​Here's the third and final volume of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers "Live in 1967," featuring Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood just before they formed Fleetwood Mac. Thanks to dedicated fan Tom Huissen, who took his single-channel reel-to-reel tape recorder to various London clubs in 1967, these historic performances have been captured for eternity. Unheard for nearly fifty years, John recently obtained these tapes and began restoring them with the technical assistance of Eric Corne of Forty Below Records. Corne adds, "Although the source recording was very crude and the end result is certainly not hi-fidelity, we still manage to hear how spectacular these performances are." It's truly an exciting glimpse into music history. 

​‘Musique Bretonne’ mixed with Irish,  Arab and jazz tunes.  Traditional folk music but even more contemporary and danceable without losing their roots.

​After many projects with fellow artists, Corritore has another project with his 'Friends' collection. Bob put another brilliant all-star blues showcase together. Sixteen great songs and exciting performances, captured during several recording sessions. And that delivers pure, unvarnished and unadulterated blues. Bob is a master of modesty on his blues harp. His production work and expressive "serve the song" harmonica style is of excellent divergence. The release ‘Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me’ is Bob Corritore's latest masterpiece collection of recorded songs featuring a spectacular array of contemporary blues artists. Bob's brilliant harmonica work forms the common thread, but always at the service of the songs. Great! 

​For the third volume in the 'Black Pearls' series, compiler and former member of The Kokomo Kings Ronni Boysen chose 'Voodoo Moon' as the title. This album has nothing in common with the horror film of the same title released in 2006, but with good music of course. The 28 tracks can without any doubt be placed under the heading 'Black Pearls'. With 'I'll Forgive You Baby' a strong blues, Rollee McGill immediately flies in and sets the bar very high for everything that follows. However, this is not a problem at all, because 'Tootsie Stop!' by Odie Smith can already be heard through the speakers. As O.C. Smith he was the singer in Count Basie's band for many years and it is clear that he has not forgotten the position of vocalist in a big band. And Jimmy Rushing was also a singer in Basie's band for a while. In addition, he won several popularity polls. With 'Where Were You' he puts down a typical big band song. Annisteen Allen then sang with the bands of Wynonie Harris and Lucky Millinder, among others. Her ’Take A Chance On Me’ contains both mambo and latin influences. With 'Garlens Mambo' by Ze-Majestics it is, as the title suggests, 'mambo time'. If you enjoy wonderful harmony vocals, then 'Dangerous' by The Drivers will certainly appeal to you. Just like 'Nature Boy' by The Shields, whose members include Jesse Belvin and Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, respectively as 'first tenor' and 'baritone'. Detroit-based Bongo Records was an obscure label that released only five singles. One of them was ‘She's My Baby’ by Bob Kelly. It is a pity that the label did not get the chance to position itself within the record labels at the time, because 'She's My Baby' is a very special rhythm & blues song, with a beautiful guitar part. Big Bee Kornegay was part of vocal groups such as The Bells, The Ravens and The Valiants. No wonder he is vocally strong in 'The Fiesta Rock n Roll'. Freddie Scott and The Chimes serve a rocking rhythm & blues with 'The Letter Came This Morning', in which The Chimes also provide a somewhat gospel feeling. Saxophonist Earl Brown entered the studio with, among others, Lowell Fulson and toured with Ray Charles for 4 years. Here you can hear him with the funky 'Shake Your Shimmy'. You can expect swinging rhythm & blues from Earl Williams in 'O Baby Please'. Roy Milton recorded for the Specialty label for over 10 years. Here you get 'Baby Don't Do That To Me' his last recording for that label and which was released in 1954. The Young Woolf may not immediately ring a bell. Nevertheless, the pianist played with Walter Horton, Johnny Otis and T-Bone Walker, among others. You can experience that he was a sublime musician in the compelling piano blues 'Worries And Troubles'. A pearl within the rhythm & blues is 'Mary' by Preacher Stephens with the Foree Wells Combo. What a song!
The last song, an instrumental and title track of this compilation is reserved for Rene Hall and his orchestra. Hall was not unimportant in the development of rock and roll. He has worked with Richie Valens, Sam Cooke, Ike & Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, Don & Dewey, Larry Williams and Bobby Womack, among others.
For his first series for the KokoMojo label, compiler Ronni Boysen has already delivered 3 beautiful volumes with 'Black Pearls'. Hopefully more beautiful things will follow!

