​Cornell CC Carter shines as well in up-tempo as in mid-tempo songs and ballades. He’s really an all-round soul singer! He never loses the feeling of old school soul. A must have for soul fans!

​December 15 marks the 100th anniversary of Alan Freed's birth. A reason for Bear Family to release a more than formidable compilation in the 'Memorial Series' under the title 'A Hundred Years Of Rock 'n' Roll'. You can certainly say that the legendary d.j. the ultimate top DJ in the fifties was in America. His radio shows were sublime, inspiring and connecting an entire generation of teenagers. But there was more. The rising popularity of rhythm & blues, which evolved into white rock 'n' roll, prompted Alan to program the original rhythm & blues recordings of the African-American artists into his radio shows. Freed certainly and perhaps even unconsciously contributed to the fight against discrimination through his Moondog Radio Shows.
With this album you'll enjoy catchy rhythm & blues and rock 'n' roll chatted by Freed's inspired presentation and interspersed with commercials, while also witnessing the way Alan Freed modeled generations of DJs. For over an hour this album immerses you in the American radio nostalgia of the fifties. A unique experience!
As quickly as he rose to prominence, Alan's popularity also declined due to the ‘payola affair’, where DJs were paid for promoting records through their radio shows. This album not only provides a perfect picture of Freed's radio shows, but also the 36-page booklet, prepared by Bill Dahl, with extremely rare photos and graphics, tells the story of Alan Freed and the artists he cared about. Freed passed away, barely 43 years old, on January 20, 1965. Rock and roll never got a better friend.

​Nice debut from the Vintage Dutch band.  Compelling funky songs sung by Kim Berger.  Her skilled warm voice melts your soul.

​This electronic chill-out project by steelpan player Bickley Rivera aims to bring healing during this terrible world crisis. It leaves the listener with calming and positive thoughts. So again, a very successful musical project, that deserves more attention!

Paul Kaplan is a real troubadour: amusing and entertaining.  Try to discover his back catalogue. You will be pleasantly surprised.

​Wonderful journey into the musical intelligence of singer-songwriter Allan Thomas.  Poetic and spellbounding. Very Recommended!

This EP from The Honeyshotz on the Superfly Funk & Soul label contains 6 tracks. You can categorize their music in the same vein as The Brand New Heavies. A mixture of (sunny) acid jazz with soul & funk. A nice introduction! 

​Two years ago he proudly promoted his debut album 'The Box 1'. So now there is 'Dumpster Fire'. Ned found his soul mates in drummer Joey Pafumi, saxophonist Marty Phillips and keyboardist John Wadkins. Co-producer Alex Allinson was brought in to extinguish this fire in a waste container. The funky 'Tour Three' may open the dance and that immediately diverges with the soul blues and slide guitar inspired 'McArthur's Cunning Ruger' and the swinging and Rumba enthusiastic 'Barefootin'. The tone has been set for a more than considerate album. 

​This is the first sampler from the German label Golden Rules. It contains 14 tracks, that form a colorful bouquet of soul songs, psychedelic grooves & funky vibes from all over the world. Bringing soul back to the people!

​Rearranged songs of Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler into piano solos.  Alan Clark is absolutely a majestic musician with a back catalogue of 40 years.

​A very nice debut album from the German multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer York with exciting soul, jazz, Latin and tropical atmospheres, all in one. In one word: buy it! 

​In the fall of 2019, Joe started recording a lot of original songs. Until the corona pandemic also caused a paralyzing limitation here. In the course of 2021 Joe will release his new album 'Steal The Wind', on the label Thunder Mountain Records. The album also has an international flavor at the same time. The base tracks and vocals were registered at the Headline Recording Studio in Tampere, Finland. The final guitar chords and mixing found their way into the Blue Sugar Studio in Bastrop, Texas. Just as some lead vocals were recorded in Florida and Lloyd Maines pedal steel guitar reverberated in Austin, Texas. The release ‘Steel The Wind’ is a handsome release that is seeded with country, roots, swampy and exciting rock tunes. 

​A production from Markus Reuter ensures quality.  The collaboration  Pakt  improvises nearly two hours without loss of attention. Great fusion project!

