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6x JUNO Nominated Vocalist and Pianist Carol Welsman Releases “Dance With Me” Video Featuring Latin Superstar Juan Luis Guerra
Six-time JUNO Award nominated jazz vocalist and pianist Carol Welsman is set to release her 13th album entitled Dance With Me, marking her foray into Latin jazz. The recording scheduled for release July 31, 2020 on Justin Time Records is an eclectic collection of international songs arranged with Latin rhythms including salsa, boleros, cha cha cha, Afro Cuban and calypso; all the while keeping within Latin jazz and traditional rhythms.
The selections include popular Latin standards adapted into English, Great American Songbook standards, original compositions, a Latin-flavored song penned by fellow Canadian Randy Bachman of Bachman Turner Overdrive, and a duet with multi-GRAMMY winning Latin superstar, Juan Luis Guerra on the title track and first single release, which is an English adaptation written by Carol of his song “Si Tú No Bailas Conmigo” (If You Don’t Dance With Me).
Carol’s co-producer, Oscar Hernández, is a four-time GRAMMY winning composer and arranger. Given Oscar’s depth of knowledge of the Latin jazz idiom, Carol commissioned him to arrange all the music for the recording. She is surrounded by a stellar line-up of Latin musicians; Justo Almario on saxophones and flute, Joey de Leon on percussion, Rene Camacho on bass and Jimmy Branly on drums. The players hail from Colombian, Puerto Rican, Mexican and Cuban ancestry respectively.
Carol met Juan Luis Guerra a few years ago in Santo Domingo and told him how much she particularly liked his composition “Si Tú No Bailas Conmigo.” She wrote an English adaptation for it, and when Juan Luis heard it, he graciously accepted her invitation to guest star on the track.
Carol’s long-time Cuban drummer Jimmy Branly was instrumental in introducing her to Latin music, especially the music of Beny Moré; one of the most popular singers Cuba has ever known. Co-lyricist Jo Perry and Carol chose a number of these Latin standards and wrote English adaptations to them, Like “Y Hoy Como Ayer” (I Think Of You), “Como Fue” (Yesterday), and “Ya Llegó La Hora” (Time to Dance Cha Cha Cha). This is likely the first time these Latin classics will be heard by English audiences.
Welsman had the good fortune of meeting fellow Canadian Randy Bachman recently, and when she heard him sing “A Taste of Paradise,” she immediately included it in her repertoire. Randy, better known for his rock-influenced songs, was deeply inspired in his youth by guitarist Lenny Breau who actually introduced him to the bossa nova and the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Like on many of her previous recordings, Carol follows suit delivering two original songs on this album: “Island Lullaby” and “Revelations”; the latter of which is arranged with Afro Cuban and Venezuelan Horopo rhythms.
Carol’s strong connection with her fans has been front and center in her last two releases. For Dance With Me she embarked on her first Kickstarter campaign and the response was overwhelming. In keeping with the fan experience, Carol has launched a video contest asking fans to submit videos of them dancing to the title track. Winners of the contest, which runs through July 20th, will be included in her upcoming music video.
She has always had a passion for Latin rhythms, as can be witnessed on most of her recordings and with her debut Latin Jazz album, her international appeal now invites a whole new audience.
Ottawa’s Indigenous Rocker & Award-Nominated Producer PaulStar Pauses “One Last Time” in New Single
Award-nominated Canadian alt-pop / contemporary rocker and producer PaulStar explores long-held and unexpressed grief “One Last Time” in this, his new single — available now.
“This is the very first song I worked on in the Fall last year, and I finished it that winter,” he recalls of “One Last Time.” “It’s about losing a loved one.
“It took me a few years to grieve for my grandfather. I had no words to express that grief in a song until that Fall. From there, I included the others I’ve lost as well.”
A preview of his forthcoming Fall 2020 album, Find Myself, “One Last Time” and the album mark a step into a new realm for PaulStar — Paul Napash. Nominated for an International Indigenous Hip-Hop Award for Best Producer & Beatmaker, the engineer, producer, and composer helms the record label, PaulStar Entertainment, and has released a series of critically acclaimed singles; that said, Find Myself officially puts Napash on the other side of the desk or stage being the debut EP for his own music.
A member of the Eeyou istchee community, and born and raised in Chisasibi, Quebec, now living in Ottawa, Ontario, the multi-disciplined Cree artist says he “bathed in music from infancy” thanks to his uncle’s weekly band rehearsals. “I quickly got into how music can act as a unifier within a community. I picked up a guitar at age nine, and realized there’d be no returning on this musical journey.