​Oriane Lacaille, compositrice et chanteuse d’origine réunionnaise, publie un premier album. Avec la douceur de comptines ou l’ardeur de la transe, elle chante ses joies et ses colères en français et en créole. 

​​San Francisco Bay Area roots keyboard wizard Mitch Woods has set an August 18 release date for the expanded deluxe edition of his 2-CD album set, Friends Along the Way, on Club 88 Records, distributed by The Orchard. The multi-disc set features Woods in simple duo and trio settings with such stars as Van Morrison, Taj Mahal, Ruthie Foster, Elvin Bishop, Maria Muldaur, Charlie Musselwhite, Marcia Ball, John Lee Hooker and many more.
The release ‘Friends Along the Way’ finds Mitch reaching into his historical sense of music. He reaches backwards to the roots rather than forward for his inspiration. With Friends Along the Way, Mitch wanted to get a chance to play with some of his contemporaries in an intimate and mostly unplugged environment. The piano as an instrument lends itself to this format so perfectly. Mitch can play rhythm, lead, bass, and sing while accompanying some of his friends, who happen to be today’s blues and musical greats. It is a great instrument for bringing out the best of these awesome artists who are keeping the blues flame burning for generations to come. 

​The Brother Boys formed in East Tennessee in the late 1980s under the impulse of Ed Snodderly and Eugene Wolf. Various musicians were also part of the band. Ed and Eugene are still musically active today. With a mix of classic country, old-time music, bluegrass, blues, rockabilly, gospel and singer / songwriter pop, the band brewed their own Americana. However, the band themselves described their style as 'New Hillbilly Music'. The most important thing, however, is that even today their music effortlessly survives and that is not surprising. Because like no other this band knew how to transform the deep appreciation for the roots music from the past into a more current sound. Even better is that Snodderly and Wolf don't hold back or limit themselves by the roots genres. This double CD contains almost all tracks from their 1988 debut, a number of songs from their two original albums released via Sugar Hill, eight previously unreleased live and radio recordings, as well as a selection from their 2021 comeback album 'More Mule '. You get a total of 51 tracks.
What immediately stands out is that Snodderly and Wolf complement each other perfectly vocally. Snodderly takes care of the lead vocals, while Wolf complements nicely in harmony. But also musically there is plenty to enjoy the heavenly guitar parts and this on both the acoustic and electric instrument. Putting certain tracks in the spots is impossible, because this compilation contains only highlights.
In addition, in the 34 pages booklet by compiler and Appalachian music expert Ted Olson you get all the info about Ed Snodderly and Eugene Wolf.
In addition to the CDs about Jeannie C. Riley and Augie Myers and The Texas Re-cord Co. that appeared in the 'On The Honky Tonk Highway' series, this one from The Brother Boys is a nice addition. This double CD is a must for fans of American roots music. For others, this compilation will be a happy discovery.

​Vocalist Leon Beal and The Luca Giordano Band have the release 'Live At Porretta Soul Festival', recorded in 2019, in the stores. In addition to Luca on guitar, the tight rhythm section consisted of bassist Walter Cerasani, Abramo Riti (Hammond, piano), Lorenzo Poliandri (drums) and the horn section with special guest Sax Gordon and Martino Boni Beadle on tenor saxophone and trumpet player Alessandro Di Bonaventura.
'Are you ready' throws the master of ceremony to an elated crowd. Beal immediately sets the Porretta Soul Festival ablaze. With his colossal and immense voice timbre, Deadric Malone's "Don't Cry No More" is the first step of what was to be a wonderful show. Luca sparkles with exciting guitar riffs and Leon is honored to be able to perform in Porretta. We get also a lump in our throat at that expressively masterful version of 'A Change Is Gonna Come' (Sam Cooke). The closing and original 'Still Here' is Beal's testimony and is about his fifteen-year drug addiction. With a preacher's or griot's charisma, Leon keeps everyone on their toes.     This live registration is really goosebumps from start to finish…!

​Afro Soul music without the common rhythmic beats.  ‘Don’t give up until every stone is turned upside down’ is his motto.  Soft intimate vocals and the lo-fi African music with a lot of worldly influences will charm a lot of people.

