Another damn heat wave. It seems like we live in Florida with these ever-high dew points. Oh well, nothing a cold Mt. Defiance cider or glass of Slater Run Rose won't cure. This is the season for backyard parties, and a musical soundtrack is always necessary. So here's my annual summer album six pack issue, all the music you'll need for your next BBQ with friends. You can hear my Spotify playlist at https://tinyurl.com/yabyvkmw, and you can find this music at a variety of online sources, like Itunes, Amazon, or Spotify.

Songs from a Ghost Town—Trampled By Turtles (2004)--I play music occasionally with Middleburg troubadour Hunt Lyman. He texted me and said let's play Whiskey by Trampled by Turtles. The song is from the Band's debut album Songs from a Ghost Town. These guys were rock musicians who moved over to the roots/bluegrass scene, and they made the transition well. While some call their material progressive, I see them as more foundational to the handful of bluegrass bands that have crept away from the traditional themes and sound of Del McCoury for a more hippie country feel. This debut is a great place to start exploring their material, and it's great party music.

Shanti's Shadow--Phoebe Hunt and the Gatherers (2017)--Hot off the presses, Shanti's Shadow is a remarkable album of the very best acoustic music. Leader, vocalist, and fiddler Phoebe Hunt's tunes are complex audio tapestries made up of fusions of Celtic, new grass, folk, swing, a hint of Indian music. The band is hot, featuring Berklee graduate and crazy good mandolinist Dominick Leslie, and Brooklyn guitarist Roy Williams. The highlight for me is the extraordinary Road to Kolhapur; I could listen to it all day. Wow (www.phoebehuntmusic.com).

Aq Element Pt. 1 Live 2017--Aqueous (2017)—Perhaps influenced by the dance tunes of Umphrey's McGee, blended with some prog rock and a jazz groove all of their own, Aqueous is making some amazing music on the Jam Band circuit. The quartet just released Aq Element, and it's a kaleidoscope of audio delights, one-time dance party, another peaking progressive riffs. Perfect for your party and good prep for heading out to see them live. (aqueousband.com)

My Aloha—Peter Rowan (2017)--Let's head to Hawaii with our old friend Peter Rowan, and he's not singing Panama Red this time. This time around, Rowan has put together a set of great Hawaiian music, working with a fine group of Hawaiian musicians. There's ukulele, Rowan's tenor voice and guitar work, and even some yodeling. I know we can't just teleport to Hawaii but throw together some umbrella drinks, grill up the Mahi Mahi, light the tiki torches, and turn up the stereo. You'll swear you're at the luau.

Revolution Come…Revolution Go Gov't Mule (2017)--Can't believe it's been 20 years since the first Gov't Mule album. Back then, it was a side project for Allman Brothers players Warren Haynes and Allen Woody. What an amazing album it was, with some of my favorite tunes, Trane and Mule. This latest effort is considered by many to be one of their top three, nearly getting the elusive five-star rating on allmusic.com. It's gritty but melodic, with powerful guitar riffs and a polished ensemble sound that isn't slick in the least. Leader Warren Haynes is one of the busiest musicians in rock, playing with The Dead, the Allman Brothers, the Jerry Garcia Tribute, along with producing his Mountain Jam festival and appearing alongside all of the best rock musicians. Take a listen to him playing Cortez the Killer with the Dave Mathews Band live in Central Park—simply the very best.

Stone Cold Rage opens the album, a power rocker that is a reflection of the 2016 election season and reminds me of the riffs and story telling of a hard rock Anders Osborne tune. The title track is a bundle of polyrhythmic patterns held together by the melody, with Hayne's great voice, a staccato walking organ, and a legato walking bass combined in a way that only the Mule can do it. Warning, best played very loud.

Live At the Barn—The Wood Brothers (2017)-- Meticulously recorded, you swear you are in the Barn when you listen to this great live album by Oliver and Chris Wood. These guys smoke it every night, with a sound that nobody else has. Oliver Wood's bluesy tenor voice and tube amp powered archtop guitar form their foundation, with Chris Woods complex and jazzy base filling the cracks. I love these guys. Never ever miss them if they come to DC, and always remember to throw them on at your next backyard BBQ.

Steve Chase lives in Unison and tries not to play the music too loud.