​In 2020, 'Sonic Departures' was his ninth studio album. So now there is 'Everything Now', on Solid Blues Records label, distributed by Stony Plain. JW co-wrote the songs with Canadian legends Dick Cooper and Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar), who also produced the album. This is flawless original roots and blues music, with a variety of exciting grooves, emotional feelings and a lot of personal lyrics. This is a snapshot of who JW is as a person, and where he is now as an artist. The release  'Everything Now' contains a lot of musical heavyweights with artists such as the legendary Jimmie Vaughan, The Texas Horns, guitarist Rob McNelley, various drummers such as Jason Corbiere, Stanton Moore and Aaron Sterling. JW also explored previously uncharted sonic territory with a string ensemble, with the exception of "To Tell You the Truth." (I Song). Highly recommended! 

​In America, the 1950s caused a serious upheaval. The growing prosperity, the presence of large car factories and the great distances to be covered made the car extremely successful. This was also the case with young people, because what could be more fun than cruising along the highways, driving into the sunset or enjoying a 'drive-in movie' in a luxurious shiny car. The cars of that time had enormous dimensions, often with immense wings at the back and with 8 cylinder engines, consumption of a liter more or less was not considered. A very different time than with the restrictions currently imposed. The feeling of freedom and the desire for adventure prevailed among the young people. Of course, all this also inspired the music. Artists themselves were often obsessed with the new means of transport and composed songs about it, which provided the whole with a suitable soundtrack.
The German Bear Family now bundled 33 songs recorded between 1950 and 1963, all of which have to do with cars. A large number of the recordings bundled here can be classified as rock 'n' roll and rockabilly, but there is more. The album opens with 'See The U.S.A. In Your Chevrolet' by Dinah Shore. The song served for a promotional spot for Chevrolet in 1950. More female work will follow later by Linda Laurie and 'Soupin' Up Your Motor'.
Classy Gene Vincent is featured twice. The first time with 'Cruisin' and later again with 'Why Don't You People Learn How To Drive'. Hayden Thompson is also no stranger. He rocks with verve through 'Fairlane Rock'. Another notable rock song is Jimmy Carroll's "Big Green Car." The man only made one single, but what kind of one. By the way, Bucky & Premieres also impress with 'Cruisin', rock 'n' roll at the top level.
The car and everything related to it also received the necessary attention in the rhythm & blues. Al Brown & His Tunetoppers show that in their version of the classic 'Route 66', while Clarence 'Bonton' Garlow and his orchestra opt for 'Route 90'. Chuck Willis sends his 'Keep A-Driving' more towards the blues and 'Riding In The Moonlight' by Howlin 'Wolf is also a winner in that genre.
You can listen to instrumental rock 'n' roll via 'Freeway U.S.A.' by The Bonnevilles.
Vocal doo-wop toppers come with The Premiers and 'Jolene', 'The Drive-In' by The Aquatones, The Spaniels with 'Automobiles' and 'Flat Tire' by The Del Vikings.
Beautiful harmony vocals can also be found in the slow 'Tail Light' by Sammy Hagan & The Viscounts and certainly in 'Nine More Miles, The Faster 'Faster' Song' by Georgie Young and The Rockin' Bocs who slowly but surely increase the tempo .
Rather fun is 'Sunday Driving' by actor Jerry Lewis with Billy May and his orchestra.
True to tradition, you will receive all information about the songs and artists in the enclosed booklet.
With 'Destination Freeway' Bear Family adds a beautiful album to the series. Considering the high costs or the impact on the environment, you prefer to leave the car aside, no problem because 'Destination Freeway' provides listening pleasure under all circumstances.

​David Deacon. Blues and Roots music attached to a 6’5” rangy and rugged looking guy. He has a voice that sounds like it could have an atomic decay number attached to it. His bluesy, old-school rock/ballad storytelling spends time digging into the psyche of both someone who has travelled a lot of roads and the people who he met along the way. Enjoy! 

