Category - Reviews Zone

      Bill, the record label’s PR man who sent in this album to the magazine’s editor, wrote on a compliments’ slip that it is...

  ALBUM OF THE MONTH [February 2025]       What does a lion tamer, a 400-year-old farmhouse in the Italian hills and a buzzard, a crow, a...

  Album of the month [November]         This magazine has been championing the Canadian band The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer since...

        This record is an unexpected gem and a bit of a best kept secret, featuring some stunning guitar work and lovely vocals. If the...

      This young impressive UK four-piece are a cool addition to any festival stage – live they kick butt – and their previous three...

  Album of the month [October]       Darlings of the early 2000s, Razorlight have just put out their fifth album – their first album...

  Album Of The Month [September]       In the time I have written music reviews, I cannot recall ever trotting out the lazy accolade...

        “Back In Boston Live” is the latest album – solo record # 12 and he is on a slew of other artist’s releases...

        Hifi Sean and David McAlmont release their delightful second album, “Daylight” in three days’ time, the date...

        Beabadoobee’s third studio album, “This Is How Tomorrow Moves” is out today (9th August 2024) via the Dirty Hit...

“If your booty is not shaking in the first two bars of this album, you’re already dead in a chair!” – Steve Cropper     If...

        Kitty Liv has released her flipping excellent debut solo album “Easy Tiger” – 10 tracks, written, re-written and...

  Album of the Month [August]       In these stressful cost of living crisis-induced times, if you seek a soothing, calming soundtrack to...

  * ALBUM OF THE MONTH [May] *       Becky Hill is one of the UK’s most talented singers the country has produced for decades, and...

  * ALBUM OF THE MONTH [July] *       It’s been more than seven years since The Rifles released their last record, but now the East...

      UK trio Tom Mansi & The Icebreakers describe themselves as “Rock n roll blues alternative originals three-piece fronted by...

        The Pet Shop Boys drop their 15th studio album today [ 26th April 2024], their first for four years – back on the Parlophone...

        Much-talked about UK folk band Banter deliver a dozen superb tracks on their fourth album, “Heroes”. The celebrated...

  * Album Of The Month [June] *       Quinn Sullivan’s vocals have improved greatly since I saw him opening for and playing with...

        If you can command almost 1.7 million listens per month on your Spotify, you must be doing something right. Legendary songwriter...

  * Album Of The Month [April] *         Tim Booth has one of the most distinctive voices in British contemporary music, and on his...

* Album Of The Month [March 2024] *       US artist, musician, songwriter and producer Jack Antonoff lives a double life. Under the pseudonym...

      With more than two and a half million records shifted, Hanne Boel is Denmark’s she best-selling female artist of all time. For 30...

        Sexy toffee anyone? No, it’s not me trying to offload left over Easter confectionary. “Sexy toffee” is...

        Some sweet guitar licks on this decent album from John Fiddler’s Medicine Head. If Clapton, JJ Cale, Peter Green et al are...

      Punk had it. Singer, guitarist and songwriter Mark Vennis and his band Different Place have it. What is it? P.A.E. = Power, Attitude &...

        Reeling from a painful breakup in 2019, British Alt-Americana troubadour Holly Lerski embarked on a solo road trip across unknown...

* Album Of The Month (February 2024) *       January can be a bit of a downer after the (excesses!!) joy of gathering with family and friends...

        There’s a lot of music out there masquerading as something that it is not… Such as the myriad of bands and artists...

        There is a very good reason why this album has been chosen as Music Republic Magazine’s 2023 ‘Live Album Of The...

  * Music Republic Magazine: 2023 Album of The Year *       There is a flipping good reason why this album has been chosen as Music...

  ALBUM OF THE MONTH (December)       Kid Acne is a UK-based artist, illustrator and emcee. He spent his formative years writing graffiti...

        Norwegian singer Inger Marie Gundersen, (known as Inger Marie) adds a sixth album to her catalogue when “Five Minutes”...

        Pretty unusual album this one. It may well be a Marmite moment for some. It took me three spins to get into it, and to appreciate...

