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The music of the French New Wave – brought out beautifully in an overstuffed 3CD set! The late 50s shift in French cinema is arguably one of the most important film moments in the 20th century – and although the movies are best remembered for their directors, stars, and striking images – most of the films also had some pretty amazing music as well! In fact, we've always felt that the music was integral to the Nouvelle Vague – from famous jazz scores, to lovely lyrical passages, to bold orchestral arrangements that also ended up having a huge impact on wider European music as well. This package is the first we've ever seen to really dig deep into the New Wave – and it brings together 80 tracks from dozens of films – a really wide variety of music, provided by artists who include Michel Legrand, Georges Delerue, Paul Misraki, Pierre Jansen, Miles Davis, Maurice Jarre, Jean Constantin, Martial Solal, Michel Magne, Antoine Duhamel, Alain Romans, and others – from movies that include 400 Blows, Jules & Jim, Hiroshima Mon Amour, Les Bonnes Femmes, Une Femme Est Une Femme, Breathless, Weekend, Lola, Cleo De 5 A 7, Le Bonheur, Alphaville, and many others! Some films are represented by a few tracks, others by famous themes – and the package also features a booklet with notes in French and English too.

With Jeannie Cheatham on vocals and piano, Jimmy on trombone, Dinky Morris on tenor and baritone, Snooky Young on trumpet, and Curtis Peagler on alto and tenor. Titles include "Permanent Solution", "Daddy O", "Goin Down Slow", "Detour Ahead", and "Homeward Bound".

2 classic Truffaut soundtracks – both penned by Georges Delerue, and presented here on a single CD! First up is Delerue's beautiful score for Jules Et Jim – music that's probably best known for the vocal tune "Le Tourbillon", sung by Jeanne Moreau – but which also features some amazing scene-setting work from Georges – done in styles that move between evocative orchestrations and some tenser, more bracing moments. Jules Et Jim titles include "Rixe", "Brouillard", "Jim Et Catherine", "Retrouvailles A L'Auberge De La Becasse", "Jules Et Therese", "Le Tourbillon", and "Vacances". The second half of the CD features Delerue's haunting score for Les Deux Anglaises Et Le Continent – a slightly warmer, more sentimental score – but one that's carried off with all of the subtle touches we've come to expect from Delerue. There's a nice blend of light woodwinds and strings on some of the tracks – never used in a too-cliched way, and based around a dark theme that repeats itself nicely. Titles include "Muriel Et Claude", "Une Petite Ile", "Le Voyage En Perse", "La Rupture", "La Passion De Muriel", and "Anne Et Claude Au Musee".

Rare raw funk from the late 60s & early 70s – singles dug from the regional US scenes for the most part (plus a stellar number from funky funky Trinidad) – incredible numbers from Guitar Ray, Don Ray & Hobbit, James Polk & The Brothers, The Herculoids, TD & Jimmy James 3, Soul Dukes and more! Feeling Nice was compiled by deep digging collectors and DJs Tobias Kirmayer and Daniel Wanders – and it's outstanding stuff that we're being introduced to for the first time in many cases. Classic level funky soul from acts that didn't get over nearly as big as they should have. Includes "Funky Pete Pts 1 & 2" by Guitar Ray, "James Brown Boo-Ga-Loo" by James In The Incredible Showmen, "Feeling Nice" by Clarence Curvan (the title honor goes to our man from Trinidad), "Back Door Jeannye" by James Polk & The Brothers, "Get Back" by The Herculoids, "Jalapeno Pep" by TD & Jimmy James 3, "Wine For The Party" by Sonrize, "Dance Party Pts 1 & 2" by JC & The Soul Angels and more 12 in all.

They're not lying about the "impossibly rare" part of the title here – because most of the work on this set is previously unreleased – funky Bay Area gems recorded in the late 60s and early 70s, finally seeing the light of day on this collection! The music represents a much deeper current of soul than you might know from Sly & The Family Stone or some of the bigger bay area groups of the period – a really righteous batch of tracks that freak out nicely with a heady, jamming groove – one that's often heavy on the basslines and drums, but which also has a celebratory, party-hearty quality in the vocals and other instrumentation. A few artists here are familiar, but most are relatively obscure – and the biggest portion of this music has languished for years in the vaults of the Golden State Recorders studios of producer Leo Kulka. CD features 20 tracks in all – including "Super Chicken" by Ramona King, "Rock Steady" by Ruby Delicious, "Devil's Got Your Mind" by San Francisco TKOs, "Hearing Things" by Snooky & The Cosmic Flowers, "I've Gotta Groove" by Julio Zavalla, "Love Machine" by Alonzo Smith, "Poor Sad Child (parts 1 & 2)" by The Windjammers, "Are You Together For The New Day" by The Love Experience, "Can't Get Enough" by 87th Off Broadway, "House Party" by Wally Cox & The Natives, "I'm Glad I Got Over You" by Jeanette Jones, "Sweet Talk" by Marvin Holmes & The Uptights, and "Vida Blue (part 1)" by Jimmy Bee.

