There has been a veritable summer burst of new contemporary blues and blues rock releases over the last month. Normally during this time of year only a handful of new albums come out but not this year! Some real heavyweights of the contemporary blues and blues rock including Albert Castiglia, GA-20 with Charlie Musselwhite, Bywater Call, Janiva Magness, Tas Cru, Kat Riggins, Peter Parcek, and Davy Knowles have all put out some great new music. Additionally, Morgan Freeman, who owns a blues club in Clarksdale Mississippi has put out a recording on Universal Records that should draw interest for the blues from a new expanded audience…nevah a bad thing!!
In the next two weeks, new recordings will be out from Keb’ Mo’, Joanna Connor, Danielle Nicole, Alabama Shakes and Ruthie Foster to name just few. And this fall, Mike Wheeler, Jovin Webb, Warren Haynes, Robin Trower, Sari Schorr, Anthony Geraci, Seasick Steve, Secondhand Dreamcar and Eddie 9V all have new albums I can’t wait to spin.
Hope you enjoy looking through the list! And remember, as always, that many of the artists send promo copies to BMFR so that you get to hear them several weeks early on Blues Music Fan Radio…stay tuned!!
Recordings Out Now – Albums
Albert Castiglia – Grits and Glory [Gulf Coast Records]
GA-20 with Charlie Musselwhite – Blues Now [New West Records]
Bywater Call – Broken Souvenirs [Indie]
The Vintage Explosion – Life & Soul [Run Records]
Morgan Freeman – Symphonic Blues Experience [Universal Music]
Janiva Magness – Truth In The Room: The Clearmountain Sessions [Blues Elan Records]
Kat Riggins & Her Blues Revival – Everyday is Saturday [Indie]
Tas Cru – Might Give Out [Subcat]
Peter Parcek – Most of the Time [Lightnin’ Records]
Davy Knowles – Live, Vol. 1 [Where Are You Now Records]
The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra – What Can We Do [Nola Blue Records]
Walk That Walk – The Lifer [Indie]
Rob Tognoni – Black on Black [Electric-Renegade Records]
Lady A – The Space In Between [Indie]
Brad “Guitar” Watson – Boundless [Indie]
Ivan Busic – Into the Blues [ForMusic Records]
RoadLights – The Howlin’ Road [Indie]
The Jive Aces – Good Rockin’ Tonight:The Roots of the King [Golden Age Recording]
Mike Dangeroux – Still Dangerous [Indie]
Rocky Zharp & Desiree Stevens – Greatness On My Mind [Indie]
Citizen – Halcyon Blues [Run for Cover Records]
Caitlin Krisko & the Broadcast – Homeless [Indie]
Geminiidragon – Greatest Misses [Indie]
Nick Andrea – DeLorian Delusions EP [Indie]
J.P. Reali – Grateful Blues EP [Indie]
August 2026 Upcoming Album Releases
*Keb Mo’ – The Breakdown (Aug 21st)
*Chris Pierce – Songs for the Heavy Hearted (Aug 21st)
Joanna Connor – Live on 11/11 (Aug 21st)
*Michael Rubin – 5 Minutes of Passion (Aug 21st)
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Reel 2 Reel 4 Real (Aug 21st)
*Bernie Marsden – Stage (August 21st)
Ghost Hounds – Justified (Aug 28th)
Patrik Jansson Band – Different Shades of Blue (Aug 27th)
Ruthie Foster – Just Say Yes (Aug 28th)
Kevin Burt – This Trip (Aug 28th)
Alabama Shakes – I Must Be Dreaming (Aug 28th)
Steve Cropper & the Midnight Hour – Watching the Tide (Aug 28th)
*Hannah Wicklund – War on Women Calling All Good Men (Aug 28th)
Danielle Nicole – Fireflies (Aug 28th)
*Antone’s 50th Anniversary Tribute – Chicago Bound (Aug 28th)
Heather Anne Lomax – Who Do You Think You Are (Aug 28th)
*Dustin Arbuckle & the Damnations – Fight Like the Devil (Aug 28th)
Sept/Oct/Nov/December Upcoming Album Releases
Mitch Woods – A Night In New Orleans (Live) (Sep 4th)
*Cedar County Cobras – Sinners & Saints (Sep 4th)
Mike Wheeler – Chicago Blues (Sep 11th)
*Erik Steckel – Sandstorm (Sep 11th)
Blues Porter – Signs of Love (Sep 11th)
AJ Fullerton – Baretone (Sep 11th)
*Seasick Steve – The Last Season of America (Sep 18th)
Katie Knipp – Live at Theater 5150 (Sep 18th)
Anthony Geraci – Where You Are (Sep 18th)
Jovin Webb – Son of a Sinner (Sep 18th)
Warren Haynes – Dreams & Songs: A Symphonic Journey (Sep 18th)
*Robin Trower – Shine (Sep 25th)
Secondhand Dreamcar – Get Ready (Sep 25th)
Jamiah Rogers – Chicago Cowboy (Sep 25th)
Ben Poole – Post Midnight Behavior (Sep 25th)
Phil Coyne & the Wayward Aces – White Knuckle Time (Sep 26th)
*Justin Saladino Band – Steal My Soul (Oct 1st)
*BB & the Bullets – Wrong Side of the River (Oct 2nd)
*Christopher Wyze & the Tellers – Naptown Blues (Oct 2nd)
The Temperance Movement – New Promise Land Incorporated (Oct 9th)
*Max Hightower – The Blues Chooses You (Oct 9th)
*Erja Lyytinen – 50th Birthday Live 2026 (Oct 9th)
*Texas Headhunters – Rise and Shine (Oct 9th)
*Bruce Cockburn – The Blood of Others (Oct 16th)
Joanne Shaw Taylor – The Trouble with Love (Oct 23rd)
*Jake Karlik Band – Jake Karlik Band (Oct 23rd)
Eric Jerardi – The Game (Oct 30th)
The Sharpeez – Automatic Mode (Oct 30th)
*Sari Schorr – Running Wild (Oct 30th)
Eddie 9V – Down Here (Nov 6th)
Planned Release With No Set Date Yet
Holly Smith (Fall 2026)
Larry McCray – Blue Mary (Winter 2026)
Electric Soul Company – Electric Soul Company (2026)
Susan Angeletti (2026)
EJ Mathews (2026)
Eric Johanson (Late 2026)
Alan Arena – Demise (early 2027)
The Commoners (2027)
*Stevie Wonder – Through the Eyes of Wonder (2027)
*Eliza Neals – Live recording from North Atlantic Blues Festival (2027)
*The Commoners – new studio recording (2027)
*new to the list of upcoming releases
If you or your band have an upcoming album release in 2026/2027 and would like to be considered for inclusion on this list, please send info to ben@benveeblues.com
Other Websites with Contemporary Blues/Blues Rock News
Rock & Blues Muse https://www.rockandbluesmuse.com/
Blues Rock Review https://bluesrockreview.com/
Blues Chronicles https://blueschronicles.com/
Ben Vee Blues Blog https://benveeblues.com/