“I’m trying to go for something that represents the world as I live it, while sharing the best things in the world for me as I sense them,” he adds. “I’m proud of the way I’ve come, but there’s still a lot to accomplish.”
“One Last Time” is available now. Find Myself is available October 2, 2020.
How Music Can Help You Cope With COVID-19
COVID-19 has turned the world upside down. As a result, people are eager to find a solution to this problem. They’re searching for ways to stay busy and keep their mind occupied. If you’re struggling to stay calm, you’ll want to think about turning to music. With music, you’ll be able to ease your mind. You’ll be transported away from your worries so you can enjoy yourself. Once you’ve finished listening to a few songs, you can guarantee that you’re going to feel better. Listening to music is one of the best ways to cope with COVID-19.
Within this guide, you’re going to learn more about the perks of listening to music during the COVID-19 crisis.
Helps Social Distance
Right now, people need to stay away from one another. Social distancing is vital since it is helping people combat COVID-19. If people stay apart for long enough and wear masks, there is a good chance that the pandemic is going to go away. Nevertheless, you have to understand that staying away from people can be very difficult. You’ll want to chat with others. You’ll want to mingle with friends, colleagues, and strangers. This is why you’ll want to use music to your benefit. By listening to music, you won’t have to worry about socializing.
Put on headphones and people aren’t going to bother you. They’ll realize that you’re listening to music and they’ll leave you alone. You’ll hear the voices in the music so you won’t be obligated to speak to anyone either.
Clear Your Mind
Ultimately, it is difficult not to think about COVID-19. You see it on television, online, and in the newspaper. You hear people talking about COVID when you go to the store. This can be very problematic since you won’t be able to escape it. One way to offset this problem is by listening to music. Once you’ve turned on music, you’ll be forced to focus on the music. You won’t be able to listen to anything else. You’ll love the song and the fact that it’ll distract you from everything going on. Suffice to say, listening to music is one of the best ways to clear your mind and deal with the problems you’re facing. Listen to music so you can clear your mind and feel better about life.
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Offers Temporary Peace
With millions of workers laid of from their jobs, finding peace can be difficult if not impossible. Some impacted workers find peace in music, regardless of the genre. Music can take your mind off of the negative events going on in your life. It is unclear how long the COVID-19 pandemic will continue. Some medical experts expect that it will be around forever, leaving a grim outlook for all working and non-working Americans.
Encourages Physical Activities
Some music genres like pop rock and hard rock has properties that enhance people to get involved in physical activities. While many cities are under lock-down orders, it is still possible to workout in the privacy of your living space. Even if you do not have an in-home gym, there are some exercises that can be performed with or without any special equipment. Jumping jacks, sit-ups, running in place, and squats, all can be performed without exercise equipment and in residential settings.
Listening to music will entice you to start getting physically active again. Have you ever seen someone running while listening to music? It is possible you have because many joggers tend to listen to music because it helps enhance their workouts.
Summary
There are numerous ways to deal with the ongoing pandemic but music is one of your best choices. Whether you’re down in the dumps or feeling great, you’ll want to think about taking advantage of music. Once you’ve listened to a few songs, you’re going to feel better about everything going on. You’ll feel amazing and you’ll be ready to conquer the world. Furthermore, music can help you social distance away from others. Once you’ve put on headphones, you know people aren’t going to stop and bother you. With that being said, everyone should use music to cope with everything going on in the world.
Ottawa’s Folk Rock Project THE ALL CANADIAN SOUNDCLASH Dives Right In for Video & Single — “Raise Me High”
Canadian folk rock project The All Canadian Soundclash is out with its newest single and video, “Raise Me High” and self-titled EP — available now!
“Raise Me High” lives up to the suggestion and follows suit with the Ottawa-based band’s now-signature sound; its uplifting beat and melodic lyrics serve as both an infectiously rollicking track and prime example for The All Canadian Soundclash as a whole.
“They say the music you first discover and fall in love with is the music that stays with you for the rest of your life,” frontman and composer Andrew Michelin considers. “That’s true in my case… I come from the early 90s era of alternative grunge rock and, like any other 40-something, I can still remember the exact moment I first heard Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ or Pearl Jam’s ‘Alive.’”
As much as those influences burst through on Michelin’s — and therefore The All Canadian Soundclash’s — sonic offering, “Raise Me High” offers equal nods to song-building blocks of even earlier mixed with his decidedly fresh perspective. “I take a ‘less is more’ philosophy when it comes to creating music,” he says. “My grandfather, Stewart, also wrote songs, but not for notoriety or any sort of career path; it was for fun. It was a game. It was a competition.