Massive music we've never heard before – a really heavy helping of grooves from the Ivory Coast – an African scene that's hardly been tapped by crate diggers and collectors! There's a really fresh feel to the grooves overall – not just the familiar Afro Funk modes, but a nice range of styles that moves between rootsy local numbers through some great crossover styles, through even a few of the African Disco modes that are better known from other scenes! The tracks here are all massively funky – scoured out over the course of a number of different crate-digging trips to the coast – and the package presents the music with great images of the original record covers, too – so that you can still retain some of the feel of the rarity of the work, even though the collection presents things in an easy to handle format. Definitely one for fans of Soundway and Analogue Africa titles – with cuts that include "True Love" by Rato Venance, "Yatchiminou" by Jimmy Hyacinthe, "Kalabuley Woman" by Pierre Antoine, "Mammy Nia" by Nguessan, "Wazi Doble" by Gougoumangou, "Zadie Bobo" by Ernesti Djedje, "Unite" by Moussa Doumbia, "Mon Falou Nan" by Soro N Gana Et L'Orchestre Guilana-na, "Onginwe" by Prince Dgibs, and "Essemon Moupoh" by Jean Guehi.

Funky breaks from the Stax Records – the legendary Memphis label that's had as much of an influence on the sound of hip hop as any northern company! The set brings together 19 tracks that are immediately recognizable for their use in modern hip hop – all heavy funk numbers with a solid southern groove – filled to the brim with burning horns, searing guitars, rumbling bass, and heavy funky drums! Tracks on the set have been sampled over the years by the likes of Wu Tang, Brand Nubian, Dilated Peoples, De La Soul, and others – but they also stand out equally well as funky tunes on their own, whether or not you've got an ear for who used them later. Great funky southern soul all the way through – with tracks that include "Our Generation" by Ernie Hines, "Black" by The Mar-Keys, "Tramp (inst)" by Otis & Carla Band, "Make This Young Lady Mine" by The Mad Lads, "The Devil Is Dope" by The Dramatics, "In The Hole" by The Bar-Kays, "I'll Play The Blues For You (part 1)" by Albert King, "Soul Girl" by Jeanne & The Darlings, "Itch & Scratch (part 2)" by Rufus Thomas, "Drumbeat" by Jim Ingram, "Crop Dustin" by Steve Cropper, "After Laughter" by Wendy Rene, "Memphis Sunrise" by The Bar-Kays, "Girl I Love You" by The Temprees, and "As Long As I've Got You" by The Charmels.

Stunning stuff – and one of the greatest Charles Mingus albums of all time – a true treasure recorded in that magical year of 1957, when Mingus was finally finding his strongest voice in modern music! The album's near-perfect from start to finish – as bold a statement in jazz as anyone might be allowed to make in the late 50s, yet still always focused, driven, and wrapped up with a tremendous sense of energy. The tracks are all quite long – perfect vehicles for Mingus to reach his full level of expression – played by a group that includes Curtis Porter on tenor and alto sax, Jimmy Knepper on trombone, Wade Legge on piano, and Dannie Richmond on drums – making an early appearance in his alliance with Mingus that would last for many many years. Titles include classic versions of "Haitian Fight Song", "Blue Cee", and "Reincarnation Of A Lovebird" – plus "The Clown", which features a long improvised monologue by Jean Shephard!

Stunning stuff – and one of the greatest Charles Mingus albums of all time – a true treasure recorded in that magical year of 1957, when Mingus was finally finding his strongest voice in modern music! The album's near-perfect from start to finish – as bold a statement in jazz as anyone might be allowed to make in the late 50s, yet still always focused, driven, and wrapped up with a tremendous sense of energy. The tracks are all quite long – perfect vehicles for Mingus to reach his full level of expression – played by a group that includes Curtis Porter on tenor and alto sax, Jimmy Knepper on trombone, Wade Legge on piano, and Dannie Richmond on drums – making an early appearance in his alliance with Mingus that would last for many many years. Titles include classic versions of "Haitian Fight Song", "Blue Cee", and "Reincarnation Of A Lovebird" – plus "The Clown", which features a long improvised monologue by Jean Shephard! The deluxe CD reissue includes two bonus tracks, "Passions of a Woman Loved" and "Tonight At Noon", and comes in a 5 inch cardboard sleeve.

