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💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Ronnie Baker Brooks - Blues In My DNA

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Ronnie Baker Brooks is a powerhouse Chicago blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter who carries the torch of a legendary musical lineage. Born into blues royalty as the son of Hall of Famer Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie didn’t just inherit the music—he lived it. He cut his teeth learning directly from master icons like B.B. King, Albert Collins, and Willie Dixon. Today, the multiple Blues Music Award winner seamlessly blends authentic Chicago roots with a high-octane mix of rock, funk, and soul. “I’m blessed to have learned from the best,” Brooks says. “I’m carrying them within me.” 🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM ▶ Listen to Album Samples (Click to Expand) Add this Record to Your Collection Available on CD and in Digital Formats. 🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases. As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns from qualifying purchases. < The Deep Dive The continuation of Chi...
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Ruf Records artist: Dana Fuchs - Live In Denmark - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In Denmark , from Dana Fuchs and she kicking it in high gear. Opening with blues rocker, Double Down On Wrong , Piero Perelli on drums and Kevin Mackall on bass really have the place rocking. Fuchs has a strong voice and Jon Diamond is relentless on guitar blending blues with contemporary rock riffs. Blue Mist Road opens with light backing and strong vocals by Fuchs. Breaking it wide open, Diamond winds it out on guitar with overdriven guitar tones, backed by solid drum work by Perelli and great lead bass riffs by Mackall. Very nice track. One of my favorite tracks on the release is ballad, Nothing You Own with a great melody, subdued guitar lead and excellent vocal by Fuchs. Diamond takes a melodic guitar solo with plenty of oomph giving the concert a super change of pace.  Borrowed Time is a country rock styled track with a a stiff kick by Perelli. A strong radio track, this is a great concert track a...
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Ruf Records artist: Laura Chavez - My Voice - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the latest release, My Voice , by Laura Chavez , and it's a super blues rocker. Opening with a driving cover of CCR 's Born On The Bayou , With Chavez grinding out the melody, Lea Worms playing over the top organ, Tomek Germann on bass and Explosive drumming by Marty Dodson, this is a powerful opener. Shot-Zee is a full on R&B track in the vein of Booker T ... a 70's rocker with heavy drums and bass, saturated organ and fiery guitars.  One of my favorite tracks on the release is sensitive blues, Wanderer . With Worms forming the melody on warm organ and Chavez literally screaming out a melodic interpretation on electric guitar with hints of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac , this track is explosive. Excellent! Covering El Cascabel is a natural for Chavez who grew up in San Diego just minutes from the Mexican border, her father being a first generation Mexican American. El Cascabel is a Mariachi standard and Chavez picks up a nylon...
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Ruf Records artist: Matthew Curry - One For The Ride - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One For The Ride , from Matthew Curry and it's a solid rocker with a lot of flavor. Opening with high energy, Rum Stumblin' , Matthew Curry is back with great vocals and stinging guitars. With Francis Valentine on drums, Tim Brickner on bass, Mark Masefield on keys, Marc Russo on sax, Mike Olmos on trumpet and Mika Rinta on trombone this track has the intensity of Steve Gaines ' tracks penned with Skynyrd and all of the commercial polish of Glenn Frey . Top opener. Laid back, Dancing In The Kitchen , is a real nice track with what I consider the kind of writing sure to get Curry real attention as a song writer, I love his articulate guitar work on the track and his vocal are perfect, with the added backing of Rob Archer on B3. I can definitely see other artists covering this track. Very nice. Another favorite track on the release is rock funky, Ballad Of Jesse Ed Davis . It's good to see acknowledgement of...
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Ruf Records artist: Mitch Ryder - Songs From The Road - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Songs From The Road , by Mitch Ryder and it's a solid rocker. Opening with Lilli May , Mitch Ryder fronts the band on vocal with Laura Chavez and Sean Athens on guitars, Tomek Germann on bass, Denis Palatin on drums and Lea Worms on keys. On bluesy, All The Fools It Sees , Ryder digs deep with nicely phrased soul vocals with glistening keyboards by Worms and Athens on acoustic guitar lays in some real tasty riffs. Latin flavored, Oh What A Night has really great movement focused by Palatin and Germann and a sweet piano solo by Worms really works nicely. Chavez dishes up a blistering guitar solo and Worms' backing vocals with Ryder make this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Chavez and Athens pair up nicely for dual guitar leads on War and the texture of this track really suits Ryder's vocal style. Athens steps up with a real nice guitar solo on this one and Worms ramps up the heat on organ. Country ...
