Born in Mississippi, raised in Tennessee, but recorded in California with some mighty great grooves! The album's a great mix of the rootsy blues of John Lee Hooker and some of the best production modes ABC Records was using at the time – no hoke or attempt to dampen the energy of the core music – but just the key addition of fresh elements from players who include Clifford Coulter on piano, Sugarcane Harris on violin, Oscar Brashear on trumpet, Mel Brown on bass, George Bohannon on trombone, and John Klemmer on electrified sax with effects! These players all have a great ear for messing up jazz, blues, soul, and funk – and help Hooker to make the set one of his hippest ever – a record that nods strongly at the new generation, yet never panders to it at all. Titles include "Younger Stud", "King Of The World", "Tell Me You Love Me", and "Going Down". LP, Vinyl record album

A really great collection of field recordings from a small church scene in Mississippi – a mix of sermons and vocals, with performances by the MBC Youth Choir, Lee Robinson, Clear Creek MBC Choir, and Greg Thompson. LP, Vinyl record album

BB King hips up his groove a bit here – picking up some of the crossover soul and rock touches used by contemporaries over at Chess/Cadet, and expanding his sound with a range of guests that include Leon Russell, Joe Walsh, and Carole King! Despite the presence of these bigger names, the set's very much in BB's own spirit – mostly focused on his vocals and guitar work, and still mostly including original compositions. A few tunes get nice and funky on the rhythms, although still very much in a blues-based way – and Jimmie Haskell contributes a few larger arrangements from time to time. Titles include "King's Special", "Until I'm Dead & Cold", "You're Still My Woman", "Hummingbird", "Go Underground", and "Chains & Things". LP, Vinyl record album

The first ever recordings of Mississippi Fred McDowell – the legendary Alan Lomax Recordings – recorded in Como, Mississippi in September of 1959! It includes songs that would be part of his canon for the rest of his career, mostly just his voice and guitar in raw, beautiful, soul-shaking form. He's got some vocal accompaniment "When The Train Comes Along", plus Fanny Davis on the comb on a couple tunes and a second guitar by Miles Pratcher on a few. Perfection! Includes "Shake 'Em On Down", "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl", "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning", "Drop Down Mama", "Going Down The River", "Worried Mind Blues", "When The Train Comes Along" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

The legendary debut of this equally legendary group from Mali – a completely compelling ensemble who made music that's continuing to trans fix generations all these many years later! The album's got this very hypnotic vibe right from the start – all sorts of funky drums, guitar lines, and horns woven together in snakey styles that echo West African roots, but also showcase some of the new prosperity and independence of the 70s – really grabbing up a bold, soulful sort of energy, while still keeping things raw in both the vocals and production. Titles include "Nantan", "Moko Jolo", "Sunan", "Jurukan", "Marabayasa", "Tidiani Kone", and "Bajala Male". LP, Vinyl record album

