CD REVIEWS - EVOLUTION OF THE BLOOD STAR

This album is simply a masterpiece: it has detached elements from jazz, pop, trip-hop and soul without ever losing a sense of ‘cool’. Everything is rich and varied, daring but soothing and beautifully poetic. And most importantly, nowhere, simply nowhere, does it feel uneven. If you need something to reinspire your musical palette, or to convince you that it ‘hasn’t all been done before,’ then Evolution of the Blood Star exudes an energy that’s not only peaceful, but is the work of a genius that cannot be understated. There’s pretty much nothing else you could ask for (well, a private concert, perhaps… but that might be a stretch).

Alex Jasperse - Muses Muse

Norine Braun - Be Brave Do It Right
You will think of Sade the moment this track kicks off, but there is so much more to Norine Braun than that. From Vancouver, Canada, this singer-songwriter goes from the jazzy, to the funky and even out to the rocky. But Be Brave Do It Right shows of her soul roots, within the framework of a jazzy ambience that snags the ear from the first note, and holds it until the last has faded. Despite this disparity of styles in one song, it works well for a smooth and creamy result!

Dave Chislett - Matchbox Recordings (Aug 8, 2007)

On first listening... WoW! Will be putting this in a playlist real soon!

Kathryn May - The Kat and Eye Jukebox (Jul 29, 2007)

This artist is truly that, an artist. She is not afraid to go out on a limb to work on a project. Best described Norine is trying to meld the 21st Century with many styles known to the music universe. Settling on a singular style of music to establish herself in one particular genre is not Norine's style.

Brett Holmes - lucidforge

ADDS, CHARTS and PLAYS

Evolution of the Blood Star in the Top 200 of Earshot the national campus and community report during the month of April 2007. Charts are weighted according to broadcast range and market size.

CFRO #8 Vancouver BC FOLK ROOTS BLUES CHARTS MARCH 27,2007
CFRO #8 Vancouver BC FOLK ROOTS BLUES CHART April 3, 2007
CKXU #4 Lethbridge AB Jazz Specialty Charts April 6 2007
CKXU #6 Lethbridge AB Jazz Specialty Charts April 13, 2007

Evolution of the Blood Star charted on Outvoice in May at #24 on the Top 40, #16 in June, #13 in July and #12 in August 2007>

CD REVIEWS - NEXT WAVE

Review - Next Wave

I discovered Norine Braun a few months ago via magnatune.com and I must convince that I really like her CDs. And this "Next Wave" is a great idea from her part. Very eclectic, only talented artists with marvellous compositions. The sound quality is on top, very good production.

Dominique COMET - CDBaby Review

Review - Next Wave

This is a mellow blend of great, easy listening music. I liked it from the very first track and stopped listening to the exact words of the lyrics quickly as I realized that it is the whole sound that makes this a great CD, not some catchy, esoteric lyrics or flashy licks on the strings. It all fit together so smoothly as to be almost seemless. This CD has class and real artists making real music as they wish, yet blended into a greater whole by Braun and Brains.

Bob Smith - CDBaby Review

Review

This is the first time I've stumbled upon a release by this small independent record-label, but I am glad I did as they've got some great up-and-coming talent on their rooster. Or at least on this 20-track compilation. Musically we're all over the place, all the way from pop to rock, from hip hop to electronica, jazz to country and more. My personal favorites include the electric pop of Norine Braun and the jazz-pop of Katrina Parker.

