... 12-inch, Vinyl record

A very unique little album from Lisa Ono – one that has her taking on a number of themes from American country music, but in a way that mixes plenty of bossa styles into the sound! The "country" here should really be in quotes – as many of the tunes are less strict country numbers than just country-flavored ones from the history of American pop – but they're united nicely here in an approach that really makes tremendous use of Ono's gentle vocals and sprightly guitar, set to slightly jazzy arrangements penned by Ono, Dori Caymmi, and Yoshihiro Arita. The end result is far nicer than you might expect – and titles include "Jambalaya", "Stay All Night", "Gentle On My Mind", "Crazy", "I've Just Seen A Face", "Take Me Home", "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon", "I'm An Old Cowhand", and "Old Fashioned Love/You Are My Sunshine". Japanese version also features 2 bonus tracks – "Morning Sun" and "Fascination (album mix)". CD

A dozen previously-unreleased tracks from the great James Govan – presented here with work from some of his rare singles from Fame Records! All the music was recorded at Muscle Shoals when the scene was at its height – headed up by production whiz Rick Hall, and backed by the great Fame studio musicians – but it's Govan himself who really makes these tunes sparkle – singing with this rich voice that's clearly rooted in the 60s modes of Otis Redding, but which also stretch forth in a new style of his own! James has this earnest appeal on record that really echoes his image on the cover of the set – and there's a charm to these tunes that really goes beyond the usual southern soul of the period –far past any overdone cliches or commercial modes. The discovery of these dozen sides is a great thing for fans of southern soul – and they make a great counterpart to the few Fame singles that Govan ever issued. Titles include "I've Gone Too Far", "Something", "Stuck On Her", "Way Over Yonder", "I Shall Be Released", "You Get A Lot To Like", "Just Like A Woman", "Take Me Just As I Am", "Jambalaya", and "Wanted Lover No Experience Necessary". CD

Great work from Charles Moffett and his talented family – an album with a progressive soul jazz sound that reminds us of the best moments on the Strata East label during the 70s! Features Charnett Moffett on bass, Charles on alto and tenor, Mondre on trumpet, and Codaryl and Charles Sr on drums – plus Julian Coryell on guitar, and Lafayette Thomas on piano. Tracks include "Birdsong", "Jambalaya Suite", "Mr. PC", and "Africano". CD

Southern soul galore – a wonderful range of tracks that are done in that best deep soul mode that borrowed heavily from country music – but also really transformed things to fit their own righteous needs! Make no mistake, the collection is all soul music all the way through – but the songs also echo some of the more heartbreaking themes and local needs you'd find in country music – and also use some isolated elements in the instrumentation and production too! The best way to think of the package is as a collection of southern soul, but one that shows a surprising lack of color barrier when it comes to musical styles – and as always with Ace/Kent, the notes and overall conception of the whole thing is really wonderful. 24 tracks in all – including "Easy Loving" by Bo Kirkland & Ruth Davis, "Big Blue Diamonds" by Little Johnny Taylor, "I Hang My Head & Cry" by Arthur Alexander, "True Love Travels On A Gravel Road" by Percy Sledge, "Touch Your Woman" by Margie Joseph, "Who Will The Next Fool Be" by Bobby Bland, "Stand By Your Man" by The Mirettes, "Till I Get It Right" by Bettye Swann, "Another Man's Woman Another Woman's Man" by Laura Lee, and "Jambalaya" by Ralph Soul Jackson. CD