Keznamdi - Bridging The Gap

Keznamdi – Bridging The Gap
2013, Keznamdi

Keznamdi is an ambassador, of sorts.  You see, the man was born to make music.  His parents, the co-lead vocalists of international reggae band Chakula, immersed their children in music from a young age.  Keznamdi came to the United States to attend college for the opportunity to broaden his musical experiences and opportunities and to play Division I soccer.  Both opportunities served him well, and Keznamdi is now building the foundation of his own career in music.  Keznamdi’s debut EP, Bridging The Gap, shows an artist who overcomes genre and misunderstanding in one fell swoop.

Bridging The Gap kicks off with “Darkness”, a message to the politically and powerfully way placed that they will not get away with exploiting the poor.  It’s a pre-revolutionary message that is powerfully in simplicity.  The message will carry well in the current day and age, and Keznamdi builds around it an arrangement that’s equally fitting for a dancehall or a radio playlist.  Kabaka Pyramid lends his talents here.  “My Love For You”, featuring Chronixx, is a radio friendly love song that mixes Reggae, pop and R&B.  Keznamdi is convincing and charismatic here, and the song works on several levels at once.  “I Don’t Wanna” is the sleeper on the album, but with just voice and a rhythmic acoustic guitar.  This was a pleasant surprise, and may ultimately be the most radio friendly track on the album.  Give this the right remix and it will be a dancehall hit the world over.

“Weekend” is a mooning ballad that gets stuck under its own weight.  This is perhaps the weakest track on the album, but Keznamdi manages to sell it anyway.    “Just Vibe” works on the simplest level.  It is a clear reflection of what the artist wants to find.  From a songwriting perspective it’s passable, but doesn’t have the strength of its convictions to make it all happen.  Keznamdi closes with “I Don’t Wanna”, a wonderfully catchy mix of reggae and folk that you won’t be able to get out of your head.  Once again, with the right remix this could be a major hit.

Keznamdi brings a positive vibe to Bridging The Gap, exploring love and social justice amidst generally well crafted and occasionally catchy songs.  There are rough spots, of course, but Keznamdi overcomes with a gentle force of personality and presence.  Bridging The Gap does more than its name; it redefines the boundaries for reggae in the popular Rome.

Rating:  4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.keznamdi.com. 

Penya - Penya [EP]

Penya - Penya [EP]
2011, Penya

Colombian singer/songwriter Angelica Lopez is the heart and soul of Penya.  A professional singer by  the age of 17, Lopez’ talents brought her to the London underground World Music scene, where both her voice and songwriting have opened eyes and ears.  Add to the mix four top notch musicians behind Lopez and you have Penya.  If you haven’t heard of them, don’t worry, you will.  Penya recently released their self-titled EP to critical acclaim in England.  It can’t be long before the name is known across continents and oceans.

Penya opens with "Acqui", a catchy piece of Cuban pop dotted with flute and violin.  Angelica Lopez is an engaging vocalist, and the rest of the band is spot on.  Forget sitting still through this number; it's impossible.  "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise" finds Lopez’ voice taking on an almost kittenish quality in a beat-driven number that's hypnotic.  Penya pulls their instrumental arms tight around the vocal line, creating an almost seamless arrangement you won't be able to get out of your head.  "Eres Indescriptible" has more of a stage ballad feel to it, accompanied by a melody line that's golden.  Penya wraps things up with "Brokenhearted Girl", a monologue to a man she'd rather forget but can't get out of her heart.  In spite of the Latin instrumentation, this song is a pure pop number  built on a great vocal hook.  In "Brokenhearted Girl", Penya might just have a hit.

Penya makes all the right moves on their self-titled EP, blending English and Spanish lyrics with Latin instrumentation and arrangements that run from Cuban magic to Top-40 American pop styles.  Angelica Lopez possesses a voice full of color and power; distinctive and emotive.  The rest of the band fits her like a glove, producing arrangements that fit her vocal lines like a second skin.  Here's hoping we hear a lot more from Penya.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Penya at www.penyaband.co.uk or www.myspace.com/penyamusic.  The Penya [EP] is available digitally from Amazon.com and iTunes.

 

Review: Jennifer Logue - The Pretty EP

Jennifer Logue - The Pretty EP
2009, Jennifer Logue Music

Philadelphia native and New York City-based Indie songstress Jennifer Logue will surprise you. The diminutive rocker has a big voice and an even bigger heart, committing herself to each song she sings with conviction that is admirable. The Fordham University grad and former financial services worker appears to have the stuff it takes to make music her day job. Logue's second release, The Pretty EP, features 7 autobiographical songs dealing with life, love and living in a city where you feel just a bit out of place. All of these songs are tempered and shaped by Logue's eternally optimistic outlook on the world.

