It was another great week for new material plus you get a heads up on music that has not been released yet. Get the scoop here and now.

Let start the blog out in an electronic direction with Alternative Pop trio out of South London called The Shortwave Set. Their debut album, THE DEBT COLLECTION was released in 2005 to very positive reviews. Unfortunately, the love of the critics did not transfer into record sales. However, they did win the admiration of Danger Mouse and he pulled out the producer’s chair on The Shortwave Set’s sophomore effort, REPLICA SUN MACHINE. Technically, the disc is not out until May 5th but I wanted to give you the jump on it. The tune I played is called “No Social.”

And I followed it up with “Nylon Smile,” a new song from the Bristol, England based band Portishead. They are named after a town just outside of Bristol. That would be great. “Hey, where are you from.” “I’m from Portishead.” Anyway, the trio that makes up Portishead is better known for their “trip hop” style but they moved toward a softer, more mysterious place after an eleven year hiatus with the new album THIRD.

I had a chance to sample some music from Newton Faulkner. He’s known as an adult contemporary singer songwriter, which is a fine – but sometimes dry description. On the tune I played last night, “Gone In The Morning” he expresses a wonderful sense of humor. Newton will be out promoting his new album HAND BUILT BY ROBOTS check out his myspace page for dates.

I started the show off off with a violinist, singer/songwriter and bandleader, Jenny Scheinman. Her history is with the Brooklyn Jazz scene. She’s worked with Nora Jones and Sean Lennon. She has a passion: the passion for exploring all styles of music. On her latest, self-titled release Ms. Scheinman delves into the folk and Americana genres and she does a fine job. I fancied the Blues Folk inspired cover of Jimmy Reed’s,“Shame Shame Shame” and the one I played…an alt. Country tune called “Come On Down.”

Next is the soul of Jamie Lidell, soul music that is. You know, he must have been listening to a lot of Motown before he wrote the music for this album – simply known as JIM. Any of his music would pair well with Amy Winehouse, Gabriella Cilmi or Duffy. The tune I picked was “Where D’You Go?” You know, I almost made him the show’s lineage because I really liked the title song to his album, MULTIPY, which gained some notoriety due to being included in a Grey’s Anatomy Soundtrack CD. If you haven’t heard it – check it out and groove on some neo-soul.

Another grooving sample is the fantastic new release from Maryland’s own Eric Hutchinson. I chose “You Don’t Have To Believe Me” and it’s from SOUNDS LIKE THIS. Eric’s music career sounds like a VH-1’s BEHIND THE MUSIC episode. He was originally signed by Madonna’s label, Maverick Records, and just when he was ready to launch, Maverick records became involved with a lawsuit that effectively shut it down, leaving Eric in a lurch. He was able to extricate himself from the legal mess and start over as an indie. This record, which is a good one, is a product of his determination. I like stories like that.

Flipping back once again to the folk side of things a new artist, Steve Pilgrim. He’s an acoustic artist from Liverpool, England. I found him online while doing some casual research so I hate to say it, but the music is not yet available in the US and technically it’s only available on line in the UK. His new collection is called LOVER, LOVE HER and it’s absolutely lovely. I played the title track.

Keeping the folk theme going here with a indie folk singer songwriter from Grums, Sweden. His name is Thomas Denver Jonsson and his style favors M. Ward or Bright Eyes but sometimes I hear a little Neil Young. This is his debut album and it’s titled THE LAKE ACTS LIKE THE OCEAN. Right now it’s only available in Europe and it’s an independent release, so if a label doesn’t pick it up…I don’t know when it’ll get here. The track that got my attention: “You Were The Holiday.”

“Worthy Of Your Esteem” is the latest single from Hayden. He’s a talented folk, singer/songwriter out of Ontario, Canada. The new disc is called IN FIELD & TOWN. He is just finishing up a US tour where he’s been opening for Feist. That’s a good booking. He is scheduled to return to the US in June to start his own tour.

Last, and certainly not least is Neilson Hubbard. Neilson collaborated with Matthew Ryan to form the band Strays Don’t Sleep. Ryan also has a new album out and TMD has been spinning “American Dirt,” which is a good song but my PD scooped me so I took a pass for my show. Back to Mr. Hubbard…I played “All The Rain” and it’s from his new album I LOVE YOUR MUSCLES, which I think is a fantastic name for an album. The title track is also worth mentioning.

Send me an email if you’d like the actual song order. When all the show’s songs are played in context, it sounds wonderful. I designed it sonically for flow and consistency.

Speaking of flow and consistency, check out my new compilation CD – The Uptown Blues Party, Vol.1. It’s available on CD Baby. Buy it. Help out a struggling artist. ;^)