A monster – and quite possibly one of the greatest Fender Rhodes albums of all time! Bob James is really at the height of his powers here – stepping out with a sound that's a lot smoother than some of his earlier work, yet in a groove that's never too slick or too overproduced – as happened with some of his later records on the Tappan Zee imprint. Here, James is still a master of space and sound – using the Fender Rhodes with bell-like tones to craft some key grooves that are still having an amazing impact today, more than 30 years after the album was initially recorded! There's a darkness here that we totally love – and tracks include the legendary "Take Me To The Mardi Gras", which has been sampled by Run DMC and loads of others – plus"The Golden Apple", "I Feel A Song", "You're As Right As Rain", "Farandole", and "Dream Journey". LP, Vinyl record album

A monster – and quite possibly one of the greatest Fender Rhodes albums of all time! Bob James is really at the height of his powers here – stepping out with a sound that's a lot smoother than some of his earlier work, yet in a groove that's never too slick or too overproduced – as happened with some of his later records on the Tappan Zee imprint. Here, James is still a master of space and sound – using the Fender Rhodes with bell-like tones to craft some key grooves that are still having an amazing impact today, more than 30 years after the album was initially recorded! There's a darkness here that we totally love – and tracks include the legendary "Take Me To The Mardi Gras", which has been sampled by Run DMC and loads of others – plus"The Golden Apple", "I Feel A Song", "You're As Right As Rain", "Farandole", and "Dream Journey". Also features the bonus track "Here Let My Life" – and presented here with new liner notes! CD

Pretty cool and groovy work from Tommy James – with cuts that include "Papa Rolled His Own", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "Cellophane Symphony", "Evergreen", "On Behalf Of The Entire Staff & Management", and "The Love Of A Woman". LP, Vinyl record album

A sublime pop psych classic from Tommy James & The Shondells – a record that's quite different than some of the janglier work the group was issuing a few years before – and a perfect example of the way that just a few slight studio tricks can really transform a record! The tunes are all short and focused, but produced with lots of cool reverb, echo, and fuzzy touches on the sides – never overindulgent, and still plenty tuneful – but with so many weird little edges that they come through with a sound that's still pretty darn fresh after all these years – even if you think you know these guys from their hits. Titles include "Kathleen McArthur", "Do Something To Me", "I Am A Tangerine", "Smokey Roads", and "Breakaway" – plus the classic hits "Sugar On Sunday", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", and "Crimson & Clover". LP, Vinyl record album

Another wonderful live date – tracks include "If I Were A Bell", "Butch & Butch", "Someday My Prince Will Come", and the title track, "Up For It". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

A massive batch of work from Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon – their full 1968 album for Epic, plus a wealth of rare singles as well! Johnny & The Bandwagon were one of those US groups that was arguably a lot more popular overseas – especially on the British scene, where their uptempo, hard-grooving style was perfect for the Northern Soul dancefloors! Their sound is wonderful – a bit different than the usual US hit group of the time, with drums that really romp on the bottom of most numbers – spurring further dynamic vocals from Johnny and the group – a soaring, upbeat approach to soul music that's almost more motivational now than ever before. As always with Ace Records, you can expect a hell of a lot here – full notes on the Bandwagon phenomenon overseas, and a whopping batch of 24 tracks that also includes rare material recorded for Bell. Titles include "Breakin Down The Walls Of Heartache", "On The Day We Fall In Love", "I Ain't Lyin", "You", "Girl From Harlem", "Don't Let It In", "People Got To Be Free", "When Love Has Gone Away", "Let's Hang On", "Sweet Inspiration", "Music To My Heart", "High & Dry", "In The Bad Bad Old Days", and "Sally Put Your Red Shoes On". CD

Early brilliance from Burt Bacharach – 2 early soul productions for singer Lou Johnson! "Magic Potion" is great – a lesser-known track that steps along with percolated arrangements in an early Northern groove – alongside more of those great backing vocals! A real gem through and through. 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great little record – very different than anything else that Hank Jones ever recorded! The album features arrangements by Oliver Nelson – done in that mod 60s pop-jazz style that he was using on his best work – and about half the record features Jones playing electric harpsichord, one of those groovy instruments that we can never get enough of! Needless to say, the combination of these two factors pushes the record far away from Jones' usual straight jazz piano trio approach – as does some tight added horn work, and an overall feel that's right up there with the grooviest sounds that Impulse or Verve had to offer in the 60s. Titles include "Broadwalk Samba", "Happenings", "Funky But Blues", "Fugue Time", "Jazztime USA", "Mas Que Nada", and "Cul De Sac". LP, Vinyl record album

The Kay-Gees are getting a little disco here, but they also still manage to lay down some nice funky tracks, in the best Kool & The Gang tradition of their early work. Ronald Bell of Kool & Gang is still working with the group – and he wrote a lot of material and also performs on the LP. The record shows signs of the direction that Kool & The Gang were taking at the time, with a move towards electric keyboards instead of raw funky guitars – but like Kool's work from the period, the use of these keyboards is nicely restrained, and adds some good jazzy elements to the sound. Cuts include "Waiting At The Bus Stop", "Mr. Nothin", "STP", "Be Real", and a number of versions of "Find A Friend". CD

The Kay-Gees' funkiest record ever – a set that's harder and sharper than anything else they'd ever record in years to come! Grabbing this one up is like finding a lost Kool & The Gang album from the early years – which is no surprise, since Ronald Bell of the group produced, and wrote a lot of the songs with the group – maybe acting as their mentor, and definitely giving the young group a great showcase for their boundless energy, and tight skills in the groove department! The band are incredibly tight – with lots of hard drums, choppy guitar, and the rolling party feel that made Kool & The Gang so great during their best years – captured here with a similarly raw production style. There's some great horns that blast in and out, sounding very off-beat at the best moments – like the classic "Who's the Man With the Master Plan", sampled by YZ many years ago – or other funky cuts like "Ain't No Time", "Get Down", and "You've Got to Keep on Bumpin". LP, Vinyl record album

