A love letter to the city of New York from saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart – a player with roots in Guadeloupe, but who's also had plenty of experience in New York as well – the latter of which really shines through in a wonderfully soulful set of work – some original, some very well-chosen jazz remakes! Jacques blows tenor here, in a group with players who include Victor Gould and Sullivan Fortner on piano, Matt Penman on bass, and Marcus Gilmore and Terri Lyne Carrington on drums – and the set features vocals from Malika Trolien on a version of "Butterfly", and Stephanie McKay on the tracks "Look No Further" and "Dreaming Of Freedom". Other tracks include "Equivox", "Twisted", "Ambrosia", "From Gore To Harlem", and "Sun Salutation". CD

The last album ever recorded by the legendary Jimmy Scott – the jazz singer who first recorded in the 50s, then spent decades in obscurity – only to be revived to great fame in the last 20 years of his life! This album's a wonderful tribute to Jimmy – as it features the singer's unique voice in the company of an all-star lineup – both singers and instrumentalists who help make the album one of his most special in later years! Backings often feature some light strings, underscoring the darker tones in the music – and players include Joey DeFrancesco on Hammond and trumpet, Kenny Barron on piano, Til Bronner on trumpet, and James Moody and Bob Mintzer on tenor. Guest singers include Oscar Castro Neves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Renee Olstead, and even Joe Pesci – on titles that include "Love Letters", "If I Ever Lost You", "Motherless Child", "The Nearness Of You", "Poor Butterfly", "The Folks Who Live On The Hill", and "Everybody Is Somebody's Fool". CD

Sonic Youth's second set for Geffen and perhaps the SC album most burdened by expectations of the time – produced by Butch Vig and with a bigger, yet way noisier sound than Goo. The sound is straight up incredible – whether you'd want to credit Vig, mixer Andy Wallace or Sonic Youth themselves – the feedback and layers of fuzz are massive, making the few quieter moments all the more impressive when they spring up. The great songs and odd changes are all Sonic Youth – and this is another essential set from them. Include "100%", "Swimsuit Issue", "Theresa's Sound-World", "Drunken Butterfly", "Shoot", "Wish Fulfillment", "Sugar Kane", "Youth Against Fascism", "On The Strip", "Purr", "Creme Brulee". CD

Sonic Youth's second set for Geffen and perhaps the SC album most burdened by expectations of the time – produced by Butch Vig and with a bigger, yet way noisier sound than Goo. The sound is straight up incredible – whether you'd want to credit Vig, mixer Andy Wallace or Sonic Youth themselves – the feedback and layers of fuzz are massive, making the few quieter moments all the more impressive when they spring up. The great songs and odd changes are all Sonic Youth – and this is another essential set from them. Include "100%", "Swimsuit Issue", "Theresa's Sound-World", "Drunken Butterfly", "Shoot", "Wish Fulfillment", "Sugar Kane", "Youth Against Fascism", "On The Strip", "Purr", "Creme Brulee". LP, Vinyl record album

This Japanese group have certainly grown up a lot – and this beautiful album is their most mature in years! The combo is fronted by singer Ann Sally – whose English language vocals add a tremendous amount of sophistication to the record – snaking forth in a cool jazzy style that goes way past the easy bossa remake mode of earlier albums. Sally's voice is incredible, and it's mixed with a well-constructed set of backings by the group, music that is especially heavy in its use of Fender Rhodes! The track list is great, too – with wonderful remakes of Fred Neil's "The Dolphins", Flora Purim's "Light As A Feather", Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance", and Coltrane's "Naima". Sweet, mellow, jazzy, and wonderfully rich – the group's best album in years! Italian version of the album features 2 tracks not on the Japanese one – "Butterfly (Incognito rmx)" and "Sky (Soul Bossa Trio blue rmx)". CD

One of those totally cool records from the German new wave – a set that's every bit as cartoony as you might guess from its cover, and which resonates strongly with work at the time from artists like Pyrolator or Der Plan! The music is in the territory of cold wave electronics, but warmer and more playful too – almost like some of the Japanese work that sprung up at the end of the 70s, but with some of the quirkier elements that makes us love the German new wave so much! There's plenty of cool keyboards and processed vocals – and titles include "Butterfly Baccanal", "I Can Sing", "Wutt Wutt", "Bubbles & Smoke", "Shine On Me", and "I See Stars". CD

