​‘Ghosts Of this time’ is the new album from Belgian indie band called Handkerchief. Seven great emotional songs. Very recommended indeed.

​The release ‘Gone, Long Gone’ is just the first of three new albums that Steve created during the lockdown.  The next two will come to light over three month intervals throughout 2022.  His subtle vocals in the title track are supported by fine guitar, pedal steel and a virtual string quartet with Ben Plotnick and Kaitlyn Raitz from Nashville. It shows how underrated Dawson as a singer really is. Jeremy Holmes keeps it all together with his bass lines, the drumming is split between Gary Craig and Jay Bellerose. Steve opens with the soul track 'Dimes', to continue his way with 'King Bennie Had His Shit Toghter', which is colored with upright bass, barrelhouse piano and a lot of bottleneck. With 'Bad Omen' we go to the deep Delta, and the pedal steel inspired 'Kulaniapia Waltz' rightly gives us a lot of goose bumps. Great stuff!

​The album 'City Country City' sounds fresh and contemporary. The songs were recorded at Jack Miele Production Studios and co-produced by Ricci, Krown and Jack Miele. It provides a clear, cutting edge and innovative take on contemporary American blues and roots music. Ricci and Krown are both blues and roots veterans with immense musical capacity and solid reputation. Ricci is a multiple Blues Music Award winner, Krown a Crescent City legend who is currently keyboardist in Kenny Wayne Shepherd's band. New Orleans drummer Doug Belote is the missing link for the intended sound. The album 'City Country City' contains seven instrumental and five vocal songs, although we prefer the vocal songs here. Great stuff!

​'Do Me Right' is the debut album by the new Belgian roots formation The Ragged Roses. However, the members are not completely new in the field. Front woman is singer Katrien Van Proeyen. Anyone familiar with the Belgian roots scene will immediately associate her with the bands Shotgun Sally and Cat & The Bearded Monkeys. In her new band, Katrien also surrounds herself with a number of well-known names. There is Bart Rico Ulens on guitar, Sebi Lee on upright bass, piano, sax and backing vocals and Jimmy Van Iersel on drums.
Mix Wanda Jackson with Etta James, Dick Dale, Cramps and Nick Curran and you have The Ragged Roses. We couldn't describe it better. Don’t miss it!

​In the fall of 2019, Joe started recording a lot of original songs. Until the corona pandemic also caused a paralyzing limitation here. In the course of 2021 Joe will release his new album 'Steal The Wind', on the label Thunder Mountain Records. The album also has an international flavor at the same time. The base tracks and vocals were registered at the Headline Recording Studio in Tampere, Finland. The final guitar chords and mixing found their way into the Blue Sugar Studio in Bastrop, Texas. Just as some lead vocals were recorded in Florida and Lloyd Maines pedal steel guitar reverberated in Austin, Texas. The release ‘Steel The Wind’ is a handsome release that is seeded with country, roots, swampy and exciting rock tunes. 

​For decades I have been proclaiming that the Scandinavian countries are bursting with musical talent. The artists who operate in the roots genres have more than amply convinced me of that, as has this Swedish/Danish formation The Kokomo Kings. 'A Drive-By Love Affair' is already their fourth album and let's pour clear wine right away. 'A Drive-By Love Affair' is one of the top albums in the roots rock genre that saw the light this year.
Although the songs are deeply rooted in the blues, the band still manages to give it its own touch by adding rock 'n' roll. The Kokomo Kings do not go down well-trodden roads, but they choose a new road, which we can certainly call 'Kokomo Kings Road'.
Moreover, illustrator Henrique San has once again provided the album with a handsome cover. Does 'A Drive-By Love Affair' deserve the label of absolute recommendation? Definitely and in my annual list The Kokomo Kings have already reserved their place.

​Now Allen Finney is proudly promoting his new release 'Picture Window'. His third full-length in a series of recordings with producer Robert Ivanson. Together they entered the Kapsylen studio with a talented rhythm section and recorded twelve original songs. They open with the cozy roots and jazzy 'Dust Won't Let Go'. Ted Hector piano arrangements, Per Sjöberg tuba and the horn section of Tore Berglund and Leon Falk are immediately a constant for the intended sound. Finney's pleasant and rough voice timbre also leads the dance in 'No Other Way'. The down-home vibe also enchants songs like 'Slice of Blue' and 'Pour Another Cup'. Old fashion style also includes the bluesy 'Do the Claw' and 'Streetlight'. "Take a Little Walk" is a radio-friendly song that diverges sharply from the folky "All the Foxes" and the drunken man's song "You Don't Have to Go to Hell." The slow blues 'What I Told You' is colored with wonderful piano tunes and subdued guitar riffs. A quick quick trip to New Orleans with the jazzy inspired 'Lou is Leaving', before the hypnotic 'Going Home' takes off. Highly recommended release….!

​How to feel lucky when you live at the gate of the Arctic?  Just take your strings and tell us a story.  One moment you’ll dance, the other moment you’ll cry. That’s live, isn’t it?

