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Minimalist drone from Masaki Batoh of Ghost – sparely beautiful and somewhat ominous soundscapes from ever-creative experimenter – and the way he created these sounds is kinda mindblowing! Brain Pulse Music is literally what Masaki Batoh has here. Essentially, he dreamed up a machine that could convert radio-transmitted brainwave/EKG data into a more audible frequency. He then found some people to make that happen! Also in the mix here are both peaceful sounding and kind of clattering bits of more traditional Japanese instrumentation – drums, gongs and bells. Dreamy, haunting stuff from a master experimentalist! Includes "Kunamo Codex 1", "Eye Tracking Test", "Kumano Codex 2", "Kumano Codex 3", "Kumano Codex 4", "Kumano Codex 5" and "Aiki No Okami".

With Peter Brotzmann on saxes, Keiji Haino on guitar, Peter Evans on trumpet, Michael Wertmuller on drums, Marino Pliakas on bass, and Mars Williams on tenor and alto.

The Monophonics definitely have a way of getting inside your brain – using a cosmic slop of fuzzy guitars and funky basslines to eat away your grey matter more than a maggot inside your cranium! Yet even past that heavy Funkadelic reference, they've also got a richer vibe too – elements of 60s psych mixed in with their funk – particularly in the way that the younger generation's been re-digging crates from the early 70s these days – especially some of the more farther-flung tracks from the global underground. There's slight Afro elements at times, garagey bits at others, and even some well-timed rhythms that help the whole thing have a good sense of focus – and save it from the overindulgence that toppled the hippie generation before they even got started. Titles include "Mirage", "Bang Bang", "Temptation", "In Your Brain", "Sure Is Funky", "There's A Riot Going On", "Say You Love Me", "They Don't Understand", and "Thinking Black".

The Monophonics definitely have a way of getting inside your brain – using a cosmic slop of fuzzy guitars and funky basslines to eat away your grey matter more than a maggot inside your cranium! Yet even past that heavy Funkadelic reference, they've also got a richer vibe too – elements of 60s psych mixed in with their funk – particularly in the way that the younger generation's been re-digging crates from the early 70s these days – especially some of the more farther-flung tracks from the global underground. There's slight Afro elements at times, garagey bits at others, and even some well-timed rhythms that help the whole thing have a good sense of focus – and save it from the overindulgence that toppled the hippie generation before they even got started. Titles include "Mirage", "Bang Bang", "Temptation", "In Your Brain", "Sure Is Funky", "There's A Riot Going On", "Say You Love Me", "They Don't Understand", and "Thinking Black".

The Monophonics definitely have a way of getting inside your brain – using a cosmic slop of fuzzy guitars and funky basslines to eat away your grey matter more than a maggot inside your cranium! Yet even past that heavy Funkadelic reference, they've also got a richer vibe too – elements of 60s psych mixed in with their funk – particularly in the way that the younger generation's been re-digging crates from the early 70s these days – especially some of the more farther-flung tracks from the global underground. There's slight Afro elements at times, garagey bits at others, and even some well-timed rhythms that help the whole thing have a good sense of focus – and save it from the overindulgence that toppled the hippie generation before they even got started. Titles include "Mirage", "Bang Bang", "Temptation", "In Your Brain", "Sure Is Funky", "There's A Riot Going On", "Say You Love Me", "They Don't Understand", and "Thinking Black".

Amazing stuff – and arguably the greatest early Funkadelic album ever! The set moves past the simple fuzzy style of the group's debut, and the overly-stoned sound of Free Your Mind – and rockets into a heady funk style that's filled with sly social commentary and an incredibly dark vision of the future! The centerpiece of the album is the mindblowing "Maggot Brain" title track – a tune that begins with a chilling spoken intro, then slowly builds amidst washes and washes of post-Hendrix guitar. That cut then rolls into some shorter, funkier numbers that rank with some of the group's best ever – using the device of party-hearty energy to convey a sense of alienation and horror at the world. The whole thing's brilliant throughout – and apart from being a soul classic, the set should also rank as one of the greatest rock albums of all time! Titles include "Maggot Brain", "Super Stupid", "Back in Our Minds", "Can You Get to That", and "Wars of Armageddon".

Amazing stuff – and arguably the greatest early Funkadelic album ever! The set moves past the simple fuzzy style of the group's debut, and the overly-stoned sound of Free Your Mind – and rockets into a heady funk style that's filled with sly social commentary and an incredibly dark vision of the future! The centerpiece of the album is the mindblowing "Maggot Brain" title track – a tune that begins with a chilling spoken intro, then slowly builds amidst washes and washes of post-Hendrix guitar. That cut then rolls into some shorter, funkier numbers that rank with some of the group's best ever – using the device of party-hearty energy to convey a sense of alienation and horror at the world. The whole thing's brilliant throughout – and apart from being a soul classic, the set should also rank as one of the greatest rock albums of all time! Titles include "Maggot Brain", "Super Stupid", "Back in Our Minds", "Can You Get to That", and "Wars of Armageddon".

Two lost scores – packaged together on a single CD! First up is Billion Dollar Brain, composed by Richard Rodney Bennett – done for an obscure late 60s spy thriller starring Michael Caine, and a really dark soundtrack! Bennett did a fair bit of jazz arranging in his time – and the score to this one mixes some dark dramatic bits with some lighter motifs that feature good work on woodwinds and percussion. The main theme has some nice floating piano over the top, and a few other tracks have a cool whistling suspense theme – but things also really change up a lot nicely, and the whole thing almost has an audio collage feel at times, with its sense of variety. Titles include "Love Scene", "Hoe Down", "Anya", "The Church", "Skidoo", "Ambush", "Car Chase", and "Billion Dollar Brain". Roy Budd handles the score for Final Option – an early 80s spy thriller, but one that gets some beautiful Budd treatment that's right up there with Roy's famous soundtracks of the 70s! The instrumentation often has an airy, eerie feel – slowly cascading keyboards, with almost a hint of Italian space between – used with a lot less schlock than some of the tinnier, cheesier action scores that were more of the mainstream at the time. A few tunes were composed and conducted by Jerry & Marc Donahue – and titles include "Who Dares Wins", "Straight Ahead Blues", "Nature Of The Beast", "Reds Under The Beds", "Hi Jack (part 1)", "American Medley", and "SAS Or Nothing".

A brilliant little album from Harmonia – quite possibly their greatest record ever, and a set that's wonderfully balanced between progressive and electronic modes! There's a live drummer on the set – Mani Neumeier of Guru Guru – and although he still plays with a spare, circular mode that recalls the Harmonia rhythms of before, there's also a slight bit of propulsion here too – one that pushes the keyboards and guitars alongside nicely. There's also some spacey vocals at times, which when coupled with these other elements, gives the record a sound that's a bit like early Neu – although still a bit more electronic overall. A great bridge between two worlds of music in the German scene of the 70s – with tracks that include "Gollum", "Monza", "Notre Dame", "Deluxe", "Walky Talky", and "Kekse".

An electronic prog classic – served up by the Harmonia trio of Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius from Cluster, plus Michael Rother of Neu! The tracks here have a definite Cluster-like sound – instrumentals that use organ, keyboards, guitar, and electronic percussion to build up some wonderfully analogue-styled grooves – often quite slow at first, but filling up nicely as added elements come into the mix! The record's easily one of our favorites from the time, and has a much darker sound than later Moebius/Roedelius work. Titles include "Watussi", "Ohrwurm", "Ahoi", "Dino", "Sonneschein", and "Hausmusik".

