CD Review: Sonny Spectrum's Self-Titled EP

Sonny Spectrum
Sonny Spectrum EP
Artisans Label

Sonny Spectrum's new self-titled, four-track EP, is a collection of pop and dance-inspired songs that incorporate down-tempo, funk, rock, and electronica. The EP starts out with "Get Freaky," which begins with a classic dance beat inspired by Michael Jackson and Maroon 5. The swishy beats, electronica-driven sound, and dance vocals are anything but dull. The song precedes "Trust," which opens with an atmospheric wash that leads right into a steady, dance beat and blurby, electronica-filled delicacy. "Be The One" is a dance tune with a soulful elegance and electronica brilliance. The tune encapsulates a little down-tempo characterizations, but the main defining genre appears to be dance. The final tune, "Free Life," contains a sparse rhythm and instrumentation early on with a few vocals. The dance elements still retain a primary importance with a little more funk than the others. At any rate, Sonny's dance explosions will electrify your feet and ears with nothing but good vibes all night long. ~ Matthew Forss   

CD Review: Jake Shimabukuro and the Ukulele: Live!

Jake Shimabukuro

Live

Hitchhike Records

Hawaiian-born Japanese American, Jake Shimabukuru, is the new face of ukulele pop. Shed your hula skirts and straw hats and enjoy the ukulele maestro live and in concert. Jake performs original songs, as well as renditions of popular and classic songs, including the late-Michael Jackson's 'Thriller', J.S. Bach's 'No. 4 in D Minor', Chick Corea's 'Spain', and George Harrison's 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'. Jake inserts limited commentary on some of the songs and his rise to stardom on Youtube.com. Live culls solo performances of ukulele from Japan, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Colorado. This is not your typical sleepy, dreamy ukulele music. Jake plays the ukulele with such ferocity, virtuosity, and tenderness, that it stands in world all its own. The Japanese-tinged 'Sakura Sakura' is an attempt at playing the ukulele with the mastery and likeness of a thirteen-stringed Japanese koto. The entire album features an absence of musical instrumentation beyond the ukulele and sung vocals are nonexistent. All in all, Jake takes the beach out of the ukulele and replaces it with a concert hall. A great change indeed. ~ Matthew Forss