The Koch-Marshall Trio are American guitarist Greg Koch, his son Dylan Koch on drums and Hammond B3 specialist Toby Lee Marshall. The trio release their new album 'Toby Arrives' on CD and vinyl on Friday 23rd February. At the heart of this organ trio is a Blues sensibility - but Koch's compositions are an amalgam of Rock, Funk, Jazz and Country served up with heavy grooves and dynamic improvisations delivered with no small dose of humor and occasional wild abandon. The trio blends the explosive guitar manipulations of Greg, the groove-centric, power-pocket playing of his son Dylan on drums (who share many telepathic musical moments) and the glorious, Hammond organ stylings of the uber-talented Toby Marshall, Greg’s compositions are properly portrayed in the Blues drenched, Funk, chicken-fried, Gospelly, Jazz-Rock panorama in which they were conceived. Their first release, the title track 'Toby Arrives' is today's Track Of The Day and showcases the first moments of their unexpected musical partnership captured at an extemporaneous jam session earlier in the year.

"'Trust Yourself' with Turner's 'Joplinesque' groovy, gravelly voice and tangible stage presence, was a great foot stomping romp with a great riff from Black. Taj Mahal's 'Leaving Trunk' grooved and rocked in true 60's/70's style whilst 'Brand New Day' emphasised the tightness of a band excelling in all the right places. Black's intro on the album title track took things down tempo with some intricate guitar work combined with Turner's hypnotic captivating voice that saw the appreciative crowd hanging of off every word. Classy." That was our take on Born Healer performing at BluesRockfest in September 2016 and tonight the guys have their first gig of 2018 in London at The Urban Bar in Whitechapel Road.

"These new tracks literally vibrate the soul with an energy rarely found these days. From the dynamic aptly named opening track, “'Energy”', full of Rock from start to finish, to the majestic crunch of track 3 “'Thunder High On The Mountain”', with its Hard Rock intro, slowing down to Joe’s melodic guitar, ending with a more Folky sound, and the easy, sensual chords of “track 5 'Righteous' and Track 6 'Smooth Soul', both slower Rock ballads and good catchy tunes which keep you hooked to the end of each track, although inevitably you feel that they could benefit from added vocals - Sammy H. was obviously busy at the Cabo Wabo! Seriously though, the unparalleled Rock-rhythm section gives 'What Happens Next' a depth of groove that sets it apart from Satriani’'s other work. Track 2 'Catbot' is more of a drum based track, slowing down mid-track to show-off Joe’s undoubted guitar talent, whilst one of my one of my favourites - track 4 'Cherry Blossoms' - is full of changing tempos which becomes more of a Rock ballad." Read the whole of Brent Gregory's Joe Satriani 'What Happens Next' CD review here which is released today on Sony/Legacy Recordings.

Today's Blues Club Podcast Track Of The Day has another two hours of non-stop Best in Blues with More Music and Less Chat, featuring New Releases, Classic Tracks, UK Independent Blues Broadcasters Association Presenters' Picks and much more. Music this week Includes tracks from Popa Chubby, Alastair Greene, Casey Hensley, Hurricane Ruth, Soul Shack from Jack Mack and the Heart Attack Horns, Joe Rusi, Miss Freddye, Dani Wilde, Rick Vito, Peter Karp, Mike Lang, Wee Willie Walker, Johnny Nicholas, Emily Burgess, Big Joe & The Dynaflows, FreeWorld, The Slammers Maximum Jive Band, Backtrack Blues Band, Janey Street, Jørgen Sandvik, Kim Wilson, Corey Dennison Band, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Jo Harman (pictured), Albert Castiglia Band, Chris Daniels and the Kings, Heather Newman, Monster Mike Welch and Mike Ledbetter, 11 Big, The Craig Hughes Two, B. B. & The Blues Shacks and more.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club also release their seventh studio album 'Wrong Creatures' via Abstract Dragon Records today. They have already treated fans to five instant grat tracks, first single 'Little Thing Gone Wild', a dirty, sexy, rollicking ride of big licks and heavy bass – which was the inspiration for the LP's title. Next up came the Cave-esque murder balladry of 'Haunt' followed by ‘Question of Faith’, ‘King Of Bones’ and most recently 'Echo'. The widely acclaimed California-based band consists of Peter Hayes (vocal, guitar, harmonica), Robert Levon Been (vocal, bass, guitar) and Leah Shapiro (drums). They've been crafting perfectly honed, Bluesy, Psychedelic Garage-Rock since 1998 and 'Wrong Creatures' was produced by Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Arcade Fire).

