Taking a jaunt for the third time is the album series ‘R&B Goes R&R’. With its by now customary twenty-eight tracks of its playlist completing Volume 3, DeeJay Mark Armstrong is once more responsible for sourcing the material. The songs unearthed contains much familiarity but there’s also unfamiliar choices and one or two unusual additions, which is often the strength of this album series. One item which has not been mentioned yet is the quality of the artwork, which is an impressive sight and makes for an attractive addition to the quality of the music set. Moving through the years from 1955 to 1963, ‘R&B Goes R&R 3: Dance Girl Dance’ offers cover versions of rhythm and blues’ rockers performed by American and Australian artists who aimed to emulate the original performers but, in doing so, also provided further exposure of the “original” rock ‘n’ roll sound. The decision to start with Eddie Dugosh and song ‘Strange Kinda Feeling’ is prime example of the quality of the music chosen, but also for not opting for the most obvious considering there’s Gene Vincent (‘Jump Back, Honey, Jump Back’), Jerry Lee Lewis (‘Save The Last Dance For Me’) and The Everly Brothers (‘Hey Doll Baby’) all present yet not in pole position. The vintage rockabilly of ‘Strange Kinda Feeling’ is as impressive as anything the bigger “names” conjure up here and, if anything, Volume 3 certainly provides room for the lesser known/less featured artists to perform. Step forward Lawrence Shaul and primitive yet engaging rendition of ‘Tutti Frutti’, Frances Faye ‘It’s You I Love’, which is certainly more sophisticated and is music set for films of its era as well. Paul Peek maintains the less featured rhythm via his version of Ray Charles classic ‘The Rock-A-Round’ and it’s an absolute belter! Add to an ongoing list Ernie Sigley (‘The Big Beat’), Cody Brennan (‘Ruby Baby’), and Bunny Paul once again (See Volume 2) and track ‘Honey Love’, and ‘R&B Goes R&R 3: Dance Girl Dance’ is equal to its previous albums, but also adds a considerable bit more with a longer line of obscurer cover songs. Top quality from start to finish and worth far more in monetary value than its given price tag, ‘R&B Goes R&R 3: Dance Girl’ is essential!

New arrival ‘R&B Goes R&R 1 My Baby Left Me’ via Atomicat sees twenty-eight tracks of rhythm and blues given the cover version treatment! Featuring artists from both America and Australia, the songs chosen are either directly represented or reinterpreted for your listening pleasure. It makes for an interesting combination where a big band interpretation begins proceedings via Loren Becker and truly upbeat rendition of ‘My Baby Left Me’, before knocking on the neighbouring door and enquiring if Johnny Rebb would like to come out and play, with the answer being a resounding “Yes!” and then proceeding to apply a touch of grease to Chuck Berry’s ‘Maybellene’. Rock ‘n’ roll (albeit a rather clean application) applies to Boyd Bennett and his version of ‘Mumbles Blues’. Bennett’s version makes for a tight, snappy rhythm and it lingers in the mind for some time after. From there the music continues to intrigue with a stunning interpretation of ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ from Helene Dixon who compels via a throaty vocal and the guitar almost too hot to handle! The company surrounding this track is equally impressive with heavyweight names adding their worth from Jerry Lee Lewis and ‘Hit The Road Jack’, Elvis Presley and great choice with Ray Charles’ ‘I Got A Woman’, Ronnie Hawkins adding ‘My Girl Is Red Hot’, and not Jerry Lee this time but Paul Wyatt offering an impressive take on ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’. With talk of a five-album collection featuring rhythm and blues tracks being given the rock ‘n’ roll treatment, Volume 1 “My Baby Left Me” in this new series certainly gets off to a flyer especially when there’s terrific rockabilly via Lou Millet (‘Shorty The Barber’), a classic from The Johnny Burnette Trio (‘Train Kept A Rollin’), and Vince Everett (Baby Let’s Play House’) and plenty of interesting versions of rock ‘n’ roll featuring David Houston (‘Sugar Sweet’) and Pete Peters (‘Fanny Brown’) for example.

There is a profound sense of FUN, and much to be had, when listening to the latest addition from Atomicat. With a similar album series also featuring songs associated with the dance style of “The Twist”, this time around the newest album is less specific yet broader in terms of its approach by offering a sense of the “carefree” and dance to your own rhythm. What this means is an album packed full of songs featuring a particular “dance” in mind or the mood of the song is full of celebration leaving you to decide whether you want to dance alone or with a partner. Leading the charge here is Dion with The Isley Brothers’ ‘Shout’, containing a charismatic punch from its opening discussion before launching headfirst into this number. Great start, and more to come via the tight rhythmic ‘The Wobble’ supplied by Jimmy McCracklin, to immediate appeal of rhythm and blues/rock ‘n’ roll of ‘Diddle Dee Dee’ from Bobby Dunn. Noticeably different about this companion piece to Volume 1 in the “Twist” series is that there are far more obscurer titles and artists that will be known to serious collectors, but to a lesser extent casual listeners. But it is also the eccentricity of some of the tracks with excellent and engaging piece from The Champs and ‘The Shoddy Shoddy’ with lyrics that deserve your attention, to unique titles as ‘The Whiz Wash’ (Baby Wayne), ‘The Kangaroo’ (Clifford Scott), ‘Pony Time’ (Don Covay), and The Mandels with ‘The Scotch’. Overall, a more unique take on the dance craze and expertly lived up to by the tracks chosen for this compilation because not only is it a suitable companion for the dancefloor, but it also makes for an entertaining listen in the comfort of your own home.

