Showing 1 - 25 of 60
Artist: 45 Optimal
Artist: RBD
There may be little that is musically authentic about RBD, a prefabricated pop/rock act that was initiated on television, yet the group of Mexican teens achieved astounding commercial success, quickly becoming a multilingual pop culture juggernaut whose market impact stretched from Brazil to the United States. The group is comprised of six... [+] Read More
Artist: Future Prospect
A fusion band that recorded for Optimism. It's roster included Dan Siegel, Grant Geissman, Rob Thomas and Gary Hobbs. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide [+] Read More
Artist: Mike Lawrence
A trumpeter and one-time member of Joe Henderson's group in the '70s, Lawrence was featured on a recent Optimism release. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide [+] Read More
Artist: Cheryl Barnes
Vocalist more in pop and fusion mode than jazz. Barnes has made polished, breezy tunes for Optimism, material strictly for contemporary fans and market. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide [+] Read More
Artist: Bob Miles
Fusion/post-bop/light-jazz composer and saxophonist who recorded an album for the Optimism label in the mid-80s. He resurfaced in 2003 leading a new date, Ancestral Spirits, for the Sheets of Sound label. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide [+] Read More
Artist: Randall Salow
Randall Salow is a singer/songwriter from Southeast Michigan. His smooth singing style, unique melody's and story telling will take you on an enjoyable journey. Both a romantic and positive person at heart, his music reflects that overall love of life and optimism. [+] Read More
Artist: Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder is a much-beloved American icon and an indisputable genius not only of R&B but popular music in general. Blind virtually since birth, Wonder's heightened awareness of sound helped him create vibrant, colorful music teeming with life and ambition. Nearly everything he recorded bore the stamp of his sunny, joyous positivity; even... [+] Read More
Artist: The Ticket That Exploded
The Ticket that Exploded is an acoustic guitar and vocal duo consisting of Vincent de Bel and Nathan de Vos. Making music with roots in the genres pop, indie rock, and country they create a fresh and unique sound which they hold on to throughout their entire repertoire.They play and sing as one person, there is no battle for spotlight, instead... [+] Read More
Artist: Mick Hart
Singer/songwriter Mick Hart has managed to earn a good deal of attention since his arrival with the 1998 EP Release. Earning comparisons to artists like Ben Harper and Jeff Buckley, Release generated a radio hit in Hart's native Australia with the track "Nothing Is Real." Another EP, Kill Yourself For Love," followed in 1999, before Hart finally... [+] Read More
Artist: Foxtrot
The band was formed in 1979 and the members included Michael Sundt, Werner Grini, Jon-Hakon Skarpsno, and Eivind Fivelsdal. The first two years were very optimistic. The reviews of their first stage appearance in 1980, including theatrical characters, were almost too good. Shortly after, they reached number one in a major competition of 60 rock... [+] Read More
Artist: Dan Abrams
Dan Abrams is among a new wave of artists bringing the aesthetic sensibilities of digital technologies to bear upon the styles of environmental space music first explored by the likes of Brian Eno, David Parsons, Michael Stearns, and Robert Rich. Abrams began making music as a teenager on his Apple IIe before getting deeper into the capabilities... [+] Read More
Artist: Bon Iver
Justin Vernon began recording under the nom de band Bon Iver following the breakup of DeYarmond Edison, an indie folk group similar in tone and manner to Iron & Wine, Little Wings and, to a certain extent, Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Vernon's solo project took DeYarmond Edison's introspective, folky sound and embellished it with squinchy, quirky... [+] Read More
Artist: Michael Pedicin, Jr.
This Philadelphia-bred jazz saxophonist never received the fame of contemporaries Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn, and some others. He's the son of Michael Pedicin Sr., a hot '50s Philly act who had a small hit, "Shake a Hand" (1957), on 20th Century Fox Records. The senior Pedicin did private functions and held a steady gig well into the... [+] Read More
Artist: Patrik Fitzgerald
Born in London in 1958, singer/songwriter Patrik Fitzgerald ranked among the most memorable of the so-called "punk poets." He debuted in 1977 with the EP Safety Pin Stuck in My Heart, a collection combining the outrage of punk with a streak of optimism rare for its time and place; indeed, Fitzgerald's sincere attitude and eccentric appearance --... [+] Read More
Artist: June Star
The nostalgic country rock of June Star stood out from much of the like-minded albums being released around the time of their debut. Where most roots rock had an urgent optimism that made for sing-a-long choruses and mainstream acceptance, June Star had a very different vision of the genre. Taking the Southern gothic imagery of Flannery... [+] Read More
Artist: [columbia]
Melancholy, angst, sadness and perhaps everything, optimism. These are some moods that nobody can avoid when listening to this brazilian band, an expert in writing broken hearts' soundtracks. Songs with huge emotional loads, relating love by the kindest way that somebody can. Though very young, they have a lot of recognition. They have won the... [+] Read More
Artist: Evilsmith
Gripping vocals, shredding guitars, aggressive drums, shove this down-your-throat bass are the core of Evilsmith's walk all over your face music. A kick your ass take no prisoners band capable of leaving metal fans with their jaws on the floor wanting more, the legs of housewives quivering, and outcast kids feeling cool for a second or two,... [+] Read More
Artist: Lo Ra
LoRa is the desire to find back the instinctive wisdom of childhood, the primary intelligence that the human kind tends to lose with maturity. The music of LoRa is a soft blend of chaos, sensuality, self-destruction syndrome, melancholy and delicacy.Despite British-tinged dark melodies, LoRa reveals hope and optimism. The poetry of the lyrics... [+] Read More
Artist: Kim Pensyl
A fine pop-jazz keyboardist, Kim Pensyl has recorded a long string of bestselling sets for Optimism, GRP and Shanachie. Early on he played a variety of instruments including trumpet from age 12 and electric bass in a rock group before settling on keyboards. Pensyl attended Ohio State University, playing with the OSU jazz band. After earning a... [+] Read More
Artist: Econoline Crush
The Vancouver-based alternative band Econoline Crush -- vocalist Trevor Hurst, guitarists Robbie Morfitt and Ziggy, drummer Nico Quintal, and bassist Don Binns -- have made quite a name for themselves in Canada. They've enjoyed major chart success there, and have opened Canadian/European tours for the likes of KISS, the Young Gods, Die Krupps,... [+] Read More
Artist: Midget
A product of quiet Stamford, England, the punk-pop trio Midget began their career under the name the Smokin' Lizards. Formed when its members -- singer/guitarist Richard Gombault, bassist Andy Hawkins and drummer Lee Major -- were still in their mid-teens, the group quickly folded, only to soon reconvene under the name Midget. After earning a... [+] Read More
Artist: Broadway Project
A chronic bout of myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome, was the catalyst for Dan Berridge's Broadway Project. An illness without cure that strikes sufferers down with a combination of fatigue and poor concentration often resulting in a subsequent depression, Berridge left his home in London for his parent's house in Sussex to... [+] Read More
Artist: Frank Mantooth
A well-respected big band arranger, Frank Mantooth has written for a countless of orchestras and musicians since the early 1970's. His mother played piano and uncle was a violinist so Mantooth grew up with music. Although he played guitar a little while growing up, Mantooth eventually became a talented pianist. He earned a bachelor of music... [+] Read More
Artist: Joe Dassin
American expatriate Joe Dassin was one of France's most popular singers during the late '60s and '70s, initially building his name with stylized adaptations of folk and country material from his birthplace. As his career blossomed, Dassin turned increasingly to traditional-style chansons penned by some of the genre's best writers, scoring an... [+] Read More
