Is What You Make It – TaxiCab Versus
Music collective from Athens, TaxiCab Verses has re-released their exceptional album Is What You Make It which was originally released in 2016. The 10-track set is a project of Jim Wilson and Kofi Atentenben and the Warriors, who met in Accra, Ghana in 2008, and quickly grew into an international effort featuring over 20 collaborators. One of their collaborators, Pattison Hood says “[The album] somehow became a beautiful symphony of beats and grooves, creating a bed for Jim’s insightful and elusive lyrics and expressions”; all captured so perfectly by Drew Vandenberg, who has since gone on to become one of the most respected and in-demand producers/engineers around”. These words could not be more true when describing the album which utilises Ghanaian instrumentation such as djembe, African congos, xylophone, and various bells, rattles and shakers, which combines with a classic lineup of electric guitar, bass, cello, drums, violin, and saxophone
Giving It Away – Clair Anne Taylor
Claire Anne Taylor possesses a combination of beautifully rough, smokey soul, bluesy holler and twangy country in her voice. Her album Giving It Away shows off this beautiful tone, as well as exhibiting her immense skill in song and lyric writing, and her melodies are backed with a talented band. Giving It Away consists of heavy lyrics, touching on the lived experience and the hurdles, heartbreak, fear and hardships that life presents. However, the determination to persevere is evident in her emotions. The musc found in this exceptional album is real and pulls at the empathy of any listener. As a winner of ‘Best Live Voice’ at the National Live Music Awards as well as a favourite on the National Folk Circuit, Taylor showcases this brilliance through her touching album.