... LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Nice mix with tracks from Jurassic Five, Donna Summer, Craig Mack, De La Soul, Sylvia Striplin, Erykah Badu, Dusty Springfield, Jackson 5, SWV and others. 34 tracks total! CD

Tracks include "It's So Good To Know" by Best Friend Around, "Freak On" by Lemon, "I Wanna Go Home With You" by Miami Disco Band, and "Roller Rink Funk" by Shift. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Nice mix with tracks from Roy Ayers, Groove Armada, The Wiseguys, Mantronix, The Family Stand, Soul II Soul, Loose Ends, Blondie, Jurassic 5, Les Rythmes Digitales, Cassius, Masters At Work, Desmond Dekker, and much more. CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

A contemporary legend in Latin music – one that was done in collaboration with the film of the same name – organized by Ry Cooder, directed by Wim Wenders, and put forth as a reminder to America that Cuban culture was still going strong, even decades after we turned our backs on the nation! The "social club" in the title is well-put – as there's a relaxed, easygoing approach to the music here – warmly collaborative efforts from some of the greats of the scene in Havana – many of whom were able to enjoy renewed global attention, thanks to the efforts of the record and film. The lineup features Ruben Gonzalez on piano, Eliades Ochoa on guitar, Cachaito on bass, and Guajiro on trumpet – plus famous vocal contributions from Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, and Omara Portuondo. Titles include "Chan Chan", "Dos Gardenias", "El Carretero", "Candela", "Viente Anos", "El Cuarto De Tula", "De Camino A La Vereda", "Murmullo", and "Orgullecida". CD

A contemporary legend in Latin music – one that was done in collaboration with the film of the same name – organized by Ry Cooder, directed by Wim Wenders, and put forth as a reminder to America that Cuban culture was still going strong, even decades after we turned our backs on the nation! The "social club" in the title is well-put – as there's a relaxed, easygoing approach to the music here – warmly collaborative efforts from some of the greats of the scene in Havana – many of whom were able to enjoy renewed global attention, thanks to the efforts of the record and film. The lineup features Ruben Gonzalez on piano, Eliades Ochoa on guitar, Cachaito on bass, and Guajiro on trumpet – plus famous vocal contributions from Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, and Omara Portuondo. Titles include "Chan Chan", "Dos Gardenias", "El Carretero", "Candela", "Viente Anos", "El Cuarto De Tula", "De Camino A La Vereda", "Murmullo", and "Orgullecida". LP, Vinyl record album

A epic issue of this always epic magazine – going after our hearts as always by featuring people and their record collections – and spending time with the subjects in their living, work and listening spaces, telling their stories in a way that makes it much more of a slice of life than other music magazines! As with other issues, this is one is super-thick– nearly 250 pages, and is heavy on photography – with DJ Kenji Takimi on the cover and surrounded by a truly massive collection – plus pieces on London club scene veteran Heidi Lawden, NYC's Nicky Siano (whose scene legacy goes all the way back to Studio 54), Christophe Lemaire, Cale Sexton, Yasmina Dexter, Ivan Berko, Vidal Benjamin, Georgia and more! Magazine

The incredible debut of Blondie! Before branching out into 70s NYC club culture informed pop, Blondie was first-and-formost an incredibly cool punk-era rock & roll band, though never really straight-up punkers themselves – filtering a love of 60s girl group vocals and seedier surf rock influences into catchy songs still raucous enough for CBGBs. While the live gig grit is buffed out of in the studio, there's no lack of game-changing greatness here – and titles include "X Offender", "Little Girls Lie", "In The Sun", "In The Flesh", "Rifle Range", "Kung Fu Girls", "The Attack Of The Giant Ants" and more. CD

