Cambridge And Beyond
Releases
You've just completed your latest masterpiece and need to get the news out to a waiting world. Here's your opportunity. Click Here to mail us the details and a photo.
Please include contact, price and availability details.
You also get up to fifty words to let everyone know what you and your release is about.
Please keep pictures below 30k
Andi Neate Album: Paper Animals
Label: Blue Elf
Website: http://www.andineate.co.uk
"Paper Animals" is an album that dropped into the office recently. Whilst it's been out a while, it deserves to reach a wider audience. Scotland is
about to give up one of it's best kept secrets and more of us will get to hear the work of Andi Neate. As well through her solo career you might have also come across Andi playing her part in the success
of Salsa Celtica. To hear "Paper Animals" is to instantly recognise a talent, not only as a singer songwriter, but also as an artists capable of making others songs her own. Check out her version of
Vega's "The Queen And The Soldier".
The Simon Hopper Band Album: A Land For The Many
Label:Control Shift Music
"A Land For The Many" is a traditional sounding album, with contemporary lyrics at it's core, showing that both band and music are
highly relevent in the 21st Centuary. Folk's the music of the common man and this album highlights the need to take back our symbols of common heritage from the far right
that tries to exploit them to the detriment of us all. "A Land For The Many" about people, places, politics and ideas. The Simon Hopper Band have produced a gem that sparkles in it's
many facets.
Lament Album:This Ain't Rio
Label: Self Released
Website: http://www.myspace.com/lamentuk
Fronted by Kath Kimber, Lament are a fourpiece lounge jazz group that offer more than a nod towards latin infusions.
For the size of band they are they box above their weight in terms of the depth of sound and score bonus points for managing to blend the distinct tone of a float into a number of their cuts.
Jazz needs a certain something to take it from the elevator and into the lounge. "This Ain't Rio", packs all that's necessary to do that job. It's got bucketloads of atmosphere and a vibe that
sits just above the grove and ensures that there is plenty of reward for listening.
Stuart Bruce Album: The Ties That Bind Us
Label: Box Records
Website: http://www.myspace.com/stuartbruce
For me "The Ties That Bind Us" is an album let down by it's first track. "Sparks" is too cluttered, too busy, it sounds like it doesn't know
where it is or wants to be. It's a shame as it taints the perspective on the rest of the album. If Gordon Ramsey were reviewing this, he'd say there are too many f#cking notes. Keep it simple and get
back to the basics. Inside Stuart Bruce is a good solid songwriter. I like his lyrics, I like phases of his music, but I either don't get why he delivers it this way or he needs a good friend to tell
him that he's reached a point with a song that needs no more.
The Bastard Fairies Album: Memento Mori
Label: Self Released (Free Download)
At first a band fronted by a member of the Yankton Sioux, Yellow Thunder Woman,
might see out of place on a website dedicated to acoustic music from the British Isles, but her main co-conspiritor, Robin Davey was originally
from Devises so it's in. "Memento Mori" both shocks and soothes. At times it's genuinely hypnotic, check out "We're All Going To Hell". There's
death and prostitution in them there lyrics as well as some pretty good philosophy. Best of all the album's a freedown load so you've no excuse not to.
Horseplay Album: Roughshod
Label: Self Released
Website: http://www.horseplay.org.uk
As regions of England go, the North East has maintained it's musical direction better than most. That might be down to the way arts money
is spent in the region. It might be down to the highly rated folk music course at Newcastle Uni. As long as the region keeps on bringing forth bands as vibrant as Horseplay, long may it continue.
I like Northumbrian music, but I'm a like it in small doses man. I can't do the whole album in one go, but dipping in and out I find an album that is full of life and verve throughout. It's difficult
to believe that this is a debut
Sean Taylor Album: Corrugations
Label: Self Released
Sean Taylor is an artist that is rapidly building himself a reputation for both the quality of his songwriting and, particularly, his guitar
playing. "Corrugations" is only going to enhance that reputation. The songs are all infused with Taylor's fantastic playing. It's so good that sometimes it distracts from the lyric and I find myself
having to listen again to get the full song. Marking him out as one to watch for 2007, may just serve to serve the kiss of death, but given the right breaks Sean Taylor could establish himself quite
a reputation.
Dickson Album: In Between Love And War
Label: Self Released
Knowing that songwriter (Chris) Dickson is from Northern Ireland, only makes the title of "In Between Love And War" more poigniant. The presentation
follows the keep it simple route and benefits from the economy of delivery. It allows Dickson to move seamlessly between folk and blues and all points inbetween. There is a poetic quality to lyrics. They
really on the meaning as much if not more than the rhythm of the words. I get the feeling from Dickson's writing that he's had to work hard for everything that he's got and that his songs are amongst his most
precious possessions
Tracey Curtis Album: Picture Postacrds
Label: Irregular Records
Website: http://www.traceycurtis.com
"Picture Postcards" is a welcome return of the political songwriter. Human rights, fascism, war, death sentences all come into Tracey's sights.
As does the experience of being at your first riot and how these things are never quite what you think. The belief that you're attending a peaceful rally and it suddenly turns nasty and the people that
you were always told would help you are suddeny charging at you with batons and shields. There's lighter moments drawn on from Tracey's life experiences, including the delightful, "I Used To Want To Be The Cat" A
Great slice of life.
Emm EP: Summer
Label: Bluebird
Website: http://www.myspace.com/emmmusic
You might question releasing a song called "Summer" just as Winter kicks in, but it's difficult to question the dedication and commitment
of Bedford based singer songwriter (Terry)Emm. His style is simple, but effective. It's got an upbeat sense to it. You get the impression of a man that's happy with his lot, content, relaxed and
laidback. Life's not all about anger management and raging against the world and sometimes we need reminding of that. There is a quieter side of life. "Summer" is reflective and well written.
Beethum Album: Songs For The Number 8
Label: Plumbob Records
Website: http://www.myspace.com/beethum
Any album that starts with what seems like an homage to The Clangers is alright by us, especially when the track is called "Smile". You might
guess from that "Songs For The Number 8" is not an accoustic album and you'ld be right. There's lots of electronic gizmos behind the sound, but it retains a song driven sound that has an acoustic core.
It's big with more layers of sound than a red onion, but like the onion it remains crisp and distinct in flavour. It's two albums encapsulated in one. The musical element of the album is easy to feel and reflect on.
The lyrical album takes that bit longer.