The Eel Pie Club kicks off 2018 with the fantastic All-Star Blues band BluesClub at The Patch, 67 London Road, Twickenham TW1 3SZ tonight. BluesClub's star line-up is Guy Fletcher (Dire Straits and Mark Knopfer) on keys and steel guitar; Danny Cummings (Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler) on vocals; Peter Hope-Evans (Medicine Head and Pete Townshend) on mouth organ and jews harp; Paul Beavis (Andy Fairweather Low Band) on drums and Robbie McIntosh (Pretenders, Paul McCartney Band and John Mayer) on guitar; Elliott Randall (Steely Dan) on guitar and Alan Rogan (who is currently Pete Townshend's guitar tech) on Fender bass. BluesClub's set list includes songs from artists as varied as Leadbelly, Son House and Charley Patton, to Slim Harpo, Sonny Boy Williamson, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal and Canned Heat. Doors open at 8.30pm with music from 9-11pm. WRC members are reminded that they can use their cards to get discounted admission.

"In a display of heartfelt emotion, and an indication of their younger influences, Taylor dedicates the closing song 'Where I Belong' to Chris Cornell. Starting with just guitar and vocals this track grows into a full Rock ballad. Another tasteful solo, showing that minimalist is often best in a song like this. Well received by the crowd, many of whom are here specifically to see them, Mason Hill warm the heart. And the stage." Our final 2017 WRC award goes to Mason Hill who were voted Best Support band following their gig with Inglorious which we reviewed at London's Islington Assembly Hall in May last year. Well done to all of our eleven category winners here as, following our recent award presentation to Black Country Communion, we aim to present the remaining ten awards during 2018!

Rick Springfield’s resumé as a successful musician and actor has been well documented down the years. What is important here is that ‘The Snake King’ (Track Of The Day) due to be released on Friday 26th January will not be the Springfield album that anyone is expecting. Not for the first time in his career, Rick has thrown a curveball that will simultaneously surprise and delight with a record that finds him travelling down a dusty dirt road to explore the Blues side of his music. Just check out cuts such as ‘In The Land Of The Blind’, ‘Little Demon’ and the epic album closer ‘Orpheus In The Underworld’ to get an understanding of the Blues laden journey that he has undertaken. Of the many delights on this album, Rick’s underrated guitar playing really shines here, perhaps more so than on any other record in his storied catalogue.

Today's 2017 WRC award winning Rock On The Ridge Track Of The Day is part two of their review of 2017. Featured are Dirty Thrills, The Bad Flowers, 19-Twenty, SKAM, In Flames, Aviator Shades, Wicked Tongues, Freerock Saints, Phantom 5, Klogr, Voodoo Six, Trucker Diablo, The New Roses, Revolution Saints, Europe (pictured), From The Messenger, Bedrokk, Love Past Blue, Shaman's Harvest, Lynch Mob, Black Country Communion and Citizen Soldier.

"Sandwiched in between 'Wait For You', which had a similar formula, and the heavier 'This Life', was the aforementioned 'JAM' - testament to the undoubted fact that they will not suffer second album syndrome! And finally, if you were looking for a glorious headbanger, then the second single off the album 'Not Your Enemy' did them proud. Suffice to say it's only January and we already we have a contender for 'Best Support' or 'One's To Watch' in our 2017 WRC Awards!" That was our take when we saw Stone Broken supporting Glenn Hughes at Islington Assembly Hall and consequently we also saw them at Ramblin' Man Fair in July (Video Of The Day) plus supporting Living Colour at London's ULU (pictured) in October and the guys have deservedly been voted 'One's To Watch' in our 2017 WRC awards!

Next Tuesday 16th January at Putney's Half Moon sees the debut of 2016 WRC Best Blues Rock award winner Sari Schorr's new band where they will be playing songs from her forthcoming new album. The new line-up includes Ash Wilson guitar/vocals, Bob Fridzema (ex-King King) on keyboards, Mat Beable (Stevie Nimmo Band) bass guitar and Roy Martin (Connie Lush Band/Modern English) on drums although Neal Wilkinson, whose work credits include Van Morrison, James Morrison, Paul McCartney, Ray Charles and Annie Lennox, features on the album.

Bristol-based Alt-Rock mavericks Turbowolf have released ‘Domino’, the latest single taken from their upcoming album ‘The Free Life’, which will be released via So Recordings on Friday 9th March. ‘Domino’ is a transportative, transcendental voyage into the anarchic Punk ethos of Turbowolf. A breakneck sonic journey of driving bass lines, immersive overdrive and cutting synthesisers, the track races through pounding verses before exploding into its anthemic chorus. Turbowolf have just been announced as the main headliner for Royal Blood’s upcoming US tour plus they will also be touring the UK and Europe this March/April including London's Scala on Wednesday 14th March.