A beautiful example of why the west coast scene was great when it was working at its finest – that perfect blend of group formation and individual identity that could make a record like this so great! Tenor player Jack Montrose cut a rare few albums in the 50s, but this one's a gem – done with help from frequent partner Bob Gordon on baritone sax, and with other players that include Conte Candoli on trumpet, Paul Moer on piano, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums – a well-matched group that definitely knows how to follow the course, and break off in individual directions when needed. The style is tightly arranged, but not too tightly that the band doesn't have room to swing – and the mix of Montrose's tenor and Gordon's baritone is sublime together! Titles include "Listen Hear", "Some Good Fun Blues", "Fools Rush In", "Speakeasy", "Pretty", "Credo", and "That Old Feeling". CD

A novelty group if there ever was one, but they still had their day with the big hit "Pass the Dutchie", not that any of them were even old enough to know what they were singing about, or should have been. Beyond that track there's not a whole lot that's remarkable about their commercial soul-reggae, but that cut's fun enough, and will certainly keep some folks entertained, if you were to drop it in your set. Also includes "Heartbreaker", "Blind Boy", "Yound Generation", "Mirror Mirror", "Children Of Zion", "Never Gonna Give You Up", and "Schoolgirl". LP, Vinyl record album

The gritty and heavy debut of Onyx – mostly produced by the mighty Jam Master Jay – and whether you dig the style or not, it's one of the most distinctive group rap records of the early 90s! Back in the day, "Slam" got overplayed on cable TV rap video shows, to the point that you could be forgiven the think they were a one trick pony, but nowadays this is a fun record to revisit. A loud, brash, grimy good time, if you ask us! Includes "Bacdafucup", "Bichasniguz", "Throw Ya Gunz", "Blac Vagina Finda", "Slam", "Shifftee" and more – 18 cuts in all. CD

A trio of key albums from the Pink Fairies – served up with lots of bonus tracks too! First up is Never Never Land – the fantastic debut of the Pink Fairies – easily one of the shaggiest, headiest bands on the UK scene at the start of the 70s – and a group who rose from the ashes of the equally important Deviants! The record's an unusual mishmash of modes – a set that confidently swaggers between psych, hard rock, and maybe even a bit of proto-punk – very confident in its approach, and coolly compressed in the production, but never in the slick style that would dominate British rock more strongly in the mid 70s. The Fairies aren't afraid to let their freak flag fly, but they're also clearly moving past hippiedom too – on titles that include "War Girl", "Do It", "Say You Love Me", "Tack One Side Two", "Thor", "Uncle Harry's Last Freakout", and "The Dream Is Just Beginning". What A Bunch Of Sweeties is filled with freaky fuzz from the Pink Fairies – a seminal UK group who were maybe trapped in a space between late psych and early glam – and somehow equally important to both! There's lots going on in the set – modes that are as offbeat as styles put forth by The Fugs in the late 60s, but a lot sharper overall from a musical perspective – especially in the way the group uses great guitar work and a few catchy numbers to sew the whole thing together – on titles that include "Portobello Shuffle", "Marilyn", "Pigs Of Uranus", "Walk Don't Run", "X-Ray", "I Went Up I Went Down", and "I Saw Her Standing There". Kings Of Oblivion is maybe the most fully-formed album from the legendary Pink Fairies – and a set that's got some really searing guitar from Larry Wallis – a melodic genius whose sound really holds things together, and gives the group a stronger focus than ever before! The guitar lines seem to bring out and amplify all the ideas the group were going for before – and maybe give the group a sense of darkness that they never fully reached – not hard rock cliche, but this tightness that's also completely individual – maybe like early Thin Lizzy at their best, yet in a completely different way. Titles include "I Wish I Was A Girl", "City Kids", "When's The Fun Begin", "Chromium Plating", "Street Urchin", and "Chamber Maid". Bonus tracks include "Going Down", "Walk Don't Run (first version)", "War Girl (alt mix)", "The Snake", "Do It (single mix)", "Uncle Harry's Last Freakout (alt mix)", "Well Well Well (alt mix)", "City Kids (alt)", and "Hold On (single)". CD

