February 2026

“`html Hubert Sumlin’s newly released session “No Panties on the Bus” finally sees daylight after sitting in the vault for nearly two decades. VizzTone Records has unearthed this 2006 recording, and it’s pure gold for anyone who loves authentic blues storytelling wrapped around scorching guitar work. Sumlin earned his legendary status as the right-hand guitarist […]

Understanding Bentonia Tuning and Cross-Note Techniques Bentonia tuning represents one of the most distinctive and haunting sounds in blues music. This specialized tuning method emerged from Mississippi’s creative blues tradition, fundamentally shaping how guitarists approached their instruments. Skip James, the forgotten genius of Bentonia blues, mastered these techniques and left an indelible mark on the

Steve Louw Returns with “Traces of the Flood” Steve Louw continues his remarkable creative streak with the announcement of Traces of the Flood, arriving May 15, 2026. This ten-track record marks his fourth solo release in just five years—a pace that demonstrates his commitment to keeping blues music vital and contemporary. Meanwhile, the first single,

“`html Tav Falco’s relationship with Hill Country blues transcends typical music documentation. As both filmmaker and provocateur, Falco captured something raw and hypnotic in North Mississippi’s blues landscape—then channeled that energy into his own artistic rebellion through the Panther Burns movement in Memphis. This approach represents something far more interesting than a simple revival narrative.

When Blues Artists Find Their Voice Big Richard represents a growing wave of contemporary musicians who channel the rebellious spirit blues music has always carried. The recent spotlight on Big Richard and their February 2026 LP Pet reminds us that blues authenticity demands courage—the kind of unflinching honesty that separates genuine artists from entertainers. However,

A Regional Voice in Modern Blues Pat Pepin delivers contemporary blues with a distinctive New England accent on his latest self-produced effort, “What More Can I Do.” As a veteran singer, songwriter, and saxophonist, Pepin brings years of live performance experience to this 14-track collection that spans 51 minutes of soulful music. His repeated selections

Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar Bring the Stage to Your Speakers Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar are releasing a live album that captures what fans have known for over a decade—this band delivers serious blues energy when the lights hit the stage. Gypsy Soul Records will drop A Beautiful Buzz on May 22, 2026, and

A Blues Artist Comes Into His Own Jonathon “Boogie” Long’s latest release, Courage in the Chaos, represents a significant artistic milestone. According to Blues Matters Magazine, this album stands as potentially his most fully realized work to date. Long delivers twelve tracks that feel earned rather than performed—each note carries genuine weight, and every lyric

When Slide Guitar Becomes Pure Emotion Lil’ Ed Williams proves that slide guitar remains one of blues music’s most captivating voices. The veteran Chicago bluesman channels raw emotion through his instrument, creating sounds that cry, moan, and soar with untamed authenticity. In the right hands—and Williams absolutely has the right hands—slide guitar becomes a weapon

A Contemporary Blues Voice Finding Her Power Julianna Riolino’s sophomore album Echo in the Dust showcases an artist who pours everything into her craft. According to a recent review from Node Depression, there isn’t a single note that doesn’t carry her full commitment, whether she’s expressing vulnerability or delivering a defiant kiss-off. This level of

Ben Rice Brings Infectious Energy to Fallen Angel Ben Rice and The PDX Hustle demonstrate why this three-time Blues Music Award nominee commands attention with their latest self-released album, Fallen Angel. The 10-track, 48-minute collection captures Rice’s relentless enthusiasm—the kind of infectious energy that makes you feel like you’re witnessing a musician genuinely thrilled to

Joyann Parker Brings Authentic Storytelling to Contemporary Blues Joyann Parker’s upcoming album Life Lines marks an important moment in contemporary blues music, showcasing an artist committed to honest, lived-experience storytelling. According to American Blues Scene, Parker premiered the “End of the Line” video ahead of the full album release, giving fans a compelling glimpse into

A.J. Croce Honors His Father’s Legacy With Expanded Tour The “Croce Plays Croce” tour expansion brings an intimate musical journey to more North American stages, as American Blues Scene reports. A.J. Croce continues carving his own path while celebrating the timeless songs that made Jim Croce an American icon. This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a meaningful

Gibson Honors a Guitar Legend with the Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Gibson Custom just unveiled a Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Collector’s Edition, faithfully recreating the stripped ebony instrument that defined a guitarist’s legacy. Limited to just 100 worldwide, this release celebrates one of rock’s most influential six-string voices. However, Ronson’s story deserves deeper

