Derek Anderson
Hi, to everyone who reads this. My name is Derek Anderson, I’m 51, single and live in Scotland. I came to writing this blog in a round about way. For over forty years I’ve been a huge music fan, collecting firstly vinyl, tapes, mini discs and now compact discs. During this time, I’ve always enjoyed reading, listening to and writing about music. So, for all these years, my main interest in life has been music. Truly, music is what I love. It means so much to me, it brings back memories, changes the way I feel and has been a constant throughout my life. It’s provided a soundtrack to my life. Some people have photograph albums, I have a music collection. My love of music, and my desire to share that love of music is why I decided to launch this blog. Each day, I put up new reviews for everyone to read. So each day, when you look at this blog, you’ll always find something new.
My musical tastes as you’ll soon gather are eclectic. I enjoy everything from the what’s now referred to as classic rock to psychedelia and progressive rock. However, that’s just part of the story. I also enjoyed everything from ambient and avant-garde to Berlin School, Krautrock and Nordic Wave to jazz, soul and Southern Rock. It’s fair to say that I like most types of music. That’s one of the reasons I decided to found this latest blog.
That was back in May 2011. I decided to write this blog as I’ve been immersed in music throughout my life. Having said that, my life has taken a few twists and turns. Originally, I studied business studies, over twenty five years ago, then later in life, I decided to branch out, try something different. This lead to me studying first social sciences and then English Law. That resulted in me gaining a 2:1 in English Law. However, regardless of what I’ve done in life, music has been what I’ve always loved. This lead to me writing this blog, writing about music I love, music I believe in and music that I’m passionate about. This is something I enjoy doing and hope people enjoy reading.
I’m always happy to hear from new artists and bands. Just leave me a message and some contact details. All I need is a CD or LP and I’ll have a listen. Then I’ll get a review written. Similarly, any record companies that would like me to review their music, just leave a message. I’ll get straight back to you.
Is there anything else I need to tell you? Apart from music, my other interests are reading and football. Anything else you want to know just ask.
Enjoy the blog, and remember, it’s “the music blog where music matters.”
Derek Anderson LLB (Hons), Cert. Soc. Sci.
dereksmusicblog
dereksmusicblog 
Hi Derek,
I just discovered your wonderful blog today, Its after 1am here in Vegas and the last hour or so I’ve been captivated by thoughtful analysis of the the Philly Sound.
I appreciate the time and effort, rest assured I have bookmarked this blog, I intend to visit weekly at least.
If you have not read this yet, try to find “A House On Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul” written by John A Jackson. A well researched history, and if you have not read it. I think you will enjoy it.
Keep up the good work.
Harold
Las Vegas, NV
Thanks Harold for your kind comments, I’ve enjoyed analysing the Philly Sound and will check the book out as I’ve been looking for a book on Philly Soul. Glad you enjoyed the blog and will continue to check it out.
Best Wishes,
Derek Anderson.
Hello Derek, I really enjoy this blog and wanted to know if you wouldn’t mind reviewing my two CDs I put out in the last year. I produce what you’d call baroque pop. I could mail you the CDs if you’d give me your address. Thanks.
Hi Francisco,
That would be great if you could send me the two CDs you’ve recorded. I’ll have a listen and review them.
Kind Regards,
Derek.
Here are some acts that I’d love you to review if possible. In no order, The Temprees (Stax/We Produce) or LTD. Shuggie Otis and Fame records were a nice treat. Keep it up dude.
Hi Harold, I’ll try and get round to them pretty soon. I’ve got some Stax box sets that I must review soon as well, so I’ll add it to my list. Thanks for your kind comments.
Best Wishes,
Derek Anderson.
HI DEREK…LUV YA BLOGS AND U ARE TRYE PRO AT THIS…CRIMSON XOXOXOX
Hi Crimson,
Thanks for that, I’m glad that you like the blog.
Best Wishes,
Derek.
A friend sent me to your blog today to read a thorough post about Loose Ends. Delightful. Looking forward to taking a deeper dive.
Hi there,
I’m glad that you’ve discovered my blog and enjoyed the review of Loose Ends. It’s good that their albums have been rereleased, especially with the bonus tracks. I hope that you’ll continue to visit my blog, I post new reviews each day. Thanks for your comments and tell your friends about my blog.
Best Wishes,
Derek.
Hi,
I don’t know whether you’ve ever been, but I went for the first time to the Southport Weekender at Butlins, Minehead recently. I actually thought of you a couple of times as the weekend was chock full of soul and funk and disco and house. I cannot recommend it enough and it seemed like something you’d like. Don’t worry about not being young, I’m 49, and was far from the youngest but its not about age, race, gender or anything – just thousands of people who love the music.
