​Often you don't know too well what gift to give someone for his or her birthday. Well, maybe this compilation can bring some solace. Not only is the album provided with a 'birthday sticker' on which you can write down the name of the giver and receiver, but above all it contains 32 tracks dating from the fifties and early sixties, which quickly shift the birthday party up a gear. Tracks that also contain multiple music genres. Rock 'n' roll, doo-wop, rhythm & blues and country, whether or not in combination, adorn this CD.
It needs no further explanation. 'Happy Birthday, Baby!' is a beautiful theme compilation that shouldn't just be in your playback device on birthdays, by the way.

​After the successful 'Unfiltered' from 2018, he is now promoting the long player 'Pier 43'. Paul opens with the slide guitar and voodoo-inspired 'Old Time Superstition' to continue his way with the shuffle 'Angel Face' and the guitar instrumental 'Pier 43'. The start of a very tight and strong album! 

​Among the favorite dances of rock 'n' roll and rockabilly lovers were the Lindy Hop, the Jive, the Bunny Hop and also the Bop. The latter gets all the attention in the new volume of 'On The Dancefloor With....'. Probably the most famous artist who popularized the genre is Gene Vincent. Together with his inseparable Blue Caps, Gene recorded the genre danceable songs like 'Dance To The Bop', 'Bluejean Bop' and 'Bop Street'. Songs that also got a place on this compilation. But other well-known and lesser-known artists were also more than happy to get on the 'bop train'.
This compilation closes with the instrumental 'No Stoppin' The Boppin'' by The Tune Rockers. A real truth, because indeed the extremely high 'bop content' of these 36 tracks ensures that the party can last for a while.

​Lone Star Mojo, a blues rock band from Wichita Falls, Texas, are five musicians with decades of experience. All contributed their unique style to this album of new old songs. From hard soul rock and blues to quirky off-beat humorous songs. The band Lone Star Mojo creates a niche in today's musical landscape. The band is not perfect and has a rough edge. This is what makes these songs so special. They are real and sincere, taking you on a roller coaster of musical truths. When Covid hit, Joe Splawn, the Hammond B3 player with 57 years of stage experience, worked diligently on a lot of songs. He called the other four band members if they wanted to record an album. Joe Splawn (Hammond B3, lead vocals), Mark Snyder (guitar, vocals), Scott Biggs (guitar, vocals), bassist Tim Maloney and drummer Barry Sloan hit the studio. The result is 'Rough Around The Edges', a blues rock album in the time-honored Texas blues tradition. Great! 

​Johnny Kidd is the next to appear in the series 'The Brits Are Rocking'. Although he died in 1966 at the age of 30, Johnny Kidd and The Pirates are among the greatest British rockers. In the late 1950s and the following 1960s, many artists tried to build a career on Elvis-based singing. But Kidd wasn't guilty of that. He made himself immortal by naturally developing his own style and with 'Shakin' All Over' he managed to reach the top of British rockers. It is therefore not surprising that other artists were inspired by Johnny. Artists like The Who, The Hollies, Tom Jones and undoubtedly many others openly admitted this. And could David Bowie's pirate look at one point in his career have been a reference to Johnny Kidd?
This compilation contains all the highlights of Johnny Kidd's short but powerful career. Of course 'Shakin' All Over' could not be missed, but there is so much more to enjoy. In addition to the songs he recorded with different line-ups in his Pirates, you also get 'Hurry On Back To Love' / 'I Want That', solo single that Johnny recorded in 1962. The 20 tracks are also supplemented with 14 tracks from six radio performances that Johnny gave for BBC radio. This includes three short conversations Brian Matthew had with Johnny.
This compilation clearly shows that Johnny Kidd could not be compared to anyone. Vocally he sought his own way, which was also expertly supported by his Pirates. His arrangements were also exceptionally original for that period.
One thing is clear and simple, no one rocked like Johnny Kidd. In fantastic sound quality, this compilation is therefore a more than formidable tribute to one of, if not the greatest, British rocker.

​The band is now on their eighth full-length, and cult rock diva Lex Gray and Vic 'Mix' Deyglio, whom they first met in the New York Power Station Studio, embrace eleven original tracks. Lex drop-dead vocal parts are almost a constant for the sound. The eclectic mix of blues and Americana create another great record. Highly recommended! 

​Almost a year ago, the fourth volume appeared in the 'Rockin' Soul Party' series, which is now being followed up with volume 5. The 30 tracks that make up this compilation date from the period 1957-1963 and are actually the forerunners of the genre that was later defined as 'soul' and that inspired a label like Tamla Motown.
Expect uptempo soul, compelling soul, soulful doo-wop and rhythm & blues.
We can't help it either, but honesty compels us to warmly recommend the fifth volume in the 'Rockin' Soul Party' as well. Enjoy it!

