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One of the coolest collections of rare psychedelia we've heard in a while from anywhere in the world – this one focusing on Afro Rock & psych from 70s Nigeria – among the greatest releases to date on the Soundway label, which only does great work! The music has the touchstone elements of raw garage funk & rock sounds from around the globe at the time – fuzzed out guitars and organs, searing solos, hard grooving rhythms and passionate vocals. But the guitars and rhythms are uniquely African, too, with highlife and Afrobeat gestures along with the global psychedelic soul sounds! Titles on this first volume of the vinyl include "Oli Nkwu" by Cicada, "All Night Long" by Bongos Ikwue, "Soundway" by Wrinkar Experience, "Eti Ufok" by Ceejebs, "Yem Efe" by Tony Grey Super 7, "Rough Rider" by The Hygrades, and "Mr Bull Dog (45 version)" by The Mebusas – plus vinyl-only cuts "Soul Generation" by Big John Oaikhena, and "Afam Efuna" by The Wings.

One of the coolest collections of rare psychedelia we've heard in a while from anywhere in the world – this one focusing on Afro Rock & psych from 70s Nigeria – among the greatest releases to date on the Soundway label, which only does great work! The music has the touchstone elements of raw garage funk & rock sounds from around the globe at the time – fuzzed out guitars and organs, searing solos, hard grooving rhythms and passionate vocals. But the guitars and rhythms are uniquely African, too, with highlife and Afrobeat gestures along with the global psychedelic soul sounds! Titles on this second vinyl volume include "Isi Agboncha" by The Semi Colon, "Egwu Aja" by Ofo The Black Company, "Bullwalk" by The Comrads, "Active Action" by Action 13, "Chokoi & Oreje" by The Elcados, In Concert" by Ofege, and "The World Ends" by The Black Mirrors – plus vinyl-only tracks "Straight To My Heart" by Celstine Nyam & The Voices Of Darkness, and "You've Got To Try" by T-Fire.

Brilliantly baroque psych from Aphrodite's Child – a stone classic cut while the group was in exile in Paris – heavy on drums, and with soaring keyboards that really work wonders with the vocals! Given that the group features a young Vangelis and Demis Roussos, there's plenty of raw power here – and the energy of the record is quite different than later work by either artist – very bold, and political too – with hardly any signs of their Greek roots, yet a sense of myth and majesty that are undeniable. There's surprising hooks to the tunes at times – and titles include "It's Five O'Clock", "Wake Up", "Annabela. "Let Me Love, Let Me Live", "Funky Mary", "Good Time So Fine", and "Marie Jolie".

Psychedelic folk rock from the Turkish scene of the 70s – a real criss-crossing of styles, carried off with strong emotive effect by protest singer Selda! There's a powerful sound here that's completely without referent, but immediately gripping – a blend of familiar and strange elements that really gives the record an other-worldly quality, and which is further enhanced by the echoey production used throughout! As with other excellent reissues of Turkish music in this series, the album is supported by notes in English, historical photos, and a number of bonus tracks from earlier singles – an amazing document of an artist who was never that well known outside her native land, partly because the repressive government forbid her to travel for many years! CD features 20 tracks in all – and titles include "Bundan Sonra", "Utan Utan", "Karaoglan", "Gardasim Hasso", "Maden Dagi", "Bulbul", "Gesi Baglarinda", "Cemberimde Gul Oya", and "Tatli Dillim".

Excellent mid 70s work from one of the hippest dudes in Turkey – guitarist Erik Koray, a player who had a wonderful talent for mixing together a range of cross-cultural influences! The style here is a lot more sophisticated than that of Koray's first album – in a mode that shakes off some of the simpler beat group influences, and goes for a more expansive approach that blends Turkish musical modes with lots of rhythmic elements, psychedelic production, and some extra-nice guitar. Many tracks have vocals – all echoey and dark, sliding into the mix very nicely – and if we dare say it, a few of the best numbers even hit a tripped out style of funk! Titles include "Sevince", "Arap Saci", "Estarabim", "Eyvah", "Saskin", "Komsu Kizi", and "Gonul Salincagi". CD also features 5 bonus tracks from earlier years – including "Ask Oyunu", "Hop Hop Gelsin", "Senden Ayri", "Kiskanirim", and "Yalnizar Rihtimi (acoustic)".

