Songwriters: Chris Stapleton and James Henderson. They may have just burst onto the bluegrass scene in 2008, but the SteelDrivers have decades of music experience between them–separately, they’ve recorded with everyone from Al Green to Patty Love... more info

Paste Magazine — Photos taken by Ricky Chapman at Showcase Live more info

Soul Sides — Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno: Westbound TrainQuantic Presenta Flowering Inferno: Make Dub Not WarFrom Death of the Revolution (Tru Thoughts, 2008)Should have been on top of this back in the summer when it first dropped but consider the new Flow... more info

JamBase — Yeah, we know he was probably really born in the spring when the flocks are actually in the fields but we still want to light a birthday candle for our pal and yours, Jesus Christ. Whether you're away in a manger or snug by a fireplace, it's wort... more info

Soul Sides — Mary Wells: Two LoversMarvin Gaye: I'll Be DoggoneThe Supremes: The HappeningEddie Kendricks: Shoeshine BoyT.G. Shepherd: Devil in the BottleBrenda Holloway: You've Made Me So Very HappyAll from The Complete Motown #1s (Motown, 2008)As for many child... more info

Said the Gramophone — Sarah Siskind - "Falling Stars" It was through Bon Iver's self-damning love for "Lovin's For Fools," the heartbreaking, "You Are My Sunshine"-jacking ballad by Sarah Siskind, that I learned of this talented songwriter. Sad music and production this ... more info

Stereogum — Here's the next installment in a series that brings you classic indie rock albums at hugely discounted prices. Every week, Amazon.com is letting us select one album from its MP3 store to go on super sale (up to 75% off normal prices). Hopefully you... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — photos by Eric M. Townsend Since the May 27 release of his chart-topping and critically lauded Blue Note Records album, Lay It Down, it has been a whirlwind year for legendary soul and R&B icon, Al Green. With Lay It... more info

Culture Bully — Al Green “Let’s Stay Together (11/04/2008)” (mp3) Al Green: (Official) (MySpace) (Wikipedia) Al Green “Lay It Down” (album) Subscribe to Culture Bully Here Also: (Al Green on the Late Show with David Letterman) (Al Green on The Tonight Show... more info

Pitchfork — Bandleader, producer, studio owner, and Jamaican musical icon Byron Lee passed away November 4 after a battle with cancer, according to a post on his website. [Via Tiny Mix Tapes.] He was 73. Lee formed his famed band the Dragonaires in 1957 and kept... more info