Month: July 2020

Broadjam Artist: Jeff Ashbaker
Song: Cradled With Love

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: I particularly like the Gordon Lightfoot-like vocal delivery! Nice.

Constructive Comments: This a nice simple song where simplicity is the best way to go.

Broadjam Artist: Fred Kimmel
Song: Spiral

Reviewer: B.Still

Positive Comments: I really liked this one. Powerful. It rocks! It coerver4s all the bases. I see it as metal. The guitar work is excellent. The percussion does not disappoint. The vocals are on pitch, and the harmonies work nicely together. I like the quality of the recording, and this would work out well with the right management.

Constructive Comments: OK…it’s difficult to find any really bad moments here. I get the wall of rock thing. but I’d like to hear a bit more from the bass. While I realize that it has to hold down the bottom, simple slide tricks to growl or groan would be nice in spots. The one thing I’d lose is the countdown in the beginning. I’d like to hear guitar noodling into a power punch with the drums…then the wall hits you like a Freightliner. Just my opinion…great job

Broadjam Artist: Denis Kavemeier
Song: Fiesta Roberto

Reviewer: B.Still

Positive Comments: Loved the percussion. It’s a good song…a lot of potential here. A lot of work went into this. The recording of the intro percussion was excellent. The sax and flute were a nice surprise. The brass, I assume was from a workstation, and I like the idea of it. The guitar tone is very good. I was expecting something more distorted. It took me by surprise…overall a good effort.

Constructive Comments: I’d like to hear more vocal percussion to go along with everything else…right from the start…after she says “musica”…sexy yells raspy male answers…then bring in the sax and flute…they should have longer parts. As mentioned, the brass sounds like a synth and had a low-fi presence in my mind. I also would have put less reverb or delay on the guitar.

Broadjam Artist: Marc S. Pate
Song: Rainy Night

Reviewer: B.Still

Positive Comments: This song is deep. It is more fusionesque than Blues. I really like it as some of my influences were Chick Corea Al Dimeola, Jan Hammer, Joe Zawinul…many more. The guitar work is excellent. I would worry about the marketing potential because many of the main stream listeners may not understand what you’re doing in the blues category. Nice percussion work adds depth. All in all, a great track

Constructive Comments: I would have liked to hear the background pad come up a bity. I also found myself wanting more> I’d delete the hi hat in the very beginning and add a gliss into the head making it a more powerful intro. Would have liked to hear the bass come out with the guitar in sections. Also, I’d like a few more guitar tricks…slides and feedback manipulation…but that’s just me.

Broadjam Artist: Neutrino Pulse
Song: April Angels

Reviewer: Mike Nicholson

Positive Comments: There are some ideas here. There is some musicianship on display. Lots of influences at play. Pink Floyd comes to mind.

Constructive Comments: So I don’t get this. This needs an intervention. I hate to be mean. Really I do. This is kind of appalling. Abysmal recording quality. Too many ideas and none of them acted upon. The playing is stiff and then the song just ends. You need a skilled producer to give you tips and you need to study how to use technology to your advantage. This is musical chaos.

Broadjam Artist: Bob Birthisel
Song: Tonight’s The Night

Reviewer: Mike Nicholson

Positive Comments: Right off the guitar tone is CORRECT! All the playing is in the pocket and appropriate. Blazing guitar solo that is set up well. Groove is in the pocket. The vocal has a John Wetton type quality and the layered harmonies are like those you’d hear on an 80’s mainstream rock album. Ca’t tell if those are real drums or not but the fills and groove are inventive and fit the tune.

Constructive Comments: Recording wise, the only thing the bugs me is that the vocals are a bit too out front. The melody and the hook are well written but it’s the lyrics where things fall down. I don’t demand to hear thoughtful artsy lyrics but generic cliche stuff was OK in 1981 but this is kinda cringy in this day and age. They’re not idiotic but they turn me off. Shame because all the elements are there. Hence why I don’t write lyrics. It’s hard to be clever, communicate an idea and have it fit the tune.

Broadjam Artist: Sam Cooper
Song: BOOTAHOLIC (featuring Ashley E. Norton)

Reviewer: Mike Nicholson

Positive Comments: Nice stuff. I totally dig the vibe. Fonky. Sexy, insistent vocal. Sweaty groove. Great horn arrangement and the clavinet brings the funkiness. Lots of nice rhythmic syncopation throughout. No one instrument stands out, the vocal is the thing. It feels like a band playing but I can tell there’s a lot of programming going on.

Constructive Comments: The only drawbacks are the fact it seems like the instrumentation is all programmed. Especially the drums. They sound a bit processed and clinical. There are ways to make programmed drums sound less machine like. The horns don’t sound like they’re real either but for demos they rarely are. You gotta pay them cats. The vocal is too far out front in the mix, but it’s such a good vocal it’s hard to complain. I’d love to hear this tune played with a full band and no click track within a mile of the session. Let it loose!

Broadjam Artist: Ante Novaselic
Song: Kessel Run

Reviewer: Mike Nicholson

Positive Comments: Righteous jams. Love the eBow work and the pulsing synth that sets down a nice bed for the guitar flourishes. Nice Fripp-like guitar tones. Analog synths set to stun! I think I can identify the synths as the Arturia suite as I use them a bunch myself. Lotta Floyd here. Well recorded and mixed. High marks.

Constructive Comments: Well obviously this steers close to pastiche. Not wholly original but it does what it needs to do. As a pop song guy, I’d like to to hear the vocal bit come in sooner and get to the heart of the matter sooner. The long intro is cool and melodic and not noodly so I see why you led off with that. I could have used some more drum fills and accents but that’s just me. All these quibbles are minor.

Broadjam Artist: RockHound Producers
Song: Undefeated

Reviewer: Svenson

Positive Comments: Dope Song! Really like the vibe and the guitar in your song!Samples sound clean and modern. Nice Intro. Good work.

Constructive Comments: The guitar bendings are sometimes not in tune. For my hears a little laidback of the playing can add some more coolness to your song.

Broadjam Artist: Margie & Art Corey
Song: Now You’re Free Coreys Instrumental

Reviewer: John van Wicklen

Positive Comments: The song has a nice rhythm, love horns.

Constructive Comments: Song fits the smooth jazz feel. Good luck