Month: December 2016

Broadjam Artist: Black Diamonds
Song: That Anthem

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: The intellectual content is high on this one–a lot of deeper meaning in “riding hard to that anthem”. When the bass line comes in it’s funky and heavy. It’s really interesting when you break into a very Rock beat in the bridge sections. There’s some really original and challenging stuff here!

Constructive Comments: You launch right into the tune with no intro so there’s no chance to establish a groove. The bass and drums could be so much fatter–the kick needs boosting with the pair it to a low synth trick. The word “anthem” is awkward it’s deeper but the diction doesn’t flow very well. There are so many spaces where it just falls out to thin FM synth sounds. Making this a deep heavy groove would make such a difference. The vocals have too much of an ambient bounce. You need to double track and make them heavier.

Broadjam Artist: Gary Mazzola
Song: I WENT TOO FAR

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: There are good bones in this song that aren’t living in the recorded version yet–there’s a big dramatic song that I can “hear” that would be so nice to get into the mix. “Still exists with an open heart” is a great moment here where the lyrics, melody and phrasing come together. I think this is Chet, in fact I know it’s Chet b/c that’s his voice!

Constructive Comments: The organ and keys are way behind the beat–midi latency is probably to blame. On the organ I’d go for just chord fills rather than busy parts–just pad out the sound with organ. The keys have got to be fixed. You might be able to grab the whole track and bump it forward b/c I think it’s just latency rather than the playing. The main changes are solid–hearing them big, solid and right smack on the beat will make a huge difference. I think the jangle guitar works against the tune a bit –maybe capo for a much higher tone and more ring/sustain and lower it in the mix.The vocals sound too dry and there’s a room slapback that you hear. I’d roll off the <100K bass on the vocal add some gentle reverb, stay close to the mic so you don't hear the room so much.On the "can't get back" section --the phrasing is really nice but it's not supported by the backing--it's at cross purposes.

Broadjam Artist: Jeff Maguire
Song: Onion Head

Reviewer: Margie & Art Corey, S. & A. Corey

Positive Comments: It has a Crazy Horse Neil Young sound, maybe a little psychedelic! Reminds me of the 60’s and that’s showing my Old Guy age…… It could play in a film about the 60’s & the drug culture………Like to hear more!!Grand job people…….

Constructive Comments: Don’t really have anything negative to say…….Good guitar work though!!

Broadjam Artist: Earl.C.Webb
Song: GERSHWINS DAY OFF (soundtrack)

Reviewer: Gyps Fulvus

Positive Comments: It sounds a bit like it can blur the lines between an early American Jazz standard and later Classical music of the Romantic period. Very nice segues throughout. Excellent musicianship as well.

Constructive Comments: Nothing I can really suggest in the negative, as this is pretty well laid out. If you want to try something different with it as an alternate take, perhaps try adding a few strings in the background or a very light percussion arrangement. Bravo.

Broadjam Artist: Mike Cantwell – TalentEast Productions
Song: Great Symphony Fun

Reviewer: Gyps Fulvus

Positive Comments: I like the key changes throughout. The build-ups throughout towards the mid-way mark add nice tension to the piece.

Constructive Comments: A couple of timing issues could be tweaked up here and there to make it a bit more precise and in sync. A few more hooks here and there to make certain parts stand out would really help, too. Other than that, it’s got some good potential.

Broadjam Artist: Chet Nichols
Song: You Made Me Cry (#1 Rock-Classic)

Reviewer: Jeff Maguire

Positive Comments: very 60’s style tune , Shades of Vanilla Fudge with some very nice and colorful harmonies on a really nice chorus.

Constructive Comments: No real criticism, guitars are appropriately 60’s style grunged up and fuzzed, vocals are very good, chorus is killer.

Broadjam Artist: Paul Mills
Song: Captain Cooks’ Jam

Reviewer: Noah Ohne

Positive Comments: This song is very reminiscent of some of the work of Tommy Bolin when working with artist’s like Alphonse Mouzon and Billy Cobham. The lead guitar sounds a lot like Bolin, minus the Echoplex. The arrangement is good and has a very (and I hate to use the term) “classic rock” sound. The percussion towards the end is a bit Santana like. You have a good sound going on here and is should command the attention of a large audience.Noah Ohne

Constructive Comments: Although the sound of this track is exceptionally good, it is very retro in terms of progressive music. There are a lot of bands the have a similar sound and that detracts from the uniqueness. This does not mean that I think the song or sound need improvement, it’s more of a comment that the sound because of the familiarity is not as attention getting as some others.The track is great.

Broadjam Artist: RICARDO ALONSO
Song: Superficies Subterraneas (Subterranean Surfaces)

Reviewer: Noah Ohne

Positive Comments: This is very reminiscent of the great keyboard players like Emerson, Rudess, Zavod and even a bit of Wakeman. The dynamics are excellent and the energy of the composition can be felt. The drive of the piece is superb. The arrangement is very good and maintains the interest of the listener over it’s length. The changes fit well and the song doesn’t loose drive in the bridges.The synth sounds are well done (selected). There are some classic analog sounds as well as a few interesting sounds that would be associated with more of “today’s” music.Great style and sound.Bravo!Noah Ohne

Constructive Comments: This is a very intense piece. I think that there is little I could offer in terms of improvements or changes. In terms of marketability, well, it’s a progressive piece and the progressive market seems to be resurging a bit. I would buy it because of it’s intensity. I think it would be great as part of a movie soundtrack or opening for a sci-fi program. However, as a standalone prog rock track it’s great.

Broadjam Artist: Fred Kimmel
Song: Spiral

Reviewer: Noah Ohne

Positive Comments: I thought this was an excellent track except for the tinkering at the beginning. The music starts heavy and keeps the momentum going throughout. The syncopation of the music during the choruses is excellent. The overall sound has a lot of punch. The lead work is impressive as well as the vocals. Great lyrics and presentation.The recording quality is excellent and the power of the band really comes out in the mix. The engineering is extremely well done and it sounds as if a lot of time went into this one.I like it a lot.Great job.Noah Ohne

Constructive Comments: The opening hi-hat taps give the impression of a metronome and I would eliminate that part up to the opening drum roll. The song is very heavy however in my opinion the sound opening takes away from the impact of the opening.

Broadjam Artist: Steve Dafoe – Songwriter
Song: Jesus! (CCM)

Reviewer: Lyrical Contentions

Positive Comments: Vocals not too bad.I like the lyrics.Uplifting lyrics.Original & Creative.Arrangement nice.Instrumental is awesome.

Constructive Comments: Some pitch problems.