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A quartet of lovely ladies, serving up their renditions of classics from the swing era – all done in sweetly scatted versions! Most numbers begin with these great wordless vocal passages that establish the tunes before the main lyrics come in – setting the scene like the horns in a... read more

An excellent album of strident female soul tracks! Sure, the Clark Sisters were a gospel group – but their crossover single "You Brought The Sunshine" is a massive dancefloor track, with a stepping 80s groove that keeps on going strong, and which has the same crossover sense of... read more

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Rare tracks by the Clarke-Boland Sextet – a small group offshoot of the funky Big Band that was led by Kenny Clarke and Francy Boland – and which featured some of the key soloists in the group! The lineup here includes Sahib Shihab on flute, Fats Sadi on vibes and bongos, Joe Harris on... read more

Massive funk from the Panama scene of the 70s – three heavy grooves together in one set! "Soul Chombo" is a funky monster right from the start – a cut that sounds almost Jamaican right at the start, but then picks up with a kicking drum part that's completely brilliant –... read more

A trio of sex film soundtracks from 70s England – but done in a way that's a lot classier than you might expect! The sounds here aren't the usual bump-n-grind you might expect from US porno – and instead, the tunes are really great soundtrack numbers, penned with a distinct... read more

Gentle grooves from the KPM sound library – two great albums back to back on a single CD! First up is Girl On The Beach – soft, seductive grooves from James Clarke – delivered with a nicely mature feel, and one that really takes Easy up a few notches from conventional 60s forms! ... read more

Bunny Lee dub versions of classic Johnny Clarke vocal numbers – with the tracks stripped down to the drum and heavy bass – and that legendary voice hypnotically dropped in and out! Includes versions on numbers from some of Johnny's peak dancehall years of the mid 70s to early 80s... read more

French journalist/composer Andre Hodier was one of the leading voices of European jazz in the postwar years – a committed modernist, but with a strong understanding of all the traditions of jazz. This classic set features American drummer Kenny Clarke working with a group of French musicians... read more

One of the first albums from guitarist Kenny Burrell as a leader – a date that has him working with players from his hometown scene in Detroit – in case you couldn't guess from the title! Kenny's style here is a bit different than on the Blue Note dates of the time – almost a bit... read more

A mighty run of classic fusion from Stanley Clarke – some of his biggest albums for Columbia Records, packaged here in mini LP-styled sleeves in a 6CD slipcase! The package is a great one – especially given that some of these records aren't easy to find on CD – and it traces the... read more

Stanley Clarke may be on a journey to love – but that doesn't mean that the album's too sweet or romantic! Many tracks here still have the harder edge and sharper lines you'd expect from Clarke's key 70s fusion reputation – the kind of rock-influenced styles that crossed over big at... read more

A bit more high concept than before for Stanley Clarke – almost a suite of sorts, but one that still has some great standout tunes in the mix! Although Clarke used to bring his higher concepts to bear in the space of a single song, this one's more of a full exploration of the character in... read more

Fully-formed genius from Stanley Clarke – his first album for Columbia Records, and already a radical departure from the spiritual jazz of his previous set for Polydor! This Clarke's the one who'd play on countless sets of headphones in the 70s – the bassist who really revolutionized... read more

Time Exposure has a lot of 80s electro funk in the mix, particularly Clarke's impeccable bass lines, which are heavy throughout. Titles include "Play The Bass '10", "Heaven Sent You", "Speedball", "Future Shock" and the great title track.... read more

A trio of funky electric albums from Stanley Clarke's mid 80s R&B years – 1984's Time Exposure, ''85's Find Out and '86's Hideaway – in a 2CD set! Time Exposure has a lot of 80s electro funk in the mix, particularly Clarke's impeccable bass lines, which are heavy throughout. ... read more

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A seminal set in the rebirth of straight jazz in the early 80s – a wonderful record with a much warmer, more traditional feel than you'd expect from some of the players involved! Bassist Stanley Clarke and pianist Chick Corea really return to their roots here – Stanley with some of the... read more

A mighty collaboration between Stanley Clarke & George Duke – working here in a pairing that refueled both of their careers for the 80s! In previous years, both Clarke and Duke had a penchant for really stretching out in complex, experimental modes – but here, they're playing in a... read more

