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This is definitely not your father's calypso – no living room limbo or Harry Belafonte cliches – and instead, a smoking batch of Caribbean grooves from The Mighty Sparrow! Sparrow was very much on the edge of the best styles in the 60s and early 70s – and although his basic groove might be termed calypso, he also brought in plenty of Cuban, Haitian, and Jamaican rhythms to his music too – as well as an occasional does of American soul! Like some of the best early sounds from Kingston, the grooves here often echo a deeper R&B sensibility, turned towards island rhythms – and really hit home strongly by Sparrow's wonderful vocals – as catchy, compelling, and charming as some of the best US singers of the time – with touches of the wit of Oscar Brown Jr, the warmth of Lou Rawls, the swing of a young Marvin Gaye, and the spookiness of Screamin Jay Hawkins! This massive collection is the first to really dig through his older records to pull out the best tunes – just the kind of special focus we'd expect from the Strut label, with a wicked track selection and great notes too! Titles include "Bongo", "Calypso Boogaloo", "Zinah", "Fool Fool Fool", "Ah Diggin Horrors", "Jook For Jook", "Sparrow Come Back Home", "Slave", "She's Been Gone Too Long", "Congo Man", "Ten To One Is Murder", and "Kennedy & Kruschev".

This is definitely not your father's calypso – no living room limbo or Harry Belafonte cliches – and instead, a smoking batch of Caribbean grooves from The Mighty Sparrow! Sparrow was very much on the edge of the best styles in the 60s and early 70s – and although his basic groove might be termed calypso, he also brought in plenty of Cuban, Haitian, and Jamaican rhythms to his music too – as well as an occasional does of American soul! Like some of the best early sounds from Kingston, the grooves here often echo a deeper R&B sensibility, turned towards island rhythms – and really hit home strongly by Sparrow's wonderful vocals – as catchy, compelling, and charming as some of the best US singers of the time – with touches of the wit of Oscar Brown Jr, the warmth of Lou Rawls, the swing of a young Marvin Gaye, and the spookiness of Screamin Jay Hawkins! This massive collection is the first to really dig through his older records to pull out the best tunes – just the kind of special focus we'd expect from the Strut label, with a wicked track selection and great notes too! Titles include "Bongo", "Calypso Boogaloo", "Zinah", "Fool Fool Fool", "Ah Diggin Horrors", "Jook For Jook", "Sparrow Come Back Home", "Slave", "She's Been Gone Too Long", "Congo Man", "Ten To One Is Murder", and "Kennedy & Kruschev".

The Enjoy Records Story – but from the early days, when the label was a powerhouse outlet for R&B, blues, and early soul music – years before they also started cutting hip hop as well! The tracks here are all a great illustration of the keen ear of the imprint, and their strong focus on a few key acts who could really knock it out of the park – music that made Enjoy a key player at the start of the soul years of the 60s – even though some of its best artists went onto later fame at bigger labels. The collection is the best we've ever seen on Enjoy during these seminal years – and features a whopping 36 cuts that include "People Sure Act Funny" by Titus Turner, "Hoop & Holler" by Riff Ruffin, "I Believe To My Soul" by Louis Jones, "What Ya Gonna Do" by Noble Watts & June Bateman, "Get It" by Jay Dee Bryant, "Let's Do The Boston Monkey" by Les Cooper, "Don't Lie" by Sammy Taylor, "Sad Song" by The Channes, "Long Time No See" by Ronnie & The Manhattans, "Hot Potato" by The Rinky Dinks, "Ain't Nobody's Business" by Mary B, "It Hurts Me So" by Elmore James, "Soul Twist" by King Curtis, and "What Shall I Do" by Gladys Knight & The Pips.

Features work by Coleman Hawkins, Nat King Cole, Stan Kenton, Jay McShann, and Benny Carter!

Worth it for the two early live recordings that were never on LP before: "Together Forever (Live in Hollis Park '84)" and "Here We Go (Live at the Funhouse '85)". And of course the hits: "Sucker MC's", "King of Rock ", "Rock Box", "Beats to the Rhyme", "Peter Piper", "It's Like That", "Walk This Way", "Run's House", "It's Tricky", "Pause", "You Be Illin", "My Adidas", "The Ave", "Jam Master Jay", "Hard Times" and the Xmas classic "Christmas in Hollis".

An excellent full length set of beats & genius from J Dilla – put together by fellow beatmaker extraordinaire Pete Rock, with all Dilla beats – a surprising triumph! Call us jaded, but honestly, we weren't sure how deep the well could go of ready-to-go beats from Dilla, but this stuff is truly top shelf – nearly as strong as the instant classic Donuts from a few years back! Pete Rock crafts the set as if it's a radio show or mixtape, but his skill in so doing is well above and beyond the norm – neither Pete's interjections nor the guest rappers ever get in the way of the flow, it's as smooth as can be. Vocal guests include Ma Dukes (the album was made under Ma's auspices), plus Lil Fame & MOP, Black Thought, Frank Nitty of Frank N Dank, Doom, Illa J & Cue D, Blu, and others. Titles include "King", "I Told Yall", "Smoke" feat Blu, "CaDILLAc". "Fire Wood Drumstix" feat Doom, "Big Day", "24K Rap" feat Havoc of Mobb Deep & Raekwon, "Coming Back", "Mythsysizer" and more. 28 tracks in all, about an hour of unreleased Dilla!

A celebration that's a decade in the making – compiling some of the best material from the producer-centric series of hip hop albums on BBE/Beat Generation – timeless boombap from Jay Dee, Madlib, DJ Spinna, King Britt, Marley Marl, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pete Rock and others! The 2CD compilation features sets compiled and mixed by DJ Spinna and Mr Thing – which not only feature stellar beats by the producers at the helm, but rhymes and vocals from the likes of Talib Kweli, Slum Village, Jill Scott, Bahamadia, Guilty Simpson and many more. One thing we appreciated from the get-go with albums in the Beat Generation series was the effort to make records that were built to last – and as much as 10 years later, it holds up really well! The 2CD version features sets deftly mixed by Spinna & Mr Thing, and a sprawling set list that includes "Stop" by Madlib, What It Do" by Madlib feat Talib Kweli, "Are You Ready" by DJ Jazzy Jeff feat Slum Village, "Hummin'" by Marley Marl feat Roy Ayers & Edwin Byrdsong, ""Live Us Sold" by DJ Spinna feat Abdul Shylon, "Galactic Soul" by DJ Spinna, "Transcend" by King Britt feat Bahamadia, "Give It To Y'All" by Pete Rock feat Roc Marciano & Trife, "African Rhythms" by Jay Dee, "Lay Me Down" by Will I Am feat Terry Dexter and many more.

Early, early work from the Heavies, with their original singer Jay Ella Ruth, working a tight funky groove that's very much like a slicked up James Brown sound, rather than the poliched modern soul vibe they'd move towards later.

Two great lost numbers from one of our favorite soul artists of all time! "I Can Take Care" is a rolling midtempo number, with that loping Chi soul groove that Gene was working in afer his early Vee Jay sides. Gene's vocals really send us – especially on the the chorus, when they go over the top! "Mr Big Shot" is a great cut too – with a strumming guitar underneath the beat, in kind of a hip mod style that's a real surprise to hear from Gene! There's some backup vocals on the chorus, but the verse has Gene rolling ahead full steam.

