How I Feel

Obscure sixties soul from Toronto by fine singer annex transgender rights pioneer Jackie Shane. "Tell her that I'm happy, tell her that I'm gay..." Collected works, which comes down to six singles and a steaming live gig, out now courtesy of the mighty Numero Group.

Jackie Shane - Any Other Way

Darker Darkness

The new Hiss album is getting rave reviews almost everywhere, but I'm not completely bowled over yet. It all sounds a bit tinny to my ears, which doesn't fit the fat Caledonian soul vibe they're after, while the new drummer sure could use a bit of funk in his playing. Don't get me wrong, the wonderfully titled Hallelujah Anyhow is a decent record, and one with an uplifting message at that, but it somehow lacks the magic of MC Taylor & crew's earlier work. Here's hoping it will grow on me.

Hiss Golden Messenger - Harder Rain

Talk To Me

Time for a postpunk oldie ('80) by Pylon. Michael Stipe was a fan, but the big time never came for this cool combo from Athens, Georgia. You really do need their Gyrate album though, reissued on cd a couple years back as Gyrate Plus. Like wild good vibes indeed.
Pylon - Cool

Keep Dreaming

Inexplicably, the opener of Chris Forsyth's new album proves nothing but a weak Television pastiche. I was just thinking that he could do so much better when things indeed picked up, culminating in the absolute highlight that is the title track: an inventive and hypnotic stretched-out thing of beauty. Here goes.

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band - Dreaming In The Non-Dream

Mark My Words

Luis Moneo Lara, younger brother of the more famous cantaor El Torta, is a rarity in flamenco circles, as he's not just a singer but an accomplished guitarist as well. On his first solo effort at 56, he's backed by his son Juan though. Great stuff con corazón from Jerez.

Luis Moneo - Mi Parecito Juan

Come On In Here

Mr. Young originally decided not to release Hitchhiker because he felt these David Briggs-produced, single night acoustic '76 recordings sounded too stoned somehow for his liking. The majority of this strong collection of songs, featuring such classics as Campaigner and Powderfinger, would eventually find its way to later albums of course, but to hear this stripped-down, mellow and intimate session after all these years is truly a joy.

Neil Young - Hawaii

Time Hurts

Just got the sad news that Grant Hart has passed away. Hüsker Dü's legendary singing drummer was only 56, way way too young. Miss him.

Hüsker Dü - Sorry Somehow
Hüsker Dü - Pink Turns To Blue
Grant Hart - 2541

Meet Me Here

"A falcon presses up against a birch tree in a thin white dress..." Bit late to the party, as this one came out last January already. Expertly produced by Iron & Wine's Sam Beam, Tift Merritt's Stitch Of The World is simply too strong to be overlooked though.

Tift Merritt - Proclamation Bones

So Far Away

Back with some killer psych from 1969 by Brazil's Os Brazões, who rose to fame as tropicália star Gal Costa's backing band. For some reason they only managed to make one sole album, which is well worth tracking down.

Os Brazões - Tão Longe De Mim