A great collection of rare gospel tracks from the postwar years – done with the same thoughtful choice of cuts that Mississippi has been bringing to its compilations of soul and blues, but with a leaner approach overall! The collection digs deeper than the big names of the time, and has a strong focus on the kinds of group harmonies that were also having a big impact on soul music – heard especially well in some of the smaller groupings here. Titles include "Love Hides All Faults" by The Holy Light Jrs, "Beams Of Heaven" by Church Of To-Morrow, "Lord You Are My Burden Brother" by The Hubbard Heavyweight Gospel Singers, "When The Gates Swing Open" by Joyful Souls Of Dallas, "Trouble Of The World" by Soul Revivals, and "I Thank the Lord" by Dynamic True Tones. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most unusual albums ever issued on the legendary Discos Fuentes label – and that's saying a lot, given how many unusual albums the company put out! This set's got a core Colombian groove in the rhythms – very much in the rootsy style that the company was making a name for in the 60s – great percussion, a nice raw edge in the production, and that slight variation in groove that made Colombian music a really refreshing change from the sounds of Havana and New York! Yet the real difference here is that the singer is a kid – the lovely Aurita pictured on the cover – a vocalist who's got this unusual depth for someone her age, this rawness at times that really comes across in a striking way – almost the unbridled energy and emotion that you'd never hear from an adult. That quality livens up the grooves in this really unusual way – all the charms of a vintage Discos Fuentes album, but with a very different spin! Titles include "El Vaquero", "Las Polleras", "Mompoxina", "Chambacu", "Festival En Guarare", "Carino Lindo", and "Lamento De Sirena". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most unusual albums ever issued on the legendary Discos Fuentes label – and that's saying a lot, given how many unusual albums the company put out! This set's got a core Colombian groove in the rhythms – very much in the rootsy style that the company was making a name for in the 60s – great percussion, a nice raw edge in the production, and that slight variation in groove that made Colombian music a really refreshing change from the sounds of Havana and New York! Yet the real difference here is that the singer is a kid – the lovely Aurita pictured on the cover – a vocalist who's got this unusual depth for someone her age, this rawness at times that really comes across in a striking way – almost the unbridled energy and emotion that you'd never hear from an adult. That quality livens up the grooves in this really unusual way – all the charms of a vintage Discos Fuentes album, but with a very different spin! Titles include "El Vaquero", "Las Polleras", "Mompoxina", "Chambacu", "Festival En Guarare", "Carino Lindo", and "Lamento De Sirena". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful use of Hawaiian guitar in early Greek 78rpm recordings – an amazing musical journey that's even more fascinating than the use of the instrument in American country music! The instrument here is the acoustic version of steel guitar, and is often played alongside other more traditional Greek instrumentation in small groups that also feature acoustic guitar – usually with a singer in the lead, whose use of language really accents the different setting of the instrument! The package is wonderful – and comes with a 28 page booklet of notes that looks into this very unusual cultural moment – and the music is all remastered from 78s, with beautiful clarity throughout. LP, Vinyl record album

Searing live work from Dead Moon – a performance that was done in a very small place, in a very small club, with a very small audience – but which still has the group really giving things their all! The music still has all the sharp aggro qualities of their earliest work, but they've also really learned how to play their instruments too – and the guitar work is especially incredible, often a stronger "voice" than the muted, angry vocals on the tunes! Titles include "Don't Burn", "Dagger", "Parchment", "DOA", "Goin South", "Ill Of Dead", "Spectacle", "Can't Help", and "Castaway". LP, Vinyl record album

Appalachian music great Roscoe Holcomb is best known for his Folkways recordings of the early 60s – but he sounds equally wonderful here in a rare performance recorded at a church in Portland in 1972! There's a stark, moody feel to the music – summed up perfectly in the photo on the cover, and billed by Folkways as the "high lonesome sound" – as Roscoe plays these hypnotic lines on banjo that are often filled with these cyclical passages that weave a dark musical tapestry, while his vocals reach for redemption with these qualities that are completely haunting. The set features two very long tracks – "Rocky Mountain" and "The Village Churchyard" – next to shorter cuts that include "East Virginia Blues", "Swanno Mountain", "Single Girl", and "Black Eyed Snake". LP, Vinyl record album

Incredible work from Human Expression – a group with this moody, dark quality that's completely mindblowing, especially given their young years at the time of these recordings! The music certainly falls into the garagey sounds of the Sunset Strip scene at the time – but there's also a quality here that really sets these guys apart – this stark, bracing vibe that's hinted at in some of the really bleak song titles of their tunes, and which comes through strongly in the mix of offbeat vocalizations, unusual guitar tunings, and really raw production throughout! Tracks include "Reading Your Will", "Love At Psychedelic Velocity", "Every Night", "Cam Me Down", "Sweet Child Of Nothingness", "I Told Her", "Return Nevermore", "Judgement Of Rejection", "I Don't Need Nobody", "Room Of Shadows", "Who Is Burning", and "Outside Of It All". LP, Vinyl record album

