Abenaa: Tuesday's Child

No need for this Brooklyn-based songwriter to farm it out any longer because she's got the voice to tell her own tales. Abenaa brings her music to us straightforward, with no gimmicks, on her debut CD, "Tuesday's Child." She takes us behind the scenes with ease on her DVD of the same name, as she shares her heritage with a look inside her world, our world on Simple Life, and shows us that they are one in the same. Open, honest, Abenaa gets to the core of human experience. Journey, is an invitation to life.

It's not often that a poet, a muse, a bard, a goddess, tumble out of one natural beauty. Open up to Abenaa, she has bared it all.
www.luckmedia.com
http://abenaa.com/

Mary Abraham - The First Five

Mary Abraham is one such artist of the new millennium who brings a fast-breaking speed to our old pace with just enough of a twang to make us endear her. Every now and then for a split moment her voice gets just an adorable little hitch that sneaks in quickly putting as much a hold on us as her lover in Someone Like You. Waiting For You is heavy, deep-reaching with a grrrrowl and griping vice, she soars. Entropy demonstrates trilling, rolling vocals and Fall on Your Knees definitely finds that country blend a little stronger. Abraham is a good listen and we will be waiting for the next five.

www.maryabraham.com

Alexis Antes - All Come Down

This exceptional CD was under review for an inexcusable length of time; simply because it is so good. All Come Down, is one of those CDs where you walk back in the room and push play again because it is still in the CD player from the night before. You want to leave the repeat button on, and everyone around you thinks you've lost your mind, like when your dad drives along with the blinker on! No, Alexis Antes is such a methodic, mood-altering blend of peaceful, relative, and soothing sound that she really takes you away from the outer world, to that inner realm only she and you know how to find.

From the sweet guitar of Drowning, to the swaying rhythmic voice in Love, to the pain of The Fall, Antes has it all. The title cut, All Come Down, is one we all need at times; strength in a relationship when the going gets hard. Antes fits into today's new genre but she doesn't follow. Antes soothes, she is healing, like a good cup of tonic. You'll want to sit with her "at the coffee shop this morning," (a line from I Can't Give You Everything), discussing life and love while Hide Your Eyes, a Sade soft sound wafts lightly on the air. Where Do We Go, will rock you gently in comfort until the confusion lifts like a veil.

Self-taught on the guitar, her bio claims she is "refining her own skills as a solo artist." I would say they are re-found. Her acoustic rhythm ain't bad either. As addendum, the lead guitar and drums on Without You, are in fact a unique combo that works, and works well, and Antes vocals bring it all together in good time.

www.alexisantes.com
www.michaeljmedia.com
www.shelovesyourecords.com

Jenny Bienemann

Jenny Bienemann has a vocal range that would surprise even the most experienced listener. Climbing, dropping, plateau-ing, and most enjoyable.

Of the songs on "Late Night Eaborations," Downpour, is exemplary in exhibiting Bienemann's talents, a good one for rainy-day listening. Hearing Look at the Sky, one can't help but to be transported to Haight Ashbury and flower-girls while recalling the likes of Melanie and those stormy, yet innocent days gone by.

Bienemann is exactly what one would hope to find when walking into an off-the-beaten venue looking for more. Rising to the pinnacle of apparently thoughtful lyrics, Bienemann brings our own thoughts into focus on tunes like Imaginary Bottles. A poetic nature comes through in her work, especially on cuts like Wedding Dress, possessing a reflective, day-dreamy quality. Somewhere, sparks a fire to head west, drive all night and just be. Nicely done. Appealing. The next time you're longing for a "late-night elaboration," give Bienemann a listen.

For more "late night elaborations," visit www.JennyBienemann.com

Amelia Blake - Old Horses

Amelia Blake-a Louisiana-based singer-songwriter will reawaken your heart on the title cut, "Old horses," with a requiem for our vets, while "Nothing Else to Do," is obvious in its destination. "Radiator," will get you up and moving; Blake goes for the good ol' country on this one. "Right Man, Wrong Time," sadly exemplifies what we've all known; everybody has one of these.