Pulsating Krautrock from Michael Rother and Klaus Dinger – essential stuff that stretches out the dynamics of the first couple of classic LPs! Then first half of the album features Klaus' brother Thomas on drums, and second features Hans Lampe, but the grooves are stripped down and spacious enough that the personality behind the Ur-drumming doesn't matter so much. Stripped down keys and electronics move more into the forfront on 75 – hardly diminishing the power, and actually prefiguring 80s sounds by a longshot – with guitars blending in with the synths to form the bedrock of the pioneering sound! 6 tracks in all: "Isi", "See Land", "Leb Wohl", 'hero", "E-Musik" and "After Eight".

A slightly sweeter version of Cluster than on previous records – a bit more focused, tuneful, and rhythmic – thanks to some great use of the "rhythmusmaschine"! Most numbers here have a slightly pulsating feel – one that really prefaces the electronic modes that would come from the UK at the end of the decade, especially the best work of the Sheffield scene. Cluster here show the way brilliantly – taking the longer jams of earlier years, and honing them down into simple melodies and rhythms – yet still delivered with a fair bit of edge throughout, and not nearly as much of the softness that would characterize later work by Moebius or Roedelius. Tracks include "Hollywood", "Caramel", "James", "Rote Riki", "Fotschi Tong", and "Marzipan".

A brilliant little album from Harmonia – quite possibly their greatest record ever, and a set that's wonderfully balanced between progressive and electronic modes! There's a live drummer on the set – Mani Neumeier of Guru Guru – and although he still plays with a spare, circular mode that recalls the Harmonia rhythms of before, there's also a slight bit of propulsion here too – one that pushes the keyboards and guitars alongside nicely. There's also some spacey vocals at times, which when coupled with these other elements, gives the record a sound that's a bit like early Neu – although still a bit more electronic overall. A great bridge between two worlds of music in the German scene of the 70s – with tracks that include "Gollum", "Monza", "Notre Dame", "Deluxe", "Walky Talky", and "Kekse".

Long electronic tracks from Edgar Froese – "Upland", "NGC 891", "Aqua", and "Panorphelia".

A the time they were taking Paris by storm, the Art Ensemble recorded this brilliant message to folks everywhere – one of their best early albums, and a landmark in Chicago avant garde jazz! The record features the group at their best – playing very tightly, but also with a sense of whimsy and imagination. Side two features the extended track "A Brain For The Seine", a real classic by the band – and side one features versions of "Dexterity" and "Old Time Religion", plus the Roscoe Mitchell composition "Rock Out".

An incredible package – and one that features three of the most important records ever cut by the Art Ensemble Of Chicago! All three albums were recorded at the Saravah Studios in the summer of 1969 – during a time when the Art Ensemble of Chicago were making big waves on the Parisian scene (including their work in the film Les Stances A Sophie) – and finding a way to refine their new Chicago sound in the world away from the Windy City! These were the albums that really put the Art Ensemble on the map – letting them find new freedoms, and reach new heights in expression – in a mode that even surpassed previous recordings by individual members back home. The lineup is very heavy on reeds – with a variety played by Roscoe Mitchell and Joseph Jarman – and features bold trumpet from Lester Bowie, warm basslines from Malachi Favors, and a range of percussion and other instruments by all members of the group! The set comes in a nice book-like cover, with a booklet inside – and titles include "Reese & The Smooth Ones (parts 1 & 2)", "Rock Out", "Brain For The Seine", "Dexterity", "Jackson In Your House", "The Waltz", and "Song For Charles".

Ginger Baker recorded late in the 80s – but still keeping up the Afro-styled grooves he forged with Fela during the decade before! The set's got Baker very much upfront on drums – but he's also working with a range of African percussionists who really help shape the rhythms – plus great work on guitar, trombone, and a range of saxes as well! Many tunes are very heavy on the groove – building things up before adding in more from the horns, or the occasional vocals – and the set features material recorded with two different groups, but both around the same stretch in 1987, with relatively similar lineups. Titles include "Brain Damage", "Sokoto", "Go Do", "Adoa", "Abyssinia", "Want Come Go", and "Ginger's Solo".

The second LP from Cypress Hill, and as far as we're concerned, the last great one. Muggs' beats get a bit darker on this album, but are still sharp enough to cut through even the thickest clouds of smoke. 14 tracks in all, including "I Wanna Get High", "I Ain't Goin' Out Like That", "Insane In The Brain", "When The Sh** Goes Down", "Hits FromThe Bong", "A To The K", "Hand On The Glock" and "Break 'Em Off Some".

A feast of funky head sounds – laid out in beautiful silhouette! The image features a brain stuffed with all the groovy styles of music we carry at Dusty Groove – held inside by a logo-emblazoned set of headphones – the kind of picture that looks great from a distance, and even cooler when you come up close! Our logo and website address are on the back – and the shirt is printed in brilliant white on a bold black – 100% cotton Hanes Beefy-T.

A feast of funky head sounds – laid out in beautiful silhouette! The image features a brain stuffed with all the groovy styles of music we carry at Dusty Groove – held inside by a logo-emblazoned set of headphones – the kind of picture that looks great from a distance, and even cooler when you come up close! Our logo and website address are on the back – and the shirt is printed in brilliant white on a bold black – 100% cotton Hanes Beefy-T.

A feast of funky head sounds – laid out in beautiful silhouette! The image features a brain stuffed with all the groovy styles of music we carry at Dusty Groove – held inside by a logo-emblazoned set of headphones – the kind of picture that looks great from a distance, and even cooler when you come up close! Our logo and website address are on the back – and the shirt is printed in brilliant white on a bold black – 100% cotton Hanes Beefy-T.

A feast of funky head sounds – laid out in beautiful silhouette! The image features a brain stuffed with all the groovy styles of music we carry at Dusty Groove – held inside by a logo-emblazoned set of headphones – the kind of picture that looks great from a distance, and even cooler when you come up close! Our logo and website address are on the back – and the shirt is printed in bold black on brilliant white – a 100% cotton Hanes Beefy-T.

A feast of funky head sounds – laid out in beautiful silhouette! The image features a brain stuffed with all the groovy styles of music we carry at Dusty Groove – held inside by a logo-emblazoned set of headphones – the kind of picture that looks great from a distance, and even cooler when you come up close! Our logo and website address are on the back – and the shirt is printed in bold black on brilliant white – a 100% cotton Hanes Beefy-T.

A feast of funky head sounds – laid out in beautiful silhouette! The image features a brain stuffed with all the groovy styles of music we carry at Dusty Groove – held inside by a logo-emblazoned set of headphones – the kind of picture that looks great from a distance, and even cooler when you come up close! Our logo and website address are on the back – and the shirt is printed in bold black on brilliant white – a 100% cotton Hanes Beefy-T.

A great little box set of Syl Johnson sides from Numero's epic, jaw-droppingly far-reaching Complete Mythology package! The purpose here was not only put together a beautiful, more portable vinyl sampler of the amazing 6LP/4CD complete set, they also did it to represent the breadth of Syl's soul genius and mastery of a range of styles over years. Honestly, we can't imagine how difficult it must have been to pick standout tracks to feature here, but however many blood-vessels in the brain they must have busted to choose the best, it delivers perfectly. Packaged in a white box that's sealed with custom Syl Johnson craft tape! "Do You Know What Love Is" b/w "The Love I Found in You", "My Funky Band" b/w "Sockin’ Soul Power", "Double Whammy" b/w "Wiggle In Your Hips", "Right On" b/w "Pt. 2", "Try My Love Again" b/w "All I Need Is Someone Like You".