One of the hippest albums ever from the team of Kenny Clarke and Francy Boland – a unique small combo session that's even groovier than their famous big band work! The setting is wonderful – Clarke on drums, Boland on piano, and a sextet lineup that includes Sahib Shihab on flute, Fats... read more

A hard slammer from the Clarke-Boland Big Band – recorded when the band was burning up the road in Europe, taking great players and audiences in one fell swoop, coming up with some of the strongest straight jazz of their generation! The album features stunning solos all around by an all-star... read more

One of the greatest long-form albums from the Clarke Boland Big Band – a sophisticated suite that not only shows off the writing ability of Francy Boland, but also demonstrates the group's ability to swing like a mofo, even when things are serious! The album's a jazz suite written by Boland,... read more

One of the first great moments from this legendary 60s ensemble – a brilliant pairing of American and European players – heard here in one of their pre-MPS sessions! Group founder Gigi Campi is well-placed at the helm – as both producer and supervisor – giving the ensemble... read more

Great work by this legendary hard swinging band – an early 60s American album issued on Atlantic Records, in the years before the Clark Boland Band's legendary run on MPS! Despite the early date, the album's got all the core elements of the band's sound in place – soaring rhythms,... read more

Great early genius from the Clarke Boland Big Band – proof that Kenny and Francy were onto something great, right from the start! The album really has the group hitting the heights of their MPS years – stretching out way past earlier big band modes, into the hip mix of rhythms and... read more

Great early genius from the Clarke Boland Big Band – proof that Kenny and Francy were onto something great, right from the start! The album really has the group hitting the heights of their MPS years – stretching out way past earlier big band modes, into the hip mix of rhythms and... read more

One of the greatest records ever by this hip jazz ensemble – and one of their most unique! The record has the band grooving hard through two incredible suites of Latin music – Gary McFarland's "Latin Kaleidoscope" and Francy Boland's "Cuban Fever" – each of... read more

One of the greatest records ever by this hip jazz ensemble – and one of their most unique! The record has the band grooving hard through two incredible suites of Latin music – Gary McFarland's "Latin Kaleidoscope" and Francy Boland's "Cuban Fever" – each of... read more

A seminal session from one of the greatest large groups ever! This one captures the Clarke-Boland ensemble at the peak of their creativity – swinging hard in that tight firey way that was virtually their trademark during the late 60s. The players are a top-shelf mix of European and American... read more

A rare gem from the Clarke Boland Big Band – and one of the group's few vocal sessions ever! The album's a really unique one – recorded in the UK in 1970, and featuring singer Carmen McCrae joining the group for a fresh and unusual batch of tracks – most of them originals written... read more

A cheap package, but some rare live work by the Clarke Boland group – with Sahib Shihab on flute and baritone, Fats Sadi on vibes and vocals, Joe Harris on percussion, Francy Boland on piano, and Kenny Clarke on drums! Titles include "Night Lady", "Ya Ya Blues", "Jay... read more

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Some of the most dancefloor-oriented work the Clash ever recorded – and though "Rock The Casbah" may well have been the biggest hit ever by the group it's a darn catchy little tune with a Middle East theme that was kind of kitschy at the time, but more relevant than ever now! "... read more

Includes the songs "The Magnificent Seven", "Hitsville UK", "Junco Partner", "The Leader", "Police On My Back", "Midnight Log", "The Call Up", "Washington Bullets", "Broadway", "Rebel Waltz", "Lo... read more

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Led Zeppelin and "The Untold Story Of Houses Of Holy" is the cover feature – commemorrating that most classic of rock album's 40th anniversary! The tales behind Bowie's landmark Aladdin Sane are also featured, along with a look back at the brief, but legendary Axl Rose vs. Kurt... read more

Hendrix on the cover – and the issue features images from a lost photo shoot, and news about the lost Jimi sessions finally seeing the light of day! There's also bits on Status Quo, Black Keys, Jeff Beck Group, Joe Bonamassa, and others – with lots of photos and other features too!... read more

A great issue of Classic Rock – the magazine that really does celebrate the best and most treasurable rock and roll, and skirts the overplayed and the cliched – and it includes a great CD, too! The cover feature lists the 250 Lost Tracks You Must Hear Before You Die – hand-picked... read more

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Albert King and his bluesy soul Stax Records classic Born Under A Bad Sign get a retrospective look from this issue The Blues – and other features include a roundup of 20 Female Pioneers Of The Blues, plus Eric Burdon, Gary Clark Jr, Magic Slim, Wilson T King, Danny Bryand and more. Also... read more

