Millie Jackson, Totally Unrestricted! (Rhino)

Les Paul, The Complete Decca Trios – Plus (1936-1947) (Decca/MCA)

Chaka Demus and Pliers, For Every Kinda People (Island Jamaica)

Bill Kirchen, Hot Rod Lincoln – Live! (Hightone)

Jojo Reed, Not Your Baby’s Daddy (Zydeco Hound)

As one might guess, the title cut is a zydeco “Billie Jean”: JoJo’s ex asks him why he hasn’t been to see “his” baby, he asks her how old the […]

Various Artists, Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago’s Finest (MCA/Chess)

Ry Cooder, et al, Buena Vista Social Club (World Circuit/Nonesuch), Afro-Cuban All Stars, A Toda Cuba le Gusta (World Circuit/Nonesuch), Ruben Gonzalez, Introducing…(World Circuit/Nonesuch)

J.J. Cale, Any Way the Wind Blows: The Anthology (Mercury Chronicles)

Bernard Purdie et al, Bernard Purdie’s Soul to Jazz II (ACT/Blue Jackal)

Irma Thomas, Marcia Ball and Tracy Nelson, Sing It! (Rounder)

There are voices, and then, there are voices. Two of the absolutely most spine-tingling, toe-curling, soul-caressing voices I know belong to Irma Thomas, the long-reigning Soul Queen of New Orleans, […]