  Hot Contender For Music Republic Magazine ‘Album Of The Year 2023’…       When we think of great frontmen, many will...

        Robben Ford is probably responsible for more criminal damage than anyone I know! I’ll explain… I’d bet so many...

        A stonking 14-track compilation of various artists from the Golden Rules label, delivering a cracking mix of established...

        Dave Keller is a name I was not aware of until this very impressive album landed on my desk to review. The artwork on the CD cover...

  NOVEMBER * Album of the month *     Let’s not beat about the bush here. What a superb band. What a superb album. The Blue Lena is the...

        Debut album from Norway’s promising singer and songwriter Maria Brym; “More Like You” delivers nine songs that...

  AUGUST * Album Of The Month *        Smokers Lounge. Never heard of ’em. No pre-conceived ideas then, when this album arrived with...

  OCTOBER * Album Of The Month *       There are voices that sound lovely on the radio, but are instantly forgotten. There are also many...

        Australian 9-piece spiritual jazz group Menagerie drop their highly anticipated fourth album “The Shores Of Infinity”...

  SEPTEMBER * Album Of The Month *     Max Beesley is an accomplished actor, world class musician, producer and writer. A top notch vibes...

      Here’s a phrase I’d never expect to read in the PR blurb for a new album release: “The Hendrix of the hammered dulcimer...

          From the soulful opener “Swinging In The Sweet Sunshine” – which features some lovely Junior Walker style...

    Joint Album Of The Month – June *****       Never judge a book by its cover. Case in point, Aussie singer Josh Teskey. A...

        Singers get solo records. Guitarists get solo records. All day long…But there are not that many bassists who can take the spotlight...

          Nashville-based guitarist, singer and songwriter JD Simo is a killer axe man, great voice and superb songwriter. He shines...

          This illustrious magazine has been tipping UK singer and songwriter Claire Littley from day one of her recording career. No...

Album of The Month (September 2022)       Many will know Beth Nielsen Chapman as a prolific hit-making songwriter. Such legends as Elton John...

        Canada’s Durham County Poets deliver a very nice fifth album which should delight the hardest-to-please lovers of fine, often horn...

        US blues artist Johnny Sansone’s 13th album since he started a recording career in 1987, and this long payer is the sixth on his...

        There seems to be a resurgence of interest in the “Back To…” events; festivals  club nights focused on music from a specific...

        One of my favourite album releases of 2022. UK pianist, organist, singer and songwriter Joe Tatton and his trio with a tribute to...

        Things that make you go, “Agggghhh!”. Two social media event notifications for a Christmas market and a Christmas fayre – received...

        Music Republic Magazine raved about Bristol jazz outfit The Jazz Defenders’ first album, “Scheming” – giving it a...

        Second album from UK artist PM Warson – a pleasing nine-track offering of seven self-penned originals and a very nice cover. 50s...

        The editor sends over a batch of CDs and digital links to me on a regular basis, the new music he’d like me, as a contributor to...

      Lettuce pray! Salad days are here! Cos I said so! OK, I know these puns are well past their tell-by date, but it cheered up my day –...

        Classic songs being re-worked some years down the line usually confirm the saying, ‘If it ain’t bust, don’t fix it’. Is that the...

          UK singer, songwriter and guitarist Jack Broadbent has dropped one of the strongest roots albums of the year, in “Ride”, his...

        Third album from London-based pianist, singer and composer Joy Ellis – after 2019’s “Dwell” and 2018’s “Life On Land”. All...

    Canada’s Lydia Persaud offers up a gorgeous slice of soul with her sophomore album, “Moody31” and the graceful singles “I...

        They are back with a big bang. Placebo. New album “Never Let Me Go” out in a few days time is simply put: a fuzzed-up, grunged-up...

  Album of the month (March)…         London-based indie pop guitar band Sea Girls were Music Republic Magazine’s “Best Live...

        If you seek soothing, calming, low-fi music to chill by, look away now. Nothing to see here, folks! Livepool quartet The Mysterines...

