Mama Kin » Press

Her Time To Shine – Newcastle Herald

admin — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:04:59 +0000

Beat and Holler Review Soulshine

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:46:34 +0000

Mama Kin’s new CD, Beat and Holler, has a great, organic sound that makes you feel as if she is right in the room with you. It’s Latin and funk stylings are no surprise from a girl that was weaned on Aretha Franklin and Joan Armatrading both of whom, like Mama Kin, are fearless singers, not afraid to empty their heart and soul into a note.

On the title track Beat and Holler, Mama Kin sings backed by only short, sharp hand percussion. In this age of Auto-Tune®, Mama Kin’s naked human voice is a wonderfully radical thing. You Tore My Heart Out tells a familiar story, but Mama Kin’s wry jazz delivery seems not to take the heartbreak to heart. To My Table, with its infectious Afro-Cuban rhythms and a bass vamp that smoulders like the Buena Vista Social Club in session, is my pick for the song of the year, so far. But the year is still young. Don’t miss the video clip of To My Table, filmed entirely on Mama Kin’s kitchen table. And, by the way, that irresistible percussion is Michael Caruana tapping a whiskey bottle with the bottle opener. Thank you, Michael, for not being a drum machine.

On It’s for Me Mama Kin’s young daughter Banjo Caruana-Butler, sings backing vocals, and others play instruments including, but not limited to, the glass baking dish, the saucepan lid, and the outdoor chair. The chorus has echoes of Maltese folk music. It is, as jazz great Duke Ellington used to describe his favourite music, “beyond category”.

Yes folks, I am highly recommending this album on which there is an eight year old girl singing, and a grown woman playing a shovel. Listen with your mind open, and you’ll find twelve good reasons why you should treat this Mama (Kin) with respect!

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jmag

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:14:06 +0000

JB HI-FI Magazine

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:39:57 +0000

Scene Magazine

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:10:08 +0000

It’s a rare treat when you come across a singer whose voice alone is affecting. Danielle Caruana , aka Mama Kin, is one such singer. Her debut album ‘Beat and Holler’ grabs your attention from the very beginning with her smoky, seductive vocals. Drawing inspiration from her experiences in her lyrics, she has created some really wonderfully depressing songs such as ‘Tore My Heart Out’. Only a couple of tracks slow down the overall pace, but they don’t take anything away from this beautiful repertoire. ‘Beat and Holler’ is an exciting introduction to this talented songstress.

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BEAT MAGAZINE

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:03:42 +0000

Mama Kin’s debut album Beat and Holler is surprisingly likeable. Knowing nothing about Mama Kin, except that she married Australia’s John Butler and had helped him with the Seed Fund, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What a welcome relief to listen and be captivated from the first track Love’s Not So Great. Mama Kin’s voice has a distinctive style – one that is equal parts fragile and vulnerable, as it is resonant and rich. A live band backs Mama Kin on each track. One of the key musicians in the band is her brother Michael who plays keys like a motherfarker (Wurlitzer, Nord, Hammond B3, you name it, dude plays it!). The lead single Tore My Heart Out has been making industry waves and is brutally honest and seductive. Check her out if you’re into rootsy blues and folk – Mama Kin may just be your (herbal) cup of tea. http://www.beat.com.au/

Rhythms Magazine

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:08:41 +0000

“Caruana is a stand up rock solid musician…this is a woman with talent.” – Rhythms

The Herald-Sun

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:03:00 +0000

“a fantastic record, a delicious hotpot of soulful grooves, seductive melodies, stomping percussive beats and classic old-world instrumentation” – The Herald-Sun

Sarah Howells, Triple J Roots N’All

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:01:36 +0000

“this year’s next big thing” – Sarah Howells, Triple J Roots N’All

Album of the week ABC Melbourne

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:06:58 +0000

Mornings with Fiona Parker – Album of the Week July 12 – 16

Stong, sassy, raw. Just a few words to describe the music of Mama Kin…but you could also use groovy, soulful, funky and heartfelt.

Mama Kin is Danielle Caruana and her brother Michael. Talented family – their other brother is drummer Nicky Bomba who recently joined the John Butler Trio. Oh, and Danielle is married to John Butler…as mentioned, a very talented family!

Released this month, ‘Beat and Holler’ is Mama Kin’s debut album but they’ve performed live at many venues and festivals, and there was an EP called ‘Papoose’ released in 2008.

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