Fuzzy boundaries means in this case: look into the future or drown in nostalgia.  Or both of course!

Outtakes is a retrospective album featuring nine previously unreleased tracks from Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip. This unique collection contains songs, recorded over the years but for various reasons, were left off past albums, capture the band’s evolving sound and dedication to blues-rock excellence.

‘Soft Pillow’ completes the ‘Hi-Strung R & B’ series. True to tradition, this last volume also contains rhythm & blues songs at the highest level. If you own all 10 CDs, you have no less than 280 impressive recordings. Recordings of well-known artists, but also formidable songs by artists who could not penetrate the mainstream. But okay, let us now focus our ears on the very last 28 tracks of this series. ‘Pretty Little Baby’ by Modest ‘Show Stopper’ Clifton is the first to go. Immediately a powerful rhythm & blues. A song that was re-released in 1960 on the obscure Belgian Fast label, which only lasted one year. Clifton is immediately followed by a big name, namely B.B. King with the 1950 recorded ‘Take A Swing With Me’. A swinging track that stands in stark contrast to his later work. In Europe, Jack Hammer managed to attract a large fan base with his ‘The Wiggle’. Here he scores again with the rousing ‘Girl, Girl, Girl’. Another big name is Fats Domino. With ‘Dance With Mr. Domino’ he delivers a beautiful piece of rocking New Orleans rhythm & blues. He wrote the song together with that other legend Dave Bartholomew, who you can also hear on trumpet. Roy Milton was not only a bandleader, but also a drummer and singer. During his career he made a lot of cool recordings. You probably know one of them, ‘Tell It Like It Is’. Jimmie Huff and his orchestra were also a beautiful formation. Enjoy the sublime sax solo in the rocking ‘She’s My Baby’. The title track of this volume comes from Amos Milburn with Johnny Mandell and orchestra. Beautiful song and also pay attention to the brilliant performances of the unknown vocal backing group. We know Little Richard from his enormously energetic hits. On the 1952 recorded ‘Ain’t Nothin’ Happenin’’ he still keeps his energy somewhat in check. Someone who did put all her energy into the song was LaVern Baker in ‘Voodoo, Voodoo’, in which King Curtis shines on the tenor sax. Pleasant piano rhythm & blues is then served up by Harold Burrage and his band in ‘Betty Jean’. More of that, also comes with ‘Slow Down Baby’ by Bob Gaddy and His Keys. One of my great favorites from the heyday of rhythm & blues is Wynonie Harris. His recordings are always of an extremely high standard, as is the ‘That’s Me Right Now’ heard here. Beautiful work on sax and Hammond forms the basis for the instrumental ‘Rock! Rock! Rock!’ by Willis ‘Gator’ Jackson. Fans of heavenly harmonies will certainly enjoy ‘Till The Wee Wee Morning’ by Romaines, as well as The Larks and their ‘Rockin’ In The Rocket Room’ and ‘Teenage Correl’ by Cole and The Grandures. ‘She’s My Baby’ by Flash Terry and his orchestra, with its beautiful guitar work, sounds enormously powerful. This was also the last recording by the Suncoast label. For many artists, their first recording was also their last. That also happened to Prince Jesse. Although his ‘Sarah Lee’ is quite impressive. Without a doubt a gem to be discovered! For a sultry rhythm & blues, you can go to ‘Cookie’ Jackson and her also classifiable as popcorn ‘Try Love (Just One More Time)’. No-nonsense rocking can be found on The Big Rocker’s ‘Rock-N-Roll Romance’. The last two tracks are reserved for The Treniers and tenor saxophonist Big Jay McNeely. Also on ‘Everybody Get Together’ the voices of twins Claude and Cliff Trenier blend superbly and Don Hill delivers a beautiful piece of sax, after which McNeely with his usual class, supported by vocalist Little Sonny Warner with ‘Minnie’ finally brings down the curtain on the ‘Hi-Strung R & B’ series.
This series may be over, but rest assured, the crew of the KokoMojo label certainly still has very nice, not to be sneezed at releases in the pipeline. To be continued!

