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Groovy album that has a number of vocal tracks from the Hair soundtrack, plus other late 60s groovy pop titles – all performed by the obscure California Poppy Pickers (who we seem to remember being someone else, but we're not sure.) Titles include "Good Morning Starshine", "Narrow People", "Hair", "Sunshine Summer Days", "Clean Up Your Own Backyard", and "Oh Happy Day".

One of the best sets ever from keyboardist Barry Miles – a record done with a gentle mix of electric and acoustic instrumentation, but still in a richly organic way that's filled with lyrical touches! Barry himself plays both acoustic and electric piano – and instrumentation includes guitar from Jack Wilkins, conga from Ray Barretto, and some nice woodwind shading alongside the trumpet of Lew Soloff – a sound that makes for many gentle colors alongside the harder grooves, and a style that's subtler than many of Miles' contemporaries. Tracks include the nice bassline-grooving "Take Your Clothes", which has a great gentle funk approach and some nicely-flattened electric keys – plus "New Derivatives", "Alone", "Contrasts", and "Hijack".

A sweet groover from Don Randi – one of his great 70s sides with the Baked Potato group, and a combination of soulful piano jazz and added percussion – a slightly Latinized approach that makes for some great skipping grooves, almost like Monty Alexander's best work from the time. Tracks include "Leah Rose" and "Tubesteak" – both of which are originals, and very nice groovers. Also features versions of "Mercy Mercy", "Samba De Orfeo", "2001", and "I Found Gold".

Classic early electronic work from Louis & Bebe Barron – and the score to one of the best 50s space thrillers! This LP does a nice job of bringing the material out again – and although the sound quality isn't totally perfect, the spookiness of the music more than makes up for that. Titles include "Flurry of Dust", "The Landing", "Invisible Monster Approaches", and "Ancient Krell Music". 23 tracks in all – and lots of weird wonderful numbers!

The major label debut of Amuzement Park – almost more obscure than the indie set that preceded it, and kind of in a different mode altogether! There's still a boogie groove to most of the set, but the group are also funking things up a bit more – possibly following a Minneapolis influence, and bringing some new wave basslines and sharper-edged keyboards into the tunes. Tracks are catchy, and often a bit poppy – and titles include "Gotta Dance", "Music Makers", "This Love", "APB", "Didn't You Know", and "Squeeze Me".

Early work from The Beach Boys, but Brian Wilson's genius is already starting to show – tucked in between some more obviously poppy numbers that first put the group on the map! The album obviously features the big title hit, but there's some other great gems here that are much lesser known – our favorite of which is "The Lonely Sea", an incredible number filled with sadness and longing, and a real precursor to the Pet Sounds years! Other titles include "Finders Keepers", "Lana", "Farmer's Daughter", "Noble Surfer", "Stoked", "Surfin USA", "Miserlou", "Shut Down", and "Let's Go Trippin".

Nothing Fragile here – as Cherrelle comes across with plenty of power on this debut LP – thanks to sharp production from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on some of the best cuts, and an overall groove that's right on the best side of early 80s soul! The Jam/Lewis tracks are heavy on keyboards and beats – but still have a nicely early, un-commercial sort of sound overall – never too poppy, and more in an indie soul club sort of groove. Other production is by Michael Everitt Dunlap and Isaac Suthers – who bring in some slightly softer sounds that show off Cherrelle's more sensitive ballad side. Titles include the hit "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" – plus "When You Look In My Eyes", "I Need You Now", "Who's It Gonna Be", "Like I Will", "Fragile Handle With Care", and "Stay With Me".

Nothing Fragile here – as Cherrelle comes across with plenty of power on this debut LP – thanks to sharp production from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on some of the best cuts, and an overall groove that's right on the best side of early 80s soul! The Jam/Lewis tracks are heavy on keyboards and beats – but still have a nicely early, un-commercial sort of sound overall – never too poppy, and more in an indie soul club sort of groove. Other production is by Michael Everitt Dunlap and Isaac Suthers – who bring in some slightly softer sounds that show off Cherrelle's more sensitive ballad side. Titles include the hit "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" – plus "When You Look In My Eyes", "I Need You Now", "Who's It Gonna Be", "Like I Will", "Fragile Handle With Care", and "Stay With Me". Great reissue – with a book-like cover, lots of notes, and bonus tracks that include "Like I Will (Tokyo mix)", "Fragile Handle With Care", "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On (edit)", "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On (special rmx)", and "When You Look In My Eyes (special version)".