One of those totally cool records from the German new wave – a set that's every bit as cartoony as you might guess from its cover, and which resonates strongly with work at the time from artists like Pyrolator or Der Plan! The music is in the territory of cold wave electronics, but warmer and more playful too – almost like some of the Japanese work that sprung up at the end of the 70s, but with some of the quirkier elements that makes us love the German new wave so much! There's plenty of cool keyboards and processed vocals – and titles include "Butterfly Baccanal", "I Can Sing", "Wutt Wutt", "Bubbles & Smoke", "Shine On Me", and "I See Stars". LP, Vinyl record album

Really cool work from the duo of David Teegarden and Skip "Van Winkle" Knape – a pair who work here with just drums from one member, organ from the other – and some mighty nice harmonized vocals! The approach is almost like a Fillmore crowd take on the modes of Sam & Dave – nicely stripped-down and surprisingly soulful, without any other instrumentation in the mix at all – save for the bass pedals of the organ, which help enforce a nice groove with the drums! The album was originally issued on an indie label, then picked up by Atlantic – and it's got all the heaviness of some of that label's early hard rock gems by acts like Iron Butterfly or Vanilla Fudge, but a very different vibe overall. Titles include "Today I Left For The Big City", "Alright Mama", "Bring It On Home (parts 1 & 2)", "Woman Child", "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love", and "Scarborough Fair/Canticle". LP, Vinyl record album

The massive full length flowering of Television – a record issued on a major label, but which represents all the underground genius that the group had been bringing to the New York scene for a few years in the mid 70s! The guitar might be worth the price of admission alone – a standard-setting approach that influenced a generation – and, when matched with the vocals of Tom Verlaine, really knocks the whole thing out of the park! There's a blend of raw edge and understated poetry that instantly demonstrates why the American underground of the time was so different than the world of British punk – and although the set came out in 1977, it still has a massive power all these many years later. Every track's a gem – and titles include "See No Evil", "Venus", "Friction", "Marquee Moon", "Elevation", "Guiding Light", "Prove It", and "Torn Curtain". LP, Vinyl record album

Incredible work from Lucky Thompson – very different than any of his more famous 50s work, and caught at a really great time in his career! The set was recorded at a time when Lucky had just returned from Europe, and had picked up the soprano sax in addition to his regular tenor. The soprano gave Lucky a lighter, freer, more exploratory soul-based sound that was really unique – a bit Dolphy-inspired at times, but with a more inside approach, as in the work of Nathan Davis – so that even on numbers that might seem staid at the outset, the sax work has an edgey quality that's really wonderful. The session features Tommy Flanagan on piano, Frank Anderson on organ, Wally Richardson on guitar, and either Oliver Jackson and Walter Perkins on drums – and titles include "I'll Be Around", "Star Eyes", "Poor Butterfly", "Kinfolks Corner", "Who Can I Turn To", and "Caressable". LP, Vinyl record album

A rare and sublime set from Lucky Thompson – recorded at a real turning point in his career! The title refers to the fact that Lucky's working back on American shores after some extended time in Europe – and that fact is nicely hammered home by the cover image, which has Lucky standing on the docks in New York, next to a ship marked "France"! And it's funny, because somewhere in that journey home, Lucky picked up a whole new set of influences – trading the tighter swing-based sound of his classic recordings for a freer, more exploratory style – one that clearly has a bit of inspiration from Coltrane, but which is handled by Lucky in his own unique phrasing and tone. Thompson's playing a fair bit of soprano sax on the record, as well as some of his more traditional tenor – and the group's a beautifully understated quartet, with Tommy Flanagan on piano, Willie Ruff on bass, and Walter Perkins on drums. Titles include "Evil Eva", "Slow Dough", "On Tippy Top", "Passionately Yours", and "Love". Added to the album is the equally great Kinfolks Corner – a record also done for the Rivoli label, and featuring a fair bit of soprano sax work from Thompson! The soprano gives Lucky a lighter, freer, more exploratory soul-based sound that's really unique – a bit Dolphy-inspired at times, but with a more inside approach, as in the work of Nathan Davis – so that even on numbers that might seem staid at the outset, the sax work has an edgey quality that's really wonderful. The session features Tommy Flanagan on piano, Frank Anderson on organ, Wally Richardson on guitar, and either Oliver Jackson and Walter Perkins on drums – and titles include "I'll Be Around", "Star Eyes", "Poor Butterfly", "Kinfolks Corner", "Who Can I Turn To", and "Caressable". CD