Amazing! This album is one of the great lost classics of East Coast harmony soul of the 70s – and it always leaves us breathless! Continental 4 may not have been as big as some of their contemporaries, but the cut "(You're Living In) A Dream World" is one of the most sublime soul tracks ever recorded – with stunning harmonies, fragile production, and some wonderful Philly ballad instrumental touches. The rest of the album is just as good – with slowly plucked electric sitar, soaring harmonies, and an amazing batch of orchestrations that are just out of this world! Titles include "Escape From Planet Earth", "Running Away", "I Don't Have You", and "How Can I Pretend". Dream work from Philly Maestros like Bobby Martin and Norman Harris!

Just like the title says, two bad, bad Dee Jays plying their trade over niced up rhythms from Junjo Lawe – with all star backing that includes Flabba Holt, Sly & Robbie, Style Scott, Santa Davis, Sowell, Chinna Smith, Bo Pee, Bingy Bunny, Gladstone Anderson, Ansel Collins, Steelie, Winston Wright, Sky Juice, Skully Sims and others! 10 tracks in all, including "Can't TakeAnother World War", "Another One Bites The Dust", "Talk About Run", "Sweet Sweet Matilda", "Special Request To All Prisoner", "Dance It Have Fe Nice", "Gal Pon The Front Line", "Jack Spratt", "Tribute To General Echo" and "Hey Mr DJ".

Cultural historian Alice Echols explores the massive shifts in American culture during and as impacted by the disco era – not only in fashion and record sales – but the racial, sexual and behavioral landscape at large! Echols is a biographer and historian, but she's also former disco deejay, with insights both academic and deeper felt. The book is smartly and exaustively researched, but is more importantly accessibly readable. Hardcover, 338 pages.

Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson more than live up to their title as the Mighty Two just as this heavy compilation more than lives up to the title of nothing but scorchers! Gibbs and ET showcase their mastery of all styles here, veering from hard and heavy roots to sweet lover's numbers and even a few bouncing tracks aimed a the dancehall! Top notch singers and dee jays are all featured over throbbing rhythms at the hands of Gibbs' Professionals crew, with 28 tracks in all, including "Two Sevens Clash" by Culture, "Babylon Too Rough" by Gregory Isaacs, "Cool Out Son" by Junior Murvin, "Boxing Around" and "No Man's Land" by Cornell Campbell, "Just Like A River" by the Mighty Diamonds, Left With A Broken Heart" by George Nooks, "Funeral" by Prince Alla,"Rockers A Nuh Crackers" by Glen Washington, "Jah Bring I Joy In The Morning" by Bobby Melody, "Burn Babylon" by Sylford Walker, "Keep On Knocking" by Jaco Miller, "Virgin Girl" by Eek-A-Mouse, "Hello Carol" by Enos McLeod, and "UptownTop Ranking" by Althea & Donna.

A killer set of R&B-loving rock & roll instros from Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers! The Jaywalkers arrived at the tail end of the greatest wave of popularity for this kinda instrumental combo – but there unique combo! Rumbing rhythms, searing guitars and honking horns – familiar tools of the trade – but they build their own sound out of it! There too rockin' to really flaunt the R&B, but they're also more enamored of rhythm & blues than the surf or twangier school. Cool stuff outta the Joe Meek scene. Includes "Can-Can '62", "Redskins", "Totem Pole", "Poet And Peasant", "Kansas City", "If You Love Me", "You Girl", "Where Did Our Love Go", "Tonight You're Gonna Fall In Love", "What's Eas For Two Is So Hard For One", "Before The Beginning", "Solitaire" and more. 18 in all.

Smoking tenor from one of the greatest reedmen of all time – and one of the few who could easily bridge the worlds of jazz, soul, and R&B! The set's one of King's earliest albums – recorded back in 1959, and really given a tight Atlantic Records focus that takes the music way past some of Curtis' recordings for other labels – a sharp, tight punch in the rhythms that really works perfectly with his horn! Most of the players have a jazz pedigree, but fall nicely in line behind the tenor lead – on a rich range of original titles that include "Midnight Ramble", "The Shake", "Lil Brother", "Jaywalk", "Snake Eyes", "The Groove", and "Chili" – plus a sweet take on "Peter Gunn" too!

A beautiful bit of mainstream soul from Gerald and Eddie Levert – two of the best male voices from two generations, working beautifully here in a laidback set of tracks! The vibe's almost like that direction taken by the O'Jays in the early 80s – that time when their ballads were actually better than their groovers – although there's definitely some styles here that are more 90s soul too. The mellow format makes for a wonderful record, with lots of great interplay between the two Leverts – and titles include "I Got Your Back", "Already Missing You", "Get Your Thing Off", "Don't Make Me Beg", "I'm Savin Your Place", "The Apple Don't Fall", "For The Love", and "Wind Beneath My Wings".

Two of our favorite albums by The Main Ingredient – back to back on a single CD! Euphrates River is a wonderfully complex batch of tunes that shows that the group were taking a cue from some of their hipper contemporaries, and pushing past a stock hit formula. Bert DeCoteaux was still arranging, but the group produced themselves, giving the record a sexy funky feeling in the best parts, not that dissimilar from some of Marvin Gaye's work, or records by groups like The Isley Brothers or The O'Jays. Includes great versions of two Seals & Crofts songs – "Summer Breeze" and "Euphrates" – both a perfect example of this style, as is "Happiness Is Just Around The Bend" – plus a great reading of Willie Hutch's "California My Way", which has a super-dope sample at the beginning. Of course, the album still includes material like their hit " "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely", a sweetly style AM radio pop hit in the band's best style of earlier years. Afrodisiac is one of the most righteous albums ever from the Main Ingredient – as you might guess from its title and stylish cover! The group are really opening up here – and show a distinct Stevie Wonder influence throughout – not just because they perform their own hip takes on a number of tunes by Stevie, but also because Wonder himself plays a bit on the record! Rhythms are inventive, and grooves nice and complex – way past standard chart soul, into a heady mix that holds up beautifully over the years. Keyboards slide in great with the harmonies – and titles include great versions of Stevie Wonder tunes "Superwoman", "Where Were You When I Needed You", "Something Lovely", "Girl Blue", and "I Am Yours" – plus the great breakbeat track "You Can Call Me Rover", which has a very tight drum sound at the beginning, and tight soul harmonies all the way through. Also features a hip take on the Isleys' "Work To Do" too!

The setting is the Golden Gate, but the sound is pure Philly International – a rare early live performance from the label, featuring some of its key vocal heavyweights working here with live accompaniment from MFSB! Although the instrumental group backed Philly artists often in the studio, this 1973 concert marks the only time they worked live with the singers – in a stunning showcase for the young label, performed as part of a Columbia Records convention in San Francisco! Given the setting, and the uniqueness of the whole event, the CD release of this rare material is a treasure for soul fans of many generations – a rare addition to the amazing run of music the label first started giving us at the time. The set begins with MFSB doing a version of "Freddie's Dead" – then runs into Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes singing "I Miss You", "The Love I Lost", and "If You Don't Know Me By Now" – followed by Three Degrees on "I Didn't Know" and "Dirty Ol Man". MFSB then follow with "TSOP", then Billy Paul sings "East" and "Me & Mrs Jones", and the set ends with The O'Jays on "Love Train", "Sunshine", "Back Stabbers", and "When The World's At Peace".

