Single: ‘Not Giving Up’ by Roadhouse Royale

https://soundcloud.com/roadcaseroyale/not-giving-up/s-LFoDY

Veteran musicians with a rich background in rock and r’n’b, Roadcase Royale are a collective of musicians who all bring something to the table. Fronted by Heart’s Nancy Wilson – a rock and roll hall of famer – and Liv Warfield of Prince’s New Generation, this is new music from a group who are no slouches in terms of musicianship.

Now on their second single, Roadcase Royale have once again excelled with the exciting and energetic ‘Not Giving Up’. From the assured riff of the opening to the stomping shuffled rhythm throughout, this is a track that deserves your attention.

Follow ROADCASE ROYALE on:

http://www.roadcaseroyale.com/

Cult US songwriter John Wheeler releases ‘Difficult #2 Album’ and new single

Released at the end of January, the new album from John Wheeler is something of an unusual proposition. Having made his name as front man of cult group Hayseed Dixie, Wheeler has gone solo for a new album, his second, fittingly titled ‘Difficult #2 album’. You don’t have to work hard to recognise the subtext. Especially when you consider the first single is called ‘Too Much Poop to Flush’.

Those who groan at the title punnery though should look further into this album – one on which Wheeler slightly moves away from the straighter folk leanings of Hayseed Dixie and enters a slightly more roots-rock environment. It’s a album which does two things.

One, it establishes Wheeler as a solo performer of note, and though his Hayseed Dixie material is strong as ever, he has plenty to offer of his own volition. Two, the album makes some good points about the way people live their lives, while avoiding the speechifying and preaching that often comes with this approach. ‘Too Much Poop to Flush’ is a great example of this.

Taken literally, the title suggests a track of a very different tone to the one above. Instead, the song makes a very important point – if the human race keeps making such a mess of the planet, we will reach a point where we won’t be able to clean up after ourselves. It’s a point which is made often in mainstream media, but John Wheeler is taking a different approach, and should be applauded for that.

Tour dates.

US soul vocalist Kelly Moneymaker releases double Christmas single for charity

Fans of great historic soul singers may already be aware of the excellent Kelly Moneymaker. Following ably in the footsteps of vocalists such as Aretha Franklin, her rasping tone and huge power is enough to give anyone a run for their money.

This Christmas, Kelly Moneymaker has turned those vocal and soul talents to two festive singles, as heard above. Of course, the classic ‘Jingle Bells’ is instantly recogniseable, albeit performed in Moneymaker’s jazzy soul style. ‘Home for the Holidays’ meanwhile is a lovely original number, sharing memories of Christmas past in a heartwarming fashion.

Equally heartwarming, both singles are raising money for a good cause. Each copy bought equals a donation to NRDC.org & Polar Bears International, providing research on population, habitat, maternal den studies, body condition, aid policy-makers, research/eduction on effects of greenhouse gases. Particularly pertinent given the mild winter we’re having right now…

iTunes: Home For the Holidays / Jingle Bells

Maxi Jazz (Faithless) returns with new band, new single and live UK dates

https://soundcloud.com/the-e-type-boys/maxi-jazz-and-the-e-type-boys-bitter-love

Having found huge, worldwide acclaim as part of dance music powerhouse Faithless, multi-talented performer Maxi Jazz is back with a new band and a new sound.

The band, The E-Type Boys, explore a different side to Maxi’s musical personality. Inspired by the funk, soul, reggae and jazz genres, this is a darker sound in many ways, utterly compelling throughout. Knowing Maxi Jazz’s background in full on dance only makes it all the more intriguing.

There’s more new music coming in the New Year, but in the meantime Maxi Jazz and the E Type Boys have offered up a little taste of what’s to come with the track above, ‘Bitter Love’.

You can also find the band performing live if you’re quick, with dates in Manchester tonight (Tuesday 8^th) at Club Academy and in Birmingham on tomorrow (Wednesday 9^th) at Institute The Library before heading off to Europe.

Sign up for all the news at http://maxijazz-etypeboys.com/

80s pop star Carmel returns with new band and new singles

An old school vocalist with an old school sound, Carmel is an artist who is returning to the music industry with new songs for the first time since some huge hits in the 80s. In the meantime, she’s picked up a brand new band and new-old sound.

There’s something delightfully 60s about the first of her new double A side single ‘Sad Situation’. The layered vocals and spaced out production calls to mind those summer vibes in the lead up to the glam rock of the 70s. ‘Second Wife Blues’ however is something of a different beast, still traditional in sound (blues rock) but quite forward thinking lyrically.

These are grown up songs with grown up points to make – fine counter programming to the youthful angst of today’s chart scene.

New EP and Tour from veteran vocalist Ann Wilson

The video above, ‘Fool No More’, is the opening track from a stunning new EP from well known US vocalist Ann Wilson. Although perhaps not a household name in her own right, she found fame as a member of sibling duo Heart, and has even been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Now though, she’s stepping out on her own for her first solo EP ‘The Ann Wilson Thing’, and it’s full of great quality tracks like the one above. There are few finer things in music than a talented vocalist who pulls out all the stops, and the four tracks on show here demonstrate an artists who is able to do that and then some. It’s a throwback to old school music, when talent was more important than in the reality TV era of today.

In other great news, the EP is being supported by a tour in the US – dates are below, head over to the website for more info:

Sept 21 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up

Oct 6 – Hartford, CT – The Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center

Oct 7 – New York, NY – City Winery (two shows)

Oct 9 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head on Stage

Oct 10 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head on Stage

Oct 12 – Vienna, VA – The Barns at Wolf Trap

Oct 13 – Vienna, VA – The Barns at Wolf Trap

Oct 15 – Nashville, TN – City Winery

Nov 23 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s

Nov 24 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s (two shows)

Kelly Moneymaker wows on new album ‘Stone’

When track number one of your album is the soulful, upbeat ”Skippin’ Stones’ – which can be heard above – then the early indications are you’re on to a winner. The good news for US singer Kelly Moneymaker, is that those early indications are correct.

The 12 tracks that follow are just as joyful, and just as full of energy. They don’t all have this pace, because a bit of light and shade is needed to stop things becoming monotonous.

However, whether the songs are fleet of foot (‘Skippin’ Stones’, ‘Mudslide’), mid-tempo (‘Campin’ Song’) or slow (‘You Know How To Love Me’), this feels like a celebration. A celebration of soul, rock and roll and an epic vocal performance from Moneymaker.

Video: The Humble Grapes – ‘Young and Alive’

A songwriting duo backed by their trusty band, The Humble Grapes are song writers Brie Capone and David Kaufman. Based in NYC, the band today (Sept 18th) see the release of new single ‘Young and Alive’ on all good online stores.

Take a look at the video above, and head over to http://www.thehumblegrapes.com/ if you like what you hear.

New video from Baron Goodlove – ‘Orpheus’

With great, deft support from his band The Dreadful Noise, the new track from Baron Goodlove (aka Joe Nesbitt-Larking) is gritty little diamond of a song. Smooth but earthy.

‘While you murdered every spark of what your love unlocked and maligned me’ is just one example how how the Baron can write and deliver a juicy phrase, and that it’s delivered with such an assured indie-blues sound is just a bonus.

Revelling in his taste for Victorian fashion, Baron Goodlove is much more than just an act who dresses like a century old gent. He’s also a talented musician to boot, and one to watch.