As we are not only musicians, but also big time music fans, on this page we are reviewing some current record releases, books, videos etc. No critisism, just our favourites!

VH = Vesa Haaja
ML = Mika Liikari
JH = Jussi Huhtakangas
MS = Mike Salminen
HS = Harri Saanio

KNOCKOUT GREG & BLUE WEATHER – TELLING IT LIKE IT IS!
label: Last Buzz
The Swedish jump blues combo is one of the top r'n'b acts of this kind. They play rockin' blues with great sound and quality players. They have sax players and play lot of jumpin' stuff but also Chicago stuff with harmonica. I can't believe that Don't you know is written by them, it sounds something that's been written 50 years ago (and Mickey Baker on guitar...). Great drumming and different rhythms by Greg's brother Little Mark. Also good 10" LP available on Goofin' and a new record with Mike Sanchez which makes quite a combination...
ML

SLAP SALLY COMBO – DARKEST DAYS
label: Upright Records
The new record of the Finnish rockabilly Trio that has been around for a while. Hillbilly vocals, tight upright bass playin' (female) and good guitar pickin'. The melodies are catchy too. They have a good sound and most songs are written by them. Also worth checking for bass players.
ML

BIG SANDY & THE FLY-RITE BOYS – IT'S TIME!
label: Yep Roc Records
This came out awhile ago. What else can you expect from these guys than super recordings. Versatile music with rockabilly, hillbilly, swing, doo-wop, cajun and whatever flavors. Great sound too. My personal favorites are Bayou Blue, Wishing him away, Catalina, The Money Tree, The Night is for dreamers (featuring The Lonely Boys) and instro Strollin' with Mary Jane but it's all great stuff.
ML

NICK CURRAN AND THE NITELIFES – DOCTOR VELVET
label: Blind Pig
The Texas blues boy has made it again! This is his 3rd record and sounds really really good. Great rough blues sound, Nick's amazing black sounding vocals and a tight backing band. Little Richard, T-Bone Walker, Johnny "Guitar" Watson and Sonics etc. influences but Nick always sounds his own. For black rock'n'roll, rockin' blues, jump blues and party music lovers.
ML

AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL vol. 1 & vol. 2 (dvd)
If you are even a little bit a blues music lover, these dvd:s will blow your top! Filmed in Germany 1962-1966 they feature many of the top blues artists still at their prime.The sound and picture is perfect. Style varies from downhome to rhythm and blues. There is T-Bone Walker, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Willie Dixon, Big Mama Thornton, Otis Spann, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Shakey Horton and many others makin' amazing perfomances. The backing bands are dream teams like Dixon on bass, Memphis Slim on piano, Murphy on guitar...one of the best dvd releases on roots music ever. This is the real thing!
ML

FIVE MINUTES TO LIVE
This is the movie we got our inspiration for the album on Goofin’. It took long time to track a copy of this film, but finally (thanks for Brian and Dennis) we got chance to see it. And boy – isn’t it great! This film directed by Blill Karn in 1961 (and re-relased later in sixties as “Door-to-door Maniac”) is Johnny Cash’s first big role as an actor. He plays a psychopatic robber and killer and does his job well. His dark appearance and manic looks just fit the case. The movie itself is a kind of late film noir and should be much higher respected as it is. You can also find young Ron Howard doing one of his first full movies in this set. Merle Travis himself is also on the cast and the title song – rockabilly version of “Five Minutes to Live” is just superb! If you ever have a chance to see this rare flick – do it! You won’t be disappointed.
VH

MUISTAN VUONNA '56
written by Heimo Hatakka
Gummerus
This book is an interesting piece of rock and roll history in Finland. Jussi Raittinen - and brother Eero Raittinen - has been there and seen it all. They started giggin' in the late 50's and makin' records early 60's. Jussi has also traveled in USA in the seventies and made recordings with Charlie Feathers, Marcus Van Story, Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, Bob Moore, The Jordanaires. Also New Orleans recordings. The book is full of interesting details of music instruments and a must read for musicians - but also anyone interested of our country's root music history. Jussi & Eero are still performing. The book is written in Finnish.