Tremendous work from this young group – a set that embraces a range of modern jazz traditions, then pushes them forward strongly to the next generation! The lineup here features some of the sharpest talents of the current Windy City underground – James Falzone on clarinet, Jason Adasiewicz on vibes, Jason Roebke on bass, and Tim Daisy on drums – all players who feel each others' strengths instantly, and find ways of coming together that are even greater than the sum of the already-strong parts! Falzone's clarinet is especially amazing – a fresh new voice on the instrument that pushes past even John Carter or Jimmy Giuffre – showing us that the instrument can really carve strong modern lines, when in the right hands. Adasiewicz's vibes are always a treat – and ring out beautifully – and both Roebke and Daisy have the right sort of freewheeling rhythms to set even more fire to the other two players. Titles include "Ukranian Village", "Carol's Burgers", "Chicago Spaces", "Brooklyn Lines", "Jazz Searching Self", and "Alone At The Brain".

Psychedelic easy listening! This groovy late 60s instrumental session features fuzzy guitars, squeaky moog, heavy drums, and lilting strings – a bit like Pierre Henry, a bit like Francis Lai, and a lot like some of the best Italian sound library themes from the time – pretty weird and wonderful, and the sort of record that almost sounds better now than it did when it first leapt on the market! There's a very cool sound here that's a bit like some of the grooviest "jerk" records from the fuzzy French scene of the 60s – and titles include "Radio Pirat Program", "Am Stram Gram", "Kriminal Theme", "The Whistler", "Inside My Brain", "Concerto Genocide", "Crazy Circus", and "Heathcliff Y Cry Your Name". All instrumental – save for some weird electronic voices!

An oft-overlooked gem from Parliament – released during the year 1976, and sometimes hidden between monster LPs like Funkentelechy and Mothership Connection – but every bit as great as those two classics! The album's got that tightened-up P-Funk sound that was working so perfectly at the time – still with all the fuzzy haired elements of earlier years, but presented with a bit more focus – and a powerhouse swing that really drives the tracks home with a funky groove on the bottom! There's a flowing sort of energy here that almost makes you think that the whole thing just emerged naturally from the brain of George Clinton – but all ensemble players have a strong hand in the action, and really get some great moments in on the set. Cuts include "Gamin' On Ya", "Do That Stuff", "Children Of Production", and "I've Been Watching You (Move Your Sexy Body)".

The first album that Parliament cut after their trippy fuzzed-out headblast Osmium. The record features a much more stripped down sound – nice and funky, with a blueprint of the bass-driven groove that would dominate the P-Funk sound of the 70s. Bootsy's on bass, and the group features Eddie Hazel, Bernie Worrell, and other likely suspects. Includes the monster jammer "Up For The Down Stroke", plus other goodies like "The Goose", "Testify", "Presence Of A Brain", and "All Your Goodies Are Gone".

Titles include "On The Run", "Money", "Us & Them", "Any Colour You Like", "Brain Damage", "The Great Gig In The Sky", and "Time".

Ian Simmonds group from the mid 90s group, kind of blending a stripped down approach with some heavier beats and trip hoppy effects, but with both live instrumentation and programmed sounds. When we dropped the needle on this, it didn't sound nearly as dated as we expected it too. 8 tracks in all, including "Changed", "Joy", "Shake The Brain", "Osocurioso", "Ardens Bud Phase 3", "Cracked", "Wake the Brain" and "Open".

Sly's still doing pretty nice for himself in 1974 – with a sound that's perhaps a bit warmer than on the early records, but still nice and soulful – and peppered with a good dose of funk! The groove is really great on the set – bubbling with a more "deep down" feel than the skittish funk of the first few records, and breaking out on some great soul numbers that show Sly to be an even better singer than before – touchingly sensitive at times, in a really beautiful way! Titles include "Loose Booty", which has a wonderful popping bass/hollow drum sound, and a tasty break in the middle – plus the cuts "This Is Love", "Wishful Thinkin", "Time For Livin", "Can't Strain My Brain", and "Say You Will".

Sly's still doing pretty nice for himself in 1974 – with a sound that's perhaps a bit warmer than on the early records, but still nice and soulful – and peppered with a good dose of funk! The groove is really great on the set – bubbling with a more "deep down" feel than the skittish funk of the first few records, and breaking out on some great soul numbers that show Sly to be an even better singer than before – touchingly sensitive at times, in a really beautiful way! Titles include "Loose Booty", which has a wonderful popping bass/hollow drum sound, and a tasty break in the middle – plus the cuts "This Is Love", "Wishful Thinkin", "Time For Livin", "Can't Strain My Brain", and "Say You Will". CD also features 4 bonus tracks – an early version of "Crossword Puzzle", the instrumental "Positive", and alternate takes on "Loose Booty" and "Time For Livin".

Cinematic compositions from the brain of the Foetus line, J.G. Thirlwell.

Cinematic compositions from the brain of the Foetus line, J.G. Thirlwell.

Tosca have grown up a bit since we last heard them – getting a bit more subtle, and maybe even more soulful with their sound – maturing into a mellow groove that's a bit more textured than downtempo – peppered with vocals from a shifting array of singers who help further the sound. There's still plenty of the darkness you'd love from the group's previous records, and certainly none of the cheesiness you'd guess from the hat image on the cover – and titles include "Zur Gueten Ambiance", "Stuttgart", "In My Brain Prinz Eugen", "Cavallo", "Bonjour", and "Soda".

Tosca have grown up a bit since we last heard them – getting a bit more subtle, and maybe even more soulful with their sound – maturing into a mellow groove that's a bit more textured than downtempo – peppered with vocals from a shifting array of singers who help further the sound. There's still plenty of the darkness you'd love from the group's previous records, and certainly none of the cheesiness you'd guess from the hat image on the cover – and titles include "Zur Gueten Ambiance", "Stuttgart", "In My Brain Prinz Eugen", "Cavallo", "Bonjour", and "Soda".

Sublime work from pianist Spike Wilner – a player who's really becoming one of our favorite contemporary talents these days! We've really grown to love Spike for his work on the Live At Smalls series – both for his tireless energy as one of the best live jazz engineers around, and for his key contributions to a few of the sets – and on this non-Smalls trio date, he's even more sparkling and vivid than ever – really opening up with his style, and letting us see a side of his talents we don't always catch on record. In addition to some of the older piano modes that Wilner's always been great at, he also steps out here with a bold, lyrical sensibility at times – one that's especially vivid on his original tunes – which are worth the price of admission alone, and reveal a great skill as a writer, especially for trio material. The rest of the group features Dezron Douglas on bass and Joey Saylor on drums – and titles include "Happy Ending", "La Tendresse", "Silver Cord", "Lullaby Of The Leaves", "Le Sucrier Velours", and "If I Only Had A Brain".

