Summer 2025 Great new albums.

he first half of 2025 has been exciting here at Roszak Promotions. We have introduced the world to some incredible new artists, and we have been honored to represent some of the blues world's most established artists as well. Below, see the latest albums from guitar legend Orianthi, bass goddess and multiple BMA-winner Lisa Mann, and Mark "Muleman" Massey, the Parchman Prison alumnus whose album "Been a Long Time" wowed critics worldwide this spring. Meet emerging artists such as Kim Field, a longtime harmonica legend in the Pacific Northwest, whose debut album has been garnering raves. And check in with established favorites, such as England's Emma Wilson, whose latest album is a fine collection of covers of Willie Dixon songs........►►►

Mark "Muleman" Massey

Hard time leads to hard blues and Mark “Muleman” Massey’s life is a testimony to that. The grandson of sharecroppers, Muleman grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi – in the cradle of the Delta. At 19, he found himself in Parchman Prison, which was modeled after a slave plantation. Like Leadbelly, R.L. Burnside, and Bukka White who preceded Muleman’s time there, he was living the unimaginable prison life. Although he’d never picked up a guitar, David Kimbrough, the son of legendary blues icon Junior Kimbrough, took Muleman under his wing and taught him the basics. Muleman’s innate talents and inspired experiences earned him a spot in the legendary Parchman Prison Band, which was the first time Muleman opened up for B.B. King. When Muleman completed his time, he vowed to turn the negative into a positive. He’s played every dive and juke joint, and rose through the ranks to play festival main stages and record with the likes of Bobby Rush, Eric Gales, and Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery – to name a few. Muleman played other shows – no longer clad in prison stripes – with B.B. King on the bill. He’s been recognized – and recorded by - the Library of Congress. Throughout it all, Muleman gives back whenever he can. His full circle moments came when he – voluntarily – returned to Parchman to help other inmates find musical inspiration. The very prison where he was shackled for years now proudly recognizes Muleman with his own Mississippi Blues Trail marker near the entrance. Muleman honors those before him with traditional blues standards, but his renowned songwriting has earned him great respect, as you will hear in this inspired record out of the legendary Muscle Shoals studio. Sunny Bleau and the Moons Sunny Bleau and The Moons are a blues band from the Detroit area, known for their energetic live performances and eclectic blend of blues, rock, and soul. The band is led by Sunny Bleau, a powerhouse vocalist and harmonica player, and guitarist/producer Nicholas "Nic" Cocco.  The band's lineup features Jon "Starky" Staercke on bass and backing vocals, Mark Croft on piano, organ, and horns, and Paul G. Sikorski on drums and percussion. To date, the band has released four full-length albums, including "Breakfast Served Cold", "Slow Burn", "Bag of Tracks", and "Passion and Regrets".  Their music has been praised for its raw emotion, precision, and versatility, with influences ranging from Bonnie Raitt to Eric Clapton. Sunny Bleau's voice has been described as "weary, woeful, and life-is-hard" – a perfect fit for the band's bluesy sound.  The band has toured extensively throughout the Midwest and East Coast, performing at iconic venues like The Blind Pig, Martha's Midway Tavern, The Token Lounge, The Riviera Theatre, House of Henry, Heartwood Sound Stage, Main Street Sound, and more. They've also shared the stage with notable artists like Anthony Gomes and Thornetta Davis.  Matt "Rattlesnake" Lesch Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch has a brand-new album entitled Blues Cut Like Glass, releasing in January 2025. Matt wrote and arranged all songs and horns on this album, and the Michael Burks rhythm section makes a special appearance on several songs. The rhythm section includes Chuck “Popcorn” Louden (Buddy Miles, Johnny Taylor, and Lucky Peterson) on drums, Wayne Sharp on B3 Organ, and John Davies on bass. Also appearing are Gus Thornton on bass (Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Johnnie Johnson), Taylor Streiff (Nick Moss Band) on organ, and Sean “Mack” McDonald (ZZ Ward and John Nemeth) on lead guitar and organ.  Matt learned the meaning of the blues and where the music came from firsthand from a sharecropper out of Grenada, Mississippi. Born in St. Louis, Matt learned guitar at 11 and started studying blues masters at 12, including Albert King, B.B. King, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. At 16, he was taken in and mentored by blues legend Big George Brock, and quickly became Big George’s lead guitarist. In 2023, Matt was part of the Chicago Blues Festival European Tour along with Marquise Knox, Dexter Allen and Lady A.  With the ability of an old, seasoned professional, Matt can bring a fierce show to any stage that he plays on. When you see “The Rattlesnake” on stage, you can see and feel the intensity of his passion channeling through him and into the crowd.  