With its signature blend of Delta and Chicago blues mixed with Memphis soul, Look Out Highway is pure Charlie Musselwhite. Recorded at Kid Andersen’s Greaseland Studio in San Jose California, it’s the first time Charlie has recorded with his long-time touring band, comprised of guitarist Matt Stubbs (GA-20), drummer June Core (Robert Lockwood Jr.) and bassist Randy Bermudes (James Cotton), along with Andersen who has been in and out of the band for many years. Their chemistry and command is abundantly clear from the opening notes. 

Get ready for the electrifying new album Retrograde from Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival. Inspired by the raw energy of ‘70s rock and blues, this studio album of 10 original songs blends dual guitar harmonies, fiery solos, and powerhouse vocals, channeling the spirit of The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Humble Pie. Retrograde delivers a bold mix of soulful ballads, foot-stomping anthems, and electrifying blues riffs, making it a must-have for any blues rock fan. Pre-order now and experience the revival of the golden era of Rock!

With songs that explore life’s murky corners and shadowy characters, Ben de la Cour’s music occupies the intersection between gothic Americana and dark, gritty folk. In a genre that has become increasingly polished and pop-friendly throughout the 21st century, Ben’s stark tales of heartbreak, supernatural menace, and the ever-present specter of death harken back to folk’s roots, making him a modern torchbearer of a classic sound. 

“High In My Balloon”, which is due for release on 9th May 2025.  This follows the critically-acclaimed first album, “My Name Is Sparkle”, which was a song sequence centred around a genderless character called Sparkle.  Their second album is the second part of a trilogy, focused on the same character.  However, during the recording sessions, Etzioni was diagnosed with cancer.  Around that time, Aron’s spouse passed away following a battle with the disease.  These personal challenges became the inspiration for their sophomore album as they turned to music and one another for support.  When Etzioni was declared free from cancer, he said: “I was so elated at the news, I felt like I was levitating, like I was high in my balloon. I did what I always do: I wrote a song about it.”  Throughout the songs, Sparkle’s challenges reflect those of Etzioni and Aron

Andrew Duncanson, that's what we want to see and hear at our festivals. Passionate singers of soulful blues have been disappearing into the musical mists of time for at least the past half-century. Their voices are fast becoming as scarce as sunshine on a cloudy day. But then there is Andrew Duncanson, who for more than twenty years has been reaching deep into that primeval source and adding his own deeply soulful voice to the music. Highly recommended! 

The Walk of Happiness (La Marche du Bonheur) combines worldly influences into fusion interplay.  

The ninth volume in the ‘Hi-Strung R & B’ series is called ‘Whoa Mule’, a title derived from the dynamic song by Leroy James, an artist about whom little or nothing can be found. Once again, this album contains 28 tracks, all of which contain very high-quality rhythm & blues from the previous century.
Bob Kornegay is allowed to give the starting signal with ‘Humdinger’. Bob is also known for his work with The Du Droppers, Dave and Bob and as Pork Chops. Bob is followed by the swinging ‘Rockin’ Mary’ by Wes Griffith with The Treys. The leader of the quintet The Treys was Freddie Johnson. His wife was singer Pearl Woods and you can hear her immediately on the next track, the danceable rhythm & blues ‘Sippin’ Sorrow’. One of the biggest big bands in rhythm & blues was certainly that of Lucky Millinder. Not only did the orchestra have 15 musicians, there were also 2 vocalists and the backing vocal group The Admirals. Quality was always a top priority for Millinder. You can experience that again in ‘Good Good Lovin’. Jump blues was the genre in which Oscar McLollie was very skilled, as can be heard in ‘Pretty Gril’ that he recorded with the Honeyjumpers in 1955 for Modern. More in that genre is also served by Hot Lips Page in ‘The Cadillac Song’ and certainly Jimmy Witherspoon with ‘Don’t Ever Move A Woman Into Your House’. One of the great guitarists in rhythm & blues and blues was Lowell Fulson. You can hear his talent in the instrumental ‘Cash Box Boogie’. In the history of rhythm & blues, Big Maybelle does not get the credit she deserved. That she did deserve it is proven by ‘Ring Dang Dilly’, where you can also hear Mickey Baker as a guitarist. ‘Justine’ is one of those songs that is often covered. The original belongs to Don and Dewey, who also wrote the song. You get beautiful harmonies from The Jackson Brothers in ‘Baby Baby’. You can expect rocking rhythm & blues from the Bobby Peterson Quintet with ‘Mama, Get Your Hammer’. Esquerita was the source of inspiration for Little Richard. No wonder when you listen to the catchy piano rocker ‘Believe Me When I Say Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay’. Jimmy Nolen was influenced by Fats Domino, as can be heard in ‘Don’t Leave Me No More’. You don’t get that song here, but you do get the b-side of that single, namely ‘Wipe Your Tears’, which also bears traces of Domino. Jimmy Breedlove was also part of the vocal group The Cues. Here he delivers a cracker of a rhythm & blues with ‘That’s My Baby’. Hank Ballard and his Midnighters provided the twist dance craze. In The Royals, discovered by Johnny Otis, who are present here with ‘I Feel That-A-Way’, you can also hear Hank as lead singer. He also composed the song. More famous people come with ‘Mr. Personality’ Lloyd Price and ‘Baby Please Come Home’. We close with the solid rocking rhythm & blues ‘Back Stage At The Blackouts’ by Ken Murray’ Blackouts Of 1959.
We can’t help but we warmly recommend ‘Whoa Mule’, the ninth volume in the ‘Hi-Strung R & B’ series. We bet you’ll make some fantastic discoveries again!

