Boyd Rivers: You Got to Take Sick and Die (1978)

Very rare footage of one of the last true hills bluesmen, Boyd Rivers. Amazing that Alan Lomax got this on film in 1978.

Rising Appalachia LIVE- Mississippi Song.5.4.2012.

Pretty live version. The album version is more electronic and chillout/trip hop style. Both versions sound great to me. I like how the folk/electronic crossover comes together on this one.

Charles Bradley - Why Is It So Hard (Live on KEXP)

Charles Bradley is an amazing singer with an amazing life story. His soul and voice takes you back, and forward, in time.

Harold Alexander - Mama Soul

Harold Alexander's Mama Soul from a amazing funk album called The Sunshine Man. I had the good fortune of stumbling on this album in the bargain bin of a record store long ago. Not knowing what it was but knowing it was on the great flying dutchman jazz label and knowing this guy looked funky as hell, I took it home and was blown away by his scatting and dirty funkiness on the flute. And I love that he sounds just like you'd think by looking at his front and back album cover photos. The great jazz bassist Richard Davis is also playing some wicked bass on this particular album.

Soel - Le vicomte

This is a nice little electronic/live jazz track by Soel that samples Harold Alexander, a wonderful jazz flautist who i will post here next.

Kyrie Kristmanson - Song x

Really nice modern folk tune from this lovely Canadian. She has a nice little interview on youtube where she discusses folk music vs modern folk music vs the humanities and history. The girl understands.

John Forte & Valerie June - Give Me Water

This woman will be big! Changing the game/bringing roots blues back into the spotlight. She has hints of Jessie Mae Hemphill, RL Burnside, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Joanna Newsome and even Black Keys in her music. And it's nice to see and old (Re)Fugee back puttin in quality work: John Forte.

Girma Hadgu - Ene Alantchi Alnorem (I Can't Live Without You) (Ethiopiqu...

If you like jazz then you will love this tune by Girma Hadgu. Just when you think the beauty might subside, the winds blow and the world/music keeps on spinning. It is one of the more beautiful tunes from the ethiopiques collection (a series of tracks/albums from ethiopian & eritrean singers/musicians). Ethiopian jazz has always been one of the more intriguing, recognizable and unique jazz styles. The French label Buda musique and specifically Francis Falceto made this collection of 60s & 70s recordings available to the west starting in 1997 and it has released 27 albums. The only downside is Francis Falceto is said to have grossly underpaid these talented musicians when obtaining the rights to their music. If you are looking for a starting point I highly recommend Ethiopiques vol. 4.

Ural Thomas - Smile

Wow Ural Thomas - Smile

DJ Rupture - Change The Mood

Fantastic 22 min mix from one of the top class djs in america, Rupture.

Marvin Gaye - Too Busy Thinking 'Bout My Baby (20 Syl remix)

Absolutely fantastic remix of the Marvin Gaye classic "Too Busy Thinking 'Bout My Baby" from French producer 20 Syl. Been playing it in my sets lately. Just wow.