TRUTHS, TRIPS, REVELATIONS by ALPHAMAMA ALBUM REVIEW

ALPHAMAMA
TRUTHS, TRIPS & REVELATIONS

Staying true to her word here, AlphamMama really shows her versatility in her debut instalment "TRUTHS, TRIPS & REVELATIONS". There is no boxing this girl into one genre or particular sound. 

The AlphaMama not only has the gift of a supremely diverse vocal, she is also talented enough to combine a variation of musical genre's with her "CRAZY, SEXY, COOL" lyrics to deliver her story.

As soon as you press play, the first track on Truths, Trips & Revelations gets your head bopping and your body grooving. As the story goes on, the music mellows out. It is almost as if the AlphamMama was experiencing some sh#$%t in her life at the time and goes through the motions and emotions, expresses what she feels and learns the lessons.

The title, Truths, Trips & Revelations summarises the lyrical content of the album.  Although, it might be somewhat of a tongue twister, it does give you an idea of what you will hear.  The album is a small part of the AlphaMama's life journey, it’s the truth, she has experiences, she trips but gets up and keeps going “You don’t have to worry, no don’t say you’re sorry, don’t you worry about me” and at the end she has a revelation, perhaps realising that "LIFE IS IMPORTANT". 

This album in it's entirety delivers a sweet combination of Neo-Soul, Funk, Reggae, Pop, Rock, R & B, Hip Hop, the Spoken Word and smoothly produced beats mixed well with live instruments.  The AlphaMama's powerful voice and her range is showcased in each track and helps define her unique underground sound.  Vocally "She's in Control".

The production on Truths, Trips & Revelations is superior and you can tell, the producers, West Labz Sound have a great level of experience and are hella creative.  Experimenting with the use of varying samples and effects, they create a distinctive sound.

To showcase Alphamama's indivuality and diversity and give you an idea, as to what to expect, from, Truths, Trips & Revelations, I am going to review a few of the tracks with a comparison or example of an artist or song her vocal or the track might be similar too.

ALPHAMAMA ON THE KEYS

TRACK BY TRACK 

"IF Ya Gon Lie" - The groovy beat in this track gets your shoulders moving, it is a great opening hit.  This is very Erykah Badu. The tone and pronunciation of words - very Baduizm.

"She's In Control" - This joint right here is a banging Hip Hop beat with that rock element to it! It's almost head banging.  It features one of my favourite local MC's Kween G from the Killa Queenz! All I feel when I hear this track is POWERFUL

"Crazy, Sexy, Cool" - On the Reggae tip this track not my favourite and then it just ends.

"Leave the Lights On" - This song is catchy, it sounds a little pop.

"MooDjack" - This track starts off a little Pop, then becomes Neo Soul, perhaps it can be compared to Angie Stone, great harmonies and arrangements in this track

"Treat You Right" - This track is very soulful, very Corinne Bailey Rae, I love the spoken word in this track.

"Obsession" - This joint is very neo soul, although there is a electric guitar thrown in the mix.  Her vocal sounds very Jill Scott, I'm feeling the spoken word and the breakdown is very Janet Jackson.

"Alabama Attack" - I am not sure why this song is called "Alabama Attack", because all I hear are the words "You don't have to worry". A little bit Reggae, a power vocal, 

"The Unknown" - This is a very dark song

"Bad Appel" - This track featuring another amazing and underrated local Sydney artist Ngaire is my favourite on the album.  I think both lyrically & musically this song on point.  It has that Reggae back beat, with a soulful vocal. Great track, catchy chorus, and delivering a great story.

The breakdown rocks my world. Lookout for NGAIRE she is something special.

Check out the hot video:  

"Wonder Woman" -  This vocal in this track is very Lisa Stansfield. Loving the inclusion of the brass section in this track. 

"Dawning" - This song sounds very 90's, Alphamama sounds like the girls from Xscape.

"Life is Important" - The revelation.  I am loving the music in this track. You can dance to it, you can do some kinda 2 step dance. It builds to a high. The lyrics have meaning. 

OVERALL

ALPHAMAMA GIVES THANKS
TRUTHS TRIPS REVELATIONS

Truths, Trips & Revelations is a good album, not only because the AlphaMama can write great songs and delivers with her vocal, but this album is what it is because she worked with some of Sydney's talented musos, producers and sound engineers to bring it together.  It is very well written. produced arranged and mixed, so props must go to all who collaborated on this album, there are too many too mention, but you can read about them in the little insert, where AlphaMama gives thanks.

