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... LP, Vinyl record album

Easily one of the most successful albums of the British jazz rock years – but still a longtime favorite of ours as well! Mike Oldfield sets a whole new standard here for concept rock – not only by working on a single album-length composition that spans all of sides one and two, but also by playing all instruments himself – in a one man symphony of sound that's pretty darn great! The main theme of the piece will be recognizable from it's stripped-down use in The Exorcist – but we really love Oldfield's expansion on it here in a range of different overdubbed instruments, which are also sometimes processed – and then introduced by Mike in a spoken part that's one of the highlights of the album. LP, Vinyl record album

Johnny's very much in his "revival" mode here – dipping back to his earlier R&B roots, and working with a host of famous older blues singers. The set's got vocals by Roy Milton, Roy Brown, Esther Phillips, Mighty Mouth Evans, Ivory Joe Hunter, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Margie Evans, and Big Joe Turner – and even though Shuggie Otis is on the album, the whole thing's a pretty bluesy affair overall. Titles include "Shuggie's Boogie", "Plastic Man", "Margie's Boogie", "Baby You Don't Know", "Little Esther's Blues", "RM Blues", "Goin Back To LA", "Willie & The Hand Jive", and "Since I Met You Baby". LP, Vinyl record album

An insanely wonderful album! Shuggie Otis is the son of Johnny Otis – the LA R&B maestro who was moving heavily into funk at the end of the 60s – and he has this tripped out, super-dope guitar style that he played to strong effect on Johnny's albums of the late 60s and early 70s, and on his first two solo albums, which were kind of bluesy in tone. For this album, though, he shocked the world by moving into a stripped-down mode that pairs his guitar with spare drum machine rhythms, flanged-out deeply soulful vocals, and one of the most laidback conceptions of funk you'll ever hear. The album's a landmark – one of those gems that's unlike anything else you can think of, but which will redefine your concept of what you want in a record for years to come. Every track's a winner – and the whole thing's a perfectly unified batch of tunes that includes instant classics like "Inspiration Information", "Island Letter", "Aht Uh Mi Hed", "XL 30", and "Rainy Day". Plus, this reissue features 4 tracks from Shuggie's Freedom Flight LP – including his original version of "Strawberry Letter 23", and "Sweet Thang", "Freedom Flight", and "Ice Cold Daydream". CD

Anthemic early 90s rock from Pearl Jam – one of the biggest debuts of all time and for good reason! Ten has a big, classic rock-reared sound, but done with such forthright sincerity and for the time, completely refreshing lack of macho posturing, it really was the perfect formula for a breakout smash in its era and it's worthy of its legacy – especially in retrospect! One classic song after another including "Once", "Alive", "Jeremy", "Why Go", "Black", "Porch", "Oceans", "Garden", "Deep" and "Release". CD

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A great live album from Poco, one that has the group sounding nicely different than the warmth of their studio albums – in front of a crowd that's clearly going nuts for their special blend of country and rock elements! The setting gives Poco an edge that really gets at the newness of the sound at the time – very different than a few years later, when it was more arena-filling fare – and almost in the territory of a Flying Burritos live set from the same time. Timothy B Schmidt's vocals are great – and titles include "C'Mon", "You'd Better Think Twice", "Man Like Me", "I Guess You Made It", "Hear That Music", and two great medley tracks – "Hard Luck/Child's Claim To Fame/Pickin Up The Pieces" and "Just In Case It Happens/Grand Junction/Consequently So Long". CD

A Japanese-only collection of work by one of our favorite French singers! Titles include "Computer's Dream", "Ca N'Arrive Qu'Aux Autres", "Tout Tout Pour Ma Cherie", "Ame Caline", "La Pupee Qui Fait Non", "L'Amour Avec Toi", "Love Me Please Love Me", and "Tous Les Bateaux Tous Les Oiseux". LP, Vinyl record album

The classic agit-rap-rock debut of Rage Against The Machine – with the most fiery political lyricism and imagery of any massively popular record of its time – and as great of a pairing of revolutionary rap and heavy guitars as there ever was! It's hard to imagine now, but there were very few straight up rap rock bands before Rage Against The Machine. Hard rock breaks were ample, of course, but straight up rap rock bands were pretty scarce, pre-Rage. Rage Against The Machine's pop culture revolution was as massive as the social and political revolution that their songs called for! Includes "Bombtrack", "Killing In The Name", "Take The Power Back", "Settle For Nothing", "Bullet In The Head", "Know Your Enemy", "Wake Up", "Fistful Of Steel", "Township Rebellion" and "Freedom". CD

