An album that hardly has the Grateful Dead in the dark – given that it was one of their biggest of the 80s, and really helped the group find a big new audience, thanks to a surprising hit! All the older elements are still in place, but the production has definitely changed since the early years – more upfront elements throughout, although still not really aimed at territory that's totally commercial – maybe just refining some of their older ideas for a new generation, in ways that Dylan and Springsteen were finding on their records at the time – maybe as an answer to the younger generations who were copping their style. Titles include "Hell In A Bucket", "West LA Fadeaway", "Tons Of Steel", "Touch Of Grey", "When Push Comes To Shove", and "Black Muddy River". LP, Vinyl record album

The first Grateful Dead album on Arista, and a set that definitely marks a new chapter for the group – one that has them using a surprising amount of soul references in their music, in part through some heavy vocal contributions from Donna Jean Godchaux! The arrangements are fuller than before at times – with some elements added later to expand the sound of the group at the core – in ways that are sometimes respectful, sometimes a bit more forceful in the way they approach the sound. Highlights include the laidback "Estimated Prophet", and the long "Terrapin Station" suite – plus "Sunrise", "Passenger", "Samson & Delilah", and a surprising cover of "Dancin In The Streets". LP, Vinyl record album

The last album ever recorded by Townes Van Zandt – and a set that shows just how strong his talent was, right up until the end! The album came out two years after Townes passed away in 1997, and features core recordings of the legend on vocals and guitar, augmented by studio backings added to flesh out the sound of the material – yet done in a way that's very respectful to the spirit of the original tunes! The vocals are wonderful – maybe even more powerful at this point in Van Zandt's career than on some of the earlier recordings – and titles include a version of the great "Pancho & Lefty", which seems to have learned from the Merle Haggard/Willie Nelson version of Townes' classic – plus "Tower Song", "For The Sake Of The Song", "Waitin Round To Die", "Sanitarium Blues", "Greensboro Woman", "Dollar Bill Blues", and "To Live's To Fly". LP, Vinyl record album

The first album ever issued with the name of Bernie Worrell on the cover – and a great set that really sums up all the amazing keyboard work he'd been bringing to the P-Funk universe of George Clinton! The set's got a vibe that takes off nicely from the Funkadelic/Parliament sound of the late 70s – definitely more keyboard heavy, in a great way – and really opening up with some of the special madness that was Bernie's own, and often hidden behind the light of the bigger stars in Clinton's galaxy. Worrell sings lead, and also plays a mountain of keyboards – and the set also features help from a huge number of P-Funk friends – including Eddie Hazel, GaryShider, Bootsy Collins, Parlet, Brides of Funkenstein, and even Fred Wesley & The Horny Horns. George Clinton co-produced with Bernie – and titles include "Much Thrust", "Woo Together", "Insurance Man For The Funk", and "Hold On". LP, Vinyl record album

The Grateful Dead in the early 80s – still going strong in a live setting, and with a vibe that's maybe even closer to their roots than some of their Arista studio material at the time! The set is a massive ten-sided representation of a show that has the group soaring and stretching out on nearly every track – with jamming versions of "Ramble On Rose/El Paso", "Althea", "Feel Like A Stranger", "Stella Blue/Good Lovin", "Space/The Other One", "Uncle John's Band/Drums", "Ship Of Fools", "Estimated Prophet", "China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider/Samson & Delilah", "Deep Elem Blues", "New Minglewood Blues", "Beat It On Down The Line", "US Blues", and "Bird Song". LP, Vinyl record album

A never-issued set from the great Weldon Irvine – late 70s material made after his classic jazz/funk albums on RCA – and a set that's every bit as great as that material! Irvine works with some of the key musicians who'd make great funky records for the Arista/GRP label – including guitarist Bobby Broom, trumpeter Tom Browne, and keyboardist Don Blackman – the last of whom even sings a bit on the record! There's plenty of moments that resonate strongly with the GRP albums from all three of those jazz funk giants – and if the set had been issued by the label, it would have helped Weldon continue onto greatness well into the 80s. Yet regardless, the long-overdue record is a gem through and through – with titles that include include "Egypt", "Sexy Eyes", "It's Funky", "Blue In Green", "Morning Sunrise", and "The Sisters". LP, Vinyl record album

A set that's especially sexy, and especially jazzy too – as Jun Miyake works here with a whole host of American fusion players – a really great lineup who make the record soar! Jun's definitely in the more fusion-oriented side of his music here – blowing trumpet and flugelhorn, and handling keyboards too – with a shifting array of great sidemen who include Michael Brecker on tenor, David Sanborn on alto, Victor Bailey on bass, and Poogie Bell on drums – plus some especially nice work from guitarist Bobby Broom, who's very much in the mode of his best Arista records, and even sings a bit on one cut too! Titles include "JFK Express", "Becoming To You", "Wish", "June Night Love", "Twist To Open", "Crossing", and "Sea Born Mind". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent double-length live set from Gil Scott Heron – recorded right in the middle of his classic years on Arista Records, and with an extended groove that shows just how great he could be in a concert setting! Many of these tracks are quite long, with both instrumental solos and a more freewheeling vibe from Gil – who seems to put even more power into the sorts of messages that always make his music so wonderful. The group features flute from Vernon James and tenor from Ron Holloway – and Gil himself plays plenty of great keyboards, including Fender Rhodes – which brings a very fluid vibe to his vocal presentation. Tracks include "We Almost Lost Detroit", "B Movie", "Better Days Ahead", "Washington DC", "Shut Em Down", "Winter In America", "Angola Louisiana", "Johannesburg", and a great 15 minute take on "The Bottle". LP, Vinyl record album