“He was one of the last generations of trappers in northern Canada to still work and trade with the Hudson’s Bay Company and, while isolated out in the wilderness for weeks at a time, each trapper would write a song,” he continues. “When they all came home, they would show off their songs to one another to see who wrote the best one.
“One ended up being the ‘best’ after all; his song ‘The Grand River Song’ has been recorded and performed by numerous musicians to this day.”
The All Canadian Soundclash was produced, engineered and mixed by Canadian artist and producer Dale Murray (Hayden, Cuff The Duke, Joel Plaskett, Buck 65, Christina Martin, Matt Mays) at his Farmhouse Studio in Port Howe, Nova Scotia. Murray also provided guitars, percussion and backing vocals on the release, with Jordi Comstock on drums.
“I feel blessed knowing and being able to work with Dale,” Michelin says. “He’s such an incredible producer…. He can take ‘nothing’ and turn it into something extraordinary.”
Learn a New Area of Expertise with Microsoft AZ-104 Test by Using Exam Dumps
There are some technologies out there that have truly changed how we interact with the world around us and Microsoft Azure is certainly among these technologies. It has quickly become one of the leading Cloud platforms, AZ-204 Exams which boasts some of the latest and greatest features. Microsoft Azure has become the go-to Cloud platform for a lot of organizations all around the world and this has allowed the company to create many jobs.
Anyone who wishes to become an Azure professional must first get the right certification. One of the most popular options in the Microsoft Azure sector that you can find right now is known as Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate. SYED T And to earn this credential, the candidates will have to ace only one exam, which is Microsoft AZ-104.
Target audience
One of the most important things that you need to know about the AZ-104 test is that it is designed for those individuals who are genuinely enthusiastic about Microsoft Azure and have some prior experience with it. FLYNN U In fact, it is recommended for anyone taking the Microsoft AZ-104 exam to have at least six months of experience with Azure and Azure portal. The learners should also have a good grasp of all Azure workloads and concepts. If you think that you don’t fall into the same group of people as described here, you should probably learn the basics before taking the test.
Exam details and pattern
One thing that you need to understand about the AZ-104 certification exam is that it can become a nightmare for anyone who does not take it seriously. The allocated time for this test is 150 minutes and during this time the applicants will have to answer 40 to 60 questions. The way you spend your time during the exam will have a huge impact on the final outcome, so be careful. HAYDEN I You will have to deal with the questions in various formats, including drag and drop, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and build list. The topics included in Microsoft AZ-104 are the following:
- Monitor and Back Up Azure Resources;
- Deploy and Manage Azure Computer Resources;
- Implement and Manage Storage;
- Configure and Manage Virtual Networking;
- Manage Azure Identities and Governance.
The test will be available for you in Korean, English, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese. The cost of the exam is $165.
Useful preparation tips
If you are going for the Microsoft AZ-104 exam, there are a couple of things that you need to know. First and foremost, it is important that you make sure that you have the right knowledge and experience. JONAH O Azure can be a complicated platform to learn, so if you want to give yourself a chance in this test, you need to have working knowledge of concepts, such as virtualization, networking, Cloud infrastructure, storage structures, and operating systems. The ideal candidates for Microsoft AZ-104 should also have experience with Command Line Interface, ARM templates, and PowerShell.
You can gain all the required knowledge and skills with the help of official prep options such as instructor-led training and free courses, as well as by taking practice tests and using exam dumps.
Conclusion
These were some of the basic things that you need to know about the AZ-104 exam. Microsoft has one of the best certification programs in the world, LEONARDO M and with its Azure technology, it has truly changed the game. So, if you are trying to find a new area of expertise, you should consider taking Microsoft AZ-104.
Toronto’s148 Defy Genre Labels With New Single “Double Trouble” and Sophomore EP, Blue Moon
Lagos, Nigeria-born now based in Toronto, ON duo 148 — Suertudo and McQueen — continue to uplift and inspire while refusing to be painted into any corners with the release of their new single “Double Trouble” and sophomore EP, Blue Moon — available now!
“‘Double Trouble’ was created in a studio bedroom with our longtime friends and producer, Jms,” Suertudo recalls of the song’s earliest start. “It was made on pure vibes, in anticipation of the 2020 summer.
“This was before the world as we knew it fell apart!” McQueen adds. “But, in the midst of the pandemic, finishing this song kept us in good spirits.”
Those good spirits and the decidedly unique circumstances around them propelled 148 to create a body of work around the song; the result is their second EP release, Blue Moon.
“Blue Moon is an abbreviation of the famous saying, ‘once in a blue moon,’” Suertudo shares. “We wanted to build off of the astrology theme from our debut EP, Dark Matter, but also find a name that symbolized where we stood in our development.