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Ruf Records artist: Pavlov's Dog - Wonderlust - New Release Review

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p> I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wonderlust , from rocker, Pavlov's Dog . Originally formed in 1974 in St Louis , Pavlov' Dog now regrouped by founder, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter David Surkamp with singer Sara Surkamp , Abbie Steiling on violin , Rick Steiling on bass , Mark Maher on keys , Steve Bunck on drums and Phil Ring on guitar . Opening with rocker, Anyway There's Snow , David Surkamp has the lead vocal and guitar lead with Abbie adding prominent violin work and Bunck's tight drum rhythm. Mona has a distinct pop rock feel with a strong melody and firm guitar chords by David, reinforcing his vocal work and nicely executed violin lead by Abbie. Solid Water, Liquid Sky is an interesting track with shout like lead vocals and and a warm, mellow backing by Abbie, Rick on bass, Mark on piano, Phil on drums and Steve on drums. Instrumental, Calling Sigfried has a sprite, European folk/rock feel with nicely presen...
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Ruf Records artist: Mitch Ryder - With Love - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, With Love , by Mitch Ryder and it's an interesting mix of rock and R&B tracks. Opening with Lilli May , an up tempo rocker featuring Ryder on lead vocal, Dave McMurray on sax, Luis Resto on keys, Roscoe White on guitars, Jeff Canady on drums, Mahindi Masai on percussion and Chuck Bartels on bass. Solid opener. Sanguine is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's lightly salted Latin influence and super guitar soloing by Laura Chavez. Another Latin flavored track, Oh What A Night , really has a great rhythm featuring Masai on percussion and Resto on keys. Ryder's vocals, backed by Hershel Boone and Terena Boone give it just the right flavor and McMurray's sax solo really tops it off. Fly is on of my favorite tracks on the release with it's funky rhythm and solid vocals by Ryder and Boone. McMurray steps up again on sax and Canady's drum work really shines on this track. Wrapping the r...
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Ruf Records artist: Alastair Greene - Standing Out Loud - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Standing Out Loud , by Alastair Greene and it's a potent blues rocker. Opening with Texas style rocker, You Can't Fool Me, Alastair Greene has a relentless attack on guitar and strong vocals. He is joined by Todd Bolden on driving bass and Adam Abrashoff who doesn't miss a lick on drums. Excellent opener. Only Do has a great guitar hook that gives Greene a hard anchor to fall back to between his explosive solos. Steady on bass with Bolden and really tight riffs by Abrashoff on drums. Title track, Standing Out Loud , is my top choice for the radio track with a strong melody and bluesy guitar riff under Greene's vocal. Foot stomping, Temptation , really moves with gangly guitar rockin and forward vocals. Traditional rock based guitar riffs drive this track giving it a lot of octane. Slow blues, Rusty Dagger is my favorite, with plenty of space for Greene to really let the dog out. Very cool. Traditional Bu...
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Ruf Records artist: Katie Henry - Get Goin'- New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Get Goin' , from Katie Henry and it's a solid release of female vocal oriented music with hints of blues, country, pop, rock and soul. Opening with Scott Sharrard's, Love Like Kerosene , Katie Henry opens her latest release with a country flavored rocker on lead vocal and guitar. Joined by George Moye on bass, Matt Kimathi on drums and guitars, Eric Cannavaro on organ and keys, Richard Pappik on percussion and Michael Murauer on guitar, this is a solid radio worthy opener. Ballad, A Doll's Heart , has a strong melody, with firm support by Cannavaro on organ and keys and Kimathi on drums. Bernard Allison's shuffle, Clear Vision is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a really nice melody, lush key solo by Cannavaro, and tight drums by Kimathi. Wake Up Time is likely the top radio candidate on the release with it's sweet, unassuming melody and mellow vocals and forward yet unobtrusive guita...