Despite the Native American theme of the title, the group, and the cover image, the set is mostly a pretty straight mix of soul and rock, mid 70s crossover material with a flanged-out LA kind of appeal. Titles include "Interstate Highway 101", "Blood Sweat & Tears", "Cookin With D'Redbone", "One More Time", "Suzy Girl", "Only You & Rock & Roll", "Moon When Four Eclipse", and "Beautiful Illusions". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A lost classic that needs to be in every hip rock collection! Terry Reid is one of those talents who never got his due when his albums first came out – like Tim Buckley, Nick Drake, Billy Nichols, Colin Blunstone, Curt Boettcher, and countless others that are all getting the "I'm sorry, forgive me, I'll love you forever" treatment from the rock cognoscenti. And even though Terry's style is a bit harder and more rocking than all of the above, his place in the music is similar – in that he had a really unique way of putting things together, kind of a blend of tight pop, blue-eyed soul, and some trippy influences – all wrapped up in some very tight production that makes the album sparkle like a lost pop gem. Titles include strong originals like "Erica", "Tinker Taylor", "Without Expression", "Sweater", and "When I Get Home" – plus covers of "Season Of The Witch" and "Bang Bang". LP, Vinyl record album

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... LP, Vinyl record album

Minnie Riperton's first album for Epic – and the record that broke her from a hip Chicago underground artist into one of the seventies' biggest female soul stars! The record moves past the baroque soul of Minnie's early years with Rotary Connection and Charles Stepney – and hits a mix of mellow compressed LA styles and slicker funkier numbers that do the same thing for her Chicago-trained vocals that Rufus' backing did for that of Chaka Khan. Of course, it helps that she's got some superbly sensitive writing and arranging help by husband Richard Rudolph – and Stevie Wonder's definitely lurking in the background, too – not credited with production, due to contractual reasons, although he helped put most of the album together. Includes Minnie's huge crossover hit "Loving You", a perfect showcase for her beautiful 5 octave voice, plus the tracks "Our Lives", "Every Time He Comes Around", "Perfect Angel", and "Reasons". LP, Vinyl record album

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... LP, Vinyl record album

A double length collection of Sly's classic work for Epic – featuring the best of the old days, when he was really into a groove! 20 titles: "Dance To The Music", "Everyday People", "Sing A Simple Song", "Don't Call Me N!gger, Whitey", "Stand!", "I Want To Take You Higher", "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)", "Babies Makin Babies", "Family Affair", "Everybody Is A Star", "M'Lady", "Life", "Fun", "You Can Make It If You Try", "Hot Fun In the Summertime", "Runnin' Away", "(You Caught Me) Smilin'", "Thank You For Talkin' To Me Africa", "If You Want Me To Stay" and "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)". CD

Classic funkiness from Sly & The Family Stone – an album that really pushed them to the top of their game, and exploded on the late 60s scene like a righteous funky bomb! The title cut's a mega-hit that you'll recognize right away – but the whole album's great, and is filled with the simple, joyous energy that made Sly's groove one of the freshest of his generation – and which helped foist all the great work going on in the 60s underground firmly into the light of a much wider mainstream audience. The messages are subtle here, but the group are already doing their part to change the world bit by bit – and the funky rhythms at the bottom assure that they'll be doing it ass by ass on the dancefloor! Titles include "Dance to The Music", "Ride The Rhythm", "Higher", "Don't Burn Baby", and the 12 minute "Dance To The Medley", with the groovy "Music Lover" passage! CD also features 6 bonus tracks, 4 previously unreleased – titles that include "Soul Clappin", "We Love All", "I Can't Turn You Loose", "Never Do Your Woman Wrong (inst)", and "Higher (unissued single version)". CD

Sly's leaping into the air on the cover of this one – and for good reason too, given the overall groove of the set! The album's a bit more stripped-down and upbeat than the previous few – almost more of a return to the simple funky style of the first albums, but with a slightly more electric sound than before – especially in the keyboards, which almost slide into the mix here with a Stevie Wonder-like quality. The electricity bubbles and brews wonderfully at the bottom of the rhythms – charging things up a bit, but still hanging back with a super-cool, laidback quality that few other groups could muster! There's a great sense of balance here that's brilliant – and which makes the album one of Sly's undisputed masterpieces from the Columbia years. Titles include the incredible "If You Want Me To Stay" – one of our favorite Sly Stone cuts ever – plus "Keep on Dancin", "Babies Making Babies", "Que Sera Sera", "If It Were Left Up To Me", "In Time", and "Let Me Have It All". LP, Vinyl record album

