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"There are songwriters I call street-writers, whose songs reflect urban life in poignant vignettes. Paul Kelly is one of these, and so too, I have discovered, is Neil Robertson. The twelve tracks on Wake up the dead give us an insight into the whimsical and slightly fatalistic urban philosophy of Robertson ... This is a CD I enjoyed listening to very much, and will join my list of favourites. It really is a wonderful creation, and it has been my pleasure to review it. "
- Mike Raine, 2008 |
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Melanie Gent is a remarkable young Tasmanian singer/songwriter, with several songwriting awards under her belt and now this stunning debut release. All original acoustic songs, crafted with care and subtlety, featuring Melanie?s interesting chordal structures and the sympathetic addition of second guitar & vocal harmonies from Kate Burke (Trouble In The Kitchen, Kate & Ruth). This is music of heartwrenching beauty, steeped in the yearnings of a soul in search of itself, reaching through the deep tangles of the heart to transmute pain into something exquisite. |
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Wendy Ealey's solo album Out Of the Shower was recorded at Spring Studios with Harry Williamson and friends. It has a strongly vocal orientation, rich harmonies, pithy lyrics, from full arrangements to the essence of simplicity. |
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3 Nights is the 2007 release from Tatarstan-born singer and musician Zulya Kamalova. 3 Nights re-affirms Zulya's reputation as one of the most exotic and enthralling performers and songwriters in Australia. With songs sung in three languages - English, Russian, and Zulya's native tongue, Tatar - 3 Nights showcases Zulya and the Children at the Underground at their most magnificent: exquisite musicianship, superb songwriting and intricate arrangements, to say nothing of Zulya's sublime voice.
Most excitingly and for the very first time, after residing fifteen years in Australia, on 3 Nights Zulya sings her own songs in English. For listeners and fans familiar with Zulya's music who until now have enjoyed her songs in Russian and Tatar - the communication of its meaning and emotion going beyond language - this prospect is very exciting. |
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Tasmanian-based Roman Astra is a multi-instrumentalist with a particular interest in sitar, and has been intuitively exploring the instrument since the 80s, as a solo composer and with collaborative outfits including Masala & Babylon Bicycle. Sitar Lounge (as the name suggests) is a cruisy collection of sitar-laden ambient grooves - this is 'lounge' in the contemporary chillout vein, a kind of east-meets-west fusion blending exotic instruments with electronic beats. The percussion is a tasteful tapestry of programmed sample loops that are creatively edited without relying on overt gimmickry to create interesting textures. The featured instruments of sitar, esraj (Sri Lankan violin), guitar & pipa (Chinese lute) then add colour as they float and ripple over the top. (BD 2007) |
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Bharat Lullabies is the second solo CD from Irish singer/songwriter Niall Fenix following his previous outing Altered States (1999). This new CD features 12 songs written and produced by Niall which explores the place of pilgrimage in modern secular life. All of the songs reflect his personal experience of travelling extensively through the rich cultural landscape of India during 2004/2005, where Niall observed that the spiritual search for meaning remains active and strong. The CD is an intimate acoustic exploration alive with his own personal narrative and featuring musical contributions from close friends and colleagues. |
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The 2006 release from South Australian artist Soursob Bob is now available. "From rap to pop-rock via folky groove, from personal confession to incisive social commentary, whatever you look for in your new-release independent Aussie folk singer songwriters, Soursob Bob's got the lot. I highly recommend you get some of him for yourself." - review by Julie Barnes for indie-cds.com 2006 |
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"... surprising, beautiful, somewhat mysterious music... often, simultaneously, ancient, modern, intricately constructed & improvisatory."Doug Spencer, The Planet. Eurotrash Taksim is a Melbourne based sextet. Core members Achilles Yiangoulli, Nick Tsiavos & Anthony Schulz - respectively, a fine singer & bouzouki player, a double bassist whose mastery of the bow reminds you that his instrument is a bass violin, & a virtuoso accordionist also play as an occasional trip. They're also one half of the sextet, Eurotrash Taksim, with soprano Deborah Kayser, percussionist Peter Neville & reeds player Tim O'Dwyer. To a large part derived from traditional Greek sources, this music is open, exploratory and unusual. |
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The 2005 release from NSW artist Barb Dwyer is now available. |
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"If I had to describe Paul's sound, think Sting meets Jeff Buckley - with a bit of Dave Mathews thrown in for good measure. Although a talented guitarist, Paul?s voice is really what sets him apart from others. He sings with passion and a sincerity that is quite rare and very engaging. Paul has written a strong album " - CD available now. |
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This 1999 release from the Australian based guitarist and singer inhabits a realm between Dylan at his moodiest, The Pogues at their jumpin'est and Ry Cooder at his pickin'est, Stephen Lomas has produced a coherent and engaging CD of original songs and instrumentals. |
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A fascinating CD which sits across the boundaries (if such exist) of several genres/styles of music. It is certainly contemporary, laid back, smooth and sophisticated, with elements of jazz & minimalism. At times you're reminded of Garbage, at others sultry and laid back vocals and tense but subtle instrumental figures circle a pattern of breaths. |
