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Includes the tracks "Boot It Boy", "How Long Blues", "It's Tight Like That", "Mess Katie Mess", "Sho Is Hot", and "My Daddy Rocks Me".

The cover on this one's so goofy, it's easy to miss what a great session it is – but the album's a west coast gem from the late 50s, with a really unique sound that makes it a must-have for any fan of the LA scene of the time! Jimmy Rowles leads the group on piano, and the album features 2 different lineups – one with Harold Land on tenor and Larry Bunker on vibes, the other with Pete Candoli on trumpet – both of which are augmented by Barney Kessel on guitar, Red Mitchell on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums. And while Candoli's trumpet is wonderfully sparkling on the set, we really really love the pairing of Land and Bunker – as the vibes and tenor sound is arranged here with a counterpoint that's just great, and which features some especially biting tones from Land! Titles include "The Cobra", "El Tigre", "Cheetas For Two", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "All For You", "East Of The Sun", and "The Blues". CD features 2 bonus alternate takes!

A famous performance from the 80s – but one that's done in a really rootsy mode – just vocals and guitar from the four artists in the title – presented as an exploration of folksy styles from the northeast of Brazil! Yet given the setting, and the relatively creative style of all the singers, the overall presentation is way more than just simple rehashing of folkloric modes – and instead often comes across with dark overtones, and some surprisingly modern inflections – a bit like the way that Geraldo Vandre was adapting his style in the late 60s. Titles include "Era Casa Era Jardim/Veja Margarida", "Sabor Colorido/Moca Bonita", "Estampas Eucalol", "Cantiga De Amigo", "Saga De Sivirinin", and "Arrumacao".

2 Latin lovelies back to back – some of George Shearing's best late 50s work for Capitol! Latin Lace may not be the hardest-hitting Latin jazz session you might find, but it's a wonderful record filled with complicated changes, and a mix of vibes, piano, and percussion that went onto inspire countless groups at the time! The tracks have a simple approach, but really hook into the groove nicely – gliding easily with an impossibility that makes you understand why Shearing was so popular at the time these records were released. Titles include "The Story Of Love", "Cali Mambo", "Rondo", "To The Ends Of The Earth", "Wonder Struck", "Sand In My Shoes", and "Mambo No 2". Latin Affair is wonderful exotic work from George Shearing – a mixture of jazz piano, Latin percussion, and lyrical guitar and vibes intertwined around the whole operation. The set's got the feel of a Martin Denny album – but without all the easy tricks, and with a lot stronger jazz feel on the part of the piano and vibes. Titles include "Afro #4", "Magic", "Mambo Balahu", "This Is Africa", and "Estampa Cubana".

The second compilation in the L'Anthologia series from Italy's Cramps label – following up the funky first anthology with an incredible set of rare punk, post punk and new wave from the late 70s Italian scene! We can't speak for the world on the subject of Italian punk and new wave scene(s) of the period, but to us, this set makes a great case for the need to dig deeper nto it. The sounds range from raucous punk rock at it's most feral and raw, to more electronics textured, to the javant azz & clubby influences that also ran through some of the No Wave era's finest. Truly cool stuff – we hope they do another one like this in the series! 21 tracks in all: "Io Sono Un Autonomo" by "Skiantos", "Mano Armata" by Decibel, "Nevadagaz" by Gaznevada, "Intoxication" by Rancid X, "Europe" by "NOIA", "SW Digestian" by The Stupid Set, "Desire Crazy Desire" by Mixo, "Basta Basta" by Kaos Rock, "UFO Dictatator" by Tampax, "Informations Of Death" by Neon.