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A Sunshine State of Mind

June 4, 2013 in new releases, The Soul of John Black



We’re thrilled to release The Soul of John Black‘s A Sunshine State of Mind, a compilation of upbeat tunes that embody the “essence of summer”.  While four of the tracks were launched over last summer and fall as a series of preview singles, we now have the full collection to present in album form (including CDs!)

The inspiration for A Sunshine State of Mind came to JB during the winter in his home town of Los Angeles. “Although the sun shines all the time here, the mood brightens even more once the summer months arrive,” he explained. “I wanted to write songs that would keep that attitude going year-round.” Each of the tracks in the album has a lighthearted feeling, complimenting the upbeat theme of the overall collection.

From “Higher Power”, a soulful anthem with an uplifting message of community and interrelatedness, to the driving groove of “East LA Lady”, Bigham displays the unique stylistic fusion that has won praise from Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, National Public Radio, and others.

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Cassie Taylor – Out of My Mind released

May 7, 2013 in Cassie Taylor, new releases

Cassie Taylor - Out of My Mind

At age 26, Cassie Taylor is already a veteran musician. She’s spent a decade playing bass and singing on stage and in the studio with her father, modern-day blues innovator Otis Taylor. Now she stakes her own claim as an artist of intelligence, power and soul, drawing on a wide swath of influences – spanning centuries, continents and cultures – to create her own indelible and utterly modern sound.

With influences ranging from a New Orleans second line to West African psychedelic rock, the album’s 12 original songs – all written and arranged by Taylor – are the work of a truly 21st century musical omnivore. From the record’s lead track, “Ol’ Mama Dean (Part 1),” which opens with drums and theremin, to the wistful piano closer “Again,” Taylor proves to be a gifted, independent-minded songwriter with a flair for the unexpected and a voice that will haunt your dreams.

Cassie talks about the making of Out of My Mind:

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Yellow Dog Records signs Cassie Taylor

January 18, 2013 in Cassie Taylor, new releases

CT_3799_250We’re thrilled to announce the signing of Cassie Taylor, a masterful stylist of blues, rock, pop, and soul who thrills audiences with her energy and originality.

After spending seven years touring and recording with the fabulous Otis Taylor (yes, there is a family relation), Cassie is now staking a claim as a musician in her own right — a songwriter who filters the blues through the prism of a younger generation.  Using pop vocals and deeply-rooted blues bass lines, Cassie is leading the new wave of blues artists.

Cassie’s new album, Out Of My Mind, is set for release May 7, but you can be one of the first to get it by pre-ordering now!  Pre-orders will be autographed by Cassie and come with an immediate download of the new track “Gone and Dead”.

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Colin Linden – Still Live

October 9, 2012 in Colin Linden, new releases



From rocking electric slide to the most delicate acoustic fingerpicking, Colin Linden is a remarkably versatile virtuoso who never strays far from the deep blues that first inspired him as an 11-year-old kid, when his mom took him to see – and meet – the great Howlin’ Wolf.

Colin’s music is deeply rooted in traditional blues, soul and roots rock. His years on the road playing everywhere with everyone have given him a mastery of roots music vocabulary that make him an in-demand producer and guitarist – gifts that ring out most clearly when Colin is on his own, either solo or with a band.

It’s been said that studio albums are artistic statements; live recordings are self-portraits. Colin Linden’s Still Live is an epic autobiography, a tale of two countries and a multitude of genres, all rendered with total commitment, mastery and an infectious enthusiasm that reminds us all just why we fell in love with this music in the first place.

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New music from The Soul of John Black

June 21, 2012 in new releases, The Soul of John Black

We’re pleased to announce new music from innovative soul-roots outfit The Soul of John Black! We’ll be releasing a series of digital singles collectively titled A Sunshine State of Mind – the first two tracks will be released on Tuesday, June 26, with follow-on singles introduced each month through late fall.