​Nine Pound Hammer is the 10th and final volume in the Rhythm & Western series. The album contains a series of well-known names of black artists who recorded their versions of songs that originally belonged to the domain of the 'country & western'. True to tradition, this compilation also offers the opportunity to explore the work of lesser-known artists. Work that is more than worth listening to. Opener of service is King Curtis with 'Beatnik Showdown'. A very idiosyncratic but very beautiful song, containing both country & western and rhythm & blues and with, as we are used to from Curtis, sublime sax work. He is followed by Pearl Galloway and 'Think It Over Baby', a song that contains a dose of pop in addition to rhythm & blues. Another great example of how you can transform an original country & western song into a breathtaking rhythm & blues, Bull Moose Jackson provides in 'If You Ain't Lovin', You Ain't Livin'. Number by the way with which Faron Young scored in 1954. Jackson recorded it 1 year later. Eunice & Eddie provide a more than fantastic duet with 'Tell Me To My Face'. A penetrating soulful slow blues follows with 'You Made Me Love You' by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, song that is also known in the version by Patsy Cline. Washboard Sam is present with the classic and pure blues 'Bucket's Got A Hole In It'. Although the song mentions Williams as the composer, this is not Hank Williams as is often thought, but the black jazz pianist and songwriter Clarence Williams, who wrote the song in 1933. You can read how Hank Williams is associated with the song in the extensive liner notes from compiler Little Victor. The formidable numbers follow one another. This way you get the heavenly soulful 'After Loving You' from Esther Phillips. What a lot of passion she puts into that song! Slim Gaillard's ‘The Hip Cowboy’ is reminiscent of Jimmy Rodgers because of the yodeling. An earcatcher is also Johnny Guitar Watson's version of 'Cold Cold Heart'. Classmates Clyde McPhatter and Ruth Brown star for the full 100% in 'I Gotta Have You'. You undoubtedly know 'A Room Full Of Roses' from Jim Reeves or Dean Martin. I myself prefer Damita Jo's version. Remarkable is 'Coming Round The Mountain' by Cecil Gant trio with vocal input from Baby Ruth. Song that contains a medley of ‘Smoke That Cigarette’ and ‘Cigarettes, Whiskey and Wild Women’ and ends with a yodel. The title track of this compilation 'Nine Pound Hammer' is often attributed to Merle Travis, but Al Hopkins already recorded the song in 1927. Here you get the impressive version of soul man Lou Rawls. There is even more soul in 'It's My Lazy Day' by Brook Benton. Piano Red provides a not-to-be-missed version of the frequently covered 'It Makes No Difference Now'. Joe Henderson's hit 'Snap Your Fingers' gets a striking sensual boost in Barbara Lewis' version. 'I've Got A Feeling' by Mickey & Sylvia contains both rhythm & blues and a touch of gospel. Lloyd Price's version of Pee Wee King's 'Tennessee Waltz' is also impressive.
'Nine Pound Hammer' is a beautiful last compilation to the formidable 'Rhythm & Western' series. A series that is more than worth purchasing.

​Scott Weis and his crew have raised the levels of blues and rock with their high energy infused style. Scott Weis Band release of “Raise Your Hands” is world wide on all platforms!

​The American singer, songwriter, drummer and band leader Roy Milton was one of the most important pioneers of rhythm & blues. Milton is regarded as one of the artists who shaped the jump blues on the West Coast. His rocking drumming style and powerful, dynamic voice also gave a very personal touch to the genre. Genre that was also a blueprint of the first wave of the later emerging rock and roll. That Bear Family adds Milton to the 'Rocks' series is therefore commendable.
This compilation contains Milton's most rocking songs that he recorded with his fantastic band The Solid Senders between 1946 and 1963 for labels such as Specialty, DooTone, King, Warwick, Cenco and Thunderbird. All his famous songs can be found on this album. Highlights are definitely 'Red Light', 'Milton's Boogie', 'Hop', 'Skip And Jump', Junior Jives', 'You Got Me Reeling And Rocking' and not to mention his version of Huey 'Piano' Smith's 'Rocking Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu'. In addition, his single 'What Can I Do', recorded for Specialty in 1955, is here for the first time on CD. In addition to the sublime performances of Roy Milton, you can also enjoy wonderful guitarists such as Johnny 'Junior' Rogers, Roy Gaines and Roy Montrell. Also interesting are 'Bam-A-Lam' and 'I'am A Woman' where his wife Mickey Champion takes place behind the microphone.
The fact that Roy Milton could also count on formidable musicians who were part of his Solid Senders is noticeable from the first track. You can clearly hear that in 'Wakin' Up Baby', 'Little Boy Blue' and 'Milton's Boogie', on which pianist Camille Howard shines. On 'That's The One For Me' she even shares the vocals with Roy. Horn players such as saxophonists John Joseph 'Jackie' Kelso Jr. and Benjamin ‘Benny’ Waters and trumpeters Arthur Walker and Charles Gillum. Also worth mentioning is the instrumental 'Succotash' where guitarist Johnny Rogers delivers heavenly guitar skills. He can do that again on the instrumental tracks 'Junior Jumps' and 'Junior Jives'. Subdued and intimate sounds  'My Blue Heaven'. For an impressive pure rhythm & blues you can go to 'A Bird In The Hand'. A typical slow blues is 'Driveaway Blues'.
We can only conclude that this Roy Milton compilation is a more than fantastic tribute to the architect of the West Coast jump blues. Recommended! 

