A Gift

Have to leave you to your own devices for a week or so, but I hope this fiery flamenco six pack will help you make it through. ¡Suerte y hasta pronto!

Diego El Cigala - Te La Regalo
Antonio Mairena - A Mis Enemigos
José Mercé - Sé Que Encontraré
Duquende - Plaza Real
Fernando De La Morena - Era Un Llanto
Chano Lobato - Alegrías

Pray On

Jazz, soul, gospel even? Who the cap fits. Presenting a lovely track from that other wonderful album of 'trans-African music' Archie Shepp recorded in the early seventies - his tour de force Attica Blues being its counterpart of course. Give praise.

Archie Shepp -  A Prayer

From The Barrio

Two infective gems by one of 'em legendary old vocalists from the Buena Vista Social Club circle. True Música Cubana never goes out of style. ¡Me gusto!

Ibrahim Ferrer - Bruca Manigua
Ibrahim Ferrer -Hay Que Entrarle A Palos A Este

Stupid And Careless

Take the weight off your feet and enjoy a lovely confession by Kath Bloom, aided on guitar by the elusive Loren Mazzacane Connors. "I made mistakes before..."

Kath Bloom & Loren Mazzacane Connors - This River

It's Toasted

Reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet, folks.

Lucky Thompson - Invitation

Natty Congo

Manley Augustus Buchanan, better known as Big Youth, tells it like it is in a shimmering Phil Pratt production. "All I see is pure frustration..."

Big Youth - Keep Your Dread

What Did They See

Tasteful faux flamenco guitars create an atmosphere that's somehow vaguely threatening. From the majestic Secrets Of The Beehive, possibly the ideal David Sylvian solo album.

David Sylvian - When Poets Dreamed Of Angels

Try So Hard

Presenting the closing tune of Cian Nugent's brand new Night Vision album. Starting out with a guitar exercition in John Fahey's Takoma School vein, it adds a full band after a few minutes, picking up speed and steam and crazy rhythms along the way. Epic.

Cian Nugent - Year Of The Snake

Use Your Brain

Came a little late to the party with this one, as it took me a while to realise that the Dr. Yen Lo moniker actually meant Ka in disguise. The left-of-centre Brooklyn rapper, collaborating with a producer called  Preservation, once again delivers a fine example of innovative and intelligent HipHop here, loosely based on the movie The Manchurian Candidate. Well worth checking out.

Dr. Yen Lo - Day 3

Check Yourself

Roots time, with a cool Horace Andy tune and a wicked deejay version thereof by wildman Jah Woosh. Check out that wonderful deep bass, my brethren. To be found on an amazing collection of Keith Hudson productions called Studio Kinda Cloudy.

Horace Andy - Don't Think About Me
Jah Woosh - I'm Alright

He Is Coming

Very welcome and out now on the mighty Drag City label: Pond Scum, a fine collection of stark and intimate performances by our bonnie lad Will Oldham, recorded way back when at a couple of John Peel's famous sessions. And guess what? He even pays homage to another Prince.

Bonnie Prince Billy - The Cross

The Hook

Didn't get to see too many blues legends live alas, as most of 'em had passed away before I had a chance to buy myself a ticket. But I was lucky enough to see John Lee Hooker in concert once, back in '88. Made quite an impression, although he didn't show off his characteristic guitar work as much as I would have liked. A honky with a ponytail took care of the six string stuff mostly. Heck, John Lee was getting on in years after all... Anyway, here's a six pack of choice cuts in remembrance.

John Lee Hooker  - Two White Horses
John Lee Hooker - Black Snake
John Lee Hooker - No Friend Around (a.k.a. T.B.'s Killing Me)
John Lee Hooker - I'm Going Away
John Lee Hooker - I'm Bad Like Jesse James
John Lee Hooker -The Motor City Is Burning