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2 unreleased recordings from the Self Portrait sessions! Wigwam is here in spare, but strong demo form. The flip is a cover of Eric Anderson's "Thirsty Boots" – which ended up also being recorded by a who's who of folk and singer-songwriter favorites from John Denver to The Kingston Trio – but Dylan's version, solid as it is, was left off of the Self Portrait album and it's officially released here for the first time!

A sweet 10 year anniversary round-up of some of the best timelessly soulful releases from he Melting Pot Music team to date – and it's the best kind of "best of" compilation – one that's carefully curated and released as a limited 5 X 7" box set! It's a pretty solid representation of the MPM stylistic reach – with crackling underground soul and modern takes on classic era hip hop – with strong vocals, smart rhymes and jazzy soul beatcraft – and some tunes that blend a bit of all the above. Great stuff from Miles Bonny, Suff Daddy, DJ Day, Twit One, Eric Lau and others. Includes "Four Hills" by DJ Day, "Gnac" by Suff Daddy, "Ausdruck" by Fleur Earth, "Gil Scott-Heron Lament" by Miles Bonny, "Soul 69" by A-Ko, "Hornoxn" by Twit One, "Planet Rock (Jazz)" by Breakout, "Moog Boy 4 Life" by Dexter, "The Light (Eric Lau Remix)" by Funkommunity and "Droptop (Hade Remix)" by TBRCK.

A very promising single from Brit soul upstart Liam Bailey – a diverse talent with a love for myriad American, British & Carribbean soul music – here with a single on Truth & Soul with a love for stripped down reggae soul! Here Bailey is working with NYC funky soul torch carriers Truth & Soul Records, really letting these songs simmer in an honest, real and raw stew of vocals, organ, drums and bass. Word is that Bailey is working with Salaam Remi for a major label debut, and we're thinking there's major potential for a huge breakout when that comes out – Bailey's got the goods, that's for sure!

A fantastic early reggae hit – and a classic bit of rocksteady that never grows old! Desmond was one of the first artists to really crack the global charts, and this American pressing of "Israelites" is more than proof of his popularity – as well as a great little tune!

Carribbean rhythms meet psychedelic soul – courtesy of The Dynamites! A pretty chunky guitar sound, some thick organ groove, heavy bass and nice drums from producer's Clancy Eccles esteemed early 70s players. The King Tubbys version does a great job of bringing in the atmospheric echoes without overshadowing the group instrumentation.

The Groovers definitely earn their name here – coming up with a wicked rocksteady rhythm behind Lloyd's lead vocals and the sweet harmonies that really send the tune home! The Emotions aren't the American group, but have a great Jamaican soul approach on this cut – moving with vocals that are slower than the snapping rhythm of the track – with this sad, heartbreaking quality that really moves us!

Rare French work from American pianist Errol Parker – 3 cool tunes used as the soundtrack for a film! "Des Garcons Et Des Filles" features a trio led by Parker, who plays some great piano, and also scats vocally with singer Rozaa Wortham – in this cool, catchy way that makes the tune a really mod groover! "Solange" features more great vocals, plus a bit of vibes too – a very French tune with a great 60s soundtrack feel. "Bluesoscope" is straighter piano work, but pretty great – and features Jimmy Woode on bass and Ron Jefferson on drums.

Thievery Corporation's stellar "Cultural Of Fear" with Mr. Lif – plus the Kaleidoscope Jukebox remix on the flip! The original has a heavy bass groove, a propollent, though still funky tempo, and some strong, topical lyricism – nice stuff! The Kaleidoscope Jukebox remix has a lighter touch, thanks to some piano, atmospheric bits of backing vocal, and some dubby textures, too – though it wisely doesn't mess with the strength of Lif's rhymes.