​Blues rock and psychedelic funky blues. It is almost the trademark for Artur Menezes. Hypnotic guitar riffs and Menezes more than endearing vocal timbre are the guiding principles for the release. Artur embraces his songs with many complex arrangements and layered guitar riffs.
Besides his impressive guitar skills and inspired vocals, he is also a true songwriter. The ten original compositions were recorded at Flat V Studios, owned by producer Josh Smith.
Highly recommended release..!

​Solomon Burke is rarely credited as a major influence on the British sixties Blues Boom scene, though he was covered by a range of artists such as The Rolling Stones, The Pretty Things, The Undertakers and Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers. Regretfully, we all know the substandard cover of ‘Everybody Needs Somebody to Love’ as smothered by The Blues Brothers. Now, here’s revenge in the guise of a 3CD by Cherry Red Records, listing all Burke’s recordings for Atlantic between 1962 to 1968 when he was at the peak of his creative powers. His slightly raspy voice, his perfect phrasing (he was also a minister!) and his blend of soul, blues, gospel, R&B and R&R is simply unique. Like Ray Charles (and unlike most others on the soul scene), he succeeded in spicing Soul with Country. We are treated to rockers and slow-burners, soulblues and bluessoul – it’s shuffling or sliding, but there’s always that voice and a punch: a guitar riff, the bursting choir, a horn section falling in, the keys claiming a main role...  Just under 80 tracks by a true original who helped define Soul.
Listen to choice tracks in ‘My Generation’ on Radio 68 www.radio68.be on Sundays 01 and 08 and Tuesdays 03 and 10 November, starting at 11 a.m. GMT.

​Let yourself float on this electronic soundscapes, dim the lights, close your eyes and float into space! 

​On this first album, an impressive cast of artists serves up 30 hillbilly Christmas songs. With 'Come On Baby It's Christmas, More Hillbilly Christmas' this album gets an awesome sequel.
Both albums ensure that, despite the strange times we are currently in, an authentic white Christmas from better times is not far away.

​As promised in the review of ‘Christmas Time's A-Comin’, A Hillbilly Christmas’, it now features sequel ‘Come On Baby It's Christmas, More Hillbilly Christmas’. A formidable successor that bathes in the same atmosphere. A large number of artists who have graced ‘Christmas Time's A-Comin’, A Hillbilly Christmas’ can also be found on ’Come On Baby It's Christmas, More Hillbilly Christmas’. Although they are two CDs, you can consider them as a double album. If you would like to buy one, it is best to choose both, because they complement each other beautifully and so you get a complete picture of what hillbilly has to offer in the Christmas spirit. And that's a lot. Happy Christmas!

​Chris Jasper proves here that he’s a good singer, and those who love quality R&B will love this. Recommended! 

Like so many other music genres, the doo-wop also has its own Christmas experience. Compiler of this album Eamonn Doyle collected no less than 30 songs within the doo-wop that provide a Christmas atmosphere in their own way. Together with the other Christmas releases reviewed here, ‘Let's Have A Doo-Wop Christmas’ provides a Christmas with sublime roots music.

​The Swedish singer-songwriter Razmig Tekeyan wrote and played on his own  18 songs under the license of his band The Search.  No surprises included, just mainstream eighties rock.

​Now Phil Manga is proud to promote the album "Dancing Spirits", the sequel to the debut and success story "Signs". Phil Manca (guitar, backing vocals) went to the studio with his soul mates David Jacob (bass), drummer Eric Lafont and vocalist Josselin "JJ" Jobard. The ten original tracks are infused with heavy guitar riffs, that pounding rhythm section and Josselin's thrilling vocal timbre. We have an affinity with many hot shot blues rock guitarists, especially with the Frenchman Phil Manca. Phil Manca confirmed with "Dancing Spirits" and is a blues rock-keeper!

​Believe it or not, Muscle Memory is the first solo album of the famous Kevin Godley.  A beautiful collection of new songs based on external instrumentals. An eclectic album printed forever in my memory and on my Ipod.

​This album with guitar music is recommended for yoga, relaxation and meditation. Something we all need once in a while. 

​That we can still enjoy these kinds of records in 2020, hallelujah ..! Erin Harpe goes back to her roots in Piedmont for this intimate acoustic country blues album. This self-produced album was recorded in her home studio in June 2020 while she was in quarantine with husband / bassist / audio engineer Jim Countryman.

​The 30 tracks contain a variety of music genres. Whether you prefer rock and roll, hillbilly, beautiful vocal harmonies, bluegrass or an instrumental track, ‘It's A Wonderful Family Christmas’ guarantees you an atmospheric Christmas.

​Ideal for those who wish to combine New Age with world music. 

​An acquittance with the two sides of this piano player. Refracted piano on CD 1, and solo piano on CD 2.

​An album that will regularly be found in the cd player of fans of rhythm & blues, blues, swing blues, jump blues and soul during the holidays. All 28 tracks on this album always have some link with American roots music. Play loud and start the party!

​Sun King Rising’s debut Delta Tales combines influences from rock, soul and a lot of skills.  John Blangero paints his southern rock like a progmusician: an interesting approach that leads to a strong performance.

​Christian de Mesones clearly knows how to bring on the action, and brings funky smooth jazz around his bass.

​Vintage soul music from Amsterdam with this excellent album by The Tibbs!

​Frankenstein's and Dracula's mysterious castles may be the ultimate places for a Halloween party. From now on you can experience it at home with the spooky rock and roll, rockabilly and doo-wop from ‘The Mojo Man's Halloween Party’. Nice mix of vocal and instrumental tracks. And ……… believe it, this album also sounds very good throughout the year. Talking about a ‘win situation’!

​Ben Levin confirms his status as a piano virtuoso, which is enthusiastic with a heavenly voice! The record "Carryout Or Delivery" is the third CD by 21-year-old blues pianist Ben Levin. His second album 'Before Me', also released on the Vizztone label, brought Ben's authentic blues piano and soulful vocals to the world. The songs for his new release were written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ben explores the symptoms during the lock-down in his own way. Being trapped with a pattern of pick-up and delivery meals. Fortunately, he also succeeds in enjoying his day-to-day worries and respecting the things in life that we still have. Namely love and music. On "Carryout Or Delivery" Ben crowns himself as a true songwriter. He wrote eight out of a dozen songs, with different nuances of blues, soul and funk. He accompanies all this by his piano skills on Hammond B3 and that wonderful Wurlitzer electric piano. His father and regular bandmate Aron Levin on guitar and Oscar Bernal (drums, percussion) form the rhythm section. Highly recommended release..!

In 1969 he had a worldwide hit with his Sir Douglas Quintet with 'Mendocino'. At that time, however, Doug Sahm had already had a musical career, both solo and in various bands. That Doug Sahm already had a lot of talent in his teens, proves this compilation. A large number of sublime slows, supplemented with no-nonsense rock-n-roll, give a beautiful musical image of an excellent artist. Recommended!

​Introspective roadtrip through the south of America, emotional and cinematic dreampop with a few energetic explosions.

Wonderful compilation of Krautrock bands, the most influental bands on European jazzrock and techno.  Bear Family Records rejoices this year with 4 double CDs + 100 page booklet each  for the most complete overview of that  glorious Krautrock period.

​Danielle Miraglia is an acoustic blues diva, where modernity and tradition harmonize at its best.
She emphasizes her bluesy one-woman band sound. In addition to three originals, she has shot a lot of covers, which are a tribute to her musical mentors. Danielle is assisted on some selected tracks by guitarist Peter Parcek, viola player Laurence Scudder and harmonica player and label owner Richard Rosenblatt.