Poison Rose

Time for some hardcore flamenco with Benito Rodríguez Rey (1929-1992), better known as Beni De Cádiz after his place of birth, although he was also called the black gypsy. Powerful voice, lots of duende here. ¡Agua!

Beni De Cádiz - Rosa Venenosa
Beni De Cádiz - Que Lastima De Gitana

For Gold

When an esteemed label like Secretly Canadian releases a 20th anniversary edition of an album you never knew existed, you have to give it a second chance of course. And I'm glad I did. Because not unlike last year's Duster reissue, Placer Found by Bloomington's Early Day Miners unveils itself as an exciting, understated slowcore gem in the grand tradition of Slint and Codeine.

Early Day Miners - Longwall

Unwinding Spool

If a contemporary take on doomy seventies Britfolk, complete with lyrical guitarwork à la Richard Thompson, Jerry Garcia or Tom Verlaine tickles your fancy, you really should give Baltimore's Arbouretum a chance.

Arbouretum - Headwaters II

Nothing Comes Easy

The Range Rats was Fred and Toody's lost cowpunk project, after the demise of their punk band the Rats and preceding the long reign of garage institution Dead Moon. And mighty fine it is, too. Find it on Mississippi Records, probably the coolest labour of love label ever.

Range Rats - Prison Train

Of Minds

Got a wistful new ditty by former Sun City Girls guitarist Sir Richard Bishop for you today. The freak can play, but we already knew that, didn't we? Picture John Fahey meeting Paco De Lucía in Thurston Moore's backyard and you're halfway there already.

Sir Richard Bishop - Black Sara

Chin Up

Sounds of success, or: more eccentric soul from the esteemed Numero Group, this time focusing on the obscure Kris label. Lots of goodies here, like this lovely ode to one Amanda. Lookin' good now...

The Del Reys - Walk Proud

Like Your Style

A sparkling, funky slice of cosmic American by mellow Californian duo Mapache. Ooh baby indeed.

Mapache - Life On Fire

I Remember

Just got the sad news that jazz legend Lee Konitz has passed away. The esteemed alto sax player of the 'cool school', who played on the landmark Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis, was 92. Happy to report I saw him live once: pure jazz magic all around. Miss him.

Lee Konitz - You Go To My Head
Lee Konitz - There Will Never Be Another You
Lee Konitz & The Gerry Mulligan Quartet - I'll Remember April

Stay High

Finally some good news from Italia la Bella: Rome's finest Black Rainbows will be unleashing a new heavy psych supertrip next month. Here's hoping it will be filled with long, doomladen travels into outer space like this one, as that's how I like 'em best.

Black Rainbows - Keep The Secret

You're The Song

Local record stores still in lockdown? Don't despair, just take the bandcamping route. Here's yet another beauty I picked up while idly browsing there: SF songwriter Donovan Quinn's Absalom. Expertly mixed by Ben 'Six Organs' Chasny, this is exciting chamber pop with a dark twist or two. "So long wild horses, hello Vietnam..."

Donovan Quinn - So Long, Absalom

Fiddle Away

This delightful instrumental reggae oddity from '73 is the only roots tune I know making prominent use of a violin. 'White Rum' Raymond, take a bow.

Simplicity People - KG's At Halfway Three

Tips & Tricks

More mellow and jazzy than last year's hard-hitting masterpiece Hårt Som Ben, the Kingsmen's new  Trappmusik is another Swedish trip not to be taken lightly. Shimmers and shakes and sucks you right in. All hail the Svenska Psyklåtar.

Kungens Män - Tricksen För Transen

Hard Way To Go

Just got the sad news that John Prine has passed away due to Corona virus complications. The rightly revered country and folk singer/songwriter was 73. Seeing Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan perform together on tv in the late sixties, Prine felt he "could fit straight in between the two of 'em" and he was right of course. Miss him.

John Prine - Angel From Montgomery

New Suite

If current American jazz tickles your fancy, Jeff Parker is one of the guys to watch. Both on The New Breed from a couple of years back and on the recent Suite For Max Brown, the guitarist (who is also known for his work with postrockers Tortoise) embraces the new without forgetting the old. Often abstract and trippy, always interesting.

Jeff Parker - After The Rain
Jeff Parker - Jrifted

Burn The Candle

Some steaming live Hiss for a good local cause. Forward, Children is a fundraiser for students in Durham's public schools, which makes sense as Hiss mastermind M.C. Taylor calls that fair town in North Carolina his home, and his wife is a teacher there. Recorded at the Cat's Cradle club in nearby Carrboro last January, it's a fine-sounding bunch of songs full of fire and hope. So make it lasting, make it faithful, and get it here.

Hiss Golden Messenger - My Wing (live Carrboro '20)

Behold

Shabaka Hutchings is a busy man alright. After singlehandedly showing Britain's new jazz movement the way forward with the Sons Of Kemet and The Comet Is Coming, he now goes for a more traditional approach with the Ancestors. Recorded solely with musicians from South Africa, We Are Sent Here By History delights with yet another dose of powerful and always spiritual jazz.

Shabaka and the Ancestors - Behold, The Deceiver