Of all of Ray's post-Fania albums in the 70's, this is from probably the most straight Latin. Good thing, too, because the set's a very live performance, and it's filled with the kind of vibrant energy that was carrying the New York Latin scene on waves of dynamism and creativity during the time. The tracks on this jukebox ep are "Night Flowers (Flores De Noche)", "Slo Flo", "Vaya", and "Ahora Si Que Vamo A Gozar". 7-inch, Vinyl record

A delightful little jukebox EP from one of Sinatra's greatest records ever – pure genius all the way through! Frank's backed here by the orchestra of Count Basie, with some incredible arrangements by Quincy Jones that really have a jazzy, syncopated kick to them. The move seems to be an unintentional way of covering for Frank's slightly failing pipes – but it also picks up on a seminal beat change in 60s pop, the same sort of gentle snapping groove that you'd find in the best work by Bacharach, a shift that really infuses Frank's vocals with a whole new sound, one that shows that he's ready to keep on growing and growing after being stuck in a Nelson Riddle rut. All tracks are superb – hip 60s pop and showtunes, like "Fly Me To the Moon", "More", "The Good Life", and "I Wanna Be Around". 7-inch, Vinyl record

An overlooked gem from the Verve bossa years – a session that features the sweet tenor sax work of Stan Getz, alongside some swinging bossa arrangements from the great Gary McFarland! Given the strength of Gary's own work for Verve at the time, it's no surprise that he's a perfect accompanist for Getz on the session – working with just the right amount of space to let Stan stand out from the pack, and really creating a great blend of Brazilian rhythms and some of the modder 60s styles at Verve. Gary contributed a number of originals to the session too – and the three titles are "Manlancolico", "Balanco No Samba", and "Manha De Carnival". 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

2 great tunes from Johnny Williams – an obscure Tyrone Davis-like singer who recorded briefly for Gamble & Huff at the beginning of the 70s, but never cut a full LP. Johnny's got a great voice – a bit rough, but matched here with smooth arrangements, in a style that's almost a 70s approach to the same kind of style that Gamble & Huff were using in the 60s with Jerry Butler. 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Incredible stuff – simply incredible! If you ever needed a reason why Lamont Dozier on ABC is such a good thing, check out this single – as both sides are fantastic – the kind of slow burning, full grooving, anthemic soul that Lamont forged best while at his time for the label. Arrangements are by HB Barnum and McKinley Jackson – and the sound is near-perfect on both cuts! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Funky funky Philly! Not only is this single one of the most obscure on Philadelphia International, it's also one of the hardest – as Johnny sounds more like a Memphis or Macon soul singer than anyone who ever recorded in the city of Brotherly Love. "Slow Motion" begins with pounding tribal drums, and Johnny shouting out in kind of an Otis Redding mode – before organ and horns come in and make the whole groove nice and funky. Really nice stuff – and we wish we knew more about him! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great set of wedding bells ring out at the start of the tune – but things soon get raw and romping as Melvin Davis takes over – really hitting this soaring vocal range as the tune stomps, vamps, and grooves with a sweet blend of organ, piano, and saxophone! The flipside features another great romper – as "It's No News" has this cool skittish beat, almost in jukebox mambo territory – which really works great for Melvin's voice! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Classic stuff – as Aretha's version of the Ashford & Simpson hit "You're All I Need" is augmented with lovely strings and large arrangements by Arif Mardin, very much in the style that Aretha was moving into after her first few sessions with Atlantic. "Pullin" is a bit harder, and has a nice hook! 7-inch, Vinyl record

2 stone killers from Archie Bell & The Drells – both of them in that tight and outta site groovy mode that graced their best early work for Atlantic! There's not as much hard funk here as on "Tighten Up", but the sound is somehow even richer – a swinging party kind of soul that gets you right away, and which is supported by some great horns, catchy rhythms, and wonderful raspy vocals from Archie and the group! 7-inch, Vinyl record

2 hard to find sides by this great Philly harmony group! 'It's Forever" is really one of the group's best – a slow building tune with a sad little approach – building harmonies over the theme of "forever", climbing over the top into a heavenly soul sound! "Sexy Ways" is uptempo with a rolling Gamble/Huff style – rougher and funkier than usual, in kind of a late 60s Philly groove! 7-inch, Vinyl record

On this single, it's the mellow cut that's the great one! "Heaven Must Be Like This" is one of the best spacey soul tracks ever recorded – a sweet and mellow groover that's shortened here for the 7" release, but which still moves along with a depth you wouldn't expect. The track's a great one to trip on back to – and drift away to the clouds on a breezy summer day! 7-inch, Vinyl record