        The fifth album from L.A.-based neo-soul outfit Moonchild features guests Lalah Hathaway, Alex Isley, Tank and the Bangas, Rapsody...

      Somi. Sublime singer, gifted songwriter, playwright and actor of Rwandan and Ugandan descent, based in the US, releasing seven albums to...

        Anna Howie has peas in her freezer older than the young guy who chatted her up, and on telling her husband of the incident, he gave...

        Jack Francis. New name to me. Glad to make his acquaintance though via this gorgeous self-titled debut album, which showcases not...

        British heavy metal stars Tokyo Blade return with a brand new album – follow-up to 2020’s acclaimed album “Dark Revolution”...

        Never mind Easter eggs and chocolates for the punk music lover in your life this year. Grab ‘em a copy of this and they’ll thank...

        Three words only, to define a unique sound, to define sheer class and palpable soul you could bathe in. Those three words: Grover...

        Four albums by Solar recording artists Dynasty – plus bonus 7” versions of their biggest hits. The Albums “Your Piece Of The...

        A smashing four-disc remastered and expanded boxed set of the classic prog’ jazz-rock album from 1970 from this respected outfit...

        A sparkling gem of an Americana album from Copper Bets; a cracking US outfit who should be on the bill of any discerning roots...

        Moonshine Society formed in 2009 in the US. The offspring of three promising young music scholars who came together at Boston’s...

        Eighth studio album from the reformed Cult, originally released in 2007, expanded with a CD of bonus material. Their sole release...

          Oasis, Stone Roses, The Killers, The Flaming Lips, The Charlatans, The National, Smashing Pumpkins and Interpol are just...

        A new remastered and expanded two-disc edition of “Time Honoured Ghosts”,  from prog’ rock legends Barclay James...

  * Album of The Month (October 2021) *       There’s a big fat clue as to how good this record is, in the album’s title. Glorious. Fact...

    Album Of The Month (September 2021) *         Red hot contender for album of the year from Baby Queen. Mega-talented 24-year...

  * Album Of The Month (August 2021) *          “New Morning Howl”. Nine very classy songs/tracks, all penned by Brent...

      Electro pioneers Eat Static was formed in Somerset in 1989 by Merv Pepler and Joie Hinton. Joie left the group in February 2008 after 18...

        Warfare were the pioneers of mixing punk with metal and labelled “metal punks”. Tyneside’s anarchic Warfare were formed by drummer...

          Ahhhhhh. Sweet soul music (and a splash of gospel) from The Sweet Inspirations; a bumper box set of three discs delivering...

          Reggae specialist record label Doctor Bird release a superb double-disc delight with this “Reggae Fever” title from Jamaican...

        Vinegar Joe. Robert Palmer. Elkie Brooks. One of the best band to come out of the UK in the 1970s and boasting two GREAT singers in...

        Her last album of originals was way back in 1999. So the wait for this one has been 22 years. Was it worth it? Well….. We had...

      Country star Chris Young should not need introduction, having clocked up circa five billion career streams and eleven US #1 singles, thus...

        Alan Evans has made a name for himself among soul fans as the multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of US band Soulive, and he has...

      A highly underrated British band who made some fine music back in the day. Gypsy formed in 1969 from top Leicester outfit Legay, who...

        Following on from the success of the Captain Oi label’s previous Toy Dolls box set: “The Albums 1983-’87”, they now...

      This is the first official CD reissue of this seminal 1968 rock steady album from The Pioneers. Here we have two discs offering us the...

        The Vapors formed in 1978 and were discovered by the Jam’s Bruce Foxton, and managed by Paul Weller’s dad. Signed to United Artists...

        Great fun is to be had by immersing oneself in this baker’s dozen songs on Jim Bob of Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine...

        Level 42 may have been at it since the late 1970s, but they really are still a great band live – and as good on record with...

      Langan, Frost & Wane: Self-titled album, out now on Goldstar Recordings, offers up 15 beautiful tracks that hark back to folky, flower...

  JULY ALBUM OF THE MONTH *****       The star rating system used for reviews here at Music Republic Magazine starts off at one star, which...