A trio of key albums from the Pink Fairies – served up with lots of bonus tracks too! First up is Never Never Land – the fantastic debut of the Pink Fairies – easily one of the shaggiest, headiest bands on the UK scene at the start of the 70s – and a group who rose from the ashes of the equally important Deviants! The record's an unusual mishmash of modes – a set that confidently swaggers between psych, hard rock, and maybe even a bit of proto-punk – very confident in its approach, and coolly compressed in the production, but never in the slick style that would dominate British rock more strongly in the mid 70s. The Fairies aren't afraid to let their freak flag fly, but they're also clearly moving past hippiedom too – on titles that include "War Girl", "Do It", "Say You Love Me", "Tack One Side Two", "Thor", "Uncle Harry's Last Freakout", and "The Dream Is Just Beginning". What A Bunch Of Sweeties is filled with freaky fuzz from the Pink Fairies – a seminal UK group who were maybe trapped in a space between late psych and early glam – and somehow equally important to both! There's lots going on in the set – modes that are as offbeat as styles put forth by The Fugs in the late 60s, but a lot sharper overall from a musical perspective – especially in the way the group uses great guitar work and a few catchy numbers to sew the whole thing together – on titles that include "Portobello Shuffle", "Marilyn", "Pigs Of Uranus", "Walk Don't Run", "X-Ray", "I Went Up I Went Down", and "I Saw Her Standing There". Kings Of Oblivion is maybe the most fully-formed album from the legendary Pink Fairies – and a set that's got some really searing guitar from Larry Wallis – a melodic genius whose sound really holds things together, and gives the group a stronger focus than ever before! The guitar lines seem to bring out and amplify all the ideas the group were going for before – and maybe give the group a sense of darkness that they never fully reached – not hard rock cliche, but this tightness that's also completely individual – maybe like early Thin Lizzy at their best, yet in a completely different way. Titles include "I Wish I Was A Girl", "City Kids", "When's The Fun Begin", "Chromium Plating", "Street Urchin", and "Chamber Maid". Bonus tracks include "Going Down", "Walk Don't Run (first version)", "War Girl (alt mix)", "The Snake", "Do It (single mix)", "Uncle Harry's Last Freakout (alt mix)", "Well Well Well (alt mix)", "City Kids (alt)", and "Hold On (single)". CD

Prince got tagged to do the music for the big breakout Batman film from Tim Burton – and the performances here are definitely not the stuff of The Dark Night – and in fact, maybe nothing like you'd expect from Batman at all – even though the music does make a nod or two towards the cowled crusader with some samples! It's clear that Prince just had a fun time putting the whole thing together – and like many other star soundtracks from the 90s, the feel of the music is very much its own thing – which is probably why the record was such a hit, and maybe has had a lot more endurance than the film! Titles include "The Future", "Electric Chair", "Vicki Waiting", "Partyman", "Scandalous", and "Batdance". CD

Prince got tagged to do the music for the big breakout Batman film from Tim Burton – and the performances here are definitely not the stuff of The Dark Night – and in fact, maybe nothing like you'd expect from Batman at all – even though the music does make a nod or two towards the cowled crusader with some samples! It's clear that Prince just had a fun time putting the whole thing together – and like many other star soundtracks from the 90s, the feel of the music is very much its own thing – which is probably why the record was such a hit, and maybe has had a lot more endurance than the film! Titles include "The Future", "Electric Chair", "Vicki Waiting", "Partyman", "Scandalous", and "Batdance". LP, Vinyl record album

Prince got tagged to do the music for the big breakout Batman film from Tim Burton – and the performances here are definitely not the stuff of The Dark Night – and in fact, maybe nothing like you'd expect from Batman at all – even though the music does make a nod or two towards the cowled crusader with some samples! It's clear that Prince just had a fun time putting the whole thing together – and like many other star soundtracks from the 90s, the feel of the music is very much its own thing – which is probably why the record was such a hit, and maybe has had a lot more endurance than the film! Titles include "The Future", "Electric Chair", "Vicki Waiting", "Partyman", "Scandalous", and "Batdance". CD