Given the quality of what has gone before in terms of album releases by Atomicat, you immediately get the feeling that you are in safe hands with each album release. The same feeling applies to latest compilation ‘Rockin’ Rollin’ Covers Vol. 3’, a series that sees a variety of artists from the 50s and early portion of the 60s attempting their hands at songs made famous by other, and often well-established artists of these same time periods. The results are often inspiring and more times than not worthwhile executions of songs made popular first time. As with many of Atomicat releases, the musicians featured are household names, but there are always plenty of interesting twists with equally as many lesser-known artists represented. Two names and tracks that immediately jump out from the playlist are Carl Perkins “piano” version of classic ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’, to another classic ‘Mystery Train’ originally by Little Junior Parker and then Elvis Presley jumping on board, before Vernon Taylor offering his version which, it must be said, is another terrific take on this excellent song.  By investing your hard-earned cash in this album, any listener will certainly receive their money’s worth because it is filled with quality tracks from LaVern Baker and superbly rockin’ ‘Hurtin’ Inside’, to Ted Daigle turning up the heat just like Eddie (Cochran) during ‘Cut Across Shorty’. There are beautiful vocal harmonies to be found via Donnie And The Dreamers’ ‘My Memories Of You’, wild antics especially in the guitars of ‘She, She, Little Sheila’ by The Darnells, and really rather different version and especially for the times in terms of its vocal delivery from Billy Ward And His Dominoes and song ‘Jennie Lee’. With a total of thirty tracks selected for your listening pleasure, and too much to cover in one review alone, let’s say that with the addition of Ernest Tubb And His Texas Troubadours, Jerry Demar (Listen out for those guitars folks!), Dee Dee Sharp, and Charlie Gore to name but a handful, it is clear that ‘Rockin’ Rollin’ Covers Vol. 3’ is a summary of cover versions from 1952 – 1963 yet contains more than enough details to keep any listener engaged. Absolute rockin’ greatness!

Maintaining a connection with all things associated with rock ‘n’ roll, Atomicat issues its next in the series of albums, ‘Atomicat Rockers’. Arriving thick and fast in terms of their release dates, album #4 is already upon those with a keen interest in this series. The tunes featured so far have been of an exhilarating nature, and with plenty of the less obvious tracks thrown in, which is all down to Dee Jay Mark Armstrong who is responsible for the ‘Atomicat Rockers’ album series. Housed inside eco-friendly packaging, Mark Armstrong loads another twenty-eight tracks and brings to life ‘Atomicat Rockers Issue 04 – ‘Do You Wanna Dance’. Setting off on a trail beginning with Dick Lory and rockabilly/early stages of rock ‘n’ roll ‘Ballroom Baby’. From there, the artists and tracks selected continue the same level of quality with the other half of the Burnette brothers, Dorsey Burnette, offering the gospel tinged ‘Don’t Let Go’, to classic rhythm and blues via Eugene Church and ‘I Ain’t Goin’ For That’. Mixed with vocal groups as The Mints who provide a freshness and sense of enjoyment when belting out ‘Night Air’, to another vocal group, The Jewels, and track ‘The Goin’ Goin’ Goin’, which is terrific from start to finish and very different to anything else you’ll hear during this compilation given its anxious mood, realised through a barrage of words of a relationship gone south emphasised further by its repetitive beat. Therefore, only one thing to do and that’s, “Buy, buy, buy” Atomicat Rockers Issue 04 – ‘Do You Wanna Dance’ because (for our money) it’s the best of the series so far, especially when Jerry Lee Lewis, Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly, Hank Ballard and The Midnighters, and Brit, Billy Fury are brought to the party.

An appreciation of artist Bo Diddley comes in the form of new album ‘The Diddley Daddy Sound’. Released by Atomicat and housed in a three-fold digipak complete with liner notes, the tracks selected by Dee Jay Mark Armstrong are from numerous musicians influenced by Bo Diddley. Known for his clave rhythm and 5/4 rhythm pattern with plenty of tremolo guitar, Bo Diddley made a serious name for himself and influenced many during the 50s and 60s. Such examples are detailed here with the album ‘The Diddley Daddy Sound’ presenting twenty-eight tracks covering the years beginning 1955 and leading up to 1963. As with similar collections from Atomicat highlighting various music legends, the compiled tracks feature many artists influenced by the “Diddley” sound rather than presenting a full-length album by the specific artist in focus. Therefore, expect to see a few familiar faces along with a few lesser-known musicians. Beginning with female artist Cora Woods and song ‘Rocks In Your Head’, the sound of Bo Diddley is recognisable as the repetitive beat becomes hypnotic and instantly likeable from its short tight rhythmic sections, harmonious backing vocals, and a lead vocal that also adheres to this pattern yet dominates overall. A fantastic way to start and paves the way for further greatness via the likes of Sleepy LaBeff and His Versatiles and track that should be familiar to many ‘Turn Me Loose’; Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks’ ‘Clara’, to the celebratory sounding ‘Yes Love’ with compelling vocals supplied by Mel Smith. Billy Boy introduces the harmonica during ‘I Wish You Would’, with the song offering a little something else by deviating from its rhythmic flow by initiating a fadeout halfway through, and then heating up once more before drawing to its conclusion. You will get lost in the hypnotic rhythms of ‘The Diddley Daddy Sound’ and that isn’t a bad place to be judging by the many artists influenced by the music of Bo Diddley.