Totally groovy work from the legendary Piero Piccioni – a score for an obscure "mondo" documentary about the sad state of culture in late 60s England! The score is probably best known for its very funky "Black Flower" theme – but it's filled with loads of other really wonderful cuts that mix jazzy moments, mod rhythms, and the best late 60s Italian film instrumentation – all in a blend that makes this soundtrack every bit as great as the better-known Fumo Di Londra! And if you don't know that one, it's one of Piccioni's best from the late 60s – a perfect blend of his roots in jazz, his love of bossa rhythms, and his key role in all things groovy that were happening in Italian film in the late 60s. There's plenty of "party" tracks here – "Party Music" and "Drug Party" tracks – plus others titled "Country Mood", "Night Club", "Soho", "Country Shake", "Endless Love", and "Organ Shake". CD

Fantastic sounds from the years before reggae became the international sound of Jamaica – music from the island nation's jazz scene, which was at the crossroads of so many different styles of music – jazz from the north, Latin rhythms from Cuba and Puerto Rico, and a fair bit of other Caribbean sounds too – all of which filter through the wonderful collection of music on the set! The title breaks down the different genres featured – but there's often a surprisingly unified feel to the whole record too – one that stands partly as a testament to the musical strengths of all the performers involved! In the days before Trojan and Studio One, Federal Records was an important Jamaican label – and did an especially great job of capturing some of the sounds that were part of that nation's club culture and resorts in the 60s. Titles include "Angelima" and "Like Falling In Love" by Ernest Ranglin, "Profile Cha Cha" and "Rhumbina" by Cecil Lloyd & The Starline Troubadors, "Estrellita" and "I Love Paris" by The Lennie Hibbert Combo, "Tis Wonderful" by Eric Grant, "Linstead Market" by Baba Motta & Ernest Ranglin, "Wheel & Turn Me" by Bertie King, "Go Fife Go" by Count Owen, "Mango Walk" by Bertie King & Ernest Ranglin, "String Of Pearls" by Auldey Williams & His Orchestra, "Solas Market" by Baba Motta, and "Monday Monday" by Winston Turner Quintet. LP, Vinyl record album

Includes selections by Giorgio Moroder, Philip Oakley, Jeff Lynne, Culture Club, Heaven 17, Helen Terry, and PP Arnold. LP, Vinyl record album

Includes 19 tracks by Toni Basil, Jo Boxers, Heaven 17, The Nails, Culture Club, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, The Motels, Katrina and the Waves, and others. CD

A wide ranging collection that's actually a lot better than any of the regular US "Now" releases – and a solid companion to the 1986 volume. Includes 60 songs by Queen, Sade, Bryan Ferry, Tina Turner, Anita Baker, Style Council, Kenny Loggins, Spandau Ballet, Cock Robin, Jennifer Rush, The Smiths, Housemartins, Pat Benatar, Culture Club, Billy Ocean, and more! CD

The legendary Omara Portuondo is one of those Cuban music greats from years back – and one of a handful who were finally given some larger exposure to the American market during the Buena Vista Social Club project of the late 90s! It's not as if Omara had stopped performing – but because of the embargo on Cuban goods in the US for decades, which also led to an embargo on culture as well, Portuondo hadn't seen a standard release on our shores for many years – something that's nicely corrected by this set, which has Omara stepping away from the larger Buena Vista ensemble, and working in a nicely intimate mode, with work from Ruben Gonzalez on piano, Guajiro Mirabal on trumpet, and Cachaito on bass. Titles include "No Me Vayas A Enganar", "Ella Y Yo", "Canta Lo Sentimental", "Donde Estabas Tu", "La Sitiera", "He Perdido Contigo", and "El Hombre Que Y Ame". CD

Very cool work from Les Abranis – a group with Algerian roots, but who also had a big influence on the post-colonial scene in France – where their unusual blend of elements was a key bridge between cultures! There's plenty of North African elements in the music, but mixed with 70s influences from funk, rock, and club music – in styles that are reminiscent of hybrids from the time in Iran and Turkey, with a vibe that really has scenes and generations coming together in a timeless sort of style! The package brings together a fair bit of cuts from the group's Album No 1 from 1983, plus earlier tracks too – and titles include "Chenar Le Blues", "Akoudar", "Id Ed Was", "Thilelli", "El Guoum Agui", and "Athedjaladde". LP, Vinyl record album

