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An excellent album of smooth soul tracks, and maybe Van's best record of the 70s! The record shows Van sitting at the piano in an intimate setting – ala Barry White – and it's got a similar Love Unlimited Orchestra approach, with much large backing behind Van's voice, and a very full... read more

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Fantastic – and one of Mingus' greatest albums ever! This one ranks right up with The Clown and Pithecantropus Erectus for sheer raw power and emotion – and Mingus' writing here is incredibly tight, giving soloists like Charlie Mariano, Jaki Byard, Richard Williams, and Jerome... read more

A surprisingly enchanting album of piano work by Mingus – and very different than the other album of piano material he cut for Atlantic. This record's a very laidback session of solo work, featuring Mingus sitting at the keys, working out his ideas in a very unhampered fashion. Tracks are a... read more

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Some of the greatest doo wop of the 50s – big hits, to be sure, but still incredible work that helped to redefine the sound of the vocal group at the time! Bobby Lester's time with the Moonglows was a really special moment for the group – a point when they started to focus their sound... read more

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A novelty group if there ever was one, but still a big hit today.... read more

The amazing legacy of Alicia Myers – two classic MCA albums, back to back on a single CD! First up is the self-titled Alicia – a set that's right up there with Myer's recordings with the group One Way, but with some deeper, more personal touches as well! Production is by Kevin McCord... read more

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New Edition show they're no Johnnies-come-lately on the harmony soul scene – and pay tribute to a host of older groups from the 50s and 70s – singing a mix of hits and soul classics in a laidback late nite mode that brings a real focus on their vocals. Given their age, there's a sound... read more

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Oliver Cheatham sounds wonderful here – in that best bouncy style that made him a big favorite on the dancefloors in the early 80s – a groove that's still pretty darn great all these years later! The set features key songwriting help from Al Hudson and Kevin McCord, both of whom help... read more

An overlooked gem from the ever-strong years of One Way – that early 80s run when the group kept on putting out great records! The vibe's changed up a bit from before, but that's one of the things that makes One Way so great – that they were kind of an evolutionary act, always drawing... read more

A totally massive set from One Way – a record that has them sounding even better than ever – drawing on all the strengths of the previous few records, and really knocking it out of the park! Although the group's got a great way with a groove, the mellow cuts here are equally nice... read more

A dancefloor soul classic – one of the strongest albums ever by Al Hudson, Alicia Meyers, and the whole One Way crew! The record's got a sweet soulful feel that provides a nice counterpoint to its bass-heavy grooves – popping along at that midtempo pace that was Al's popular remedy for... read more

A dancefloor soul classic – one of the strongest albums ever by Al Hudson, Alicia Meyers, and the whole One Way crew! The record's got a sweet soulful feel that provides a nice counterpoint to its bass-heavy grooves – popping along at that midtempo pace that was Al's popular remedy for... read more

One of the greatest albums ever from Al Hudson and One Way – a set that still has the group bristling with loads of funky energy – yet also hitting a groove that's wonderfully smooth as well! One Way were really one of the top of the larger funk combos of the time – and this set's... read more

One of the greatest albums ever from Al Hudson and One Way – a set that still has the group bristling with loads of funky energy – yet also hitting a groove that's wonderfully smooth as well! One Way were really one of the top of the larger funk combos of the time – and this set's... read more

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A slow burning monster of a late night jam from Al Hudson & One Way! The cut pumps along in a mellow mode, with a completely infectious synth line floating underneath the haunting vocals – no syrupy ballad here!... read more

A classic from One Way – who're still going strong in the early 80s! The group's ace in the hole was always the great work of Al Hudson – a fearless leader who kept things funky, and who wrote in some great hooks to tracks that give them uncommon strength. Case in point is the classic... read more

Damn, One Way never lets us down – and although the group cut many albums back in the day, all of them have some great standout moments! The groove here seems even tighter than ever, but never slick or commercial – a very important distinction, given that so many of One Way's... read more

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You know, the live record, unheard of for a hip hop group, but this is the Roots. With "The Next Movement", "Proceed", "Mellow My Man", "Love Of My Life" with Common, "The Ultimate", "Adrenaline", "Essaywhuman?!?!", "Silent... read more

