New York - Actress and singer, Cynthia Basinet petitions the United Nations Sixty-second General Assembly Fourth Committee on behalf of issues facing the Western Sahara.

From the UN official site:

CYNTHIA BASINET, singer and actress, said that the international community had a moral responsibility as steward of the Saharawi people, and that a shift in heart and not just policy was required. Anemia, diabetes, tuberculosis, stunting and acute malnutrition were plaguing the Saharawi population, and yet 90 per cent of the population had attended school and were literate, according to a 1998 study.

She expressed deep concern over land mine explosions, such as that which had claimed the life of 8 year-old Fatima Bent Ibrahim this past year. Food prices rivaled those of Europe, with camel meat costing about €4 and the price of potatoes and milk equally prohibitive. Finally, refugees living abroad were unable to bring relatives with them because Western Sahara was not recognized by the United Nations, nor were documents and passports.

It took all facets to make the world a diamond, she said, and the international community must look beyond traditional methods of aid to consider public-private partnerships and microlending, among other forms of assistance, so that Saharawis were not “slowly delineated from the human map of the world”.

Cynthia visited the W. Sahara in ‘01 in efforts to raise awareness for the Saharwian refugees living in self-determination.

She was later nominated for a shared Nobel Peace Prize as part of the “1000 PeaceWomen Across the Globe”.

The singer is best known for hits “Santa Baby” and “Tea For Two” .

For more visit:
www.cynthiabasinet.com

Label: AMAdea Records

Album: Shimmer

Genre: New Age/Chillout/Vocal

Buy CD

ARTIST DESCRIPTION

For over a decade, I repressed this burning longing to express myself through vocal art. In trusting and carefully listening to my heart, I have finally decided to let people hear this ethereal gift that has been granted to me. Usually of a shy, cautious and reserved nature, I somehow found the strength to share a little bit of myself through my voice and the lyrics I write. When I sing, I just close my eyes and I whisper to the universe, hoping it hears my silent cries, love and dreams. Secretely, I hope that the softness of my voice can soothe a wounded soul. There is this veiled light inside of me, I speak it through my voice, it is my mission to share the beauty and the truth that are vibrating deep within each breath.

Loving who you are with all that has been given and taken away from you can really empower your being to greater things. Things that cannot be seen with your eyes, but only through the eyes of your heart: The heartbeat of life.

After being adrift for what it seems like an eternity , I finally feel at home within my own heart…

MUSIC QUOTES

Every sequel brings a new set of challenges, as the expectations of the audience grow and shift constantly. This certainly is no exception for Amethyste’s second release titled “Shimmer” which is a complementary addition to her debut album “Ethereal” soundwise. The music itself contains more dramatic moods and sound changes that will carry your mind into a world of mystery, relaxation and desire conveyed through smart and innovative measures securing once again, their distinctive style of music. All of this couldn’t have been possible without the involvement of the magnificent composer Gunnar Spardel through each one of Amethyste’s projects. Listening to “Shimmer” is like to lie in the dark and listen to the beautiful sounds of nature, sultry vocals and deep pulsating musical elements. This album will send you off searching for more delight and magic: You’ll feel this sense of greatness within yourself. Isn’t what music is all about?
- AMAdea Records, BULGARIA

AVAILABLE ALSO on iTunes

Let’s Pretend is a rock-pop album bright with energy and sweet rhythms led by a female voice that takes you prisoner for the length of the recording. Susannah has an articulate and sensual vocal style that fits the song selection well. Her tone is also very suitable for jazz as well so if for some reason she decided to take that path at some point I would not be surprised.

The first five tracks show Blinkoff in a good light, focusing on her compelling vocals backed by good music that is an effective blend of pop and rock for her style. “I Got Lucky” gets your motor running while “My Time Now” makes a personal statement. Both tracks should receive heavy airplay and I think be earmarked for singles. The following tracks maintain a similar level of consistency until she decides to cover Billy Joel’s “Vienna.” Unfortunately, I just covered the Legacy version of that album so I did not think this was a good choice for me to hear. I guess timing is everything. Her vocals have a distinct sedated feel to them, like everything changed to slow motion. That was the only stinker in the whole lot here as the next five tracks pick up where she left off with excellent vocals and music. “Be Alright” has a country-rock atmosphere with some smokin’ guitar licks as the singer takes flight and follows the music as if she was meant to sing a song like this all along, it is absolutely one of the highpoints of the album. “Live On” also has a country-folk-rock thing going on and a very serious overtone that carries on through the entire run of the song. “The Storm Is Passing Over” sounds like an old spiritual passed down through the ages - it is one of the few tracks that Blinkoff did not actually write but she does a great job with it and makes it her own.

