“Originally released in 1997 in Germany in a press size of 500. These original copies were seized by the government shortly after the records release. Only 150 or so were sold before the seizing, but since copies have leaked out of whatever dank German bureaucratic basement they were relegated to. Still, a very hard record to find for years, now back in print. Our current reissue was remastered from the original tapes & has superior sound quality to the original.

“Culled from Michael’s unreleased output between his ‘First songs’ LP from 1964 & ‘Armchair Boogie’ in 1972. All tracks feature just Michael & guitar. Absolutely beautiful folk music by the singular Snock - in our opinion, one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time.” – Mississippi

Reissue of one of my very favorite records, Eddie Lee “Mustright” Jones and occasional guests, recorded in Lexington, GA, in August 1965.  A deeply special collection of loose, lively, joyous blues and gospel music. Great notes by recordist Bill Koon: “When I approached him, Eddie Lee stopped playing and, despite my urging, would not resume, saying simply that he didn’t know how to play.  Since I was studying blues guitar, I asked if I might play a bit and he agreed.  I sang some forgotten blues, using the best licks from the Jerry Silverman blues instruction book, upon which Eddie Lee yelled to his wife, ‘Lord, listen here.  He plays just like one of the hillbillies on the TV.’” 

My copy of this record was inscribed by Koon in 1985: “Here’s to some good listening of music about as real as it gets.”  Yep, and a sweet thing that Jones’ music has another chance to be heard more broadly.  This is nearly everything Jones has had released, save for a track on the unbelievably great "Sorrow Come Pass Me Around" LP (to be reissued by Dust-to-Digital). 

“Stunning little known blues & spirituals recording session from 1965. Bill Koon recorded Eddie Lee Jones & his family’s absolutely unique music in Eddie Lee’s home in Lexington, Georgia.  These, the only known recordings by Eddie Lee, are as heavy as blues can get.  Atmospheric recordings with plenty of stomping & whooping & singing along by Eddie Lees family & neighbors.  A real stunner from start to finish for fans of Fred McDowell, Blind Willie Johnson & so on.  Old school tip-on cover.  Co-release with Sutro Park records.” - Mississippi

Hear a track:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We1ade0C8rk

“The National A Orchestra was founded by the new government at Mali’s independence.  They later divided into A and B formations. The A Orchestra was led by Keletigui Diabate a multi-instrumental virtuoso.  An album of incredible Malian music reissued for the first time since the 1970s. Eight tracks with beautiful vocals and guitar work. This is the second in a series of six Mali music LPs we will be reissuing  from Sterns.” – Mississippi

“Marika Papagika was one of Greek music’s greatest vocalists.  She recorded 225 performances between 1918 & 1929.  This LP features some of her most mystical & moving.  Instrumental accompaniment is provided by various combinations of cymbalon, cello, violin & clarinet.  Includes a booklet featuring all known photographs of Marika & extensive liner notes by Ian Nagoski which shed much deserved light on one of the deepest artists of the Rembetika & Greek folk music scene.  Record is housed in an old school tip on sleeve.” – Mississippi

“Reissued for the first time, the legendary Malian Rail Band's classic 1970 debut LP.  Based out of the Buffet Bar of the Station Hotel in Bamako, the band was sponsored by the Ministry of Information.  Swirling Afro-Latin guitars & horns.  Malian folk songs modernized & played by some of the country's finest musicians including Tidani Kone & Salif Keita.” – Mississippi

“First full length album by one of the greatest gospel musicians of all time!  Boyd Rivers was an amazing but unfortunately, little known gospel artist.  Comparisons could be made to Rev. Charlie Jackson, but in the end not too many people sound anything like Boyd Rivers.  Side one features Boyd playing stunning electric guitar & belting out 6 incredibly heavy songs.  Side two finds Boyd playing acoustic guitar – a bit mellower but still impassioned. All the material on this album has never been released, with the exception of ‘Fire in My Bones’ - the title track of the Tompkins Square 3CD gospel compilation. (it's also on our ‘Last Time Around’ compilation)  It's somewhat unbelievable that Boyd has not been heard more out in the world, but so it goes. Includes liner notes by Amos Harvey.  Old school ‘tip on’ cover.” – Mississippi

“Excellent compilation of Greek Rembetika/Folk/Mortika music.  Dark & beautiful 78's about love, crime, death, drugs & so on.  All songs never reissued on LP before.  Extensive liner notes by Ian Nagoski with great photos. A co-release with Canary records.  Old school ‘tip on’ cover.  A real winner.” – Mississippi

“Compilation of deep 78s from all over the world - India, Iran, Anatolia, Portugal, Switzerland, Greece, Macedonia, Spain, America & more.  Compiled by Ian Nagoski as sort of a sequel to the String of Pearls compilation we put out a couple years back.  Beautiful austere performances by master instrumentalists & vocalists. Comes with four pages of liner notes.  Tip on old school cover.” – Mississippi