A dozen classics from sassy Sarah Vaughan's Mercury years, including "Misty", "Broken Hearted Melody", "Make Yourself Comfortable", "Autumn In New York", "Moonlight In Vermont", "How Important Can It Be", "Smooth Operator", "Whatever Lola Wants", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Eternally", "Poor Butterfly" and "Close To You". LP, Vinyl record album

Vocalist Fay Victor pens lyrics for a jazz composer we're not sure we've ever heard with words before – modern piano legend Herbie Nichols, a player whose songs are often as full of angles and sharp changes as Thelonious Monk! And as you might guess from a style like that, the music doesn't easily lend itself to vocalization – but when it does, the results are amazing – as Victor's not only penned some fantastic lyrics for these tunes, she also delivers one of her best performances on record to date! The sound is modern, but never too outside – maybe like Jon Hendricks taking on some of Monk's music, in the way that Fay always retains a sense of humanity – working here with piano from Anthony Coleman, alto and baritone from Michael Attias, bass from Ratzo Harris, and drums from Tom Raney. Titles include "Descent Into Madness", "Non Fraternization Clause", "The Culprit Is You", "Shuffle Montgomery", "Sinners All Of Us", and "Bright Butterfly". CD

Vocalist Fay Victor pens lyrics for a jazz composer we're not sure we've ever heard with words before – modern piano legend Herbie Nichols, a player whose songs are often as full of angles and sharp changes as Thelonious Monk! And as you might guess from a style like that, the music doesn't easily lend itself to vocalization – but when it does, the results are amazing – as Victor's not only penned some fantastic lyrics for these tunes, she also delivers one of her best performances on record to date! The sound is modern, but never too outside – maybe like Jon Hendricks taking on some of Monk's music, in the way that Fay always retains a sense of humanity – working here with piano from Anthony Coleman, alto and baritone from Michael Attias, bass from Ratzo Harris, and drums from Tom Raney. Titles include "Descent Into Madness", "Non Fraternization Clause", "The Culprit Is You", "Shuffle Montgomery", "Sinners All Of Us", and "Bright Butterfly". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic set from one of our all-time favorite saxophonists – a musician who gave us a flurry of wonderful albums in the 80s and 90s, but hasn't graced the record racks as much in recent years! Fortunately, Bobby Watson's lost none of his charms at all – and really sounds beautiful here in some very familiar company – the trio of bassist Curtis Lundy, one of Watson's first important musical partners – which also features Stephen Scott on piano and Lewis Nash on drums! The group's got every bit of the soulful swing that you might expect – and Watson soars out with those sublime note on alto sax that we first fell in love with when he was part of the Jazz Messengers in the 70s. The material is very fresh too – as the set includes loads of originals by Bobby – reminding us again what a hell of a writer he can be – on titles that include "The Aviator", "The Cyclist", "The Goat", "The Luckey", "The Real Lone Ranger", "The Butterfly", and "The Guitarist". CD

Weezer's second album – nearly ignored by fickle alternative rock radio programmers and Mtv after their debut was such a surprise smash – and now rightly remembered as a classic! Much has been made over the years about the sadder, angrier songs on Pinkerton, as well as the occasional keyboards and fuzzier, less glossy sound. Still, it's Weezer, therefore catchy as hell, and not without a sense of humor, even if it's outwordly sad and a little cynical. Tracks include "Tired Of Sex", "No Other One", "Getchoo", "The Good Life", "El Scorcho", "Falling For You", "Butterfly" and "Why Bother". (PS: If there's a better 90s rock loser anthem than "Why Bother", we haven't heard it.) CD

Weezer's second album – nearly ignored by fickle alternative rock radio programmers and Mtv after their debut was such a surprise smash – and now rightly remembered as a classic! Much has been made over the years about the sadder, angrier songs on Pinkerton, as well as the occasional keyboards and fuzzier, less glossy sound. Still, it's Weezer, therefore catchy as hell, and not without a sense of humor, even if it's outwordly sad and a little cynical. Tracks include "Tired Of Sex", "No Other One", "Getchoo", "The Good Life", "El Scorcho", "Falling For You", "Butterfly" and "Why Bother". (PS: If there's a better 90s rock loser anthem than "Why Bother", we haven't heard it.) LP, Vinyl record album

