​The tracks on this new album by Stacey Kent have something in common. They all speak of the need to go travelling again. The lockdown did us no good, and after having listened to them, I’m planning to do just that!

​The release "Flathead" is an album full of covers, but thankfully Seth Lee Jones gives a unique twist to the songs. Handsome, clever and so also highly recommended..!

The combination of Western rock and Ethiopian traditional folk creates an original approach.  If you like Selamnesh voice, or understand her language, you will be amazed.

​The album 'Standing In The Light of a Brand New Day' is a new step in his musical and lyrical evolution. Guy Verlinde expands his blues mind and modifies his amalgama of roots, Americana, country and a few bluesy songs. This is Guy Verlinden's most versatile record. The original songs are almost an emotional rollercoaster that has led to one of his most evolving projects. He entered the studio with a group of top musicians and soulmates. Guy has been evolving and emerging for years as a multi-talented singer-songwriter and has once again elevated himself to one of the greatest blues artists in our small country. And that’s must be Belgium! Highly recommended release…

Once again Malcolm Holcombe rubs the truth in our face.  He definitely is one of the best singer-songwriters of this century.

​Seven duet renditions of jazz tracks by Eliane Elias, the late Chick Corea and Cuban pianoplayer Chucho Valdés on piano. For lovers of jazz piano with improvisations.

​Brad entered the studio with Margey Peters (bass, vocals), drummer Bill Rankin, Jim Davis (tenor sax), V.D. King (baritone sax and accordion), guest guitarists Dave Gross and Dean Shot and pianist Dave Keys. As an accomplished guitarist, Brad opens with the swinging rocker 'Dumb Like A Fox'. Blazers, his incendiary guitar riffs and a swampy accordion feeling color the song. The record 'The Music Gets Us Thru' is an album that is full of many blues sub-styles. Blues, swinging rock songs, some Chuck Berry inspired guitar riffs, some bluegrass and jazz and a rare ballad. So, That sounds all great..!

English psychedelic group Tintern Abbey released exactly one single (‘Beeside’) - in 1967,  the year of the Summer Of Love. The follow-up (‘How Do I Feel Today’) never saw the light of day and after some personnel changes the group vanished. Yet, they are seen as having co-defined British psychedelia and a few songs have appeared on most compilations of Brit psych rarities for ages. Logically, their reputation results from songs discovered years, if not decades later. Cherry Red and Grapefruit take the group’s claim to fame one step further by releasing really everything Tintern Abbey ever recorded, demos and acetates included. Two CDs in all, with an entire disc of material never released before. Naturally, you will come across alternate takes of the same song.
Tintern Abbey surely deserved better although I’m not sure they were that genre-defining. The singles and some demos are beautiful examples of psych, with echoes, fuzz, strange effects, unusual tempos and ethereal singing. ‘Raspberry Ripple’ is most interesting, whereas one take of ‘Snowman’ is nigh unlistenable – courtesy of the Mellotron and backward tapes! Other songs are well-crafted pop (‘Tanya’),  whereas ‘Blue Pants’ is unimpressive spoken word. All in all, a keen producer could have assembled a nice long-player.  
Tintern Abbey is also worth exploring because several members moved to groups that did meet with success, e.g. The Velvet Opera (Paul Brett), Cochise and Quiver.
As usual, a nicely illustrated booklet contains the entire story. Radio 68  plays Tintern Abbey and related groups on Sunday 29 August, Tuesday 31 August and Wednesday 08 September.

​This is the eighth volume in the series ‘Chillaxing Jazz Kollektion’ from Konstantin Klashtorni. Again, it contains relaxing instrumental music, with elements of mellow, smooth jazz and chill-out. Perfect to relax by!

​There’s no doubt about it, this is John Armato’s very personal album. The perfect companion for a romantic dinner and a dance!

​This is how Memphis soul should always sound. Unadulterated, uncut. Rodd Bland has managed to put together a very soulful band. In barely six songs he convinces us of the rich oeuvre of his father 'the late great Bobby 'Blue' Bland. What an honor, what a musical tribute..!

This family debut Homesick saw the light in a necessary lockdown, a medecin against the rat race in our society. To discover by playing it several times.

​This new album is in fact a reworking of old songs by the Claudio Scolari Project. These songs are reshaped in a new way, while keeping the rhythmic and melodic parts of earlier. The album has a cinematic feel to it, a dreamy soundtrack. I like it!

​The Altered Five Blues Band has already produced another strong album of sonic musical delights. They are once again pushing the boundaries of this axiom on their sixth studio album 'Holler If You Hear Me'. The thirteen original songs are written by guitarist Jeff Schroedl, and embrace the powerful vocals and exuberant showmanship of frontman Jeff Taylor. 

 Latinists can refresh their memory with references to Greek and Roman gods and rites.  Educational when digging into Jacopo’s intentions.

