... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A very weird little funky record – featuring a big band with a rockish sound, led by Chicago altoist Bunky Green (the same one who recorded for Cadet) and trumpeter John Priola. The group's clearly been inspired by some of the rock groups using a jazzy sound at the time – and they do have a lead vocalist on a few tracks who's trying for that soulful David Clayton Thomas style. The best moments, though, are instrumental – and the group lays out nice solos, even on the vocal tracks. The cut "Opener" has some nice funky basslines, and some cool electronics that bubble under the solos. "Give It Everything You've Got" has some good funky solos. And the band does a nice long funky version of "Hey Jude". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic Chicago soul recorded under the aegis of the great Bill Bunky Sheppard! The group was one of the best that worked with Sheppard – and they really take advantage of his odd way of producing harmonies, in the style that he'd worked out earlier in the 60s with The Sheppards. Arrangements are by Tom Tom Washington – and the cuts bounce along in that loping groove that was clearly becoming the trademark of the Chicago scene. You probably already know the hit "Get On Up" and the follow-up "And Get Away" – but the album's great all the way through, and features many original cuts like "Listen to Me", "When I'm Ready", "No Doubt About It", and "My Sweet Baby". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe the first-ever collection to bring together the work of the great Red Saunders – a jazz drummer and a seminal figure on the Chicago music scene of the postwar years – a player who not only helped bridge the worlds of jazz and R&B, but who also was the leader of the house band at the legendary Club DeLisa – also known as the initial launching pad for the Sun Ra Arkestra! Red's music is nothing like Ra's – but it does show a similar Chicago ear for new ideas and musical combinations – as Saunders is working here in modes that are way more than the bebop promised by the title – which might be thought of more as an indicator of the modern sensibilities of Saunders. Performances are from a variety of rare 78s – a format in which most of Red's music was issued – and are filled with overlooked players who include Sonny Cohn on trumpet, Earl Washington and Porter Derico on piano, Leon Washington on tenor, McKinley Easton on baritone, Porter Kilbert and Nat Jones on alto, Ike Perkins on guitar, and John Avant and Harlan Floyd on trombones. There's a bit of vocals on the set – from a young Joe Williams, plus Bunky Redding and Buster Bennett – on titles that include "Red The Bebop Guy", "Memories Of You", "Hallelujah", "Card Playing Blues", "DDD", "Ridin Boogie", "Synthesis", "Jitterbuggin", "Legs Getting Bigger & Bigger", "Week Day Blues", "Hey Bartender", "Boot Em Up", "Sugar Bounce", "Lyin Girl Blues", and "Blow Mr Low Blow" – and a number of tracks were arranged by Sonny "Sun Ra" Blount! CD

Great mid-60's side by this legendary Chicago vocal group, and one of the early discoveries of the great Bill "Bunky" Sheppard. "Glitter in Your Eyes" is a great ballad, and it's got the band's weird offbeat harmony sound firmly in place. "What's The Name" is funkier – but we dig the ballad best! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Tight funky jazz from vocalist Ben Sidran – still very much in his best early mode, and playing with a really raw sound overall! Ben's vocals are in that down-home Mose Allison mode, but the real charm is the music – which features funky drums by Clyde Stubblefield, the man responsible for the legendary break on James Brown's "Funky Drummer" – plus great playing by Chicago talents Sonny Seals on tenor, Bunky Green on alto, and Phil Upchurch on bass. Ben's piano is pretty great too – especially on the funky tracks – as it comes across with a hard left side sort of sound that really makes for a wonderful groove! Key titles include "Snatch", "The Funky Elephant", "The Foolkiller", "Fat Jam", and "Hey Hey Baby" – which has a great funky break! LP, Vinyl record album