A wild collection of extraterrestrial country, pulp, pop, r&b and even some doo wop influenced tunes from the outerspace fringes of 60s & 70s Nashville & beyond – largely from the brain bananas of Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan! We knew that Jack & Misty recorded some fairly far out countryish gems as a duo – but this crazy set really opens our minds to how wild they were as writers, producers & arrangers! It truly rivals Joe Meek's productions when it comes to pulpy themes and unpredictable stylistic range – while carrying a weird, earthier rustic & rural groove. Jack & Misty sing and play often throughout, as themselves and under pseudonyms – and they recruited friends and peers as singers and players for the others. Far more than just an exercise in strangeness – the songs are good enough to stand out as more than novelties, and some of the most respected Nashville session players of the past half century can be found in the notes. You get electrified banjo, sax, and organ in the same wild tunes – any questions? The majority of songs were cut between the fertile period between 1965 and 1974 – with a few going back earlier & later – a whopping 30 tracks in all! "Strange New World" by Jacqueline Hyde & The Moonfolk, Time Machine" by Joel Mathis, "Skellykins" by Rusty Diamond, "I'm Hung Up On You" by Rusty Diamond, "Hit Me One More Time" by Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan, "Let's Have A Hayride" by Maryanne Mail, "New World" by The Jack Blanchard Group, "Monkey See, Monkey Do" by Brad Wolfe, "Dance Of The Living Dead Chickens" by Jack Blanchard and more!

The brain trust of soul jazz in the early 60s – led by tenorist Gene Ammons on both albums! Soul Summit Volume one features Ammons and Sonny Stitt on tenor, plus Jack McDuff on Hammond – a definite soul summit for the time – with 3 top-shelf players in the lead, all getting plenty of room to do their thing! Both Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt are on tenor in the front, working with the respect and confidence they'd forged together on other co-led sessions from the time – and Jack McDuff's a great addition to the set, playing Hammond with his newly-lean tone, and really helping things move along nicely. Drummer Charlie Persip has a nicely booming style here – one that gets the group out of the box from the get-go, and McDuff's handling all the bass work on the organ, which always makes for a tight rhythmic romp! Most tunes are in that great raw Prestige mode from the old days, as you'd guess by titles like "Tubby", "Dumplin", and "Shuffle Twist" – alongside other numbers that include "Sleeping Susan" and "Out In The Cold Again". Soul Summit Vol 2 is a set that's less a "summit" than a great collection of groovy work for Prestige Records in the 60s – tracks that didn't make it onto other full albums of the time, but which feature material by some of the most soulful talents on the label! Tenorist Gene Ammons is the main star here – stretching out wonderfully on most numbers on the record – although the set also features added tenor work from Red Holloway, George Barrow, and Harold Vick! The mighty Jack McDuff lends his Hammond to a few tunes, Etta Jones sings on three numbers, and the record even features trumpet from Clark Terry, alto from Oliver Nelson, and congas from Ray Barretto too – on cuts that include "Scram", "Cool Cool Daddy", "Ballad For Baby", "If You Are But A Dream", "But Not For Me", and "Love I've Found You".

Sweet electro funk from The Gap Band – a group who are still grooving strong here, hitting the best of their Total Experience modes! The trio's mighty tight throughout – and their familiar funk is augmented by some electro touches that definitely keep things fresh – and we mean that in the best mid-80s use of the word! A bit of an old school influence comes into the vocals at points – which are spoken as much as sung on some cuts – and as always, The Gap Band really show their strength with the kind of catchy chorus that works great with a bassy groove. Titles include a great ballad reworking of "Going In Circles" – plus the groovers "Lil Red Funkin Hood", "Automatic Brain", "Desire", "Bumpin Gum People", and "I Know We'll Make It". CD features lots of bonus tracks too – "Desire (special 12" rmx)", "Desire (12" dub)", "Going In Circles (12" long version)", "Going In Circles (12" inst with harmonica)", "Automatic Brain (12" club)", and "Automatic Brain (12" rap version)".

A mostly instrumental Exhibit from the mighty K Def – and a top shelf slice of timelessly inventive, head nodding hip hop production! Great stuff with prominent beats that pull you right in, but there's a lot more going on in the mix – sinister bass lines, moody keys, bits of guitar and more. It kicks off a pair of strong tracks with guest MCs – "Exhibit 2A" featuring Seven Shawn of World Renown and "The Fundamentals" with Blu & Quartermaine – and the instrumentals include "Improvs From The Brain", "Mind Boggled", "Get Your Mustard", "Relay The Piece", "Lost My Thought Part 1", "Stay Thinking About Music", "Chord Tester", "Rock It", "Lost My Thought Part 2" and more. 17 tracks in all.

A mostly instrumental Exhibit from the mighty K Def – and a top shelf slice of timelessly inventive, head nodding hip hop production! Great stuff with prominent beats that pull you right in, but there's a lot more going on in the mix – sinister bass lines, moody keys, bits of guitar and more. It kicks off a pair of strong tracks with guest MCs – "Exhibit 2A" featuring Seven Shawn of World Renown and "The Fundamentals" with Blu & Quartermaine – and the instrumentals include "Improvs From The Brain", "Mind Boggled", "Get Your Mustard", "Relay The Piece", "Lost My Thought Part 1", "Stay Thinking About Music", "Chord Tester", "Rock It", "Lost My Thought Part 2" and more. 17 tracks in all.

An oft-overlooked gem from Parliament – released during the year 1976, and sometimes hidden between monster LPs like Funkentelechy and Mothership Connection – but every bit as great as those two classics! The album's got that tightened-up P-Funk sound that was working so perfectly at the time – still with all the fuzzy haired elements of earlier years, but presented with a bit more focus – and a powerhouse swing that really drives the tracks home with a funky groove on the bottom! There's a flowing sort of energy here that almost makes you think that the whole thing just emerged naturally from the brain of George Clinton – but all ensemble players have a strong hand in the action, and really get some great moments in on the set. Cuts include "Gamin' On Ya", "Do That Stuff", "Children Of Production", and "I've Been Watching You (Move Your Sexy Body)".

A mighty tribute to one of the greatest soundtrack composers of the 50s and 60s – served up in a host of jazz and vocal gems from the equally mighty Universal catalog! Most of the numbers here are from the 60s, and showcase Mancini at his jazziest – the period from Peter Gunn onward, when it seemed like every tune Hank touched turned to gold – and became a great jumping-off point for expression in a wide variety of musical styles. The 18 track package features some gems we've never seen reissued before, plus more familiar tunes that sound even better in this ultra-hip setting – and together, the tracks are a tremendous testament to the genius of Mancini at a time when he was working at his fullest potential. Titles include "Sally's Tomato" by Cal Tjader, "Wait Until Dark" by Walter Wanderley & Margie Dotson, "Peter Gunn" by Art Healie & The Electric Saxophone, "Days Of Wine & Roses" by Dizzy Gillespie, "A Shot In The Dark" by Shirley Scott, "Nothing To Lose" by Claudine Longet, "Moon River" by Billy Eckstine, "Shadows Of Paris" by Elsie Bianchi, "Baby Elephant Walk" by Bert Kaempfert, "Experiment In Terror" by Kai Winding, "Charade" by Johnny Hartman, "Slow Hot Wind" by Sarah Vaughan, "Bird Brain" by Quincy Jones, and "Two For The Road" by Gunter Kallmann Choir.

A sublime debut from German prog outfit Agitation Free – a set that's definitely free of agitation, and one that spins out in these long, winding lines with lots of Eastern influences! There's a bit of drone to some of the grooves, but never in a sleepy or sloppy sort of way – and in addition to familiar prog instrumentation on guitar, keyboards, and percussion, there's also some added ethnic elements as well, and even a bit of steel guitar, zither, and live tape work too! Tracks are longish and nicely organic, and although there's some vocals on the record the whole thing's much more of an exploratory instrumental affair – very much like some of the best early work on Brain. Titles include "You Play For Us Today", "Sahara City", "Ala Tul", "Pulse", "Malesch", and "Rucksturz".