Prime symphonic disco from the mighty John Davis and his well-named Monster Orchestra! The set's got a dramatic flourish that still mixes in plenty of live instrumentation – including keyboards and flute from John, plus some nice congas from Larry Washington! John sings lead vocals on most cuts, but uses some cool processing to kind of space out the sound – making for a compressed and flanged-out sound that's poppy, but really compelling. And although the whole thing sounds hokey, the quality of the grooves is actually pretty great from an instrumental standpoint. Titles include "Once Upon A Time", "We Can Fly", "Up Jumped The Devil", "You Gotta Give It Up", "You're The One", "The Magic Is You", and "Recapitulation".

Sweeter studio Miles Davis from the 80s – a record that takes the 70s electric experiments and fuses them into a sound that's got a lot more R&B influence than before! The style is a bit poppy at times, but never in a way that's too slick – and often, Davis is using his muted trumpet to state lines boldly in ways that still have a greater sense of depth and craft than most of his contemporaries. A few tracks show some of the gritty New York rock/funk trend of the time, while others are lighter and more lyrical – and titles include covers of "Time After Time" and "Human Nature" – Miles' attempt to find standards in contemporary pop – plus the tracks "Katia", "You're Under Arrest", "Ms Morrisine", and "One Phone Call/Street Scenes".

Sweet poppy soul from Five Star – moving strongly here on a set that's got lots of early 90s new jack elements – including a fair bit of beats that really work well with the group's trading of male and female vocals! Things are plenty catchy throughout – not the deepest soul you might ever listen to, but the kind of work that definitely shines brighter than most in the mainstream R&B world at the time. Titles include "Come To Me", "Shine", "Love Can't Wait", "Right Over", "The Start Of Forever", "Sentimental", "Save A Place", and "The Love You Bring To Me". CD features 6 bonus tracks – all different mixes of "Shine"!

Sweetly grooving early 80s UK soul from David Grant – his first solo album after the breakup of Linx – and it's a nice one! There's a leaner pop soul sound at play here, one that would have sounded right at home on the US charts of the time – but it's never too poppy – and always with David's genuinely soulful voice out front. The songs are of pretty solid, with some uptempo numbers and some more ballad-y tunes – the latter of which are really nice! Includes "Rock The Midnight", "Love Will Find A Way", "Stop And Go", "Organize", "Watching You, Watching Me", Holding On", "In The Flow Of Love", "Wrap Yourself Around Me" and more. This Big Break CD edition has a healthy batch of bonus tracks and alternate versions – 9 in all: "Stop And Go (12" Master Mix)", "Love Will Find A Way (Single Version)", "Kiss Away The Blues", "Klik Trax", :Rick The Midnight (Single Version)" and more.

Arguably the last true moment of genius in Michael Jackson's career – a record that sold a bazillion copies around the world – and for plenty good reason! Michael's still working here with Quincy Jones – in territory that steps nicely from the Off The Wall groove, into territory that's somewhat more poppy, but still quite soulful overall. And yes, the success of the album meant that cuts like "Billie Jean", "Thriller", and "Beat It" got plenty of play – thanks to both heavy radio and video rotation – but a few decades later, there's still a tremendous amount of depth here – on great cuts like "Human Nature", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin", and "PYT" – which all hold up nicely!

Subtle magic from Jack Jones – the kind of record that's made Jones one of our favorite singers from the 60s, and a set that's right up there with the best albums by Tony Bennett! Jack's not nearly as dramatic as Bennett in his earlier years, but he's got a similarly fluid quality – a voice that's clearly tuned on jazz, but handled with straighter interpretation – set to backings that are neither too poppy nor too romantic, sometimes rare for male singers of the time. Backings are by Pete King, who uses lush strings, and Harry Betts, who brings in a bit more jazz – and titles include "Here's That Rainy Day", "Where Love Has Gone", "What's New", "The Lorelei", "By Myself", "To Love & Be Loved", "Lush Life", "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry", and "Willow Weep For Me".

