Stray

 

Artist:  Stray

Origin:  London, England
Genre:  Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Progressive Rock, Blues Rock, British Metal

Original line-up:

Steve Gadd:  Vocals
Del Bromham:  Guitar
Gary Giles:  Bass
Steve Crutchley:  Drums

Stray is an English Hard Rock Band from London, formed in 1966 by Steve Gadd (Vocals), Del Bromham (Guitar), Gary Giles (Bass), and Steve Crutchley (Drums).  They signed to Transatlantic Records.  Their early music style consisted of Blues Rock, Acid Rock and Psychedelic Rock, and then went on to join with Hard Rock and Progressive Rock movement.

Title:  Fire & Glass:  The Pye Recordings 1975-1976 (2017)

Genre:  Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Progressive Rock, Blues Rock, British Metal

Label:  Esoteric Recordings

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

Disc 1:

  1.  Stand Up And Be Counted (4:21)

  2.  For The People (5:32)

  3.  As Long As You Feel Good (3:54)

 4.  Waiting For The Big Break (2:51)

 5.  Precious Love (3:40)

 6.  Smile (5:14)

 7.  Maybe You Do (4:09)

 8.  Down Down Down (4:37)

 9.  Woolie (2:51)

10. Everyday (Of My Life) (3:10)

11. The End (5:22)

Taken From The Album "Stand Up And Be Counted"

12. Recover (2:58)

B-Side Of Single

13 Feel Like I've Been Here Before (4:21)

14. Houdini (3:32)

15. Wait Another Day (5:04)

16. Fire & Glass (4:18)

17. Everybody's Song (3:16)

Taken From The Album "Houdini"

Disc 2:

 1.  Take It Easy (3:44)

 2.  Give A Little Bit (3:13)

 3.  Didn't We Love (3:47)

 4.  Gonna Have A Party (4:16)

 5.  Percy The Pimp (4:55)

Taken From The Album "Houdini"

 6.  Take I Easy (Single Version)

A-Side of Single

7. Paramount (5:15)

Recorded At Pye Studio, London In December 1975

 8.  Buying Time (4:30)

 9.  Knocking At Your Door (3:33)

10. You Want Away (3:41)

11. I Wanna Be Free (4:57)

12. Mister Wind (5:21)

13. Live Wire (4:35)

14. Take A Life (3:16)

15. Lonely Road (3:41)

16. Lady (3:33)

17. One Night In Texas (6:13)

18. Johnny (2:38)

Taken From The Album "Hearts Of Fire"

Personnel:

Del Bromham:  Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards

Peter Dyer:  Vocals, Guitar

Gary Giles:  Bass

Richie Cole:  Drums

Fire & Glass:  The Pye Recordings 1975-1976 is the anthology album by Stray, released on November 24, 2017 by Esoteric Recordings.  Excellent Album for Music Lovers and Music Collectors.

Dexter Gordon

Artist:  Dexter Gordon
Born:  February 27, 1923.  Los Angeles, California, USA
Died:  April 25, 1990 (Aged 67).  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Genre:  Jazz, Swing, Bebop, Hard Bop, Jazz Instrument, Saxophone Jazz
Occupation:  Musician, Composer, Bandleader, Actor
Instruments:  Tenor Saxophone, Soprano, Saxophone

Dexter Gordon as an American Jazz Tenor Saxophonist.  He was among the earliest tenor players to adapt the Bebop musical language of people such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell.  His height was 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm), so he was also known as "Long Tall Dexter" and "Sophisticated Giant".  He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the Bertrand Tavernier film Round Midnight  in 1986, and he won a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist, for the soundtrack album the Other Side Of Round Midnight (Blue Note Records in 1986).

 

Title:  Dexter Calling (Blue Note Poet Edition) (2026)

Genre:  Jazz, Swing, Bebop, Hard Bop, Jazz Instrument, Saxophone Jazz

Label:  Blue Note

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1. Soul Sister (7:45)

 2.  Modal Mood (5:23)

 3.  I Want More (5:20)

Side Two:

 1.  End Of A Love Affair (6:53)

 2.  Clear The Dex (4:54)

 3.  Ernie's Tune (4:16)

 4.  Smile (3:23)

Personnel:

Dexter Gordon:  Tenor Saxophone

Kenny Drew:   Piano

Paul Chambers:  Bass

Philly Joe Jones:  Drums

Dexter Calling is an album by Dexter Gordon, originally released on January, 1962 by Blue Note, remastered and reissued on May1, 2026 by Blue Note Records.  Blue. Note Tone  Poet Series 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl.

