Jeff Hartman, a New Jersey singer-songwriter and recording artist, has just released his latest album "Austin Jag". With over 2.5 million streams to date, Hartman has been writing guitar-driven, soulful soft-rock ballads for over thirty years, incorporating Spanish lyrics into some of his releases. Raised in a musical family, Hartman met his mentor, Philadelphia rhythm and blues legend Joe Jefferson, by chance on the tennis court while working as an English and Spanish teacher and tennis coach. Together, they collaborated on the tracks "Young Love" and "Guilty."

Hartman has over 50 releases under his belt, becoming an internationally recognized songwriter and celebrated recording artist in the soft-rock space. He has worked with Grammy-nominated artists and producers, and many of his singles have hit number one on Spotify's Release Radar from 2020-2023. Two of his singles were finalists in the 2022 International Acoustic Music Awards ("The Judas Tree" and "Retrograde"). Hartman lives with his wife Paula on the Jersey Shore and is currently writing with Kit Worton at Right Touch Studios and Bob Fowler at SSR Recording

Jeff Hartman's latest album, "Austin Jag," has received rave reviews from critics, with many praising his songwriting skills and ability to excel in various genres. 

In the opening track, "Black and Blue," Jeff's signature vocal presence elevates the already strong nature of his lyrics to even greater heights, giving them nuance and delicacy that matches the emotionally charged melodic threads. According to Radioairplay.com, Jeff's approach to writing is one of pure dedication and passion, and "Black and Blue" follows suit with its raw sense of power and emotion.

"Parameters," another standout track on the album, examines the concepts of fidelity, communication, and trust with a bluesy mid-tempo folk-rock arrangement. The soulful organ and rich backing vocals provide Jeff with harmonic support as he delivers a mighty performance. This mature-themed track, along with its retro-inspired sound, makes it a recommended listen for those with a penchant for the acoustic rock of the 1970s.

"Resurrection," on the other hand, is a departure from Jeff's usual folk and electrifying rock styles, taking listeners on a wild and exciting journey into the world of 80s pop-rock ballads. With ambiance-inducing synth layers, soaring vocals, and enough melody to keep ears pleased for days to come, Jeff showcases his dashing creative flair and high level of commitment in yet another lovingly created song.

In "Blackbird," Jeff cranks things up with a soaring lead guitar-soaked rocker that hearkens back to the classic heydays of the genre. Fusing technique-lathered guitar work, memorable anthemic vocals, and a groove-filled Latin edge, "Blackbird" is a highly catchy piece of rock songwriting that will satisfy many a hungry melodic rock enthusiast. According to the critics at Radioairplay.com, Jeff hits the ball way out of the park yet again with this track.

Overall, "Austin Jag" is a testament to Jeff Hartman's immense talent and versatility as a songwriter and musician. With its diverse range of styles and themes, it's no wonder critics are calling him a "songwriting machine" and a "creative wizard."

Author: Adam Bailey

Adam is a regular contributor for established press release distribution website Release-News.com. He writes on a wide range of topics including music.