Mariëlla Tirotto & the Blues Federation, with the half Italian singer Mariëlla Tirotto being the leading lady of the band, is a band with international features. In the past the band became known as Nederblues.nl and since then it has become a familiar name in the Dutch blues scene. Next to the leading lady and lead singer Mariëlla Tirotto the band consists of bass guitarist / pianist Heins Greten, guitarist Harald Koll, blues harpist Michel de Kok and drummer John Kakiay. The band has a varied repertoire of a mixture of own work and arrangements of existing songs. In October 2008 the band went into the Beaufort Studios in Bovenkarspel (the Netherlands) to record their debut-CD called 'Somewhere Down The Road'.
 
Finally, after much blood, sweat and tears the long-expected debut-album 'Somewhere Down The Road' by Mariëlla Tirotto and The Blues Federation has become a fact. And how! The result was more than waiting for. On the CD there are 13 tracks, 10 of which are from the band itself. It is a variety of musical styles among which blues / rock, Latin and jazz. On the album a brass section consisting of Ton Peeters, Cor Jansen, Jan de Laat and Leo Leest plays in a number of songs.
The CD starts catchy and rough with a blues rock-like number 'Playing The Game' whereas in 'You Don't Care' you hear a terrific brass section, jazz with a swinging beat and stamping funk. 'Confused  Woman's Blues' is wonderful, a strong and particularly beautifully sung slow blues number. A number with great emotional weight and depth. The Latin-like 'Wintertime Blues' is beautiful as well. Contrary to what you would expect from the title this sunny song has a lovely rhythm. The brass section comes out really well and the great Santana-like guitar-play by Harald is fantastic. The cover 'Window Of My Eyes' from Harry Muskee, starting with a marvellous piano-intro, has become terrific. The singing is quiet and the guitar-, bass-, drum- and harmonica-playing are subdued. So has 'Sometimes', a ballad, in which Mariëlla's warm vocals fully come out. The last cover is 'House On The Hill', an arrangement by Eelco Geling. Musically put together very nicely. Splendid guitar-play by Harald and Michel's extremely subtle blues harp. The CD ends with the bonus-track 'After Hours', a splendid and relaxed jazzy instrumental number.
 
We cannot but say that Mariëlla Tirotto and the Blues Federation has  made a beauty of a CD. It is simply a very good debut and with it the band put up a tremendous achievement. We are convinced many will agree.