Fdn Jusu "Into the Sunset"

Sometimes I wish real life had Hollywood-film endings. Like, think about the way stories in film tend to wrap up, the main character says something clever or profound, and then BOOM; credits roll. It's a great way to think about consequence-free resolutions. 

So, today I stumbled across Fdn Jusu's new track "Into the Sunset" (and may I just take a moment to remark how badass this cat looks in his cowboy hat), a very melancholy ballad about heartache and hurt. It made me think deeply regarding how all of our conflicts are never really final - just ongoing. For me, I would cherish a life-story where I could in fact ride off "into the sunset," but we have obligations and people depending on us. In short, our story HAS to continue. Fdn Jusu has a terrifically modern sound, heavily reverbed and auto-tuned, but sings passionately which cuts through any FX. Check out his other ballads and songs on his AppleMusic page here. 

John Vento "Taxi"

I think there is a big difference in the motivation behind artists covering other artists' material. For me, there are those (particularly younger artists) who simply enjoy a track and think "yeah, I'd like to also sing that song" (which is perfectly fine). And then there are those who deeply understand the original in a way that shows an intimate knowledge of the artist and their work. John Vento's newest performance of Harry Chapin's song "Taxi" certainly fits the latter. 

Vento's smokey voice is a perfect fit and his backing musicians seem just as passionate as he is about Chapin's hit from many years ago. It's also really nice to see this track in a live setting where we can experience the players' personalities more. It might be nice to hear more cover tunes by Vento - he does seem to have a knack for capturing the original spirit of a tune and putting his own spin on it. 

Ed Roman "Happiness"

Ed Roman is someone we've been covering for years - his rock, folk, and generally charismatic outlandish style is something that is very alluring (and if I'm being honest, really good for boosting readership over here at CMT). So, when he released his song "Happiness" back in September, and I missed it, I decided I needed to post a blurb today. 

Is it just me or is there a little bit of reggae or Hip-Hop going on here? Like when he started at the verse, it almost sounded like he was going to start rapping. There is an improvisatory aspect to "Happiness" which is as much instrumental as it is a song. And not to sound like a broken record on this blog, but the inclusion of synth on the chorus, makes me a ***Happy*** listener (see what I did there?)

Barista "Dreams Remix B"

Many readers will remember the artist Barista from the reviews we published on his earlier "Open Sesame" songs. Another instalment in his talent is out with his track "Dreams Remix B," featuring an angelic female vocalist, slick guitars, and atmospheric effects. It's a dance-tack in a lot of ways, but the inclusion of organic instrumentation gives it a gravity that is often lacking from other songs of the genre. 

The hook is an unbelievably catchy melody, and the love-song lyrics are engaging. With lines like "you're all I want to see, your voice is all I want to hear..." reminds me of the old Persian poets who wrote things to be ambiguous with intentional double-meanings, like "is this about God, or about earthly love?" And in those questions that art poses, the meaning is found. 

Richard Lynch "Christmas Time"

Well, folks, the holiday season is upon us and while I think it's been a stressful year for just about everyone, it's good to know that in this culture of America, there are still a lot of people out there focusing on giving thanks for the blessings we have. Namely family, friends, and life - which is really what is summed up in the Christmas season. 

Country singer and songwriter Richard Lynch taps into this sentiment in his latest release titled "Christmas Time." The song is charming, with a lyric video on YouTube featuring still shots of children, family, and home settings = all happy images, which is something I think we all could use in this time. The song features all of my favorite trappings when it comes to the genre, especially that slide guitar in the chorus. I'm hoping that this track will be included in everyone's party music through the new year. 

Tom Tikka & The Missing Hubcaps "By 2022"

Tom Tikka is no stranger to being prolific; in September of 2021 he released the album titled "This Is My Happy Face." The tracks are very reminiscent of earlier Rock n' Roll from the 70's and are enjoying a great deal of success among the usual players in social media ("This Is My Happy Face" is certainly the subject of more than a few blog postings).

So he's continuing in that prolific vein by releasing a new track for the new year - with a video set to premiere on Dec 3, in 2021; this one to be called "By '22." I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek, which is a privilege I enjoy, I imagined the track will be up to his standard excellence both as a musician and as a lyricist - and I was right. The song is reflective and enjoyable. It makes me wonder what Mr. Tikka is anticipating in 2022, for my part, I'm hoping for peace and unity - but we'll see. 

Tedi Brunetti "Eat, Sleep, Repeat"

In the midst of today's mundane world, the search for meaning seems to be ever-elusive. I can't imagine I'm the only person reading this who's asked themselves "is there a point?" And it's nice to find sympathetic music where we can. It's especially nice if said music comes in the form of smokey blues from a veteran musician of the genre. 

Drummer and singer Tedi Brunetti's new song "Eat, Sleep, Repeat" is quite catchy and tackles some of the issues I've been wrestling with above. I especially enjoy watching the video of Mz. Brunetti walking around her city interacting with folks. The groove of "Eat, Sleep, Repeat" is irresistible and Tedi's voice is perfect for the style. She's got a whole playlist, so give her music a spin.