A really great project from singer David Walters – a set that tries to reimagine a 21st Century creole culture – linking diaspora roots into a new sort of groove, all with plenty of help on production from Bruno Patchworks! There's a warmth to most of these tracks that draws us in right away – and although some rhythms are clubby, the spirit here is different than earlier sort of projects along these lines by Osunlade or some of his contemporaries – as instead of the beats, the lyrics go first, and everything else follows – with Walters really setting a different tone for each track, as he moves between cultural roots and references, while Patchworks helps find the right focus with his instrumentation and production. The set features guest appearances from Seun Kuti and Ibrahim Maalouf – and titles include "Fo Bouger", "Bwe Dlo", "Manye", "Krye Mwen", "Mama", "Musik", "Pa Le", "Abo", "Soleil Kreyol", and "Mesi Bondye". LP, Vinyl record album

A really wonderful collection – an important re-investigation of the unusual mix of sounds and styles on the New York scene in the years after disco – a time when funk, punk, hip hop, and art were all colliding at once – providing a really fresh antidote to the staid sounds of Studio 54! The "disco" in the title should be taken lightly – as these cuts didn't play at the slick uptown dance spots – but were instead the soundtrack for the cool spots happening downtown, as the previous loft culture morphed into clubs, in this very special blend of the energy of CBGB and the underground soulful dancefloors. The set list is filled with classics from this time – and titles include "Cavern" by Liquid Liquid, "Tell You Today (voc)" by Loose Joints, "Walking On Thin Ice (re-edit)" by Yoko Ono, "Over & Over" by Material, "Spasticus Autisticus (version)" by Ian Dury & The Seven Seas Players, "Kiss Me Again (original edit)" by Dinosaur, "Move" by Nicky Siano, "School Bell/Tree House" by Indian Ocean, "I Walk" by Don Cherry, "Voices Inside My Head" by Common Sense, and "Wheel Me Out" by Was Not Was. LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty fantastic selection of rare disco tracks from the American underground – all of them infused with a spiritual message, but served up with grooves that go head to head with some of the best underground club of the time! The mix of positive energy and upbeat grooves is wonderful – and if you've ever heard the Clark Sisters club classic "You Brought The Sunshine", then you'll definitely know the spirit of these tunes! If you're worried about the message being one that you're not into, don't – because there's sort of a universal spirit going on here – one that gets past conventions of the church, and which really goes for a general uplifting message that's totally great – almost a precursor to some of the positive house in more recent decades. And speaking of house, there's less of that here than you'd expect – as most of the instrumentation and production are strongly in the best New York underground modes from the disco years – with less of any 80s or electro soul elements. Titles include "I Believe" by Calvin B Rhone, "Imitations" by Johnson Family Gospel Singers, "Change" by Wisdom, "On That Other Shore" by Harrison Jones & The Voices Of Harmony, "I've Been Converted" by The Converters, "Ain't No Way To Do Wrong" by New Creation, "Take It To The Streets" by Prophecy, "Let The Lord Come In Your Life" by Wisdom, "Keep The Fire" by Paradise, and "Jesus Is On The Mainline" by Mr Jesse R McGuire. CD

A really fantastic look at a scene we might never heard otherwise – served up here in a selection of cuts that have a really surprising vibe! Forget everything you know about Indonesian music, as the work here seems to draw most heavily from the European scene at the time – particularly some of the cooler grooves that were coming out of French clubs as things got a bit more playful and catchy after the disco years – and maybe with a dose of UK electro pop elements too! The work has a strong 80s vibe overall – and is different than you might expect from all three of the styles referenced in the title – maybe more of a hinterland past the bigger names on Virgin Records during the decade – catchy, well-produced, but a lot more interesting than chartbound material too. Titles include "Musik Kami" by Gito Rollies, "Waktu Kian Berarti" by Chaseiro, "Langkah Kemuka" by Andi MM, "Kenangan Asmara" by Grace Simon, "Denny" by Lidya Kandou, "Catatan Kisah" by Rafika Duri, "PHK" by Iwan Fals, and "Jakarta Kasmaran" by Denny Malik. CD