Massive music we've never heard before – a really heavy helping of grooves from the Ivory Coast – an African scene that's hardly been tapped by crate diggers and collectors! There's a really fresh feel to the grooves overall – not just the familiar Afro Funk modes, but a nice range of styles that moves between rootsy local numbers through some great crossover styles, through even a few of the African Disco modes that are better known from other scenes! The tracks here are all massively funky – scoured out over the course of a number of different crate-digging trips to the coast – and the package presents the music with great images of the original record covers, too – so that you can still retain some of the feel of the rarity of the work, even though the collection presents things in an easy to handle format. Definitely one for fans of Soundway and Analogue Africa titles – with cuts that include "True Love" by Rato Venance, "Yatchiminou" by Jimmy Hyacinthe, "Kalabuley Woman" by Pierre Antoine, "Mammy Nia" by Nguessan, "Wazi Doble" by Gougoumangou, "Zadie Bobo" by Ernesti Djedje, "Unite" by Moussa Doumbia, "Mon Falou Nan" by Soro N Gana Et L'Orchestre Guilana-na, "Onginwe" by Prince Dgibs, and "Essemon Moupoh" by Jean Guehi.

Rare raw funk from the late 60s & early 70s – singles dug from the regional US scenes for the most part (plus a stellar number from funky funky Trinidad) – incredible numbers from Guitar Ray, Don Ray & Hobbit, James Polk & The Brothers, The Herculoids, TD & Jimmy James 3, Soul Dukes and more! Feeling Nice was compiled by deep digging collectors and DJs Tobias Kirmayer and Daniel Wanders – and it's outstanding stuff that we're being introduced to for the first time in many cases. Classic level funky soul from acts that didn't get over nearly as big as they should have. Includes "Funky Pete Pts 1 & 2" by Guitar Ray, "James Brown Boo-Ga-Loo" by James In The Incredible Showmen, "Feeling Nice" by Clarence Curvan (the title honor goes to our man from Trinidad), "Back Door Jeannye" by James Polk & The Brothers, "Get Back" by The Herculoids, "Jalapeno Pep" by TD & Jimmy James 3, "Wine For The Party" by Sonrize, "Dance Party Pts 1 & 2" by JC & The Soul Angels and more 12 in all.

A compelling collaboration between percussionist Andrew Cyrille, vocalist Jeanne Lee, and alto saxophonist Jimmy Lyons – one of the freer sessions on the Black Saint label, and one of the most striking as well! Cyrille handles a wide range of percussion – and also a few whistles too – and he really sets the tone with his open, expressive approach to his instruments – almost more melodic at points than rhythmic, with echoes of African roots that come through more strongly than on some of his other albums. Lee's vocals are nicely understated, as always – and she also delivers a bit of recitation as well – and Lyons' raspy tone really helps to further deepen the soul of the set. Most numbers are pretty spare, and titles include "Nuba 1", "Cornbread Picnic (Maize)", "The One Before Zero", "JJ & A", "In These Last Days", "Sorry", and "Nuba 2".

4 slices of work from guitarist Rene Thomas – the Belgian-born player who was such a big part of the Paris scene in the 50s! Rene's got a clean, lean line that's totally great – a sound that's sometimes sharp-edged, in the manner of Jimmy Raney on some of his earthiest American recordings, or a bit like Tal Farlow at some of the sweeter moments. All the sides here are recorded in small combo mode – bop, but with a good deal of swing – in the manner of the best Jazz In Paris years. CD features 6 titles from a 1954 date with Andre Ross on tenor and Rene Urtreger on piano, 5 titles from a 1954 date with Buzz Gardner on trumpet and Henri Renaud on piano, 7 more from a 1956 date with Serge Bib Monville on tenor and Roland Ronchaud on piano, and 4 last numbers recorded with the Henri Renaud Sextet, with Renaud on piano and Jean-Louis Chautemps on tenor sax. Titles include "L'Imbecile", "Lover Man", "Relaxin At The Grand Balcon", "Thomasia", "Burt's Pad", "Autobuzz", "Guitaristic", "Imy", "Sextius", "Get Happy", "Goodnight Wherever You Are", "The Real Cat", and "Someone To Watch Over Me".