Back to Basics: Tinsley Ellis Embraces Acoustic Authenticity Tinsley Ellis strips away the studio polish on his latest album, Labor of Love, released through Alligator Records. According to Blues Matters Magazine’s review, Ellis circles back to the marrow of the music—no frills, no big-band arrangements, just wood, wire, and worn-in truth. This approach marks a

“`html The Breaks Debut ‘Hasheesh’: A Fresh Voice Emerges The Breaks debut their striking new single “Hasheesh,” marking an important moment for a band stepping into the spotlight with genuine artistic vision. According to American Blues Scene, this track serves as the opening salvo for their forthcoming 8-track release, and it demands your attention. The

A Legendary Tribute to the King of the Blues The B.B. King Blues Summit 100 album represents something truly special in contemporary blues music. Released on KTBA Records, this 32-track collection brings together an all-star roster of artists to celebrate one of blues history’s most influential figures. Meanwhile, Blues Matters Magazine’s reviewer didn’t hold back—calling

An Unlikely Blues Voice Emerges from the North Garret T Willie represents everything unexpected about contemporary blues music. Here’s a 25-year-old blues artist from Alert Bay, British Columbia—nowhere near the traditional heartland of American blues—who somehow channels the soul and authenticity of musicians who’ve spent lifetimes perfecting their craft. Yet his pedigree speaks volumes. Willie

Samantha Fish Brings “Rusty Razor” to the UK Stage Samantha Fish continues her relentless creative momentum with the release of “Rusty Razor,” a potent new single that showcases her signature blend of gritty blues-rock swagger. The track features the legendary Mick Collins, and as a result, fans get a masterclass in raw, unpolished guitar work

Spencer Mackenzie Brings Empty Chairs to Blues Audiences Spencer Mackenzie’s latest album Empty Chairs marks another significant moment for the JUNO-nominated and Maple Blues Award-winning artist. Released through Gypsy Soul Records, this new project arrives across multiple formats—CD, vinyl, and digital streaming platforms—giving blues fans various ways to experience his latest work. The album’s title

A Louisiana Singer Embraces the Blues Marc Broussard announces a significant creative turn with his upcoming blues album Chance Worth Taking, arriving April 17th via KTBA Records. The Louisiana native, known for his soul-rooted vocal delivery, finally commits to a full project of original blues material. This move marks a natural evolution for an artist

A Welcome Return From Modern Blues Masters Sugar Ray and The Bluetones finally break their five-year silence with Blues From Sibculo, a 10-track release that reminds us why this combo ranks among contemporary blues’ most vital ensembles. The gap since 2020’s Too Far From The Bar felt long to devoted fans, but the wait yields

A Master’s Dual Approach to Blues Artistry Robben Ford continues to prove why he ranks among modern blues guitar’s most respected voices with his ambitious album Two Shades of Blue. Rather than taking the conventional route, Ford splits this recording between two distinct lineups, consequently creating a compelling dialogue between different sonic approaches to blues

Paul Filipowicz’s Breakwater: A Chicago Blues Veteran Paul Filipowicz’s Breakwater album review reveals an artist who embodies authentic Chicago blues tradition. As Blues Matters Magazine notes, Filipowicz represents something increasingly rare in contemporary music—a true throwback to a legendary era. He didn’t just witness the golden age of Chicago blues; he lived it, played it,

There’s something genuinely encouraging about surveying a week’s worth of blues releases and finding such genuine diversity across the board. When a single issue can showcase everyone from emerging talents to seasoned players, it reminds us that blues isn’t some museum piece—it’s a living, breathing tradition that keeps finding new blood. Let’s talk about what’s

There’s a recurring worry that echoes through blues circles every few years—that the music we love is becoming a museum piece, preserved behind glass rather than lived and breathed by young artists. Then someone like Sean McDonald comes along and reminds us why that concern, while understandable, misses the point entirely. At 24, McDonald represents

Dave Keller’s new album “La Brea” arrives at a moment when soul-blues—that fertile middle ground between traditional blues grit and contemporary soul sophistication—deserves more recognition than it typically receives. This 11-track collection on Tastee-Tone Records demonstrates why artists operating in this space remain vital to blues music’s evolution. Keller’s trajectory over recent years has positioned

