Month: September 2016

Broadjam Artist: Kevin Winkel
Song: Bluthner Solitude

Reviewer: Tristan Kane

Positive Comments: Wonderfully reflective piece. Something about it reminds me of the Seal song “Kiss from a Rose”, I think its something about the progression and the tail of the melody. Great use of the pads, especially around 1:45. They add a lot to the overall feel, gives it an almost new age and meditative quality.

Constructive Comments: This might seem strange, but I think this actually has a lot of potential for a horror soundtrack. Maybe play around with detuning that piano part a bit. Add a bit of harshness to the pads. I’m just getting a real sense of there being something really uncanny under the surface. There’s always a lot of listings for horror stuff on Broadjam, and I think you could really get there with this.

Broadjam Artist: Nigel Barrett
Song: RnB Instrumental (80’s)

Reviewer: Tristan Kane

Positive Comments: Great little pop-jazz number. There’s a great simple flow to the piece that I dig. I’m honestly not sure how much the melody and things actually change from start to finish, but I don’t really mind, it just sort of sits there creating a mood. Perfect for some soundtrack situations. Good job!

Constructive Comments: I found the mix to be a little bass-heavy, but that’s very subjective. You do have a great and punchy sound there, but I think given how delightfully gentle and unobtrusive the rest of the track is that its working against the scenarios in which I would place the track? Does that make sense?

Broadjam Artist: Jon Babb
Song: Lady of the Light

Reviewer: Tristan Kane

Positive Comments: Love it. There’s something in that underlying riff that reminds me a little bit of the X-files theme. But then you kick in amazingly with the full awe and wonder. Great use of the vocals and everything. This has some really great moments and sounds very fresh and modern, great work!

Constructive Comments: The main thing that I would say is that there isn’t enough of it! You’ve got a lot of different ideas in here, enough for at least three minutes of music, whereas you’ve only gotten 1:20 out of it. I’d try to expand on all of those ideas to give people something to work with. Right now its a good length for a TV theme, but even then I think they’d like to have more of this to work with for bumpers, different ideas etc.

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: And Then She Blushes / Jazz

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: I like the hook and overall arrangement, very mellow sounding. I like the guitar sound in general, and the overall harmony and chord voicings work really nice in this song.

Constructive Comments: I think more tightness of the rhythm and comping that support the chord melody would help the overall quality. There’s too many unclean releases and hiccups in the time that distract from a nice melody and nice arrangement.

Broadjam Artist: Ron D Bowes
Song: Until My Dying Day

Reviewer: Ober Rivers And His DUI’S

Positive Comments: Straight out of the swamp like an alligator in heat , ready to eat your children and drink you beer … brutal.

Constructive Comments: Harmonica is ripping, basic guitar sound is ok, vocals solid . Kick might be too loud, drums overall as well, overall mix doesn’t quite jell to my ear. Song itself is decent but not original, so the whole thing will be the groove and vibe. You got the vibe down.

Broadjam Artist: Jon Babb
Song: Lady of the Light

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: Very lush sounds and a dramatic level that could be used in a number of program contexts! There’s a lot of compositional skill at work here.

Constructive Comments: There’s a clash between a tribal ethnic vibe and the John Williams orchestra. You’ve got great sounds but I think the overall effect is a bit too mashed up and somewhat generic. The problem with all the readily available tools is that there is so much music now that sounds so similar with incredible realism and production quality. This is good enough for lots of uses but the challenge is coming up with something that really stands out due to head motive and arrangement.

Broadjam Artist: Bob Higgs
Song: Pretenderman

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: This reminds me a lot of early 80’s XTC. The drums are very obviously a real drummer who’s tight and tasty. The bass sounds live too. This has classic jangle guitar. The lyrics are interesting and the vocals are strong.

Constructive Comments: The sound is dated but revivals are always good if you’re making a conscious effort to bring it back. I would argue for dropping the chorus & delay on the guitar–this is the most dated part that doesn’t translate to contemporary. I think you need another chord instrument playing a bit more on beat (guitar is mostly doing behind and so is the bass–this is another classic element of the early 80’s). The mix isn’t quite polished–it’s very live demo sounding. I think the room mics of the drums are probably what do that the most. The intro with the repeated guitar hooks is also very “style of the era” I’d argue for coming in without them and just jump into verse 1. What about adding some harmonies? This would bring a lot of punch and interest.

Broadjam Artist: Ronald Arduini
Song: DRIFT

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: This has a very Asian Pop sensibility with the uber dramatic lyrics and performance. The backing is solid, and the vocals are very strong & compelling.

Constructive Comments: The band is a formula production / band in a box sort of thing. It’s very good but missing the personality of live performers. I think you need to end the song more conclusively–you kinda just walk away from it at the end.

Broadjam Artist: Josh Walker
Song: Just As I Am

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: At first I thought this had nothing to do with Bossa Nova but then it kicks in. Nice groove–this a Stevie Wonder bossa nova sound. The flute parts are really outstanding–the tone and lines really make the tune.

Constructive Comments: I’d drop that whole intro, and come in with the groove. The rhythm section is very “band in a box” –it’s tight and well constructed but missing the pizzazz that live players could bring. The changes in a Bossa Nova tune would be a bit more complex but I think you’re aiming for a more “Bossa & Blues” sound, and it’s very good!

Broadjam Artist: Bob Higgs
Song: Nicolette

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: I’ve heard this independently and know it’s Bob Higgs (but the sound is now unmistakable). The lyrics and vocals are strong as ever. The acoustic guitar parts are live & loose with an extremely expressive lyricism. You’re saying a lot with a single guitar part. Nice work!

Constructive Comments: This one is pretty heavy on the Dylan mannerisms. Of course they could be totally yours but you’ll be both riding the wave and fighting to claim your own space with the vocal style. I like the live coffee house feel of the acoustic, but I’d like to hear you try a more controlled arrangement with more pieces (or are you trying to avoid Dylan’s electric Newport defection? lol).