-Eric Schuurmans (Belgium)

MAPLE BLUES MAGAZINE, July 2023 Edition Garnetta Cromwell &  DaGroovmasters is one of resilience, passion, and transformative power of music.  Their songs are not just notes and lyrics; it’s a story, an experience, and a journey through the soulful realms of blues. Their songs are sure to touch your heart and move your spirit.  Don’t miss the chance to be a part of their enthralling musical voyage!!!! 

-Blair Blain (Toronto Blues Society)

It is indeed Garnetta Cromwell’s time to shine!!  Top notch vocals and songwriting combined with impeccable musicianship make Cromwell and her band a welcome addition to today’s blues scene!! -Jon Kleinman

December 2023 #5 on the Rock Doctor’s Hot Wax Review  Every now and then an album comes along that lifts you up and just makes life feel better, and “Time to Shine” is just such a record. This is Garnetta Cromwell’s debut and it’s a lively, soulful adventure with the energy of Gladys Knight and The Jackson Five. The songs are as deep as they are effervescent. 

-John “The Rock Doctor” Keireiff

Issue 17-49 December 21, 2023

 “Time To Shine” is Canadian singer-songwriter Garnetta Cromwell’s debut release and is a very impressive soul/blues/R&B release. The album opens with a swinging tribute to Cromwell’s mother, “Miss Marva Ann”. Autobiographical lyrics are an excellent reflection of what is to be found on the rest of the album. Many of the lyrics on Time to Shine celebrate strong, powerful women! Cromwell is a superb soul-blues singer combining technical virtuosity with deep passion and humanity. Many of the songs have neat earworms of a chorus, for example on the funky “Weekend” or the irresistibly positive tongue-in-cheek “It’s A Woman World”. Time To Shine is a highly enjoyable album. Cromwell is a major talent, and it will be fascinating to see where this path leads her. 

- Rhys “Lightning'” Williams

BLUES CORNER January 18, 2024

Canadian singer-songwriter Garnette Cromwell has an impressive soul/blues/R&B release firmly in her hands. The album contains eight original songs and two well-chosen covers. "Time To Shine" was recorded live with a band consisting of: Toshi Otani (guitar), Mark Howe (bass), Robin Houston (drums), Sabian Crosswell (keyboards) and Juan Arce (tenor saxophone). Together, they are DaGROOVMASTERS. "Time To Shine" offers us an exclusively female brass section, consisting of: Rebecca Hennessy, Colleen Allen, Carrie Chesnutt and Elena Kapeleris. Backing vocalists are Quisha Wint and Selena Evanageline, while producer Ken Whiteley actively participates in the recording and plays guitar, organ and backing vocals. Throughout the album, Ken insisted that no matter what, Garnetta's impressive vocals should be in the foreground, which he used abundantly and literally radiates throughout the album.

These two covers of Ruthie Foster's "Singing The Blues" and James Brown's "Think (About It)" took on a new meaning and took on that sophisticated female perspective.The album is almost entirely very playful and "joyful" only in the last song of the album, "Hey You Girl", where Garnetta sings about a sister, showing how deep a ballad can be regardless of what is being sung about. On the great foundations established by great singing divas like Aretha Franklin, there is always room for development to progress and go one step further! Garnetta uses it in her own way and doesn't care about anyone or anything, but simply moves on!Recommendation''Time To Shine'' by the excellent Garnette Cromwell is an example of a really enjoyable album, the content of which offers really fun and danceable moments and you just have to take advantage of it. There's no doubt, it's clear to all of us that Garnetta Cromwell is truly a magnificent!

- Mladen Loncar