Making early preparations for the festivities that lie in wait is the new compilation from Atomicat ‘When The Clock Chimes Twelve’. Featuring various artists from the 50s such as Sonny Burgess, Etta James and Ray Charles among others, the celebratory feel of the music is what you’d expect this time of year but there’s plenty to suggest that it’s far from predictable. With the likes of Link Ray & His Wraymen’s compelling yet far from high on celebrations ‘Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby’, to Bob And Lucille’s emotionally distraught ‘Demon Lover’, and further enhanced by Big Mama Thornton’s roaring vocals during ‘I Smell A Rat’, this compilation is definitely for a party with a difference! Engaging from start to finish, ‘When The Clock Chimes Twelve’ offers so much choice and variation while remaining loyal to the genres of rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues and providing some real gems from previously mentioned Sonny Burgess (‘Ain’t Got A Thing’), Red Smiley & The Vel-Tones featuring Clint West and track, ‘Take A Ride’. If you want true celebration, then look no further than ‘Hand Clappin’ Time’ supplied by Gino with Johnny Greek. For those looking for a soundtrack with a difference to fuel a party with a difference, ‘When The Clock Chimes Twelve’ is worth obtaining.

Lining up for round four of the so far impressive series is ‘Southern Bred: Mississippi R&B Rockers Vol. 4’. With a massive twenty-eight tracks to contend with, volume four of this series others a mixture of established names who graced these genres as well as those lost to obscurity. Tending to shuffle the pack when listening to such compilations, instant fixes soon arrive via the excellent rhythm and blues of Little Johnny Jones And The Chicago Hound Dogs with ‘I May Be Wrong’, to the harmonica-filled ‘Shake -A- My Hand’ and more than qualified Doctor Ross. Other delights springing from the grooves of this long player can be found via impatient and punchy rhythm of Magic Sam’s ‘Love Me With A Feeling’, and then solid ‘Built For Comfort’ by Willie Dixon who also applies a touch of class during ‘Slim’s Thing’ that’s peppered with jazz influences. There’s room for the female artists as well with Betty Everett providing fine vocals on ‘My Love’, to an altogether different yet equally stunning vocal delivery from Howlin’ Wolf that sounds dipped in a combined pot of treacle and bourbon and coming up with ‘Wang-Dang-Doodle’ for example. There’s not a dud track to be had here as the various artists selected for ‘Southern Bred: Mississippi R&B Rockers Vol.4’ maintain a high level of quality via a mixture of blues and rhythm and blues.

It’s that time of year again when the ghosts, ghoulies, skeletons and zombies have finished their laundry and ready themselves for the annual celebration that is Halloween. Arriving just in time for the ghoulish festivities is a new compilation to shakedown those dancing limbs from Koko Mojo. With a track list providing a new slant on this rockin’ theme with black artists from the genres of blues, rhythm and blues and rock ‘n’ roll. One aspect worth celebrating here, apart from the exciting music on offer, is the focus on less obvious tracks to celebrate this time of year. With no time for the obligatory Screamin’ Jay Hawkins ‘I Put A Spell On You’, what the listener receives instead is the same artist but with equally compelling ‘Frenzy’, complete with cartoon vocal expressions setting up this compilation for more great expectations. ‘Black Halloween: Bo Didley Is A Zombie’ certainly delivers with more measured, yet equally thrilling performances by the likes of Lord Luther and ‘(I Was A) Teenage Creature, The Hollywood Flames’ ‘Frankenstein’s Den’, and wonderfully bluesy-trippy version of ‘The Shadow Knows’ from The Coasters. With Johnny Fuller assuming a plucky stance in relation to ‘Haunted House’, to soulful numbers from Ike Turner, The Cadillacs and The Naturals, not to mention more predictable entry from Bo Diddley (‘Who Do You Love?’) who manages to bag the front cover despite appearances looking a tad unhealthy. Of course, no rockin’ Halloween album is complete without its eccentricities and this arrives upon its conclusion with intriguing Philly Joe Jones’ ‘Blues For Dracula’. Clearly, it’s not only the living who are rockin’ because there’s enough evidence to suggest the dead are enjoying the dance via ‘Black Halloween: Bo Didley Is A Zombie’.