​This third album by singer, trumpetist, guitarist and producer Ilya Serov is a wonderful project, dedicated to Chet Baker. I’m glad to present this to you, because Ilya is a new star on the contemporary jazz firmament! Highly recommended!

​As Fabiano Anthony Forte, Fabian was born in 1943. He was discovered by label boss Bob Marcucci of Chancellor Records, who was charmed by Fabian's looks. However, he had to use a lot of persuasion to convince the young Fabian of a rock 'n' roll career. At first, things went a bit rough until he scored one hit after another for Chancellor in 1959. This compilation's title track, Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman's 'Turn Me Loose', 'Tiger' and 'Hound Dog Man' were huge successes. The last three songs even landed him in the top 10 of the Billboard Pop Charts. The above hits are all on this compilation, but there is more. And that little bit more makes this collector a real must-have. In addition to these hits, he also recorded a number of albums for Chancellor that were filled with fine and above all sensational rock 'n' roll. A number of these songs can be found on this collector. Just like 'Break Down And Cry', the only song he recorded for the Dot label. Modeled as a cross between Elvis Presley and Rick Nelson, he became hugely endear to his female fans.
'I'am A Man' highlights the talent of one of the greatest. His musical career may be short-lived, but the songs he recorded between 1958 and 1961 effortlessly convince of his enormous talent. This collector, marketed by Bear Family, is therefore surprisingly good. Recommended!

​John Watts has absolutely no desire to please his older fans, hence this very committed album.  And for that he should be aprreciated.

​‘Bronze’ was, like so many other terms, a word that was used in America at the time to refer to African/Americans. Of course they also celebrate Christmas and if you google it, you immediately notice how many films have been released about their Christmas. Compiler Little Victor therefore decided to simply call this album 'Bronze Christmas'. Of course you won't find any white performers on the 28 tracks. What you can expect is beautiful blues and rhythm & blues, as only that community can make them. But there is more, namely danceable rock 'n' roll and beautiful harmony vocals, with or without gospel influences.
'Bronze Christmas' is ideal to echo through your living room in the coming Christmas period. Together with the Christmas albums already reviewed here, we are sure that you will have a Merry Christmas!

​On this new and remix album by Melanie Charles, the legacy of female black singers, that came before her, stands central. Soul, jazz and R&B are the ingredients of this musical project, where Melanie combines modern sounds with original (black) music. 

​With volume 38 in the 'That'll Flat…Git it!' series we dive into the archives of the Liberty label and its sub-label Freedom.
The independent Liberty Records started in 1955 on the American West Coast and was originally specialized in film music. A year after its founding, legendary pianist and film music composer Henry Mancini signed on and stayed there until 1958. Although Liberty specialized in film music, the label later cataloged other genres, including rock 'n' roll and rockabilly. The 37 tracks on this compilation give a good idea of this. Eddie Cochran was certainly the most famous and successful artist at Liberty. In addition to Cochran, Johnny Burnette and Bobby Vee also signed to the label in 1960.
In short, in addition to well-known work, there is again a lot to discover on this compilation that can certainly be on the same level as the high flyers. And of course you get extensive info about the tracks through Bill Dahl's liner notes.

​Unbelievable, after 22 years diva Diana Ross is back with new material. She recorded this album during the lockdown in her home studio. And it’s a proof that after 2 decades she still sounds good! It’s good to have her back!

​When the pandemic hit, Mick Schafer focused on the blues genre. With the help of some friends, the record 'Back To The Blues' was launched. In nine original songs Mick capitulates his own blues style. Everything looks relaxed, which only benefits his intended sound. Mick's rough voice timbre lends itself perfectly to songs like 'Over In The Corner'. Great stuff..!

On her eighth album, African-American jazz singer Nicole Henry brings a mixture of jazz standards and pop songs. It’s a very nice visiting card of her singing talent, and you can easily compare her to Natalie Cole. 

​Melodic popsongs with an irresistible positive vibe makes us all happy!  See you in Europe guys!

The idea for this debut album by clarinetiste & saxophonist Hillai Govreen and pianist Nitsan Kolko was born during the Covid pandemic in NYC. Back in their homeland, Israel, they began composing, and the result is melancholic and introvert music. But it sounds always quiet and there is enough room for improvisations.