Album Review: My Bigfoot Life (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

 

My Bigfoot Life (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

By

Various Artists

 

I have decided to change direction with this review and look at something a little different. I have never had the chance to review a soundtrack yet and so this is going to a big departure from my normal work.

Now to fully understand how this soundtrack came to my attention, I have to give you a little background. So, sit back and make yourself comfortable.

Back in 2024, and quite out of the blue, I got a message asking if I would like to give a talk at a Cryptozoology conference being held in Bridgewater, Somerset UK, not far from where I live. The request came from a Daniel Lee Barnett and when I jumped on a live video chat with him, I was surprised to be talking to Daniel and his Nan, Jill. Daniel a young autistic guy in his mid-teens from Bridgewater in Somerset and has made a name for himself in the Cryptozoology world with some amazing research he has conducted here in the UK. Now Daniel was given my name by my good friend Jon Downes, who runs the Centre for Fortean Zoology and Gonzo Weekly; and as you know, Gonzo has also been running my reviews for some time too, see the link forming here…

Now, as I have had an interest in the paranormal and Fortean subjects such as Cryptozoology for over forty years, I decided this was a good opportunity, even though I had not done any public speaking in over eight years. In the run up to the conference I did some research on Daniel an discovered he had his own Podcast (which I have had the pleasure of being interviewed on too) and a book published about his journey titled My Bigfoot Life (Which is an interesting read too - CFZ Publishing), this was also being made into a documentary movie of the same name.

Now I am not going to go into the details of Daniel’s research here but, I’m fast forwarding to this year and Daniel’s third Cryptid Conference UK. This time I had been asked to be the official photographer for the event, where I got to meet some amazing researchers, people and Daniel’s family who are an amazing bunch who support him at every turn. I was lucky enough to get to see an advanced screening of the movie, and of course here the emotive music that forms the backdrop to that movie.

My Bigfoot life is not a movie that is just about one young man’s research or interest in the Cryptozoology world, it is far more than that. This film takes you on a deeply moving journey through Daniel’s life and the struggles of Neurodiversity and how that affects both him and his family. It shows how sitting and watching a Bigfoot related TV show with is grandfather piqued his interest and brought him out of his shell. The shows how he found a new family within the Bigfoot community and how there are some good and bad people within any community but, how the strength of will, support of good people and family, can overcome any obstacle. The depth of the emotion in the delivery of this documentary is truly touching and something I was able to appreciate as both a father and a researcher, especially as I have my own neurodivergent challenges as do my children.

After all this, it made sense to me to listen to and review the soundtrack and give you my thoughts and feelings, as that is what music is about.

Much of the soundtrack is written by a local artist Stephanie Jayne, alongside one track with her group St.Fian. There are also contributions by composer Simon Paul Newton and a track by Bigfoot researcher Brian King Sharp and John Harwell, and the soundtrack comprises of both sung and instrumental tracks.

So, please join me on a review journey that is very different from what has come before…

 

We begin our journey with Sailing (Family), a track which features in several different versions across the album, but this first version has a very emotive tone that focuses more on Stephanie’s etheric vocals, backed by deep strings that has this touching energy that allows you to connect to many aspects of the family life. You can really relate here to the how a family copes with life with an autistic child and how they adapt to that and how love and developing the family unit becomes central to life. There is also the aspect of how the extended family grows and deepens, coming together to support someone in their darkest moments. It even touches you when you consider your own place in the family unit and how that affects those around you as you all navigate through life. As you feel all of this, you consider the lyrics which seem to parallel those thoughts, speaking of navigating the often troubled waters of life around you as you grow and walk forward in life. Next, we have the title track of the album, My Bigfoot Life, this is a mainly instrumental track that mixes etheric vocals elements with drums and strings to create another deeply moving sound. The drums create this sound which puts me in mind of listening to native American drumming but, mixing that with the vocal elements allows you to close your eyes and drift into a meditative state that can take you anywhere. You can transport yourself to the forests of North America or perhaps the Quantock Hills of Somerset, where Daniel often goes with his Nan, family, or close friends, the likes of Ryan RPG Golembeske, Gwendolyn Purcell, Chris Allsford, DJ Brewster, Brian King Sharp, Craig and Emma Dowsett. These forest settings are places where you can lose yourself, come away from digital age of modern life and get back to true nature and experience things that were meant to be experienced, like the beauty, peace, and the sounds of the natural life around you, Bigfoot just happens to fit into that….

