I've been hanging out on the site, listening to sessions again and I found three that really caught my attention.  Check them out below and if you have a session you'd like to see discussed here, by all means let me know by emailing streeter@IndabaMusic.com.

Synth Arpeggio 2 - Duane Abner:  I'm not really one for techno or electronic music in general but I got into this quirky track in a big way.  Something about the staccato synth notes reminded me of an old sitcom theme song and that brought me right into the song.  I don't really have any informed opinions about what should become of  this track but I'm certainly eager to see it develop. 

All Together Now - Mark Brabson: I'm posting about this session not to highlight anything within the music that deserves praise - though I easily could - but more for how the musicians involved in this track are using Indaba.  There are a ton of talented musicians contributing to this song and that's the kind of thing we dream about here.  That's why we created this site and that's how we'd like to see it used.  If a catchy, fun songs comes out of that - like it has here - than all the better!

Two Blind Eyes - Newton Bach: Now, I said before I don't much get into techno music, yeah?  But the kind of music I really don't get into is country.  I don't know why, but I've always disliked it, regardless of the fact that country music consistently shows a level of musical prowess unheard of in mainstream pop.  I say this to highlight how much of a compliment I'm paying to Newton Bach by saying I enjoyed this track.  Bach - as befits his name - has done something wonderful with this tune and it sounds like all it needs is some appropriate vocals.  See you at the CMT awards, Newton. 

I've been hanging out on Indaba, listening to sessions again. I must say, I'm consistently impressed by the level of musicianship I find on here.  And that's coming from someone who is at once a decent musician and a better fan.  Anyway, here are a few sessions that I was particularly into...

Dave Rand: 80's Dance Rock Song - Not the most creative title but a good start to something.  I found the loose guitar work a little too loose, but the bass/drum track was solid.  All this needs to really be a fun song seems to be appropriate vocals and a synth track.  If you're going to call it an 80's dance song, you better have a pretty bitching synth track to go along with the heavy guitars and driving drums.  I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with this one a lot. 

Max T.: My Reggae Song - Again, we're not going to win any awards for creative song naming here, but that's not what matters.  I've listened to this a few times now and each time I'm a little more drawn in.  There are big gaps here - no vocals, no lead instrument - but listening to this steady, reggae jam is like seeing a great painting when only the background has been completed.  With the right vocal track and some accent instrumentation I can see a really great song emerging from this. 

Baltimore Wiggins: Got 'Til June - I came across this indie rock outline and was instantly intrigued.  I didn't 'like' it, per se, but I was drawn to listen to it a few times.  I saw in the discussion on the page that there had been some drums and bass added at one point and later deleted which bummed me out.  I wanted to hear the track with a fuller sound than it has now.  That being said, it's a pretty ethereal, interesting little number.  The guitar track sounds reggae-ish while the vocals and everything else sounds like pure indie bliss.  Hopefully Baltimore will finish this up because while it may not be my favorite kind of music, I'm certainly interested in seeing what becomes of it. 

In case any of you are still sober enough to navigate this website, we'd like to wish you all a happy St. Patty's Day!  Irish music is among my favorite genres for the manic, fun melodies, the driving rhythems and the often heart-breaking lyrics.  It's no wonder that when the world needed a new kind of music, we took half from Africa and the other half from Ireland to make Rock n' Roll.  Anyway, Celtic music doesn't get much attention so I thought I'd take today to point you to a great session from Adam S.  It's simply called Celtic Session and it's available on Adam's profile page.  Enjoy, and Happy St. Patty's Day again!

I've been trolling the session pages of Indaba again and I've found a few I think are worth checking out.  Here they are, in no particular order. 

Metal - Jazz Mix: As the name implies, this song is blend of metal and jazz.  At first I didn't understand how you can blend the two and then I listened to it.  The drums are straight metal - quarter notes on the ride bell, double bass, a lot of crashes - while the keyboards are straight jazz.  I wouldn't really call it my cup of tea but it's certainly interesting and comes together a lot better than you'd imagine it would.

TBD: Imagine Incubus with a rapper instead of singer and that's what you're in for here.  The music backing the lyrics are an ethereal blend of electronic, metal and "chill" sounds.  The lyrics themselves are more down to earth than most mainstream stuff you'll hear which is refreshing and reminiscent of a group like Arrested Development.  I could use a little less reverb on the vocals and more lyrics after the first verse/chorus, but a great start nonetheless. 

Eighty: Let's end things on a hard and fast note.  Eighty is pure hard rock: a driving beat, heavy guitars and plenty of riffs.  What it's missing is a lead part of some sort (guitar, keyboard, anything) and some killer vocals.  Even though the song doesn't ask for vocals I think the riffs are catchy enough that it could be a marketable tune with the addition of some lyrics. 

Remember Indabans, if you have a session you think I should check out, email me at Streeter@IndabaMusic.com

Let's take a look at what a few Indabans have been up to this week.

Diffuse the Bomb - Dave Rand:  This electro/rock/guitar jam is a somewhat tough nut to crack. On the one hand it's a pretty simple and pleasing progression, but on top of that is some serious guitar work.   The session claims to need vocals but good luck fitting them in anywhere.  However, what do I know (nothing) and I'm sure one of the talented singers on this website could find a way to add some words to an already well-developed tune.  

Never Fails - Eli G: Another electro-ish tune here but much different from Rand's session above.  This track seems to be waging a war between being minor and major chords and I, for one, like the fight.  It feels like the major chords are dying to break through but a steady minor melody persists beneath them, thwarting their efforts. All around a great song and after a mix or two, this could be a real showpiece for Eli.  

