Anand Mahangoe created one of the finest instrumental albums of 2003 with Joy 4 Ever. Now Anand is back with a re-recorded version of his debut album A Man's Mind which until now was only available on a small indie label. Thankfully Lion Music have seen sense to make this recording available to a wider audience. and thanks to the improved sound this will be a must have purchase for anyone that enjoyed the album first time round.

Stylistically A Man's Mind is not a million miles away from the Satriani vibe displayed on Joy 4 Ever. The album if full of top notch technical wizadry but thankfully also home to a strong melody on each track to give non guitar addicts something to grasp onto. The album is more accessible than any of Satriani's recent works and in a sense shows what Satch has lost over the last few years, however don't think for a minute that Anand doesn't have his own voice on the instrument.

Again another recommended release from Anand.

Rating - 85%

Led by the multi-talented and multi instrumentalist Valensia Clarkson, Metal Majesty have produced another hard rock album full of pomp excess that blends 1987 era Whitesnake with the bombast of classic Queen much like last years This Is Not A Drill. I however feel that 2005 is a stronger all round release.

Opener We Rocked is home to some of the finest melodic hard rock I have heard in some time, with its nods to Coverdale, Sykes, Mercury and co but hey there is no denying that this is quality stuff. Ready To Roar would be sure to take the roof off any arena venue with its infectious chorus. Love Will Make You Bleed is home to a rootsy upbeat acoustic vibe that blends Led Zeppelin with Queen. Hold On The Night pays tribute to Whitesnake's Crying In The Rain, whilst Burying Heather mixes The Beatles with Queen. Hell Hounds On My Trail is a rawkish rocker that starts with an acapella vocal before a dirty stop start riff kick in. The chorus has a quirky pomp charm to it that works well with the verses. Aurelia's Night has some blazing fretwork from Valensia that evokes the best of John Sykes.

The rest of the album pretty much follows suit so if this sounds like it could be up your alley then check it out.

Rating - 85%

The second instalment of Lion Music's tribute to Ritchie Blackmore. The album sees various acts from Lion Music's roster play a nice selection of material from Deep Purple to Rainbow (all eras).

Domain deliver a modernised Stormbringer, whilst Michael Harris offers a good version of the Long Live Rock N Roll gem Lady Of The Lake. Dogpound bark out Mary Long where sadly some of the originals more melodic sensibilities are lost. Orion Riders take on Burn suffers from a poor mix which extinguishes the offering somewhat. This disapointment is more than made up with the killer version of I Surrender by Daniel Flores and Friends. Kill The King by Baltimoore is the same track that appeared on their covers album from 2004 and it still comes across as a solid faithful interpretation. All Night Long gets a kick up the arse thanks to Rolf Munkes and Gerald Klos, here the vocals are excellent, whilst the modernised take on Maybe I'm A Leo by Man Of Fire still has me scratching my head several listens later. Chris Catena offers up Mistreated whilst House Of Shakira bang out a barnstorming version of Starstruck. Chris Heaven covers Soldier Of Fortune whilst star of the show award goes to Takara for their superb rendition of Can't Let You Go. Here Michael Flatters vocals and Neil Grusky's guitar evoke the best of Blackmore and Turner.

As far as tribute albums go, Blackmore's Castle 2 is a better offering than volume 1, and whilst it might not be essential listening, it is a fun listen that will be sure to appeal to fans of Ritchie Blackmores classic works.

Rating - 75%

Terry Bozzio is recognised as one of the worlds premier drummers.  His career sees session work with just about every great you can name and not only can he play super technical but can also lay down the perfect simple beat where required.  Perhaps best known to readers of this website from his works with Steve Vai (Sex & Religion), Jeff Beck (Guitar Shop) and Frank Zappa.

Prime Cuts is a selection of material from several albums of which Bozzio has been involved in for the Magna Carta label, so if you haven't tasted any of the following then this may well be a good starting point. The acts on offer here include Bozzio Levin Stevens (aka Black Light Syndrome), Jordan Rudess, Explorers Club and Billy Sheehan as well as a solo track from the Drum Nation compilation (see review archive) and a new track entitled Sick Jazz Surgery recorded solely for this compilation. Also we get an unreleased track from the Black Light Syndrome sessions.

As you would expect the level of musicianship is extremely high throughout, and the the album does feature some excellent material - Dangerous from Black Light Syndrome being a highlight, however, I must admit the material I am familiar with e.g. Exploreres Club works best in the context of those albums.

In addition to what has already been mentioned the cd comes with a movie interview with Terry where he discusses his history as a musician - this was a fascinating insight and the recollection of the Zappa audition makes you realise what a daunting prospect it must have been.

Overall Prime Cuts is a good starting point for the uniniaited but don't expect an album that is easy to get into.

Rating: 70%

Walter Trout is a much respected name on the European blues scene. His brand of blues is not a million miles away from that of Rory Gallagher and Robin Trower. The CD comes with an extensive booklet which takes a look back at Walter’s career highlighting both Walter’s song writing and guitar work. The three previously unreleased tracks include a rare acoustic version of Life in the Jungle, and a very strong track show casing Walter’s guitar work as a studio player on Freebo’s CD. Finally the last track showcases Walter as a young 21 year old guitar player with a band in New Jersey in 1973.

Guitar fans will find Walter's big ballsy Strat tone a delight and there is a lot of good material here that sounds excellent when crusing in the car. Opener Put It Right Back has a Stevie Ray Vaughan shuffle to it with the guitar being up front and in yer face, Trout whips out a few tight solos that will make any blues affichiando smile. Sweet As A Flower is reminiscent of the Fleetwood Mac classic Black Magic Woman and again sees Trout pulling out licks that fit well. Victor The Cajun has a upbeat sound to it and comes across with a Robert Cray vibe.

The rest of the tracks are equally good and whilst there is nothing here that has the killer touch that guys like Joe Bonamassa kick out there is a lot to enjoy and shows that Europe can still offer a lot when it comes to the blues.

Rating: 80%