The blues, as seen through the filter of Classic Rock magazine – which means that in addition to a story on the 20 Greatest Chicago Blues Records, you've also got articles on Stevie Ray Vaughan, Wilko Johnson, Robin Trower, Joe Bonamassa, and Family! The issue comes in a heavy envelope... read more

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Prog takes a deep look at the long history Rush – featuring new interviews with Geddy, Alex and Neal! Prog the magazine always takes a pretty liberal, and non-elitist approach to what they classify as progressive rock – and we dig that! This issue covers Spock's Beard, The Flaming... read more

"Sex! Drugs! Mellotrons!" This issue of Prog has a cover feature on the Moody Blues – plus an Alan Parsons exclusive, Focus on their classic Moving Waves (and turning down George Martin!), Richard Thompson, on his new work, Greg Lake on the relationship dynamics of ELP, plus... read more

Steven Wilson scores the cover of Prog – for a features that a deep look at his The Raven record – and this issue also has features on prog legends Caravan on their 40 years milestone, Scott Walker, John McLaughlin, Neal Morse, Pendragon, Katatonia, Touchstone, Heather Findlay, Voivod,... read more

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One of the most revelatory albums ever cut by reedman James Clay – a player who's often lumped into the "hard blowing" camp because of his Texas roots, but one who emerges here with a great deal of sensitivity and imagination! The record features Clay playing both tenor and flute... read more

One of the most revelatory albums ever cut by reedman James Clay – a player who's often lumped into the "hard blowing" camp because of his Texas roots, but one who emerges here with a great deal of sensitivity and imagination! The record features Clay playing both tenor and flute... read more

A great mix of modes – and a set that represents a real turning point in the career of Otis Clay! The rougher edges of Clay's Chicago soul are warmed up here substantially by producer Willie Mitchell – bubbling up some Memphis soul for Otis, in a style that's similar to some of his... read more

A great mix of modes – and a set that represents a real turning point in the career of Otis Clay! The rougher edges of Clay's Chicago soul are warmed up here substantially by producer Willie Mitchell – bubbling up some Memphis soul for Otis, in a style that's similar to some of his... read more

A great mix of modes – and a set that represents a real turning point in the career of Otis Clay! The rougher edges of Clay's Chicago soul are warmed up here substantially by producer Willie Mitchell – bubbling up some Memphis soul for Otis, in a style that's similar to some of his... read more

Some of the deepest soul ever to be cut in Chicago. "That's How It Is" has stunning vocals by Clay, with production that sounds more like it's from Memphis than from the south side. "Show Place" is a pretty good hard uptempo groover, too.... read more

Otis Clay, still going strong – stepping out here on a sweet new recording from the Chicago scene – done with that warm mix of modern modes and deep soul roots we really love from his work of the late 70s! Clay's vocals have, if anything, only gotten better with age – really able... read more

Quite possibly the most successful record Otis Clay ever cut – and a wonderful little set that recasts his bluesy Chicago vocals with a sweeter Memphis soul approach! Willie Mitchell is very firmly in the house for the record – and the approach he uses here with Otis is similar to that... read more

Otis Clay in a gospel setting – yet still working with all the deep soul we've come to love in his secular work! And in fact, given the style of the album, Otis is more paying tribute to gospel's influence on soul instead of serving up a straight gospel session – really recalling the... read more

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One of the nice sets of late 50s trad material recorded by Vanguard – and like the others, an album that's peppered with some bop elements, and a slightly freer approach than usual. Clayton's group features Kenny Burrell on guitar, Hank Jones on piano, Jo Jones on drums, and Earle Warren on... read more

One of the nice sets of late 50s trad material recorded by Vanguard – and like the others, an album that's peppered with some bop elements, and a slightly freer approach than usual. Clayton's group features Kenny Burrell on guitar, Hank Jones on piano, Jo Jones on drums, and Earle Warren on... read more

More groundbreaking work, for the time, especially for a studio date! Players include Joe Newman on trumpet, Urbie Green and Henderson Chambers on trombones, Lem Davis on alto, Julian Dash on tenor, Charlie Fowlkes on baritone, Sir Charles Thompson on piano, and Freddie Green on guitar! Additional... read more

An overlooked gem from Buck Clayton – featuring Hammond backing from the Marlowe Morris Trio!... read more

