Otis Redding’s Lonely & Blue: The Deepest Soul of Otis Redding could pass for a title Stax/Volt might have released in the late ’60s. The look of the album reflects Stax’s design themes of the era. But in fact it’s a collection that never existed, until now, that homes in on one mood and one theme —heartbreaking, yearning ballads — of which Redding had many.

‘To Dust’ is the first solo album from British soul sensation, Alice Russell since 2008’s critically acclaimed ‘Pot Of Gold,’ and marks the next step forward in her remarkable career. Whether on a big stage with her 16 piece band, charming a crowd of 4000 into staying out dancing in the rain (as she did at Montreal Jazz Festival) or rocking out an intimate club with a stripped-down six piece, Alice’s natural talent and charisma have always commanded attention and affection.

“I grew up in the country, a hard working environment where your ass had to get out there and work,” laughs Ralph ‘Soul’ Jackson from Phenix City, AL, a rural city deep in the Black Belt across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus, GA, where the last battle of the Civil War was fought.  During Jackson’s childhood, this Southeast corner of Alabama was called the Las Vegas of the South.  The city’s infamous club-lined main drag became such a hotbed for organized crime there were city ordinances calling for a weekly drag of the River.  Jackson was sneaking into those same clubs throughout the

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Michael Kiwanuka at the Fox Theatre on Sunday, September 30th. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 10th for $15.00 in advance & $17 day of show.With Michael Kiwanuka, it’s all about the voice. A voice that he describes as “hitting straight through to the core” with direct, emotional songs about love, yearning, comfort and belonging.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Soul Rebels Brass Band w/ The Revivalists at the Fox Theatre on Thursday, September 6th.  Tickets go on sale Friday, August 10th for $13.00 in advance and $15.00 day of show. The Soul Rebels formed when Lumar LeBlanc and Derrick Moss, originally members of New Orleans’ iconic Dejean’s Young Olympia Brass Band, decided they wanted to play the new, exciting music they were hearing on the radio while respecting the tradition they loved.

Blues, soul and Grammy nominee Mighty Sam McClain announces a September 18 release date for his latest CD, Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey), on his own Mighty Music label, with national distribution by City Hall Records.Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) showcases McClain’s voice in all its magnificent glory on a program of 14 original songs that touch on his influences ranging from blues and soul, to gospel and funk.

Nine-piece Brooklyn based rock / soul / blues unit Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds have announced a U.S. tour this Fall supporting Seattle soul man Allen Stone. The tour will begin on September 24 in Philadelphia, PA and run until October 14 in Dallas, TX.

Rounder Records has released the complete catalog of the pivotal New Orleans R&B labels, Ric Records and Ron Records. All 140 songs released by the labels on 45 RPM singles, by artists such as Johnny Adams, Eddie Bo, Al Johnson and Irma Thomas, will be released on seven 20-song digital albums.