Month: December 2020

Broadjam Artist: Nigel Barrett
Song: Quantum of Jazz

Reviewer: Steven Furr

Positive Comments: Hey, this has a very nice sound. I love the laid back feel. Drums sound very good, loud in the mix. Also, the bass is loud in the mix. Both drums and bass need to be heard and this mix accomplishes this very nicely. Good transitions between the different movements of the piece. Musicianship is top notch, everything is played very well!

Constructive Comments: It’s so difficult to offer critical advice to a piece that already sounds as good as this on does. I mean, the mix is fine. All instruments can be easily heard. So many times drums and bass get buried, but they are prominent here. The piano sounds very airy with a lot of space. Very nice work overall! I’ll check out your other songs.

Broadjam Artist: Marilyn Hall
Song: Some Heart

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: Here is a very refreshing “new sounding” original Christmas carol. I love the energy and positivity it conveys. The vocalist really made this song pop out of my headphones. The chorus is extremely original. Don’t say bah humbug no no. Clever lyrics! Even though there are some traditional Christmas/winter images in this song, it comes across as highly original and fresh. “Some heart will need a hug” and “reach out” messages make this song not only beautiful and fun to listen to, but motivational as well. I absolutely LOVE the third verse! Bravo!

Constructive Comments: In reviewing the lyrics, I feel like the first verse isn’t as strong as the second and third. But it’s still a great song. I wish you great success with it, Marilyn! Mrs. Kate

Broadjam Artist: Sam Cooper
Song: WINDY CITY CHRISTMAS (featuring Ray Dahrouge)

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: Chicagoans will love this regional Christmas carol. The hook really sticks with the listener. Excellent instrumentation with jazzy brass, smooth piano, and great underlying bass. Terrific intro and creative outro. Vivid word pictures and clever rhymes. Favorite: mall/Santa Claus Christmas/wishes. Favorite lyric: Love can melt the coldest ice. Excellent mix and production. Crystal clear vocal. This song should enjoy great success.

Constructive Comments: Play it in Chicago! Play it anywhere! What’s not to like about the Windy City Christmas? Bravo!!!

Broadjam Artist: Sam Cooper
Song: Ride The Rainbow

Reviewer: Steven Furr

Positive Comments: Hey, this is a very cool song! Very upbeat and fun to listen to. My foot is tapping the floor! It’s a very good chord progression. I like the step down chords leading to the hold on the G note. Sounds like this is NOT sampled sounds. Certainly the guitar is live, however the drums sound so good and tight, and recorded well, I have to wonder about them. The bass is very nice and tight!

Constructive Comments: This is a very fun song to listen to, but my would critique would be that I would like to hear a better mix of the piece. The instrumentation is great but everything (including vocals) need to be brought out more and made more “full”. Maybe eq would do it?? My only other critique would be a slight vocal harmony pitch at 1:43. Good work fellows!

Broadjam Artist: SKY HIGH MUSIC LABS
Song: I Gotta Know Suzanne Tufan

Reviewer: Steven Furr

Positive Comments: Very, very nice vocal work! Great timbre and pitch of the voice. This is an easy review because it’s so perfect! I love the upbeat feel of the song, nice classical guitar work. A nice little love song! I gave a lower score on “originality” only because everything has already pretty much been done before. But to let you know I was grooving on this piece. Very nice work. Love the vocal!

Constructive Comments: It’s difficult to critique anything that is this good already. I understand the sound you are going after and you’ve accomplished it very well. I tend to prefer acoustic (live) instruments, but the sampled sounds work perfect for the feel you’re going for, it works very well! I enjoyed listening to the piece.

Broadjam Artist: Marilyn Hall
Song: Acordeon Tejano (Tejano Squeezebox)

Reviewer: Steven Furr

Positive Comments: Since I do not speak Spanish, I do not know what the lyrics are saying, which is why I could not suggest a title. However, I gave an excellent rating for “lyrics” because they sound very good in the song and fit the rhythm very well. The song sounds very good and bouncy. I love upbeat songs and this one moves along very well.

Constructive Comments: It’s difficult to critique such a nice piece, it already sounds very good and has a great arrangement and dynamics. I can’t think of anything to suggest to improve the song. I gave a lower rating on “originality” only because it seems everything has already been done before. But as this composition goes, again, very well done.

Broadjam Artist: Margie & Art Corey
Song: You’re Not Who You Really Are THE COREY’S

Reviewer: Tom Worth

Positive Comments: Great vocals.

Constructive Comments: Some lyrics are a bit predictable.

Broadjam Artist: Ronald Arduini
Song: Sweet Margarite

Reviewer: Steven Furr

Positive Comments: I like the mix of Spanish and English in this piece. I do not speak Spanish, so I didn’t understand the bulk of the lyrics, but I can hear they blend very well with the instrumentation. Also, that is the reason I didn’t suggest a title. I like the strings coming in on the second verse, they add a nice air and openness.

Constructive Comments: The song sounds very good. It’s difficult to critique something with such a pro sound already. If I had to critique, I could only say that maybe the mix could be improved by bringing down the vocal and keys just a bit. Maybe bring the drums up just a bit. Keep in mind this is what I’m hearing on my end. I do not have pro gear so I’m just comparing to what I would normally hear. Otherwise, this song is set to go as is!

Broadjam Artist: Fulvio Ferrari
Song: Bossaland X

Reviewer: Steven Furr

Positive Comments: Very nice piece! Easy and fun to listen to, with great instrumentation and recording / mix. I can easily hear the song as music in a movie scene. I like the voices, they add a very nice human touch. Once I see who you are after this review, I will check out your other music.

Constructive Comments: It’s difficult to criticize such a great piece. If I had to give one piece of critique it would be that song could be a bit shorter. I understand as an artist how we have something to say with our music, even if it takes a little longer than we’d want. I’m guilty of the same! Anyway, don’t take this as a bad sign, I enjoyed every minute of your composition.

Broadjam Artist: Mike Braun
Song: The Illusion Of Rapport

Reviewer: Groove Fondue

Positive Comments: Very nice jazzy sound. Like very much the acoustic guitar, sounds great with some nice melodic playing. The gradual increase in dynamics as the song goes along works very well. The sax comes in very nicely also and takes over from the guitar. The mix sounds terrific. All the instruments are well recorded and the arrangement really highlights all the instruments very well. Very enjoyable.

Constructive Comments: I wouldn’t change a thing, very well done!