Alan Arena Musician, singer/songwriter, and artist Alan Arena had two top 10 New England albums when he moved away from Boston to become a caregiver for his best friend, a veteran who had been stricken with Huntington’s Disease. He thought performing original music might no longer be in his future, but when a venue and studio called The Music Room opened on Cape Cod, he decided to see if it might be a good place to record new material. It turned out to be the break he never found in Boston. Grammy-winning guitarist and producer Paul Nelson, who played for Johnny Winter for 14 years, was a partner in the venue, and they struck up a conversation. Paul asked Alan to play a couple of his original songs and, impressed, offered to produce Alan’s next recording. They collaborated on some of the music for the resulting album, including the title track “Deceived.” Paul arranged to bring in an ace rhythm section, including bassist Brad Hallen (Susan Tedeschi, Roomful of Blues), drummer Marty Richards (J Geils Band), and keyboardist Brooks Milgate (Chris O’Leary). They also recruited Jerry Portnoy (Muddy Waters) on harp on one song and Disney legend Milton Smith on strings to play on “Deceived.” Paul also made Alan a stage manager of the Music Room, where he opened for Denny Lane, Albert Lee, Kim Wilson, Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia, Shemekia Copeland, Bernard Allison, and many more national artists. Paul and Alan were talking about collaborating on a Paul Nelson album when Paul passed away from a heart attack at 63 years old while on tour. Now Alan plans to honor Paul’s legacy by giving him writing credits for everything he touched and inspired, as with “Deceived.” Lisa Mann's Northwestern All-Stars Since 2010, Patrick Kaiser has hand-selected premier blues artists to perform at the world-renowned Groove Now concert series, held in Basel, Switzerland. He invited two-time Blues Music Award (BMA) winning bassist/ vocalist Lisa Mann and legendary BMA winning drummer Jimi Bott to put together a Pacific Northwest supergroup to perform in the 2023 series. Two brilliant guitarists with distinct musical voices, Ben Rice and Jason “JT” Thomas, were added to the mix, as well as Portland’s own “Boss of the B3”, organist Louis “King Louie” Pain. With the stellar team assembled, Lisa Mann’s Northwestern All-Stars was born. Patrick asked for a tribute to the great women of Blues music to be among the three nights of shows booked at the historic music hall, Atlantis Basel. Hence, another voice would need to be added- a voice that represented the depth and history of the art form. When Lisa shared videos of Oakland-based Terrie Odabi, he fell in love with her authentic, unforgettable voice. With the multiple BMA-nominated, internationally acclaimed Odabi on board, the magic formula was complete. The resulting live album was painstakingly mixed by drummer Jimi Bott at his studio, Roseleaf Recording. He expertly navigated the perils of a live environment, while retaining the raw energy of these spectacular performances. The album begins with Odabi’s a cappella “Wade in the Water,” a meaningful sermon about the origin of Blues music. It then launches into the Etta James classic “I Sing the Blues,” also delivered by Odabi, and featuring the gritty power of guitarists Rice and Thomas. Then Mann does an uncanny rendition of Dinah Washington’s take on “I Don’t Hurt Anymore,” featuring the masterful “King Louie” Pain on organ. The rest of the album features songs originally sung by Mavis Staples, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Koko Taylor, Ruth Brown, Big Mama Thornton, Etta James and Big Maybelle. The entire album is undergirded with the undeniable strength of Jimi Bott on drums, bringing his 40 years of experience playing with artists such as Rod Piazza, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and The Proven Ones. Lisa Mann’s multiple award-garnering bass playing rumbles throughout, seamlessly blending with Bott’s commanding style. The final participant in this live adventure is the audience itself, engaging with an intensity atypical of audiences on the Continent. The Great Women in Blues encapsulates this excitement and made it available to listeners worldwide on May 23rd, 2025.   Orianthi Orianthi released her major label debut Believe in the fall of 2009. The album produced the platinum single “According To You” which was a worldwide hit. Coming off the success of Believe and headlining shows around the world, Orianthi was asked to join Alice Cooper’s band in 2011. The list of artists Orianthi has worked alongside in her distinguished career is extensive and runs the gamut from Steve Vai, Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, Michael Bolton, Prince, ZZ Top, Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood, John Mayer, Dave Stewart, Dave Navarro and Richie Sambora. Her eclectic style and versatility continued to grow and expand, and defies the tendencies of an industry quick to pigeonhole an artist into one linear direction. She found a kindred spirit in producer Dave Stewart (Eurythmics, Super Heavy). Together, they recorded Heaven In This Hell, released March 12, 2013.  