Nightseeker album release @ The Horseshoe, April 21

Deaner of FUBAR is releasing his new Nightseeker epic on April 20 with the T.O. launch the following evening.

Midweek Mixdown: La Grande Bleue

Pascale Labbe, Yves Masson, Jean-Baptiste Lombard and friends cut this gem in France back in 1983. 

The Tiki Collective, Yasgurs Farm @ The Horseshoe Tavern, Monday

Don't miss the Tiki Collective featuring Tyra Jutai, George Koller, Michael Davidson and the Great Bob Scott.

Happy Birthday John Doe!

Happy Birthday Nicky Hopkins

Raising a glass to the Rolling Stones' late great piano man Nicky Hopkins on his day.

Beams LP release w/ Catl, L Con @ Smiling Buddha, Friday

Toronto's own Beams are launching their new album Teach Me To Love tonight – check out the title track below. 

Barrence Whitfield & The Savages release their first-ever music video!

Check out "Let's Go To Mars" off Barrence Whitfield's new album Soul Flowers of Titan with a scary sleeve design.

WATTSTAX screens @ Royal Cinema, Friday

Check out the Bar-Kays performing "Son Of Shaft" from the WATTSTAX documentary below. 

Swingin' Neckbreakers vs. Bill Johnson

The Neckbreakers do a fine job with Bill Johnson's You Better Dig It, thanks in part to producer Eric "Roscoe" Ambel. 

Mardi Gras Madness w/ Alex Pangman's Alleycats, Red Hot Ramble @ Lula Lounge, Tuesday

Alex Pangman and crew are throwing a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras party in Toronto – don't miss it!

Whaddya mean you don't know Piotr Figiel

Polish composer/bandleader Piotr Figiel is behind this bumpin' 1974 jam off Jacek Lech's Bądź Szczęśliwa album. 

Valerie June @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Sunday

In advance of Valerie June's much-anticipated Toronto show Sunday, here's her recent performance on KEXP. 

Winter Body Mojo Workout w/ DJs Classy Craig, Chico, Derek B @ The Yukon (1592 Queen West), Friday

Watch Lindi Ortega perform "The Comeback Kid"

"The Comeback Kid" and "You Ain't Foolin' Me" appear on Lindi Ortega's new Liberty album out March 30. 

John Barry vs. Chris Connor

Did Chris Connor's 1957 recording of Speak Low inspire John Barry's James Bond Theme five years later? Listen below.

Willie P. Bennett Tribute @ Hugh's Room, Thursday

Here's a rare clip of the late great Willie P. Bennett performing at Hamilton's Festival of Friends back in 1976. 

Happy Birthday J Dilla

Remembering James Dewitt Yancey on his day with an orchestral version of his Slum Village gem Fall In Love.

Cover Cop: The Sheepdogs vs. Har-You Percussion Group

Could The Sheepdogs be into Latin jazz? Only sleeve artist Mat Dunlap knows the real story behind the hilarious Har-You homage. 

Happy 75th Birthday Calvin Keys!

Raising a glass to guitar great Calvin Keys on his day with a couple of Black Jazz spiritual swingers. 

Of course, Butch Hancock is also a painter

This 2016 canvas by the legendary Lubbock singer/songwriter seems somehow very appropriate right now. 

Happy Birthday Jody Williams!

Raising a glass to the guitar great with his solo debut as Little Papa Joe from 1955 and "Lucky You" from 1957. 

Okavango African Orchestra @ Alliance Française, Saturday

Celebrate Black History Month with a rare local performance by Juno-winning Okavango African Orchestra at Alliance Française (24 Spadina) on Saturday February 3 starting at 9 pm. Twelve instruments, ten languages, seven countries…one special concert.

Okavango African Orchestra – who took the hardware for “Best World Music Album of the Year” at the 2017 Juno Awards – features a line-up of eight accomplished African-born musicians currently living in Toronto and Montreal: Daniel Nebiat (krar, vocals-Eritrea), Kofi Ackah (percussion, vocals-Ghana), Tichaona Maredza (marimba, nyunga-nyunga, hosho, vocals-Zimbabwe), Donne Roberts (guitar, vocals-Madagascar), Kooshin (kaban, vocals-Somalia), Ebenezer Agyekum (bass-Ghana), Sadio Sissokho (kora, tama, djembe, vocals-Senegal) and Nicolas Simbananiye (vocals-Burundi). Watch Daniel Nebiat, who works as a Toronto cab driver, discuss the surprising music biz recognition.

Watch Shannon & The Clams' new video for "Backstreets"

Shannon & The Clams release their 5th studio album Onion February 16. They play Danforth Music Hall on March 29.

One For The Weekend: Indian Ocean

The Arthur Russell & Walter Gibbons collaborative 12" School Bell/Treehouse has just been reissued by Get On Down.

Happy Birthday James Black!

Remembering Eddie Bo's drummer of choice with his own tune, Magnolia Triangle recorded with Yusef Lateef.