Like the fictional Dorothy Gale of Kansas, Johnny Burgin traveled a long way to find that there is no place like home. In the case of Burgin, those travels took him to Japan and that home is Chicago Blues. This veteran blues musician has been on a roll of late turning out one exceptional album after another. He is a versatile blues man who has a broad blues vocabulary. The Japanese blues scene is diverse and these very accomplished blues musicians follow Burgin right into the windy city sounds in which he feels most comfortable. Your enjoyment of this fine album depends on your affection for Chicago lumpty lumps. – D.M

This self-released CD, which came out on May 29^th, is a very impressive debut from this Costa Rican blues man. Now residing in Tampa, Florida, this songwriter, guitarist and singer went to Austin, Texas, to make an album with producer and guitarist Anson Funderburgh. Editor’s Note: Read more about this album in our Monthly Album Spotlight feature. - D.M. 

The Barcelona-based singer, organist, pianist and harmonica player Victor Puertas joins forces with French vocalist and guitarist Max Genouel on the aptly titled Recording Session, resulting in one of this year’s best releases. Inspiration abounds from sources too exhaustive to list, however, it all comes together in such rewarding fashion worthy of the phrase, 'The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.' Material is evenly balanced between originals and covers with songs by Chuck Berry, T-Bone Walker, Sam Cooke, Earl Hooker and Bobby “Blue” Bland, as well as the madly swinging 1940 jazz standard, Broadway. Every now and then an album comes along that hits the sweet spot. – J.S.F. 

April 3^rd is the scheduled release date for the latest offering from this exciting Ukrainian harmonica player. Once again Kolesnichenko turns out a simply stunning instrumental program which embraces in equal measure the wonderful vintage sounds of jazz and blues. This B3 heavy affair is a very welcome addition to our library. You can read more about the leader of this quartet in this edition of BLUES JUNCTION. I originally “published” this interview with Kolesnichenko some time back, but thought our readers would like to know more about this kindred spirit who lives on the other side of the world. – D.M.                                                    

Mark Hummel has been a tireless band leader, performer, recording artist and promoter for over 35 years now. This, by my count, is his 22^nd album over this time frame under his own name. Wayback Machine, as the album title implies, sends listeners way back. The destination is the wonderful sounds of the Bluebird Record label of the 1930’s and 40’s. As always, Hummel surrounds himself with the best musicians in the business and this Electro-Fi release is no exception, as it features the stunning guitar work of Billy Flynn. – D.M.                                                                                                             

This release, from the talented and prolific Big Creek Slim, is the first to feature a full band throughout. Recorded over three days in 2017, it has the raw energy and excitement that makes a good recording great.  Using just one microphone, eleven musicians (including 3 horn players) and guest vocalist Diunna Greenleaf, in a tiny room. This recording of all original songs is really exceptional.  As the notes say, "Slim targeted the perfectly unperfect sound of country blues and early urban blues recordings, as found on such seminal labels as Sun, Chess and Excello." I could not characterize it any better. - C.L.                                                                                                                                                                      

This collaboration between Franck Goldwasser (aka Paris Slim) and Kid Andersen is a tough as nails contemporary blues record with contemporary songs that reflect the troubled times we are enduring.  Produced at Kid Andersen's Greaseland Studio the band is stripped down to the basics with June Core driving the bus.  The second disc features Franck reminiscing about his time in the Bay Area with such legends as Sonny Rhodes, Charlie Musselwhite, Cool Papa and Ike Turner. - C.L.                                                   

Upon first glance of this record you see a list of blues standards that have been done so frequently that you might ask yourself (as I did) “Do I really need to hear these classic gems one more time?” Kashmar and this great band have an answer for you on every track. “Yes, you do!” Stellar musicianship, and most importantly wonderfully creative arrangements, elevate this material and this makes for a fresh and exiting listening experience. This German based band holds its own with Kashmar who is on the short list of candidates for the greatest harmonica player in our generation. Here he shows off his authoritative chops as a vocalist as well.  It is easy to hear how this late 2019 release made it onto Jeff Scott Fleenor’s top ten list of best albums for last year. Thanks to the band’s drummer Andreas Bock for getting this CD to me and into my ears.  -D.M.                                                                                                                                        

Direct from Norway to my ears comes the latest CD by the exceptionally talented and accomplished guitarist, Håkon Høye. As a member of the two-time Norwegian Grammy-decorated Billy T Band, as well as owner of Big H Records established in 2007, it's fair to say that Hawk knows a thing or two about fashioning great music. Nights at the Surf Motel is his 2nd solo release, which explores darkly soulful, swamp rock grooves that permeate with savory elements of blues, gospel, soul and R&B. Håkon's  sinewy, slinky guitar lines weave throughout reflecting inspiration from sources such as Pops Staples, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Jimmie Vaughan and Rick Holmstrom. – J.S.F.                                                   

James Hunter is a masterful songwriter who can encapsulate a feeling or a mood with a unique phrase or a vocal inflection as well as a throwback arrangement that reminds you of something you have heard but can't quite place. On Nick of Time the band recreates a 60's soul-jazz, blues vibe with wonderful songs, tempos and outstanding musicianship.  Recorded & produced by Bosco Mann of Daptone Records, this is another high-water mark for this group. - C.L. 

Boyd, who just turned 75 in March, is a Greenwood, Mississippi, native. He is currently a resident of Redwood City, California, just up the road a piece from Kid Andersen’s Greaseland Studios. This is where, for the second time in the past three years, these two talents made an excellent album. As one might suspect, Boyd’s eyes have seen plenty and listeners can hear that in a wildly creative album where spoken word segments are mixed with more traditional musical passages. This Gulf Coast Records release rounds up the usual bay area suspects including Jim Pugh on organ and piano, the great June Core on drums and Andersen on guitar and organ. - D.M.