A Windy City classic – from Vee Jay Records! The MJT grooves like nobody's business, thanks to a core rhythm group that includes Harold Mabern on piano, Walter Perkins on drums, and Bob Cranshaw on bass! Add to the mix a young Frank Strozier on alto, fresh from Memphis (he made the trip to Chi-town with buddy Harold Mabern), and the smoking trumpet of Willie Thomas, and you've got one of the tightest combos to never make it in the big time – a killer little group that was almost a Chicago secret back in the day, but one that's well worth discovering if you've got any sort of a love for hardbop or soul jazz! This oft-overlooked gem is one of the best hardbop albums to ever come out of Chicago, and it's got some great originals by Mabern – like "Richie's Dilemma" and "Make Everybody Happy" – plus a nice version of Booker Little's "Sweet Silver".

Nothing too slow and easy about this 50s set from Jaye P Morgan – as the album's got a gentle groove on most of the numbers – just the right amount of jazzy swing to open up Jaye's vocals just right! Ray Ellis handles the backings – and during this best stretch in his career, he's got a really great way of making things sound lean and groovy – which gives the music a nice sort of bounce, and plenty of jazz-based flourishes that really help Morgan step out at her best – with qualities that really make this album stand out from some of her other recordings of the time! Titles include "Should I", "I Never Knew", "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", "Another Martini Another Call", "Did I Remember", and "Just For Two".

The legendary vocals of Aaron Neville – heard here in one of his most old-school sessions in years! The songs are all vintage R&B – material that even pre-dates Neville's famous years in New Orleans soul, and which goes back to a late 50s/early 60s genre that seems to fit Aaron's sound wonderfully! Things are never schmaltzy at all, and the recording quality is great – mostly just small group backing, with lead guitar from Keith Richards – and backup vocals from older doo wop legends like Bobby Jay and Eurgene Pitt! Titles include "Work With Me Annie", "Gypsy Woman", "Ruby Baby", "My True Story", "Be My Baby", "Money Honey", and "Under The Boardwalk".

Mellow O'Jays galore – a great set of some of the group's more mature ballads from later years – served up with a harmony sound that's mighty darn nice! The trio really sparkle here – taking on subjects with the all-adult approach that made them last a lot longer than most of their Philly contemporaries – really sounding wonderful here on slow jams that include "Serious Hold On Me", "Emotionally Yours", "Closer To You", "Rainbow", "Fading", "If I Find Love Again", "Somebody Else Will", "Keep On Lovin Me", and "Don't Let Me Down".

Amazing early work from The O'Jays – tracks recorded a decade before their big fame at Philly International – with a heartbreaking harmony feel all the way through! Even at the start, The O'Jays were a cut above – and as you'll hear here, they come across with an especially deep soul approach to harmony vocals – one that's perfect both for mellow cuts, and for some of the more uptempo groovers here – work so great, we always wonder why it took these guys a full decade to achieve the chart fame they deserved! But never mind that, because this excellent collection finally gives these Imperial years their due – and offers up a whopping 28 tracks in all, every Imperial Records single in one sweet little package – with great mastering and notes too. Titles include "Stand Tall", "The Storm Is Over", "Crack Up Laughing", "How Does It Feel", "Lonely Drifter", "Whip It On Me Baby", "Lipstick Traces", "Oh How You Hurt Me", "No Time For You", "Pretty Words", "Stand In For Love", "Friday Night", "Time Is On My Side", and "Let It All Out".

A box set edition of the 90s classic by The Pharcyde – the group's high water mark – and one of the greatest hip hop albums of the era! Along with Del and the Souls Of Mischief, Pharcyde were one of the few west coast units to achieve any kind of widespread popularity using the uniquely loopy, funhouse vibe of De La Soul, Black Sheep and Tribe Called Quest in their lighter moments. The original album tracks include the classics "Passing Me By", "Soul Flower", "Ya Mama", "I'm That Type Of Ni@*a", "Officer", "4 Better Or 4 Worse", "Return Of The B-Boys", and lots more. This box set edition featuring the original album, full instrumentals, remixes & more on 3CDs – plus detailed liner notes & vintage photos – in a great-looking little box! Disc 2 features the full instrumentals. Disc 3 – Remixes/B-Cydes – includes "Pork", "Soul Flower (Remix) (Brand New Heavies Version)", "Ya Mama (Matt Dike Remix)", "Ya Mama (Kenny Dope Remix)", "Other Fish (LA Jay Remix)", "Passin' Me By (Fly As A Pie Mix)" and more.

Genius work from a singer who makes us proud to live in the Windy City – vocalist Milton Suggs, who emerges here as a hell of a writer and arranger too! Milton's easily one of the best new voices in jazz we've heard in years – filled with a rich sense of imagination on his lyrics and phrasing, and a depth of soul that makes sure that his music and movements are always right on the money – a sound and style that puts him the company of a rare few in jazz – a short list that might include Jon Hendricks, Gregory Porter, Kurt Elling, and Mark Murphy! Yet like all those talents, Suggs has a sound that's uniquely his own – a way of putting over a tune that's tremendous – especially when he takes musical inspiration from others, and makes it something all his own – as he does here with core compositions by Wayne Shorter, Belly Golson, and Roy Hargrove. The Shorter inspiration is especially strong – which is great with us – and the album also features great instrumental accompaniment as well. Titles include "Jayme's Song", "Walking Out", "Only A Memory", "Side By Side", "Die Laughing", "Will You Fly With Me", and "Joy Enough To Spare".

Genius work from a singer who makes us proud to live in the Windy City – vocalist Milton Suggs, who emerges here as a hell of a writer and arranger too! Milton's easily one of the best new voices in jazz we've heard in years – filled with a rich sense of imagination on his lyrics and phrasing, and a depth of soul that makes sure that his music and movements are always right on the money – a sound and style that puts him the company of a rare few in jazz – a short list that might include Jon Hendricks, Gregory Porter, Kurt Elling, and Mark Murphy! Yet like all those talents, Suggs has a sound that's uniquely his own – a way of putting over a tune that's tremendous – especially when he takes musical inspiration from others, and makes it something all his own – as he does here with core compositions by Wayne Shorter, Belly Golson, and Roy Hargrove. The Shorter inspiration is especially strong – which is great with us – and the album also features great instrumental accompaniment as well. Titles include "Jayme's Song", "Walking Out", "Only A Memory", "Side By Side", "Die Laughing", "Will You Fly With Me", and "Joy Enough To Spare".

We've always loved the music of Jimi Tenor – but recently, he seems to get better and better with each new record – hitting a spiritual, soulful depth we never would have expected years ago! This album's one of his best efforts ever – and feels more like some lost 70s Euro/African rarity – as you might expect from the compelling cover! All the jazz elements of previous Tenor projects are in place – but there's also more of a pan-global influence going on – especially in the complicated percussion that graces most tracks, and which provides a wonderful counterpart to instrumentation that includes tenor, flutes, and piano from Jimi – plus trumpet from Julla Eskola and Tero Lindberg, trombone from Jay Kortehisto and Heikki Tuhkanen, and guitar from Kalle Kalima. Tracks are long, and have a feel that's somewhere between Strata East and Parisian Afro jazz experiments of the 70s – and titles include "Universal Love", "Afroeuropean", "Eternal Mystery", "Africa Kingdom", "Dance Of The Planets", "Curtain Of Steel", and "Starstuff".

