Feature article: record reviews 2011

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Record reviews 2010

News and reviews of recorded music, EPs, Albums by Leicester/shire bands and artists

7th December

Kenworthy - Doors

It's Friday 25th November and I am at the Exchange Bar in Leicester for the launch of Kenworthy's E.P. Doors. I saw Jack Kenworthy when he first appeared in Leicester (last year) and was gob-smacked; it was a rare jaw-dropping experience. I saw him perform as a solo artist several times after that and then with his band which has now become known as Kenworthy.

I wrote lots of good things about Jack and about his line-up of highly talented musicians that he gathered around him. Leicester/shire produces a constantly influx of musical talent, many of the bands and singers being highly gifted artists. Once in a while a new face appears that stands head and shoulders over the rest. Jack is such a one; in my view, one of the most talented singers, musicians and song writers to have appeared on our local music scene in recent years.

Tonight the downstairs area of the Exchange Bar is packed with people of all ages. It is a hot, intense experience in a basement, reminiscent I thought of the early days of the Beatles. I knew it would be one of the highlights of my musical year and I was not disappointed.

kenworthy trio playing at the exchange bar

After having seen a few of Jack Kenworthy's performances earlier this year, I said to people "This guy is going to get signed to a label very soon." I was right. Now with Flat Five Records, the group is on its way up the ladder. Despite the adulation that has surrounded him from fans and music moguls alike, he remains a modest and likeable character.

Jack would have made it as a solo artist; but when he brought in Dom Potts on bass and Lee Masters (drums) he created a pool of creative and technical expertise that would only enhance his already soaring reputation.

Tonight's EP launch gig demonstrated just how amazing this group is. The pack in front of the performance area was so thick that I could hardly see what was going on. Fortunately, I could hear it. They played a set of top quality songs that stood up to the best, within this genre, that Leicester has produced. It's a noted feature of Kenworthy live that fans cheer and applaud during the songs, just as they used to do in the old days of the great iconic jazz clubs, a phenominum unknown else where in Leicester. As singer Mark Elliot said to me "Absolutely Amazing". The fans: "fantastic" - Ben, "bloody amazing" - George, "very good" - Niall and many more in the same vien.

The Doors EP has a set of eloquent and engaging melodic songs, conveying a contemporary blues, jazz sound, beautifully sung by Jack, also on keyboard, and tightly backed by Dom Potts and Lee Masters.

Ear pleasing and exquisite listening. A superb set of artfully blended songs, excellently produced.

The five songs on the Doors EP are

Heartache
ONH
Submarine
Limbo Lover
Doors

Doors is a highly appealing set of melodic songs; a very pleasing musical experience.

Listen and see more

The Doors EP on Facebook

Kenworthy at the O2 London July 2011

Jack Kenworthy at the SoundHouse, 11th August 2011

Doors E.P. on Vibedeck

Jack Kenworthy plays the Fringe 11th August 2011

The Kenworthy trio wins the OBS 21st May 2011

Kenworthy at Summer Sundae

Review of Jack Kenworthy in The Monograph

25th November

It's Come to This - Skam

skam album cover

by Kevin Gaughan

One of the best rock bands in Leicester has released their debut album. It is called It's come to this, as it marks a milestone in their career, where all the hard work over the last few years has gone into this album and so it has indeed, come to this.

When I heard Skam were releasing their debut album - I was pleased, very pleased. I've seen them a number of times; they are legendary for the fantastic stage show, but it's the music I love and to have that on CD to play at my leisure would be fantastic.

On the other hand, I was also concerned, as I was used to hearing them live, that the studio sound might take some getting used to, as it often does, for me, in these situations.

Having cranked the volume right up, I sat down in anticipation. Anticipation turned into excitement as Steve Hill (lead guitar and vocals) played the first note of the first song, Soldiers of Rock. Every detail of that note was present and correct - he could have been playing it live in my living room.

It was recorded well, the levels were bang on, still capturing every bit of their sound live, but mixing it perfectly, which is impossible in a live situation due to room acoustics etc. So, this sounds much better than a gig.

