Antibalas – Where The Gods Are In Peace CD/LP (Daptone)
Antibalas new studio album is an epic Afro-Western Trilogy searching for solace from American political opportunism, greed and vengeance.

Ariel Pink – Dedicated To Bobby Jameson CD/LP (Mexican Summer)
The title of Los Angeles’s prodigal songwriting son Ariel Pink’s eleventh studio effort makes a direct and heartfelt reference to a real-life L.A. musician, long presumed dead, who resurfaced online in 2007 after 35 reclusive years to pen his autobiography and tragic life story in a series of blogs and YouTube tirades.

Ásgeir – Afterglow CD/LP+CD (One Little Indian)
Second album from the Icelandic singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and collaborator. Afterglow sees Ásgeir depart from the sentiment and sound of his first outing in many ways, bringing a great deal more electronic instrumentation into the fold, and adopting R&B and soul elements. The album leaves behind the folk-tinged acoustics and dives head first into melancholic, melodic electronica in its purest form. Continue reading →

Tony Allen – The Source CD (Blue Note)
With his Blue Note-debut, The Source, Nigerian drummer Tony Allen sees a childhood dream come true. Allen says this is the “best in my life,” and with a career spanning over 50 years, that’s quite the confession for the Afrobeat pioneer and former Fela Kuti fixture. The Source represents Blue Note’s classic era while symbolizing the label’s innovative present. [Vinyl edition due September 22.]

Gregg Allman – Southern Blood CD/CD+DVD/2xLP (Rounder/Concord)
Southern Blood serves as a remarkable final testament from an artist whose contributions have truly shaped rock & roll throughout the past four decades. Gregg Allman’s first all-new recording since 2011′s Grammy Award-nominated solo landmark, Low Country Blues, is among the most uniquely personal of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s career, an emotionally expansive collection of songs written by friends and favorite artists including Jackson Browne, Willie Dixon, Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter, Lowell George and Spooner Oldham & Dan Penn. Though his loss leaves a vast musical space that can never truly be filled, the album stands tall as a remarkable valedictory and memorial to a true giant of American music.

Alter Bridge – Live At The O2 Arena + Rarities 3xCD/4xLP (Napalm)
19-tracks recorded live at London’s O2 arena on November 24th, 2016. The rarities CD features the limited release tracks “Breathe”, “Cruel Sun”, and “Solace” alongside seven songs that have only been released in Japan. [Limited edition white vinyl pressing also available.] Continue reading →