Lastly this month, a track I came across a few days ago and couldn't resist telling you about. One of the best things about internet based musicians is the interactions you can have with them. In this case we have a brand new Ty Kaufman Group track that is - essentially - a rough master, any comments you can make about it on Ty's webpage will only help him (and the group) make this the killer track it promises to be. I'm not going to spend too much time then discussing any of the technical aspects of this track here, let's just concentrate on the track itself.

I first came across the Ty Kaufman Group earlier this year when I caught some threads Ty was contributing to, and wanted to know more about this guy - and boy I'm glad I did. Now I know I am a very eclectic listener but there are only a few genres that really capture my attention and rock is one of my very first loves and these guys R-O-C-K. In case the name of the band is unknown to you, they are a four peice consisting of Ty Kaufman (lead gtr), Steve Calapp (vocals), Kevin Grant (bass) and Amado Tuazon on drums. I reviewed their You Left Me track in July and was absolutely blown away by the power Ty and the band pump out. Ty himself is a very high class guitarist; his passionate, fluid style being the main pillar the music rests on.

This impression was further boosted when I reviewed Why in October. Finally, here was a guitarist who wasn't ashamed of his rocks, and worked miracles on what has become a pretty empty sounding genre - unless you favour endless clones of metal thrash trash. It may come as a surprise that Mystic Road is not really a guitar track per se. Although the mix kind of obscures things, there is a diamond song underneath it that I can't wait to here finished. Again, Ty's guitar is well to the fore but only as a counterpoint to the structure of the song itself. Although it is totally unmastered, anyone with a decent peice of ears should be able to hear the absolutely classic rock track this track contains and I strongly urge you to get a listen and contribute to the discussion of what should happen with this track. Can't wait to hear this beauty buffed up to the max.

Excellent.

When I reviewed this artist's You Left Me back in July I thought I had entered Guitar Nirvana. Here, at last, was a guitarist of fluidity, passion and fire - all necessary components of a Guitar Legend. Say what you like about me, the one thing that becomes obvious if you read enough of my reviews is that I have a deep and abiding love for rock music. Moreover, I have an intense love of real musicians, people who take years and years practicing all the hours that God sends perfecting their art - all usually to no avail. Until, that is, the advent of the Internet and all that entails. Take Ty Kaufman for example. What kind of life is this guy going to lead in today's modern, youth obsessed, pretty, pretty music with gaping holes in it, tightly sewn up music business?

Yep, the answer is not pretty and very, very short. In other words, he would be f****d.

Doomed to a life of ever decreasing circles of sending out demos, doing nothing gigs in nothing towns being totally ignored by a music business that has it's head so far up it's own ass it sees where it's going through its mouth. Thanks to the internet however, musicians like Ty can do it for themselves, building an audience up to a level they are comfortable with, making a modest living through their art by either selling their music online or by creating enough of an audience that makes gigging (in those same nothing towns) moderately justifiable. That, my friends, is the sad and dispiriting truth behind what we are all doing these days, unless or until the stranglehold big business has on the mechanics of finding and nuturing new talent is broken. Besides, as a musician surely it would be enough for any of us if we were earning a living from what we do - getting any further than that would be a bonus. Personally, I'd settle for making a living at what I love to do, fame and fortune isn't my intention and never has been.

Oh God, Gilmore, please, please please stop with this, we ain't in a church!!

The point I am trying to hammer home here is that musicians like Ty (and the rest of his excellent group) need YOU and me to sit up and pay attention. Do that and you will be rewarded by some of the best guitar playing I have heard anywhere, stuff that puts a fire in your belly and a song in your heart - and God knows we could all do with a little more of that. To be sure, rock music doesn't have the best image and some would say it is too 'old fashioned' and in some ways I would also agree with that. But music always cycles and sooner or later, real music WILL win out and Why is everything I could personally wish for from real music. It has passion in abundance and power enough to blow your head clean into the next state. Sounding somewhere to the slower side of the immaculate Jeff Beck, Why is a guitar instrumental that works so well it should be in charge of a large industrial complex. The real treat here though, as always, is the mastery that Ty himself brings to the party. A guitarist's guitarist and as natural born as you would wish. My only complaint - and it's not really a complaint just an observation - is that the backing track was - to my ears - a bit flat and lifeless. It didn't really support the sparks that flowed from this man's fingers. Damn small change in the scheme of things though because, over time, this seemingly innocuous guitar instrumental just got more and more powerful with each listen.