The Kay-Gees' funkiest record ever – a set that's harder and sharper than anything else they'd ever record in years to come! Grabbing this one up is like finding a lost Kool & The Gang album from the early years – which is no surprise, since Ronald Bell of the group produced, and wrote a lot of the songs with the group – maybe acting as their mentor, and definitely giving the young group a great showcase for their boundless energy, and tight skills in the groove department! The band are incredibly tight – with lots of hard drums, choppy guitar, and the rolling party feel that made Kool & The Gang so great during their best years – captured here with a similarly raw production style. There's some great horns that blast in and out, sounding very off-beat at the best moments – like the classic "Who's the Man With the Master Plan", sampled by YZ many years ago – or other funky cuts like "Ain't No Time", "Get Down", and "You've Got to Keep on Bumpin". LP, Vinyl record album

The Kay-Gees' funkiest record ever – a set that's harder and sharper than anything else they'd ever record in years to come! Grabbing this one up is like finding a lost Kool & The Gang album from the early years – which is no surprise, since Ronald Bell of the group produced, and wrote a lot of the songs with the group – maybe acting as their mentor, and definitely giving the young group a great showcase for their boundless energy, and tight skills in the groove department! The band are incredibly tight – with lots of hard drums, choppy guitar, and the rolling party feel that made Kool & The Gang so great during their best years – captured here with a similarly raw production style. There's some great horns that blast in and out, sounding very off-beat at the best moments – like the classic "Who's the Man With the Master Plan", sampled by YZ many years ago – or other funky cuts like "Ain't No Time", "Get Down", and "You've Got to Keep on Bumpin". CD features bonus tracks – the unreleased instrumental "Let's Boogie", the unreleased disco version of "My Favorite Song", and the tracks "You've Got To Keep On Bumpin (parts 1 & 2)", "Hustle Wit Every Muscle (orig single)", and "Hustle Wit Every Muscle (disco version – original single)". CD

The Kay-Gees' funkiest record ever – a set that's harder and sharper than anything else they'd ever record in years to come! Grabbing this one up is like finding a lost Kool & The Gang album from the early years – which is no surprise, since Ronald Bell of the group produced, and wrote a lot of the songs with the group – maybe acting as their mentor, and definitely giving the young group a great showcase for their boundless energy, and tight skills in the groove department! The band are incredibly tight – with lots of hard drums, choppy guitar, and the rolling party feel that made Kool & The Gang so great during their best years – captured here with a similarly raw production style. There's some great horns that blast in and out, sounding very off-beat at the best moments – like the classic "Who's the Man With the Master Plan", sampled by YZ many years ago – or other funky cuts like "Ain't No Time", "Get Down", and "You've Got to Keep on Bumpin". CD featuers bonus tracks – the unreleased instrumental "Let's Boogie", the unreleased disco version of "My Favorite Song", and the tracks "You've Got To Keep On Bumpin (parts 1 & 2)", "Hustle Wit Every Muscle (orig single)", and "Hustle Wit Every Muscle (disco version – original single)". CD

A really lovely set from Geoff Keezer – light and lyrical one minute, then ringing out with powerfully strong piano lines the next! There's a power here that really caught us by surprise – as Keezer takes off with majestic command of the keys on many of the set's numbers – one that comes across in waves of sound that almost recall Mulgrew Miller, but which also have the sonic ferocity of Stanley Cowell at his best. Yet at other times, there's a gentle, almost bell-like quality to the piano on the album – one that matches the forceful runs with introspective playing – creating a perfect balance that further deepens the overall sense of the set. Players include Tony Reedus on drums, James Genus on bass, and Rudy Bird on added percussion on a few tracks – and titles include "Consummation", "The Wild Line", "Accra", "Virgin Madris", and "Once Upon A Dream". CD

Early work by singer Beverly Kenny – a great 50s jazz vocalist who never got her due, but who managed to make some pretty fine records at the time! This album's one of them, and features backings from Ralph Burns – not as dark and moody as some of his other work of the 50s, and in a lightly, sprightly swinging style that really works well for Bev – often with a nice gentle swing that works well with the jazz modes of her vocals. Titles include "If I Were A Bell", "This Can't Be Love", "Give Me The Simple Life", "You Make Me Feel So Young", and "You Go To My Head". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most soulful sessions we've ever heard from Japanese pianist Masabumi Kikuchi – a brilliant quintet outing that features some really great work on tenor and soprano sax! Kikuchi's piano is usually enough to grab our attention, but the album's got a great added bonus in the presence of Kosuke Mine on soprano sax and Hideo Miyata on tenor – both players whose horns bring in some added sharpness to the date, and further underscore the spiritual elements in Kikuchi's music – almost with the same mix of reeds and driving rhythms you'd find in the post-Coltrane work of Elvin Jones. Titles include "Green Dance", "Bell", "Admire But Destest", "Gin Kai", and "Drizzling Rain". CD

One of the most soulful sessions we've ever heard from Japanese pianist Masabumi Kikuchi – a brilliant quintet outing that features some really great work on tenor and soprano sax! Kikuchi's piano is usually enough to grab our attention, but the album's got a great added bonus in the presence of Kosuke Mine on soprano sax and Hideo Miyata on tenor – both players whose horns bring in some added sharpness to the date, and further underscore the spiritual elements in Kikuchi's music – almost with the same mix of reeds and driving rhythms you'd find in the post-Coltrane work of Elvin Jones. Titles include "Green Dance", "Bell", "Admire But Destest", "Gin Kai", and "Drizzling Rain". CD

BB King soars into the 70s with this smoking little set – a record that still holds onto all the raw energy of his best 60s recordings, but which also gives the whole thing an even more soulful focus too! There's no arranger credited for the core of the record – which is attributed to "everybody" in the group, which you can definitely hear in the wickedly spontaneous playing of the combo – especially the mighty drummer Herbie Lovelle, whose work here really gives King a new sort of kick. Bert DeCoteaux adds a bit of larger backings at points, but usually very gently – in ways that are hardly noticeable at all – as BB's guitar is right out front, wailing with lots of raw energy. Titles include "Key To My Kingdom", "Confessin The Blues", "No Good", "You're Losing Me", "So Excited", and the classic "Thrill Is Gone". LP, Vinyl record album

