Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Bill McBirnie & Bruce Jones - Grain of Sand

4/2/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Bill McBirnie & Bruce Jones

Grain of Sand
self-released; 2015

4.0 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
I distinctly remember being introduced to Brazilian music, eighteen years ago, and realizing how truly wonderful it was. The style was alive and energetic, and the rhythms and nuances were something I had never experienced. If you have never listened to Brazilian music yourself, then you really should, because you won’t regret it.  And there is probably no better place to start than with Grain of Sand by Bill McBirnie & BruceJones.

Although Grain of Sand might not be a "pure Brazilian" album (because there are a lot of other elements at play, including ambient, hip-hop androck), there is definitely enough to give you a real flavor of the music. Bill McBirnie is a seasoned jazz musician who specializes on the flute and his work serves as the the backbone to this album.

McBirnie has won too many awards to cite here, so suffice it to say that he plays the instrument in a way that I have simply never, ever heard before. The other half of the duo, Bruce Jones, grew up in Sao Paul, Brazil, and is responsible for the overall vibe of the album. Jones is a writer, vocalist, performer, arranger and engineer, and, on Grain of Sand, as well as singing, he plays guitar, percussion and synths.

There are fourteen songs on this album and I would encourage you to listen to ALL of them, the whole way through.  Admittedly, there were a couple that caught my attention, such as “Se Eu Fico Com Você” which is a samba with just a tinge of hip-hop. Vocals and, of course, the flute are the focus of the song, but it has an easy and festive vibe to it that is
totally organic and free.

You also won’t want to miss Jones' guitar work on “Izabel” or the loose, ambient warmth that he brings with it to “Lembrando Paul Horn”. Indeed, you may as well let the music roll right on to the succeeding tracks because “Breque Trio a Trêz”, as just one example, has a relaxing, warm vibe that will surely ease your body and soul.

In contrast, “Cê Tá Com Tudo” is upbeat and festive, and the interplay here between the vocal and the flute may well be the best on the album. Some of the figures that McBirnie plays are truly amazing. Yet it still has a loose feel that communicates how much fun they are having, just making that song.

Grain of Sand is a great album that I could listen to on any occasion. It is suitable for get-togethers with friends, or simply listening to alone, when you're sad or when you're happy, on any occasion really. McBirnie and Jones really deliver on this album. So you really should take an opportunity to experience it!
official website
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact