​'Rockin' Up A Storm', the third volume in the five-part series 'Atomic Rockers', does what our speakers are made for. The 28 rocking and rolling tracks again invite you to treat that volume knob to the right. Rock 'n' roll of an exceptionally high quality is the reason for this. Brilliant, catchy rock 'n' roll, doo-wop and compelling pop from the fifties and early sixties.
Like its two predecessors, volume 3 in the 'Atomicat Rockers' series is also one to blast through your speakers as often as possible. Satisfaction guaranteed!

​Last year, the first part of the new series 'Atomicat Rockers' was published just at the last minute. That part was titled 'Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie. The Atomicat label starts the new year right away with a bang with the second volume in this series, entitled 'Crazy Crazy Party'. That title completely sums it up. After all, with 28 superior rockers, compiler Mark Armstrong will give you a smashing first '2022 party'.
So lay down your drink for a while, grab that girl and dance till you drop. Go for it!

​'Atomicat Rockers' is the latest series to be launched by the label Atomicat. Over 5 volumes we are treated to the rocking and rolling songs that accompanied the often wild life of the youngsters in the fifties.
The first part is titled 'Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie' and judging by the cover it was also heavy in the middle of the last century. Composer Mark Armstrong collected 28 songs for this collection that reflect the atmosphere of that time. Rock 'n' roll and rocking rhythm & blues recorded between the early 1950s and early 1960s.
With this new series, Atomicat has once again hit the bull's eye. Incidentally, the first part immerses you in a beautiful sound quality, in the songs that gave color to the lives of young people in the fifties. With 4 issues to go, we can already close with 'an unmissable series'.

​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.

​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!

​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.

In America, the word ‘hootenanny’ is used for something or someone that one cannot immediately name. With us, the term more or less became established through the music program 'Jools Holland's Hootenanny' broadcast by the BBC on New Year's Eve. The album 'Atomicat Hootenanny' is not only a wonderful compilation to dive into the new year, but also a collection of 30 songs that you can enjoy all year round. Rock 'n' roll, rhythm & blues and blues of the very best kind!
It is already self-evident, but this 'Atomicat Hootenanny' compiled by Mark Armstrong is again a bull's eye and ideal to provide your end-of-year parties with stylish music.

​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!

​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!

​After the previously released first volume, 'Rockin' Rollin' Covers' now also gets a sequel. Again you get 30 songs, most of which you definitely know in the original version. Some of these tracks have been covered countless times, while you rarely find a cover version of other songs. In short, enough reasons to go on a voyage of discovery.
It is a fact that only the very best covers were selected. 'Rockin' Rollin' Covers, Vol. 2' is highly recommended.

​With 'Fatty Patty', the subtitle of this volume, this miniseries also ends. A series that introduced us to lesser known and often obscure artists within rock 'n' roll and rockabilly. Songs in styles like jive, stroll and bop that not only score high quality, but can also get any party going effortlessly. This album also lives up to those expectations. During 28 tracks you will once again be amazed by the number of songs that, despite their quality, could not reach the general public when they were released. Songs that didn't make it at the time, but which can now happily be enjoyed with great sound quality. Beautiful series! Keep up the good work compiler Marcus Juárez!

​As we reported earlier, 'Stroll-A-Rama', just like its brothers 'Jive-A-Rama' and 'Bop-A-Rama', received a sequel with a second volume. The reviews of the last two have already appeared on this site. Now it is of course the turn of 'Stroll-A-Rama', another atmospheric album with danceable grooves that contain rhythm & blues, rock 'n' roll, rockabilly and doo-wop. Thirty tracks, carefully composed by Mark Armstrong, with beautiful artwork from Henrique San, catapult you like a tsunami back to the fifties and early sixties.
Anyone who has volume 1 of 'Stroll-A-Rama' in their record collection knows that they want volume 2 next to it without hesitation.

​After the recently released album 'Little Bitty Girl', 'Teen Lover' is the next release in the 'Pan-American Rockin' Recordings' series. Again 26 tracks by non-obvious artists. It's a fact that guitars are an integral part of rock 'n' roll and rockabilly, and so is this compilation.
In the fifties and early sixties the emerging rock 'n' roll and rockabilly revolutionized the music that had been classified as 'entertainment' until then. It makes sense that unknown artists tried to follow in the footsteps of the stars and hoped to gain fame. That is why many songs sometimes resemble to the repertoire of those who had already made it. Are these songs inferior? Not at all, only they weren't lucky enough to get airplay and promotion.

​With the fourth volume, entitled 'Dangerous Redhead', we are immediately at the penultimate in the series. We can guess how dangerous she is, but if she goes crazy to the sound of rock 'n' roll guitars, you better be prepared. These 28 tracks are her preference for a 'Saturday night party'. Let's see if the songs, brought together by Marcus Juárez, can also get us in a party mood.
And……….we can't help but agree with the song choice of 'Dangerous Read'. Rock 'n' roll and rockabilly that give your stiff muscles the necessary workout. With 'Fatty Patty', the last volume, you can complete this series from September 17.

The second volume of the 'Jive-A-Rama', 'Stroll-A-Rama' and 'Bop-A-Rama' series is a fact. The review of 'Jive-A-Rama' vol. 2 you already got on this site, the second part of 'Stroll-A-Rama' will be released on September 17, but first there is the 'Bop-A-Rama part 2’, which will been available since September 3rd. 30 tracks, all categorized under rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, bluegrass and blues bop, can make the dance enthusiast go wild again.
Chicago, Hollywood, California, Arkansas, Texas, New York City, Kansas City, Minnesota, Los Angeles and Germany, the 30 tracks come from all over the world.
And as usual, Mark Armstrong was once again on duty as the compiler. For the beautiful cover he could again count on 'illustrator wizard' Henrique San.
‘Bop-A-Rama, Vol. 2' once again fully lives up to the KokoMojo statement 'killers and no fillers'.

