| 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) | Roger
Chapman's "Riffburglars"
Mystic Records Released for the first time as a double pack in the UK, this is more essential Chapman with a cruise through the classic the early r&b/rock & roll years - from Chuck Berry and Larry Williams to Ray Charles and Bo Diddley - that were to influence one of Britain's greatest vocalists. An all-star cast including Geoff Whitehorn, Steve Simpson, Boz Burell, Tim Hinkley, Micky Moody etc rock their way through 31 classic cuts, including a handful of self-penned efforts! Listen to clips here |
| 3) | Edgar Winter
"Winter Blues" Eagle Records A surprisingly overlooked album, which was actually released in 1999, "Winter Blues" is arguably Edgar's best ever solo album With a major European tour set for the summer, Johnny Winter multi instrumentalist brother should gain a higher profile. On this splendid album he records with old musical cohorts such as Rick Derringer, Dr John, The White Trash Horns etc. In fact the album is very nearly an updated White Trash outing complete with the killer horn section, and even a brilliant reworking of "They Only Come Out At Night". Superb big band blues, soul and cutting edge roots rock, and a voice that has hasn't diminished with the passing of time, this is perhaps one of the Winter brothers best ever albums. |
| 4) | Eugene "Hideaway"
Bridges "Jump
The Joint" Armadillo Records Another example of a hard gigging artist who has become more confident with each album release. The former Big Joe Turner/Mighty Clouds of Joy vocalist/guitarist has always sung the blues with passion, albeit in the Sam Cooke Soul end of the market. With "Jump The Joint", Eugene fulfils his immense potential, bringing an expressive, deep emotional vocal performance to sit alongside some busy guitar playing. He swings, shuffles, and plays some low down blues with total conviction and revisits an early career, classic with the inspirational "Take Home Pay" |
| 5) | Pontus Snibb
"Snibb" Manhaton Records A new signing from a label who seem to be making a concerted effort to break new talent, Pontus Snibb apparently hails from Sweden, and fronts a muscular Texas sounding band who feature members with eclectic names such as Pelle Jernryd on an impressive array of guitars and Hammond player Magnus Norrenberg. Then of course there is Pontus Snibb who has a voice that marks him out from his contemporaries in the way Storyville's Malford Milligan sets standards in the Texas blues rock field. This is an impressive cross over debut album in a blues-rock idiom. The live shows should be very interesting. |
| 6) | Paul Fenton
"Live In Toronto" Jealous Monk
Records (import) Another guitar led, blues rocker from Canada (following in the footsteps of Pat Travers and say Davis Gogo), Paul Fenton is a fiery player who finds himself in the company of the expansive Hammond player Peter Jermyn and a tight band. There's nothing innovative about covering Elmore James, John Lee Hooker or Willie Dixon, but together with his own compositions such as the stunning "T-Bone Walker Blues", Paul makes a big impression. Listen to clips here |
| 7) | Jane Birkin
"Arabesque" Capitol Records Yes this is the same Jane Birkin of Je t'aime fame, who has spread her musical wings to include some sensual world music outings. This live album is as a result of her collaboration with some of Algeria's leading musicians. Band details are sparse, but the music is a stunning mix of Dervish/Latin/Rai, and the occasional old fashioned style waltz time piece and even some Anglo French poetry. All that is lacking is a Passolini film to give it a visual context. Great late night listening. |
| 8) | Paul Byrd Band
"Paul Byrd EP" White label import The concept of the EP CD may not be a familiar one with live music fans, but it's a great way to introduce a new artist. Hailing from Fort Worth, Tx, and a fixture on the Austin live scene, Paul Byrd is a beautifully understated guitarist with a deep tone to match some emotive blues vocal phrasing. There's a new album in the can, titled "Without Further Adieu" on Bluestone records, but meanwhile track down this superb 4-track offering. Both "Life Ain't Worth Livin`" and "Lonely Man Blues" are deep blues outings of the highest order, while "I Hope You're Glad" is a hard hitting Fab T Birds style shuffle. There's a rare sensual feel to Paul's playing and on "Room With A View" he offers an awesome combination of luscious notes over a gentle Hammond backdrop. File under cool sophisticated blues. Check the forthcoming tour in May. Listen to clips here. |
| 9) | "Rhythm-Packaged
and Star Studded! The R&B Hits of 1952" Indigo records A three CD superbly packed, 75 tracks of Jump, Jive Wail, Rock & Roll, R&B and blues and beyond. This is an essential re-issue for all r&b fans who love the genre's core artists and who were there at the dawn of rock & roll. There's Little Richard, Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Witherspoon, Eddie Boyd, The Five Keys, Johnny Ace, The Orioles and The Clovers to name but a few. The liner notes are superb the packaging easy to access and once you slap on CD one, it's a non-stop party from the days of juke joints and wailing saxes. An essential re-issue. |
| 10) | Mighty Sam McClain
"One More Bridge To Cross" Mighty
Music Records Sam is a beautifully expressive soulful singer and is paired superbly with guitarist Chris Tofield's intuitive guitarist lines. Sam is very popular in Europe, and will surely make it over here more frequently. The album features 9 self penned, confident outings in a set list of 13 with some moving vocals nice balanced between Tofield's telling licks, and some subtly arranged horns that suggest a blues man at the height of his powers. Play this album, polish the music hard, and you will come up with a gem of the blues man! |