Incredible work from Human Expression – a group with this moody, dark quality that's completely mindblowing, especially given their young years at the time of these recordings! The music certainly falls into the garagey sounds of the Sunset Strip scene at the time – but there's also a quality here that really sets these guys apart – this stark, bracing vibe that's hinted at in some of the really bleak song titles of their tunes, and which comes through strongly in the mix of offbeat vocalizations, unusual guitar tunings, and really raw production throughout! Tracks include "Reading Your Will", "Love At Psychedelic Velocity", "Every Night", "Cam Me Down", "Sweet Child Of Nothingness", "I Told Her", "Return Nevermore", "Judgement Of Rejection", "I Don't Need Nobody", "Room Of Shadows", "Who Is Burning", and "Outside Of It All". LP, Vinyl record album

A great record from the offbeat legend Michael Hurley – a set that features both spare tunes and others done with a larger band that's full of unusual instrumentation! The spare, ragged little solo tunes are served up on guitar and vocals – numbers that greatly showcase both Hurley's easygoing, slowly-rolling style, as well has his piercing, high emphatic howls. The group tracks feature bits of fiddle and mandolin – plus piano, harmonica, bass, and cornet – used sparingly, but in ways that punctuate the vocals nicely. Titles include the classic "Werewolf" – plus "Grand Canyon Line", "English Nobleman", "Be Kind To Me", "Troubled Waters", "Sweedeedee", "Open Up", "Jocko's Lament", "Light Green Fellow", "Get The Best Of Me", "Biscuit Roller", "When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano", and "Penguins". LP, Vinyl record album

Really wonderful work from the young Michael Hurley – one of his first records to get somewhat wide exposure, thanks to the help of Jesse Colin Young, who signed Hurley up to his Raccoon label at Warner Brothers! The vibe here is right up there with some of the best offbeat acoustic work cut during that stretch at the label – not the same in sound, but not far in spirit from unique records by Steve Young, John Hartford, and others – not to mention the cooler currents from Jesse's scene too! Hurley's vocal style changes nicely to fit the mood of each tune, really bringing the most out of the sorts of lyrics that were his special stock in trade – while the guitar playing is nicely unified, and although spare, really does a great job of holding the album together. Titles include "Blue Driver", "Water Train", "The Sun Is Slowly Sinking", "I'm Worried I'm Worried", "In Florida", "Lilly Pads Upon The Pond", and "Trinidad". LP, Vinyl record album

Soul singer Ruby Johnson never recorded a full album back in the day – and this set nicely corrects that fact, by bringing together some of her rare singles as a wonderful ten track album! Ruby's got a richness that's in the best southern soul mode of the time – a voice that would fit easily right next to the best Chess material by Etta James, but occasionally giving a slight uptown pitch in the backings – maybe a bit like Maxine Brown at moments too! Yet whatever the case, Johnson's a wonderfully expressive singer – and really knocks it out of the park on this set of heartbreaking gems – titles that include "No No No", "If I Ever Needed Love", "It's Not That Easy", "I'll Run Your Heart Away", "Let Me Apologize", "I'd Better Check Myself", "Come To Me My Darling", and "How Strong Is My Love". LP, Vinyl record album

Really great work from Kiko Kids Jazz – neither a jazz group, nor a batch of child musicians – but instead an East African collective who have a sound that mixes familiar guitar lines and percussion with a slight bit of mandolin too – all in a mode that's this beautiful blend of the strings of the instruments, the lilting currents of percussion, and the haunting lead vocals of Salim Zahoro – the enigmatic singer who really gives the group a unique flavor! The sound here is maybe in similar territory to highlife – but the tunes are more compact overall, and have a focus that's really carried by Salim's vocals – often with a quality that's relatively lean, especially when you consider that most of these recordings feature the group with almost 20 members in play. The set's the first we've ever seen to bring together these rare singles recorded in Mombasa in the early 60s – and titles include "Sili Sishibi", "Nyerere Karume", "Bahati", "Sauti Yako Tamu", "Nda Kuharashe", "Mineona Ua", "Tanu Imeleta Uhuru", "Tula Ubona", "Lumumba", and "Mpenzi Wanionea". LP, Vinyl record album