A great later sleeper from Brian Auger – a record that's much deeper and more soulful than some of his earlier work – and done in a soaring style that's really great! Alex Lighterwood sings as much as Auger plays the keys here, but that's ok with us – because he fuses his voice very nicely with organ, electric piano, and moog – creating a spacily soulful quality that's produced with a nice flanged-out style! Some tracks are funky, others are more laidback – and the set's a great illustration of how far Auger had come in just a few years. Titles include the spacey "Thoughts From Afar", the fast-jamming "The Big Yin", a Latin-tinged instrumental "Something Out Of Nothing", plus "Future Pilot" and "Brain Damage".

Weird instrumental grooves from composer Sandro Brugnolini – played by a small combo that almost has a sound library feel! We know Brugnolini most from his soundtrack work, and this set's got a similar flair for odd sounds and weird rhythms – played here by a group that features organ, two guitars, bass, and drums – plus lots of unusual effects that make the whole thing sound strange and trippy! The music is a weird amalgam of funky jazz and soundtrack modes – familiar at points, but really offbeat at others – with a few key groovers mixed with mellower, more atmospheric numbers. Titles include "Cromaton", "Amofen", "Celluin", "Andrie's Dream", "Roxy", "Simanite", "Brain", and "Cortex".

Weird instrumental grooves from composer Sandro Brugnolini – played by a small combo that almost has a sound library feel! We know Brugnolini most from his soundtrack work, and this set's got a similar flair for odd sounds and weird rhythms – played here by a group that features organ, two guitars, bass, and drums – plus lots of unusual effects that make the whole thing sound strange and trippy! The music is a weird amalgam of funky jazz and soundtrack modes – familiar at points, but really offbeat at others – with a few key groovers mixed with mellower, more atmospheric numbers. Titles include "Cromaton", "Amofen", "Celluin", "Andrie's Dream", "Roxy", "Simanite", "Brain", and "Cortex".

Great 3-sided single that features two regular sides, plus a third side "hidden" amidst the grooves of the second side. Loads of great stuff, including "Brain Washed Follower" and "Ain't Hip to Be Labeled a Hippy". The kind of 12 inch single that makes collecting them worth while!

A feast of funky head sounds – laid out in beautiful silhouette! The image features a brain stuffed with all the groovy styles of music we carry at Dusty Groove – held inside by a logo-emblazoned set of headphones – the kind of picture that looks great from a distance, and even cooler when you come up close! Our logo and website address are on the back – and the shirt is printed in brilliant white on a bold black – 100% cotton Hanes Beefy-T.

A feast of funky head sounds – laid out in beautiful silhouette! The image features a brain stuffed with all the groovy styles of music we carry at Dusty Groove – held inside by a logo-emblazoned set of headphones – the kind of picture that looks great from a distance, and even cooler when you come up close! Our logo and website address are on the back – and the shirt is printed in bold black on brilliant white – a 100% cotton Hanes Beefy-T.

The first album that Parliament cut after their trippy fuzzed-out headblast Osmium. The record features a much more stripped down sound – nice and funky, with a blueprint of the bass-driven groove that would dominate the P-Funk sound of the 70s. Bootsy's on bass, and the group features Eddie Hazel, Bernie Worrell, and other likely suspects. Includes the monster jammer "Up For The Down Stroke", plus other goodies like "The Goose", "Testify", "Presence Of A Brain", and "All Your Goodies Are Gone".

Titles include "On The Run", "Money", "Us & Them", "Any Colour You Like", "Brain Damage", "The Great Gig In The Sky", and "Time".

Warm and wonderful soul from David Ruffin – key proof that the singer could keep on going strong, long after his earlier fame at Motown! The record's got a new sense of sophistication that really breaks David into new territory – a style that's nicely different than the backings Ruffin got from Van McCoy in his later Motown years – and which opens up a more mature sound, courtesy of producer Don Davis – who's casting Ruffin in the same blend of rough and smooth that worked so well for The Dramatics! There's a sophistication here that's completely sublime – a sound that's right up there with Leroy Hutson or Leon Ware – and most tunes hit a mellow or midtempo mode that's totally great! Tracks include "Chain On The Brain", "Break My Heart", "Morning Sun Looks Blue", "Let Your Love Rain Down On Me", "So Soon We Change", and "Sexy Dancer".

Steroid Maximus is from the brain of the Foetus line, J.G. Thirlwell.

A feast of funky head sounds – laid out in beautiful silhouette! The image features a brain stuffed with all the groovy styles of music we carry at Dusty Groove – held inside by a logo-emblazoned set of headphones – the kind of picture that looks great from a distance, and even cooler when you come up close! Our logo and website address are on the back – and the shirt is printed in brilliant white on a bold black – 100% cotton Hanes Beefy-T.

The first 5 ELP albums– Emerson Lake & Palmer, Tarkus, Pictures At An Expedition, Trilogy and Brain Salad Surgery – all picture discs – in a 5LP box set!

Seminal record from one of the most important hardcore bands to walk the earth – and DC underground classic that hit the scene like a lightning bolt to White House – that cover art speaks the truth! Bad Brains (the album) was originally issued on the then cassette-only ROIR label – this version restores the iconic original cover art and features 15 listed tracks – and adds an unlisted bonus cut! Titles include "Sail On", "Don't Need It", "Attitude", "The Regulator", "Banned In DC", "Jah Calling", "Supertouch/Shitfit", "Leaving Babylon", "Fearless Vampire Killers", "I", "Big Take Over", "Pay To Cum", "Right Brigade", "I Luv I Jah" and "Intro".

Brick City vet and Artifacts affiliate Beneficience delivers a sharp set of hip hop in Concrete Soul for Ill Adrenaline – featuring an impressive roster of guests – but to Bene's credit, he's never overshadowed here! Guests include Lord Tariq, Masta Ace, Chubb Rock, Roc Marciano, El Da Sensei, D-Flow, Billy Danze, AG and more. Includes "YWE" with Lord Tariq, "Reality Vs Fiction" feat Masta Ace, "Cold Train" with Grap Luva & Rob-O, "Concrete Soul" feat Troo Kula of Brainwash 2000, "Masterful Method" with Chubb Rock, "Art Of War" with Billy Danze of MOP, "All Real" feat AG, "Metal Cuff Links" feat Nature,, "Somethin' Yall Can Roll Wit", "Under Constructuon, "Hood Cartel" with Roc Marciano and more.

Our favorite album by this overlooked 70s soul group! The album's a real club stormer from the old days – a soaring blend of upbeat tunes with a sound that's righteous and smooth, and never cloying. These guys are kind of riding on the high of an Earth Wind & Fire kind of groove – missing the cliches of most other bigger funk acts, and really hitting a wonderful stride with the classic cut "We're On Our Way Home" – a joyous anthem that never gets old! The whole thing's pretty great overall, and other tracks include "Brand New Day", "Journey To The Light", and "Positive Thinking".