The sequence of two-song releases begins with “Lemonade,” an uptempo blues-inspired jam, and “Summertime Thang,” a sultry slow groove that moves through a soulful Al Green pulse to a gorgeous chorus of harmonies.  At the conclusion of the series the entire A Sunshine State of Mind collection will be available for purchase in digital album format, as well as individual tracks.

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A Soulful Christmas

December 5, 2011 in new releases, The Soul of John Black

The holidays are upon us!  And The Soul of John Black has baked up some new treats for this holiday season, a few homemade jams, if you will.  He’s mixed up his own style of blues, R&B and soul to give a new interpretation to that old holiday cheer.  Take a listen and get ready to enjoy The Soul of Christmas.

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Mary Flower – Misery Loves Company

October 10, 2011 in Mary Flower, new releases

Mary Flower - Misery Loves Company
An artist whose mastery has elevated her to the highest ranks of roots music, Mary Flower is celebrated for her instrumental skills and engaging vocal style. Her new Yellow Dog Records release, Misery Loves Company, finds Mary hosting some of blues and roots music’s most accomplished practitioners for a series of duets.

Calling upon the talent pool in her home town of Portland OR, Mary sat down with ten instrumentalists — and one singer — to make her most intimate record to date.  Along with Mary’s dazzling guitar and unmatched lap steel, Misery Loves Company features a staggering variety of great players, from jazz pianist Dave Frishberg to multi-instrumentalist Colin Linden. It’s a testament to Mary’s ability to bring out the best in her collaborators.

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The Soul of John Black – Good Thang

June 7, 2011 in new releases, The Soul of John Black

The Soul of John Black - Good Thang
Twenty-first-century soul man John “JB” Bigham blends the sounds of Stax and the space age on Good Thang, the latest from his musical alter-ego The Soul of John Black.

Good Thang explores R&B, rock, pop, and electronica, but it’s all about love: JB’s love for classic soul and blues, love of driving old-school synth-funk bass, and, most important, love for his family. At the heart of this collection of feel-good grooves are the title track and “Lil Mama’s in the Kitchen” — graceful essays on the joys of domestic bliss that capture Good Thang‘s distinctive mix of organic sounds and cutting-edge production.

Good Thang follows 2009′s Black John, which yielded the radio hit “Betty Jean,” and 2007′s The Good Girl Blues, a funky blend of classic and modern blues, soul, rock, funk and hip-hop. JB’s unique stylistic fusion has won praise from Rolling Stone, NPR and others. And he’s toured and recorded with fellow trailblazers Miles Davis, Dr. Dré, Nikka Costa, and Eminem, but his experimental roots go back to his eight years on guitar and keyboards in pioneering ska-funk-punk band Fishbone.

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Funky; Folky; Finale: new music in the works

March 15, 2011 in Asylum Street Spankers, Mary Flower, new releases, The Soul of John Black

Here’s a heads-up on three upcoming projects we’re excited about.

Good Thang, the new disc from The Soul of John Black, is just around the corner with a June 7 release.  The album explores R&B, rock, pop, and electronica, but it’s all about love: JB’s love for classic soul and blues, love of driving old-school synth-funk bass, and, most important, love for his family.  Check out a “first listen” preview track below.

Mary Flower is also in the studio recording a new album of her inimitable blend of acoustic blues, folk, and ragtime, which will be available in late summer.  The session sees Mary joined by a series of duet collaborators in what is shaping up to be her most intimate recording yet.

And the Asylum Street Spankers’ swan song, a CD/DVD combo entitled The Last Laugh, is in the works for a fall release.  Stay tuned for a near-future post with details of the Spankers’ finale extravaganza shows next month in Austin.

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Asylum Street Spankers – God’s Favorite Band

October 6, 2009 in Asylum Street Spankers, new releases


Austin’s postmodern jug bandtakes a wide left turn with the world’s first agnostic gospel album.  Mixing raucous old traditionals with wryly humanistic originals from co-bandleader Wammo, the all-acoustic roots mob pays homage to one of America’s seminal musical styles while staking out a theology of healthy skepticism leavened with tolerance.  With special appearances from emeritus band members Guy Forsyth and Stanley Smith!

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