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Seminal sounds from the Kansas City scene of the late 70s – a wealth of power pop work from the tiny Titan label – all brought together in one of the most brilliant packages we've ever seen from the Numero Group! Like most Numero releases, there's a great story behind this set – a tale of bounced checks, interstate culture, and a cadre of great groups who would have been huge – had they recorded this music out on the coast! Titan's way more than just a tiny label that managed to put out some killer singles back in the day – it's a pop powerhouse that shows just how much under-discovered genius the American scene can hold – music that really helps break down simple understandings of late 70s rock, especially when presented this well. The 2CD set features 42 tracks and a 40 page booklet – a great counterpart to Numero's Yellow Pills set – filled with notes on Titan, a complete discography, and a wealth of wonderful photos that really make this unique scene come alive. Titles include "Shark" and "Real Life Saver" by Gary Charlson, "No Way Baby" and "I Wanna Be" by Arlis, "It's Your Heart Tonight" and "Radio Heart" by Secrets, "Please Change Your Mind" and "Baby It's You" by Boys, "Rock N Roll Song" and "Radio City" by Bobby Sky, "The Last Song" by JP McClain & The Intruders, "Cry" and "Didn't Like It Anyway" by Gems, "Coit Tower" and "Drink A Toast" by Millionaire At Midnight, and "I Think About You" by Scott McCarl.

Classic work from Willie Colon – the "payoff" of his youthful hoodlum routine, and a hard-hitting batch of salsa tunes pulled from earlier records – all in a package that defines his groove of the 70s! Hector LaVoe's on vocals with Willie's group – and he's also standing with Willie on the cover, a nice image that has the two of them dressed as big-time gangsters, standing next to a Rolls Royce! (Wonder what it cost them to rent that for the cover shoot?) But more important than Willie's perpetuation of himself as the bad boy of Latin music, is the overall sound of the record – fierce salsa, with a really strong approach that's as bold and proud as the image which supports it. Solid all the way through, and tracks include "El Malo", "Jazzy", "El Titan", and "Che Che Cole", a nice groover.

Wild early work from Willie Colon – a record that's equally poised between the Latin Soul and later salsa era, and which features great lead vocals from Hector Lavoe! The album's got some very strong tracks that percolate in Willie's dark trombone-led groove – like the mighty 7 minute "No Me Den Candela", which steps about majestically in a slow and soulful groove; or the great instrumental cut "I Wish I Had a Watermelon", a nice mini-descarga with some really great piano! Other tracks include "El Titan", "Oiga Senor", "Guisando", and "Te Estan Buscando". Great stuff all around!

Tight!! Lee Fields, one of the great criminally under appreciated funky geniuses of the 70s is back with another pounding, raw funk classic that still finds the man at the peak of his powers, decades after he first made mark on the funk landscape! This is Lee's first full length effort for Soul Fire, a label that we all know goes to painstaking lengths to carefully carry the torch lit by the People Records scene in the 70s into the future, and it's great to see a titan like Lee do amazing work for a great label that does it purely for the love! Lee is absolutely on fire on all 10 of these tracks, with a Godfather like delivery that knocks us out of our chairs every time, whether it's that fiery funk howl that we love so much, or a smooth, soulful glide on the occasional ballad. He's backed up by a bona fide funky orchestra at Soul Fire Studios that includes TONS of hot drums, propulsive percussion, and some driving conga work that steers things into an afro funk groove on several of the tunes. The group MVP, other than Lee himself, could be multi instrumentalist Leon Michels, whose work on flute, keys, tenor and baritone sax, as well guitar and bass not only helps keep the classic 70s feel going, but keeps things crackling at breakneck speed. This isn't newfangled funk revival, this is the real deal from one of the originators – a 33-minute funk maelstrom that will knock you right out of your chair, and have you restarting it the second it ends! Includes "Problems", "The Right Thing", "Rapping With Lee", "I Don't Know Where I'm Going", and "Honey Dove". Oh, if only all of our heroes remained this vital!

A really nice later set from legendary Texas blues titan Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins – done up for the Jewel label with a bit of the spark that was missing from the hit & miss work he did earlier in the decade for Bluesville! Blue Lightnin' also has a down and dirty style in spots, too – such as on the sinister "Back Door Friend" – the kind of thing that might have put off the academic market his previous label was shooting for! Other titles include "Found My Baby Crying", "Move On Out" (parts 1 & 2), "Fishing Clothes", "Gamblers Blues", "Wig Wearing Woman", "Last Affair", "Daddy Was A Preacher", "Jail House Blues", "I Hate I Got Married", "Lovin' Arms" and more.