Recorded in his former hometown of Memphis, TN, 'Which Way Do We Go?' showcases Santini at his most authentic, weaving deeply personal songs written during the pandemic and it's aftermath into a tapestry of raw emotion and masterful musicianship. Refusing to play it safe, Santini takes great strides forward with this electrified offering produced by musical comrade and friend, Jeff Jensen.

In the series ‘Rocks’, created by the German Bear Family Records, an impressive number of artists have already been featured. Artists from both black rhythm & blues and white rock-‘n-roll. Last year, the first volume of ‘Bear Family Records Rocks’ was released, in which the emphasis was on the talented black artists who gave shape to rhythm & blues. In the now released second volume, the label focuses on the cream of the crop of white rockers, and there are quite a few. The 35 tracks on this album contain only big names. Names of artists who spread rock-‘n-roll worldwide and therefore have eternal value. Incidentally, all artists on this compilation have already been featured individually in the ‘Rocks’ series. Jimmy Cavallo and His House Rockers are allowed to light the rock fuse with the appropriate ‘Rock, Rock, Rock’, after which one hit follows the other in rapid succession. Sam Phillips' Sun Studio pioneered rock-and-roll. Naturally, you also get artists that Sam took under his wing. For example, you will find high-quality rock-and-roll from Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Sonny Burgess and Carl Mann. But other labels also did their bit for rock-and-roll.
You get sublime recordings from labels such as Columbia, Parkway, Roulette, Era, Capitol, Cora, Imperial, Decca, Charly, Epic, Checker, Kay, Liberty, Chess, Coral, Del-Fi, Rockstar, Dot, Cadence, Wayside, MGM, RCA, Atco, Rhythm, King, Carlton and of course Bear Family Records. They delivered recordings by big names including Ritchie Valens, Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks, Glen Glenn, Johnny Burnette and The Rock ’n Roll Trio, Ricky Nelson, Gene Vincent, Link Wray and The Wraymen, Eddie Cochran, Bill Haley, Narvel Felts, Wanda Jackson, The Everly Brothers, Sleepy La Beff (then still noted as such), Conway Twitty and Bobby Darin. For the complete track list, we would like to refer you to the section ‘DETAIL ALBUM’. Each of these 35 tracks is the very, very, very best recording by the ‘crème de la crème’ of white rockers. In addition, you will also receive a beautifully produced, colourful 39-page booklet with all the information about artists and tracks. It goes without saying that this album with its fantastic sound quality is not only more than worth its money, but will also rock you from start to finish. Don’t say afterwards that we didn’t warn you about this top release!