Formed in 1986 and hailing from Spain, Brioles is a trio comprising of brothers, Jorge and Daniel Nunes, and odd man out, Josep Maria. Considering the length of time this band has been performing, the comparisons associated with Brioles have been numerous, with the core of their music coming from 50s rock ‘n’ roll, but with definite strands of neo-rockabilly, psychobilly and topped off with a punk rock spirit. Brioles themselves seem to prefer the compromise of Briobilly, which makes itself known once the engine starts running and ‘So Mean’ clatters into life and rattles along at a frantic pace. ‘Yes, No’ provides the first inkling of a taste for punk rock, with its rough and ready approach suggesting a live take as far the recording goes. ‘Boppin’, however, finds Brioles in a reflective stance, with the isolated ‘bop’ of the character at the heart of this song doing his best to stave off the real feelings inside, “I do my best pretending that I don’t love you” with Brioles expertly capturing the mood with a mid-tempo beat. The clue is most definitely in the title regarding ‘Ready To Cha-Cha-Cha’ as it signals it’s ready for anything, especially once its brisk rhythm, partly wrapped around a repetitive guitar pattern, will have you firing on all cylinders in no time. The psychobilly tag looms large above the doorway of ‘Full Moon Spell’, as the song casts a shadow (in a good way!) over proceedings and offers another angle for Brioles to pursue because it’s definitely among the highlights here. With so much zest remaining in their creative tank, Brioles has every reason to stick around and maintain the bop because this is one floor worth hitting on.

Upon first inspection of Manny Jr. And The Cyclones’ ‘Rockabilly Girl’, one item that stood out from the rest was the slightly unconventional vocal, which has a way of sounding a bit off the pace (‘Baby I Don’t Care’) but, after repeat listens, the realisation dawns that what may sound like slight imperfections at first, are actually genuine characteristics that Manny Jr himself brings to these songs. With the jury previously undecided as to the fate of this overall collection, this clever four-piece band from Canada conjure up some rockabilly magic that is brimming with character and bustling with energy. Nowhere is this best served than the opening song ‘Flathead Coupe’ with its overstated deep vocal set to a chuggin’ rhythm supplied by The Cyclones and then, much later, by the late-night ambience created by the slower tempo and naturally raw vocals of ‘Stripper Baby’. This album would not be complete without some wild rockin’, which comes via the album’s title track and other examples such as ‘I Got A Date With You’ and even tougher guitars and vocal of ‘Mean, Mean Baby’. Gene Vincent proves to be something of an inspiration for Manny Jr. And The Cyclones, identified from the band’s artwork and tripping down through songs such as ‘Tougher Than That’ as well as cropping up in various other segments. The musicianship of Manny Jr. And The Cyclones is exemplary throughout, with fine examples coming by way of two instrumentals – the strollin’ ‘Just My Kind of Girl’ and tight rhythm of ‘Mr Eddie’ (listen out for that incredible guitar break folks!). Patience was definitely a virtue when it came to ‘Rockabilly Girl’ because without a second fair hearing, the genius, intelligence and talent of this Canadian rockabilly band would have been a loss of great proportions.

Not just a staple of the American musical diet these days as bluegrass, and all of its associated traditions, appears to be increasing in popularity in various other countries. When it comes to Bluegrass Stuff, Italy is the location for the traditional bluegrass music making up their album, ‘The Old Bridge’.  Any suggestions of an unpremeditated meeting of the minds before laying down the tracks leading to the band’s album are likely to be unfounded considering the level of detail given to this long player, but that doesn’t stop ‘The Old Bridge’ from sounding as if it was freshly baked in the last hour or so, such is the general feeling of spontaneity generated here. Recorded and mixed by Bluegrass Stuff’s very own Massimo Gatti (mandolin/vocals) ‘The Old Bridge’ gets into its stride from the off with a succession of up-tempo numbers comprising of fiddle, banjo, upright bass, mandolin and acoustic guitar. Despite the lively introduction to ‘The Old Bridge’, the mood is somewhat downbeat with unrequited love surfacing on a few occasions with ‘Hurt And Feeling Sad’, ‘Leavin’ Me Behind’ and, in particular, the deep frustrations expressed during ‘Send Me Your Address From Heaven’  being the pick of a very good crop. With a considerable amount of the songs self-penned by band members Ruben Minuto, Matteo Ringressi and the previously mentioned Massimo Gatti and then balanced with a selection of standards, ‘The Old Bridge’ is really worth paying a visit and setting aside some time because you will not be disappointed with such pickin’ delights as ‘Once In A While’ or the yodelling vocalisations of ‘My Swiss Mountain Lullaby’ to realise that you’re in the company of some genuinely wonderful talent.