Hans Jakup Eidisgard Past and Present Webzine

Norine Braun solidifies her reputation as a tastemaker of distinction with her new Braun and Brains compilation, Next Wave. These twenty songs represent the cream of the crop from an enormous variety of styles. Braun's own "Crystallize" is a scintillating, flute-laced pop bauble, so infectious even her mispronunciation of "mischievous" comes off as ingratiating. Other highlights of the CD's glossy first half include Public Symphony's subtle chamber pop "Rise & Shine," Morgan's creepy "Nice Day (For a Murder)," and Katrina Parker's ballad "Killing Me," which snakes jazzy singer-songwriter passion through a dramatic piano-pop arrangement. Greg Summerlin's rather banal lyrics in "I Would Fight" are lifted by an aggressively sunny and charming arrangement of jangly guitars, and the track from David Z will please Madonna fans, as will Flow's jerky blue-eyed hip-hop R&B. The compilation's first rock track is ecb's fine "Francis and Matilda," which sounds like a collaboration between the Rolling Stones and ELO. Bulgaria's Liliput Project checks in with a timeless-sounding trance-electronica piece, and then the CD's biggest-name contributor, Marwood, shows why Benji Rogers's voice and songwriting have made the band such a hit in the past year with the crystalline, acoustic guitar driven pop-rock of "Name To Me No More." "Prince Meets Paul Weller" is not a bad description of NYC native Raymond Fiore, whose John Popper-esque vocals elevate his compact soul-rocker "Spin the Wheel" into one of the compilation's top tracks. "A Waste In Vain" by Sweden's Celebrate the Sun has a catchy chorus, if garbled English, and then there's a change in direction towards the rootsy with Tracy Stark's torchy jazz ballad "Morning Light" and Minimal's quirky, tuba and mandolin-driven "Crescent City" which sounds like it could almost have been a 1970s western TV show theme song. Indiegrrl founder Holly Figueroa's unique, deceptively sharp-edged chamber-folk style is well represented by "How It Is." Australia's Hopkinson has done better than the vaguely pretty but ulimately limp "No. 5," but Anthill has an engaging Canadian take on 1990s British pop, and guitarist Dave Hart's impressive and moody "Mexican Sonata" really is in something approaching sonata form. Finally, Australian Megan Laurie checks in with a solid, straight-ahead country tune, "Light at the End of the Bottle."

Reviewer: Jon Sobel - Bagel and the Rat Blogcritics.org

As eclectic as it is worldwide, Next Wave was instigated by Norine Braun. Embracing pop to country to hip hop and more, the standard is high and is impressively consistent. The marketing ties together a global community.

Reviewer: Tom Harrison - The Province

Next Wave – Various Artists – Braun and Brains Music

When I popped this cd in and went to the first track on the list (Norine Braun CRYSTALLIZE) the beginning of the track started out like some sort of fairy tale journey, from the minute Norine began singing I knew I would love this song. I’m reminded of the musical portions of those old 40s musical movies a la Fred Astaire or Judy Garland that I used to love watching as a child. I literally got the urge to break out into song and dance, definitely a voice that could turn around even the worst mood. Very fresh, very pleasant, well done Norine.

Onto song 2 (Morgan NICE DAY (for a murder)) – Morgan has a very sultry, sexy voice, this song pulled me in right away.

And lastly, song 3 (Marwood NAME TO ME NO MORE) – Musically I’m reminiscent of the Black Crows.. Vocally it seems like I know this band but can’t quite put my finger on it. Not that that’s a bad thing, Benji Rogers voice is strong and soulful at times yet soft and subtle when need be. Backed by the rest of the band, Rogers it a delight to the ears. Marwood is definitely a band I expect to be hearing on my radio soon..

Sheila Hash - high4records.com

Twenty up-and-comers combine their songs on this new compilation. Spanning the entire genre scope, “Next Wave” hopes to find the diamond in the rough. Norine Braun starts with a sort of downtempo electronica pop sound on their “Crystallize”. Some songs really deliver like “Crescent City” by MINiMAL—an Americana classic rock-n-roll tune.

J-Sin - smother.net

Next Wave

I was never much of a fan of compilation recordings...until now. These artists represent some of the best Indie's around and has some of the best sounds available. Each song has excellent production values and clarity and the performances are outstanding.
Bert Gagnon - Neon Productions Radio Musictogousa.com The Songwriter's Network

