Canadian harmonica player Gérald LAROCHE has released a new CD entitled ‘Rubato-Arrêter le Temps’. This album features 10 new compositions inspîred by nature, its history, the spirits of the prairies and the Canadian North. Storyteller and multi-instrumentalist Gérald LAROCHE plays all harmonicas as well as more unusual instruments like indian mouthbow, pennywhistle, jew's harp and celtic flute. This album will be reviews in the next issue of Planet Harmonica. http://members.home.net/mabord/

‘Grand Canyon’ the band lead by harp player Laurent CAGNON is releasing two titles in the compilation of rock bands from the Limousin region of France called ‘Pour que vive le rock’ (For Rock to Live). Eight regional bands are featured on this compilation that should be out as we speak. Laurent's other band ‘Ruine-Babines et Manivelle’ (Street organ / Harmonica) is picking up speed and starting a tour of the region's bars that should culminate with a participation at the Cognac Blues Festival at the end of July.

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/manivelles/harmo9.html

Olivier KER-OURIO has just finished recording his new album with Gildas Boclé (double-bass), Tony Rabeson (drums) and Pierre de Bethmann (keyboards). Two guests are invited by the quartet : Denis Leloup (trombone) and Pierrick Hardy (guitar). The title of the album is "Oté l’ancêtre" which means 'Hi ancestor' in Reunion creole. Olivier is a Reunion native and greets his French ancestor who in 1728 left his native Britanny for the Indian Ocean island. The album will feature a folklore tinted jazz and will be released on April 15th on the Pee-Wee label.

Julian JACKSON is currently preparing a jazz album comprised of 90% compositions that should be out sometime this year. Julian is a young English chromatic player whose repertoire mixes classical and jazz. He is the main performer in the award winning music of the movie 'The Full Monty'.

http://www.jazzharmonica.freeserve.co.uk/

Jean-Jacques MILTEAU has just spent a few weeks in the the studio in preparation for his next album. This last one will be bluesier than previous ones and completely instrumental. The accompanying musicians will be partlied changed from the previous albums "for a different sound" says the artist.

www.milteau.com

IronMan Mike CURTIS, the one-man blues/jazz from Los Angeles is currently working on his second album. The first one ‘Doin’ it all myself’ features mike live in the studio on guitar, bass pedals and valved diatonic with a drum machine. The contents of the second one are still uncertain but could be entirley instrumental with blues, rock and jazz on the bill.

http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/8830/

Nico Wayne TOUSSAINT has gone back to Minneapolis for the recording of his third album at the end of February. The repertoire should be more varied in style than on the previous album, and the musicians are all French except the drummer, the excellent Brett Forberg who played on the previous albums, and the pianist Mike 'The Hook' Dutsch. The release of the new CD is planned for October. We will keep you informed when we get more news.

If you visit New York, don't miss Paul OSCHER's weekly Brooklyn gig on Wednesday nights at the KB 140, 140 Lawrence Street. The band rocks and the artmosphere is very electric. Don't hesitate to chat with Paul, he might even get you up on stage ! Concerts start at  6.30PM until 10.30. No cover charge. If you're feeling peckish afterwards, 'Junior’s' is in the next street. We've been told that that's where one eats the best New York Cheesecake...

The NHL (National Harmonica League), the main British harmonica association has moved its website. It has been completely rehauled and you will find there details on their activities, information and contacts.

A new and improved Carlos del JUNCO homepage has opened. You will find there a complete discography, sound extracts and the possibility of ordering Carlos' CDs.

The latest album by Malian musician Lobi Traoré entitles 'Duga' is enhanced by the harmonica presence of  Vincent BUCHER whose exploration of African music is decidedly fruitful. Lobi's style is close to that of Ali Farka Touré but in a more rythmic and festive way. Vincent's diatonic playing is subtle and never too much in front, but it would easily lead us to believe that the harmonica was born in Mali.

Dennis GRUENLING has just released an album entitled 'Jump Time'. It's inspired by the music of Louis Jordan, Louis Prima and generally 50's popular jazz. Dennis is a young American harp player whose name is spreading in the US because of the quality of his playing and his sense of groove. He plays both chromatic and diatonic. The album is available on order through Internet at the web address below. http://jumptime.iuma.com

In January, Howard LEVY spent 10 days in the studio with a quartet featuring drummer Steve Smith (Journey, Steps Ahead, Vital Information), bassist Oteil Burbridge (Aquarium Rescue Unit, The Allman Bros.) and violinist Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orch, The Flock, Dixie Dregs). All the tracks recorded were originals with collective writing and arranging. The album's title will be "The Stranger's Hand", and should be out on Tone Center Records around May-June. Howard plays harmonica on it, of course, but also  piano and ocarina.

Two titles by Steve VERBEKE are available on the compilation Hexagone Blues that has recently been released. This compilation features several French Blues bands or performers playing a few tracks each. Steve plays an amplified instrumental in the style of Little Walter, and a slow blues in Frencg where his harmonica style reminds us more of Sonny Boy Williamson II. Also on this record, Pascal Mikaelian's playing on the Karim Albert Kook track. Steve also announces the release of a full album under his stage name Harmonica Steve under the Night & Day label at the end of May.

Charlie MUSSELWHITE has just released a new album entitled 'Continental Drifter'. This unusual production sees him accompanied by the Cuban band 'Cuarteto Patria' on part of the tracks and by his usual band on the rest. He also has been working on a recording with James Cotton, Billy Branch, Sugar Ray Norcia and Kid Bangham on the Telarc label. http://www.charlie-musselwhite.com