The title definitely gets it right on this one – as the set's about as perfect a collection of Eartha Kitt's work as you could ever hope to find – a surprisingly huge batch of music that not only includes familiar hits and holiday classics, but also some unusual rare bits as well! At 22 tracks, the package is hardly an accidental collection of Kitt's music for RCA – and instead, it's really well-chosen, and thoughtfully put together – with remastering from the first generation session masters, and some liner notes that offer great insight to Eartha's music. Titles include "Je Cherche Un Homme", "I Want To Be Evil", "Mink Schmink", "Let's Do It", "C'Est Si Bon", "Just An Old Fashioned Girl", "Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell", "Thursday's Child", "Angelitos Negros", "Lovin Spree", "The Blues", "The Heel", "Santa Baby", "Proceed With Caution", "Uska Dara", "Under The Bridges Of Paris", "My Heart Belongs To Daddy", "Monotonous", "I Wantcha Around", "Lilac Wine", and "Annie Doesn't Live Here Any More". CD

Really wonderful work from the young Eric Kloss – recorded at a time when the alto player was just coming off some more soul jazz-styled work, and really starting to stretch out in his sound! The group here is full of key young contemporaries – Jimmy Owens on trumpet and Kenny Barron on piano, given superb rhythm accompaniment by Bob Cranshaw on bass and Alan Dawson on drums! Titles include "Get the Money Bluze", "We're Going Up", and "Blues Up Tight", nearly all of which feature a great mix of modernist writing and soul jazz playing! LP, Vinyl record album

Frederick Knight was to 70s Stax what William Bell was to the label in the 60s – a smooth, sweet sophisticated singer that was perfect at the southern ballad style. "I've Been Lonely" is one of his best tracks ever – and it's backed here by another number that's equally nice, and which is not the Bill Withers song of similar vintage! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A killer from Terry Knight & The Pack – with Don Brewer and Mark Farner who would later form Grand Funk Railroad – a set that has them coming together more tightly than before, at least from a musical perspective – but losing none of the rough edge that first made them great! Titles include "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show", "Love Love Love Love Love", "Come With Me", "This Precious Time", "Forever & A Day", and "Dirty Lady". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest Kool & The Gang albums ever – a monster live session that almost blows away their studio classics! The groove here is far more freewheeling and complex than some of their singles from the 70s – longer, tripped-out tunes with a definite undercurrent of jazz amidst the funk – loads of wicked horn bits from Ronnie Bell and Dennis Thomas that complicate things up nicely, while still staying soulfully in the groove. There's no vocals at all on the record – which further enforces the Kool Jazz sound of the set – and the album's even harder-hitting than their previous Sex Machine live album, so much so, the PJ's club had to close its doors shortly after the Gang's performance! Titles include the all-time killer sample cut "Duji" – plus "NT", "Ronnie's Groove", "Ricksonata", "Lucky For Me", "Sombrero Sam", and a medley of "Ike's Groove/You've Lost That Lovin Feeling". CD also features a rare bonus cut – "The Penguin" – recorded at the time, but not issued on the original album! Plus, this reissue is even better than the previous one – packaged with a full-color booklet of notes and rare images. CD

One of the greatest Yusef Lateef albums on Atlantic Records – and that's saying a lot, given the high level of quality he was hitting at the label! The album's a perfect blend of the newly-funky Lateef style with some hipper, more sophisticated touches – a mode that hints at his bigger-concept recordings to come, but which is still pretty lean and clean overall – and damn funky on most of the best tracks! Yusef plays a host of hip flutes here, plus tenor and oboe – and an almost equal star on the record is Kenny Barron, whose electric piano lines really make the album something special. The album begins with a long take on Barron's "Nubian Lady" which begins the record – and Kenny also contributed the tighter grooving "Jungle Plum". Other tracks include "African Song", "Queen Of The Night", "Poor Fishermen", "Below Yellow Bell", and a strange version of "Hey Jude" that goes on for a long time, and really messes with the volume – listed on the cover with the note "Do not adjust the playback level on your audio equipment – readjust your mind!" LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Not the out there primal scream of Plastic Ono, and more of an impeccably produced, easy to love landmark from John Lennon! The title track, beautiful as it is, is so heavily ingrained into rock & roll myth making machine that it's become too easy to overlook how great most of the songs on the album are. It must be the most consistent of John's LPs post-Beatles, and it's just about as essential as they come. Co-produced by Phil Spector, yet it's often not as grandly orchestrated as a Wall Of Sound effort, and well tailored to Lennon's songs. Includes "Give Me Some Truth", "Oh My Love", "How Do You Sleep?", "Imagine", "Crippled Inside", "Jealous Guy" and "I Don't Want To Be A Soldier". LP, Vinyl record album

The first true proper solo album by John Lennon – recorded after a few non-Beatles records with Yoko Ono, and at the same time as Yoko's much wilder album with a similar title! This one, though, is John at his best – very personal and exposed, in similar territory to Paul McCartney on his first solo record – and the whole thing is a fantastic testament to the humanity that Lennon always brought to his music, even at a time when some might have accused him of going off the deep end with some of his more experimental music. The record's got a relatively stripped-down vibe, although isn't entirely just voice and guitar – as other elements are brought in at just the right level to expand the sound without losing the Lennon at the core. Titles include "Mother", "Hold On", "I Found Out", "Working Class Hero", "Isolation", "Remember", "Love", "Well Well Well", "Look At Me", "God", and "My Mummy's Dead". LP, Vinyl record album

The most polarizing of John Lennon's post Beatles ouvre – the strident, Spector-produced, sprawling mess that is Some Time In New York City – a record that has too much of every idea John & Yoko had at the time, which makes it all the more fascinating after all these years! Angry, self-righteous and quite often brilliant – feminist anthems backed by Wall Of Sound pop, an ode to John Sinclair in the mold of a country rock tune – wild stuff from a superstar! Frank Zappa and the Mothers on side four! Include "Woman Is The Ni**** Of The World", "Sister, Oh Sister", "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Attica State", "New York City" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Wonderful work from Little Anthony – and a great update to his smooth 60s harmony sound with The Imperials! Anthony wisely employs the use of two of 70s top harmony arrangers on the album – using Thom Bell on one side, and Teddy Randazzo on the other – both of whom really help take the group to a whole new level! The Thom Bell material fits perfectly with his work with The Stylistics from the same time, and the cuts have a wonderfully mellow east coast harmony style that's quite different than Anthony's earlier work. Teddy Randazzo does a pretty nice job, too – but with a fuller sound too, almost in a Manhattans mode that makes for a nice change from the previous fragility of Anthony's vocals. Titles include "I Don't Have Time To Worry", "That's What Love is All About", "I'm Falling In Love with You", "Heartache Never Entered My Mind", and "The Loneliest House on the Block". LP, Vinyl record album

