Aquarium Drunkard — It had been many years, but a couple of weeks back upon (re)hearing the ‘jam’ section, i.e. the latter 3/4, of the Dead’s 1971 live interpretation of Otis Redding’s infallible R&B staple “Hard To Handle“, my reaction was something akin to... more info

Guardian Music — Hi-Fi Club, LeedsMichael Kiwanuka stands centre stage with his eyes closed, shirt hanging awkwardly off his back. The only instrumentation is his guitar and the occasional basslines provided by his friend Pete. It's only when he stops singing and the... more info

Altsounds — *Bands In Transit* caught up with* Michael Kiwanuka* who's already toured with Adele, played a multitude of festivals this summer and is currently on his first headline UK tour. He's already been compared to Bill Withers and Otis Redding, and althou... more info

Guardian Music — This Leeds band play the sort of indie you'd expect from a group named after a Beat Happening song. But don't call them twee…Hometown: Leeds.The lineup: Richard (lead vocals), Tom (bass), Laura (drums), Dan (lead guitar), Pete (rhythm guitar, backi... more info

Popdose — Otis Redding would have turned 70 tomorrow. The great New Orleans musician Wardell Quezergue died this week. Ken Shane pays tribute to both artists more info

MVSW — De La Soul ~ “Eye Know” From back in 1989. 3 Feet High and Rising is easily one of the greatest albums of all time. Check the songs sampled on this track! Samples Lee Dorsey ~ “Get Out of My Life, Woman“ Sly & the Family Stone ~ “Sing a Sim... more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — Kanye West and Jay-Z were the big early MTV Video Music Awards surprise, although the appearance was leaked/tipped the media long before the show began. Walking out to a sample of Otis Redding's “Try a Little Tenderness,” Kanye and Jay did little... more info

Guardian Music — (Fontana)As house guitarist with Stax records in the 1960s, Cropper was one of the architects of southern soul, a moving force behind Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and more. Dedicated salutes one source of Cropper's terse but slinky style, the half-fo... more info

Guardian Music — Jay-Z gets all the best lines, but it's Kanye who seems to be in creative charge here, says Alexis PetridisYou have to be impressed with Jay-Z's resolve when it comes to the matter of collaborative albums, perhaps the one chequered area in an other... more info

White Folks Get Crunk — Not sure if its by coincidence or not that this dropped a few days after the Jay Z & Kanye joint that also samples Otis Redding. I mean the man made nothing but classics so there is a good chance it is coincidence. Around the 40 sec mark this joint c... more info