Disco sounds from the Caribbean scene of the 70s – a really unique mix of regional styles with the kind of rhythms that were coming from New York and Philly at the time! The groove here is really unique – even different than some of the reggae or African disco numbers of the time – as the sunny style of Trinidad & Tobago and other islands turns out to be a perfect fit for clubby elements – mixing riffing instrumentation with playful lyrics that would have been right at home in older musical modes, but which are tuned just right here to match the energy of the disco generation. And these cuts have an appeal that goes way beyond any sense of novelty or gimmick – often served up with a soulfulness that meets or beats mainstream US disco of the period. Hats off to Cultures of Soul for bringing all these great grooves together – on a set that includes "Dance With Me" by Odessey One, "Feel Like Dancing" by Levi John, "Instant Funk" by Merchant, Be Yourself" by Mighty Duke, "The Rebels" and "Living On A String" by Wild Fire, "Peace Without Love" by Ronnie Butler And The Ramblers, "Rockers Delight" by Prince Blackman (a nicely simmering Jamaican funk take on "Rappers Delight"), "Got To Have You" by Joanne Wilson, "Disco Music" by Trinadad Troubadours – plus the bonus tracks "Got To Have You (Whiskey Barons Rework)" and "Dance With Me (Al Kent Version)" by Odessey One. LP, Vinyl record album

A cool club track from the Caribbean scene – but one that's delivered here with lots of cosmic, electronic touches! The core version of "Let's Get Together" is reworked by Whiskey Barons – and the vocals by Winston Bailey bubble in and out of the pulsating blend of dark rhythms and original elements served up in the remix! The flipside features a nicely dubby version – plus the straight tune "Keep On Wailing", which bubbles with a great funky soca groove! 12-inch, Vinyl record

A great look at the bright world of female soul in Japan during the 80s – a time when the nation was hitting some of its greatest heights of the postwar years – and was coming up with a magical musical groove to follow! While disco reigned in American clubs in the late 70s, the style really took off in Tokyo during the following decade – maybe mixed a bit with European and 80s club styles, but still unabashedly as upbeat and bubbling as American work of previous years – all to showcase a range of female singers whose style really matches the groove! The music takes off a bit from that shift into soul by Japanese jazz singers in the 70s – but is much farther than that mode overall, especially once the beats and keyboards get going. The package does a great job of being faithful to this legacy – and includes notes on each song and artist, along with album covers too. Titles include "Wanna Kiss" by Hitomi Tohyama, "Dancin" by Junko Ohashi, "Dress Down" by Kaoru Akimoto, "I'm In Love" by Aru Takamura, "Broken Eyes" by Mariko Tone, "TNT" by Rie Murakami, "Love Is A Work Of Mind" by Ra Mu, "Mystical Composer" by Kikuchi Momoko, and "Sky Restaurant" by Yumi Seino. CD

Very cool work from Les Abranis – a group with Algerian roots, but who also had a big influence on the post-colonial scene in France – where their unusual blend of elements was a key bridge between cultures! There's plenty of North African elements in the music, but mixed with 70s influences from funk, rock, and club music – in styles that are reminiscent of hybrids from the time in Iran and Turkey, with a vibe that really has scenes and generations coming together in a timeless sort of style! The package brings together a fair bit of cuts from the group's Album No 1 from 1983, plus earlier tracks too – and titles include "Chenar Le Blues", "Akoudar", "Id Ed Was", "Thilelli", "El Guoum Agui", and "Athedjaladde". CD

A fantastic disco album from the late 70s – obscure, but with a very funky pedigree, and one that includes musical ties to earlier groups The Skullsnaps and Wood Brass & Steel! The instrumentation here is a bit like the latter – well-crafted ensemble funk with a deeper, more jazzy sophistication than you might expect – topped with very soulful vocals from the Sparkle trio, who have a depth that's way stronger than most other female club acts of the time – the sort of range that could have also been singing deep soul a decade before. The instrumentation is wonderfully sharp, and way more than the usual disco or club – and titles include "Let Yourself Go", "You", "Disco Madness", "Dabooza", "The Rock", and "Down The Way" – plus the cool cosmic instrumental "Six Million Steps" by Rahni Harris! CD

