Month: August 2016

Broadjam Artist: FRED GROSS
Song: Mystique

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: Great bluesy guitar sound. This sounds more like a blues-type song to me than jazz. The harmony in the A section of the keyboard and pad has a cool laid-back vibe to it. There needs to be more development of that sound in the B section

Constructive Comments: The biggest problems are the lack of any drum set presence, which is desperately needed, and no life at the B section. There really needs to be some kind of harmonic structure in the B section. Also the dueling guitar lines in the B section are distracting, even with the different panning. Either there should be some real rhythmic energy in that section with drums and simplify the texture, or develop the A section idea more in the B section. The bass at the intro had some excessive fret noise, which would probably be ok if it wasn’t the opening statement.

Broadjam Artist: Martie Echito
Song: MOONSTONE STRUT (Inst.)

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: Great sounding recording and performance by everyone! The piano lays down a great feel from the top. I like the breakdown and rebuild as well in the middle of the song. Great orchestration and appropriate contribution from the organ, tambourine, and piano. Drums had a great feel and carried the groove well. Pretty cool fade ending as well.

Constructive Comments: In my opinion, the only thing I’m missing is a more memorable hook. The melody is pretty technical, but then again, we aren’t talking about Taylor Swift music here. Great song!

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: Down Hampton Way

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: The song has some potential. The arrangement is pretty good, with the melody and secondary melody in the B section. I like the guitar sound and the blend with the keyboard.

Constructive Comments: The biggest distraction is the quality of instrumentation and recording quality. The walking bass line suggests a four-on-the-floor shuffle or a jazz feel but the drums don’t lay down a feel that’s authentic for either and the fills are more like what you’d hear in a rock shuffle. Live drums and a jazz or R&B drummer would immediately add a lot to this arrangement. The brass isn’t particularly convincing either. Maybe take the bass down an octave or boost it in the mix a little to provide for more low end balance. Just upgrading the groove and the sounds would do wonders, but I understand you may be on a tight budget. Garageband has some good drum and keyboard sounds, and Apple Logic Pro X has even more. Maybe check out the Recording Revolution for mixing tips.

Broadjam Artist: Billy Pilgrim
Song: Positive Note

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: I like the atmospheric intro and the funky groove on the set with the keyboard melody (maybe a little less phasing back and forth, but that’s my opinion – I know there are varied opinions on how much phase is ok). I like the added layering of different instruments through out. The drums are solid.

Constructive Comments: The melody is nice but it doesn’t really grab me right away. It works for setting the feel and it’s good for background music, which may be what you’re shooting for, I don’t know. I could probably use some kind of low end sound to balance out all the higher tonality. The bass is pretty low (maybe you designed it that way, I just personally like to hear a good range of frequencies). The tambourine sounds very tinny and doesn’t blend too well with the drums…maybe find one with lower pitched jingles?

Broadjam Artist: Prejippie Music Group
Song: I Am Free

Reviewer: Ron D Bowes

Positive Comments: Cool song. Well constructed. Quite catchy and easy going. Enjoyed the ride.

Constructive Comments: Nothing really constructive to add. Would bring the drums up in the mix, if it was me. But each to their own. Nice work.

Broadjam Artist: Junior Murrell
Song: Yesterday Is Today

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: I like the tight groove and overall recording quality, as well as the sax performance itself…very polished! The percussion ending was interesting, although it may work better in the middle as a way to break up the song.

Constructive Comments: The melody didn’t really grab me right away. It’s simple, but not particularly memorable in my opinion. Maybe try layering in some additional instrumentation for variety, like a pad somewhere or extra percussion, although the guitar midway was nice. The keyboard bass felt artificial to me and didn’t really blend well with the arrangement.

Broadjam Artist: Nigel Barrett
Song: Saxametosis – real sax

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: It reminds me of David Sanborn and David Benoit, guys like that. I like the harmonized melody in the saxes and the underlying groove, as well as the layered piano underneath. The sax tone is fiery and adds some spice to the track. I also really like the flute tone with the overtone sound – that adds to the feel. The arrangement itself is pretty good.

Constructive Comments: I heard some pitchiness in the saxophone here and there. The rhythm section arrangement is good, but it could be tighter between the drums and bass, The saxophone/rhythm section and the saxophone harmony. The rhythms didn’t all line up with each other, which is ok for a looser feel like with acoustic jazz or more contemporary sounds. But for smooth jazz, a tight rhythm section is absolutely essential.

Broadjam Artist: Bob Higgs
Song: When These Days are Done

Reviewer: DENNIS MAKEPEACE

Positive Comments: nice guitar work,good voice

Constructive Comments: no problems ,nice song maybe could add harmonies ?

Broadjam Artist: Tristyn Leach
Song: While The Angels Weep ( instrumental )

Reviewer: John Hazlett

Positive Comments: It reminds me of a scene in “The Matrix” in which the good guys were getting out if the cars to their destination.

Constructive Comments: The bass was a bit weak.

Broadjam Artist: Billy Pilgrim
Song: Camp Sight

Reviewer: John Hazlett

Positive Comments: A good modern piece that could be used in a wide variety of scenes, TV, movies, and other venues.

Constructive Comments: The overall quality of instruments were a bit off. Maybe different blends of instruments, such as warm pad blended with strings?