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Heavy Frippertronics here – and some great guest vocals from David Byrne!... read more

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THE lasting classic from Gloria Gaynor – the record that contains her tremendous hit "I Will Survive", and a great batch of disco grooves overall! The album's got a simple, honest sort of approach, despite its release in an era of overblown dancefloor sets – and arranger... read more

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Golden Earring's really opening up its groove here – getting past the straight jangle pop of their debut, and expanding their sound in ways that rival the changes going on with The Hollies or Hermans Hermits at the same time! A slightly soulful undercurrent emerges on a few tracks –... read more

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A stone classic from the great Gwen Guthrie – a singer who forged some brilliant vocals in the backdrop of other folks' soul sessions – then really exploded forth as a star on her own, with a handful of key albums in the early 80s! This cooker really shows off Guthrie's ear for the... read more

Wonderful later work from Isaac Hayes – a gem from his Polydor years that has a good mix of mellow cuts and more upbeat numbers! The record has 3 long "quiet storm" tracks that take off on Ike's earlier expanded ballad style (forged on tracks like "Walk On By") –... read more

One of the mellowest of Ike's records for Polydor – featuring a number of extended tracks that have Hayes talking his way through some slow and sexy grooves, kind of in an update of the style used on his earliest albums for Stax. The album also features an extended instrumental remake of... read more

Great later work by Isaac Hayes – working here in a post-Stax, post-ABC mode that has him forging a smooth soul sound that's really great! The album's not disco, but more of an extension of Ike's baroque approach to arranging – with subtle use of strings and keyboards, in a real Philly... read more

Great later work by Isaac Hayes – working here in a post-Stax, post-ABC mode that has him forging a smooth soul sound that's really great! The album's not disco, but more of an extension of Ike's baroque approach to arranging – with subtle use of strings and keyboards, in a real Philly... read more

One of the rarest Lee Hazlewood albums ever – a mid 70s set recorded for Polydor in Sweden, and one that represents a really unique chapter in Lee's career overseas! At times, the album's got a very strong country feel – more so than even other Hazlewood records, which always had a bit... read more

One of Wayne Henderson's best albums as an artist from the 70s – next to countless excellent work he handled as a producer! The set's got a gentle jazz funk groove overall – similar to Henderson's best At-Home productions for other groups, and performed with a host of great talents... read more

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Not experienced? Well, this album will help push you over the top – as it's done for decades of listeners from the heyday of young Jimi Hendrix all the way up to the present! The set's a classic through and through – a blueprint not just for the genius of Hendrix, but for generations... read more

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An amazing bit of soul – and one of the rarest funk records of the 70s! This masterpiece was recorded by The Jackson Sisters, a semi-gospelly soul group that has a sound that's a bit like The Voices of East Harlem, but that's a lot harder, and that has a deeper soul sound overall! At times,... read more

Did power pop ever get any more perfect than this? It's hard to think so – and more than 25 years later, this album's got a raw power that's still undeniable! The album features The Jam at their early best – still with the rougher punky edges firmly in place, but also able to bring in... read more

The final proper album by The Jam! The Gift is a far more diversely soul-steeped set of tunes than anything they'd done up to this point – and in hindsight, it feels more like a starting point for Paul Weller's career to come than a final album for The Jam! While they're working more soul... read more

A seminal session from 70s French synth maestro Jean-Michel Jarre – his 8-part "Equinoxe" suite, a great bit of electronics that was almost France's answer to Kraftwerk at the time! Jarre's style is a bit warmer and more focused on the melody – and the range of keyboards and... read more

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An incredible album – quite possibly our favorite record by the JBs, ever! The set starts with a wonderful conversational bit – rapping and musing on the idea of "Damn Right, I Am Somebody" – showing the group in a political and righteous mode for the first time ever. ... read more

An incredible album – a landmark piece of funk that nobody should be without, funk fan or not! The album is the second to feature James Brown's famous backing combo of the early 70s – and unlike their first one, which was really more of a collection of singles, this album has the group... read more

One of the most fantastic albums by the JBs – a masterpiece of funky jamming, tight instrumentation, and that free yet tight style of the James Brown 70s years! The tracks are longer than on some of the earlier singles – especially the 8 minute jammer "(It's Not The Express) It's... read more

Incredible funk, soul, jazz, post psychedelia and funk rock from the JJ Band – recorded in Brussels and featuring core players who were also integral members of Chakachas & El Chicles! The JJ Band find a hard grooving style steeped in horns, with heavy drums, bass and percussion, fuzzy... read more

