Jason Lee McKinney Band - One Last Thing

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 67:47 
Size: 156,7 MB 
Label:Bonfire Records
Styles: Rock/Blues Rock 
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Cross Over - 3:35
 2. Sing a Prayer - 3:57
 3. Freedom - 3:39
 4. Unified - 4:16
 5. Promises - 3:37
 6. When I'm Gone - 4:36
 7. Paperback Novels - 4:43
 8. Sing On - 5:06
 9. Doubters Prayer - 5:02
10. Liturgy - 2:34
11. Lighthouse - 5:05
12. Make No Mistake - 3:48
13. Song of Songs - 3:22
14. Voice for the Voiceless - 3:36
15. Without End - 3:27
16. One Last Thing - 3:54
17. Sing On (Radio Edit) - 3:22

This album appears at first glance as a fire & brimstone Christian-rock endeavor. And it is. I’m not a big religious fanatic especially when it comes to music, though I love “Oh, Happy Day.” But this heavy 16-track set (with an additional radio edit cut) has very redeemable qualities. You don’t have to be heavily into religion to appreciate the marvelous musicianship & singing featured in this effort. The group cleverly decorated their songs with some durable beats, energetic lead guitar solos, rollicking piano runs, well-arranged melodies & at times vocals with soul though this isn’t a heavy-duty spiritual collection. The crunchy guitar on “Freedom,” & “When I’m Gone,” exemplify these soulful vintage R&B outings. The entire presentation punctuates with its rock significance (“One Last Thing,” “Song of Songs,” “Voice for the Voiceless”). The guitarist crunches along with blistering redemptive tones & tunefulness on his licks. Impressive. This is the 11th LP by Nashville’s 5-member Jason Lee McKinney Band. One Last Thing (Drops March 18–Bonfire Records) is a spiritual-infused journey with no confections, the God messaging is finely tuned & on this collection, it’s actually smartly woven. Nothing is bombastic, or too clinically catechism oriented. The messages get through & they get there with enthusiasm & likability.

One Last Thing

Albany Down - South Of The City

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2011
Time: 48:53 
Size: 112,1 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Rock/Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Dirty - 3:39
 2. The Morning After - 3:19
 3. Mercy - 5:06
 4. Outside Your Window - 3:18
 5. The Train Song - 2:46
 6. South Of The City - 5:47
 7. I Won't Wait - 3:08
 8. Baby Where'd You Stay Last Night - 2:58
 9. Jealousy - 3:13
10. Save Me - 4:22
11. I Wanna Know - 3:45
12. Wasted - 3:44
13. Without You - 3:42

A re-imagining of the classic rock master melodies of yesteryear, Albany Down take the raw, gritty and unpretentious nuances of a wonderful period in rock and roll history, and transform it into something really 'now'; something very special for the digital-download generation, and something for their sons, daughters and parents too. It is truly universal music.

South Of The City

Beverly "Guitar" Watkins - In Paris

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 39:26 
Size: 90,4 MB 
Label: Music Maker Foundation
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Baghdad Blues - 2:47
 2. Do the Breakdown - 3:25
 3. Melody Midnight Cruise - 2:58
 4. What'd I Say - 4:14
 5. Lonesome Widow Blues - 4:22
 6. Blues Ain't What It Used to Be - 4:03
 7. Sugar Baby Swing - 2:22
 8. You Send Me - 5:21
 9. Red Mama Blues - 6:15
10. Get out on the Floor - 3:34

