Sugaray Rayford

On March 1st Forty Below Records will release Somebody Save Me the new studio album from Texas-born soul blues singer, Sugaray Rayford. On the album’s opening track, “The Revelator”, Rayford forcefully sings, “I’m a freak of nature / I ain’t no honey bee / I’m an unknown creature / The like you’ve never seen.” At 6’5” and 300 pounds, this cigar chompin’ ex-Marine with a voice like a force of nature holds court in any room he enters. Possessing a magnetic personality, and an old school vocal style that echoes Muddy Waters, Otis Redding and Teddy Pendergrass, Rayford is also a stellar dancer with moves reminiscent of the Legendary James Brown.

Somebody Save Me is an ambitious album that slides gracefully between the new blues of Gary Clarke Jr. and Fantastic Negrito and the vintage Daptones soul of the late Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones, bringing a fresh take to classic sounds.

The album was written and produced by Forty Below Records founder Eric Corne. Best known for his work with blues legends John Mayall and Walter Trout, Corne and Forty Below have also launched the careers of several talented new artists, such as Sam Morrow, Jaime Wyatt and KaiL Baxley. A number of mainstays from Corne productions feature strongly here including guitarist Rick Holmstrom (Mavis Staples), bassist Taras Prodaniuk (Dwight Yoakam), drummer Matt Tecu (Jakob Dylan), keyboardist Sasha Smith (Sam Beam, Jesca Hoop), guitarist Eamon Ryland (The Happy Mondays) and the horn section from Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Corne recorded the bulk of the record live and the chemistry of the performances infuses the songs with a spontaneity and raw emotion.

The ten songs on the album explore contrasting themes of darkness and light. There is social commentary like on “Time to Get Movin’” “The mansions on the hillside / Look down on homeless camps / While we’re caught in the crossfire / Lookin’ for the exit ramps”. There are several love songs, including two gorgeous soul ballads, “My Cards are on the Table” and “Somebody Save Me”, the Stax inspired “You and I” and the more Motown leaning “Is It Just Me”, “She could free the worst villain / From the tightest prison / And have the warden waving goodbye”.

The album is full of inspired arrangements with several unexpected twists and turns; like the John Barry (James Bond) inspired bridge of “Angels and Devils”; the wobbly 1950s inspired keyboard solo and lush strings of the title track, recorded with The Section Quartet (Ryan Adams, Father John Misty); and the gospel choir, shape-shifting keyboards and dramatic horns of “The Revelator” which seamlessly blends blues, soul and jazz with a hint of reggae. But at the center if it all is Sugaray Rayford’s commanding voice, tying it all together.

Rayford began his musical career at the tender age of seven, singing and playing drums in church, and his gospel influences definitely shine through in his music. The soulful rasp and emotive vocal style hint at his first-hand experience with hardship, and a childhood marked by poverty and loss.

“I remember a sad game I used to play with my brothers, a competition that determined who was skinniest by counting the number of belt holes left unused,” recalls Rayford.

His mother struggled to raise three boys alone while battling cancer. "She suffered and we suffered," Rayford says. "Then, we moved in with my grandmother and our lives improved. We ate every day and we were in church every day, which I loved. I grew up in gospel and soul.”

As front-man of The Mannish Boys, Rayford and the band won the Blues Music Award for Best Traditional Blues Album in 2013 and Rayford himself has been nominated for over a dozen BMA’s, including Vocalist of the Year multiple nominations for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year.

With his 8-piece crack band and personal charm, Rayford’s live shows are quickly becoming
re-known for their high-energy and celebratory nature, with Rayford whipping the crowds into a frenzy, like a Gospel Preacher. In the studio and in person, Sugaray Rayford is developing a reputation as a force to be reckoned with and an artist to watch in the coming years.

Connolly Hayes

Having only debuted earlier this year, Connolly Hayes have already made giant strides within, and beyond, the blues/rock/soul community, largely on the reputations of the principal members. Jess Hayes emerged onto the South London scene as a teenager having been raised on classic rock and soul by her musician parents and quickly gained a reputation amongst the blues and soul cognesenti. She has also recently enjoyed a 4 chairs turn on ITV's 'the Voice', but more importantly, Jess is finding her own 'voice' with this new project, alongside her friend Frankie Connolly, who himself has gained a stellar reputation as both a great singer and astonishing guitar player. Connolly Hayes aren’t just a duo though, they are a fully fledged band with Richard Clarke, another noted vocalist/guitarist, alongside Joe Mac on keys, Beau Barnard on bass and Andy Wilder on drums. Their 2024 debut album 'Remember Me' release was an immediate IBBA (collaboration of 100 blues radio stations) 'Pick of the Month' and the band has already attracted an exceptionally high volume of Festival and touring offers, internationally. 