There's no breakdown to the boogie here – as the album's overflowing with stunning sounds that are right up there with better-known club music from the early 80s – every bit as full of basslines, beats, and keyboards as the best tracks from the American scene of the period, but maybe even more stripped-down and biting overall! As the title announces, the music here is all from South Africa of the late Apartheid years – a time that's usually summed up by music of protest, but which also required some moments of letting off steam – the kind of grooves that are featured in this set! The sound is warmer than you'd expect from the "synth" in the title, too – more like electro funk overall, with a great sense of sharp rhythms and nicely focused vocals – some of which echo older South African modes, but which still often nod more strongly to US dancefloor soul. Titles include "Party" and "Good Vies" by Harari, "Hey Tonight" and "We Keep On Keeping On" by Cannibals, "I Wanna Be Myself" and "Let's Groove Tonight" by Don Laka, "Perfect Love" and "Breakdown" by Neville Nash, "Flash A Flashlight" and "I Just Keep Dancing" by Benjamin Ball, and "You've Got Love" and "Hold Onto Love" by Al Etto. CD

Excellent work from the South African scene of the 80s – music that maybe provides a pathway to the new freedom to come, thanks to a joyous, upbeat sense of spirit – one that's equally wonderful all these many years later! The cuts here are all clubby, but less in the disco mode that you'd guess from the title – as styles include a fair bit of influences from both the New York and European scenes, especially some of those cross-cultural elements that might have been coming out of places like Paris, or the downtown clubs in New York! Vocals are mostly in English, and the tunes are heavy on basslines, beats, and keyboards – but often have a much warmer, more soulful vibe than some of the tinnier South African synth cuts of the period – in a mode that makes the whole thing equally appealing to any fan of 80s soul from around the globe. Titles include "You & Me" by Margino, "Good Vibes" by Hot Soul Singers, "No No Senor" by Brenda & The Big Dudes, "Let's Get It On" by Supa Frika, "Ea Kgiba Ngoale" by Black Fire, "Ambiguously The Same" by Soundburger, "Saturday Night Special" by Varikweru, "Love Satisfaction" by Supa Frika, and "Holiday" by Margino. CD

A sweetly soulful soundtrack from Cagnet – music for the extremely popular Long Vacation series in the 90s, done in that Japanese style from the time that was very heavy on influences from American soul! There's English language lyrics on most tracks – sung by Natalie and Anna, with a bit of work from male singer David too – and the music has that groove from this key moment in Japanese club, when it seemed as if productions like this could easily cross the boundaries of cultures, as ears in both the US and UK scenes were really opening up to the groove. Titles include "Here We Are Again", "Long Vacation", "Into You", "Under The Moonlight", "What Will I Do", "Deeper & Deeper", and "Our Romance". LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Thurston Moore, the Stone Roses, Teenage Fanclub, White Zombie, the Roots, Hardvark, Sonic Youth, Southern Culture On The Skids, and Elastica, CD

Early 80s clubby funk & soul from Freeez – a pretty sweet mix of period synth and boogie soul with far richer, live instrumentation and solid, hooky songwriting! Freeez recorded Gonna Get You in Manhattan – and you can certainly hear the NYC culture of the time flowing nicely in the groove. The songs are really good, and catchy enough to have caught on a much bigger level – with male and female lead and chorus backing vocals, and the synths and drum machines pulse and thump underneath congas, bongos and other percussion, Rhodes, piano and other elements. Includes "We've Got The Juice", "Can't Keep My Love", "Love's Gonna Get You", "Pop Goes My Love", "IOU", "Freezin'", "Can You", "Watch Me" and "Gonna Get You (Megamix)" – the 13 minute closer of disc 1. Disc 2 features 13 bonus tracks: "IOU (7" Version)", "We Got The Jazz", "Scratch Goes My Dub (7" Version)", "Love's Gonna Get You (7" Version)", "IOU – Megamix", "A Capella U" and more. CD