It's definitely winning time for Klique – as the trio grooves here with a lean, clean sound that's totally great! Despite the silly jumpsuits on the cover, the group actually have a pretty nice sound in the grooves – one that's kind of a poppy approach to the boogie, filled with plenty of nice hooks and riffing rhythms – all laid out with production that never gets too cluttered or cliched! The sound is simple, but that's it's strongest suit – and the album's got a nice focused quality overall. Titles include "Love's Dance", "It's Winning Time", "From Now On", "Better Times", "So In Love With You", "I Think You Know", "Middle Of A Slow Dance", and "You Brought My Love To Life".

Poppy passion from Krystol – a sweet 80s trio with a definite way with a hook! The set's got a well-balanced mainstream sound – one that helps the vocals find a fullness right away, either on the leads or harmonies – both woven together over the top of the tight, beat-heavy grooves! At points, there's almost a retro vibe – as if an older girl trio mode's being revived for a new 80s scene – but with a definite contemporary spin. There's a decidedly commercial appeal to the sound – but Krystol were also never too overplayed back in the day, which makes the album a nice discovery – and a great surprise when you start digging through all the potential singles on the set. Tracks include "Love Attack", "Passion From A Woman", "He's So Jive", "Baby Make Up Your Mind", "Scared Single", and "Precious Precious". CD features bonus tracks too – "Passion From A Woman (ext)", "Passion From A Woman (acapella)", "Passion From A Woman (radio)", "Passion From A Woman (dub)", "Passion From A Woman (7" version)", and "Precious Precious (7" version)".

An incredible album from Peggy Lee – baroquely beautiful, in a way that builds massively off of her "Is That All There Is Period" – and take her into territory that's almost equal to Lotte Lenya! The whole album was written by the team of Lieber & Stoller, in a sad, boozy, faded style that's quite different than any of their earlier pop hits – and arrangements by Johnny Mandel and Perry Botkin are handled in a style that goes more for the emotive depths than the poppy hooks – really allowing Peggy to sing in a mature style that really befits her voice at the time. The record's incredibly dark – and is the kind that probably killed her career at the time, but which now stands above most other other records of the 60s and 70s. Titles include "Some Cats Know", "Ready To Begin Again", "A Little White Ship", "Tango", "Say It", and "I Remember".

Cheryl Lynn and Luther Vandross – a tremendous combination that makes for one heck of a great record! Luther arranged and produced the entire set – and he does a great job here of pushing Cheryl Lynn into more upbeat territory without getting too poppy or schmaltzy! In a way, the record shows traces of some of Luther's best work for other artists (and himself) in the late 70s – an approach to club that's still plenty darn soulful, and which really lets Lynn open up with tremendous vocals. Titles include a famous remake of "If This World Were Mine" – done as a duet with Luther – plus "I Just Wanna Be Your Fantasy", "Instant Love", "Sleep Walkin", "Day After Day", "Look Before You Leap", and "Say You'll Be Mine".

Cheryl Lynn and Luther Vandross – a tremendous combination that makes for one heck of a great record! Luther arranged and produced the entire set – and he does a great job here of pushing Cheryl Lynn into more upbeat territory without getting too poppy or schmaltzy! In a way, the record shows traces of some of Luther's best work for other artists (and himself) in the late 70s – an approach to club that's still plenty darn soulful, and which really lets Lynn open up with tremendous vocals. Titles include a famous remake of "If This World Were Mine" – done as a duet with Luther – plus "I Just Wanna Be Your Fantasy", "Instant Love", "Sleep Walkin", "Day After Day", "Look Before You Leap", and "Say You'll Be Mine". 2 bonus tracks: "Instant Love (Single Version)" and "If This World Were Mine (Single Version)".

One of Hugh's more poppy efforts, but still a nice batch of instrumentals with a good Afro soul groove to them, and the jaunty trumpet sound that was Hugh's stock in trade at the time. Tracks include "Actin' Like A Fool", "If I Needed Someone", "Sounds Of Silence", "Along Comes Mary", "It's Not Unusual", and "From Me To You".