Lovebites

 

Artist:   Lovebites

Origin:  Tokyo, Japan

Genre:  Power Metal, Heavy Metal

Original line-up:

Asami:  Lead Vocals

Midori:  Guitars, Backing Vocals

Miho:  Bass, Backing Vocals

Haruna:  Drums

Lovebites is a Japanese Power Metal Band from Tokyo, formed in 2016 by Miho (Bass Ex Destrose), and Haruna (Drums Ex Destrose), along with Asami (Lead Vocals), and Midori (Guitars).

Title:  Outstanding Power (2026)

Genre:  Power Metal, Heavy Metal

Label:  Napalm Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  The Castaway (6:07)

 2.  Silence The Void (5:39) 

 3.  Forbidden Thirst (5:00)

 4.  Blazing Halo (3:49)

 5.  Dream Of King (6:03)

 6.  Phoenix Rises Again (4:44)

 7.  Out Of Control (4:39)

 8.  Wheels On Fire (4:29)

 9.  The Eve Of Change (5:00)

10. Reaper's Lullaby (5:34)

11. Eternally (7:20)

12. One Will Remain (5:46)

Personnel:

Asami:  Lead Vocals

Midori:  Guitars, Backing Vocals

Miyako:  Guitars, Keyboards

Fami:  Bass, Backing Vocals

Haruna:  Drums

Additional Musician:

Mao:  Keyboards, Programming

Outstanding Power is the fifth studio album by Lovebites, released on February 18, 2026 by Napalm Records.  The album reached No. 1 On Japanese Rock Albums Chart.

Westlife

 

Artist:  Westlife
Origin:  Sligo+Dublin, Ireland
Genre:  Pop, Dance Pop, Club, Dance, Contemporary Pop, Teen Pop

Originally line-up:

Kian Egan:  Vocals
Mark Feehily:  Vocals
Shane Filan:  Vocals
Nicky Byrne:   Vocals
Brian McFadden:  Vocals

Westlife are an Irish Pop Vocal Group from Sligo+Dublin, formed in 1998, consisted of Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and Shane Filan, along with Nicky Byrne and Brian McFadden.  They followed in the tradition of European Boy Bands like Take That and Boyzone.  The band have sold over 45 million studio albums ad 55 million records overall worldwide.  36 albums peaked at No. 1 globally from 1999 to 2011.  They disbanded in 2012 and reunited in 2018.

Title:  25 - The Ultimate Collection (Deluxe Edition) (2026)

Genre:  Pop, Dance Pop, Club, Dance, Contemporary Pop, Teen Pop

Label:  Sony Music

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 Disc 1:

 1.  World Of Our Own (3:31)

 2.  You Raise Me Up (4:00)

 3.  Uptown Girl (4:00)

 4.  Flying Without Wings (3:35)

 5.  If I Let You Go (3:40)

 6.  My Love (3:52)

 7.  Hello My Love (3:34)

 8.  Swear It Again (4:08)

 9.  What About Now (4:09)

10. Mandy (3:17)

11. Fool Again (3:53)

12. When You're Looking Like That (Single Remix) (3:52)

13. Queen Of My Heart (4:19)

Disc 2:

 1.  Bop Bop Baby (4:24)

 2.  What Makes A Man (4:24)

 3. I Have A Dream (Single Version) (4:13)

 4.  Home (4:13) 

 5.  Starlight (3:44)

 6.  Unbreakable (4:33)

 7.  Against All Odds (with Mariah Carey) (3:20)

 8.  Seasons In The Sun (4:06)

 9.  Chariot (3:20)

10. Your Love Amazes Me (2:51)

11. First Time Feeling (2:53)

12. Beautiful Life (2:23)

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side A:

 1.  World Of Our Own (3:31)

 2.  You Raise Me Up (4:00)

 3.  Uptown Girl (4:00)

 4.  Flying Without Wings (3:35)

 5.  If I Let You Go (3:40)

 6.  My Love (3:52)

 7.  Hello My Love (3:34)

Side B:

 1.  Swear It Again (4:08)

 2.  What About Now (4:09)

 3.  Mandy (3:17)

 4.  Fool Again (3:53)

 5.  Queen Of My Heart (4:19)

 6.  Chariot (3:20)

 7.  Your Love Amazes Me (2:51)

25 - The Ultimate Collection is a greatest hits album by Westlife, released on May 8, 2026 by Sony Music.  Celebrating 25 years of their career.  Deluxe Edition CD, featuring All Westlife Hits, plus 2 brand new songs "Chariot" and "Your Love Amazes Me". 