On the heavier side, the lyrics on "City of the Dead," along with some great guitar, remind us that we have all run away from a city of the dead at one time or another, or if we haven't, we should, and "Daddy are You Calling," reaches inward to a thought we may not have formulated, or may have already eperienced; either way it's a soulful drift toward those feelings we tend to avoid.

Blending heart and thought, Blake brings a feminine perspective with a twist into today's country sound.

www.ameliablake.com

Jessica Blake - Country rock with a London roll, and then some

Growing up a Texas cowgirl, I secretly dreamed of going to England and today received a submission from a country singer in London, so it just goes to show, the grass is always greener . . . at least when you're riding a horse. Jessica Blake may not have a horse, but she has everything else as she takes back the West on her debut CD, "Take Your Time." Blake is rearing to go on, "Oh Susannah," and it's a new Susannah but one that you'll be glad to know. "Thank You For the Ride," is bouncy country and fun. The title cut, "Take Your Time,"eases through with a hint of the Celt." "Got to Believe," may pave the trail for Blake, it's nice, simply put, very nice.

www.jessicablake.com

Erin Boheme - What is Love

There is really a lot to be said for that relaxing savvy sound that belongs to the genre of jazz and easy listening. Rarely though does a jazz singer these days come close to not only competing for the listening pleasure of an audience, but to capturing it. There are just too many new styles, new genres. Until Erin Boheme. Boheme just took us retro with her debut CD, What is Love. This 19-year-old amazingly pulls off a sophisticated, light merging of the jazz of yesteryear and the new wave. Complete with a tribute to her hero Frank Sinatra, One Night with Frank, What is Love promises more than just an easy listen. It promises that at least one new artist is going to remain true while proving herself timeless.

www.erinboheme.com

Nikki Boyer - The Calmness in the Riot

"Distractions," from The Spirit Theory's CD, "The Calmness in the Riot," is smooth. Flowing vocals and rhythm merge together into a genuine
reflection on the importance of a love. This is one of those songs that carries you with it, you go willingly, and you LIKE it.
THE SPIRIT THEORY is an acoustic/adult-alternative/pop band from Los Angeles, fronted by singer Nikki Boyer.

Annette Buckley - Untitled

Slowly soothing, Annette Buckley, Irish singer and songwriter, tempts us with a preview of her upcoming debut CD, currently, “Untitled,” to be released in April. Annette swirls in a vocal spiral on Tangled, as she questions, probes, and poetically analyzes her way through a bed of “tangled roses.” Falling, softly floats on an oh-so-sweet guitar to a story of reflective hindsight. A third cut untitled, sings a sad farewell to a love once known. Annette is on the rise in the British Isles; may she rise on.  Visit www.annettebuckley.com for updates, song clips, bio and release dates.

Maria Carter - The Red Wine Acoustic Sessions

Home-grown from the women's genre, Maria Carter comes through not surprisingly, clean, fresh, and all-pro. "Montana," is perky, strong-willed and hopeful with a voice that soars. "Mine," has a nice guitar intro, leading into Carter's soft reflections on a love . . . "Remain," is a haunting love-lost with Carter's voice taking you through every realm of emotion. "Top," has a classical yet bassy flair, with an upbeat woman-oriented pace. "See You," rolls in easily while "She's the One," is a beautiful, lolling, poetic song of love.

If you enjoy good acoustic guitar accompanied by honest, love-telling tales, Maria Carter is a great one to try. Just listen, and let her sing you gently. And if you’re looking for a girlfriend, Carter may be the one.

 

Kristin Cotts - Spatial Relations

Playful sing-song, poetic and whimsical with a classical sound that seems to merge into a bardic Stray Cats. If you don’t want the same-ol’, same-ol’, Kristin Cotts may be just what you’re looking for. This Chicago-based gal stays busy performing and would probably be a fun show to catch.
www.kristincotts.com