DJ for The Blend
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Steve Miller hails originally from Columbus, Ohio, and moved to Massachusetts in 2013. He spent his career working in the world of insurance and now works as a semi-retired consultant when not spinning discs at WICN. Steve first heard jazz in his parents’ home and his passion for the music truly ignited in high school and college. He lives in Central Massachusetts with his wife Leslie and their highly ridiculous dog, Coltrane.
Latest Album Reviews
Review of Light It Up
Album Info: Light It Up
Long Tall Deb & Colin John Album: Light It Up Label: Vizztone Genre(s): Contemporary Blues Posted By: Duane Verh
Jun 22, 2025
Review
Two covers jump out of this set for notice, and likely airplay consideration. Encased in a sultry shuffle-beat backup, vocalist “Long Tall” Deb Landolt’s sassy reading of Eurythmics’ 80’s hit “Sweet Dreams” grabs the ear as does her handling of Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful”. This well-traveled gem is further revitalized by fiery blues harp work from Steve Marriner. A cherry on top is provided courtesy of guitarist/partner Colin John’s multi-voiced fretboard dazzler “Out For A Rip”.
Dick Plant Album: Slipstream Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Surf Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Jun 19, 2025
Review
Some musicians are underrated. Taking a back seat to their works with more well-known recording artists, these players are no less than gifted recording artists in their own rights. Case in point is U.K.-based guitarist-composer Dick Plant.
Also known as Richard Plant, Dick is a behind the scenes engineer and sometimes producer that has worked with iconic recording artists The Shadows along with Hank Marvin as a solo artist, ELO mastermind Roy Wood and many others.
Dick co-founded The Vibratos with Warren Bennett, the son of Shadows drummer Brian Bennett and together they released several great albums of instrumental rock in the spirit of Hank Marvin and The Shadows.
Following the sad breakup of The Vibratos, Dick returned in 2025 with his very own self-titled 12-track solo album entitled Slipstream.
For guitar fans interested in surf-rock, The Shadows and other great bands
Jee & Bee Album: Fifth Element Label: Castle Genre(s): World Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Jun 19, 2025
Review
Introduced to music fans by France’s jazz-fusion guitar master Jean-Pierre Llabador, Bernard Margarit released an intriguing new album of mostly rare instrumental sounds in 2025 entitled Fifth Element. Recorded with Bernard’s wife and partner in their band Jee & Bee, Joyeeta Sanyal, the 5-track, 20-minute mini-album is rich in World Music elements, no doubt partly due to Joyeeta’s Indian heritage.
Bernard’s electric guitar work is quite impressive and paired with Joyeeta’s sitar sounds, the album takes on a mystical edge. Every track expertly combines a pop-like melodic essence with a near disco beat escorting the music, while the World Beat groove is also very much in abundance. Start to finish, the Fifth Element album is a must for World Beat enthusiasts.
Case in point is track 2, “Ganesha Mantra”, a tribute to the Hindu
Aki Kumar Album: God Bless The USA Label: Little Village Genre(s): Blues Rock Posted By: Duane Verh
Jun 15, 2025
Review
To be clear, there are no Lee Greenwood covers present here. The title track on Aki Kumar’s current offering skews in a decidedly different direction. That said, the Mumbai-bred, Bay Area vocalist and harmonica player does serve up some good-timey blues and interesting variations. While playing it straight, blues-wise, on his reading of The Clash’s “Should I Stay” and his own “Jarvos Woman”, compelling percussive cross-pollination makes for a unique take on Willie Dixon’s “I Just Want To Make Love”. The Meters’ “Desi Strut” gets a tasty treatment as well.
Red Camel Collective Album: Red Camel Collective Label: Pinecastle Genre(s): Contemporary Bluegrass Posted By: Joe Ross
Jun 11, 2025
Review
Already peaking at #4 on the Roots Music Report’s weekly Top 50 Bluegrass Album Chart, it’s been very enjoyable to hear their standout tracks of contemporary bluegrass receiving the most airplay to date: “Roll on Mississippi,” “Daughter of the Stars,” “Sincerity,” “Dare to Dream” and “Last Time I Saw Him (featuring Suzanne Cox & Sharon White).” From Walnut Cove, North Carolina, Red Camel Collective was formed in 2023 by Tony Mabe (banjo), Heather Berry Mabe (guitar/lead vocals), Johnathan Dillon (mandolin) and Curt Love (bass). They are also members of Junior Sisk’s touring band. Their name is derived from the Junior Sisk song “The Man in Red Camels.” (Red Camels being a brand of overalls.) In 2024, the band released its first single “Roll on Mississippi.”
Red Camel
Oct 24, 2024 -
For fans of Beirut, Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, Regina Spektor and Keren Ann. The lush bucolic folk of ‘Season to Season’ is the first... Read Full Article
Sep 12, 2024 -
Indiana based Singer Songwriter Abbie Thomas to release eagerly awaited second album Sept 27
The candid creative spark behind Abbie... Read Full Article
Jul 31, 2024 -
FOLK MUSICIANS CATHY FINK, MARCY MARXER, AND
CHAO TIAN ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM,
FROM CHINA TO APPALACHIA
THE GLOBAL MUSIC PROJECT... Read Full Article
Jun 12, 2024 -
Embark on a musical journey across Africa that celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of the continent with Putumayo's African... Read Full Article
Jun 3, 2024 -
Few musical compositions have so successfully tapped into that elusive formula of the enduring human spirit that is the recipe for timeless... Read Full Article
May 21, 2024 -
Released in mid-2024, It’s Worth It is the second solo album by Delay Tactics guitarist and keyboard player David Udell. It’s Worth It... Read Full Article
Mar 15, 2024 -
CMH RECORDS (Country. Music. Heritage.) maintains a rich history of classic country and bluegrass albums and is honoring several of these legacy... Read Full Article