My only criticism is, Alphamama should stick to singing and the spoken word, no rapping. Her voice is too beautiful for all that.  Leave the rapping to the Kween G's of the world.  

Truths, Trips & Revelations is not only unique, and catchy at the same time, it’s easy listening and it gets you grooving!  Thankfully, it still has an underground sound, it is not overly commercial, each song sounds different and it is unlike anything you will hear on the air waves right now. 

TRUTHS, TRIPS & REVELATIONS will be available on Itunes in April or you can go to a JB HI FI store or if you can't wait email info@alphamama.com. Make sure you cop it!

First EP released by Alphamama available now here.

ALPHAMAMA

@ALPHAMAMA_says

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Getting to know the ALPHAMAMA

AlphaMama, firstly, thank you very much for your time, first of all I want to say congratulations on your success to date.

You must be very happy that you can make a living and career from doing what you love and are really great at.

I am a big fan so am grateful for this interview.

You're welcome Angel, thank you! :) 

The first question I want to ask you is where did you come up with the name AlphaMama? What is your meaning behind it? AlphaMama is about me learning to embrace my power as a mother and an artist.. In my eyes all women are alphamamas. It's not that we are more alpha than our male counterparts but it's learning to direct and enhance our unique energy to heal nurture and grow life. I try to live as an AlphaMama in all areas of my life. Alphamama is power, courage, harmony, kindness healing and love!!
I first decided I needed a stage name a few years, mainly because not many people could pronounce my last name and I wanted a name that I felt represented who I was as an artist. So, I took my initials A M and the fact that I was a new mother (my son is 4 years old now) and made AlphaMama.

Wow you're a mother as well, how do you juggle being a mother, recording artist and performer? It's a way of life ive become used to and I won't say it's easy. I try to always keep in the forefront of my mind what my life means. Life can mean anything you want and for me it is to be happy, healthy and harmonious. When I remember those things everything falls into place. The time I spend with my son is intentional and intimate so that I don't feel guilty when we're apart. I have so much support from my friends and family which makes life easier as a single mother. Basically I do anything and everything I can to keep the harmony between all the elements of my life.
Alphamama you are very beautiful, where were you born, and what is your background? Thank you! :) My Father is Indonesian and my Mother is South African with German, Dutch and Scottish heritage.

Wow what a great mix! :)

So how long have you been singing for, where did you get that Power vocal? Was your mother a singer? I was always an entertainer as a kid, it was in my nature from ever since I can remember. My dad had an Indonesian church and so I learned a lot from my years of playing and singing in church. i think I never felt that I had a typical beautiful voice, as in I didn't have a beautiful tone and I couldn't do amazing runs so I just learned to develop my belt. Singing in situations with no fold back and terrible sound also made me adjust my sound.

When did you know you wanted to be a singer and recording artist? I only really consciously decided at around 21 that I wanted to be a singer and make a living from music. Before that I had too much pride to let me acknowledge my dream. I was scared of failing so I never let myself go for it. But over the years I've been developing my confidence and have achieved things I never thought I would.

Do you write all your own songs? I do write all of my own songs. I collaborate with musicians/producers sometimes but I have written my own lyrics/melodies so far. Not to say that I wouldn't ever sing something someone else has written. I believe in good songs and if I can connect with a lyric, I'll sing it.

How does it feel to be sharing your music with the world? For me that's exactly what music is about. Sharing energy, sharing stories, sharing feelings. I really embrace the power I have through music to change, move and heal people through music. I definitely haven't managed to achieve that on a global scale yet, but it is an

achievable goal for me that I look forward to.

ALPHAMAMA

Who are artists you find inspire your music? Inspiration for me is everywhere. Its in my backyard with the amazing Australian music scene. Its everyone that I grew up listening to from mum's daggy record collection to all the new jack swing I stole off my brother. I listen to everything and never rule anything out. To name a few: Helen Reddy, Janet Jackson, TLC, Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Mariah Carey, Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Curtis Mayfield, Sly and The Family Stone, The Temptations…. I could go on for days.