There’s something deeply authentic about a blues memoir written by someone who didn’t just listen to the music—they lived it. Cleveland A. Tyson Sr.’s new book “God’s Juke Joint” represents exactly this kind of organic storytelling that enriches our understanding of how blues music survives and thrives in America’s urban centers. Tyson’s background reads like

There’s something genuinely exciting happening when a contemporary blues artist approaches the canon with both reverence and audacity. Dida Pelled’s upcoming reinterpretation of John Lee Hooker’s “Dimples” signals exactly that kind of creative courage, especially in an era when blues covers can feel rote or overly reverential. Let’s start with the source material. “Dimples” stands

There’s something sacred about live recordings that have existed in the shadows for decades—performances that shaped an artist’s legend but remained just beyond reach for most fans. The upcoming release of Dr. John’s 1999 Loreley Festival performance promises to be exactly that kind of treasure. By 1999, Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) had already spent forty

Walk into any juke joint or blues festival and you’ll hear it—that haunting, effortless wail of a slide guitar singing out pure major chords with barely a finger movement. There’s magic in that sound, but it’s not magic at all. It’s technique, history, and tuning strategy working in perfect harmony. And much of that magic

There’s something primal about Hill Country blues that refuses to fade, no matter how the music industry evolves. While mainstream attention chases the next trend, artists like Kinney Kimbrough, Kody Harrell, and Eric Deaton are doing something far more valuable—they’re keeping alive a tradition that sits at the very root of American blues expression. North

The Canadian blues scene has long been a wellspring of authentic talent, yet it remains one of North America’s most underappreciated regional developments. Miss Emily Fennell’s latest album “The Medicine” on Gypsy Soul Records represents something worth paying attention to—not just as a solid blues effort, but as a potential turning point for how we

In an era where musical boundaries grow increasingly blurred, Jesse Dayton stands as a compelling example of how blues values can permeate multiple creative disciplines. The guitarist, songwriter, and filmmaker represents a particular strain of artistic restlessness that has deep roots in American music—the refusal to be confined by genre or medium. Dayton’s multifaceted career

There’s something special happening when a blues harmonica player decides to step fully into their own voice—and Kyle Rowland’s latest album “Not Holding Back” feels like precisely that moment. Coming through Little Village Records, this 15-track collection represents more than just another blues release; it’s a statement from an artist who’s spent years learning the

There’s something to be said for an artist who takes their time building a career rather than chasing trends. Greg Nagy’s journey from Michigan’s Root Doctor to independent solo artist exemplifies the kind of deliberate, honest approach that keeps blues music vital in the contemporary landscape. Nagy’s path mirrors a broader tradition in American blues

When The Blues Project first emerged from New York’s Greenwich Village folk scene in the mid-1960s, they did something revolutionary—they fused blues with rock, psychedelia, and jazz in ways that wouldn’t become commonplace until years later. Now, nearly six decades after their formation, they’re still proving that the intersection of blues authenticity and experimental spirit

There’s something about Hill Country blues that refuses to be polished. While Delta blues got its urbanization and Piedmont blues its fingerpicking sophistication, the Hill Country style—that raw, hypnotic sound emerging from Mississippi’s north-central region—has always kept one foot planted firmly in the dirt. Kenny Brown’s presence in contemporary blues journalism matters precisely because he

The November 2025 Living Blues Radio Chart delivers a reassuring message to longtime blues devotees: the real deal still resonates. With Roomful of Blues’ *Steppin’ Out* claiming the top spot, we’re witnessing a validation of authentic, hard-swinging blues that refuses to compromise or chase trends. Roomful of Blues has spent decades perfecting their craft—that propulsive,

There’s a particular magic that happens when a blues musician understands the fundamental truth that the instrument itself is the primary voice. Emanuel Casablanca appears to have grasped this principle on his latest track “Pistol,” a blues-rock anthem that lets his fretwork do the heavy lifting while his vocals take a purposefully restrained approach. This

When Roomful of Blues claims the top spot on the Living Blues Radio Chart for December 2025, it’s not just another chart achievement—it’s a validation that the hard-driving, horn-powered sound that defined New England blues continues to resonate with contemporary audiences hungry for authenticity and musicianship. “Steppin’ Out” landing at number one speaks volumes about

The Living Blues Radio Chart for January 2026 offers a fascinating snapshot of where contemporary blues stands, and it’s encouraging to see established masters still commanding attention alongside emerging voices. With Kim Wilson’s *Slow Burn* claiming the top spot, we’re reminded that the blues world still rewards authenticity and longevity—two qualities that have defined Wilson’s