​As we reported earlier, 'Stroll-A-Rama', just like its brothers 'Jive-A-Rama' and 'Bop-A-Rama', received a sequel with a second volume. The reviews of the last two have already appeared on this site. Now it is of course the turn of 'Stroll-A-Rama', another atmospheric album with danceable grooves that contain rhythm & blues, rock 'n' roll, rockabilly and doo-wop. Thirty tracks, carefully composed by Mark Armstrong, with beautiful artwork from Henrique San, catapult you like a tsunami back to the fifties and early sixties.
Anyone who has volume 1 of 'Stroll-A-Rama' in their record collection knows that they want volume 2 next to it without hesitation.

​After the recently released album 'Little Bitty Girl', 'Teen Lover' is the next release in the 'Pan-American Rockin' Recordings' series. Again 26 tracks by non-obvious artists. It's a fact that guitars are an integral part of rock 'n' roll and rockabilly, and so is this compilation.
In the fifties and early sixties the emerging rock 'n' roll and rockabilly revolutionized the music that had been classified as 'entertainment' until then. It makes sense that unknown artists tried to follow in the footsteps of the stars and hoped to gain fame. That is why many songs sometimes resemble to the repertoire of those who had already made it. Are these songs inferior? Not at all, only they weren't lucky enough to get airplay and promotion.

​With the fourth volume, entitled 'Dangerous Redhead', we are immediately at the penultimate in the series. We can guess how dangerous she is, but if she goes crazy to the sound of rock 'n' roll guitars, you better be prepared. These 28 tracks are her preference for a 'Saturday night party'. Let's see if the songs, brought together by Marcus Juárez, can also get us in a party mood.
And……….we can't help but agree with the song choice of 'Dangerous Read'. Rock 'n' roll and rockabilly that give your stiff muscles the necessary workout. With 'Fatty Patty', the last volume, you can complete this series from September 17.

The second volume of the 'Jive-A-Rama', 'Stroll-A-Rama' and 'Bop-A-Rama' series is a fact. The review of 'Jive-A-Rama' vol. 2 you already got on this site, the second part of 'Stroll-A-Rama' will be released on September 17, but first there is the 'Bop-A-Rama part 2’, which will been available since September 3rd. 30 tracks, all categorized under rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, bluegrass and blues bop, can make the dance enthusiast go wild again.
Chicago, Hollywood, California, Arkansas, Texas, New York City, Kansas City, Minnesota, Los Angeles and Germany, the 30 tracks come from all over the world.
And as usual, Mark Armstrong was once again on duty as the compiler. For the beautiful cover he could again count on 'illustrator wizard' Henrique San.
‘Bop-A-Rama, Vol. 2' once again fully lives up to the KokoMojo statement 'killers and no fillers'.

​The treasury of musical gems from the Louisiana and New Orleans region seems inexhaustible. Because number 18 from the 'Southern Bred' series, which listens to the name 'Jumpin' From Six To Six', is already the 6th release that places artists from these regions in the spotlight. There are 28 songs that will make your mouth water. Characteristic of this album is the balance between two genres. On the one hand, there are artists who remained faithful to the traditional rhythm & blues, on the other hand there are also a number who switched to the successful rock 'n' roll at that time. You could actually sum it up as 'when rhythm & blues turned to rock 'n' roll'.
Volume 18 in this series once again sent a lot of catchy music through our speakers. And we still haven't heard everything from the Louisiana and New Orleans area. Because volume 19, which will be released on September 3, also digs again into the rich music tradition of the region.

​‘Do Not Commit Adultery, The Cheater’ is the eighth commandment of the ten commandments of rock 'n' roll. A subject that often gave rise to cool blues and rhythm & blues. Music genres that, because of the emotional nature they have, just like country, are extremely suitable for expressing the feelings that adultery entails. Compiler Mark Armstrong has again done his utmost to reproduce the feelings associated with adultery in the form of 30 tracks.
Much doom and gloom for the artists on this 'Do Not Commit Adultery, The Cheater'. As a listener, however, you benefit from it, because once again you have 30 fantastic songs in your collection with this album.
The penultimate, the Ninth Commandment, is titled ‘Fend Off Impassiveness, Lonesome For A Letter’ and is scheduled for release on September 17.