The debut track on the debut album is Soldiers of Rock, Steve does an over-the-top full show-off guitar solo which put me on a new level of rock-guitar-solo ecstasy. Loving this track live, but what a way to start an album. This CD has got balls, balls bigger than the biggest balls known to man, twice the size in fact!

skam live on stage

Next track - Dead from the Waist Down, a more classic rock track, I noticed a couple of studio adjustments, but they worked well.

No Lies - classic - really felt the bass in this one, forget about turning it up to eleven - Matt Gilmore (bass guitar and vocals) must have had it turned up to eleven and a bit, or maybe even the unchartered territory of twelve!

Both Matt and Steve's guitars use valve amplification, which must explain what I'm getting here, as I haven't heard bass like this in a long time. Oh man, it's deep, rich, warm and very full bodied! Steve's vocals really shine through on this one, too - he has a very good voice and No Lies shows it off well.

While still reeling after No Lies and those bass lines, no time to recover, as we launch into Massacre, with Matt's bass starting off slightly more subdued but rapidly building up to a rock crescendo with the rest of the band which eventually leads into another one of Steve's sublime trademark solos.

Following on from Massacre, Going Away, starts with Matt's lovely deep, almost hollow bass, Steve joining in with an oh-so-perfect guitar line, not one of his show-off solos but a beautiful, mellow one infusing with the bass perfectly and never failing to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

This track allows you to sit back and appreciate the subtleties of the sound and the sheer quality of the recording as you can hear all the intonations of Steve's guitar, with a touch of echo and of course Matt's bass. 'X-Ray's' drums, especially the bass drum really come through on this one so you can't help but get completely absorbed in it's subtleties, not to mention the words and the sad, heart-wrenching story within.

cover from skam's album

Weapon next, starting with it's funky but deep bass line, this is an infectiously catchy song, one the 'misses' can dance to while you're head banging away right next to her!. A boundary crossing song, in fact. The riffs in this stick in the subconscious only to reveal themselves as you hum along to them days later.

While the 'misses' rearranges her make up, the next track - The Touch of Death - is for head bangers only! It's got a heavy, gorgeous, touch of Iron Maiden as Steve launches into a Maiden-esq rip-roaring guitar solo.

Frustration- another gorgeously heavy track, nice vocal touches as Steve's piercing vocals are put through their paces as they take the main stage several times.

Revealing- starts with Matt's bass and 'Xray's' bass drum, starts building suspense, then explodes into a glorious machine gun of guitar solos and vocals X-Rays bass drum really hitting it deep hard and heavy. I couldn't help thinking the sound reminded me of Metallica's studio sound where they literally crank everything up to where it shouldn't be.

In my opinion, this album is recorded very well, the full range of the instruments are there, it's loud, deep and gutsy, but also soft and delicate at times where you can really hear the quality of the instruments and the musicians playing them. I could have sworn at one point 'X-Ray's' bass drum went sub-sonic - I could feel it, but I couldn't quite hear it!

I've had the CD six days and played it five times! It might be the first CD known to man, to actually wear out! This is an absolute masterpiece, took a while getting there, but when it sounds this good, it's well worth the wait.

Skam's album It's come to this is available from 5th December, available from HMV and Rock a boom in Leicester or on-line at Amazon and iTunes.

Skam's web site | Skam on Facebook | Our article on Skam | Skam at Lock42 in February

23rd November

Chapters and phases - Calder McLaughlan

Calder's latest album of 12 tracks is a sheer delight. His rich, sumptuous voice brings the songs alive and the recording quality does real justice to his marvelous artistry. His voice has an appealing range of textures, from delightful delicacy through to gravelly gravitas.

The articulation is crystal clear and the songs are not over produced, allowing the colours and shades of his vocals and guitar playing to come though. Amazing! Considering the tracks were recorded in Dean Sharman's bedroom! There is a bit of a change in sound between the first seven tracks and My Saviour, which sounds distinctly different. That's a small point however in a finely crafted set like this.