Recommended - especially for those air guitarists whose only gig is in front of their bedroom mirror.

Keepa' rockin' man
Mysterious mood at start. Great feel it ended up on anyway. Reminds of Jeff Beck the guitar player
EXTRA CREDIT FOR THE SINGER , GREAT VOICE.
EXTRA CREDIT TO THE DRUMMER AND GUITAR AS WELL, GOOD FILLS. Your singer has got a lot of power stacked away there and the guitar solo DOUBLE CREDIT. EXTRA CREDIT FOR THE BASS HANGIN ' IN THERE. WHILE THE GUITAR AND DRUMS ARE OFF TO ANOTHER LAND. You got yours at the end of the main guitar solo anyway. WOW That guitar player is un-believeably good.

Extra Credit: Male Vocals, Guitars, Drums, Bass, Sequencer/Effects Programming, Production, Lyrics, Melody, Beat, Mood, Originality, Best Feel Good Track.

hell yea kick ass man this is the best music ive hread so far on sound click
your guitar playing is great and soulful i cant think of any cons for your group. i would love to see your band live you sould come and play in Iowa City Ia. as a fellow guitar player i must say im jealous. though ive been told that im one of the better guitar players in my city and age range. keep it up you guys kick ass.

by the way if you want check out my band and tell me what you think keeping in mind that it was recorded 2 years ago
peace
_________________
music is life=life is music
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/9/litmusmusic.htm
www.litmusmusic.com

Here's a track I've been looking forward to reveiwing all month. Not because I know anything about Ty Kaufman's music, but because I've been watching his moves and because Steve Calapp - who I have discovered lately - is also in the group. I was reading athread somewhere where Ty was discussing production techniques and what he had to say was quite impressive. Common sense usually is. The combination of these two factors meant a heightened sense of expectation.

Mind you, I'm an old man, nothing surprises me any more...Also bear in mind that I am doing this from an audio stream so I may not be as picky as normal and certainly nothing like as thorough...

One thing you don't really find in this day and electronic age is a musician who can actually play an instrument. A definitely rarer beast by a number of powers is the late lamented Rock God, the lead guitarist. Of course I am aware that there are a great many geriatric lead guitar players who still play but my God ya don't want to be looking at them while they are doing it. All those wrinkles, eeewwwww. So, I lamented the demise of younger lead guitarists out to take the Outlaw Road and wield an axe in the time honoured-fashion.

I thought my cup had runneth over when I discovered 17 year old Brian Steeksma on Soundclick a little while but no, NOW me cup runneth over. Ty Kaufman happens to have the seasoning that is the only thing missing from Brian 's playing. As a lead guitarist, You Left Me left me with strong impressions of Carlos Santana before he lost the fire; a passionate, fluid, emotional sound that fully explores the guitars fretboard. Wonderful stuff, with a solid bed of blues provided by Steve Calapp (vocals), Kevin Grant (bass) and Amado Tuazon on drums. As live as you want it and as meaty as you can stand, this is a group I'm definitely going to be hearing more of.

Steve Gilmore
Soundclick * Rebel Riffs * Vitamin C * Acid Planet

Power Inside by Ty Kaufman Group

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/tykaufmangroupmusic.htm
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamM3U.m3u?ID=1210260&q=Hi

Critique Portion

Style
X On target for today’s market in Rock Instrumental Music

Style Comments:
Excellent Rock Instrumental Music, lots of possibilities for a track like this. Even tv/movie or even video game placements might be fitting in my opinion.