Mythical Legend once again mixes deep emotive soundscapes with Stephanie’s etheric vocal elements. The drumming takes on a different edge and is complimented once more by string sounds. As this one glides through your awareness it can take you anywhere but, what is important to note here is that as Daniel’s journey into Bigfoot brought him more out of himself, it allowed him to find his voice, he had selective mutism in hid younger years, and he created the Mythical Legends Podcast, where he interviewed some big names in the Cryptid world alongside his Nan, Jill, Chris Allsford, and other guest presenters. He even interviewed this guy called Steve about being a paranormal researcher. But this track really fits with how that all came together and the emotive nature of how one young man was able to find a voice on a subject which he has so much passion about. This is followed up by the first track from composer Simon Paul Newton, Daniel’s Theme. Now listening to this you might think that it is difficult to put fifteen years of someone’s life into around seven minutes of music but, Simon does just that. As the piano elements build, you can feel the emotions that come from birth, through the challenges of early life and on towards adulthood. When you consider the challenges that Daniel has faced to this point, the motional nature of this track not only becomes apparent but, it touches your heart, deeply. But, there is also light vibe to this track that lets you feel the challenging nature of life while also understanding that there is a brighter side, and that brighter side what can be achieved when you find that spark inside of yourself, it pushes you forward while touching and encompassing those around you and all those you meet along the way.

Sailing (Troubled Emotions) is the second version of this track on the album and this one is almost accapella, which has this haunting quality to it. This song does look at the turbulent nature of life for all of us and how we seek to find the safety from the anxieties and pressures of life. Here that works so well as a focus for a particularly touching part of the documentary. Daniel was the subject of some unsavoury actions from someone considered to be a friend. Those actions and even some treats that were levelled at him, deeply affected him for a planned trip to the USA, and the emotionally haunting nature of this track perfectly reflects those moments. But we all know that those who perpetrate such actions can never hold back the strength of positive energy and the love of those who stand strong beside you and Daniel was able to overcome those times and then help to create something new, the Legend Seekers. Here the sound is one that is reminiscent of Clannad as Stephanie sings of searching for secrets which hidden, misunderstood, or even yet to be discovered, and this is what the venture Daniel is creating is all about. Working alongside Ryan RPG Golembeske (Finding Bigfoot, Expedition Bigfoot, Outkast Paranormal), Chris Allsford, Craig Barnett (Daniels Dad), Craig Dowsett (Winnie the Pooh Blood and Honey), Gwendolyn Purcell (Strange Knocks Magazine, Got Knockers, Cryptid Collective), DJ Brewster (Alaskan Killer Bigfoot), and others to form Legend Seekers, a new TV show that will see the team investigating high strangeness from the UK to the US and back again. This track perfectly mirrors what the show is all about and what the team will look to achieve. Keep watch for this series, coming to screen near you in the not-too-distant future.

Sailing (Away) the next version of this track brings the sounds of the ocean to bear, mixing with the emotive musical sound. This gives you the sense of Daniel overcoming his struggles and finally being able to cross those troubled waters and make the next stage of his journey over to the US to continue his journey alongside those closest to him, for new adventures and new friendships. This track might have a deep edge to the sound, one that some might find dark but, you have to see the dark to see and feel the light and that is kind of how this one feels. It’s like travelling the tunnel to reach out and grab that light at the end, bringing it to you because you know you going to get there. Searching finds us musically transported to the pacific northwest to take a trip alongside Daniel, his family and friends, into the deep forests to look for evidence of the one thing that has fascinated Daniel for years. The deep nature of the sound from the drum elements to the string elements give you an aural taste of what it would be like to walk the pitch black forests, with all your senses on high alert for every sound or faintest of movement in the moonlight. This is one of those you just have to sit back and feel and drink in that folk soundtrack sound.

