Guardian Music — From James Brown to Martin Carthy, the best festive tunes don't always have to spread Christmas cheerFor the past five years, rather than cards, I've given family, friends and colleagues an annual CD of Christmas music. I sometimes wish I'd never sta... more info

KEXP Seattle — Popular R&B artist James Brown invented funk music by changing the accents and voicings in soul music. He released the first known funk single, “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag,” in 1965. This new kind of music drew from gospel, jazz and R&B and wou... more info

The Hip Hop Chronicle — Faith SFX rocked the crowd at Club Talk down in Southend.   more info

Guardian Music — A Radio 1Xtra series is documenting the history of classic club nights. Its maker, Emma Warren, lists the 10 most important institutions of the last 25 yearsThroughout history there have always been examples of the creative genius that can develop wh... more info

Guardian Music — Singer with the American vocal group the Soul ChildrenThe soul singer J Blackfoot, who has died of pancreatic cancer aged 65, was a member of the Soul Children, a vocal quartet whose searing ballads of heartache and infidelity were among the last maj... more info

Guardian Music — (Motema)With his long-running and uncomplicatedly funky BadBone & Co, British trombonist Dennis Rollins has been easy to typecast as a skilful pop/jazz brassman devoted to a hard-pumping horn sound that goes back to James Brown's bands. But this fin... more info

Guardian Music — (Republic of Music)Drummer Steve Reid – who played with artists as varied as Martha and the Vandellas, James Brown, Dexter Gordon, Sun Ra and Ornette Coleman – died last year, but this live album from Ornette Coleman's 2009 Meltdown festival fi... more info

Guardian Music — The cult cartoonist's artwork for various artists has a vividness and oomph that is almost like music in itself'Yeah I'll do your album cover, but the only thing is, when I meet Janis, I want to be able to pinch her tit." It was not perhaps the most ... more info

Guardian Music — Here's some relationship advice – Southern soul-style – for those who take their lover for granted …It's hard to conceive of all the great music that can come out of one place until you see a vast selection of it gathered together. Of course, I... more info

Mjsbigblog — Scotty McCreery appears at the 2011 Kicks 99 Guitar Pull at the James Brown Arena in Augusta GA Doors open at 6:30pm, show at 7:30pm. Jennifer Hudson will be Ustream live at 8 pm EST. 'The X Factor' Marks Its Spot at The Grove "The X Factor" judge... more info