Melody/Instrumentation
X Good music in verses
X Good music in chorus
X Memorable Hook

Melody/Instrumentation Comments:
Great instrumentation, the whole composition is excellent.

Structure/Arrangement
X Well-written structure
X Good sectional contrast

Structure/Arrangement Comments:
Very good contrast, always kept me interested. The structure was good it stayed pretty solid the whole composition but wasn’t predictable, the solos came in at the right times.

Title
X Good title

Title Comments:
Lots of Power!!!!!

REVIEW Portion:

Power Inside by Ty Kaufman Group

Now this is a track that I could listen to over and over again! Power Inside is a Rock Instrumental that would make some seasoned guitar and synth/Keyboard players a little jealous to be sure! The lines float across the spectrum like nothing I’ve heard from an artist here at Soundclick, covering the range of the entire instruments in such a dynamic way. It is truly an amazing composition, played wonderfully by truly far above top notch musicians. The production is as good as it will ever get in my opinion, this is commercial ready for the world to hear and enjoy. If you want to hear an amazing composition played by some spectacular musicians on a top notch recording this is your chance.

Thanks for sharing your great music,
Cameron

Posted: 04 Jul 2004

TY KAUFMAN GROUP (tykaufman)

Hey Ty! I finally reach you, eh???

YOU LEFT ME: Ohhhh WAIL!!! That guitar absoluuuutely WAAAAAAAAILS!!!! I LOVE IT!!!! The bends, that amazing finger movement and loooong stretching of notes... mmmm mmmm mmm!!!!!   

Then your voice... perfectly executed throat rumblings (however else do you describe those??), and every note nailed with power, focus, and intent. There isn't a person around who could have sung this lead vocal line any freaking better!!!   No way. I don't care what anybody says... the vocal and the guitar are bedtime partners in this song, and I'm at a loss, actually, for words. Beautiful, beautiful, perfect, outstanding, wonderful, and... untouchable.

Ok... 3:31-5:15 where the guitar comes back alive just before your vocal, the guitar volume level needs to be reduced about 0.5 notch on that 1-5 scale of mine... I don't think 1 is necessary... I have a bit of an audio illusion that it would, but I think 0.5, in reality, would be sufficient.. I do, however, reserve the right that a 1 might end up working better -- you'll just have to listen, or ask me to (if you want. PM me if you remix the volume and I promise to take a listen to it right away, ok?)... anyway, it's definitely placed in front of everything (most importantly, your vocals)... the slight decrease in it's volume will blend the mix better. I had thought about decreasing it for the entire song, but quite frankly, I think I like it "out front" during the areas without vocals, as it shines as the lead and solo that it was meant to be. So... just thisl area, k? (hm... now that I listen to this for the umpteenth time, I notice you have it turned way down during the first verse... good job, and a good level for that area! )

The background vocals are AWESOME! Very well blended, excellent volume levels, and a well-structured harmony line for all. Very, very nice!

Mmmm... I sure love that guitar solo at the end. The tapping of the drums, cymbals, woodbox (?), and brush slides were all wonderfully done, and each give great effects.

You are all so talented... have you been signed yet? When? When? Ya know... if it were me? I'd ship some CD's... no.. take them in person... call up some of the record stations and take those CD's in. Get these on the radio. Dedicate a song to someone and ask the DJ / Radio Station if they'll play it. Just do it, man. What labels have you sent them to? You need to get out there... you need to be HEARD!!!

Anyway, I loved the crescendo / decrescendo instrumentation and vocal volumes throughout this entire piece. Honestly... the only thing I could find that I'd change is the guitar volume level during that one area... if you like the present volume where you have it, then at least increase all vocal volumes to get them out in front of the guitar. That's it. that is ALL I could find!!!

Everything else??? Perfect in every way... and was there ever any doubt of another "HOT" vote for you guys?   

