Month: September 2016

Broadjam Artist: Josh Walker
Song: Bump The Bump

Reviewer: Ronald Arduini

Positive Comments: This is a fun listenlike the drum track and the ride cymbalLike the organ solo at 2m5sec.

Constructive Comments: Speaking of the ride cymbal..at 1 min 28sec after 4 bars (5th bar and on..)you do some drum fills and the ride is not like feel is gone.I would have kept the feel of the ride til 2m.3sec and after your drum pass go back to the original beat like the beginning.and or ride “differently”… This is a personal opinion and I can’t drum for beans.. so there.. But all in all I like this tune and the musicianship. an other critique!!!?? My choice of Tittle “Ride on Ride on”I’m curious what the real tittle is..

Broadjam Artist: Steve Dafoe – Songwriter
Song: The Three Sisters (Smooth Jazz Instru)

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: This is a nice soothing smooth jazz tune with a great feel. The drums sound programmed but it fits the sound to me. Great piano playing as well! Everything sounds like electronic sounds (except maybe piano) but it’s all well mixed so I think it doesn’t come across as superficial. Nice arrangement!

Constructive Comments: Not sure what I could offer…I’m not sure what live drums would add to the sound, but if it was me, I would at least experiment with some live instruments. Maybe get some second opinions from other people?

Broadjam Artist: Till
Song: Here & There

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: I really like how the intro goes from a 6/8 feel to a swing feel at the melody. Pretty cool! The vocalists each sound very good, and the bluesy guitar gives it a cool flavor. The rhythm is pretty tight and grooving, and the arrangement keeps the listener interested throughout.

Constructive Comments: It sounds like a live drummer (hallelujah!), but it probably needs some tweaking in the mix – is this an electric set? Maybe add some reverb. It just sounds a little raw and could use a little smoothing of rough edges. The vocalists sound great together, but I think their tones don’t blend well in the mix. Maybe eq the lower voice some?

Broadjam Artist: Edgar Sounds
Song: Chalet

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: This is a cool, laid back song with some good instrumentation ideas, like the steel drum sound. The guitar adds a lot as well. Really nice sound! The rhythm overall is pretty tight, which is needed for this kind of groove.

Constructive Comments: In my opinion, the melodic hook comes across as kind of square. Maybe find a more syncopated melody instead of ending on the downbeat? I hear elements of both Brazilian and Caribbean traditions, both of which heavily use syncopation. I assume you’re on a budget, but if you’re trying to create top-notch songs, I would definitely upgrade your sounds. Live drums would be better, and a better marimba and steel pan sound would also add a whole lot.

Broadjam Artist: Junior Murrell
Song: In The Space

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: This sounds more like a rock instrumental. The keyboard sounds are pretty interesting, and the guitar background rhythm gives the song energy. The drums and bass sound relatively authentic. And I do like the intro – the bass melody is pretty cool.

Constructive Comments: The drum programming could probably be mixed a little more into the background – I don’t think they’re authentic enough to be mixed up front. I would probably also find another distortion sound for the electric guitar. In my opinion, the heavy metal distortion doesn’t really fit the rest of the instrumentation and comes across as artificial. But I like the arrangement – I just threw out some suggestions I think could help.

Broadjam Artist: Vittorio Bianchi
Song: Blue In Green

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: It could be pretty cool if I heard more.

Constructive Comments: There’s not enough to rate, really.

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: Au Chocolat / Gypsy Jazz

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: I like the concept and the instrumentation you’re using for this song, like the Motel 6 song. You have some good elements here, like trading the melody from guitar to the violin sound.

Constructive Comments: This sounds like a work in progress, and that’s why I rated it so low. I think it could be good, but I wouldn’t post it on here until everything is worked out. That is, unless you’re looking for feedback I suppose. You definitely need a better recording, but you may already know that. The first thing I hear is some massive static noise that overwhelms everything. The guitar rhythm isn’t particularly tight, and there isn’t a very clean attack at times. I think if you can refine your melody in the violin and make it more memorable, it will also help. Good luck!

Broadjam Artist: Dave Haddad (CenterPeace)
Song: Medieval Games

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: Really cool, busy intro with the percussion layering. I like the keyboard sound at the beginning, and then once the melody kicks in, then the groove really starts to cook! Great way of layering the drums into the mix. The keyboard background is also appropriate and well mixed. Great energy with the sax solo too. Great song!

Constructive Comments: Nothing I see here. Well done!

Broadjam Artist: Chet Nichols
Song: I Know Who You Are (#2 BJ-Earth & #1 Jazz, Jazz-Standards))

Reviewer: Josh Walker

Positive Comments: I like the instrumentation, and the rhythm is pretty tight in this song. The singer has a unique tone, and I think it works in this song. The arrangement is really nice. I like harmony that’s a little different and helps the emotional element, and this song does it.

Constructive Comments: Not sure what would be an improvement in this song. Well done!

Broadjam Artist: Bob Higgs
Song: Pain

Reviewer: Randal Dunkle

Positive Comments: I really like the sound of the guitar, very emotional lyrics with a good hook. Sounds a bit like Bob Dylan.

Constructive Comments: Very good song however, I think it would sound better with drums and a bass guitar – I can also hear a very good lead guitar solo in this one, best wishes!