What are your favourite tracks out now? Ummm.. I'm pretty slow on the new music scene. Probably my favourite music are my Melbourne friends  RunForYourLife and their track "Work Hard" or anything off their album

Wow I love the fact that you chose a local band as your favourite!

One of the other things I love about you is your uniqueness. I just love the way you dress for your shows and on your video clips? Do you have a stylist? I've been styling myself for years but recently I've been collaborating with a beautiful Stylist/Designer named Angela White. She makes my costumes and she gets my

look. We have heaps of fun together!

ALPHAMAMA

Do have a passion for fashion & where do you draw inspiration from? I definitely love fashion but no so much what's necessarily "in". For my its more about self expression and that can be in any art form. I like to shock and draw reactions from people and I like the freedom to change my look whenever I feel like it. I get inspiration from other artists and also magazines, I like to research women's fashion and its evolution throughout the world. My look can go from ghetto to tribal to oriental to egyptian. And that's just in a week.

What do you think of the music today? I think like anything its subject to opinion and personal taste. There's good shit and bad shit all the time. What I do love about music today is that its so easy to make because technology is so accessible. As a result there is SO much music to check out and not nearly enough time to process it!!

What do you think of the music industry today? I hate it and I love it. Artists are forced to be entrepreneurial and business savvy to get anywhere. You have 2 roads now and that's independent or label and both have their pros and cons. I actually love the fact that music is downloadable and free and it forces artists to get off their ass and put on killer shows or create new avenues of making money that benefits more people over all. I know its fun to bitch and moan about the industry but at the end of the day, if someone else can understand it and have success why can't I or anyone else?

What would you say to others out there trying to make it? I would say: What are you making? In one way I feel like I've already "made it" because I'm completely happy with where I am and what I've done and I am successful. But in another way I feel like I will have never "made it" because you can always go higher. Get rid of the made it mindset because its unhealthy and focus more on developing yourself as a human being first and an artist that way you will always be happy with your success.

GREAT ANSWER! Believe anything is possible and do-able!

ALPHAMAMA

So you have released your first album? Congrats, please tell us about it..... 
My debut album Truth, Trips and Revelations is a complilation of inspiring tracks showcasing a unique sound: an eclectic fusion of pop, soul, hip hop and reggae. Collaborating with Sydney Production team West Labz Sound,The result is a record that fearlessly crosses musical genres and busts out of creative boxes. The album delivers a transparently honest view into my experiences, heartbreaks and lessons learned. The first chapter is a story listeners can relate to and connect with. Truth, Trips and Revelations takes you through tales of broken down relationships, new love, teenage rebellion, depression and ends on an uplifting infectious celebration of life. Expect to be overwhelmed by the musical depths on this Album.

Who features on it? Features by Kween G and Ngaiire

Who produced it? Production by West Labz Sound

I just love the clip for Bad Appel, tell us about the song... I wrote Bad appel when I first moved out of home. I felt a lot of pressure from my family to conform and make them happy but I wanted to follow my own dreams and heart. I felt like the black sheep and in a way I was trying to say 'look at how you shape and mould your children'.. So expressing that was important for me but it is more important to take responsibility for myself and take my life by the balls!

Let's take a look at the clip.......

Is your album available on Itunes now? Not yet but will be soon. I have an EP and single available on itunes

How would you primarily describe your sound now? Hahah it changes everyday. I would say… "indie soul" but I hate labels. I would like to say that I can sound however, I want to sound

I like that, they can't put you in a box and your versatility shows on stage!

What does the future hold for AlphaMama? Thank you. Actually a lot of exciting things coming up. After this album I'm focusing on a new project that is a lot more current and accessible to the pop market. Its something I never thought I would do but I love it and I know its going to give me a bigger audience and allow me to flow power to more people.

This sounds exciting any "Exclusive" announcements?
So this new project just got signed to a major record label but that's all I can say at the moment

What do you want to say to your fans and followers? You've all got amazing taste in music!! HAHAHHA

ALPHAMAMA LAUNCH

Where can your fans catch you next? My album launch 7th March Oxford Art Factory and then Taste Festival 8th March, and Watussi Support at the Metro 23 March.

BUY TICKETS HERE

@ALPHAMAMA_says



There you have it if you don't know ALPHAMAMA now you do! If you have not seen this girl sing LIVE well I suggest you do!

She blows the roof off a joint!