 "Rewinder"
(Rana), El Fish (Belgium). Fresh, unexpected, electronic blues. A blues
band with an original sound, not the same old blues. Steven De Bruyn, the
harp player, has a clever use of modern devices.
|
 "Zurich
Catania" (Phonag Records), Roland van Straaten (Switzerland). A master
of sensibility able to create dreamy atmospheres. Alone with his harp,
van Straaten draws oriental and Mediterranean textures: listen to his pure
and magical visions. |
 "Live
at The Lucerne Blues Festival" (Stumble), B.B. & The Blues Shacks (Germany).
Retro blues at his best. The Artl's brothers play with a ferocious
energy accompanied by a conscious rhythmic section. Here captured in a
live setting, the B.B.'s definitively demonstrates that the Californian jump blues bands are not so far from Euro. |
 "Everybody's
Crying Mercy" (Acoustic Music Records), Chris Jones & Steve Baker (England).
Not so strong as their previous effort, this CD confirms C. Jones &
S. Baker at the forehand of the global acoustic renaissance. Original compositions
and unexpected remakes. Who else can cover "Willing" (Little Feat !) with
such a simplicity. Steve has a strong and original tone. |
 "Ternaire
Madness", Greg Zlapzynski (Poland-France). His French mentor is J.J.
Milteau !! Greg is a Polish harmonica player actually living in France.
This CD is an overview of his astonishing harmonica technique. All styles
are covered. Amazing. |
 "My
Day is just beginning" (LSCD1), Lee
Sankey (England). Good news from
the "Albione's land". After Paul Lamb, English can talk about Lee Sankey.
This young harmonica player has a fantastic technique on both chromatic
and diatonic harps. On chromatic, he can confidently play single note runs
and big octave sucks. The material is good but a little bit heterogeneous.
A new star is rising at the horizon. |
 "Country
Blues From Munich" (Kilger & Sax), VV. (Germany).
An anthology dedicated to the Munich down home blues scene. The great acoustic
music from 20' to '40 is lived with intense and passionate sincerity by
a dozen of skilled players. Four harmonica players (Marko Jovanovic, Peter
Krause, Didi Neumann and Mano Maniak). |
"Big
Boy" (Big Reed Records), Carlos del Junco (Canada). 1rs flat position
almost everywhere !! A lot of no-nonsense riffs in a multitude of musical
concepts. Always to the point, del Junco harmonica playing focuses on both
melody and rhythm. He digs a lot of material succeeding in maintaining
live the listener attention. Outstanding.