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A creation that makes a nonsense of boundaries and categories. Molotkov's CD springs from San Francisco artistic and multimedia collective Discord Aggregate.Combining elements of poetry, instrumental and vocal improvisation, theatre, this is strong and vibrant work that challenges and takes the listener into what will be uncharted territories for many. ""It is an album for those with an ear for the purity of music and poetry in whatever its forms." - Tigdh O'Glesain |
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Despite its intractability, and the fact that as an overall experience it's often uncomfortably like being trapped in an elevator with a performance art troupe, The Texture of the Sky is oddly vibrant. It's full of life and energy, bubbling over with a seething desire to create, create, create, to push at the boundaries of art and entertainment. "
- George Zahora, Splendid Ezine |
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"You've probably heard little or nothing like Attack of the Absolute Zeros before. Its creators describe it as a "non-opera", and that's pretty apt -- while bearing some conceptual similarities to opera, it's about as close to your average Puccini work as a nuclear explosion is to a candle flame. Attack... lives up to its name -- a dizzying combination of acapella vocals, freeform jazz, spoken narration, cut-and-paste sound effects and other sonic distractions." |
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The second EP from Australian singer, instrumentalist and sound designer Oonagh Sherrard. "If you like smooth, this EP is for you. Contemporary Australian with a cool jazz-standard feel and a few twists ... " SM 2005 |
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Bruce Boyd's CD Rainbow Reflections mixes a number of stylistic influences that make appearances throughout, as evidenced in tracks like "Mt. Lindesay" - a Dave Moore (Pink Floyd) styled piece, while "Mazzoloti Beach" is a 6 min 22 secs Baroque chamber piece, backed by a new age sensibility that features a windswept, surf-crashing soundscape. "Karri Groves" follows and brings you into an Australia of colonial musings, a journey along the dusty coastal roads of Denmark and its unique flora. The "Somerset Hill Jigs" round out a very pleasant album, an English Folk set if ever there was one, and is inspired by the local vineyards of the district. "La joie du Anglais!"
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"Tonchi McIntosh, remember the name. If all things are equal in the music industry, especially in Australia, McIntosh's name would
not need to be remembered. It would be before the public's eye simply for the talent associated with it.Bridges is his debut album and its maturity of songs and their impressive execution belies his relative recording inexperience." - Warwick MacFadyen, The Age. "Thank you, I understand the soul of Australia a bit better after listening to you." - Dick Gaughan. |
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Australian stories written and sung by one of the better of the current crop of Australian songwriters - and that's a major compliment considering the depth of talent on offer just now. "What a groove! This set will get you bopping, smiling and grinning with its intentional and joyous heart. Everyone on this CD loved what they were doing. It?s infectious. You?ll love it too. " IP 2005
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In a deeply personal journey Cissy McCaa presents a very attractive set of songs which is pleasing, well recorded and is sung and played well. It's devotional and spiritual, a little gospel blended carefully with some personal motivation and growth. |
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If you are familiar with the work of Astrid Notarangelo with Hobart band Shemozzle, this fine CD may come as something of a surprise, as this is a collection of songs in rather different style. From the first track, it's an album with strong impact, and the well constructed songs are very well conveyed by the recording, which gives real presence and intimacy to the vocals, and a great piano sound. Astrid gives us a selection of songs in varied contemporary styles, supported by some fine accompanying musicians. There's some great sax work, and Astrid's guitar features on some tracks to great effect. This is a rich album that will re-pay lots of listenings. |
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Shemozzle's "Missusisyphus" is the band's third CD and their most accomplished and satisfying production to date. Shemozzle have thier own unique brand of "pyscho-gypsy-cabaret", I think I'd call this magical surrealism. Drawing on latin jazz and central European influences, this CD is for the most part their own material. Five stars. |
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This CD by Hobart psych/cabaret band Shemozzle is now in stock. |
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This CD by Hobart psych/cabaret band Shemozzle is now in stock. |
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Fans of Penelope Swales will be pleased that she's maintained her gutsy, saga-telling style. A strong voice, which boosts these very human tales, makes this a fine effort. Simple in production values, it still has presence, tangibility and humour. IP, 2005 |
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The first release from Noemi Liba - an artist we're pretty sure to hear a lot more of - this is a short EP of 25 minutes duration, and it leaves you wanting much more! "One of Australia's true innovative talents" - Allan Zavod, ex Frank Zappa Band. "Noemi's blend of soft grooves and spiritual themes [is] already attracting a strong
following..." - Michael Duffy, The Advertiser, Adelaide.
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"Simply breathtaking, pulse-raising singing, matched superbly with material of such depth from Smith...This album is the benchmark for any aspiring song-writer to listen to in the pursuit of achieving success. " Tigdh O'Glesain
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Rachel sings with a voice of extraordinary beauty. Well known throughout Australia for the unique richness and luminous quality of her voice, she is also a songwriter and teacher of great talent. After singing with the well loved "Arramaieda" for seven years, she has now embarked on a solo career with the release of her debut CD as a solo artist. The CD, 'Wilurara' is a 'must hear'.
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