Now the band Ticket West and Greg Izor found a collaboration for the release 'Chucufu'. In the summer of 2022, they dived together with Greg Izor, into the Utrechtse Vuurland Studio. The result is an exciting EP with seven original and divergent numbers. Ticket West signs for the accompaniment, with Peter ten Wolde on the drums this time. Hopefully this won't be a one-time project.

​So now there is the long awaited release 'In The Key Of Sorry'. A collection of thirteen original songs written and performed by Pat McDougall, produced by McDougall and Jimi Bott and released on the Roseleaf Recording label. Pat received backing from band members Ed Pierce, Whit Draper and Jim Solberg, just as there were a lot of special guests in the studio. Pat McDougall’s piano arrangements are the common thread through the songs, songs where Pat is supported by a series of handsome and exciting guitarists. Highly recommended! 

​You will be surprised by listening to the ‘tugabeat’ of the Portugese band Retimbrar.  Lively songs and beats of old traditionals turned into popular music.

​Gaye Adegbalola is widely known as the founding member of Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women (1984 - 2009) - An outspoken Feminist, she has also been a successful solo artist for decades.’Satisfied’ is her anthology, includes selections from nine of her solo projects. Of the 20 selections, 15 are Gaye originals, all delivering messages of freedom and empowerment, all wrapped in her trademark wit and wisdom. This release is a composite of Gaye's life's work and is dedicated to those classic blues women who birthed her.

​The names Richard Kersten and Marcus Ghoreischian probably won't ring a bell. For fans of the Liverpool band The Beatles, this could well change with this album released on vinyl.
Richard Kersten was born in Newcastle to a British mother and a German father. At the age of eleven, the family moved to Frankfurt am Main. Through the American radio station AFN, Richard came into contact with rock and roll and later with The Beatles. This foursome would not let go of him, so that he played in a Beatles revival band for a while. Blindly replaying Beatles songs really didn't give him the expected satisfaction. He wanted to go further, write his own songs in the Beatles spirit and record them with modern studio techniques. That plan stayed in the fridge for a while until Richard talked about it with his friend and drummer Marcus Ghoreischian at some point. The main thing was that they would not include copies of the Fab Four's masterpieces. The duo did try to imagine what John, Paul, George and Ringo would have done had they been given access to today's sophisticated recording techniques. With that in mind, the duo started composing. That led to the 11 tracks on this vinyl release. Tracks that were already recorded in 2005 and 2006, but at the time were only available via a private and limited edition of 200 CDs. The Bear Family label now offers these recordings on a 180 gram vinyl edition, including gatefold sleeve, lyrics, photos and memories of Richard. In addition, you will also receive the album on CD as a bonus.
The duo was inspired by the work that The Beatles recorded in the late 1960s. For this album, the two were assisted on bass, guitar and keyboards by the late Robby Matthes, Glenn Turner and Frederik Faint respectively. The duo has used the sound, the instruments used and the effects typical for the Fab Four with expertise, to give their own compositions the overwhelming Beatles atmosphere. That all this was not only done with knowledge, but also with a huge dose of enthusiasm, becomes immediately clear in opener 'Sippin' Lemonade In The Sunshine'. Song bathed in a psychedelic atmosphere and also beautifully highlights the superior resemblance to the voices of the Liverpool foursome. Super beautiful is also the dreamy 'It All Equals In The End' that could just as well have flowed from Lennon's pen. Side 1 closes with the uptempo 'Picture On My Wall', which secretly also winks a bit at the early Beatles.
On side 2, 'Some Day' immediately stands out, which is reminiscent of the work of George Harrison. The strange, but very handsome 'Just Like Me' certainly wouldn't have looked out of place on 'Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band'. The duo close as they started, psychedelic with 'It's Been A Long Time'.
If you have all the Beatles' work in your record collection, don't hesitate to place this album by Richard Kersten & Marcus Ghoreischian close to it. 'Inspired By The Beatles' just deserves it.

