Watch Christopher Hollyday & Rob Thorsen playing on a patio

Teen jazz ace turned educator, saxophonist Christopher Hollyday joined Rob Thorsen on his patio for a sweet duet set. 

Sure Fire Soul Ensemble releasing fourth album Step Down on Friday

The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble's new album Step Down will be out April 1st – no foolin! Check out two classy tracks below. 

Here's the scoop...

The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble are definitely on a roll coming off of their third LP, Build Bridges, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. The new album from San Diego's 9-piece instrumental juggernaut, Step Down, is a direct reflection of the heavy times they were written and recorded in. The COVID-19 global pandemic, two Presidential impeachment trials, the George Floyd murder and resulting social unrest, a seditious attempt to subvert the democratic process at The Capitol… 

With titles like Step Down, The Other Side, Time To Rebuild, Omnificent, Love Age, and In Common, SFSE uses their music to beautifully paint a picture of societal woes, but also points toward the solution and a better world. Heavy Cinematic Soul, spiritual Jazz-Funk, upbeat Afro-Funk, and deeply introspective rare-groove cuts lace this ten-track transmission vessel. SFSE is deeply defined by the sum of their influences, but always have their eye focused beyond the horizon.

Pre-order Sure Fire Soul Ensemble's Step Down LP on fire red vinyl (limited edition of 750 copies) exclusively from Colemine Records right here... while supplies last.  Listen to the title track and "The Other Side" below. 

B-Side Wins Again: Mitchum Yacoub

Hidden on the flipside of Mitchum Yacoub's "Cumbia Divina" single is the exotic "Bansuri" featuring the flute of the same name.

San Diego 60s teen scene spotlighted on new Look Out! comp

Andy Rasmussen dug up some rare garage gems for the Look Out! comp out now via Ugly Things. Read all about it right here. 

Look Out! The San Diego Scene 1958-1973

1) Gene Lamarr & His Blue Flames - That Crazy Little House on the Hill (1958)

2) The Strangers - The Caterpillar Crawl (1959)

3) Ervin Groves - Bucket of Blood (1962)

4) Billy Keen & The King's Men - There's One Thing That I Want (1961)

5) The Ray-Nears - Hootchie Part 1 (1963)

6) The Nomads - Let's Do the Freeze (1963)

7) The Imperialites - Have Love Will Travel (1964)

8) Larry Green & The Rhythmaires - Watch Your Step (1965)

9) The Misfits - This Little Piggy (I'm A Hog For You) (1964)

10) Sandi & The Accents -T ell Me (1964)

11) Joel Scott Hill & The Invaders - Look Out (1964)

12) *Bonus

13) The Lyrics - So What!! (1965)

14) The Orfuns - The Animal In Me (1965)

15) Steve & The Holidays-Unemployment (1964)

16) Ervin Rucker - She's Alright (1965)

17) The Inmates - This is the Day (1966)

18) The Survivors (feat. Jim "UFO" Sullivan) - Midnight Mines (1965)

19) The Cascades - I Bet You Won't Stay (1965)

20) The Outcasts - Run Away (1965)

21) The Mod - My Last (1966)

22) The Sons - I'm Gone (1966)

23) *Bonus

24) The Contrasts - She Didn't Care (1967)

25) *Bonus

26) Five # Grin - Not This Time (1968)

27) The Brain Police - Find Me a Moment (1968)

28) *Bonus

29) Mixed Grill (Gnarly Beast) - Don't Throw it Away (1968)

30) Anita May & Interstate 5 - When It's Dark (1968)

31) Jamul - Long Tall Sally (1970)

32) Brat - Back Porch (1973)

33) Glory - High School Letter (1973)