best Solo Piano Album of 2014 by One World Music. In addition, Storm was named one of the best CDs of 2014 by Audiosyncracy, received two Hollywood Music in Media Award (HMMA) nominations, and was nominated for Enlightened Piano Radio's 2014 Album of the Year award. His 2013 album Opus Four was nominated by SoloPiano.com for Classical/Neo-Classical album of the year and received two HMMA nominations.
Tim's music can be heard on the following internet radio broadcasts (Note that these links open a new tab.)
Moments is Tim's seventh CD, released in October 2015.
The best moments and memories aren't necessarily the weddings, graduations, and births, but the smaller events in your life: your child dancing, pets greeting you at the door, a touching book or piece of music. A happier, shorter, more major-key album, Moments tells the story about some moments in Tim's life while giving the listeners time to reflect on their own personal moments. For the full background about this album and its tracks, see Moments: Behind the music. Download the CD liner notes in PDF, or visit the store to buy the CD and sheet music.
Three Wise Monkeys are an interesting trio. They are bit of a mystery regarding how they came to be however it did not take long to ascertain that they know exactly what they are doing with their instruments.
The members are: Brad Kypo (Guitar), Alex King (Bass)and Brendon Waterman (Drums). They hail from down under in Sydney Australia. They have a new album Progettoarte that is coming out in a few days and the focus track here is "Panopticon."
"Panopticon" is a marvelous track and the trio makes the best of their talents with a fast moving and ever changing pace. It is indeed very progressive. As their sound is so appropriately explained on their Facebook page "Featuring some drop D riffage, two handed bass tapping in a weird time signature and some mighty drum pounding." Well I could not have encapsulated their sound much better myself! This is what prog and experimental music is all about, pushing the musical envelope and making sounds that capture the imagination. This is great music that needs to be heard! Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
Three Wise Monkeys are an interesting trio. They are bit of a mystery regarding how they came to be however it did not take long to ascertain that they know exactly what they are doing with their instruments.
The members are: Brad Kypo (Guitar), Alex King (Bass)and Brendon Waterman (Drums). They hail from down under in Sydney Australia. They have a new album Progettoarte that is coming out in a few days and the focus track here is "Panopticon."
"Panopticon" is a marvelous track and the trio makes the best of their talents with a fast moving and ever changing pace. It is indeed very progressive. As their sound is so appropriately explained on their Facebook page "Featuring some drop D riffage, two handed bass tapping in a weird time signature and some mighty drum pounding." Well I could not have encapsulated their sound much better myself! This is what prog and experimental music is all about, pushing the musical envelope and making sounds that capture the imagination. This is great music that needs to be heard! Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