Anyway – keep up the great blogging.
Darryl
Hi Darryl,
Sounds like something I’d really enjoy. I’ve never been to the Southport Weekender, and have wanted to go for some time. Hopefully one day soon. I’ll get round to it. There’s quite a number of soul weekends round the UK nowadays, but Southport is the biggest and best known.
Incidentally, I’ve reviewed the Southport Weekender Volume 9 some time ago, mixed by Mr Scruff and DJ Spinna. Thanks for you comments and keep reading my blog. There’s lots of great stuff coming soon.
Best Wishes,
Derek.
Derek, a friend just suggested I buy Kimbra’s US release “Vows” today. I highly recommend taking a listen. My favorite so far is “Plain Gold Ring (LIVE)”, but there are so many outstanding songs on this, I’m sure you can find more to like.
Hi there,
Vows is a really good album. I first heard Kimbra’s Settle Down EP. Having heard this, I had a listen to Vows and enjoyed it too. I see there’s an Australian Tour Edition out, which is a double album. You might like that too. Thanks for your comments.
Best Wishes,
Derek.
I second the Kimbra album because she’s a Kiwi like me and from my home town, but also she’s making fresh, fun pop music. I see a big future for her.
Hi there,
Thanks for your comments. I hope Kimbra has a big future. It’s always good to hear someone making quality pop music, there’s a freshness and vibrancy about the music. Have you heard of Goyte and their album Like Drawing Blood? I was listening to it tonight. You should have a listen, you might enjoy it. Keep reading my blog, I’ve got some great stuff coming soon.
Best Wishes,
Derek.
Just discovered your blog . . . lots to digest, wow you’ve been busy. Lots of stuff you’re hipping me to. Let me drop some reciprocal: Calima Shatiday, Telefon Tel Aviv, Northscape, Elastic Bond and Trestal.
Hi Ty,
Glad you’re enjoying my blog. There are over 630 albums reviewed here. I was having a listen to the music you recommended. There’s some great stuff there. I really enjoyed it, especially Telefon Tel Aviv and Elastic Bond. One album I’d definitely recommend is Telefuzz’s Sleep. It’s a few years old, but well worth picking up a copy. Thanks for your comments.
Best Wishes,
Derek.
It surprises me that you picked Elastic Bond over Northscape and Calima Shatiday. It always surprises me what people prefer, but that’s what makes the world go round I guess. Don’t get me wrong, I like Elastic Bond too, but in order of favorites, I ranked them in my original post. If you prefer songs with words I can see why you picked who you picked. 🙂
Hi Ty,
Thanks for your comments. It’s always interesting to hear what someone’s favourite tracks on an album are. It’s a very subjective thing.Sometimes, songs stand out, other times it’s much more difficult. Often, it’s very close between two or three songs. This time, it was really hard. Thanks for your comments though.
Best Wishes,
Derek.
No problem keep up the good work. Enjoy!!!
Hi Derek,
I was wondering what has happened to BBR and Soul Music Records. You usually review them each month. This month you haven’t though. I just wondered what was going on with them. Could you let me know. I’m really enjoying this month’s reviews. You’ve picked a really eclectic selection of music. Keep up the good work.
Bobby
Hi Bobby,
Thanks for your comments. This is a question I’ve been asked literally hundreds of times each day. Each morning I’ve people asking this. All I can say is that I’m hoping that I’ll have advance copies of the BBR and SMR releases to review in the next few days. I’ve been doing my best to get them. Once I have them, I’ll get them reviewed.
I’m glad that you like the more eclectic selection of music I’ve been reviewing. It’s proved really popular. However, I won’t be abandoning the old favourites. There will still be plenty jazz, soul, funk, disco and Philly Soul.
Best Wishes,
Derek.
Dear Derek,
Enjoying the blog. I’ve been with you since day one. This month there’s been some great stuff. However, is there any sign of the SoulMusic Records and BBR Records? I saw you’d said that you hoped to have promo copies when you replied to Bobby. Are there any sign of them? It’s just I always read your reviews before buying them. Your reviews are spot on. I’ll hold off buying them until I’ve read your review.
Another thing is, is there any sign of the Loleatta Holloway album? It’s been delayed since last year. I tried contacting Cherry Red to find up, but never heard back from them. Maybe you could find out what’s going on.
Soon be two years of blogging Derek, keep it up. Yours is my favourite music blog.