​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.

​‘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.

​Whether the 'girl on the cover' is a 'Ping Pong Baby', we are not going to comment on that. As for the music on this volume 3, we can be clear about that. The 28 tracks do not 'ping pong' to different music genres. Without distinction they all fall under the heading 'rockabilly and rock 'n' roll'. Another thing we are sure of is that the emphasis is on the lesser known work. Unknown and until now probably also unloved. But that soon changes after listening. The songs shine through their 'straightforward' rebellious character, typical of the genres. So no brushed shots. ‘Pick up those guitars, put that bass up, get behind your drum kit and you, get that mic in your hand quickly, because we're going to record a single, got it?’ That, in a nutshell, is the philosophy behind most of these recordings. And that's not bad, because that's how songs are created that do the real rockabilly and rock 'n' roll all the credit.
Once again there is a lot to discover. Bet that after listening you will change the expression 'unknown and unloved' to 'unknown but now happily loved'?

​Recently we reviewed 'Shilly Dilly' an album from the 'Koko-Mojo Original' series or the next album in that series is already announcing itself. 'Knockdown' with the subtitle 'and lubricate the gear' serves again 28 tracks. 28 tracks that once again balance between authentic rhythm & blues, rocking rhythm & blues and rock 'n' roll.
Each album in the 'Koko-Mojo Original' series has its own emphasis. 'Knockdown' distinguishes itself by its mainly uptempo tracks that seriously hit you. Guitar driven, dynamic songs that don't shy away from a raw and harder sound. 'Knockdown' is therefore yet another bull's eye.

​It had been a long time since another album from the 'Pan-American Rockin' Recordings' series was released. Until now, because 'Little Bitty Girl' joins the already extensive series. 26 rocking, rolling and rockabilly tracks provide about an hour of unlimited enjoyment. These songs didn't always reach us when they were released because they were mostly released on American local labels and in small numbers. They will therefore not immediately ring a bell, but they are certainly no less interesting.
'Little Bitty Girl' revives the heyday of rock 'n' roll and rockabilly for an hour. Let yourself be carried away by the razor-sharp guitars, energetic voices, swinging saxes and 'put on your dancing shoes'. Wonderful album!

'Be Empathic, She's A Flirt', that's the seventh rock 'n' roll commandment. If you thought she was honest, forget it, because before you know it, she'll be rambling the opposite through your brain. Dust enough for 30 great songs, as can be heard on this album.
A relationship sometimes has sharp edges, which are not always perfectly removable. That inspired artists to catchy rhythm & blues, rock 'n' roll and rockabilly. Enjoying this album, we are already looking forward to 'Commandment Eight' which is entitled 'Do Not Commit Adultery, The Cheater'. That promises!

​Volume 2 in the 'Rock and Roll Floozy' series is titled 'Lazy Susan'. ‘What’s in a name?’ is a question that certainly pops up in some minds. ‘Lazy Susan’ may conjure up a certain image, but just as well all male eyes are on her as she enters the bar, shaking her blond locks. And that she will attract even more attention when the tracks of this album rumble through the speakers and she moves towards the dance floor, you can safely bet on that. The 28 songs come mainly from lesser-known and even completely unknown artists, but are invariably gems from the treasury of rock 'n' roll and rockabilly.
So there is a lot to discover and especially to enjoy. And luckily the end of this series is not yet in sight. After all, there are still 3 volumes in the pipeline. The next volume with 'Ping Pong Baby' will be released on August 20th.

​Long awaited and now it's finally here. The recent release in the 'Rocks' series focuses on none other than Sonny Burgess. For rockabilly fans, the man needs no further explanation. For readers who don't know him yet, we would like to give a small introduction. Albert Austin Burgess was born on May 28, 1929 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Like Roy Orbison, Elvis and so many others, Sonny also took his first studio steps at Sun. 'We Wanna Boogie' and 'Red Headed Woman' recorded there were just about the wildest rockabilly that Sam Phillips had in the house. Convince yourself of Sonny's phenomenal voice and guitar work and especially the energy that Sonny radiated.
Raw vocals, tons of energy, talent, craftsmanship, beautiful guitar parts and powerful rock 'n' roll and rockabilly. Qualities that Sonny undeniably had.
Plug this compilation into your playback device and take a decades-long journey with one of rockabilly's greatest, full of energy and power, Sonny Burgess. He passed away on August 18, 2017.

​With regard to the 'Ten Commandments of Rock 'n' Roll', we are over halfway with 'Be Faithful, Let's Jump The Broomstick', also the sixth commandment. This means something like 'let's live together and stay faithful'. Love therefore radiates from the 30 tracks, carefully composed by Mark Armstrong.
Volume 6 of 'The Ten Commandments Of Rock 'n' Roll' again contains excellent rock 'n' roll and rocking rhythm & blues. August 6 is the release date of volume 7, which is titled ‘Be Empathic, She's A Flirt.’ We are already looking forward to it and keep an eye on this site for the review.

​With Barry Etris’ quirky but very good version of Cliff Richard's 'The Young Ones', the last track on the first volume, we were halfway through the party. We now immediately start jumping on volume 2 with 'Jump Rock and Roll' by The Marvels , who recorded it for the ABC label in 1956. This second volume is also the last in this miniseries. Again, it serves 30 songs for jumping, rockin’ 'n' rollin’, strollin' and boppin'. Songs that can again be situated in the period 1956-1963, say 'the golden years' for the most diverse forms of rock 'n' roll.
‘Summertime Scorchers, vol. 1 and 2' are the perfect soundtrack for an awesome, sun-drenched beach party, although these two compilations can certainly also make your garden party unforgettable.