Timeless sounds from Lewlewal – a contemporary group from Senegal, and part of a vanishing culture in the city of Podor! The tracks were recorded recently, but have a feel that goes back decades – mostly acoustic instrumentation on percussion and guitar, played with an intimate approach that draws strongly on tradition – but which also allows for some personal inflections from the group members too. The vocals – sung by Demba Doka Barry – are especially nice – with this hauntingly soulful feel that really grabs us, even over the space of a language difference. Titles include "Ziarre", "Patrimonie", "Jaanfa", "Diaraby", "Yela", and "Almamy". LP, Vinyl record album

Youthful cumbia from Los Golden Boys – a combo with a spirit that really lives up to their name – and which is served up here with some very cool use of organ next to more familiar cumbia rhythms! The instrument is lean and spacey – almost otherworldly – and the quality makes for a record that's very unique, almost as if Saturn Records had decided to do a co-release with Discos Fuentes! In addition to the "boys" in the group, the lineup also features some vocals from female singer Amparo Muniz – on titles that include "Cumbia Y Beso", "Cumbia De Juventud", "Cumbia De La Mariguana", "El Buena Vida", "Si Me Quieres", "A Volar Moscas", "El Ano Viejo", and "Vengan A Baila". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best Tuareg guitar records we've ever heard – and the Saharan psych soul soundtrack to Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai, billed as the first ever Tuareg language fiction movie – loosely inspired by Purple Rain! The film, like Prince's, focuses on the life of a struggling, motorcycle riding, soulful electric guitar genius, but Mdou Moctar wisely doesn't try to be deliver Saharan riff on the Minneapolis sound. His epic, hypnotic to the point of trancelike electric guitars are front and center, but never in a self-indulgent way, always in service of the moody compositions. Backed only by rhythm guitarist Ahmoudou Madassane and drummer Mahmoud "Achcouscous" Ahmed Jabre, the trio delivers an appropriately cinematic Saharan sound. Amazing! Titles include "Sibidoul", "Rhaicha's Theme", "Iblis Amghar", "Tahoultine", "Adounia", "Chimoumounin", "Jagwa", "Mdou's Theme" and "Tada Dounia". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful set of work that shows the more intimate side of composer Arvo Part – not his larger projects or vocal material – but instead a series of contemplative sonatas that feature piano, violin, or cello – or some combination of both! The performances here are handled by Alexi Lubimov, Vadim Gluzman, Jurgen Krus, Angela Yoffe, and Sebastian Klinger – and the recording quality is great – with a nice sense of room that makes some of the notes echo out in space and really increase the melancholy element in the music, especially on some of the piano passages. Titles include "Speigel Im Spiegel", "Fur Alina", "Fratres", and "Variationen Zur Gesundung Von Arinushka". LP, Vinyl record album

Very cool work from this enigmatic Ethiopian guitarist – a musician whose sound is an important part of the same golden years covered by the Ethiopiques series! Tewolde Redda plays both conventional electric guitar, and an electrified version of the more traditional krar (kirar), which is used here with all of these wonderful lines and sounds – really a much more flexible range than a more conventional guitar – or maybe a bit like a conventional guitar in which someone's really working the whammy bar too! The set brings together some of his most important tracks from the early 70s – singles originally issued on Philips and other labels – with titles that include "Wuba", "Ab Tequai Kerebi", "Kab Nab", "Telsemki", "Gamey", "Monona", "Hidri", and "Kirar Mistequane". Comes with a nice booklet of notes, too! LP, Vinyl record album

SE Rogie's a hell of a guitarist – a real standout even in the legendary African scene of the 60s – and he's also kind of a one-man combo, adding in some rhythms and vocals along with his lines on the electric guitar! This set brings together a range of different singles that SE recorded and issued on his own Rogie label, mostly during the 60s – wonderfully groovy tracks that often just feature vocals and guitar, the latter of which does a tremendous job of moving between rhythm and solo moments! A few cuts add in additional instrumentation, but never too much – and titles include "Long Live Our Woman Mayor", "Are Sorry For You", "Not When I'm In Town", "Waitin Make You Do Me So", "Nor Look Me Lek Dat", and "Kpindigbi". LP, Vinyl record album

