A great little album from French singer Pat Kalla – an artist whose "Super Mojo" here is really the genius of producer Bruno "Patchworks" Hovart! The set is a collaboration between Pat and Patchworks – and uses the great vocals of Kalla to bring new focus to the kind of warm clubby grooves we've always loved on a Patchworks record – maybe a mix of Afro funk and underground club – all with a very vintage vibe! The rhythms are tight and focused, with maybe some Antilles elements too – and titles include "Ca Va Aller", "La Terre", "Ballade De Nuit", "Lady Angola", "Ancien Combattant", "Laissez Moi Danser", "Madiba", "Pygmee", and "African Disco". CD

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It's been 50 years since John Lennon left this planet – and this issue of Mojo looks back at his too-short life and his rich legacy of music – alongside other features on Nancy Sinatra, Stone Roses, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, King Gizzard, and others – along with a preview of music to come in the year 2021! As usual, there's a huge amount of record reviews – really our favorite part of the magazine – and the issue comes with a bonus CD that features 15 tracks by Sonic Boom, Wooden Shjips, Ty Segall & Mikal Cronin, Thee Oh Sees, King Gizzard, and others. Magazine

... CD

Mojo magazine promises the full story behind the long-running White Stripes mystery – with exclusive pictures from the Third Man archive! The issue also has a great feature on the magical music of Pharoah Sanders – plus a look back at the genius of Robbie Basho, and a dip into the second Archives box from Neil Young! There's also a look at the 75 best albums and 20 best reissues of 2020 – complemented by the usual great run of Mojo music reviews that you'll find in every issue. More articles too – on Linda Thompson, AC/DC, and Eddie Van Halen – plus a special CD with the best of 2020! Magazine

The cover feature's a long look back at fifty five years of music from the mighty Bob Dylan – in an issue that also features big articles on Robby Krieger, John Lydon, Wilco, Toots Hibbert, Run The Jewels, and Radiohead – all done in the deep detail we've come to expect from Mojo! The issue also has a nice piece on Tom Petty, penned by Rick Rubin – plus more on Join Mitchell, Fleet Foxes, and Bruce Springsteen – and all the huge amount of music reviews that makes Mojo so essential. Plus, there's a bonus CD – a companion to the Radiohead album Kid – with work by Can, Harmonia & Brian Eno, Slint, Charles Mingus, and others. Magazine

Queen's on the cover, and the issue looks at the making of their masterpiece "Bohemian Rhapsody" – and also examines the current goings-on of the group! There's also features on Elvis Costello, Sun Ra, Orbital, John Lennon, Sinead O'Connor, Echo & The Bunnymen, and Ray Davis – all served up with the usual Mojo panache and verve! And as usual, there's a huge number of reviews – over 150 new releases, with lots of information to keep your record collection fresh – plus a bonus 15 track CD, filled with tracks by Sparks, Todd Rundgren, XTC, Rufus Wainwright, Motorpsycho, Wild Beasts, Os Mutantes, and others. Magazine

A great little collection that definitely gets at the mojo of Dr John – the legendary New Orleans soul singer who really sprang forth in the mainstream at the end of the 60s! Much of this set captures the doctor before that time – early tracks from both New Orleans and LA, all of which echo the vibe of his later productions, but with a style that's maybe more stripped-down and a bit less psychedelic – although there's still a few great trippy touches along the way! CD1 features material recorded both as Dr John, and under his real name of Mac Rebenack – and CD2 features more early rarities, plus some live material too. 31 tracks in all – with titles that include "Feedbag", "Sahara", "Good Times", "The Ear Is On Strike", "Go Ahead On", "Doghouse Blues", "Got Lonesome-itis", "You Said It", "Make Your Own", "Somebody Tryin To Hoodoo Me", "I Pulled The Cover Off You Two Lovers", "Don't Want No Monkey In My Business", and "Bring Your Own Along". CD

Early Bobby Robinson productions of Lightnin Hopkins – with titles that include "Coffee For Mama", "Black Mare Trot", "Glory Bee", "Shine On Moon", "Santa", and "Have You Ever Loved A Woman". LP, Vinyl record album

