Few artists of any nation have created such a passionate and human statement on political themes as Waldemar Bastos, while at the same time, expertly explores musical styles from across the African continent, creating a sensual and sensational statement. From the opening track "Sofrimento," a tender lament for Angola, this singer/songwriter casts a spell that lingers long after the last note has faded.

Producer Mike Chapman, who had recently worked with Pat Benatar and Blondie, came on board for Bow Wow Wow's When the Going Gets Tough the Tough Get Going set. Perhaps it's Chapman's involvement that finds lead singer Annabella Lwin sounding a bit like Debbie Harry at times. This 1983 album was also the first that had no writers from outside the band contributing. When the Going Gets Tough is a well-polished, well-executed effort that holds some surprises mainly in the fact that there is more diversity than on prior Bow Wow Wow records. Chapman adds a gloss to the ballads "Lonesome Tonight" and the dreamy "Love Me," with Lwin toning down her usual frantic delivery.

Following the band's Global Citizen performance, The Rolling Stones have released a new song, "Living In A Ghost Town". This is the band's first new material in 8 years. The track was written by Mick & Keith which was created/recorded in Los Angeles and London while in isolation. The song has received positive reviews from critics and was recorded during sessions for a forthcoming studio album that the band has been working on since 2015.

Rita Chiarelli is one of the most exciting new singers in Canada. Her unique blend of rock and blues has been compared favorably to Bonnie Raitt, Melissa Etheridge, and Susan Tedeschi. In 2000, she was named the "top blues singer" at Canada's Maple Leaf Awards. The world's discovery of Chiarelli comes after years of her paying dues. Singing with Hamilton, Ontario-based group Tempest at the age of 15, she toured throughout North America with a nine-piece R&B band, Battleaxe, after graduating from high school. Chiarelli continued to sharpen her chops as a member of Toronto-based rockabilly pioneer Ronnie Hawkins' group.

Dinosaur's latest offering finds them in a more acoustic setting, presenting brand new material that reflects on 10 years of miraculous interplay, whilst maintaining the sonic elasticity of their previous, more "plugged-in" album 'Wonder Trail'. Playing the compositions of bandleader and multi-award winning composer, Laura Jurd, Dinosaur explores Laura's distinctive yet ever-evolving music with playful abandon and technical prowess, earning them a reputation as some of the most remarkable UK jazz musicians of their generation. Having played at some of the world's most iconic jazz festivals including North Sea, Molde and Montreal, the band goes from strength to strength as they enter their 10th year of trumpet-led, improvisatory magic.

Finnish trumpet star Verneri Pohjola has earned a formidable reputation as one of Europe's most creative and original jazz innovators for his commanding sound, expressive tone and the rich intensity of his improvisations. Following a series of highly successful and praised albums he releases The Dead Don't Dream in 2020, his fourth album for Edition Records. The new record incorporates influences from his last three albums into one definitive and beautifully crafted statement. The band, featuring Tuomo Prattala on piano, Antti Lotjonen on bass and Mika Kallio on drums, share a deep sense of collaboration and a common purpose. They are explorers of sound through Verneri's captivating and vibrant music, balancing freedom and composition, expression and voice. It's a defining work of art for Verneri, for Finnish culture and a statement of intent for an artist immersed in the world of European Jazz.

A Listener can sometimes get overly analytic in reviewing music, and that can lead one away from the big picture. As with this CD by Jimmy Dawkins, it is better to listen and let the music wash over you, allowing you to feel it and enter the variety of musical "rooms" whose doors are opened for you. "B Phur Real" has Jimmy in bold form, testifying with his blues in vocals and guitar. His instrument, a semi-hollow Gibson ES-355, is once again employed here to deliver the soul/blues according to Jimmy. His tone, choice of notes, and playing quirks bring a unique brand of soul to this music. This can't really be described but has to be felt. The able backing band sounds like a well-oiled unit with especially the drum/bass combo keeping up the necessary platform for Jimmy to build upon. The CD contains eight songs. Jimmy's singing style includes adlibbing lyrics on the spot.

Finis Tasby was a Los Angeles based blues singer and frontman for the group The Mannish Boys. In 1962 he joined Freddie King's Band as bassist and toured with him until 1972. After leaving Freddie King's Band Finis moved to Los Angeles in 1973. He and his group performed in the Long Beach area and in Oakland. In 1995 he released his debut album, People Don’t Care. The album had legs, and potential with the movie "The Babysitter" using 4 songs off the album in that movie starring Alicia Silverstone. And a CD release party at the Hollywood House of Blues as well as a featured night at Universal City Walk's BB Kings Club. The album had guest artists including Lowell Fulson, Mick Taylor, Elvin Bishop and Vernon Reed. If you find it, listen to it and enjoy the magic.