A Scream from Above
I don't know why you don't want comments on the production. Maybe people were telling you the guitar's too loud. Screw that! It's all about that melody, isn't it? And nice tone, too, by the way. Oh, you have to have soul to hold those notes and patiently bend down like that. I don't know if that's a drum machine. I suspect it might be, but i'm way too tuned to the mood to notice. I think it's too bad you just faded out like that. Bookend that solo with a melody and this is a phat blues instrumental. You can play, no doubt.

Extra Credit: Guitars.

- eztigger
Memphis, Tennessee
June 6th, 2004

Guitar Heroics ..With feeling !
It is so easy to review this track, as you got me right from the beginning of the slow minor blues..Sensitive, tasteful , emotional, guitar heroics by obviously a well accomplished player !..Well Done,I truly enjoyed it !

Extra Credit: Guitars, Melody, Mood, Best Potential Movie Soundtrack.

- Bassist55
Wollongong, Nsw, Australia
June 7th, 2004

Wow
That was some of the greatest blues guitar I've ever heard.... absolute brilliance. Could feel a lot of emotion behind it.... mourning.... I love it. Eight out of a possible five.

Extra Credit: Guitars, Mood.

- ixlptamn
Houston, Texas
June 6th, 2004

Have a feeling this too will be more than one post. Bare with me, ok?

Wow... first thing, I have no idea why your URL's didn't show up as links... but no matter... cut and paste, baby. Second thing, and the reason for my "wow", was I went to your website first, and I had to rip my headphones off my ears! Dang, man! You have VOLUME! They are presently sitting on my cheeks, as I'm assuming when I go to your SoundClick page, I'll have "power" to control the volume in Windows' Media Player. Thirdly, YES! You are doing it right, by posting to a "review" forum, and no, you're not too late. I don't know when I'll close this forum. Depends on my mood, I guess. "and my faaans!" hahaha... ok... enough "fun". (oh yeah! Cool website, btw!)

Only you (I thought I was all alone): First of all, a very neat story on your lyrics page! (I always look at the lyrics... it helps to read while listening... which means... you should post 'em! ) Wowzers! What BEEEYOOOTEEEFUL beginning!!!!    The drums are too loud in the mix, and I think they need to be brought down 0.05 to 1 notch on a 1-5 scale. Come to think of it, since the vocals peak in certain spots, I'm wondering... was this recorded live? Are you using a compressor/limiter? If not, then you might want to think of one. Also, the background vocals need to be raised about 2 notches.. they really sat in the background. Yes, the mix needs some work on this. Putting that aside, my especially favorite part was right at the end when you removed the instruments... that was quite an effect, and it more than tied the song up... it emphasized your message. Your beginning and ending on this song is truly remarkable! What a great voice! And so strong it is! You must have the lungs of a pearl diver, and the throat of a diva. The lyrics in this song can mean different things to different people, and while some critics call that "vague", I call it "personally adjustable" (I get dibs on changing that term later... right now, it was the best I could come up with at this late hour). While I'm poor at remembering band names, if memory serves me right (which it normally does not, so please bare with me here), your guitar solo takes me back to the days of Zeppelin and other similar finger-sliding, fret-banging, electric guitar playing gurus. In my opinion, a definite desire for certain "rockers" (and I use the word "certain" because I know many of the new-fad songs are a little more "prissy" when it comes to this kind of rock). Did I just completely confuse you? I'm almost afraid to read this post after I click "submit". Ok... let's look at another.

