Doug Sahm once sang, "You just can't live in Texas if you don't have a lot of soul," and, as a proud son of the Lone Star state, he seemed bent on proving that every time he stepped in front of a microphone. Whether he was playing roots rock, garage punk, blues, country, norteño, or (as was often the case) something that mixed up several of the above-mentioned ingredients, Doug Sahm always sounded like Doug Sahm – a little wild, a little loose, but always good company, and a guy with a whole lot of soul who knew a lot of musicians upon whom the same praise could be bestowed. Pulling together a single disc compilation that would make sense of the length and breadth of the artist's recording career (which spanned five decades) would be just about impossible (the licensing hassles involved with the many labels involved would probably scotch such a project anyway), but this disc, which boasts 22 songs recorded over the course of eight years, is a pretty good starter for anyone wanting to get to know Sahm's music.

First off, "Dream Come True" is maybe the most beautiful ballad ever. Why Lanni's lesser "Lost in You," which he recorded with Sheriff, came back from the dead instead of this pearl seems just plain unfair. Otherwise, this collection plays even more polished than Frozen Ghost's still-quirky debut, whereupon the Canadian duo established a superior level of professionalism and skill that works against the tunes this time around. Except for the Fixx-like first single, "Round and Round," there exists nothing simple about any of these songs. Nice Place to Visit almost echoes a new age atmosphere – i.e., dealing with outer (the memorable "Mother Nature") and inner ("Perfect World") solace. It's hard to recommend this CD to scratch any particular musical itch, but "Dream Come True" on a mixed tape could make anybody fall in love with you.

This band started life as a trio from Northern Ireland called Method, changing their name to Andwella's Dream after moving to London in 1968. After the first LP they were known simply as Andwella. The trio were fronted by Dave Lewis (guitar/keyboard/vocals), with Nigel Smith (bass/vocals) and Gordon Barton (drums). The "World's End" album was comprised entirely of Dave Lewis compositions, but most of the tracks were more mainstream with string orchestrations, brass arrangements and background vocals. The best tracks are the mid-tempo R&B influenced "I Got A Woman" with flute solo, jazzy piano and guitar; two tracks ("Reason For Living" and "Shadow Of The Night"), which sound similar to Traffic and the slow instrumental Michael Fitzhenry which featured some good guitar work and flute. The bands' last album, "People's People" was released in 1971, after which the band broke up in 1972.

Iotunn‘s Kinship is a massive album arising from the primeval sea. It’s a mythological journey through eight tracks that span immense spheres both musically and lyrically, exploring the deep roots of human nature, its connection and disconnection with everything and everyone, and how our choices have always defined ourselves and the lives lived.
Set in primeval time, Kinship unfolds the story of a tribesman who is part of a prehistoric tribe. It tells the story of life’s many conditions as themes of unity/disunity, light/dark, body/mind, nature/culture, good/evil, creation/destruction, and human/inhuman unfold throughout the album.

In short saxophone and church organ duets, John Surman and Howard Moody follow up their previous orchestral project, Proverbs & Songs from 1998, with this series of improvisations that track through occasional traditional themes, as well as new compositions that have older values and motifs in mind. Surman is his usual brilliant and staunchly individual self, whether playing his trusty baritone sax, bass clarinet, or at times, soprano, while Moody's keyboards provide more of a foundation rather than being on equal footing. Recorded in Oslo, Norway, moods from joyous and active to introspective or pensive are dotted throughout this program that seems like a musical biopic through the life of virtually anyone…