After last year's intro to the maverick women who raised hell in the world of country music, the second compilation seeks to further redress the gender imbalance. It's striking to see how the likes of Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Jeannie C Riley and Tammy Wynette strived to push feminist agendas in what was a male-dominated arena even as they were topping the hit parade in Music City. Covering those landmark years from the late 1950s to the late 1970s, the impeccably curated set has room for many different shades of country: from Wanda Jackson's rockabilly rebel yell on My Baby Walked Right Out On Me to the country-soul sass of Diana Trask (Don't Let It Get Away) and Linda Martell (the gorgeous Color Him Father) to the crossover sounds of Cher, Linda Rondstadt and Bobby Gentry. A fascinating reminder of another side of country. souljazzrecords.co.uk
Download: Wanda Jackson, My Baby Walked Right Out On Me; Linda Martell, Color Him Father