We've always loved the music of Jimi Tenor – but recently, he seems to get better and better with each new record – hitting a spiritual, soulful depth we never would have expected years ago! This album's one of his best efforts ever – and feels more like some lost 70s Euro/African rarity – as you might expect from the compelling cover! All the jazz elements of previous Tenor projects are in place – but there's also more of a pan-global influence going on – especially in the complicated percussion that graces most tracks, and which provides a wonderful counterpart to instrumentation that includes tenor, flutes, and piano from Jimi – plus trumpet from Julla Eskola and Tero Lindberg, trombone from Jay Kortehisto and Heikki Tuhkanen, and guitar from Kalle Kalima. Tracks are long, and have a feel that's somewhere between Strata East and Parisian Afro jazz experiments of the 70s – and titles include "Universal Love", "Afroeuropean", "Eternal Mystery", "Africa Kingdom", "Dance Of The Planets", "Curtain Of Steel", and "Starstuff".

Militant rockers rhythms with some fine toasting courtesy the top of the second generation of Dee Jays, Tappa Zukie. Probably his most well known LP, both in and out of Jamaica, given the boost he got from some patronage courtesy a number of rock stars, this is still as fine an example of the Dee Jay form as you could get circa '78. Includes"MPLA", "Don't Get Crazy", "Stop the Guns Shooting", "Ital Pot", "Chalice to Chalice" and "Don't Deal With Babylon".

Nice one! 14 tight independent hip hop joints all with the crisp, soulful vibe that's Spinna's hallmark, even if he didn't produce all of them, though he was responsible for many. As with some other popular compilation/mix series you get one disc of the tracks in their full versions, unmixed, and another with Spinna getting to work on the 1's and 2's for a continuous set that flows like hot butter over popcorn. Spinna's deep hip hop roots show through nicely with tracks by the Jigmastas and 7L & Esoteric saddling up next to nice instrumentals by Spinna himself as well as 88 Keys and Kingsize. With "Lyrical Fluctuation 2000 (Spinna mix)" by the Jigmastas, "3ree6ix5ive" by Old World Disorder, "Take A Look" by the Domecrackers, "Across The Globe" by the Jay I Geez, "Precision" by Kingsize and 9 more slices of underground niceness to keep your head boppin', packaged beautifully in a really nice foldout cardboard sleeve in a slipcase!

A great look at The Sound Of Brooklyn label from the early 80s – a massive imprint that showed that the eastern borough was one of the funkiest scenes in New York at the time! There's a tightness here that most likely comes from the small roster of artists, and shared production tracks that link together most of the recordings – and the vibe is a great mix of post-disco club, particularly boogie modes, with some of the sharper sounds that were bubbling under on the streets of Brooklyn! Slight electro touches mix with funkier soul production – and the tunes often show some slight hip hop influences as well – even when the lyrics are more sung than spoken. Titles include "Inflation" by The Night People, "The Smirf" by Cory, "Messin Around" by Wild Sugar, "I Love Making Love To You" by Mel Sheppard, "What's In It For Me (12" version)" by Zalmac, "Man For My Lady" by Sabata, "TSOB" by Master Jay & Michael Dee, "Again" by The Night People, and "Strut Your Stuff (12" version)" by The Live Band.

A rollicking follow-up to one of the best compilations of rare rockers from Bayou country you could ever hope to score – and it's just as great as the first Boppin' By The Bayou set – with tracks by Rocket Morgan, Pee Wee Trayhan, Mickey Gilley, Tony Perreau, Glen Owens, Jay Chevalier, Wiley Jeffers, Al Ferrier and many more! It's got some material that's akin to rockabilly, boogie woogie and R&B-fueled rockers from the period made famous elsewhere in the south – but with some surefire swampy characteristics that's pure Louisiana, too! 28 tracks in all – with rare singles and LPs released on labels such as Zynn, Castle, Flyright, Speedy, Goldband and others – plus some previously unreleased stompers! "You’re Humbuggin' Me" by Rocket Morgan, "Too Hot To Handle" by Vince Anthony, "Got A Right To Cry" by Glen Owens, "Going Back To Cocodrille" by Cajun Joe, "Oh Nell" by Warren Storm, "Castro Rock" by Jay Chevalier, "Rock-A-Me Lulu" by Johnny Jano, "She's Coming Back Again" by Wiley Jeffers, "Whose Baby Are You" by Robert Owens and more.

Rumblin' numbers from late 50s Louisiana – a bit of rockabilly, some that are more rock/less 'billy, still others with the swampier sound you'd expect to be bubbling up outta the bayou! You can feel the influence of 40s New Orleans R&B in the DNA – particularly on the numbers with brass – but there's also some rugged rockers here that would sound right at home in Memphis, or anywhere else – with singles by Tommy Todd, Al Ferrier, Rod Bernard & The Twisters, Arnold Broussard, Jay Chevalier & The Long Shots, Rocket Morgan and others. 28 tracks in all: "Tag Along" by Tommy Todd, "She's Mine" by Johnny Jano, "Linda Gail" by Rode Bernard & The Twisters, "Some Other Time" by Arnold Broussard, "Release Me" by Rocket Morgan, "Boogie Children/Walking With Frankie" by The Playboys, "Rattlesnake" by Wiley Barkdull with Rusty & Doug, "Kansas City" by Warren Storm and more.

A killer compilation of late 50s and early 60s songs that were covered and popularized by British pop legend Cliff Richard – and Cliff not only heard them here first, but the man has impeccable taste! This is a stellar set of proto rock, pop and soul – with completely great, if lesser-remembered treasures by superstars and relative cult faves alike – including Bobby Helms, proto rock era Conway Twitty, Gene Vincent, Ruth Brown, Peggy Lee, Bobby Vee, Sonny James, Johnny Otis, Little Stevie Wonder and many more! Includes "Schoolboy Crush" by Bobby Helms, "I'll Try" by Conway Twitty, "Save My Soul" by Jack Scott with The Chantones, "The Night Is So Lovely" by Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps, "Somebody Touched Me" by Ruth Brown, "Tough Enough" by Johnny Otis & Orchestra with The Jayos, "D In Love" by Curtis Lee, "I'm Looking Out The Window" by Peggy Lee, "The Minute You're Gone" by Sonny James, It's All Over" by The Everly Brothers and more. 24 tracks in all.

Think you know Stax Records? Guess again – as this mindblowing collection offers up a whole new side of Stax we've never heard before. Forget the hits, forget the overplayed oldies – this set's brimming full of deep soul gems from the legendary Memphis label – including a fair bit of heartbreaking tracks that go way beyond any southern soul cliches! The music is amazing – proof that Ace still really knows how to put together a compilation – and in addition to some real rarities, there's also some killers appearing here for the first time ever – making the whole thing essential to any fan of Stax – or southern soul in general. A massive amount of music, all of it great – and titles include "Stay Baby Stay" by Johnny Daye, "I've Done It Again" by The Charmells, "Move Over" by Soul Children, "Hold On This Time" by Chuck Brooks, "Groovin' On My Baby's Love" by Freddie Waters, "Make A Joyful Noise" by Bettye Crutcher, "The Fault Is Not In Me" by Sylvia & The Blue Jays, "A Love Affair Theat Bears No Pain" by Shack, "Two Fools" by Willie Singleton, "Let Em Down Baby" by Jimmy Hughes, "Love Changes" by Charlene & The Soul Serenaders, and "Woman Across The River" by Little Milton.