Calder is one of the best song writers in our locality if not in the Midlands. These totally ear-pleasing songs are instantly likeable and require several re-plays to really enjoy them. All of the songs have a compelling anthemic quality to them.

I particularly liked Lights Across The Liffey, where he demonstrates the power and range of his amazing voice. I should also say that Calder's live performances are as enjoyable as his recorded work. I saw him perform a couple of days ago at The Red Tent in Pocklington's walk. I took this rather awful photo; I thought I would slip it in any anyway. Calder always pours megawatts of commitment into his live performances. His face continually moving from grimaces to frowns as he works through the lyrics. It's powerful stuff. Oh and he knows how to use a mic correctly.

I highly recommend this album to all lovers of top quality acoustic music.

Released 16th November 2011. All songs written by C. McLaughlin
Produced by C. McLaughlin and Dean J Sharman
Engineered by Dean J Sharman
Mixed and Mastered by Dean J Sharman
Lead Guitar and Atmospherics on all tracks by Benn Hartmann

You can get Calder's Chapters and phases album from his Bandcamp page.

Calder McLaughlan on Facebook | Calder's page on Bandcamp

20th September

Kasabian - Velociraptor

James Kendrick reviews Velociraptor by Kasabian

Kasabian's fourth album Velociraptor! was released yesterday. By no means is it a dinosaur of an album, but neither does it suggest the Leicester band's success is heading towards extinction.

First questions first: the name? According to lead vocalist Tom Meighan the album is so titled because "it's a cool word... Latin... prehistoric". Meighan has clearly done his background for Velociraptor means 'fast hunter' in the language of the Romans. And it surely won't be long before Kasabian's burgeoning fanbase prey on this latest effort, helping to propel it to the top of the album charts.

Contrary to what you would expect from an album named after a reptile, Velociraptor! doesn't take long to warm up. Let's Roll Just Like We Used To is a misleading title for the intriguing opener as it totally contradicts the classic Kasabian song formula. At times it echoes of Last Shadow Puppets' orchestral pop. With a trumpeted intro and chords a-plenty it's far removed from their typical electronica currency. Following in this vein are La Fee Verte and Goodbye Kiss, where it's surprising to hear Meighan, a caged tiger of a live performer, singing about love. "I hope someday that we meet again" he purrs over clatters of tambourine during the 60's-belonging ballad.

The sharply-named pre-release Switchblade Smiles reverts more to type, relying on a heavy assortment of bass which parallels Club Foot. In fact it's so similar to their breakthrough single it could well be the same song played backwards. Still it's catchy enough for FIFA 12 and it also features on Match of the Day 2, something which will please guitarist Serge Pizzorno - a decent footballer in his prime.

New single Days are Forgotten has a groovy intro but lacks the creativity of a typical Kasabian number and is consequently staler than a week-old loaf of bread. BBC Breakfast presenter Sian Williams recently compared the #28 single to the OK Computer days of Radiohead, something which the Blaby/Countesthorpe boys accepted as a "huge compliment".

Leicester's finest are more frequently likened to Oasis and Happy Mondays for their electro-infused brand of lad rock. Neither of those famous acts had the audacity though to adventure an album title which Pizzorno amusingly labels as the "glam rock of dinosaurs. " Earlier this month, the band treated an exclusive audience of 250 people to a secret gig aboard a Boeing 747 at Bruntingthorpe aerodrome.

See our news item on Kasabian's secret gig.

It was a nice touch from the Leicester quartet before they jet off on a UK and European tour, demonstrating that the local boys remember their roots despite their international stardom.

Title track Velociraptor! adds pace and bite to proceedings with a clever riff and an explosive, comical chorus of "Velociraptor, he's gonna find yer, he's gonna kill yer, he's gonna eat yer!" Club-destined Re-wired excellently reacquaints with the space rock genre. The real gem however is the Serge-sung Acid Turkish Bath with its Arabian influences. It wouldn't be out of place in a Middle Eastern film.

After playing with Fire in West Ryder ... Kasabian show here that they have plenty of other tricks up their sleeve and aren't afraid to experiment. Songwriter Pizzorno describes Velociraptor! as a "jukebox record". I certainly wouldn't advise skipping through any of this selection.

