New and future releases of note...

CHUCK PROPHETSoap and WaterMuch like his work with seminal L.A. band Green on Red, Chuck Prophet's first new album in three years, Soap and Water, defies categorization. Soap and Water moves deftly from Americana and rock to R&B, molding styles at will. A true renaissance rocker, Prophet is a writer, producer and musician who helped define Los Angeles' Paisley Underground scene and open the door for alt.country's rise to prominence in the 1990s. Prophet's dark undercurrents and mythic persona have coupled with his seat-of-the-pants creative philosophy to make him one of the most sought-after songwriters in music today."His most satisfying album yet. The range of styles is impressive, from the pale hip hop of 'Something Stupid' to the title track's murky Southern funk and the swamp-blues of 'A Woman's Voice.' But he does the f---ed-up ballad thing expertly too, even drafting a children's choir for 'Would You LoveMe.'" - Uncut, 4 stars out of 4.(Yep Roc)MORE INFO + SOUND CLIPS CD $14.99

SHARON JONES DAP-KINGS100 Days 100 Nights LP"Sharon Jones not only earns her title of the "Queen of Funk" on her spunky new record 100 Day 100 Nights, she also burns, yearns, howls and growls for it. This is the kind of album that you dream about owning on vinyl - that practically begs to come wafting down from open windows on hot city nights. With a tone that is consistently upbeat and defiant, even when she's the woman left behind, Sharon Jones, with great support from the Dap-Kings (a.k.a Amy Winehouse's backing band), brings her own brand of funky fire to each and every song." -- Amy Wagner, kevchino.com (Daptone)MORE INFO + SOUND CLIPS

RESPECT YOURSELF: THE STAX RECORDS STORY VariousFilmmakers Robert Gordon and Morgan Neville present a breath-taking film that chronicles the story of the greatest soul label from its birth in Memphis through all its upheavals. Samuel L. Jackson narrates. Included are rare performances; interviews with Isaac Hayes, Mavis Staples, Carla Thomas, Sam Moore, Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Eddie Floyd, Jesse Jackson, Al Bell, Wayne Jackson, and more; lost performances by Otis Redding, Booker T. & the MGs, Isaac Hayes, and more; 1972 WattStax concert outtakes; interviews with Stax fans Elvis Costello, Bono, Angie Stone, Chuck D, and more; first interview with Jim Stewart in 15 years; and never-before-seen home movies. (Stax)MORE INFO DVD $19.98

STAX-VOLT REVUE: LIVE IN NORWAY 1967 VariousThis DVD is the first-ever official release of this historic concert, restored from original master tapes, with 20 minutes of recently discovered performances lost in the vaults for 40 years. Performers include Booker T. & the MGs, The Mar-Keys, Arthur Conley, Eddie Floyd, Sam & Dave, and Otis Redding. (Stax)MORE INFO DVD $14.98

Bettye Lavette and Drive-By Truckers collaborate on this one-of-a-kind record filled with mini-dramas about life, love and survival. The Scene Of The Crime is a blistering mix of anguished soul & greasy rock & roll, laced with the swampy guitars, Spooner Oldhams slippery Wurlitzer piano and Bettyes razor sharp voice in the forefront. Produced by Dave Barbe, Patterson Hood & Bettye LaVette, the disc was recorded in Muscle Shoals, AL. (Anti) Sound Clips:MP3: Take Me Like I Am (Still Want To Be Your Baby)MP3: JealousyMP3: You Don`t Know Me At All

Description:After an extremely rare three year break from recording, Steve Earle is back, with Washington Square Serenade, an album of new music his first for New West Records. The longtime Nashville (via Texas) resident, Earle has called New York City home for the past year and this will be his first release produced in the city. Recorded at New Yorks legendary Electric Lady Studios, the introspective album, inspired by NYC is Earles first produced by John King of The Dust Brothers (Beck, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys). The deluxe CD/DVD version includes bonus artwork, plus an exclusive documentary about the inspiration behind `Washington Square Serenade, including a walking tour of Greenwich Village with Steve and noted journalist Mark Jacobson (New York Magazine). Sound Clips:MP3: Tennessee BluesMP3: City of Immigrants (With Forro In The Dark)MP3: Oxycontin Blues

The album features Lovett`s versatile Large Band on 12 tracks that cover a broad musical spectrum -- from country to blues, to folk, to jazz, to gospel...Produced by longtime collaborator Billy Williams and Lovett, "It`s Not Big It`s Large" combines Lovett`s distinctive vocal style with his critically acclaimed, insightful and introspective songwriting skill...The deluxe version of the CD includes a DVD with footage taken in the studio during the recording of six songs from the album: "Ain`t No More Cane," "All Downhill," "Don`t Cry A Tear," "Up In Indiana," "The Alley Song," and "South Texas Girl."" -- starpulse.com (Lost Higway) Sound Clips:MP3: I Will Rise Up/Ain`t No More CaneMP3: All Downhill

ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS Raising Sand (DUE 10.23.07)The musical collaboration of the decade, Raising Sand is the sound of two iconic figures stepping out of their respective comfort zones and letting their instincts lead them across a brave new sonic landscape. Despite hailing from distinctly different backgrounds, Alison Krauss and Robert Plant share a maverick spirit and willingness to extend the boundaries of their respective genres. This spirit, expertly honed by producer T Bone Burnett, has resulted in an album pitched three steps beyond some cosmic collision of early urban blues, spacious West Texas country, and the untapped potential of the folk-rock revolution. Supported by the unparalleled musicianship of Marc Ribot, Dennis Crouch, Mike Seeger, Jay Bellerose, Norman Blake, Greg Leisz, Patrick Warren, and Riley Baugus, Plant and Krauss - as both solo and harmony vocalists - tackle an intriguing selection of songs from such tunesmiths as Tom Waits, Gene Clark, Sam Phillips, Townes Van Zandt, The Everly Brothers, and Mel Tillis. Raising Sand finds Robert Plant and Alison Krauss exploring popular music's elemental roots while still sounding effortlessly, breath-takingly Contemporary.(Rounder)MORE INFO + SOUND CLIPS CD $14.99

Tour Releases
Tool Box (2007)

Too name but a few...