A classic from the undisputed master of the swing jazz jam session! Jumpin' At The Woodside has Buck Clayton recreating a Count Basie vibe, but in a much more open-ended, and long-grooving way! Most of the tracks on the record are nice and long – really opening up with a solo-heavy, jam... read more

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Beautiful blowing from Buck Clayton and Buddy Tate – captured here in the relaxed, easy-going setting of the Swingville label! The album's got a lot more charm than some of Clayton's sides for Columbia – a bit more mellow, with the kind of after hours feel that lets players like these... read more

More of a Buck Clayton album than a Ruby Braff one – as Clayton appears on all tracks, while Braff only shows up on the last 4. The first set features Clayton's trumpet with the septet of Mel Powell – and the second features Clayton leading a group that includes Braff as the second... read more

A great overseas meeting of two American traditionalists – a mid 60s date that has trumpeter Buck Clayton working in a relaxed studio setting with tenorist Hal Singer! Buck and Hal both come from an earlier period in jazz, but find some great appreciation for their enduring talents in Paris... read more

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A classic from Merry Clayton – and a record whose title follows from her big fame of singing on the original version of "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones! The sound here is a lot more soul-based, as you'd guess – arranged beautifully by Gene Page, with a really righteous... read more

A classic from Merry Clayton – and a record whose title follows from her big fame of singing on the original version of "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones! The sound here is a lot more soul-based, as you'd guess – arranged beautifully by Gene Page, with a really righteous... read more

A really cool collaboration between Merry Clayton and Eugene McDaniels – a producer who really takes her music into new territory here! As with other perfect productions by McDaniels in the 70s, Gene really grabs the whole thing up and makes it his own – adding a lot more funk to the... read more

Righteous and rocking soul from Merry Clayton! The set was done in LA with arrangements by insiders that include Jerry Peters, Carole King, and Billy Preston – and features some tight and sometimes funky backing from players that include David T Walker, Wilton Felder, Paul Humphrey, and... read more

Righteous and rocking soul from Merry Clayton! The set was done in LA with arrangements by insiders that include Jerry Peters, Carole King, and Billy Preston – and features some tight and sometimes funky backing from players that include David T Walker, Wilton Felder, Paul Humphrey, and... read more

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Titles include "Black Roses", "With All In Mind", "The Ballad Of Freddie & Larry", "Sand", and "Night Sounds Loud".... read more

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A classic bit of stretched-out spaciness from the early days of Virgin Records – two side-long tracks that are filled with lots of cool keyboards, percussion, and other hip instrumentation! The record's the brainchild of Cyrille Verdeaux – who plays piano, organ, mellotron, and even... read more

Soaring vocals from Angela Clemmons – a set that really has an amazing range, and a depth of sound that goes way past the usual from Epic Records at the time! Angela's got a way of stretching out right from the start – inflecting the lyrics with a rich power that easily matches or... read more

Soaring vocals from Angela Clemmons – a set that really has an amazing range, and a depth of sound that goes way past the usual from Epic Records at the time! Angela's got a way of stretching out right from the start – inflecting the lyrics with a rich power that easily matches or... read more

A bouncy little set from Angela Clemmons – a record that's got a bit more beats at the bottom than some of her previous outings – but in a way that seems to only make things sound even groovier overall! There's a number of catchy groovers that help the set take off right from the start... read more

A bouncy little set from Angela Clemmons – a record that's got a bit more beats at the bottom than some of her previous outings – but in a way that seems to only make things sound even groovier overall! There's a number of catchy groovers that help the set take off right from the start... read more

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A heck of a strong effort from Jimmy Cliff – and he's a rejuvenated force here on the appropriately-titled Rebirth – which is no doubt his best work in years! Jimmy's voice is as soulful as ever, even this late in the game – and this set of stellar Cliff originals and a handful... read more

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A great self produced album from Jimmy Cliff – very soulful, but with a rootsy political edge you might not expect from a pop reggae star like Cliff. Recorded in Jamaica at Dynamic Sounds, with a great lineup that includes the Heptones on backing vocals, and issued in the US by Warner as... read more

A landmark in Jamaican soul and one of the albums that helped break reggae onto the world stage. A nice, nice selection of early '70's reggae, mostly performed by Jimmy Cliff, but with a few equally wonderful numbers by the Maytals & Desmond Dekker, too. Includes classics like the Maytals'... read more