​Anyone who regularly reads the reviews on this site will undoubtedly have noticed that we do not hide our enthusiasm for contemporary German bands that are active in the roots genres. That also applies to The Bluesanovas from Münster. The palmares of this five already explains a few things. In 2019 they won the 'German Blues Challenge', in both 2020 and 2021 they won the 'German Blues Award' and at the 'International Blues Challenge' in 2020 in Memphis, the men were among the semi-finalists. In addition, The Bluesanovas were allowed to play the support act for Eric Clapton's German tour in 2022. The guys already have two albums and an EP out. They went back into the studio for 'The Moonshine Record' and it also became their first album for CrossCut Records. The album will be released on LP and cd. On the LP you get, along with the lyrics of the songs, a card signed by the band and as a bonus, the CD. We only received the CD, which contains one bonus track.
What immediately stands out is that the musicians are damn well attuned to each other. The rhythm section is very tight and the lead guitar fills the gaps with knowledge and talent. And also the vocal parts score. But sometimes, very occasionally, actually only once the voice doesn't have enough range. That's in the rockabilly song 'Skinny Honey'. Is this an insurmountable problem? No, not at all, because when the band goes blues, the vocals are for more than 100% okay.
With 'The Moonshine Record' The Bluesanovas deliver a beautiful album, on which especially the slow blues songs have international class. Congratulations gentlemen Bluesanovas!

The story of and around Sem Jansen is well known in the music landscape. His debut album 'Uncle Sem' is therefore a special story. Until about five years ago, singer-songwriter/guitarist and teacher Sem Jansen went through life as singer Britt Jansen with the Leif de Leeuw Band. Until Britt started the transition. Before he started this route, Sem recorded the first six songs. Four years later, this album was supplemented with beautiful Americana songs and with his current much lower vocal range. The songs tell the story of a transgender person. A born woman goes into transition to continue life as a man. This path has social, medical, legal and psychological aspects. A story that is told in catchy blues songs.

In the previously published volumes in the 'Rhythm & Western' series, we were already introduced to black artists who found their inspiration in the country & western, which until then belonged more to white artists. That trend also continues in volume 6 'I'm Moving On'. Country & Western, rhythm & blues, blues and gospel in 28 tracks by well-known and lesser-known black artists. The names known to the general public are certainly Little Richard, Lazy Lester, Clyde McPhatter, Lloyd Price, Ivory Joe Hunter, The Platters, Sam Cooke and Blind Willie McTell. But just as well let yourself be surprised by the artists that may not be so well known to you. You won't regret it!
With this compilation, compiler Little Victor aka 'The Mojo Man' has once again delivered a direct hit. Next month, the series will continue with 'Jambalaya', the number seven.

In the period before Valentine's Day, the label released the album 'Think Me A Kiss' in 2021. The following year came volume 2 with the name 'Kiss Me' and now Atomicat releases the third volume that bears the name 'Kiss Away', subtitled 'Rock 'n' Roll Songs Of Happiness'. Once again, Mark Armstrong collected 30 tracks that have love as their subject. Love in all its forms. Big love, why fall in love, longing for someone, true love, the pitfalls, the charm to finally be one with someone, these are all subjects that are sung about in both rock and roll and doo-wop, which were recorded from 1954 to 1962.
'Kiss Away' is the soundtrack that will brighten up your Valentine. But just as well, this album is suitable to please your romantic soul 365 days a year.
Brilliant album!

​The release 'Capricorn' is the successor to the successful 'Little Black Flies', which was voted to Blues Rock Review's Top 20 Albums of 2021.The expectations were high, but Eddie 9V is now exceedingly fulfilling them. Eddie entered the studio with a whole list of guest musicians and puts his soul throat on songs like 'Beg Borrow Steal' and the funky 'Yella Alligator'. A lot of Memphis soul, some blues and a rare ballad and gospel in between... And that's how Eddie 9V knows how to keep his listeners focused. Highly recommended!

With 'Sure Look Good To Me' we are exactly halfway through the 'More Boss Black Rockers' series. True to tradition, 28 tracks packed with black rhythm & blues and rock 'n' roll. Between opener the rocking and rolling 'Who Ya Gonna Kiss' by Speedo & The Pearls and closing the New Orleans sound by Fats Domino with 'Where Did You Stay Last Night', there is a lot to discover. Rhythm & blues, rock 'n' roll and doo-wop of excellent quality.
Volume 5 in the 'More Boss Black Rockers' series proves once again that a lot of formidable rhythm & blues, doo-wop and rock 'n' roll were recorded by black artists in the fifties and early sixties. We are curiously looking forward to volume 6 in the series, 'Everything's Cool'. It has been announced for February.

The release ‘Blue Credentials’, the new Malaya Blue album, is the follow up to the critically acclaimed Still, and as the title suggests finds the outstanding UK vocalist delving ever deeper into her blues heart. It’s certainly her most guitar driven album to date.

​The musical trio Kameel is back with the long-awaited album 'Trugschluss'. And what a kind! Patrick Steenaerts (guitar), Hans Mullens (bass) and Geert Roelofs (drums) again provide an obscene and lewd solid game of musical potpourri. Ten compositions, a melting pot that cuts deep into your musical bones. A labyrinth of styles and atmospheres, the trademark of this trio.

