KAFM Music Blog
The KAFM Music Bureau Top Picks for 2016 - Alan's selections:
December 28, 2016
No doubt 2016 was a terrific year for new music! We play a broad range of genres here at KAFM. A lot of it passes through the dedicated and diverse members of the Music Bureau, overseen by KAFM's Staff Music Director, Tori Miner. It is catalogued, reviewed and rated before ultimately finding it's way to our on-air studio. Looking back on 2016, here are some of the Music Bureau's members top picks of 2016. Up next is Alan who hosts KAFM's "The Fuzz Garage" and "Saturday Night Showcase". He also does quite a bit of subbing for other programmers. Here is what he and others had to say:
#1 Fruition - Labor of Love
"Great Quick read more or view full article 3 part harmonies and some inspired guitar and mandolin picking. These folks can play..."
Note: Fruition's "Labor of Love" was Alan's favorite song of the year.
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#1 Fruition - Labor of Love
"Great Quick read more or view full article 3 part harmonies and some inspired guitar and mandolin picking. These folks can play..."
Note: Fruition's "Labor of Love" was Alan's favorite song of the year.
#2 Rogue Valley - Radiate / Dissolve
"...near perfect fifth release for Mpls. MN quartet. Band centered indie rock\ pop fusion built around the perfectly pure lead and harmony vocals...featuring ambient western guitar riffs, unexpected melody turns, background brass chorus, and meticulous yet prudent production..."
#3 The Congress - The Game
"...very strong album...formed in Denver but now based in Richmond...beautiful harmonies, infectious melodies..."
#4 Suzanne Dean - Come To Paradise
"...very listenable album that cuts across the genres of jazz, folk and funk. All originals. Dean is an educator, composer, keyboardist and guitarist....happy music...very good..."
#5 The Westies - Six On The Out
"...bold and broad in scope...masterful and exquisite storytelling...stories not for the faint of heart...The Westies will take you on a journey of an America in desperate times - one that few people see, yet everyone knows exists..."
The Alan's Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:
1. Switchfoot | Where The Light Shines Through
2. Gonzalo Bergara | Zalo's Blues
3. Baked Potatoes | Loaded
4. Nora Jones | Day Breaks
5. The Head And The Heart | Sign Of Light
Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
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The KAFM Music Bureau Top Picks for 2016 - Veta Bluegrass selections:
December 24, 2016
No doubt 2016 was a terrific year for new music! We play a broad range of genres here at KAFM. A lot of it passes through the dedicated and diverse members of the Music Bureau, overseen by KAFM's Staff Music Director, Tori Miner. It is catalogued, reviewed and rated before ultimately finding it's way to our on-air studio. Looking back on 2016, here are some of the Music Bureau's members top picks of 2016. Up next is Veta Bluegrass who hosts KAFM's "Bluegrass and Beyond".
#1 Bryan Sutton | The More I Learn
"...finest record yet 3... sounds like a well worn pair of jeans...you dont want it to wear out...co-writers include Tim Quick read more or view full article O'Brien, Nick Forster, Mike Barnett."
#2 Irene Kelley | These Hills
"...sweet voice and has added a great lineup of supporting musicians...she will be winning awards with this record."
#3 Sam Bush | Storyman
"Its been several years since Sam "King of Telluride" and Father of Newgrass has released an album...Great lyrics...great songs..."
#4 Del & Dawg (Del McCoury and David Dawg Grisman) | Del & Dawg
"...friends since 1963 these bluegrass icons sing, play, and tell stories about each other. David Dawg Grisman (mandolin) and Del McCoury (guitar) both sing.Recodred live in Maine in 11/15. Excellent!..."
#5 Earls of Leicester | Rattle & Roar
"Second CD by The Earls of Leicester (play on names Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt). The Earls sound like Flatt and Scruggs with top musicians playing Flatt and Scruggs songs."
