..says the rapper opening Oye 2014 on Carlos Santana’s new album. And of course he is right, in more ways than one. This week I have added songs from historical figures like Leon Russell and Georgie Fame in addition to Santana, but I have also added artists who are clearly and unashamedly being inspired by musical roots from the 60s to the 80s.

 

 

Let’s start with Santana. He has irreverently updated both his unmistakeable sound and his songs from the seventies on his latest album Corazon. At times it is more awkward than fun, but if you decide to let go and just accept that it is better to repeat what is brilliant than try to squeeze creative juices out of a dried up lemon, you may just end up enjoying this. I have.   TASTER:Santana – Oye 2014

 

 

Another brilliant artist from yesteryear, Georgie Fame, merging jazz and pop better than most, has released a live album together with Madeline Bell. Many of you may remember her from the one the most underrated groups ever, Blue Mink. Come to think of it, Georgie Fame is also among the underrated of the music world – if you would like to find out why, listen to his amazing back catalogue. Georgie was a pop icon in the sixties and seventies, but in my view he matured as an artist when he embraced jazz. The new album, Singer, was recorded in Tilburg, Holland. All songs are written for Madeline by Steve Gray and Georgie Fame. TASTER: Georgie Fame – That’s How Hit Records Are Made (The Crap Song)

 

Leon Russell had a surprising but well deserved comeback a few years ago with Elton John. He was really forgotten for many years, although his songs lived on and were performed by scores of other artists. Now he has released an album of 12 cover songs, Life Journey, and I must unfortunately say I am a bit disappointed. His voice is of course as piercing and vulnerable as before, but Russell doesn’t add much to most of these songs, and it becomes too much of a karaoke collection. Still, I have added three of the best tracks, perhaps it will inspire you to listen to other wonderful stuff this unique artists has previously created TASTER: Leon Russell – That Lucky Old Sun

Vancouver’s The Shilohs, has released its second album, So Wild. They may serve as a great bridge from the truly historical icons to contemporary artists with history in their veins. The Shilos sounds like a band of the sixties both in the orchestrations, harmonies and compositions. At the same time this doesn’t sound dated to me. The production is modern and there is a lot of humour in both the lyrics and in the music. This is what music could sound like if time (but not music) stood still and we skipped punk, rap and all that followed pop. TASTER: The Shilohs – TV Action Jazz

I have friends who worship the ground David Gray walks on. Of course I respect that, but he has never appealed to me, basically because I don’t enjoy his voice very much. It is a personal thing, but that’s the way it is. I haven’t changed my mind, but I willingly admit that on his latest album, Mutineers, his songwriting is so brilliant that it overshadows any other problems I might have. The title track is so well performed that I question why I had a problem with Gray in the first place. Some reviewers have called this his best album for more than a decade. I agree. This is brilliant and powerful, nothing less. TASTER: David Gray – Girl Like You

Lana Del Rey is another artist proving that history indeed does repeat itself. She is truly a contemporary artist, but there is no doubt she gets her inspiration from music and artists from previous decades. Her third album, Ultraviolence, is a collection you probably would have run into even without this blog; it debuted at the number one spot on Billboard’s top 100; but a blog with focus on great music with roots needs to add well-known artists as well. So there. TASTER: Lana Del Rey – Old Money

I credit Peter Andre as an Australian, although he was six when he moved there from the UK with his family. His fame base is also in the UK still. He became a true celebrity when he participated in I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. How ironic is that? His newest album is called Big Night. His inspiration must truly be Robbie Williams. Williams did a similar move in his career, from pop to swing, very successfully. Some of the tracks on Big Night is quite uninteresting, but I have boiled it down to four songs that really make the room swing. And hopefully proves Peter Andre is a bit more than just another pretty boy. TASTER: Peter Andre – Preach

I don’t really know how to describe Priscilla Ahn. Some of the music she produces is lofty and, frankly, not striking. But then she presents tracks that are breathtakingly beautiful – like Remember How I Broke Your Heart – from her new album This Is Where We Are. I also love her alternative Wedding March. Both of these tracks, plus two more, are added to the bloglist as of today. TASTER: Priscilla Ahn – Remember How I Broke Your Heart

I am more familiar with Australian Sarah Blasko. Her previous album I concluded was my favourite album of 2013. Now she has released an EP with cover songs from musicals, Cinema Songs. Her song choices and her remarkable, vulnerable rendition prove again what a great singer she is. Hopefully the world outside of Australia will embrace her eventually. In Australia all her albums have sold to platinum… TASTER: Sarah Blasko – Something Good – The Sound Of Music

Sharon van Etten doesn’t need my or other bloggers’ help to become world famous. Her latest album, Are We There, has been received to universal acclaim – I haven’t yet seen a bad review. To a great extent I can see why, because this is pop music of the highest quality, although it at time becomes a bit introvert and melancholic for my taste. Still, there is much to enjoy, and I have added four tasters in the blog list. TASTER: Sharon Van Etten – Every Time the Sun Comes Up

On to four newcomers:

Teleman, a London band, has just released its debut album. Many of the band members played together in Pete & The Pirates, and when the band was dissolved in 2012 it soon reemerged as Teleman. The album is called Breakfast and has a distinct, naïve sound, perhaps best represented by what one reviewer called the yelping of frontman Thomas Sanders. There are some excellent tracks on the album; both Christina and 23 Floors Up are composing workmanship anyone should be proud of.TASTER: Teleman – 23 Floors Up

Tellef Raabe is a Norwegian deep-voiced pop artist who has just released his first EP, of Smith’s friends. My daughter has worked with him and brought him to my attention. There is a freshness and sound richness here that bode well for future releases from Raabe. I have added two of the tracks from the EP, the rest are remixes of Heaven Knows. TASTER; Tellef Raabe – of Smith’s friends

Douglas Dare from Southwest England released his debut album, Whelm,  in May, and reviewers were ecstatic, a lot of them polishing their crystal ball and heralding Dare as the next big thing in pop music.He may very well be, although his music is a bit too elitist and a bit depressive to excite the masses. I have picked three beautiful tracks, though, that grow with every listen. TASTER:  Douglas Dare – Caroline

Don’t Fall In Love is Norwegian soul singer Sisi’s first proper album. She participated in NRK’s hit series Stjernekamp (The Ultimate Entertainer) in 2012 and won a lot of hearts then. She has a distinct and deep soul voice that she knows how to use to the greatest benefit for the songs. Unfortunately too many of the tracks on the album are unremarkable, but there is enough there to be fond of. I have added five tracks to give you a proper opportunity to fall in love. TASTER: Sisi – Nothing New

To make room and avoid making you weary of great artists, we say goodbye to The Autumn Defense, Eddi Reader, The Gloaming, Highasakite, James Vincent McMorrow, Sassybeat, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Thom Hell.