The late Beverly “Guitar” Watkins (1939-2019) was the hottest blues-slinging Southern grandma ever and quite possibly still is, judging by her new live release In Paris. The record, her first and only live effort, comes out March 18th, 2022 thanks to Music Maker Foundation and contains ten smoking tracks captured before an enthusiastic crowd in the City of Lights back in 2012. Watkins throws down on the gig with a beast of a band that includes guitarist Albert White (Elvin Bishop, Clarence Carter, Ben E. King, Ray Charles, Joe Tex), keyboardist Eddie Tigner (Ink Spots), and trombonist Lil Joe Burton (Tex, Bobby Womack, Otis Clay, B.B. King). Watkins was a dynamic, often acrobatic performer known for her tough guitar style, growling vocals, and undeniable presence. In Paris lets us hear Watkins going full-throttle for the blues and for the people, providing the kind of experience that just can’t be replicated. She was a one-of-kind, one-night-only musician with the power to reach a crowd and bend them to her will. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Watkins began playing guitar for regional legend Piano Red in 1959 while she was still a senior in high school. She toured with Red until the band broke up in 1965 and went on to work with stars including James Brown, B.B. King, and Ray Charles. As time went on, Watkins became a headliner, releasing  her debut solo album Back In Business when she was 60, earning a W.C. Handy Blues Award nomination, opening a 42-date tour for Taj Mahal, and performing at Lincoln Center. She played a bare-knuckle style of music she called “railroad smokin’ blues,” frequently delivered with her guitar behind her head, flat on her back, or sliding on her knees. She was a fierce participant in the blues community who will never be replaced. Watkins starts the show with the solidly funky “Baghdad Blues,” a mid-tempo number that’s warmly welcomed by the folks in attendance. She takes her time building her intensity, using her voice and clean Fender guitar tone to wake up the people and get them on her side. Even without video, you can feel her electricity take over the room and get all eyes and ears focused on the stage. She kicks the funk up a few levels with the James Brown-influenced “Do The Breakdown.” The band and horn section put it down behind her and the whole bunch has the Parisian audience jamming right where they want them.“Melody Cruise” shifts gears into a soft and slick 50s rock and roll feel that lets Beverly show off the smoother aspects of her guitar and vocal skills. She pulls back and sings this cut in a sweet and lowdown style that gives people a moment to breathe after all the funk they’ve just been through. Watkins doesn’t let them rest too long, however, and immediately launches into a revved-up version of Ray Charles’ eternally cool “What’d I Say.” This is where she really starts to hammer the crowd, taking them into a straight-ahead twist groove, call-and-response sections, and edgy guitar solos over explosive beats. You can feel the place going up for grabs, everyone there fully in the grasp of the musicians in front of them. Watkins and her band channel the magic of the past on the flag-waver “Sugar Baby Swing,” which is named after one of her main guitars. It’s an uptempo jump blues that’s mostly instrumental and tremendously entertaining. You can hear the crowd urging the players on, totally committed to the party by now, and most likely thinking about calling in sick to work the next day because nobody’s leaving until this gig is done. By the time Watkins hits the all-out closer “Get Out On The Floor,” the great city of Paris has been thoroughly rocked, driven to the brink, and left a joyous, sweaty mess. Beverly “Guitar” Watkins delivered all the old-school, off-the-floor power that the room could handle and, for a moment, the world was a happy place. In Paris is a testament to the vibrant artist she was and the lessons these tracks will teach the next generation of blues artists. Turn it up and dance!

In Paris

Jamie McLean Band - Paradise Found

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 41:13 
Size: 94,7 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues/Blues Rock/Southern Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Give My Life To Rock And Roll - 4:13
 2. This Is It - 3:35
 3. Ghost Of You - 4:11
 4. Paradise Found - 4:15
 5. Something About Love - 3:55
 6. Waiting On You - 4:16
 7. Ransom - 4:34
 8. Turn Around - 3:34
 9. Easy Rider - 4:27
10. Hotels And Cabarets - 4:08