“After the release of Dark Matter, we felt like everyone we met wanted to paint us in a corner,” McQueen considers. “People would advise us to either stick with rap or afro beats, or on some occasions even, try and convince us our sound was not ‘it.’”
The experience wasn’t unexpected, per se, but that didn’t make it any less of an affront. Originally based in Nigeria, 148 have been dubbed as pop, Afro-swing-beat, hip hop, funk, world, and R&B.
They ask, however: how about no genre labels at all?
“Before we began our journey, we always knew we would have to break the mold of what we were to become who we were meant to be,” Suertudo says. “That same mindset now allows us to not only feel comfortable but also excel in the grey area of having no genre.
“Every new beat is an infinite landscape, and every melody created is a free flowing stroke of a borderless paintbrush. Blue Moon symbolizes the empowerment we achieve from extending the limits of our own creative freedom.”
“We no longer play by the rules of society or the guidelines we placed on ourselves due to past insecurities,” McQueen nods. “Now we strive for our reality to be an extension of our dreams and desires.
“We believe that each person is ‘once in a blue moon,’” Suertudo continues. “It goes without saying that no two people are the same but, as human beings, the majority of us choose to walk down well-known paths to achieve a brand of happiness that has been marketed to the masses for decades, if not centuries.”
“We hope to inspire others to break their mold and let loose their inhibitions to discover their own brand of happiness and joy in this life.”
Exeter, ON-born, Toronto-based folk-singer-songwriter HOLLY CLAUSIUS plays a rollercoaster of love and loss in “Sunflower”
Exeter, ON-born, now Toronto-based folk-pop singer-songwriter Holly Clausius lays a rollercoaster of love and loss storytelling bare in this, her newly released debut EP and title single, Sunflower — available now.
“I wrote ‘Sunflower’ a couple of years after one of my friends, Scott, took his own life,” she shares of the album’s title song. “I couldn’t put anything on the page that was directly about him… It was too much.
“Instead,” she continues, “I took something I love — sunflowers — and used it as a symbol.”
Filled with catchy hooks, snaps, and claps, Clausius embraced her song craft on the track as an opportunity to write, so to speak, to her late friend; already well-tuned to the process, she kept going.
“I wrote ‘Sunflower’ as what I wish I could have said before he passed, and the EP Sunflower became a reality after I continued to write songs like this, from my heart.”
Hailing from Exeter, Ontario, Clausius’ love for music was ingrained at an early age. “I came to Toronto not knowing anyone, and working four part-time jobs, playing over 150+ shows yearly and pursuing music full-time,” she recalls. She’s also taken the stage in more than 25 theatre productions, graduated from Toronto Film School, and released a series of singles since her 2018 breakthrough, including 2020’s “Winter Blues,” “Singer-Songwriter Heartthrob,” and “Set Me Free.”
With a passion and talent that spans across genres of jazz, blues, soul, folk, rock and alternative, Clausius’ acoustic melodies swirl with her signature raspy, haunting and cause-for-pause vocals wrapped in lyrics rife with honesty and insight.
“I cover topics from love and loss, to Tinder and Disney Channel stars,” she adds, with a grin and a wink. “I use my acting background to play with comedy and seriousness all at once.
“Sunflower includes stories of all kinds, including more love and loss. ’Yellow Dress’ takes you on an emotional rollercoaster about a closeted girl who develops feelings for a friend who’s straight, and ‘Fast Forward’ is a big-room ballad about wanting to get over someone who doesn’t like you back.
“‘Safe’ is my thank you to everyone who has supported me and made me feel comfortable enough to be myself around them.
“There’s even a song written from the perspective of my cat wanting food at three o’clock in the morning, though… It could pass as a love song if you didn’t know! That’s ‘Leo’s Song’ and it has hidden cat purrs throughout it.
“Short and sweet, Sunflower showcases heart, with deepness and lightness, and a sense of humour below the surface,” she continues. “Looking back, I’ve released seven singles so far, but this album finally feels like ‘home.’
Multi-Award Winning Canadian Indigenous Duo TWIN FLAMES Complete and Release new album OMEN during COVID
Multi-award winning, chart-topping Indigenous folk artists Twin Flames are back, this time with their highly anticipated new Album, “OMEN” — available now.
The husband and wife duo of Chelsey June, métis (Algonquin Cree) from Ottawa, and Jaaji, Inuk and Mohawk from Nunavik, are long celebrated for their sonic landscapes spanning Canada and the Arctic, and honouring their ancestors through song in English, Inuttitut and French, along the way; “Battlefields” the first single from the album is “Stunningly Poignant,” says Canadian Beats Magazine.