The title's a bit bluesy, and the record is too – one of the grittier collaborations between Hammond legend Jimmy Smith and ultra-hip arranger Oliver Nelson – who manages to make the whole thing come across with all the right soul styles in the end! There's definitely a nod to the electric blues of Chess Records and Chicago, but the approach is more sculpted in Nelson's tight, swinging big band modes – which snap along in the background, as Jimmy takes some freewheeling solos on Hammond that are outta sight – and even vocalizes occasionally along with his grooves – in a grunting, bluesy sort of way! Rhythm is augmented strongly by Grady Tate on drums and Kenny Burrell on guitar – and titles include "Mustard Greens", "Hobson's Hop", "Got My Mojo Workin", and "High Heel Sneakers". LP, Vinyl record album

The funky sounds of the Mojo Club scene – all modern, and all electric, and a nice counterpoint to that club's famous compilations of older jazz and soul work. The set keeps the cross-genre spirit of the Mojo scene going nicely – blending older jazz, Latin, and soul influences into newer grooves that range with some of the cream of the current overseas underground. The set includes a few familiar numbers, and plenty more hard to find singles – a great track list of 15 cuts in all, with titles that include "Jazzcapade (Crystal Cru rmx)" by Dj Matt, "Signs (Dom T rmx)" by Badmarsh & Shri, "In The Morningtime" by Urbs & Cutex, "Speak Softly" by James Hardway, "Ignorant People" by Robyn Rhodes, "Someday (Phuturistic rmx)" by The Beard featuring Kamini, "Close" by Sci-Clone, "The Drume" by Nordstat Union, "Superpro Kid" by Sie, and "Come With Me" by Audiomontage. CD

Includes tracks by Iron & Wine, Ray Lamontagne, Frank Black, Magnolia Electric Company, Bright Eyes, Joanna Newsom, Sufjan Stevens, Black Mountain, and Jim James. CD

Includes 15 tracks by Freddie King, Elmore James, Buddy Holly, The Kingston Trio, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Eddie Boyd, and Robert Johnson. CD

Tracks include "Stealin' Apples", "Swingtime In The Rockies", "King Porter Stomp", "One O'Clock Jump", "Bugle Call Rag", and "Let's Dance". CD

A rare one from this legendary southern rocker – recorded live in Atlanta with a sweet little combo that has nice organ next to his guitar! LP, Vinyl record album

Includes 25 tracks from Ma Rainey, Tampa Red, Connie McLean, the Harlem Hamfats, Peg Leg Howell, Bert 'Snake Root' Hatton, Victoria Spivey, Blanche Calloway, and Ruby Glaze. CD

Includes 25 tracks by Memphis Minnie, Maggie Jones, Sam Thread, Clara Smith, Ma Rainey, Lucille Bogan, Ehtel Waters, Cab Calloway, and Lovin' Sam. CD

After a long and successful stint at Verve/MGM, Jimmy retreated to the underground during the mid/late 70s, where he put out a few hard to find releases on smaller labels. This is one of them, issued on his own tiny Mojo label – and it features a relatively straight soul jazz organ set, played with a trio that includes Kenny Burrell on guitar and Grady Tate on drums. Titles include "Yesterday I Heard The Rain", "Well, You Needn't", "Reunion", "Second Coming", and "It's All Right With Me". LP, Vinyl record album

An early, rootsy Mose Allison sides, mostly instrumental, bluesy piano trio numbers, but Mose busts out with some vocals on an early version of his signature tune "Parchman Farm" and "Lost Mind", and a spot of trumpet on "Trouble In Mind" . He's joined by Addison Farmer on bass, and Nick Stabulas on drums, and the instrumental sides include "Crepuscular Air", "Mojo Woman", "I'll Never Be Free" and "Ain't You A Mess". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic classic from The Band – a set that's hardly got them cowering in the corner the way the "stage fright" title might imply – and which instead seems to have the group at their most confident during the early years, effortlessly spinning impeccable musicianship and some surprisingly biting lyrics! The young Robbie Robertson is on guitar, Garth Hudson warms things up with organ lines, and vocals are handled by the shifting array of other players in the lead – Rick Danko, Levon Helm, and Richard Manuel. Titles include "The Shape I'm In", "Sleeping", "Strawberry Wine", "Just Another Whistle Stop", "Daniel & The Sacred Harp", "Stage Fright", and "Time To Kill". 2CD version, with lots of bonus material! CD1 features "Strawberry Wine (alternate)", "Sleeping (alternate)", and Calgary Hotel Room Recordings from 1970 – of "Mojo Hannah", "Calgary Blues", "Before You Accuse Me", "The WS Walcott Medicine Show", and two takes of "Get Up Jake". CD2 features lots lots more – a 20 track live set, recorded in June 1971 at the Royal Albert Hall in London! CD

