Van Morrison recruited an impeccable group of artists to revive several hits from his multi-decade songbook! (Album cover property of RCA Records)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the final March 2015 edition of New Music Releases!
Let’s get this party started!
Duets: Re-Working the Catalogue by Van Morrison & Various Artists
One of rock’s eternal voices returned with a new studio album of duets. Blue-eyed soul man Van Morrison recruited a diverse group of music veterans (Natalie Cole, Mavis Staples, Steve Winwood and Bobby Womack) and Top 40 stars (Michael Buble, Gregory Porter and Joss Stone) to revive several classics from his multi-decade songbook. A majority of the duets showcase solid vocals, haunting melodies and lovely arrangements that would make modern music producers jealous. This album captures the essence of Van Morrison’s world and reaches out to a brand new generation of music lovers and aficionados. Congratulations, Mr. Morrison! Duets: Re-Working The Catalogue is my Album of the Week! A
Tracks to Download: “Some Piece of Mind,” “Wild Honey,” “If I Ever Needed Someone,” “Carrying a Torch” & “These Are The Days”
Despite co-writing a bulk of “Southern Style,” listeners might lose interest in Darius Rucker’s latest studio album. (Album cover property of Capitol Records Nashville)
Southern Style by Darius Rucker
What I admire about Darius Rucker is that he is an impeccable singer-songwriter! I remember looking over the track listings of both Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton’s past albums and they hardly contributed at all. That being said, honestly…I was losing interest halfway through the album. Some of my favorite country artists plot their albums to have a generous mix of ballads and up-tempo tracks and Darius did not deliver with Southern Style. I hope that he finds this necessary balance when he works on his sixth album. C+
Tracks to Download: “Homegrown Honey,” “Southern Style” & “High On Life”
“Bitch Better Have My Money” by Rihanna
I love Rihanna, but “Bitch Better Have My Money” is one of the worst songs that I have ever heard! Both the production and lyrics are abysmal and whoever coaxed Rihanna into creating this song needs to be fired! D-
Karmin’s latest single: “Along the Road” will make fans smile. They will drop their new album, “Leo Rising,” sometime this year. (Photo property of Stewart Yost)
“Along the Road” by Karmin
Fan favorite YouTube act Karmin returned to the spotlight with their first single off of their upcoming sophomore album: Leo Rising. “Along the Road” brilliantly showcases Amy’s vocals and the beats are fantastic. I have a strong feeling that this track could be an instant Top 40 favorite. Also, while you are watching the music video…try counting the shoes that are on the wall showcased in the music video! A
“Renegades” by X Ambassadors
X Ambassadors’ profile has skyrocketed since their 2010 debut. The Alternative rock band has collaborated with Eminem, Jamie N Commons and Jay-Z, while releasing several impeccable EPs. Their latest single, “Renegades,” showcases the Ithaca, New York band’s superb sound and this track could be the song that takes them to the top of the Billboard charts! A-
“Enough” by Reba McEntire & Jennifer Nettles
The latest single off of Reba McEntire’s upcoming 27th studio album, Love Somebody, brings together two of country music’s most powerful voices. In one corner, the “Fancy” singer and in another: five-time Country Music Association Awards winner and former Roxie Hart: Ms. Jennifer Nettles! “Enough” is a beautiful heartbreaking ballad that perfectly blends these two iconic voices together. Not only “Enough” could be this year’s best country duet, but it is also is my Song of the Week! A+
Rising band The Lionheads’s “City On Fire” is definitely one of my favorite songs that was dropped this month. (Photo property of Effective Immediately PR)
“City on Fire” by The Lionheads
I love introducing upcoming artists on New Music Releases! This week, I am proud to introduce to you to TWO impeccable European artists. Up first, Oslo-based group The Lionheads. This quartet is ready to shake up America with their latest single: “City On Fire.” It showcases a powerful, aggressive alternative rock sound that has been missing in the mainstream music industry for far too long! The lyrics are on point and I believe this band has a bright future ahead of them. B+
“In Love Alone” by Larissa Eddie
The second artist that I want to introduce to you is UK songbird Larissa Eddie! This impeccable songstress was personally asked by Lionel Richie to accompany (and open for) him on the UK and Ireland portion of his All The Hits All Night Long World Tour. Listeners would be in awe of Larissa’s beautiful vocals (which would remind pop music lovers of Leona Lewis) and the beautiful production work that was put in this single. Like the Lionheads, I hope she has the chance to reach new highs (and visit America) with her career. A-
I do not own any of the clips that are featured in this article. They belong to the artists and their respective record labels.