A sweet disco set from the late 70s – the only one we've ever seen by the Partners, who we're guessing were some sort of European studio combo! The sound is mighty nice – exactly what you'd guess from the title – the best sort of funky Euro disco style of the time, with some sweet harmony vocals that almost have a Bee Gees vibe – yet never nearly as poppy as their disco tunes! There's a warmth here that marks the Paris in contrast to other European club sounds of the time – and attention to lyrics that goes way past the usual "let's throw a singer at some grooves" – especially on the album's mellower cuts. Titles include "Partners", "Friday", "Dance", "Green Eyes", and "Love Meant To Be".

One of the strongest albums by Rockie Robbins – and they're all pretty darn great – thanks to some sweet production and arrangements from the team of Skip Scarborough and Jerry Peters! Skip and Jerry bring a nice sense of smoothness to Rockie's Chicago-forged sound – expanding his sound with fuller arrangements than before, and creating a style here that's tight and professional, yet never slick or poppy. Titles include "Time To Think", "I Believe In Love", "My Old Friend", "Look Before You Leap", "Give Our Love A Chance", "An Act Of Love", "I'll Turn To You", "For You For Love", and "Talk To Me".

One of Ben Sidran's biggest records from the 70s – a smooth combination of jazz, fusion, soul, and a bit of New Orleans groove! There's still a very unique feel to Sidran's music here – a sense of personality that really makes the whole thing sparkle – and which keeps the record from sounding too much like anyone else. Grooves are a great mix of jazz and soul elements – in territory that certainly has a 70s LA sort of quality, but which never gets too poppy or commercial – thanks to Ben's vocals, and mostly small combo backings from players who include Phil Upchurch on bass, Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Larry Carlton on guitar, and Tony Williams on drums. Nick DeCaro adds in a bit of extra strings from time to time – and titles include "Silver's Serenade", "Charlie's Blues", "Be Nice", "Goodbye Porkpie Hat", "One Way Grave", and "See You On The Other Side".

One of the weirdest, wildest moog albums you'll ever hear – an amazing collaboration between moogy maestro Mort Garson and "word man" Jacques Wilson! The album's an electronic fairy tale for the late 60s scene – a pretty scary little set at the heart, given all the analogue electronics and strange sounds from Garson – as well as Wilson's oddly-penned lyrics. The whole thing's almost an audio equivalent of the psychedelic Yellow Submarine animated feature – but without the Beatles' songs, of course – although some of Mort's tunes are still pretty darn catchy! Titles include "Leave the Driving to Us", "Blue Poppy", "They're Off to Find the Wozard", "Killing Of The Witch", "Never Follow The Yellow Green Road", and "Upset Strip"

A nice bit of space age disco fantasy from Boney M – a set that's got a few more electronic touches than some of the group's other records, but which still continues in a straight ahead poppy vein! There's a sound here that's arguably a bit more sophisticated than before – especially on some of the rhythms, which almost hint at Bohannon like complexity at the bottom. There's almost a bit more club appeal than you might expect – although other tunes are definitely more the stuff of hotel lobby dancefloors than warehouse parties in New York. Titles include "King Of The Road", "Nightflight To Venus", "Voodoonight", "Brown Girl In the Ring", "Heart Of Gold", and the hit version of "Rivers Of Babylon".

Rare English language recordings from the sublime Francoise Hardy – music that's every bit as wonderful as her famous French recordings – and even more compelling to our Anglo-styled ears! The vocals are wonderful – sung with this sense of darkness that's almost got an echo of Nico at points, given the accent – set to backings that balance this darkness with a bit more light, but never in ways that are overly poppy – and which definitely continue that more sophisticated style that Hardy always brought to her music! There's less "yeh yeh" to the tracks than a few years before – and Francoise is definitely digging deeper music at this point in her career – sometimes with a breathy brilliance that's a bit like Jane Birkin too. Titles include "Bown Bown Bown", "Till The Morning Comes", "Loving You", "In The Sky", "Midnight Blues", "Magic Horse", "Song Of Winter", "Strange Shadows", "Ocean", "The Garden Of Jane Delawney", "Sometimes", "Let My Name Be Sorrow", "Times Passing By", "I Just Want To Be Alone", and "Suzanne".

