ShortBusMusic

I think Steve gives some really good advice here.

First, the instrumental is really good, great chord progressions, really nice flow.

The vox are simply a matter of confidence. I usually tell people that when they record vocals, they need to sing them like they would if they were all alone in their car. If you approach your vocal work like that, I think you will find your voice is actually really good. I too would love to hear this one with you doing another recording of the vox, and cutting out a few of the effects. Again, the instrument beds on this one are outstanding and I think you can match that level with your vocals with a bit of confidence. I look forward to hearing this one when you get it finished. I hope all is well.

Bear

Not my normal genre to listen to, but I have to say this really was an enjoyable listen. Thoughtful melody line, great chord progression and a sterling mix. I can't offer any kind of suggestions for improvement, but a "Warning, this track is on 11" would have helped me keep the paintings on the wall, hahaha. What the heck, that wall needed painting anyway :) Well done brother, really well done.

Bear

Outstanding Scott. I played trombone in a jazz group for a while a long time ago, and I have to say this brought back great memories for me. Extremely well done, with some really nice guitar work.

If anyone believes playing fusion is easy, all they need to do is give it a go and they will find out it takes a huge amount of talent, and you and Franco are gifted with immense amounts of talent.

Definitely one of the best jazz/fusion tracks I've heard in a long, long time. Well done gents. I hope all is well.

Bear

I saw you posted the vox to this one in the pella section. While I will be curious to see what the kids do with them, I can honestly say I'm pretty sure nothing will come close to the original. This will always be a great tune by a remarkable artist. I hope all is well.

Bear

The secret to a great track is combining the talents of two extremely talented people. The moment Ed starts playing that Strat is absolutely magical.....simply magical.

Sometimes a piece transcends adjectives, and this is one of those.

It isn't very often I am rendered speechless, but this is one of those occasions. Beautiful piano work, wonderful mix, simply stellar in every way possible.

Downloaded for those times when I need to simply close my eyes and take a trip somewhere far away.....thank you for that.

One of my favorite tracks of all time. Bravo gents.

I hope all is well.

Bear

I keep having ro remind myself that you are only 11, really impressive work. Your use of dissonance is really impressive. That is something most people don't learn until well into music theory classes. Just keep doing what you are doing. You have great instincts and a skill set beyond your years. I hope all is well.

Bear

Balls to wall rave man. It's funny how we look back at 2005 as ancient history, haha. Great production work and a really nice composition. You have mad skills man, just keep doing what you are doing. Outstanding effort. Hope all is well.

Bear

\m/ \m/

OUTSTANDING!!!

Great build on this one, almost like a runaway train that is building speed heading down the track. Orlando did a masterful job with the mixing and mastering side of things.

One of the best tunes I've heard in a while. Great vocals, are they yours? Excellent job and definitely added to favorites. Well done!

Bear

These timing issues can sometimes be a real pain, as you found out. The problem is if you move something like vocals a half step in front of the beat or a half step behind, it really does make things sound a whole lot different. In the business we call that syncopation. Some music is designed for syncopation, others not so much. But you persevered and the end result really is well done, and hopefully worth it on your end. This is a solid track, well mixed, nicely balanced, and a real pleasure to listen to. Thanks for letting me lend you my ancient ears, hahaha. I hope all is well.

Bear

Bro, I have to give you major props for sticking with it and trying to make the vox work. And they do in spots, especially from the 2:38 mark to the end. But the verses are just not quite in synch through the first 2:38 of the song. My advice, the music is outstanding, so perhaps keep only the chorus parts, or just get rid of the vocals altogether. Instead of trying to mesh the vox into the track, perhaps change to a synth lead or something and not worry about the vocals. As I said, the backing track is outstanding. The vox are what are really throwing this one off. Kudos for your determination. I admire your tenacity. I would have given up a long time ago. I hope all is well and that the hair is growing back in the spots this song made you pull, haha.

Bear

Behnam, another absolutely beautiful track. Your mandolin playing is just fine, believe me. You have nothing to worry about.

Such a wonderful combination of musical instruments and influences, all seamlessly combined to make a wonderful few moments. I'm on my 4th listen and I think I'll just hit play a few more times before I head off to do something today.

Thank you for sharing your gifts with us. You are the best. I hope all is well.

Bear

Really great work Billy.....has this epic cinematic feel to it...definitely a track that would work really well in a video game, or as an intro to a movie.

