Ambigram by Ambigram

The Italian unit Ambigram were founded by Francesco Rapaccioli (lead vocals), Beppe Lombardo (guitars), Max Marchini (bass), and Gigi Cavalli Cocchi (drums), each of whom has been familiar with others for years. Their debut self titled album Ambigram was released April 9, 2021 via an Italian independent label MaRaCash Records. Joining them on this project is Max Repetti on piano and keyboards, Annie Barbazza, Marco Rancati and Paola Folli on additional vocals, Paolo Tofani on additional guitars and Camillo Mozzoni on oboe.  This nine track progressive rock album features an amazing performance with such great songs as A Mediterranean Tale, Pig Tree, Sailing Home, Patchwork, Pearls Before Swine and so much more.  In addition to this amazing performance this album also showcases creative songwriting skills and a superb recording.  I highly recommend you take a listen to this album which is available on CD and digital download from Bandcamp, Discogs and other music retailers.

Blues For The Southside by Mike Zito

With numerous Blues Music Award honors under his belt, Mike Zito, co-owner of Texas-based Gulf Coast Records (which has birthed a number of critically-acclaimed blues/rock albums since its 2018 inception), announces a February 18, 2022 release date for his new double live album set, Blues for the Southside featuring Mike Zito (guitar and vocals) and his stellar band in full fury: Matthew Johnson – vocals/drums; Lewis Stephens – piano/organ; Doug Byrkit – vocals/ bass, with special guests including label mates Tony Campanella and Dave Kalz, plus guitar wizard Eric Gales.  This two-CD seventeen tack album is a live album recorded at the Old Rock House in St. Louis, Missouri which features tracks from Mike’s earlier albums such as First Class Life, Gone to Texas, Make Blues Not War and his Tribute to Chuck Berry, plus his takes on songs popularized by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Tampa Red, as well as a new song, the album’s title track Blues For The Southside as well as such tracks as Mississippi Nights, Texas Flood, Make Blues Not War, Highway Mama, Voodoo Chile, Life Is Hard. Johnny B.Goode  and so much more.  I enjoyed this album from start to finish with an amazing performance, brilliant musicianship, and superb recording and production.  This is an album you will definitely want to add to your blues library; in fact, this album is going into my car to enjoy over and over again when on the road.  What impresses me is I used to live in Port Arthur, Texas so this artist means a lot to me since he is from near where I used to live.  This brilliant release will be available on CD on February 18, 2022, by Amazon and many other music retailers.

Blues From Chicago to Paris: A Tribute to Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon by Kenny ‘Blues Boss” Wayne

Canada’s multi-award-winning beacon of the blues Kenny ‘Blues Boss” Wayne has to waken my ears with his new album, Blues From Chicago to Paris: A Tribute to Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon which will be available March 4, 2022, via the Stony Plain Records label. On this amazing 17 track album, he invited bassist Russell Jackson, a veteran of the B.B. King band during the 80s, and drummer Joey DiMarco into the studio for the session.  I love this album from start to finish with such amazing tracks as Rock and Rolling This House, Just You And I, Messin’ Round (With The Blues), Got You On My Mind, I Ain’t Gonna Be No Monkey Man, The Way She Loves A Man and so much more.  I am quite moved by this performance with amazing musicianship and a superb recording.  This is a must-add for anyone’s blues library. which will be available on digital download, CD, and vinyl from Stony Plain Records, Amazon, and many other music retailers.  This is an artist I would love to hear more from in the future.