Life Going By is track from Bigfoot researcher Brian King Sharp, which is composed by John Harwell. The sound of this one is just Acoustic guitar that carries you through the track but, that sound has just as much impact as Brian’s words. The message behind Brian’s words here, if I’m right, is to live your live to the fullest and not to just let things pass you by. There are moments in all our lives we wish we had have grabbed with both hands and made the most of them and this is what is at the core of this song, see those moments for what they are and grab them, making the most of each and every one of those moments, because of you let them pass you by, you’ll always regret it. Next, we have the original version of Sailing by St.Fian. Here you can feel that folk sound from the guitar and drum. As you listen to Stephanie’s angelic vocals you really get the sense that what this song is saying is that wherever you go to in search of what life has to offer, you will always have a home, a place to feel welcome and safe, and that is something that seems to be an unconscious message in the documentary, Daniel may go off in search of the unknown but, there is always a place for him and those around him to feel safe and nurtured, and that is something we all need, no matter where we go to.

The penultimate track of the album is Transcending from Simon Paul Newton. There is something about piano music that has a deeply emotive aspect to it, and here Simon does another stunning job of bringing a sound that is perfectly uplifting in an emotional way. This track, if you allow it to do so, will take you to a place where you feel the power in transcending the challenges and hurdles that life puts in your way. Finding your passion can help you do that, you might have many interests and hobbies along the way but, you will find something that will speak to you and take your heart to all the right places, and that is your passion. My Bigfoot Life shows how Daniel was able to overcome some of the biggest hurdles in life by finding his passion, you can do that too. The soundtrack finishes with Sailing (Instrumental). This is the instrumental of the original version by St.Fian. As you listen to this it’s like you are given a moment of reflection; just to reflect on what you have heard or seen. The nature of water means that it can reflect light and has an almost mirror like effect at times, no matter how turbulent it might be. We also have so much to be thankful for with water; we drink it to stay healthy, we can swim in it, and travel across it. So, it is no wonder why we see so many ways that life is like water, as it makes its way from source to the sea. Water is soft and yet it can be such a powerful force, it can also be so peaceful as it meanders it way across the land. Water is also like out emotions, so the next time you see how water behaves in different moments, think of how your own emotions behave too. When you finally get to see this documentary, remember that and see how you feel…

 

Daniel Lee Barnett, Steve Rider and Ryan 'RPG' Golembeske ©Infinite Images 2025

With a soundtrack, it is often hard to sum it up as a whole because it is there to reflect a multitude of emotional states from start to finish. The soundtrack to My Bigfoot Life is no different however, it conveys those emotions across to you without using extremes of musical expression that knock you from one extreme to the next, here it is all done in very subtle ways that allow you to feel everything on a very deep level. So, as a soundtrack of music it has this mixture of classic soundtrack style music with both instrumental and vocal tracks but, it also works well as a mix of folk and relaxing music that you can simply sit and chill to, some even have that meditative nature to them. What will really bring home the nature of this soundtrack, is when you get to hear it alongside the actual documentary movie, then the full impact of it can be truly realised.

I get that not everyone will like this style of music and that is perfectly ok, but even if sitting and listening to the soundtrack is not your thing, once you experience it with the documentary, it might just change your mind.

For me, having experienced the documentary and now listening to the soundtrack, it has touched me in many ways. I could sit and listen to this while contemplating my own mental health struggles or thinking of the memories I have of loved ones who have passed or are still here with me. It really does have the strength of musical content to take you to a great many places, regardless of your musical tastes. I have said it a number of times, I love instrumental music as it can take me to so many places, and the My Bigfoot Life soundtrack definitely has those moments; moments that can bring smiles and tears, that’s the true power of music, especially when matched with the right visuals.

The My Bigfoot Life Official Movie Soundtrack is available now to stream of download.

My Bigfoot Life Documentary is coming soon from M & M Film Productions.

I give my Thanks to everyone I have mentioned in this review, all of whom I have met personally and am grateful to call friends, and I wish them all the very best, hope to see you all again soon.

My huge thanks to Daniel, if you had not asked to do that talk, this would not be happening. All strength to you buddy and keep up the incredible work.

Have a good one all and I’ll see you again soon.