Sparely funky, yet heavily atmospheric hip hop productions from unsung titan Kankick – made up mostly of late 90s material – and it's right up with some of our favorite leftfield producers of the period! Kankicks was perhaps best known as a Lootpack affiliate around this time, and sure enough, it's the kind of thing that would have sounded right at home on Stones Throw in the label's infancy. This ain't baby stuff, though, and it's aging quite well! Raw beats laced by vinyl grit, occasional hazy vocals and trippy atmosphere to spare. Relatively little heard excellence from an unsung producer! Includes "The A-1 Sound", "Witness Truthful Mystics", "One Reason Why", "A Song For My Forefathers", "Look At That", "Amplified Dynastical", "Lady Slick" feat Unorthodox, "Unpredictable", "To All The Duck Rap Radio DJs", "FLS (Do You Like)", "Night Shine", "Oodles Of Ounces", "Aquarian Meditation", "The Blowfly" (Kancritic feat Medaphoar), "Dig The Transition", "Bread And A Rolls Royce" and more. Also includes 2 bonus tracks. 27 tracks in all!

Tight!! Lee Fields, one of the great criminally under appreciated funky geniuses of the 70s is back with another pounding, raw funk classic that still finds the man at the peak of his powers, decades after he first made mark on the funk landscape! This is Lee's first full length effort for Soul Fire, a label that we all know goes to painstaking lengths to carefully carry the torch lit by the People Records scene in the 70s into the future, and it's great to see a titan like Lee do amazing work for a great label that does it purely for the love! Lee is absolutely on fire on all 10 of these tracks, with a Godfather like delivery that knocks us out of our chairs every time, whether it's that fiery funk howl that we love so much, or a smooth, soulful glide on the occasional ballad. He's backed up by a bona fide funky orchestra at Soul Fire Studios that includes TONS of hot drums, propulsive percussion, and some driving conga work that steers things into an afro funk groove on several of the tunes. The group MVP, other than Lee himself, could be multi instrumentalist Leon Michels, whose work on flute, keys, tenor and baritone sax, as well guitar and bass not only helps keep the classic 70s feel going, but keeps things crackling at breakneck speed. This isn't newfangled funk revival, this is the real deal from one of the originators – a 33-minute funk maelstrom that will knock you right out of your chair, and have you restarting it the second it ends! Includes "Problems", "The Right Thing", "Rapping With Lee", "I Don't Know Where I'm Going", and "Honey Dove". Oh, if only all of our heroes remained this vital!

Hip hop production titan Large Professor – still at large and delivering the goods! Large Pro produces like the timelessly inventive figure we all know that he is – and he rocks the mic with a golden age-styled flow. Rob Swift contributes some scratches on the sharp opener "Keys To The City" and the record has guest production by Marco Polo on the title track – plus appearances by Grand Daddy IU & Mic Geronimo, Busta Rhymes, Tragedy Khadafi and more. Other tracks include "Unowhtmsayn", "Focused Up", "Happy Days R Here", "Professor @ Large", "Barber Shop Chop", "Mack Don Illz", "Kick Da Habit", "LP Surprise", "Back In Time", the posse cut closer "MARS" with Action Bronson, Cormega, Roc Marciano and Saigon and more.

Boy, does the heavy slab psychedelic sludge grooves of Blue Cheer ever sound wonderful, even more than 40 years since it originally walked the earth! Outsideinside hit not too long after the classic Vincebus Eruptem, and damned if we can determine why it's not as celebrated as the debut. That fuzzed out stomp of a sound is back in full effect, as are the titanic drums and an overall sound that uses an electric blues influence as a springboard into heavy cosmic space. Includes their ferocious cover of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" plus "Feathers From Your Tree", "Just A Little Bit", "Gypsy Ball", "Come And Get It", "The Hunter", "Babylon" and "Magnolia Caboose Babyfinger".

The funky titans are at it again! "Deuces Up, Double Down" is a killer new track from the group – an original tune written by drummer Miles Tackett, with a heavy scattershot beat at the bottom, and lots of loud, fast, honking horns over the top. The guitar player's licking away at the cut too, and the whole thing's a delightful romping funky groove – offered up here in an extended mix! The 12" also includes a great cover of "Humpty Dump", the scratchy guitar groover originally cut by The Vibrettes – plus "Humpty Dump" bonus beats.