​The 13-song collection, Buchanan Lane, named where father and son reside, features original compositions Yates co-wrote with Gary Nicholson, two of his new instrumentals, and a selection of deep cuts from the heroes of blues and soul he has followed since the age of three, self-taught on guitar, bass, drums, and piano.

​With volume 1 of the miniseries 'Sin On Saturday, Pray On Sunday', compiler Mark Armstrong has again found a nice angle. Always on Saturday evening, the 'devils music' reigns supreme and provides loads of entertainment, but on Sunday the pub or at the time the juke joint is exchanged for the church. What can you expect on this album? First of all sublime rhythm & blues and blues for the entertainment on Saturday evening. On Sunday we take a more religious approach with infectious, rousing gospel.
Rhythm & blues, blues and gospel are alternately presented on the album.
Well-known names sure are Little Milton, Sonny Terry, Hound Dog Taylor, Slim Harpo, B.B. King, Memphis Minnie, Junior Wells, The Sensational Nightingales, The Golden Trumpets, Bells of Joy and Golden Gate Quartet.
With 'Sin On Saturday, Pray On Sunday' the KokoMojo label releases yet another high flyer. Volume two, entitled 'Screaming & Crying', will be released in February. Definitely one to look forward to!

​After a couple of hits and astonishing albums, Steppenwolf broke up in 1972, only to reconvene in 1974 - putting out three long-players in a row on Epic Records. The music had changed since ‘Born to Be Wild’ and so had society: punk and pessimism were about to take over, but Steppenwolf just carried on with riffs, middle weight metal, a Message of Love and, of course, John Kay’s crude vocals and jagged phrasing.
The formula still stands, but catchy lines, sing-along choruses or melodic varnishing are missing too often. Mind you, the first album (‘Slow Flux’, 1974), is quite a varied affair, with a real rocking Steppenwolf opener, slow and slightly Country-influenced protest song ‘Justice Don’t Be Slow’, the softer and keys-driven ‘Morning Blues’ or the soulish and brass-borne ‘Straight Shootin’ Woman’. The same approach can be found on ‘Hour of the Wolf’ (1975) and ‘Skullduggery’ (1976), but originality and freshness fade away in favour of repetitiveness, with a non-distinctive cover of ‘(I’m A) Roadrunner’ or average funk metal (‘Lip Service’) to prove the point. At the same time though, quieter songs come to the fore (‘Sleep’), with the more elaborate ‘Mr. Penny Pincher’ showing a possible alternative route. But that wasn’t to be.
Cherry Red has gathered all three re-mastered albums and a few bonuses in a box, together with a detailed booklet containing new information.
Radio 68  plays the entire (!) ‘Slow Flux’ album on Wednesday 18 January 2023, from 12 noon onwards CET Brussels / 11 a.m. GMT London.

​Baul Meets Saz combines Turkish and Bengal traditional music in a way that serenity anoints human being. Like the trio says: Love Live and Let Live!

​The group’s second album, I’ll Carry You Home, celebrates ten years of bringing their collective joy and energy for this music to the people, showcasing seven new original tunes along with four carefully chosen covers. 

​The release ‘Freedhome’ is TAO's eighth album, sung entirely in English and containing 15 songs. With sounds that move easily between pop, folk, country, rock and Americana. TAO devoted himself to the production of the new album, playing every instrument present in the recordings: vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, drums, percussion, piano and string arrangements, accompanied by his great love and life partner Ana, his inspiring muse. What a discovery! Highly recommended!

​A music journey without borders!  

​In the 1950s to the mid-1960s, a lot of rock 'n' roll, rockabilly and rhythm & blues were recorded in America. Unfortunately, only a few of those artists managed to achieve worldwide recognition and success. Were those other artists' recordings that bad? Well, no, but usually the major labels put all their money and energy into promoting those few with whom they thought they could make the cash register ring. Many recordings were also made with independent regionally active labels, which made it even more difficult for these artists to break through internationally. The fact that those lesser-known songs certainly don't have to end up in the dark corner is an achievement that the Atomicat label can certainly put on their account with 'The Rockin' Spot' series. The first two volumes, namely 'Juliet' and 'Louise', were recently published and now there is the third volume that has been given the name 'Jeanie'. Like the previous volumes, 'Jeanie' also contains 28 awesome rocking and rolling tracks.
We can only conclude that 'JEANIE', the third volume in 'The Rockin' Spot' series, is another great hit.

​The 23-year-old American singer-songwriter Dyer Davis is now promoting his debut album for the WildRoots Records label. Dyer left the band Soul Child, and is now returning to the music that first inspired him to become a musician. He got his inspiration from his father, who was also a seasoned musician, and who initiated him into the rock sound that characterized the sixties and seventies. Blues rock caught his attention. On the release 'Dog Bites Back' Dyer contrasts with blues rock, soul, funky tracks and a rare piano ballad. A great musical future awaits him! Highly recommended....

​The trio blend classic swing with bluesy be-bop and touches of Latin Jazz in an unplugged environment reminiscent of the 1950’s and early 60’s artists like Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith, and Kenny Burrell.