Turkish folk meets fuzzier rock – in a unique cross-crossing of styles that comes off beautifully! From the cover and the start of the record, you might think it's just a bunch of traditional numbers – but as the set moves on, things get a bit weirder – and some unexpected psychedelic instrumentation and production really make things sound great. The vibe is mostly instrumental, with touches that include funky piano, fuzzy guitar, and dark little basslines that slide underneath the tunes and really create a great kind of groove! As with most Turkish albums from the time, there's a sound here that's completely fresh – and which has a great appeal to both fans of offbeat funk and trippier rock! Titles include "Madimak", "Iklig", "Toroslar", "Lorke", "Ilgaz", "The Legend Of Mount Ararat", "Hamsi", "Cahit's Tune", "Wild Flower", and "Kaleidoscopic Dream".

One of the mellower records from the Turkish scene of the 70s – a laidback and almost folk funk sort of record – done with some great gravelly vocals and really wonderful acoustic guitar! The style is almost similar to some of the hippest French titles from the same time – the kind of work that blends together older folk and a hipper, almost jazzier sense of phrasing – and even though the lyrics are all in Turkish, there's an appeal here that's undeniable even if you can't understand the words! Titles include "Bahar Turkusu", "Gunaydin", "Yagmur", "Sen Varsin", "Suna Abla", "Dort Kisili Dus", "Hersey Sevgiyle Baslar", and "Benimle Oynar Misin".

Trippy rock from the three Hurel brothers of Turkey – a fuzzed-up, freaked-out trio that comes off with some great psychedelic touches! The sound here is a great blending of modes – similar to some of the other Turkish rock from the time that merged electric guitar with folkloric inspirations – but the overall Hurel groove is much more strongly progressive, and sometimes slightly funky at times – due to a tight set of rhythms at the bottom. There's a heaviness here that almost hits Cream-like intensity for the power trio – save for the fact that the lyrics instantly mark the work as being of non-Anglo origins, as do the eastern shadings in the use of guitar and some of the percussion. Titles include "Kol Basti", "Hoptirinom", "Yara", "Doner Dunya", "Agit", "Aglaras Anam Aglar", "Kucuk Yaramaz", and "Canim Kurban".

The first album by trippy Turkish trio 3 Hur El – a great blend of Eastern sounds and western styles – all coming together with a slightly progressive feel! The instrumentation often includes some heavy basslines underneath lighter lines on acoustic strings – a blend of folksy and modern that's topped by passionate vocals and often underscored by some great heavy percussion – all in a style that's a bit otherworldly, but oddly quite compelling! The set's definitely the kind that makes you say "I don't know what's going on here – but I sure like it anyway" – and titles include "Haram", "Ve Olum", "Ask Davasi", "Diday Dom", "Kara Yazi", "Olum Al Beni", "Pembelikler", and "Anadolu Dansi".

The only record from Greek psychedelic folk combo Nostradamos – with a gleefully diverse sound augmented by impeccable female/male lead and harmony vocals – and tunes that run the gamut from delicate, classical bits to lumbering proggy heaviness! The vocals really keep the disparate elements together – from with the female vocals given the most space – and backing that has guitar, bass, drum and organ at the center of loads of adventurous instrumentation blending Greek folk with the psych sounds of the US and UK! Bits of harp, violin, and flute and French horn (?) find their way into the mix. Groovy stuff that veers all over the place in the best way!

The first ever compilation of Indonesian psychedelia from AKA is a great one – fuzzy prog and funk steeped jams that the group tore up throughout the 70s – as cool as any single artist global rock compilations we've seen in quite a while! The group formed in Surabaya, East Java and went on to record a slew of albums throughout the 70s, but never really busted out big in it's time. Now's a great time for the world to catch up! They sing in English, and the songs are really exciting, changing tempos as they roll along incredibly, with a sound built around drums, bass, keys and guitars. Lead singer and keyboard player shines pretty brightly, but each group member sings and kills it in their own realms. Amazing! Includes "Do What You Like", "Glenmore", "Reflection", "We've Gotta Work It Out". "Cruel Side", "Groovy", "Mr Bull Doc", "Shake Me", "Crazy Joe", "Open Doors", "Sky Rider" and the CD bonus track "AKA Untuk Mu". 15 in all.

