★Mississippi Records
Sima!
During the 1970s, Tilahun Gessesse enjoyed a successful career in his native Ethiopia. Blessed with a sublime voice, he specialized in creating popular hybrids of hot American styles - most notably soul and jazz - with traditional Ethiopian styles. Sima!, which is named after one of his most revered 7" singles, gather together music from numerous releases throughout the 1970s. It boasts numerous gems that see Gessesse combine his bold, snaking vocals with rocking rhythms, modal jazz mysticism, a…
Root Hog or Die: An Alan Lomax Centennial Tribute
In celebration of Alan Lomax's 100th birthday, Mississippi Records is proud to present a 6 LP box set featuring 100 of his finest field recordings. Previously unreleased tracks by Bob Dylan, Bascom Lamar Lunsford, Southern Drum and Fife Corps, Bill Broonzy, Rosa Lee Hill, Dennis McGee, Jean Ritchie, Shirley Collins, Bukka White, Vera Ward Hall, The Georgia Sea Island Singers, Son House and many more. 55 unreleased tracks in all on this set! Also features hard to find tracks by Skip James.…
The Jail's A Fine School
First ever vinyl collection of the legendary 'Kostis,' the most enigmatic of all Greek rebetika artists of the early 1930s. Truly unique guitar duets and black-humor prose chronicling the hash dens, prison culture and pickpockets of old Athens. Virtuosic fingerpicking of Near-Eastern modes at the dawn of rebetika, when the bouzouki was yet to become supreme. Recorded under a pseudonym for export to the Greeks living in America, it stands as an enduring mystery and the high standard for a …
Le Tioko-Tioko
A classic and seldom heard LP from Bamako! Not just your average Malian LP, Le Tioko-Tioko features has to be heard to be believed organ, hypnotic guitar and amazing sweet vocals. A truly great LP and must have for fans of Malian music. A faithful reproduction of the original with the addition of liner notes by Florent Mazzoleni. A co-release with Singasongfighter.
Creekside: Cello Solo
Lurking around the Northwest music world for years playing with the likes of the Black Cat Orchestre, Earth, David Byrne, Terry Riley, Nirvana and a ton of other musicians, here we have Lori Goldstons' beautiful cello playing in its purest form - unaccompanied and acoustic. The pieces on this LP all carry a certain level of austerity and gravitas, though they never come off as cold. On the contrary, they are warm emotional pieces of music played by someone who really knows their way aroun…
Fanafody: A Collection of Recordings and Photography from Madaga
2011 release. **Housed in typical Mississippi old-style tip-on heavy card jacket** "The second volume of recordings in a series of Madagascar music. From the archives of Montreal recordist, Charlie Brooks. While containing some similar artists as volume one, Fanafody focuses more on his second trip through the island during 2002 featuring violin players and throat singers. Includes extensive photography and Liner notes." We don't recall stocking the first volume of 'Fanafody…' but it would…
Ishilan N Tenere
Ishilan n-Tenere is a compilation of recordings of guitar music from three regions of Senegal and Mali -- Fouta Toro, Timbouctou, and the Adrar d'Ifoghas. Each region differs in language and culture, but all have a popular music based on the guitar, and their respective local guitar bands. These bands are almost unknown outside of their homes but have a devoted local following. They play all events, celebratory or political. Their songs are folk anthems, hummed under the breath and chante…
Gita Pon Yeik
Beautiful sounds in a style we've never heard before – music played on the saung gauk, which is a special leaf-shaped Burmese harp – mixed with some light background percussion and ethereal vocals from Su Wai herself! The notes of the harp have this rhythmic way of progressing – almost like the falling of rain – but the vocals slide more gracefully over the top in waves of lyrics – a strange sort of counterpoint that really creates a lot of presence from the relatively lean elements of t…
I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore
"I'm sorry, but any record that opens with a vintage rebetika track is pretty much sold for me, and since this record does, the rest doesn't really matter, it's already awesome. Yep the first track on this killer re-issue is from Marika Papagika and sets the pace (and standard) for the rest of the album, which is a showcase of music recorded in the USA between 1927 and 1948 but rooted in other cultures. So from the initial blast of gorgeous Greek folk, we're thrown into Calypso, Appalachian folk…
Last Kind Words (1926-1953)
The first Mississippi compilation, in print again for the first time in over 7 years. Here we have some of the absolute best performances of country blues and ballads ever put out, dating from 1926 - 1953. Early 78's that speak of the universal human condition in a profound way. Artists include Geechy Wiley, Blind Wille and Kate McTell, The Blue Sky Boys, Lottie Kimbrough, Robert Petway, Memphis Minnie and much more. No typical blues riffs or boring standards here - just truly unique artists tra…
Ghost Woman Blues : Country Blues 1927-1952
Compilation of absolutely must-have country blues from Mississippi. A mix of well known artists playing their signature songs and more obscure musicians. Highlights include Bukka White's elemental "Fixin' to die", Lottie Kimbroughs' seldom heard "Don't Speak To Me", George Carters' haunting "Ghost Woman Blues", Willie Browns' existential "Future Blues", Monroe Moe Jackson's wild "Go Away From My Door" and many more hits. The real stuff and some of Mississippi Records all time favorite tunes.
