Unknown British Reggae Artist....

CORALEENA ELLIS

...we know this talent has not been recognised or properly discovered as she doesn't have an official website yet she has an album.

So what is Coraleena Ellis' music like?

Well I would have to say that is is most definitely reggae with an easy to listen to r'n'b voice over. Ellis' vocals are crisp and exciting. I think the fact that she is one of the small handful of female reggae artists is what makes her a lot more interesting than your average beneath-the-radar-of-a-major-label artist. There is an authenticity to the style she has chosen despite the fact that she was born in the U.K and developed her musical talents after emigrating to New Jersey in the U.S.A

Why do you think she hasn't got the recognition she deserves?

Well as you can tell from the below recording her album is of a similar quality to a demo and despite showing a lot of potential there is certainly room for improvement. What is evident from Coraleena's material is that she has RAW talent and is targeting a genre that is under-represented in the British music scene which is why I have chosen to feature her on my blog. I think its is important to add a little flavour to popular music and unfortunately it doesn't happen as regularly as I believe it should. For example I remember about five years ago there was a huge surge of Indian and Asian influence in British Music but it faded as quickly as it started. This can also be seen with reggae in regards to atists such as UB40 (a British, reggae influenced band from Birmingham) who emerged in the late 70's and gained great success... and then dissappeared? so maybe it is time for a re-emergence of reggae in British music?

D - I - S - C - O - !!!

MEET HORSE MEAT DISCO.

When you look at this picture what type of music do you expect these men to be creating?

Well I don't know if I am being stereotypical but on first impressions alone I would think they are in some sort of rock'n'roll or metal band. Maybe the beards give me that impression? But one thing I would never think - not in a month of Sunday's- is that these four men produce disco music! But they do! 

So they have been on a mission to bring the genre of disco back on the radar since mid 2009 and they just released their new mix-tape so I thought it was worth giving you a heads up! Especially since they are starting a massive European tour! If you want to catch them in the UK - they will be playing at T in the Park in July they also have a few dates in London! I don't know if it's just me but disco music just has a way of making you move your feet and when the weather is as good as it has been today this is the kind of music you need on your ipod when you take a walk outside! (Wow I sound like a cheesy American DJ! but this is truely how I feel!)

Horse Meat Disco use classic disco structure with simple and catchy lyrics so that by the end of each song you can mime the words whilst dancing like your dad did in his hayday. Here is there mixtape so you can get your groove on too!

Horse Meat Disco - Volume 2 - Mini Promo Mix by warmhq

ENJOY

Slightly Behind The Times But Worth a Mention...

BUTTERFLY BOUCHER

(yes that is her REAL name!)

I feel that Butterfly Boucher needs to be mentioned on my blog because despite releasing two albums she hasn't got the following she deserves -especially in the U.K! The Australian who currently resides in the U.S.A has released a series of delectable songs that are simple in their content and easy to listen to. With a name like Butterfly I think you should at least give her a chance.

Here are my reviews and suggestions from Butterfly Bouchers back catalogue of music....

My favourite song by far would have to be A Bitter Song. a simple voice, simple lyrics and a simple tune. This is what makes this song so heartbreaking and beautiful, it is easy to sense Butterfly's genuine emotion and that is a powerful thing for a person who doesn't have an overtly distinct voice. Personally, I prefer songs with a simple lyric and melody that allows you to focus on the meaning of the words rather than songs that bombard you with a variety of 'noises', hence why this is the one I love the most. Although I appreciate songs that have many layers I would always pick a simple well performed one instead... but that is just me.  fin

I Can't Make Me is a classic pop song that seems like the perfect aid to heal any summer break-up scars. This song has a very french twist to it (maybe something to do with the scratchy guitar) although Butterfly's voice does not reflect this opinion... I must say that she sounds quite similar to Natalie Imbruglia in this recording... but anyway back to the french twist... just imagine Vannessa Paradis (Johnny Depp's Lady Love) singing this. It would be perfect... or how about imagining yourself singing it in the mirror on a hot day. It's just one of those songs that you can sing really loud when nobody is around! And that is my kind of song!

