Michael e – V

As the temperature drops, the sun seems to shine less and winter draws in, it’s time to search for those albums that transport you to a warmer place. A place where you can leave all your cares behind you. With his brand new release, V, Michael e has created the perfect album to help you through the winter. Opening track ‘Get Up’ sets the mood straight away, transporting you to an exotic land full of sunshine and optimism. A beautiful laid back track that makes it hard to be anything but relaxed when you listen to it. And I’m happy to say the rest of the album follows suit. The quality of the song writing and musicianship throughout are simply first class. Full of beautiful melodies, interesting rhythms and stunning bass lines. The one word that keeps coming into my head is warmth. It’s as though Michael has managed to capture the summer heat of the Mediterranean in each track. If you are looking for the perfect chillout album to get you through the winter then you simply have to download V.

V is available to download via iTunes

Michael e’s MySpace Page

The Artificial Sea – City Island

Kevin C. Smith and Alina Simone combine to form The Artificial Sea. With Alina’s beautiful and powerful vocals blending with Kevin’s creative soundscapes they are a potent force. I must admit when I first Gloryhole, the opening track on City Island, I wasn’t expecting much from the rest of the album. Musically messy and with undefined lyrics it wasn’t a promising start. But as soon as the first track is over the album transforms into something very special. The stripped down approach taken on the rest of the tracks along with some excellent production really lets Alina’s voice shine. The extra definition really helps you to appreciate what an excellent musician Kevin C. Smith is too. Everything seems to fit perfectly and there are plenty of twists to keep things interesting. They chose not to over-produce the album and instead welcomed rough edges. It’s an approach that works perfectly for them, the raw emotion clear to hear. City Island is a stunning debut from a duo who have clearly found a unique voice in a crowded genre. This is a group who truly deserve success and if they keep delivering music like this I’m sure they will succeed. From a disappointing start City Island soon became one of the finest albums I’ve heard all year. A masterpiece.

City Island is available to buy now from iTunes and http://www.travellingmusic.net

For more information on The Artificial Sea please visit – http://www.artificialsea.info