A very strong album by the one-and-only Prince – maybe the catchiest, most rewarding full length by the royal one since the Revolution days! Musicology is most notable for the undeniable exuberance and joy that vibrates from the speakers, track after track. Prince seems to be having fun on this one, and as much as we admired the freaky prog funk of his previous album The Rainbow Children (even if it was pretty damn puzzling), it's great to have these big, Revolution style funk rock party numbers back in the cannon. All praise aside, we have to admit we're just a little bit baffled by the relentless hype and fawning, over-baked love this album has gotten in mainstream publications, but our beef is with toothless entertainment "journalists" and "critics", not with Prince. Highly recommended! Tracks include "Musicology", "A Million Days", "Life O' The Party" ,"Call My Name", "Cinnamon Girl" (not the Neil Young song), "What Do U Want Me 2 Do?", "On The Couch" and more. CD

A very strong album by the one-and-only Prince – maybe the catchiest, most rewarding full length by the royal one since the Revolution days! Musicology is most notable for the undeniable exuberance and joy that vibrates from the speakers, track after track. Prince seems to be having fun on this one, and as much as we admired the freaky prog funk of his previous album The Rainbow Children (even if it was pretty damn puzzling), it's great to have these big, Revolution style funk rock party numbers back in the cannon. All praise aside, we have to admit we're just a little bit baffled by the relentless hype and fawning, over-baked love this album has gotten in mainstream publications, but our beef is with toothless entertainment "journalists" and "critics", not with Prince. Highly recommended! Tracks include "Musicology", "A Million Days", "Life O' The Party" ,"Call My Name", "Cinnamon Girl" (not the Neil Young song), "What Do U Want Me 2 Do?", "On The Couch" and more. CD

A very strong album by the one-and-only Prince – maybe the catchiest, most rewarding full length by the royal one since the Revolution days! Musicology is most notable for the undeniable exuberance and joy that vibrates from the speakers, track after track. Prince seems to be having fun on this one, and as much as we admired the freaky prog funk of his previous album The Rainbow Children (even if it was pretty damn puzzling), it's great to have these big, Revolution style funk rock party numbers back in the cannon. All praise aside, we have to admit we're just a little bit baffled by the relentless hype and fawning, over-baked love this album has gotten in mainstream publications, but our beef is with toothless entertainment "journalists" and "critics", not with Prince. Highly recommended! Tracks include "Musicology", "A Million Days", "Life O' The Party" ,"Call My Name", "Cinnamon Girl" (not the Neil Young song), "What Do U Want Me 2 Do?", "On The Couch" and more. CD

A big crossover classic for the champions of the Minneapolis scene – their first for Sire and featuring some of the greatest rock songs of the 80s, be it college radio, mainstream or any thing – greatness period! The sound is a bit more polished than the Twin Tone years, but there's no scrubbing out the shambling attitude, and truth be told, the more soul-searching material here is some of the best stuff they'd ever record. Includes the all time classics "Left Of The Dial" and "Hold My Life", plus "Little Mascara, Lay It Down Clown", "I'll Buy", "Kiss Me On The Bus", "Waitress In The Sky", "Swingin Party", and "Here Comes A Regular". This massive set really adds a hell of a lot of great material to the album: CD1 and the LP feature the Ed Stasium mix of the record. CD2 features the 2023 remaster of the record. CD3 features Sons Of No One, 15 rare and unreleased demos and alternate cuts – including "Can't Hardly Wait (cello version)" and "Having Fun". CD4 features Not Ready For Prime Time – an unreleased 1986 live performance in its entirety, recorded at Cabaret Metro in Chicago – one that we're proud to say we attended! CD

This Jude's not rude at all, and he's got a sound that's a lot cleaner than the shaggy image on the cover might make you expect – a lean take on the territory of 70s AOR, served up with plenty of jazzy touches in the instrumentation! For an indie set, the record's got some top shelf presentation and production – very soulful, with a richness that takes us back to an LA studio approach from back in the day – with the vocals nestled nicely between easygoing rhythms and some mighty nice keyboards! Titles include a great remake of "Heart To Heart", plus "Escapade", "Time Out", "Let Your Garden Grow", and "Just A Little Fun". LP, Vinyl record album

