For her 10th album, Unchange, Gina Sicilia has returned to the VizzTone Label Group, where she established herself as a commanding singer and songwriter rooted in but not limited to the blues. Her latest disc features a budding collaboration with producer Colin Linden. Gina has been raising the bar with each of her releases that preceded it.

Mário Pacheco is the son of the famous flamenco guitarist Antonio Pacheco. In ‘Livre’ his inspiration came from writers and musicians who had great influence on the Portuguese society.

​'You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover' according to Bo Diddley's song, but this statement does not apply to his records. After all, his style, including that infectious 'Didley beat' also called 'jungle beat', grabs you firmly by the scruff of the neck from the first notes. In this way Bo also contributed to the origin and evolution of rock 'n' roll. The 'Didley beat' inspired many artists, both in the past and today. Diddley was born Elias McDaniel in Mississippi in 1928 and grew up in Chicago. There, like Muddy Waters, he was part of the music scene. Many of his songs have become true classics over the years. This release in the 'Rocks' series by Bear Family is therefore the most impressive release. No less than 28 tracks recorded for Checker, including 3 songs that reached the Top 5 of the Rhythm & Blues Charts.
Once again, the booklet contains an extensive biography, information about each track and a number of interesting and never-before-seen photos. 'Bo Diddley Rocks' is a beautiful release.

Sherri Anne lets the band speak with messages and eclectic compositions from folk, reggae, blues to rock. Fine album with a few superb songs.

​The new collective project, Strongman Blues Remedy, will release its album, Volume 1, on June 17, 2022, via Stony Plain Records. Conceived by producer, songwriter, and artist Steve Strongman, the “collective”  features a veritable who’s who of the blues, including Dawn Tyler Watson, Crystal Shawanda, Steve Marriner, Jesse O’Brien, Alec Fraser, and Harrison Kennedy

​Almost lost debut from the Dutch band Galaxy sees the light after 25 years.  Strong (prog)rocksongs that proves the potential of the band in the nineties. Listen also to recent work from Kayak and Perfect Storm after enjoying Runaway Men.

​For the second release in the series 'On The Dancefloor With….' the German Bear Family Records goes back to the dance that took over in no time the world in the early sixties. Hank Ballard and his Midnighters carefully kneaded the twist dough, after which Chubby Checker only had to pop it in the oven and his ‘bun was baked’. In other words, Hank Ballard was not properly rewarded for unleashing ‘the twist’. Unlike Checker, who struck a gold mine with Ballard's cover and was only too happy to be crowned the king of the twist.
With the real twister Hank Ballard, this 25-track compilation starts with not as might be expected 'The Twist', but with the 1962 recorded 'Good Twistin' Tonight'. In addition, you get 24 tracks that all have the twist as their subject. Well-known and lesser-known names give the best of themselves.
'On The Dancefloor With A Twist' is the perfect soundtrack to master those 'twist moves' in a funny way and don’t forget…… ‘Keep On Twistin'!’

When two skilled artists meet, miracles can happen. Nirvana in Rem captivated me immediately. In short: contemporary narrative songs set to atmospheric music in a stylish version. Be surprised by both artists.

​Bob Margolin and Bob Corritore collaborate as an acoustic duo for the first time. The duo is backed by singer/guitarist Jimmy Vivino in the songs 'It Makes No Difference' and Running Trough High Water'. Margonlin composed seven tracks, while Corritore is responsible for the exciting instrumental 'Salt River Stomp'. In addition to all this, they also cover some of their favorite songs such as Muddy Waters 'I Wanna Go Home' and 'My Little Machine' by Sonny Boy Williamson. You can't find more authentic than this nowadays. Highly recommended for any true blues lover!

​World music avant-là-lettre from the German jazzrock band Embryo in collaboration with local musicians in Nigeria.  First released in 1987 and now finally re-issued on the Italian label Materiali Sonori.

​The eighth CD in the 'The British Are Rocking' series puts the most important and striking of all English rockers in the spotlight. Vince Taylor could easily tick off all the traits attributed to the 'real rockers'. His great example was Gene Vincent and, like him, a leather outfit was part of his trademark. In addition, Taylor's live gigs were strange and above all wild. His unlimited temperament along with his drug use will certainly have contributed to this. In the late fifties and early sixties, Vince was especially successful in France and the Benelux, in addition to his own country.
Taylor is accompanied by his Playboys on all 32 tracks. A band that fulfilled the wishes of their boss perfectly. Their hard and tight sound gave Vince an extra boost. Even better, Taylor managed to reproduce the wild and energetic live shows in the studio. You can make sure of that on this album.
Vince died on August 28, 1991 at the age of 52 from lung cancer.
Vince Taylor was undeniably the wildest legendary British rocker. 'Brand New Cadillac' is therefore a must for any true rock 'n' roller.

​Great intriguing debut from the Dutch female artist Caspar Milquetoast, experimental psychedelic folk with a story.  Common in the seventies,  exceptional in the 21st century.
Love it!