An amazing evolution in sound – a set that brings together the shifting styles of Deniece Williams during her Columbia years – a stretch when she started out as a righteous-voiced singer with an almost Minnie Riperton-like sound, then moved into much more chart-topping territory for the early 80s! Throughout it all, though, Williams' vocals remained top-shelf – trained not only through years of gospel singing, but also through an early music career that had her recording indie singles in Chicago, and working as a backup singer for Stevie Wonder. The package does a good job of bringing together most of Williams' significant cuts from the Columbia years – 16 tracks that include "Free", "I Found Love", "Cause You Love Me Baby", "That's What Friends Are For", "God Is Amazing", "Baby Baby My Love's All For You", "When Love Comes Calling", "If You Don't Believe", "Silly", "It's Gonna Take A Miracle", "Waiting", "Do What You Feel", "Black Butterfly", "Too Much Too Little Too Late", and "Let's Hear It For The Boy". CD

An album that crossed over for Deniece in a big way – and it's a great one, with crisp, lean pop soul production that's as gratifying as any of the era – with a few ballads that are totally top notch, too! This is definitely the best of her more pop oriented records, with hooks galore – they sink in deeply! Includes the unstoppably catchy title track (but try to not think about Chris Penn dancing to it) plus "I Want You", "Picking Up The Pieces", "Next Love", "Black Butterfly", "Haunting Me", "Wrapped Up" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A host of unusual club jazz tracks – a number of which are from groups we haven't heard before! The set's more in a jazzy club mode, than the straight acoustic vibe we usually associate with the club jazz approach – but there's still plenty of great instrumental moments, and a sound that's warmly soulful throughout, even when the beats get a bit heavy, or the instrumentation a bit electric. The package follows very nicely in the vein of the other releases in the series, but digs a bit deeper too – and titles include "Club De Cigale" by Tape Five, "Charleston Butterfly" by Parov Stelar, "Message From Herbie" by Beatfanatic, "Higher" by Jojo Effect, "Il Sorpasso" by Bebo Beat & The Super Lounge Orchestra, "Understanding The Rich" by Alice Sings The Petterson Songbook, "Wonderful" by Brenda Boykin, "Always Love (Sunaga T rmx)" by Fabio Nobile, and "Smooth Operator (DJ Niche & DJ Shinsuke rmx)" by Karen Aoki with Native. CD

Nice covers from Brix E Smith, Hypnolovewheel, Spirit Of The West, Windwalker, Young Fresh Fellows, Papa Sprain & Butterfly Child, Sarah McLachlan, Julian Jones, The Posies, Black Sox, and more. CD

One of the most compelling compilations we've heard in ages – a set of tunes by and about Muhammad Ali! It's no secret that back in the day, Ali was way more than just a boxer – he was an international celebrity whose pride and power were a symbol for millions worldwide. At the height of his glory, not only did Ali himself record a number of albums, but he was also graced with countless tribute songs – not only from American artists, but British, Brazilian, and African as well! This festive little set brings together 22 of those great recordings, including a few about boxing in general – with genres that include soul, reggae, and Brazilian grooves – as well as some very catchy novelty numbers that defy classification! Titles include "The People's Choice" and "I'm The Greatest" by Ali himself – plus "8ieme Round" by Trio Madjesi, "Cassius Marcellus Clay" by Jorge Ben, "Muhammad Ali" by Sir Mack Rice, "Muhammad Ali" by Dennis Alcapone, "The Louisville Lip" by Eddie Curtis, "Rumble In The Jungle" by Don Covay, "Foreman Vs Frazier" by Big Youth, "Try It Again" by Joe Frazier, and "Ali Shuffle" by JW Grasshopper & The Butterfly. LP, Vinyl record album