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A landmark effort from the Legendary Roots Crew – one that a lot of folks hail as their greatest album – and there's a strong case to be made for that! Jazzy soul backdrops and lyrics that both personally and culturally reflective – and it's also the best produced Roots album to... read more

A landmark effort from the Legendary Roots Crew – one that a lot of folks hail as their greatest album – and there's a strong case to be made for that! Jazzy soul backdrops and lyrics that are both personally and culturally reflective – and it's also the best produced Roots album... read more

From the "Things Fall Apart" LP, with a nice appearance by Erykah Badu in the chorus.... read more

A solid bit of heavy funk – and one of the last strong-selling soundtracks of the blacksploitation era! Sure, you know the hit "Car Wash", but there's plenty of other great numbers that rank this set right up there with the best of its genre. There's a lot of nice instrumentals on... read more

A solid bit of heavy funk – and one of the last strong-selling soundtracks of the blacksploitation era! Sure, you know the hit "Car Wash", but there's plenty of other great numbers that rank the 2LP set right up there with the best of its genre. There's a lot of nice instrumentals... read more

A real stormer from Round Trip – a group whose roots go back to the legendary Sins Of Satan album on Buddah, and who also work here with great production from Al Perkins – in a style that's a bit like his music with One Way! We're not sure if "round trip" was an answer to One... read more

The first album – and an archetypal bit of jazzy rocking soul that would forever change the face of 70s pop. Chaka Khan and the band are still working things out at this point, but the record's got some excellent sweet funky moments, and some great LA production that drives the whole thing... read more

A definite masterjam from Chaka Khan and Rufus – one of the group's last key efforts together – produced to perfection by the mighty Quincy Jones! Chaka's vocals are sublime right from the start – taking on the soaring majesty she'd use on her initial solo recordings – and... read more

An under-appreciated gem by Rufus – the group's last album before Chaka left to depart on her successful early 80s solo career – and a nice one nonetheless! There's a trace of 80s groove in the mix – especially on the bass and percussion – but these elements are handled... read more

Sure, it was a hit – but it's also an excellent batch of jazzy soul, sung by one of the 70's greatest voices, backed by a sweet mellow vibe that's still influencing hip hoppers today. Includes the incredible track "Stop On By", plus the instrumental "Rufusized", "I'm... read more

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A relatively traditional score – with warmly sentimental themes that capture the emotion of the settings in that wonderful Philippe Sarde manner!... read more

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Sweet funky club soul from Stargard – a group who pick up on the guitar-based styles of Labelle, but who have the sweeter soul approach of Three Degrees or First Choice! The bass dominates the arrangements, and there's some surprisingly soulful numbers on the set – despite the silly... read more

Superb work from Steely Dan – and a record that really shows them hitting perfection in the studio! The core sound of this one's jazzier than before – with some great help on instrumentation from Victor Feldman, Lanny Morgan, Bill Perkins, and other west coast jazzers – all... read more

The last album in the classic run of Steely Dan – the final taste we'd have of the group until their surprising revival in the 90s! Gaucho picks up beautifully where Aja left off – warmly produced with a deep undercurrent of jazz, but perhaps a bit more down to earth feel at times too... read more

A classic from Stitt – cut during the underground days of the early 60s, when both he and Gene Ammons seemed to be recording for just about every jazz label around, and when they both seemed to be doing an awful lot of work in Chicago. This album was done in a flurry that Jug and Stitt cut... read more

A great bit of boogie from the Chicago scene of the early 80s – a set recorded with a nice jazzy bounce overall, and a strong ear for a catchy hook and tight groove – very much in the mode of Omni or Zoom from the same period! Alfonzo's got a warm vocal style that soars up to falsetto... read more

Although Mr T's listed as the artist for this one, he barely sings on the album – but when he does, his vocals are produced by Ice T! Some of the vocal chores are handled by some goofy kids, but a fair bit of this is electro instrumental, with sort of a breakdance groove (one of the kids on... read more

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A great set of 50s recordings by gritty rhythm & blues singer Big Mama Thornton – whose most famous for grittier shouters – but there's some surprisingly easygoing numbers here, too! Her famous "Hound Dog" opens this set, and sets the pace strongly – for a batch of... read more