Seminal sounds from SE Rogie – one of the most important palm wine artists to emerge from Sierra Leone in the 60s! Rogie sings in this wonderfully fluid style alongside his well-plucked guitar – which rings out with these bright tones that really illuminate the lyrics, but also sometimes have a darker, more folkloric quality! Additional instrumentation on the tunes is relatively spare – often just a bit of percussion, bass, or other rhythmic element used in moderation – and titles include "Advice To Schoolgirls", "Easy Baby", "Man Stupid Being", "Baby Lef Marah", "She Caught Me Red Hot", "Twist With The Morningstars", and "Please Go Easy With Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Afro-psychedelia from Chrissy Zebby Tembo – a set recorded in the Zambian scene of the early 70s, and served up in a blend of fuzzy guitar, funky drums, and some really unusual vocals! At times, Chrissy's voice almost sounds like it's being processed – filtered down nicely amidst the fuzzy guitar and bass, which themselves are kicked along by some especially great drums – not conventionally funky in the familiar Afro 70s mode, but really finding a heavy groove that's totally great! Some numbers get mighty dark, given the heavy use of fuzz – and titles include "Fisherman", "I've Been Losing", "Gone Forever", "Feeling Good", "My Ancestors", and "Trouble Maker". LP, Vinyl record album

Seminal sounds from the Nigerian scene at the start of the 70s – music from the key figure of Celestine Ukwu, an artist who helped to reinvigorate the highlife style of years past, and pave the way for Afro Funk changes in years to come! Celestine's sound is nice and lean here – very rhythmic, with the guitar wrapped around the percussion and basslines in beautifully snakey action – while the vocals also have a quality that's maybe more personal than before – at points almost the raspy intimacy we love in some Brazilian singers! The package brings together work from three different albums from the early 70s – all long tracks that include "Tomorrow Is So Uncertain", "Onwunwa", "Ejina Uwa Nya Isi", "Ilo Abu Chi", and "Okwukuwe Na Ncheckwube". LP, Vinyl record album

A really unusual slice of music from the southern African scene of the postwar years – sounds from a strange wave of cowboy-inspired music in Zimbabwe and South Africa – but with results that are completely unique! Many of these guys actually wore cowboy hats and played acoustic guitar – but the sounds are very different than American hillbilly records from the period – in part because the presentation and production are different, as is the language – but also because the guitar is used in ways that would evolve into more familiar African styles in later decades – echoes of Malian blues, highlife rhythms, and other modes. But at the same time, there actually is a bit of yodel on some of the songs, as indicated by the title – an undeniable Jimmie Rogers influence – in a set of tracks that includes work by Sammy Nagaku, Clarkson Sithole, Josaya Hadebe, Petrus Mntambo, Mathew Jeffries, George Sibanda, Sabelo Mathe, and Michael Majozi. LP, Vinyl record album

The largest set so far in this excellent series of American soul releases from Mississippi Records – and like the previous volumes, an expansive set that really digs deep into the most soulful corners of the 60s and 70s! The work here is a mix of obscure tracks and overlooked gems from bigger names in soul – heavy on the kinds of vocals we love from the deep soul generation, but with maybe a few funky touches along the way! As with other volumes, there's a great booklet that's a huge addition to the package – filled with detailed notes – and the 3LP set features 30 tracks that include "Don't Be Surprised" by The Diamonettes, "I'm Lonely For You" by Bettye Swann, "Somewhere Crying" by Irma Thomas, "My Heart Cries For You" by The Invincibles, "Send Her Home To Me" by Johnny Moffett, "Tell Her" by Fred Williams & The Jewel Band, "Get In A Hurry" by Ben E King, "Like A Fish" by George Freeman, "A Woman Will Do Wrong" by Helene Smith, "22nd Century" by Nina Simone, "I'm Hurted" by Mamie Perry, "Can't Go On" by Johnny Steele, "Darling Don't Come Back" by Bobby Thomas & The Afros, "White On Rice" by Clarence Reid, "Louisiana" by Percy Mayfield, "I Submit To You" by Slim & Ann, and "Baby Please Don't Go" by Rose Mitchell. LP, Vinyl record album