​Whether the 'girl on the cover' is a 'Ping Pong Baby', we are not going to comment on that. As for the music on this volume 3, we can be clear about that. The 28 tracks do not 'ping pong' to different music genres. Without distinction they all fall under the heading 'rockabilly and rock 'n' roll'. Another thing we are sure of is that the emphasis is on the lesser known work. Unknown and until now probably also unloved. But that soon changes after listening. The songs shine through their 'straightforward' rebellious character, typical of the genres. So no brushed shots. ‘Pick up those guitars, put that bass up, get behind your drum kit and you, get that mic in your hand quickly, because we're going to record a single, got it?’ That, in a nutshell, is the philosophy behind most of these recordings. And that's not bad, because that's how songs are created that do the real rockabilly and rock 'n' roll all the credit.
Once again there is a lot to discover. Bet that after listening you will change the expression 'unknown and unloved' to 'unknown but now happily loved'?

​Recently we reviewed 'Shilly Dilly' an album from the 'Koko-Mojo Original' series or the next album in that series is already announcing itself. 'Knockdown' with the subtitle 'and lubricate the gear' serves again 28 tracks. 28 tracks that once again balance between authentic rhythm & blues, rocking rhythm & blues and rock 'n' roll.
Each album in the 'Koko-Mojo Original' series has its own emphasis. 'Knockdown' distinguishes itself by its mainly uptempo tracks that seriously hit you. Guitar driven, dynamic songs that don't shy away from a raw and harder sound. 'Knockdown' is therefore yet another bull's eye.

​It had been a long time since another album from the 'Pan-American Rockin' Recordings' series was released. Until now, because 'Little Bitty Girl' joins the already extensive series. 26 rocking, rolling and rockabilly tracks provide about an hour of unlimited enjoyment. These songs didn't always reach us when they were released because they were mostly released on American local labels and in small numbers. They will therefore not immediately ring a bell, but they are certainly no less interesting.
'Little Bitty Girl' revives the heyday of rock 'n' roll and rockabilly for an hour. Let yourself be carried away by the razor-sharp guitars, energetic voices, swinging saxes and 'put on your dancing shoes'. Wonderful album!

'Be Empathic, She's A Flirt', that's the seventh rock 'n' roll commandment. If you thought she was honest, forget it, because before you know it, she'll be rambling the opposite through your brain. Dust enough for 30 great songs, as can be heard on this album.
A relationship sometimes has sharp edges, which are not always perfectly removable. That inspired artists to catchy rhythm & blues, rock 'n' roll and rockabilly. Enjoying this album, we are already looking forward to 'Commandment Eight' which is entitled 'Do Not Commit Adultery, The Cheater'. That promises!

​Volume 2 in the 'Rock and Roll Floozy' series is titled 'Lazy Susan'. ‘What’s in a name?’ is a question that certainly pops up in some minds. ‘Lazy Susan’ may conjure up a certain image, but just as well all male eyes are on her as she enters the bar, shaking her blond locks. And that she will attract even more attention when the tracks of this album rumble through the speakers and she moves towards the dance floor, you can safely bet on that. The 28 songs come mainly from lesser-known and even completely unknown artists, but are invariably gems from the treasury of rock 'n' roll and rockabilly.
So there is a lot to discover and especially to enjoy. And luckily the end of this series is not yet in sight. After all, there are still 3 volumes in the pipeline. The next volume with 'Ping Pong Baby' will be released on August 20th.

​Long awaited and now it's finally here. The recent release in the 'Rocks' series focuses on none other than Sonny Burgess. For rockabilly fans, the man needs no further explanation. For readers who don't know him yet, we would like to give a small introduction. Albert Austin Burgess was born on May 28, 1929 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Like Roy Orbison, Elvis and so many others, Sonny also took his first studio steps at Sun. 'We Wanna Boogie' and 'Red Headed Woman' recorded there were just about the wildest rockabilly that Sam Phillips had in the house. Convince yourself of Sonny's phenomenal voice and guitar work and especially the energy that Sonny radiated.
Raw vocals, tons of energy, talent, craftsmanship, beautiful guitar parts and powerful rock 'n' roll and rockabilly. Qualities that Sonny undeniably had.
Plug this compilation into your playback device and take a decades-long journey with one of rockabilly's greatest, full of energy and power, Sonny Burgess. He passed away on August 18, 2017.