A set that definitely lives up to its title – a stone stormer from Brainstorm – one of the tightest funky ensembles of their generation, and one of the few who could go deep while still laying down a groove! The set's got a perfect balance of modes – enough of the appeal of bigger mainstream funk acts of the time, but also some righteous undercurrents that really show the group's roots – both in the approach of the lyrics, and in the jazzy instrumentation of the backings – which often show a righteous side of the group that's mighty surprising! The record's one that just grows and grows with each new listening, and is put together with some great sharp-edged production by Jerry Peters – who has a way of showcasing all the most interesting elements, while still keeping things focused too. Titles include the classic "Wake Up & Be Somebody" and "Loving You Is Really My Game" – plus "Waiting For Someone", "We Know A Place", "Hangin' On", "Easy Thangs", and "This Must Be Heaven". Great expanded version – in a cool book-like cover, with new notes, and bonus tracks that include "Lovin Is Really My Game (parts 1 & 2)", "Lovin Is Really My Game (single mix)", "Wake Up & Be Somebody (long)", and "Wake Up & Be Somebody (short)".

A set that definitely lives up to its title – a stone stormer from Brainstorm – one of the tightest funky ensembles of their generation, and one of the few who could go deep while still laying down a groove! The set's got a perfect balance of modes – enough of the appeal of bigger mainstream funk acts of the time, but also some righteous undercurrents that really show the group's roots – both in the approach of the lyrics, and in the jazzy instrumentation of the backings – which often show a righteous side of the group that's mighty surprising! The record's one that just grows and grows with each new listening, and is put together with some great sharp-edged production by Jerry Peters – who has a way of showcasing all the most interesting elements, while still keeping things focused too. Titles include the classic "Wake Up & Be Somebody" and "Loving You Is Really My Game" – plus "Waiting For Someone", "We Know A Place", "Hangin' On", "Easy Thangs", and "This Must Be Heaven".

Promo flexi included with Bucketfull Of Brains Issue 15.

Rare grooves from Evans Pyramid – a sweet set of cosmic disco from the end of the 70s – recorded with a lean, almost spiritual vibe – quite similar to some of the great tracks reissued in the Soul Cal series! There's a definite ear for the dancefloor here – lots of upbeat rhythms, touched with sweet keyboards riffs, and layered with vocals that are almost an afterthought – yet have their own sort of message at the right moment. The group's the brainchild of Andre Evans, an artist whose huge legacy of music business work includes stints with Dyke & The Blazers, Little Anthony & The Imperials, and Tribe – as well as a host of key album sessions as well – but the sound is unlike any of those references, and has this great stripped-down late 70s club vibe throughout. The rare album is offered here with unreleased bonus tracks – and titles include "Rubber Band", "Never Gonna Leave You", "Dip Drop", "No I Won't", "Soul Petrol", and "Dance A Thon".

Rare grooves from Evans Pyramid – a sweet set of cosmic disco from the end of the 70s – recorded with a lean, almost spiritual vibe – quite similar to some of the great tracks reissued in the Soul Cal series! There's a definite ear for the dancefloor here – lots of upbeat rhythms, touched with sweet keyboards riffs, and layered with vocals that are almost an afterthought – yet have their own sort of message at the right moment. The group's the brainchild of Andre Evans, an artist whose huge legacy of music business work includes stints with Dyke & The Blazers, Little Anthony & The Imperials, and Tribe – as well as a host of key album sessions as well – but the sound is unlike any of those references, and has this great stripped-down late 70s club vibe throughout. The rare album is offered here with unreleased bonus tracks – and titles include "Rubber Band", "Never Gonna Leave You", "Dip Drop", "No I Won't", "Soul Petrol", "I Got A Rush For You", "Dance A Thon", and "Sugar Stop".

Amazing sounds from the SF scene of the 70s – previously unreleased work that really opens up a whole new chapter of jazz on the west coast! The HE3 Project is the brainchild of keyboardist Herman Ebertizsch – who plays lots of Fender Rhodes and moog on this sweet little record – really driving some amazing lines for a wickedly soulful group that also features Coke Escovedo on timbales and Linda Tillery and Johnny Lovett on vocals! Supposedly, these sessions were the genesis of the groove that Escovedo later laid down on Mercury Records – but the sound here is a lot more open-ended and funky – a beautiful combination of jazz and soul elements, put together in ways that are quite different than any other Bay Area acts of the time. Titles include "Rapture Of The Deep", "Funk Punk", "Appreciation", "Life Is A Tortured Love Affair", "Make It Sweet", "We All Have Our Own Lives", "In A Soft & Subtle Way", and "Easy Come Easy Go".

6 tracks off the LP in edited radio playable versions: "Here We Come", "Letha Brains Blo", "Sean Price", "Soldiers Gone Psyco", "Prowl" & "Grate Unknown".

A great blend of choppy reeds, soaring keys, and romping rhythms – handled here by an extremely inventive 70s group! Listen is the brainchild of reedman Mel Martin – who plays soprano sax, tenor, flute, and piccolo on the record – but it also features some wicked keyboards and steel drums from Andy Narrell, who sounds way better here than in his later new age years. Martin's got a really sharp-edged sort of sound – almost in the 70s Steve Grossman mode, especially on soprano, or maybe a bit like early Dave Liebman – nicely cutting alongside rhythms from bassist Dave Dunaway and drummer George Marsh, both of whom bring their own creative touches to play, while still making things groove nicely. Titles include "A Tribute To Clark Kent", "Aural Hallucination", "The Mosquito Steps Out", "Gazpacho Sabroso", "Jesse's Theme", and "Dance For Denica".

A record of pure genius and one of the greatest albums ever to come out of the British jazz rock scene – in an expanded 2CD package – with BBC and Peel Sessions, plus previously unreleased studio material! Matching Mole was a bit of a supergroup at the time – one that featured the piano, drums, and voice of Robert Wyatt next to the guitar of Phil Miller – topped off by additional piano, organ, and electric piano – in a wonderfully spacey, wonderfully mellow style that's never been matched again! If you dig the quieter, gentler side of Wyatt's work – or some of Miller's most intimate recordings on Virgin – you'll totally flip over the album – but even that's not giving it it's full due, because the sound is totally unique. Wyatt's vocals are wonderfully personal, and almost heartbreaking at times – handled with a fragility that few others of his generation had the courage to match! Titles include "Part Of The Dance", "Signed Curtain", "O Caroline", "Instant Kitten", "Beer As In Braindeer", and "Dedicated To Hugh But You Weren't Listening". Bonus material includes "O Caroline (Single Version)", "Signed Curtain (Single Edit)", the previously unreleased "Part Of The Dance Jam" (21+ minutes!) , plus "Horse", and "Memories Membrane", "Immediate Kitten" and "Marchides/Instant Pussy/Smoke Signal" from early '72 BBC sessions for John Peel and more!

Native Soul is Peter Brainin, Noah Haidu, Marcus McLaurine and Steve Johns.

A poppy record, but a great one too – and a surprisingly enduring pleasure from the Streetwise scene of the 80s! This is the album that started it all – the wave of younger groups that would come into play in 80s soul strongly by the latter half of the decade – New Edition with its now-classic lineup that includes a young Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, and the Bell, Biv, Devoe trio! The album's really the brainchild of producer Maurice Starr, who's also working here with a fair bit of help from Michael Jonzun and a bit of guidance from Arthur Baker – all of whom serve up tunes that are sweet and catchy, and which are almost an 80s update of the sound of the Jackson 5 or Five Stairsteps from a decade before – given a hipper, more streetsoul undercurrent. Titles include "She Gives Me A Bang", "Pass The Beat", "Ooh Baby", "Popcorn Love", "Candy Girl", "Should Never Have Told Me", and "Gimme Your Love".

