This review finds me in the waiting area of a garage, as yet another mechanic tries to work out what’s wrong with my car, charging me for yet another diagnostic test and for their time. I wish I could command the same hourly rate! LOL!
However, I’m ready to spend the time pleasantly with a new independent blues-rock and funk release from Sammer Salah.
Short Artist Bio
Sammer Salah is an Alexandria-born, Berlin-based singer, songwriter and guitarist whose sound moves freely between blues-rock, funk, psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll, experimental sounds and North African influences.
Inspired by artists ranging from Jimi Hendrix and Peter Green to the great voices and composers of Arabic music, Sammer has developed his own musical identity.
His independently released album, SAM VOL 1, is a 13-track collection of original songs bringing together a decade of writing, experimentation, humour and personal experiences. Moving between raw live-band energy, electronic experimentation and more intimate recordings, the album reflects an artist shaped by different cultures, countries and musical worlds.
In a brief conversation with Sammer, he explained:
“I didn’t want to make a one-genre album just because that’s how the music industry likes to package artists. I wanted to make an album that sounds like me, including the strange, messy bits, and hopefully reach different kinds of audiences.”
The writing process also reflects a lengthy journey, with some songs taking years to reach their final destination.
“Some songs are 10 years old, some are new. For a long time, paperwork, moving countries and life itself kept getting in the way. This album is me finally saying: enough waiting for the perfect moment. I’ll create the perfect moment myself.”
My Review
Released on September 15, 2026, SAM VOL 1 is available to stream and purchase now.
“Mr Mo Jo” – “Mr Mojo is one of the songs I really enjoyed making because it’s made totally live from A to Z. No samples, no synths, just pure rock energy!”
I can see why Sammer enjoyed making this one. It has loads of confidence and struts its way through my headphones. There’s a funky rock feel here, the kind of track I’d expect to put on a jukebox in a bar in Tangiers! I liked it, and it pulled me straight into the album. There’s a solid guitar break towards the end, alongside a pleasing blend of instruments.
“Birdy Nirdy” – “A birdy-nirdy on the loose!”
This track retains the feel of a live club performance, taking me towards The Clash musically. It’s an energetic, bounce-around kind of track, with plenty of movement and attitude.
“Ya Sam” changes direction a little. It’s kind of stealthy, with a quite sensual musical feel. I liked the rhythm and drum work, and there’s a danceable quality to the groove. For me, this was an interesting track, one I’d revisit. It has a range of layers to explore, yet still rips along in just 2:37.
“Ego” – “A naughty mosquito” (LOL).
There’s some very funny lyric writing here, with a real montage of ideas and creative thoughts. At 2:04, it’s a short track, but it doesn’t feel clipped or unfinished. Once again, there’s a range of sounds to get your ears around.
“Dreamer Guy” includes little backing-vocal touches that make you want to bob along. It’s bluesy pop (kind of!), while the synth adds some different, swirling dimensions. For some reason, it took me straight to the soundtracks of those seventies American detective shows, particularly when the cars are chasing each other around the streets! It’s an enjoyable mid-album track that adds another shade to Sammer’s musical palette.
“Star Keeper” – “I’m a lone wolf far away from home, and I’ll be shining day by day.”
This spacey track takes a more electronic, experimental direction. It was the first song I didn’t really connect with, although it does move the album into different territory. Not every musical experiment is going to land with every listener, and this one wasn’t quite for me.
“Bad Bad Bad Guy” is a clap-along, beachside kind of fun track. Playing with echoing backing vocals, it comes across as an experimental, stripped-back piece. It adds a different perspective to the album and keeps the listening experience moving.
“No Fun Chant” returns to an infectious chant and beat, with lyrics that turn expectations upside down: the rabbit gets the gun!
I like music that seeks to stretch the listening experience, and this is another track that does exactly that. Each song has had its own identity so far, and this one is no exception. I found myself moving along to it, making it a solid album track.
“Hallucination Nation” is more joyous, and I liked the soft, slightly menacing vocal performance. The “magic in the air”, the infusion of backing vocals and the beat, alongside those little guitar breaks, make this an enjoyable late-album number.
“Dingy Lingy” reflects on playing your music too loudly and the inevitable arrival of the police when you do! There’s humour in the lyrics, and the chorus is clearly looking to raise a smile. It has a great beat and is an easy one to enjoy.
“Avatar” – at 2:07, this is the shortest track on the album. It’s cinematic in style, the kind of music that could slip neatly into a scene from a new sci-fi film. It arrives at speed, kicks into gear and leaves before you’ve had much time to settle in!
“I Realized” closes the album with a slower, more thoughtful track, complete with a hint of a reggae beat. Sammer delivers a stripped-back sound here: it’s less busy, less heavily produced and more personal. After all the stylistic twists and turns that have come before, it’s an interesting way to bring the album to a close.
The Verdict
Summing up his musical approach, Sammer told us:
“One minute it’s kinda bluesy, then funky, then experimental and electronic, then something that sounds like North Africa playing rock ‘n’ roll. That’s pretty much what goes on inside my head anyway.”
And that, really, is the appeal of SAM VOL 1. Sammer Salah isn’t interested in following a musical satnav that insists he stick to one genre and take the next exit towards commercial conformity. Instead, he takes us on a journey through blues, funk, rock, electronic experimentation and unexpected detours, with humour and personality along the way.
Not every track hit the mark for me, but there’s plenty here to explore, and I enjoyed the album’s willingness to experiment rather than play it safe. There’s a sense of an artist finally getting his ideas out into the world on his own terms.
After a decade of writing, waiting and navigating life’s interruptions, Sammer has finally created his own perfect moment. “SAM VOL 1” is a varied, occasionally quirky and often entertaining collection that refuses to sit still for too long. If you like your music with a little blues, a little funk and a healthy dose of the unexpected, this album is well worth investigating.
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The album is available on Bandcamp here
By Stevie Ritson
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