Gone Home

Mr. Cobb almost singlehandedly restored my faith in modern country music last year with his moving debut Shine On Rainy Day. Follow-up Providence Canyon has more of a swampy country-got-soul vibe, which may be a big help crossing over to a rock audience. Still: "If you thought he looked country, oughta heard him sing..."

Brent Cobb - King Of Alabama

Screamadelica

The second installment of African Scream Contest is finally here and was it worth the long wait? You bet it was. Analog Africa, a label so scrupulous it hired a guy trained by the KGB to track down their highly obscure artists to pay them royalties, did it again, and selected the grooviest and rarest sixties and seventies Afro-funk from tiny Benin. Diggers supreme, satisfaction guaranteed.

Black Santiago - Pauline

Evidence Of Truth

All hail the Bar/None label, which has seen fit to finally re-release this wonderful '87 album by Feelies offshoot Yung Wu, featuring percussionist Dave Weckerman on lead vocals. Ready for some more crazy rhythms? Thought so.

Yung Wu - Spinning

Learning To Crawl

Congrats to our birthday boy from Duluth, as the one and only Robert Zimmerman turns 77 today. Many happy returns, Bob. "And I've picked up a couple more years on you babe and that's all..."

Bob Dylan - A Couple More Years (live Portland '80)

Friend Of Mine

Live mayhem from Chris Forsyth & co, paying tribute to Dinosaur Sr. on a London stage earlier this year. That classic stripped-down trio sound I always love so much really packs that punch. Find it on a roaring digital-only album called Rare Dreams: Solar Live 2.27.18 you can order here.

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band - Don't Be Denied

Family Affair

All dig this wonderful track from a legendary late sixties South African jazz masterpiece. Winston ‘Mankunku’ Ngozi was the man alright.

Mankunku Quartet - Dedication (To Daddy Trane And Brother Shorter)

Some More Girls

As a promise is a promise, here's another girly girly six pack for ya. All lovelies, all good-uns. Second verse, same as the first, as da brudders sang. Gorgeous artwork as usual by Tinca. Cherchez la femme encore!

Arthur Verocai - Sylvia
Jack Nitzsche - Marie
Nicky Hopkins - Dolly
Jim Sullivan - Rosey
Bobby Rush - Sue
Henri Bowane - Marie Louise

Eyes On Me

A publication called Paste Magazine recently ran a feature on 15 so-called buzz bands from New York City, which piqued my interest until it turned out to be just another manifestation of your run-of-the-mill indie rock with all the danger expertly removed. Move on, nothing to see here. This short and sharp ditty from Brooklyn combo Fits was about the only one I could really stand. Buzz buzz.

Fits - Ice Cream On A Nice Day

Ascended

Just got the sad news that Glenn Branca has passed away. The avant garde guitarist and composer from New York, a king of alternative tunings, was just 69. His no wave band the Theoretical Girls and especially his magnum opus The Ascencion were a huge influence on the Sonic Youth generation. Miss him.

Theoretical Girls - You Got Me
Theoretical Girls - U.S. Millie
Glenn Branca - The Ascencion

What You Need

Soulful Americana pop from the Oregon version of Portland, complete with fiddle and pedal steel. Feels like a warm bath alright. Out now on the never boring Kill Rock Stars label.

Horse Feathers - Don't Mean To Pry

Said It So Well

Hailing from Cornwall but now firmly based in the Big Smoke, Red River Dialect just may be in it for the long haul. A stately piano intro sets the tone, a fiddle kicks in, and all is well with the world. Reminds me of the Triffids a bit, which is no mean feat indeed. Find Open Sky (Bell) on the pastoral Broken Stay Open Sky, which came out last February on the always interesting Paradise of Bachelors label.

Red River Dialect - Open Sky (Bell)