Fat Possum US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Jake Xerxes Fussell's story is fascinating. Born in Columbus, Georgia, his father, Fred C. Fussell, was a folklorist, curator and photographer, a man whose life was dedicated to documenting life, as seen through the lens of human experience. We can't think of many other ways you'd grow up with the keen observational skills of Fussell Jr, who was already studying and playing with older musicians by the time he turned teenager, including blues doyen Precious Bryant. Between then and now he's put out four studio albums, released vernacular Southern Music with sonic historian George Mitchell and another folklorist, the award-winning Art Rosenbaum. Now, here we are, LP five, and it's another quiet and softly spoken hit in our opinion. Featuring appearances from Robin Holcomb, Joan Shelley, and Blake Mills, it's a captivating, rich, tender, honeyed and reflective folk delight.

Review: Music for William Eggleston's Stranded in Canton, by Spiritualized's J Spaceman (Jason Pierce) and John Coxon, also known for his work as one half of ,Spring Heel Jack brings a long-awaited score to the raw and gritty scenes of Eggleston's 1970s art film, capturing Memphis in all its untamed glory. Recorded in 2015 after a live performance at London's Barbican Gallery, this release finally makes its way to vinyl via Fat Possum. Eggleston's black-and-white documentary dives into the rough-and-tumble life of Memphis, featuring local legends like Furry Lewis and Jim Dickinson, and portraying wild moments that include everything from pistol-firing antics to Russian roulette. The music echoes the film's visceral energy and nostaligia, offering a blend of haunting and ambient instrumentals that underscore the film's chaotic beauty. Spaceman, deeply inspired by Memphis's unique blend of magic and poverty, brings a raw appreciation to the soundtrack. With screenings set for major cities, this release presents a rare exploration of Memphis's unpolished charm that is an important part of this unique picture.

Review: Following on from 2020's exceptional return to form Alphabetland, which saw the first full-length from Los Angeles punk pioneers X in 27 years (35 years with the OG line up), the incomparable four-piece of Exene Cervenka, Billy Zoom, John Doe and DJ Bonebrake finally get to go out on their own terms with the self-proclaimed swan song LP Smoke & Fiction. Between line up changes, differing visions, commercial flops and radio-baiting sonic shifts, the band's tumultuous 90's era would cause many a hiatus and add further blemishes to their early iconic catalogue, ultimately leading to an unsatisfactory conclusion to their life's work that they've managed to reclaim in a manner not many seasoned veterans ever get the chance. Ten bangers infused with their quintessential rockabilly-punk charm and elevated by Cervenka's still ludicrously intense cadence, with a coinciding farewell tour to come, this is the finale for X the band and we dear listeners have always deserved.