​Sixt bluesrock album from a French trio, still seeking their own musical way.  Emotional and energetic at the same time.  Love it! 

​The release’ Smoke Burst’ is Mario Rossi's highest point. The best, most mature and accurate point of his career. Released independently, his fourth studio album is the perfect illustration of what his musical vein is like. In the case of his new release, the special spice is the fact that the material was all recorded live in the studio. Besides, the band that brought Smoke Burst to life took the album to another level of quality. Brazilian singer and guitarist Mario Rossi continues his legacy of creative, heavy blues with his third album, Smoke Burst, which shows he was born with the blues in his veins. He discovered his musical passion when, in 2013 and then 2015, he joined the band that accompanied the American bluesman John Primer in Brazil.

After the musical deluge called The British Invasion, American pop artists took back control when Hippie became a real force in American society – culminating in the 1967 Summer of Love. Trying to provide a soundtrack to that highly spiritual movement, American pop became experimental, etherical, harder, folkier - adorned with sounds effects. Cherry Red have tried to capture this wide range of sounds onto 3 discs of music, recruiting the stars (Steppenwolf, Vanilla Fudge), the middle men (Strawberry Alarm Clock) and those we have forgotten or never ever heard of (The Id, Summer Snow). A great choice!
Strangely, the label felt the need to add quite some artists who were into Hippie for the money or to refurbish their image. Some, like Captain Beefheart, surely couldn’t have cared less and Tommy Boyce & Booby Hart probably never imagined ending up on a Flower Power compilation. Fortunately, the music is good throughout and good ol’ Tommy Roe actually surprised me. Never mind the official explanation, just get ready for four hours of splendid American pop from that year.
Radio 68  plays choice tracks on Sunday 13 & Tuesday 15 August from 11 a.m. GMT / 12 noon CET onwards

​Enjoy the poetic songs with contemporary canvas from this French  ‘Nouvelle Scène’ singer-songwriter.

​Even at this volume we remain in Canada, for the songs that were part of the musical landscape from 1956 to 1962. In addition to imported work, this release traditionally focuses on local labels such as Delta, Gaiety, Reo, Sotan and Sparton. 28 tracks of which you will certainly recognize a number of artists and their songs, but you will also be surprised by lesser known and maybe even completely unknown names. Swinging we immediately start with 'Pickin' On The Wrong Chicken' by Five Stars. A first imported single we encounter is Boyd Bennett's uplifting 'Click Clack'. Together with his Rockets, Boyd was part of the house band of the King label. Cliffy and Jerry provide a portion of beautiful harmony vocals a little later in 'Go To Sleep Little Suzie'. More beautiful vocal work follows later with 'No Time' by The Titans and certainly also by The Velveteens in 'Baby Baby'. Infectious drumming and handclaps introduce the cheerfully rocking 'Bobby Layne' by Phil Gary and The Catalinas. Known to the general public are certainly Johnny and The Hurricanes. No 'Red River Rock', but the equally beautiful and also instrumental 'Traffic Jam'. Another impressive instrumental comes with the spatial sounding 'Slow Walk' by The Midnighters and certainly also 'Snake Bite' by the Canadian Hank Smith and The Maddisons. Also present is Nappy Brown, who would later make name in the blues. Here you get the rocking rhythm & blues ‘Am I’ that he recorded in 1956. Johnnie Strickland knows the art of straightforward rocking like no other. Convince yourself of this during 'She's Mine'. That typical rock 'n' roll echo-drenched hiccuping voice is heard again by Rudy Hayden in 'Want Me A Woman'. Beautiful hillbilly and wonderful fiddle sounds are part of 'Hillbilly Rock' by Canadian Joe Kozak. Another Canadian who knew the ropes of rock 'n' roll was Mel Shaw. His mainly 'spoken' Mean Lover' is definitely worth listening to. This time Jeani Mack provides female rock 'n' roll with 'Dirty Dishes', a not obvious title by the way. For top level doo-wop you can go to Tico and The Triumphs and their 'Motorcycle'. Fun fact is that Paul Simon, who would later achieve international success with Art Garfunkel, wrote the song as Jerry Landis. 'Ooh Sha-La' by The Rhythm Jesters is also cataloged in that genre. Al Gardner winks somewhat to pop in 'Little Reuben', the flip side of the instrumental surf song 'Theme For The Lonely'. In 1969 Joe South had a world hit with 'Games People Play'. Eight years earlier he recorded the not bad 'Juke Box', which is also the title track of this compilation. Girl names were often used as song titles in rock and roll. Ted Daigle did the same with 'Mary Lou' and pay particular attention to the skilled guitar solo. Alan Freed was not only an influential DJ. but also an activist against racial discrimination. Together with his Rock 'n Roll Big Band, he closes fittingly with 'Campus Rumpus'.
'Rockin' Rollin' USA' is a series to cherish, that is now more than clear. Look forward to the upcoming volumes 6 and 7, titled 'Rough And Bold' and 'Woman Fever' respectively.