Massive mixes from the mighty Tom Moulton – a huge 4CD package that not only includes some classic lost and rare mixes from the 70s, but also a whopping 17 previously unreleased Moulton mixes, appearing here for the first time ever! If there's anyone who's ever been well-suited to reworking a Philly groove, it's Tom – given his long standing association with the soul scene in the City Of Brotherly Love – and his crucial role in pushing soul tracks into the clubs during the 70s. As with most of Tom's best work, the mixes here are richly faithful to the originals – and never try to overstate themselves at all, just focus on the best elements, and bring them to the forefront of the groove! 4CDs, 31 tracks, and Moulton remixes of "Back Stabbers" by The O'Jays, "Dirty Ol Man" by Three Degrees, "Trusting Heart" by The Trammps, "Do It Any Way You Wanna" by People's Choice, "Nights Over Egypt" by The Jones Girls, "I Don't Love You Anymore" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Year Of Decision" by Three Degrees, "Slow Motion" by Johnny Williams, "The Love I Lost" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, "She's A Winner" by The Intruders, "Trammps Disco Theme/Zing Went The Strings" by The Trammps, "Let's Groove" by Archie Bell & The Drells, "The Devil Made Me Do It" by Robert Upchurch, "Love Is The Message" by MFSB, "Party Time Man" by The Futures, and "See You When I Get There" by Lou Rawls.

Massive mixes from the mighty Tom Moulton – a huge package that not only includes some classic lost and rare mixes from the 70s, but also previously unreleased Moulton mixes, appearing here for the first time ever! If there's anyone who's ever been well-suited to reworking a Philly groove, it's Tom – given his long standing association with the soul scene in the City Of Brotherly Love – and his crucial role in pushing soul tracks into the clubs during the 70s. As with most of Tom's best work, the mixes here are richly faithful to the originals – and never try to overstate themselves at all, just focus on the best elements, and bring them to the forefront of the groove! This totally cool package features 31 mixes in all – pressed up as eight 12" EPs – most with four tracks each, leaving plenty of room for very long mixes! Titles include Moulton mixes of "Jam Jam Jam" by People's Choice, "I Don't Love You Anymore" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Party Time Man" by The Futures, "Intro/My Love Don't Come Easy" by Jean Carn, "Trusting Heart" by The Trammps, "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, "Let's Groove" by Archie Bell & The Drells, "Dirty Ol Man" by Three Degrees, "Slow Motion" by Johnny Williams, "I'll Always Love My Mama" by The Intruders, "The Devil Made Me Do It" by Robert Upchurch, "Back Stabbers" by The O'Jays, "See You When I Get There" by Lou Rawls, and "Love Epidemic" by The Trammps.

A sprawling set that commemorates the Reggae Golden Jubilee– one that's beautifully put together by VP – and featuring 100 pivotal tracks from the early 60s to the late 00s! Selector Mr. Seaga does a pretty terrific job on the tracklist – which focuses as much on tracks that proved to be among the most trailblazing as it does on big hits. It touches on the styles and subgenres from throughout reggae's history – from ska, to rocksteady, reggae, dub, deejay, dancehall and beyond – with bellwether material by Theophilus Beckford, Higgs & Wilson, Skatalites, U-Roy, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Yellowman, Third World, Dennis Brown, Maxi Priest, Sugar Minott, Beres Hammond, Sizzla, Shaggy and many, many more. "Dumplins" by Byron Lee & The Dragonaires, "They Got To Go" by Prince Buster, "Bring Home" by Justin Hines & The Dominoes, "Rough And Tough" by Stranger Cole, "Hypocrite" by The Heptones, "Occupation" by Don Drummond & The Skatalites, "Wear You To The Ball" by U-Roy & The Paragons, "The A Fi Get A Beatin'" by Peter Tosh, "Police And Thieves" by Junior Murvin, "Right Time" by Mighty Diamonds, "Uptown Ranking" by Althea & Donna, "Over Me" by Yellowman, "Pass The Dutchie" by Musical Youth, "Try Jah Love" by Third World, "Wild World" by Maxie Priest, "One Blood" by Junior Reid, "Murder She Wrote" by Chaka Demus & Pliers, "Putting Up Resistance", by Beres Hammond, "You Don't Love Me (No No No)" by Dawn Penn, "Untold Stories" by Buju Banton, "Black Woman And Child" by Sizzla, "Gimme The Light" by Sean Paul, "Pon De River, Pon De Bank" by Elephant Man, "Welcome To Jamrock" by Damian "Jr Gong" Marley, "The Harder They Come" by Jimmy Cliff and more.

A stunning look at a legendary London club of the 60s – presented here in a really well-done book-style package – with a CD that's brimming over with the American soul that made it groove so great back in the day! The set does a great job of showing the roots both of Northern soul, and the UK mod scene – as most of the work here is from that early cusp of soul – when R&B still figured strongly into the mix, and the groove also had some strong inflections from blues and jazz as well! The photos and images in the book are totally great – laid out over a full-color 24 pages – and the CD features 28 smoking tracks – including "Ain't That Loving You Baby" by Jimmy Reed, "Jaywalking" by The Upsetters, "Who Can I Run To" by Geri Hall, "I'll Take One" by Harold Burrage, "Song Called Soul" by Gene Chandler, "Let The Good Times Roll" by Alvin Robinson, "Question" by Roscoe Shelton, and "I've Got A Claim On You" by Betty Everett.

Another essential batch of Studio One Soul, every bit as great as the first! 18 more astoundingly great Jamaican renditions of soul and R&B numbers from the hands of Coxsone Dodd and his extraordinary stable of artists, some deeply soulful, and others with a more rootsy, raw grain to them. All flavors of reggae get represented here, but never departing from the soul theme, with dee jay numbers and dark dubs rubbing up against straight up renditions of numbers that are unafraid to pledge their allegiance to the great originals! Tracks include "Swing Easy" by the Soul Vendors, "Choice Of Colours" by the Heptones, "People Make The World Go Round" by Hortense Ellis, "Choice Of Music (Part 2)" by Jackie Mittoo and the Brentford Disco Set, "Thinking" by Ken Boothe, "Get Out Of My Life Woman" by Tony Gregory, "Fool For Love" by Prince Jazzbo, "Fancy Pants" by Jackie Mittoo, and "Darker Block" by the Dub Specialist.

An excellent early session from Candido – and one of his first to move from straighter Latin into a much groovier vein! The session's done in collaboration with Lalo Schifrin – who was also working for Roulette at the time – and it's got a style that links Candido's older 50s-styled Latin conga work with some of the more fluid grooves that Schifrin was just beginning to forge at the time. There's a very strong jazz sensibility to the album – with Lalo on piano, Charlie Persip on drums, Jimmy Cleveland on trombone, and some really great baritone solos from Jay Cameron – whose playing gives the album an especially soulful sound. Titles include "Conga Soul", "Toccata", "The Champ", "New Secrets", "Dark Eyes", and "Long Long Summer".

A great step in the evolution of Ron Carter from brilliant bassist to even more brilliant leader! The album's cut at a time when Carter was really moving his instrument from the back to the front – playing piccolo bass more than usual, and plucking with a pronounced groove, even in the company of a larger array of players. There's a great deal of warmth here, but a good sense of creative experimentation too – and the record has a bit more depth than some of Carter's Kudu sides, although those are quite nice records too. Players include Kenny Barron on piano, Jay Berliner on guitar, Buster Williams on bass, Jerry Dodgion on flute, and Charles Russo on bass clarinet – and titles include "Sheila's Song", "My Ship", "Peg Leg", "Epistrophy", "Patchouli", and "Chapter XI".