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Ruf Records artist: Mitch Ryder - The Roof Is On Fire - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Roof Is On Fire , from Mitch Ryder and it's a great rocker. Opening with Betty's Too Tight, recorded in Berlin in 2020, Mitch Ryder demonstrates without a doubt that his work is still vital. This track hits the gates hard and will have you head banging in no time. Featuring Mitch on lead vocal, Gisbert "Pitti" Piakowski and Heiner Witte on guitar, Manne Pokrandt on bass, Tobias Ridder on drums and Rene Decker on keys, this track will have you breathing hard. Excellent opener. Taking it up about 20 notches on All The Fools It Sees,   Ryder really does get your blood flowing on this one with the addition of Decker on harp and Piatkowski really rips a hot guitar solo making this one of my favorites on the release. Ain't Nobody White is another really strong track on the release with potent lyrics and vocals by Ryder, complimented by Witte on slide guitar. The Stones, Heart of Stone is always a ple...
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Ruf Records artist: Canned Heat - Finyl Vinyl - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Finyl Vinyl, from Canned Heat and it's really enjoyable. Opening with a rowdy rocking boogie, One Last Boogie, Canned Heat blows the roof off of this newest release. Featuring Jimmy Vivino on lead vocal and guitar Heat is packing with Dale Spalding ramping it up on harmonica, Fiti De La Parra on drums and Rick Reed on bass. Strong opener. Dave Alvin guests on Blind Owl singing lead and playing guitar. With it's droning bass line by Reed and tight drum line by De La Parra, this is a hot track. Wicked guitar soloing by Alvin and Vivino and solid harmonica by Spalding playing really take this track higher. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Tease Me with it's bluesy feel. Spalding has the mic and does a real nice job on vocal and harmonica. Spalding's up again on A Hot Ole Time but it's the fleet fingered work of Vivino that makes this track in my eyes. Very nice. Slow blues, When You're 69, fe...
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Ruf Records artist: Bernard Allison - Luther's Blues - New release review - video

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent double release, Luther's Blues , from Bernard Allison and it's a driving blues rocker. Opening with fiery, Hang On , this track oozes blues with it's rocking rhythm section and blues based rock soloing. Excellent opener. With a funky, Johnny Guitar or WW Washington feel, T oo Many Women really hangs it out there. with an excellent trombone solo and plucky bass work, this is one of my favorites on the release. Serious , is a bluesy ballad with solid vocals and strong, melodic, lead guitar work and warm backing vocals. Excellent! Opening disc 2 is rocking shuffle, Back Down South with it's excellent bottom. This track will definitely get your head bobbing while Bernard rips an excellent solo.  Let's Try It Again is an excellent track with soulful vocals and tight drums and well placed piano work, accenting Allison's vocal. A potent sax solo electrifies the track which is an excellent soulful blues allowing ...
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Ruf Records artist: Eddie 9V - Capricorn - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Capricorn , by Eddie 9V and it follows his earlier releases chocked full of excellent blues guitar work, soul, R&B and blues. Opening with Beg Borrow and Steal , this track reall has the sound of the soulful south and Muscle Shoals and Capricorn Studios where this release was recorded. With Eddie on lead vocal, drums, bass and guitar,  Chad Mason on keys, Noah Sills on sax, Cody Matlock on rhythm guitar,  and Dusty Mccook Guitars. Solid opener. Slow blues, Are We Through has a real soulful feel with excellent vocals by Eddie. This is certainly one of my favorite tracks on the release with the addition of Spencer Pope on organ and some really tasty guitar riffs by Eddie. Excellent! Another cool, R&B track, It's Going Down has great radio appeal with Hoah Sills on alto sax and Chad Mason on keys. Very nice. Surprise track, Bob Dylan's, Down Along the Cove brings back rich memories of one of my own bl...
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Ruf Records artist: Jeremiah Johnson - Hi-Fi Drive By - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hi-Fi Drive By , by Jeremiah Johnson and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with rocking boogie, '68 Coupe Deville , with Johnson on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Allie Vogler, Emily Wallas and Mattie Schell on backing vocal and excellent piano by Victor Wainwright. Rounding out the mix is Joe Meyer on drums, Tom Maloney on guitar and piano, Paul Niehaus IV on bass and super sax by Frank Bauer. Excellent opener. With a super lope, Skippin' School , uses a solid mix of Meyer on drums and Niehaus IV on bass to set the pace. Strong vocal and lead guitars by Johnson makes this one of my favorite tracks which also features Kasimi Taylor on trumpet, Bauer on sax, Kevin O'Connor on bari sax and John Covelli and Dave Dickey on trombone. Very cool. Slinky blues, The Squeeze has a super bottom line by Niehaus IV giving Johnson a super bed to rip on guitar and he takes it. With full backing by Taylor, Bauer, O...