The short but brilliant career of The Runaways, served up here in a really great box set – one that features all four of their studio albums (including one not released in the US at the time), and their more obscure live album from Japan! Together, the five records tell the tale of a group who forever transformed the sound of female rock and roll – a searing hard rock outfit who were almost punk, and certainly did a great job of playing with emotions and expectations, while also having a hell of a lot of fun in the process! And sure, Joan Jett went on to become a superstar in the following decade, but here alongside the young Cherie Currie and Lita Ford, she's part of a well-formed, super-tight group who brought a much harder edge to female rock than anyone might have expected in the generation of girl groups and singer/songwriters! The box set features the full albums The Runaways, Queens Of Noise, Live In Japan, Waitin For The Night, and And Now The Runaways – all with original cover art, and a nice booklet of notes. CD

Dam-Funk and Snoopzilla, aka Snoop Dogg, teaming up as 7 Days Of Funk – and it's not merely a new day for the timeless G-Funk sound – they're packing a whole week of it! Producer Dam-Funk and MC/singer Snoop couldn't be a better match – Snoop delivering laidback rhymes and easy going funk singing with a deep love for 70s and 80s G-Funk – and Dam-Funk was born to carry on the legacy of that vibe. Thankfully, they're doing it for Stones Throw – a label that no doubt allows these guys to do it as they see fit without pressuring them for a hit single – so this is creative win, and a hell of a lot of fun! Guests include Bootsy Collins, Steve Arrington and Kurupt. Titles include "Hit Da Pavement", "Let It Go", "Faden Away", "1Question?", "Ride", "Do My Thang", "I'll Be There For You" and the bonus track "Stystamatic" feat Tha Dogg Pound. CD

The only full album from Starvue – a late 70s Chicago group who were part of that overlooked scene in the city once the bigger labels had moved on! In truth, if Starvue were working on the coasts, they could have been huge – as they've got a really sharp, focused approach to ensemble funk that rivals some of the best modes of groups like Brass Construction or Con Fun Shun – with soaring lyrics and instrumentation over well-crafted fast funk grooves – clubby, but not disco at all – and instead just this amazing display of the group's instrumental dexterity! Production is wonderful – handled by Clarence Johnson, who'd given Chicago some great indie soul records in previous years – and titles include "Upward Bound", "Love Affair", "Body Fusion", "Put The BS Aside", "Starvue", and "Love Struck". CD

The only full album from Starvue – a late 70s Chicago group who were part of that overlooked scene in the city once the bigger labels had moved on! In truth, if Starvue were working on the coasts, they could have been huge – as they've got a really sharp, focused approach to ensemble funk that rivals some of the best modes of groups like Brass Construction or Con Fun Shun – with soaring lyrics and instrumentation over well-crafted fast funk grooves – clubby, but not disco at all – and instead just this amazing display of the group's instrumental dexterity! Production is wonderful – handled by Clarence Johnson, who'd given Chicago some great indie soul records in previous years – and titles include "Upward Bound", "Love Affair", "Body Fusion", "Put The BS Aside", "Starvue", and "Love Struck". LP, Vinyl record album

The only full album from Starvue – a late 70s Chicago group who were part of that overlooked scene in the city once the bigger labels had moved on! In truth, if Starvue were working on the coasts, they could have been huge – as they've got a really sharp, focused approach to ensemble funk that rivals some of the best modes of groups like Brass Construction or Con Fun Shun – with soaring lyrics and instrumentation over well-crafted fast funk grooves – clubby, but not disco at all – and instead just this amazing display of the group's instrumental dexterity! Production is wonderful – handled by Clarence Johnson, who'd given Chicago some great indie soul records in previous years – and titles include "Upward Bound", "Love Affair", "Body Fusion", "Put The BS Aside", "Starvue", and "Love Struck". LP, Vinyl record album

A horror classic from a cool little combo – one who know how to use just the right dose of sound effects and monster touches next to the rocking instrumental sound at the core! These guys are a super-sharp group – we've always wondered if they're not another act, hiding under this Halloween-styled name – and they serve up romping rhythms and surf guitars with the best of the 60s instrumental acts – but also manage to bring in all sorts of interesting production and effects that live up to the title of the record! Ok, it's maybe not the total terror of some slasher film, but it's plenty fun throughout – a romp through 60s monster territory, with titles that include "Doom At Midnight", "The Ghostman Rings Twice", "Bodies Under The Bridge", "Slay Boy", "Ankle Twist", and "Stoned". LP, Vinyl record album