A great third album from Staten Island instrumental funk titans The Budos Band – who've brought eclectic inspiration all along and have always colored from a much broader palette of styles than most of their peers – going even further this time out and delivering their best yet! The Daptone House Of Soul blueprint is a big part of the recipe, as it should be. Classic funky soul grit holds it all together and each cut has an unshakable groove, but with that in full effect, the group is free to explore. The Budos horns are as impeccable and communicative as ever, with brass that ranges from classic stateside funk and Afro influences. The percussion (bongos, clave, cowbell and more) is just as broadly thought out and tightly delivered, snakey bass lines, flute and the sometimes secret weapon on Budos Band III, the electric organ – which brings a bit of a garage psych/funk rock vibe. Truly exceptional work from the one of the best bands of their generation! Includes "Rite Of The Ancients", "Black Venom", "River Serpentine", "Unbroken, Unshaven", "Nature's Wrath", "Golden Dune's", "Budo's Dirge", "Raja Haje", "Crimson Skies", "Mark Of The Unnamed" and "Reppirt Yad" (a funked up Lennon/McCartney cover...read it backwards, kids).

A great third album from Staten Island instrumental funk titans The Budos Band – who've brought eclectic inspiration all along and have always colored from a much broader palette of styles than most of their peers – going even further this time out and delivering their best yet! The Daptone House Of Soul blueprint is a big part of the recipe, as it should be. Classic funky soul grit holds it all together and each cut has an unshakable groove, but with that in full effect, the group is free to explore. The Budos horns are as impeccable and communicative as ever, with brass that ranges from classic stateside funk and Afro influences. The percussion (bongos, clave, cowbell and more) is just as broadly thought out and tightly delivered, snakey bass lines, flute and the sometimes secret weapon on Budos Band III, the electric organ – which brings a bit of a garage psych/funk rock vibe. Truly exceptional work from the one of the best bands of their generation! Includes "Rite Of The Ancients", "Black Venom", "River Serpentine", "Unbroken, Unshaven", "Nature's Wrath", "Golden Dune's", "Budo's Dirge", "Raja Haje", "Crimson Skies", "Mark Of The Unnamed" and "Reppirt Yad" (a funked up Lennon/McCartney cover...read it backwards, kids).

Rare hard funky soul from early 70s titans Damn Sam The Miracle Man – and some of the rawest, fiercest funk we've ever heard! Damn Sam is actually a group – spearheaded by vocalist OC Tolbert – a man with a roaring voice and righteous delivery that could tear through brick – and producer Jack Taylor. If not for the amazing funky 45 tracks "Damn Sam The Miracle Man", "Smash" and "BJ" – all of which appear on this long lost LP – they may have been obscure to even the most diligent crate diggers, an argument in favor of that format if there ever was one. The group is a real killer, with absolutely pummeling funky drums and snapping electric congas & bongo work on just about every track – plus soaring trumpet and sax work that counterbalance the fury of Tolbert's vocals nicely. Tolbert's history with gospel lends a genuine spiritual aspect to the frenzy, too – one of the sweetest raw funk tornadoes you could every hope to get swept up by! Other tracks include "Give Me Another Joint", "Let Me Be Your Only Man", "LA 26000", "Poor Mary", Music Makes You Feel Alright", "Rainy Night In Georgia", and "Sonny B".

Group soul titans The Manhattans – still going strong at the end of the 70s & beginning of the 80s – a pair of underappreciated albums together in a single set! First up is 1981's Black Tie – recorded in Chicago with producer Leo Graham – who brings a somewhat polished groove to the proceedings, no less soulful and lacking no depth of emotion from the mighty Manhattans! Titles include "Just One Moment Away", "You Stand Out", "Let Your Love Come Down", "Honey Honey", "I Wanta Thank You", "Deep Water", "When I Leave Tomorrow" and more. The earlier album is up next – 1979's Love Talk – a wonderful blend of mellow harmony tracks and fuller, more upbeat Philly-styled tunes! It's all very much in the spirit of the group's first few albums for Columbia, and handled with a similar level of skill. The group had one of the most compelling, richest harmony styles of any 70s mainstream group – and if anything, the more they recorded, the more they made magic in the studio. Titles include "Devil In The Dark", "After You", "Love Talk", "We Tried", "That's Not Part Of The Show", "New York City", and a surprisingly palatable version of "The Way We Were/Memories".

The fiery debut of the Stooges! It isn't quite the out-there masterpiece that Fun House would be, and it's not quite as aurally blistering as Raw Power (we might be able to blame producer John Cale for this) but it's still one of the most powerful rock records of the era! Iggy & the boys could never do better than "I Wanna Be Your Dog" – and you also get the titanic classics "No Fun" & "1969" – plus "Not Right" and "Real Cool Time". What would the world be like without late 60s, Michigan-bred rawk?

