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125 articles

Ian Lomax

Growing up with older siblings made Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard etc. my earliest musical memories. So no surprise that a few years later I was sourcing vinyl from any black American blues and R&B artists I could find. Ironically, it was the white blues octogenarian, John Mayall, who sparked my interest in jazz with his “jazz/blues fusion” sessions. Nearly 50 years on and thousand of records later, I haven’t stopped exploring. Whilst I yearned for a musical career - alas, it never happened. However, 40 years as a criminal barrister and judge gave me the discipline to listen carefully before passing judgement. Essential skills for any record critic, you may think!

Nina Simone: The Amazing Nina Simone

I like this album a lot. But it is also a reminder that for most of her life, Simone did what others wanted her...

Various: Matchbox Bluesmaster Series Set 7

Following previous reviews of this groundbreaking series I am running out of superlatives to use. It is the last of the planned sets, but...

The Inconvenient Lonnie Johnson

Inconvenient because he recorded in such a profusion of styles and roles that some questioned his authenticity as a blues musician

Various: The Rough Guide To Delta Blues, Volume 2

If you want a quick introduction to any genre of world music, then Rough Guides are your first choice. They are well researched and...
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John Coltrane: Giant Steps

Giant Steps was Coltrane’s fifth album as leader and his first recording for Atlantic. This latest in a long line of reissues of the...

Stan Getz / Charlie Byrd: Jazz Samba

It always strikes me as sad that an album brimming with happiness and life should have ended with animosity and rancour with Getz and...

Ella Fitzgerald: Sings The Essential Cole Porter Song Book

This yellow vinyl 180-gram limited edition release is a selection from Fitzgerald’s 1956 Grammy-winning two-LP set of Cole Porter songs - possibly one of...

King Of The Blues – The Rise And Reign Of B.B. King

Is B.B. King the undisputed King of the Blues? Well, in terms of career longevity, music recorded, shows performed, countries toured, impact on post-war...
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Various: Matchbox Bluesmaster Series Set 6

If you have read my previous reviews of this series, you will know by now that I am a big fan. Set 6 contains...

Ray Obiedo: Latin Jazz Project Vol 2

This is guitarist Obiedo's second album of jazz tinged with the colours and rhythms of Latin music. It comprises 10 original compositions by Obiedo...

Jools Holland: Pianola – Piano & Friends

I doubt anybody who has ever attended a Jools Holland concert has left disappointed. When it comes to putting on a show filled with...

Various: Matchbox Bluesmaster Series Set 5

Readers of my previous reviews of the Bluesmaster Series will know how much I admire what Saydisc is trying to achieve with this monumental...
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