Raw sounds from the American underground – a great set of twang-heavy tracks from obscure 45s – most of them with a unique blend of rock and country styles! There's lots of the spirit here of Johnny Burnette – and a few artists actually seem to pay him tribute with their work – but most of the recordings have a rougher style too, with some especially great echoey production on the guitars! Titles include "Willie Joe" by Mystery Trio, "Dark Mood" by Bartlett Brothers & The Country Paupers, "Still As The Night" by Clint Blacklaw, "Kentucky Fandango" by JP Dunn, "Misery" by Jacky Lee, "A Woman's Mind" by Jimmy Merrill, "Ghost Train" by Electro Tones, and "If You Love Me" by Johnny Fortune. LP, Vinyl record album

Dig Tuareg guitar? Then you should find plenty here to really expand your listening palette, and in a nicely different way – as these older cuts from Mauritania show a similar use of electric guitar over long-spun rhythms – often cyclical and hypnotic, especially when the musician turns up the fuzz! The Saharan nation really has a way with the guitar – and here, the styles vary nicely, along with the variety of artists included in the set – really expanding our understanding of the music, and in a way that's as groovy as it possibly can be. The set comes with a great booklet of notes – in true Mississippi style – and titles include "Wezin" by Luleide Ould Dendenni, "Banjey" by Kebrouh, "L'Ensijab" by Ateg Ould Syed, "Wezin" by Jeich Ould Chighaly, "Moulana Laa Moulana" by Baba Ould Hembara & Mamma Mint Hembara, "El Horr & Az-Zrag" by Mohammed Cheikh Ould Syed, and "Guelbi Vatimetou" by Mohammed Guitar & Sbeyniat. LP, Vinyl record album

A great overview of classic soul music – done in the best style of this Cairo Records series from Mississippi – which means a fantastic choice of cuts, and a beautiful booklet of notes and photos to accompany the music! The set is almost worth the price of the book alone – full color, and filled with scans of rare albums and singles, discographical information, and other details on the music – all in support of a 36 track set that mixes familiar names with much more obscure artists – in order to present a really wide range of classic soul. Titles include "I Pledge" by Lonnie & Lloyd, "My Baby Waited Too Long" by Mamie Perry, "I Found You" by James Hamm, "I've Been Pushed Around" by Blue River & The Maroons, "Please Don't Desert Me Baby" by Gloria Walker, "Helping Hand" by Little Genie Brooks, "Where Is Love" by Eldridge Holmes, "I Still Love You" by Jean Stanback, "Should I Take You Home" by Aztlan, "Don't Make Me What You Don't Want Me To Be" by Nick Allen, "Sippin A Cup Of Coffee" by The Ordells, "Let Me Be The Man" by The Fabulous Vents, "I'm Too Far Gone To Turn Around" by Irene Reid, "I Can't Stop" by Kenny Wells, and "I Wonder If I Had Your Love" by Leroy Smith. LP, Vinyl record album

A really wild little set from King Bee – an earlier group that featured Fred Cole, of later Dark Moon fame – working here in a trio with an even nastier vibe! The sound is great, and wonderfully DIY – almost more like some of the Ohio underground of the time, as Cole and the group move past straight punk into all these other raw, gritty modes that are completely wonderful – and still pretty damn powerful all these many years later! The group only issued one single back in the day – and this expanded set features all sorts of rare and unreleased material – working together as a fantastic full length set! Titles include "Zip Gun", "Headache", "Moon On The Rise", "Suicide Mission", "Carolina", "Ring Of Fire", and "Castaway". LP, Vinyl record album

Spiritual sounds and a heck of a lot more – served up by Ndiko Xaba, an expatriate South African musician who was working in Oakland at the time of this record – fusing together the roots of his homeland with some wonderfully free and open American jazz styles! At times, there's a bit of a Dollar Brand vibe in Xaba's piano – long lines, with a really compelling pulse – but other times, the music opens up with the kind of searching freedoms you'd hear on the AACM scene of the time – mixing together righteous styles with inventive musical expression! The great Plunky – of Oneness Of Juju fame – is in the group on tenor, soprano sax, and flute – and the record also features Black Fire labelmate Lon Moshe on vibes and percussion, plus additional percussion, bass, and drums. Titles include "Freedom", "Flight", "Nomusa", "Makohsi", and "Shwabada". LP, Vinyl record album