Catchy dawn of the 70s rock that's rooted in hooks and grooves, but taken to the next level with some killer piano and keys, and production touches! The group's best known for the sublime track that kicks this record off, "Something In The Air", which was covered pretty faithfully by the... read more

A great follow-up to War's first Music Band album – and proof that the group was still plenty darn funky at the end of the 70s! Although different from their original Chicano funk groove, the style here is still totally great – long, drawn-out funk that's filled with plenty of sharp... read more

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The funk-tinged, pyschedelic soul album from Muddy Waters – one that irritated many a blues purist in its day – but it's finally reaching its earned status as a leftfield gem! You know, in the immediate years after this one (and similar funky blues albums on Chess/Cadet) was released,... read more

The funk-tinged, pyschedelic soul album from Muddy Waters – one that irritated many a blues purist in its day – but it's finally reaching its earned status as a leftfield gem! You know, in the immediate years after this one (and similar funky blues albums on Chess/Cadet) was released,... read more

If you look at this single in perspective, it really should have been massive, Jody Wately's huge chart hit, with added verses by Rakim and a remix courtesy the Bomb Squad, all of whom were pretty much at the top of their game in the late 80s, when this was cut.... read more

If you look at this single in perspective, it really should have been massive, Jody Wately's huge chart hit, with added verses by Rakim and a remix courtesy the Bomb Squad, all of whom were pretty much at the top of their game in the late 80s, when this was cut.... read more

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A collection of gems – including "I Can't Explain", "Pinball Wizard", "Let's See Some Action", "Relay", "Bargain", "Baba O'Riley", "Join Together", "Slip Kid", "The Real Me", "Who Are You", and... read more

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A landmark live set from The Who – a record that offers the group with a blistering intensity that blows away all their other studio albums of the time! Although offered during the Who's Tommy-era expansion into broader themes and more complicated instrumentation, the album's a real return... read more

A cool compilation of earlier material – some nice lost bits, pulled together in one sweet little set! Titles include "Now I'm A Farmer", "Little Billy", "Glow Girl", "Put The Money Down", "Pure & Easy", "Long Live Rock", "N... read more

A record we'd never part with – and easily our favorite album ever from The Who! Quadrophenia represents the group at its peak from all perspectives – songwriting, performance, and even studio presence – as the album's got a sonic sensibility that few other albums of the time can... read more

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One of the greatest records ever by one of the greatest bands ever! The tracks of Who's Next are the stuff of legend – classics like "Baba O'Riley", "Bargain", "Going Mobile", "Behind Blue Eyes", and "Won't Get Fooled Again", tracks that show... read more

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The legendary Bobby Womack embraces 80s grooves fully on Last Soul Man – his gritty vocals bringing real, gritty soul to backdrops centered by keyboards, synth and programmed beats – and live instrumentation from some exceptional players. Womack brings more depth to the proceedings... read more

One of those tracks that crossed over big! Teddy Riley's New Jack sound had been around for a few years before this one came out, but thanks to a hard groove and a sly sample (snuck from "Darkest Light" by the Lafayette Afro Rock Band!), this one went over the top! Remixes by Teddy... read more

The first single from YBT. We're not sure what Bill Stephney and Hank Shocklee were up to here, but we'd guess that the group has been mentioned in dozens of dissertations on hip hop and race. Production by Terminator X.... read more

Rare material from the 78rpm years of Decca – with work by singers who include Joe Turner, Peetie Wheatstraw, Rosetta Howard, and Cousin Joe – and musicians who include Art Tatum, Willie The Lion Smith, Sam Price, James P Johnson, Sidney Bechet, Buster Bailey, Milt Mezzrow, and others!... read more

Tracks by Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley & others.... read more

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Includes tracks by Meade Lux Lewis, Pete Johnson, Mary Lou Williams, Willie The Lion Smith, and others.... read more

Includes compositions by Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Scriabin, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Gluck Sgatmbati, plus themes and title music by Gerald Gouriet.... read more

Features work by Memphis Minnie, Johnny Temple, Peetie Wheatstraw, Scrapper Blackwell, Georgia White, and others!... read more