Time To Dance

Finally managed to track down the second volume of Bunny Wailer's Solomonic singles compilations. Irie vibes all around. Because just like on part one, there's a lot of timeless treasure to be found on Rise & Shine. Better light that chalice now, my brethren.

Bunny Wailer - Cease Fire

Lush Life

Progpop they call it, whatever that may be. Don't really know what to make of Psychic Temple's acclaimed album III just yet, but Chris Schlarb, hip priest from Long Beach, sure is on to something. I really dig that soaring violin on the lush and mellow Neon Belly for instance. Check!

Psychic Temple - Neon Belly

Lovely Times

Just got the sad news that Jaki Liebezeit has passed away. The highly inventive drummer of seminal krautrock formation Can was 78. Miss him.

Can - Millionenspiel
Can - Shikaku Maru Ten
Holger Czukay, Jah Wobble, Jaki Liebezeit - How Much Are They?

Crazy Rhythms

And here's yet another one that got away, but should have been in my end of year list for sure. Couldn't find a copy of the much-lauded Wood/Metal/Plastic/Pattern/Rhythm/Rock in shops anywhere around here, so finally had to go for the Bandcamp option. Glad I did, as the highly inventive instrumental duo of Rick Brown and Che Chen never ceases to amaze. File under truly hypnotic shit from the Apple.

75 Dollar Bill - Cummins Falls

Down That Road

Another straggler from last year, and a pleasant one it is, too. Scott Hirsch, like Phil Cook before him, is another member of His Golden Messenger with his own album to do. Blue Rider Songs has got that laid back Tulsa sound written all over it, and that's not a bad thing of course. And is that a Feat homage we hear in the cool Sundown Highway? Bonus points earned for the weed, whites, and wine.

Scott Hirsch - Sundown Highway

In Between My Sheets

Moshi moshi, y'all. Today, we're heading over to the land of the rising sun for a remarkable Stones cover. Psychedelic sushi with a touch of the baroque anyone?

Ghost - Live With Me

Five Feet Three

It's 1949, and the queen of the Delta blues gets her Jumpin' Boys in the mood. Jump jump!

Memphis Minnie - Jump Little Rabbit

Play That Thing, Boy

A Blind Blake cover by the late great picker Jack Rose, who was clearly having a truckload of fun recording this beauty. Want to hear the original, too? Thought so.

Jack Rose - West Coast Blues
Blind Blake - West Coast Blues

Let Me Go

Never been there myself, but I'm told the Swedish capital of Stockholm is quite a cool place to spend some time in. Former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell clearly doesn't agree however. He'd rather leave that 'frozen old city of silver and stone' as soon as possible, if it wasn't for love of course. Hell of a song.

Jason Isbell - Stockholm

Tries To Hide

Flashback to 1991, the year British trio Midway Still released its first single. The irresistible I Won't Try was produced by American connection Don Fleming (of B.A.L.L. and Gumball fame), and obviously influenced by Yank noisemakers Dinosaur Jr. and Buffalo Tom. Those were the days, pop kids.

Midway Still - I Won't Try

Go East

Get down with the funky afro sounds of the rather wonderfully named Eagles Lupopo 77. You can find this beauty along with many other gems on the second volume of Kenya Special, out now on the always irresistable Soundway label.

Eagles Lupopo 77 - Mrembo Pesa

Siempre Jerez

There will always be Jerez de la Frontera, flamenco city. And here are two excellent examples why. First up we have the impressive vocalist David Lagos, who's closely followed by the Carpio family collective called Los Mijitas. ¡Que bien!

David Lagos - A Dar Gritos Me Ponía
Los Mijitas - Mi Recuerdo

Running Late

Let's ring in the new year with a fine fine straggler from 2016, thanks to a heads up from the Swede over at Unthought Of, Though, Somehow. Meet Chook Race, pride of Melbourne, Australia. Specialty: jingly jangly Flying Nun-like lofi pop with a capital P, always in a rush. Lovin' it!

Chook Race - Hard To Clean