Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have just released their latest album, Radio Salone. It’s an exciting new variation in their sound and one of the most interesting albums we’ve heard this year. Pick one up at the link.

The debut album from Atlanta-based singer and songwriter Callaghan releases on May 1st! Life in Full Colour’s 12 songs present Callaghan’s eclectic and dynamic style, combining shades of folk, country, rock and pop into a seamless fusion of feeling and melody. The album, which you can get autographed, and her t-shirts are all now available.

Trombone Shorty owns the Big Easy Music Award for Best Male Performer, having won it for the fourth time and the third year in a row!

Finally, check out this video of Over the Rhine performing an unreleased song!

Ruthie Foster recently performed on the Mountain Stage Radio Show, and the show is scheduled to air on Friday April 13th. Check the Mountain Stage website for info on how to listen.

Curtis Salgado‘s song “A Woman or the Blues” is featured in The New Yorker’s Listening Booth. His latest album, Soul Shot, was released this week.

Chipper Jones has returned to the Atlanta Braves lineup for his farewell tour, and the folks at Thanks Bobby are releasing more charitable shirts in his honor. The Thanks Chipper shirts benefit Homeless Pets Foundation.

A couple of our artist’s albums that came out over the past few weeks are getting unprecedented coverage and favorable reviews. Firstly, Bonnie Raitt is back and making a splash in the ears of the country and in the media. Check out glowing reviews of her latest record, Slipstream, and features at Rolling Stone, NPR, The NY Times, and Entertainment Weekly.

Next, Janiva Magness has found a slew of good news in the wake of her latest album, Stronger For It. Blurt, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Lincoln Journal-Star, and About Blues have all swooned over the record.

Port Merch News of the Week for March 19, 2012:

- Bonnie Raitt‘s long-awaited album Slipstream is just 22 days from release, and we’re getting excited to ship the CDs! If you’ve pre-ordered, you already have the download of the single “Right Down the Line.” You can still get it by ordering the album now. Bonnie just released a special live recording featuring one of her backing vocalists on Slipstream – check out Bonnie and Maia Sharp’s duet here.

- There’s new Styx merch for 2012, and four new shirts are up at the online store. The older shirt sale is still going on, too!

- Just for fun, how about this PBS interview with Ruthie Foster!