Steve

LINKS

Get a copy of the Soundtrack Here:

Apple Music

https://music.apple.com/gb/album/my-bigfoot-life-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1818738998

Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/music/player/albums/

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/playlist

 

Mythical Legends:

A podcast that you need to check out if you enjoy fortean subjects.

https://www.youtube.com/@MythicalLegends282

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/5503606043060781

https://www.instagram.com/mythicallegendspodcast/

M and M Film Productions:

https://www.mandmfilmproductions.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/mandmfilmpro/

https://www.facebook.com/mandmfilmproductions

Cryptid Conference UK:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555469340942

Summit View Studios:

This is not something I mention in the review but, it is a new venture Daniel is a part of and worth keeping a watch on regarding the Legend Seekers and much more.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555469340942

Booking:

For more information on booking Daniel, please contact C.E.D Talent Agency.

Email: cdproductionscompany@gmail.com

https://www.instagram.com/c.e.d_talent/

Stephanie Jayne and St.Fian:

https://www.instagram.com/st.fian/

https://www.instagram.com/stephaniejaynemusic/

 

EP Review: Smoke On The Water by Joe Blow

 

Smoke On The Water

By

Joe Blow

 

Smoke on the Water is a six track EP that was released back at the beginning of May this year through Veteran Records. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I have had to delay the review until now.

Joe Blow is a veteran of the South Wales Underground and an emcee, producer and DJ. Smoke On The Water sees him teaming up with legendary Cardiff producer AckoBeatzuk, who produces the project, and the equally legendary DJ Jaffa, who provides all the cuts and scratching. Just looking at that line-up makes you want to stop everything and hit play.

This review will be the first time I have featured Joe Blow on his own solo project. However, I did feature him as a guest on 4Dee’sShots Fired album from 2023. Joe had a very early introduction to music as his mother would put a radio under his pram as a baby to help him sleep. Later he would play records from his brothers’ collection, on his brothers’ turntable while he was out, and would still do the same but, on his own turntable once he had one. In fact, it was discovering the 12 inch single of RUN DMC’s My Adidas, that would influence Joe’s musical tastes and dress code from that moment onwards. Later, Joe would go on to form the group Undecorated Veteranz, alongside 4DEE and the late DJ Stagga. Now, with over thirty years in the game Joe Blow is looking to cement his place in Hip Hop history…

 

The EP kicks off with Break Away where strings take the forefront, with a sprinkle of horns, over the solid head nod beat. This creates this vibe that brings feelings of summer days and sun filled winter getaways. Here Joe cleverly spins stories that are full of retrospective insights that speak of the situations and people you have to break away from in order to walk forward in life and your career. This is something that we can all associated with as we look back on our lives. There is a lot here that speaks on making the most of your life and always walking forward even if there are things and those you have to leave behind to do that, never let yourself get held back. Ride or Die sees the drums softened into the background as guitar and horn vibes take centre stage. This gives the whole sound a vibe that has that mariachi feel to it. Here that storytelling vibe speaks deeply on connecting with that special someone. A person who is more that just a significant other but, who is your best friend and has your back, no matter the situation. Less of a love story and more of a dedication to a love that runs deep. This is all finished off with some classic cuts from DJ Jaffa. We move into the half-way point of the EP with Super Nova. This one has a heavy guitar sound which gives this one a rock rap sound that tears the speakers open with the force of sun at the end of its life. This one is a platform for Joe Blow to set the stories and messages aside and literally just go all in and drop some insatiable bars that show the quality and intricacy of his wordplay. So, sit back and slap this one on and just bounce to it…

