SHOW CASE
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By Andrew Leyenhorst
AIZA
What : Afro-Pop / R & B Where : Toronto , ON Visit : www . aizamusic . com
Whether making a declaration of self-assured power or offering a word of encouragement for those finding their way , Aiza consistently delivers with a particular undeniability .
The Montreal-born singer and actor first captured attention with her 2018 debut EP Adieu , which earned her the title of Francophone Artist of the Year at the third annual Dynasty Gala Awards . While on her recent singles she ’ s taken to singing in English , Aiza ’ s musical vision remains very much the same : absolutely pristine alto tones ensconced in thick , spacy , thoughtful beats that beckon the listener to lean in close and engage . The minimalist , percussive single “ Turn to Gold ” oozes with character and confidence , driven by luscious vocal harmonies , while tracks like “ Show Up ” and “ Sizzlin ’” turn up the energy and delve into rap territory at times .
Altogether , Aiza offers an incredibly fresh brand of pop that covers an immense amount of ground while maintaining an unmistakable identity .
FunkJoint is a band you go to when you want to sink your teeth into raw musicianship at its tightest . The Saskatoon jam quintet seems to sit in a permanent pocket both live and on record , while respecting your time with perfectly-paced compositions .
Since forming in 2017 , the group has garnered local attention through live shows and a handful of individual recordings , and November 2020 marked the release of their debut EP , Many Worlds .
The five-track , 22-minute effort puts into plain view what FunkJoint has to offer : airtight acid jazz jams with sweet and sweaty grooves , immersive soundscapes , and focused , refined compositions that can change gears at any moment with breezy coolness , as in the opening “ Windu ’ s Revenge ”. While the EP is mostly instrumental , “ Naturally ” and “ Siikmon ” see frontman and keyboard / bassist Sauvelm McClean take up the mic to deliver a handful of contemplative verses . The band also operates FunkJoint Studio , offering music production services from demo production to livestreaming and media development .
FUNKJOINT
What : Acid Jazz / Funk Where : Saskatoon , SK Visit : www . funkjoint . ca
JACKSON D . BEGLEY
What : Alternative Rock Where : Oshawa , ON Visit : www . jacksondbegley . com
Exploring Jackson D . Begley ’ s catalog feels something like a musical trip through rock and roll history , providing a sense of comfortable familiarity while visiting an astonishingly fun variety of sonic territories .
On his debut LP , Keep it Dark , the young songsmith ’ s versatile baritone cords guide the listener through romantic retellings , stories of space travel , and beyond , cleverly injecting influence from just about everywhere while adding a distinct flair of his own . Horns , guitars , string sections , synths , near-choral vocal stacks ; the works are at play , and Begley executes with precision in his arrangements .
The bombastic “ Capsized ” perhaps demonstrates this best , a track by driven dark , distorted guitars surrounded by a swath of saxophones , trumpets , and ragtime piano . Begley caps this off with a barbershop-style vocal arrangement and a singalong melody that ’ s sure to keep its wind in your sails .
His most recent track , “ Wake Up ”, released in the fall of 2020 , continues in a similar vein , although with more emphasis on the guitar and some of the most powerful singing he has put to record .
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