Mind Games

Lounge music for deadheads? The strictly instrumental jazzrock of Neil Casal and pals may be impeccably constructed and played, but them cheesy synths really are pushing it. A tad too slick for me alas, my amigos da musica.
Circles Around The Sun - On My Mind

Bells Of Heaven

Hey now, not enough dough or stamina to get lost in that massive new Pacific Northwest ’73-’74 Grateful Dead box set? Solace is found in the form of a handy three disc sampler of highlights called Believe It If You Need It. All aboard? Let's hit the north with Jerry & co.
Grateful Dead - China Doll (live Seattle '74)

In My Circulation

Just got the sad news that Johnny Strike has passed away. The singer of obscure but great San Francisco punk pioneers Crime, real name Gary John Bassett, was 70. The fierce slab of noise called Hot Wire My Heart, Crime's first single from '76, is a bona fide punk classic. Miss him.
Crime - Hot Wire My Heart
Crime - Piss On Your Dog

Rivers Of My Memory

Staying with miss Gentry a while longer, as her duet with Glen Campbell on John Hartford's stone immortal country classic is very tasty indeed.
Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell - Gentle On My Mind

Going Mad

Before the immortal Ode To Billie Joe and a highly succesful showbiz career, Bobbie Gentry sang a couple of duets on a session for Jody Reynolds, he of Endless Sleep fame. When Ode became an unexpected smash, Requiem For Love, a creditable track in Nancy & Lee mode, was reissued, opportunistically with Gentry's name now first on the label. Must have pissed Reynolds off for sure.
Jody Reynolds & Bobbie Gentry - Requiem For Love
Jody Reynolds & Bobbie Gentry - Stranger In The Mirror

Space Place

Back with a beauty. Shabaka Hutchings follows the spaceways of Sun Ra and co here, and it's a pleasure to tag along. Got this from a fine fine sampler called We Out Here, filled to the brim with equally adventurous contemporary London jazz cats. Much recommended, my amigos da musica.
Shabaka Hutchings - Black Skin, Black Masks

For A Spell

"Spin it again, ride it out so you can tell..." Finally off on my holidays today, my amigos da musica. Normal business will be resumed after a week or two of sun, sea, and piracy. ¡Hasta luego!
Calexico - Writer's Minor Holiday

What I Am

Punk rock in raw power mode never goes out of style, especially in Australia. The Saints, Radio Birdman and countless others paved the way down under, and here come new kids Civic from Geelong, whose New Vietnam mini album really rips. Search & destroy folks.
Civic - New Vietnam

Light Come Shining

"I saw the light that a gambler don't see, when I saw the light it was shining on me..." Presenting an illuminating six pack for your listening pleasure. Glowing artwork as usual by Tinca. Seen the light yet?
Bull City Red - I Saw The Light
The Uglies - I See The Light
The Shy Guys - Black Lightning Light
Judah Eskender Tafari - Jah Light
Ned Oldham - The One Light
Goat - The Light Within

Been Crying

Just got the sad news that Aretha Louise Franklin has passed away today. The Queen of Soul, without a doubt one of the greatest singers ever, was 76. Miss her.
Aretha Franklin - Drowning In My Own Tears

For The Siren

Listen closely and it's quite easy to picture a huge, blood-red sun sinking down slowly. Master picker Daniel Bachman's new album, called The Morning Star, is out now via the venerable Three Lobed label.
Daniel Bachman - Song For The Setting Sun III