We cross the tipping point easily with Count Of Three where organ notes, guitars and psychedelic vibes merge with banging drum beat to give us the kinda sound that transcends the traditional sound of 3D world, taking you places unknown. Here we find Joe letting go of the world around him, not to just spit some sick rhymes but, to open up to the fact that sometimes to find the peace in the world it takes the smoking of a certain plant to aid taking to that place where you can that let go of reality and darkness in the world and find another place where you can find that peace and write the right rhymes. There is a feint air of the psychedelic vibe on Ten Outta Ten, where the beat is mixed with a harpsichord sound that helps blur the edges of reality once more. Here Joe is laying out all his cards on the table with a dash of braggadocio as he drops bars that tell us exactly what he is all about and how the work that goes into those bars makes that a solid Ten Outta Ten every time, and after listening to this one, I think you’ll agree. The Ep ends with High Noon, this one has a heavy sound that has this sound that seems to invade your mind with needle like sounds that keep you focused on the words while the cuts vibrate those needle like sounds, bringing a sound that is like funk on sci-fi. With this one the get the sense that Joe is basically saying that there comes a time when you have to stand and face what’s in front of you or maybe what’s within you?  Whatever it is that you stand and face, and for whatever the reason is, even if it is for a life of peace, you need to stand and face it for you, because you can’t face it for anyone else. This is his and your high noon, the point that everything has been flowing towards…

 

There is no doubt here that Smoke On The Water is a solid masterclass from Joe Blow. It has everything you could want from witty rhymes to complex wordplay, with polished flows too boot. Joe perfectly demonstrates why he is a veteran in the game. He does not let up or play safe but, gives everything 100%, giving us a release that stand up as one of the best so far this year; and if we are speaking of it being one of the best, then can’t overlook DJ Jaffa on the cut, who always delivers,  or incredible soundscapes from AckoBeatzuk, who has delivered a variety of sounds, all of which are rooted in the Hip Hop sound.

There really is not a whole lot more I can say that what I have already done so but, if you enjoy this one as much as I did then you will find yourself coming away from that with adrenaline buzzing through your veins and a deep desire to listen again while searching through Joe’s back catalogue on Bandcamp to see what else you can sink your ears into. This EP does do that; it makes you want to hear more from all involved. But what it does more than anything is to well and truly cement Joe Blow’s status into the annuls of Hip Hop history, not just in Wales or the UK, but into Hip Hop as a whole. It’s a bold statement I know but, there is just something about that witty, no nonsense style that says he deserves to be there.

So, if you have not heard this one yet, then I humbly advise you to give it a listen now, because you won’t regret it and will probably love it.

My humble thanks go to 4DEE for giving me the chance to bring you this one. Also, a huge sound out to Wordplay Magazine for the insights I gained through their interview with Joe.

 

I’ll see ya next time.

Steve.

LINKS

Get the EP from Bandcamp Here:

https://joeblow1977.bandcamp.com/album/smoke-on-the-water

Joe Blow on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/

Joe Blow on Insta:

https://www.instagram.com/joeblow01/

Smoke On The Water YouTube Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch

VIDEOS

Ride or Die (ft DJ Jaffa)

High Noon (ft DJ Jaffa)

 

 

 

 

Triple Single Review: Boswell Thomas & >ARRO / Jonie D / Unity

 

Singles Reviews

By

Boswell Thomas & >ARRO / Jonie D / Unity

 

As I begin to wind things up for a well earned break, I thought I would treat you to reviews of three singles I have had in recently. Normally I would do each one separately but, there are times when you just have to get these things done and so, here are three hot new singles from across the UK.

 

 

Holdin’ Court

By

Boswell Thomas & >ARRO

 

Holdin’ Court is the debut from the duo of Producer Boswell Thomas and Emcee >ARRO, which is released through the awesome Nuke Fam Records. It was originally released back in April and the first thing to note about this is the solid upbeat feel of this one. Boswell brings this thumpin’ beat over which is this mix of synth vibes which gives the track this sound that has a summer banger feel and raises your positive vibes, it just has one of those feels that you want to bounce to with a broad smile on your face.

>ARRO brings us slick vocals that allow you to hear every word as he drops some solid bars that introduce us to both himself and Boswell. He gives us a deep dive into just who they are, what makes them tick, and what they are here to do in the game. What you get from this is a sense that these guys have been there, maybe set back from the forefront of the UK Hip Hop scene but, that has allowed them the time and space to practice and hone their respective crafts ready to drop this one, just when the time was right, giving us a chance to see that they have the skills to walk-the-walk as well as talking the talk.

Holdin’ Court is a solid debut by Boswell Thomas and >ARRO that is released through one of the UKs top underground labels, the perfect platform to let these guys do their thing and bring the UK some hot new Hip Hop sounds to get us all rockin’.

