Bongo Boy Records, the unrelenting promotional champions for independent artists, present their latest double album/2-CD set featuring music appearing on the “For Your Consideration” voting ballot – the very first ballot considered for the very prestigious Grammy Awards.
Taking a listen to each disc, we’ll chat about the artists’ offerings, and describe what makes them especially award-worthy.
“And the award goes to…..”
DISC ONE
The first disc kicks off with a rendition of Meatloaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” by Kick the Wicked. Inspired to keep people dancing during the pandemic, Kick the Wicked released incredibly accurate cover songs as tribute to their favorite artists – and this Meatloaf standard is an emotionally charged and energetic interpretation.
The NEW Bardots – who we’ve covered quite a bit – present “Wasted Blind,” a single from their latest album, Turn Your Head and Cough. And if you like this band’s down and dirty rock and roll, you’ll know exactly why this is a serious awards contender.
Frank Piombo takes aim at the “Best R&B Performance” category with contemporary smooth jazz number “Luca’s Groove (radio edit).” And it really doesn’t get any smoother with that clean, emotive guitar and laid-back, lazily strolling beat.
Next up, it’s the deeper jazz vocal stylings of Angie Wells with “Where the Livin’ Is Good.” And like the rest of Angie’s offerings, it’s playful, delicate, and easily slides right next to some of the best jazz performances of the last 50+ years.
And it’s our good friend Clark Ford (featuring Underground Treehouse) with “I Believe in You,” an entry from his latest album, Meant to Be. Up for the “Traditional Pop Vocal Album Award,” this particular excerpt features an incredibly capable female vocalist and magical sax and piano accompaniment.
Accomplished acoustic guitar maestro Simonne Draper presents “ECLIPSE (Jon Kennedy Remix).” And with her virtuosity on full display, I would say her playing eclipses the attempts of all others. See what I did there?
Remember Maryann Stefanik? She’s taking a swing (or aiming a barrel) at the “Best Rock Song” category with “Sharpen Your Knives,” a modern-punk, attitude-riddled anthem we totally rocked out to when blasting aloud her latest album, TIME.
Say hello to the Ban Brothers with their entry for “Best Alternative Music Album,” “Nothin’ Gets Lost.” It starts with layered acoustic guitar arpeggios and includes delicate strings before gravitating towards subtle electronic percussion. Such a splendid, perfectly composed, and poppy piece.
Ark of Music regular Gar Francis enters the “Children’s Music” category with “Blue Cadillac.” Presented on another Bongo Boy Records collection, “Blue Cadillac” will immediately teach children the true intensity of unvarnished rock and roll.
Closing out disc one, it’s Mercy Alu with “Jerusalema.” Competing for the “Best Global Music Album,” Mercy’s modern but traditional African vocal style is immediately captivating and empowering – an unbeatable entry in this writer’s humble opinion.
DISC TWO
The NEW Bardots receive another entry with “In the Year 2525 (Extended Version),” a song we first encountered on a previous Bongo Boy Records collection. And yep, it’s still as raw as we remember, and an excellent contender for the “Rock” category.
Kick the Wicked returns with “Firefly.” Up for “Best Rock Song,” and with its devious, chugging demeanor and melodramatic metal vocals, it reminds me a bit of Iron Maiden. It’s good, and genuinely metal.
We loved “Deep Inside” then, and we love it now. This driving rock song from OBLIVEA takes aim at the “Best Rock Performance,” and this is indeed a fine expression of unrelenting inner-darkness.
Another selection from Angie Wells, “Talkin’ All Under My Clothes,” proves why she’s a shoe-in for the “Jazz Vocal” category. I mean, it really doesn’t get more classy than Angie Wells’ rich, buttermilk voice and adept jazz vocal stylings.
Clark Ford (featuring Underground Treehouse) returns for another shot at the “Traditional Pop Vocal Album Award” with “Written in the Stars.” This fantastic finale pulled from his classic Meant to Be album is as affecting today as it was when initially reviewed. It’s calm, orchestral, gorgeously sung, and absolutely deserving of every award always and forever.
The Ban Brothers return with “Phire Elaam” – an entry for “Best Global Music Performance.” With a sultry, nearly whispering vocal, soft congo hits, shakers, strings, and acute, accenting acoustic guitars, “Phire Elaam” presents something exotic but familiar in its universal artistic longing.
Grayhawk swoops in for the “Best Music Video” category with “To Ask a Blessing” – it’s a spacey, new age, fantasy-inspired affair complete with vivid images of nature, mystic women conjuring nature magic, and the occasional castle or abandoned keep. You’re transported, or at the very least, entranced.
Mercy Alu again enters the “Best Global Music Album” category with “African Queen” – it’s immediately and percussively upbeat, and somehow, more powerful than “Jerusalema.” And with the inclusion of English lyrics, Mercy invites a larger audience to experience the wonder – and pride – of Africa.
Modern rockers STUDEO present “Find Your Destiny,” a slow-beat rocker up for the “Best Pop Duo/Rock Performance Award.” Does it truly rock, and does it deserve the station it aspires to? Yes, most definitely.
And for our second disc finale, it’s Inga McDaniel with “Ain’t That It.” Up for the “Best Global Music Album Award,” “Ain’t That It” is an electronic, jazzy piece with perhaps a world beat underneath syncopated piano chord strikes. It’s an interesting instrumental, and sure to give judges pause.
But…. is it good?
Folks, this is the cream of the crop. It’s a collection of award-worthy songs that should absolutely put these artists on the map. Or, put them on the map…again. If you want to hear the best independent artists in any and all genres – the secret underground movement that sounds better than normally labeled “great” artists achieving awards, perhaps undeservedly – this is the musically dynamic collection to get. Recommended.
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BELOW: Listen to Bongo Boy Records Presents: The 66th FYC Album by Various Artists Double Album/CD, and check out Bongo Boy Records on several available social channels, and of course, their website. Please support Bongo Boy Records – and all their artists – by playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
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