All of this proves what a great and versatile talent Susannah Blinkoff is. She nearly covers the extent of genres all in one album and leaves you feeling there is yet so much more to discover with her. This is a good thing for an artist trying to make her mark and gain new fans. This process should be a natural thing for this woman. The sky is the limit for someone with so much crossover ability.

Artist: Susannah Blinkoff
Title: Let’s Pretend
Genre: Rock-Pop
Label: Bunnyhead Music
Myspace
Source Link

Tracks:
01. I Got Lucky
02. My Time Now
03. Good to Be Here
04. Turn to Me
05. Let’s Pretend
06. Vienna
07. Be All Right
08. Live On
09. The Storm Is Passing Over
10. So Amazed
11. Texas Girl At the Funeral of Her Father

© MuzikReviews.com

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Living Down River is a ten track recording encompassing real life situations and feelings all set to a tasteful mix of folk, Americana and blues. Tamara has a clear and thoughtful vocal style that is convincing while very pleasing and inviting regardless of what style of music she is playing. She also writes all of her own material and maintains her independence as an artist with no attachments to any third parties. Ok, I am really starting to like this woman, everything about her is real and original and she is indie - that is the entire package for me, well the music needs to be good too and in this case, it is the icing on the cake.

This CD is solid in every way, the production is good, the musicianship exemplary - all of the most important aspects are in focus so we have ourselves a captivating group of songs to listen to. I have no doubt after reading about the life of this artist that she truly is living the songs performed.

When you hear “Better Day”, it echoes with emotion and the feeling of someone that has gone through, experienced, and endured some hardships only to come out the other side and step into the light then be able to share that experience with someone that needs some inspiration to do the same. “Big City Blues” is my favorite, which comes as no surprise because I do love the blues and it is a very upbeat track. Tamara and her friends really strut their stuff on this one.

I think a prerequisite to listening to this music and understanding it is to be in a reflective and somewhat serious mood but also lighthearted enough to enjoy the warmth and sunshine it can put in your heart because of all the hope and emotion that comes down the river, just as the title and closing track says. It is a bluesy number with a harmonica that is longing for a friend. A perfect closer to these stories told so well. “That Leavin’ Sound” is a lament to a relationship getting ready to end as the singer anticipates a break up by that sound of leaving in the person’s voice. These particular songs made a noticeable impact on me musically and emotionally.

To relate to music is to know it, and to know it is to understand the artist presenting it. I think I connected on Living Down River.

Artist: Tamara Lewis
Title: Living Down River
Genre: Folk-Americana-Blues
Label: Independent
Website
Source Link

Tracks:
01.I’ll Come Home
02.Better Day
03.Love Song To The Midwest
04.Don’t Look At The Mountain
05.That Leavin’ Sound
06.Big City Blues
07.With My Eyes
08.Cold Coffee, Warm Beer
09.Key of Lonely
10.Living Down River

© MuzikReviews.com

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Contact:

Cheryl Hughey Promotions

cherylhughey@charter.net/314-660-1755

G John Martin “Black Ice” Releases Debut CD

Tokyo, Japan
After touring the world and opening a record label in Japan, G John Martin “Black Ice” releases his debut CD, Black Ice.

R&B/contemporary jazz vocalist G John Martin, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA, is an artist who personifies art with unified melodies manifested with balance, life and wisdom. Martin’s musical journey began with the discovery of the bass guitar at the age of seven. By age twelve, he was writing and producing his own and formed a local band. Additionally, he taught himself drums and guitar before developing a unique vocal style that would mark the beginning of his musical career.

Martin’s professional journey began at age eleven during a visit to Hollywood. He quickly caught the ear of performer James Mitchell of the “Detroit Emeralds,” who offered him a role in the development of musical pieces for several projects including his first tour. With Mitchell’s encouragement, Martin quickly moved to study music and began what would become a long history of music production with groups like 7 Mile under the Sony label. World tours would also include the likes of Earl Klugh/George Benson, After 7, Clark Sisters, Universal Nubian Voices (UNV) opening the “The Madonna Girlie Tour” and Japan’s Speed, Anri, Yuki Kokanagi and Ken Hirai, just to name a few.

Within the next ten years, G John Martin felt the pressures and practices of the music business overshadowed his passion of music. Deciding he would no longer work under the influences of corporate ideals and demands, he chose to quiet himself, find spiritual solace and honor his soul. This led him to Japan, a culture based on divination and order. Martin transformed his career into a company venture - JP Entertainment & Nitram Records.

