VizzTone is proud to present KEEP ON PUSHING, the latest album from internationally hailed blues guitarist/vocalist Kirk Fletcher, working with co-producer JD Simo and a dream team of Nashville players for a “live in the studio” album that captures the immediacy of some of his favorite recordings. The album mines some classic songs by Big Bil Broonzy, Arthur Crudup, Percy Mayfield and more, along with originals by Fletcher and a tribute to Robert Nighthawk co-written with JD Simo.

"Hill County Blood" is an energetic, deeply authentic blues experience. A musical development that honors the past while simultaneously charging into the future. Wonderful! Highly recommended….

Connecticut based Blues Rock recording artists “The Name Droppers” completed work on their 5th full-length album titled “Cool Blue Shoes,” Highly recommended! 

On ‘Keep Living Til I Die’, renowned blues guitarist and three-time Blues Music Award winner Monster Mike Welch reteams with producer Kid Andersen to deliver searing guitar and impassioned vocals on a set of original songs and covers of Robert Johnson, Aretha Franklin, and Bob Dylan among others, exploring themes of life, death, love, joy and heartbreaklip 

The band Ticket West is back on board with Greg Izor, who now also serves as producer after a previous collaboration on the 2023 release "Chucufu,", featuring Izor as vocalist and harmonica virtuoso. The eleven tracks were penned by Pascal Wilhelm, who sings and plays guitar. His brother Walter provides the bass lines, Paolo de Stigter sits on drums, Bas Kleine is adept on the harmonica, Roel Spanjers plays the keys on "Paying The Price," and Izor plays additional harmonica and guitar parts in addition to his production duties. Wilhelm's atypical blues voice is prominently featured throughout the songs, creating a fresh sound. Ticket West grows as a band with every album and continues to reinvent itself. Impressive! Highly recommended…

Forrest McDonald, a seasoned singer-songwriter, unveils Songs from My Soul, a heartfelt collection of authentic storytelling rooted in the experiences of everyday life. With a shift from the "Forrest McDonald Band" to a solo focus, this album dives deep into themes of love, hope, hard times, and faith. Blending his blues and blues-rock foundations with influences from Americana and folk, Forrest crafts songs that resonate emotionally, forging a powerful connection with listeners. Songs from My Soul is more than music—it’s a shared journey through the human condition. 

Real soul transcends all genres of music. R&B “got soul”, to only state the most obvious, but the best rock “got soul”, too. The Bluesmasters was founded based upon this principle, collectively bringing decades of blues and rock music internationally for many artists to include Jefferson Starship, Journey, Whitesnake, Elvin Bishop, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, David Bowie, and many more. The Bluesmasters name is no idle boast. A collective of collaborators both live and in the studio include Mickey Thomas, Aynsley Dunbar, Leon Russell, The Allman Brothers Band, Elvin Bishop, Pat Travers, Eric Gales, Mick Fleetwood, Rusty Anderson, Abe Laboriel Jr, Jake E Lee, John Mayall, Pat Travers, Shemekia Copeland, Otis Taylor, Cassie Taylor, Magic Slim, Pinetop Perkins, and Hubert Sumlin to name a few. After substantial sales internationally that include 7 international studio releases and a Michel Shane-produced concert film, The Bluesmasters continue to create new music for blues and rock fans alike worldwide. New music is slated for 2025, incuding The Bluesmasters Featuring Cassie Taylor  and The Bluesmasters 20th Anniversary.

The Boneshakers are back with Live To Be This, their 11th studio album and their most electrifying release yet. Set to drop in Summer 2025 onrenowned Blues Label Gulf Coast Records, this album brings the band’s signature Blues & Soul energy to soaring new heights, fueled by the powerhouse vocals of Jenny Langer and the masterful guitar work of Randy Jacobs. Produced by John Wooler, the visionary behind their ’90s breakout Book of Spells this album is a soulful journey through originals and reimagined classics, featuring an all-star lineup of special guests. Blues legends Bobby Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, Coco Montoya, Don Was, Jimmy Carpenter and more join the ride, with Rush delivering a show-stopping duet with Langer on Salty. From fiery funk-infused blues to raw, heartfelt storytelling,Live To Be This is a celebration of The Boneshakers’ legacy and their fearless future.

