Life This Time - Jerome Lee                             July 14, 2008

I liked Jerome Lee and his music as soon as I heard this Jazz/Funk/RnB/Soul release (his first, I think). The music just exudes a happy-live-and-let–live vibe that makes you want to hug the guy who made it all up.

Lee has had a peripatetic life having lived in many American cities, Japan and Europe. Like a lot of serious working musicians, he’s worn a lot of hats in a lot of different milieus. I assume his well rounded resume accounts for the cosmopolitan, man-of-the-world atmosphere of this CD.

A musician who plays a supporting instrument (bass in this case) try to prove their virtuosity by lengthy, complicated solos. Lee is too much of a professional for that. His bass work fits right into the mix without trying to overpower anyone else on the stage. The seams are invisible and the listener isn’t distracted by glaring bass passages. The production values are so good that you don’t even pay attention to them; there’s nothing that sticks out.

Lee’s voice seems a little strained at times, as though he’s singing a bit out of his range. But even this vocal style fits in with the overall feel of the release and no one but a voice nut like me would notice it.

The song lyrics are um…nice. There’s nothing groundbreaking in subject matter or style, but they’re still worth listening to over and over again. Lee speaks from the heart and you can tell he’s sincere. Listeners should go to his site and read his descriptions of the songs; there’s no canned PR blether; just honesty.

Lee is a master musician and songwriter. Why did he wait so long to produce his own CD?

Recommendation: Buy it.

Review by Jeremiah Sutherland at BullFrogMusic Reviews

http://frogblogreviews.bullfrogmusic.com/?p=23

Far Beyond Good...                                                   June 8, 2008

'Prettiest Girl' is an unpretentious cat-call ~ Jerome Lee pulls off the neo-soul sound with an outstanding blend of thick, funky, uncompromising slap and what comes off as a Vandross on Steroids approach. This is gooood stuff. As the playlist begins to take form with 'Monkey Slide' I can see the versatility of the group. 'Monkey Slide' is a fat jazz that makes no excuses. Some might call it experimental...ahem ~ that's what jazz is in it's most pure form. 'Reach' is an endearing search for something completely external and is presented as a lovely bottom end, that would put many woofers to good use ~ and so as not to completely ignore the tweets Jerome Lee offers up some tubular bell work - this creates a great hardy tinny sweep. I absolutely dig the euphoric feel of this tune.

'In My Heart' incorporates some very sweet sax and very clean bass lines ~ a touch of tamborine and some more of the delicious tubular bell accents. The guitar work rounds this piece out as complimentary and only appears where absolutely necessary.

"Druk Op De Een" or "Press On The One" ~ Yes, Yes, Yes. This song just kicks.

There are three more songs on this site...But, I am not going to spoil it for you. This is more than a listen...I highly recommend you crank this work and really get in to what is going on.

Review by FaThEaD on Fuzz.com, June 8, 2008

http://www.fuzz.com/fan/FaThEaD/blog/entry/Far-Beyond-Good

My thanks to FaThEaD for his kind review, and my thanks to all the music fans and listeners here at HotMusicShop.net and around the world for your continued support!

Hi Everyone!

It is with my great pleasure to inform you all that the song "In My Heart" from my CD 'Life This Time' has been promoted into permanent placement in the SongVault Directory in the Rhythm and Blues category and on the play list at SongVault Radio Network.

http://www.songvault.fm/charts/rhythm_and_blues_songvault_radio.htm

"In My Heart" has become the second song from the CD 'Life This Time' to receive this wonderful promotion, and joins the song "Prettiest Girl". "Prettiest Girl" was afforded its promotion into the SongVault Directory in the Rhythm and Blues category on November 6, 2007.

I send my thanks to Paul John and the staff at SongVault.fm for their support of quality independent music of all genres.

And as always, my thanks to Ray and the staff here at HotMusicShop.net.

And I want to send my deepest thanks out to all the music fans and listeners out there who continue to support my music, and the music of all independent artists everywhere!

Hello Listeners,

I wanted to pass on some good news about the song "Prettiest Girl" from my CD "Life This Time".

First, "Prettiest Girl" has been given permanent placement in the 'vault' at SongVault.fm. The song has been placed there by going through the four tier process set up by SongVault, and its placement in the vault was determined strictly by votes from the listening public. More info can be found at SongVault -

http://www.songvault.fm/charts/rhythm_and_blues_songvault_radio.htm

Second, "Prettiest Girl" has been given a permanent URL link by Jody Whitesides on his website called "Single Of The Day". This website is also a great location for us as artists to have a single placed. In addition, Jody has very recently become a voting member of The Recording Academy, the group which hands out the Grammy Awards to artists on a yearly basis. More info can be found at Single Of The Day -

http://www.singleoftheday.com/2008/02/05/mirror-mirror-on-the-wall/

As always, I want to extend my thanks to the listeners and members here at HotMusicShop.net for their continued support of my music.

  I want to wish all the artists, members and the staff at Hot Music Shop.net a very happy, peaceful and prosperous 2008.

   This website has come a long way since its start. I can remember the day that I first uploaded music here there were 152 total plays and 147 total streams showing on the main counter. Today, those numbers have both surpassed the 300,000 range and continue to rise.

  To see numbers grow like that over the course of one year is a testament to the hard work of the staff at Gee Ray Records and Hot Music Shop.net. I am grateful to have made the decision to join the site, and to listen to and experience all the great music posted by the fine artists here.

  Continued blessings to us all, and again I want to wish everyone here a great New Year 2008.