​With regard to the 'Ten Commandments of Rock 'n' Roll', we are over halfway with 'Be Faithful, Let's Jump The Broomstick', also the sixth commandment. This means something like 'let's live together and stay faithful'. Love therefore radiates from the 30 tracks, carefully composed by Mark Armstrong.
Volume 6 of 'The Ten Commandments Of Rock 'n' Roll' again contains excellent rock 'n' roll and rocking rhythm & blues. August 6 is the release date of volume 7, which is titled ‘Be Empathic, She's A Flirt.’ We are already looking forward to it and keep an eye on this site for the review.

​With Barry Etris’ quirky but very good version of Cliff Richard's 'The Young Ones', the last track on the first volume, we were halfway through the party. We now immediately start jumping on volume 2 with 'Jump Rock and Roll' by The Marvels , who recorded it for the ABC label in 1956. This second volume is also the last in this miniseries. Again, it serves 30 songs for jumping, rockin’ 'n' rollin’, strollin' and boppin'. Songs that can again be situated in the period 1956-1963, say 'the golden years' for the most diverse forms of rock 'n' roll.
‘Summertime Scorchers, vol. 1 and 2' are the perfect soundtrack for an awesome, sun-drenched beach party, although these two compilations can certainly also make your garden party unforgettable.

​Fortunately, after about a year, there is now a second volume in the 'Jive-A-Rama' series. The by the Atomicat label always applied philosophy, stays effortlessly upright. That is, a nice mix of well-known, lesser-known and sometimes obscure danceable tracks, which include rhythm & blues as well as rock 'n' roll and doo-wop. In short, a super balanced album. Traditionally, this album is also bathed in a fantastic contemporary sound. 30 tracks, of which no less than 26 from the fifties and 2 from the early sixties, supplemented with 2 tracks by contemporary artists who have a warm heart for the music of the fifties, ensure a high-quality danceable album.
Missed the first 'Jive-A-Rama'? Together with this volume two, you immediately get 60 superior tracks.

​The sun may not shine every day, which for many is a sign that summer is already half drowned and yet, despite the sometimes less good weather, there is still plenty to enjoy. For example, you can put the first volume of the compilation 'Summertime Scorchers' into your cd player, after which the sun even shines indoors. The 30 recordings, selected by compiler Mark Armstrong, all date from the period 1955 – 1963. A summery, danceable album that is made even more beautiful by the clever illustrations by Henrique San.
Do sun, sea, beach and the associated parties pass you by for one reason or another…..don't worry, with this collector sun, sea, beach and party come to you without any problems and it will be for you too' SUMMERTIME'.

​Covering songs is something of all times and there are probably several reasons for it. Sometimes the cover artists tried to profit from the success of the original performers. Sometimes it worked and the cover became more famous than the original, but just as well the cover disappeared just as quickly as it came. Other artists went a step further by providing the original with their own twist. Here too, success was not always guaranteed. Covering was also not limited to one genre or another, as evidenced by this new series that compiler Mark Armstrong is launching through the Atomicat label. On this first volume we immediately get 30 covers that are situated in rhythm & blues and white rock 'n' roll, all recorded from 1952 to 1963.
It's always nice to hear hits in a different version, and you also discover cover versions that you didn't know at all. The Atomicat label serves you with these 'Rockin' Rollin' Covers' at your beck. This series is therefore a must for the real music fan looking for other versions of songs that are well known.

​Things are moving very fast at the Koko-Mojo label. Not so long ago we reviewed volume 5 in the 'Rock and Roll Vixens' series or volume 6 was already in our mailbox. Again 25 exciting tracks by female Afro-American singers recorded from the early fifties to the mid sixties. The repertoire of some artists is more extensive than that of others and it is therefore only logical that some singers who appear on this album, were also present on the previously released volumes. Again a nice mix of well-known and lesser-known artists and breathtaking rock & roll and rhythm & blues songs.
By the way, it is striking how much music that still sounds current today African-American singers recorded in the middle of the previous century. If you want the 'creme de la crème' of these recordings, then this 'Rock and Roll Vixens' series is definitely recommended.

Our female readers should not worry about 'Good For Nothing Woman', the title of the first in the new series 'Rock and Roll Floozy' started by Atomicat. With 'Good For Nothing Woman' compiler Marcus Juárez describes a certain Nancy Jane. The complete story can be found on the inside of the digipack. But let's make it clear that the album also bears the title of the song of the same name by Doug Harden and The Dessert Suns, which can also be found on this compilation and lyrically already clarifies a few things.
The ‘Rock and Roll Floozy’ series emphasizes jivin’, strollin’ and boppin’ songs within rockabilly and rock and roll. On this first volume you already get 28 tracks that meet these characteristics. This series also links recordings of well-known names to lesser gods, but always with one requirement, namely ‘all hits, no fillers’.
It is starting to become a constant in the series released by Atomicat, because the 'Rock and Roll Floozy' series once again promises a lot of beautiful, often unjustly unknown rocking recordings from the middle of the last century. In any case, 'Good For Nothing Woman' makes us look forward to the volumes still in the pipeline. Absolutely recommended!

