In the previously published volumes in the 'Rhythm & Western' series, we were already introduced to black artists who found their inspiration in the country & western, which until then belonged more to white artists. That trend also continues in volume 6 'I'm Moving On'. Country & Western, rhythm & blues, blues and gospel in 28 tracks by well-known and lesser-known black artists. The names known to the general public are certainly Little Richard, Lazy Lester, Clyde McPhatter, Lloyd Price, Ivory Joe Hunter, The Platters, Sam Cooke and Blind Willie McTell. But just as well let yourself be surprised by the artists that may not be so well known to you. You won't regret it!
With this compilation, compiler Little Victor aka 'The Mojo Man' has once again delivered a direct hit. Next month, the series will continue with 'Jambalaya', the number seven.

​With volume 1 of the miniseries 'Sin On Saturday, Pray On Sunday', compiler Mark Armstrong has again found a nice angle. Always on Saturday evening, the 'devils music' reigns supreme and provides loads of entertainment, but on Sunday the pub or at the time the juke joint is exchanged for the church. What can you expect on this album? First of all sublime rhythm & blues and blues for the entertainment on Saturday evening. On Sunday we take a more religious approach with infectious, rousing gospel.
Rhythm & blues, blues and gospel are alternately presented on the album.
Well-known names sure are Little Milton, Sonny Terry, Hound Dog Taylor, Slim Harpo, B.B. King, Memphis Minnie, Junior Wells, The Sensational Nightingales, The Golden Trumpets, Bells of Joy and Golden Gate Quartet.
With 'Sin On Saturday, Pray On Sunday' the KokoMojo label releases yet another high flyer. Volume two, entitled 'Screaming & Crying', will be released in February. Definitely one to look forward to!

​‘Revelation’ is a collection of eleven new tracks of traditional Gospel Blues, which includes four new originals penned by Hill. Joining the duo, who have been performing together for the past 15 years, are Hill’s daughter, Paulina, on vocals, Frank Pagano on drums and percussion, Steve Gelfand on bass, with Robert Hill on vocals, keys, harmonica, and his award-winning slide guitar.

​Carter has now also reached the blessed age of 89. Now he has decided to release a solo debut album with 'Blind Faith'. The nine original songs are produced by Ron Pullman and guests include Charlie Musselwhite, Alan Parsons, The Mendelson Choir of Pittsburgh and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Musically it is a melting pot between gospel, soul, jazz and blues.
Highly recommend..!

​Lady A has a sultry and sexy voice timbre that is so fitting for her intended sound. Lady A has recorded many styles of blues, funk, soul, and gospel, but for this album, she wanted to capture the authentic Seattle Blues-Soul sound that she delivers when she hits the stage. Lady A has truly lived up to her moniker as "The Hardest Workin' Woman in  Blues, Soul, Funk & Gospel"
Highly recommended release…!

​One of the most interesting debuts of the year.  Jaouad Alloul has made a statement: “Set Me Free, And Let Me Be” he sings in ‘Father’.  Inspiring album!

​From 1930 Chicago was a driving force in the development and evolution of modern gospel music. Someone who is also responsible for a modern approach to gospel is Reverend Robert Ballinger, who has recorded for United, Chess, Artistic and Peacock.
Bear Family bundled all this fine on this 2 CD compilation. What is immediately noticeable is that Ballingers way of singing is very closely related to those of the rhythm & blues shouters, in contrast to the gospel in the places of worship. Add to that his pumping and energetic way of playing the piano, backed by bass and drums, and you get fireworks. In the service of the Lord, Ballinger's powerful blues-inspired gospel recordings from the 1950s and early 1960s still sound enormously inspiring today.

​Black Patti is a German duo consisting of Peter Crow C. on guitar and harmonica and Ferdinand ‘Mr. Jelly Roll’ Kraemer on guitar, mandolin and mandola. Both gentlemen sing. For their repertoire, Black Patti goes back to the 1920s and 1930s. It was not uncommon at the time for musicians to have both blues and gospel songs on their playlists. Many of the songs made the listeners feel good. A nice melody, hopeful messages that symbolized the much-needed good news were parts of it. Topics that people crave in the currently odd time as well and where we would most like to banish the bad news, so does Black Patti.
And be sure to pay attention to the artwork of the famous Robert Crumb on the cover.
‘Satan’s Funeral’ radiates positivity, which is more than necessary in these times. Recommended!