​The album 'Standing In The Light of a Brand New Day' is a new step in his musical and lyrical evolution. Guy Verlinde expands his blues mind and modifies his amalgama of roots, Americana, country and a few bluesy songs. This is Guy Verlinden's most versatile record. The original songs are almost an emotional rollercoaster that has led to one of his most evolving projects. He entered the studio with a group of top musicians and soulmates. Guy has been evolving and emerging for years as a multi-talented singer-songwriter and has once again elevated himself to one of the greatest blues artists in our small country. And that’s must be Belgium! Highly recommended release…

​The album 'Journeyman Songs' is a record with a vision. It gives us another insight into Banty Holler's rich world that is inspired with folk, blues, rock and especially a lot of country. Exciting banjo tunes, swinging guitar riffs and Banty's raw vocal timbre are beneficial for his intended sound. Handsome..!

​Fresh and surprising bluegrass folk album with great harmonies and unexpected background sounds.  Love it!

​Candace has the perfect voice, the talented musicians the right skills to guide in her intimacy. 

​Afton Wolfe’s own compositions are even better than the few covers he plays. Kings For Sale is a great album with a interesting diversity in songs.

​The formation The Kelly's Lot  was founded in 1994 by Kelly Zirbes, a folk singers with a heart for blues. The release "Where And When" is an acoustic poetry. Kelly’s flawless voice is approached in a heavenly way by those acoustic guitar strings. No heavy drum parts but rather subdued acoustic songs. And that is what love to have in the year 2021!

​Rob Lutes is a fantastic songwriter and a fine guitar picker. Skills that impress. Come around to enjoy.

Soul, gospel, roots and of course blues. The 2nd album from Copenhagen act Trainman Blues will blow your socks of

​European americana shows more punch and emotion.  The Secret Combination take their time to compose decent songs that touch your heart.  Strong album!

​Jesper Theis was once a teacher in Aalborg, until he followed his heart, quit his job and started a musically professionally career. Inspired by blues, folk, gospel and the track ‘Coco Blues’.
A blues traditional by Reverend Gary Davis, which drove him straight to the Delta and which he also recorded on his debut album "Narrow Line", on the Straight Shooter Line label. Now Jesper Theis is promoting his new record "The Tide Will Turn Again". Jesper retains his love for that pre-war blues style, which he sometimes mixed with that handsome roots and country blues structure. What a wonderfully rough voice Jesper has. Steeped in Old Smokey and White Dog Moonshine, he squeezes through his original song material. Country blues, some ballads, and even a Cajun song... ‘The Tide Will Turn Again’, well that is a release that every true blues lover should have in his record collection…!

​With the release of WildRoots Sessions Volume 1, Victor Wainwright and Stephen Dees celebrate a sixteen-year musical partnership that began in 2005. The WildRoots project knows the music and its traditions, which are steeped in a variety of music and this with exceptional songs and a lot of musical craftsmanship. So now there is 'WildRoots Sessions Volume 1', an arsenal of sixteen songs that are inspired with blues, jazz, roots, R&B and a lot of soul.
And put enough variety into "The WildRoots Sessions Volume 1" to keep all this interesting. We are already curious about Vol.2…!

​On her debut album "You Ain't Unlucky", on the Blue Heart Records label, Veronica presents six originals and two cover versions. Lewis' piano structure has a swinging groove and the title track has immediately a fifties feel. In the exciting piano caput "Ode To Jerry Lee", Veronica also sets her ivory keyboard on fire. A comparison with Jerry Lee Lewis is never far away. But the talented Veronica Lewis, from New Hampshire, has developed her own and unique style in a very short period of time. Blues, roots, rock and roll or R&B, nothing is foreign to her.

​We will never know where this journey will end. But the release "Where The Roads Leads" diverges just enough to keep all this exciting. Mark Viator and Susan Maxey have released a string of quality albums over the years. Their latest record 'Where The Road Leads' is full of heartfelt songs inspired by Texas twang and Cajun.

​Fresh and intimate americana, worth listening the poetic lyrics. I really love the style variations  from folk to heavy blues.

​Now there is the long-awaited "Are You Ready? The Mississippi Sessions ". The duo went into the studio with a whole series of guest artists. The result, twenty songs that depict the trials of life, love and hard life lessons. Danny Brooks has that voice timbre with a low, raw, almost growl voice. Rock songs like "Are You Ready" are colored with those supreme vocals, heavy guitar riffs and a Memphis soul horn section. 

​Handkerchief could be the Flemisch equivalent of the British cabaret band The Tiger Lillies.  The skills, the lyrics, the melodies…all ingredients for irresistable music.

​With this exciting release we are about to drive away the winter blues! The Gulf Coast Records label is also coming up with a Christmas album, with many renowned artists. The release "A Gulf Coast Christmas" is a record that contains seven original songs as well as many cover versions. The combination of some traditional Christmans songs  and modern stories produces the most original Christmas album in decades. If you like blues, this is probably the best Christmas album for you. Put that stuffed turkey in the oven!