​For the fifth time, compiler Mark Armstrong delved into the archives of legendary and lesser-known labels such as Candlelight, Columbia, Knickerbocker, Wing, Teen, Impac, Sun, Mercury, Imperial, Decca, Warner Bros, Prestige, MGM and Capitol. Again he found 28 black rhythm & blues songs covered by white artists. Covers that didn't always garner the success the artist had in mind, but luckily there were also covers that could possibly generate greater fame than the original. Good Rockin' Tonight', the title of the fifth volume in the 'R&B Goes R&R' series, more than lives up to its promise. Play it loud and enjoy, this is the real thing!

​Every great artist has a moment when they realize who they are, Jeremiah Johnson has truly come into his own with his new release ‘Hi-Fi Drive By’. Get ready for a high-fidelity sonic explosion that combines Johnson's master guitar work, songwriting skills and uniquely powerful vocals into ten tracks of pure brilliance. From the first track, featuring Victor Wainwright, to the third track featuring Brandon Santini, and all the way to the last note of the epic final track; HI-FI DRIVE BY delivers more hooks than fishermen's tackle box. Every song is carefully crafted with multiple layers of tasty musicianship; with new audio delights to discover every time you give this first-class release a spin.

​Nikki Lane has recorded her most contrasting and diverging record. 'Denim & Diamonds' is produced by Joshua Homme, of the band Queens of the Stone Age, and shows The Highway Queen Kinni Lane embracing a more rock-oriented sound. This while still maintaining the genuine outlaw country sound that she developed during her previous three releases. Her stylized lyrics nail themselves into the songs, as do her catchy country hooks. But the outlaw country sound is now balanced with gritty guitars and deep bass and drum groove.

​Under the title 'Juliet', the Atomicat label starts the new series 'The Rockin' Spot', an album that contains 28 rocking and rolling tracks recorded between 1953 and 1962. A compilation that is also extremely suitable to provide your rock and roll party with the appropriate soundtrack.
28 raw, energetic, high-quality and danceable rock 'n' roll songs that scream to give that volume knob a good yank to the right.
So, put the furniture aside, because the chance that 'you get wild on the rockin' spot' is guaranteed and remember……we are not responsible for the consequences.

​Beautiful folksongs in a mediaevel minimalistic canvas: subtle and refined sung.

Half a century after their fourth and last long-player – ‘Speech’ – Steamhammer are back with a new album! The title track ‘Wailing Again’ refers to their early days when ‘Junior’s Wailing’ (1969) scored rather well in mainland Europe. Following the advice of their German record company, Steamhammer revisited their stage anthem for this release. As it happens, they equally reworked ‘Wouldn’t Have Thought’ (LP ‘Mountains’, 1970) and Eddie Boyd’s ‘24 Hours’ (first LP, 1969). The anno 2022 Steamhammer know what they are talking about: the line-up consists of original members Martin Pugh (guitar), Pete Sears (bass, keys) and John Lingwood (drums), with singer and harmonica player Phil Colombatto being the only new member.
The concept is recognizable: starting from blues patters and adding psychedelic, jazzy and folky touches, the Steamhammer songs have also kept their complex structure with variations in speed, tone and key. New track ‘Wailing Again’ may be the best example: apart from aptly rubbing shoulders with 1969’s ‘Junior’s Wailing’, the song kicks off in a pumping fifth gear stressing the introspective lyrics, pushes the hold button for a second, dashes off again, next turning down both volume and speed for a long instrumental section that nevertheless echoes the anxiety, doubt and fear of the (absent) lyrics. ‘Man in The Blue Suede Shoes / Megan’s Song’ is a different matter altogether: dedicated to his late daughter Megan, Pugh here introduces a subtle and melodic instrumental tune that does not really abandon the blues pattern. The 09:36 take on ’24 Hours’ reflects Sears mastering of the keyboard, whereas ‘Fool for You’ once again rocks the blues.
Steamhammer became the experimental Armageddon, but this disc is clearly in the mold of their earliest work.
Radio 68  plays choice tracks and snippets from an exclusive interview with Martin Pugh in California, on Sunday 06 and Tuesday 08 November 2022 from 12 noon CET onwards.   

​Will Jacobs is a newcomer to the Ruf Records label. He is an unparalleled guitarist from Chicago. He is barely 29 years old and is widely praised for his powerful live performance. In his early teens, he played clubs in and around Chicago and supported many legendary blues artists. In mid-2016, Will jumped across the Atlantic to Europe and emigrated to Berlin. He has performed at festivals in Poland, Spain and France, toured with Hohner artist Marcos Coll, played with Gary Wiggins in Berlin and toured with Ruf's Blues Caravan. So now there is the release 'Goldfish Blues'! And Jacobs contrasts almost immediately, and that keeps the blues lovers on their toes. Some funky stuff, Chicago and Texas blues, and a rare ballad. Hell yeah!

​Pugsley's raw baritone voice gets under your skin and lets anyone with a heart in their chest, experience the love of life and the blazing flame of passion. With him, the top-notch band celebrates a big easy party and bows deeply to the beat poets, under the motto: ‘Get The Buzz’. Pugsley Buzzard (vocals, piano), saxophonist Bernhard Ullrich, Rob Gutowski (posaune), bassist Tobi Fleischer and drummer Micha Maass form the band. Rhumba groove, big band New Orleans jazzy and swampy tunes with a bluesy flair. Great!

​On volume 25 in the series, composer Mark Armstrong dives for the fifth time into the rich repertoire of the artists from Tennessee and Arkansas. The 28 tracks of this album show that these regions have not yet given up all their musical secrets.
The album's subtitle is ‘No Blow, No Show’. You can apply that to the trains of that time, as Bobby 'Blue' Bland does in this song. But you can just as easily apply it to the horn sections and in this case you can take it literally, because there is a lot of creative and groundbreaking honking to be heard.
The 28 carefully selected tracks are from the releases of Excelsior, King, Excello, Chief, Duke, Capitol, Okeh, Decca, MGM, Vee Jay, Modern and Savoy, among others. So not the least!
Be entertained by formidable rocking blues, rhythm & blues, rock 'n' roll and doo-wop in the most diverse performances.
We can't help but give this album the maximum score again. A lower rating would violate our integrity. Enjoy!