Welcome to the EvO:R Independent CD Reviews Section.
I would like to take a few minutes to introduce ourselves to everyone. The EvO:R review section features reviews from various independent musicians that submit material for our consideration.

I wanted to let you know a little about our review teams collective thoughts on music. It's important to let the people that we review know how we think of their music and how we listened to their creations.

First of all, we strongly believe that if your music stinks then the world should know about it! After all, you have the nerve to charge as much for your stuff as the majors do so it better be pretty damn good. If your material is good, we'll be glad to tell the world. I We will hold nothing back! That is a promise.
The EvO:R CD Review Team

City Canyons Records, an independent label based in Manhattan proudly introduces UK rocker, David Steele's debut album UNDERNEATH THE ICE. Steele comes from a part of England-the village of Brill- that inspired "Lord of the Rings" writer Tolkien, and Steele's lyrics are, indeed, at times darkly magical. But that's only part of the talented young Englishman's story. While his tunes can be intense and haunting, as epitomized by "Words and Rhythm" they can also thrillingly soar as does, for example, "Rise Up". Whatever their mood, Steele's sophisticated self-penned songs are firmly rooted in reality, reflecting the hopes, the despair, the yearning in all of us. And even at their darkest, Steele's music is never chilly. His remarkable voice is warm and intimate-somewhere between Sting and Bono-and wherever he takes you with his music, he's with you every step of the way. That music, featuring Steele's own superb guitar work, is distinctive, utterly his own, but if one were forced to make comparisons, one could put him somewhere between Coldplay and David Grey and be in the ballpark.

The above editorial sums this record up perfectly. The first tune, Wings to Fly, is Michael Hutchence (late INXS vocalists) reincarnated. I just say that because David Steele’s voice has that great timbre that most of the top vocalist/songwriters have in their voice. The production on this record is at the same level as any great major label release.

There’s a lot of groove to this record along with superb musicianship, orchestration and great song crafting. When I hear a record like this, I get very disheartened about the music industry AND the general public. David Steele should be a household name. I don’t expect to find records this good in my review stack as I am reviewing independent music. Most indie music is lacking in one department or another because of finance or other limitations that the big name artists and labels don’t have. So I am always taking those limitations into consideration when reviewing these discs. This is the second record of this caliber that I have found. Seeing as I have only reviewed half a dozen from this huge stack on my desk, so far, it tells me that my other reviews have been far too lenient.

I would encourage fans of INXS, U2 and Sting to take a listen to David Steele – Underneath the Ice. There are no bad songs on this record. It flows nicely and there are some really great songs. Some of the noted tunes are Wings to Fly, Disappear, Come to Dance?, Ghost, Underneath the Ice ------Aw Hell !! They are all good. I can’t lie. I am completely impressed by this record.

Song Samples from the CD
All song samples are from the David Steele page on CD Baby.

 Wings to Fly/   Disappear/   Bethlehem/   Come to Dance?/   Ghost/   Hypnotised/   Underneath the Ice/   Rise Up/   Words and Rhythm/   Rolling River/   I Cannot Breathe /   Blind/ 

Conclusion:

This is one of the best records I’ve heard this year and I think David Steele needs a huge break. Underneath the Ice gets my highest rating ever –whatever that might be.

Jimmy Caterine...EvO:R Reviewer.

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About the reviewer- Jimmy Caterine has numerous album credits to his name. He is most noted as founder, guitarist and co-writer for 80’s metal quartet, Sacred Rite (Capitol Records.) He has worked with top name professionals in the industry. This would include Grammy Award winning producer Sonny Limbo (Bertie Higgins) and publishing coordinator Randall Wixen (Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Brown.)

Aside from his original projects he did a 3 month stint playing guitar for the live stage production of Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1987. He was the guitarist for MGM recording artist and power house vocalist, Sami Jo Cole (Tell Me a Lie) in 1995. He has also played with classic rock tribute act Time Machine, on the Las Vegas convention circuit in ’97 and ’98.

Following a car accident in 2001 Jimmy Caterine took a break from performing. He was reluctant to return to the stage due to PTSD. In the years that followed Jimmy took an inward journey to confront his own personal demons. While away he had to come to terms with the many changes in the music industry. During his hiatus he created and released two independent solo CD’s.

In 2007 Jimmy recorded and released a reunion CD with Sacred Rite. Currently Jimmy owns Soulaire Sound which is a mobile recording/live sound reinforcement company in Phoenix, AZ. He performs regularly with his organic jazz sextet, Dream Chemistry.

If you’d like to know more about Jimmy Caterine you can visit the following web sites: