Category Archives: Music Reviews

January 29

Hugh’s Room Live presents Albert Lee with Kate Taylor @The El Mocambo – Thurs., Jan. 26th, 2023

By Franklin Lau Guitar virtuoso Albert Lee was on stage at the legendary El Mocambo. Lee put together an incredible show on Thursday night, and the 79 year young musician was in fine form from the start of show to the encore. Opening up and to kick off the concert was American singer-songwriter, Kate Taylor. […]

January 28

The Reklaws@History-Friday, January 27, 2023 

By Sally Warburton and Photography By Franklin Lau Country music is alive and well in Toronto! And the proof was Friday night at History music venue on Queen Street East when The Reklaws made their stop on their Canada-wide tour. Sold out concert! Ontario born Brother and sister duo Jenna and Stuart Walker are well […]

January 28

Karma Isn’t Just A Young Person’s Game: 66-Year-Old Mark Wihlidal Releases Scathing “You And Me” About Life and Love

“You And Me” YouTube and Spotify Facebook Fed up with lies from his partner, Oshawa, ON singer/songwriter Mark Wihlidal puts his faith in Karma on his new single “You and Me,” following his joyous debut single, “Life Can Be A Mystery” released in July 2022. Both songs were written and recorded collaboratively with his band, Mark Wihlidal and […]

January 27

Halifax Rock Band The Flakes Releases New Single and EP “PINK JETSTREAM”

WAVs, MP3s, Photos, Bio and All Assets Here “Pink Jetstream” YouTube and Spotify Bandcamp From the ashes of a band called Glass Atlas would rise the jet-fueled sound of The Flakes; founded in 2017 by guitarist Adam Sweeney and drummer Kyle Merson, they’ve been on a rampage since they hit the scene. In 2018, the band would be accompanied by […]

January 27

Vancouver’s Persian Powerhouse Tissa Rahim Debuts Soulful Acoustic Retelling of Heartbreak In “Done, Done, Done” 

“Done, Done, Done” Spotify Website Powerful vocals accompanied by heartfelt acoustic expressions are what make Vancouver’s Tissa Rahim’s newest single, “Done, Done, Done” such a gem. Tissa’s emotional dumping about a one-way relationship comes off as an authentic and empowering anthem as a slew of seasoned musicians paint the canvas for a soulful retelling.  Featuring Berlin’s […]

January 26

Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Marks 21st Year Featuring Sultans of String, Gary Kendall Band, Anne Lindsay & MORE

Friday February 24th will stream 8:00 – 10:30 PMONLINE Sunday February 25th – LIVE 1 PM – 10 PM Sunday February 26th – LIVE 1 PM – 10 PM After two years of an online-only hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, Toronto’s annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival is back IRL, baby, for its 21stAnniversary! The festival, which features a change […]

January 26

Quebec’s Bilingual Folk/Roots Group JABBOUR Releases “Dans ton café” Single and Video

“Dans ton café” YouTube and Spotify Website How many friends do you really have—and not just online? How well do you know the members of your family? How many times do you promise to make a date to catch up, and never really do? Do you know what your friends and family take in their coffee? Maybe it’s […]

January 18

Jane Bunnett & Maqueque Announce March 10, 2023 Release Of New Album ‘Playing With Fire’

Celebrated All Female Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble Jane Bunnett & Maqueque Announce the March 10, 2023 release of their new album Playing With Fire Radio MP3s and WAVs HERE Pre-order the album HERE Bio and Photos HERE “Playing With Fire” Promo Video “Jane Bunnett and Maqueque utterly shatters the glass ceiling of Afro-Cuban jazz” – The Boston Globe’s Jon Garelick. Playing […]

January 05

“Doug And The Slugs And Me” Special Two Hour Feature Documentary On CBC and CBC Gem

DOUG AND THE SLUGS AND ME SPECIAL TWO HOUR FEATURE DOCUMENTARY ON CBC AND CBC Following its festival premiere as the closing night gala film at Vancouver’s DOXA Documentary Film Festival, Teresa Alfeld’s feature documentary Doug and the Slugs and Me premieres on CBC and CBC Gem on January 15, 2023 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT).Doug and the Slugs and Me follows filmmaker Teresa […]

January 01

Coney Hatch 40th Anniversary Concert@El Macombo-Fri.,Dec. 29th,2022

By Franklin Lau & BKONTHESCENE It was a night “Under the Neon Palms” at the El Mocambo. As Toronto’s hard rock legends Coney Hatch performed thier debut album in its entirety to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their certified gold record. The show included additional songs from their extensive catalog. Coney Hatch returned to the […]

December 28

Cuban Music Innovator Umbe B Captivates Listeners With Chilling Storytelling In Cut-Throat “Confiesale” 

Cuban Music Innovator Umbe B Captivates Listeners With Chilling Storytelling In Cut-Throat “Confiesale”  “Confiesale” YouTube and Spotify Instagram and TikTok An all too familiar tale, Umbe B delivers a fiery retelling of a toxic love triangle, battling with internal impulses while trying to act with self-preservation. Dramatic storytelling is paired perfectly with hard-hitting string swells and perfectly timed breakdowns to […]

December 26

The Tenors @ Roy Thompson Hall-Fri., Dec. 23rd, 2022

By Steph C. Toronto turned into a winter wonderland after a huge snowstorm and it also set a beautiful backdrop to a dreamy white Christmas. What better way to bring in the holidays than a magnificent performance, A Season of Miracles, by The Tenors at the Roy Thomson Hall. These four incredible vocalists; Victor Micallef, […]

December 26

FREE PUPPIES!— US/Canada VOD and DVD Release

FREE PUPPIES! A film by Samantha Wishman & Christina Thomas70 minutes | Color | English A true story about the heartbreak and heroism of dog rescue in America Releasing on VOD on major platforms and DVD in the US and Canada on December 13. US VOD Platforms: iTunes/Apple, Amazon and key major platforms.Canada VOD Platforms: […]

December 26

Country Artist Lynne Taylor Donovan Offers Special Holiday Wishes with “Dear Santa”

“Dear Santa” YouTube and Spotify Website More toys? More tech? Not so fast, sings a voice of reason. Lynne Taylor Donovan’s stirring old-school alto delivers a potent—and perennial—holiday message in “Dear Santa.” Adult contemporary- as well as country-friendly, the ultra-listenable track lends itself to multiple playlists and diverse formats. The timely lyrics by Tony Koenen offer both an […]

December 25

Moore Ave’s Cover Of Sublime’s “Santeria” Out Now

“Santeria” YouTube and Spotify Website It’s difficult to make a cover sound like a unique production that does justice to its origins, but Moore Ave have done just that with “Santeria.” The 1997 Sublime hit has transcended generations and continued as a valuable tune in the cultural zeitgeist. Aylmer, Ontario’s Moore Ave put their own indie punk spin […]