A tremendous non-Prestige moment from tenorist Booker Ervin – one of his first albums ever as a leader, and a record that bristles with 60s modern energy! The group here is only a quartet – with Horace Parlan on piano – and the album's got Booker's amazing tenor right out front, played with those angular, searching tones that are heard most famously on the Space and Freedom Book sessions for Prestige – but which seem to get almost more room for expression here! The remaining players are George Tucker on bass and Al Harewood on drums – both of whom help the album maintain a nicely rhythmic pulse, even when Ervin is going off into the stratosphere – and the album features 4 original tunes – "Mojo", "Uranus", "Boo", and "Booker's Blues" – plus versions of "Speak Low" and "Poinciana". CD

A truly fantastic record, and one that's become the stuff of legend over the years – a rare CTI album that was only ever issued in Japan – and which may well be one of the coolest sessions recorded during the A&M years of the label! Trombonists JJ Johnson and Kai Winding had recorded two other records for CTI during the period – both great – but this set has them stretching out in this really expansive mode that's completely unique – long tracks put together with complicated arrangements that really blow away anything else they ever did – funky, soulful, but also moving towards higher ideals too – a fantastic testament to the newfound arranging skills of Johnson, who handled most of the record. The group also features some amazing keyboard work from both Herbie Hancock and Bob James – who get plenty of room to roam – plus guitar from George Benson, bass from Ron Carter, and drums from Grady Tate – a superb lineup who really make the whole thing shine. The depth of this music is hard to describe in words, but the whole thing's wonderful – and the set features just four long tracks – "Dontcha Hear Me Callin To Ya", "Musings", "Mojo", and "Recollections". LP, Vinyl record album

The first-ever proper presentation of one of the most legendary Elvis Presley recording sessions – a marathon five day series of recordings done in Nashville, in which Elvis was working with hip backing from the Nashville Cats, and really breaking past some of the stale material that had dogged too many of his records in the 60s! The music is a great counterpart to the Presley sessions at American Studios in Memphis the year before – and like those, there's a spirit here that's undeniable – the King really getting back to basics, and showing his best ear for both the right tunes, and the right sort of folks to help him put the sound across. James Burton is on guitar, and Eddie Hinton joins in a bit too – and the rest of the group is equally legendary – a performance that was sadly originally chopped up by RCA, and issued on a number of different albums – with lots more material left in the can. 2LP set features 22 tracks in all – one album of rock, one of country – with titles that include "Stranger In The Crowd (take 5)", "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", "Just Pretend (take 2)", "I've Lost You (take 1)", "Got My Mojo Working/Keep Your Hands Off Of It", "How The Web Was Woven (take 1)", "Tomorrow Never Comes (takes 10/11)", "Little Cabin On The Hill (take 1)", "I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water", and "The Fool". LP, Vinyl record album

Buzzing and sunny power pop on a level that's rarely reached post-millennium! Michael Rault wouldn't only be filed so close to the Raspberries in your record collections because of the Ra-, he's a genuine torch carrier for sounds pioneered by bands of that ilk – a mix of sweetness and grit with tuneful songs, bright vocals, fuzzy guitars and rhythms. Recorded at Daptone's House Of Soul in Brooklyn, it's pretty wonderful how the old school mojo that imbues funk & soul records made there works its way onto sunny psych/power, too – but all credit to Rault's voice and songcraft! Includes "I'll Be There", "New Day Tonight", "Sleep With Me", "Oh, Clever Boy", "Sitting Still", "Dream Song", "Pyramid Scheme", "Out Of The Light", "Sleeping And Smiling" and "When The Sun Shines". CD