The real sound of the British underground at the end of the 60s – a stellar 3CD package that goes way beyond the oft-heard modes from the classic rock and progressive years! Sure, all the big names from those years are totally great – but they've also obscured the really rich tapestry of lesser-knowns who were working in London and beyond at the time – extremely inventive groups who work here in a blistering array of fuzzy, freaky, and mad mod styles! The book's got plenty of details on the 65 tracks included in the box set – more than enough info to help situate these really unique sounds, and no doubt start you digging for more in the future. Yet there's hardly any need to dig when you've got a set this great – a package that includes "Pretty Colours" by Deep Feeling, "Ebeneezer Beaver" by The Mirage, "Amanda Jane" by West Coast Consortium, "Love" by Shy Limbs, "Santa Lucia" by Respect, "Iridescent Butterfly" by Fat Mattress, "Story Book" by Alan Bown, "Just Another Day" by Neon Pearl, "I'll Be Late For Tea" by Blossom Toes, "Am I Glad To See You" by The In Crowd, "Busy Bee" by Tintern Abbey, "Fillin A Gap" by Paper Bubble, "Creation" by Beau, and "Hurry On Sundown" by Hawkwind Zoo. CD

A hell of a tribute to the songwriting genius of Dolly Parton – a side of her talents that's sometimes obscured by her incredible voice and overwhelming personality! Yet right from the start, long before she was a superstar, Dolly was as much a writer in country music as she was a singer of songs – and her early records are filled with gems that opened up a whole new space for the female voice not just in country music, but in other styles too – as testified by the mix of soul, rock, and other modes that appear on this set! Dolly kicks off the collection with one of her hits – but the package then spans decades to bring together a range of really wonderful readings of songs from the pen of Parton – all accompanied by detailed notes on every selection in the set. Titles include "I Will Always Love You" by Linda Ronstadt, "Two Doors Down" by Zella Lahr, "In The Good Old Days" by The Everly Brothers, "Here I Am" by Percy Sledge, "Nickels & Dimes" by Buck Owens, "I Loved So Fast & Hard" by Porter Wagoner, "There'll Always Be Music" by Tina Turner, "My Tennessee Mountain Home" by Maria Muldaur, "Little Sparrow" by Bettye Lavette, "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" by Bill Phillips, "Most Of All Why" by Holly Dunn, "I'm In No Condition" by Hank Williams Jr, "Touch Your Woman" by Margie Joseph, "Kentucky Gambler" by Merle Haggard, "Coat Of Many Colors" by Emmylou Harris, "Don't Let It Trouble Your Mind" by Rhiannon Giddens, and "Love Is Like A Butterfly" by Nana Mouskouri. CD

A treasure trove of Nuggets from the LA Scene – fantastic material from a far reaching line up of gritty garage rockers, sunshine pop tunesmiths, psychedelic groovers, trippy psyche folk and much more – masterfully collected on 4 discs by the box set geniuses at Rhino! With such a diverse catalog to mine, the CDs are divided surprisingly well, and like other Nuggets comps, it's a great way to intro a ton of obscurities, while still including bigger hits that deserve to be remembered. Packaged in a beautiful 48 page book with essays, artist commentaries, tons of great photos, and even a 60s LA club guide! Disc one On The Strip includes: "Riot On The Sunset Strip" by The Standells, "Gentle As It May Seem" by Iron Butterfly, "Take A Giant Step" by The Guilloteens, "Tripmaker" by The Seeds, "Girl In Your Eye" by Sprit, "Eventually" by Peanut Butter Conspiracy and many more. Disc two The Studio Scene includes: "Action, Action, Action" by Keith Allison, "The Rebel Kind" by Dino, Desi & Billy, "Yellow Balloon" by Yellow Balloon, "Montage Mirror" Roger Nichols Trio, "Don't Say No" by The Oracle, "Baby, Please Don't Go" by Ballroom and lots more. Disc three Beyond The City includes: "Jump, Jive & Harmonies" by Thee Midnighters, "She Done Moved" by The Spats, "Underground Lady" by Kim Fowley, "Our Time Is Running Out" by The Yellow Payges and many more. Disc four New Directions has 3 previously unreleased tracks: "Sit Down I Think I Love You" by Stephen Stills & Richie Furay, "Words" (demo) by Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart, and "Once Upon A Time" by Tim Buckley; plus "November Night" by Peter Fonda, "Marshmallow Skies" by Rick Nelson. "You Set The Scene" by Love and many more. 101 songs on 4CDs! CD