What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?
2014 repress. "Compilation of 78's by Washington Phillips, in print again for the first time in over 7 years! Washington Phillips is one of the most unique gospel artists of all time. He played an instrument that was either the dolciola (a now extinct chimey sounding piano) or something entirely home made. No one knows for sure. Phillips sings with a beautiful voice and his instrument provides a celestial and otherworldly background. His songs are like lullabies straight from the spirit …
The Indian Music Of Chiapas, Mexico
The Indian Music Of Chiapas, Mexico'. In the mid 1970's Richard Alderson made these amazing recordings in Chiapas, Mexico. A very unique blend of ancient music and modern rhythms. Here we have modern Mayan people singing folk songs accompanied by guitar, ragged brass bands, and much more. A trip into a very beautiful world. The cover is a faux Folkways style wrap around print on an old school "tip on" jacket. Includes liner notes. A co-release with Mississippi Records."The music of the indigenou…
The Alan Lomax Recordings
This has gotta be a piece of history right here. These 12 songs comprise Alan Lomax's first recordings of the legendary Fred McDowell in an incredible, on-the-spot document of his soul-stomping, spirit-wrenching blues. Fred is joined by Miles Pratcher on second guitar for a number of songs, and accompanied by Annie Mae McDowell's vocals and Fanny Davis on hair comb, running through a repetoire of spirituals and original songs. We're by no means Blues experts, but you don't need to know jack sh*t…
100 Moons Hindustani Vocal Art 1930 to 1955
Amazing sounds from the subcontinent – a selection of mid-century recordings that focuses on the incredible vocal range in Indian music, served up by a set of singers we might never have known otherwise! The voice is almost the lead instrument here – usually just supported by a bit of percussion or sitar, and set free in open space with these insane inflections and cascading tones that really leave us breathless! Mediative and exciting vocals from the masters. Great liner notes and master…
V/A
Compilation of early gospel recordings spanning from 1927-1955. Sanctifies blues by the Two Gospel Keys, Mother McCollum, Blind Rosevelt Graves, Lottie Bracey, & Sister O.M. Terrell. Beautiful slow country gospel by the Anglin Brothers & Delmore Brothers. Intense vocal performances by the New Gospel Keys, Elder Richard Briant & the Silent Grove Baptist Church Congregation, & much more! All killer no filler comp that rocks hard & get deep & sad too. Ltd one-time pressing
A Short Life of Trouble
"Compilation of truly great sorrowful American ballads recorded between 1927 and 1943. Songs mostly about murder, death, and broken hearted-ness. Lots of intense minor chords and stark gritty vocals. Artists include Emry Arthur, Bascom Lamar Lunsford, Red Hot Old Mose, the DeZurik Sisters, Shortbuckle O'Rourke and Family, Jimmie Tarlton, Mississippi John Hurt and more. Mountain bluesmen and songsters presenting their darkest & most intense work. Old school 'tip on' sleeves."
The United Sacred Harp Convention - The Alan Lomax Recordings 19
The first stereo recordings of the Fiery choral sounds of Sacred Harp singing! Recorded by Alan Lomax at Corinth Baptist Church in 1959. Over 300 singers performing shape note music, shaking the walls & doors. Very intense & beautiful performances. Liner notes by Nathan Salsburg with excerpts from essays by Alan Lomax. Limited one time pressing
Kesarbai Kerkar
restocked: "One of the greatest Indian classical vocalists of all time. Kesarbia Kerkar rose up from the bottom of the cast system in India to become one of the countries most respected vocalists. These recordings from 1947 - 1953 are beautiful ragas not to be missed. First LP issue of her material to be available in the US. A real treasure for fans of our Abdul Karim Khan and Pandit Pran Nath releases. Beautiful detailed liner notes by Ian Nagoski complete with photographs and sacred…
Alemayehu Eshete
Hard-grooving Ethiopiques killers from the "Ethiopian Elvis". This eponymous collection gathers some of his finest moments from 45's recorded between 1967 and 1974, nine total, mixing R&B, soul, rock'n'roll with that magically mystical blend of modern flair and traditional groove that makes the Ethiopiques series such a treasure trove. You could imagine each of these being classics in their own right way back when, from the soulful organ burn and infectious breaks of 'Kenoru Lebetchahe' w…