Category: Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles)

ISN’T IT ROMANTIC? {Cover} (by Ella Fitzgerald: One Fine Day movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 21, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:02 Min.

While this Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart soft jazz standard dates back to 1932, Ella Fitzgerald’s cover was initially released in 1956. Forty years later, the soundtrack for the 1996 comedy, One Fine Day, starring Michelle Pfeiffer & George Clooney, includes her rendition.

REVIEW:

Hearing Ella Fitzgerald’s dreamy voice on this tune is the equivalent of a jazz time machine. Sung almost as if it were a lullaby, Fitzgerald’s old school vocal magic proves an absolute gem. Highly recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

HEAD OVER HEELS – ALBUM VERSION (by Allure featuring Nas: Allure)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:11 Min.

From their 1997 self-titled album, Allure’s romantic R&B track features Nas.

REVIEW:

As a quartet, Allure’s sultry vocals prove ideal. It’s the best asset for this upbeat track. The disadvantage, however, is that their beguiling teamwork too often overshadow the song’s unremarkable lyrics. A standard-issue ‘90s R&B melody can only do so much to hide this reality. Two rounds of solo rapping from Nas fail to bolster much of anything – “Head Over Heels” would have likely worked better without his involvement. In the end, the song makes a likable but not great R&B download

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

LET LOVE RULE (by Ledisi: Let Love Rule)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:00 Min.

“Let Love Rule” is the mid-tempo title track for singer Ledisi’s same-named 2018 R&B album.

REVIEW:

“Let Love Rule” serves up a delightfully romantic tune from Ledisi (aka Ledisi Young). As evidenced by this track, Ledisi’s smooth vocal talents puts her within range of Patti LaBelle and Anita Baker. This song makes an ideal option for potential R&B and dance playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Gospel & Holidays Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows

LEAD ME ON (by Amy Grant: Greatest Hits, 1986-2004)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:36 Min.

“Lead Me On” is the title track from Amy Grant’s same-named 1988 Contemporary Christian album. The song subsequently appears on Grant’s 2004 Greatest Hits: 1986-2004 album. Grant and Michael W. Smith are among the co-writers of “Lead Me On.”

REVIEW:

Anchored by a dynamite up-tempo pop melody, the soaring “Lead Me On” delivers a passionate Amy Grant. Her classy vocals are well-matched by dramatically poetic lyrics and near-unbeatable instrumentals. Carrying a timeless Contemporary Christian sound, “Lead Me On” easily holds up today. The track is definitely worth re-discovery as a download option.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

IMPULSIVE (by Wilson Phillips: Best of Wilson Phillips)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:34 Min.

Released in 1990 off Wilson Phillips’ self-titled album, “Impulsive” was the trio’s third radio hit (including a MTV/VH-1 music video). The tune has been subsequently re-released on its 2005 ‘Best of’ album and a ‘Greatest Hits’ compilation. This song features Wendy Wilson’s first lead vocals for the group.

REVIEW:

This upbeat and charming romantic tune ages surprisingly well, as Wendy Wilson’s appealing vocals benefit from an above-average melody. Back-up vocals from Chynna Phillips and Carnie Wilson are well-utilized. As a sample of vintage Wilson Phillips, “Impulsive” makes a fun download option for 90’s pop-dance playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Rock & Symphonic/Metal

ILLUSION (by Leah: Of Earth & Angels)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:11 Min.

Canadian songstress Leah McHenry (aka Leah or LEAH) released this alternative rock track off her 2012 album, Of Earth & Angels.

REVIEW:

Based on her haunting vocal performance with “Illusion,” Leah McHenry could readily challenge Evanescence’s Amy Lee as perhaps the best female voice in alternate rock. This song sounds virtually out of Evanescence’s playbook – it’s not so much imitation, as “Illusion” suggests more of a creative equal. Like Lee, McHenry senses the value (at least, on this track) of not going overboard on symphonic metal. For fans of the genre, the pulsating “Illusion” is an underrated gem well worth discovery.

BRIAN ’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows

ICARUS (by Ivan Torrent & Julie Elven: single)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:35 Min.

Inspired by the mythical Icarus and his fall to Earth, this 2012 single is an epic instrumental collaboration between Spanish composer-musician Ivan Torrent and German-based songstress Julie Elven.

REVIEW:

It’s a daunting task to bring Greek mythology to life purely through sound, but Ivan Torrent and Julie Elven deliver high-caliber efforts interpreting the Icarus parable. Most notably, in addition to the epic adventure cues, Torrent adds the right touch of poignant insight.

Elven’s ethereal vocals then lift that element to another level, as if describing a soaring Icarus keeps tempting fate — an arrogant disregard for his father’s explicit instructions. One can practically visualize the young man’s exhilarating flight before his artificial wings ultimately wilt under the heat of the sun. For epic enthusiasts, “Icarus” earns its consideration as a download to a favorite playlist.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows

HYDRA (by R. Armando Morabito, Tina Guo, & Julie Elven: single)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:23 Min.

This 2014 single is a collaboration between composer-musician R. Armando Morabito, his then-wife: cellist Tina Guo, and German-based vocalist Julie Elven. The song is included on Morabito’s 2014 Days of Tomorrow album.

REVIEW:

The pulsating electronica work by R. Armando Morabito delivers terrific European disco-pop comparable to output from the late Robert Miles. Once the ethereal contributions of Tina Guo & Julie Elven kick in, “Hydra” rises up another notch. Yet, it’s hard to define this track as either disco or upbeat New Age — “Hydra” fits either genre. Either way, this track is definitely recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

Note: Also, from 2014, Guo & Elven strike again with Morabito on the single: “Sea of Atlas.” A second recommendation is the Morabito/Elven 2014 collaboration: “Angel.”

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