Harking back to a 70s era when rock music was truly free, The Sitting Bull And The Bullshitters revive such memories via their debut album release ‘Still Undead’. First indication of such linkages to music’s past is the manner in which ‘Still Undead’ was recorded, by using methods including portable studios often in various locations out on the road when touring. More obvious signs, however, exist in the band’s actual sound consisting of mild, loose rock and rounded off with some mystical song titles that leave one thinking of numerous bands from that particular era. With the location of Finland housing the songs making up ‘Still Undead’, it’s America which provides the inspiration as The Sitting Bull And The Bullshitters create a number of songs full of catchy choruses or, alternatively, more drawn out tracks such as the ‘K-Town River Banks’ with its keyboard and guitar riffs towing this along admirably. Lead vocalist and founder, Markku Pihlaja, provides a slightly gruff edge to the songs and remains relatively calm throughout, without ever resorting to any form of histrionics in order to get the messages across. Such examples can be found with the social conscience that is ‘Cry For The Ocean’ where both band and singer go about their business in an unfussy manner yet the song still manages to seep under one’s skin with seemingly very little effort at all. This is one of the aspects that make ‘Still Undead’ an appealing album because the majority of its contents will catch you unaware due to a certain amount of subtleties that gradually reveal themselves. For example, the natural aspects of the vocal and engaging chorus of ‘Soulseeker’ or the travelling notion via its rhythm given to ‘Giants’, which bides its time before hitting its soaring chorus, are two such examples. Given time, The Sitting Bull And The Bullshitters can certainly carve out a name for themselves beyond their native Finland by transmitting ‘Still Undead’ to an America audience where it should find a welcoming home considering its affiliations with American 70’s rock.

Biding her time and taking the old-fashioned route to possible future glories is Norwegian singer-songwriter Frøder. The less is more paradigm certainly works here as Frøder is steadily building her way to recognition in her own country by a succession of single releases with ‘Keep Forever’ being the latest addition. By adopting this patient approach seems to be working as the Bergen-based artist has received substantial airplay for previous singles – ‘Speed of Sound’ and ‘Over The Sea’ – and recently Spotify selected Frøder as a name to watch in 2015 via their ‘Spotlight Artists’ category. The patient approach and gradual progression in terms of her work can definitely be heard in latest single ‘Keep Forever’, as it is by far Frøder’s most memorable effort for its effective use of keys that joyously tingle under the skin and then hold back to allow the vocal to express itself. If Frøder continues such an approach to her song writing, then the full-length album should be something truly worth waiting for when that time duly arrives.

Despite earning a living as an architect, the name Kjell Reianes is associated with music in his native Norway due to a long-held ambition to break into an otherwise competitive market. The breakthrough arrived in 2011, at the ripe old age of sixty-one, with the appropriately titled ‘Aldri For Seint’ (‘Never Too Late’). Significant to this breakthrough was the start of a working relationship with Kaizers Orchestra’s Janove Ottesen, who was responsible for arranging and producing Reianes’ debut offering. Sixty solo gigs later, and various collaborations with numerous artists, Kjell Reianes made the transition from tinkering away with his musical compositions in his spare time, to a full-time commitment, which has resulted in a second album, ‘Ringer I Vatn’. The aforementioned working partnership with Janove Ottesen was reignited for this second outing, with Ottesen taking up production duties once more, in addition to a select few musicians – Ola Kvernberg, Mads Falck Berven, Jarle Vespestad and Eirik Are Oanes Anderssen – being added to the ranks in order to fully realise the ideas behind ‘Ringer I Vatn’. First impressions is that such qualified experience really lends itself to Kjell Reianes latest release, with opening number ‘Lukk Opp Ditt Øye’ sounding as if it was recorded in one take, where instruments are still in the process of warming up before eventually proceeding ahead. There is a pared-back sound to the majority of this latest work, with mainly acoustic instrumentation providing the rhythms to Reianes reflective lyrics where songs such as ‘Bare Ein Gang Te’ and ‘Evig Din’ would not be out of place on a busy side street populated with cafés  somewhere in Paris. Keys are added to the duo of ‘Virvelvind’ and ‘Bossanova’,   which gives the former song a slightly quirky feel whereas the latter is light and breezy. Reianes engaging dialect really captures the sentiment at the heart of ‘Du E Min Eine’ to great effect, and is but one reason why the breakthrough eventually had to happen for this wonderful talent.