“Truly astonishing” – Classic Rock Magazine
“F***ing amazing!” – Jeff Beck
“A REALLY good player” – Gary Moore
“So amazing!” – Beth Hart
“Killer!” – Kenny Wayne Shepherd
“Unbelievable!” – Richie Kotzen
“Exudes class & prowess” – Guitar Techniques Magazine
“Ben Poole is the full package” – Maverick Magazine
“Definitely one to watch” – Guitarist Magazine
“A really fresh sound and style” – Paul Jones (BBC Radio 2)
“This is a young man to look out for as he is no doubt a rising talent” – Blues Matters Magazine
When you hear comments such as the above from some of the greatest guitar players of the last century, some of the most respected blues/rock/soul artists in the world today, and some of the leading magazines and radio presenters in Europe, you just know that they have heard something very special. Twenty-eight year old Ben Poole is currently being described as one the most exciting young Rock, Blues & Soul artists to come out of the UK for a long, long time!

Amba Tremain

Amba Tremain and her band bring you the sound of ‘Cinematic Rhythm & Blues’. A cross of genres that blend brand new music with old school influences, creating songs that have the power to transport you back in time. Whether she's out acoustically or with her full band, Amba delivers a huge, unadulterated show and packs a big punch with her vocals. Her songs are real stories about passion, love, heartbreak and honest feelings, some will even move you to tears. 

Nominated in 2024’s ‘Emerging Act of the Year’ by the U.K Blues Federation, The Amba Tremain Band are about burst onto the scene and have been quoted as ONE TO WATCH! 

A big sound with even bigger presence. Do not miss them live…

‘Excellent sets by one of the tightest live bands around, with one of the most talented singer/songwriters out front. They deserve much greater recognition’ - Richard Donnelly Coolham Live Music Club

‘Real Soul, festival bookers should snap this show up while they can afford to. Powerhouse doesn't describe the half of it' - Mark Ede BiGiAM Promotions

‘So much soul in her voice, so powerful, this song is a proper earworm and will totally stay in your head. This track really shows off her vocals and what a powerhouse voice she has' - Steph N @ BBC introducing

Over a decade ago Backbone Blues Band’s story began in a field. Two bandmates having a beer and talking music at the Blues on the Farm festival. ‘My sister’s been going to the King Biscuit Festival for years’ says one. ‘We should go!’

Later that year the fledgling band made its first trip to the Mississippi Delta, cementing a love for the music and firing a desire to make Backbone a band that plays the blues in its own style - faithful to the genre but distinctive and entertaining in its delivery. More than ten years on, and with as many trips to the Biscuit in that time, the band has earned friends and plaudits both sides of the Atlantic.

Their fourth album, ‘old new borrowed blues’, enjoyed extensive radio coverage on blues shows and was extremely well received. Something of a watershed recording, it represents an homage to much missed lead singer Duncan Highet, whose passing left the band mourning the loss of a great friend. It also signposted the band’s way forward, with guitarist Tony Seaman stepping in to the lead vocal role, and new members Luke (Duncan’s son) on bass, and guitarist Martin Spellman bringing their own talents to the Backbone sound. Steve Pearce on keys and Martin Jezzard on drums complete the band personnel.

This year’s trip to the Delta sees the band making their second main stage appearance at the Biscuit - we believe the only non-US band to have played the festival more than once - and includes a return to Morgan Freeman’s iconic Ground Zero blues club in Clarksdale, where the band’s performances have enjoyed an enthusiastic following.

In the U.K. the band have built a reputation for delivering their blues in an entertaining and engaging style, with performances at a number of festivals and blues clubs, including the award-winning Tuesday Blues at the 100 Club. They’re already booked for the Looe festival on their return from the States, and for Blackpool’s inaugural blues festival in early ‘24. Catch them if you can, live or on record - you’ll like what you hear!

Bison Hip were formed by long - time friends during a lockdown Zoom call in 2020. "I don't know who suggested it first" explains vocalist Paul, "but right away it seemed like a great idea. Maybe it was the mid-life crisis at play!" The band are all over 50, with the exception of keyboard player and spring chicken, Stephen, clocking in at a youthful 41. By the time they finally got together in early 2021, the blueprint was clear. "We wanted to take our love of blues and rock, then mix it up with our experiences in life" adds Paul. "Between us, we've been through so many things in life, big ups and huge downs, some successes and a whole load of failures, we wanted all of that in the music. Lastly, we needed to wrap it all up in the DNA of our hometown, Glasgow, and hopefully that's what we've achieved". With 2 EP's already released, the ethos is clear: real musicians, real instruments, no click tracks, culminating in a unique blues rock sound that tells real life stories. With a debut album on the way in April 2023, Bison Hip have hit the ground running. "We've arrived at the party fashionably late, so we're making up for it now!"