​Usually hits are original songs by the respective performing artist (s). Usually, but not always. Sometimes they revert to already existing songs, which could not generate hit status in the original performance. Provided that the arrangement was modified, another performer could score with it. Sometimes you still recognize the original number, but very often you don't know about the original either. The Jasmine label dug into the past of a few hits and came to surprising conclusions.
This album contains no less than 33 songs in their original version. Original versions that are usually not inferior to the hit versions.

I wonder if there are any rockabilly bands that don't have a song by the Burnettes in their repertoire. This is proof of Johnny and Dorsey's importance in the development of rockabilly. Better yet, they really were at the forefront of the genre. Moreover, their sound was also recognizable. How often did it happen that when you heard a song, you suspected the magical hands of Johnny and Dorsey. The fact that countless artists originally recorded songs written by the duo says enough about their quality and importance. That is one of the reasons why it is fantastic that the Atomicat label has released this album. By the way, it is not only a nice tribute to the Burnette brothers, but it mainly points to their songwriting talent. 30 tracks convince you, including 4 on which the Burnettes can be heard under their own name, including ‘Me And The Bear’ where Johnny is joined by Eddie Cochran on guitar and Joe Maphis on guitar and banjo.
It is also admirable that the brothers could write songs for others, as if they could put themselves in the person of the performer. The fact that these songs have lost nothing of their strength more than half a century later, proves that ‘The Johnny and Dorsey Burnette Song Book’ can still be counted as groundbreaking in American music. Sublime album!

​Although the white artists brought rock-n-roll world fame and also benefited financially, it was their African-American brothers who were the founders of it with their rhythm & blues. Exceptionally, some of them managed to break through, while others had to settle for the piece they could get locally. The great success, however, remained the ultimate dream for most of these African Americans. It is therefore fantastic that this ‘Boss Black Rockers’ series finally does justice to them. With ‘Eeny Meeny Minie Moe’ we immediately arrive at the closing album of the series. When you own all 10 volumes, you have no less than 280 superior black rock songs in your collection.
A series that is more than worth buying.

​Let's be clear for once ……. This series is not intended for softies! The rebellion associated with the genre, especially in the early days of rock and roll, is also in the 30 formidable instrumental tracks that fill volume 2 of the ‘Whip Masters Instrumentals’ series. Fire-breathing guitars, all searing saxophones that hit you relentlessly in the face and the vocal primal screams, certainly contribute to this. Features that can all be found on this album.
With the creation of the Whip Masters Instrumentals, composer Mark Armstrong has tapped an area that offers an abundance of fantastic rock and roll, rockabilly, surf and western swing. Just like the previously published volume 1, this edition is also worth having in your collection. Curious what will follow!

​It is also moving very fast in the series ‘The Mojo Man Special’. The large number of high quality danceable rhythm & blues songs from the last century beg to be featured on a compilation. In this case, these are 24 ‘dance floor killers’ from the archives of labels like Sue, RCA Victor, Deluxe, King, Excello, Federal, Columbia, Okeh, Specialty and Chess. A great mix of rhythm & blues, blues, rock and roll and instrumental songs.
In other words, volume 4 has something for everyone too. The series may be billed as ‘dance floor killers’, but these songs are also extremely enjoyable when sitting in your chair, with a glass of wine or a cool beer.

​If you did not sin against the fourth commandment 'Show Affection, Come On And Love Me', then hopefully, possibly after rejections and pitfalls, you have found the great love and you are ready to take the fifth rock and roll commandment, to obey. That says ‘Form A Partnership, Glad All Over’. Time for romance! For those who don't immediately know how to go about it, these 30 rock and roll songs, brought together by master compiler Mark Armstrong, certainly offer a solution.
By the way we are halfway through ‘The Ten Commandments Of Rock ‘n’ Roll’. ‘Commandment Six, Be Faithful, Let's Jump The Broomstick’ is fortunately already announced. ‘The Ten Commandments Of Rock 'n' Roll’ is a series that must be in the record collection of every rock and roll follower.