Willie Nile – The Innocent Ones (2010)
MP3 320 kbps | 98 MB | 39:25 | Covers
Alternative-Rock, Folk

The New York Times called him "one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years". His album Streets Of New York was hailed as “a platter for the ages” by Uncut magazine. He has been called everything from "a oneman Clash" to "the next Bob Dylan” and his critically acclaimed solo albums have gotten rave reviews around the world. Bono, Lou Reed, Lucinda Williams, Jim Jarmusch, Adam Duritz and Little Steven are among those who have sung his praises

Sharrie Williams is a relatively young singer/songwriter who is known as the princess of rockin’ gospel blues. If you are wondering what rockin’ gospel blues is, just listen to the title track of I’m Here To Stay. Williams was born January 3, 1965, and was raised by a family of gospel singers and blues lovers at the Daniels Heights Projects in Saginaw, Michigan. She is very popular in Europe, and up until now has not had a release on a North American label.

Carla Bley performs originals in a trio setting, with frequent partner Steve Swallow and an alumnus of her big bands, English saxophonist Andy Sheppard. He shines on tenor and soprano, and clearly has empathic partners. Between judicious contributions, Bley helps out Swallow in the drummerless rhythm section. Fine collaboration, as well as faultless writing and arranging, is her forte, rather than sheer piano chops. As for Swallow, his electric bass sings and lilts, with an attention to his partners that is truly impressive. He steps out front sparingly and effectively. The pieces are all by Bley except Thelonious Monk's "Misterioso," heard here in Bley's fine arrangement. Other highlights are a fittingly galumphing "Wrong Key Donkey" and a swaying "The Lord Is Listenin' to Ya, Hallelujah," where Bley rejoices in the chapel, as her big band would do so successfully a couple of years later on Goes to Church. The album takes her far from the grandeur and bulk of the big-band work, but it has the same intricacy and subtle play of convention and invention.

John Carter Cash - The Family Secret (2010)
MP3 320 kbps | 148 MB | 64:31 min
Americana,Alt-Country

John Carter Cash s CD The Family Secret oversteps these boundaries so firmly in place and follows only one rule: the rule of the heart. This album covers new ground, blending various styles and influence. The music is diverse, yet clearly defined by John Carter s inimitable style and writing. There are elements of hard rock here, just as evidentially heard as those of traditional country music and folk. The Family Secret mainly showcases John Carter as a writer, showing depth and intrigue, from the dark and searching Cab Casket to the rumpus and fun title song, the listener is taken for a journey they will not forget. No One Gets Out of Here Alive is a soul searching prayer, while Killarney , an eight minute Irish folk ballad, tells a tale of lost love, tragedy and finally hope. John Carter also covers a few of his long time favorites, including Louden Wainwright III s Swimming Song and the Tom Paxton classic The Last Thing on my Mind. John Carter also works as a music producer, and has been a producer on five Grammy winning records.

Gary P.Nunn - Taking Texas To The Country (2010)
MP3 320kbps | 124 MB | 47:25 | Covers
Americana,Texas Country

Gary P. Nunn has been Taking Texas To The Country and Texas Country to the world for some 40 years now, establishing himself as an icon of Lone Star music. A founding father of the progressive country movement out of Austin in the 1970s that changed the face of popular music,Nunn is also an independent music pioneer who continues to oversee his own record label and song publishing companies, manage his own career (with the help of his wife Ruth), and play most every weekend at top music venues throughout Texas and beyond.

Aka Moon- Baba Sissoko and Black Machine - Culture Griot (2009)
MP3 214 kbps | 99 MB | 66:25 | Covers
World,Jazz-Fusion

Aka Moon, Baba Sissoko and his ensemble Black Machine present the result of their energetic collaboration, their album Culture Griot. While the musical touch of Aka Moon is immediately recognized, it is the African rhythms and melodies that dominate the work. They bring us amazingly powerful music and hypnotical chants.

Tom Conway - El Tigre (2010)
MP3 256 kbps | 69 MB | 53:07 | Front cover
Gypsy Swing

Maui guitarist Tom Conway bends the ears with 16 exciting original jazz tunes and as an added bonus, the legendary Willie Nelson makes an appearance singing and playing guitar on his original song "Peaceful Solution" which was arranged by Tom! Doobie Brother Pat Simmons also contributes fine acoustic guitar solos on two songs and many of Maui's finest musicians are featured throughout this exciting, creative album!

Twilight Hotel - When The Wolves Go Blind (2011)
MP3 320 kbps | 129 MB | 56:32
Folk,Roots-Rock,Alt-Country

Twilight Hotel's "When The Wolves Go Blind" is a riveting listen and bursting to the gills with magical moments.
Late 2009 Brandy Zdan and Dave Quanbury aka Twilight Hotel holed up in King-size sound labs in L.A. for 3 days and laid down the tracks live off the floor for what would become their new album. Musically Twilight Hotel is aided by Tom Waits & Mavis Staples' rhythm section; drummer Stephen Hodges and bassist Jeff Turmes. This album further defines their sound. From the hypnotic ride of the title track to the cinematic landscape of "The Darkness", the album is infused with a sense of travel and reflection.

