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and could get everybody up dancing while still having that real tough blues sound with great vocals,

harp, guitar and the drums powering everything along.

Graham Harrison

Alex Lopez—Rising Up—Maremil

Originally from Cleveland Ohio, Alex moved to Florida (where he
still resides) to attend college. Although he now plays guitar, he
started out playing keyboards until he became aware of artists
such as Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix, he then
switched his focus upon the guitar. He began his solo career

performing in local clubs while recording and producing his own
music. At some point Alex decided temporarily to put his career
on hold so that he could get married and start a family. He
returned to music as the lead vocalist with the band Reminiscion
(sic). In September 2o13 he released his debut solo album
entitled “Back Bedroom Blues”. Now, he has released this his
fifth album of 11 original numbers with his band The Xpress, Alex takes lead vocals and guitar with

Kenny Hoye; keyboards, Steve Roberts; bass and Kana Leimbach on drums.

The many and varied influences on the numbers here are mostly from Blues Rock of the sixties and
seventies. The opener ‘Light It Up’ has Alex and the band tearing into a blues riff with screaming
guitars, pounding percussion and cow bell, Alex’s roaring vocals are urged along by a burning
keyboard. While ‘Paradise’, contains a very enticing vocal that seems to hark back to The Spencer
Davis Group of the sixties with its rolling, scorching organ and urging percussion. ‘Mountain Rain’,
is an oasis of calm, here Alex utilises the serenity of an acoustic guitar to develop a calming and
enveloping sound that his heroes Led Zeppelin were masters of on albums such as “Led Zeppelin” 3

and 4. ‘Even Up The Score’, is a very fine homage to Cream with its very muscular approach. The
raw guitar and pounding percussion are underpinned with a screaming organ and a so solid bass.
‘Rising Up’, possesses a seventies Jazz/funk groove with a rocking fuzz guitar and scorching organ
competing for your attention while Alex’s rising vocals are complemented with splendid gospel
backing vocals courtesy of Latonya Oliver from the Soul Sensations, and Dana Merriwether. ‘I’m
Always Wrong’, is a relaxing jazz influenced stroller/ballad, featuring a rolling piano and cool, rich
guitar backed with bubbling organ. A fine varied selection.

Greatly endorsed!

Brian Harman.

Clarence Spady—Surrender—Nola Blue Records NB1014

Clarence was born during the early 60’s in Paterson, New Jersey,
later the family moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania, (the town that
Clarence still resides in today). With two guitarists already in his
family that being his father, also named Clarence and his uncle
Fletchey, Clarence was encouraged by them at a very early five
years of age to take up the guitar himself, his first performance

was given at the local Elks Club also at the age of five. During his
teenage years he took every opportunity to play on sessions in
the studio and in the early 80’s he joined the touring band ‘A
Touch Of Class’, their musical director John Pougiese, taught