No Hard Feeling

Van Manen began his musical career as the lead singer of the symphonic rock band “Target” (1985-1991). After the breakup of “Target” Ralph started his solo career in 1993. The song “Stay Close”, that he and the brothers Robert and Tommy Riekerk performed, was a huge boost for his performances. The album has it all. From punchy rockers until smouldering ballads, all sung with grit and fire. If you like artists like Mark Williamson, Chris Eaton and Dann Huff, don’t miss this one.

Although Misty Morning and No Time is entirely instrumental, the 1994 date was inspired by the work of Scottish poet Norman MacCaig. Those who aren't seriously into jazz might have a hard time understanding how something without words (a jazz instrumental) could pay tribute to something that uses words to get its point across (a poem). But there's certainly a parallel between the two - just as a poet like MacCaig uses the English language to convey what he's feeling, Smith uses his tenor sax to express his emotions. Of course, one needn't be familiar with MacCaig's work to appreciate Misty Morning and No Time, which points to the fact that while Smith was still heavily influenced by John Coltrane in 1994, he was sounding increasingly original with each album…

This 1975 album was the first solo outing for David Byron, the lead singer for Uriah Heep. It isn't a big surprise that a good portion of the album sounds a lot like the group that gave him his day job: sturdy organ-driven hard-rockers like "Silver White Man" and "Hit Me With a White One" would not be out of place on a typical Uriah Heep album from this period…

Ladies and gentlemen, scoot over, there is something fiery in the world of blues, bursting into flames, and sooner or later we’ll all be catching. But do not be fooled, JLH know their way around the field, from the drums to the vocals, it is all quality that only years of experience can provide. Not only does Jane Lee Hooker take on classics, they’ve been influenced by the greatest in Blues and with its debut album, the band flaunts it hitting all the right notes. A badass punk rock sound, with the smoothness of blues, the five member group has it all, bringing an old school vibe that is nothing but refreshing for the blues rock scene. These New Yorkers are making noise, and it will just get louder, hence the ! in No B! Jane Lee Hooker takes on classics like “Mannish Boy” by Muddy Waters, one of its biggest influences, while staying loyal to the original version. The group’s style is still palpable; just the same when it comes to her its take on traditional songs. “Wade in the Water” was given a killer guitar riff halfway through, and “Didn’t it Rain” has a very particular sound, the old and the new mixed and matched.

Why any critic would think that Hank Mobley was at the end of his creative spark in 1963 - a commonly if stupidly held view among the eggheads who do this for a living - is ridiculous, as this fine session proves. By 1963, Mobley had undergone a transformation of tone. Replacing the scintillating airiness of his late-'50s sides was a harder, more strident, almost honking one, due in part to the influence of John Coltrane and in part to Mobley's deeper concentration on the expressing blues feeling in his trademark hard bop tunes. The CD version of this album sets the record straight, dropping some tunes form a session months earlier and replacing them with alternate takes of the title cut and "Carolyn" for historical integrity, as well as adding "Syrup and Biscuits" and "Comin' Back"…

Why any critic would think that Hank Mobley was at the end of his creative spark in 1963 - a commonly if stupidly held view among the eggheads who do this for a living - is ridiculous, as this fine session proves. By 1963, Mobley had undergone a transformation of tone. Replacing the scintillating airiness of his late-'50s sides was a harder, more strident, almost honking one, due in part to the influence of John Coltrane and in part to Mobley's deeper concentration on the expressing blues feeling in his trademark hard bop tunes. The CD version of this album sets the record straight, dropping some tunes form a session months earlier and replacing them with alternate takes of the title cut and "Carolyn" for historical integrity, as well as adding "Syrup and Biscuits" and "Comin' Back"…

Why any critic would think that Hank Mobley was at the end of his creative spark in 1963 - a commonly if stupidly held view among the eggheads who do this for a living - is ridiculous, as this fine session proves. By 1963, Mobley had undergone a transformation of tone. Replacing the scintillating airiness of his late-'50s sides was a harder, more strident, almost honking one, due in part to the influence of John Coltrane and in part to Mobley's deeper concentration on the expressing blues feeling in his trademark hard bop tunes. The CD version of this album sets the record straight, dropping some tunes form a session months earlier and replacing them with alternate takes of the title cut and "Carolyn" for historical integrity, as well as adding "Syrup and Biscuits" and "Comin' Back"…