The fiery debut of the Stooges! It isn't quite the out-there masterpiece that Fun House would be, and it's not quite as aurally blistering as Raw Power (we might be able to blame producer John Cale for this) but it's still one of the most powerful rock records of the era! Iggy & the boys could never do better than "I Wanna Be Your Dog" – and you also get the titanic classics "No Fun" & "1969" – plus "Not Right" and "Real Cool Time". What would the world be like without late 60s, Michigan-bred rawk?

NuHop? Common newcomers who buy Electric Circus for the single with Mary J Blige are going to be left with some head scratching – but if you like the spiritual/psychedelic Com that was hinted at on Like Water For Chocolate, this may be the follow up you were waiting for! This is still hip hop – with production by the Neptunes, Jay Dee, ?uestlove and others, but it's definitely a boundary stretcher. The mood runs from Roots style soul bumpers to Hendrix and Eugene McDaniels style feedback heavy freakouts. There's a guest on nearly every track, mostly from the Okayplayer camp and NuSoul titans, including Bilal, Omar, Pharrell Williams, Cee-Lo, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab and others. We won't lie to you, we miss the Chicago hip hop Common that kicked insight over raw and soulful productions, but you can't fault the guy for being an artist, and he really has crafted something original here. A great cover – a kind of rainbow drenched cut and paste photo collage of the contributors and inspirations with Com out front, sort of reminding us of Tribe's Midnight Maurauders, and even Sgt. Pepper. Tracks include "Ferris Wheel", "Soul Power", "The Hustle", the first single "Come Close", "New Wave", "Star *69", "Jimi Was A Rock Star" and more.

A great set on Porter Records featuring all the tracks from the first two albums by hip funky fusion titans Catylast – the complete Catalyst and Perception albums from the early 70s put together for Complete Recordings Vol 1! The first 6 tracks on the anthology are made up of the the first album, originally released on Cobblestone – one that finds Catalyst in a groove that was unlike most of their contemporaries. The sound was often jazzier than some of the tighter funk artists on labels like Kudu or Prestige, with some deeply spiritual leanings in the solos – but also a style that was still pretty tight and focused, not as far out as some of the headier groups on the Strata East label. There's loads of great choppy rhythms and tight-edged grooves on the record – thanks to Fender Rhodes from Eddie Green, reeds from Odean Pope, bass from Al Johnson, and drums and percussion from Sherman Ferguson. Skip Drinkwater produced the session at Sigma Sound, and it's definitely got some of his hallmark appreciation of rhythm in the mix – on titles that include "Ain't It The Truth", "New Found Truths", "East", "Catalyst Is Coming", "Jabali", and "Salaam". The remaining numbers feature the complete Perception album – another great one, with a lineup that included Billy Hart on percussion, Eddie Green on electric piano, and Odean Pope on tenor and flute. The real highlight, though, is Pat Gleason on arp, who adds a lot of cool dark moody touches to the group's fusiony playing. It's a stellar mix of soul jazz and edgy electric playing, far and away one of the best albums ever to be released on Muse at the time. It's been exceptionally rare over the years, too! Tracks include "Celestial Bodies", "Got To Be There", "Uzuri", and "Perception".

A Stones Throw sci-fi masterpiece – one that was destined for greatness from conception, but we're still pretty well blown away by the final product! MC Doom and beatmaster Madlib couldn't be better suited for a collaboration. As much as we've dug the best of Doom's material of the last couple years, he's always needed a good editor – and Madlib brings nothing but the best sci-fi sound collages, scratches, and titanically driving funky beats – the grooved out 70s side of 'Lib's personality is wisely given a powder, while in the company of a vocal presence that's as insane as Doom. When it's not so pounding, the sound drops into the kinda gloomy, murky crackle of earliest Wu Tang. This is easily the best album of its kind since Dr. Octagon tore the flood gates open. Essential!!! "The Illest Villains", "Accordian", "Bistro", "Raid" feat Medaphoar, "America's Most Blunted", "Rainbows", "Curls", "Money Folder", "Hardcore Hustle","Fancy Clown", "Supervillain", "All Caps", "Rhinestone Cowboy" and more.

All the articles from the out of print Volume early issues of Shindig! Magazine – with additional photos and redesigned for this deluxe book treatment – hardcover bound, and beautifully so! Features those excellent articles on class psychedelic, garage and other 60s & 70s titans – including The Move, Love Affair, Ugly Ducklings, John's Children, SRC, Grapefruit, We The People, Buffalo Springfield, Kaleidoscope and more! Hardcover, 112 pages.