Orianthi has performed at both the American and Latin Grammy Awards, the 50th Country Music Awards and the Kennedy Honors for Carlos Santana as he was honoured for his lifetime contribution to American performing arts culture. The release dates for Orainthi's album Some Kind of Feeling are June 27 for digital, August 15 for CDs, and September 19 for vinyl.  Eric Wilson Adams Eric Wilson Adams began singing in a rock band when he was fourteen, still in middle school. In 1969, five young boys from Brookings High School formed the rock 'n’ roll cover band COCOON. Each had been in earlier ‘garage bands’. They played in many South Dakota City armories, bars, and countless high school proms and sock hops. They traveled the State in their ‘puke-green’ converted school bus, making new friends along the way. They continued throughout high school and  College. After the band years, Eric began writing his own songs, a mix of rock, country and blues. Eric and his band COCOON were inducted into the South Dakota Rock Hall of Fame in 2018. “Losing Ground” opens with the title track as Eric sings “when I saw her drive away…she said baby I love you but I can’t stay…I can be a hard stubborn man… when you see her in town, tell her to turn around, and I’m losing ground”.  On the closer “Star Country”, with some great percussion, Eric croons, “wherever I go across the U.S.A. I meet hard-working people…hard at work and hard at play…we’re a star country, united we stand, we’re a star country, stand up America, be strong America, be proud America, we’re a star country”.  Eric states, “because I grew up singing cover tunes, my own sound varies from rock n’ roll, to Country and Blues. I spent a lot of time alone as a young boy, and I  had to entertain myself. Some say I am ‘creative’, oddly enough…I do not think of myself as creative. Stuff just happens. I am an older entertainer…blessed to be very much in shape and able. And now that I am airing on some radio stations with my new tunes…I am elated”. Eric’s tunes are guaranteed to make you smile. Stuff just happens. -Richard Ludmerer, Making a Scene Mercedes Nicole Mercedes Nicole loves to simmer! She enjoys being one with the band and gives them room to artistically and stylistically contribute in an alchemy of rich expression. This album sets a tone that is not only enticing, but a sheer pleasure to listen to. Since her blues album Constellation was released in 2022, she has enjoyed national success and has received radio play everywhere music is streamed or sold. Constellation went to number 12 on the Roots Music Chart and earned her the cover of the August 2022 Bluesletter from the Washington Blues Society. Mercedes' mission is not only to entertain and provide a brief moment of pure escape from the stress and pressure of the world, but also to let music do its thing- to heal. Everyone has known heartache and pain, and everyone deserves release from that in the form of emotional, spiritual and physical healing. Music can do that, especially the blues. Kyle Culkin Kyle Culkin is an American musician and roots music recording artist. He has worked over the past two decades as a multi-instrumentalist and the guitarist for nationally touring acts such as The Jeff Jensen Band. Culkin opened for the great B.B. King on his 80th birthday tour when The King of the Blues proclaimed, "This kid can play!" Today, with decades of experience under his belt, Culkin is recording music that projects a truthful authenticity from hard learned lessons of life on the road. He combines a fun and witty sense of humor with the struggles of life in every song. Culkin's critically acclaimed albums include a mix of rootsy rock, blues, soul, country, and R&B that puts a new twist on an instantly familiar sound. He never overplays his hand and uses taste, tone, and timing to season his lyrics with the right amount of flavor. Engineers Recording and Mixing Engineer: Ryan Williams Mastering Engineer: Chris Collier Graphic Design: Michael Clark Culkin has been called “The Americana Shotgun” because of his musical style and he does not disappoint! Now he’s enlisted his A-list band of incredible players for his fourth studio album that you wont want to miss! “Shades of Trouble” releases on Tonebucker Records, August 8, 2025. Kim Field and the Perfect Gentlemen The all-star roots-music group Kim Field and the Perfect Gentlemen’s debut album, Don’t Need But One, features 11 songs, 10 of them originals, which range from hardcore blues to R&B raveups to soul ballads to jazzy instrumentals. Fronting the group is singer and harmonica ace Kim Field. Vyasa Dodson (Curtis Salgado) and Cascade Blues Society Hall of Fame member Whit Draper deliver the group’s trademark twin-guitar sound. The Perfect Gentlemen are anchored by a dream rhythm section: bassist Denny Bixby (Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Gail Davies, Buddy Miller, Chet Atkins) and legendary blues drummer Jimi Bott (The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Mannish Boys, The Proven Ones, Rod