The release ‘Ruke Joints and Honky-tonks’ is a mesmerizing mix of contrasting musical idioms, a performance that the guitarist absorbed like a sponge during his hard-earned youth in Kentucky. Over the decades, Rusty has had more than his share of roadhouses, juke joints and honky-tonks. His hearty musical stew is guaranteed to keep you moving from the first to the last note. Earwig Records label boss Michael Frank produced the tracks at Delmark Records’ Riverside Studio in Chicago, with Rusty’s trusty rhythm section featuring bassist Uncle Dave Zirnheld and drummer Gene Wickliffe. Guest guitarist Wayne Young appears on four tracks. The release ‘Roadhouses, Juke Joints and Honky-tonks’ is a statement for Rusty Ends & The HillBilly Hoodoo.  Highly recommended! 

Emma Wilson is a dynamic soulful singer who now pays tribute to Willie Dixon on her new LP. No one is as closely associated with the blues genre as Dixon and friends. With his back catalogue of timeless classics, often performed by the most iconic blues musicians, Dixon's compositions still form the essence of the most creative and soulful blues tracks. Emma Wilson Wilson recorded six Dixon songs, including four well-known classics and two songs to discover. Highly recommended! 

D.K. Harrell has become a sensation in the blues world. The Louisiana native was unknown only a couple of years ago and since then has played to great enthusiasm on festival stages all over the world, wowing crowds with the confidence and skill of a seasoned veteran. Talkin' Heavy hits a blues sweet spot in a free and invigorating new way.  It continually surprises with twelve instantly memorable original songs filled with Harrell’s biting guitar and authoritative, church-born vocals.  Produced by musician and studio wizard Christoffer "Kid" Andersen, the album reveals Harrell as a generational guitar talent with a wide-eyed vision and a street-smart singing style that bring life to his memorable original songs.

The band Sacromud guarantees swinging blues, soul, and so much more! It is a project of the ‘Italian blues master’ Maurizio Pugno. Musically they define as ‘Overground Blues’. Just like the project ‘Bluesland’, an "off-scale blues suite" was based on a secular prayer that speaks about exodus, about the sensuality of our weaknesses, about the sound of our footsteps and about the alienations of wandering spirits! Now the five seasoned musicians headed to the famed SUN Studio in Memphis, TN. Sent by ‘The Lord’, an unusual snowstorm, a session that was skipped due to force majeure, a chance meeting with sound engineer Daniel Crockett and five hours at their disposal. A mix that is more unique than rare and one of those opportunities that you rarely get twice in life. Memphis and his Sun Studio! And to think it all started in 2023 with a victory at the Italian Blues. The band opens with the soul and gospel inspired ‘The Mule’, to continue on the chosen path with the bluesy ‘Holy Day’ and the swinging soul caput ‘Symmetry’. The horn section is present in almost every song, and that sets the tone for that danceable. A subdued Hammond organ as an intro for the diffuse ‘Sticky Situation’, and then follows that heavy trombone bass line for songs as ‘The Hider & The Seeker’, ‘Pray For Me’ is a rare blues ballad to round off with the soul track (Extra) ‘Ordinary Day’. The release ‘The Sun Experience’ is Sacromud’s logbook.

Vanja Sky ‘Access All Areas Live’, as the title already suggests, Vanja Sky lets her fans completely immerse themselves. Vanja Sky and her excelent band with Guenter Haas, Johannes Hoffmann and her long-time bassist Artjom Feldtser present a live recording that captures the pure concert magic. The show is recorded in 2024 at a sold-out concert in Germany. One hour and a half, a fascinating document that once again makes you want to see Vanja Sky on stage. This live album is much more than just a collection of songs, it is a statement that celebrates the young Croatian. An exciting, versatile live album that captures Vanja's passion on stage. 

Is the Rev really dead? Well, in any case the latest double album of 19 songs is presented as a posthumous retrospective collection.  Including never heard before tracks, alternative takes, remixes, hidden gems and some amazing blues masterpieces done in the Rev’s distinct style - A Bluesman of Sorts indeed! It seems by all accounts the Rev is alive and well on this latest release. 