Ron Donald
Hi Ron,
Thanks for your kind comments. Glad to hear that you’ve been a regular reader since the blog started. It doesn’t seem two years. Time has gone quickly.There’s still no sign of the SMR and BBR reviews. I had hoped they’d be here by now, because each day, I’m receiving hundreds of enquiries about them. As soon as I get them, I’ll get some reviews written. Then you’ll be able to decide whether to buy them.
As far as I know from talking to Cherry Red, the Loleatta Holloway album is still delayed. If you want, I can put you in touch with Cherry Red. They can keep you up to date with the release. You can let me know.
Best Wishes,
Derek.
Dear Derek,
Many thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I hope that you’ll get the promo copies of the BBR and SoulMusic Records soon. I’ll hold off buying them until I read your reviews.
Thanks for offering to put me in touch with Cherry Red, but I’d rather deal with you. At least you get back to me quickly. Any time I’ve tried contacting them, and it’s a number of times, I’ve never heard back. So, thanks, but no thanks.
I’ll look forward to seeing what’s in store for your 2nd anniversary. Maybe some Philly Soul?
Ron
Hi Derek,
I really enjoyed your history research behind library music in Britain and especially of KPM in the 60’s. I’ve been searching for KPM LP 21 which features Kenny Graham (and I believe his earier recordings from the old 78’s) and also Eric Spear, and a couple of other composers. Do you have any advice upon where to find thisi LP released in 1970?
Sincerely,
Bill
Hi Bill,
Thanks for your comments. Glad you enjoyed my review of Music For Dancefloors The KPM Music Library. I had a look for the KPM LP 21 on Ebay and Discogs, but neither site had a copy for sale. I’d suggest that you keep an eye on both sites, as they’ve always got plenty of KPM LPs and CDs for sale. Just now, Ebay has a lot of KPM releases listed. Ebay has also several Kenny Graham LPs advertised. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful, but if I see a copy for sale, I’ll be in touch.
Best Wishes,
Derek.
Great blog, so much to digest. I’m passionate about music too, it can mean so many things; it can be therapeutic, uplifting, nostalgic, a way to feel your feelings, as well as purely for aesthetic enjoyment etc. Wouldn’t life be less richer without music? I’m a lover of soul, funk, jazz funk and also love the Philly sound. Will gradually get round to reading some of your older posts. Thanks!
Hi there,
Thanks very much for your comments. I agree with everything you say. Music is so therapeutic and capable of provoking a variety of emotions and memories. It’s hard to imagine life without music. I hope you’ll enjoy reading the rest of the blog. There’s plenty to catch up, plus more every day.
Thanks again for your comments.
Best Wishes,
Derek.
Came across your blog while searching for a review of Salsoul Orchestra’s output, as I’m putting together a disco set.
Great info on here – Many thanks
Hi there,
Thanks for your comments. There’s plenty of classic disco in Salsoul’s back-catalogue for a disco set. Loleatta Holloway, First Choice, Double Exposure, Silvetti, Ripple and Carol Williams. Then there’s John Davis and His Monster Orchestra, another of the great disco orchestra.
There’s reviews of lot’s of disco compilations on my blog. I’d recommend any of the Disco Recharge or Disco Discharge, plus the three volumes of John Morales M&M Mixes. Then there’s Tom Moulton’s Philadelphia International Records’ remixes and three volumes of Philly ReGrooved. They’re both available as a vinyl box set.
Hope you find plenty of music for your disco mix.
Best Wishes,
Derek.
hi derek
i just discovered your music blog, it’s great! very interesting, full of love and passion.
i’m swiss, 44, musician, performing, listening, and recording.
your blog is kind of a “goldgrube” means kind of goldmine in english 🙂
Hi Derek, many thanks for your great review of our album Coffee and Disruption, we really appreciate it! Could we please have your permission to use extracts from it in our press & publicity materials, crediting you as author? Thanks, Derecho
Hi there,
I’m glad that you enjoyed my review of Coffee and Disruption. It’s a great album. Hope you’re working on the followup.
Please feel free to use my review. As long as I’m credited I don’t mind. Anything I can do to help. Good luck with with the future.
Regards,
Derek.
Thanks Derek – much appreciated!
Hi Derek, great blog, tons of information around here, I came across it reading your review of Møster; Inner earth. I would like to send you some music, do you have an email address?
