Lynwood Slim featuring Junior Watson - Lost in America  This release from 1997 has been hard to find for a few years. Thanks to Slim for cleaning out his closet so more folks can hear this great CD. Simply put, this is one of the great offerings of California blues from that wonderful period of the late 80's and early 90's.The song selection is superb and the playing by both Slim and Watson is over the top. To my ears this ranks with the best releases of this style.

The Blasters – Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings This welcome reissue of the best recordings from this talented band is long overdue. Originally issued a decade or more ago, this new double set is a great value for these essential sides. The Blasters were the consummate American roots-rock band. Led by Phil and Dave Alvin, they took the seemingly disparate genres of rockabilly, gospel, r&b and straight-up vintage rock & roll and exposed a whole new generation to this music. In 1981-85 when these recordings were made there were few, if any, bands covering the same territory and their enthusiasm for the material shines through on all tracks.

The Butterfield Blues Band - Live Volume 2 Originally released as part of a Rhino  Handmade Edition, this set of live recordings with the "horn band" is from the same 1971 recordings done at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Wounded Bird issued the first volume a few years ago and it has since gone out of print. Grab this while they are still around. These are soulful and jazzy tracks with a mature Butterfield playing masterful harmonica.

Doug Sahm – The Genuine Texas Groover Another great re-issue that originally was released as part of Rhino Handmade limited edition sets, this two CD collection covers his two classic Atlantic albums, Doug Sahm and Band plus Texas Tornado along with a whole bunch of unissued or alternate takes, at less than half the original cost. Featuring a heavyweight lineup of Flaco Jimenez, Dr. John, Bob Dylan, Levon Helm and many more, these recordings have stood the test of time well and are some of our favorite recordings by Doug.

South Texas Rhythm n’ Soul Revue - Kent (24 tracks) This collection of blues and soul sides comes from the Jet Stream, Eric, Tear Drop and related labels. The list of artists reads like a who's who of Lone Star gold. Big Walter Price, Johnny Copeland, Barbara Lynn as well as Johnny Adams, Margo White and Warren Storm from neighboring Louisiana. They all cut sides for the Crazy Cajun, Huey Pervis Meaux, at his Gold Star Studios in Houston, Texas. The sound is tough Texas R&B with lush backings and stinging guitar on many cuts. If you like the early recordings of Doug Sahm this is where he was coming from.

Rhythm and Bluesin’ by the Bayou – Rompin’ and Stompin’  Twenty eight blues rockers from the vaults of Goldband, Jay Miller, Montel and KRY labels. This release includes nineteen unissued tracks and loads of amazing recordings. This series keeps getting better with each release.

Howling on Dowling: Houston Honkers and Texas Shouters Volume 2  is another collection of Lone Star State boogie rockers. These hopelessly obscure, but great shuffle boogie sounds feature screaming guitars and guttural baritone burps. Most of these sides are seeing reissue for the first time anywhere. Don't miss the first volume as well.

Hall of Fame Volume 3 More Rare and Unissued Sides from Fame   The Kent label out of the UK is on a quest to anthologize the classic Southern soul of Northern Alabama.  This trend continues with the release of a third volume in the Hall Of Fame Series. In addition to George Jackson, Phillip Mitchell, Clarence Carter and Otis Clay, they also feature another batch of unknowns. All artists are backed by some of the finest musicians of Southern soul's golden era. Of the twenty four tracks featured here, only four have been released before.

Jimmy Liggins Presents the Best of Duplex Records Jimmy Liggins’ DUPLEX label recorded some of the roughest sounds of the 1950's and 1960's. With Liggins mangle and strangle approach to the guitar along with the raw production values of his various studios, the sound of these recordings is quite intense. It is as rough as any Sun recording and just as ignant. This set is a real Bluebeat favorite.

John and Sylvia Embry - Troubles This is a longtime favorite and is now finally on CD. This November 2013 release on Delmark is a beauty. Originally recorded for the tiny Razor label in the 1970's, this first ever CD release supplements the original ten tracks with all of the non LP singles plus four unissued sides. John's tough, Magic Slim style guitar playing is in contrast to Sylvia's gospel influenced soul vocals which makes for some gritty and exciting recordings.

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