J&R Adventures Vinyl & CDs

Review: Black Country Communion's fifth studio album, V, marks the return of the powerhouse supergroup after seven years, showcasing the unparalleled talents of Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian. Fusing the best of British and American classic hard-rock and blues-rock, the album delivers a tour de force of earth-shattering rock music. 'Enlighten,' the latest single from the album, exemplifies the band's evolution both lyrically and musically. Penned by Hughes and Bonamassa, the song delves into themes of self-awareness and spiritual awakening, with Hughes' emotive vocals and Bonamassa's intricate guitar work driving the message home. Produced by Kevin Shirley, the track captures the essence of Black Country Communion's dynamic sound, showcasing their growth and mutual admiration as artists. As a band deeply rooted in rock and blues traditions, Black Country Communion has earned a formidable reputation for their songwriting and electrifying live performances. Enlighten serves as a tantalising preview of the album's full potential, promising a vibrant new chapter for the band and their fans worldwide.

Review: Joe Bonamassa’s next chapter arrives with Breakthrough, a globe-spanning studio album born from sessions in Greece, Egypt, Nashville and Los Angeles. The epiphanic, Epiphone-wielding blues-rock guitarist and singer, now based in LA, leans into an eclectic mix of styles here, from Texas swing to hard rock and funk to acoustic balladry. With longtime production conspirator Kevin Shirley, and the title track co-written with Tom Hambridge, the path is cleared for a clarion proclamation: the past must be shed to ignite new passions. Singles ‘Still Walking With Me’ and ‘Shake This Ground’ reveal this as much, evidencing the restless artistic evocations of a vintage blues sound recreative obsessive.