This is the Mariner at Port Antonio, Jamaica.
The Mariner Photo Gallery
Every day is a great day, in Jamaica.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Mariner at Port Antonio, At Sunset
This is the Mariner at Port Antonio, Jamaica.
The Mariner Photo Gallery
Every day is a great day, in Jamaica.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Blake Lewis CD Review: His Music His Way
When I talked to Blake Lewis a couple of weeks ago, he described his new CD, “Heartbreak on Vinyl,” as a dance record with a touch of 80s nostalgia.
I couldn’t agree more as the first time I heard it, I thought it sounded like updated Erasure. And since I adore Erasure, I adore “Heartbreak”…
The album kicks off with the beyond catchy title track that not only begins Blake’s ode to his lost love, it also laments the loss of his beloved record stores. You can’t listen to this song without getting it stuck in your head.
But the catchiness doesn’t end there as Blake goes full throttle through nine more tracks that are guaranteed to get you up dancing. “Binary Love” and “Freak” are upbeat numbers, while “Sad Song” beautifully combines melancholy lyrics with a great beat, a la Information Society. “Rhythm of My Heart” completely changes up the tempo as Blake adds a seductive edge over his beatboxing. “Afraid” picks things up again with a pounding beat.
“Left My Baby For You” tells the story of Blake choosing his career over his girlfriend and then going back to tell her he was wrong. I have to say that it’s probably my least favorite song on the CD because it just throws in too many elements. But it still has an amazing beat.
“Rebel Without a Cause” is the tale of Blake realizing his mistakes and it features some truly gorgeous moments. And of course, there is a musical interlude breakdown, “Superscratchavocalisticturntablelicious.” But I have to say it’s a little too short. I always like hearing Blake showcase his beatboxing talents.
“Our Rapture of Love” is just as seductive as the title suggests. It reminds me of Erasure, Kon Kan and When In Rome thrown together. And I mean that as a HUGE compliment. This song has real single potential.
Things finally slow down with “The Point.” And when Blake hits those opening strains, you almost want to cry for him, because you’ve been on this journey with him through the CD and you can see it coming to a heartbreaking end. Blake never gets enough credit for his vocals and this one shows off his voice well.
Things pick back up with “The Remedy,” which is impossible to listen to without at least bobbing your head. Then Blake closes the CD with “Love or Torture (Please Don’t Stop)” with the uber-catchy chorus of “Please don’t stop/I want a taste of what you got/I wanna know what gets you hot/So baby please don’t stop.” And when this song reaches its end, you’ll wish that Blake hadn’t stopped and you’ll immediately go back to track one and start again.
Probably the thing that stands out the most about “Heartbreak” is that it is a continuous story, which leads to a more cohesive album as opposed to a collection of singles. That’s a good thing, but it can also make some of the songs run together. But when they’re this fun, I’m not sure that matters.
I would also actually prefer there were more single possibilities because I believe Blake deserves a great deal of success. But since he is finally making his music his way, maybe that doesn’t matter either.
What does matter is that “Heartbreak” is a good CD that will take you back to those electronica filled days of the past—or take you there for the first time. And trust me, they’re a great place to go…
“Heartbreak on Vinyl” is available in stores and online Tuesday, October 6th…
Photo Credit: Tommy Boy Records
I couldn’t agree more as the first time I heard it, I thought it sounded like updated Erasure. And since I adore Erasure, I adore “Heartbreak”…
The album kicks off with the beyond catchy title track that not only begins Blake’s ode to his lost love, it also laments the loss of his beloved record stores. You can’t listen to this song without getting it stuck in your head.But the catchiness doesn’t end there as Blake goes full throttle through nine more tracks that are guaranteed to get you up dancing. “Binary Love” and “Freak” are upbeat numbers, while “Sad Song” beautifully combines melancholy lyrics with a great beat, a la Information Society. “Rhythm of My Heart” completely changes up the tempo as Blake adds a seductive edge over his beatboxing. “Afraid” picks things up again with a pounding beat.
“Left My Baby For You” tells the story of Blake choosing his career over his girlfriend and then going back to tell her he was wrong. I have to say that it’s probably my least favorite song on the CD because it just throws in too many elements. But it still has an amazing beat.
“Rebel Without a Cause” is the tale of Blake realizing his mistakes and it features some truly gorgeous moments. And of course, there is a musical interlude breakdown, “Superscratchavocalisticturntablelicious.” But I have to say it’s a little too short. I always like hearing Blake showcase his beatboxing talents.
“Our Rapture of Love” is just as seductive as the title suggests. It reminds me of Erasure, Kon Kan and When In Rome thrown together. And I mean that as a HUGE compliment. This song has real single potential.
Things finally slow down with “The Point.” And when Blake hits those opening strains, you almost want to cry for him, because you’ve been on this journey with him through the CD and you can see it coming to a heartbreaking end. Blake never gets enough credit for his vocals and this one shows off his voice well.
Things pick back up with “The Remedy,” which is impossible to listen to without at least bobbing your head. Then Blake closes the CD with “Love or Torture (Please Don’t Stop)” with the uber-catchy chorus of “Please don’t stop/I want a taste of what you got/I wanna know what gets you hot/So baby please don’t stop.” And when this song reaches its end, you’ll wish that Blake hadn’t stopped and you’ll immediately go back to track one and start again.