Dino Saluzzi Group - Mojotoro (1992)
MP3 320 kbps | 107 MB | 43:27 | Covers
Jazz,World

With Astor Piazzolla's recent death, Dino Saluzzi inherits the mantle of tango supremacy. This '91 release has him playing with his brothers Celso (who also plays the bandoneon), Jose (a drummer and percussionist), and Felix (a saxophonist), plus vocalists, guitarists, and another percussionist. The music mixes tango with elements of Bolivian and Uruguayan music.

Bob Martin -Midwest Farm Disaster (1972) Reissue 2010)
MP3 192 kbps | 56 MB | 41:23 | Front cover
Folk

Made at RCA Studios in Nashville with a rhythm section comprised of the regal likes of David Briggs, Norbert Putnam and Kenny Buttrey (misspelled "Butrey"). The cantering first bars of the opening track - stripped-down Nashville Sound a la Saginaw, Michigan or John Wesley Harding announces the intimate aesthetic of those unassailable musicians. Their accompaniment contrasts sharply with the keening rasp of the singer, a voice that reminds me of a cross between John Prine and Willis Alan Ramsey, but especially Ramsey circa his sublime self-titled LP which, as it happens, also was released in 1972.

Mike Henderson - Trouble Ain't No Stranger (2008)
MP3 320 kbps | 116 MB | 50:44 min | Covers
Modern Electric Blues,Soul- Blues

Mike Henderson's first release on Pathway was Oakland Homesick Blues and the second was Only Time Will Tell. Trouble Ain't No Stranger is the newest release from this Oakland, CA guitarist and vocalist. Named by John Lee Hooker 'The Blues Professor' , Mike's Trouble Ain't No Stranger takes a deeper look into the soul and the challenges in life and how these challenges make you who you are.

Cowboy Junkies – Demons: The Nomad Series, Volume 2 (2011)
MP3 240 kbps | 82 MB | 48:20 min
Alternative Country,Indie Rock

There is no doubt about it, Vic Chestnutt was a nomad….a nomad of the spirit and soul and a nomad of the road. He never stopped searching for meaning. His songs, right up to the end, were filled with internal wanderings and a determination to never settle down, to never be complacent, to never be satisfied with whatever meager offerings his journey unearthed. His wanderings in the real world were also well documented in his songs. One of the most common settings in his work are hotel rooms, unfamiliar spaces which he finds himself trapped in and screaming to escape. For anyone who has spent a lot of time on the road his settings are all too recognizable. The brilliance of Vic’s writing is the way he takes these external spaces and uses them to reflect the inner turmoil asense of alienation that he was forever kicking against.

VA – Sing A Song For You – Tribute To Tim Buckley (2000)
MP3 220 kbps | 120 MB | 2 CD | 86:40 min
Rock,Alternative

With source material like this, how can you go wrong? Like Nick Drake, Tim Buckley had a body of work that survived not only the ignominy of commercial oversight but also his own untimely death to live on in the imagination and influence of a new generation of artists and music lovers. The fruit of that influence is realized on Sing a Song For You, a two-CD collection of Buckley covers from a wide range of contemporary artists. The holy trinity of Tim Buckley's appeal were his amazing voice, which could swoop its way through multiple octaves; his lyrical strength and formidable songwriting skills; and his incessant experimentation with new forums and formats for his musical vision. Though Sing a Song For You lacks the first of these, it has the last two in mighty doses. Many of the tracks on these two CDs rely on the power of the original songs; others grasp Buckley's improvisatory spirit and recast them in new and startling light. Brendan Perry's (Dead Can Dance) version of "Dream Letter" is sparse and interpretive, riding on Perry's haunting voice. Mike Johnson's "I Woke Up" drops the original's light jazz breeze for a loose and dark arrangement. The Lilys amp up "Strange Feelin'" with a joyful, crazed-rock vibe. Though Sing a Song for You will be of great interest to fans.

Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks - Crazy For Christmas (2010)
MP3 320 kbps | 97 MB | 41:55 | Front cover
Country Swing,Jazzy

Dan Hicks serves up his unique attitude and swagger that are embodied in his outlaw eccentricity and totally original sound to the holidays with his latest release Crazy For Christmas. It features original Dan Hicks Christmas tunes, some classic favorites, and a few tunes re-worked for Christmas. He sets these lyrical gems to quirky tunes that trade on a bagful of jazz chords and an irresistible rhythm. This music gets under your skin, and the lyrics are set loose upon your unsuspecting brain. St. Nick is in for one hell of a good time.

Jesse Dayton - One For The Dance Halls (2011)
MP3 192 kbps | 40 MB | 28:36 | Front cover
Country

Ernest Tubb & The Texas Troubadors, Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys, Willie Nelson & The Family Band, George Strait and the Ace In The Hole Band, have all played regular shows at the legendary dance hall, the Broken Spoke in Austin , TX, which is what Jesse Dayton has been doing for years. Leading his band every Thursday night and keeping the dance floor full. Such was the inspiration for Jesse's latest release, "One For The Dance Halls." "One For The Dance Halls" was also inspired by a core group of Austin dancers, who Jesse aptly named the "Solid Chrome Dancers." He had never made a straight ahead top-to-bottom country record that consisted only of shuffles, straight 8's, ballads and waltzes. He says, "I knew if I could come up with some new material that they loved, I'd be on my way to making a legendary country record that might stand the test of time." Having shared the studio with Waylon Jennings, Ray Price, Willie Nelson and Johnny Bush, Jesse needed no more inspiration than the incredible tunes these dance hall giants had brought before him.