Jamie McLean Band is a triple threat. The group’s energetic and captivating live show is undeniable.  McLean’s fiery guitar has joined the ranks of Derek Trucks, Gregg Allman, Aaron Neville, Dr. John and more on stages from from Madison Square Garden to Japan’s Fuji Rock. His blue eyed southern soul vocals ooze real emotion. And his top line songwriting chops have crafted profound, honest and heartfelt songs that will keep you singing along, dancing along and feeling like the song was written about you.  Jamie McLean Band creates a musical gumbo that incorporates New Orleans soul, middle Americana roots, Delta blues and New York City swagger.
Jamie McLean Band will release their eagerly awaited new album in 2020. The album was produced by Ken Coomer of Wilco at Nashville’s Cartoon Moon studio and features the band’s strongest and most mainstream songwriting to date.  Songs like “Give My Life To Rock and Roll” and “Waiting On You” are dripping with summer festival sweat while “Turn Around” and “Hotels and Cabarets” are ready made for film and television.  The live show is where Jamie McLean Band excels and the band has shared the stage with the likes of Gregg Allman, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Trombone Shorty, Los Lobos, Blues Traveler, Marc Broussard and many more. Jamie Mclean Band has appeared at festivals such as Bonnaroo, Mountain Jam, Targhee Fest, Okeechobee Fest, Ottawa Blues Fest, Quebec City Summer Fest, and Warren 
Haynes’ Christmas Jam to name a few. McLean has also enjoyed the sponsorship of Gibson Guitars, Fuchs Amplifiers, D’Addario Strings, Blue Microphones, John Varvatos and Esquire Magazine.
Don’t miss their amazing live set when they roll into a town near you!
"Jamie McLean has soaked up quite a bit of America's musical DNA. McLean provides a fascinating cross-section of sounds that merge the yearning and romanticism of Tom Petty, the air-tight instrumental proficiency of Nashville and the rugged independent streak of alt-country." - Guitar World Magazine 
"McLean and company ooze drops of southern roots rock, blues, R&B, funk and soul out of every note... the rock & roll swagger of the Rolling Stones combined with the songwritingprowess of Ryan Adams."- Jambase
"Jamie McLean Band is completely original and completely fabulous... The live version of this band is a three-dimensional experience not to be missed” – Hittin The Note
"A honkin' collection of Southern-style blues rock, Americana, and soul.... as bawdy as anything the Black Crowes tried to snag from The Faces or The Stones circa 'Sticky Fingers' and 'Exile on Main Street' and as groovy and gutsy as Bowie's 'Young Americans.'" - Charleston City Paper

Paradise Found

Hurricane Ruth - Live at 3rd And Lindsley

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 76:11 
Size: 180,1 MB 
Label: Hurricane Ruth Records
Styles: Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Full 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Roll Little Sister - 4:21
 2. Hard Rockin' Woman - 4:07
 3. What You Never Had - 4:12
 4. Dirty Blues - 4:47
 5. Faith In Me - 5:43
 6. Slow Burn - 5:20
 7. Cry Like A Rainy Day - 7:21
 8. Barrelhouse Joe's - 3:15
 9. As The Years Go Passing By - 7:31
10. Make Love To Me - 7:17
11. I've Got To Use My Imagination - 5:30
12. Like Wildfire - 4:24
13. Far From The Cradle - 5:28
14. Dance Dance Norma Jean - 6:48

Hurricane Ruth Live at 3rd and Lindsley is 14 songs of unbridled blues rock fury! Hurricane Ruth is old school, real and raw. Her vocals are deeply rooted in the blues, but make no mistake she can rock the house! She is cut from the same cloth as Big Mama Thornton, Janis Joplin, and Tina Turner. Hurricane Ruth pulls from all these greats to create her own unique sound. Hurricane Ruth is a powerful, unpredictable, everchanging MUSICAL FORCE OF NATURE! Ruth has performed with John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Willie Dixon, Taj Mahal, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Sam & Dave, Fenton Robinson, Maynard Ferguson and his orchestra, and most recently; Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and Mike Zito. Ruth’s vocals are deeply rooted in traditional blues, but make no mistake, she can rock the house! Ruth has opened for renowned rockers: Heart, Judas Priest, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts & Steppenwolf.

