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Paul Simon's mid 80s landmark – a record that brought together Simon's unique voice and pop folk songwriting skill with South African, Chicano, zydeco other global musical styles – held together by some of the best songs Simon ever put together! With lesser material, this would feel like the well-intentioned "world music" album by an aging star, but Simon transcends that in a big way with catchy, intelligent songs and expert production. Includes "The Boy In The Bubble", "Graceland", "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes", "You Can Call Me Al", "Under African Skyes", "All Around The World Or The Myth Of Fingerprints" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Work from the Paul Simon movie of the same name – with the surprisingly nice "Late In The Evening", plus "Ace In The Hole", "That's Why God Made The Movies", "Oh Marion", "God Bless The Absentee", "Jonah", "Long Long Day", and "How The Heart Approaches What It Yearns". LP, Vinyl record album

We've gotta admit, this record sounds a lot better with the passing of time than we might have expected – thanks in part to some totally sweet Fender Rhodes, used often, and in all the best ways to pepper the tunes! Barry Beckett and Bob James handle the keys – and there's even some gospel touches at times, thanks to help from the Jessy Dixon Singers and Chicago Community Choir. And Paul Simon's songwriting is mostly mature – and even on the hit "50 Ways", the drums from Steve Gadd more than make up for any clunk! LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "Kodachrome", "Loves Me Like A Rock", "Take Me To The Mardi Gras", "One Man's Ceiling Is Another Man's Floor", "American Tune", "Was A Sunny Day", and "Something So Right". LP, Vinyl record album

The first-ever solo album from Paul Simon – and a set that really showed the world he had a heck of a lot to offer on his own! Simon's still got all the great warm, personal tones of his late years with Art Garfunkel – but has also found a way to make things even more individual, too – sometimes borrowing from some other genres the previous pair never would have touched – sometimes just getting laidback and mellow, in a way that showcases his wonderfully maturing vocals! Tracks include the surprisingly funky "Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard" – plus "Mother & Child Reunion", "Duncan", "Congratulations", "Paranoia Blues", "Papa Hobo", and "Everything Put Together Falls Apart". LP, Vinyl record album

A funky treasure from the glory days of the De Wolfe sound library – and one of the rarer titles on the label too! LP, Vinyl record album

The legendary alto saxophonist Paul Desmond serves up his own versions of key tunes by Simon & Garfunkel – with results that are simply amazing, and very different than the originals! The style here takes all the airy brilliance of the original S&G tunes, and turns it towards a more jazz-based mode – one that has some of the slight Brazilian undercurrents in the rhythms that you'll find on Desmond's previous two albums for CTI! The full arrangements are by Don Sebesky, who brings a great sense of balance to the set – and Herbie Hancock plays some great electric piano, in a group that also features Airto on percussion and Gene Bertoncini on guitar. But the real star of the set is Paul Desmond – blowing with that amazing tone of his – and sliding from tune to tune with effortless ease, in a way that really transforms these tunes in their instrumental readings. Titles include "Cecilia", "Mrs. Robinson", "America", "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright", and "Scarborough Fair" – all done with a sweet jazzy A&M approach! LP, Vinyl record album

After hitting big success with Paul Simon's Graceland album in the mid 80s, Warners kind of had a little burst of renewed activity in recording the sorts of artists they paid attention to more in the glory days of the late 60s/early 70s record industry boom. Fortunately, Miriam Makeba benefitted from that surge of activity, and was able to cut this excellent album in a style that was far rootsier than any she'd used in years! The record has a pretty spare feel overall, and most tracks only feature vocals and percussion – with some occasional extra instrumentation, and production that's very much in the Ladysmith Black Mambazo mode from the time. titles include "Sabumoya", "Congo", "Icala", "Ihoyiya", and "Embahaceni". LP, Vinyl record album

A damn great early moment from David Sanborn – a record that really shows the reedman at his best – working some tight solos over soulful backings in the same 70s manner as Tom Scott or Wilton Felder! Like both of those players, David's got the chops to step out in front of the backings strongly – blowing some of his best notes with surprisingly little flourish, and crafting a soulful lead that's supported by work from Hiram Bullock on guitar, Rosalinda De Leon on keyboards, and Victor Lewis on drums. There's a bit of vocals on the album – courtesy of Patti Austin, Lain Groves, Phoebe Snow, and Paul Simon – and titles include "Indio", "Smile", "Concrete Boogie", "Mamacita", and "7th Ave". LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible live set by Dr. Lonnie Smith – recorded during his 75th birthday celebration at NYC's Jazz Standard! It's mostly in a trio setting with Jonathan Kreisberg on guitar and Johnathan Blake on drums, working through raucous and intimate moments with equal skill. We saw Lonnie play not too long before this impeccable set was recorded, so believe us when we tell you, the next best thing to seeing him do his inimitable thing in person – even as late in the game as his 75th year – is right here! He wastes no time pulling us in with a great take on Wayne Shorter's "Juju", which feels SO good with Lonnie's electric keys, along with some great space for Kreisberg to shine, and the set has some wonderful mellower moments, too. Includes a killer cover of Paul Simon's "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover", Smith's own "Alhambra" and "All In My Mind", plus "Devika", "On A Misty Night"and "Up Jumped Spring". LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Chase, Ten Years After, Santana, Paul Simon, Miles Davis, Morton Subotnick, New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein, Ray Coniff, Barbra Streisand, and others. LP, Vinyl record album

Lots of nice effect-laden guitar covers of Animals, Paul Simon, Beatles, Procol Harum, and more! LP, Vinyl record album

A work of true genius – and one of Hefti's most amazing soundtracks ever! Barefoot In The Park was written shortly before The Odd Couple – also for a Neal Simon film – and it's got a similar style of grooving to that more famous soundtrack, with two melodies working their way in together rhythmically, dancing around almost in counterpoint, but instead opening up the tunes in a really wild way. The main theme is tremendous – played in a number of versions, including one with some super-cool electric harpsichord – and even one number with vocals is pretty darn incredible. We love this one – and although short, it's a treasure throughout! Titles include "Barefoot In The Park", "Blues For Paul", "New Home Up A Stairs", "Nut On The Roof", and "Six Flights Up". LP, Vinyl record album

A long-overdue fifth entry in this wonderful series – and a set that offers up reggae-styled takes on tunes by Bobby Caldwell, Cerrone, Labelle, KC & The Sunshine Band, and other 70s club giants! As with the previous volumes, the music here is served up by a variety of different artists who've all recorded 7" singles for the Stix label – but who have a nicely unified vibe as they explore the warmer side of reggae elements – maybe almost in lovers rock territory, but with a groove that's got a bit more of a bite, thanks to the inspiration of the original tunes! Tracks include "Supernature" and "Teenage Kicks" by Taggy Matcher, "What You Won't Do For Love" and "Lady Marmalade" by Mato, "Still In The Groove" by Soul Sugar, "You'll Never Know" by Simon Nyabinghi, and "Walk On By" by Paula Mirhan. LP, Vinyl record album