Roots Music Report

Liner Notes:

About the Album

MICKE BJORKLOF CELEBRATES 60TH BIRTHDAY WITH DOUBLE RELEASE

Hokahey! Records / Continental Record Services are thrilled to announce two new album releases from Finnish bluesman and bandleader Micke Bjorklof, marking his 60th birthday celebration. Under the theme "Both Sides Of The Bluesman," these albums showcase the distinct sounds of Bjorklof’s two separate line-ups, Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip – Outtakes and Micke & Lefty feat. Chef – Live On Air. Both albums were released in May, 2025.

Micke & Lefty feat. Chef announces the release of a new double live album ”Live On Air” to celebrate the their 25th anniversary, set for release in Europe on May 16th, 2025.

Finnish acoustic ”power trio”, Micke & Lefty feat. Chef is thrilled to announce their first ever live album Live On Air,  recorded in collaboration with Deutschlandfunk radio. Volume One, a studio live session for DLF Radio’s On Stage program, was recorded during the 2020 pandemic. Volume Two captures a dynamic 2023 performance at the Blues Baltica Festival in Eutin, Germany. This double live album presents the trio’s electrifying and intimate performances, showcasing their mastery of acoustic blues. Featuring 25 tracks, including originals and blues classics, from the band's live repertoire over the years. The album also celebrates the trio’s 25th anniversary.

"Reaching this milestone is incredible, specially when this all started as a spin off of my main band. As a celebration of music and friendship we wanted to share these recordings also as a tribute to our long journey and audience. This live album is a real deal, raw performance as live as it can be with no overdubs" says Bjorklof and continues,

Story behind this Volume One studio live recording is that we had just finished our Let The Fire Lead album and ready to start release tour in Europe. We were in Germany and played first show of the tour in Hamburg and next night it happened, BOOM, the pandemic hit the world and everything fell apart. Later that spring Deutschlandfunk radio from Germany got in touch and suggested that we could produce a live show from our rehearsal studio and they would broadcast it on their On Stage -radio show. Well, in that situation with having a brand new album out and no chance to promote it on the road, it was an easy decision to say yes. With some help of our trusted engineer Kimmo Ahola, we set up a mobile recording studio and produced about hour show with some chats and these tracks you find on this Live Volume One album. 

Few years later we played at Blues Baltica Festival, Eutin Germany, Deutschlandfunk radio recorded and aired shows from the festival. What a great night that was with a really enthusiastic audience. Volume Two is a collection of songs from that concert. 

"Original! Lively! Entertaining! The trio’s performance is as unique as it is high-quality. Bjorklof stomps on an old suitcase instead of a bass drum, Lefty Leppänen wields his vintage guitar with effortless mastery, and Mr. Chef’s semi-acoustic bass adds depth. This Finnish acoustic blues is dynamic, original, and captivating." – Deutschlandfunk Radio

Micke & Lefty feat.Chef are known for their hard work, humble attitude, and passionate dedication and commitment to their music. It´s said that they are forming one of the most exciting acoustic blues and roots bands in European blues scene today. One of their strongest trademarks is the powerful three-part harmony vocals as well as strong lead vocals sung by all band members. The band also stands out with their original material. It´s a rich mix of American blues & roots music with influences from early delta- and country blues, spiced up with some gospel, bluegrass, rock, soul and even Hawaiian flavors. Willie Dixon´s Big Three Trio has definitely been one big influence for the band as well as many other blues greats. Especially in the beginning when developing their own sound. All these key elements backed up with world class, explosive slide guitar, suitcase drum set, tight acoustic bass and harmonica together make the band sound distinctive and authentic in the blues scene. 

Bandleader Micke Bjorklof is an award winning blues artist, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader from Finland. In a career spanning more than thirty years, he has released 13 albums with his world-class bluesrock band Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip and acoustic power trio Micke & Lefty feat.Chef. Bjorklof with his bands are a well-established name in their native Finland and throughout Scandinavia where they have been Ambassadors of Blues music for over 30 years. To date they have toured into closer 20 countries all from Japan, USA and Europe. He´s also known from his collaboration with Finnish Slide Guitar Queen Erja Lyytinen. Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip was founded in 1991. Around year 2000 he started an acoustic side project with the band's guitarist Lefty Leppänen to be called Micke & Lefty and couple years later joined by bassplayer Chef. Over the years this spinoff  grew into a whole new band with its own repertoire and recordings.