Robert Randolph, the virtuoso pedal steel guitarist whose distinctive mix of rock, funk and rhythm & blues has built a fervent, international audience releases his highly anticipated new studio album, Lickety Split, on Blue Note Records. His first studio album since 2010 s We Walk This Road, Lickety Split is produced by Randolph and showcases his Family Band, the powerhouse ensemble that has backed him throughout his career. The Family Band is comprised of actual family members Marcus Randolph, Danyel Morgan, Lenesha Randolph together with guitarist Brett Haas.

Meet Albert Castiglia. After five acclaimed albums and decades of blazing blues-rock shows, you might argue that you’ve already made his acquaintance. But by the Florida bandleader’s own admission, Big Dog is the first release to truly get under his skin. “I just wanted to make a record that best represented who I am, as a musician, singer, guitarist and live artist,” explains Albert. “With every release, I’ve come close, but this time, producer Mike Zito helped me nail it. He and label boss Thomas Ruf wanted me to make a raw, rocking blues record. That’s what I’m about. That’s who I am…”

Britain’s hottest gunslinger. Blues-rock’s most legendary producer. If the hook-up between Laurence Jones and Mike Vernon sounds mouthwatering on paper, just wait until you hear Take Me High. Released in August 2016 on Ruf Records, this fourth album represents a spiritual passing of the baton, with the producer who recorded everyone from Eric Clapton to Peter Green in the ’60s now working with the cream of the new blues generation. “It was a great feeling,” says Laurence, “to know Mike wanted to make this record.” The pair had discussed a collaboration as far back as 2013, but their conflicting schedules had always scuppered the plan.

How do you like your rock ‘n’ roll? If the answer is safe, sterile, sexless and spat out by the corporate machine, then move along. But if your wish-list takes in soul, swagger and smack-in-the-mouth stagecraft, then Jane Lee Hooker is the band you’ve been gasping for.

Separated in age by a musical generation but bonded by a mutual love of classic cars and the blues, two time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stephen Stills and five-time Grammy nominated singer, guitarist and songwriter Kenny Wayne Shepherd draw fire from their extraordinary collective histories–and join forces with famed Chicago rock/blues keyboardist Barry Goldberg–to blaze a fresh trail for the historical American art form in the 21st Century. Launching an exciting new chapter in each of their storied careers, the trio’s band THE RIDES—which Stills dubs “the blues band of my dreams,” built to last beyond the concept of a one time all-star gathering—is further powered by the explosive rhythm section of bassist Kevin McCormick and Shepherd’s longtime drummer Chris Layton (also a veteran of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble).

Chemistry. You either got it or you don’t. When the five members of Royal Southern Brotherhood convened in February at Dockside Studios, Louisiana, there was magic in the air. Just seven days later, the acclaimed US soul-blues collective emerged triumphant with The Royal Gospel: the fourth album in their rocket-heeled rise and further proof of a lineup born to play together.

Deutsche Grammophon, the world’s oldest classical label, celebrated its 120th anniversary with a concert of great cultural and historical significance at Beijing’s Forbidden City on October 10. This is the first classical concert to be hosted there since 1998 and the most important one since the Three Tenors stood on stage together in 1994.

Tasha Taylor has always carried the torch for Soul and Blues. Now, with her dazzling third album, Honey For The Biscuit, the US singer/songwriter/musician unveils thirteen new songs that push her beloved genre into the spotlight. I’m carrying on the next generation of rhythm, blues and soul, says Tasha. Bridging the gap between one generation and another. It’s my family business – as well as my passion. As the daughter of R&B trailblazer and Stax giant Johnnie Taylor, Tasha’s genealogy is auspicious.

Roadrunner Records activists FEVER 333 have announced their anticipated Roadrunner/333 Wreckords Crew debut LP, STRENGTH IN NUMB333RS.

This afternoon, CoJo Music / Warner Music Nashville artist Cody Johnson confirms he will release AIN’T NOTHIN’ TO IT on January 18, 2019. The album marks his major label debut and is the follow up to his critically acclaimed independent release which made its debut at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and No. 11 on the Billboard 200.

Blackbird Presents announces Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert on 2 CD, 2 LP and 2 CD/DVD for January 18th. The concert film and music release features a collection of legendary singers and superstars who came together for a once-in-a-lifetime concert event taping in New York City at The Theater At Madison Square Garden to celebrate the songs of music icon John Lennon.

Mike Posner's anticipated follow-up to 2016's At Night, Alone will drop Jan. 18. The 11-track A Real Good Kid features the rocker "Song About You," as well as the newly released, gentle island-flavored ballad "Stuck in the Middle."