​The treasury of musical gems from the Louisiana and New Orleans region seems inexhaustible. Because number 18 from the 'Southern Bred' series, which listens to the name 'Jumpin' From Six To Six', is already the 6th release that places artists from these regions in the spotlight. There are 28 songs that will make your mouth water. Characteristic of this album is the balance between two genres. On the one hand, there are artists who remained faithful to the traditional rhythm & blues, on the other hand there are also a number who switched to the successful rock 'n' roll at that time. You could actually sum it up as 'when rhythm & blues turned to rock 'n' roll'.
Volume 18 in this series once again sent a lot of catchy music through our speakers. And we still haven't heard everything from the Louisiana and New Orleans area. Because volume 19, which will be released on September 3, also digs again into the rich music tradition of the region.

​This new album by crooner Elijah Rock sounds very romantic, and the singer comes out as seductive and full of style. Recommended to romantic and nostalgic souls!

​Kid Ramos gathered an All Stars band around him. Blues voices like Johnny are hardly exist anymore in today's guitar-dominated blues world. And he sounds particularly vital for his 75th birthday. Kid Ramos is still that guitar wizard and Carl Sonny Leyland on piano, bassist John Bazz, drummer Jason Lozano, Bob Corritore on harmonica and the exceptional talent Ron Dziubla on sax are a constant for those great sound. Is '75 And Alive' the blues record of 2021…?

​This new album by the Belgian pianist Jean-François Maljean was previously released in a digital form, and now on cd. It contains solo piano music, and will certainly appeal to lovers of that genre.

​This album needs an introduction, which certainly sheds a different light on many of the songs bundled here. During World War II, a large number of African/American men were also conscripted. Many of them hoped that their fighting in the US military would give their status after the end of the war a serious upgrade. This became reality for a few of them, but the majority of them were still just as at the bottom of the social ladder as they were before their participation in the violence of war. After all, they fought for a country that discriminated them but also denied them basic needs.
Through 28 songs, this album pays tribute to these African/American soldiers, whose role in World War II, in Korea and in Vietnam was just as important as that of their white combatants.
Of all these tracks, Prince Love & His Royal Knights articulate the best of what everyone wants. "Don't Want No War"!
'Soldier Boy' is not only an album with a commendable theme, the downright beautiful blues, soul and doo-wop also make the album an absolute must.

Vinegar Joe was formed from the remnants of jazz band Dada, but quickly built a reputation as a formidable, rocking stage act. With due respect for the many talents of composer, lead guitarist and producer Peter Gage, to the general public Vinegar Joe really stood out because it was fronted by two idiosyncratic lead singers by the name of Robert Palmer and Elkie Brooks. Vinegar Joe recorded three albums in 1972-1973, but the vocalists were meant to be performers on their own from the onset and in 1974 the band folded.
Their legacy – the three albums plus a few bonuses - is now to be found on a three CD box issued by Cherry Red, re-mastered and all.
The first album has a lot of blues influences and Palmer is still seeking his own vocal profile (opener ‘Rusty Red Armour’ reminds me of Steve Marriott’s phrasing), but bassist Steve York keeps everything under civilized swinging control. Follow-up ‘Rock ‘n Roll  Gypsies’ is getting closer to seventies rock, especially when Palmer and Brooks put their vocals together on guitar-driven tunes like ‘So Long’ and ‘Charley’s Horse’. Surprisingly, the title song is one of few slower tunes. On the self-penned ‘Falling’ it becomes clear that Palmer is already leaning towards a reggae-ish rhythm that would become prominent on his solo stuff. The third and last album, ‘Six Star General’, is harder rock and a little experimental at the same time, e.g. the Moog on ‘Let Me Down Easy’.
All three albums feature Palmer’s finesse, Brooks’ fiery vocals that sometimes skid off the road and  Peter Gage’s rock guitar, with bass-player York keeping it all within boundaries. The best stuff is where all those talents meet and melt.
Radio 68 plays choice tracks in ‘Rock On’ on Wednesday 25 August. 

​'Go Away', the latest in the 'Koko-Mojo Original' series, contains a lot of blues from greats in the genre. Whoever says blues immediately thinks of beautiful work on the blues harp. That instrument is extensively present on this album, both by legendary greats and on the recordings of lesser-known blues artists, but always of high quality.
'Go Away' is therefore a nice addition to the 'Koko-Mojo Original' series.

​One of the most beautiful prog albums of the year. Cohesion in creativity with  a constant feeling of listening to beauty.  Exceptional!

​‘Do Not Commit Adultery, The Cheater’ is the eighth commandment of the ten commandments of rock 'n' roll. A subject that often gave rise to cool blues and rhythm & blues. Music genres that, because of the emotional nature they have, just like country, are extremely suitable for expressing the feelings that adultery entails. Compiler Mark Armstrong has again done his utmost to reproduce the feelings associated with adultery in the form of 30 tracks.
Much doom and gloom for the artists on this 'Do Not Commit Adultery, The Cheater'. As a listener, however, you benefit from it, because once again you have 30 fantastic songs in your collection with this album.
The penultimate, the Ninth Commandment, is titled ‘Fend Off Impassiveness, Lonesome For A Letter’ and is scheduled for release on September 17.

​The album 'Journeyman Songs' is a record with a vision. It gives us another insight into Banty Holler's rich world that is inspired with folk, blues, rock and especially a lot of country. Exciting banjo tunes, swinging guitar riffs and Banty's raw vocal timbre are beneficial for his intended sound. Handsome..!