The MOJO Bowie companion CD explores his influences and impact, plus work by his key collaborators. Mick Ronson, Jacques Brel, Brian Eno, Ian Hunter, Donnie McCaslin, Holy Holy, Robert Fripp, Maria Schneider and Śląsk all feature!

During the last quarter of the 20th century, and thanks largely to Eric Clapton's remarkable devotion to his memory, Robert Leroy Johnson posthumously became the most celebrated Delta blues musician of the pre-WWII era. Among numerous editions of his complete works and various anthologies that combine his recordings with those of his contemporaries and followers, J.S.P.'s The Road to Robert Johnson and Beyond combines many of his essential performances with those by dozens of other blues artists from Blind Lemon Jefferson and Henry Thomas to Muddy Waters and Elmore James. 105 tracks fill four CDs with several decades' worth of strongly steeped blues that trace the African American migration from the deep south on up into Chicago. This is a fine way to savor the recorded evidence, as primary examples from Blind Blake, Charley Patton, Son House, Charlie McCoy, Walter Vincson, Skip James, Ma Rainey, Tampa Red, Kokomo Arnold, Scrapper Blackwell, Leroy Carr, Lonnie Johnson, and Peetie Wheatstraw lead directly to early modern masters like Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Bill Broonzy, Johnny Temple, Leroy Foster, Johnny Shines, Homesick James Williamson, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Snooky Pryor, Little Walter, and David Honeyboy Edwards, among many others.

This three-CD set documents some historic country-blues performances by the likes of Mississippi John Hurt, Skip James, Bukka White, Mississippi Fred McDowell and Mance Lipscomb. The urban side of things is well represented by Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Memphis Slim, Muddy Waters with Otis Spann, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and The Chambers Brothers turning in a riveting rendition of “See See Rider.” Included here are 11 previously unreleased tracks. A must for acoustic-blues fans.

Africa Express, known for its groundbreaking cross-cultural musical collaborations, ventures into new territory with its latest project, a new album recorded at Bahidorá Festival in Mexico. The 21-track album showcases an exceptional lineup of talent with a groundbreaking fusion of Latin pop, reggaeton, hip hop and traditional African sounds. Featured artists include renowned Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara, multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Joan As Police Woman, Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) and St. Lucia artist Poté, with contributions from Django Django and Bonobo, alongside some of the best new talent out of Mexico, including Mare Advertencia, La Bruja de Texcoco, Eme Malafe and Luisa Almaguer. By bridging cultural divides and encouraging creative collaboration, this project not only highlights the richness of global music but also provides audiences with an eclectic listening experience.