Into My Soul

I'll be away from my desk for a couple of days, but I'll leave you with some gospel truth. Take it away, reverends...
Rev. J.C. Burnett - Jesus Of Nazareth, King Of The Jews
Rev. Johnny Blakey - Jesus Was Here On Business
Rev. Charlie Jackson - Wrapped Up And Tangled Up In Jesus

Alegría Time

High time for some flamenco puro again, so let's put the spotlight on José Valencia, a fine fine singer from the fair town of Lebrija. Muy gitano!
José Valencia - Bulerías (Del Pañolito)

Calling Me Last Night

It's six pack time again, folks. This time, you got to lift - or throw - ev'ry voice and sing! You know you want to. Artwork as usual by the lovely Tinca.
The Radiants -Voice Your Choice
The Bees - Voices Green And Purple
Anita Carter - Voice Of The Bayou
Nick Drake - Voice From The Mountain
Buddy Boy Hawkins - Voice Throwing Blues
Shooby Taylor - Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing

Love Is A Rose

If I need soothing music, I often turn to the works of Jack Rose, the acoustic picker who died way too young back in 2009. For some reason or other, I found that his modern take on John Fahey's American Primitivism works a treat aboard airplanes, and especially when you're leaving a place you don't really want to say goodbye to. Renowned underground labels of love VHF and Three Lobed will soon make sure six of his albums are back in print, including the mighty Opium Musick from 2003, which happens to be my fave. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Jack Rose - Yaman Blues

Come Home Now

"All the things we love, we lose..." Now here's a heavy trip definitely worth taking. Personal misery often brings out the best in artists, and that's certainly the case with Nick Cave and his new album Skeleton Tree, an eulogy of sorts for his lost son. Over inventive dark soundscapes courtesy of trusted sidekick Warren Ellis, Saint Nick solemnly recites his stream of conciousness-like lyrics, as though he is too beaten to lift his voice and really sing. Phew.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Anthrocene

Yes Way!

Find your way with a soulful six pack, my amigos da musica. You know you can... Cool artwork to make you feel that way once more by Tinca.
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Way Over There
Aretha Franklin - Ain't No Way
Otis Clay - Got To Find A Way
Moses Dillard & Tex-Town Display - I've Got To Find A Way (To Hide My Hurt)
Annette Peacock - One Way
Blackalicious - Make You Feel That Way

Old And Young

A relaxed early roots gem from '72 for all you top cats out there. The band is an early incarnation of future reggae superstars Black Uhuru, the song a Curtis Mayfield original (so never mind the credits on the lovely label pictured above). What more can one possibly want?
Uhuru (The Sound Of Freedom) - Folk Song

Be Elsewhere

Kenny Anderson a.k.a. King Creosote is at it again. Good news, I'd say. Just sample the gorgeous lush track that opens Astronaut Meets Appleman to hear why. From Scotland with love, indeed.
King Creosote - You Just Want

Rough & Tough

Just got the sad news that Cecil Bustamente Campbell, better known as Prince Buster, passed away yesterday. The legendary ska pioneer from Orange Street, Kingston was 78. Miss him.
Prince Buster - Judge Dread
Prince Buster - Al Capone

Super Dream

While waiting for the new Bad Seeds album, which won't be long now, let's turn to one of Cave's old side projects. This Barry Adamson remix of one of my fave Grinderman songs (warning: rich imagery alert) always goes down a treat. Give it to me...
Grinderman - Palaces Of Montezuma (remix)

Gotta Get Away

Got a righteous reggae gem for you today, courtesy of that fine singer from Saint Ann called Willie - but a bit confusingly sometimes also Willi - Williams, he of Armagideon Time fame.
Willie Williams - Jah Righteous Plan/Version