​With 'Tunes For A Dime', David Ronaldo & The Dice are already on their third album. They made their debut in 2019 with 'Citizen Of The World', which was followed up in 2021 with 'Shoot Them With Words' and now, two years later, 'Tunes For A Dime' is being released. In addition to The Dice, a serious number of guest musicians were also called up. They are Patrick Cuyvers on Hammond, Pieter Akkermans on the piano, Wim Degeest puts the blues harp to his lips, Luk de Graaff and Steve Ceulemans fill in on bass, while Chantal & Steve Kashala together with Idara Soetemans take care of the backing vocals. A whole bunch of musicians who, together with David and his band, deliver a beautiful album. David Ronaldo is often labeled as a roots rocker, but this is a bit too simplistic. David has much more to offer. This immediately reveals itself in a pearl of an opener. 'Wasted My Life' has everything, but also everything that a hit needs. A promising guitar intro, a steady rhythm section and vocals that immediately settle in your brain. Moreover, David knows his classics, because that guitar riff is the best a Southern rocker can come up with. An opener that immediately sets the bar very high. Fortunately, Ronaldo does not fall into the trap of opening strong and then weakening. No, the level remains high. With the title track, a formidable rock ballad, the band slows down a bit, but with 'Price On My Head' it is…..price again indeed! The song certainly wouldn't have been out of place on an album by the 'early' Bruce Springsteen. And how 'Laid-Back & Easy' rocks nicely and also note that sublime piano interpretation. Switching to acoustic guitar after this is not easy, but Ronaldo also copes with this task with verve. 'Shadows Walking' is an emotional song that live is sure to garner lit smartphones in the venue. 'What Have You Really Done' also breathes that super Southern rock atmosphere of opener 'Wasted My Life'. Roots rocking in an acoustic setting, the band takes us to 'Fix It' with an impressive banjo by Dirk Lekenne, after which 'World's End Blues' with blues harp by Wim Degeest, is the blues rocker on the album. Some funk, including P.C.'s Hammond, then mercilessly propels 'Short Fuse', after which we left for the more than 6-minute closing track 'Hunted Man (part 1 & 2)', which ends impressively quietly.
Beautiful instrumental performances, dynamic vocals, clever arrangements and above all original songs, are the tools that make this album a winner.
We are already looking forward to the album presentation on Tuesday 28 February in CC Palethe. After listening to 'Tunes For A Dime' we are firmly convinced that it will spark.

​Powered by the dynamic vocals of Meghan Parnell and the blistering slide guitar work of Dave Barnes, this Toronto-based band has been generating acclaim throughout their native Canada and now the rest of the world. Remain features prominently Parnell’s raw, soulful vocals and Barnes’ emotional singing slide guitar. It was produced by Gypsy Soul Records’ Renan Yildizdogan, engineered by Ross Hayes Citrullo and recorded at Jukasa Studio near Hamilton, with follow up sessions at RHC Studio in Toronto. Born out of a love for Southern Soul, Blues and Roots music and a passion to create a powerful and moving experience for listeners, Bywater Call is completed by Bruce McCarthy on drums, Mike Meusel on bass, Alan Zemaitis on keyboards, Stephen Dyte on trumpet and Julian Nalli on tenor sax.

​Shovelin Stove offers us a musical coloring book and we color with it. The band Shovelin Stone is now promoting a second full-length with 'Summer Honey'. The eleven songs were recorded in the Appalachian Mountains with Grammy Award winning producer Chance McCoy of The Old Crow Medicine Show. The polyphonic title track describes the naivety of a summer flirt. But especially musically they impress in the song. The release 'Summer Honey' is an accurate mix of Americana and gorgeous roots songs. Briljant album! 

Sherri Anne lets the band speak with messages and eclectic compositions from folk, reggae, blues to rock. Fine album with a few superb songs.

​‘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.