Sharon Jones album - hear it now

The new Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings album, I Learned The Hard Way, is out on 26th April 2010, but you can sneak a listen now.

Check out the NPR website, which is streaming the album in its entirety or track-by-track, should you want yo try before you buy. And let's be honest, who wouldn't?

You've got until April 6th to check it out, so don't leave it too long.

Sharon Jones album at NPR

Weller-inspired Mojo Magazine

Not sure how desperate you are for yet another Paul Weller interview in your life, but if you are, Mojo magazine has come to your rescue.

Weller is 'cover star' on the new edition of the magazine, talking about his new album and his past, with a 15-track soul/funk CD (called Heavy Soul) also making it a worthy purchase this month, as well as an interview with MGMT, whose psych-inspired album everyone seems to be talking up right now.

Check your local newsagent, £4.50 is the rather hefty asking price.
Mojo magazine

Double Cookin compilation on Kent

Kent, amazingly, has never done a compilation of vintage/northern soul tunes made up purely of instrumentals - but now it has, under the title Double Cookin.

24 of them are packed onto this single CD, compiled by Tony Rounce, packed with sleevenotes, cover sleeves and flyer images, most of them probably known to you already if you're wise about that particular scene. If you're not, well, there's plenty to get your teeth into for the first time.

Hugo Montenegro, Bill Black’s Combo, the Just Brothers - it's more about popularity than digging deep into the rare side of soul, which means it's probably going to have a much wider audience. Look out for our review soon or grab one now from Amazon - £8.95 is the price.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Season of the Witch screening

It's some time ahead, so you might want to make a note in your diary for Wednesday 19th May, when the Flipside (via the BFI) will be screening The Season of the Witch in London.

Sound familiar? Of course it does - the song by Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger. But this screening is actually a rarely-seen, location-shot BBC play (a former Wednesday play), with Julie Driscoll playing Meredith, dropping out of the automated world of the typing pool and heading off on a quest for 'good vibes and personal freedom' - ending up in the underground haunts and clubs of Brighton, as well as hooking up with hobos Jake and Shaun (Paul Nicholas and Robert Powell). Music of course, is by Brian Auger.

Also showing at the NFT1 on the same bill is some footage of Brian and Julie onm both Top of the Pops and Frist on Sunday. Tickets presumably on sale soon - get in touch with them for more details. In the meantime, enjoy this video of the song below.

BFI website

Puma Roma 68 trainers return

A colourful version of these hits the shelves in January, but now a more 'back to basics' version of the Puma Roma 68 Vintage trainers are available to buy.

Introduced back in 1968 to honour Italian national team (which had won the European Championship that year), this new version offers a white leather upper, suede detailing, a rubber mudguard,  an embroidered Puma logo on the tongue and a rubber herringbone design sole.

All of which will cost you £54.99 while stocks last.

Find out more at the Size? website