Velociraptor! by Kasabian Released: 19/09/2011 Label: Columbia Rating: 7 out of 10

Find out more about Kasabian

La Fee Vert on YouTube | Watch a video of Kasabian's secret gig

Refuge - music for minds

Refuge, a band that promotes mental health, are launching a brand new album - Open Minds.

refuge band album cover

Songs that are moving and message-full. Refuge is a band with a mission - they want to break down the stigma around mental health. Artsin Leicestershire is delighted to support Refuge and the Safe Inside/Safe Outside Project.

So, the band's contribution to the work of changing people's views about mental health is to bring out a new album Open Minds. A song from the album Sweet comfort for the soul, can be downloaded free - see the link below.

Refuge has spent a busy summer writing songs, recording them and doing all the work requires to bring out an album. Not just the mental health album - the band has also been working on its own album - The reason why - due for release next year.

Creating new music is often a challenge. As musician Peter Hirst told us: "The whole thing has been blood sweat and tears". On the other hand he says on this Facebook Page 'we enjoyed putting it all together.' When it is finished, there is that satisfaction of know that there are lots of people out there listening to the results and appreciating the efforts that the artists have put into it.

Refuge is a group of skilled and talented musicians. They produce fine quality music and both albums provide good examples of their work.

Book now for the 'Open Minds' EP launch night and prize presentation on World Mental Health Day at The Y in Leicester on Monday 10th October 2011. Details from the Refuge web site.

Listen to the songs online or download one free song, from the Refuge web site

Read more about Refuge on our arts and health page.

Buy the Refuge album Open Minds from Amazon:

Carnival by Cabrillo Beach

Artsin has met this new Leicester band before: see Artsin visits Cabrillo Beach. The band's Carnival CD has four songs that they play at their gigs, so well worth picking up a copy from one of the band members if you like collecting unique Leicester music memorabilia.

CB is one of the more unusual bands in Lesta. Their music is different. Difficult to define. In that respect it's original. The four tracks are full of fun-filled quirkiness. Catchy, jaunty and foot-tappingly appealing songs. Lead singer Luke Murgatroyd has a vocal style that reminds you of some famous singer from way back but you can't quite remember which one. Somewhere between Carlo Rolan and Jim Lowe with wisps of Shakin' Stevens and Bjork.

The CD opens with Meet Me By The Stairs, with its punchy beats and short repetitive riffs. You can hear Luke's distinctive vocals in this track and the funky orchestration, as drummer Oli Warmington taps on the cow bell. In the second tack, Stand Between Us, the song is pushed along by a jaunty jig. It's here you realise just how unusual CB's songs are.

Sorry for the Times opens with a lilting guitar intro before Luke comes in with the vocals. It's got a bit of an eighty's retro feel to it, especially with the violin part dubbed on.

The CD closes with the live recording of Perfect In My Imperfections, in which Luke's distinctive vocal style is exemplified, sometimes peppered with squeals and shouts. Delivered with a ebullient sense of fun, these songs are idiosyncratic and compellingly huggable. Vibrant, exotic and eminently ear pleasing.

See Cabrillos Beach's web site

I give it 10. A hit from a band that hasn't even launched yet.

When Alex Van Roose left the Heroes some of us where down heartened. For the Heroes that is. In their hey day, The Heroes came up with hits like Blue Rave and Flowers in Golden Times, widely celebrated far beyond the confines of Leicester and sung on stages around the UK as well as at Glastonbury.

members of Midnight Wire band

Alex now has a new band - Midnight Wire - whose appearance we reported in Band News. Given the highly experienced line up of artists in the new band, you get the feeling that they know what they are doing.

Launching their first EP (13th July) before their first live gig (at Sub 91 on 2nd September) seems a bold and remarkable step, but this a band who knows how to do remarkable things. Of the four songs on the EP, which they launched on Facebook, one songs stands out.

Excuses starts with urgent beats, setting the mood and pace of the song. This has the hallmarks of a hit song. It drives along, it's gonner get crowds bouncing and jumping, right from the start, its got a compelling tempo that will set a floor alight.

