David was the lead guitarist for vocalist Hurricane Ruth from 2011 to 2017, but here he steps out under his own name, though with the support of a memorable group of “friends”. His buddies include the excellent singer and pianist Wayne Carter (lend an ear to his rendition of Denise LaSalle’s ‘You’re Ruining My Bad Reputation’, with David’s top-notch electric slide guitar playing), Steve “The Harp” Mehlberg, singer and guitarist Bill Evans, slide maestro Andon Davis on Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rain Song’, drummer Reggie Britton delivering a nicely down-home vocal on his straight Chicago blues offering, ‘What’s The Matter With The Mill’, and the wonderful Mary Jo Curry on appropriately tough vocals on the collaborative composition, ‘Raised Me Right’. As you may have already gathered, and as the CD title suggests, the repertoire draws from a…

http://Stevengraves.com

http://stevengravesband,com

California musician, singer-songwriter Steven Graves is one of those artists who has been able to tap into classic soul and the singer-songwriter age of the late 1960s and 1970s and the seamless harmonies to go with both and simultaneously place  his own twist. His latest album How Long is an honest to goodness soul, pop, singer-songwriter fare worth time getting aquatinted with. He has a cracking band in support (guitars, drums, pedal steel, piano, organ, keyboards and harmony vocals), and it’s due to their sympathic support the songs are elevated to another level. 

Graves opens with title-track How Long, a restless piece featuring pop, soul and rock. The kind of song Randy Weeks has made his trademark (he spent some of his most successful years on America’s…

This is the label debut for this talented singer/ guitarist/ songwriter, originally from New England. Dave thanks label mate and frequent touring companion Johnny Rawls on the sleeve, and that’s as it should be. Dave has obviously learned a lot from the older man, not least how to make very impressive soul-blues albums – for that’s just what this is.

Backed by house-band The Rays, who have also worked with Johnny and who include label boss Bob Trenchard on bass and former Motown guitarist Johnny McGhee – listen to his concise solo on ‘It’s All In Your Eyes’ - Dave’s sound is deeply rooted in the southern soul of labels like Ronn and Malaco from back in the late 70s and 80s. It is a catchy mixture of smooth and…

http://www.austinlucas.com

Immortal Americans is Americana singer-songwriter Austin Lucas’ 7th studio album. Recorded at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio Company studio in Chicago it is Lucas’ first since he parted company with New West Records, with whom he had been since 2013. Now we see the beginning of a new, exciting chapter in his career. It has seen Lucas return to his mid-western home of Bloomington, Indiana (after a twenty year absence), and with him now sober, and having shed 100 pounds he is not only a fitter man but owner of a sharper pen. For his writing material he has drawn on recollections of his youth and growing up an outsider in a small town, plus what life has thrown at him since. Lucas alongside producer Will Johnson (Centro-Matic) have come through with a simply worked recording. One that needed little adjustment to the initial unplugged version, but enough for some friends…

http://www.katecampbell,com

http://www.largerivermusic.com

Americana singer-songwriter, southern girl Kate Campbell has been making records since 1995, and with her as ever surrounded by an accomplished set of musicians still cutting it. Leading the lineup is recording act and producer Will Kimbrough (guitars, bass, mandolin, banjo, mandala, keyboards, percussion, harmony vocals) and he’s joined by Bryan Owings (drums, percussion), Kevin Gordon (guitars; and harmony vocals on The Great Atomic Power), Chris Carmichael (violin, viola, cello), Phil Madeira (accordion) plus Emma McDowell (fiddle on Peace, Precious Peace) and from John Prine’s band, Dave Jacques plays upright bass…

Http://www.SchniederandMayfield.com

http://www.RecklessSaints.com

Reckless Saints are husband and wife duo Roy Schneider and Kim Mayfield (acoustic guitar, baritone ukulele, mandolin, piano) and a hugely talented unit! With them utilising the players they have at hand that includes guests Charlie McCoy (harmonica), Freebo (bass) and Gurf Morlix. Who fittingly, plays lead guitar on the albums only cover song, Election Day. Written by Morlix’s late friend unique country singer-songwriter Blaze Foley it adds much to an album that’s otherwise add up of eight originals compositions from Schneider plus Mayfield’s two (Ring…

http://www.carolinachimes.com

http://www.rudiekstein.com

Bluegrass stalwart Rudi Ekstein’s latest project is an all-star affair as the producer, recording studio owner and mandolinist calls on an all-star lineup featuring guitarist Jeff Autry, multi Grammy winner Stuart Duncan (fiddle), upright bass genius Mark Schatz, banjo picker Patrick Sauber and John Plotnik on banjo. Plus others. Ekstein’s tunes are given a top class treatment, and with as bluegrass so often is, awash with energy the 12 instrumentals include some hot picking. As each act is given room to cut loose. 

Among the tasty bites you have, some equal to bluegrass legend Bill Monroe! High praise indeed; and the material is well and truly worthy such an accolade as you have tunes Bacon In The Pan, Hoot Owl Hop, lacy-paced and melody rich Jessy’s…

http://www.jasonisbell.com

http://www.thirtytigers.com

While nothing beats a new album, I will for the moment settle for this superb wall-to-wall live recording from Country Americana act Jason Isbell and his band, the 400 Unit (electric lead guitar, drums, bass guitar, keyboards and drums). One that also  features the roving fiddle of his wife, and fellow recording act Amanda Shires. With Isbell feeling completely at home at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium, himself and the combo aren’t afraid to push the buttons, and crank it up tastily. 

Formerly of the band Drive-By Truckers Isabell has in the past had his problems and, isn’t afraid to share them. Along side them and shrewd…

Singer, guitarist and bandleader Peter Veteska was born in Manhattan in 1959 and started playing guitar round the age of 12, learning through listening to the likes of Derek & The Dominoes and The Allman Brothers. Almost a decade later, he packed up playing and only returned to it after a quarter of a century had elapsed. As he puts it, “I was the new kid on the block yet I was in my early 50s”. Perhaps it is because of this that his music sounds both fresh and lived-in. He’s a blues player now, as such tracks as the opening ‘Don’t Wanna Leave Memphis’ and the cover of ‘T-Bone Shuffle’ easily prove, though one happy to draft in funk (try ‘In Demand’), vintage rock and roll (Fats Domino’s ‘Blue Monday’ and ‘Don’t Cheat On My Lady’), tough rock as on ‘Alibi’, and jazz – ‘For All We Know’. It’s an energetic approach, with the sound of the basic four-piece Blues Train augmented…

http://www.thirtytigers.com

www.thewarandtreaty,com

Husband and wife duo, Michael Trotter Jr and Tanya Trotter (Blout) perform a cross-section of blues, gospel,folk and soul on their debut recording Healing Tide. Based in Albion, Michigan they are both hugely talented vocalists and, lucky to have the legendary Buddy Miller produce their first bash at capturing the hard driven energy of their live performances as he brings in Brady Blade (drums), Jim Hoke (organ, sax, autoharp, harmonica), Matt Slocum (cello), Sam Bush (fiddle), Russ Pahl (pedal steel) Adam Chaffins (bass) plus Emmylou Harris (harmony vocals). 

From the outset, the couple show off sibling styled harmony…