OMEN — is a surprising departure from music the band has released in the past. Backed by an album teeming with pop and synth-heavy sound exploration, the album is concept-based around a dystopian reality, global warming, and humankind being free of social classes, mental health, and addictions,” they say. “It speaks to seeking Omens and signs of hope within ourselves and Mother Nature.” All topics that hit home for the band.
“Mental health and addictions are battles that many people face in silence, we have both faced these battles,” Chelsey shares. “The album speaks to the stigma associated with mental health and the feelings that come from living a life in the shadows with addictions.”
“In the Arctic of Canada, Inuit People face the highest amount of suicides in the world,” Jaaji continues. “On Omen we have a few songs written to remind our people we have to fight our own minds to survive.”
With Omen Twin Flames expect to expand their storytelling repertoire; OMEN offers an intricate exploration into an edgier, darker musical feel that merges alt-pop, rock, and electronic genres into one. Twin Flames also take on a tribute cover of the Tragically Hips Legendary song Grace Too in an Indigenized version to honour Gord Downie and his dedication to reconciliation.
Using unique sounds, Indigenous Spirit flutes, traditional drums and western instruments, synthesizing harmonies, and traditional Inuit throat singing — including a collaboration with two-time JUNO Award nominees, Charlotte Qamaniq from Silla and Rise — Twin Flames unveil in OMEN a raw and honest experience. Certain to follow the successes of their previous two critically acclaimed albums — Jaaji and Chelsey June (2015) and Signal Fire (2017) — Chelsey and Jaaji dive even deeper into stories of courage and survival on OMEN, revealing a true passage into the hearts and minds of the beloved couple, and a gapless release that encourages listeners to take in the entire journey.
With OMEN, Twin Flames question the human mind revealing how one can endure the darkness, and still find a way to bloom; it’s a truly moving experience, foretelling a brighter future while signifying a time for change and a time for strength.
Before combining their talents under the title of Twin Flames, Chelsey June and Jaaji had their own respective award-winning and nominated careers; they met on-set during the filming of APTN’s TAM (Talent Autochtones Musical). Since joining together, both professionally and as spouses, they’ve been nominated for 24 awards — including two Canadian Folk Music Award wins, and three Native American Music Award wins — Two number 1 Hits on the Indigenous Music Countdown’s Top 40, played more than 1000+ shows throughout Canada, Greenland, the United States, Australia and France, were selected as artist-in-residence for the 2019 Folk Alliance International conference, partnered with UNESCO to write the official song celebrating the International Year of Indigenous Languages, their music video was the first Inuttitut music video to be featured on MuchMusic, and more.
Nanaimo & Vancouver-Island-Based Country Singer/Songwriter JOEL LEE Chases the Thrill In New Single, “Adrenaline”
Nanaimo’s country singer/songwriter Joel Lee throws caution to the wind to chase the thrill in this, his new single, “Adrenaline” — available now!
“This song is all about living life to the fullest, and doing things that make your heart race,” Lee says of the sophomore release. “Things like a jet black Cadillac, passing on a solid line, or kissing a girl for the very first time.
“I wrote this during the COVID-19 shut down,” the Nanaimo, BC- based artist continues. “I was thinking to myself how, after being isolated at home and unable to do a lot, I had taken my freedom for granted in the past. I was thinking about how, when I came out from being ‘grounded,’ I will try to live my life a bit more on the edge and with purpose.
“I hope it inspires folks to use the fear they may have in order to try something new, or to step up and make their move to succeed in whatever goal or challenge they face.”
Because of the timing, Lee took to co-producing “Adrenaline” with Shawn Moore, and even featured his son Brayden, a talented drummer in his own right, on the track; “I had the opportunity, and really enjoyed the process and the result,” he shares. “As the writing was progressing, I knew I really wanted to make it feel energetic and exhilarating, and I had this feeling it needed to feature a fiddle.
“Only the best would do, so the opportunity to work with Tyler was definitely a highlight for me,” he says, name checking five-time Central Canadian Fiddle Champion Tyler Beckett, who is featured on the track. “He provided the song with the precise feel I was after.”
When it’s said that Joel Lee is a multi-talented artist, it’s literal; he’s also a highly sought after tattoo artist with his own shop, Joel Lee Tattoo on Vancouver Island.
Having grown up in a house where “hockey and country music reigned supreme,” Lee’s lifelong passion for music has translated into the release of his debut single, 2020’s “No Filter,” and recording his forthcoming debut EP at Nashville, Tennessee’s legendary Blackbird Studio. He’s worked with industry production titans Mike Fraser and Jeff Dawson, and shared the stage or opened for the likes of Emerson Drive, Gord Bamford, and more.