ADDS, CHARTS and PLAYS

ISON LIVE RADIO INTERNATIONAL NETWORK Australia World Indie Top 40
Countdown Crystallize CHARTS at #24, #20, #5, #17
Lazlo’s Den
Gone Fishing For Blues Skies - Japan
Kaflooey.com UK podcast
Amazon Radio USA
Upper Room with Joe Kelley USA
ISON LIVE RADIO INTERNATIONAL NETWORK Australia World Indie Top 40
Countdown Crystallize CHARTS at #24
The West Coast Show Scrub radio Vancouver Canada
Triple H in Australia
Brave New Frontiers Canada
Neon Productions Radio UK
Coastal Jazz Radio USA
Anti Radio Network USA
Out Loud and Queer USA
Puppy Power Netherlands
Juniors Cave Georgia USA
Rae of sound internet radio
WDIY 88.1 FM, 93.9 FM, 93.7 FM
WMUH Playlist 91.7 FM
Net Party radio
CFRC Kingston
CFBU St. Catherines Canada
CFCR Saskatoon Canada
KZXY California
New Music Canada
Radio 101 Croatia
boostdigital australia
www.churchofgirl.com
KOOP Austin Tx
CKLU Sudbury ON
WMPG Portland MAine
CKXU Lethbridge AB
KZXY Mendocino CA
CKUA Edmonton
WGDR Plainfield Vermont
CFUV Victoria
CJSF Vancouver CHARTED #44
WPKN Bridgeport CT Amazon radio
nette radio
SUNY Fredonia NY General Eclectic
WRUW cleveland OH
CFRO Vancouver Fruitsalad, Blue Monday, Lesbian Show
WCH St Louis Top 35 playlist for the past 3 weeks
WJFF NY
CFCR Saskatoon SK
Yellowbeat JAPAN
Terre Marine Radio France
SDU Radyo RV Merk Turkey
WLLO LPFM Londonderry NH
darkerradio Germany
Tune IN Switzerland
CFOU Montreal Canada
CJSW Calgary
Women on AIr with Laney Goodman NPR radio syndicated show on over 80 US stations

CD Review - The Independents

VARIOUS: The Independents (Braun and Brains Music)
There is an awful lot of music around to try and get your ears around. When someone - in this case producer/singer Norine Braun and compiler Craig Waddell - takes the time to sift through hundreds of submissions to select 18 tracks representative of this variety, it’s a great chance to sample the scenes. Beginning with Braun’s haunting "Alberta", we’re treated to NYC alt-folk (Dudley Saunders) and Ann Arbor, Mich. nu rawk (Krescent 4) alongside the folk of Ithaca, N.Y. ’s Patti Witten. The track sequencing puts it all together in a way that works like a great mix tape. (B+)
Stuart Derdeyn - The Province

Blogcritics.org CD Review - The Independents

Norine Braun was kind enough to send me a copy of her company's first compilation, straightforwardly titled The Independents. As with any collection of this type, the quality of the music is uneven, but it's a well-chosen assortment that flows better than most, opening with three strong tracks: Braun's own epic-pop number "Alberta," Dudley Saunders's literary, electronic-traditional hybrid "Truck of the Rising Sun," and Maya Solovey's international pop gem "Dissolving."

Skinflick does a good job aping the Foo Fighters, while Krescent 4 similarly worships Soundgarden. The UK's The Papers aim for Neil Finn territory with their catchy pop-rock nugget "Lonely Being Beautiful," and Anton Glamb's "Subway" is lighthearted and amusing. Tracy Stark - an in-demand session keyboardist in New York indie circles and beyond - nails a nifty, jazzed-up adult contemporary vibe in "So Cool." Patti Witten evokes Roseanne Cash's smooth country-pop-rock style with the lovely, atmospheric "Black Butterfly," and Salme Dahlstrom's "Hello California" is crystalline, guilty-pleasure pop.

Jon Sobel - Blogcritics.org - The Bagel and The RAT

The Independents - self titled

Braun and Brains Music - BBM-43

This independent band compilation is a feast of music that deserves to be heard. Truck Of The Rising Sun by Dudley Sanders has a Doors feel with deep South roots touches. 9 Red Sun kicks in some wicked female voiced power pop with Growing Up in Public. Skin Flick's Dear Adeline evokes Green Day with gritty vocals. Christa Couture's frantic folk in I Will and the hammering grunge of Krescent 4's Picture Perfect are a couple more ear openers on this excellent collection.

serge.org Music Morsels

!EARSHOT Canadian The National Campus and Community Radio Charts

CIUT FM Toronto
Top 30
For the Week ending: Tuesday November 22, 2005
#26
The Independents
Braun and Brains Music

CKXU 88.3MHz - Lethbridge, AB
Top 30
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, November 15, 2005
#9
Various
The Independents
Braun and Brains Music

CKXU 88.3MHz - Lethbridge, AB
Top 30
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, November 1, 2005
#4
Various
The Independents
Braun and Brains Music

CHMA Sackville NB
Top 30
#11
Various
The Independents
Braun and Brains Music

!EARSHOT Charts - November 2005 - Top 200
All !EARSHOT charts reflect actual airplay on campus/community stations during the month of November 2005.
Charts are weighted according to broadcast range and market size.
#172
Various
The Independents
Braun and Brains Music
You can hear The Independents here:
Please call and request us!