Before launching into the subject, an instrumental intro brings in the tune and melody that allows you to get the riffs and the feel of the piece. After a stop it then launches into the instrumental passage that brings in the main melody. Rooster then comes in with the vocals. He starts the storyline in the first two versus. The lyrics set out a simple idea with basic, immediately, recognisable emotions.

The first verse is sung just with a simple drum beat in the background, focussing attention on the story; then the second verse comes in with the full band playing out the melody. A singer with a distinctive vocal style, Rooster gives the track a real presence. His lyrics tell the opening part of the story line. The lyrics are simple, attitudinal ideas that most people can relate to. It's got catchy guitar parts, going like mad, in the background.

It's the memorable chorus that gives that immediate crowd appeal, a simple, shouty phrase, repeated three times. Easy to get, I can just see the crowd joining in with this. It's a contemporary anthem, infectious tempos, repetitive every day phrases in the chorus, pushed along against a background of deliciously catchy riffs.

It punctuates the flow with a short instrumental passage that crowds will spontaneously clap along to. A song with an clever structure, well put together, with cleanly articulated vocals ... once you have heard it you want to play it over and over. Real sing along stuff, people are going to join in with at gigs. It ends with an instrumental statement that sticks in your brain. Probably one of the best pop songs written in Leicester for a long time.

This is why I say it's going to be a hit.

Honey Starts with a catchy, jaunty guitar part, before Rooster comes in with the song. The stompy tempo is less urgent than Excuses but what sells the track is the delightful guitar melodies. It's irresistible foot tapping stuff. A short simple song that really works.

Kings of the city is a real indie classic. It celebrates the early days of popular indie hits. It's a song to listen to. Even so, I can see fans learning the words and joining in with parts of it. It's a stadium anthem. Think stones roses. Think Libertines. Rooster wrote this last year during his solo phase and the band have skillfully developed it into a full stage song.

Running Forever has strongly memorable guitar lines. With easily get-able phrases in the lyrics (You know where you want to go) and a shouty refrain (running forever) this is the stuff that great songs are made of.

I can't wait for the 2nd September to find out what these tracks will sound like on a big stage. If they sound as good live as they do in these recordings, this is going to launch Midnight Wire straight into the Leicester band charts.

See our review of Midnight Wire's launch gig

Listen to Midnight Wire's tracks on Facebook. | Midnight Wire's launch night will be on Friday 2nd September at Sub91

Goodbye to all that - Final Coil

Trevor Locke reviews Goodbye To All That by Final Coil

Five intensely good tracks from this Leicester progressive metal band. Stirring sounds, punchy beats, lots of great distorted bass riffs overlaid by the fine vocals of Phil Stiles made this listening experience the highlight of my week for recorded music.

It was all there: all you want from good quality metal - listenable guitar solos full of colours and some very ear pleasing chords and flourishes. No shortage of dramatic musical ideas and they set the mood and light it with many magic moments of melody and dazzling combinations of guitar work and strings.

They have borrowed from grunge, punk and alternative styles to mix a heady cocktail of musical delights. They know how to make big statements with their strings but can also weave in infectious tunes and moments of splendid sensitivity. Whilst too many metal bands pose and bash out thrashing volumes of effect, Final Coil show their mastery of their instruments with inspiring use of musical creativity.

This is real metal, the spine-tingling drama of the idiom being beautifully counterpoised with delightful vocal melodic passages and appealing instrumentation. Songs delivered with real passion and commitment driven forward by pulsing drum and bass stomps and soaring passing from the lead guitar.

A magnificent set of tracks, this album will be a solidly good contribution to any rock enthusiast that wants a serious collection of Leicester music. I think its sheer musical quality will attract those who are not hardened metal heads. Its just fine music, well played and an outstandingly good recording.

This album establishes Final Coil as a seriously good addition to the metal line-up in this city. A well mixed set of tracks, recorded at Booland Studios.

Find out more about Final Coil on their Myspace page.

