This reworking provides an insight into how authentic, original and timeless these blues songs were! …. On the groundbreaking new collection ‘New Moves’ Marshall Chess and Jamar Chess team with producer Keith LeBlanc to dive into their family’s hallowed Chess Records vault; offering stunning reinterpretations of Chess’ blues legends, many of whom Marshall worked with firsthand. Featuring The Chess Project - a band hand-recruited by LeBlanc with Marshall and Jamar - the album highlights world class musicians who’ve backed artists like James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner as they reimagine Chess gems first recorded by Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and more. ‘New Moves’ is an album nearly two decades in the making, conceived by Marshall Chess and Keith LeBlanc whom he met while working at the pioneering hip-hop label Sugar Hill Records (who helped launch artists like Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel). The original idea was to use samples of the original Chess blues masters combined with new original instrumental tracks created by LeBlanc. Legal issues using the original samples surfaced so the idea evolved to one which has become ‘New Moves,’ a collection of reimagined recordings with songs selected by Marshall and production by LeBlanc. This transformation includes a starring role for longtime Rolling Stones backing vocalist Bernard Fowler.

We didn’t think it would be possible to capture the energy and atmosphere of our live show on CD, but thanks to Adrian Gains at the Temperance Bar in Leamington Spa, by Jove we think we’ve done it! Adrian recorded our live show in October 2023 and now we’ve mixed and mastered it down to ¼ tape with Ed Deegan at the vintage and analogue heaven that is Gizzard Recordings.

If you want to be surprised by an experimental afro postpunk sound, then you have to explore the music of Avalanche Kaito.  Freak out - Raw energy!

Primer & Corritore has a fourth collaborative project with 'Crawlin' Kingsnake'. They found their soulmates in the legendary Bob Stroger on bass, Wes Starr (drums and percussion), Jimi Smith on guitar and backing vocals and pianist Anthony Geraci. The Chicago blues shuffle 'Take A Message' is credited to James Cotton, just as 'Crawlin' Kingsnake' is originally by John Lee Hooker, but has here the vibe of Muddy Waters. Primer shines vocally in the Willie Dixon's classic 'Down In The Bottom', which was a hit in 1961 for Howlin' Wolf. The track 'Hiding Place' was composed by Primer, just like the slow blues 'Chains And Things' belonged to B.B. King is. And then follows a triptych of Muddy songs. 'Stuff You Gotta Watch' is a killer boogie, 'Rosalee Blues' a wonderful ballad and the masterful 'Feels Like Going Home'. After the funky 'You're The One' we dive into the deep Delta with the gospel-inspired 'Bow Down On Your Knees', we head to the Windy City for the blues shuffle 'This Little Voice' and they dusted off Magic Slims 'Gravel Road'. ' from under the dust. Primer's lived-in Chicago blues voice and compelling guitar playing form a perfect combination with Corritore's virtuoso harmonica and this legendary rhythm section. The blues still alive!

Shanw Kellerman looks in to the future, he remains committed to pushing the bounderies of his artistry while staying true to his roots. ‘Kell’s Kitchen’ is an musical odyssey that transcends gene boundaries and celebrates the universal language of music in all its diverse forms. Highly recommended! 

Their blend of traditional blues with their innovative and modern original material has made them the band to see in Maine." Cryin’ Out Loud is a dynamic blues band that is currently touring and recording albums. And with that we are happy to announce that Cryin’ Out Loud’s ‘Play Loud, Smoke Often’ is coming soon! Produced by Grammy award winner Paul Nelson and recorded in Bangor, Maine, their debut release is highly anticipated and inspired by the likes of The Band, The Allman Brothers Band, Little Feat, and of course all the blues greats. There is something for everyone! This album is full of brand new originals and features guest appearances from Erik Lawrence of Little Feat, Paul Nelson of The Paul Nelson Band, and Ana Popovic’s renowned keyboardist, Michele Papadia.

Brazilian jazz with a sousaphone as bass and the flute as a magical instrument. Great!

Almost 28 years after their debut, Arab Strap have never sounded more essential, and this new record is a fierce testament to their laser focus on wider horizons. Written and performed exclusively by Malcolm Middleton & Aidan Moffat, and finessed with longtime collaborator Paul Savage, the album furthers the band’s transformation from swooning, slow-core romantics to raging, alt-pop chroniclers.