Piazza), winner of the BMA for best drummer in 2015. Kim Field began his musical career in New York City, where he worked with the Sting Rays, a group managed by Grammy winner Phil Schaap. After stints leading bands in Austin and Boston, Field returned to his native Pacific Northwest. Field’s songs have appeared in the soundtracks of two feature films. Field is also the author of Harmonicas, Harps and Heavy Breathers (Rowman and Littlefield) and the co-author of The Blues Dream of Billy Boy Arnold (University of Chicago Press). V&BT V&BT (Vigdis & Blå Tråd) comprises four Norwegian musicians with experience from various musical projects and collaborations with a diverse range of Norwegian musicians. They came together in 2016 with a shared desire to create a great live atmosphere on small local stages, featuring hand-picked songs of high quality. The music genre is therefore difficult to pigeonhole. But on the band's journey through a myriad of live stages, a bunch of self-produced songs emerged that can be perceived as a mix of blues, blues-rock, and pop. And this is what we are now presented with on the band's live album. The band describes itself as a refreshing alternative to all that is “young and beautiful”, liberatingly free of everything but the joy of playing with real instruments. The band consists of vocalist Vigdis Haugen, guitarist/composer/producer Tom Pettersen, bassist Bjørn Løkling and drummer Christer Persson. In addition, several former crew members are represented on some songs. V&BT debuted with the album Diamonds at the Rainbow's End (Live in Norway) on Roller Records in November 2024. Emma Wilson British rhythm & blues Artist Emma Wilson releases her third Album through Memphis-based distribution giants “Select-O-Hits” following on from the success of Emma’s 2022 all original Americana influenced excellent debut album Wish Her Well and her exquisitely soulful and highly acclaimed STAX-esque 2023 release Memphis Calling - recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Studios with The Hi Rhythm Section and featuring the international hit “What Kind of Love” featuring Don Bryant. Returning to her beloved Memphis in May 2024, Emma performed at the inaugural RiverBeat festival as a guest of The Bo-Keys (bandleader Scott Bomar produced Memphis Calling). She attended the USA Blues Awards, then drove down to Clarksdale where she performed at the legendary Ground Zero Club at the invitation of the Pinetop Perkins Foundation. Visiting Clarksdale created the spark for Emma’s new album A Spoonful of Willie Dixon. She recorded Willies “Hoochie Coochie Ma(ma)” on her album Memphis Calling - prompting Hi Rhythm Section pianist Archie ‘Hubbie’ Turner to exclaim “She’s not from Middlesbrough, she’s from Mississippi!” Emma felt welcomed and was inspired to make an album which showed her deep respect for the blues and showcased her extraordinary voice through the brilliant compositions of the great Willie Dixon. Performing more of Willie’s songs in her live set felt so good, and her superb British band played them so well, and having toured Europe where their sound was developing a such a groove and rawness of its own, Emma knew she had to get it on tape, and you’re going to love it! Jeff Chaz Dubbed the “Bourbon Street Bluesman,” Jeff Chaz returns with Apartment 14, his first official EP in three years, featuring his power blues trio augmented by the horn arrangements of AJ Pittman—and the first featuring his dynamic power blues trio. Known for his fiery guitar work and charismatic songwriting, this new release puts a spotlight on catchy song-hooks woven with joy, sorrow, humor, and plenty of hot guitar licks.  Jeff’s journey through the blues is as rich and colorful as his music. Born in Lake Charles and raised in Creole, Louisiana, Jeff was steeped in the soul of Southern music from a young age. After starting out on trombone and trumpet, he shifted to guitar and vocals while touring with a Boston soul band—an early hint at his genre-blending talent. He cut his teeth in Memphis blues joints and gospel churches before settling into the New Orleans scene, where he’s become a fixture. His previous releases, including Sounds Like the Blues to Me and This Silence Is Killing Me, earned critical acclaim in outlets like Guitarist Magazine and Offbeat Magazine, further solidifying his status as a bluesman with deep roots and broad appeal. Jeff’s achievements include winning the first Beale Street Blues Society Award and performing at the opening of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Following a powerful outdoor set with his band, Jeff was honored with a solo a cappella performance of “Amazing Grace”—a moment that underscored both his talent and emotional depth. Throughout his career, Jeff has shared the stage with Albert King, Little Milton, Ruth Brown, and many others. His music can be heard on all 60,000+ TouchTunes jukeboxes across North America and Europe, helping him reach blues fans in every corner. With Apartment 14, Jeff Chaz brings the grit, the groove, and the guitar right back to center stage—reaffirming why he’s a beloved name in modern blues.