Mama Groove first took root in 2009 in the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield area (South West of Montreal, Quebec Canada), and has been part of the Quebec Musical Blues scene ever since. With their groovy blues songs remakes, they make unconditional fans wherever they perform and keep getting rave reviews. They were part of the Women in Blues show line-up at the prestigious Montreal Lion D'or in 2011, and were Spotlight of the Month's winners on SoundROXRadio.com in April and June 2011 for the videos they submitted. They were also semi-finalist for the Montreal to Memphis International Blues Challenge for 2011 and just released in Québec City, Valleyfield & Montreal, their first album titled How Mama got her Groove back!, recorded and mixed by Daniel Quirion.

Blues and New Blues music lovers have been patiently awaiting this CD to come out for over a year, and after a very close collaboration between its lead band members, Ysabel Gagnon (singer/songwriter) & Guy Cardinal (well-known blind keyboard player/composer/songwriter), this album that includes 10 original songs in English is available at last! They also recruited guitar player George Papafilys to collaborate on two (2) songs. The album offers a wide range of styles that will satisfy even the most demanding listener. With such musical influences in mind as Gino Vannelli, Tower of Power, Susan Tedeschi & Katie Webster – Ysabel, Guy & George wrote high energy and powerful songs at times, as well as others that have a more sensual feel or that are talking about very touchy or taboo subjects. Mama Groove doesn't beat around the bush to say what they have to say or to pass on their message and to bare their souls, musically and lyrically. For those who have seen them live, you know exactly what kind of intensity is flowing out when they perform. And, that intensity has been applied to their original songs as well.

Three more outstanding musicians complete the band: Jacques Gagné on drums (Storias, Groove 55), Joël Marinier on bass, Sylvain Haché (Abba Memories) on guitar. They are also a big part of the sound that keeps people talking about the band's uniqueness and powerful performances. An event with Mama Groove is like no other – Funky rhythm section, exciting & strong vocal, captivating guitar playing & mad keyboard lines will keep you on your feet all night long! Their high energy & enthusiasm are contagious! Get addicted to Mama Groove!!

Visit their website: www.mamagrooveband.com
or join their Facebook page : Mama Groove Band

Landslide Records has released a very special album of live performances recorded by the late blues guitarist/singer Sean Costello, featuring 16 tracks of previously unreleased live material recorded in the US and Europe from 2000-2007. This first ever completely live album by Costello includes 11 songs not on any of his prior releases.

Culled from dozens of recordings made at various venues, At His Best – Live demonstrates why Costello was tagged as a blues artist of immense talent and potential at the age of 16, and how he continued to deliver on that promise up until his tragic death in April, 2008, just one day shy of his 29th birthday. It also documents the strong overall musicianship with which Sean surrounded himself throughout his career.

At His Best – Live showcases that special gift Sean Costello had to interpret songs and truly make them his own. The track list for the album highlights his mastery of Chicago blues, swing/jazz, funk, rhythm and blues, soul and rock.

A portion of the royalties from the sale of At His Best – Live will benefit the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research. More information can be found at www.seancostellofund.org.

The album Dead On, having done extremely well already in Australia, has also caught the attention of many people overseas, fans, radio, and record labels alike.

So it's a great thrill to see the album officially launched into the overseas market this Sept 14.

2011 has been a big year for KNiKi and Mike Beale both at home and overseas. And 2012 is set to be even bigger with tours and dates already locked away for a New Zealand tour, Australian tour, and of course the USA.

To stay in touch with where we are and what we’re doing, or just to drop us a line, follow the links below to the web page and join the mailing list.

www.Knikiandmike.com | www.hightonemusicgroup.com

Robi Zonca is a fantastic Italian bluesman and one of the oldest friends of the Midnight Special Blues Radio. Check out his new album, So Good (2010), and his website at www.robizonca.it.

Tony O'Malley with Mr. Operator at the 606 Club, Chelsea, London. Oct 19th. 2009.

Tony O'Malley: vocals/keyboard.
Neil Hubbard: guitar (left).
Adam Phillips: guitar (right).
Mark Smith: bass guitar.
Ash Soan: drums.
Frank Collins: backing vocals.

TONY O'Malley, formally of Arrival, Kokomo and 10CC, is from London but plays out of Brussels. He had been, for four years, based in Georgia where he became a national and TV star. He regularly performs in the U.K. and Western Europe (particularly London's 606 Club) - gig details on his website. Tony's MySpace: www.myspace.com/tonyomalley1

ADAM Phillips plays regularly with his own Adam Phillips Band, and has worked with Hamish Stuart, (Average White Band,) Tom Robinson, Tina Turner, Cher, Lionel Richie, Whitney Houston and Dave Lewis, amongst many others. He is in great demand as a session musician. His own blues outfit includes Black Sabbath bassist Jo Burt. Check out Adam's MySpace and Wikipedia entry.

NEIL Hubbard was guitarist with The Grease Band, Joe Cocker, Roxy Music and played on the original 1970 concept album, Jesus Christ Superstar. Find Neil on Wikipedia.

MARK Smith, one of the UK's top bass players, has worked with many of the greats, including The Waterboys, Leo Sayer, Gonzales, Percy Sledge, Terry Reid, Alvin Stardust, Chris Farlowe, Patricia Kass, Bryan Ferry, Barbara Dickson, Shania Twain, Zoot Sims, Neneh Cherry, Lionel Ritchie, Ronan Keating, Malcolm McLaren, Charlotte Church, Van Morrison, George Michael, and Javier Alvarez.
Mark's web site: www.marksmithbass.com; MySpace: www.myspace.com/futilityorchestra; and on
Wikipedia.

ASH Soan has become one of the most sought after percussionists in the last 10 years with artists such as: Gabrielle, Del Amitri, Rick Wakeman, Tom McRae, Faithless, Squeeze, Lisa Stansfield, Jamie Cullen, Natasha Bedingfield Terry Reid, and Belinda Carlisle etc. etc., and is the regular drummer with Trevor Horn and The Producers. visit Ash's website and Wikipedia entry.

FRANK Collins was a composer and arranger for Arrival and Kokomo, and fellow singer with Dyan Birch and Paddy McHugh. Frank wrote the Arrival hit 'I Will Survive'. Since then he has sung with Ian Dury, Marc Bolan, Alvin Lee, Marianne Faithfull, Bryan Ferry, Terrence Trent D'Arby, Gloria Gaynor, Alison Moyet, B.B. King, and Bob Dylan etc. etc. Check out Frank's Wikipedia entry.

Video by Jack Slipper.
Copyright © - All rights reserved.

Tony O'Malley: NOTHING BUT A MAN (O'Malley/Stone)
Dedicated to the memory of Robert Niehorster.

Performed by TONY O'MALLEY
Guitar - MARTY TOWNSEND
Backing vocals - RUSSELL STONE
Video production - TONY GRANT for www.perilous-landings.com

Read the fabulous Tony O'Malley bio here.