By Lisa Torem

Vintage Trouble, Riviera Theater, Chicago, Illinois, October 21, 2017

“Rainbows and Waterfalls” finds Derek Vincent Smith—aka Pretty Lights—doing what he does best: blending the smooth sounds of old school funk and hip-hip with a next generation style that defies categorization. Shuggie Otis’ 1971 classic “Strawberry Letter 23” sets the foundation for the new track, which marks Pretty Lights’ first release since “Only Yesterday” dropped in March 2016.

Eyes of the World: Grateful Dead Photography 1965 – 1995 is a fine art, hardcover coffee table photography book that brings together, for the first time, a comprehensive collection of photographs from a wide range of photographers whose work has captured the Grateful Dead at different times throughout their career.

Woven with the threads of funk, soul, gospel, blues and rock -- and executed by some of the industry's most beloved players -- The Big Ol' Nasty Getdown is gearing up to release Volume 2 on January 12, 2018. Collaborators on this release include Vernon Reid (Living Colour,) Speech (Arrested Development,) Larry Dunn (Earth, Wind and Fire,) Fred Wesley (The James Brown Band) and countless other talented musicians.

Los Angeles-based CMH RECORDS will release Country Music Heritage: The Legacy of CMH Records on Black Friday 2017, November 24.  Featuring a wide array of artists culled from the label's 40-plus years of music history, the 14-song set will be issued in a limited-edition 180-gram vinyl, gatefold package.  The album will be released digitally as well on December 1.  The album's first focus track is "Charlotte's Web" by The Pinnacle Boys, produced by Sonny Osborne of The Osborne Brothers.

Sonos and Pearl Jam have teamed up to host exclusive extended screenings of the documentary film Let's Play Two on October 25th in select cities. These events are the first time that Pearl Jam fans will have the opportunity to view 45 minutes of bonus, not-seen-in-theaters footage before the official home video release on November 17th.

Fan-favorite reggae act Stick Figure, led by the multi-talented frontman, songwriter, and producer Scott Woodruff as well as the beloved Cocoa the Tour Dog, will be teaming up with jamband powerhouse Twiddle for a 17-show run across the country, with additional support from LA-based reggae group Iya Terra. The organic link between jambands and reggae has been clearly drawn with the announcement of the Above the Storm Tour, a traveling representation of top up and comers in each respective scene.

Fresh from Atlas Studios in Boulder Co, George Hunter recorded “Fool’s Gold” with Lifted Entertainment. Hunter wrote out a funk-flamenco fused pop burner about letting go of inhibition and going for what you really want.

Winnie Brave are a husband-and-wife, highway-stormin’, Americana/country-soul duo. They tour in a 1976 Winnebago with their two dogs and two old guitars. Space is tight but they love to log the miles and play their music to folks all across the country. They've recently released their latest album which is entitled, 'Cheap Gin'.