One of the coolest vocal groups of the late 60s – Germany's Gunter Kallmann Choir, presented here in a batch of tracks that includes some of their hippest tracks from the Polydor years! The group's sound is quite similar to that of the Horst Jankowski singers – a large ensemble of... read more

An unusual session for Robin Kenyatta – featuring the leader on alto and flute, plus Wolfgang Dauner on clavinet and piano, Arild Andersen on bass, and Fred Braceful on drums.... read more

An unabashedly 80s-styled set – one that makes heavy use of drum programs and keyboards, but in ways that come up with a surprisingly warm sound in the end! Kindness remind us of some of our favorite indie projects from decades back – especially some of the more intimate records from... read more

Long heavy disco tracks with nice touches of African percussion. Cerrone produced, and the tracks include "Africanism", "Tatoo Woman", and "Dr. Doo Dah". European club disco, but not without some nice funky moments – largely due to the percussion!... read more

Often overlooked amidst the bigger early albums by Kool & The Gang – but a totally solid record of funky stuff that's right up there with their best work! The band is super-tight at this point, grooving along in a hard drum, heavy bass, wah wah guitar frenzy – and even the vocals... read more

A previously unreleased album from German maestro James Last – a special set designed for the American market of the late 60s – and one of James' grooviest records too! We're not sure why the set never came out at the time – because it's got a style that's not only better than... read more

The second album released of material from the Double Fantasy sessions – released in 1984, years after John's murder, and record we can easily admit having a lot of affection for all these years later! The production has something of a rough, unfinished vibe to it – yet fairly... read more

A killer-diller bit of essential funk – the only full album cut by Maceo with James Brown production! The set's got Maceo coming back strongly into the JB fold, with a fierce array of funky cuts that kick it every bit as hard as the best JBs work of the time. No surprise, the JBs are... read more

A killer-diller bit of essential funk – the only full album cut by Maceo with James Brown production! The set's got Maceo coming back strongly into the JB fold, with a fierce array of funky cuts that kick it every bit as hard as the best JBs work of the time. No surprise, the JBs are... read more

Although some of the albums that Mandrill made were a bit weak, and had too much hippy-dippy stuff, this one is one of their best albums, and has a nice hard funky sound that they didn't always match. The album includes the funky break classic track "Fencewalk", plus other groovers like... read more

One is one of their best albums, and has a nice hard funky sound that they didn't always match. The album includes the funky break classic track "Fencewalk", plus other groovers like "Hang Loose", and "Don't Mess with People".... read more

One of the best records ever by Mandrill – and a perfect balance between the looser jazzy spirituality of earlier albums, and the tighter (sometimes too tight) style of later ones. The band is incredibly tight on the funk tip – with lots of hard drums and guitars, and other sweet... read more

Mandrill's first album of funky Latin jazz and soul – a landmark in crossover styles that still sounds remarkably fresh today! Unlike later records, which feature a tighter funk sound, this one has the band jamming out in a Latin-inflected mode that sounds like some of the best Chicano bands... read more

Mad funky Mandrill! "Mango Meat" is completely sublime – a tune that bubbles with a sweet bassy intro – stating the groove in a way that's just aching to be sampled, then rolling out with an even faster, funkier, more frenetic feel! "Afrikus" is nice too, and is a... read more

Quite possibly the best of the solo Phil Manzanera projects – a wonderfully tight album that's surprisingly soulful and funky at times! Phil gets some great studio help from Eno and Godley & Crème – the latter two of who can really be felt on the record's well-penned lyrical... read more

John Mayall's definitely getting back to his roots here – and he's also getting help from an all-star cast as well! Mayall's vocals and piano are in fine form – almost with a rough-edged Blues Breakers sort of vibe, but sometimes a bit funkier too – in ways that strongly show the... read more

A live record of a couple of shows from 1971 in Boston and New York. The lineup includes Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Clifford Solomon playing saxes, Ron Selico on percussion, Larry Taylor playing bass guitar, Freddy Robinson on guitar and Mayall plays harmonica, guitar and piano. The first side... read more

One of the greatest British jazz albums ever to feature the Blue Notes – the legendary South African jazz group who left their country in the mid 60s, and took up an expatriot home in London! The session's led by pianist Chris McGregor, but it features a sextet that includes Blue Note... read more

