News From 20 August 2016

Blank & Jones hit double figures with their long running SoEighties series, with the announcement of so80s 10, another three-disc compilation of extended versions of from the best decade in pop, the 1980s. The tenth edition in this series contains over 30 remixes including the near 12-minute long version of the Sisters Of Mercy This Corrosion, Pat Benatar’s Love Is A Battlefield, and Laura Branigan’s Self Control. Sade make a rare outing on a remix compilation with the extended version of Sweetest Taboo, and the Pet Shop Boys‘ Love Comes Quickly, which somehow peaked at a lowly number 19 in the UK back in the day, is included in full-length Shep Pettibone Mastermix guise.

Playing sideman to Rick Braun, Larry Carlton, Gato Barbieri, the Neville Brothers, and many others introduced guitarist/vocalist Steve Oliver to smooth jazz fans, but it was with Steve Reid's band that Oliver found a following. It was 1996 when Reid contacted Oliver at the last minute to fill in for a canceled opening act. Oliver hit the stage as a solo act and Reid was impressed with the guitarist's vocalese skills and summery sound. Oliver had come to vocalese not through King Pleasure or Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, but through Bobby McFerrin and Pat Metheny's work with Richard Bona and David Blamires, who sang along with guitar solos. Being a fan of the earthy Metheny sound, Reid hired Oliver after the gig and featured him in his touring band. Reid's Mysteries and Passion in Paradise albums featured Oliver not only as guitarist but songwriter as well. Oliver struck out on his own in 1999 with his debut, First View, released by Night Vision. The album spawned three hit singles on smooth jazz radio and earned the guitarist a Debut Artist of the Year award from Smooth Jazz News.

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra is a contemporary band from England that specialises in the jazz and swing genres of music of the 1920s and 1930s, although their full repertoire is considerably wider. The orchestra has existed since 1969, although the line-up has frequently changed. It has achieved success outside of the United Kingdom, most notably in Germany.

Country music parody and comedy duo. Homer and Jethro met at the age of 12 when both showed up in separate bands for an amateur contest at Knoxville's WNOX radio station. They were hired by the station after being disqualified from the contest for sounding too professional.

Rooted in the Blues and spanning out to include a variety of rock, tropical and blues styles, while using all the spare keys available to an accomplished guitarist, this music rocks, rolls and captures emotions. Jimmy Thackery has been writing and performing his original music for over 40 years, hitting the stages of large venues and getting down at your favorite neighborhood bars. An impeccable crowd pleaser, his loyal fans never miss the chance to see his live performances, and he relishes their commitment by giving the best show possible every time he and The Drivers set the downbeat. Spare Keys is a showcase of Jimmy's styles, many of which he gained by playing with and learning from some of the famous original Bluesmen, such as Muddy Waters and Otis Rush. Jimmy leads you on an emotional journey through the jungle, around some heartache and into the floating clouds that you'll want to ride as long as possible.

Subtitled 'Savage Garage Punk From Valhalla 1964-1968', this set comprises SIX CD's chock full of killer '60s garage rock, freakbeat and '60s punk from Scandinavia's most savage combos! Featured bands include The Holders, Gaggas, 1-2-6, Gonks, The Deejays, The Beatmakers, Firebeats Inc., Thors Hammer, The Kingbeats, The Namelosers, Tages, The Shanes, Jackie Fountains, The Cads, Stamping Bricks, The Hitmakers, The Telstars, The Friends, The Walkers, We 4, The Cherry Stones and many more.