          Joe Sample. Loved him in The Crusaders. Loved him solo when I saw him on a double bill for an outdoor summer show with the...

        UK label SoulMusic Records has produced the first-ever box set of the music of the late and great Phyllis Hyman, traversing the...

          This really is a bumper box set: 12 albums across six CDs. Mose Allison. Yes please…. Covering the dozen albums Mose...

        A man rarely photographed with his shirt on! Iggy. Mr Pop. Still going strong at the age of 74-years-old. This four-CD set captures...

        A real, raw, shit hot, ballsy rock and roll record with no BS backstory or an array of star guests to prop up weak songs and...

        Masks. We all wear them. Even before and after the pandemic laws….Stopping ourselves being who we want to be sometimes; having to...

        Eddie Martin. For blues fans in the UK, he probably needs no introduction. But this cool dude deserves global attention for his...

        In September 2017, the editor of Music Republic Magazine reviewed James Lindsay’s album “Strand” and gave it the maximum five stars...

        The latest edition of one of the most successful punk compilation series, offers 64 tracks across three discs collated from...

            We do not usually run the full track listing of albums with reviews in this magazine, especially when it is a bumper box...

        Coventry band The Sorrows were part of the 1960s British beat boom scene, the mods loved ‘em and they have been labelled...

              Not much of a fan of live albums, as most are a let down and rarely sound as good as studio stuff or if/when I...

            I love my editor! He knows I love retro disco and soul/r&b stuff, and so when the latest batch of CDs lands on my...

          Oh yes please…..A box set bursting with soul, funk and disco goodness from New York’s Kleeer – and no less than eight discs...

  ALBUM OF THE MONTH – MAY 2021         At last….a guitarist treading his own path in riffs and phrasing, and not adding to the...

        Established sidemen and star session men can every now and again decide the time is right to step out of the shadows to take the...

        Who is Judith Hill some may well ask. But after a few minutes of this glorious album, trust me when I say, her background is...

        The first ever expanded re-issue of Marc Almond’s 1990 sixth studio album. “Enchanted” –  saturated in Marc’s signature...

            This two-CD, DVD and Blu Ray four-disc set, is a fitting homage to one of the finest and classiest UK bands in the so...

            Originally formed in Maryland, USA in 1991, Clutch signed to Warner imprint East West Records two years later for...

            UK label SoulMusic Records presents this super, triple-CD box set consisting of the two albums the US group cut for...

          If raucous metal is your bag, then fill yer boots with this one….The “long-awaited” return of North East of UK thrashers...

          20 TRACKS NEW TO CD INCLUDES SOME OF THE BIGGEST JAMAICAN HITS FROM THE ERA SHOWCASES THE EARLY WORK OF NUMEROUS REGGAE...

            A stunning six-disc set of 59 tracks from the legendary UK progressive rock band Rare Bird, covering the period of...

        If we played a game of musical word association, and I were to say, ‘Creation Records’, maybe you’d probably say Oasis...

            There’s this teenage kid I know called Aidan who has been going to live gigs with my mate, his music crazy mother...

          The Doctor Bird label continues to dig out some fabulously forgotten and sometimes obscure reggae tracks and release them on...

        An off-the-wall belter of an album if you are a fan of creative guitarists treading their own path and blurring genre boundaries...

        Spirit’s main man, singer/guitarist/songwriter and band leader Randy California was a hero…. Yes, he was worshiped by...

          Following on from their recent “No Future Complete Singles Collection”, Captain Oi! now releases the superb “Riot City...

        If reggae and/or soul/r&b are your thing, trust me; this 42 track, double disc collection is right up your Strasa – with 18...

          If we played some word association, and I said, “Funk”, many would come straight back with “James Brown”, surely. The...

            Ill-fated legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd first formed in 1964, when this fledgling bunch of...

            This new triple disc set offers up Georgia Satellites’ output while on the Elektra label between 1986 and 1989 – with...

          A much under-rated UK band of the 70s were Be Bop Deluxe, and with a far greater output than their one hit single...