Compiling numerous artists from the golden age of American music, with a hefty slice of rhythm and blues, comes ‘Motorvatin’: 28 Songs From The Green Book Era’. With The Mojo Man (aka Little Victor Mac) overseeing the track selection and dedicating the first instalment to Victor Hugo Green, who was responsible for producing The Green Book, which served as a travel guide to African Americans during an era of racial segregation in the United States. With America in the 50s enjoying a burgeoning car industry, not to mention a developing music scene that was equally as exciting and wild as the designs of the cars, ‘Motorvatin’: 28 Songs From The Green Book Era’ provides a history lesson and reminder of this period. It doesn’t take any real searching to discover a whole host of established names and tracks with the likes of Chuck Berry (‘Maybellene’), Jackie Brenston (‘Rocket “88”’), Lightnin’ Hopkins (‘Big Black Cadillac’), Bo Didley (‘Cadillac’) and Smiley Lewis (‘Too Many Drivers’). The inclusion of The Medallions charismatic delivery of ’59 Volvo’ is a worthy companion for any journey, with a return trip booked consisting of Wynonie Harris’s absorbing commentary during ‘Fishtail Blues’, followed by neat and tidy rhythm of Oscar McLollie’s ‘Roll Hot Rod Roll’. It’s a blast from start to finish with tales of new and exciting car designs, intertwined with tales of relationships set to an enthralling combination of rhythm and blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Off to a great start, ‘Motorvatin’: 28 Songs From The Green Book Era’ is a worthy addition to anyone’s music collection.

Feel free to arrive at your own conclusion, but much truth can be gleaned from latest compilation in the Koko Mojo rhythm and blues series where the female voice gets a chance to shine and offer a reminder to those who thought it was all about the boys showing the rest of us how to rock. Think again as ‘I’m A Woman: Underestimation Is A Bad Mistake’ provides enough clues by its title alone, but it is the music that speaks volumes. There are songs reflecting on love with Donna Hightower coming up with the sassy rhythm and blues ‘He’s My Baby’, followed appropriately with high-spirited numbers ‘I Feel Like A Million’ (Mamie Bradley) and ‘My Man’ (Dolly Cooper). Jealousy runs its course, as do feelings of loss and regret with compelling examples provided by Varetta Dillard, Irma Thomas and Little Mary. Highlight of the album, however, is reserved for the earth tremor of ‘Fast Life’ with Bonnie ‘Bombshell’ Lee’s vocals shaking the very foundations of this compilation. With a fine wit, and showing great respect in the liner notes by Little Victor, ‘I’m A Woman: Underestimation Is A Bad Mistake’ is an album all rockin’ fans should own as it serves not only as a perfect example of genuine talent at work, but also serves as an important reminder that female artists of the 50s were on a par with their male counterparts, despite less coverage. Underestimation is indeed a bad mistake to make.

Hailing the Sputnik Dance is the newest compiled album of blues and rhythm and blues from Koko Mojo. With twenty-eight tracks transmitting from outer space and back down to planet Earth via a vintage setup that predates any modern-day era technology (thankfully!), the nature of the tracks is naturally space themed. With fascinating storytelling and humour found in the lyrics, not to mention exhilarating rhythms, ‘Sputnik Dance: Wild Sounds From Outer Space’ is a joyous ride. For those looking for an instant fix, look no further than the wild blast ‘Gonna Get Me A Satellite’ (Little Ernest Tucker). The title track is a compelling groove of traditional rhythm and blues supplied by The Equadors and followed by the smooth as silk ‘Rocket Ship’ from Vernon Green. Balancing such tracks with a few rougher edges is the blues stomp ‘Into orbit’ by Johnny Acey, and then continued by a rockin’ ‘Satellite Fever’ via Paul Perryman. By adding to the mix oddball moments as ‘Marty On Planet Mars Pt.1’ (Marty), and Buchanan and Goodman’s ‘The Flying Saucer Pt.1’ draws on the 50’s preoccupation with UFOs and space travel, in addition to providing examples of the colourful imagination of this time. Full of brass is the excellent ‘Destination 2165’ from The Cues, proceeded by, and showing great variation with super skilful delivery, ‘Weightless Blues’ with Jimmie Haskel creating a piece of magic. ‘Sputnik Dance’, the album, is a treasure-trove of musical delights where variation is key, not to mention quality of artists chosen for this compilation.