CD reissue of the full soundtrack to the film version of Guys & Dolls – one that not only contains all of the vocal performances from the movie, but also adds in additional songs from the play that weren't in the film – as well as three unedited studio outtakes as well! Due to contractual issues at the time of release, there was never a proper LP that featured the music – a damn shame, given that Frank Sinatra turns in some of his best on screen vocal performances ever in the movie – alongside a great cast that includes Vivian Blaine, Stubby Kaye, Jean Simmons, and even Marlon Brando – making a rare appearance here as a singer! Titles form the film include the sublime "Adelaide", plus "Guys & Dolls", "Fugue For Tinhorns", "Luck Be A Lady", "Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat", "If I Were A Bell", "I'll Know", "Pet Me Poppa", "Sue Me", and "The Oldest Established Permanent Crap Game". Bonus tracks include "A Bushel & A Peck", "My Time Of Day", "I've Never Been In Love Before", and "Marry The Man Today" from the Broadway version – plus "I Know", "If I Were A Bell", and "A Woman In Love" in unedited versions. CD

Louis Prima's not in the group, but this cool French ensemble have taken plenty of inspiration from his music – which they use to turn out a wonderfully groovy set of Christmas songs on this album! Tunes are both old and recent – Holiday classics mixed with 90s pop crossover cuts – yet all of them get a romping, hard-swinging style that mixes the vocals of singers Pauline Atlan and Patrick Bacqueville with small combo arrangements led by trumpeter Michel Bonnet – all in a style that has plenty of echoes of the Capitol Records sound of Prima at his best! Titles include "Jingle Bell Rock", "All I Want For Christmas Is You", "Petit Papa Noel", "The Christmas Song", "I Hate Christmas Time", "Zat You Santa Claus", "Last Christmas", and "Let It Snow". CD

Saxophonist Shintaro Mamiya has this wonderfully raspy tone on the alto – a surprising edge that at times almost makes you feel like he's blowing a tenor, as does the setting for the record – which has a well-crafted, soulful groove that definitely brings out the best in the leader! The album leaps, swings, and soars at a level that's almost effortless – piano from Yuko Sakuma, bass from Paul Dwyer, and drums from Hiro Kimura – while Mamiya serves up solos on titles that include "Funky Papa", "Ring A Bell", "Silverite", "Tap Out", "Girasole", "Cobalt Blue", "More Feelin More Energy", and "Farewell Colors". CD

An incredible record from Shelly Manne – one of his only dates recorded at The Manne Hole, even though it was his own club – and a killer live recording that was issued in a rare 2LP format for the time! The style here is similar to Manne's excellent recordings at the Blackhawk – open-ended, stretched out, and more freely expressive hardbop than on his 50s sides – played by a group that features plenty of excellent tenor from the great Richie Kamuca, plus trumpet from Conte Cantoli, piano from Russ Freeman, bass from Chuck Berghofer, and drums from Manne himself. As with the Blackhawk date, many of the tunes are familiar, but open up mostly as longer solo vehicles – completely transformed by the efforts of the group and their freewheeling lines. Titles on this second volume include "What's New", "A Gem From Tiffany", "On Green Dolphin Street", and "If I Were A Bell". CD

A great look at the post-Motown work of Teena Marie – her 80s years on Epic Records, a time when she was charting big with a wonderfully seductive approach to soul! Marie's definitely in charge of her groove here – writing, arranging, and producing most of the work on the set – making her as much of a studio whiz as a female soul singer, a rare distinction in her field – and another layer of Teena's talents that always helped set her apart from the rest. The vibe here is a bit different than the Motown years – a bit more beats and 80s keyboards – and we especially love the mellower cuts, which gave Marie some great quiet storm play back in the day. Titles include "My Dear Mr Gaye", "Just Us Two", "Ooo La La La (12" version)", "Sugar Shack (ext club)", "If I Were A Bell", "Stop The World", "Fix It (12" version)", "Stop The World", "Shadow Boxing", and "Casanova Brown". CD

The title track's a mighty big hit for The Marketts – and it's also a great way to describe the group's talent for pushing past their boundaries at the time! The sound is surf instrumental at the core – but really stretches out to space themes, soundtrack areas, and more – thanks to inventive arrangements from Ray Pohlman, who pushes these guys farther than the usual groups of the time – while still keeping that guitar instrumental style that made them so great overall! There's a lot more variety to the tunes than you'd hear on a Ventures album, for example – and beautiful Bones Howe engineering makes sure that the sound is top-shelf throughout! Titles include the group's big hit reading of "Out Of Limits", plus "Bell Star", "Saturn", "Re-Entry", "Other Limits", "Twilight City", and "Limits Beyond". CD

The title track's a mighty big hit for The Marketts – and it's also a great way to describe the group's talent for pushing past their boundaries at the time! The sound is surf instrumental at the core – but really stretches out to space themes, soundtrack areas, and more – thanks to inventive arrangements from Ray Pohlman, who pushes these guys farther than the usual groups of the time – while still keeping that guitar instrumental style that made them so great overall! There's a lot more variety to the tunes than you'd hear on a Ventures album, for example – and beautiful Bones Howe engineering makes sure that the sound is top-shelf throughout! Titles include the group's big hit reading of "Out Of Limits", plus "Bell Star", "Saturn", "Re-Entry", "Other Limits", "Twilight City", and "Limits Beyond". LP, Vinyl record album

Wynton Marsalis' second date for Columbia Records, and an album that already has him stretching out from the first! Unlike before, when Wynton was given a few older players to help establish his sound, the group here is all Marsalis' own – with brother Branford on tenor and soprano sax, Kenny Kirkland on piano, Jeff Watts on drums, and either Phil Bowler or Ray Drummond on bass. Tracks are a mix of originals, and well-chosen modern moments from years past – played with a mix of soulful colors and more angular sounds, almost in the manner of VSOP from a few years before. Titles include "Fuschia", "Knozz Moe King", "Later", "The Bell Ringer", "Think Of One", and "Melancholia". LP, Vinyl record album