Live at 3rd And Lindsley

Pierce Dipner - Goin' Back

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 40:10 
Size: 92,1 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Fool's Gold - 2:54
 2. Higher Ground - 5:59
 3. Empty Bed Blues - 3:40
 4. Nobody But Myself To Blame - 4:37
 5. Tore Us Apart - 5:43
 6. Goin' Back - 4:57
 7. No Half Steppin' - 3:45
 8. We're Not Leaving - 2:37
 9. Won't You Come Home - 3:31
10. Memphis In The Rain - 2:22

Goin’ Back is the first full length album from the young blues musician and multi-instrumentalist, Pierce Dipner. The album consists of 7 originals and 3 covers spanning from classic blues to contemporary rock. Pierce’s delivery of guitar ranges from thoughtful, precise, and clean to dirty, overdriven,and adulterated with tasteful phrasing and stunning solos whether he is playing electric or cigarbox guitar. Pierce’s vocal presentation is strong, emotional, and mature beyond his years. The album also features an incredibly talented rhythm section of deep and grooving drums and bass, along with expert piano, and an amazing hornsection. Every musician featured on this album is a widely respected session and touring musician with years of performance under their belts which sets up Pierce to deliver his songs to the full extent.The album was recorded at The Church Recording Studio in Pittsburgh by Dana Cannone, a world renowned industry professional, and mastered at Treelady Studios by the highly experienced and accomplished Garrett Haines. With all of these factors combined, Goin’ Back delivers an enjoyable and entertaining listening experience.

Goin' Back 

Nik Clovsky - Wooden Music

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 44:55 
Size: 102,9 MB 
Label: Tanis Leaves
Styles: Blues/Rootts Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Lost in Her Eyes - 3:43
 2. Runnin' Down in Dixie - 3:20
 3. See the Blues - 3:54
 4. Mama - 3:57
 5. Halfway "Round - 4:28
 6. Dust and Bones - 4:53
 7. No Good Woman - 4:34
 8. Under the Knife - 4:06
 9. 99 Ways - 3:53
10. Head Held Hi - 3:02
11. Quench a Thirst - 5:01

The recordings that Tanis leaves presents the debut album Nik Clovsky

Wooden Music

Geminii Dragon - Fighting Fire With Fire

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 33:25 
Size: 78,6 MB 
Label: Nepotism Recordings
Styles: Rock/Blues Rock/Soul Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Fighting Fire With Fire - 4:48
 2. Just The Way It Is - 3:35
 3. Huh Huh Huh - 3:47
 4. Woman Scorned - 3:40
 5. Blacktop Good Man - 4:20
 6. Crippled By Insanity (Swing Low) - 5:07
 7. Gotta Make You Wonder - 4:01
 8. Badder Than Eva - 4:05

From the murky bayous of Louisiana comes a fresh face to the Blues music scene. A vocal dynamo, Geminii Dragon has channeled her love of Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Koko Taylor, Parliament Funkadelic, Curtis Mayfield, Jimi Hendrix, Billie Holiday, Earth Wind & Fire, Fleetwood Mac, Janis Joplin, Nina Simone, Nirvana, and Prince; to name a few, into a ferocious mix of blues rock soul.
It’s difficult to understand sometimes how blessed talent can go undetected.  Jessica Harper A.K.A. Geminii Dragon has literally burst onto the Louisiana Blues scene. Causing ripples and tremors throughout the LA landscape.  Like so many before her and surely after her, she fined tune her vocals in her church.With the blessing of her family, she has redirected her life toward making good music and building a brand and a fan base.  She is off and running.  With two singles (Like it or Not) and (A Storm is a Comin’) under her belt, and a recently released Christmas song (Blues Under the Christmas Tree), Geminii Dragon has been busy.  But of course the best is yet to come! On February 14, 2022 the Dragon will drop a brand new EP “Fighting Fire With Fire“.  GeminiiDragon is under the watchful eye of Christian Simeon and Nepotism Records.

