Guardian Music — (Nonesuch)Two years on from their debut album Heritage, Carolina Chocolate Drops are now recording for a more high-profile label, have acquired a more high-profile producer (Joe Henry, who has worked with Allen Toussaint and Elvis Costello) but are s... more info

Live Daily — Joe Henry, a singer/songwriter with country-rock roots and jazz aspirations, has become a go-to producer for like-minded acts from earlier eras. Allen Toussaint's traditional jazz album "Bright Mississippi," Bettye LaVette's soulful bar- burner "I'v... more info

Live Daily — Longtime New Orleans residents Galactic [ tickets ] immersed themselves in the music of their hometown when making "Ya-Ka-May," set for release Feb. 9 on Anti Records. The instrumental band combined guest vocalists with the town's disparate music gen... more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — Like the rest of the recording industry, jazz clearly has its issues going into 2010. But rumors of its death remain greatly exaggerated. In the last 12 months, a variety of performers released remarkable, forward-looking music that in some cases... more info

L.A. Times - Entertainment — Allen Toussaint's 'Bright Mississippi' is in the running in the best instrumental album category. The Bay Area's Julian Lage is one of the contemporary nominees, as is veteran Mike Stern. more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — Allen Toussaint's 'Bright Mississippi' is in the running in the best instrumental album category. The Bay Area's Julian Lage is one of the contemporary nominees, as is veteran Mike Stern. Grammy voters might have made some baffling choices this year.... more info

Guardian Music — Paul Morley introduces his alternative view of the decade that wasI don't know about you – and I'll just get this out of my system before the ghost of Christmas past comes to give me what for – but if there's one thing worse than a care... more info

Live Daily — Bruce Springsteen, members of U2 and Sheryl Crow will be among the guests for season two of "Spectacle: Elvis Costello [ tickets ] With...," which airs on the Sundance Channel, according to a press release. The second season of the critically accl... more info

Soul Sides — Willie West: Fairchild (2nd version)From What It Is! (Rhino, 2006)Willie West: Fairchild (promo version)I Sleep With the BluesFrom 7" single (Josie, 1970)I first became familiar with "Fairchild" off the What It Is! box-set that I helped work on; I ha... more info

My Old Kentucky — One of the great moments of my musical life was at Arcade Fire's Austin City Limits television performance. I think I'm on camera three different times. Not that I'd point it out to you as I had been out in the 108 degree ACL Fest weather all day p... more info