You can see Final Coil at the Soundhouse on Saturday 25th June when they support the mighty Martyr De Mona.

The Furies, debut CD

As the first bars of the CD hit my ears I knew this was going to be good. Big, bold, blasting chords backed by fervent drumming introduces the vocals. The first of 8 tracks 'Falling Down' is attention grabbing and its compulsive rhythm makes you wake up. It bristles with adrenaline pumping energy.

This tightly executed set of highly passionate songs has got it all: exhilarating guitar riffs, a mountain of feverish drumming and commanding vocals. It's all about the high octane rock sounds that the Furies master so well.

The music is drivingly fast but they are always tightly in control. The guitar work is superb and behind that, Neal Hill's drumming is forceful and sparkling. Track 3 'Rip it up' is particularly good, offering memorable vocal lines and some tantalising guitar sounds. Track 4 'Shut me out' starts with a couple of bars of tribal drum beats and soon we are into a passage of chanty, shouty vocals for the chorus, laced with crackingly good guitar riffs.

Track 5 'On your own' takes off in a distinctly different direction after the first four with a variation in the vocal style. This is more melodic and the lyrics are easier to hear.

What I like about the Furies is they have not slavishly imitated their influences (Nine Black Alps, Nirvana, Muse, etc.) but have the musical smartness to carve out their own characteristic sound from some of the best rock on the planet. The razor sharp musicianship and clever instrumentation reveals this band to be top class at what they do.

If I had any reservations about this remarkably good set of songs it might only be that the fine singing tends to get lost, as Alex Beattie struggles to be heard over the backing. When he does get some space to show off his voice, a fine singer comes through. Despite the fact that all four musicians are billed as "/vox", am not sure this really came through in the recordings.

Leicester's guitarists will love this showcase CD and the city's drummers will be listening in awe to Neal Hill's work on the skins. A set of unrelentingly rocket fuelled songs. Exciting and inspiring.

You can hear some of the tracks from the CD on the Furie's MySpace.

You can see the Furies at the Glastonbudget festival - May 27th.

The Lonesome Party Heroes 'Saving the nation'

Leicester band The Lonesome Party Heroes has a disk with 10 tracks on. The five member band plays its own collection of alternative folk rock. Lead by the clear vocals of guitarist, vocalist Glenn Mansell, this is a well recorded studio album with a set of listenable songs. The acoustic songs are delivered with passion and commitment. The musical style is British Folk Rock, reminding me to some extent of Fairport Convention and perhaps some of the The Albion Band, maybe some shades of Renaissance. The band works well together, as I saw when they played the OBS heat at the Musician on 26th February. For devotees of folk rock this will be a great addition.

Their album is available on CD Baby | Lonesome Party Heroes on Myspace

Jonezy's new album

Kevin Gaughan reviews the debut CD by Loughborough rapper Jonezy

Jonezy's debut CD started off with a great rap beat and lyrical style, much like Eminem of the old days. Feel your love had some great, moody bass lines. As with all the songs, the synthesizer worked really well and brought the vocals and the drums together perfectly.

It was good to hear that Jonezy wasn't afraid to experiment a little with synth effects, especially on It's the 80s, but the way the song was put together, it just sounded right.

My favourite, It's my destiny tells the story about how much he loves music and his relationship with it. It also explains how Jonezy got into his music and how he feels it's his destiny. A slower, mellow track, that, if you listen to the lyrics, just tugs at your heart strings.

Unusually for me, I really got drawn into this song and 'felt' the story. Sorry again was another one of my favourites, where he says sorry for all the things he messed up in his life and, as always, put to a solid rapping beat.

This was the first of several songs featuring a female singer, Katie, which was a very welcome addition, she was less rap, more singing. Having heard about some of Jonezy's experiences in life and how he'd been bullied, which I really engaged with, I enjoyed the rap and electronic sound with heavy bass lines all the way through.

