Let us ring in those spring-vibes with some of our store favorites for 2020 so far. We know you're all 'Safe at Home' with your loved ones and probably enjoying that bottle of white and some delicious home-made food. Here's our input for that perfect night with some tunes you might know - or not. I hope you enjoy and keep those spirit's high. We will overcome this with love, togetherness and good tunes!

Check out the SPIRITS HIGH Playlist here.

Midland - 21st Century Honky Tonk American Band - Live from the Palamino

With Midland, there's always room for 'the party and the cry'. Songs about drinkin' because it's the weekend or songs about drinkin' because she left you for another man. One way or another, keep on drinking folks. Midland from Texas bring you the slickest 90's country there is today. 

The Isley Brothers - Love the one you're with - Givin' It Back

Originally written by Stephen Stills during his 'Crosby, Still & Nash' period, but this time performed by the very soulful Isley Brothers, perhaps one of the best soul harmony vocal groups ever to exist. This song has brought a tear to my eyes many times before.



Flying Burrito Bros - Just Can't Be S/T

Flying Burrito Bros didn't make it far after firing frontman Gram Parsons and his following death. But bass-player and original member of the Byrds Chris Hillman made up for it with writing this Byrds-esque psych-folk banger 'Just Cant Be'. Imagine yourself in Joshua Tree for an instant now!  

Dope Lemon - Dope & Smoke S/T

Smoke some dope and don't care about anything outside your bedroom door. Laidback coastal rock which requires a whiskey in one hand, a spliff in the other, and some waves. Electronic beats layered with slacker rock guitar riffs and bongos. Dreamy dude.



Jonathan Wilson - Riding the Blinds - Dixie Blur

Singer-songwriter & producer Jonathan Wilson was dead set on change for Dixie Blur. His widely acclaimed 2018 Rare Birds had taken 18 months of recording and mastering and he took it about as far as he could. For Dixie Blur the L.A.-based musician went back to his southern roots in Nashville, Tennessee. Here Wilson combines the bluegrass, country, and Americana sounds he was raised on. The texture of the sound remains steady through the changes. My favourite is the desert-like sage of “Riding the Blinds”

Nathaniel Rateliff - And It's Still Alright - S/T

Reinventing himself with The Night Sweats as R&B-singing soul rocker, Rateliff returns to his solo days. This Denver troubadour comes back a matured man and singer-songwriter with fully confessional, intimate, and bittersweet songs. Dealing with the loss of his collaborator, best friend and producer Richard Swift. This album cuts deep.

Grateful Dead - Shakedown Street - S/T

Grateful Dead is a love it or hate it kind of band. With Shakedown Street being more hated than loved. But a good 40 years later it has reached its classic album status for sure. Drummer-percussionist Mickey Hart brought more to the table with greater rhythmic influence than previously, including Garcia/Hunter's title track Shakedown Street. Influenced by his loving interest in the Bee Gees and disco. Lord! 

Futurebirds - Trippin' - Teamwork

“Trippin” picks into Futurebirds 2020 album 'Teamwork', which is a combo of psych and blues-rock with the overall Americana twang. This flows all through the album with 90's Radio Rock and some guitar-belting scorchers. This might be my 2020 favourite already.

Dennis Wilson - River Song - Pacific Ocean Blue

"River Song" by Dennis Wilson and his younger brother Carl Wilson. It served as the opening track for Dennis Wilson's 1977 debut solo album 'Pacific Ocean Blue'. A hidden gem for most! Dennis was the only real surfer in the Beach Boys, and his personal life embodied the "California Myth" that the band's early songs often celebrated.  The Beach Boys created the Sound of California. He also hung out with Charles Manson, who's famous cult stayed at Wilson's house during Spring of '68. Also, check him out with his co-starring role in the 1971 cult-film 'Two-Lane Blacktop'. 

Check out the SPIRITS HIGH Playlist here and see springtime flying in soon. #staystrong

Peace,

Rudy Ross