Eek-A-Mouse's early 80s classic – and the benchmark meeting between the wildly unique deejay and vocalist with producer Henry Junjo Lawes! The Mouse is out front of stellar rootsy backing by The Roots Radics Band. Titles Include "Ganja Smuggling", "Long Time Ago", "Operation Eradication", "There's A Girl In My Life", "Slowly But Surely", "Wa-Do-Dem", "Lonesome Journey", "Noah's Ark", "I Woll Never Leave My Love" and "Too Young To Understand.

John Lee Hooker takes a step or two into the bluesy soul sound of the early 60s on this sweet set on Vee Jay – while style flaunting his true blues pedigree really, really well! The grit of his voice is as heavily emotive and unshakable as ever – backed by a crack combo on drums, guitar, bass and organ – with sweet sweet backing vocals that are supposedly the Vandellas (sure does sound like it.) Includes "San Francisco", "Take A Look At Yourself", "Send Me Your Pillow", "She Shot Me Down", "Big Soul", "Good Rocking Mama", "No One Told Me" and "Onions".

Plenty of Burnin from John Lee Hooker, and about as classic as you can get for his Vee Jay years – especially considering that the album starts out with Hooker's killer cut "Boom Boom" – a number that may well have set fire to a whole generation of British and American rockers! Other tracks are equally great, and every bit as gritty – recorded with some tight backings by a small combo, but still mostly a focus on Hooker's guitar and vocals. Titles include "Boom Boom", "Process", "Blues Before Sunrise", "I Got a Letter", and "What Do You Say".

2 great Freddie Hughes numbers from his short-lived Vee Jay days! "You Can't Take It Away" is a Richard Parker number – done in a snapping, stepping sort of groove that has plenty of horns on the top, dark piano on the bottom, and incredible vocals from Freddie all the way through! "My Heart Cries" is a bit mellower, with a southern soul-styled approach that has female backing singers behind Freddie's wonderfully raspy lead.

Milt Jackson and JJ Johnson – working here together on 1954 session cut in New York – but some of which features contributions from the famous French pianist Henri Renaud! At this point in their career, Jackson and Johnson had a very similar modern swing – and the record makes for a great matching of their talents – a bit like some of the earliest Blue Note work recorded under the leadership of either player. Johnson sits out on a few tracks, and Jackson plays a bit of piano in addition to vibes – on the tracks that don't feature Renaud – and other players include Al Cohn on tenor, Percy Heath on bass, and Charlie Smith on drums. Titles include "Jay Jay's Blues", "If I Had You", "Out Of Nowhere", and "Indiana".

A huge batch of work from the great JJ Johnson – material that includes 14 tracks recorded for Savoy as singles in the late 40s – plus the full Jay & Kai 10" album from 1954! The singles were all recorded in 1946, 1947, and 1949 – and they already mark Johnson as one of the most inventive trombonists of his generation – a player working with none of the hoke of earlier eras, and with a clean, modern sound that's almost like that of a bop trumpet at times. Players on these dates include Cecil Payne or Leo Parker on baritone sax, Bud Powell or Hank Jones on piano, Sonny Rollins on tenor, and Max Roach on drums – and titles include "Coppin The Bop", "Jay Jay", "Mad Bebop", "Jay Bird", "Boneology", "Down Vernon's Alley", "Riffette", "Yesterdays", "Audobon", "Don't Blame Me", and "Goof Square". The remaining 8 tracks on the CD are from a 1954 10" album – titled Jay & Kai, with a lineup that's a bit different than the full Savoy album of that name. The core group here is quite unusual – as it features Johnson and Kai Winding as twin-trombone co-leaders, plus Charles Mingus on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums – with either Billy Bauer on guitar on 4 tracks, and Wally Cirillo on piano on 4 others. The use of guitar without piano is especially inventive, and really highlights the modern inflections of the two trombonists – and titles include "Blues For Trombones", "Lament", "The Major", "Reflections", "Coop", and "Blues In Twos".

Although the Main Ingredient were best known for their early 70's singles, this album from '74 is a wonderfully complex batch of tunes that shows that the group were taking a cue from some of their hipper contemporaries, and pushing past a stock hit formula. Bert DeCoteaux was still arranging, but the group produced themselves, giving the record a sexy funky feeling in the best parts, not that dissimilar from some of Marvin Gaye's work, or records by groups like The Isley Brothers or The O'Jays. Includes great versions of two Seals & Crofts songs – "Summer Breeze" and "Euphrates" – both a perfect example of this style, as is "Happiness Is Just Around The Bend" – plus a great reading of Willie Hutch's "California My Way", which has a super-dope sample at the beginning. Of course, the album still includes material like their hit " "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely", a sweetly style AM radio pop hit in the band's best style of earlier years.

Great early work by The O'Jays – with a much different sound than their later work on Philly International! The cuts are quite hard-edged, with a mixture of Northern Soul grooves and mellower uptown styles – and the album's got a split set of arrangements, both of which work well for the group. Side one features Nick DeCaro working with the group, doing some surprisingly great soul work (most of his 60s recordings were with easy and pop singers) on tracks like "Lipstick Traces", "Let It All Out", "Think It Over Baby", and "Whip It On Me Baby". Side two's just as great, with some killer work by the great HB Barnum – on classics like "Lonely Drifter", "Stand Tall", and "Time Is On My Side". Excellent stuff – with a really hard sound, and the kind of rare no-filler 60s soul album that's not always that easy to come by!

A sweet groover from the Italian scene of the 70s – music that's got a lush feel, but a funky one too – a great mix of strings and electric instrumentation that rivals the best cop/crime work of the time – yet also has a nice sexy feel too! There's almost a blacksploitation vibe to the record at times – and although some instruments solo at points, the real groove lies in the tight vamping of the orchestra – which hits all the right notes to really send the whole thing soaring – often with a nice use of tone and color too! Titles include "Flying High", "Fearing Much", "Going Home", "Running Fast", "Walking In The Dark", and "Feeling Tense".

Militant rockers rhythms with some fine toasting courtesy the top of the second generation of Dee Jays, Tappa Zukie. Probably his most well known record, both in and out of Jamaica, given the boost he got from some patronage courtesy a number of rock stars, this is still as fine an example of the Dee Jay form as you could get circa '78. Includes"MPLA", "Don't Get Crazy", "Stop the Gun Shooting", "Ital Pot", "Chalice to Chalice" and "Don't Deal With Babylon". 2 bonus tracks on this CD version: "Pick Up The Dub" and "Dub MPLA".

Way before his recent soundtrack fame, Randy Newman was one heck of a great songwriter – and at the start of his career he penned some of his best songs ever – most of which are featured here in this sweet little set! Back in the 60s, Newman had an ear for unusual themes and topics – and wrote these great little songs that got real personal, really fast – moving past the fluffier themes of mainstream pop, and into more honest, earnest territory that really set the stage for the growth of the singer/songwriter at the end of the decade. Most of the recordings here pre-date Newman's own versions of the tunes during his classic years at Reprise – and they're a great illustration of the way his words already had a big impact on the world of 60s pop. CD features 26 tracks in all, by a surprising array of artists – and titles include "Love Story" by Rick Nelson, "Simon Smith & The Amazing Dancing Bear" by Alan Price, "Have You Seen My Baby" by Fats Domino, "Old Kentucky Home" by The Beau Brummels, "So Long Dad" by Nilsson, "I Think It's Going To Rain Today" by Dusty Springfield, "Big Brother" by Calvin Grayson, "Friday Night" by The O'Jays, "Happy New Year" by Beverley, "I Can't Remember Ever Loving You" by Tammy Grimes, "Looking For Me" by Vic Dana, "They Tell Me It's Summer" by The Fleetwoods, "Love Is Blind" by Erma Franklin, "Somebody's Waiting" by Gene McDaniels, and "Just One Smile" by The Tokens.

