A long time ago I took my folk-fan brother-in-law, visiting from Ireland, to the Hackney Empire to see Bert Jansch. This was not the rather more celebrated affair with Pete Doherty, which came later; it was just Bert and his acoustic guitar.

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Soul music comes in many guises but I think the one I love best is slow-burning deep soul from the Deep South. This is a prime example by Mable John, who died on 25 August at the ripe old age of 91. (more…)

Novelty records. They’re nearly always awful, aren’t they – Grandad, Ernie, Shadap Your Face. Agadoo, Gimme Dat Ding. Jilted John was different. (more…)

Here’s a slice of rare soul from Betty Moorer, finally finding some success in the Sixties, a decade after starting her first group. (more…)

I’m not sure where I stumbled across this funky slice of contemporary blues with undertones of the Sopranos theme song. (more…)

I’ve been a big fan of Caitlin Rose from the start. Although not the very start of her singing career, because that was when she provided the vocals on the demos of the songs her mother wrote that went on to appear on Taylor Swift’s first album.
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The Pet Shop Boys and Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine don’t immediately seem like the most obvious bedfellows. And yet… this works perfectly. (more…)

Danger Mouse and Black Thought collaborate on the album Cheat Codes. This is one of its many standout tracks, featuring Michael Kiwanuka. (more…)

I was not sure which side to post of this Northern Soul favourite because both have their champions. I’m going with Under The Street Lamp because that was the A-side that gave them a minor hit in 1967. (more…)

Here’s the only known recording by the strangely named Sag War Fare… which is apparently meant to be a pun on “Savoir Faire.” (more…)