A pre-punk bit of charged, hard grooving Motor City rock from Death – a lost record that takes a tightly coiled, blazing approach to their influences of garage rock and psychedelia – and a record that's all the better in that it was recorded way back in 1975! To put it bluntly, music didn't really sound like this in '75 – and it would be as easy to label the sound as something like, "mid 70s Detroit African American precursor to Husker Du", etc, but this is a honestly a pretty remarkable album for its time that we don't want to trivialize it with a lazy nutshell description. The group does distill their influences in a way that's reminiscent of some midwestern post punk, but Death is pre-punk, making it a really fascinating record, and a blast to crank up in your headphones! Titles include "Keep On Knocking", "Rock-N-Roll Victim", the longer, seemingly Arthur Lee influenced "Let The World Turn" (eventually nailing a fiercer sound the likes of which Love never messed with), "You're A Prisoner", "Freakin Out", "Where Do We Go From Here???" and "Politicians In My Eyes". 7 songs, 27 minutes, and pretty awesome.

Moby Grape's self-conscious, but hardly less groovy late 60s excursion into loose, free form and largely instrumental psychedelia – the sweet and therefore appropriately titled Grape Jam! GJ is really a world away from their earlier rock regalia – with superstar special guests Al "How Does It Feel" Cooper and Mike Bloomfield brought in the flesh out the open-ended sounds. The sounds roll from walloping instrumental rock, to bluesier jams, to some driving nearly funky bits! Titles include "Never", "Boysenberry Jam", "Black Currant Jam", "Marmalade" and "The Lake".

A mad bit of soul psychedelia from Prince – a record that sounds better and better over the years, and which stands out from most of his 80s work thanks to some really unique production and songwriting! After Purple Rain, Prince did anything but wince in the face of living up to such a massive crossover smash – and if Around The World didn't move nearly as many units, it stands pretty tall these days. A mix of Revolution pop funk & soul, with a more swirling, self consciously psychedelic pop. Titles include the hit "Raspberry Beret", "Paisley Park" (with melody so strong, no wonder Prince held onto the name for other ventures) plus "Around The World In A Day", "America", "Temptation", "Pop Life", and "Condition Of The Heart".

A fuzzed out treasure trove of rare Brazilian psychedelia – wild stuff that's in many ways akin to the freewheeling sounds of the Tropicalia movement, but not necessarily taking on the cultural and political weight of that movement – and more about the boundless spirit of psychedelia and funk rock around the globe! The sounds are buzzing and indeed fuzzy throughout, ranging from raw and ramshackle guitar jams to more organ and drum driven funky, and it's really incredible stuff all around. We've been purveyors of hard to find Brazilian music for many many years, and this set – compiled by Joel Stones who also provides the richly detailed – brings to light some numbers we've never heard! 16 tracks in all: "Tema De Banana", "Era Uma Nota De" Loyce E Os Gnomes, "I Wanna Be Your Man" by Youngsters, "Ourico" by Serguei, "Lindo Sonho Delirante" by Fabio, "Cinturao De Fog" by Marisa Rossi, 'Som Imaginario De Jimmi Hendrix" by The Pops, "The Lantern" by Mac Rybell and more. The vinyl version comes with a thick booklet of notes, in English and Portuguese.

A funky psychedelic kaliedoscope of grooves from India – killer numbers from the 70s and into the early 80s – Psych Funk Sa-Re-Ga, from the folks who put together the equally heavy Psych-Funk 101 and Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas compilations! Most of cuts here have a raw, fuzzed out undercurrent of psychedelia – guitars that buzz or lead searingly, depending on the needs of the number – with heavy, funk-based drums and/or hand percussion with rumbling bass rhythms. From that core, they bust out mightily with more furious percussion, rhythms, mad horn arrangements, and vocals that work as either a sweetener or for even more wild-eyed excitement! In short, global psychedelic funk rhythms with regional Indian folk and classical flourishes, blended with mod, soul, garage and soundtrack influences from around the globe. It's a funky, psychedelic fusion of east and west that's billed as a seminar, but this is no academic endeavor – it's a psych funk party all the way! Includes "The Mod Trade" by The Black Beats, "Psychedelia" by X'Lents, "Somebody To Love – Edit" by Kalyanji Anandji, "Dance Music From Hare Rama Hare Krishna" by RD Burman, "Mary Long" by Atomic Forest, "Dharmatma Theme Music" by Kalyanji Anandji, "Phir Teri Yaad" by Hemant Bhosle feat Asha Bhosle, and more. 20 tracks in all – with a booklet of notes on each track plus loads of photos.