Splendid live album from this Malian guitar player who played with BB King, Santana and Herbie Hancock.  Not to be missed!

The sound is a nice mix of rock, blues, Americana, country and southern rock with sincere lyrics, with a nice seventies touch. 

The duo behind Donna Blue exist in a grainy, cinematic realm. One where the twang of jangly guitars, groovy bass rythms and sensual vocals call out to you. Once you’re in, you can only surrender to their noir-romantic sound. The group’s signature chamber pop music is a chic sixties sound that floats somewhere between Nancy & Lee’s moody western duets and Serge Gainsbourg’s upbeat French hit songs, whilst drawing plenty of inspiration from obscure vintage film soundtracks and psychedelia. Whichever way their next song goes, it leads the way into bygone, or perhaps, for the poet and dreamer, future days - offering an escape from the mundane.

'School Is In' is the first volume in the two-part series 'School House Rock'. The school was part of the daily lives of the teenagers who embraced the new genres of rock 'n' roll and rockabilly. In addition to attending classes and the associated tests, many romances also developed at school. Romances where joy and sadness were often close together. It is therefore self-evident that all these items provided a lot of inspiration for the artists who had often only just left their school years few behind them. On the first volume 'School Is In' you get 34 tracks that focus on school and everything related to it. You are undoubtedly familiar with some of these recordings, such as Chuck Berry's 'School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes The Bell)' and Jerry Lee Lewis' 'High School Confidential'. These can also be found on this album. Others may sound less familiar or even unknown to you, so time to discover them. The words 'Little School Girl' will often appear in the titles and lyrics. This happens for the first time with Wilbert Harrison, who gives his 'Little School Girl' a poppy exotic atmosphere. Mastering the alphabet in a rocking way, then 'A.B.C. Rock' by Bill Haley and His Comets has come to the right place. And also pay attention to Billy Williamson's beautiful vocals. Dorsey and Johnny Burnette wrote Ricky Nelson's 'Waitin' In School', here in Frankie Lymon's version. The title track 'School Is In' comes from the young Gary (U.S.) Bonds, who would later achieve great acclaim. The song has a lot of rhythm & blues in its genes, although the teenagers of the time would not have been able to identify with the lyrics. The Delacardos deliver an excellent slow doo-wop song with 'Letter To A School Girl'. Later, The Delacardos would later focus more on the soul repertoire. Uptempo doo-wop follows later with '(I Wanna) Dance With The Teacher' by The Olympics. The “5” Roayles give you more goosebumps-inducing harmonies with 'School Girl'. They are followed in the same genre by 'High School Affair' by The Five Chums. And The Falcons also provide beautiful vocal performances in 'The Teacher', just like The Winstons in 'School Girl'. Don Willis provides exciting rockabilly drenched in echo in 'Boppin' High School Baby'. Chubby Checker would later have a world hit with 'Let's Twist Again'. Here you get Chubby with the formidable, somewhat hilarious sounding 'The Class'. The Shades are completely unknown. Incomprehensible because 'School Bus' is a pearl of 'teenager garage rock'. The pop-infused 'School Bus Love Affair' by Wynn Stewart certainly sounds impressive. Duets only occur sporadically in rock 'n' roll. Don and Bob demonstrate that it can be done successfully in 'Good Morning, Little School Girl', as well as The Kalin Twins with 'School Bell Dream'. For major tearjerkers, skip to 'High School Dance' by the emotional Larry Williams and 'Yearbook' by John D. Loudermilk. Larry Birdsong also scores well with the rocking rhythm & blues 'Little School Girl'.
Furthermore, excellent rocking work from Gene Summers, Bird Rollins, Billy Harian, Joey Dee and The Starliters, Sonny James, Doug Connell, Benny Joy, Conway Twitty, Ronnie Allen, Frankie Avalon and closing act Jimmy Case.
'School House Rock, Vol. 1, School Is In!' is the soundtrack of the young people who were still considered teenagers in the fifties. A soundtrack that still sounds energetic and fresh more than half a century later. So we will be curiously looking forward to the second volume. This first volume is highly recommended.

L.A.B return with their new album, L.A.B VI, the latest addition to their expanding catalogue. After recording & releasing their first five albums in a five year span, L.A.B VI arrives after an almost two year-long period of writing, recording, tweaking & finessing what is their strongest album to date.

Raphaël Gimenes is a really talented guitar player and a sensual singer/composer who loves his new homeland and doesn’t deny his roots. Go with the flow!

Some time ago you got the review of 'PJ Proby Presley Style', which you can re-read here. That album contained demos that were presented to Presley and from which the King could make his choice. But Proby was not the only one who made demos with a complete band for Elvis. Someone who also did that was the singer/songwriter Randy Starr, born in 1930. Around the mid-1950s, Randy wrote songs that were recorded by Jackie Wilson, Connie Francis and The Kingston Trio, among others. In 1957 Randy himself scored as a performer with the poppy 'After School'. However, he would achieve his greatest successes as a songwriter. Between 1963 and 1968, Starr wrote and produced roughly 70 songs, 35 of which you will hear on this album. Starr himself can be heard on 14 tracks and Kenny Karen is responsible for 13. Malcolm Dodds and Jerry Keller are the performing artists for the remaining songs. The demos Randy made for Elvis were extremely professional. Demos of which Presley personally selected no fewer than 12 for the soundtrack of his films. This first volume is part of a mini series consisting of 2 CDs, which will contain a total of 70 songs. On this first volume you get 6 songs that Presley used in his films. These are 'Kissin' Cousins' from the film of the same name, 'The Yellow Rose Of Texas' from 'Viva Las Vegas', 'Look Out, Broadway' from 'Frankie and Johnny', 'Datin'' from 'Paradise, Hawaiian Style' , 'Adam and Evil' from 'Spinout' and 'The Girl I Never Loved' from 'Clambake'.
From the first track it becomes clear that Randy Starr was able to empathize very well with Presley's taste and also did not lose sight of the commercial character. It should also be noted that these are songs that are similar to his films in terms of creating atmosphere. It is therefore no wonder that Elvis chose 12 of Starr's compositions for the soundtrack of his films.
An additional plus is that the Presley fan can listen to the songs here first-hand, just as the King was presented with them. Moreover, Randy Starr also gets the attention he deserves. It is also nice that you can compare these demos with the recordings from the films. This way you can follow the evolution of a song from the songwriter's table to the recording in the studio.
Of the 35 demo recordings, only one was released. The other songs are now appearing on CD or vinyl for the first time.
For the liner notes, Bear Family Records could count on the recently deceased Trevor Simpson, who was in close contact with Randy Starr for years and also interviewed him several times. In addition, the 34-page booklet contains historical photos of both the artists on this album and Presley.
We are already looking forward to 'Randy Starr Presley Style, Lost Elvis Songwriter Demos, Vol. 2'.

Cape Sleep is Kim Janssen's new project. Together with some talented friends, Kim embraces the long player 'Video Days' on the renowned label Snowstar Records. The sound here is very difficult to place in that intended musical corner. And that makes this debut just as great.

No spectacular sound waves but emotional instrumental pieces that reflects their international journey. 