Excellent early work from Giorgio Moroder – recorded in the pre-disco years, with a trippy rock style that mixes electronics and some surprisingly soulful guitar work! The overall style is almost a prog take on the beat group sound with some poppy touches – a cool blend that was shared briefly by other European groups of the time, before they stretched out and got a bit more trippy. The album's got some nice moogy touches, tight drums by Keith Forsey, and even a bit of keyboards from Max Gregor Jr. Most tracks have vocals, but also kick off with a strong foot instrumentally – making for some great rock break moments that are worth the album alone, even though the full songs are pretty nice too! Titles include the epic "Tears", "Lord Release Me", "Watch Your Step", "Pauline", "Son Of My Father", "Automation", "London Traffic", "Spanish Disaster", and "Underdog". CD features lots of bonus tracks too – including "Today's A Tomorrow", "Everybody Join Hands", "I'm Free Now", "Non Ci Sto", "Take It Shake It Break My Heart", and "Underdog (mono)".

Hard to go wrong with Rene & Angela at this point in their career – as they're super tight, always upbeat, and plenty darn soulful – no matter what the groove! The album's a perfect example of 80s groove at its best – a reworking of mainstream soul modes with a slight modern dancefloor touch – still never disco cliches, nor some of the too-poppy modes used by some of their contemporaries – and a blend that's always right on the money for the vocals of Angela Winbush to shine! Titles include the groover "Can't Give You Up", the mellow number "My First Love", and the cuts "Take Me To The Limit", "When It Comes To Love", "Bangin The Boogie", "Rise", and "Keep Runnin". CD features 6 bonus tracks too – "Bangin The Boogie (single)", "Keep Runnin (single)", "My First Love (single)", "Bangin The Boogie (inst)", "Keep Runnin (12" version)", and "Keep Runnin (dub)".

One of Ben Sidran's biggest records from the 70s – a smooth combination of jazz, fusion, soul, and a bit of New Orleans groove! There's still a very unique feel to Sidran's music here – a sense of personality that really makes the whole thing sparkle – and which keeps the record from sounding too much like anyone else. Grooves are a great mix of jazz and soul elements – in territory that certainly has a 70s LA sort of quality, but which never gets too poppy or commercial – thanks to Ben's vocals, and mostly small combo backings from players who include Phil Upchurch on bass, Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Larry Carlton on guitar, and Tony Williams on drums. Nick DeCaro adds in a bit of extra strings from time to time – and titles include "Silver's Serenade", "Charlie's Blues", "Be Nice", "Goodbye Porkpie Hat", "One Way Grave", and "See You On The Other Side".

A wonderful little groover from this short-lived group – a tune that's got plenty of 80s groove in the rhythms, but also some wonderful harmony vocals over the top! There's a great hook here, but it's never too poppy – and although aimed at the dancefloor, the track's got plenty of warmth and soul!

Stunning sounds from Beady Belle – one of the greatest albums we've heard from the group in years – and that's saying a heck of a lot! Beady Belle are as soulful as ever, but also have a new sort of crackle too – a bit more clavinet mixed in with their Fender Rhodes, and this cool moogy way of laying down a groove that at times is almost a 21st Century version of Shuggie Otis during his Inspiration Information years! The lovely vocals of Beate Lech still keep a great degree of humanity in the music – with these beautifully personal lyrics that have always made the group one of the warmest of all their contemporaries on the Scandia scene – sung this time with a maturity that could well get these guys the much-needed audience they've always deserved on this side of the Atlantic. A gem through and through – with titles that include "Saved", "Party Pooper", "Song For Irie", "Faith", "Circlet", "So Far So Good", "My Name On The World", and "Poppy Burt-Jones".