Fighting Fire With Fire 

Monaco Blues Band - Mud, Blood And Beer

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1985
Time: 46:26 
Size: 106,7 MB 
Label: Sony Music Entertainment Sweden
Styles: Blues/Mocern Electric Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Heart - 3:20
 2. I Know You - 6:09
 3. Moaning - 3:39
 4. It Hurts Me Too - 4:15
 5. Ghostriders Medley - 6:00
 6. 24 Hour Man - 4:01
 7. Moving Down The Highway - 3:01
 8. Hurt So Fine - 3:30
 9. If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day - 4:59
10. Blues Ain't Bad - 2:19
11. When The Sun Goes Down - 5:09

The Monaco Blues Band started in 1982 in the city of Västerås, Sweden. The name came from the Monaco night club where the band was formed after a request from the owner who needed a little more action on Sunday nights. This was in the time of jazzrock with John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola and other super exilibristic performers that the audiences by that time had gotten tired of. MBB began with strictly John Mayall and Paul Butterfield covers, with their versions of blues material and it was an absolute success. People got crazy, flipped out totally and danced on the tables when they heard MBB's boogie-jump-shuffle versions of those old songs. It didn't last long till the first tours started, first in Scandinavia and then Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland and USA. Germany became like a second home for the band, with 54 tours and many TV and radio performances. The list of artists that MBB have shared stage with is long: Joe Cocker, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duke Robillard, Champion Jack Dupree, Eddie Harris, Louisiana Red, Ten Years After.

Mud, Blood And Beer

Fonky Donkey - Donkeyland

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 42:48 
Size: 100,7 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues/Swamp Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Queen Of The Devil's Den - 5:54
 2. Mozark Line - 5:23
 3. No Peace - 5:23
 4. White River Blues - 4:09
 5. Not A Canary - 3:00
 6. Oaklawn Blues - 5:38
 7. Too Broke To Pay May Dues - 7:42
 8. When Gilbo Sings The Blues - 4:11
 9. Queen Of The Devil's Den (Reprise) - 1:25

Ben "Swamp Donkey" Brenner founded Fonky Donkey in the Spring of 2019 to showcase his original Swamp Donkey songs and new arrangements of traditional and classic blues songs. Swamp Donkey music is the fruit of the Donkey's wide ranging influences - Robert Johnson, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, and The Allman Brothers Band, to name a few. The Swamp Donkey is a four-time solo/duo competitor in the International Blues Challenge and President of the Arkansas River Blues Society. In addition to regular appearances at clubs throughout Arkansas, the Swamp Donkey is a veteran of the the King Biscuit Blues Festival (thrice), Hot Springs Blues Festival (thrice), the Main Street Food Truck Festival in Little Rock, Arkansas (five times), and, most recently, the PK Grills Grillfest at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2019, the Donkey released his first full-length CD of all original songs, the self-produced There Will Be A Light.

Donkeyland

Joe Marton & Little Jimmy Breeze - Marton Breeze Project

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 28:16 
Size: 65,0 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. The Legend Of Will Skeato - 3:43
 2. Lie To Me - 4:39
 3. Liquid Thunder - 4:37
 4. Justice For All - 4:01
 5. Picture Slide - 6:23
 6. Hellcat - 4:51

blues rock/ traditional blues/ classic rock/rock/southern rock
Born James Raymond Utton on the 2nd of November 1946 AKA LITTLE JIMMY BREEZE immigrated to Canada in 1968 and joined Rock Band Jack the Bear in Galt Ontario then formed the band Calabash a Lynyard Skynyard clone band who was the opening act for MOLLY HATCHET, BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, TROOPER and MAX WEBSTER and many more in the 80’s The name BREEZE came about during the Calabash reign, after introducing the band members in shows and not introducing himself the next song would be THEY CALL ME THE BREEZE (JJ. Cale) so naturally he became known as MR BREEZE or the Breeze.