Four fantastic records from a time when Johnny Mathis was really evolving his sound! On Me & Mrs Jones, Johnny Mathis takes on the sophisticated soul modes of the 70s, and also adds in a few other styles too – on an album that shows just how much the singer had changed in nearly 20 years of recording – sometimes shaped by all those other artists he'd inspired along the way! The title version of the Billy Paul classic "Me & Mrs Jones" is superb – maybe worth the price of the record alone, and perfect for the mature Mathis approach – and Johnny shines equally well on the album's blend of other 70s tunes, arranged by D'Arneill Pershing with a bit of help from Larry Muhoberac. Titles include "Summer Breeze", "Sweet Surrender", "Corner Of The Sky", "Remember", "You're A Lady", "If I Could Reach You", "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight", "Soul & Inspiration/Just Once In My Life", and "Me & Mrs Jones". Johnny takes on a mix of sweet & tender and more melancholy tunes on Killing Me Softly, showing a surer hand at making a batch of then contemporary hits his own much more successfully than other veteran pop vocalists of his generation. Jerry Fuller produced, and the titles Includes "Aubrey", "And I Love You So", "Break Up To Make Up", "Sing", "Good Morning Heartache", "Neither One Of Us Wants To Say Goodbye", "Show And Tell" and "Ariane". On I'm Coming Home, Johnny Mathis gets a great new sound – thanks to Philly production and arrangements from the great Thom Bell! Thom had quite a hand in the songs, too – as almost all numbers were written by the team of Bell and Linda Creed – really sensitive songwriters who've got an adult, mature approach to the music – one that still respects Mathis' roots in other vocal territory, but which also gives him a bit more soulful depth, too. The setting is wonderful, and the record's a real standout in Johnny's 70s career – one that helped reignite interest in the singer at a time when so many folks had left him behind. Titles include "I'm Coming Home", "Foolish", "I'm Stone In Love With You", "A Baby's Born", "Life Is A Song Worth Singing", "I Just Wanted To Be Me", and a classic version of "Stop Look & Listen To Your Heart". Feelings is a prime 70s Columbia era Mathis gem, with production by Jack Gold and this time out, arrangements by Gene Page that mix tender hearted intimacy and lightly sweeping touches as sweetly as can be. Titles include "One Day In Your Life", "Stardust", "Midnight Blue", "Feelings", "That's All She Wrote", "Solitaire" and more. CD features the bonus track "Crazy Little Love Makin Ways". CD

Another great step forward for the legendary John Mayall – proof that he was never just content to copy American blues modes, and always willing to bring something new to the table! Although steeped in sounds from the delta on up to Chicago, the record's also got a hipper, almost trippier feel at times too – long-winding interplay between the guitar and organ, and some slow-building rhythms that shake off blues stereotypes, and mark Mayall as having an equal ear for forward-thinking 60s rockers. The group here is great – with Mick Taylor on guitar, Henry Lowther on cornet, Chris Mercer on tenor, and Dick Heckstall-Smith on tenor and soprano sax – all playing in a freely creative mode that stands the test of time surprisingly well Titles include "I'm A Stranger", "Harley Quits", "Killing Time", "Sandy", "She's Too Young", and "No Reply". LP, Vinyl record album

John Mayall's on a new crusade here – hitting lines that are almost more truly blusey than his previous albums – thanks to a new lineup in the Blues Breakers combo! Alongside Mayall's lead on vocals, organ, harmonica, and bottleneck guitar – the group also features Mick Taylor on guitar, John McVie on bass, Keep Hartley on drums, Chris Mercer on tenor, and Rip Kant on baritone sax – the latter two of whom help keep the set from being a straight Chicago electric blues copy. Titles include "I Can't Quit You Baby", "Streamline", "Snowy Wood", "Man Of Stone", "Stand Back Baby", and "My Time After A While". LP, Vinyl record album

A great album that's often overlooked amidst the flurry of early 70's releases on Curtom, but which stands as one of Mayfield's greatest from the 70s! In fact, we'd say that the album's one that we enjoy putting on more than most – because the songs are less familiar, and not nearly as played-out as some of Curtis' bigger hits. The production style's still the same – with plenty of rumbling funky soul, arranged by Rich Tufo in that classic Curtom mode – and you can't beat Curtis' vocals on songs like "Mother's Son", "Love Me (Right In The Pocket)", "A Prayer", and "Ain't No Love Lost". LP, Vinyl record album

Curtis Mayfield's lasting classic – and an album that the world will remember forever! Apart from being his hugely successful entry into the blacksploitation soundtrack field, this album's also a monster set of grooves that includes some of Curtis' funkiest work ever – a record that works as well as a 70s soul album as it does a hip action film score! The track list alone reads as a who's who of 70s funk – filled with gems that include "Pusherman", "Freddie's Dead", "Little Child Runnin' Wild", "Give Me Your Love", and "Superfly" – and the rest of the set is equally great, essential listening throughout! LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderfully wicked album from Curtis Mayfield – one that's not nearly as famous as his Superfly set, but which is every bit as great! The groove here is lean, mean, and totally righteous – a bit more stripped-down than some of the rumbling funk of other Curtom efforts, and served up with a fluid groove that makes the album a killer from start to finish! As with Superfly, there's a nice blend here between uptight funky tracks and some more laidback soul – showcasing both sides of the Curtis Mayfield sound of the 70s – the brash society-changing soul, and the mellower, more fragile voice that first came to prominence in The Impressions. Titles alone tell you the vibe of the record – and they include "Ain't Got Time", "To Be Invisible", "Kung Fu", "Suffer", "Power to the People", and "Make Me Believe In You". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent comeback album from the great Clyde McPhatter! The record was recorded in 1970, after Clyde had spent some time in Europe, kicking about and getting his head together. Clyde's vocals are as great as ever – and the backings are sublime, some of the best he ever received! The album's produced by the team of Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker, and Earl Young – and the trio also handled most of the arrangements, in that sweet late 60s style that was working such magic with Archie Bell & The Drells over at Atlantic. The standout cut on the album is "The Mixed Up Cup", a great soul number that begins with an excellent drumbreak that then goes into the sound of a cup being filled with water! Apart from that sound effect, though, the real strength is Clyde's voice, which is sweet, soulful, and honest on just about every track. Titles include "I'll Belong To You", "If You Only Knew", "Mr Heartache", "A Mother's Love", "Book Of Memories", "Someone To Believe In", and "Please Give Me One More Chance". LP, Vinyl record album

