Duster

'90s slowcore band Duster reunited a few years ago and have been having way, way more success the second time around, and they just dropped a surprise new album on Friday called "In Dreams."  It sounds like a Duster album.  Check out the album opening "Quiet Eyes" below and get the record here from Numero Group.

Daily Jam - Words Come Back (Piano)

One of the artists i've been fortunate enough to discover this year is '80s Maryland hardcore punk and proto-emo band The Hated.  Much thanks to the good folks at Numero Group for reissuing the band's brief but stellar output, a highlight of which is demo piano version of the song "Words Come Back."  Check it out below, our Daily Jam.

Duster & Dirty Art Club

Continuing their late era comeback and Renaissance, '90s slowcore band Duster just released a couple of new singles, a collaborative effort with North Carolina artist Dirty Art Club.  Check out "Anhedonia II" and "Ecstasy Cowgirl" below and download them here from Numero Group.

Daily Jam - Pardon My Innocent Heart

I know i started on a dark and synthy note this morning, but i'm going to move on to some soul.  Indiana soul singer Nate Evans only recorded a couple of singles before joining The Impressions, a couple of which i discovered thanks to the always wonderful Numero Group record label, and they're all fantastic.  Here's the lovely "Pardon My Innocent Heart," our Daily Jam.

Technicolor Paradise - Rhum Rhapsodies & Other Exotic Delights

Holy shit, where have you been all my life?  Numero Group is known for their amazing compilations of long lost obscure music, be it soul, power pop, or more, and earlier this year, the label released a big ol' collection of exotica, the much maligned genre from a half century or more ago that probably soundtracked the imbibing of many a backyard pina colada party.  Moving and grooving through strands of surf rock, lounge, jazz, psychedelia, and easy listening, "Technicolor Paradise - Rhum Rhapsodies & Other Exotic Delights," is instantly hooky, a wonderful collection of unknowns that's only a little cheesy.  I love it.  And it's sure to be a wonderful companion to the "Unusual Sounds" library music compilation from Anthology a couple months ago.  Dig all over these old tunes.  Stream the whole thing (54 songs!) below and order it here or here.

Acid Nightmares

I'm pretty sure that crate digging record label Numero Group has never put out an album that wasn't fantastic.  Everything they unearth, from unheard, swinging soul tunes, to crunchy power pop, to dusty old folk just makes my ears sing.  Previously focusing on rare folk jams and Americana, this time around the label's Wayfaring Strangers series takes a stab at acid drenched psychedelia on the compilation "Acid Nightmares."  The record contains 18 tracks of guitar fuzz, burn-out blasts, and fried freakouts, a perfect soundtrack for demented hippies blazing through the desert on motorcycles, chasing the demons in their heads.  Listen to "Dark Dawn" from Whistlers Mother below and cop the record here.

Jackie Shane

Long the purveyors of obscure soul gems from around the world, Numero Group has really outdone themselves this time, with the upcoming compilation album of 1960's Toronto transgender artist Jackie Shane.  "Any Other Way" compiles the artist's singles as well as live session from 1967 with the usual Numero attention to detail and sound.  Given a lot of the current political climate, this music feels as important now as it probably was 50 years ago.  Listen to "Cruel Cruel World" below and pre-order here.

Southwest Side Story: Vol. 19

Yesterday, i sadly missed out on procuring a copy of Ike Reiko's "You, Baby" LP, reissued for Record Store Day (and i'll be damned if i'm gonna drop $100 on one on Ebay), but every year, i inevitably end up digging on something unexpected.  One release this time around comes from the always wonderful and dependable Numero Group, a collection of rare and obscure soul jams out of San Antonio called "Southwest Side Story: Vol. 19."  The compilation consists of 14 grooving little nuggets that's probably going to have me heading south on a mission to find original old 45's.  Listen to The Eptones' "No One Else but You" below, snag a digital copy of the album here, and venture out to a brick and mortar record store to find a physical copy.

Purple Snow: Forecasting the Minneapolis Sound

The ridiculously awesome and consistent Numero Group is releasing another collection of unearthed and rare gems, this time as a collection of soul, funk, and R&B jams from Minneapolis called "Purple Snow: Forecasting the Minneapolis Sound."  This is the same scene that birthed Prince...which is really the only thing you need to know.  Expect a silky smooth and sexy good time.  Turn down the lights, pour yourself a cocktail, and listen to Mind and Matter's "No One Else Can Do It to Me Baby" below.

Medusa

Generally and lovingly known for their awesome reissues of soul obscurities, with occasional forays into folk, Americana, and power pop, the always fantastic, always amazing Numero Group have finally set their sights on obscure 70's metal.  The label just reissued the long, lost album "First Step Beyond" from Chicago metal band Medusa.  There's a total psych/metal/classic rock thing going on here, definitely following in the footsteps of Zep or Sabbath.  Great, fun stuff, and the record comes with a felt cover (just like God intended).  Listen to "Strangulation" below.