Marton Breeze Project

Gary Eisenbraun - Sticks and Stones

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 67:45 
Size: 155,3 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Rock/Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Luck of the Draw - 4:55
 2. Outta My Mind - 7:36
 3. If You Don't Play by the Rules - 4:46
 4. Whatcha See - 6:04
 5. Only Last So Long - 5:13
 6. Whatcha Want Me to Know - 6:40
 7. Window - 5:15
 8. Trouble Anymore - 5:40
 9. Tinted Windows on My Soul - 4:55
10. If You'd Rather Move On - 5:55
11. Faraway Blues - 5:36
12. Sparrow - 5:05

The next stop on my musical journey: MARCH 18 is the christening of my new album, "Sticks And Stones." The album is comprised of TWELVE new songs and they cover a lot of musical territory. From hard rockers like "Whatcha See" and "Luck Of The Draw," ... to ... a dobro-inflected Delta-style song like "Whatcha Want Me To Know", onward through the soulfull blues of "Trouble Anymore" and "Tinted Windows On My Soul", into an ambitious extended jam, "Outta My Mind" ...and even stopping off for a very acoustical blues foray, "If You Don't Play By The Rules." So many surprises, along the way. It's a comin'. 

Sticks and Stones

Popa Chubby - Emotional Gangster

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 46:45 
Size: 109,0 MB 
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing :
 1. Tonight I'm Gonna Be The Man - 4:35
 2. New Way Of Walking - 5:15
 3. Equal Opportunity - 4:18
 4. Hoochie Cootchie Man - 5:14
 5. Save The Best For Last - 3:28
 6. Why You Wanna Make War (English Version) - 3:27
 7. Dust My Broom - 3:19
 8. I'm The Dog - 3:12
 9. Doing OK - 4:32
10. Fly Away - 5:58
11. Why You Wanna Make War (French Version) - 3:27

Emotional Gangster features twelve new tracks with The Chubbfatha on many instruments and doing all the mixing and recording duties.
“This record definitely reflects happier times and good solid dose of classic blues!”, says Popa. “I specifically included covers like ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ and ‘Dust My Broom’ to show respect for the Fathers. Willie Dixon has always been my idol, you know.” But the real gems here come in Popa’s original compositions. “Equal Opportunity” is a lighthearted sing along celebrating women at a time when it is seriously needed. And songs like “Fly Away” plus both versions of “Why You Wanna Make War?” (in French and English) are standouts in their own right. Even if he’s not letting go of the rage that made him successful, the Brooklyn native lets us see a more personal side with his track “Fly Away,” testimony of a father seeing his child leave the family nest. There is also more than an ample amount of pure guitar bliss on the record, with slide guitar on tracks like “Tonight I’m Gonna Be The Man” adding flavor to the savory mix. For an added bonus, harmonica wizard Jason Ricci joins Popa on the blues rock anthem “New Way Of Walking” and the swing shuffle “Save The Best For Last.”
“This record is indeed made in the spirit of new shoes! A new way of walking. It’s created with the intention of moving forward to an old truth and a new reality that all are appreciated for the unique energetic contribution they bring to our collective life. Love is all there is. I love you all.” - Popa Chubby 2022

Emotional Gangster

True Strays - Heart of the Matter

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 43:23 
Size: 100,3 MB 
Label: Fieldview Records
Styles: Rock/Blues Rock
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Campesina - 3:39
 2. God Damn My Soul - 3:27
 3. Salt Dog (Howling For You) - 3:37
 4. Let Your Heart Lead The Way - 3:14
 5. War Cry - 3:49
 6. Conflict - 2:24
 7. This Is An Emergency - 4:30
 8. Golden Age - 3:19
 9. Rosalea - 5:43
10. Colours In Between - 3:12
11. In Your Hands - 4:37
12. Heart of the Matter - 1:47

True Strays are lifelong friends, songwriters and country boys - Joseph James and James Cameron - from Bristol, England. Their music is a cathartic celebration of alternative roots americana and blues rock.The duo draw influences from Neil Young, Muddy Waters, Fleetwood Mac and modern acts like Alabama Shakes, Gary Clark Jr and the Black Keys.

