Gideon King & City Blog share an exciting new record with City Blog, due out this September. The group blends a stunning mixture of updated jazz, with a bit of older elements into it, wish a dash of rock influence on the site. Calling upon Steely Dan, John Coltrane, Neil Young, Earth, Wind & Fire, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield, Seal, and Pat Metheny as influences, what King and company record is honest and noteworthy music. King has produced and collaborated with many world class performers such as John Scofield, Chris Potter, Marc Broussard, James Genus, Grace Weber, and others.

The lead track from the record, “City Blog,” will immediately entice you with a vibrant sound, laced with pianos and vocal perfection. Their chilled out style is not over the top, and fits the vibe of the record like a glove. The lyrics are sharp, and the vocals throughout the album are on point.

“Glide,” a personal favorite on the record, features a lovely female vocalist who brings a sultry and seductive sound to the group. To be honest, one would never think they are listening to a jazz rock record; this album is so much more than this, and cannot really be pigenheld to one specific genre. It transcends them all. The music is so accessible and captivating, that genres don’t even seem to exist anymore. THAT is the making of a phenomenal record. If you pick up only one record this year, make sure it’s Gideon King & City Blog’s City Blog.

Stream  “City Blog”: https://soundcloud.com/cityblog/city-blog

Street Date: September 2015
Tracklisting:
1. City Blog
2. See In Double
3. Down
4. Friendship Cliché
5. What Say You
6. Glide
7. Dirty Bastard
8. Just Play
9. Broken Noise

Space Apaches is definitely a band that is kicking off our weekend today. Described as a ‘psychedelic Eagles with a sense of humor,’ if that doesn’t draw you in, I don’t know what will. Hailing from Asheville, North Carolina, the group has just released their new

Record titled Smokin’ Voyages. The record consists of 14 space-rock tracks that will appeal to rock music listeners across the board.

Space Apaches a retro tinge to their infectious brand of rock n’roll, which is notable throughout the tracks on the record. One of the lead tracks “Voyages,” calls with a bit of 80s flair, and 90s guitar solos. Mixed in with an impeccable organ in the background, the track won me over from the very beginning.

“Empty,” which is another standout track on the record, brings a softer side of the band out. One that is filled with swirling guitar solos, and a bit of alt-country twang. Singer Alex Reed’s vocals really shine through in this track with a growl like Eddie Vedder.

“Smile,” another immediate track that caught my attention (see the video below!), harkens true-to-form rock n’ roll; channeling the 70s a bit. The instrumentation blended with the vocals are truly memorable, and will definitely entice your ears.

I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Space Apaches’ Smokin’ Voyages. It will not disappoint!

Watch “Smile”: https://youtu.be/a3kT4NNuqC0

Swiss musician Ajay Mathur brings a dose of insightful light with his latest album release, 9 to 3. The 15-track album is an impressive collection of songs that have been garner recognition from fans and critics alike. Doused with a heavy dose of Americana, this one is right up our alley. Mathur draws inspirations form the likes of American classics, Don Henley and Tom Petty, whose influences are notable on the record. Laced with a variety of instruments from guitars and sitars, it provides a perfect first glimpse into the musician.

Mathur’s tracks have been gaining a lot of attention from the radio charts, both in the United States and internationally. Standout tracks include the indie-pop-Americana infused “Sitting By Your Cradle,” which draws you immediately into the album. From there the record only grows with more momentum. “My World (SOS to the Universe),” one of the most notable tracks on the record, has a dark, almost Tom Waits feel to it, which is inviting and familiar. The whisper of voices in the background add to Mathur’s unique vocal styling, which is smooth from beginning to end.

Another standout track for me is “Oh Angel,” which is gentle and sweet; a rock ballad if you will. His knack for songwriting is truly a gift and natural talent, and he has definitely trained his voice to fit the tone and sound of the music and lyrics; musical perfection if you will. Laced with harps and sitar, if this track doesn’t win you over, I don’t know what will.

Listen: Ajay Mathur “My World (SOS to the Universe)”
https://soundcloud.com/9to3/sets/9to3

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www.theautumnstone.com
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THE AUTUMN STONE is the result of musical admiration, turned friendship, turned romantic relationship, turned musical love affair.  Syd Lane (Vocals, Organs, Piano, Keys), hailing from Ireland-by-way-of-Canada, eventually joined James Cassidy (Vocals, Guitars, Drum, Bass),in the States, to create harmony both on and off the stage. Their influences are wide ranged, drawing from the likes of Syd Barret, T-Rex, Grandaddy, Pulp, Leonard Cohen, Sparklehorse, and The Beach Boys to name a few. While their sound is familiar, the music they create is unique, yet accessible. Their triumphant debut record, Beautiful Freaks,  is a staggering first glimpse into the band’s music. Their dreamy tones echo throughout the record with haunting vocals that whisper, and stealthily weave along.

Watch: The Autumn Stone “Vampires”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09JkYDBAPz0

The Unravelling offers a stunning blend of industrial and hard rock influences, while still having a great deal of accessibility to out-of-genre listeners. The group, who drew praises for their debut of 13 Arcane Hymns, had their career put to a halt when lead vocalist Steve Moore, was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer in 2011.

Fast-forward to the present day where Moore has luckily recovered and has sprung back into action with the group. Consisting of Moore and bandmate/instrumentalist Gustavo De Beauville, The Unravelling is better than ever. Recently they have debuted their comeback single, “Revolt,” which is a heavy hitting track laced with intricate instrumentation. The band has now released “Master Drone,” complete with brilliant new artwork from Shaun Friesen at Freeze Design (www.freezendesign.ca).

Their new single, “Master Drone,” sheds new light onto the band. Moore says of the track:  “the Master Drone is certain of his reality, and therefore living through an artifact. He is opinionated, and likely a respectable, ambitious member of society. He could be a motivational speaker, an atheist, a religious leader, a ‘life coach’ or a serial entrepreneur. He thrives within identity and strives for new identities as he grows old. He’s in all of us. He represents our human programming.”

Gustavo says of the piece “Master Drone turned out quite dark, heavy and to the point – I think it’s gonna be a doozy to perform live.”

“Master Drone” is available for free download via Bandcamp, here: http://theunravellingband.com/track/master-drone

The Unravelling via Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/theunravelling

Check out more of Shaun Friesen’s work, here:
www.FreeZen.ca
www.facebook.com/shaun.freezen
www.youtube.com/TheRiddleSolver