But lately I’ve been mostly listening to..

Black Cotton compilations. I’ve been exploring the 30s and 40s and I’ve been into songs like

Wilmoth Houdini’s I Need A Man

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr0ObE-vTow]

or Weed Smoker’s Dream by The Harlem Hamfats

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDU9OkmyUxU]

or Abdullah by Fats Waller & his Rhythm

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rVmW3or4pc]

I’ve found these all thanks to El Nino and his Black Cotton compilations. If I could only find the 4th volume somewhere. I only have the first three. I never knew El Nino personally, but during the past 12 months he has been my guide on a journey through vintage music. First through his radio shows and then through his Lady Luck and Black Cotton compilations. Both the CDs and the radio shows have introduced a huge amount of great music to me. The kind of music that I probably wouldn’t have found otherwise. A year ago, I didn’t know I had much interest towards 30s dance music, jazz, fox trot and things like that. El Nino showed me that I do and now it’s something that I listen to almost on a daily basis. Even though my only contact with him was a small thank you email I sent last December, I’m still deeply saddened that he passed away last summer. Thank you for everything El Nino.