Marley Marl's behind the controls on this early MC Shan LP. 9 tracks in all, including QB classics like "Jane, Stop This Crazy Thing!", "The Bridge", and "Kill That Noise", plus "Down By Law", "Project 'Ho", "Left Me Lonely", "MC Space" and "Living In The World Of Hip Hop". LP, Vinyl record album

Great post-Mahavishnu work from guitarist John McLaughlin – the debut of his excellent Shakti combo, a group who mixed Indian music with some tighter fusion moments! The style here is a lot leaner than some of McLaughlin's previous experiments – a small group lineup with violin from L Shankar, plus tabla, percussion, ghantam, mridangam, and John's guitar – all used together in really wonderful ways. The Indian roots of the music are often quite strong, and McLaughlin plays a fair bit of acoustic guitar in a respectful way that never intrudes too much on the other players – a huge change from his jamming fusion of the early 70s. The album features 3 long tracks – "Joy", "Lotus Feet", and "What Need Have I For This". LP, Vinyl record album

Plenty of Natural Elements here – thanks to the Indian roots of the Shakti group! The group's a wonderful collaboration between guitarist John McLaughlin – often playing here on acoustic, far from his earlier fusion – and a trio of Indian musicians, including the great L Shankhar on violin! The sound is soaring, spacious, and makes almost a fusion-like use of some of the elements – but without nearly as many of the cliches as you might expect. The sound quality is excellent, and a further great aspect of the record – and titles include "Mind Ecology", "Face To Face", "The Daffodil & The Eagle", "Get Down & Sruti", and "Peace Of Mind". LP, Vinyl record album

An assortment of rare female hip hop tracks from the old school – including a few by MCs we're not sure we've ever heard before! Tuff City must have dug deep in the vaults for this one – as we're not sure these all were issued on the label at the time – and titles include "The Goddess" by Wanda Dee, "Round One" by Roxanne Shante with Sark D, "Sparky's Turn" by Sparky D, "Roxanne's Revenge" by Roxanne Shante, "Greetings From The Queen" by Queen Latifah, "We Are The Champs" by Nasty Girls, "The DMX Will Rock (rap mix)" by Davy DMX with Sweet Tee, and "Sixteen" and "The Boogaloo" by Traedonya. LP, Vinyl record album

With featured soloists including Art Pepper, Shorty Rogers, Milt Bernhart, Ray Wetzel, Bob Cooper, Lennie Niehaus, Bill Holman, Lee Konitz, Kent Larsen, Bill Perkins, Jack Sheldon, Richie Kamuca, Jerry McKenzie, San Noto, Gabe Baltazar, Dick Hypde, Bud Shank, and John Lowe. LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Lambert Hendricks & Ross, Charles Kynard & Buddy Collette, Roy Haynes, Gerald Wilson, Les McCann, Gil Evans, Laurindo Almeida & Bud Shank, and others. LP, Vinyl record album

Nice comp of old school cuts including "PSK What Does It Mean?" by Schoolly D, "Ego Trippin" by Ultramagnetic MCs, "Rockin It" by Fearless Four, "Body Rock" by Treacherous Three, "Going Way Back" by Just Ice, "Bring The Beat Back" by Steady B, "Girls I Got 'Em Locked" by Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud, "Stick 'Em" by The Fat Boys, "Def Fresh Crew" by Roxanne Shante and Biz Markie, "It's My Beat" by Sweet Tee and Jazzy Joyce, "Peter Piper" by Run DMC, and "Fresh" by Fresh 3 MCs. LP, Vinyl record album

Double LP collection from 1986-87, 12 tracks in all: Dana Dane "Cinderfella Dana Dane", Derek B "Get Down", Salt N Pepa "Tramp", Eric B & Rakim "I Ain't No Joke", Surf MC's "Boomin' It", King Sun - D Moet "Hey Love", Run-DMC "You Be Illin' (rmx)", The Classical Two "New Generation", Sweet Tee "It's Like That Yall", Epee MD "It's My Thing", Spyder D "How Ya Like Me Now" and Roxanne Shante "Have A Nice Day". LP, Vinyl record album

