Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Spasibo Records present a fresh 7" by the Vicious Seeds, hailing from St. Petersburg. With vibraphonist Pavel Chizhik taking centre stage (Chizhik isn't usually a member of the band), 'Village Hassle' makes for a cleverly collaborative rare groove and instrumental reggae-soul release. The titular A-side flaunts Chizhik's vibraphone via the mix alone, fleshing out its low-end elements against a driven instrumental backbeat; 'Monthly Rainfall', meanwhile, goes for all-out slow-jammed soul by way of cross-sticked snares and offbeat chord plucks run through short-release springs.

Review: Spasibo Records introduces a new 7" vinyl by St. Petersburg outfit the Vicious Seeds, this time on yellow and green wax. In an unconventional move, vibraphonist Pavel Chizhik takes the spotlight and the result is that he truly enhances the band's signature sound. 'Village Hassle' offers a unique blend of rare groove and instrumental reggae-soul - the A-side highlights Chizhik's vibraphone prowess, intertwining it with a dynamic instrumental backbeat. On the flip side, 'Monthly Rainfall' delves into a soulful journey, characterized by cross-sticked snares and offbeat chord plucks which create an atmosphere reminiscent of slow-jammed soul with a contemporary twist.

Review: Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2023 captures a thrilling live showcase of guitar virtuosity, celebrating a return after a four-year hiatus. With Bill Murray as Master of Ceremonies, this event brought together an exceptional lineup, including Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, H.E.R., Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Santana, John Mayer and more. Across four discs, more than 50 tracks reveal electrifying renditions of blues classics, rock anthems and American Songbook standards, with Clapton himself frequently joining his peers onstage. Highlights include collaborations with the Del McCoury Band, Bradley Walker and stirring performances of 'Eight Miles High' with Roger McGuinn and 'Bluebird' with Stephen Stills. Spanning multiple genres and generations, the set offers a testament to the unifying power of the guitar, underscoring Clapton's influence in gathering top talents from across eras. This release not only chronicles a memorable night for fans but also reinforces the legacy of blues guitar as it finds fresh, dynamic life through each performer. Crossroads Guitar Festival 2023 is essential for blues and rock fans alike.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


This soundtrack is a classy melange of blues, jazz and rock that all perfectly capture the sultry atmosphere of Dennis Hopper's neo-noir classic of the same name. Set in a small Texas town, the film follows drifter Harry Madox as he becomes entangled in a web of seduction and deceit and the moody cinematography and gripping narrative are elevated by this electrifying score. Legends of their game like Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal and Earl Palmer all feature with sparse, eerie and deeply evocative overtones. For that reason, this one is much sought after and has retained its smoky allure 35 years after its original release.

Review: Soul Jazz Records' Delta Swamp Rock Volume 2 delves into the musical fusion of country, rock, and soul in the American South of the 1960s and early 1970s. Southern rock's rise in the 1970s, led by The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, created a unique sound blending country, rock, and black music, reshaping white southern working-class youth identity. The roots of this movement trace back to the legendary Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where white studio musicians and r&b legends like Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett collaborated. The release captures that time and includes an extensive book, photographs, interviews and all on lovely double vinyl.

Review: Pyramid deliver a wonderful new compilation of deep gospel from the 1960s and 1970s. Named after the Holy Light Jrs' eponymous slow jam, featuring as the lead track here, all the songs featured come corralled from the vaults of Pyramid's very own DJ Jumbo. Doing well to shine a light on the unbeatably sentimental mood that hung heavy over the Mississippi-born genre that emerged in the postwar period, the likes of 'Beams Of Heaven', 'Lord You Are My Burden Brother' and 'When The Gates Swing Open' all function as faithful, ivory-fingered devotionals and effective paeans for a better world to come.

Review: The record Store Day releases are coming thick and fast for 2024 and this is a gem in amongst them. It is said that the so-called "Golden Age of Southern Soul" lasted from about 1962 to 1975, after which point it was disco that shot to prominence and took all the headlines. Although the ensuing fusion of country, gospel, and r&b from the legendary Memphis and Muscle Shoals in the '60s appeared groundbreaking, southern soul drew from diverse influences. Horn lines from Louisiana's swamp pop, blues' lyrical themes, country music's melodies, and profound inspiration from black churches all contributed. As part of the 'History of Soul' series, this LP uncovers southern soul's musical roots with insightful notes by John Ridley, so prepare to be captivated by a truly authentic narrative and electrifying sounds.

Review: This soundtrack is a classy melange of blues, jazz and rock that all perfectly capture the sultry atmosphere of Dennis Hopper's neo-noir classic of the same name. Set in a small Texas town, the film follows drifter Harry Madox as he becomes entangled in a web of seduction and deceit and the moody cinematography and gripping narrative are elevated by this electrifying score. Legends of their game like Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal and Earl Palmer all feature with sparse, eerie and deeply evocative overtones. For that reason, this one is much sought after and has retained its smoky allure 35 years after its original release.

Review: Martin Scorsese's Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues series may not be the Academy Award-winning director's most famous contribution to popular culture, but the PBS documentary film saga, in which the legendary director takes us on a journey through the development of a sound he holds dear to his heart, is well worth looking for. Featuring luminaries such as John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, and more, each episode welcomes a different filmmaker, allowing them to refocus on artists they love. For this album spin-off, we centre attention on the mighty Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of the most influential of all blues musicians who tragically died at the age of 35 in a helicopter crash. Although far younger than many of the greats he's often listed alongside, his exceptional abilities on the guitar, and often unique sonics, set him apart from almost anyone else, alive or dead. Listen to what we mean here.

Review: This pink vinyl reissue of a blues classic has been taken from an acetate copy of the original session tales as for dis they were destroyed some years ago. It includes a full insert with plenty of backstory about the band that recorded this in Nashville in 1979. The record captures the raw energy and brilliance of a young Stevie Ray Vaughan on the cusp of stardom as he showcases his unmatched guitar skills, fiery blues rock styles and the great synergy with his band, Double Trouble. Packed with electrifying solos and heartfelt vocals this is a thrilling listen from early on in the journey of one of blues rock's greatest legends.