“My life is music. I was a singer when I was born and remain a singer today,” said Martin.

The self-titled CD, Black Ice, marks the solo debut for this R&B singer. The CD is available for sale in Japan and world-wide via CDBaby.com.

www.myspace.com/glynismartin

www.cdbaby.com/cd/gjohnmartin

Label: AMAdea Records

Album: U

Genre: POP/Electronic

Buy CD

ARTIST DESCRIPTION

Founded in 2001, Gravity Co. started out as a side project, working on the soundtrack to the computer game Trans, side project turned to full-time and they haven’t looked back since.

In early 2002 Gravity Co. made their debut, releasing their first single ‘Away’ accompanied by an art-school style video directed by Gravity Co.’s Producer Georgi Stanev. The bands first try topped MM TV’s (Bulgaria’s most popular music television) International Airplay Chart, holding on to the #1 spot for three consecutive weeks. ‘Away’ would later be included in NovaXposure - the monthly compilation released by ‘Radio Ventures’ with songs by Elton John, Sarah Connor, Alcazar and others.

Gravity’s second single ‘Mr. No One’ would set the critics straight, as to the bands potential, taking a play-list space in BMG’s official weekly video compilation, alongside Carlos Santana and Christina Aguilera.

The band stretched the boundaries further when Bill Withers granted official permission to record and release a cover version of his all time classic ‘Ain’t No Sunshine.

‘Away’, ‘Mr. No One’ and ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ all made the cut for Gravity Co.’s highly anticipated debut album ‘U’ released December 13th 2002. Gravity, have since been identified by an original electro pop sound, with warm vocal melodies over pumping electro beats.

An instant success, ‘U’ brought home the first music awards - ‘Best Debut’ and ‘Best Pop/Dance Album’, from MM TV’s annual awards (the Bulgarian equivalent of the Brits).

Having released two celebrated albums, known for their engaging stage antics - performing full capacity venues and supporting the likes of the Stereo MC’s, Fun Lovin’ Criminals and more recently Ladytron - Gravity Co. teamed up with a wide range of popular Bulgarian DJ’s to remix some of the band’s hits.

AWARDS

- ‘Best Debut’ and ‘Best Pop/Dance Album’, from MM TV’s annual awards (the Bulgarian equivalent of the Brits).
- Holding on to the #1 spot for three consecutive weeks in the MM TV’s (Bulgaria’s most popular music television) International Airplay Chart.
- ‘Wings’, the first video by a Bulgarian Artist with airplay on MTV! Boasting Giorgio de Chirico inspired 3D animation - courtesy of one of Bulgaria’s finest Alexander Sokerov - ‘Wings’ would be played 13 weeks running on MTV’s World Chart Express.
- ‘Best Band’ from the annual MM TV awards of 2005. An additional ‘Band of the Year’ award was presented by Melo TV Mania’s annual awards.
- ‘Best Rock/Alternative Song’ for ‘What I Want’ (‘Instinct’ 2005) from the annual MM TV awards 2006
- On the 25 of March 2007, minutes before taking the stage to contribute a mind-blowing ‘Empty World’ against a multi-media frenzy, on the night of the BG Radio Music Awards Ceremony, the boys were called to the stage to collect the ‘Best Band Award’.
- Gravity Co. are the uncontested winners at the MMTV Music Awards, with the record 4 statuettes:
Best Pop/Dance song - Empty World
Best Pop/Dance Album - Mixedup
Best Band
Best Music Video - Empty World /Directed by Valeri Milev/

MUSIC QUOTES

The debut album “U” by the most successive Bulgarian’s band Gravity Co. is from those releases that on the first listen, you knew something amazing was happening but didn’t quite grasp it. By the second listen, you are hooked. By the third, fourth, and fifth listens, you realized you had stumbled upon a rare gem. The album range somewhere, between pop and electronic music with eminent contemporary elements, which sometimes even goes beyond the expectations. But to those with patience and an ear for the sublime, this will become one of the most rewarding and satisfying electronica albums of the decade. The sheer talent in this record is staggeringly high. Not only these guys have reached a new tier of studio production and aesthetic precision, but on top of that, the vocals are truly incredible. More importantly, it’s noticeable in the sequencing and mastering of each perfectly-layered sound. Listen on a solid, high-end system, and all the textures will open up and dance across the room in perfect balance. “U” has achieved a new level of greatness and this is easily some of the best music albums you could have in your collection.
- AMAdea Records, BULGARIA

If you like you can check the CD here.

