Dreadful Curse

Another epitaph for Jason Molina, still missed dearly. Although you probably own and love Songs: Ohia's mighty Lioness album already, the bonus material on this reissue is really too good to pass up, as the piercing rendition of an old gospel standard below shows with verve. Sing on...
Songs: Ohia - Wonderous Love

Here Comes Johnny

High time for another musical six pack, my amigos da musica, so here we go. Artwork as usual by the mighty Tinca. Johnny come listen... To be continued soon, as there's a lot of Johnnys about...

George Russell and his Smalltet - Round Johnny Rondo

Charlie Feathers - Johnny Come Listen

Terry Callier - Johnny Be Gay If You Can Be
Connie Converse - Johnny's Brother

Ry Cooder - Johnny Porter

Wendy - Bye Bye Johnny

Pack On My Shoulder

Wooden Wand's James Toth and pals rock out in a jam band stylee. Everything's Better may be retro bordering on pastiche, but a good time was clearly had by all. A big fun record for everyone pining for the Cosmic American good old days of Feat, Crazy Horse and the Dead.
One Eleven Heavy - Valley Bottom Fever

Set The Controls

A pleasant surprise from Copenhagen of all places, where the aptly named Mythic Sunship takes off into psychedelic deep space with an exciting mix of avant-garde jazz and heavy spacerock. Like Albert Ayler jamming with Amon Düül II, or even Sun Ra frolicking with the Sabs, Another Shape Of Psychedelic Music makes for the unexpected trip of the year.
Mythic Sunship - Way Ahead

Look Up To The Sky

Just got the sad news that Pete Shelley has passed away. The Buzzcocks frontman, who more or less singlehandedly invented punkpop, was 63. Miss him.
Buzzcocks - Nostalgia

Sure Thing

The second subtitle of this steaming Soul Jazz Records sampler says it all really: Afro-Centric Jazz, Street Funk and the Roots of Rap in the Black Power Era 1969-75. Which basically means it's an essential listen of course. The obvious Gil Scott-Heron, Don Cherry, and the Art Ensemble of Chicago all make appearances, with some lesser-known greats adding the cherries to the cake. Take Tribe for instance, an out-there seventies collaboration between Wendell Harrison and Philip Ranelin.
Tribe - Benificent

Don't Say You Lose

And here's the second gem from the Dinosaur Sr. archives this year, following hot on the heels of the triumphant Roxy - Tonight's The Night Live set. Previously known in collector's circles as the Joel Bernstein Tapes, Songs For Judy is filled to the brim with solo acoustic live tracks from '76. You'll be familiar with all of the 23 songs here I guess, except maybe the bitter No One Seems To Know, which never appeared on an official album so far. So here goes just in case...
Neil Young - No One Seems To Know

Moyo Rising

Going to see the mighty Kikagaku Moyo tonight at Sala Upload here in town. Can't wait to hear what these young psychedelic longhairs from Tokyo will come up with. Would be extremely nice though if they played this fine ditty...
Kikagaku Moyo - Green Sugar

Powerhouses

Thought you might enjoy a trio of fiery black jazz beauties today, so without further ado...
Joe Henderson - Black Narcissus
Bobby Hutcherson - Black Circle
Eddie Harris - Bold And Black

To The Center

Levon's daughter Amy's new album opens with a composition especially written for her by Hiss Golden Messenger's MC Taylor. Works a treat: this is rich and soulful Americana at its finest. And speaking of Hiss: I didn't buy their Devotion boxset of old albums as I owned 'em already, but had to shell out for the outtakes disc Virgo Fool of course. Some delightful tunes there for the completists among us, like this sweet ode to Karen Dalton. "Long hair, sitting in the sun, you were so young, so full of devastation..."
Amy Helm - This Too Shall Light
Hiss Golden Messenger - Karen's Blues

One Night

And the excellent Studio One reggae compilations on the Soul Jazz label, they just keep on coming. The most recent one is filled to the brim with that smooth and soulful sub-genre called lovers rock. The big names are there of course - Sugar Minott, Horace Andy, the Heptones - but the more obscure acts really make things interesting. Cue the Minstrels, who just can't control their emotions...
The Minstrels - Yours Until Tomorrow