​‘On A Hot Tin Roof’ is a new project that have a few darker tunes, written during the peak (or depths!) of the pandemic, along with some really fun, uptempo, jump and swing blues. Planning on expanding the pallet a bit with a few horn arrangements as well as more background vocals. Pretty excited !

Justin Kniest has a great voice and skilled friends, his melancholic songs will convince a lot of people.

​Juke Joint Jonny pays tribute to the great masters of the blues in twelve songs. And this in his own lived-in manner.

​The lockdown drew a line through the performances of all artists. However, not everyone was left behind. Some of them recorded songs at home which were then released on an album. This is how 'Lockdown Sessions, Volume I' was created 2 years ago, which will now be followed up with volume 2. Spread all over the world, no fewer than 21 musicians from 8 countries recorded 26 tracks. Musicians who, thanks to their years of experience, know well where the blues clapper hangs. For example, Aki Kumar (harmonica, vocals), Alex Lex (drums, percussion), Andre Werkmeister (drums), Andreas Arlt (guitar), Balta Bordoy (guitar), Bob Corritore (harmonica), Bonita (vocals), Dirk Vollbrecht ( electric & upright bass), Egidio Juke Ingala (harmonica, vocals), Franck L. Goldwasser (vocals, guitar), Henning Hauerken (electric & upright bass), Jaska Prepula (bass, guitar), Kai Strauss (guitar, vocals), Marion Wade (piano), Micha Maass (drums), Michael van Merwyk (resonator guitar, vocals), Nico Dreier (hammond, organ, piano), Roger C. Wade (harp, vocals), Till Seidel (guitar, vocals), T-Man Michalke (electric guitar) and Tommy Schneller (saxophone, vocals) sign present. An impressive list of names and an equally impressive set of instruments. All this guarantees 2 CDs filled with all possible blues forms. Early country blues, swinging West Coast blues, Chicago blues, Mississippi blues, you'll find it all on this release. An extra mention certainly goes out to the artists who have used the lockdown in a commendable way due to their immeasurable energy and dynamics.
'Lockdown Sessions, Volume II' is highly recommended. Moreover, by purchasing this album, you support the musicians involved in this project. After all, all proceeds flow back to them. Nice initiative that also resulted in beautiful music.

​Armed with only his voice, an acoustic guitar and a harp is the release ‘Oh Suzana Blues’  a deep and intimate blues experience. And after all this misery, he also continues to glorify his faith in 'No God But God'. Together with his honest acoustic guitar playing, David Owen tells his life story. Respect! 

​Hypnotic sounds with sensual vocals in an endless love story, a lovely world to dream away.

​The releases in this series jumped from volume 38 to volume 40. The label sure have had an acceptable reason for this. Fortunately, the missing volume 39 has now appeared, so that the space between editions 38 and 40 has been nicely filled again. Volume 39 focuses on a major label, namely United Artist Records. The label was created in the mid-1950s because the Hollywood film studios United Artists wanted a record label to release the soundtracks of their films. Since 1957, the label has also recorded rock and roll and rockabilly. For many artists in these genres, United Artists Records was a springboard to other labels. Often they only made one or two singles and then moved to other companies.  Al Casey, George Jones and Delbert McClinton were a few who began their musical careers with the Hollywood record label.
This release links these well-known names to lesser-known artists, who are certainly equal. In addition to rock 'n' roll and rockabilly, some songs also contain a good dose of rhythm & blues, which makes the whole thing even more attractive. Volume 39 again contains a nice mix of vocal and instrumental songs. The fact that we're dealing with a major label here is also reflected in the clever arrangements and the attention and care that went into the recordings.

​The release 'Into The Blues' is a thorough successor to 'Hopeland' from 2018, and is a long-drawn-out highlight. The long-awaited album 'Into The Blues' is released on the Short Stack Records label. Johnny went back into the studio with some very remarkable guests and recorded his most defferent record! Highly recommended…

​At this crossroads of The Harpoonist & The Ax Murderer's journey, this live album was a logical release. The blues duo The Harpoonist from Vancouver Canada includes Shawn Hall (vocals and harmonica) and The Ax Murderer a.k.a. Matt Rogers on guitar. The recordings, dating between February 15 and 17, 2019, of this live performance at the King Eddy Hotel in Calgary were designed using the acclaimed Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. Between 1970 and 1990, the studio was used to record a breathtaking array of classic masterpieces. Exciting and hypnotic swamp blues, lots of Chicago tunes, and some funky grooves. This is a great live recording!

​Freewheeling and bombastic emotional rollercoaster that put a spell on me. Just great to discover, to enjoy and to press the repeat button.

Rik Meijer has made a statement with his self-titled debut album. Musically the offer varies from soul, ballads to blues and blues rock. Handsome and highly recommended release…!

​The intention was to write the best hardrock album of The Netherlands.  A solid and accessible effort that opens a few festival doors in Europe.  

​The album 'Better Days' is a release that we highly recommend. Unlike many other contemporary blues albums, Cliff Stevens knows how to keep the sacred fire alive!