Killer work from Sly & The Family Stone – hard-grooving, fast-funking, and really setting the scene for countless groups to come! The album's a messed-up funky party, with plenty of short little tracks that have a mix of funk, soul, and rock – perfect for the crossover crowd from whence Sly sprang, and who would become his biggest supporters into the 70s. And almost best of all, there's hardly any hits here – just tight little numbers that are as fresh today as they were back at the end of the 60s – all the kind of righteous funk the group could do better than anybody else! Titles include "Fun", "Plastic Jim", "Dynamite!", "Chicken", "Into My Own Thing", "Life", "Love City", "I'm An Animal", and the seminal "Jane Is A Groupee". CD features 4 bonus tracks – including "Pressure", "Sorrow (inst)", "Seven More Days", and "Dynamite (single)". CD

Almost a "greatest hits" of greatest hits albums – one of those collections that almost sold more copies than all the full albums by the artist – forever earning Sly & The Family Stone a place in record collections around the globe! All the hits are here, laid out back to back in all their righteous goodness – never a single spot of filler, and all-classics, all the way through! Titles include "Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin", "Life", "Everyday People", "I Want To Take You Higher", "Everybody Is A Star", "Dance To The Music", "Hot Fun In The Summertime", and "Sing A Simple Song". All funky – all classic! LP, Vinyl record album

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". LP, Vinyl record album

An odd little album in which Sly's classic funky tunes are remixed and extended by John Luongo – ostensibly for play on the dancefloors of the late 70s. Unlike recent remix projects, this one keeps most of the original song intact, and the real changes are in added rhythmic elements – designed to open up and extend the groove a bit. The overall feel is kind of in a TK funk mode, with longer bass and keyboard solos, and some percussion that occasionally breaks down. Remixed tracks include "Stand", "Everyday People", "I Get High On You", "Dance To The Music", and "Sing A Simple Song". LP, Vinyl record album

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The crowning achievement of Spirit – a wonderful blend of many musical strands at once – and a set so successful for the group, you probably could have found in any college dorm room in the early 70s! The record's really a cut above for their generation – an expansive effort that hangs together with a bit of a concept, and which interweaves strands of rock, folk, and a bit of jazz – yet also a record that has a lot more polish than other efforts of its type, and which trades a bit of psychedelic indulgence for a tighter focus that really lets the best tunes sparkle wonderfully! Production is great – clear, but trippy at the same time – and Randy California's guitar work has never sounded better. Titles include "Nature's Way", "Animal Zoo", "Love Has Found A Way", "Mr Skin", "Soldier", "Street Worm", and "Space Child". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Rootsy material recorded for Epic in the 60s, before the group went over to Stax and started cutting secular soul! These sides are much more in a traditional gospel quartet mode – but the group's powerful vocals and strongly soulful approach makes the tracks rock with the strength of some of their secular material. Titles include "It's Been A Change", "Waiting For My Child", "Pray On", "John brown", "The Tramp On The Street", and "How Great Thou Art". LP, Vinyl record album

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... LP, Vinyl record album

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... LP, Vinyl record album

One of those records that kind of snuck under the radar at the time – but which has gone onto become a crucial part of soul music from the 90s, and a record that's one of the blueprints for the neo soul generation to come! Sweetback are a trio of musicians who provided important backing for Sade – the kind of warm, classic-styled soul grooves that made her a standout right from the start – and which also inspired a whole generation of musicians to leave behind some of the more electronic modes they were using in the 80s. The set really marks a shift back towards warmer, jazzier, more human sounds of soul music in the 90s – and in addition to great instrumentation by the core trio, the set also features some early vocals from Amel Larrieux, plus work from Maxwell too. Titles include "You Will Rise", "Au Naturel", "Walk Of Ju", "Softly Softly", and "Sensations". LP, Vinyl record album

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An interesting mix of 70s radio ready rock and harder edged numbers from Treasure – a group featuring vocals, keys and synth from one time Young Rascal Felix Cavaliere – and hard rock guitar guru Vinnie Cusano, later to go by Vinnie Vincent and join Kiss! The sound is catchy and tailor made for 70s stadium rock, but the group never hit that kinda pay dirt. Titles include "I Wanna Love You", "Turn Yourself Around", "My Lady Once Told Me", "When The Sun Shines", "Jubilation" and more, plus bonus single version of "I Wanna Love You". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Includes "Peggy Sue", "Lion Sleeps Tonight", "Willy And The Hand Jive", "Everyday", "Rag Doll", and "Ain't Nuthin' But A House Party". 7-inch, Vinyl record

