Artist:  Taj Mahal 
Birth Name:  Henry Saint Clair Fredericks
Born:  May 17, 1942.  Harlem, New York, USA
Genre:  Blues, Blues Rock, Country Blues, Folk Blues, Modern Acoustic Blues, Acoustic Blues, Contemporary Blues, R&B, Reggae, Jazz, World Music
Occupation:  Musician, Songwriter
Instruments:  Guitar, Harmonica, Piano

Taj Mahal is an American Blues Musician, Singer and Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist, he plays Guitar, Piano, Banjo and Harmonica.  He played Folk, Roots, Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Caribbean, and World Music,  he also formed The Rising Suns with Guitarist Ry Cooder.

Title:  Giant Step/De Ole Folks At Home (2024)

Genre:  Blues, Blues Rock, Country Blues, Folk Blues, Modern Acoustic Blues, Acoustic Blues, Contemporary Blues, R&B, Reggae, Jazz, World Music

Label:  Floating World Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

Giant Step:

 1.  Ain't Gwine Whistle Dixie Anhmo' (1:04)

 2.  Take A Giant Step (4:20)

 3.  Give Your Woman What She Wants (2:34)

 4.  Good Morning Little School Girl (3:49)

 5.  You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond (4:56)

 6.  Six Days On The Road (3:05)

 7.  Farther On Down The Road (You Will Accompany Me) (4:43)

 8.  Keep Your Hands Off Her (2:18)

 9.  Bacon Fat (6:40)

De Ole Folks At Home:

10. Linin' Track (1:42)

11. Country Blues #1 (2:36)

12. Wild Ox Moan (2:46)

13. Light Rain Blues (3:25)

14. A Little Soilful Tune (2:40)

15. Candy Man (2:57)

16. Cluck Old Hen (2:33)

17. Colored Aristocracy (2:04)

18. Blind Boy Rag (4:10)

19. Stagger Lee (3:20)

20. Cajun Tune (1:56)

21. Fishin' Blues (3:06)

22. Annie's Lover (3:30)

Personnel:

Giant Step:

Taj Mahal:  Vocals, Harmonica, Banjo, Mississippi National Steel-Bodied Guitar

Jesse Ed Davis:  Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Organ

Gary Gilmore:  Electric Bass

Chuck "Brother" Blackwell:  Drums

De Ole Folks At Home:

Taj Mahal:  Vocals, Harmonica, Guitar, Banjo

Giant Step/De Ole Folks At Home is the third studio album by Taj Mahal, originally released on October 24, 1969 by Columbia Records, remastered and reissued on July 26, 2024 by Floating World Records.

Artist:  Mike Oldfield
Birth Name:  Michael Gordon Oldfield
Born:  May 15, 1953.  Reading, Berkshire, England
Genre:  New Age, Progressive Rock, Ambient, Art Rock, Classical Crossover, Neo-Classical, Avant Garde, Progressive Electronic, Experimental Electronic, World, Pop, Folk
Occupation:  Musician, Songwriter, Producer
Instruments:  Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Piano, Percussion, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Mandolin, Vocals, Harp, Vibraphone, Drums, Bells, Tubular

Mike Oldfield is an English Musician, and Composer from Reading, Berkshire, England.  His music style bends Progressive Rock with Classical, Electronic, Ambient, Folk, World and New Age.  His biggest commercial success is the 1973 album Tubular Bells.  He also recorded the 1983 hit single "Moonlight Shadow".

Title:  Tubular Bells (50th Anniversary Celebration) (2023)

Genre:  New Age, Progressive Rock, Ambient, Art Rock, Classical Crossover, Neo-Classical, Avant Garde, Progressive Electronic, Experimental Electronic, World, Pop, Folk

Label:  Universal Music Recordings

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD 

Tracks:

 1.  Tubular Bells Part One (25:29)

 2.  Tubular Bells Part Two (23:21)

 3.  Tubular Bells 4 Intro 2017 Demo (8:33)

 4.  Tubular Bells/In Dulci Jubilo - Music For The Opening (11:24)

 5.  Tubular Bells (Mike Oldfield & York Remix) (9:49)

Personnel:

Mike Oldfield:  Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass, Lowrey Organ, Mandolin, Grand Piano, Glockenspiel

Mundy Ellis, Sally Oldfield:  Chorus

Vivian Stanshall:  Voice (Master Of Ceremonies) on Track 1

Lindsay Copper:  Double Bass (String Bass) on Track 1

John Field:  Flute on Track 1

Nasal Choir:  Chorus on Track 1

Manor Choir:  Chorus (Bootleg) on Track 2

Steve Broughton:  Drums on Track 2

Format:  LP

Tracks:

LP 1:

Side 1:

 1.  Tubular Bells Part One 

Side 2:

 2.  Tubular Bells Part Two 

LP 2:

Side 1:

 1.  Tubular Bells 4 Intro 2017 Demo 

 2.  Tubular Bells/In Dulci Jubilo - Music For The Opening 

Side 2:

 1.  Tubular X

 2.  Tubular Bells (Mike Oldfield & York Remix)

  3.  Mike Oldfield's Single - Theme From Tubular Bells

Personnel:

Mike Oldfield:  Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass, Lowrey Organ, Mandolin

Vivian Stanshall:  Voice (Master Of Ceremonies) on Track 1

Lindsay Copper:  Double Bass (String Bass) on Track 1

Tubular Bells is the debut studio album by Mike Oldfield, originally released on May 25, 1973 by Virgin Records, remastered and reissued on May 26, 2023 by Universal Music Recordings for 50th Anniversary Celebration, including the never before released "Tubular Bells 4 Intro".

Artist:  Kaleidoscpe

Origin:  Los Angeles, California, USA

Genre:  Folk, Folk Rock, Country, Country Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Folk,  Blues Rock, Garage, Rock & Roll, World

Original line-up:

David Lindley:  Banjo, Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar, Harp Guitar, 7-String Banjo

Solomon Feldthouse:  Guitar, Fiddle, Twelve-String Guitar, Bouzouki,

Chris Darrow:  Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle, Autoharp, Harmonica, Clarinet

Chester Crill:  Violin, Viola, Bass, Organ, Piano, Harmonica

John Vidican:  Drums, Percussion

Kaleidoscpe was an American Psychedelic Folk Band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1966 by David Lindley (Guitar, Bnajo, Mandolin), Solomon Feldthouse (Guitar, Fiddle), Chris Darrow (Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle, Harmonica), Chester Crill (Violin, Viola, Bass, Organ, Piano, Harmonica) and Joh Vidican (Drums, Percussion).

Title:  Sky Children:  The Best Of Kaleidoscope & Fairfield Parlour (2021)

Genre:  Folk, Folk Rock, Country, Country Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Folk,  Blues Rock, Garage, Rock & Roll, World

Label:  Beyond Before

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD+DVD

Tracks:

Disc 1:  CD

 1.  Faintly Blowing (4:10)

 2.  In My Box (1:59)

 3.  (Love Song) For Annie (2:36)

 4.  Flight From Ashiya (2:40)

 5.  Long Way Down (4:06)

 6.  A Dream For Julie (2:47)

 7.  (Further Reflections) InThe Room Of Percussion (3:19)

 8.  Emily (5:15)

 9.  Snapdragon (2:42)

10. Bordeaux Rose (2:38)

11. Nursey, Nursey (3:47)

12. Do It Again For Jeffrey (3:17)

13. Kaleidoscope (2:13)

14. Diary Song:  The Indian Head (4:24)

15. Music (6:08)

16. The Sky Children (8:00)

17. What Can I Do (Demo, 1964) (1:58)

Disc 2:  DVD

 1.  Flight From Ashiya (Le Petit Dimanche Illistre,1967)

 2.  Interview Le Petit Dimanche Illistre,1967)

 3.  Holiday Maker Le Petit Dimanche Illistre,1967)

 4.  Free (Beat Club, 1970)

 5.  Emily (Beat Club, 1970)

 6.  Sunny Side Circus (Beat Club, 1970)

 7.  Dive Into Yesterday (Hoxton Hall, 2017)

 8.  Music (Hoxton Hall, 2017)

Sky Children:  The Best Of Kaleidoscope & Fairfield Parlour is the compilation album by Kaleidoscope, released on March 19, 2021 by Beyond Before.