Another great Studio One collection from the folks at Soul Jazz, this time highlighting the DeeJays! While heavyweights like Big Youth & U Roy never voiced tracks for the groundbreaking label, there's no shortage of first class toasting on this selection, and it's Studio One, so you know the rhythms are hot! Dennis Alcapone, Dillinger and Prince Jazzbo all come hard with tracks like "Power Version" and "Natty Kung Fu", and there's a few sweet numbers by less well known names like Prince Francis & Jah Jesco, plus a nice slice of history with Count Machuki's "More Scorcha". 16 burning tracks in all.

A crowning moment of achievement for trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah – a record that draws on his rich experience working with Sun Ra, but focuses the energy into a warmer, more spiritual jazz setting overall! The album's a lost treasure from the US scene of the late 70s – a perfect melding of jazz modes of the time, and one of those dates that somehow has all the players sounding even better than usual – really hitting a unique space together – one that's rhythmic, yet searching – free, yet structured – and always open to new ideas throughout! In addition to trumpet from Abdullah, the group also features vibes from Jay Hoggard, French horn from Vincent Chaney, cello from Muneer Abdul Fatah, bass from Jerome Hunter, and drums from Rashied Sinan. Hunter's bass is an especially moving force in the session – giving the album a warm, soulful current that really holds things together – and titles include "Song of Tenderness", "Eternal Spiraling Spirit", "Long Time Black", and "Life's Force".

Although the Main Ingredient were best known for their early 70's singles, this album from '74 is a wonderfully complex batch of tunes that shows that the group were taking a cue from some of their hipper contemporaries, and pushing past a stock hit formula. Bert DeCoteaux was still arranging, but the group produced themselves, giving the record a sexy funky feeling in the best parts, not that dissimilar from some of Marvin Gaye's work, or records by groups like The Isley Brothers or The O'Jays. Includes great versions of two Seals & Crofts songs – "Summer Breeze" and "Euphrates" – both a perfect example of this style, as is "Happiness Is Just Around The Bend" – plus a great reading of Willie Hutch's "California My Way", which has a super-dope sample at the beginning. Of course, the album still includes material like their hit " "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely", a sweetly style AM radio pop hit in the band's best style of earlier years.

A great sense of righteousness and groove – the key mix that made the O'Jays so great back in the day – and which really helped put the Philly International enterprise on the map! The album's miles from the group's simple harmony soul roots – even though those were pretty darn great – and it blends together soaring backings with a sweet Gamble/Huff finish, and really makes some magic in the way the whole thing comes off. Titles include the great mellow ballad "Stairway To Heaven", the party groovers "Livin For The Weekend" and "I Love Music" – and the cuts "Unity", "You & Me", and "She's Only A Woman".

Two MPS gems from this unusual 70s ensemble – back to back on the same CD! Chasin The Bird features classic bop modes, updated strongly for the 70s – and played by a hip group of older players who really know how to cook! Supersax is led by Med Flory on alto, who also did the arrangements – and works here with great reed help from Warne Marsh and Jay Migliori on tenor, Joe Lopes on alto, and Jack Nimitz on baritone – plus soaring sounds from Conte Candoli and Blue Mitchell on trumpets, Frank Rosolino on trombone, and Lou Levy on piano – all of whom really help the reed players find their groove! Charts are large, as is the ensemble, but there's a nice sense of individual personalities too – even when all the saxophonists are taking a solo together at once. Titles include "Shaw Nuff", "Drifting On A Reed", "Oop Bop Sh'Bam", "Now's The Time", and "The Song Is You". Dynamite is a looser, more free-swinging album than usual for Supersax – one that still has the group working with some key contributions from west coast jazz luminaries, but in a vibe that's almost more small combo than larger ensemble! The tracks here include a fair bit of Bud Powell and Charlie Parker numbers, but the arrangements are mighty fresh – open, and swinging with some hipper 70s touches, thanks to rhythms from a trio that features Lou Levy on piano, Fred Atwood on bass, and John Dentz on drums – players that are never locked into a strict bop mode. As with other Supersax albums, there's a brace of reed players working together at the front – Lanny Morgan on alto, Jack Nimitz on baritone, and both Jay Migliori and Don Menza on tenors – coming together as one voice on the solos, and getting some key help from Conte Candoli on trumpet and Frank Rosolino on trombone. Titles include "The Fruit", "Bambu", "Blues For Alice", "Tempus Fugit", "Parker's Mood", and a surprising, but great take on Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Wave".

A lost Jamaican harmony classic! By the late 70s, vocal harmony groups were beginning to fade from the Jamaican scene, as Dee Jays and dub plates ruled the scene, and the dawning of the dancehall era was just around the corner. But Prince Jammy was still working with some remarkable groups, and this classic LP of rootsy vocal harmony numbers was cut at the same time as Jammy's seminal work with Black Uhuru. Somehow this choice set of sweetly voiced harmony got lost in the cracks, but thanks to the Pressure Sounds crew, it's been brought to the light of day once again. Fans of their great Royals reissue will this nice set, another wonderful Jamaican soul set! 16 numbers in all, including "Black Black Minds", "Know Yourself", "Jah Gave Us This World", "Peace & Rest", "The Girl I Left Behind", "Tell Me Why","How Long", "Poor Man Cry" and "Keep On Trying".

A career-spanning anthology of the legendary Yellowman – the Jamaican deejay whose longevity against all odds is nearly as surprising as the top notch quality of his best recordings – many of which you can find here! Yellowman's better known in some circles for being a pioneer, for better or worse, in a more sexually explicit lyricism – for good reason – but he's such a charismatic performer that he deserves to be better known for his style than his words. Lots of great material here, and a good deal of it is quite timeless! 40 tracks on 2CDs: "Mad Over Me", "Shorties", "Lost Mi Love", "Mister Chin", "Out Of Hand", "Death Of Barnabas", "Them A Fight I", "Night Flight", "Top Form", "Duppy Or A Gunman", "Zungguzungguguzungguzeng", "Galong Galong Galong", "Gregory Free", "King And Queen" and "Jah Mek Us Fi A Purpose" with Sister Nancy, "Mr. Wong", "Herbman Smuggling", "Water Rock" and "Bam Bam" with Fathead, "Bunn The Kutchie", "Blueberry Hill" and more. 40 tracks on 2CDs – plus the DVD Live At Sunsplash 1988!