Johnny Rawls is a soul blues legend, with a career spanning more than fifty years. Produced by Jim Gaines, who unfortunately passed away last year, in his Bessie Blue studio in Stantonville, Tennessee, this was Gaines last album that he produced. Whether he's playing in a small club or a big festival, Johnny always brings the same energy to his performances. and that's exactly the same on this new release...So, make them dance!

An electrifying tribute to legendary women in Blues music, recorded live for the Groove Now concert series in Basel Switzerland. Blues Music Award winning bassist/vocalist Lisa Mann leads an All-Star band from the Pacific NW, with acclaimed drummer Jimi Bott, fiery guitarists Ben Rice & Jason JT Thomas, and B3 master Louis “King Louie” Pain, joined by Oakland’s own Blues goddess Terrie Odabi.

British blues-rock sensation Joanne Shaw Taylor has announced the upcoming release of her highly anticipated 10th studio album, Black & Gold, arriving June 6th via Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records. Reuniting with iconic producer Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Journey, Joe Bonamassa), the album showcases Taylor’s bold creativity, blending blues-rock with influences from Americana, indie rock, and retro ‘80s pop. Black & Gold offers a captivating mix of heart-wrenching ballads and hard-hitting rock tracks that redefine the boundaries of blues music.

‘Live On Air;’ is a double live album from Micke & Lefty feat. Chef, recorded in collaboration with Deutschlandfunk radio. Volume One, a studio live session for DLF Radio’s On Stage program, was recorded during the 2020 pandemic. Volume Two captures a dynamic 2023 performance at the Blues Baltica Festival in Eutin, Germany. This double live album captures the trio’s electrifying and intimate performances, showcasing their mastery of acoustic blues. Featuring 25 tracks, including originals and blues classics, from the band’s live repertoire over the years. The album also celebrates the trio’s 25th anniversary. “Reaching this milestone is incredible, specially when this all started as a spin off of my main band. We wanted to share these recordings as a tribute to our long journey and audience. This live album is a real deal, raw performance as live as it can be with no overdubs” says Bjorklof.

Outtakes is a retrospective album featuring nine previously unreleased tracks from Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip. This unique collection contains songs, recorded over the years but for various reasons, were left off past albums, capture the band’s evolving sound and dedication to blues-rock excellence.

Andrew Duncanson, that's what we want to see and hear at our festivals. Passionate singers of soulful blues have been disappearing into the musical mists of time for at least the past half-century. Their voices are fast becoming as scarce as sunshine on a cloudy day. But then there is Andrew Duncanson, who for more than twenty years has been reaching deep into that primeval source and adding his own deeply soulful voice to the music. Highly recommended! 

John Primer wants to pay a real tribute to his hometown of Camden, Mississippi with his new album, his twentieth album by the way. He also wants to remind everyone that this is where he came from. Mississippi is very dear to Primer and it still inspires him every day! Three-time Grammy nominee and Blues Hall of Famer John Primer looks back to where it all began and concludes with this beautiful new album a tribute to his simple beginnings on a tenant farm in Camden, Mississippi. He digs deep and shares his earliest memories of blues and gospel growing up. The raw energy and passion are palpable in this new release. John recorded this new album in Clarksdale, Mississippi, to really enhance the authentic, traditional blues feeling. Highly recommended! John Primer is ‘the real deal’! 

