No The Kills

One of the most admired guitarists of the early 21st century, Jack White helped restore the popularity of punk-blues as the frontman of the White Stripes. Meanwhile, he widened his reach by participating in a range of other projects, including the Raconteurs, the Cold Mountain soundtrack, Loretta Lynn's comeback vehicle Van Lear Rose, the Dead Weather, and a solo career. Although White's nasal voice and loose, fiery guitar delivery were mainstays of the White Stripes' early work, the group branched out as its reputation grew, building upon an initially minimalist sound with elements of metal, backwoods country, pop, and early rock & roll. White followed a similar evolution in his own career, and by the time the White Stripes celebrated the tenth anniversary of their debut album, the frontman had already issued two pop-oriented records with the Raconteurs, starred in several films, collaborated with Electric Six, duetted with Alicia Keys, and produced records for a number of artists.

The first sonic blast from this Austral indie supergroup was recorded in one afternoon by members of the Scientists (Kim Salmon, Boris Sujdovic, and James Baker), Salamander Jim (Tex Perkins and Salmon), the Hoodoo Gurus (Baker), and the Johnnys (Spencer Jones). Although several hailed from remote Perth, the band was actually formed in Sydney, where all were based by the early-'80s (Perkins had migrated from Brisbane)…

Produced by Mike Vernon and recorded in Memphis, Austin, and Chicago in May of 1999 with an all-star cast, this catches McCain in peak form. With the Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble rhythm section of Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon anchoring things down, the guitar work is ably handled by Anson Funderburgh, Derek O'Brien, and John Primer with several guest appearances from Jimmie Vaughan sprinkled throughout the set. Add Johnnie Johnson guesting on four tracks and match it all up with some solid, humorous songwriting and you have one of McCain's most consistent efforts in years. A winner all the way.

Perfection Kills is the ninth release from South African blues-rock guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist, Dan Patlansky. Picking up right where his 2017 Introvertigo left off, Perfection Kills proves Patlansky is a guitar slayer, a killer vocalist, and now, a sharpshooter behind the mixing console…

Francesco Bearzatti’s latest album, “This Machine Kills Fascists”, is a tribute to Woody Guthrie (the words this machine kills fascists were a message he wrote on his guitar in 1941). Due for release on CAM JAZZ on 16 October, Bearzatti is with his Tinissima 4et (including Giovanni Falzone on trumpet, Danilo Gallo on bass and Zeno De Rossi on drums). After “Tina Modotti” (2008), “Malcom X” (released in 2010 and having won a number of awards, such as the Top Jazz award and others) and the successful interlude of Monk’N’Roll (an album released on CAM Jazz in 2013, that reinterpreted Monk’s themes by interlacing them with some of the most popular songs in the history of rock music), the saxophonist is back to musically depicting the life, art and times of another rebellious, unruly artist who has sung about the United States of the Great Depression, union struggles and hopes in the New Deal.

Aican are a relatively new band hailing from central Russia that play their own unique blend of instrumental post-rock. Assembled by Ilya Maltsev (guitars), Vitaly 'Krikston' Pereladov (guitars), Roman Varaskin (drums) and Vyacheslav 'Heidi' Bal (bass), this young and talented group of musicians has just issued their promising debut effort entitled Art Saves / Kills, for the Russian label R.A.I.G.. Drawing on influences from Mogwai, Tool and King Crimson, to name just a few, Aican have constructed an engaging seven track, forty some odd minute journey that is guaranteed to grab the listener and take them along into their magical labyrinth of varying moods and multi colored textures…