ALBUM ADDS:

CANADA
CHMR *light rotation
CFUR Prince George BC
CHRY 105.5FM RadioToronto ON
CFUV VIctoria BC
CHLY Nanaimo
CFRO Vancouver Blue Monday
CFRO Vancouver Lesbian Show
CFRO Vancouver Fruit Salad
CKLU Sudbury ON
CKXU Lethbridge AB **CHART #4 and #9 on Top 30 week ending nov 1 and 11
CKMS 100.3FM
CFBU St. CAtherines ON
CHUO Ottawa ON
CILU Thunder Bay ON
CFRC Kingston ON
CFMH Saint John NB
ANRLOUNGE
CIUT Toronto **CHART #26 Top 30 week ending Nov. 22
CHMA Sackville ** Chart #11 Top 30 week ending Nov.11
CIBL Radio Montreal
CJSW Calgary
CFOU Trois Rivieres
ANR Lounge
Brave New Frontiers
NewMusicCanada CBC

USA
KZYX San Diego CA
SPIN180 *heavy rotation
WMPG Galactic New year Show
WJFF Jeffersonville NY
WORT FM Madsion WI
WSMU
WGDR FM Plainfield VT
WCVF-FM
WPKN Amazon Radio
WRUW
WVOF Upper Room With Joe Kelley

Internet - International
luver.com
strazmester SBB ALTERNATIVES SHOW - Serbia Yugoslavia
IMC Radio
Radiononsense.com
rocksolidpressure.com - GRAND PRIZE WINNER: SALME DAHLSTROM March 13, 2006
churchofgirl.com
smartwomen.org
RGIN The Music Box * One Show dedicated to The Independents!
antiradio.net
maacp.com
radio mau nau France - #35 top 50 playlist Jan. 15, 2006
ALT.COUNTRY COOKING Holland
Radio Winschoten
Boost Digital Australia
TLC New Zealand

Compilations have a way of sneaking up on you. At times, they’re nothing more than cheap promotional tools that hinder, rather than help artists. However, there are other times when compilations come across as so strong and so staggeringly fantastic that one wonders how such a combination of great bands, and greater song selectors managed to get together.

Braun and Brains’ latest compilation, The Independents, falls under the latter category as it combines fantastic unsigned artists from a wide range of genres.

Let’s take a closer gander, shall we? You want Appalachian folk music? They’ve got it. Jazz-inspired soul with velvet vocals? Check! Hard-hitting, ear-splitting alternative rock? Coming right up! Crunchy guitar behind pop-inspired vocals? No problemo! Check out the fast-paced, hard-hitting drumming of Skin Flick or the Appalachian folk and gospel of Dudley Sanders. Anton Glamb’s quirky take on the New York Subway system will loosen even the most rigid critics from their towers of Elitism. His Casiotone beats combined with his childlike voice work wonderfully around the tinkling keyboard and super-charged motives! Amun Ra’s ‘Bullet Train’ is combines an up-tempo groove with the smooth moving beats of bands like Stereolab. The sound is truly unique as Ra’s voice blends effortlessly with chugging bass beats and swirling drum theatrics.

Industry people and record execs, be warned! These artists won’t last long! While trying to release the best imaginative unsigned music around, Brauns and Brains has collected a little of everything for listeners. With artists contributing songs from California to Chicago to Ithaca, the range of this CD is endless.

This album isn’t one of those albums with a handful of good songs surrounded by a larger handful of mediocre nonsense. This album is packed with 18 great songs that make it hard to believe that these are unsigned artists! Enjoy them, while they last!

Darren Susin
Independent Music Reviewer

Visit Norine´s site to read reviews on all her albums.
www.norinebraun.com