Sweet Like Sugar

While things appear to be slowing down around his supposed Michigan senatorial bid, it looks like Kid Rock will stay busy tending to his more familiar occupation. Announced today, the provocative rocker will release 11th studio album, titled Sweet Southern Sugar, on Nov. 3, which will include his three most recently released singles, "Greatest Show on Earth" "Po-Dunk" and “Tennessee Mountain Top."

The Afrobeat-infused disco project Ibibio Sound Machine, based in London and fronted by Nigerian native Eno Williams, impressed us with last year’s Eiyo EP and the single “Basquiat.” Today they’re announcing a new album and sharing another immaculate burner for your listening pleasure. The new album, Doko Mien, is out in March on North Carolina indie staple Merge Records. Its lead single is the title track of sorts, “Tell Me (Doko Mien),” an absurdly infectious percussive party track seemingly inspired by the same influences that fueled Talking Heads and LCD Soundsystem. Synths percolate insistently; the brass section blares playfully; a complex rhythm builds from many interlocking parts including pizzicato guitar. Atop it all, Williams delivers a casually excellent diva vocal that suggests coming up with a song this contagiously fun is the easiest thing in the world. (It isn’t.)

Beginning in the early '90s, Sammy Shelor and Ronnie Bowman's version of the Lonesome River Band would become one of the most influential bluegrass groups of the decade. Best of the Sugar Hill Years captures the group's stint at the label between 1994 and 2000 with 16 selections. All of these selections feature vocalist/bassist Bowman and banjoist Shelor, who are joined by a number of regulars including Dan Tyminski, Don Rigsby, and Kenny Smith, and a number of guests, including Jerry Douglasand Stuart Duncan.