Veta Bluegrass Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:
1. Giri Peters | Just Whittlin' Around
2. Section House | A Collection of Instrumentals
3. Jordan Tice | Horse County
4. The New Kentucky Colonels | Live in Sweden 1973
5. Gathering Time | When One Door Closes
Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
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#1 Bryan Sutton | The More I Learn
"...finest record yet 3... sounds like a well worn pair of jeans...you dont want it to wear out...co-writers include Tim Quick read more or view full article O'Brien, Nick Forster, Mike Barnett."
#2 Irene Kelley | These Hills
"...sweet voice and has added a great lineup of supporting musicians...she will be winning awards with this record."
#3 Sam Bush | Storyman
"Its been several years since Sam "King of Telluride" and Father of Newgrass has released an album...Great lyrics...great songs..."
#4 Del & Dawg (Del McCoury and David Dawg Grisman) | Del & Dawg
"...friends since 1963 these bluegrass icons sing, play, and tell stories about each other. David Dawg Grisman (mandolin) and Del McCoury (guitar) both sing.Recodred live in Maine in 11/15. Excellent!..."
#5 Earls of Leicester | Rattle & Roar
"Second CD by The Earls of Leicester (play on names Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt). The Earls sound like Flatt and Scruggs with top musicians playing Flatt and Scruggs songs."
Veta Bluegrass Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:
1. Giri Peters | Just Whittlin' Around
2. Section House | A Collection of Instrumentals
3. Jordan Tice | Horse County
4. The New Kentucky Colonels | Live in Sweden 1973
5. Gathering Time | When One Door Closes
Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
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The KAFM Music Bureau Top Picks for 2016 - PJ's selections:
December 20, 2016
No doubt 2016 was a terrific year for new music! We play a broad range of genres here at KAFM. A lot of it passes through the dedicated and diverse members of the Music Bureau, overseen by KAFM's Staff Music Director, Tori Miner. It is catalogued, reviewed and rated before ultimately finding it's way to our on-air studio. Looking back on 2016, here are some of the Music Bureau's members top picks of 2016. Up next, PJ, who hosts KAFM's "Desert Canyon Music".
#1 Three Beards | Lessons Learned
"...good old-fashion Rock Music; refreshingly so. The songwriting, instrumentation, and vocals are all good throughout. Too bad there are only 5 Quick read more or view full article songs..."
#2 Toronzo Canyon | The Chicago Way
"...Searing guitar licks, expressive vocals, and original contemporary lyrics... exhilarating tracks...raw and soulful...TC has styles reminiscent of the best of Buddy Guy, Gary Clark, Jr. and the 3 King...good horns and B3 action in all the right places...A hidden jewel of the Chicago blues scene..."
#3 Eric Lindell | Matters of the Heart
...if you like blues, soul, doo wop, R&B, MT, even a little country, this is for you...give this whole thing a good listen - it will not disappoint..."
#4 Waydown Wailers | Empty Promises
"...bluesy and more laid back..."
#5 Gnarly Feat | Gnarly Feat
"...good ol' fashioned Southern Rock with good, vocals, song writing, rhythm section, keyboards, and excellent guitars..."
*Note - Gnarly Feat's "Rita" is PJ's Song of the Year.
PJ's Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:
1. Coral Creek | Coral Creek
2. Jim Duffey | Pale Afternoon
3. Bay Station | Go Out and Make Some
4. Bob Rasero | Not Gonna Worry
5. Darcy Malone and the Tangle | Still Life
Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
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#1 Three Beards | Lessons Learned
"...good old-fashion Rock Music; refreshingly so. The songwriting, instrumentation, and vocals are all good throughout. Too bad there are only 5 Quick read more or view full article songs..."
#2 Toronzo Canyon | The Chicago Way
"...Searing guitar licks, expressive vocals, and original contemporary lyrics... exhilarating tracks...raw and soulful...TC has styles reminiscent of the best of Buddy Guy, Gary Clark, Jr. and the 3 King...good horns and B3 action in all the right places...A hidden jewel of the Chicago blues scene..."
#3 Eric Lindell | Matters of the Heart
...if you like blues, soul, doo wop, R&B, MT, even a little country, this is for you...give this whole thing a good listen - it will not disappoint..."
