Quick plays: FLAV MARTIN & JERRY MAROTTA, CHRIS THOMAS

FLAV MARTIN & JERRY MAROTTA Soul Redemption

FLAV MARTIN & JERRY MAROTTA Soul Redemption [Release date 01.03.18]

This debut album from two of rock’s unheralded ‘side men’ blends modern adult rock and traditional world music.

Over his career, Flav Martin has performed with David Crosby, Al Stewart, and Suzanne Vega, and drummer Jerry Marotta with Paul McCartney, Hall & Oates, The Indigo Girls, Sarah MacLachlan, and John Mayer, as well as for a decade with Peter Gabriel.

Aficionados will also be interested to note the album reunites Marotta with Tony Levin – reforming the ‘classic’ rhythm section of much of Gabriel’s solo output.

But, don’t go expecting another ‘Peter Gabriel’, Soul Redemption is one of the most chilled albums you’ll hear this year. Soft, whispery vocals, soothing grooves, with ‘class’ stamped all over the musicianship. There an overarching soulful vibe that alternatively blends tropical, Mediterranean, Chanson, and Latin influences.

If you heard this playing in a Starbucks or Costa, you’d be just as likely to come out with a CD as opposed to a latte, macchiato or expresso. Delicious. ***1/2

Review by Pete Whalley

CHRIS THOMAS Bound To The Ocean [Release date 07.09.18]

Involved in a couple of bands in the late-90s and early-00s before becoming involved in the In The Flesh Pink Floyd tribute show, Devon-based singer songwriter Chris Thomas made the decision to go solo in 2013.

And after five years of performing self writes and covers acoustically in the South West he’s come up with his easy on the ear debut Bound By The Ocean.

Influenced by the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, The Eagles, Passenger, and John Mayer it’s a pleasant listen with plenty of gentle hooks that’s going to appeal primarily to a BBC Radio 2 audience. Thomas’s vocals have a pleasing Don Henley-style tone, and while Bound To The Ocean is unlikely to be chart bound, it should sell well at gigs.

Also, a word of praise is merited for the tasteful packaging that includes an environmentally friendly preformed card digipack tray and cork retainer, and an attractive vinyl replica CD. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)