Features Archie Shepp on piano, Herman Wright on bass, and Clifford Jarvis on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

A classic of Canadian rock – and a set that broke big on this side of the border too! Wheatfield Soul is a sublime showcase for the young talents of Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman, and other members of the group – working here in a mix of jazz/rock modes and blue-eyed soul that would go onto set the scene for countless other groups in years to come – hard to describe accurately, but beautifully summed up in the album's "These Eyes" hit! Cummings vocals and keyboards come across wonderfully – and the rhythms often have clever changes that hint at his jazzy future to come, but on shorter tunes here that have a rich amount of complexity packed in a very tight space. Titles include "These Eyes", "Lightfoot", "I Found Her In A Star", "Pink Wine Sparkles In The Glass", "Maple Fudge", "We're Coming To Dinner", "When You Touch Me", and the amazing 10 minute tune "Friends Of Mine". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hippest bandleaders of his generation, even if his group wasn't as famous as those of Basie or Kenton! Pierce was a bit like the former in the heavy swing of his group, but also a fair bit like the latter in that he had a great ear for finding young modernists – players who would work well within the tighter ensemble of the larger group, but also be willing to try out new ideas on their solos – even in a relatively short span on record! The Pierce style was always subtle, but extremely rewarding – especially when given a few repeat listenings. Players here include Joe Newman, Bill Harris, Hal McKusick, Freddie Green, Oscar Pettiford, and Nat Pierce. Includes "Old Rev", "Trip To Nathan's", "Maple Leaf Rag", "That's All", "Sioux City Sue", "Rojiserro", and "The Bearded One". LP, Vinyl record album

A jangle-pop spectacular from The Five Man Electrical Band – an incredibly groovy outfit from late 60s Canada! Although issued at the end of the 60s, the album's got a sweetly-crafted feel that sounds a lot like some of the best mid 60s pop – particularly that coming from overseas – almost a lost Brit Invasion sort of sound, but one that's tuned with a few odder touches that show the group's ear for some of the west coast musical changes of the time. All tunes are incredibly catchy, and recorded with great focus on the jangly lead guitar – so much so that the vocals are almost buried down a bit more in the mix, which makes for a kind of cooly tripped-out sound. Titles include "Maple Lane", "Fancy Dancin Man", "Black Sheep Of The Family", "Running Back", "Didn't Know The Time", "Five Man Electrical Band", and "Private Train". CD also features a whopping 9 tracks added to the original album – some by the group as The Staccatos – with titles that include "Half Past Midnight", "Weather Man", "Super Girl", "Let's Run Away", "Catch The Love Parade", and "Whisper Words". LP, Vinyl record album