Includes "It's All Over", "When The Eagle Flies", "County Jail", "Two Steps Forward", "My Life Is Ruined", and "I Got My Mojo Working (Part 1)" – 17 tracks in all. CD

A sprawling deluxe version of a once semi-overlooked Wilco effort, finally being acknowledged as a major milestone for the band – as it was a huge shift from their alt country and folk rock roots towards unpredictable, though warmly approachable art rock! Still recognizable as the work of the passionate, rootsier rock band of the first couple albums, with more adventurous sounds and instrumentation – woozy keyboards, a growing knack for studio-built atmospherics – and a much more metaphorical lyrical bent. Titles include "Can't Stand It", "She's A Jar", "We're Just Friends", "Pieholden Suite", "Candyfloss", "A Shot In The Arm" and more. 4CD box set version includes the remastered original album, a packed CD full of outtakes, alternate versions and demos (24 tracks in all), an unreleased double CD live set recorded at the Boulder Theater in Boulder Colorado on November 1, 1999, and an essay by Mojo Magazine's John Mulvey. CD

A fantastic document of the first-ever Ann Arbor Blues Festival – the start of a great event that would blossom into other styles of music in the 70s, but which stood as a strong blues-based event in its initial year of 1969! In some ways, the three day series of concerts is a roots answer to Woodstock – which took place just a few weeks before – as the festival featured a great scope of blues talents, from the rootsier sort of artists who were recording for labels like Folkways or Arhoolie, to some of the sharper modern talents rising to the top on Chess or Delmark! The package alone is almost worth the price of admission – beautiful photographs of the event, detailed notes, and the first-ever release of this music – which has sat in the vaults for decades, finally to see the light of day. Titles include "Dirty Mother For You" by Roosevelt Sykes, "So Glad You're Mine" by Arthur Big Boy Crudup, "Everybody Must Suffer/Stone Crazy" by Luther Allison & The Blue Nebulae, "Help Me" by Junior Wells, "I Wonder Why" by Jimmy Dawkins, "Too Much Alcohol" by JB Hutto & His Hawks, "So Many Roads So Many Trains" by Otis Rush, "Long Distance Call" by Muddy Waters, "Off The Wall" by James Cotton Band, "Juanita" by Big Joe Williams, "Jelly Jelly Blues" by Shirley Griffin, "I Feel So Good" by Magic Sam, "Call It Stormy Monday" by T-Bone Walker, "Death Letter Blues" by Son House, "Key To The Highway" by Sam Lay, and "Mojo Hand" by Lightnin Hopkins. CD

Key years in the Bert Berns story – that magical mid 60s period when Berns was coming up with some killer soul sides, and a few famous rockers too! The sound here is tremendous – kind of a "wall of sound" to New York soul – that marvelous style that's also known as uptown soul, for its careful production and sense of class. Some of the most important Berns moments are collected here, alongside lesser-known gems that really round out the sound – including 8 tracks appearing on CD for the first time, which should be plenty to peak the interest of any 60s soul collectors (as if the great Ace notes and package weren't enough!) Production is wonderful throughout, and the set list features some killer Atlantic/Atco singles – plus other gems from smaller indies of the period – cuts that include "Mojo Mama" by Don Varner, "No One Could Ever Love You" by Freddie Scott, "Show Me Your Monkey" by Kenny Hamber, "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" by Solomon Burke, "It Was Easier To Hurt Her" by Garnett Mimms, "I Went Out With My Baby Tonight" by Moses K & The Prophets, "Run Mascara" by The Exciters, "Cry No More" by Ben E King, "Mr Success" by Bobby Harris, "Gone Gone" by Roy C, "Better Not Believe Him" by Barbara Lewis, "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison, "I Got To Go Back" by Otis Redding, "If I Would Marry You" by Tammy Montgomery, and "Come On Girl" by The Knight Brothers. CD