 

Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck

 

Artist:  Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck

Origin:   UK+USA

Genre:  Rock, Blues, Blues Rock, Classical British Rock

Original line-up:

Stevie Ray Vaughan:  Vocals, Guitar

Jeff Beck:  Guitar

Title:  Tornado Of Guitars (2026)

Genre:  Rock, Blues, Blues Rock, Classical British Rock

Label:  Rockin' Bear Records

Rating:   ****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1. Savoy (3:52)

 2.  Guitar Shop (5:13)

 3.  Sling Shot (4:32)

 4.  Big Block (4:27)

 5.  Behind The Veil (4:59)

 6.  Freeway Jam (4:14)

 7.  Stand On It (2:31)

 8.  The House Is Rockin' (3:00)

 9.  Tightrope (5:25)

10. Look At Little Sister (6:12)

11. Mary Had A Little Lamb (6:38)

12. Let Me Love You Baby (3:00)

13. Leave My Little Girl Alone (6:29)

14. Wall Of Denial (5:10)

Personnel:

Stevie Ray Vaughan:  Vocals, Guitar

Jeff Beck:  Guitar

Double Trouble:

Reese Wynans:  Keyboards

Tommy Shannon:  Bass
Chris Layton:  Drums

Alongside Jeff Beck's Backing Band:

Terry Bozzio:  Drums

Tony Hymas:  Keyboards

Tracks:  1-7 by Jeff Beck

Tracks:  8-14 by Stevie Ray Vaughan

Tornado Of Guitars is a live broadcast album by Stevie Ray Vaughan & Jeff Beck, released on May 15, 2026 by Rockin' Bear Records.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Artist:  Kenny Wayne Shepherd 
Birth Name:  Kenny Wayne Brost
Born:  June 12, 1977.  Shreveport, Louisiana,  USA
Genre:  Blues Rock, Blues, Rock, Hard Rock
Occupations:  Musician, Songwriter
Instruments:  Guitar, Vocals

Kenny Wayne Shepherd is an American Guitarist, Singer, and Songwriter, from Shreveport, Louisiana.  He played Blues and Blues Rock as per Icons such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Albert King, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Magic Sam, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, and Junior Wells.

 

Title:  Ledbetter Heights (The 30th Anniversary Sessions) (2026)

Genre:  Blues Rock, Blues, Rock, Hard Rock

Label:  Ram Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

LP 1:

Side A:

 1.  Born With A Broken Heart (5:56)

 2.  Deja Voodoo (6:09)

 2.  Aberdeen (4:15)

Side B:

 1.  Shame, Shame, Shame (6:05)

 2.  One Foot On The Path (3:49)

 3.  Everybody Gets The Blues (5:56)

LP 2:

Side C:

 1.  While We Cry (Live) (6:17)

 2.  I'm Leaving You (Commit A Crime) (4:16)

 3.  (Let Me Up) I've Had Enough (2:43)

Side D:

 1.  Riverside (3:46)

 2.  What's Goin' Down (5:30)

 3.  Ledbetter Heights (6:11)

Personnel:

Kenny Wayne Shepherd:  Lead Guitar

Noah Hunt:  Lead Vocals

Kevin McCormick:  Bass

Chris "Whipper" Layton:  Drums

Joe Krown:  Piano, Keyboards

Reesee Wynans:  Keyboards

Jessica Waltz:  Backing Vocals

Ledbetter Heights is the debut album by Kenny Wayne Shepherd, originally released on September 19, 1996 by Giant Records, remastered and reissued on May 8, 2026 by Ram Records.  30th Anniversary Sessions.  180 Gram Black Vinyl in 2 LP.