Hi Derek, my name is Vince Cataldo and I was thrilled to read your article about Salsoul Strings – How Deep is Your Love. My father is Joe Cataldo, the trumpet player you mention several times in the article. By strange coincidence his basement was flooded this past weekend and he lost a lot of his albums including this one. He just discovered this article today and I know it meant a lot to him. Thank you! I have great memories as a kid going to Sigma with him and hanging in the sound booth. I grew up with all the great musicians you mention. What an amazing time for music! Thanks for publishing such an important part of music history and as my father always says, “Keep it Live!”
Hello there Derek
David here from The 1957 TFF. You might dig what us gents are doing.
Championed by Dave Leonard on Radio Unleashed in New York and Tom Robinson BBC6 music in the UK this is the title track ‘Cruise Control’, from our debut LP –
‘Private Jet Flashback’
You can find the rest of the LP, and more, here –
http://the1957tail-finfiasco.com/
Anyhow, hope you get a chance to listen & if you do please get in touch to say hello.
Chin, chin.
David – The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco
Hi Brittany,
Thanks for getting in contact. Good to hear from you. I’m always pleased to hear from people working for P.R. and record companies. I would be interested to hear about the Light In The Attic Records’ album you mentioned. They have released a lot of great music over the last few years. I’ll email you my details. Just keep an eye out for the email.
Regards,
Derek.
Hi Derek!
I would like to submit a CD copy of Beat Funktion’s new album Green Man to you for review. How can I do this?
Best,
Daniel Lantz
Hello Derek, ran across your blog today when I was looking for Janka Nabay’s Build Music. I’m the US publicist for that album, so just a quick note here to say THANKS for the nice review! I’m lead music publicist for rock paper scissors; if you’d like to check out any of of our global music clients please visit rockpaperscissors.biz and feel free to drop me a line to request any CDs or downloads.
thanks again!
Hi Ron,
Thanks for your kinds words. It’s good to hear from you. I’m pleased that you enjoyed my review of Janka Nabay’s Build Music. It’s a fantastic album, and has proved to be a hugely popular review. I hope the album is a big success, and introduces Janka’s music to a much wider audience.
I’ll certainly have a look at your client list, and will be in touch with you. It would be great if you could provide me with some CDs to review.
Have a good day.
Regards,
Derek.
Hi Derek – just discovered your fantastic blog this morning (through LinkedIn, I think) and read your entire post about Lighthouse.
Thank you so much for all of the amazing detail that went into your writing – I’ve always been a big Lighthouse fan!
However I didn’t discover them until One Fine Morning came out in 1971 when I was growing up in Southeast Texas. I’m now 60 years old, living in Washington DC, and about to launch a podcast called ClassicRockFans.com.
At the moment, I’m also playing keyboards in a garage band with an old friend of mine, and our wives.
He and I had a Chicago tribute band in high school back in 1970-1974, but we also loved Lighthouse.
We’ve finally mastered One Fine Morning enough to play it, and we’re having a great time.
Thanks again for your blog post. I look forward to reading more of them soon!
Best wishes,
Nelson Duffle
Washington, D.C.
Just found your blog (while researching Commander Cody) – nice work Derek!
hey derek! love your blog! I want to send you my music, whats your email or address to send a physical copy?
All the best!
Thanks so much for the review Derek! It is a pleasure to read how you experience our album Mind Vessel and understand how we approach making music. Best regards, John Derek Bishop 🙂
Hi John,
Glad that you enjoyed my review of Mind Vessel, which is a wonderful album. I’m hoping that there will be a followup.
I noticed that Svein Rikard Mathisen and Inge W. Breistein have just released a new album gadgets. If Inge would like me to review the album, tell him to get in touch.
Thanks for such a wonderful album as Mind Vessel. Looking forward to hearing some new music from you.
Regards,
Derek
Hi Derek – I was interested in more information on Chatahoochee Records, the Conte label (from your Murmaids blog post)
https://dereksmusicblog.com/2017/07/31/the-murmaids-what-might-have-been/
Any idea who owns the label these days? I’d love to contact them about their discography.
Rex Strother
Hi Derek,
I came across your site while doing research on The Creepshow – odd, isn’t it? Anyway, I really enjoy your writing style using a “storyteller” approach. I read the article on Vicki Fox and loved it!
To business: I have a rockabilly band from London called The Strays who are just about to release their debut full-length album. Can we discuss a review? 🙂
Thanks,
Nicole
Hey Derek!
Happy to read your review of my album “Tortusa / Breistein” a while back. I am releasing a new album, would be fun if you want to check it out and maybe write a review.
It´s here: https://pastpresenttortusa.weebly.com/listen.html
I can send you a high resolution download link if you like too.
