Great new music from independent labels and artists all around the world

I’m back from The Bahamas and still somewhat jetlagged after 18 hours or so travelling including an almost sleepless red-eyed special trans-Atlantic flight. Yes, the sea really was that clear and an amazing colour. From the position of the rudder on the wreck of the Imperial, the final command was probably "left hand down a bit … NOW!"Steppin Up – Ramblin’ Dawgs (E. Brunswick, NJ, USA)From the album Rockin BluesThe Ramblin Dawgs are an energetic rock driven modern blues powerhouse, formed in late 2007 and making waves throughout their local New York / New Jersey communities with energetic rock driven modern blues performances. Driven by Carlos "C-Dawg" DC’s soulful vocals and tasteful guitar playing, Raul DC’s thunderous drumming, Rick Frank’s screaming Hammond organ, and Jonas Landau’s rock solid grooves on bass, the buzz continued in 2008 as the band performed relentlessly.www.ramblindawgs.com/www.myspace.com/ramblindawgshttp://cdbaby.com/cd/ramblindawgsI’ve just had 24 highly enjoyable hours in London including an evening at the QuecumBar in Battersea which is the adopted home of French swing jazz (a la Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli). Just a jam night but a very high standards of musicianship, very good food and a great atmosphere. www.quecumbar.co.ukHave faith believe – Tom Browning (Parkend, Gloucestershire, UK)I had a MySpace friend request from a young British musician called Tom Browning deep in the Forest of Dean a couple of days ago. I think it is the straightforward honesty of his playing that appeals. "I’m soon to be playing in pubs once I’ve got a covers set together. I also hope to be going on the stage with a set of orignals too! I play a Taylor 110-E."www.myspace.com/tbrowningmusicThis Is Not The Fire – My Tiger My Timing (London, UK)Another contact through MySpace. My Tiger My Timing are Anna, James, Harrison and Gary and formed in 2008 in south east London. Their debut single This Is Not The Fire is produced by Andy Spence of New Young Pony Club and released April 6th 2009 on download through Silver Music Machine.31 Mar 2009  Cargo w/ Yo Majesty, London4 Apr 2009 Big In Japan @ 60 Million Postcards, Bournemouth11 Apr 2009 Be @ Proud, London17 Apr 2009 Blow Up @ Chorlton Irish Club, Manchester24 Apr 2009 Slutty Fringe @ Cargo, London1 May 2009 Hinterland Festival, Glasgow15 May 2009 The Great Escape, Brighton28 May 2009 Broken Yolk @ Bardens Boudoir, Londonwww.myspace.com/mytigermytimingI hope you’ll never come back – Organic Despair (Montpellier, France)Organic Despair haas recommended quite a few albums through Jamendo – all are worth a listen. Now it is his turn to get a play."Passionné de musique Organic Despair anciennement "Jesus First Christ" s’éprends de jouer de la guitare…. un premier groupe rock psychédelique né mais se disloque assez vite..From The Unfaced Album on Jamendo.http://organicdespair.jimdo.com/www.jamendo.com/en/artist/organic.despairThe Empire – Danny Shayler (south-west England)Danny Shaylers songs contain a healthy dose of cynicism about nationhood and the power of one nation over another. A sentiment that I fully endorse. It has taken a while to get this track from singer, songwriter and actor Danny onto the show after my chum Nicky Valentine met up with him when they were both appearing in the UK hospital drama Casualty (I think Danny was Nicky’s patient). Danny plays guitar in Chris Jagger’s band "Atcha" and has recently put a band together to play his own music.www.myspace.com/dannyshaylerbandI’ve been converted – Kelly Joe Phelps (Oregon, USA)Kelly Joe Phelps is a musician and songwriter from Oregon State who is well-known as one of the best living "bluesman" and lapslide guitar players.From the album Lead me on due for street release in a couple of weeks on April 15 although the digital version has been available for a month or so. Actually, I think it is a re-release of quite an old album."Hundreds of gigs and bloodied fingers led up to his first recording for Burnside Records, an independent label based in Portland, Oregon. ‘Lead Me On’ was released in June 1994, representing a recording session that was to set up the Kelly Joe Phelps standard for recording practice: "close your eyes and play".Download the track free here:
Kelly Joe Phelps, Kelly Joe Phelps "I’ve Been Converted" (mp3) from "Lead Me On" (Burnside Records) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody More On This AlbumSome Day Baby – Kat Danser (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)I played a track from Kat Danser a few weeks ago and subsequent correspondence has resulted in the arrival today of her CD  Somethin’ Familiar.Her ‘"Swamp Blues" style is delivered on the waves of her deep, resonant vocals and the soulful voice of her Weissenborn lap slide guitar. She is one part backwoods juke joint, one part plow puller and two parts dusty ol’ canvas tent revival. Kat serves up a refreshing and original approach to roots, blues and gospel music in the 21st Century. Kat is a national touring and recording artist, based in Edmonton, Alberta. Early in 2007, she released her second full-length album, filled to the brim with eleven new roots, blues and gospel originals. This album is a richly textured exploration of ‘sin and salvation’ featuring west coast guitar maniac Steve Dawson (Zubot & Dawson) and the legendary Linda Tillery.Me, I just love the sound and the songs – here is a talent to be reckoned with.www.katdanser.com/www.myspace.com/katdanserA child shall lead – Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra (New York, NY, USA)Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra are an 11-piece explosion of love and righteousness specializing in Groovy New Orleans-inspired Roots Rock/Soul with a Gospel feel. BroJo is more than a musical and visual spectacle, it’s a movement – a Revolution of Love. No one on the planet brings it quite like Brother Joscephus – righteous, feel-good music with a message of positivity.www.brotherjoscephus.com/www.myspace.com/brotherjoscephus