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Luther Vandross at the top of his game – sitting right at the height of that crossover space in soul he virtually owned back in the mid 80s! The work here is certainly more commercial than Vandross albums of the past, but the soul is no less deep – thanks to Luther's amazing vocal approach, which is as powerful as ever, and set up in lean arrangements that are as slimmed-down as his own image on the cover. Marcus Miller's the co-producer who helps Vandross find his groove on the set – and there's definitely a sound here that reminds us of Miller's own work of the time. Titles include "Give Me The Reason", "So Amazing", "I Gave It Up", "Stop To Love", "See Me", "There's Nothing Better Than Love", "I Really Didn't Mean It", and "Anyone Who Had A Heart". CD

Titles include "Til My Baby Comes Home", "Creepin", "Other Side Of The World", "It's Over Now", and "If Only For One Night". LP, Vinyl record album

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A landmark 80s record in the return of blues to the mainstream, right back in front of a rock audience with work like this – as the young Stevie Ray Vaughn cooks things up here on cuts that include "Couldn't Stand The Weather", "Stang's Swang", "Cold Shot", "Voodoo Chile", "Things That I Used To Do", and "Scuttle Buttin". CD

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A landmark 80s record in the return of blues to the mainstream, right back in front of a rock audience with work like this – as the young Stevie Ray Vaughn cooks things up here on cuts that include "Couldn't Stand The Weather", "Stang's Swang", "Cold Shot", "Voodoo Chile", "Things That I Used To Do", and "Scuttle Buttin". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

From Red Alert's dancehall/hip hop crossover comp. 12-inch, Vinyl record

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... LP, Vinyl record album

It's a year after Wild Cherry's big hit, but the group are still very much in similar territory – working the bass with a heavy crossover dancefloor appeal – and serving up tunes that are compressed perfectly for the AM airwaves! There's a clear nod here to the sunshine sound of the Miami scene – and what the album lacks in real soul authenticity, it more than makes up for in catchy pop charm! Titles include "Baby Don't You Know", "Are You Boogieing", "Dancing Music Band", "Closest Thing To My Mind", "Electrified Funk", and "Hole In The Wall". LP, Vinyl record album

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Two dozen tracks from the great Jackie Wilson, documenting some of his finest work for the Brunswick imprint,spanning nearly two decades! Includes "Reet Petite", "To Be Loved", "Lonely Teardrops", "That's Why I Love You So)", "I'll Be Satisfied", "Talk That Talk", "Baby Workout", "Please Tell Me Why", "Doggin' Around","Passin' Through", "A Woman, A Lover, A Friend", "You Don't Know What It Means", "Night", "The Tear Of The Year", "You Better Know It", "I Just Can't Help It", "I'm Comin' On Back To You","Danny Boy", "Am I The Man", "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)", "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me (Higher & Higher)", "No Pity (In The Naked City)", "She's All Right" and "You Got Me Walking". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Features the classic "Frankenstein" – plus "Hangin Around", "Alta Mira", "We All Had A Real Good Time", "Round & Round", and "Undercover Man". LP, Vinyl record album

A mid-career gem from Tammy Wynette – and a set that's very different than some of the more biting material of her early days! Tammy here is singing of life's trials and challenges, from a perspective that was documented famously in her own semi-public life – and served up here with some delightfully easygoing production from Chips Moman, who also co-wrote some of the best songs on the record too. Despite her polished look on the cover, Wynette brings some very down to earth energy to the songs – a set list that includes "He's Rolling Over & Over", "Cowboy's Don't Shoot Straight", "Crying In The Rain", "Easy Street", "Goodnight Cowboy Goodnight", "You Brought Me Back", "I Don't Think I See Me In Your Eyes Anymore", and "The Best There Is". CD features five bonus tracks – including "There Goes That Old Steel Guitar", "The Wonders You Perform", "The Only Time I'm Really Me", "A Candle In The Wind", and "You Make Me Want To Be A Mother". CD

Titles include their great versions of "Train Kept A Rollin" and "I'm A Man" – plus "Smokestack Lightning", "Respectable", "Here Tis", Still I'm Sad", "Heart Full Of Soul", and "You're A Better Man Than I". LP, Vinyl record album