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Features some early alto by Charlie Parker – plus tenor by Paul Quinichette, and vocals by Walter Brown and Al Hibbler! LP, Vinyl record album

With Shorty Rogers on flugelhorn and trumpet, Bud Shank on flute and alto, George Cables on piano, Bob Magnusson on bass, and Roy McCurdy on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful album from Lorez Alexanderia – one of her two excellent sessions for Impulse! The record was cut after Lorez recorded some great sides for the Argo label – and it works off the strength of those sides, taking her unique vocal approach, forged in R&B, but smoothed by jazz, into a whole new level of expression! The backing is great – small combo, with featured musicians who include Bunk Shank and Paul Horn on reeds, and Victor Feldman and Wynton Kelly on piano – all working with moody, soulful arrangements that are a perfect accompaniment to Lorez' beautiful voice. Includes the cuts "Get Me To The Church On Time", "Satin Doll", "Show Me", "The Best Is Yet to Come", "I'm Through With Love", and 5 more! LP, Vinyl record album

Tremendous work from The Pogues – a group who may well have hit their height with this record! Producer Elvis Costello made it his mission to stay the hell out of the way and just capture the band in all their shambling, boozy glory, and that he does. Underneath his slurred vocals, Shane MacGowan was starting to become one of greatest songwriters ever – and the band's punk-fueled take on Irish acoustic is delivered with superb musicianship throughout – more than enough to make you realize that they're the real deal, and not some hybrid gimmick – breathing new life into a world that had been watered down a bit too much by the aging folkies. Includes "The Sick Bed Of Cuchulainn", "The Old Main Drag", "Wild Cats In Kilkenny", "Dirty Old Town", "Jesse James", "Billy's Bones", "The Gentleman Soldier", "A Pair Of Brown Eyes", and "Navigator". LP, Vinyl record album

A lost Burt Bacharach treasure – a bit later than classic vintage, but a wonderful album from the mature maestro – and sometimes overlooked, due to its status as a soundtrack! The work here is totally great – that mellow, easy-flowing style that Burt really perfected around the time of Living Together – served up here in a batch of sweet instrumental tracks, plus a few key vocal numbers with lyrics sung by Jackie DeShannon, Libby Titus, and Michael McDonald – all of whom slide down more into the Bacharach ethos than stand out as their usual selves – and we mean that in a good way! Titles include "I Don't Need You Any More", "In Tune", "If We Ever Get Out Of Here", "On The Beach", "I've Got My Mind Made Up", "Find Love", "Luisa", and "I Think I'm Gonna Fall In Love". LP, Vinyl record album

With Vinson on vocals and alto, Hal Singer on tenor, Jay McShann on piano, T-Bone Walker on guitar, Jackie Sampson on bass, and Paul Gunther on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

A nice little 2LP set that compiles all the work that Ben Webster did for Emarcy in the early 50s – including one sextet session with Benny Carter and Gerald Wiggins, dates done with the Johnny Richards Orchestra, the Marshall Royal Quintet, Johnny Otis, Jay McShann, Dinah Washington, and even the Ravens vocal group! Titles include "The Iron Hat", "Old Folks", "You're My Thrill", "Randle's Island", "One Nighter Blues", "Goomp Blues", "Stardust", "You Didn't Tell Me", "Reach", "Oopy Doo", and "Trouble In Mind" – and many tracks are presented with alternate takes! LP, Vinyl record album

The early blues & jazz steeped soundtrack to the classic Terry Zwigoff film based on Daniel Clowes comic – with selections by Skip James, Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks, Robert Wilkins, McGee Bros, Mohammed Rafi, and others. LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Earl Hines, Teddy Wilson, Ray Ramirez, Claude Hopkins, and Jay McShann. LP, Vinyl record album