Music review – Ayline Artin ‘Heaven in Hell’
by Garrick Rawlings
Redondo Beach based singer/songwriter/musician Ayline Artin, who is full of rock and roll and bluesy soul, recently released her second album “Heaven in Hell.” This project came together over COVID, taking advantage of all the great musicians who were stuck at home with nowhere to perform. She also recently released a beautifully shot, award winning video for the first single and title track directed, by Len Rosen and shot by cinematographer Alen Kajtezovic [this video is an extended version of the album version of the song with a beautiful piano breakdown in it, performed by Artin]. A second video is on the way to honor the Sexual Assault Awareness Month of April, featuring another song from the album “Take Back the Night.”
“The video has been ready to go for the last six months, but I am waiting for the right time to release it. April seems like it would be perfect. The song and video is my #metoo story from my teen years,” Artin said.
“I was a teacher for over 20 years in special education, and I started off on this journey with my wife buying me a guitar, saying ‘here, play – I love the way you sing,’ Artin said. “This was before my children were born. I have a classical background, so I was already musically inclined before I started to sing and play guitar. I played farmers markets because I wanted to teach my kids to do what they love in life. As I got better, I started writing my own music. I opened for Kenny Logins, Air Supply and Melissa Manchester with my trio, and I still have those bandmates. The percussionist Oliver C. Brown is an original member of KC and the Sunshine Band. He introduced me to my producer Nils Jiptner, a smooth jazz phenomenon. His stuff is number 1 on the Billboard charts right now. He has a secret heart for rock and roll, and that is what my style is, a modern classic rock style.He plays guitar for me [and synths].” The rest of the band includes; Donnell Spencer Jr. [live show] drums, Eric Valentine [on album] drums, Derrick Elliot on bass, and Adam Peri on keyboards.
Now that the album is out, Artin is on the promotion trail.
“I don’t have a record label, everything that I do now I am self-promoting, I wrote all the music, all the lyrics. In the meantime, I am also a vocal coach, ( Vocal Life Lessons), which paid for the album.. I landed a live Wednesday night residency at Primo Italia in Torrance. I will be playing at Sainte Rock in Hermosa Beach on April 26, opening for Cari Morin w/Kapali Long, I will also perform at The Lighthouse Café in Hermosa on July 6.”
Heaven in Hell, kicks off with “Addicted to You,” which is introduced by a lovely rockin’ blues guitar riff thatsets the tone for this passionate affair. She said her influences are Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Heart, Cher and Tina Turner, and it is easy to hear that she’s synthesized elements of these great artists into her own work. Much of her music is inspired by her “amazing wife.” Ana. their passion is plainly and enthusiastically reflected in this collection of songs.
Highlights include “My Eyes,” which breaks up the previous rockers, slowing the tempo down to a nice torch-like pace; “Hold On,” an upper, mid-tempo lament with fabulous percussion and sweet-sounding acoustic guitar passages underneath the electric excursions, and Artin’s soaring vocals; ditto on the guitar parts for “Showtime,” where “spreads her wings and flies.” There are nice drum fills in there too. The title track “Heaven in Hell” begins with a tribal beat and a sultry vocal, building into a ballsy rocker.
This is an expertly produced and performed collection of 13 songs. Given her natural talent, passion and execution, this writer would like to hear a more stripped down and organic approach on some of these tracks, something not recommended for lesser talents.However, this presentation is most likely more effective to her listening audience demographic and for the live venues she books.
Upcoming performances:
Wednesday night residency [6-9 PM] at Primo Italia in Torrance
Saint Rock in Hermosa Beach on April 26, opening for Cari Morin w/Kapali Long
The Lighthouse Café in Hermosa on July 6