Thinking Of You

Juan Rafael Cortés Santiago, the Catalan gypsy better known as Duquende, is often seen as one of the few true heirs to the throne of the late great flamenco singer El Camarón De La Isla. And with good reason, as you can hear in the two bulerías featuring guitar maestro Tomatito below. And guess what: thanks to a gran amigo mio, I've got tickets to see him perform live this September. ¡Qué bien!

Duquende - No Encuentra La Salida
Duquende - Pienso En Ti

Another Friday Night

"It's true, man... everything I say is true..." Clearly influenced by one Mark E. Smith, and with a fine fuzzy backing, this remains one of the best - and funniest - pop songs of 1987. Typically British, too. One for the road, ok? Alright then.

I, Ludicrous - Preposterous Tales

Duluth Ashes

When one finds a track from an up-and-coming singer/songwriter hailing from Dylan country in the old inbox, one pays attention of course. Cheeky lad, our Timmy, and I quote: "Maybe you can help me give Duluth another musician to be proud to call their own..." Here goes.

Tim Mattingly - The Phoenix

Shifting Spirits

Heavily into the otherworldly beauty of sixties and seventies British psychfolk once again at the moment, so I thought I'd share some. If you too feel the urge to look further than your classic Fairport Conventions, Incredible String Bands, and Pentangles, various artists collections are obviously the first way to go. There's a wealth of great compilations floating around, with titles as Feel The Spirit, Gather In The Mushrooms, Shifting Sands, and Early Morning Hush. Here's a charming six pack of tasters that may pull you right in. Hurry hurry, the spirits are calling.

Heron - Lord And Master

Fresh Maggots - Dole Song

Mellow Candle - Sheep Season
Linda Perhacs - Chimacum Rain

Roger Rodier - My Spirit's Calling

Forest - Graveyard

Sweet Stuff

Latin-funk from Lima, circa 1971. Hot, hot, hot.

Black Sugar - Viajecito

Alright Now

Just another six pack for the weekend then, ok? With a little something for everybody: gospel, blues, swamp blues, roots reggae, two-tone and trash rock. Alright? Alright.

Laura Rivers - That's Alright

Houston Stackhouse & Carey 'Ditty' Mason - That's Alright
Slim Harpo - That's Alright Baby

Horace Andy & Earl Flute - Don't Think About Me (I'm Alright)
The Specials - Doesn't Make It Alright

Pussy Galore - Alright

Hakunene

Hypnotic and crystal clear sounds from what once was Portuguese East Africa, and is now known as Mozambique.

Americo Kossa & Aurelio Jefe - Hakunene

Hit Songs

As the ad went at the time ('73): this record is a hit! Classic riddim, massive Rupie Edwards production. Big up.

Succes All Stars - Doctor Satan Echo Chamber

And while we're on the subjects of Jamaican hit songs, here's the wicked Dillinger. "Gimme likkle riddim..."

Dillinger - Natty Sings A Hit Song

Sisters Brothers

"Oh sister sister let me live, and all that's mine I'll surely give..." Presenting a sibling ten pack, in honour of a hilarious novel I enjoyed recently: The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt. Be sure to pick up a copy of this surprising western noir. And buy some albums if you like what you hear below, my amigos da musica.

Pentangle - Cruel Sister
Wild Tchoupitoulas - Brother John
Arson Garden - Two Sisters (Love All Around Them)
Dennis Brown - Together Brothers
J.J. Cale - Don't Cry Sister
Prince Far I & The Arabs - Hello Love Brother

MC5 - Sister Anne

Art Pepper - Four Brothers

Horace Silver - Sister Sadie

Bill Carter - Baby Brother

And the obvious bonus track:
F.J. McMahon - Sister Brother

That's The Way

In heavy rotation at FTSOTS headquarters at the moment: The Way It Is, fine fine taster from Denver's upcoming debut, out this very August. Sleazy but inspired barroom countryrock from Portland, Oregon, played just right - which isn't as easy as some may think. Pour another shot and have a go.

Denver - The Way It Is

Just Sticks

It's 1965, and Vashti Bunyan releases her first single, written by Mick & Keith. Stones producer Andrew Loog Oldham's lush pop treatment doesn't really fit Vashti's made-for-dream-folk-voice, but it's still a delight I can't get out of my head. Some things just stick I guess.

Vashti Bunyan - Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind