Don't Know Why

The country I call home is currently under heavy manners, as they used to call it in Jamaica, and the mood is grim. So it seems apt to dig out some prime reggae to lighten things up a wee bit. The underrated Leroy Smart may not have been one of the top voices of the Island, but as this triple helping of top-ranking roots tunes clearly shows, he did have that certain something. "Forgive them Jah Jah..."

Leroy Smart - God Helps The Man
Leroy Smart - Babylon vs Dread Locks
Leroy Smart - Shame & Pride

Some Kind Of Pain

Since that dumbass virus going round forced our man to cancel the Japan leg of his Never Ending Tour, chances are you Bobcats are in bad need of a Dylan live fix. In that case, why not check out Flagging Down The Double E's, a recent series of well-written and fun essays on Bob's live recordings through the years. You can even sign up and receive all new installments straight to your inbox. Go for it; it's not dark yet after all.

Bob Dylan - Not Dark Yet (live Santa Cruz '00)

It's A Sigh

Just got the sad news that Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, of Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV fame, has passed away. The colourful avant-gardist and industrial music pioneer, born in Manchester as Neil Andrew Megson, was 70. Miss h/er.

Throbbing Gristle - United
Psychic  TV - Godstar (Hyperdelic mix)

Wide Open Field

A delicious slice of neo-country by the Californian duo of Clay Finch and Sam Blasucci. Harmony supreme with cosmic Gram vibes. This just in from the newsroom: they will release a new album shortly.

Mapache - Chico River

Holding Out Their Hands

Going to cosy Sala Vol in the barrio of Poblenou tonight to see London's experimental neo-folkers Modern Nature, with the great Jeff Tobias from Brooklyn's Sunwatchers somewhat surprisingly sitting in on sax. Good times ahead.

Modern Nature - Criminals

Too Soon

Just got the sad news that singer-songwriter Eric Taylor has left us. The way underrated storyteller from Texas was 70. Miss him.

Eric Taylor - Dean Moriarty (live '99)

Indeed

Eccentric soul time, as the tiny Renfro label from Los Angeles gets the patented Numero Group reissue treatment. Lovely stuff all around.

Morris Chestnut - Too Darn Soulful

Really Real

Just got the sad news that McCoy Tyner has passed away at 81. Alongside Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones, the legendary jazz pianist was a prominent member of John Coltrane's famous quartet, and contributed to classic albums as My Favourite Things and A Love Supreme. His solo records, of which I can recommend The Real McCoy ('67) in particular, are well worth seeking out, too. Miss him.

McCoy Tyner - Passion Dance
John Coltrane - My Favourite Things

Brain Drain

Soul upside down? In need of some brain food? Check out this special six pack to make them clouds disappear pronto. Clever - and slightly Gigeresque - artwork by Tinca. "You don't really need a brain, ducky..."

Steve Young - Brain Cloudy Blues
Burning Spear - Brain Food
Sly & The Family Stone - Can't Strain My Brain
Parliament - Presence Of A Brain
Soft Boys - Sandra's Having Her Brain Out
Tall Dwarfs - The Brain That Wouldn’t Die

Open Your Heart

A call to arms in earth conscious dreampop mode. "Raise your voice, tell them what it's worth..." Lovely lass, that Isobel.

Isobel Campbell - The Heart Of It All

Seems To Know

The man with the golden guitar acoustifies a selection of songs from last year's excellent The Unseen In Between. If you liked that album, you'll love this intimate companion piece as well.

Steve Gunn - New Moon (acoustic version)