#4 Waydown Wailers | Empty Promises
"...bluesy and more laid back..."
#5 Gnarly Feat | Gnarly Feat
"...good ol' fashioned Southern Rock with good, vocals, song writing, rhythm section, keyboards, and excellent guitars..."
*Note - Gnarly Feat's "Rita" is PJ's Song of the Year.
PJ's Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:
1. Coral Creek | Coral Creek
2. Jim Duffey | Pale Afternoon
3. Bay Station | Go Out and Make Some
4. Bob Rasero | Not Gonna Worry
5. Darcy Malone and the Tangle | Still Life
Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
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The KAFM Music Bureau Top Picks for 2016 - The H-man's selections:
December 16, 2016
No doubt 2016 was a terrific year for new music! We play a broad range of genres here at KAFM. A lot of it passes through the dedicated and diverse members of the Music Bureau, overseen by KAFM's Staff Music Director, Tori Miner. It is catalogued, reviewed and rated before ultimately finding it's way to our on-air studio. Looking back on 2016, here are some of the Music Bureau's members top picks of 2016, starting with The H-man who hosts KAFM's "The Divided Sky" and "Enjoy The Ride".
# 1 The Record Company | "Give It Back To You"
"...moving bluesy roots music lead by the expressive vocals of front man guitarist and harp Quick read more or view full article player Chris Vos and drummer Marc Cazoria...this thing sizzles from top to bottom and the buzz about them is justified..."
#2 Stewart Lindsey | Spitballin'
"....what a find Lindsey is: his voice is pure magic with a vibrato and range off the charts as well as emotion usually reserved for more polished singers...a phenomenal eclectic mix of rock, blues, gospel, and country..."
# 3 The Soul Of John Black | Early In The Moanin'
"...soul-roots blues is cool for its beats and rhythms. Great storytelling lyrics. Super vocals and guitar playing, with backup singers and accompaniment ....this one is a total guilty pleasure..."
#4 Joe Bonamassa | Blues Of Desperation
"...contemporary rock/blues guitarist reaches new heights in song writing, vocals and of course guitar mastery. JB's epic guitar playing reaches unheard of levels...Best studio album he has ever done, which is saying something...."
# 5 Switchfoot | Where The Light Shines Through
"...the lyrics are inspirational, insightful, and creative with bombs away music that's catchy and superbly crafted..."
The H-man's Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:
1. Rogue Valley | Radiate/Dissolve
2. Crushed Out | Alien Ocean
3. The Rides | Pierced Arrow
4. The Stumbellas | Hope
5. The Motet | Totem
Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
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# 1 The Record Company | "Give It Back To You"
"...moving bluesy roots music lead by the expressive vocals of front man guitarist and harp Quick read more or view full article player Chris Vos and drummer Marc Cazoria...this thing sizzles from top to bottom and the buzz about them is justified..."
#2 Stewart Lindsey | Spitballin'
"....what a find Lindsey is: his voice is pure magic with a vibrato and range off the charts as well as emotion usually reserved for more polished singers...a phenomenal eclectic mix of rock, blues, gospel, and country..."
# 3 The Soul Of John Black | Early In The Moanin'
"...soul-roots blues is cool for its beats and rhythms. Great storytelling lyrics. Super vocals and guitar playing, with backup singers and accompaniment ....this one is a total guilty pleasure..."
#4 Joe Bonamassa | Blues Of Desperation
"...contemporary rock/blues guitarist reaches new heights in song writing, vocals and of course guitar mastery. JB's epic guitar playing reaches unheard of levels...Best studio album he has ever done, which is saying something...."
# 5 Switchfoot | Where The Light Shines Through
"...the lyrics are inspirational, insightful, and creative with bombs away music that's catchy and superbly crafted..."
The H-man's Best of 2016 | Honorable Mention:
1. Rogue Valley | Radiate/Dissolve
2. Crushed Out | Alien Ocean
3. The Rides | Pierced Arrow
4. The Stumbellas | Hope
5. The Motet | Totem
Keep your radio tuned to KAFM as we continue to present the best in new music and emerging artists for 2017!
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