B.B. King - “How Blue Can You Get?” - 1971, Known as “The King of the Blues,” King was a tractor driver in his working years before music. His first guitar was paid for by his employer and then worked off with two months salary - $15. This song, a live recording, features a lyric that was sampled by the 90s one hit wonder, Primitive Radio Gods.

Durand Jones - “That Feeling” - 2023, Durand Jones has been one of contemporary R&B and Soul’s biggest successes. This is his first album under just his name and not with his normal band, The Indications. It is a concept album that tells the story of his hometown, Hillaryville, LA.

The Zutons - “Valerie” - 2006, This song was made famous by Amy Winehouse, but it was, in fact, written by British indie rock band, The Zutons. I loved this band in the 2000s, and honestly, I like this version better than Winehouse’s.

Harry Nilsson - “Gotta Get Up” - 1971, Nilsson was a musician’s musician. He was cited as the Beatles’ favorite American musician, and had a collab album with John Lennon called, Pussy Cats. This song is off of his most successful album, Nilsson Schmilsson.

Bombay Bicycle Club - “Heaven” - 2023, Another song from an indie rock band from the heyday of indie rock. BBC is an English indie rock band from the mid ‘00s, but this track is from their recently released album from ‘23.

Half Moon Run - “Goodbye Cali” - 2023, This is a new to me band that I recently found, though, they’ve been around since ‘09-’10. They are from Montreal, and this track is off of their latest release.

Oddisee - “That’s Love” - 2023, This was an album I unfortunately missed last year, or it might have ended up on my Top 20. Oddisee is a Sudanese-American rapper and producer from Washington DC. Apparently he tours with a full band, which makes me want to catch a show.

McKinley Dixon - “Run, Run, Run” - 2023, McKinley was #9 on my Top 20 Hip Hop Albums of ‘23. This was the third single off of his newest album, Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!, which references three novels by Toni Morrison - Beloved, Paradise, and Jazz. I love the beats on this track.

Althea and Donna - “Uptown Top Ranking” - 1978, If you’ve been following for awhile, you may notice that this song samples the same track as Marcia Aitken’s, “I’m Still In Love” (appears on June 2023 Playlist). Althea and Donna achieved cult status with this song, which also made it to the top of the British charts in 1978. It has been covered by numerous reggae artists, and also 90s trip hop band, Portishead.

Mitchum Yacoub - “Never Knew” - 2023, Mitchum is an Egyptian-American multi-instrumentalist, producer, and DJ. He made my Top 5 World Albums of ‘23 at #4. This track features Divina Jasso on vocals, which are some of my favorite tracks on this album.

YACHT - “Psychic City (Voodoo City)” - 2009, I first heard a demo of this song and I swear it was before 2009, but for the life of me, I cannot find that recording anywhere anymore. YACHT is an art rock band, that also put on performative art. Anything from music, dance, or even powerpoint presentations (yes, really).

Old Carters Memory Lane - “At Peace” - 2023, This band officially is the first band to reach out to me to listen to their music, and what’s even cooler, is I actually really like their music. OCML is a band from Lund, Sweden, and this recording was done live in their local community center called Hemgarden. You lucky people are some of the first to experience their music, and hopefully many more will follow.

Space Fight - “Is It All” - 2024, I made acquaintances with one of the members of Space Fight via Twitter (X, whatever). They caught my attention because it was the first time I had heard of a band releasing their music via NFT. This is a single off of their upcoming EP and it is wonderfully 80s feeling.

The Clash - “Straight to Hell” - 1982, This might be a fake out to the Millennials out there. It was very famously sampled by M.I.A. on her breakout hit, “Paper Planes.” If you don’t know The Clash, you objectively should get to know them. They are the definitive British punk band led by Joe Strummer (see March 2023 Playlist for a solo track) and fellow songwriter Mick Jones.

Will Johnson - “The Conductor Calls” - 2023, Will Johnson was the leader of the now defunct indie-rock band Centro-Matic. In the indie scene, he is heralded by fellow musicians and has collaborated with a veritable who’s who of the scene, including Jason Molina, Vic Chesnutt, Jim James, and Jason Isbell. His solo sound really brings a 90s grunge feel to country music that I love.

Bush - “Machinehead” - 1994, Speaking of 90s grunge, how about this gem? This track is off of their massive debut album, Sixteen Stone, which also featured the hit song, “Glycerine.” Shout out to Pitzinger for reminding me of this song.

Ananda Shankar - “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” - 1970, Ananda was the nephew of famous Indian Sitar player, Ravi Shankar. He was known for blending Eastern and Western styles, perfectly shown here on this cover of the Rolling Stones. This album was featured in Rolling Stone Magazine’s 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

The Nude Party - “Cherry Red Boots” - 2023, I’m a big fan of the Nude Party capturing a 60s rock sound, but making it their own. Think old school Rolling Stones sound. I’m going to see them open for the Futurebirds this year, and I couldn’t be more pumped for it.

Drew Smith - “Bending Like a River Flowing” - 2011, When I was touring with the Wheeler Brothers, I met Drew who is just a fantastic human being. One of the nicest and most humble yet talented people I’ve ever met. I think I saw him play with four bands that he created depending on what music he was writing at the time. If you look at my Instagram, you can find a reel of us moving a piano in the back of a truck, with him jamming on it the whole trip.

Primitive Radio Gods - “Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand” - 1996, The 90s was a veritable endless pool of one hit wonders, including the Primitive Radio Gods. This was all over alternative radio when I was in middle school. If you grew up in the 90s, I think it is literally impossible for you to have missed this song. Oh - also, this song samples the first track on this playlist.