One of those few classic cases where a compilation of tracks was maybe even more influential than the original music itself – as this early 70s collection of 60s material turned out to shape and influence generations for decades to come! Guitar genius Lenny Kaye put the set together famously for Elektra Records in 1972 – as a reminder that, just a few years before, there were some amazing sounds that were not only brewing up in local indie scenes around the country, but also on the radio as well – even though most of those groups had been pushed into relative obscurity by the rise of soft rock, hard rock, and classic rock of the early 70s! The package is a return to the pre-prog years, with an especially strong ear for garage-tuned tracks that would go on to shape later punk, 80s indie, and lots more underground sounds in the future. Titles include "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)" by Electric Prunes, "Dirty Water" by the Standells, "Respect" by Vagrants, "No Time Like The Right Time" by Blues Project, "Invitation To Cry" by Magicians, "You're Gonna Miss Me" by Thirteenth Floor Elevators, "Psychotic Reaction" by Count Five, "Baby Please Don't Go" by Amboy Dukes, "My World Fell Down" by Sagittarius, "Open My Eyes" by Nazz, "It's A Happening" by The Magic Mushrooms, "Lies" by The Knickerbockers, "Oh Yeah" by Shadows Of Knight, "Sit Down I Think I Love You" by The Mojo Men, "Just Like Romeo & Juliet" by Michael & The Messengers, "Hey Joe" by The Leaves, and "Farmer John" by The Premiers. LP, Vinyl record album

Billed as "the hits that started the San Francisco sound" – with tracks by Beau Brummels, Tikis, Mojo Men, Knight Riders, Bobby Freeman, and Grace Slick & The Great Society. LP, Vinyl record album

The Memphis sound, working hard overseas – in a smoking live set that has some Stax Records stars working in Paris! There's a tightness here that arguably goes past the studio work by the singers – possibly because everyone's working in the same space, with the same backing group – and together have this intimacy that really makes the music sparkle. And sure, it's a bit rough around the edges at points, but in a good way – one that helps get past too-familiar modes in the tunes. Titles include "You Don't Know Like I Know" and "You Got Me Hummin" by Sam & Dave, "Raise Your Hand" and "But It's Alright" by Eddie Floyd", "Try A Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding, and "I Got My Mojo Working", "Let Me Be Good To You", and "Gee Whiz" by Carla Thomas. CD

Features work by Kip Anderson, Buddy Rogers, Bobby Blue Bland, Little Johnnie Cook, Sherman Evans, Otis Blackwell, Finney-Mo, Doc Palmer, Jackie Dunham, KC Mojo Watson, Pork Chops, Tender Slim, Premiers, Buster Brown, Marty Lewis, Good Rockin' Sammy T, Kid Thomas, and Big Boy Groves. LP, Vinyl record album

A really incredible record from the great Gary Burton – a key 60s set that definitely has him finding a musical voice that's all his own – a way of using the vibes that nobody else had ever attempted before! The instrument is a flurry of chromatic beauty – tones and light exploding at each new twist and turn – mixed here with superb work from a quartet that includes Larry Coryell on guitar, Steve Swallow on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums! The names of the players alone might be enough to give you a picture of the sound – but let us go onto say that the overall approach is amazing – angular, jagged, and more rhythmic than melodic – but equally swinging, in sort of a modal way. Tracks include "Ballet", "One Two 1234", "Liturgy", "Response", "General Mojo's Well Laid Plan", and "Sweet Rain". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the leading lights of the ECM Records scene in the early 80s – bassist Marc Johnson, working here with his successful Bass Desires group! The lineup features some wonderful interplay on stringed instruments – Johnson's bass, and guitars from both John Scofield and Bill Frisell, the later of whom also plays a bit of guitar synthesizer, in very ECM-shaped lines. Drums are from Peter Erskine, who's well-heard when the moment allows – and titles include "Samurai Hee Haw", "Mojo Highway", "Thanks Again", "Bass Desires", and "Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair". CD