Deep, deep disco selected by Johnny "D" DeMairo – one of the more pivotal underground club music figures of the past couple decades, via his role in setting up the Henry Street imprint – here putting together an incredible set of the rare disco greatness! This the the expansive, floor-shaking, genre-straddling stuff that inspired the house and clubby soul scenes to come – and it's one of the best compilations of harder-to-find disco that's we've gotten our hands in years. The setlist features a divers mix of famous and lesser-remembered names – with styles ranging from straight forward disco stormers to strains of earlyish electro and 80s grooves – benchmark singles and inventive productions that bridge the eras! Tracks by Cerrone, Kasso, Skyy, The System, The O'Jays and more! Disc One of the 2CD edition feature 19 tracks mixed masterfully: "Ride On The Rhythm" by Mahogany feat Bernice Watkins, "Time For Live" by The Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Band, "It's Passion" by The System, "Spank" by Jimmy Bo Horne, "Call Me" by Skyy, "Dance For Every" by Gaucho, "We're On The Right Track" by Ultra High Frequency and more. CD Two features 13 unmixed disco jams: "This Time Baby" by The O'Jays, "How To Win Your Love" by Spencer Jones, "Dub Till We Drop" by La Fluer, "I've Got To Find A Way" by Zena Djonay, "Think Fast" by Pamela Joy and more.

The uber-classic Observer Book Of I-Roy – the masterful collection of mid 70s material, which collected, add up to some of the very finest recordings that great Jamaican deejay I-Roy recorded with writer, arranger, producer Niney The Observer! The album is essential a top notch round-up of singles that I Roy voiced for Niney in '76 and '77 – unbeatable versions of roots reggae classics! Includes "Jah Come Here", "Step On The Dragon", "Cam Road Skanking", "Sister Maggie Breast", "Water Rate", "Jamaican Girl", "Wicked Eat Dirt", "Roots Man" and more.

A nice EP from French producer and beatmaker Onra! Onra is one of finer producer/artists on the international scene combining a love for 80s electro, synth funk and boogie soul with an overall vibe that's right at home here in the post-millennium. This material here is among his best, too –bringing in some noirish 80s soundtrack influences – and again, making it sound timeless. Includes "After Hours" with T3, "LOVE", "Somewhere Deep In The Night", "VBB" fet Jaykin & Amalia, "Hold Tight" and "After Hours (Instrumental)".

Dee Jay and sound systems legend Joseph "Ranking Joe" Jackson – doing his thing at a peak level this stellar dawn of the 80s record for Greensleeves – with production by Junjo Lawes and backed by the mighty Roots Radics Band! The record was made after Joe had long been a live fixture on the Jamaican scene, and was actually hitting the road and bringing the sound system style to international audiences – and all the while making great records, too! This is one of 'em! Titles include "Step It Down Shephard's Bush", "Lift Up Your Frock", "Rub Sister Rub It", "Christine", "Spread Propaganda", "River Jordan", "Hooligan", "Sex Maniac", "Dreadlocks Time" and "Love It Like A Light Post".

Double-length brilliance from the mighty Sahib Shihab – a set that collects a number of killer 60s sessions with members of the Clarke Boland Big Band – all of them great! The small combo work here is amazing – hard-hitting modal jazz that matches, if not tops the best MPS/Saba sounds of the time – all produced to perfection with a really sharp edge, and a cutting approach to jazz that's gone onto inspired countless others in the current scene – including artists on Schema and Ricky-Tick Records, as well as most Japanese club jazz combos! But long before any of those cats started copping his groove, Sahib Shihab had it all totally together – a great ear for his own amazing solos on baritone and flute, and a way of hooking up with players like Francy Boland on piano, Fats Sadi on vibes, Benny Bailey on trumpet, Jimmy Woode on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums. All players here were Shihab's partners in the Clarke Boland Big Band, and they use these small combo sessions to explore some great new ideas – stripped-down groovers that are heavy on rhythm, and really allow full expression from all the players involved. Titles include "Companionship", "Om Mani Padme Hum", "Bohemia After Dark", "Serenata", "Yah Yah Blues", "Balafon", "Talk Some Yak-ee Dak", "The Turk's Bolero", "CT + CB", "Jay Jay", "Stoned Ghosts", "Just Give Me Time", and "Dijdar".

Killer rhythms and charismatic dub vocals from the mighty Jah Stitch – a tight collection of his late 70s deejay cuts from Kingston Sounds! Nice versions of classic backdrops originally laid down by John Holt, Johnny Clarke and more – done up nicely here with Jah's prime, inimitable 70s style. Includes "Dread Inna Jamdown", "Make A Joyful Noise", "Natty Dread Skanking", "From Dusk To Dawn", "Rock To The Beat", "Natty Going On So", "Live Together In Harmony", "Love For Everyone", "Serious Thing", "The Best By Any Test" and more.

Postwar blues from Chicago – a great double-length collection of rare material from JOB Records – a Windy City imprint that was much smaller than Vee Jay, Chess, and Mercury – and who only ever issued most of this material as 78 rpm singles! The JOB sound is definitely rough and raw – still showing the strong influence of electric guitar's introduction to northern blues, yet putting the music forward with a stripped-down sound that's really timeless – and which often emphasizes piano as much as guitar. No surprise, there's some great keyboardists on the set – working in a really dark-edged style – as you'll hear on the 36 track set of tunes that includes "Evening Sun" by Johnny Shines, "Drinking Woman" by John Brim & His Trio, "My Head Can't Rest Anymore" by Baby Face Leroy Foster, "Down Home Child" by Sunnyland Slim, "Boogy Fool" by Snooky Pryor, "Dark Road" by Floyd Jones, "Five Long Years" by Eddie Boyd, "How Much More" by JB Lenoir, and "Rough Treatment" by Little Hudson & His Red Devil Trio.

Deep, deep disco selected by Johnny "D" DeMairo – one of the more pivotal underground club music figures of the past couple decades, via his role in setting up the Henry Street imprint – here putting together an incredible set of the rare disco greatness! This the the expansive, floor-shaking, genre-straddling stuff that inspired the house and clubby soul scenes to come – and it's one of the best compilations of harder-to-find disco that's we've gotten our hands in years. The setlist features a divers mix of famous and lesser-remembered names – with styles ranging from straight forward disco stormers to strains of earlyish electro and 80s grooves – benchmark singles and inventive productions that bridge the eras! Tracks by Cerrone, Kasso, Skyy, The System, The O'Jays and more! 8 representative Disco Jamms that comfortably stretch out over 2LPs: "Spank (Instrumental Remix)" by Jimmy Bo Horne, "Key West (Jellybean Edit)" by Kasso, "Dub Till We Drop (Ben Liebrand Mix)" by Lafleur, "Dance Forever (DJ Verison)" by Gaucho, "Dirty Talk (Moplen Edit) Re-Edited by Luca Locatelli, "This Time Baby (LP Version)" by The O'Jays, "Think Fast (Instrumental)" by Pamela Joy, and "It's Passion (Dub)" by The System.

It just doesn't stop! The heavyweight selectors at Soul Jazz brew up another chubby batch of blazing Studio One jams, delivering nothing but the classics this go 'round, just like the title says! Another chapter from Coxsone Dodd and crew showcasing the label and studio that laid the foundation for a huge swath of Jamaican music for generations to come, this set delivers 18 mighty, mighty reggae jams of all flavors, including the Skatalites "El Pussycat Ska", Sound Dimension "Rockfort Rock", the Heptones "Pretty Looks Isn't All", Lone Ranger "Automatic", Horace Andy "Fever", Burning Spear "Rocking time", Alton Ellis "I'm Just A Guy", Don Drummond "Confucious", Michigan & Smiley "Rub A Dub Style" and Johnny Osbourne "Sing Jay Stylee".