It is common knowledge that the American roots genres inspired each other. For example, new genres such as rock 'n' roll and rockabilly were based on rhythm & blues and country. While white artists sought inspiration in these genres, it also happened in the other direction when black artists turned to country. We get to hear 29 songs of this on 'Shotgun Boogie, Rhythm & Blues Goes Country'. We start straight away with Wynonie Harris who delivers a beautiful rhythm & blues version of Louis Innis' 'Good Morning Judge'. Later he does the same with 'Bloodshot Eyes'. For the title track 'Shotgun Boogie', Eddie Mack, accompanied by the Cootie Williams orchestra, consulted Tennessee Ernie Ford. Mack is also featured a second time with Merle Travis's 'Divorce Me C.O.D.' Blues'. Hank Williams was not only often covered in rock 'n' roll and rockabilly, but the rhythm & blues artists gave his repertoire a very original twist. You can convince yourself of this with Fat Man Robinson and Sonny Knight, in 'My Bucket's Got A Hole In It' and 'Lovesick Blues' respectively. More Hank Williams to come with The Griffin Brothers, feat. Margie Day in 'Move It On Over'. Vocal groups also returned to the country repertoire with great fondness. The Crows delivered a beautiful presentation with the Bill Carlisle composition 'No Help Wanted' and also note the boogie-woogie-inspired piano part by Viola Watkins. You will later get that same song in a solid rhythm & blues version by Bob Gaddy and His Alley Cats. Cole Porter's 'Don't Fence Me In' was given a well-fitting crooner suit in the hands of Tommy Edwards. Such a typical country song is 'Ghost Riders In The Sky'. That changes when 'Scat Man' Crothers gives it a jazzy bluesy twist. Country with a New Orleans rhythm & blues feel presents Smiley Lewis in Link Davis' 'Big Mamou'. Another frequently covered song is Merle Travis' ‘Sixteen Tons’, a song immortalized by Tennessee Ernie Ford. The Platters give the song the depth it deserves. You can also listen to 'Sixteen Tons' later in the blues version of B.B. King. 'Cherokee Boogie (Eh-Oh-Aleena) comes in two versions. The first is the swinging one by Joey Thomas and the second by Moose Jackson. 'Crying In The Chapel' gained enormous fame through Elvis. The Orioles kept the gospel feel and supplemented it with delicious doo-wop. Johnnie Lee Wills gave 'Rag Mop' that typical country feeling. Joe Liggins together with his Honeydrippers transformed the song into a catchy rhythm & blues. Dazzling guitar work awaits you in the instrumental 'Steel Guitar Rag' by Earl Hooker, in which the country is still clearly audible. Country can also be heard in 'Pick Me Up On Your Way Down' by Guitar Jr. Hal Singer presents another beautiful instrumental, but now on sax, with 'Indian Love Call'. 'Pistol Pickin' Mama' is certainly well-known, here in the beautiful doo-wop rhythm & blues version by The Hurricanes.
Closing is reserved for the previously performed 'Shot Gun Boogie' by Eddie Mack and Cootie Williams, which you now get in Cecil Gant's version.
The interaction between country and rhythm & blues produced many beautiful versions of well-known and lesser-known country songs. On this first volume in 'Rhythm & Blues Goes Country' you will hear 28 gems.

Ever since learning to play her first guitar chords in a bluegrass jam at the age of thirty-five, Sue has been discovering her truth in song. These days, her music inhabits the borderlands where blues, folk, country, and soul meet. On Keeping Time, Sue’s unique capacity for pairing meaningful and topical lyrics with ear-catching melodies shines through. 

Last year the first volume of 'Destination Jail' was published and since there are still many songs within blues and rhythm & blues that are related to this, a second volume is now being released. Once again you get 24 songs that all relate to life behind bars. A subject that was often part of lyrics in the blues and rhythm & blues. The black community was initially victims of slavery and that would haunt this community for a long time. There was still no question of equal rights. For example, blacks were referred to prison more quickly than whites and they also served longer sentences for the same offenses committed by whites.
The songs on this compilation date from the 1950s and 1960s and are performed by both well-known and lesser-known and sometimes completely unknown artists. The album starts with 'But Officer' by Sonny Knight. A very special song, in which the voice of the 'officer' is performed by sax and Sonny tries hopelessly to defend himself with 'but officer'. A large number of well-known names can be found on this album. You will find Wynonie Harris with 'Good Morning Judge', a beautiful swinging rhythm & blues. Dave Bartholomew is generally and rightly regarded as the architect of New Orleans rhythm & blues. He did this on the basis of clever compositions. You can hear one of these from Smiley Lewis with 'Jailbird'. New Orleans rhythm & blues is also the basis for Sonny Knight's rocking 'Jail Bird'. One of the most famous performers of New Orleans rhythm & blues is Fats Domino. He showcases that again here during 'Prisoner's Song'. Blues musician Lonesome Sundown is certainly also well known. With 'My Home Is A Prison' he creates a compelling blues. Eddie Boyd and Ottilie Patterson also do this, in 'I'm A Prisoner' and 'Jailhouse Blues' respectively. Blues pianist Roosevelt Sykes is also present, with the extremely beautiful 'Jailbait', which contains both rhythm & blues and a pinch of jazz. The well-known artists follow each other in rapid succession. For a wonderful mix of rhythm & blues and soul, Billy Boy Arnold is the right one, here with 'Prisoner's Plea'. Josh White serves a beautiful 'down home blues' with 'Ball And Chain Blues'. T-Bone Walker was and still is an example for many guitarists, but he also knows how to impress vocally, such as in 'Prison Blues'. More famous people will later appear with Magic Sam in '21 Days In Jail'. A formidable, somewhat hilarious version of 'Riot In Cell Block No. 9' you get from The Robins. Group that would later be transformed into The Coasters. You get a nice example of harmonica blues with Willie Nix and his 'Prison Bound Blues'. Nix was accused of murder and therefore experienced prison life first-hand. 'Chain Gang' was immortalized by Sam Cooke. Here you get a female version of Theola Kilgore, as 'Chain Gang – The Sound Of My Man'. There is beautiful singing with the vocal group The Prisonaires, all of whom also stayed in the Tennessee State Penitentiary. The Larks close with doo-wop and a bit of gospel in 'When I Leave These Prison Walls'.
The second volume of 'Destination Jail' again has a lot of beautiful blues and rhythm & blues to offer. Definitely worth it!