The follow-up to his multiple award-winning, critically-acclaimed 2021 album, Dear America, Ridin’ is a continuation of the vision that informs Bibb’s artistry as a modern-day Blues troubadour. Grounded in the folk and blues tradition with contemporary sensibilities, Bibb’s music continues to reflect his thoughts on current world events and his own lived experiences, whilst remaining entertaining, uplifting, inspirational and relevant. 

​Interpretations  of Nano Peylet’s dedications  in the Jiddish and Klezmer culture. Strong album!

With 'Hey Doll Baby' we are already at the penultimate release from the 'More Boss Black Rockers' series. For the title track, compiler Little Victor consulted The Clovers, who recorded this uptempo doo-wop song in 1956 for the Atlantic label. Before we get to them, K.C. Mojo Watson rocking out wildly with 'Love Blood Hound'. Swinging, rocking and doo-wopping, The Cues then continue with the catchy 'Why'. A bluesy feel characterizes 'Can't This Be Mine' by Freddie Hall. Billy Tate certainly provides a New Orleans rhythm & blues feeling in 'Right From Wrong'. Straightforward rocking is right up the street of Eddie Daniels. 'Playin' Hide Go Seek' is more than a good example of this. An instrumental highlight is 'Lovers Satelite' by The Duals, which connects the feeling of space with the surf sound. Vocal groups in the fifties could boast of sublime harmony singing. The same goes for The Hollywood Flames and their 'Much Too Much'. "Bony Moroney" is a song that has been covered countless times. Here you get the rocking version of Doug Fowlkes and The Airedales. 'A Rockin' Good Way' is another classic that has been provided with its own version by many artists. Odessa Harris successfully sinks her teeth into the song here. The Emenators know all about too much booze. In addition, it provided them with inspiration for the handsome doo-wopper 'I Had A Little Too Much'. Authentic rocking is done by Pork Chops in 'I Wanna See My Lovin' Baby', a song from 1957. Things are a bit wilder with Don and Dewey in 'Jungle Hop'. Moments later, 'Yes, I'm Gonna Love You', a hell of a rocking rhythm & blues by Sonny Anderson, blasts through the speakers.
For a somewhat popcorn song you can go to 'Misery' by The Dynamics.
Well-known names are represented by, among others, Huey 'Piano' Smith who draws a present in his well-known style with 'Little Chicken Wah Wah' and Big Joe Turner who follows the trail of his well-known hits with 'I Need A Girl'. You can also immediately recognize Jackie Wilson by his formidable voice. He recorded 'Come Back To Me' in 1958 together with the orchestra of Milton Delugg. Fats Domino can complete the list of well-known artists with 'Little Mary', which traditionally also contains traces of New Orleans rhythm & blues.
Volume 9 in the 'More Boss Black Rockers' series is another hit. The tenth and final volume in this formidable series will be released next month. Could KokoMojo plan an eventual 'Even More Boss Black Rockers' series? Let’s hope so!

​This entry in Bob Corritore’s ‘From The Vaults’ series focuses on the rich sound of Chicago blues. The fourteen tracks contained within are all previously unreleased gems recorded over a thirty year span (1992 to 2022) and feature some of the greatest legends of the Windy City! Bob Corritore’s deep Chicago blues upbringing led to the connections and harmonica playing that make this album resonate. Please enjoy this beautifully crafted powerful dose of real Chicago blues! Featured artists include Bo Diddley, Jimmy Rogers, Koko Taylor, Magic Slim, Sam Lay, Pinetop Perkins, Chico Chism, Luther Tucker, John Brim, Eddy Clearwater, John Primer, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Lil’ Ed, Bob Reidy, Manuel Arrington, and Eddie Taylor, Jr.

​A Polish string quintet on speed!  You’ll be carried away to a swinging and melancholic world.