A solid collaboration between punk-folk-whatever they want to sound like this time-heroes The Mekons and Chicago's equally un-pigeonhole-able singer/songwriter/interpreter Robbie Fulks – recorded in Jura, Scotland! The line-up features Fulks with most of the legendary Mekons crew – including John Langford, Sally Timms, Rico Bell, Lu Edmonds and Susie Honeyman – with co-written tunes, covers and takes on traditionals. Vibrant, spontaneous and passionate stuff – and what happens when different sorts with a similar love of older songcraft hole up together in a history-steeped, whiskey-soaked locale! Includes "A Fearful Moment", "Refill", "AN Incident Off St. Kitt's", "Shine On, Silver Seas", "Beaten & Broken", "I Am Come Home", "U Say, Hang Him!", "Go From My Window" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic work from the 50s New York scene – and a legendary set that offers up its own interpretation of Santerian rhythms! The groove on the set is very percussion-heavy – and done with that rich sort of vibe you might get on some of the classic Sabu Martinez records – or maybe even some of the percussion projects that were handled by jazz labels of the time – although with a definite rootsy feel, too – as all instrumentation is focused on the rhythms. There's vocals on the set – which give it a slightly spiritual sort of energy – alongside the heavy work on maracas, bongos, claves, cow bell, and an assortment of other percussion instruments. Titles include "Obanlaese", "A Bailar Oriza", "Africa", "Laye, Laye", "Nueva Oriza", and "Malambo". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time – a pioneering blast of mid 80s thrash from Metallica at an early peak! Say what you will about Metallica's later career triumphs and failures, there's no overstating how huge their impact was on metal and hard rock early on, and their best few records are incredible to this day. This may well be they're very best album – the culmination of a couple years of slow-building word-of-mouth reputation-building for genre work that can't be praised highly enough. One metal classic after another: "Fight Fire With Fire", "Ride The Lightning", "For Whom The Bell Tolls", "Fade To Black", "Trapped Under Ice", "Escape", "Creeping Death" and "The Call Of Ktulu". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time – a pioneering blast of mid 80s thrash from Metallica at an early peak! Say what you will about Metallica's later career triumphs and failures, there's no overstating how huge their impact was on metal and hard rock early on, and their best few records are incredible to this day. This may well be they're very best album – the culmination of a couple years of slow-building word-of-mouth reputation-building for genre work that can't be praised highly enough. One metal classic after another: "Fight Fire With Fire", "Ride The Lightning", "For Whom The Bell Tolls", "Fade To Black", "Trapped Under Ice", "Escape", "Creeping Death" and "The Call Of Ktulu". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time – a pioneering blast of mid 80s thrash from Metallica at an early peak! Say what you will about Metallica's later career triumphs and failures, there's no overstating how huge their impact was on metal and hard rock early on, and their best few records are incredible to this day. This may well be they're very best album – the culmination of a couple years of slow-building word-of-mouth reputation-building for genre work that can't be praised highly enough. One metal classic after another: "Fight Fire With Fire", "Ride The Lightning", "For Whom The Bell Tolls", "Fade To Black", "Trapped Under Ice", "Escape", "Creeping Death" and "The Call Of Ktulu". CD

A great Columbia Records set from the mighty Lee Michaels – still going strong after an amazing run of albums on A&M, but with a vibe that's maybe a bit more underground overall! Lee's still a hell of a songwriter, but he's also got an approach that's maybe slightly muted – almost as if he's done trying for charming stardom, but more than happy enough to revel in his own skills as a singer! There's a nicely relaxed vibe to the record, and clearly Columbia was more than happy to let Lee do his own thing, his own way – which he does beautifully on tunes that include "So Hard", "Olson Arrives At Two Fifty Five", "Your Breath Is Bleeding", "Went Saw Mama", "Bell", and "The Other Day". LP, Vinyl record album

A set that's especially sexy, and especially jazzy too – as Jun Miyake works here with a whole host of American fusion players – a really great lineup who make the record soar! Jun's definitely in the more fusion-oriented side of his music here – blowing trumpet and flugelhorn, and handling keyboards too – with a shifting array of great sidemen who include Michael Brecker on tenor, David Sanborn on alto, Victor Bailey on bass, and Poogie Bell on drums – plus some especially nice work from guitarist Bobby Broom, who's very much in the mode of his best Arista records, and even sings a bit on one cut too! Titles include "JFK Express", "Becoming To You", "Wish", "June Night Love", "Twist To Open", "Crossing", and "Sea Born Mind". LP, Vinyl record album

A set that's especially sexy, and especially jazzy too – as Jun Miyake works here with a whole host of American fusion players – a really great lineup who make the record soar! Jun's definitely in the more fusion-oriented side of his music here – blowing trumpet and flugelhorn, and handling keyboards too – with a shifting array of great sidemen who include Michael Brecker on tenor, David Sanborn on alto, Victor Bailey on bass, and Poogie Bell on drums – plus some especially nice work from guitarist Bobby Broom, who's very much in the mode of his best Arista records, and even sings a bit on one cut too! Titles include "JFK Express", "Becoming To You", "Wish", "June Night Love", "Twist To Open", "Crossing", and "Sea Born Mind". CD

A nice one! The MJQ record for the Beatles' label, and the record's one of their most interesting in years! The production's pretty straight, but the group's playing in a cool open-ended style that still has elements of their earlier work, but which really makes things a lot more interesting than some of the Atlantic recordings. Milt Jackson's vibes have a bit more of a bell-like quality on some parts, and the rhythm team of Percy Heath and Connie Kay kick it with a soul jazz vibe on a few numbers – a nice change from the sleepier rhythms of earlier albums. Titles include "The Blue Necklace", "Exposure", "Jasmine Tree", and "Three Little Feelings". LP, Vinyl record album