        Three discs. 69 tracks. Some fabulous legends. Some recognisable chart stars. Some exciting stars of the ska revival of the decade...

        This set delivers all four of Curved Air’s albums recorded between 1970 and 1973. Four discs offering up a total of 38 cuts here...

        AC/DC fans will probably not need an introduction to Aussie rock band Fraternity – with the early 1970s down-under band boasting...

          One of the most unique voices and music talents the UK has ever produced? I think so…… This is the first...

        Three discs, offering up 28 tracks of glorious, hard and heavy rock to test your home’s sound proofing and double glazing –...

          Four CDs, 59 tracks, detailed liner notes from their manager and the booklet has the relevant record sleeves, plus press...

        The first double CD career anthology of US r&b supergroup Con Funk Shun. The seven-piece group from California scored 25 hits...

          It’s almost Christmas, so it’s time for champagne and celebration. In this case, we celebrate the talents of one of the...

        This 57-track, four-CD set covers just about everything released by seminal American punk icon Wayne County and his Electric Chairs...

          This is the latest release in Cherry Red’s series of deluxe Fall reissues – “Fall Sound Archive”. Imperial Wax Solvent was...

        When it comes to lists of “the best ever” prog’ rock bands, this Danish lot usually get forgotten. That’s being put right…… Esoteric...

        Three words could sum this one up: Sheer Soulful Class! Obviously in her genes; the daughter of legendary soul/r&b artist Rufus...

        If you are superstitious, then Friday the 13th is a day you may spend trying not to walk under ladders, spilling salt or seeing...

        After seven decades of hits – 70 albums and around 140 million record sales – Britain’s most successful female artist of all time...

        Music Republic Magazine has been getting excited about talented young British artist Tilly Valentine since back in the summer of...

        “Phil Lynott: Songs For While I’m Away” is a well put together, revealing and emotion-soaked feature documentary – one...

        If you are a bloke, you don’t change your name when you marry. It sticks with you from womb to grave.  Unless you are a dodgy...

        Philippines born, raised in London, Bea Kristi began recording music as Beabadoobee in 2017. At just 20 years old, she has built a...

          One of the ‘most-likely to-make-it-big-and-soon’ UK bands/singers , Millie Manders & The Shutup, release...

        Eclectic and intrepid British independent label Blang Records celebrates 15 years of releasing what they call “outsider...

          Ian Dury almost got me sacked! Back in the late 70s and early 80s, I was resident DJ in a trendy club in Leicester. It was...

        I wrote the very first UK review of Vanessa’s 2017 album on Ruf Records, “Meeting My Shadow”. Not sure if this review is a UK...

        Fourth solo album from established British musician and artist Mike Ross. 10 tracks, all but one penned by Ross. Recorded in...

        If vintage Compton or Bronx/Brooklyn style hip hop and MC’ing is your thing, then this new album from Andy Cooper really is an...

        This is a very welcome release, which collects together for the first time, the output from US soul artist Barbara Lewis’ six year...

        Raunchy, sassy, growling, raspy and sweet n’ soulful are just some of the commanding vocal ingredients that US artist Bette Smith...

          Now you’re talking. This is a cracking long-awaited bumper six disc set which collects together the first half dozen volumes...

  * FIRST UK REVIEW *         Canadian artist Sandra Bouzo’s debut album, “Falling Away From Me” showcases a soulful...

        10 tracks – four of them co-writes with Adam Abrashoff and two he penned himself, plus four covers. James Brown’s “Out Of Sight”...

          Famed for supporting The Sex Pistols in the summer of 1976 at the very start of the punk era, Manchester band Slaughter And...

        A bumper three album set on two discs offering 44 tracks from one the most accomplished harmony groups on the Jamaican music scene...

  Joint Album Of The Month (August)       “All Rise” is a phrase you’ll hear in any courthouse across the world, whenever the...

        Would you believe, “Bitches Brew” is 50 years old this year, 2020. Miles Davis continues to influence musicians worldwide almost...