Butterfly Boucher's latest album is entitled Scary Fragile and rightly so as the song of the same name and album really show the depth of Butterfly's emotions in regard to love and life. Again this is another simple song with a basic riff supporting the body of the single... the riff is one of those that will stick in your head. So listen to this song with caution! I bet if you listen to it enough times you will hum it without realising.

Some Pop, Crackle and Electro?

DAN BLACK

So when and where did I find out about Dan Black? Well I was sat in my room looking for fun things to watch on the BBC iplayer and finally decided on a programme called The Cut - a drama about some children for children - you can see the appeal it has for a disillusioned 21 year old. Anyway, I heard the opening track and it was Dan Black's U+ME= which is just one of those classically good pop songs and I immediately needed his album! which I got a few months after as it had not been released at the time! The album has a variety of tracks that all seem to follow the same sort of format except for one which uses the infamous Rihanna drum beat from Umbrella, sadly that song doesn't please me but that may have more to do with the fact that Umbrella was overplayed and overhyped! Anyway, I think that Dan Black is set for great things as he has a classic yet quirky pop sound that has been missing for the past few years! Anyway I think you should go and sample his delights and here is one I got extremely excited about as it is Dan Black and friends performing U+ME= live, in a bedroom and I was shocked that it sounded so good! So have a little click and give your senses a good time!  

Emerging Artist Alert!!!

ANJULIE

She is a singer/songwriter from Canada whose music has featured on shows such as The Hills and I was lucky enough to grab an interview with her just before her album was distributed to Starbucks all over the USA. I believe that Anjulie's sugar coated melodies and poptastic lyrics will soon be contagious. Her album "Boom" is yet to be released in the UK but you can buy her music on itunes!

Here is her first single entitled Boom:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc96P_z_Los

 

Anybody who happens to be in their early 20's or older may remember a certain Mr Apache Indian and a certain song called Boom-Shakalaka. Inspiration maybe? If this song is not feautured in a rom-com within the next year I'll eat my hat! I can see it now a nice bar scene, two eyes meet and boom (excuse the pun) this song will reverberate in your mind for the rest of the week.
 
As I said earlier I was lucky enough to get an interview with her and here are a few of her answers which give you a better sense of her character and muscial direction.
 
● Has your music being showcased on MTV shows thrown you into fast stardom?

Yes I'm the brown Lady GaGa. No, I'm kidding I wouldn't consider myself being thrown into stardom, although when I was in NYC a couple weeks ago I was recognized by the NYPD. I was such a geek about it I think I was more excited that he knew who I was than he was!!

● How would you describe your sound?

Like caramel popcorn without the guilt of an after taste.
 
● What/Who influenced you throughout your life?

My mom introduced me to female singer/songwriters at a very young age. I remember every night I would sleep in her bed and she would play her favourite songs until we fell asleep. She loved Carole King, Sinead O'Connor and Carly Simon which led to my love affair with artists like Missy Alanis and Lauryn Hill

● How did your family respond to you becoming a music artist?

They didn't like it, in fact, when I was 19 and moving to NYC to start playing shows and shopping my demo I told them I was going to Montreal to visit a family friend! It was a really tumultuous time in my life but it made me a lot stronger because proving yourself to your parents makes proving yourself to the music industry look like a piece of cheesecake!
 
● What artists have influenced your music?

Two records that changed my life are 'Jagged Little Pill' by Alanis and 'The Mis-Education' by Lauryn Hill
 
● Does music dictate fashion or vice versa? What sort of clothing do you like, any particular styles? Do you prefer designer or high street fashion?

I like both. I love mixing vintage with modern designers. I'm really into accessories and mixing metals like gold chains with silver necklaces and fake crystals. I am to be on the most confusing dress list.
 
● Does the fact that MTV have listed you as one of the artists to watch out for motivated you to succeed or added to the pressure of succeeding within the industry?

Everything motivates me: failure, success, even cheesecake. It's a strange disease.

Well there you have it. The self-confessed new Lady Gaga with a caramel popcorn taste. What do you say to a slice of that cheesecake?