​Black Bottle Riot, the Dutch rock band known for their high-energy performances and soulful lyrics, is set to release their upcoming album titled ‘That’s Amore’. On their fifth studio album to date, the love for soul and the warmth of analogue sound is combined with deeply rooted influences from rock and blues. With 'That's Amore', the band has managed to capture the live feeling on record thanks to self-imposed restrictions. With their new album they once again show that they know how to innovate and develop themselves again and again, without forgetting their roots: blues, soul and rock & roll! 

​‘Connections’ is the newest CD from the legendary keyboardist Bruce Katz and his dynamic band. Recorded at famed Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia, this album includes ten new original tunes that explore the connections between Bruce’s many influences: Blues, New Orleans R&B, Jam Blues, Soul-Jazz, and Blues Rock. 

​Soft and gentle piano works inspired by his childhood and some influential artists.  What are you waiting for to examine your own soul?

​Walk That Walk has served as the Boston-area touring band for two Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall-of-Fame inductees — Bo Diddley and Johnnie Johnson, the co-writer and pianist in Chuck Berry’s legendary combo. As one of the premier bands on the Boston music scene – Walk That Walk is an east-coast phenomenon, but its Midwestern roots run deep.

​The seven compositions are contemporary jazz and world music with a lot of Middle Eastern influences. Yamen blends western and eastern sounds with his trumpet, just as Otto provides the necessary depth on his self-assembled double bass. Maris then creates a zigneresque atmosphere with his accordion.

​Three years after the release of his critically acclaimed album 'Salone', which simply means Sierra Leone in the Krio language, Bai Kamara Jr returns with the release 'Traveling Medicine Man', a collection of thirteen stunning tracks that portray his afro-blues . In his unique and unrivaled style, Bai creates an evocative way to narrate his indemnity. A bonification of love, relationships and even provocative politics. ‘Traveling Medicine Man’ is the continuation of his introspective journey through his roots. The title is inspired by his maternal grandfather Tinka Tanner Kargbo, born in 1901 in the northern province of Sierra Leone. Bai went into the studio with his band, The Voodoo Sniffers, to record this album. A crazy bunch of exceptional musicians. Those who contributed to Bai's unique and evolving sound. With a percussive character in the affect of the arrangements, his rootsy blues is again spiced up with an afro vibe. Bai Kamara Jr. opens here with the swinging song  'Shake It, Shake It, Shake It'. The blues sound immediately shifts to its habitat, Africa. There, where the transatlantic slave trade from Africa to America took place. And also the beautiful 'Surrounded' can be classified under this music style. The mesmerizing single 'Good, Good Man' is seeded with its acoustic strings. It is therefore not surprising that his blues seep through all the musical notes and sounds of Africa and Sierra Leone. Highly recommended release! 

​If you never heard of Gecko Turner, don’t be ashamed.  But it’s never too late to enjoy his soulful music.

As ‘sunshine pop’ is usually associated with the US and more particularly with sunny California, Cherry Red compiled a 3CD box with over four hours of music to sustain the thesis that “it was always an international phenomenon” and that Britain’s contribution is well worth exploring. Any assessment should, however, keep in mind that ‘sunshine pop’ is a retrospective qualification. Moreover, ‘sunshine pop’ should not be confused with Flower Power, even if the themes are similar (sun, flowers, dreams, clouds, bright colours …) and some songs are given a slight psychedelic touch.  
Several categories should be distinguished here.
First of all, the likes of Tony Rivers and John Carter simply continued to do what they’d done best: write, sing and produce high-quality light pop, rain or shine: you can’t go wrong with Harmony Grass, The Flower Pot Men or Friends.
Second, quite some famous artists jumped on the bandwagon, stressing the flower power side of the genre with varying results: Pet Clark’s ‘Colour My World’ is a great song, but the tunes by Herman’s Hermits, The Tremeloes and Jonathan King are substandard and none of them relate to the genre anyway. Third and most importantly: the artists that embraced the genre and put out some great, authentic songs, like Warm Sounds, Pinkerton’s Colours, The Californians, Design and West Coast Consortium. Fourth and last, a wide range of unknowns who may have tried hard but rarely score above average.
My advice would be simple: if you like light pop music, forget the ‘sunshine’ label and explore this set while reading the illustrated and informative booklet. After all, any unplanned trip yields its surprises.
Radio 68  plays choice tracks on Wednesday 10 May from 11 a.m. onwards (GMT). 