Stunning sounds from Beady Belle – one of the greatest albums we've heard from the group in years – and that's saying a heck of a lot! Beady Belle are as soulful as ever, but also have a new sort of crackle too – a bit more clavinet mixed in with their Fender Rhodes, and this cool moogy way of laying down a groove that at times is almost a 21st Century version of Shuggie Otis during his Inspiration Information years! The lovely vocals of Beate Lech still keep a great degree of humanity in the music – with these beautifully personal lyrics that have always made the group one of the warmest of all their contemporaries on the Scandia scene – sung this time with a maturity that could well get these guys the much-needed audience they've always deserved on this side of the Atlantic. A gem through and through – with titles that include "Saved", "Party Pooper", "Song For Irie", "Faith", "Circlet", "So Far So Good", "My Name On The World", and "Poppy Burt-Jones".

It's been a couple years since we last saw a Galactic Zoo Dossier, but Plastic Crimewave, a great group of contributors and publisher Drag City have delivered the best yet – 100+ pages of both legendary and deep underground psych obsessions! It's got interviews with Arthur Brown, Rodriguez, Black Widow, Susanjacks & Craig McCaw of Poppy Family and more – and hand-drawn (natch!) In Memorium section of heroes departed since #8 – Bert Jansch, Gil Scott-Heron, Eugene McDaniels, Alex Chilton and more – and page after glorious b&w page of psych coverage and comics. Pieces on Bob Segar, Moody Blues, Texas Acid Punk, Quo, "Psychedelicanada" and more! Also comes with perforated sheets of trading cards – dozens of "Astral Folk Goddesses" and "Damaged Guitar Gods". Also includes a free CD with 23 tracks by The Revelation, Mainlier, The Goblins, Results, The Joy Poppers, Roscoe, Mission Sisters and many more.

Arguably the last true moment of genius in Michael Jackson's career – a record that sold a bazillion copies around the world – and for plenty good reason! Michael's still working here with Quincy Jones – in territory that steps nicely from the Off The Wall groove, into territory that's somewhat more poppy, but still quite soulful overall. And yes, the success of the album meant that cuts like "Billie Jean", "Thriller", and "Beat It" got plenty of play – thanks to both heavy radio and video rotation – but a few decades later, there's still a tremendous amount of depth here – on great cuts like "Human Nature", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin", and "PYT" – which all hold up nicely!

Probably the biggest album ever from the brother/sister team of Katreese and Jerry Barnes – working here as Juicy, in a sweet smooth 80s groove style that's mighty nice! Deodato produced the album, and it's similar to some of the other soul material he was handling in the 80s – slick and sparkling, but with a sweet jazzy touch that keeps things a lot more real than on other soul albums from the time. The Barnes siblings handle all vocals and instruments – and the record has a sweet poppy duet style that's perhaps a bit dated, but also kind of due for a revival. Features the group's great slow jam hit "Sugar Free", with lots of excellent bass pedal jamming – plus "Stay With Me", "Slow Dancing", "It Takes Two", and "Nobody But You". CD features some nice 12" bonus tracks – including "Sugar Free (Deo/super dance mix)", "Nobody But You (Deo rmx)", "Bad Boy (dub)", "Sugar Free (Deo/radio rmx)", and "Nobody But You (Deo dub)".

Wonderfully smooth soul from Evelyn Champagne King – one of her real standouts from the early days, and a tremendous collaboration with producer/arranger T Life! The sound here is upbeat and catchy, but never too poppy – done with a slight hint of that groove that King would hit more famously in the 80s, but served up here with a deeper sense of warmth, and a slightly more laidback feel. King is classy without being cloying – just like a sip of the right sort of champagne – and T Life's backings often have a slight undercurrent of funk. Titles include the club classic "Shame" – plus "Smooth Talk", "Til I Come Off The Road", "Dancin, Dancin, Dancin", "Nobody Knows", "We're Going To A Party", and "The Show Is Over".

Hard to go wrong with Rene & Angela at this point in their career – as they're super tight, always upbeat, and plenty darn soulful – no matter what the groove! The album's a perfect example of 80s groove at its best – a reworking of mainstream soul modes with a slight modern dancefloor touch – still never disco cliches, nor some of the too-poppy modes used by some of their contemporaries – and a blend that's always right on the money for the vocals of Angela Winbush to shine! Titles include the groover "Can't Give You Up", the mellow number "My First Love", and the cuts "Take Me To The Limit", "When It Comes To Love", "Bangin The Boogie", "Rise", and "Keep Runnin".

