Clock Of Life

Hola, my fellow flamenco enthusiasts. Got a real treat for you today, from a recently released project called Caijeré. So please welcome Juan Villar on vocals, aided by guitarist Niño Jero. Deep stuff. ¡Toma!

Juan Villar - En El Reloj De Mi Vida

Worth The Ride

I've never been much of a Bone Machine aficionado, although for the life of me I can't say exactly why. This little beauty sure is classic Waits though, ragged glory and all.

Tom Waits - A Little Rain

Ain't No Sunshine

In case you're not familiar with the universe of brilliant jazz avant-gardist Sun Ra, a new double disc compilation on the Strut label just might be all you need. Curated by London dj Gilles Peterson, the aptly titled To Those Of Earth... And Other Worlds looks like a fine fine introduction to all things Arkestra. Out this November.

Sun Ra Quartet - When There Is No Sun

Coming Home

"A local and statewide newsbreak, then a weather alert announced another hard rain coming. I could already feel it in my bones. The song Your Protector by Fleet Foxes followed. Its melancholic menace filled my heart with strange adrenaline. Time to go..." That's from M Train, the delicate new memoir by Patti Smith. Often filled with a certain sadness, but always uplifting in the end, it's a tonic for the soul, just like a good cup of strong black coffee.

Fleet Foxes - Your Protector

Hard Road

Today's a good day for a mighty fine live quartet by Sir Van, dug up from the early seventies bootleg vaults. Sail into the mystic and listen to the lion, my amigos da musica.

Van Morrison - Dead Or Alive (live '71)
Van Morrison - Friday's Child (live '71)
Van Morrison - Everybody's Talking (live '73)
Van Morrison - Since I Fell For You (live '73)

Minstrel Boy

Underrated Canadian singer/songwriter David Wiffen soon found out that being on the road to make his fortune and fame didn't suit him very well. To quote: "Halfway through my last trip West I was making plans for home..." From Coast To Coast Fever ('73), an album you should own. Really.

David Wiffen - Lucifer's Blues

Elephant Stone

Horns and jungle drums unite as Scratch & company dub it up dreader than dread. Trust me, this is upsetting. Find it on Blackboard Jungle Dub, a true reggae masterpiece. This one goes out to Marlon James by the way, first Jamaican to win the Man Booker prize. Can't wait to start reading his Brief History Of Seven Killings, my brethren.

The Upsetters - Elephant Rock

Loving Heart In Two

"Don't sit by your telephone if you're waiting on a call from me..." Ole Charlie Rich: sadness incarnate.

Charlie Rich -  There Won't Be Anymore

Trembles When He Sings

"At the whispering stream, at the bubbling brook, the fishes leap up to take a look..." From the impeccable Lyre Of Orpheus album, here's Saint Nick the lover, and at his pastoral best at that.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Breathless

Moving South

"Pink is the colour of my true love's dress, and black is the colour of her heart..." Lovers of all things Americana take note, please. Known best for his rootsy guitar work under the orders of Gillian Welch, Dave Rawlings has just released his second solo effort Nashville Obsolete and a good 'un it is, too. The wistful sample trip below reminded me of Dylan's masterful Brownsville Girl quite a bit, which is not a bad thing of course. Skyline dated? Not at all.

Dave Rawlings Machine - The Trip

Green Eyes

Paco De Lucía, master of flamenco guitar, gone but not forgotten. This delicate six string serenade hails from his final album. Take it away, maestro.

Paco De Lucía - Ojos Verdes

Help Me

Was gone, am back. To make it up to you, here's a genuine psychodrama from the psychedelic sixties. And a very special one: this nugget must surely be one of the weirdest songs ever committed to disc. "The spider's coming closer..." Bad trip, dudes.

The Monocles - Spider And The Fly