Forget the "honky tonk" in the title – because this girl knows how to groove! Ellen McIlwaine's got to be one of the most unique talents of the past 50 years – a skilled guitarist, and great singer – working in a blend of folk, jazz, and soul that lies somewhere between... read more

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The one astounding studio album of proto punk/abrasive psych genius from the Monks – a true masterpiece – and a record that's been ripped off by myriad more famous groups in both the mainstream and underground rock landscape of the past 40 years! The group's status as discharged G.I.'s... read more

The one astounding studio album of proto punk/abrasive psych genius from the Monks – a true masterpiece if their ever was one, a record that's been ripped off by myriad more famous groups in both the mainstream and rock underground of the past 40 years! The group's status as discharged G.I.'... read more

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Heavy fuzz from late 60s Brazil – a Tropicalia-era album, but one with a slightly more mainstream groove – one that mixes elements of regional music with psychedelic elements and bouncy, mod-styled backings! The approach is somewhat like the work going on over at EMI/Odeon during the... read more

One of the hardest rocking albums ever cut by Os Mutantes – a record that's got a slightly ironic take on rock and roll styles of the time – still performed with the sense of drama and humor that always made the band so great! Rita Lee and Arnaldo Baptista are still in the group at... read more

Quite possibly the last truly sublime album ever recorded by Os Mutantes – a set that's a bit more rock-oriented then their first few, but still pretty revolutionary overall! The group have expanded to a quintet at this point, but haven't yet falling into the guitar-heavy groove of later... read more

The second set of madness from the legendary Os Mutantes – and like the first, an album done in close collaboration with arranger/producer Rogerio Duprat, whose talents add a new level of genius to the record! The album's got a compelling mix of styles that strikes out on the very first tune... read more

A landmark LP! This is the first – and the wildest – album by this legendary group that was one of the founding forces of the Tropicalia movement. The music is a wonderful blend of 60s rock and early MPB stuff, with crazy production and a great sense of humor that still keeps the... read more

A legendary album! This previously unreleased album by Os Mutantes was supposed to be their breakthrough album to an English speaking market – but for years it's only been talked about in hushed whispers, and has only been heard by a lucky few! The record was recorded in Paris in 1970... read more

Excellent work by this underrated trumpet player – a haunting set of tracks that range from moody soul jazz, to straighter funkier numbers, all handled with the kind of flourish you'd expect more from a small-label indie release than a major label session. Owens is in good company here... read more

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A great self-titled set from Toncho Pilatos – the early 70s Mexican group's wild first album, cut for Polydor! The group has familiar influences, but they put those pieces together in a unique way, with a sound that's really something else! The vocals are echoey and tripped out, with raw... read more

Sweet silky harmony soul from the trio of Harry Ray, Billy Brown, and Al Goodman – the group's first album under a new name – after some previous indie work as The Moments! The album's got the group really stepping up with a rich new sound – drawing on all the best elements of... read more

Sweet silky harmony soul from the trio of Harry Ray, Billy Brown, and Al Goodman – the group's first album under a new name – after some previous indie work as The Moments! The album's got the group really stepping up with a rich new sound – drawing on all the best elements of... read more

Probably the best album Ray, Goodman, and Brown cut after they dissolved The Moments, and moved to Polydor. Despite some more modern soul production than their classic recordings, their harmonies are excellent, and their voices are in totally top form. The LP includes their classic "Happy... read more

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Late 70s funky French grooves from Resonance! "OK Chicago" is a roaring, screeching exercise in cinematic funky exploitation – heavy drums, Euro disco synth and a slew of sound effects – ricocheting gunshots, squealing car tires and more. A hard-sought, should-be classic! ... read more

Hard grooving work from the middle years of the Return To Forever group – featuring the line up with Chick Corea on keys, synths & percussion, Stanley Clarke on bass, organ and more, Lenny White on percussion and Al DiMeola on guitars. The title may lead you to believe the set is a... read more

A double-length live set – with cuts that include "Sympathy For The Devil", "Around & Around", "Crackin Up", "Little Red Rooster", "It's Only Rock N Roll", "Mannish Boy", "Tumbling Dice", and "If You Can't Rock... read more

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Includes selections from Knight Without Armour, Tribute To A Badman, Asphalt Jungle, Moonfleet, Double Indemnity, Lust For Life, and Men Of The Fighting Lady.... read more

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Dynamic jazz rock from the French scene of the 70s – combo with a strong penchant for stretching out strongly on organ and guitar – but one that also has a few more sensitive, folksy moments as well! The tracks shift nicely between longer numbers and shorter ones – the shorter... read more