​Motel Mississippi follows 2020's Soul Service, produced by another regular collaborator, Southern Avenue's Ori Naftaly. This followed two volumes of Tony Holiday's Porch Sessions, which saw Holiday traveling across the United States and throughout Europe recording blues musicians on their very own front porches, in front of juke joints, in the countryside, and even on the front stoops of raucous night spots in bustling cities, resulting in two critically acclaimed albums. 

Georgie Fame, born Clive Powell (Leigh, England, 1943), was fascinated by American jazz, soul, R&B, blues and even country from the 1950s till the early 1960s. From that enormous and almost unknown catalogue this side of the Atlantic, Fame hand-picked the more obscure tunes to broaden his swinging repertoire. The bebop soul-jazz sound of ‘Yeh Yeh’ shot straight to the top of the charts and Georgie Fame & his Blue Flames went on to record swinging and danceable tunes written or performed by the likes of Willie Dixon, Willie Nelson, Sam Cooke, Don Covay and Marvin Gaye – adding a slow song or two for good measure, such as Billy Stewart’s ‘Sitting in the Park’. Fame’s brass-heavy arrangements, his particular voice and jazz-influenced phrasing, and his mastery of the piano and the Hammond, yielded a unique sound that still sounds fresh today. 
BGO Records put three re-mastered long-players from 1965, 1966 and 1967 on two CDs, adding nine bonus tracks (two early singles and five more b sides).  The booklet provides an insight into Fame’s music and gives details of every song.
Radio 68  plays choice tracks on Sunday 7 & Tuesday 9 May, from 11 a.m. (GMT) onwards. 

​It will come as no surprise to anyone that 'Sharing The Blues' is not just another weekday blues album. 'Sharing The Blues' is above all more than this, which Bruno and Kathleen can also credit. After all, Bruno and Kathleen have already proven many times that they were in the front row when talent and musicianship were divided. Various music genres hold no secrets for this duo. Anyway, why is 'Sharing The Blues' not a blues album as we know the albums released under this name? Well, starting from the ancient blues basis, Bruno and Kathleen enrich it with their personal knowledge and twist, so that 11 powerful, surprising, but above all great songs are created. You can immediately hear that their voices blend beautifully in opener, 'So In Love With You', including a wonderful solo on the electric guitar by Bruno. The duo immediately set the bar very high. Heavenly harmony vocals also characterize the wonderfully relaxed 'Now My Lighthouse Is Gone', which clearly puts the blues base at the forefront. It is no news that both Bruno and Kathleen are also vocally strong on their own. Kathleen shows this with verve in 'How Broken Can A Heart Be', a high-level ballad. 'Reach For My Arms' contains a superior 'funky feel', with Kathleen again taking care of the vocals. A little later she puts a firm dose of soul in 'Drifting', adorned with a formidable solo on the acoustic guitar. Bruno also returns with 'Moonlight'. Together with Kathleen, the two provide the infectious uptempo 'Moonlight'. Bruno's dark voice matches sublimely with Kathleen's emotional vocals in 'Somewhere Down The Line'. From a somewhat blues rock keg they tap successor 'The Blues', which they also do with knowledge of business. The album closes with the title track, in which the two once again show that they click both instrumentally and vocally.
With 11 original, excellently arranged songs and supported by Carlo Van Belleghem on bass and Marcus Weymaere behind the drums, Deneckere and Vandenhoudt deliver a pearl of an album with 'Sharing The Blues' that exudes international class.