You can't take two proverbial steps around the blog-o-sphere without running into a Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings song. And to be truthful, I've got nothing bad to say about that. Their music doesn't just sound retro - I'm convinced that somehow Sharon is channeling genuine soul music from the 60's that was mistakenly unreleased by Stax Records and is manifesting itself through her. I'm sure of it.

That being said, if you've been groovin' to Sharon, Scion (yes, those people who make those boxy squatish cars that are hipper than a pimped out low-rider Corolla) have teamed up with Daptone Records to release a two CD sampler that will get you ready to Boogaloo. The first CD contains 9 remixes of songs from various bands from the label (The Budos Band, The Daktaris, The Sugarman Three & Co., and of course - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings). The second CD is a sampler of album cuts from the same bands. You can pick up the pair of CDs for FREE at Scion events across the country, or if there's not one near you (or if you're too cool to attend), you can buy the Remix album on iTunes (follow the link below).

For those of you who've newly discovered Sharon and are wondering where to go from her, this compilation offers some excellent leads to follow to some of her label-mates. All proceeds from this comp go right to the bands, so even if you don't peruse the rest of Daptones' rich catalog, you're still supporting some solid music.


Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Stranded In Your Love (Cool Calm Pete-Sweet Nothing Mix) : Scion Sampler, Vol. 19 - Daptone Records Remixed



The Sugarman Three & Co. - Take It As It Come : from Pure Cane Sugar



Have you already explored Daptone Records deep line-up? Check out the following to delve even deeper to discover new (old) artists and for more sweet soul music.

To listen to:

Stax Gold (eMusic listeners go here)
The Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles Vol. 1: 1959-1968
The Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles Vol. 2: 1968-1971 (eMusic listeners go here)
The Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles Vol. 3: 1972-1975 (eMusic listeners go here)
Atlantic Gold

To read:

Sweet Soul Music
Boogaloo: The Quintessence of American Popular Music

To read and listen to:

Souled On (Music, Art, Politics, and Life)


Isaac Hayes - Theme from Shaft : Greatest Hits

Big Joe Turner - Shake, Rattle And Roll : Atlantic Gold: 75 Soul Classics From The Atlantic Vaults (Disc 1)

Sam and Dave - Soul Man : Soul Men