User - Timothy Emmerick: Being a Brooklynite myself I have a soft spot for my fellow borough dwellers which is why I'd like to introduce you all to Timothy here.  But Brooklyn isn't the only reason you should know him.  His style is a little country, a little bluesy and not too much rock n' roll, but I have no doubt you'll enjoy it anyway.  He's got a voice to match his bluesy tunes, too.  Enjoy.  

If you want to see someone spotlighted up here shoot me an email at Streeter@IndabaMusic.com

It's been a little while since we took a look at some popping sessions on Indaba but the long wait is over.  For starters, Dan pointed me to this session he started called Stolen Away.  Shall we start there?  I suppose we shall.

BTW, remember to email me and brag about your session if you'd like it featured here.  Streeter@IndabaMusic.com 

Stolen Away - My instinct is to tell you what other songs by Dan this one sounds like since I used to play in a band with him, but I'll resist.  Instead, I'll point out that this jam is about as steady and smooth as they come.  The drum work is especially impressive and Dan took pains to tell me about the new guitar track uploaded by Jussi S.  I, for one, dig the organ in the background rounding out the sound and the bass work aint too shabby either. 

Electro Dance Pop - While not really my scene, this poppy number is CD-ready.  It's among the most professional sounding recordings I've come across on Indaba and I can't find any fault in the production.   Session creator, Dave Rand, calls this tune the "Cher Song" in the privacy of his own home, but for his sake, let's all refer to it as the ElectroJam or something cooler, OK?  All it's missing is some vocals, like any respectable Cher song has. 

Moon Ride - This reggae tune is so chill I can barely make myself write about it since that will snap me out of the mood it sets.  Lucky for you I'm a professional.  Anyway, there are some open, ambient chords layered over the tune that really help set the mood. Horns with a healthy dose of reverb add an urgency to the tune which is offset by quirky sound effects throughout.  This one, even more so than the previous entry, begs for vocals.  One of you must have a good reggae voice.  Anyone?  Anyone...?

I can sit here all day and pretend you're all here to read my witty comments, but the fact of the matter is you're here to record, collaborate and do all the other wonderful things musicians do.  With that in mind, here are a few sessions I've been digging on lately.  Hope you like them as much as I do.  Also, if you have a session you think needs a little front page love, email me at Streeter@IndabaMusic.com.

Rap Vocals Needed - Now, that is certainly not the name of the finished product so much as it is a callout for talent.  I know there are some rappers on here so why not lend your talents to this already catchy session? The hook is tight and very well produced, now all it needs is a flow.  Your flow?  Perhaps.  This is why Indaba was created, after all - to bring musicians together. 

Tongue Twisted - This is a problematic session for me because it's the kind of song that, when it's finished, I'd listen to often and then lie about listening to it around my friends.  You could tell me to grow up and stand behind the music I enjoy but I'd rather just pretend not to like a girl-rock.  Anyway, this session sounds like it's just a few steps from completion and it will be interesting to see how it's all wrapped up.  Stay tuned.   

And now let's say a quick hello to Charley Paige For starters, she has a great voice with (unless the computers have been fooling me) a formidable range.  Of the two tracks she has in her sample work, I'm a bigger fan of "Letting Go."  I think it shows off her soulful, bluesy voice better and it also sounds like Phil Collins came in to do the drum track.  Finally, and perhaps most intriguing, are her musical influences. One in particular stands out as vastly different from her style, The Smashing Pumpkins.  Respect, Charley. Respect.   

Another week, another couple of hours spent trolling Indaba for popping sessions.  I'm happy to say that all that work has paid off and I've found a few that I've been listening to over and over again. First up is...

Robot Chills Out -Now, I can't say I'm a huge fan of the name of this session, but that's probably what some record exec said when The Beatles pitched The White Album.  The latest mix of this session, by Roman B, is ethereal, steady and, above all, pleasing.  It's the kind of song you listen to and and instantly imagine yourself in a movie.  Like, you're walking around, this tune pops up on your iPod and you imagine your life having far more meaning and being far more artistic than it really is.   

Strings - I must be in a pretty chill mood because Jamie Williams' session, Strings, is also a bit ethereal.  However, it drives ahead thanks a steady bass drum / shaker combo.  The picking is at once both intricate and accessible. It reminds me very much of the begining few bars Bela Fleck's "Big Country" (that's a good thing). 

Finally, let's take a look a young lady by the name of Teeter Sperber.  She's one half of Ladybirds, purveyors of "Electrotacular cheezepop terrificness." I've been replaying their posted songs over and over and liking them more each time.  

I've been doing a little digging around the site and I've uncovered some sessions I'm pretty into.  If I wasn't lazy and untalented, I'd totally want to get in on them. 

Alpha Squad 7 - This space-y little number is catchy for a reason I can't quite put my finger on.  It sounds like the kind of music I'll be screaming at my kid to turn down in twenty years. "Quit listening to that ethereal trance pop!" I'll scream at my podlings. "Your mother downloaded a virus and needs her rest before she reboots!" Anyway, looking for a guitar on this one, all you strummers out there.  Best of all, the session is being run by Tek Jansen, Steven Colbert's cartoon alter-ego!

Harvest - This bad boy has been worked on it a bit but it's a pretty catchy guitar riff that's just begging for a beat, a bass and some vocals (even though only drums are specified as needed).  It reminds me of what Incubus probably starts with they go to write a song.  Worth a listen for sure. 

Also, not a session, but I'm really into the songs Dana Alexandra has up on her stage.  They're all really catchy and fun and have some well done harmonies.  She's like Bright Eyes with a better voice and less hair in the eyes.