Sun Ra's first album as a leader – originally issued on the Transition label, but presented here in its better-known incarnation by Delmark Records! Even at this early point, Ra had a sound unlike any of his contemporaries – large group and modern, but not in a way that showed any similarities to work going on in New York or LA – a voice that was all his own, and already quite boldly stated, even in these early years! The format might be somewhat familiar – an ensemble with horns and rhythm – but the overall execution really starts to open up as the album moves on – with odd phrasings, timings, and unusual moments that live up to all the promise you might expect from Ra. Even Mingus and some of his better-known contemporaries weren't heading in these directions in the mid 50s – and the record is a proud showcase of the freedoms that players were often accorded in the less-trafficked Chicago scene of the time. Horns include Art Hoyle & Dave Young on trumpets, John Gilmore on tenor sax, Pat Patrick on baritone, Julian Priester on trombone, and James Scales on alto sax – and rhythm includes Jim Herndon on tympani, Robert Barry on drums, Wilbur Green on electric bass, and a young Richard Evans on acoustic bass! Titles include "Brainville", "Call For All Demons", "Transition", "Lullaby For Realville", "Street Named Hell", "New Horizons", "Fall Off The Long", "Possession", and "Future".

Chicago's long-living, always great zine Roctober takes a look at the 80s – through the wholy unique Roctober lens that shows this oft-maligned and/or nostalgia prone decade in a totally great way! The Livin' In The 80s Issue has interviews with lost 70s/80s funkster Captain Sky Glenn, Danzig, Boyd Rice, Curtom Records' Eddie Thomas, PiL, Stax Record historian Rob Bowman, TSOL, The Zero Boys, French diva Helena Noguerra, Japanese group sound legends The Golden Cup, The Knots, Plus Daniel Lanois, The Cheepskats, Clara & Chris Ware on Tiny Tim, Ernie Kovacs, Electric Prunes, Joe Strummer, The Romantics, comics, obits, reviews, and unpublished photos of Black Flag, Bad Brains, Misfits and more!

An amazing discovery in music – rare work from an artist who's already pretty darn rare to American ears – even though he recorded some of these spacey gems in Virginia during the mid 70s! Sensation's Fix is the brainchild of musician/electronician Franco Falsini – an Italian artist with strong influence from, and experience with, the early German prog scene – but one who also stretches out here in ways that are a lot more personal and poetic! The music is heavy on keyboards and electronics – often in a minimally-produced way, save for studio effects that really help flesh out the sound without commercializing it – and Franco has a thoughtful approach that's never too jamming, even though mostly instrumental – almost that space as prog was turning towards soundtrack ends – especially in German and France. Yet the feel is also quite different than that, too – as you'll hear on this double-length set of rare mixes, alternate takes and unreased tracks from the records that yielded the short output of Sensation's Fix in the mid 70s. Titles include "Barnhause Effect", "Overflowing Ashtrays", "Cold Nose Part 3 Movement 3", "Left Side Of Green", "Chelsea Hotel Room 625", "Crossing Berlin", "Darkside 2", "Fragments Of Light", "Warped Notions Of A Practical Joke", and "Leave My Chemistry".

Spontaneous Combustion blast it out of the park with this early 70s gem – a record that has all the complicated changes of a long-winded prog session, yet packs the punch of a tighter trio outfit in the end! There's a focus here that goes way beyond most of their contemporaries – hard rock edges borrowed from Deep Purple, yet served up with a jazzier undercurrent, and a clear knowledge of some of the headier groups of the time – almost touches of King Crimson at points, or other Harvest label contemporaries. The core energy between the guitar, bass, and drums is mighty nice – and titles include "Spaceship", "Brainstorm", "Child Life", "Love And Laughter", "Pan", "Rainy Day", and "Monolith". CD features bonus tracks – "Sabre Dance", "And Now For Something Completely Different Sabre Dance", and "Gay Time Night".

One of the great modern genre busting-debuts we've had the pleasure of being so stunned by in quite a while! Thundercat's Golden Age is dizzyingly brilliant mix of 80s clubby synths and keys, future soul & funky soundscapes, 70s soul jazzy atmospherics and more – but it's hardly a mere genre-mash, Thundercat's got a unique and inventive vision all his own. A number of tracks feature vocals, but it's really about the mood – and what an expansive mood it is! He shows love here for influential figures from George Duke to Brainfeeder honcho Flying Lotus, to Erykah Badu – great stuff and we're thinking he's only gonna get better from here. Titles include "Hooooooo" (inspired by mid 70s George Duke), "Daylight", "For Love I Come", "Jamboree", "Boat Cruise", "Walkin", "Mystery Machine", "Return To The Journey", "Golden Boy", "Walkin'" (feat Erykah Badu) and more.

Tripped out, heavy hip hop from the unlikely trio of west coast indie veteran Murs, Ego Trip's Sascha Jenkins and DC hardcore legend/Bad Brains bassist Darryl Jenifer! A pretty cool mix of uncompromising lyrics, heavy bass and waves of dissonant guitar. It's unlike anything else out there, circa summer '13! Includes "The Ghetto Is Tryna Kill Me", "Black-N-White", "Warn A Brotha", "Wifey", "King Of New York", "My Weapon", "I Like You", "Wesley Snipes", "My First White Girl", "Mandingo Rally", "Too Late" and more.

A incredible little set of grooves that lit up early 80s Italian club scene – bubbling electro pop, pulsing post disco, and cosmic soul tunes compiled by DJ Mooner – a batch of nuggets originally spun in the famous Discoteca Cosmic! The tunes were all on the playlists during the heyday of that famous Italian club – a great mix of spacey, uncommonly warm synth grooves and cosmic funk featuring the Rah Band, Chocolate Star, Heaven 17 and more! Some of the most atmospheric club friendly grooves of the time! 11 tracks on the CD: "Electric Fling" by the Rah Band, "Mystery Man Remix" by Clive Stevens & Brainchild, "Dance On The Groove (And Do The Funk)" by Love International, "Crash (Monner's edit)" by Doctor S Cat, "I'm Your Money" by Heaven 17, "Basic" by Memory Control 1, "Oriental" by Peru, "This Is Me" by Chris & Cosey, "The Pop" by Chocolate Star and more.

Funky soul, righteous jazz, and hip production made the Flying Dutchman label one of the greatest imprints of the early 70s! The label was the brainchild of producer Bob Thiele, and was a post-60s project to bring together unheard voices in African American culture – recording heavily in a number of genres that included jazz, funk, soul, and Latin – cutting records that were destined to become instant classics, most of which are still pretty darn influential today! This set does a great job of starting to unpack the wealth of work on Flying Dutchman – bringing together tracks by a few familiar acts, and other lesser-known artists, a few who have rarely been reissued. Titles include "Carnavalito" and "Maria Domingas" by Gato Barbieri, "Mama" and "Chains Of Love" by Esther Marrow", "Baja Bossa" by Oliver Nelson, "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" by Pretty Purdie, "Save The Children" and "I Think I'll Call It Morning" by Gil Scott Heron, "The Creator Has A Master Plan" by Louis Armstrong & Leon Thomas, "Echoes" by Leon Thomas, and "Footprints" and "Astral Travelin" by Lonnie Liston Smith.