The Pretty EP opens with Pretty, a song about feeling at ease with oneself. It's a great pop tune that has some real commercial potential, particular as a licensable song for television or movies. There's just a bit of a country twang that hangs around the edges here and you could see this song easily crossing over into that genre as well. I Don't Feel A Thing is a song of empowerment in the face of the loss of a relationship. This song is a potential anthem for the broken-hearted. How Much I Love You is a pop song full of sunshine that is destined for mix-tapes and dedication lines. Just when you think great pop music is on the ropes a song like this comes along to remind you that pop never dies. Sigh is a song of unrequited love that finds Logue trying to move on. Her vocals on this song come across as a bit muddy on the CD, as there is a heavy quality in her voice that just doesn't work as well with this track. Incognito is a fun track about living in a city so large and so populated you can lose yourself. Once again, a great pop song with real commercial legs. Damned is a rambunctious Southern-Rock style tune is all about the mixed messages women grow up with about being themselves as opposed to living up to pre-conceived notions and expectations. This is another potential anthem and perhaps the best written track on the disc. The EP closes out with a Spanish language version of Sigh (Suspiro).

Jennifer Logue is an extremely talented songwriter. Her voice is strong with a very listenable sound. With the right songs (and most of them here are), Logue is a highly emotive performer who is a pleasure to listen to. The Pretty EP is a great introduction if you haven't heard of Logue before. Here's hoping we hear much more from her in the future.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Jennifer Logue at www.myspace.com/jenniferlogue or http://www.jenniferloguemusic.com/. I was unable to find an online purchase point for The Pretty EP on CD, but you can download it from iTunes. If you contact Ms. Logue through her MySpace page she’ll likely set you up.

Review: Cupéro - Cupéro

Cupéro - Cupéro
2009, Cupéro

Wow.

Warwick, NY native Clarissa Cupéro just bowled me over. Cupéro's self-titled 6-song EP is the sort of introduction that knocks a listener off their feet. Whether it's the distinctly mature tone of 19-year-old Cupéro's songwriting, the no-holds-barred emotional strength of her songs or the absolutely amazing instrument that is her voice, Cupéro is a purely unexpected and welcome surprise on the musical scene. The Siena College student has influences all over the music map, from KT Tunstall to various classic rock artists to Columbian rocker Juanes (17 Latin Grammys). Juanes has inspired Cupéro to be a bilingual artist, writing and singing in both English and Spanish. The EP, Cupéro, was produced by Patrick Ermlich and E-Shy Gazit, who brought Cupéro's songs to life in ways even she didn't suspect when she contacted them as a high school senior. Now, Cupéro is a college student trying to build her fan base in the Albany, NY and New York City markets who has her eyes on bigger stages down the road.

Those bigger stages shouldn't be a problem at all. Not since Marian Call came along with Vanilla have I been so utterly stilled by a debut album. Cupéro makes you want to just drop everything and listen, and she handles active rock tunes and ballads with equal aplomb. With a voice that falls somewhere on a line between Sarah McLachlan and Bonnie Tyler, Cupéro makes fans every time she opens her mouth to sing. Cupéro opens with I've Got Your Number, a song she wrote for a high school talent show that has become her signature song. I've Got Your Number could have been a hit anytime in the last 25 years, and with the right breaks would vie for radio spins even in today's fractured market. La Sombra is a Spanish language song, and while I can't comment on the lyrics (no habla), the song has a powerful, sensuous feel that borders on overwhelming. Cupéro rips the roof on this vibrant rocker.

I Thought I Knew Love is a commanding love song that's chart ready as you read this. It's a bit off the beaten love song track but ideal mix-tape material and the sort of song that lights up request/dedication lines. Life Is A Moment is a song about striving for dreams and never giving up. It's a powerful message delivered in a powerful vocal performance. The arrangement opens with Cupéro and piano, adding in cello and other instrumentation as the song progresses. There's a Paula Cole "I Don't Want To Wait" feel to this song that's unmistakable. Don't be surprised if Life Is A Moment ends up licensed, movies or even gets covered by big name artists down the road (by then Cupéro may be one herself). Quiero Tu Amor is the other Spanish language song on the EP, a gorgeous ballad that would sell a million copies in an English version. I have to say though that the Spanish language brings out a certain sensuality in Cupéro's voice that's more reserved in English, increasing her marketability in an increasingly multi-ethnic culture a hundred fold. Cupéro closes out with You'll Never Be There, an urgent acoustic rocker with Americana leanings that just about proves that she can do, play or sing almost anything.

Clarissa Cupéro has everything but the breaks. Talent and composure well beyond her nineteen years and a killer voice make it very possible that down the road the name Cupéro will be as familiar as names like Prince, Madonna and Beyonce. Yes, it's a grand statement, and practically everything in Cupéro's life and career would have to go just right for that to happen. But based on what I've heard on Cupéro, it's not out of the realm of imagination. Yes, she's that good. Find out for yourself. Cupéro is a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc. Don't wait, get it now.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Cupéro at http://www.myspace.com/cupero or http://www.cuperomusic.com/. You can download a copy of Cupéro through iTunes or through Amazon MP3. I don’t have any word on CD distribution at the time of publication, but will update with links when/if they become available.