You never disappoint Billy, your work is always spot on and this is no exception.

Outstanding effort. I hope all is well.

Bear

Man, you have such great chops on those guitars....such crisp, clean work. Shows what a life of dedication to an instrument can result in. That bass line is absolutely smokin'......
Simply fantastic from start to finish. Nothing to critique here. All I can say is really, really well done. Now I'm going to sit back and he play again. Thanks for posting this jewel. I hope all is well.

Bear

I miss Michael....we "met" when I joined the site in 2008. I've always felt he was/is an absolute musical genius, with a depth to his music that some simply did not understand. He was a pillar of this community and it is my sincere hope that he returns at some point.

This is a wonderful collaboration between two of the finest people I have ever met on this thing we call the Internet. Behnam, you should be proud of this collaboration, and proud of your friendship with Michael as well.

Michael, if you ever read this, you touched a lot of people and their lives on here with your music, your wit, and your kindness. I do hope all is well.

Thanks Behnam. You are the best my friend and brother. I hope all is well with you too.

Bear

Interesting concept here. I'll be honest, I love the sections from 1:14 thru 2:00 and again at the 3:30 thru the end. Seems like the vocals mesh really well with the instruments on those two sections.

The other parts of the song have a lot of syncopation which adds to the feeling that those sections are just a bit off beat. But it works, and that's the amazing thing about it all. I enjoyed the effort and think you should try another rock tune. You have a feel for the genre. I hope all is well.

Bear

So, I think you are this incredibly talented mad scientist who is able to assemble these awesome tracks from loops.

Something I cannot do.

Really good work Mark, and I think the mix sounds pretty good. I have nothing constructive to add, just a big congratulations on a job well done. Tell Larry hello, hahahaha.

Bear

Hey Steve, I have to agree with FR. Nothing I can say to improve on this one, it is really well done. Really tight mix on it, really tight. Outstanding effort. I hope all is well.

Bear

Nicely done Benjizo. Has a really nicely chilled vibe, but still a bit of an edge because of the drums. I would have to believe that there are a ton of rappers out there who would love to lay down some vocals on this one. Very good effort (really enjoyed the change at the 1:50 through 2:05 mark). I hope all is well.

Bear

I loved the first 20 seconds, but when that bass comes in at the 1:20 mark, I start drooling all over, hahaha. There is absolutely nothing to critique here Evan, the mix is solid, transitions are well done, and that bass line is like candy....

Added to favorites my friend. I wouldn't change a thing. I hope all is well.

Bear

Interesting use of minor chords and dissonance...a little unusual for reggae music, but in this case it really works. Gives the piece a sense of sadness, which I'm sure with the title, perhaps you were mourning the passing of one of the world's greatest people.

Really beautiful track, that would really be enhanced if someone could put some vocals on it. I think with vocals, this one could be something that could be a huge commercial success (I love the addition of Mandela's speech in this).

Anyway, stellar effort here. My hat's off to you on a well done track. I hope all is well.

Bear

So, there is not a lot that will get me off my duff and up and moving around, but this track did exactly that. And something else, I felt GOOD listening to this...hard not to smile while moving to the beat.

I never pay much attention to genres, but I do pay attention to great music, and this track fits that category nicely. I loved the break at the 2:55 mark, gave me a few seconds to catch my breath, hahaha. I love this tune!!! Added to favorites and downloaded for those days when I don't get enough coffee (thank you for that). A whole lot of awesomeness right here. I hope all is well.

Bear

Ah man, you are only 17 and you have such mad skills. This really is impressive work, and shows a great deal of knowledge on your part, specifically on the compositional side of things. You have a bright future ahead of you. Just keep doing what you are doing - brilliant work. I hope all is well.

Bear

Really nice work here....I especially liked the way you morphed all of the vocals - nicely done. Great dance vibe on this one, mix sounds spot on. I think I preferred the second half of the song. Much better use of dissonance in the chord progressions. Overall a really well done tune. Congrats.

Bear

I enjoyed this Elena, very creative use of a whole bunch of different loops. It sounds like a lot of the jams we used to do late at night after we completed a show :) I definitely am impressed with the way you wove everything together. Added to favorites for sure. I hope all is well.

Bear

Well I know absolutely nothing about this genre. But I do know I liked it. Great vocal work and the music supported the vocals really well. I had it turned up so the neighbors got their motors running this morning as well, hahaha. Well done. I hope all is well.

Bear