​This Jasmine collector contains, besides the full Blue Note album ‘Face To Face’, three tracks from the also by Blue Note released ‘Stop And Listen’, four bonus tracks from Willette's earliest recordings. From the first track, ‘Baby Face’ Willette emerge as an extremely creative organist, who knows how to combine jazz, gospel and blues in a masterful way. Let's hope Jasmine will release the rest of the ‘Stop And Listen’ album soon as well. After all, music by extremely talented musicians should not stayed unheard, especially not that of ‘Baby Face’ Willette. An absolute must have!

​Initially he was part of mainly gospel-inspired groups. In 1959 Tarheel Slim took a tour de force with the release of the single ‘Wildcat Tamer’ with the flipside ‘Number 9 Train’, a 45 RPM with two A sides as it turned out. On this magnificent collector you can listen to the evolution that Tarheel Slim went through in chronological order.

​Born in Portsmouth, Virginia on January 30, 1928, Ruth Brown emerged as Rhythm & Blues Queen in the 1950s. A title that she deserved, but that actually did her a little bit too short, because in addition to her jazzy rhythm & blues style, she later also performed well in the then emerging rock and roll, teenager ballads, soul and gospel. All her well-known songs are on this compilation. But there is more! You will also find beautiful rare recordings of her, such as her live recordings  packaged as bonus tracks during the 'Rhythm and Blues Revue', which you will get on CD for the first time here. 'Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean' is definitely recommended. 

​An album that gospel fans will love, with a dash of soul and jazz. 

​Little Joe Cook is best known for his song 'Peanuts'. That he was a very talented artist, who deserved more recognition than he received, can be heard on these 29 songs. Gospel, rhythm & blues, doo-wop and soul at its best!

Nice compilation of the Jasmine label that shows the evolution that gospel went through on the basis of known and lesser-known songs.

​Kathy Mattea is more than back with this album

​Praise the Lord! Ben*Jam, religion-injected music for true believers!

What a dynamic soul energy this Keeshea Pratt has. With this tight band and remarkable horn section this is one of the soul and blues highlights of the year. She is the rightful winner of the youngest IBC ...!

The Belgian band Blue And Broke was inspired by the paintings of the American Edward Hopper. That resulted in an album where blues, gospel and pop were mixed into a completely unique sound. A sound that also accompanies the images of Hopper beautifully.

This is the latest album in a trilogy of Elvis tribute albums, by this Norwegian trio. Here they illuminate the gospel side of Presley. Not only a nice tribute to the King, but also a very handsome contemporary gospel album.

Reverend Shawn Amos delivers a gospel, soul and blues album with a collection of 21 century freedom songs in the spirit of Bukka White, Dr Martin Luther King and The Staple Singers. Recorded in the Fame Studios at Muscle Shoals and The Royal studios in Memphis with the help of The Hi-rhythm section this album yearns for a peaceful world and talks about understanding. Great album!

Beautiful blend of gospel and bluegrass.

Bongo Boy records has taken again the luminous idea to throw some ‘Gospel Blues’ volumes on the market. The successors of the renowned 'Backroom Blues Volumes'. So, we can already meet a lot of (being) unknown artists who find shelter at the Bongo Boy Records label

‘My Way Home’ is another exciting and thrilling album from soul- and gospel singer and songwriter Eli’ Paperboy’ Reed. Eleven songs call for superlatives. Of Course Reed produced the album with a great vintage sound. But it’s a shame and a pity that he cranked his high pitch voice up too high and loud on more than half of the songs to get the distorted sound by using vintage analog tape gear. (at that time, in the sixties, a minus of the recording gear that was not yet strong enough to record it cleaner)
You can endeavor a vintage sound, but you can also destroy it….

​An album for those who love gospel, but with a rock sound. 

The Reverend Freakchild is a smart codger who still understands the blues ...