“The second volume of recordings in our 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 breathing singers. Includes extensive photography and liner notes booklet.” – Mississippi

“Over a three year period in the late 1990s, Charlie Brooks embarked on two long field recording trips in Madagasikara. Brooks primarily concentrated on the more remote north and west regions of the island. Upon his return in 1999 he pressed 200 copies of a triple record and stored them under his bed for the last ten years. The three themed LPs: Vocal, Valiha Marovany, and Miscellaneous Instruments were released as the now out of print MR-061 Fihavanana. This single LP collection compiles seventeen tracks from Fihavanana. Comes with a twelve page booklet of photography and notes.” – Mississippi

“Compilation of recent field recording made by Chris Kirkley (Sahel Sounds).  All tracks feature acoustic guitar players & vocalists from Senegal & Northern Mali, with the exception of the last song which is a rocking Tuareg electric guitar band.  Beautiful music by some of Africa's finest griots. At times melancholic and at others romantic pop music.  Old school tip on cover. Comes with a 16-page full color booklet featuring descriptive notes & beautiful never before published photos.” – Mississippi

“A selection of international songs including Calypso, Flamenco, Thai ballads, Indonesian instrumental and more. Designed as a sort of sequel to our ‘I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore’ compilation. Cover art by Chris Johanson.” – Mississippi. Vocals often get the spotlight here, lots of nice floaters, which makes the yodel gymnastics of the Dezurik Sisters all the more surreal. Paste-on front + back covers.

Track listing:
Unknown – Pamahei
Canajas – Danza Mora
The Tiger – Down the Road
Roberto y su Orquestra Tipica – El Amanecer
George Ku Trio – Kuu Lei
The Dezurik Sisters – The Arizona Yodeller
Nelly Luis – Carrito Pasajerito
Unknown – Jagaang Tigang
Ernest Rodgers – Willie the Chimney Sweeper
Hawaiian Orchestre – White Birds
Manuel Vallejo – A Mi Mata la Pena
Blind Mamie Forehand – Honey in the Rock
Hiran Ny Tanoran Ny Ntao Lo – Oay Lahy E

“A compilation of Georgia bluesmen who play all in a style of their own.  Truly great recordings made by George Mitchell between 1979-1981.  Features the hypnotic sounds of John Lee Ziegler, the incredibly rockin' drum & guitar music of James Davis, the hair-stands-up-on-the-back-of-your-neck voice & guitar of William Robertson (Also known as Cecil Barfield!), the unique doaist playing of Jimmy Lee Williams & the ragged & beautiful music of Jim Bunkley.  Really just the best blues music you could ever hope to hear.  Another testament to the brilliant ear of George Mitchell, who traveled the south in search of the real stuff & found it.  Old school ‘tip on’ cover.” – Mississippi. 

Note 9 of the 12 tracks on this collection were previously compiled on the Georgia Blues Today LP on Flyright, which sold like crazy out of here when it was in stock.  Here's what was said about that one:

A killer compilation that spotlights distinctive and under-recognized Georgia blues musicians who were recorded by George Mitchell in the late '70s. Cecil Barfield, who was known as William Robertson when this record was issued, has a unique take on country blues - particularly in his moaning, somewhat nasal singing style - which was sometimes almost as inscrutable as Charley Patton. Jimmy Lee Williams you may have heard on his very fine but somewhat overlooked collection released on Fat Possum. His blues is warm and inviting, which you might expect from a singer who is requesting that you hoot your belly. John Lee Ziegler delivers some stunning high and lonesome blues, somewhat in the vein of Blind Pete Burrell or perhaps Robert Pete Williams' treatments of spirituals, accompanied by Rufus Jones' nice spoon work.

Of particular interest to me is James Davis, who played a barely-recorded instrumental blues style known as "drum music" and/or "Georgia drumbeat". The drumming seems to be in the tradition of fife-and-drum bands from the region, with James' electric guitar taking the lead with snaky riffs. Anyone who has an affinity for the more rocking northern Mississippi-style blues will probably find plenty to love in Mr. Davis' music.

"Heavy compilation of hard to find Gospel 7"s. A meditation on mortality & the meaning of life.  Side A features some fairly lo-fi but intense & emotional performances.  Side B gets even more lo-fi, but also a bit more rocking.   Mostly guitar based ensembles & solo performers with the occasional sparse organ & drums.  Artists include Mira Jean Clark, Rev. R Henderson, the Whirlwinds, Ike Gordon, Bishop McDaniels & many more.  Comes with a bonus 7" featuring the amazing Ethel Proffit on guitar & vocals performing "Death is not the end" & "Life is a battle"!  One of our best compilations ever & not for the feint of heart. Old school "tip on" cover." - Mississippi. (note: the liners state Rev. Charlie Jackson may be the guitarist on the Ike Gordon track; I'd be very surprised if that's the case)