​Funky groovy Afro songs with a lot of Western influences that makes you dance or move your hips. Friendship and happiness above all

​Monster Mike Welch’s ‘Nothing But Time’ is a must-have for any electric guitar blues fans. In 2023, Monster Mike Welch has embarked on the next phase of his career with his signing to Gulf Coast Records to make new music. “I have been a fan of Monster Mike Welch for 25 plus years,” said Gulf Coast head Mike Zito in making the announcement. “He is one of the absolute finest blues artists/guitarists of our time and I am thrilled to be working with him. I am hopeful for some free guitar lessons.” Highly recommended! 

​Nice atmosphere, excellent skills and refined content: a beautiful blend of Zimbabwe music.

​Everyone is thrilled with Rick & Jenda Derringer's 'Rock the Yacht' release. This cute and marital duo is finally ready to take on the world with this latest, ultra-cool project! Strongly recommended! 

​On volume 42 of the 'That'll Flat...Git it!' series you could already get acquainted with the first volume filled with the rock 'n' roll and rockabilly of the King Label. A label that, as we already established on the first volume, has produced quite a few big names. Because of the many hits these artists have achieved, it is only natural that some of them are also present on this second volume about King's legacy. Charlie Feathers, Mac Curtis, Moon Mullican, among others, return, in addition to lesser-known and sometimes completely unknown artists. The 31 tracks on this compilation once again show that the musical legacy Syd Nathan left behind should not be underestimated. Authentically rocking, Boyd Bennett and His Rockets kick off with 'Move'. Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup's ‘That's All Right’ awakened the artist in Elvis Presley. In turn, Presley's version caused Mac Curtis to leave country music behind and turn to rockabilly. Mac comes three times on this collector. Elvis also had a major influence on Ronnie Speeks. This is clearly expressed in 'What Is Your Technique'. You can also hear Elvis in 'Run Fool Run' by organist Bobby Cash, who gives a nice solo on the organ. The Humphries family was active in the jazz scene. Teddy Humphries took a different course. With success if you listen to 'Guitar Pickin' Fool'. Rusty York certainly also deserves a mention for his 'Goodnight Cincinnati, Good Morning Tennessee', a handsome train rocker. On the first volume in this miniseries, Delbert Barker starred with 'No Good - Robin Hood'. Here you get the equally formidable 'Jug Band Jump' from that same session. Nice vocal backings give Al Henderson's 'All Star Boy' some extra shine. An 'earcatcher' is also the 'Mercy, Mercy, Percy' by Joe Penny interwoven with some blues. Superb number! A touch of rhythm & blues contains Ray Starr's 'Donna Lou'. Lack of enthusiasm is not Booker Lee Jr.’s kind. Just listen to 'Rockin' Blues'. You will undoubtedly notice that Ronnie Molleen was addicted to the work of Little Richard in his 'Rockyn' Up'. A mix of styles can be found in Zeb Turner's 'Jersey Rock', in which the sax provides a jazzy touch and the steel guitar gives the song a country feel.
Volumes 42 and 44 in the 'That'll Flat...Git it!, Vol.44' give a nice picture of all the fine work released by King in the second half of the fifties and early sixties. With both volumes you get no less than 61 rockabilly and rock 'n' roll toppers. 

​From the Western twelve tone system to microtonality on acoustic steel-string guitar.  A real voyage in Shariq blues and Maghreb music.