70s psychedelia from the northeastern state of Pernambuco, Brazil – incredible stuff that combines rawly percussive tropical sounds with a world of psychedelic creativity and possibilities – one of the best compilations ever put together by Mr Bongo! Lula Cortes was a pivotal figure in the scene and he's pretty well represented here, including his influential recordings with Ze Remalho. Even more exciting, though, is the stuff we've never been fortunate enough to hear before now – and there's a pretty good deal of it! The fusion of global psych and folk sounds into a distinctly Brazilian sound is nothing short of amazing – regional and traditional percussion underneath sitars, lutes, keyboards and more. It features songs by the great Lula Cortes & Ze Ramalho, Geraldo Azevedo & Alceu Valenca, Marconi Notaro, Flaviola E O Bando Do Sol and The Gentleman. 19 tracks in all: "Sorriso Delvagem" by The Gentlemen, "O Tempo" and "Desespero" by Flaviola E O Bando Do Sol, "Antropologica", "Maracatu" and "Fidelidade" by Marconi Notaro, "Mister Misterio", "Virgem Virginia" and more by Geraldo Azevedo & Alceu Valenca, "Bailado Das Muscarias" and "Maracas De Fogo" by Lula Cortes & Ze Ramalho, "Noite Preta" by Lula Cortes and more.

Rare early 70s psychedelia from Felt – led by an Alabama teenager named Myke Jackson (not to be confused with the late 70s-80s post punk Felt) – as far as we know, it's the only Felt record and it's really good one! The group has something of a grounded basis, steeped in psych influences – particularly flavored by swirling keyboards – but there's a song-based, solidly emotional southern inflection to the material. Jackson sounds like an experienced cat, too – not a boy of 17! Titles include "Look At The Sun", "Now She's Gone", "Weepin' Mama Blues", "World", "The Change", and "Destination".

A mad bit of soul psychedelia from Prince – a record that sounds better and better over the years, and which stands out from most of his 80s work thanks to some really unique production and songwriting! After Purple Rain, Prince did anything but wince in the face of living up to such a massive crossover smash – and if Around The World didn't move nearly as many units, it stands pretty tall these days. A mix of Revolution pop funk & soul, with a more swirling, self consciously psychedelic pop. Titles include the hit "Raspberry Beret", "Paisley Park" (with melody so strong, no wonder Prince held onto the name for other ventures) plus "Around The World In A Day", "America", "Temptation", "Pop Life", and "Condition Of The Heart".

Don't mix these guys up with the bigger-name Genesis – because this combo doesn't feature Phil Collins or Peter Gabriel – and instead is an American group from the late 60s that works in a sweetly melodic approach to psychedelia! Some tunes are heavy on the fuzz, with guitars right out front – but others have a slightly more baroque style that befits the group's image on the cover – little bits of woodwind and cello that sweeten the tunes nicely. But it's really the heavier guitars that make the record great – played sharply, and with great focus – sounding especially nice alongside some of the sweeter female vocals. Titles include a roaring 16 minute track titled "World Without You", plus shorter numbers like "Angeline", "Ten Second Song", and a version of Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne".

A rich look at the world of Vampi Soul – especially the expanded range of sounds the label's been handling in recent years! At their start, Vampi took the "Soul" in their name quite seriously – and mostly focused on funk and soul. But lately, they've really been opening things up – moving into a wide range of great grooves – mod 60s material, Afrobeat, global styles, psychedelia, and lots lots more – almost all of it still pretty darn upbeat and groovy – with great links to the earlier modes of the label. The set's a great way to sample the rich array of styles without buying individual titles on their own – as the collection features 20 titles that include "Trip" by Emma De Angelis, "Rocky Mountain Roundabout" by The Mohawks, "Dye Dye" by Segun Bucknor, "Dongoh" by Los Sidearals, "Bat Macumba" by Garotas Suecas, "El Jamaiquino" by El Gran Fellove, "Cumbia Pop" by Los Beltons, "La Bocachico" by Frente Cumbiero, and "Muntie" by The Ramblers International.

Some of the wildest sounds we've ever heard from Iran – a wealth of wonderful grooves that show that there was plenty happening in that unique scene before the Ayatollah came in and clamped down on Western culture! Styles really intertwine nicely throughout – mixing funk with pop with psych, disco, and even some soundtracky styles that feel a bit Bollywood at points – all coming across with a really cool, groovy, and other-worldly sound that has us loving the whole thing all the way through! The folks at Guerssen have done a great job with the package – adding enough good notes and quality sound to ensure that this one's not just a knockoff – and instead features a great range of well-chosen tracks, put together beautifully. Titles include "Setareh" by Azita, "Aroos Khanom" by Amir Rassaie, "Zandooni" by Farzin, "Bi Vafa" by Kambiz, "Safar" by Hassan Shamaizadeh, "Ey Vatan Iran" by Emad Ram, "Ghebleh" by Nooshafarin, "Gholake Cheshat" by Simin Ghanem, and "Rahgozar" by Morteza.