A story about continuous change, love and little pain with highs and lows in emotion and musical setting. 

"Tiny Big Band 2" from acclaimed bassist and arranger Nikos Chatzitsakos presents the listener with a delightful array of tunes, with repertoire ranging from Cole Porter to Michel Legrand - Antonio Carlos Jobim to Donald Byrd. Tastefully arranged for 6 horns and vocals, this band packs a punch, channeling an affinity for traditional jazz with a contemporary outlook.

The rock that developed in America and England would quickly spread worldwide, including in Germany. At the end of the sixties, partly due to the emergence of concept albums, pop and rock music emerged as its own art form that had to be taken seriously. While German musicians and music fans had until then had to rely on the recordings of Cream, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Blue Cheer and Jimi Hendrix, German rock would soon find its own identity. Bands like Scorpions and Rammstein even managed to put the German version on the world map. In addition, there were also groups that made a national splash, but were unable to break through internationally. Reasons for this were diverse. Part of the hard rock audience remained loyal to the American and English bands. An additional problem was that this lower appreciation turned out to be uninteresting for the record labels. The German Bear Family Records pays attention to this with the first volume of this double CD in a miniseries that will contain two volumes. Most German bands chose English for their lyrics, but here and there there were also groups that did it in their native language. The most striking recording on this compilation is undoubtedly that of the schlager duo Cindy & Bert. With 'Der Hund Von Baskerville' they made a German version of Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid'.
This double album quickly shows that the German hard rock musicians were not inferior to their American and English colleagues in terms of instrument control and creativity. Like them, the Germans also excelled in their approach to the genre. Strong original compositions, catchy riffs and penetrating vocals are characteristics that apply to this. Even the hard rock ballad 'Sweet Morning Light' by Weed stands up effortlessly. The Scorpions are featured on CD number two with 'In Search Of The Peace Of Mind', from their debut album 'Lonesome Crow', which is almost an example of psychedelic rock.
It may be said that the German hard rock bands in the seventies gave the genre its own face. This edition is good proof of that. For those who consciously experienced this development, this compilation is a beautiful memory. With this publication, younger music lovers will receive a piece of previously unknown history.
In the accompanying 96-page beautifully designed booklet, metal specialist Frank Schäfer delves deeper into the origins and evolution of the German hard rock scene. Definitely an interesting release for fans of the harder genre.

​Some spectacular releases on the psychedelic label Fruits De Mer Records you shouldn't miss. Corona is forgotten, and new musical force washes the grime out of our ears.

Gulf Coast Records announces the signing of New England-based blues/roots band The Wicked Lo-Down, and will release their label debut CD ‘Out of Line’. The 13-track “Out of Line,” which includes 11 originals and two covers: Hound Dog Taylor’s “Just Can’t Make It” and a Texas-shuffle re-imagining of Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” with Monster Mike Welch on guitar.