Archive: 2024

Joe Bataan’s Riot! is a landmark in the history of Latin soul, a genre that captures the cultural hybridity and restless energy of late 1960s New York City. Already a rising star in Fania Records’ roster with the release of his debut album, Gypsy Woman, the sophomore release of Riot! saw Bataan solidifying his reputation […]

In 1994, Born Jamericans burst onto the scene with their debut album Kids From Foreign, an electrifying blend of dancehall reggae and hip-hop that not only captured the essence of the duo’s Jamaican heritage but also redefined cross-genre collaboration. Comprising Mr. Notch (Norman Howell) and Edley Shine (Horace Payne), the American-born duo created a sound […]

The LA punk scene in the early 80s was wild. You had bands like X, Black Flag, the Germs, and The Screamers all essentially helping to create their own regional flavor of punk, a genre that was just in its infancy. But the bands and fans were also open-minded enough to latch onto a group […]

Melanie MacLaren’s natural aptitude for nuanced delivery, wistful guitar playing, and her ability to write about life as if life were simply writing itself are everything you could want from a modern folk musician. She released her stunning debut EP “Kill My Time” in 2022 independently to enthusiastic critical reception before gaining the attention of […]

Formed in the spring of 2020, Hot Mustard is the recording duo of producer Jack Powell (guitar, keys, bells, and whistles) and Nick Carusos (bass,) whose dynamic low-end anchors the project. Powell’s production style combines his love of assemblage art and collage into his musical approach in which improvised sessions are recorded and then chopped […]

On November 24th, Sturgill Simpson brought the US leg of his Why Not? Tour to a triumphant conclusion at Boston’s MGM Music Hall, delivering a sonic experience that left the audience breathless. The sold-out show was a testament to Simpson’s unwavering dedication to his craft and ability to connect with audiences profoundly. Gifting his fans […]

This guide is shorter than our usual article on archival releases. Still, it summarizes ten never-before-released jazz and blues recordings that will be available on Black Friday, November 29.  While Sun Ra and Bill Evans have appeared either on Black Friday or Record Store Day in April, we feature Al Jarreau, Emily Remler, Charles Tolliver, […]

Since its launch in 2021, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have been an industry game-changer. According to Meta, the latest generation of this advanced eyewear is pulling in significant sales across the board.  In 60% of Ray-Ban’s physical stores in key locations, like Asia and the Middle East, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are outselling […]

Las Vegas can often be described as the “Entertainment Capital of the World”. Indeed, while most will often read about the iconic location on news sites like New Zealand Daily for its casinos and Strip, or perhaps even the recent F1 Grand Prix race which saw Max Verstappen be crowned the World Champion once again, […]

It would be fair to say that the overbearing influence of American culture stretches way beyond the nation’s geographical borders. The Gaming industry is among the most noteworthy sectors which has been unable to resist its charms, particularly when it comes to game design. Rocking the Gaming World American music has been integrated into gaming […]