A contemporary group, but one who play with a definite old school vibe – both in the style of their gritty blues, and even in the instruments and studio equipment they use! The vintage gear makes for a nicely raspy approach to the music – one that really helps give the record an edge you might not expect. Studebaker John sings, plays guitar and harmonica, and titles include "Cold Black Night", "Wicked Soul", "Shake It Down Now", "She's All Right", "Mississippi To Chicago", and "Mojo Hand". CD

A great little collection that definitely gets at the mojo of Dr John – the legendary New Orleans soul singer who really sprang forth in the mainstream at the end of the 60s! Much of this set captures the doctor before that time – early tracks for the Crazy Cajun label, but with a style that's maybe more stripped-down and a bit less psychedelic – although there's still a few great trippy touches along the way! The tracks are lean, but still hit a nicely swampy vibe – and titles include "Which Way", "Flight", "Doghouse Blues", "I Don't Wanna", "Women", "Make Your Own", "Just Like A Mirror", and "Bring Your Love". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic combination of modern jazz talents – the groundbreaking Gary Burton Quartet, and the young avant ensemble of trombonist Mike Gibbs! The set begins with a fantastic performance by Burton's group – heard here in a lineup that has the guitar of Dave Pritchard sharing equal chromatic roles with Burton's beautiful vibes – alongside sublime bass from Steve Swallow, and drums from Bill Goodwin. Gary solos on a great version of "Chega De Saudade", and other tunes include "General Mojo's Well Laid Plan", "Arise Her Eyes", "And On The Third Day", "Ballet", and "Portsmith Configurations". CD 2 features a full set by Gibbs' group – in a rare recording before their debut album – with a lineup that includes Kenny Wheeler and Trevor Barber on trumpets, Alan Skidmore and Ray Warleigh on saxes, Chris Spedding on guitar, and Chris Pyne on trombone with Gibbs. Tracks are all long, and really beautiful – and include "Nowhere", "Walter L", "Tanglewood 63", and "Sojourn/June The 15th 1967". There's also vibes on these performances, but the notes are a bit unclear – so we're not sure if they're by Burton, or Frank Ricotti – who also worked with Gibbs. Burton's group returns on the funky track "Doin The Pig" – and then CD3 features a full second performance from earlier in 1969 – with a group that also includes John Surman on soprano, Mike Osborne on alto, Henry Lowther on trumpet, Jack Bruce on bass, and Ricotti on vibes. Titles on this set include "Feelings & Things/June The 15th 1967", "Sweet Rain", "Family Joy Oh Boy", and "Fly Time Fly Sigh". CD

Lost grooves from Spanish Harlem – an incredible set of Latin Soul from The 107th Street Stickball Team! With a name like that, the group certainly aren't as well-remembered as contemporaries like Joe Bataan or Willie Colon, but they've got a soulful groove that definitely fits the style of the time – a sweet uptown blend of Harlem soul and Latin rhythms – with the same blend of sweet soul ballads and uptempo groovers you'd find on some of Bataan's classic albums for Fania Records! Bobby Marin put the whole album together, with a tight groove that's very similar to his work for Speed Records – played here by a group that includes Orlando Marin, Louie Ramirez, Ozzie Torrens, and Joey Pastrana – all kings of Latin Soul at the time! Vocalists include Butch Johnson and Danny Agosto – but there's a real group feel to the record, with lots of harmonies behind the lead – the kind of streetcorner soul you might have heard while catching a stickball game on one of the side streets up north of Harlem. Titles include "Toma Guajira", "Look To Me", "You Put A Hurt In My Heart", "Rhythm & Soul", "Mojo Shingaling", "Barbara With The Kooky Eyes", "Tell Her I Love Her", and "Let Me Do My Thing". CD features 3 bonus tracks by The Nitty Sextet, all previously unissued – "Nitty Boo Boo", "Something New", and "Say Listen". CD

Celso Saluzzi & Dino Saluzzi on bandoneon, percussion & voice, Felix "Cuchara" Saluzzi on tenor & soprano saxophones & clarinet, Armando Alonso on guitars & voice, Guillermo Vadala on electric bass & voice, Jose Maria Saluzzi on drums, percussion & voice & Arto Tuncboyaci on percussion on percussion & voice. CD