RAY DORSET (a.k.a. MUNGO JERRY) releases a new blues album in the UK in May 2004. 'ADULTS ONLY' is a classic blues album, and has been acclaimed by fellow musicians as one of Ray's best and has led to hot interest in the USA, South Africa and Europe where it has already been released, as befits a man who:

Ray will make a personal appearance to launch 'ADULTS ONLY' in the UK at FOYLES, 113 CHARING CROSS ROAD, LONDON and also with the band at THE BORDERLINE - tickets £5. The venues are next to each other on Charing Cross Road, where he will play a short acoustic set and sign albums.

Ray is appearing in two forthcoming documentaries on BBC TV & Channel 4 which will focus on his better known role as the writer of 'IN THE SUMMERTIME' (sold 30m+ copies worldwide in 1970 & more recently covered by SHAGGY). Ray frequently appears on UK, US, German and other European TV and radio. His chart hits ('IN THE SUMMERTIME', 'BABY JUMP', 'LADY ROSE' and others) are used in many movies and commercials including THE CRYING GAME.

MUNGO JERRY and RAY DORSET will embark on a world tour this year including the ‘Mungo Jerry re-exports the blues’ tour of America in June 2004. The US tour will kick off in Dallas, Texas in the Deep Ellum area where LEADBELLY and BLIND LEMON JEFFERSON played and lived. Gigs are being planned for Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans and the NW region around Seattle. The world tour will then go to South Africa & Australia in late 2004/ early 2005, ending Spring 2005 back in the USA taking in NYC, LA, Dallas and Miami with some final dates in Latin America & the Caribbean.

An autumn UK tour will launch the 'THE EMPERORS NEW CLOTHES: UNCOVERED'! All the material is written by Ray and features his distinctive style. The album draws upon some of Ray’s roots influences including the blues of JOHN LEE HOOKER, PAPA GEORGE LIGHTFOOT, CANNED HEAT, HOWLIN'WOLF; and the soul of AL GREEN & OTIS REDDING.

The musicians working with Ray reflect the calibre, range and longevity of his work. Ray’s sound is distinctive whether working with R&B warriors or his own young and talented MUNGO JERRY band musicians & blues guests. Dorset is a musician’s musician. Ray’s band for the Legends of R&B tour had the highest credentials including;

Ray is committed to an authentic, ‘less is more’ roots sound in whatever he plays. MUNGO JERRY’s current playing style is in the blues/soul/jazz groove. Ray calls it “music straight from the heart and no B/S – for adults only” This authenticity is the very thing which enabled RAY DORSET & MUNGO JERRY to play to rapturous festival audiences in now legendary performances alongside the likes of THE GRATEFUL DEAD, PINK FLOYD, SLY & THE FAMILY STONE, JOHNNY & EDGAR WINTER, THE KINKS and HENDRIX.

It’s authentic, joyous, infectious music whether in blues, rockabilly, soul or pop mode. MUNGO JERRY’s sound means different things to different people – “impossible to classify but real music” is the most typical comment made. It’s ‘real’ music in the same way as real food and beer appeals: it’s a ‘feel-good’ factor in the current musical scene.

The RAY DORSET/MUNGO JERRY sound plays equally well in the big festival and smaller club venues. Dorset is committed to authenticity in live and recorded music. Ray has a repertoire of songs written in the 40 year period since the 1960s when he played in the same environs as many in the British blues scene including the ROLLING STONES in West London.

In the midst of this busy recording and touring schedule Ray is working on a number of charitable, educational and musical cultural heritage projects in the UK and abroad. He is concluding work on a number of 'IN THE SUMMERTIME' themed projects including a musical and restaurant. Ray’s new record label – BluesRoute – will be launched later this year to make classic world blues material available to a wide audience.

ROLAND DUNNE - (MUNGO JERRY MANAGER)

To celebrate and promote the MUNGO JERRY BLUESBAND's great new album, 'ADULTS ONLY', Easyplay have produced three limited edition replica Mercedes tour trucks. They have been produced in three colours - blue, green and orange - and are available through Easyplay in Germany, or through the official German website. You can contact Michael Pohl for more info on how to buy.