Nothing too manic here, as the grooves are all nicely laidback – in that sweetly smooth Shakatak style! The album's definitely a bit more contemporary-styled than some of the group's earlier ones – rhythms that are mostly programmed, and keyboards that have a later 80s sound –... read more

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Groovy genius from German arranger Peter Thomas – a sweet little follow-up to his soundtrack for Chariots Of The Gods! This time around, the setting's a bit more funky – a great mixture of mid 70s grooves with some of the trippier touches you'd know from Peter's previous space scores... read more

An early stunner from keyboardist Keith Tippett – served up with a punch and power that's missing from a lot of his later work! The music's a perfect blend of free-thinking jazz and some of the more progressive rock ideas of the time – not exactly jazz rock, not exactly avant jazz... read more

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A gem of a record – one of a few Brazilian sides cut in Paris during the 60s by Laura Villa – an Italian singer by birth, but one who does a wonderful job here with bossa nova! The set's got all the complex charm of a Brazilian classic on Elenco or Forma – with arrangements that... read more

A really standout set from Brazilian rocker Ronnie Von – easily one of his greatest records ever, and a set that shows some wonderful steps forward in production and arrangements! Ronnie's still got a rock approach at his core, but he's often working here with fuller backings that include... read more

Great late 60s work from Ronnie Von – an under-appreciated Brazilian rocker, and one with a sound that sits nicely between the Jovem Guarda generation and some of the headier groups to come in the 70s! There's a nice array of psychedelic influences at play here – strong echoes of... read more

Great late 60s work from Ronnie Von – an under-appreciated Brazilian rocker, and one with a sound that sits nicely between the Jovem Guarda generation and some of the headier groups to come in the 70s! There's a nice array of psychedelic influences at play here – strong echoes of... read more

Pretty great stuff – two groovy albums from German maestro Kai Warner, back to back on a single CD! Warner Plays Wagner is exactly what it sounds like – Kai takes on a host of compositions from Richard Wagner – but the results sound even better on record than they do on paper... read more

One of Weston's many "comeback" albums – which he seems to make about every 10 years or so – but still a great one! Randy's playing cool electric piano, and he's backed by a tight larger ensemble arranged by Melba Liston. The record retains a lot of the best elements of his... read more

Features performances by The Who, Elton John, Eric Clapton, and Tina Turner.... read more

Classic New Orleans funk featuring backing from the "New Orleans Project" that includes the Gaturs' Willie Tee, Earl Turbinton, and other Crescent City session stalwarts like Larry Panna and Julius Farmer. Includes lots of tracks that rocked the rare groove scene in the 80s, including... read more

A seminal jazz rock statement from drummer Tony Williams – one that has him stepping out quite far from his original "new thing" recordings of the mid 60s! The album's got a genre-forming sound that's incredibly fierce – a power trio churning of Williams drums, John... read more

The obscure second album from Emiliano Zapata – one of the coolest groups on the Mexican scene of the early 70s! Like the first, this one's got a quality that's right up there with the best South American psych of the time – fuzzy guitars mixed with funky rhythms, and some occasionally... read more

Early 80s funky soul from Zoom! Saturday, Saturday Night is crafted to be a good natured, party starting set – and it succeeds with charm to spare. It's a mix of uptempo club cuts and mellow modern soul ones with excellent harmonies by the group, and some nice hooks in all the right places!... read more

The movie maybe a goofy, if undeniably amusing pop culture relic, but the Polydor soundtrack is a genuine win! This is an album that doubtlessly brought breakdance and old school hip hop culture into the eyes of middle America – but what helps it stand the test of time are some solid non-hip... read more

This sequel to Breakin was pretty bad, with an even more tenuous relationship to hip hop, but the soundtrack was saved from total ruin by George Kranz "Din Daa Daa", that has gone on to be subsequently sampled, and is a pretty fat 80s dance track on its own. The rest of the LP has that... read more

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Volume one of the legendary compilation of James Brown produced stuff that taught us to love his other work back in the 80's when it was released. We're not going to pretend that we had all the original stuff when we were kids, but we did have this great comp – which includes monster stuff... read more

One of the best-ever compilations of James Brown work – and the second slammin' hard compilation of great tracks from the People label. This one's got some more obscure stuff (including 2 unreleased tracks), and material by Bobby Byrd, Vicki Anderson, Maceo, Marva Whitney, Hank Ballard, and... read more