Heart of the Matter

Jose Ramirez(feat.Jimmy Johnson) - Major League Blues(with The Delmark All-Star Band)

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2022
Time: 51:24 
Size: 118,1 MB 
Label: Delmark
Styles: Blues/Modern Electric Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Major League Blues - 4:18
 2. I Saw It Coming - 6:38
 3. Bad Boy - 4:20
 4. My Love Is Your Love - 6:50
 5. Whatever She Wants - 4:08
 6. Here In The Delta - 5:20
 7. Forbidden Funk - 3:33
 8. Are We Really Different - 5:54
 9. Gotta Let You Go - 5:45
10. After All This Time - 4:34

Is there any more appropriate title than Major League Blues at the time of this writing amidst the MLPA strike and the news that baseball’s opening day will be postponed? That’s one way to look at. Another way is that 34-year-old Costa Rican bluesman Jose Ramirez has made it to the big time. It’s every blues artist’s dream to make it to one of the two premier blues labels – Delmark or Alligator as Ramirez has signed for the former for this label debut with the Delmark All-Star Band which, in turn means he has endorsements from blues royalty, represented most notably by the late great Jimmy Johnson and the venerable bassist Bob Stroger, both of whom accompany him here. Johnson is present on just the title track and single where Ramirez revels in the excitement of making it to the top.To be fair, the Delmark All-Star Band, comprised also of drummer Willie “The Touch” Hayes, B3 stalwart Roosevelt Purifoy, and guitarist Billy Flynn, appear only on the first four tracks. Ramirez wrote both the title track and the slow burner “I Saw It Coming,” a showcase for his just-the-right-notes guitar style. He and the band then tackle two blues standards, Eddie Taylor’s “Bad Boy,” and Magic Sam’s “My Love Is Your Love.”  Ramirez proves to be no slouch in the vocal department either. Guitar-wise, on “Bad Boy,” the call and response with Flynn is right on target. Ramirez also gives the veteran traditionalists Flynn and Purifoy a chance to strut their stuff too. Ramirez sounds every bit the pained bluesman in his vocal on the Magic Sam tune as the band offers rather restrained support until Purifoy launches an inspired solo. All four of these tracks were recorded in August of 2021.The balance of the six tracks are all Ramirez originals cut in September of 2020 featuring these players: drummer Antonio Reyes (who also plays bass on “Are We Really Different”), bassist Kenny Watson Jr., keyboardist Andre Reyes Jr., percussionist Evan Hoffman on the above cited track and vocalist Shelly Bonet on the closing “After All This Time.” To Ramirez’s credit, these are emotive, heartfelt songs that favor slow smoldering blues over showstopping guitar licks (It’s Delmark, after all). Ramirez sounds like a man possessed on “Here in the Delta” as he cries “Mississippi River wash away my pain.”  Even on “Forbidden Funk,” his approach is steady with sparks flying from Reyes Jr.’s B3 to which Ramirez adds some stinging licks on the outro. “Are We Really Different” promotes racial unity with piano and organ building to a crescendo from which the guitarist launches a searing, concise solo underpinned by the Latin percussion which morphs to a more Santana-like vibe at the 4-minute mark. Ramirez’s authentic angst shows through clearly again on the breakup song “Gotta Let You Go,” building drama that would move one to tears as his guitar’s sustained only-the-right notes match his vocal fervor. The slow build of “After All This Time” evokes the classic “As Time Goes Passing By” as Ramirez sings about recovering from all the pain. One can read in pandemic or the need to reboot a relationship. In any case, when vocal powerhouse Bonet enters singing “We gotta stand together” Ramirez answers with his piercing guitar as the two trade off each other until it fades, sending shivers and goosebumps. This is real, heartfelt blues. Ramirez has delivered an early candidate for Blues Album of the Year. Yes, it’s that strong.~ Jim Hynes

Major League Blues