A compilation of Memphis’ Ardent Studios has just been released by Ace Records. Thank You Friends: the Ardent Records Story compiles over two CDs tracks from one of the most respected recording facilities in America. Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, REM, and Cat Power have all step foot inside Ardent, alongside […]

New R&B-jazz combo Trio Valore have announced their first live shows. The three-piece – Steve White, Damon Minchella, and Seamus Beaghen – play London Brixton Jamm on May 16th, London Jazz Cafe on June 15th, and a week later the band heard down to Southampton to play the Soul Cellar […]

Anglo-Argentinian beatsters The Draytones have announced details of their first full-length LP. Up In My Head is out on 1965 Records on April 14th. The 10-track album is a diverse collection of guitar-pop songs with excellent Kinks/Beatles-esque melodies and Creation/Who-like guitar sounds. Up In My head tracklisting:1. Turn It Down2. […]

The Psychic Circle label has just released two compilations of UK bands in the beat and blue-eyed soul genres, both overseen by Nick Saloman. First up is Try Me Out: Ballroom Beat Vol. 2. Following the success of volume 1, here are another 20 slices of prime British beat from […]

Here in the UK some enterprising souls have set up a new label Garage Greats, dedicated to re-issuing the best and rarest garage 45s from around the world. The first batch of ten records include classics such as Fe Fi Four Plus 2’s ‘I Wanna Come Back (from the World […]

Rhino Handmade is celebrating the 60th anniversary of Atlantic Records with a series of 4-CD boxsets devoted to the label’s different musical styles, including this new Atlantic Soul 1959-1975 CD boxset. Opening with Ray Charles’ Come Rain Or Come Shine and closing at the dawn of the disco era with […]

Three Decca 60s 7-inch boxsets are set to hit the shelves in September – but you might have to order now as they’re limited to just 500 each – and as they’re packed with big price rarities, cut directly from the analogue masters with original labels and sold with a […]

Georgie Fame’s CBS output is back under the spotlight for a new compilation CD – Somebody Stole My Thunder (Jazz-Soul Grooves 1967-1971). It’s a mixed bag of material, headed up of course by the title track and regular mod dancefloor filler, as well as a number of soul and soul/jazz […]