With 'Let's Have A Funny Little Christmas' Little Victor presents the soundtrack of how he musically enlivens the Christmas period. As the title of the album already indicates, it is in a funny and maybe even hilarious way. If you go over the track list for a while, you soon come to the conclusion that 'White Christmas', 'Silent Night', 'Jingle Bells' and 'Rudoph The Red Nosed Reindeer' do not find a place here. The artists on this disc have different wishes, some more hilarious and extreme than others.
All this is wrapped in rock and roll tunes that were recorded in the middle of the last century.
'Let's Have A Funny Little Christmas' gives the Christmas period a humorous touch and perfectly complements the other Christmas albums by KokoMojo and Atomicat. With these albums, the end of the year period will be like never before.

​This tenth album from the Dutch sax quartet Aardvark brings songs with experimental influences. They also used an original Adolphe Sax from 1860, and other rare instruments. For those who love experimental saxes!

​Lady A has a sultry and sexy voice timbre that is so fitting for her intended sound. Lady A has recorded many styles of blues, funk, soul, and gospel, but for this album, she wanted to capture the authentic Seattle Blues-Soul sound that she delivers when she hits the stage. Lady A has truly lived up to her moniker as "The Hardest Workin' Woman in  Blues, Soul, Funk & Gospel"
Highly recommended release…!

​This second collaboration between crooner Tony Bennett and popstar Lady Gaga concentrates on the songs of Cole Porter. Again their collaboration brings out the best of both of them, and it’s a proof that artists from different backgrounds can deliver an album with timeless classics!

​The release 'Time Clocks' shows Joe Bonamassa's musical evolution. Who likes to resist and defy the laws of the music industry. It's another masterpiece from a blues rock artist who is deeply rooted in the blues scene.

Ericson Holt is an ordinary man, just like you and me, but a hell of a singer-songwriter.  His clear voice, his natural feeling for soul…and his bright piano playing. Recommended!

This sophomore album by the Arthur Posing Quartet brings original compositions that sound like Brad Mehldau. It is modern jazz, but with influences from different genres. And of course there is room for improvisations. 

​You just got the review of 'More Doo-Wop Christmas Gems' or the next Christmas CD is already taking possession of our playback device. Santa could count on his loyal helpers Mark Armstrong and Henrique San for the composition. Without grumbling, the two went to work. As always, Mark selected the tracks with expertise and Henrique was commissioned to make the packaging as attractive as possible, which both did with verve. Once finished, the CDs were pressed, the covers printed and the albums shipped to the dealers. As always, Santa first sent us a copy to know what we think, because he is curious too. We put the CD in our player and got to work. The Christmas season is traditionally associated with cold days when thick flakes of snow cover everything. In reality, however, this does not happen very often, but for once let's put our imagination to work. Once that's done, we'll be ready to enjoy what 'It's Christmas Once Again' has to offer and that's a lot.
'It's Christmas Once Again' combines traditional Christmas songs with rocking Christmas tunes, giving everyone what they want. A relaxed Christmas or do you prefer a Christmas party? With 'It's Christmas Once Again' you are in the right place in both cases.

​Al Basile has produced his most divergent album with 'B's Testimony'. A lot of bluesy songs, some funky tracks, a single ballad and a lot of soul. The mid-tempo tracks 'What I Do That To You?' and 'He Said, She Said' are worthy closing songs of this handsome release. Highly recommended..!

With the end-of-year period approaching, record labels, just like every year, are once again putting a number of albums on the market that should guide us through that period with our beloved music genre. The labels Atomicat and KokoMojo are undoubtedly frontrunners in this regard. Moreover, they already proved in previous years that the Christmas albums can also contain quality songs and should not just be a hodgepodge of hastily gathered tracks. Last year KokoMojo released 'Let's Have A Doo-Wop Christmas' and that album now gets a sequel with 'More Doo-Wop Christmas Gems'. Once again you get 30 songs that brighten up the Christmas season in your own way.
Mark Armstrong and the entire crew at KokoMojo did it again. Putting together an album that contains both great doo-wop songs, which also have the theme of Christmas,…….. you just have to do it. Nice album!
Another golden tip! Be sure to keep an eye on this site, because more reviews of the Christmas albums released by Atomicat and KokoMojo will be published soon. In the meantime, you are definitely on the right track with 'More Doo-Wop Christmas Gems'.

​Average americana songs but performed with soulful warmth and sweet melodicism.  I especially love her solo as a singer-songwriter on ukelele.

​With 'Shun Immoral Behaviour, We'll Raise A Ruckus Tonight' we arrive at the last rock 'n' roll commandment. Actually we are back to the first commandment 'Defy The Devil's Music, Dig That Rock 'n' Roll' and the circle is complete. We may be 'off' again and standing with our feet on the ground after the perils the other commandments warned us about, but they made us wiser, making us even more 'party-minded'. Of course that includes the necessary drinks and exciting rock 'n' roll. You have to take care of the necessary amount of alcohol yourself, the 30 songs bundled here will take care of the rock 'n roll. Once again, well known names including Wanda Jackson, The Treniers, Big Joe Turner, Stick McGhee, Louis Jordan, Wynonie Harris and The Platters are paired with lesser-known but equally amazing artists.
In short, the tenth rock 'n' roll commandment again has to offer formidable rocking rhythm & blues and rock 'n roll. 'The Ten Commandments of Rock 'n' Roll' is a series well worth buying in full. You won't regret it!

