| 1) | Roger
Chapman "Family & Friends"
Mystic Records A selective career retrospective from one of rock's most inimitable voices of our time. This 4 cd box set, plus bonus cd for early birds, traces Chapman's career from the innovative Family and Streetwalkers days, to the hugely successful Shortlist period in Europe. There's also an enjoyable diversion via his undercover Riffburglar days, before you realise RC has now become a mature recording artist without losing any of his essential passion. Listen to clips here |
| 2) | Beth Gibbons/Rustin Man
"Out Of Season" Go Beat Portishead's singer offers sultry, subtle, smokin' songs full of wrought emotion, personal imagery and dripping with the coolest horn arrangements imaginable. This is late night listening of the highest order. |
| 3) | Chuck Prophet
"No Other Love" New West records If the term Alt.Country means nothing to you, this is the very best introduction as the former Green On Red front man delivers a peach of an album for the enterprising new west records. Killer songs, beautiful playing and a voice that oozes a world weary sensuality. |
| 4) | Jimmy Griswold
"The Right Road" White label Jimmy hails from Connecticut (check out his Ronnie Earl/Duke Robbilard influences), but is based in Florida. This self release was cut in 2000 but is set for a re-launch for his debut Euro tour in May. The above influences aside, Jimmy is a big Roy Buchanan fan, and dedicates the superb "Blues For Roy" to his hero. Listen to clips here |
| 5) | Motel Kings
"Red Light Fever" Hotshot Records One of the UK live circuit's most abrasive r&b bands have come up with an album full of diverse musical ideas. Though broad based the band retain their r&b cogency while still dipping their toes in blues, soul, pop, Rockabilly and swing. Frontman Nick Nicholls offers his best yet set of songs on a very impressive set. |
| 6) | Rod Piazza & The Mighty
Flyers "Blues
From The Source" Cooking Vinyl Top blues harmonicist and fine vocalist Rod Piazza has never looked back since taking on the mantle of the late George Smith. His compellingly stylish West Coast mix of boogie blues and swing, has won him 3 Grammies in the last 4 years. This album, in the company of accomplished pianist/wife, Miss Honey Alexander confirms why he's a consistent, award winner. |
| 7) | Delbert McClinton
"Room To Breathe" New West Records Talking of cosistency, you would be hard pushed to top roots rocker, Delbert McClinton. For over a quarter of a century he has been writing such classics as "Shaky Ground" and "Sandy Beaches", and last year saw an overdue Grammy for his "Nothing Përsonal" album. "Room To Breathe" is a celebratory album, that's almost autobiographical in parts, as on "Some Kinda Crazy"; wistful on the all star work out "Lonestar Blues", and plain old swaggering Swing blues on the glorious outro "New York City". File under C for class. |
| 8) | Tim Rose
"American Son" Mystic Records Probably Tim's best ever album. Recorded in Bergen, Norway with a truly great set of musicians, this sadly was to be his magnificent swansong. Happily Tim went out in top form. There's the biting humour of "Because You're Rich", and an epic closing "Once He Was A Hero". There's even a tender love song on "She was Born To Fly". Overall Tim is never far removed from his Greenwhich Village troubadour role. But as this wonderful album suggests he found a belated niche in contemporary music worthy of equal consideration as such early career milestones as "Hey Joe"; "Walk Me Out In The Morning Dew", and "Come Away Melinda". |
| 9) | David Gogo
"Skeleton Key" Cordoba Bay records Once a contemporary of Stevie Ray Vaughan in his teens, Canadian blues rocker David Gogo has overcome career disappointments to channel his frustration and undoubted talents into this his 5th album. Taking in a wide scope of material from Albert Collins to Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus", "Skeleton Key" is full of piercing yet full toned riffs from a guitarist at the height of his powers, who plans to tour the UK this year. |
| 10) | Motorcity Josh & The
Big 3 "Stringer
Full Of Blues: Vol.1" Import Hailing from Detroit and now firmly ensconced in Atlanta Georgia, Josh Ford and his band are a very humorous, but cutting edge funky blues outfit. Both their native motor city, and their newfound home in the South have put the boys in the running for an annual blues award. The above album contains all the qualities that make Motorcity Josh unique. This irreverent album is best described as a unique mix of fun filled, funk, and blues comprising the heavy toned, but cool sustain of say Albert Collins on a fishing trip!!!!!! |