Talented songstress Lorraine Reid is not just reveling in her previous success as lead singer for dance group Temperance; she’s making a major shift in her career with the release of a hot solo R&B album “Lessons Learned.” Hailing from Toronto, Reid has opened for Lou Bega, Monica, Coolio and Destiny’s Child, and “is vocally ready to take her place beside other international R&B songbirds. Some would even go as far as to grade her deep, rich voice against the bluesy sounds of Billy Holiday or Sarah Vaughan” (Georgette Charlicombe, Mic Check).

It’s no surprise that Reid lists Whitney Houston as one of her influences, since her new album contains vocals comparable to those of Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and India.Arie. Says Charles Bouley II from Billboard, “Reid delivers inspired vocal[s] that prove she’s a seasoned performer; it could easily elevate her to diva status. Her delivery is reminiscent of classic Donna Summer.”

Reid’s musical style can be described as a combination of R&B and soul with an edge. Having recorded two previous albums with Temperance, Virtues of Life and If You Don’t Know, she has the experience and the skills to infiltrate the music industry by simply sharing her powerful voice– with her help, Temperance was able to secure more Juno nominations than any other dance group to date.

Soon after Reid’s 7th Juno nomination in 2000, she began to feel as though her life needed a new direction. She decided to pursue a teaching career while continuing to record commercial jingles for radio and television, as well as perform backup vocals for countless other artists.

In the fall of 2005, the combination of full-time teaching and evening-gigging eventually took a toll on Reid’s health. She suffered a lengthy and extensive bout with laryngitis and was diagnosed with vocal nodules. Reid went through with an operation to have her nodules removed, which caused some loss in range and forced her to use an amplification system when speaking publicly.

Lessons Learned couldn’t be released at a better time in Reid’s life; the album’s title emulates the various challenges she has faced to make this record a reality. You are sure to hear a more soulful and established artist, as Reid provides a window into her heart by sharing the experiences that have made her the talented vocalist she is today.

You can expect to see the highly anticipated album out soon this summer, and while you’re anxiously awaiting the album’s release, go see Reid live July 12th, 2008 at the Montreal Reggae Festival (www.montrealreggaefest.com). Reid is also scheduled to play the Michigan Reggae Festival this coming August.

www.myspace.com/lorrainereid
www.musicdish.net/lorrainereid/

The album features production from Apex, Amdex, S1, Everett James, Slugabed, and others, along with guest-artist features such as Muhsinah, Finale, and Bilal Salaam. “Floatin’” is the first single, which demonstrates Stacy’s archetypical blend of soft, heartfelt vocals and strong yet sensual lyrics.

The single has already garnered praise from influential DJs such as Gilles Peterson (Radio 1, BBC), who’s featuring the song on his Brownswood Bubblers Volume 3 release. Numerous bloggers have taken notice, including an Artist Spotlight on the mammoth ConcreteLoop.com and feature on the main page of Mp3.com.
thehypereport.blogspot.com

It seems that everything took an uplifting turn in 2006 when Gunnar and Amethyste started to collaborate more extensively on several projects ranging from Trance - Dance to Ambient. They finally decided to meet in February of 2006 in NYC, then shortly after their first meeting, Gunnar came to spend 3 months in the USA focusing on music composition and production. Their love for each other fueled the creation of Amethyste’s debut CD titled “Ethereal”. Gunnar’s extreme composing ability really showcases Amethyste’s soothing and dreamy ample vocal range. The beautiful music that Amethyste and Gunnar Spardel create have been heard in radio stations in Europe as well as many internet radios. Ethereal warms the heart and shines light upon their acclaimed and distinctive style of music.

MUSIC QUOTES
Delicate and sublime with a stirring of ecstasy dancing over a driving powerful intoxication is what you will find if you listen to Amethyste’s masterpiece – “Ethereal“. If you listen to the album from start to finish you will first encounter silky washes of sound with ethereal vocals. Floating on air is the feeling that Amethyste creates as soulful and ethereal voices of the mysteries above and below soar across an ocean of stars into a celestial downtempo mood. “Ethereal” goes beyond inspiration to new levels of creativity where modern technology and ancient longings collide. At times it is crystalline perfection and at others the warm sounds completely surround you enveloping you in a dreamy haze. Behind the scene of “Ethereal” is also the magnificent composer Gunnar Spardel, who lays down a set of deep ambient beats that creates a tantalizing ebb and flow of exotic sexy moods as a magical calm is unveiled by a journey within the smooth grooves. Amethyste is one of the most profound influences over mainstream Chill out artists, through a new, innovative artistic panache.
- AMAdea Records, BULGARIA

Purchase CD at CDBABY HERE

Purchase MP3 Album at iTunes HERE

Listen to free music at MySpace HERE