          Over the last two decades, there has been a slew of soulful young British female blues and old school r&b singers...

          I heard a track from this album on late night radio in the UK prior to its original release back in 2001. It may have been...

  * Album of the Month (September) *           Mary Coughlan is an icon in Ireland. Labelled “the greatest female singer to have...

        Two words only should be enough of a reason to go seek out this new four-disc box set from 1970s UK rock band Back Street Crawler...

          What a voice. What a performer. Never gets the recognition she deserves as an artist. Esther Phillips. An r&b pioneer...

        Let’s talk about the voice. Not the TV talent show. No, the voice I want to talk about belongs to a British artist who some may...

          This book has a long title. “How Not To Make It In The Pop World. (Diary of an almost has-been)”. By veteran Leicester sax’...

        When an established band or artist decide to add a covers album to their catalogue, it can often end up sounding like it’s a case...

        We get 10 delicious tracks which run to 31 mins and 44 seconds duration on the multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, re-mixer...

        Bristol duo The Allergies fourth album is – like the three previous releases – on hip Brighton label Jalapeno Records...

        The Lotts are young. Loud. Raw. Don’t care if you love ‘em or hate ‘em. Having a ball and blending retro punk and New York...

          Superb 71-track triple-disc set celebrating the London pub rock scene of the 1970s. The usual suspects from that scene back...

    *** August Album Of The Month ***         Oscar Jerome “Breathe Deep” is the stunning debut album from an exciting young...

        Back in the day, samplers from record labels of the various artists and bands on their label – usually a selection of one track per...

  Joint (July) Album Of The Month (With Seasick Steve)       One of my personal absolute favourite releases of 2020 of any genre –...

        I used to be a punk. Some say I still am, but somehow I do not think they are referring to the spiky hairstyle or the safety pin...

        On paper, an album that features work from Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Sun Ra, John Coltrane, Canonnball Adderely, Ornette Coleman...

        A bumber six-disc box set which includes some previously unreleased material from UK psychedelic rock band July. The band were only...

        Nine tracks that cover 1973 to 1975 on a newly remastered ‘Best Of’ compilation of the Irish prog’ rock band Fruupp, remastered...

        No. Not going there….The name of this Irish band is the name of this band – and has been for 17 years and five albums...

July Album of the Month           A two year wait for veteran US blues man Seasick Steve’s 10th album, “Love & Peace” which drops...

        Modfather Paul Weller’s 15th studio album “On Sunset” has a lot going for it – but it’s not one of those instant obsession...

        A three-year labour of love for New York bluesman Dave Fields has most definitely paid off, based on the end result of his cracking...

        David Sanborn will be 75-years-old at the end of July. 2020 additionally marks the 45th anniversary of his debut LP as a leader. In...

          Be Bop Deluxe were about far more than their one hit single “Ships In The Night” – Top 10 in the UK back in 1976. For...

        Lady Gaga’s delayed sixth solo album “Chromatica” dropped today (29th May 2020) – an unashamedly commercial dance-meets-pop...

        Out today (22nd May 2020), The 1975’s fourth album – follow-up to the 2019 Brits Album of the Year “A Brief Inquiry...

        Non-bland listen-ability is a tough thing to achieve – but “Americanized”, the latest album by top UK session guitarist...

          Nyah Grace has got something. Only 18, an American now relocated to London. Writing with and produced by some decent names...

          A charming offering from a young American artist now based in Europe, with promise for the future. Her “difficult second...

  * MAY ALBUM OF THE MONTH *       Back in the 70s when I had a 28” waist and only one chin, the Sex Pistols were making history and...

            They say greens are good for you! Does that include lettuce? The US funkateers Lettuce blur the boundaries of genres...

        This bunch of talented mother funkers (note to self: must check spelling carefully!) drop their fifth album, after a two years of...

        Watkins Family Hour is an award-winning duo of siblings Sara and Sean Watkins, who many will know from the acclaimed Nikel Creek...

**** FIRST UK REVIEW ****         New blues releases seemingly have the power to bamboozle the fashionistas, the hip music critics...

