WALTER TROUT BAND

Top of the pile for two months running with two different albums, Walter Trout's music is something very special. Where "Life In The Jungle" was a timely reminder of where it all started for Walter in terms of a solo career, "Relentless" is as close as you are going to get to the mature musician and song-writer. That said, "Relentless" is as exciting an album as Walter has ever produced.
The title relates to life on the road, rather than Walter's burgeoning guitar solos, and the album proves beyond doubt that he writes songs as good as he plays his guitar.

The autobiographical "The Life I Chose", and the quite superb "Jericho Road" set the standard, that is surpassed further still on the gospel feel of "Cry If You Want To", poignant rocker "Chatroom Girl" and the guitar led "Helpin' Hand"

Recorded over two nights in front of admiring Dutch crowd, Walter took a big chance, by premiering a whole album of new material at a live gig. Happily "Relentless" is an absolute triumph and sets Walter ahead of any contemporaries I can think of. This is quality of the relentless kind!

www.waltertroutband.com

THE MELT

The most exciting new band on the block, bar none. Watch out for forthcoming London dates!

Every now and then a band pops up and sweeps the board like a breath of fresh air. Working in the rock blues idiom The Melt offer much much more. It’s not just the energy, the crucial guitar riffs, the heavy duty blues harp, or even the powerful rhythm section. No, the reason The Melt impress aside from a very contemporary approach to their rocking blues, is both the originality of their songs and above all that little thing called enthusiasm.

Imagine the drive of the early Hoax, the raw gut power of Johnny Lang, the riffs of Kenny Wayne Sheppard, the passion of Walter Trout, and you are getting close to the sheer frisson of this young band.

The Melt hail from Skegness, take no prisoners and will shortly be hitting London, don’t miss them!

Listen to Jumping South and No Shame - these are just examples, the whole CD is great!

AD VENDERVEEN

Ad is fine Dutch singer song writer (of Canadian origins in one side of his family) found here in the company of the likes of Iain Matthews, and a cast made up of top notch Dutch musicians. The line-up is boosted by Nashville lap steel supremo David Olney and superb vocals of Eliza Gilkyson.
The Canadian connection is relevant, because this polished yet cutting edge album is like an ode to Neil Young.
Undoubtedly Landerveen is a fine singer, but at times his resemblance to Neil both in terms of voice and nicely off kilter ragged guitar is uncanny. The opening three tracks could all have come from both the "After The Goldrush" and "Harvest" sessions, but this album is no worse for that!.
By the time of the Dylanish "Follow" you wonder about this guy, but by the time of "Take It On Faith, Ad convinces you of his own pedigree.
A marvellous talent then, even if this does sound like the lost Neil Young album.

AdVanderveen.nl

NELSON NORWOOD

A great Austin based rocker who promises to come over in October.

Nelson is a fine song writer, full of rock and roll sensibilities and backed here by the indefatigable Double Trouble rhythm section.

The album is full of Keith Richards style killer riffs, and Black Crowes style songs, best encapsulated by the superb Lucky Strike track.

Keep a lookout in case the tour happens at NelsonNorwood.com

RAB McCULLOUGH

Ever hear the one about the Irish Blues man, with a following in America who records on a French label, and is hoping to play gigs in the UK?
Well let's hope that on the evidence of this album that Rab makes it over here very soon.
A tough but intuitive blues vocalist and "feel" guitar player, Rab's album suggests a cast of thousands including such luminaries as Hubert Sumlin on guitar, and one time 9 Below harp player Billy Boy Miskimmen, not to mention of killer horn section.
But ultimately its Rab's own mix of blues fun, boogie and the occasional down home piece such as "Dirty Black Water" that really impresses.
Rab McCullough has produced the kind of blues album that van has skirted round for years. Rab has delivered it, go and search out what appears to be an import only copy.

For pictures, links, etc. please click here

99 Lbs

A three track taster that surely leaves you wanting more. 99Ibs features former Atlantic records protege Allison Rolls, (who signed to the label at 14), and guitarist Miss Underwood, who at times sounds not unlike Albert Collins. There is of course a supporting cast, including Henry Smithson on bass, who has worked with the likes of Terry Clarke.
The opening "Slipped Tripped and fell In Love" drips with Southern soul, while the funky groove of "99lbs" is fleshed out by a superbly arranged horn section.
The biggest compliment this outfit can be handed is that Ann Peebles would have loved this!

CARL VERHEYEN

And so the the guitar noodler in the bunch. And it's good to report that Carl Verheyen has concentrated on finding a funky context for his undoubted brilliant Berklee School of Music guitar chops.
The key to the success of this album is simply the admirable restraint Carl shows. Songs take precedence here, such as on the acoustic outings "Place For Me" and "24 and 10", on which he plays fine slide.
It isn't until "Give It A Try" that the combo rocks out and Carl displays his incredible technique.
While not quite cross over this album shows Carl Verheyen is an emerging song writer of the highest order. His guitar playing as ever is mesmerising.

carlverheyen.com

TRACTOR

Not quite as eclectic as you might imagine. The core of the band is guitarist Jim Milne and percussionist Steve Clayton. Between the two of them they make some magical and very powerful music. The 7 tracks here span 30 years, from the band's original 1972 masters to last year's appearance at Glastonbury festival.
There's also 4 bonus acoustic tracks and a one off with Space Ritual's Nick Turner. Look no further than the eastern feel of "Siderial" to realise Tractor were there at the very genesis of Trance, except back then it was called Psychedelic Rock!
Tractor-Ozit.com
Here's a review of their recent gig at RaynersLIVE

NEKTAR

Another band with a Prog Rock pedigree, Nektar never really cracked it in the UK, aside from some great Roundhouse shows in the 70's. Perhaps the reason was their grandiose style was more suited to the US, where they enjoyed some considerable success, bolstered by a sizable and loyal following in Germany.
Guitarist Roye Albrighton still shines through with some heavy duty guitar work, but the band have opted for a more commercial sound that eschews the 20 minute or so epics such as "Remember the Future". That said this album will please die hards, even if it promises to convert far fewer new fans.
NektarMusic.co.uk

MALCOM MORLEY

A little gem to round off the top 10. Malcolm Morley was a core member of the wonderful British band Help Yourself, an outfit who played West Coast rock better than most of the indigenous musicians in California. He was also a member of the Man band line-up that cut their most successful album, the very West Coast sounding "Rhinos, Winos & Lunatics". You also need to know he was a sometime member of Nottingham's finest ever pub rock outfit Plummet Airlines.
Morley produced them and occasionally played alongside the magnificent talent of the Plummet's Harry Stephenson.
But it's Morley's talent here we are dealing with, and this album is a tape cut with the Airlines in '76. It's a whimsical understated set, that sounds very gentle and introspective for an era dominated by Punk.
A must for all those into Mike Nesmith, the Helps, Man, and beyond, this album reaffirms a real talent who has been absent from the music scene for far too long.

* Please note we wish to make it clear that despite a previous suggestion to the contrary, Malcolm Morley is not and has never been involved with Scientology. Go and get the record - it's great!

Malcolm-Morley.com