Some of the wildest sounds we've ever heard from Iran – a wealth of wonderful grooves that show that there was plenty happening in that unique scene before the Ayatollah came in and clamped down on Western culture! Styles really intertwine nicely throughout – mixing funk with pop with psych, disco, and even some soundtracky styles that feel a bit Bollywood at points – all coming across with a really cool, groovy, and other-worldly sound that has us loving the whole thing all the way through! The folks at Guerssen have done a great job with the package – adding enough good notes and quality sound to ensure that this one's not just a knockoff – and instead features a great range of well-chosen tracks, put together beautifully. Titles include "Setareh" by Azita, "Aroos Khanom" by Amir Rassaie, "Zandooni" by Farzin, "Bi Vafa" by Kambiz, "Safar" by Hassan Shamaizadeh, "Ey Vatan Iran" by Emad Ram, "Ghebleh" by Nooshafarin, "Gholake Cheshat" by Simin Ghanem, and "Rahgozar" by Morteza.

An incredible album from one of the greatest talents on the Chicago soul scene of the late 60s – guitarist Phil Upchurch, a player with an amazing sound! Phil could work in worlds that were equal parts soul and psychedelia – making his guitar a perfect accompaniment for the best Chicago soul of Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Minnie Riperton, and other greats of the time. This album's easily one of Phil's best – a mindblowing set of arrangements put together by the groundbreaking producer Charles Stepney – bringing together bits of jazz, rock, soul, and funk – all providing the perfect genre-blending space for Upchurch to solo! Given that there's no singer on the set, Phil's work on guitar is a lot freer than you're used to hearing – in a really great way, one that puts him in a space somewhere between Shuggie Otis and Jimi Hendrix! Brilliant all the way through, with tracks that include "Adam & Charlene", "You Wouldn't You Couldn't Be True", "Crosstown Traffic", "More & More", "Black Gold", "America", and "As You Said".

An incredible album from one of the greatest talents on the Chicago soul scene of the late 60s – guitarist Phil Upchurch, a player with an amazing sound! Phil could work in worlds that were equal parts soul and psychedelia – making his guitar a perfect accompaniment for the best Chicago soul of Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Minnie Riperton, and other greats of the time. This album's easily one of Phil's best – a mindblowing set of arrangements put together by the groundbreaking producer Charles Stepney – bringing together bits of jazz, rock, soul, and funk – all providing the perfect genre-blending space for Upchurch to solo! Given that there's no singer on the set, Phil's work on guitar is a lot freer than you're used to hearing – in a really great way, one that puts him in a space somewhere between Shuggie Otis and Jimi Hendrix! Brilliant all the way through, with tracks that include "Adam & Charlene", "You Wouldn't You Couldn't Be True", "Crosstown Traffic", "More & More", "Black Gold", "America", and "As You Said".

Some of the wildest sounds we've ever heard from Iran – a wealth of wonderful grooves that show that there was plenty happening in that unique scene before the Ayatollah came in and clamped down on Western culture! Styles really intertwine nicely throughout – mixing funk with pop with psych, disco, and even some soundtracky styles that feel a bit Bollywood at points – all coming across with a really cool, groovy, and other-worldly sound that has us loving the whole thing all the way through! The folks at Guerssen have done a great job with the package – adding enough good notes and quality sound to ensure that this one's not just a knockoff – and instead features a great range of well-chosen tracks, put together beautifully. Titles include "Setareh" by Azita, "Aroos Khanom" by Amir Rassaie, "Zandooni" by Farzin, "Bi Vafa" by Kambiz, "Safar" by Hassan Shamaizadeh, "Ey Vatan Iran" by Emad Ram, "Ghebleh" by Nooshafarin, "Gholake Cheshat" by Simin Ghanem, and "Rahgozar" by Morteza.

Way more than psychedelia, way more than electronica, and something completely different entirely – a really unique album from the legendary Igor Wakhevitch, and a mighty dark one at that! The album veers way off into the dark space beyond Aphrodite's Child, and explores a netherworld that's very sinister in nature – through the use of psychedelic instrumentation mixed with spare orchestrations, all processed with some great electric touches, and turned into a kind of soundtrack for a journey to Hades! The album drips with evil – far more so than other later efforts of this type – and although it was released in relative obscurity in the early 70s, it really outdoes the sounds of so many others from generations to come.