This series of Southern Bred CDs reminds one of listening to vintage “Records From the Crypt” shows hosted by Billy Delle on WWOZ. Koko Mojo’s ideology is “killer and no filler” at an affordable price. Problem is that for all intents and purposes, these releases are bootlegs. None of the rightful owners of these songs—the artists, songwriters or heirs—will ever see a dime from the sale of these CDs.

They pay absolutely no royalties or publishing because in most European countries, including Koko Mojo’s Ireland, song copyrights expire after 50 years and cannot be renewed. On the upside, there’s some great and rare New Orleans stuff here highlighted by Billy Tate’s “Love Is A Crazy Thing,” Fat Man Matthew’s “Later Baby,” the Hawks’ “Joe the Grinder” and Tommy Ridgley’s “The Girl Across the Street.” There’s also a track by the Gondoliers featuring this month’s OffBeat cover man, Lawrence Cotton. But there is no theme here—if it even needs one. Plus, a lot of artists have scant ties to this state outside of having their name on a Louisiana birth certificate. Little Walter, Gatemouth Brown, Richard Berry and Rudy Green have great tracks on here, but their music is associated with genres on the West Coast, Texas and Chicago. Even the polished New Orleans R&B clashes somewhat with the lowdown, gutbucket Crowley blues here. The CDs are nicely packaged to the eye, but the notes leave a lot to be desired. This particular compiliation, like other releases in this series, is a good listen while you’re doing errands or chores around the shack.