BEST COMPILATION CD

Every summer (or thereabouts), The Oxford American magazine, based in Conway, Ark., publishes a special issue -- with accompanying CD -- that explores the vast world of Southern music. The CD delves into sounds from every genre and age, from scratchy blues and old-time bluegrass to rock, jazz, gospel, R&B and genres that don't even have definitions. The editors are focused on assembling a fresh, unpredictable mix every year (I know this because I used to be one of them.)

Sam Cooke, Eartha Kitt and Townes Van Zandt star on this year's edition, which hit newsstands in September. But, as always, obscure, underappreciated gems are at the heart of the compilation. Listen to it, and you may just find your new favorite artist.

--Lisa Dixon