Probably the thing that stands out the most about “Heartbreak” is that it is a continuous story, which leads to a more cohesive album as opposed to a collection of singles. That’s a good thing, but it can also make some of the songs run together. But when they’re this fun, I’m not sure that matters.
I would also actually prefer there were more single possibilities because I believe Blake deserves a great deal of success. But since he is finally making his music his way, maybe that doesn’t matter either.
What does matter is that “Heartbreak” is a good CD that will take you back to those electronica filled days of the past—or take you there for the first time. And trust me, they’re a great place to go…
“Heartbreak on Vinyl” is available in stores and online Tuesday, October 6th…
Photo Credit: Tommy Boy Records
Allison Iraheta's New Single
Allison Iraheta officially released her first single on AOL today. It’s called “Friday I’ll Be Over U”…
You can hear it here.
It goes to radio tomorrow and will be available on iTunes Tuesday, October 20th. The song comes from Max Martin, who is best known for Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” and “My Life Would Suck Without You.”
And it’s clear that the Kelly Clarkson route is the way Jive/19 intends to take Allison, which kind of surprises me. I don’t know why, it just does…
According to Jive, Allison’s album will hit stores December 1st. Among the heavy hitters she’s working with are Martin, Howard Benson (Daughtry) and Kevin Rudolf…
Photo Credit: Jive Records
You can hear it here.It goes to radio tomorrow and will be available on iTunes Tuesday, October 20th. The song comes from Max Martin, who is best known for Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” and “My Life Would Suck Without You.”
And it’s clear that the Kelly Clarkson route is the way Jive/19 intends to take Allison, which kind of surprises me. I don’t know why, it just does…
According to Jive, Allison’s album will hit stores December 1st. Among the heavy hitters she’s working with are Martin, Howard Benson (Daughtry) and Kevin Rudolf…
Photo Credit: Jive Records
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Usain Bolt's 9.58 Super Party and Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival 2010
Event: Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival 2010 NY Launch Party
Location: Strata (Nightclub & Lounge), New York City
Date: September 29, 2009
Please make note of these two very important upcoming events:
1. Usain Bolt's 9.58 Super Party (a fundraiser for Bolt's Charity) will be on December 4 & 5, 2009, Richmond Estate, St. Ann, Jamaica. It is going to be a massive event.
2. Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival 2010 will be one week long this year, from January 24-30, 2010. There will be multiple venues this year (in Jamaica). It is going to be huge.
The entire world is invited to both events. Please call your travel agents and make your reservations early.
More information coming right here soon.
Every day is great, in Jamaica.
Bucky Covington's New Single: You "Gotta Be" Kidding Me
Sometimes, it’s hard for me to actually say what I think on this blog. I may not like a song or an album, but I like the person behind it, and I don’t want to tear them down…
But sometimes you just have to call a spade a spade. And this is one of those times…
Bucky Covington has just released the new single from his upcoming sophomore album (which has now been postponed until Spring 2010) and as I listen to it right now, I just can’t help but shake my head…
It’s a cover of the Nickelback smash, “Gotta Be Somebody.”
I ADORE this song more than I can say, so it absolutely pains me to hear what Bucky has done to it. It’s not that he has a bad voice or anything—because he doesn’t—it’s just that this song should not be countrified. And Bucky is no Chad Kroeger when it comes to singing.
Plus, Bucky tries to change it up with subtle lyric changes and rhythm changes with some of the words and they don’t work. Especially when he takes the curse word out of the second verse.
I really like Bucky and I really like the people at his label, Lyric Street, but I just don’t know what they’re thinking with this one. Do I think it’s a hit? Yeah, probably. But by covering such a familiar song that is still getting lots of pop airplay, what is that going to do for his credibility?
Not to mention what it’s going to do to my ears. I don’t think I can ever hear the Nickelback version the same way again…
Photo Credit: David McClister
But sometimes you just have to call a spade a spade. And this is one of those times…
Bucky Covington has just released the new single from his upcoming sophomore album (which has now been postponed until Spring 2010) and as I listen to it right now, I just can’t help but shake my head…It’s a cover of the Nickelback smash, “Gotta Be Somebody.”
I ADORE this song more than I can say, so it absolutely pains me to hear what Bucky has done to it. It’s not that he has a bad voice or anything—because he doesn’t—it’s just that this song should not be countrified. And Bucky is no Chad Kroeger when it comes to singing.
Plus, Bucky tries to change it up with subtle lyric changes and rhythm changes with some of the words and they don’t work. Especially when he takes the curse word out of the second verse.
I really like Bucky and I really like the people at his label, Lyric Street, but I just don’t know what they’re thinking with this one. Do I think it’s a hit? Yeah, probably. But by covering such a familiar song that is still getting lots of pop airplay, what is that going to do for his credibility?
Not to mention what it’s going to do to my ears. I don’t think I can ever hear the Nickelback version the same way again…
Photo Credit: David McClister
You Will Visit Jamaica
Flowers of Jamaica
Chukka Caribbean Adventures
The Bonita Jamaica Photo Collection
Every day is great, in Jamaica.
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