For those of you still spinning your vinyl copies of Nick Katzman's classic Kicking Mule Records LPs (among the finest acoustic blues and ragtime guitar on record, IMO), I have exciting news: Nick has released his first new record of acoustic blues and ragtime in nearly 3 decades. He sent me a pre-release version of "Prevailing Winds from the South," and it has all the hallmarks of his earlier work: Original blues and ragtime that sound like long lost classics. My favorites include "Rev'd up and Ready," one of his two blistering takes on Rev. Gary Davis; Katzmanatin' Rhythm, an original slide "how'd he do that" kind of piece, and "Missoula Rag," a classic Joplinesque rag. Thomasina Winslow (calling to mind Ruby Green from the Kicking Mule days) guests on one track.

Right now, the CDs are available by contacting Nick at his website, blueskatz.com.

He'll also have copies at his upcoming show at the Good Coffeehouse in Brooklyn on May 1.