          “Reunions” is the glorious new album by four-time Grammy-winner Jason Isbell and his band the 400 Unit. The voice. The...

        I have previously reviewed Dan’s output for a magazine I used to work for – and I also  interviewed him a few years ago too.  So, I...

            Love, love, love this album. Breath of fresh air from talented UK DJ, producer and multi-instrumentalist Flevans, aka...

          Six-disc box set of former guitarist for Thin Lizzy, Pink Floyd, Roger Waters and many more…. The guitar man for all seasons...

              Chet Baker, Miles Davis and Malcolm Strachan. My playlist this morning, as I endure another Groundhog Day of...

            German hip hop/jazz duo Ferge X Fisherman – aka singer Fritz Fisherman and producer Ferge – have really...

        This superb two-disc set brings together the entirety of the influential DJ’s vocal recordings for Trojan, widely regarded to be...

        Elton John, and his then manager and business partner John Reid, signed UK singer songwriter Judie Tzuke to their record label...

              Here we have the debut album from folk artist James Auger under the guise of ‘A Choir Of Ghosts’… Sweden...

            Legendary US soul groove merchants Tower Of Power don’t really need introduction… Their long and storied...

          Super triple-CD set delivering 39 tracks written, produced or performed by Donald Byrd – covering a period starting in...

        Blackbird & Crow are singer Maighread Ní Ghrásta and Stephen Doohan, who plays guitars, bouzouki, mandolin, stomp box and more...

            Bai Kamara Jr. isn’t an artist I had heard of before this album dropped through the door from German label M.I.G...

            If your parents christen you Forster and your dream is to write songs and travel the world with a band to play guitar...

          Some 51 years after leaving folk supergroup Fairport Convention, and half a century after securing the number one spot in...

  * ALBUM OF THE MONTH *         A growing number of US modern country and Americana fans love this young Nashville band, but they...

            Brooklyn-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Becca Stevens drops her tremendously exciting fifth...

            Robert Cray’s new album. This review could easily be a short one. Because three words sum up this 20th studio...

  FIRST REVIEW ANYWHERE…           Times may well be hard out there for pro’ musicians trying to earn a living from...

            Folk star Seth Lakeman’s latest offering, the ambitious concept album “A Pilgrim’s Tale” is a pleasing musical...

          You can buy warranties for cars and washing machines. But you get an automatic guarantee of quality when you see two words...

        With the word Delta in the band’s name, you’d be forgiven for expecting this record to be a set of old blues songs from...

            Canadian band Bywater Call are armed and dangerous. Their secret weapon is singer Meghan Parnell. She’s got some...

          It’s rare that you will come across a young band with such a strong identity and sense of direction, so early on in their...

          Crowd Company drop their third studio album, which features two of the horn players from Grammy-nominated US funk band...

            Bernard Allison has a lot to live up to. His famous surname. Following in his legendary father’s blues shoes was...

            The Jazz Defenders. “Scheming” So what have we got here then? A British jazz album that sounds like it...

          I recall a certain famous radio and TV presenter who really knows his music, jumping down my throat during an interview...

            In today’s sea of musical mediocrity, awash with those ravenous for fame for fame’s sake, now and again along comes...

            To write music alone is a difficult task. A task often struggled with. But Tamara Schlesinger, otherwise known as...

  * First review anywhere……….         Being a singer-songwriter/solo artist can be a lonely job. There’s no...

            Who is Rob Law you may ask?  Well, a quick Google (other search engines are available!) will reveal that he is the...

            A name new to me, about to drop an impressive eight-track collection of original material that certainly deserves...

ALBUM OF THE MONTH (August)           One of the best soul voices you’ll ever hear. Otis? Stevie? Aretha? None of the above. I am...

          Esoteric Recordings have been poking about in the vaults to unearth a previously unreleased live BBC concert and session...

        This newly re-mastered four-CD set offers up the first four albums by Tangerine Dream, originally released on the Ohr label in...

          Two seminal Trojan albums from the golden age of reggae, on one disc, delivering two dozen tracks from the final days of the...