 

 

Journey

By

Jonie D

 

Jonie D is no stranger to the blog. He is one of the KAOS Crew and featured here with the release of their Over The Iron Bridge album back in March 2024. Jonie D is now back with this single which comes hot on the back of his last solo album SENA (2024). Journey features production from Diaz TowerZ, who also produced a remix album of the KAOS Crews Over The Iron Bridge.

 Diaz TowerZ brings a heavy beat that is backed by this, electronic sound that is almost softened into the background. This creates this sound which has a soulful edge with a vibe that brings a reflective energy to it, carrying you along as you listen intently to the lyrics.

Jonie D gives us a look at how the lives of people can flow in different directions as they navigate the unpredictable nature of the river of live. As you listen to the words, and perhaps even read the lyrics that are there on the Bandcamp page, you realise that these lives could be those of anyone around us, they might even reflect parts of your own lifes journey; and this sets up that reflective edge perfectly, giving you the push to actually sir back and look at where you are now and how you came to be here.

This is one of those tracks that touches you in different ways, as it allows you to just listen and enjoy the flow, or actually allow yourself to get immersed deeply into the words, feeling them as Jonie D expertly weaves intricate and conscious bars that are more than just words alone.

 

 

Ripple

By

Unity

 

I have featured Unity on the blog before, most recently with her EP with Zee Rock, The Witching Tree (2023). Unity is now back with her latest single Ripple. Ripple is the first single from the forthcoming project with Cardiff legend DJ Jaffa ‘Where We Belong’.

DJ Jaffa provides the production and the cuts on Ripple, giving us a chilled out Hip Hop vibe that mixes a solid beat with some mellow guitar vibes. Putting you in mind of warm summer days spent by the sea or walking among the trees as a light breeze takes the edge off the heat that beats down from the sun above.

Unity uses this chilled out vibe to showcase her poetic lyrics that seem to connect with you and put you into dreamy almost meditative state of mind. Her words here speak od a deep connection with nature and really letting the beauty that you see around you, sink into the very essence of your mind, body and soul, feeling how it touches you in different ways letting emotive energy and inspiration flow from deep within. That inspiration is another key factor in the track which also inspires you to connect with your own personal creativity. We all have that within us and its all about feeling those good times, seeing the beauty around us and letting that bring forth our own creative side.

This is something that I can personally associate with after finding my own creative side after being inspired by connecting with myself, music and the people and nature around me here in somerset. So, I know we all have it deep within us as I never thought I had a creative bone in my body. So, you too can find your creative side and see where it takes you.

 

So, there we have three singles, that on the face of it, are very different but, what they show us is the wealth of talent that is across the UK. Although these three tracks seem different in their production, flows and delivery, what they have in common is that each speaks, between the lines maybe, on creativity and a connection with what is in the world around us. That connection might be music, it might be nature, or it might even be how we live our lives and reflect on them but, there is connection there all the same.

This also, for me anyway, shows how music, in this case Hip Hop, can unite us all in a shared love of something that inspires us all in the same way. I say this because it is something that I have always been inspired by within the Hip Hop community, and that is that shared love of this music and culture brings us all together, it does not judge us for who we are, where we are from, or the colour of our skin, and that is something that I find deeply inspiring in a world where we are literally encouraged to be separate from those around us. Remember, we are all the same colour underneath, and we all bleed the same. Think of that as you listen to these tracks.

I will leave it there and just thank The artists for the chance to bring you these singles.

I’ll see you next time.

Steve.

LINKS

Boswell Thomas and >ARRO

Get Holdin' Court Here:

https://ditto.fm/holdin-court

Socials

https://arro-raps.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mrboswellthomas/

https://www.instagram.com/arro.raps/

https://www.instagram.com/nukefamrecords/

https://nukefamrecords.bandcamp.com/

Jonie D

https://jonied.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jonie_d_/

UNITY

Everything Unity Here:

https://linktr.ee/millimagic

https://www.instagram.com/artbyunity/

https://unity9.bandcamp.com/

 

VIDEOS

Ripple - UNITY