Beats by Afrika Baby Bam and the Beatnuts, amongst others. 13 cuts, including "It's A Shame (My Sister)", "Don't Funk Wid The Mo", "Ring My Bell", 'R U Single", "Just Don't Give A Damn" and "Read Between The Lines". Cassette

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A classic set of 70s crossover deep soul – recorded in the mode of similar work by Betty Wright or Laura Lee, and done with a similar mix of raw southern vocals and tighter production! About half the work was handled by the team of Dave Crawford and Brad Shapiro – working in the Criteria Studios in Miami to give Jackie a sound that's similar to Shapiro's work with Millie Jackson. The other half was produced in Philly, by the Young Professionals team of LeBaron Taylor, Tony Bell, and Phil Hurt – who give Jackie a warm, gliding, sweet 70s Philly groove! And although you might think that this Philly/Miami split would make for a mixed bag of tunes, the album's surprisingly unified – and in a way, does plenty to link together the growing dancefloor scenes in both cities. Titles include "Willpower", "Both Ends Against The Middle", "Time", "Something In A Look", "Clean Up Your Own Yard", "If", and "Darling Baby". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic album from Mourning A BLKstar – even more powerful than their set dedicated to Eric Garner, and a batch of material that really gets at the righteous energy of this Cleveland combo! The group see themselves as part of the James Baldwin tradition of the artist bearing witness – and their genre-bending, gender non-confirming style really pushes forward the energy of underground soul music – as they worked together in an empty storefront in Cleveland to craft this beautiful cycle of songs initial sketches they all fleshed out together – in a mix of shifting vocal leads, heavy drums, dark guitar lines, and proud horn parts. Titles include "Sense Of An Ending", "Something JD Said", "Been Around", "Devil Get Behind Me", "Whom The Bell Tolls", "The Wants", "Deluze (Solange say rmx)", "So Young So", "The Box", and "4 Days". CD

A fantastic album from Mourning A BLKstar – even more powerful than their set dedicated to Eric Garner, and a batch of material that really gets at the righteous energy of this Cleveland combo! The group see themselves as part of the James Baldwin tradition of the artist bearing witness – and their genre-bending, gender non-confirming style really pushes forward the energy of underground soul music – as they worked together in an empty storefront in Cleveland to craft this beautiful cycle of songs initial sketches they all fleshed out together – in a mix of shifting vocal leads, heavy drums, dark guitar lines, and proud horn parts. Titles include "Sense Of An Ending", "Something JD Said", "Been Around", "Devil Get Behind Me", "Whom The Bell Tolls", "The Wants", "Deluze (Solange say rmx)", "So Young So", "The Box", and "4 Days". LP, Vinyl record album

Arguably the best Mark Murphy album ever – a stunningly soulful, and slightly spiritual 70s session that features some of his hippest tunes ever – and backings from a Dave Matthews-arranged group that also includes The Brecker Brothers and Don Grolnick on keyboards! Titles include great vocal versions of "Naima", "Empty Faces", "Red Clay", "Maiden Voyage", and "Canteloupe Island". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

One of the most impressive albums ever from arranger Oliver Nelson – a set that really shows the full depth of his mighty talents! Side one features Nelson working with a larger orchestra – similar to the kind of ensemble he arranged for other artists in the 60s, but handled here with an open, searching sort of sound – really impressive modern jazz elements on the title track, then some sweeter, warmer soul sounds on a few shorter numbers too! Nelson plays soprano sax, and his use of the instrument is definitely Coltrane-informed at times – and a nice change from his more familiar alto. The flipside features just a quartet – Oliver again on soprano sax – plus Steve Kuhn on piano, Ron Carter bass, and Grady Tate on drums. With Kuhn on piano, bringing a nice modern edge that works perfectly with the soprano. Titles include "Sound Piece For Jazz Orchestra", "Patterns", "Flute Salad", "The Lady From Girl Talk", and "Elegy For A Duck". LP, Vinyl record album

The group's second album – with the hit team of Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, and Bell, Biv, Devoe firmly in place! Features the huge hit "Cool It Now", plus "Kinda Girls We Like", "Maryann", "My Secret", "Mr Telephone Man", and "Hide & Seek". LP, Vinyl record album

Man, that east coast harmony sound couldn't miss in the 70s – as proven by the huge AM radio success of New York City! The band wasn't the greatest harmony group in the world – although they did feature John Brown, who'd cut his teeth in the Five Satins – but when you teamed them up with production by Thom Bell, and backing from the Sigma Sound Studios, they created an unstoppable sound that was a perfect pop peddling of the harmony group sound. This album was their biggest – and it includes the classic "I'm Doin' Fine Now", plus lots of other nice tracks like "Hang Your Head In Shame", "Quick, Fast, In A Hurry", "Uncle James", and "Reach Out". LP, Vinyl record album

Features Nighthawk on vocals and guitar – plus a bit of guest harmonica from Carey Bell! CD

Features Nighthawk on vocals and guitar – plus a bit of guest harmonica from Carey Bell! LP, Vinyl record album

A really rare slice of work from the funky genius Janko Nilovic – not the sound library grooves which have gained him fame over the decades – but instead a batch of rare cuts from his own short-lived record label, which he formed in 1968 with soul singer Davy Jones! Nilovic and Jones wrote all the tunes on the set, and they're presented by a variety of different artists – but have a unified feel that certainly comes from the strong instrumentation provided by Janko! The tunes are in a mix of mod 60s styles – some soul, some Hammond-heavy groovers, and some with a more expansive vibe that's almost a psychedelic take on the spirit of French pop during the period. The set features every a and b-side of the six singles issued by the label – plus four more bonus remixes – and titles include "Voodoo Juju Obsession (parts 1 & 2)" by K Ptyacunthapuserectus, "Lover's Summer Song" and "Moon Man" by Bobby Cannon, "Restless Gringo" and "The Lost & The Lonely" by Spiritus M, "Groovy Kinda Samba" and "The Juju Is The Thing" by Abra K Dabra, "Treasure Lee" and "Voodoo Juju" by Killer Steen, and "Tinka Bell" and "There's A Little Old Lady" by Tinka Bell. LP, Vinyl record album