Hard to go wrong with Rene & Angela at this point in their career – as they're super tight, always upbeat, and plenty darn soulful – no matter what the groove! The album's a perfect example of 80s groove at its best – a reworking of mainstream soul modes with a slight modern dancefloor touch – still never disco cliches, nor some of the too-poppy modes used by some of their contemporaries – and a blend that's always right on the money for the vocals of Angela Winbush to shine! Titles include the groover "Can't Give You Up", the mellow number "My First Love", and the cuts "Take Me To The Limit", "When It Comes To Love", "Bangin The Boogie", "Rise", and "Keep Runnin". CD features 7 bonus tracks too – "Do You Really Love Me", "Wall To Wall", "Secret Rendez Vous", "I Love You More", "Keep Runnin (rmx)", "Imaginary Playmates", and "Turn It Out".

A sweet 80s project from the legendary Randy Muller – a set that's a bit heavier on the beats and keyboards than his previous horn-heavy efforts – but which still has more than enough of a groove to earn the "funk" in the title! The style here is almost a take off from later Skyy modes – catchy club with a slightly poppy undertone – vocals from a variety of singers, wrapped nicely over core rhythms arranged and produced by Muller. There's some nice riffing guitar on most numbers too – creating almost a Chic-like funk feel at times – and titles include "Dance It Off", "Tender Lovin", "This Time", "Partime Lover", "Friends", "She's What I Need", and "Take It To The Top". CD features 2 bonus tracks – "Dance It Off (rmx)" and "This Time (12" version)".

Electronic sounds, but pretty darn catchy too – and not nearly as dark as you might guess from the title! The duo have a sound that's wonderfully perky at points – not poppy, but all-abristle with some cool analogue elements that crackle nicely next to the catchy vocals, and sweetly snapping beats – a quality that partly echoes some of the bigger names of the French scene of the time, but which also reflects more of the great evolution going on in the British electronic world as well. Titles include "Jungle Hurt", "TV Night", "Paris Tokyo", "Disco Rough", "Boy Be My Toy", and "Responds-Moi".

21 greatest hits from this popular Brazilian singer – including many numbers reissued on CD for the first time in years! The style of the tunes ranges from raw and honest to somewhat overproduced and poppy – but given the bargain price, you'll get more than a few of Fagner's best tunes, making the CD a good place to start with his work. Titles include "Traduzir-Se", "Sinal Fechado", "Quem Viver Chorara", "Cebola Cortada", "Oros", "Viajante", "Reizado", and "As Rosas Nao Falam".

A lesser-known number by Fonda Rae – but one that's still plenty darn nice, and proof that she was one of the best singers on the early 80s club scene! "Heobah" has a romping, thumping intro that's nice and spare – beats and a bit of lightly riffing guitar that really set the scene before Rae's vocals come into the mix with sing-song lyrics that eventually give way to a deeper sort of sound. The cut's got a really playful, almost poppy sort of style – but one that's never that commercial either.

Funky mod grooves galore – and a sublime second set in the Le Beat Bespoke series! This one is even better than the first – and seems to dig even deeper in the crates to come up with a range of rare singles from around the globe – all dripping with heavy drums, fuzzy guitars, and sweet sweet Hammond organ work! Many numbers have vocals, and most are from the rockish side of the spectrum – but they've all got a romping, grooving bottom end that more than makes them a little bit funky – usually in a groove that's way different than the sort you'd find on other funky compilations! The notes are great, the tracks are amazing, and the CD's one of the freshest funky sets to hit our racks in a long long time. CD features 20 titles that include "Madeline" by Dick Turpin, "Dude" by Poppys Haunted House, "Springtime" by Jimmy Thomas, "One Two Boogaloo" by The Light Nites, "Little Louise" by Shere Khan, "I Found You" by The Tops, "You Know He Did" by Mary McCarthy, "Rouge Rouge" by Christie Luame, "Truth In My Tears" by Louisa Jane White, "Berlin" by Heidi Bruhl, and "Run Shaker Life" by Paul Nicholas.