Unitone Skank

Skanking easy today with a genuine Jamaican ten pack, so turn up that bass if you please. Gotta keep on moving, y'all. This one's massive.

Augustus Pablo - Skanking Easy
Ray I - Weatherman Skank
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - Ghetto Skank
Shorty The President - Yamaha Skank
Erroll Brown - Sky Nation Skank
The Silvertones - Rejoicing Skank
Little Joe - Tradition Skank
The  Upsetters - Kentucky Skank
Dr. Alimantado - Unitone Skank
The Revolutionaries - Rema Skank

Must Be This Way

Let's hear it for a very convincing southern soul ballad from the year of 1968. "Just smile and believe I'm coming back to your side..." So smoooth!

The Masqueraders - Let's Face Facts

Filled With Rubble

On first listen, we're not too impressed by Zimmy's tenth Bootleg Series installment to be honest. And that's not even counting the fact that the renowned rip-off merchants of Sony are asking top dollar for a deluxe edition, which includes the great-sounding 1969 Isle of Wight gig with the Band. On the regular two disc version, only a couple of tunes really stand out: in particular the flawless Pretty Saro and two cool versions of Time Passes Slowly. And that solo piano demo of When I Paint My Masterpiece is an unexpected gem for sure.

Bob Dylan - When I Paint My Masterpiece (demo version)
Bob Dylan & The Band - I Pity The Poor Immigrant (live Isle Of Wight '69)

Big Liar

And here's another Reverend at work: the amazing blind street singer Gary Davis. Just say no!

Reverend Gary Davis - Say No To The Devil

Burden Down

"It gets so heavy, Jesus..." Do pay attention at approximately 1.54, 'cause that's when the Rev's Fender Mustang kicks in. Magical moment for sure.

The Reverend Charlie Jackson - Fix It Jesus

No Time To Lose

"Meet me in the bottom, bring my boots and shoes..." Presenting a low down six pack to counter the eternal Monday morning working man's blues. Move on up, people.

Pink Anderson - Meet Me In The Bottom
Kid Bailey - Mississippi Bottom Blues
Tom Waits - Bottom Of The World
Bobbie Gentry - Okolona River Bottom Band
Prince Alla - Bucket Bottom
J Church - Bottom Rung

None Better

High time for another beauty out of New Zealand's legendary Flying Nun stable. One day I'll go and visit the fair town of Dunedin, if only to be "carried in the mothlight's eery glow..."

The Terminals - Mothlight

I Do

After a 16 year absence, the Scud Mountain Boys have teamed up again, and that's mighty good news. I still treasure the mid-nineties output of Joe Pernice & co, their impeccable Dance The Night Away album being a particular favourite. Lord knows I tried, but the oft-lauded Pernice Brothers - Joe's next project - never moved me just the way the Scuds did. So eat a chocolate rabbit, watch Captain Kangaroo, and give these guys another chance if you please. Do you love the sun?

Scud Mountain Boys - Double Bed
Scud Mountain Boys - The Mendicant

Glowing Gown

"Newly mystic virgin rose about to sing and dance among the grass and grow..." Phoenix's finest play that holy shuffle. #Santa Salome. Light a candle if you dare.

Sun City Girls - Holy Ground

Down Your Street

Miss Marshall covers - and considerably stretches out, losing a comma in the process - an old Moby Grape tune, and she does that very well indeed. "And I got no money, but I will pay you before I die..." Wow's the word.

Cat Power - Naked If I Want To
Moby Grape - Naked, If I Want To

Ten Thousand Pesos

A classic tribute to the late bandit king annex folk hero of Sinaloa province, Mexico, dating back to 1953. "¿Qué dices mano, qué dices pues?" Oh yes.

Adan Y Eva con Mariachi Gualedajara - Corrido De Heraclio Bernal

Throw Me A Line

"Well... I've got a line, and you've got a pole, now I'll meet you at the fishin' hole..." Back from my hols and back in your life, with a fine piece of prime live Feat.

Little Feat - Sailing Shoes (live Denver '73)