Well, after being off for two weeks it was great to get back into the studio and produce another installment of the New Release Show.  Let’s check out the best music of this week.

First is the new album from Duke Spirit.  Last night I played “The Step And The Walk” and it’s from their new album NEPTUNE.  This album is easily my favorite of the week.  On this disc they blend rock, blues and grunge to make an edgy but accessible record.  There isn’t a standout, radio ready song but the project as a whole is excellent.  One track moves into another and you think, “Wow, this is even better than the last song.”  Well, that’s what I think, but that really doesn’t matter.  It’s in the ear of the beholder.

Included in my opening set was the latest from a sharp new album from Tapes ‘n Tapes.  It’s titled WALK IT OFF and I selected “Conquest.”  These classic Indie rockers hail from Minneapolis, Minnesota, which is a great music town, by the way.  They will be featured on Conan O’Brien tonight.  You know you’re getting somewhere when you’re on Conan.  This is a really fine effort.

I opened the show with a Brit-Pop quartet out of Oxford, England.  Supergrass is their name.  Formed in 1993 they were clearly influenced by the popular music of the day; groups like Blur and Elastica.  They also had an affinity towards Elton John and the Beatles.  The interesting confluence of inspirations affected these young gentlemen; two band members were still in their teens when they recorded their first single.  Well, they’ve matured over the years with dipping into the darker realms with their 2005 release ROAD TO ROUEN.  But with this album, DIAMOND HOO HA, the boys have returned to brighter days, melody-wise, that is.  A good sample is a “Ghost Of A Friend.”  It has an up-beat Squeeze feel to it.  You can check out other songs of theirs from the new disc on their myspace page.

Moving the music in a different direction with the quieter style is a tune from the British Band who goes by the name Junkboy.  The three main characters are brothers Rich and Mik Hanscomb, along with Ryan Oliver.  I found these boys on line through a UK website.  I read that they had an album coming out and I checked out the samples on their myspace page.  It turns out the disc is not yet scheduled for release in the US.  So I contacted them directly and I received it just last week…so you truly are getting the scoop on an artist that has not been played in the US, at least until last night.  From their album THREE I played “There Is A Light.”

And lastly is the latest from Was (Not Was).  These boys from Detroit had their hay day back during the Reagan era.  Lead by Dave Was, actually Dave Weis, he writes those crazy lyrics.  His “brother,” Don Was, really Don Fagenson, writes the music. The two singers that bring it all to life are Harry Bowens and Sweet Pea Atkinson.  You’ve heard Sweet Pea on vocals on “Chance At Love” by Pat Boyack on the Uptown Blues Party.  That is IF you listen to the Uptown Blues Party.  I hope you do.  Anyway, after a long time away from the music business Was Not Was returns with BOO!  And I played “Semi-Interesting Week.”

Also, speaking of the Uptown Blues Party, my new compilation Vol.1 is available to purchase on CD Baby and samples can be had at my website www.tksmusic.com.  Check it out.  I’ll see you all again next week.