Craig Urquhart: Within Memory

I’ll admit it: I’m a bit of a sucker for good piano music. And Craig Urquhart’s album Within Memory definitely hits the spot as far as piano music goes.

 

First off, Within Memory is an album of completely pure piano. There’s no distraction from the presence of other instruments accompanying Urquhart, which allows his piano playing to really shine.

 

The songs are mellow and easy to listen to across the board, but Urquhart manages to play with styles within each track. Heavy chords are meshed with delicate high notes to create a musical contrast that’s almost haunting in how beautiful it is.

 

Not all of the songs have the heavy undertones to them, though. Several of the tracks have a very light feel and elegance to them...MORE

Gabriel the Marine: Your Friends and Loved Ones

It’s been a few months since I’ve fallen in love with an album as much as Your Friends and Loved Ones, by Long Island’s Gabriel the Marine.

 

It may be due to the fact that there are only five songs on the album, but there are zero misses on Your Friends and Loved Ones—all five tracks are absolutely excellent.

 

The vibe of Gabriel the Marine’s musical style is something along the lines of indie rock with hints of Brit-pop and jazz thrown into the mix as well. The result is an album that feels very fresh and distinct from much of what’s on the market right now.

 

Out of the five tracks, it’s split about half and half on catchy, upbeat songs, and mellow, soulful ballads, and both styles are performed brilliantly. The more upbeat songs have a very fun, youthful feel to them, while the slower songs have a definite maturity to them.

 

“The Ocean,” featuring Bob Dylan, takes on a different quality than on the rest of the album, and the passion and emotion in Dylan's voice is extremely evident...MORE

Billy Lavender: Memphis Livin

Billy Lavender’s album Memphis Livin is blues at its finest. It’s gritty and jazzy, with an equal balance of funk and fun.

On Memphis Livin, Lavender, who was born and raised in Memphis, clearly demonstrates the influence growing up in the heart of the blues scene had on his musical style.

There’s a classic quality to Memphis Livin, as well as a freshness that makes it easy to imagine swaying to the music at an outdoor venue.

A particular highlight of the album is the fact that it balances out slow songs with upbeat ones, and Lavender sounds in his element in both styles. He easily transitions from heavier, wailing guitar riffs to light melodies, depending on the type of song...MORE