Okay... this definitely took up two posts. Please read next post for the third song I listened to.
_________________
Sharma Kay
SoundClick@Fastmail.FM
Good music emotes feelings in others. Great music emotes the feelings intended

So Far Away: Again, another fantastic beginning! Almost apocolypstic (is that a word? kinda sounds like "lipstick"... I am getting really rummy with sleep deprivation and am wondering if I should continue this post. Ok... I'll go on... but I might add another review for you later when I'm more alert and sensible sounding.. as if that could happen. ) Ok... back to you. The mix in this was better than the other. Much better. I'd still raise the background vocals up about 1-2 notches, and then decrease the drums 0.5 notch, and the guitar 1 notch. Definitely feeling a bit of Zeppelin. Wow... that is soooo freaking cool you did at 3:47-4:12 with both of those guitars!!!    The heavy plunk you did on the one, and how you brought the second one in at 4:02... man... that was like one of my favorite spots in the whole song, and I'm grinning from ear to ear as I'm listening to that whole instrumental area. This is really two songs in one... yours with the vocals, and another that is simply instrumental. You say you just "woke up" and could play like this??    Yes... I'd say you've been touched, molded, and are being used. How positively inspirational!

ANYTHING FOR YOU: You are all so talented when it comes to your intros. The bass on this piece really enhances the ambience, and ties everything together very nicely. Your enunciation is exceptional! Even though you haven't listed the lyrics yet for your songs, I found I could hear them perfectly just by listening... even when I used the cheap, external speakers! Jeepers!! Of all three of these that I've listened to you, I think the mix was done best on this one. Ah ha! I wasn't just hearing things! Watch your "P's"... sometimes they "puff" into the mic. I had to listen hard to catch them, so quite frankly I really wouldn't worry about it, as I don't think anyone else would pick up on it. But I thought I would mention it just so you could keep it in the back of your mind for future pondering/usage. I can't say which of the bass, drums, or guitar are my favorites, because quite frankly, they're all of equal value and importance in this song. Each one is dedicated to each other, and to the entire ambience of this melody. What you did at 5:02 with the guitar "beat" was a superb touch!

There's really not a whole lot I can say in regard to any improvements, other than the mix. Of course, I'm not listening to it in my car stereo, so I could be wrong; but considering that MP3's are becoming the "new age/format", I'd try to control the mix to sound good even in cheap headphones, like what I've got. I think this can be accomplished quite easily, actually. Other than that, although the style is almost a bit harsh for me, I know my son would love your music... he's a "rocker" through and through, I think the arrangements you created for each song is simply amazing. I also know that there is a LARGE demand for your style of music.

I'm surprised you haven't been signed yet. Man... stay with it, do what you're doing, and get the exposure. God works in mysterious ways, does he not?

I went back and listened again on external pc speakers, and I have to say... you really have an incredible voice! Quite frankly, I haven't heard someone belt a melody out like that since Streisand or Midler! (not to compare you to women, but come on... they have amazing lungs!) You truly have a beautiful voice, and I think that day you spoke of may have given you something more than you know. I'm adding you to my Band List, and have given you multiple "HOT" votes for your oustanding creations.
_________________
Sharma Kay
SoundClick@Fastmail.FM
Good music emotes feelings in others. Great music emotes the feelings intended

It's all about a endless and masterful guitar solo.

The folowing picture come to my mind: rain is falling down,

but you're inside looking out the window and thinking about life ... something like that.

The accompaniment is very unobtrusive, which is very positive.
After all: relaxing track. "

MusicSTEVE from Dortmund, Nrw, Germany

garageband.com
coolest track, Best Guitar,
Song of the day winner!!!

¤

"Has a powerful accelerated feel, definitely a Harley D. song.

I like the Blade Runner keyboard in the back ground, gives it a futuristic feel."

- eslider
Dallas, Texas

"......edgy, hard rock"

"....displays the virtuosity of the guitarist and shows that he knows this style of playing."

"...... A powerful and moving rendition...... Good work."

- DavidNielsen
Beverly Hills, California

"...I could easily say that this is one of the most finest songs i heard so far...
I have to give to your guitarist an extra credit for his tune,'cause is one from the finest i heard..

also his solo sounds like he has a touch with the guitar..
Backing vocals give to the song the extra chroma that this song needed,making it to stick out...
Overall this song is superb....."

Violet_band from London, United Kingdom