Phil Collins delivered in the first six months of this year a rather conservative remaster project across all of his studio albums. This was announced with great fanfare as a deluxe project, nonetheless sadly the word deluxe transcribes into stereo remasters and bonus tracks which are not always worthy of the title of bonus. It happens often in the music industry and is an unfortunate downside as it leaves fans feeling exploited at worst, or cheated. The Singles Collection could have been so much better what with demo materials in extreme abundance especially with Phil Collins’s known reputation as an archivist even when he was with Genesis.

DEEP PURPLE Hard Road: The Mark 1 Studio Recordings 1968-69 (2014 UK 5-CD album box set comprising the albums - Shades Of Deep Purple [Mono Mix] Shades Of Deep Purple [Stereo Mix] The Book Of Taliesyn [Mono Mix] The Book Of Taliesyn [StereoMix] and Deep Purple [Original Album]. Each album includes digitally remastered bonus material including alternative mixes album outtakes instrumental versions alternate takes and B-sides as well as previously unreleased versions.

Deen Castronovo, Jack Blades and Doug Aldrich. Put these three titans together in a band and you have Revolution Saints. Superbly handling drums and lead vocals is Deen Castronovo. Already renowned for his drum talents and backing vocals in Journey, Bad English and more, Deens excellent vocal talents are in the spotlight on this release. On bass, and co-lead vocals on a few tracks, Jack Blades is well known for his melodic, yet hard rocking approach to songwriting and playing via multiple classic albums by his main band Night Ranger, as well as with the Damn Yankees and the Shaw/Blades releases. On guitar, Doug Aldrich was excited to lend his fiery blues guitar attack to such a unique and melodic band. Doug, who just left Whitesnake after a fruitful 12 year run (including co-writing 2010s critically acclaimed "Forevermore" release) and also of Burning Rain and formerly of DIO, has a deep pedigree and is one of todays most respected guitarists.

Legendary Hard Blues Rockers Return with Black Dawn! Black Dawn is the latest release from Cactus. With a current lineup that includes classic members Carmine Appice and Jim McCarty, plus the additions of Randy Pratt, Jimmy Kunes and Pete Bremy, the group has come out of nowhere, and given fans a band new album! This is the first Cactus release in several years, and needless to say, this fan was excited to give it a listen. Cactus was originally spawned from the ashes of Vanilla Fudge, the legendary psychedelic act that feature Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice, but took things in more of a bluesy hard rock direction than that band. Disappointingly, Bogert has had to retire from touring in recent years, but Appice is still a lasting presence in this and many bands.