He then went on to to describe how he found religion and what it means to him which was great, but after a little while I started to feel as though I was being preached to. At which point he came out with the line 'I live up high, high with the lord, so should you, amen'. When people start telling me what to do, I'm afraid I start to loose interest. I did, however, really enjoy most of the CD, it was mixed extremely well, the songs were very well crafted and a real joy to listen to. Good, solid rapping beats with meaningful lyrics that drew you in.

Hear It's my destiny on SoundCloud:

It's My destiny by Jonezymusic

Meet Jonezy on Facebook

Smokin The Profit

I listened to Keepin' it tight/Rhythmic fight with considerable anticipation and enjoyment. Having followed this band for some years now, they are, in my opinion, one of the most musically talented bands in Leicester. Their live shows are always totally enjoyable. Originally a funky, punky band with a bit of a ska edge, their sound has moved on as they have grown and developed.

This EP represents the summit of their achievement so far. The five tracks on this record are top quality pieces of song writing and performance. Their music is vibrant and enthralling, dripping with superbly executed instrumentals and led by the edgy vocals of Tommy Bee. On stage they are have a magic presence; on CD they are no less exciting.

The vocal lines are scorching and the guitar parts from Hilary Fox and bass riffs from Andy Morgan encrust the music with rich gems of sound. Behind the strings you can hear Sam Winterton's drumming, taughtly integrated with the overall sound but still effervescent and sparkling.

Track four 'You can't catch me cus I quit' is one of my personal favourites of all the hundreds of songs I have from our local bands. I can listen to it over and over without loosing my passion for its funky, jaunty melodies.

This is a band that oozes style and panache. They have a natural instinct for cool and funk. Their music now brings in a sharper edge to the feel and mood. A decidedly winning EP from one of Leicester's great bands.

You can hear some of Smokin The Profit's tracks on Myspace.

Living Mystery

Music to be happy to. That's what you get from the February EP by young band Living Mystery. The five well-produced tracks of energetic dance tunes are laden with vigorous, fun-filled rhythms and tightly executed playing.

As a band, Living Mystery has been delighting audiences around Leicester in recent months. These tunes are full of their youthful vitality which also comes across from their live performances. A band that knows how to entertain a crowd, they can be compared to the early Third Time Lucky.

Their pop rock style of music canters briskly along supported by the vocals of Ryan Craddock. Influenced by McFly, Busted and the early Greenday, they have come up with a set of listenable songs that are testament to their obvious talent.

Artsin said in a review of the band:

'The young guys from the Hinckley area have developed well since they started and demonstrated that they are a talented group who know how to perform exciting music. They sing their own songs which are not bad at all and some well loved covers by the likes of Green Day and Blink182. Their new drummer Lewis Underhill showed off his considerable skills on the skins and the voice of lead singer Ryan Craddock rang out loud and clear. This band clearly has a future and their set of exhilarating pop rock songs will be welcome by people of all ages. A strong performance from a band with a lot of promise.'

Living Mystery's MySpace page

See more about what Artsin has said about this band.

Marcus Reeves

Will Morris writes:

Markus Reeves is an acoustic, folk solo artist with a varied range of influence, which is prevalent on his debut e.p. 59 Steps. The follow up to his debut is set to be released on the 2nd of February.

At my first listen of the c.d. I had to turn down my headphones as the tape noise was too over powering . Although I admire his reasoning 'life is never silent', which adds to the e.p.'s overall homely quality.

The first track ' skyline' is upbeat and has a David Gray style vocal melody. Track two ' 'crosswind' has an American flavour with a simple melodic structure. Track three ' I know' is the ballad of the e.p. with a softer edge, one for the lighters. Track four ' Piss wet thru' is very repetitive track but has a meaty hook to get stuck in your head. Finally track five, the title track, is my favourite track from Mr. Reeves, in some parts reminding me of the band Pearl Jam.

singer marcus reeves

Writer and performer Marcus Reeves studied at Central St. Martins College of Art and Design before moving into music and theatre. As a singer-songwriter and cabaret artist, he has performed across London at venues including The Troubadour, The Drill Hall, BAC, Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, Turnmills, Soho Revue Bar and the Twentieth Century Theatre.

Find out more about Marcus Reeves - listen to his tracks on this link.

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