Synth heavy rarities and vintage electronics flavored gems from a pioneering roster of both revered and lesser-remembered experimental heavies – including Peter Thomas, Bruno Spoerri, Klaus Weiss, Jacky Chlard, Ilaiyaraaja and others – complied by Andy Votel! Votel has the utmost love and respect for the material, and the selections are top notch – electronic and experimental pop, funky synth prog, pulsing soundtrack soundscapes and more – no less mind-melting post millenium as it all must have been when originally recorded! Great music from some of the brains behind Can, Hawkwind, Soft Machine, Niagara, Nucleus and more. 16 tracks in all: "Sound Of Wetness" by Suzanne Ciani, "Evarella 2073" by Peter Thomas, "Surf" by Saratoga Space Messengers", "Baustellenmusik" by Bruno Spoerri, "Atari Corporate Tag" by Suzanne Ciani, by "Yaaro Sonnaangalaam" by Ilaiyaraaja, "Gods Of Norse" by Cybotron, "Les Scandales" by Jacky Chalard & Dynastie Crisis, "Splot" by Karl Jenkins & Soft Machine", Rod Hunter's synth take on the funky break classic "Apache" and more.

Dubby punk and punky reggae from the late 70s and early 80s – song stuff from a fresh, inventive period that holds up incredibly well! There's at least a couple of straight-up legendary acts here in Bad Brains and The Slits – plus great tracks featuring members of Killing Joke, Young Marble Giants, A Certain Ratio and more – and it's pretty great all the way through! Includes numbers by The Offs, Glaxo Babies, Peter & The Test Tube Babies, Chantage, Dangerous Girls and more, Includes "Cool Down" by The Offs, "Who Killed Bruce Lee (Version)", "Same Thing Twice" by Chantage, "Merge" by Jah Scouse, "Trapper Ain't Gotta Bird" by Peter & The Test Tube Babies, "Callling Captain Nemo" by Return Of The Panthers, "More Or Less Cut" by Red Beat, "Dangerous Girls" by Dangerous Girls,"Stay Close To Me" by Bad Brains, "Animal Space" by The Slits and more. 14 tracks on the CD.

Funky Entertainment is right – as Brainstorm move into a bass-heavy groove that's every bit the sound of late 70s mainstream funk! The group still have some of the smooth dancefloor style of earlier records, but the emphasis here is much more on the bottom of the groove – popping and snapping with a heck of a lot of energy, forging a funky ensemble groove that became the group's calling card. Jerry Peters produced, and the whole thing's pretty soulful – and titles include "Popcorn", "Funky Entertainment", "A Case Of The Boogie", and "You Put A Charge In My Life".

The album's a real club stormer from the old days – a soaring blend of upbeat tunes with a sound that's righteous and smooth, and never cloying. These guys are kind of riding on the high of an Earth Wind & Fire kind of groove – missing the cliches of most other bigger funk acts, and really hitting a wonderful stride with the classic cut "We're On Our Way Home" – a joyous anthem that never gets old! The whole thing's pretty great overall, and other tracks include "Brand New Day", "Journey To The Light", and "Positive Thinking".

Genius early work from a young Barney Wilen – an album issued in the US during a brief time when the French tenor star was turning a lot of heads on the American scene! The date's a great illustration of Wilen's amazingly deft talents on the tenor right from the start – a keen ear for the best changes of American jazzmen of the generation, but a depth of soul that really points the way towards some of Barney's more expressive modes in later years! Tracks are relatively short, but he gets a hell of a lot into such a small space – and the group features alto from Hubert Fol, piano from Nico Buninck, bass from Lloyd Thompson, and drums from Al Levitt. Titles are mostly originals, played with a sharp, crisp edge – and tunes include "Brainstorm", "Papiermento", "Blue Hubert", "The Office", and "Spracklin".

Reissue of an amazingly hard to find funk album on RCA! The Soulciety group was the brainchild of Boobie Knight, and they were one of the many funky groups that fell under the supervision of Harvey Fuqua while he was working for RCA. Boobie's group has a totally different sound than the others on the label, though, and the album's a complicated mix of soul, funk, and heavy-duty jamming. The set includes the nice breakbeat cut "Power To The People", plus a heavy funk workout on "Ego Trippin". Other nice ones include "The Changing Game", "Soul Ain't No New Thing", and "King Of The Real Good Guys".

Seminal record from one of the most important hardcore bands to walk the earth – and DC underground classic that hit the scene like a lightning bolt to White House – that cover art speaks the truth! Bad Brains (the album) was originally issued on the then cassette-only ROIR label – -this version restores the iconic original cover art and features 15 tracks: Titles include "Sail On", "Don't Need It", "Attitude", "The Regulator", "Banned In DC", "Jah Calling", "Supertouch/Shitfit", "Leaving Babylon", "Fearless Vampire Killers", "I", "Big Take Over", "Pay To Cum", "Right Brigade", "I Luv I Jah" and "Intro".

The punk-metal crossover classic. Very nearly as deserving of watershed status as the unbridled Rock For Light set. Burning jams from top to bottom: "I Against I", "House Of Suffering", "Re-Ignition", "Secret 77", "Let Me Help", "She's Calling You", "Sacred Love", "Hired Gun" and "Return To Heaven".

Titles include "You Know What I Mean", "Air Blower", "Scatterbrain", "Cause We've Ended As Lovers", "She's A Woman", and "Freeway Jam".

Birds, brass, and plenty of grooves – two sublime UK sound library sets, back to back on a single CD! "Birds" here is used in the UK slang for women – and the combo sports wordless female vocals sliding along with the grooves – sneaking in and out of the brassier bits on the top with a "yeh yeh" sort of chorus approach, but one that's pretty musical overall! The best part of the music, though, is below the birds and the brass – the bottom, which is often quite funky, and has a soundtrack-styled sort of groove – rolling bass, snapping drums, bits of keyboards – all used in the best gently funky ways of the glory days of the Brit Easy scene. Most of the work here is the brainchild of arranger Keith Roberts – a lesser-known UK sound library figure, one who did a bit of work on Scott Walker's fourth album, but who really shines brightly here on his own. Titles include "Sort Of Soul", "Return To Montana", "Sunspot", "All Souled Out", "Time Key", "Pop Off The Tops", "New Dawn", "Melanie", "Sugar Sugar", "Funky Splanky", "The Kung Fu Kid", "Mexico Fiesta", "Fritzy Baby", and "Swamp Water".

Wonderful stuff – and one of our favorite-ever Marvin Gaye albums! This is the legendary two-record set that Marvin wrote and recorded as an alimony payment to his ex-wife Anna Gordy (the story's pretty long, and we won't get into it here – suffice it to say that when stars get a divorce, watch out!) Although the album was thought of as a no-brainer quickie at the time – and predicted to fail so that Anna wouldn't get any cash from it – the record is an extremely well-crafted one, filled with extremely personal songs that also have a warm soulful finish, in the style of Marvin's work on the LP I Want You (which is kind of a nice bookend to this one – as it was an extended love poem to the young girlfriend that caused him to split up with Anna!) Hard and soulful, the record's a searing testimony to the relationship between Marvin and Anna, and a painful document of the troubles between them – set to some mellow grooves that are easily some of Marvin's greatest of the 70s! The set's filled with great "lost" Marvin Gay songs, too – like "Sparrow", "When Did You Stop Loving Me", "Anger", "You Can Leave, But It's Going To Cost You", and "Time to Get it Together".