Best regards from Norway,
John Derek
Hello Derek,
Love the blog and your writing. How can I submit a CD to you or contact you through email?
Best,
Mike D
Hi Derek!
Would you be interested in some brand new Swedish Alt-country/Southern Rock? The band Favorite Hippies third album “Northern Skies” is released friday 24 of January on all major streaming services and vill also be available on vinyl.
A single from the album is already out on Spotify:
http://bit.ly/pickandstrum
If you like it, please write us a line and we’ll provide you with the full album…
Kind regards,
Zach /FH
Hey…wondering if you can help. I am looking for Betty Swann (Betty Barton). Me and my wife got married to one of her songs…wanted to say hey to her. You said she lives in Vegas…any contact info on her?
Hi Derek,
I have released a jazz album and I would like to send it to you. Will you email your address to me?
Thanks,
Terese Evenstad
Hi Derek,
This is a very detailed and thorough music blog – thanks for your efforts here! I have an album that I’d love for you to consider reviewing if I can get in contact. All the best from Vancouver BC, Alvaro
Hi Derek,
I enjoy your reviews – I wonder if you would be open to listen to my upcoming release (genre lofi, chill), if you let me know where could I reach you with a dl link to the album.
Thank you for reading my comment
Latte Chill
Hi Derek,
I hope this finds you well. My name is Beatrice and I work for the promotion of Beats of War – Scotland’s first black Superhero, a recently released independent comic book by Glasgow-based comic designer, DJ and filmmaker Etienne Kubwado.
We are now excited to announce the release of ‘Love for an Alien’, the new Christmas single from Beats of War’s DJ E.T and Jaded Jane, which will be available on streaming platforms worldwide on Thursday 24th December, 2020.
Having already received press and community attention from across Scotland, Beats of War stars DJ E.T, a superhero who comes to Earth to find a way to save his home planet from robot invaders and in the process discovers music. Inspired by the writer’s own experience, the comic book looks at the barriers faced by people who immigrate to a new country.
Following debut single ‘Dat Juice’, ‘Love for an Alien’ was inspired by DJ E.T’s journey coming to planet Earth, meeting human beings and finally being introduced to music, dance and the arts.
I thought I would reach out to see if you would be open to promote the release on your platforms with a review or shout-out, as well as giving us your feedback on the track. Song creators DJ E.T and Jaded Jane are also available for interviews, please get in touch if you would like to schedule one.
We’d love to send a free copy of Beats of War and some merchandise your way as a wee Christmas treat from DJ E.T!
Thanks for your time and support for our project for now. I look forward to hearing back from you soon!
Kind regards,
Beatrice
My man Derek, hope you’re doing good. I appreciate what you’re doing for music. Without people like you, music would be less of a shared experience and more of a product.
I’m the drummer for a Miami-based rock band called Banana Chant and we’re planning on releasing our second record on March 20th. We describe it as a mixture of psychedelic and funk rock, but you never know how someone else will interpret it. We genuinely make music because we we love doing it. Clearly, during the pandemic it has been hard to be in the entertainment industry, but we are still trying to make it work.
It would be awesome to hear your thoughts on it. Hopefully you see this message and do follow through with it because you won’t regret it. I’ve attached a link that always auto updates to our newest releases. Currently, it’s a single off of our upcoming record, but eventually it will be the whole thing.
Anyways, I’ll stop yammering and let you do what you do best. Hope you enjoy it.
Hi Derek, I came across your site when I was looking for Gill Scott Heron. Great reviews from great music. I am webmanager from the Dutch website http://www.altcountryforum.nl We pay attention for every music genre and not a forum but a great website with reviews and interviews. Would it be a good idea that I translate some of beautiful stories and put it on my website? With offcourse reference to your website?
Hi Derek, can you contact me? I am the webmaster from the great Dutch website Altcountryforum, and be interested to have some from your great reviews (Which I shall translate to the Dutch language) at our website.
Hi Derek!
I’m a publicist from The Netherlands but living in Poland. Would love to send you some music I think you’ll enjoy. Can you let me know where to send links/infos?
Thanks!
Arlette
Hello Derek, I have a new album coming out next month, I’d love to send you a digital copy if you do review those, thank you
Hi Derek,
How are you doing? I appreciate your love for music and that you’ve chosen to pursue it in this way. I’m an artist myself, and I’ve just finished my first EP. May you please take a gander? I’ve included a link. my email is sahennaidoo007@gmail.com
Thank you in advance,
Sahen Naidoo
https://orpheus7.bandcamp.com/album/soundtrack-for-the-film-sulitari