An Australian label, AIM Records, released several previously unavailable or hard-to-find Louisiana-based titles. Two of the releases are from Lynn August and Rockin’ Tabby Thomas.

August’s selection, titled Creole People, is his first domestic release since 1992, and was recorded in 1995 to kick off a 1996 European tour. August is a soulful singer, one of the best in zydeco, and is also a wonderful accordionist (he basically locked himself in a bedroom and taught himself to play). His music is a mix of old zydeco favorites, soul classics, and a few rocking instrumentals. The only real complaint about this CD is not a musical one. There is an interesting story in the liner notes that details August’s career up to the present, but there is no information whatsoever about the band or information about the songs. While I still prefer his two Black Top releases of the early 90’s for sheer fun, this is a solid release that will keep your toe tapping.

Tabby Thomas has been a fixture on the Baton Rouge blues scene for many years, recording the single “Hoodoo Party” for Excello forty years ago, and running the Baton Rouge blues club, Tabby’s Blues Box.

His son, Chris Thomas King, may be more familiar to most blues fans (Tabby re-recorded “Hoodoo Party” for Chris’ Red Mud CD a couple of years ago), but ol’ Dad’s still got plenty of fuel in the tank, as evidenced by his AIM release Swamp Man Blues.

No CD has ever been more aptly titled. This is killer swamp blues, rough and ready from start to finish. Again, there is no recording information on this CD, but whoever is playing the music certainly knew what they were doing. Tabby’s voice has coarsened over the years, but he is still able to get the message across, and his guitar work is rock solid (particularly on the title cut and “Hoo Do Man”). The beat is almost primal throughout, almost hypnotic. The backing musicians, though unidentified, are obviously not strangers to this sound and provide tight backing. The whole set feels like it could have been recorded at the Blues Box (and could very well have been, again no recording information). Give this one a spin if you’re a fan of the Louisiana blues sound. You won’t be disappointed.

While you’ve got Louisiana on your mind, you might want to check out Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas’ CD, Let’s Go (Rounder Records).

Nathan Williams’ sound is a combination of zydeco, rhythm and blues, ska, reggae, and whatever else will fit into the mix. With this, his sixth Rounder release, Williams and his band tear into fourteen tracks of solid, rocking zydeco. The Zydeco Chas Chas grab you from the start with the title cut and don’t let up for the next 13 tracks. This CD includes some of Williams’ best songs.

He is rapidly developing into one of the genre’s best performers. Standout tracks include “Put a Hump in Your Back,” “Hard Times,” “Can’t Get Nuthin’ Sucka,” and the closer “Le Bon Manger.” The production by Rounder’s Scott Billington is, as always, inspired. He even plays harmonica on two tracks (Does he have a great job or what?). All of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas’ releases are worth having and this one is no exception.