Mathus fans will recall that he was the lead singer for Squirrel Nut Zippers.

On "KnockDown South" the debut release for Mathus' Knockdown South Records, Mathus continues his ever-evolving musical alchemy of interpreting and reinventing Mississippi music -- this time combining gut-bucket North Mississippi blues with electric boogie, hip-hop drum beats, soul horn sections and a dose of honky tonk. "The main inspiration for all my recordings was 'Mississippi music'...music of my heart and soul," Mathus says.

The 12 original songs on "KnockDown South" range from the primal groove of "Crazy 'Bout You" to the tripped out 'disco blues' of "Hypnotized", the country/blues/rock of "Skateland Baby" to the dark swamp pop of "Be That Way" and the honky tonk weeper "Loving Arms". "Let Me Be Your Rocker" gets its main refrain from a 1930's recording of Jackson, MS-based blues singer-turned preacher Ishmon Bracy and is reminiscent of '70s era Stones.

Check out Mathus' website here.