That there were quite a few great instrumental numbers released in the rhythm & blues and blues genres, we were able to convince ourselves of that in volumes 1 and 2 of the ‘Boss Black Instrumentals’ series. These volumes were titled ‘Rinky Dink’ and ‘Zeen Beat’ respectively and you can certainly reread the reviews of these on this site. However, there is still quite a lot of beautiful instrumental work up for grabs, of which volume 3 ‘Shaggy Dog’ convinces us again with 26 tracks. Clifford King is the first to claim our attention with ‘Chicken Shack Boogie’, with the harmonica in the spotlight. King is followed by another mouth-shoveler, namely Buster Brown. He was influenced by the playing of Sonny Terry and you can also hear that in ‘The Madison Shuffle’. By the way, if you listen carefully, you will certainly hear snippets of well-known numbers in it. Another great player on the harmonica was Sonny Boy Williamson II. Here you get his hit ‘The Goat’. By the way, the harmonica is also the main instrument on ‘Candled Yams’ by B. Brown and His Rockin McVouts. Bill Doggett provides a portion of swinging rhythm & blues in ‘Hully Gully Twist’. Doggett returns later on ‘Buttered Popcorn’. A wonderful big band instrumental is provided by Curley Hamner and ‘Air Raid’. Curley was a drummer in Lionel Hampton’s band for a number of years, with whom he wrote the much-covered song ‘Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop’. For many guitarists, T-Bone Walker was, and still is, an inspiring guitarist. Walker undoubtedly ensured a real evolution of the guitar in rhythm & blues and blues. He recorded both vocal and instrumental numbers. The groundbreaking ‘Two Bones And A Pick’ also belongs to the latter genre. New Orleans saxophonist Robert Parker is best known for his hit ‘Barefootin’ and for his collaboration with Professor Longhair. On the two-part ‘All Nite Long’, which is part of New Orleans rhythm & blues, he presents a fine example of his talent on the sax. He shows this again later on ‘Walkin’. The blues ‘The Blue Eagle’ by James Rivers Combo also consists of two parts. A number that contains brilliant performances on piano, guitar and sax. Jerry McCain is one of the very best on the blues harp and has made many impressive recordings. ‘Steady’ is one of them and you can hear that number here. Googie Rene shows fantastic Hammond work on ‘Ez-zee’. Pianist Lloyd Glenn was a pioneer of the West Coast blues style and also played on T-Bone Walker’s ‘Call It Stormy Monday’. You can enjoy his beautiful piano playing during ‘The Shakedown’.
Elmore James was the master of the slide guitar. He also puts the slide on his finger in ‘Bobbys Rock’. Earl Hooker was also a regular user of the slide. However, he leaves it in the guitar case on the distorted ‘Dynamite’. Guitarist Roy Montrell recorded for Specialty, among others, as a studio musician. In that capacity, he can also be heard on various Little Richard recordings. Roy presents the shuffle ‘Mudd’ here. Excello Records delivered quite a few impressive artists and recordings. Skippy Brooks recorded ‘Doin’ The Horse’ there at the time. Here you get the B-side ‘Dim Lights’. Brooks was also part of Kid King’s Combo. You get them with the title track ‘Shaggy Dog’. Lloyd Price’s younger brother, Leo Price, was previously active as a songwriter. He recorded ‘Quick Draw’ under his own name. The well-known rhythm & blues duo Don & Dewey may close the ranks with ‘Jump Awhile’.
Just like its predecessors, the third volume in the ‘Boss Black Instrumentals’ series is also one to savor. A collection of instrumental gems that cleverly put harmonica, piano, sax and guitar in the spotlight. Great album!

The Dawning', the fourth album from the Steven Troch Band, presents a variety of influences including blues, country, swing and R&B, all woven into their own signature style. The album shows the evolution of the band while staying true to their sound. Highly recommended! 

This spring, the intriguing self-titled debut album by the Belgian- Dutch blues band Big Dave & The Dutchmen will be released on the Donor/Naked label on vinyl and CD. It was recorded at the Rabbit Field Studio with Stef Kamil Carlens (Moondog Jr., Zita Swoon) in Antwerp-Hoboken. Together with the rhythm section of Roel Spanjers (piano and vocals), guitarist Mischa den Haring and the two Dordrecht brothers Darryl on drums and Dusty Ciggaar on bass, Big Dave conditionally takes you on a nostalgic blues journey. They catapult you back to the heyday of the blues in the fifties and sixties. 

The release ‘Missy Sippy All Stars Vol.II’ is more than an anniversary album, it is a disparate roots record, with a lot of blues, jazz and world music. It is representative of the house values of the Ghent Bluesclub! The Ghent blues scene is growing more luxuriantly than ever. The Missy Sippy Blues & Roots Club, in Klein Turkije, in the heart of Ghent, will of course be no stranger to this. And they just celebrated their tenth anniversary there. So, is there a better way to do that than with a fat party and an even more corpulent album ?!