Always Hanging Around

Out now and quite the treat: an early Allman Brothers live album recorded during a stint of gigs at the Fillmore East in February 1970, so one year prior to their legendary Live At The Fillmore East album. None other than LSD guru, PA prophet and Grateful Dead soundman Owsley 'Bear' Stanley was the taper, and boy did he do a fine job. Move it already!

Allman Brothers Band - Outskirts Of Town

Boys Are Back

In town, that is. Presenting a diverse six pack for your listening pleasure. Uptown artwork, as always,  by Tinca. Now move it, my amigos da musica.

Louis Jordan - I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
Phil Gray - Bluest Boy In Town
Wilburn Brothers - Trouble's Back In Town
The Savages - Quiet Town
The Staple Singers - This Old Town (People In This Town)
Bobbie Gentry - Papa, Won't You Let Me Go To Town With You

Nowhere To Hide

Hey now, yet another cool project from workaholic Ethan Miller. As if playing in Heron Oblivion, Comets On Fire, and Feral Ohms doesn't take up enough of his time, here's the bearded guitarist from Oakland rocking out with Howlin Rain. If a modern amalgam of Crazy Horse rock and Allman Brothers boogie, or 'Neil Cassady Rock' as Miller calls it himself, is your thing, don't hesitate to board this bus.

Howlin Rain - Missouri

Air Up There

The first stab at purely instrumental solo guitar by Pennsylvanian Nathan Salsburg, whom you may know through his collaborations with Bonnie Prince Billy, Joan Shelley, and James Elkington. More influenced by the Britfolk of John Renbourn and co than John Fahey's Takoma school, his pastoral Third is a surefire contender for acoustic solo guitar album of the year.

Nathan Salsburg - Impossible Air

Fish Fry

"Setting in a boat with a bucket of beer, hadn't caught nothing, didn't much care..." Presenting a fishy six pack for your listening pleasure. Cold-blooded artwork by Tinca. Cast your hooks, my amigos da musica.

Rev. T.E. Weems - The Devil Is A Fisherman
Ramblin' Jack Elliott - Talking Fisherman
Bob Mosley - Gone Fishin'
Chrissy Zebby Tembo & Ngozi Family - Fisherman
Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Fisher Man Dub
Blurt - The Fish Needs A Bike

Goodbye Babylon

The second installment of Black Man's Pride, out now, brings us yet more rasta roots goodies from Sir Coxsone Dodd's famous Studio One stable. Big names like the Heptones, the Gladiators, and Horace Andy all make appearances, but the contributions from lesser known acts such as the Manchesters are just as fine. Righteous indeed, my brethren.

The Manchesters - Natty Gone

Fire In Cairo

Sala Ragab was the first jazz cat of Egypt. Later he played with the mighty Sun Ra, which is no mean feat either. Dig it.

Sala Ragab & The Cairo Jazz Band - Dawn

Six From Oz

Aussie mayhem? Nothing wrong with that, mate. Presenting a furious six pack from various garages down under for your listening pleasure. Now do the pop.

Radio Birdman - Do The Pop
The Scientists - Blood Red River
New Christs - Face A New God
Lime Spiders - Slave Girl
The Hoodoo Gurus - Be My Guru
Cosmic Psychos - Rain Gauge

Feel Good

Let's stay with the Kinks a while longer, with Big Star covering the Muswell hilllbillies not once but twice during a '74 concert in Cambridge, MA. Cool stuff.

Big Star - 'Til The End Of The Day
Big Star - Come On Now

Bless You All

Ray Davies recently announced that, after a 20 year hiatus, the Kinks are getting together again. Whatever you may think of that, it’s a good occasion to showcase a lovely deep cut of theirs, in a delicious cockney rhyming slang stylee. Something else indeed.

The Kinks - Harry Rag

Soul Fire

Here Lies Man follows up last year's acclaimed selftitled debut with yet another exemplary mix of hot afrobeat rhythms and sharp guitar riffage. That lovely organ? Cream on the cake.

Here Lies Man - Summon Fire

Loved Me So

Legendary American Primitive guitarist John Fahey used to be a bluegrass enthusiast. But when a record collecting pal played him Praise God I'm Satisfied by the mighty Blind Willie Johnson he cried with emotion and turned to the blues, with an enthusiasm that eventually made him track down the elusive Skip James in a Tunica, Mississipi hospital.

Blind Wilie Johnson - Praise God I'm Satisfied
Skip James - One Dime Was All I Had
John Fahey - My Station Will Be Changed After Awhile

Let's Get Lost

Just imagine discovering a reel with an album load full of unreleased tracks by Trane somewhere up in your dusty attic... Both Directions At Once, recorded in 1963 with McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, and Jimmy Garrison as trusted sidekicks, is the find of the year for sure.

John Coltrane - Untitled Original 11383 (Take 1)