Sheila Chandra companion listening release: Out in the Real World
Out in the Real World, is a digital-only collection of remixes, demo recordings and outlier tracks.
Wed, 28 June 23
The Holmes Brothers
Where sublime gospel meets juke-joint blues, The Holmes Brothers had a rare talent for drawing fresh joy, love and pain out of even the oldest material.
The Holmes Brothers, an American musical trio originally hailing from Christchurch, Virginia, blended elements of blues, soul, gospel, country, and rhythm & blues into their distinctive, potent sound.
Over the years they recorded with Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Odetta, Phoebe Snow, Willie Nelson, Freddie Roulette, Rosanne Cash, Levon Helm and Joan Osborne, to name a few. They toured the world, playing major festivals and concert halls, and won numerous awards.
The Holmes Brothers’ timeless music is tight, the vocals rich and warm, and the overall effect is disciplined yet deeply soulful and utterly infectious.
Drummer Willie “Popsy” Dixon died in January 2015 of cancer. In April of the same year, Wendell Holmes, the band’s vocalist, guitarist, pianist and songwriter, announced his retirement from performing due to health concerns, and passed away in the June.
Oldest brother Sherman Holmes continues to write, record and perform with The Sherman Holmes Project.
Releases
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Jubilation
Sublime gospel meets juke-joint blues. The Holmes Brothers give us a soul-stirring re-invention of a timeless collection of songs from the American gospel canon in one memorable live performance captured at the Real World Recording Week in 1991.
Further reading
Les Amazones d’Afrique assert women’s freedom of expression with new single ‘Kuma Fo’
The track features on their forthcoming Jacknife Lee-produced album Musow Danse.
Wed, 25 October 23
Guitarist Salif Koné demonstrates three musical styles from Mali
Rokia Koné and Les Amazones d'Afrique's guitarist demonstrates Mandigue, Bamana & Tuareg music.
Mon, 02 May 22
Track of the day: ‘Sajanava’ by Jasdeep Singh Degun
Sajanava is taken from Jasdeep Singh Degun's debut album Anomaly.
Fri, 08 April 22