Gritty and powerful grooves from The Yardbirds – a set that mixes bluesy guitars and psych in a pretty incredible way – all infused by excellent work from the young Jimmy Page, at a level that predicts course he's take with Led Zeppelin just a few years later! By the time of Little Games, the group are really hitting their stride – moving way past simple mod modes or garage grit, to find that sharp-edged sound that made the Yardbirds one of the best of their generation – and a huge influence on groups for years to come. The set was produced by Mickie Most – and titles include "Little Games", "Smile On Me", "White Summer", "Glimpses", "Drinking Muddy Water", "Little Soldier Boy", "Only The Black Rose", "No Excess Baggage", and "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor". LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "Smokestack Lightning", "Heart Full Of Soul", "New York City Blues", "Shapes Of Things", "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago", and "Over Under Sideways Down". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the most heavenly pop ever recorded – and a wonderful 2LP collection of work from the later years of The Zombies! A big chunk of the set features work from the group's landmark Odyssey & Oracle – a tremendous album that we'd rank right up there with Pet Sounds for sheer 60s brilliance – plus some other earlier singles, as well as some gems from Colin Blunstone's solo recordings for Epic in the post-Zombies years! Titles include "Care Of Cell 44", "A Rose For Emily", "Maybe After He's Gone", "Beechwood Park", "Brief Candles", "Friends Of Mine", "Butcher's Tale", "Walking In The Sun", "Smokey Day", "She Loves The Way They Love Her", "Imagine The Swan", "If It Don't Work Out", "She's Coming Home", "Tell Her No", "Don't Cry For Me", "I'll Call You Mine", and "You Make Me Feel Good". LP, Vinyl record album

8 tracks from Rev Milton Brunson's Thompson Community Singers, Greg O'Quin-N-Joyful Noyze, Marvin Sapp, Kelli Williams, and CD Hawkins & Singers. CD

With selections by Yves Montand, Barbara, Patachou, Alain Barriere, Line Renaud, Leo Ferre, and Marcel Amont. LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent collection of obscure jazz and R&B instrumental sides from the great Okeh label of the 50s – including some excellent stormers from Chicago! Little Johnny Griffin checks in with "For Dancers Only", "Flyin Home", and "Chicago Riffin", and the first two cuts feature vocals by Babs Gonzales! Other tracks include "Money Is Honey" and "I Want A Big Butter & Egg Man" by Mary Ann McCall; "Dig This Menu Please" and "Red's Mambo", two fantastic R&B tunes from trumpeter Red Rodney; and "Smooth Sailin", "Walkin Home", and "Whispering", all by Arnett Cobb, and included here with some other nice tunes that rank with some of Cobb's best work. LP, Vinyl record album

Essential 2LP set of rare R&B material from the legendary Okeh label – known to many as one of the 50's best labels for the genre! Sure, you'll find a few hits on here – like Screamin Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell On Your" – but the real nice bits are the obscurer tracks, like "Please Say You Want Me" by The Schoolboys, "Dumplins" by Doc Bagby, "Peanuts" by Little Joe, "Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)" by The Treneirs, and "Baby You're My Only Love", a real early one from Billy Stewart. Great stuff throughout, and a nice set of notes. LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic work from the Columbia/Epic vaults – rare early rockers by Link Wray, The Collins Kids, Carl Perkins, Mac Curtis, Scotty Moore, Carl Smith, Ersel Hickey, Billy Brown, and the Town Hall Party! LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Chris Cornell, Paul Westerberg, the Lovemongers, Mother Love Bone, Soundgarden, Screaming Trees, Smashing Pumpkins, Mudhoney and more. CD

With selections by Frank Froeba & His Swing Band, Louis Prima & His New Orleans Gang, Frankie Newton & His Uptown Serenaders, The Three Peppers, Fats Waller, Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, Clarence Profit Trio, and Bunny Berigan & His Boys. LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Joe Marsala & His Chicagoans, Midge Williams & Her Jazz Jesters, Maxine Sullivan & Her Orchestra, John Kirby & His Orchestra, Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra, Red Norvo & His Swing Septet, Midlred Bailey & Her Swing Band, Slim & Slam, Slim Gaillard & His Flat Foot Floogie Boys, Bud Freeman & His Famous Chicagoans, and Bobby Hackett & His Orchestra. LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Billie Holiday, Pete Johnson & His Boogie Woogie Boys, Will Bradley, Count Basie, Hot Lips Page, Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, Noble Sissle Swingsters, and Dizzy Gillespie. LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Johnny Paycheck of course, Lacy J Dalton, Bobby Bare, Steve Davis, David Allan Coe, Charlie Rich, and Billy Sherill. LP, Vinyl record album

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