​Energetic Roots and Blues, with rousing solos and infectious grooves that will make you dance. That's the best way to describe Whitey Somers' sound. Since the age of sixteen, singer-guitarist and Motorhome Records artist has been a fixture at many international festivals, concerts and clubs. Canadian Whitey Somers is now promoting his new release 'The Call Of The Blues' on the Motorhom Records label. The ten new and original tracks are a divergent piece of musicianship. Whitey is accompanied by the rhythm section of and with Nick Dokter (drums), Todd Sacerty (bass) and Nico Rhodes on keyboard and saxophone. Highly recommended...

​Wonderful debut from the Belgian songwriter Brent Beukelaer.  Impressing stories with psychedelic folk influences. Enchanting indeed!

Memphis-based harmonica ace Tony Holiday shows us what the blues is all about on his brand-new record Porch Sessions Volume 2. Holiday understands that the best blues music comes from capturing something human happening and Porch Sessions Volume 2 overflows with one amazing moment after another.

​Brilliant debut from the Belgian band Nneema.  Warm and tender songs, eclectic with jazz and soul influences.  It makes me happy to hear such empathetic performances. Love it!

​In 2019, the German B.B. and The Blues Shacks celebrate their 30th anniversary. For that occasion, a beautiful box with 3 CDs was released, which offered a nice overview of their evolution. An evolution that has not yet reached its peak, because their youngest 'Breaking Point' is once again classy. The album contains 15 songs, 12 of which were written by guitarist and vocalist Andreas Arlt and Michael 'Maddy' Arlt, lead vocals and harmonica. The other 3 songs are covers. Covers that fit seamlessly with their own songs. Those own songs are of such a high level that they are practically indistinguishable from the covers.
It's clear that the Arlts are great at writing songs that do justice to the fifties rhythm & blues in a 'little big band setting'. Michael's bluesy voice and his impressive performance on the blues harp, Andreas' sublime string playing and Fabian Fritz's creative input on keys are formidably supported by drummer Andre Werkmeister and bassist Henning Hauerken. Add to that the sporadic addition of Tom Müller on sax and trumpeter Stefan Gössinger and Germany has its own Roomful Of Blues. ‘Breaking Point’ lifts B.B. and The Blues Shacks to the next level. Recommended!

The album 'Rusty Ends Blues Band' with vocals, guitar and original songs by Rusty Ends was previously released in 1996 by the label Rollin' & Tumblin' Records. Michael Frank from Earwig Music Company now re-releases this nice album. All these years later, Rusty is still on his crusade to illustrate the countless connections between his favorite genres such as blues, soul, western swing, rockabilly and jazz licks. No less than seventeen songs adorn the record. With a whole cast of prominent artists, we get to know Rusty's intended sound.  Just like on this album, and sounds great…!

​Susanna & David don’t try to imitate these covers,  but they strip the song down to the essentials and fill it with intimacy.

​Shakey Trill are proud to present their self-titled debut release. In twelve songs, ten of which are originals, they take us to the deep Delta mouth. Only 'Dark Road' is by Brownie McGhee and they borrowed 'I Can't Be Satisfied' for the occasion from Muddy Waters. The duo MacDonald/Pantlin only gets backing from Circus bassist Alec Fraser in two songs, who also took place on the production chair. Warm vocals and simplistic instrumentation. It can hardly be more authentic. The blues is still alive.. believe me! 

Jan Jaspers (vocals, guitar), drummer Gert Servaes, Patrick Louis (vocals, guitar) and harmonica virtuoso Fabian 'The Lord' Bennardo form the basis for that exciting sound. The third release 'Love Me Some' is packed with twelve delicious and honest songs. The bonus tracks 'Howl' and 'Mine All Mine were even mixed in the studio by Jim Diamond, known for his work with The White Stripes. Boogie Beasts open in their appropriate blues style. The rough swampy harp and slide guitar, pounding bass lines and drum punches make this all so recognizable. And that is the identity of this band. Highly recommended release !

​Keep Roland Roberts in mind. This guy will succeed with lovely poetic folksongs. Strong debut!

​The ninth rock and roll commandment deals with the break-up of love and the return to being single. Responses can range from ‘I don’t care’ to ‘Darling come back’. Reactions that can also be found in the 30 songs selected by Mark Armstrong that fill this disc.
Rock 'n' roll, rhythm & blues, doo-wop and soul are abundantly present and again all 30 tracks are toppers. It is also a tradition that only killers are selected for compilations at the Atomicat label. Soon you will read on this site the review of the tenth and final commandment that commands 'Shun Immoral Behaviour, We'll Raise A Ruckus Tonight'. Watch out!

​So now there is 'The Blues Never End', Elly Wininger’s fifth studio album. In thirteen tracks Elly takes us into her own blues and folk world. Contemporary fingerpicking, which is delicately interwoven with ragtime, old timey, jazz and country. There's even cajun with (I wanna Be Like) 'Rosie', a fitting tribute to famed Zydeco artist Rosie Ledet. Most of the songs are covers she borrowed from legends like Rosetta Tharpe, Skip James, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lonnie Johnson, Leadbelly, Blind Willie Johnson and Geeshie Wiley. In the song 'Black Snake Moan' has Elly accompanied by a four-piece Dixieland horn section. And that only promotes the diversity of her intended Delta Blues style. Great..!

​The Porkroll Project is back with their third album, 'Papa Didn't Raise Me Right' on the Roadhouse Redemption Records label. The songs contrast like never before, and that's what makes this release so great, so enjoyable...