Considering his nickname and near-anonymity at the time, it is surprising to realize that Wild Child Butler was already 55 when he made this CD. Although he had recorded very few released sessions before this album, Butler had been active most of the time since settling in Ontario, Canada. A talented harmonica player, he also possesses a deep and very expressive voice. With a first-rate combo that features the intense guitar of Pete Boss, Butler performs most of his best material for his Bullseye Blues debut. Among the highpoints are the title cut, the topical "Crack House Woman," an unaccompanied "Walkin' The Little Girl Home" and the minor-toned "It's A Pity." Recommended.

The Magician's Birthday is the fifth album by British rock band Uriah Heep, released in 1972 by Bronze Records in the UK and Mercury Records in the US. The concept was "based loosely on a short story" written by Ken Hensley in June and July 1972. In a retrospective review, Sputnikmusic praised The Magician's Birthday, saying, "Though probably not as cohesive as it could be, it still offers plenty of highlights, earning its place among Heep's finest albums". Reviewer Daniel Dias singled out "Sunrise", noting that it was "a highlight in Heep's catalog and one of the band's finest progressive rock ballads".

Enjoy an evening of swing music and dancing at the Black Cotton Club, London’s original speakeasy night. Hosted by legendary DJ duo Lady Kamikaze and El Nino, expect plenty of rare records and gangster sounds from the Twenties to the Forties, sets by guest DJs and live acts – there will be plenty of rare sounds and vintage mischief to celebrate. Don’t forget to don your best vintage from the Twenties to the late Fifties. 2009 two CD collection that brings together remastered and rediscovered gems from rare and original 78's with the best contemporary music influenced by 30's Jazz age sounds. Capturing a new zeitgeist, Disc One (White Mink) brings together the best of today's artists like France's platinum-selling Caravan Palace the Nu-Jazz star Parov Stelar, the UK's Jesse Rose and Austria's Waldeck with influential but hard-to-find early classics of the genre like "Princess Crocodile" by F.M. Einheit and Gry. Disc Two (Black Cotton) is the fruit of many years crate-digging for rare 78's that have then been tried and tested on the Club's dance floor.

The Past Builds The Future is the first album by U-Nam. Accomplished producer, composer and guitarist U-Nam is best known for his #1 hit “Street Life” on the US Billboard charts in 2007. But it isn’t just in Smooth Jazz that he has proven himself as a force to be reckoned with, he is also well-known as a respected songwriter and producer in France in the Pop and R&B genres having worked with artists such as Barry White, Kool & the Gang, Billy Paul, French Pop-Idol, MC Solaar and more. U-Nam has had the opportunity to perform in Russia, Dubai, Malaysia, and tour the US and Europe as part of major festivals.

Straight No Chaser's 2013 album, Under the Influence, features more of the acclaimed a cappella group's takes of tunes that they love. Produced by Take 6's Mark Kibble, the album features many guest performances by the artists whose songs appear here, including Jason Mraz, Phil Collins, Dolly Parton, Seal, and more. Also included are the vocal ensemble's reworkings of such hit songs as Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" and Fun's "Some Nights/We Are Young." Straight No Chaser were the only male a cappella vocal ensemble on campus when the group formed at Indiana University in 1996. Taking an unconventional approach, Straight No Chaser began working up a repertoire that included not only traditional songs, but also modern pop tunes performed without the use of instruments.

It's an amusing little slice of the pop culture times that veteran bassist Sekou Bunch is better known to the American public as the first eliminated contestant from Survivor: Cook Islands (2006, the thirteenth season of the show) than for his incredible all-star resume featuring everyone from Quincy Jones and Luther Vandross to Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, the Winans, and Stevie Wonder. His experience on the show probably made him impervious to the odds of a new name (this was his first solo effort since the early '90s) breaking through the smooth jazz format when this was released. The success of Wayman Tisdale aside, another obstacle was the fact that he's an ace bassist, not the most radio-friendly instrument in the genre. All that said, The Next Level is a solid, coolly funky, and supermelodic date, on par with and even surpassing the catchy and grooving joy that Tisdale was famous for.