Artist:  Emily Fairlight & The Shifting Sands

Origin:  New Zealand

Genre:  Folk, Folk Rock, Country, World Music

Original line-up:

Emily Fairlight:  Vocals, Guitar

Michael McLeod:  Vocals, Guitar

Emily Fairlight & The Shifting Sands are a Folk Duo from New Zealand consists of Emily Fairlight (Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter) and Michael McLeod (Vocals, Guitar from The Shifting Sands).

Title:  Sun Casts A Shadow (Limited Edition) (2022)

Genre:  Folk, Folk Rock, Country, World Music

Label:  Fishrider Records/Occultation Recordings

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side A:

 1.  Head Above (2:47)

 2.  Desert Love (1:56)

 3.  Get Through This (2:43)

 4.  WIT (2:34)

 5.  Borderline (1:47)

Side B:

 1.  Every Doomed Wife (2:06)

 2.  Summer Sun (2:29)

 3.  Get You (2:03)

 4.  Defences (3:29)

Personnel:

Emily Fairlight:  Vocals, Guitar

Michael McLeod:  Vocals, Guitar

Sun Casts A Shadow is an album by  Emily Fairlight & The Shifting Sands, released on July 8, 2022 by Fishrider Records/Occultation Recordings.  Limited Edition Vinyl Phonograph.

Artist:  Monsoon

Origin:  England

Genre:  World Fusion, World Pop, Worldbeat, Indian Pop, Indian Subcontinent Traditions, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Jazz, International, World Music

Original line-up:

Sheila Chandra:  Vocals

Steve Coe:  Piano, Celeste, Swarmandel, Gong, Organ, Cabasa, Backing Vocals

Martin Smith:  Bass, 8-String Bass, 4-String Bass, Accordion, Tamboura, Piano, Sitar, Tabla, Ektara, Backing Vocals

 Monsoon was an English World and Pop Trio, formed in 1981 by Shelila Chandra (Vocals), Steve Coe (Record Producer), and Martin Smith (Bass).  Their song "Ever So Lonely" was a No. 12 Hit Single in the UK Singles Chart in 1982.  Their third single "Tomorrow Never Knows" (a cover of The Beatles' 1966 song), featured guest appearances from Bill Nelson, Preston Hayman, Dave Balfe (The Teardrop Explodes) and Merrick (Adam And The Ants).

Title:  Third Eye (Expanded Deluxe Edition 2 CD)(2022)

Genre:  World Fusion, World Pop, Worldbeat, Indian Pop, Indian Subcontinent Traditions, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Jazz, International, World Music

Label:  Cherry Pop

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD 

Tracks:

Disc 1:

 1.  Wings Of The Dawn (3:58)

 2.  Tomorrow Never Knows (4:01)

 3.  Third Eye And Tikka (2:53)

 4.  Eyes (3:41)

 5.  Shakti (The Meaning Of Within) (4:04)

 6.  Ever So Lonely (6:12)

 7.  You Can't Take Me With You (3:04)

 8.  And I You (3:26)

 9.  Kashmir (4:00)

10. Watchers Of The Night (3:47)

11. Man Who Makes Time (3;07)

12. With Your Love (3:25)

13. Ever So Lonely (E.P. Version 1981) (3:43)

14. Sunset Over The Ganges (3:18)

15. Mirror Of Your Mind (3:40)

16.Shout 'Til You're Heard (3:31)

17. Ever So Lonely (Capital Radio Session March, 1982) (4:09)

18. Sunset Over The Ganges (Capital Radio Session March 1982) (3:03)

19. Shakti (The Meaning Of Within) (Capital Radio Session March 1982) (3:37)

20. Shout 'Til You're Heard (Capital Radio Session March 1982) (3:31)

Disc 2:

 1.  Ever So Lonely (Ben Chapman 7" Remix 1990) (3:44)

 2.  Ever So Lonely (Ben Chapman 12" Extended Remix 1990)m(6:25)

 3.  Ever So Lonely (Ben Chapman 7" Instrumental Remix 1990) (3:57)

 4.  Ever So Lonely (Ben Chapman12" Instrumental Remix 1990) (6"21)

 5.  Wings Of The Dawn (Hindi Version) (4:01)

 6.  Shakti (The Meaning of Within) (4:53)

 7.  Ever So Lonely (Dub Version) (6:04)

 8.  Ever So Lonely (Hindi Version) (5:59)

 9.  Indian Princess (3:22)

10. And I You (Edit) (3:22)

11. Wings Of The Dawn (7" Version) (3:36)

12. Tomorrow Never Knows (7" Version) (3:43)

13. Ever So Lonely (7" Version) (4:01)

14. Ever So Lonely (Edit) (4:20)

Personnel:

Sheila Chandra:  Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals

Steve Coe:  Piano, Celeste, Swarmandel, Gong, Organ, Cabasa, Backing Vocals

Martin Smith:  Bass, 8-String Bass, 4-String Bass, Accordion, Tamboura, Piano, Sitar, Tabla, Ektara, Backing Vocals

Additional Musicians:

Dan Mankoo:  Sitar

Clem Alford:  Sitar

Jhalib:  Tabla, Indian Percussion

Guest Musicians:

Dinesh: Tabla

Preston Heyman:  Ghatam, Gamelam, Timbali, Gong, Cowbell, Rototoms, Tom-Toms, Wasp, Tambourines, Cabasa, Fire Extinguisher

Bill Nelson:  Electric Guitar

Paul James:  Shenai, Pipes, Recorders

Cliff Stapleton:  Hurdy-Gurdy

On "Kashmir"

Richard Bragg:  Mandolin

Norman Bragg:  Mandolin

Deepak Khazanchi:  Santoor

Chris Hunter:  Flute

Punita Gupta:  Sitar

On "Tomorrow Never Knows"

Dave Balfe:  Synthesizer

Merrick:  Drums

Third Eye is the sole studio album by Monsoon, originally released in 1983 by The Mobile Suit Corporation, remastered and reissued in 2022 by Cherry Pop.  Enpanded Deluxe Edition 2 CD, featuring Original Album, B-Side, Remixs, Edits plus Six Previously Unreleased Tracks, including the 1982 Capital Radio Session Tracks, also includes 32 -page Booklet.

Artist:  Josh Kimbrough

Origin:  Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

Genre:  Folk, Folk Rock, Country, Finger-Picked Guitar, Instrumentals, World Music, Americana, Experimental, Indie Folk

Occupation:  Musician, Composer

Instruments:  Guitar

Josh Kimbrough is an American Fingerstyle Guitarist and Composer from Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  He learned to play guitar studying Freddie King instrumentals and Fermando Sor Classical Guitar pieces.  His nylon and steel string guitar playing, resulting in this cycle of beautiful compositions.

Genre:  Folk, Folk Rock, Country, Finger-Picked Guitar, Instrumentals, World Music, Americana, Experimental, Indie Folk

Label:  Worried Songs

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  Sunbathing Water Snake (4:12)

 2.  Two-Thirds Of A Snowman (2:30)

 3.  Glowing Treetops (4:32)

 4.  Backyard Hawk (3:02)

 5.  Morning Moon (2:55)

 6.  Squirrel In The Leaves (4:37)

 7.  The Shape Of Wind Is A Tree (0:36)

 8.  Booker Creek Ripple (3:46)

 9.  Giant Leopard Moth (2:33)

10. Simon's Lullaby (3:07)

11. Eyes On The Moon (3:25)

Personnel:

Josh Kimbrough:  Guitar

Jeff Crawford:  Bass on Tracks:  2, 3, 8, 11

Casey Toll:  Bass on Tracks:  4-6

Wilson Greene IV:  Banjo on Tracks:  3, 48, 10

Rachel Kiel:  Flute on Tracks:  4, 10

Andrew Marlin:  Mandolin on Tracks:  2, 7, 8

Bobby Brett:  Fiddle on Tracks:  3, 5

Peter Lewis:  Drums on Tracks:  3, 6

Leah Gibson:  Cello on Track 10

Slither, Soar & Disappear is an album by Josh Kimbrough, released on December 3, 2021 by Worried Songs.