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Ruf Records artist: Kenny Neal - Straight From the Heart - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Straight From the Heart , from Kenny Neal and I like it quite well. Opening with Blues Keep Chasing Me , Kenny Neal sets a great funky blues pace. With a solid bass line by Darnell Neal, Arnet Hayes on piano, Brandon Adams on B3,  fat sax work by Jason Parfait, trumpet accents by Ian Smith and tight rhythms by Michael Harris, this is a solid opener. Cool blues, I'll Play The Blues For You has great pace and Neal's lead vocal and guitar are really clean and soulful. Horn backing by Parfait and Smith really adds a lot of punch, and the keyboard work of Adams and Henry really work nicely with the snappy drum work of Morris. Very nice. Louise Ana shows that New Orleans slow blues feel. With the melody carried by Lee Allen on bass, addition of Rockin Dopsie Je on washboard and Big Nate Williams on accordion, this track really has the sound. With a great walking bass line by Darnell Neal, I've Got To Tell Somebody ...
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Ruf Records artist: Bernard Allison - Highs & Lows - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Highs & Lows from Bernard Allison and I really like it. Opening with So Excited , Bernard Allison is back with heat. This opening track is a potent blues rocker with Allison on lead vocal and guitar, backed by Dylan Saifer on bass, Steve Potts on rhythm guitar and Jose Ned James on drums. A romping rhythm and Allison on slide guitar gives this track real spunk. With a laid back, "Steely Dan" jazzy feel, Allison for sure set Strain on My Heart up as the radio track with it's solid melody, Toby Lee Marshall on B3 and Wurlitzer and a fat sax solo by Toby Lee Marshall. Colin James guests on My Way or the Highway , a cool shuffle, giving James and Allison a nice opportunity to trade riffs including Allison on an organ guitar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is I Gave It All with a funky bottom and soulful vocals by Allison. With the addition of Marshall on B3 and James on sax, Allison lays down som...
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Ruf Records artist: Katie Henry - On My Way - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (January 28, 2022), One My Way , by Katie Henry and it's a cool helping of pop, rock and blues. Opening with title track, On My Way , Katie Henry on lead vocal, guitar and piano shows why her first release, High Road was nominated by Blues Blast and IBMA  and ended up on the 2021 Blues Caravan. With it's contemporary take on a delta riff, blended with a rock beat, this is a solid opener. Another track with a delta style riff, woven into a contemporary blues rocker is Bury You with Antar Goodwin on bass, Ben Rice on guitar, Kurt Thum on piano and organ, and Greg Wieczorek on drums. Rocker, Got Me Good has a driving beat and radio styling with vocals along the lines of Stevie Nicks without Nicks' signature warble. With warm organ backing by Thum, the definite pick for top pop track. Harmonica ace, Giles Robson sits in on Too Long , a bottom heavy blues rocker. His melodic lead along with Henry's vocal lead, ...
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Ruf Records artist: Ghalia Volt - One Woman Band - New Release Review

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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, One Woman Band , from Ghalia Volt and it's super. Opening with stripped down, Last Minute Packer ,  Ghalia Volt has gone the way of a one woman band playing slide guitar and drums on this track backing her own bluesy vocals. The is a high energy strong opener. Espiritu Papago is another cool blues rocker with just a little more refinement with the addition of Dean Zucchero on bass. Tampa Red's It Hurt's Me Too is a strong classic included on the release with strong vocals and solid, traditional electric slide playing. Very nice. A little switch up on It Ain't Bad and a tight little rocker. With blues rock chords and a rockabilly turn around, Crissie Hynde like vocal and slap cymbals, this is really sweet. Letting it all hang out on Bad Apple , Volt turns up the amp on her slide and works the guitar nicely in concert with her lead vocal and foot drum. One of the longer tracks on the release and a open spac...
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