Laura Nyro's first album ever – originally issued by Verve/Forecast in the mid 60s, but brought back out on the market by Columbia, during the height of Nyro's early 70s fame for the label! Even at this early point, Nyro sounds wonderful – a fair bit more soulful than most other female pop singers of her time – with a fully-fleshed out approach to the vocals that's mature and sensitive, and almost a bit more confident at times than in later years. Arrangements are by Herb Bernstein, and almost have the same sort of sunny feel as The 5th Dimension in their famous covers of Nyro's tunes – again with more soul than we might have expected for the time. Titles include "Lazy Susan", "Stoney End", "Flim Flam Man", "Buy & Sell", "He's A Runner", "Billy's Blues", and "Wedding Bell Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

A landmark album for the O'Jays – a set that moved them from the indie ranks to 70s megasoulstatus! After years of bumping around on a variety of labels, and in a variety of styles, the group really exploded with this wonderful set – an album that has them soaring along in the righteous Philly groove of the early 70s – a sound that turned out to be a perfect foil for the trio's sublime, yet earthy harmonies. Arrangements are by some fo the best of the core Philly scene – Thom Bell, Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker, and Bobby Martin – and the album's overflowing with great tunes that completely redefine the sound of group soul in the 70s! Includes megahits "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train" – plus "Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind of People", "When The World's At Peace", "Time To Get Down", "Who Am I" and more! CD

A landmark album for the O'Jays – a set that moved them from the indie ranks to 70s megasoulstatus! After years of bumping around on a variety of labels, and in a variety of styles, the group really exploded with this wonderful set – an album that has them soaring along in the righteous Philly groove of the early 70s – a sound that turned out to be a perfect foil for the trio's sublime, yet earthy harmonies. Arrangements are by some fo the best of the core Philly scene – Thom Bell, Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker, and Bobby Martin – and the album's overflowing with great tunes that completely redefine the sound of group soul in the 70s! Includes megahits "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train" – plus "Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind of People", "When The World's At Peace", "Time To Get Down", "Who Am I" and more! LP, Vinyl record album

Proof that the O'Jays fire can never die – because even though the instrumentation is slightly dated at times, this set sill has the group shining strongly on the vocal tip – hitting some great harmonies on the mellow cuts, and stepping out boldly on the more upbeat ones. Things are very much still in the Philly family here – with production by Thom Bell, Eddie Levert, and Gamble & Huff – and titles include "Lovin You", "Undercover Lover", "Cause I Want You Back Again", "Don't Take Your Love Away", "Let Me Touch You", "No Lies To Cloud My Eyes", "Don't Let The Dream Get Away", and "I Just Want Somebody To Love Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic early O'Jays! The album's the first to feature the group meeting up with the Gamble/Huff team – a significant shift from their earlier work on Imperial, with a style that still retains all the vocal hardness of those days, but which makes a shift into a sweeter soaring soul groove! The move had been taken with similar success by Jerry Butler and Archie Bell & The Drells – and although the sound's a lot different than the group's later work for Philly International, it's a sign that they're really finding their voice, and a style that would push them to the top! Titles include "I Should Be Your Lover", "One Night Affair", "Deeper", "Just Can't Get Enough", "I've Got The Groove", and "You're The Best Thing Since Candy" – and arrangements are by Bobby Martin, Thom Bell, and Richard Rome. LP, Vinyl record album

A seminal blend of folk roots and jazz improvisation – with Ralph Towner on guitar, Collin Walcott on sitar, oboe and horn from Paul McCandless, and bass and flute from Glen Moore. Titles include "North Star", "Children Of God", "Naiads", "Shard", "Bell Spirit", and "The Swan". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

Much looser than usual for Oscar Peterson, and we mean that in a good way – a very open-ended jam session recorded at Montreux in 1977, produced by Norman Granz with very much the same style as his Verve sets of this nature from the 50s! Peterson's billed as the leader, but the pianist has some very bold company here too – Dizzy Gillespie and Clark Terry on trumpets, and Eddie Lockjaw Davis on tenor – all of whom get in some great solo moments on the album's longish tracks. Other players include Niels Orsted Henning Pedersen on bass and Bobby Durham on drums – and titles include "Ali & Frazier", "Just In Time", "If I Were A Bell", and "Things Ain't What They Used To Be". LP, Vinyl record album

A deluxe box set presentation of the Pink Floyd catalogue, from Piper At The Gates Of Dawn up through Division Bell! CD

One of Radiohead's greatest albums, and probably our favorite – where they boldly dove into stranger, more deeply atmosheric moodcraft than anything they'd released to date! Their follow-up to OK Computer, which was an instant classic for the band, graced with lofty songwriting and impactful lyrics, Kid A is a stunning departure – embracing electronic textures and murky effects over anthemic guitar rock. Any record that achieves the kind of popular success as this one without compromising on the creativity is to be cherished – it's a rare achievement! Includes "Everything In Its Right Place", "How To Disappear Completely", "In Limbo", "Idioteque", "Morning Bell", "Motion Picture Soundtrack", "The National Anthem" and more. CD

A simple title, but a great little record – one that offers up Jimmy Raney's guitar in all its best early tone – a sound on the instrument that few other players could match at the time! Raney's guitar was always a bit earthier than some of his 50s contemporaries like Johnny Smith and Tal Farlow – and in an era where the electric guitar could sometimes be played in a style that made you forget that there was actually a guy on the other end of those strings, a record like this really stands out! We're not saying that Raney's tone isn't great, because it is – ringing out with a bright, bell-like mode at times – but it's also a bit more personal too. Other players include Hall Overton on piano, John Wilson on trumpet, and Teddy Kotick on bass – and titles include "Double Image", "On The Square", "Some Other Spring", "Minor", "A Foggy Day", and "Cross Your Heart". CD

One of Lou's classics for Philly International – a warm mix of smooth soul and adult vocals, handled with some great arrangements by Dexter Wansel and Thom Bell. There's less standout singles on this set than previous Philly records, but Lou's class and quality makes nearly every track come out wonderfully – a masterpiece of soulful understatement and grace. Titles include "We Keep Getting Closer To Being Further Apart", "Time Will Take Care Of Everything", "What's The Matter With The World", "Bark Bite", and "Lover's Holiday". LP, Vinyl record album