Sacred sounds from the Chilean scene – music that's delivered mostly with just a voice and guitar, in a stripped-down sense of expression that's very personal overall! There's often a blue tinge to the vocals, and in some way, the tracks here almost resonate with Appalachian acoustic music, especially of the more spiritual variety! As with other Mississippi Records packages, we might never have heard these sounds otherwise – and the whole thing comes with a big booklet of notes that really illuminates the sounds within – on tracks that include "Por Muerto" by Ivan Saavedra, "Por Noe" by Jose Millahuino Castro, "Por Nascimento" by Honorio Quila, "Por Jose" by Alfonso Rubio, "Por Sodoma Y Gomorra" by Ema Madariaga, and "Por Despedimiento De Angelito" by Javier Salinas. LP, Vinyl record album

Another pretty great set from Dobie, and actually with a bit less of a country soul feel and a bigger, more freewheeling sound overall – some big horn section- backed tunes, to grittier soul, to more laidback numbers. Includes "Hey Dixie", "How Can You Live All Alone", "Watch Out For Lucy", "Roll On Sweet Mississippi", Allen Toussaint's "Performance" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A mindblowing set from Little Richard – a stunning comeback session from the start of the 70s – recorded at Muscle Shoals with a heavy funk component in the mix! Richard arranged and produced the record himself – and it's a beautiful illustration of his genius – hardly dimmed at this point in his career, and if anything, really redefined for a new generation – with some razor-sharp grooves that are perfect for his hard-wailing vocals! The title cut – "The Rill Thing" – is a monster 10 minute instrumental jam, with a heavy funk sound that you can't even begin to imagine – and the rest of the set is pretty amazing too, with tracks that include "Spreadin' Natta What's The Matter", "Freedom Blues", "Two Time Loser", "Somebody Saw You", "Lovesick Blues", and "Greenwood Mississippi". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Duke Pearson's funkiest sessions ever, and a hard swinging big band set with a great late 60s feel! The group is all-class all the way – with players that include Pearson, Bob Cranshaw, Mickey Roker, Marvin Stamm, Julian Priester, Frank Foster, and Jerry Dodgion – and the tracks are short, but with an expansive groove that takes this one way past regular big band jazz, and into the mode of some of the hipper European groups at the time. Includes the classic track "Groundhog", which has a nice funky break on it – plus the cuts "New Girl", "Bedouin", "New Time Shuffle", and "Mississippi Dip". LP, Vinyl record album

Features Harmonica Smith on vocals and harmonica – in a set produced by Mike Vernon, with Bacon Fat on a few tracks! Titles include "McComb Mississippi (parts 1 & 2)", "Blue Fog", "Situation Blues", "Roaming", "Fire Exit", and "Monkey On A Limb". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the earliest work ever recorded by Muddy Waters – in Mississippi, before he moved to Chicago – captured by the Library Of Congress recordings, and featuring some tracks with Muddy on his own, and some with the Son Sims Four! LP, Vinyl record album

The cover to this one advertises the more famous names that do tracks for the album – like Mountain, Delaney & Bonnie, and others – but the best tracks here are those by the great arranger Jimmy Bowen, who turns out some excellent complicated funky numbers that have a bit of a hippy soundtrack groove! Jimmy's work here is informed by a bit of rock scoring, but the overall feel is fast and funky – and his tunes include the great "Super Soul Theme" and "Freedom Of Expression". Another nice one is Jerry Reed's "Welcome To Nevada", which has a guitar solo by Jerry, but which is also nice and funky too! Other tunes include "You Got To Believe" by Delaney & Bonnie, "Mississippi Queen" by Mountain, "So Tired" by Eve, and "Runaway Country" by Doug Dillard. LP, Vinyl record album