A record that no home should be without – and a stunning set that still carries all the raw power it did way back in 1969! The album's an apocalyptic vision of the future – a future it helped to shape, give its influence over the years – and from start to finish, the whole thing is brilliant – from the raw energy of the band, to the sneering lyrics of Iggy Pop, to the perfect production by John Cale – who's opening up a whole new side of his genius with his studio work here. The set begins with the boldly declarative "1969" – maybe one of our favorite Stooges songs ever – then moves into the landmark "I Wanna Be Your Dog", over to the ten minute freakout of "We Will Fall", to the classic "No Fun", through the cuts "Real Cool Time", "Ann", "Not Right", and "Little Doll". Imitated by many, but never done this well again – and a record that will most likely still be blowing the minds of our grandkids! CD

A record that no home should be without – and a stunning set that still carries all the raw power it did way back in 1969! The album's an apocalyptic vision of the future – a future it helped to shape, give its influence over the years – and from start to finish, the whole thing is brilliant – from the raw energy of the band, to the sneering lyrics of Iggy Pop, to the perfect production by John Cale – who's opening up a whole new side of his genius with his studio work here. The set begins with the boldly declarative "1969" – maybe one of our favorite Stooges songs ever – then moves into the landmark "I Wanna Be Your Dog", over to the ten minute freakout of "We Will Fall", to the classic "No Fun", through the cuts "Real Cool Time", "Ann", "Not Right", and "Little Doll". Imitated by many, but never done this well again – and a record that will most likely still be blowing the minds of our grandkids! LP, Vinyl record album

A record that no home should be without – and a stunning set that still carries all the raw power it did way back in 1969! The album's an apocalyptic vision of the future – a future it helped to shape, give its influence over the years – and from start to finish, the whole thing is brilliant – from the raw energy of the band, to the sneering lyrics of Iggy Pop, to the perfect production by John Cale – who's opening up a whole new side of his genius with his studio work here. The set begins with the boldly declarative "1969" – maybe one of our favorite Stooges songs ever – then moves into the landmark "I Wanna Be Your Dog", over to the ten minute freakout of "We Will Fall", to the classic "No Fun", through the cuts "Real Cool Time", "Ann", "Not Right", and "Little Doll". Imitated by many, but never done this well again – and a record that will most likely still be blowing the minds of our grandkids! LP, Vinyl record album

A massive double-header – one that features the first two Sylvester albums for Fantasy Records! First up is the self-titled Sylvester – a reworking of his older groove into one that we love more than any other that he ever used – a smooth modern soul style, not really disco, but with a driving approach that would certainly have worked well in the clubs! You gotta give Syl credit here – as it would have been easy for him to turn up the camp a lot in the 1977 disco days – but instead he's sticking strong to his soul impulses, and has come up with a wonderful album of tracks that's like the first Luther album – one that you can enjoy whatever your take on the man, without any introduction to his person or persona. Of course, a big part of the credit also goes to Harvey Fuqua – who's reemerged here from his years at RCA to produce the record – showing his always strong ability to seek out new talent, and bring out the best in them. Titles include "I Tried To Forget You", "Tipsong", "I Been Down", "Loving Grows Up Slow", "Never Too Late", and "Over & Over". Step II is probably Sylvester's biggest album for Fantasy – and for good reason too! The set pushes onto the dancefloor a bit more than before – often with some slight keyboard touches that hint at the Patrick Cowley years, but with none of the coldness of those records at all. The great Harvey Fuqua's producing here with Syl, and the sound is rich and bold – an even more prideful statement than Sylvester's first album on Fantasy. Two Tons Of Fun deliver some great backup vocals, and Cowley lays down a bit of keyboards – and titles include the all-time disco classic "You Make Me Feel Mighty Real", plus "Dance (Disco Heat)", "Just You & Me Forever", "Grateful", and "I Took My Strength From You". CD

A massive double-header – one that features the first two Sylvester albums for Fantasy Records! First up is the self-titled Sylvester – a reworking of his older groove into one that we love more than any other that he ever used – a smooth modern soul style, not really disco, but with a driving approach that would certainly have worked well in the clubs! You gotta give Syl credit here – as it would have been easy for him to turn up the camp a lot in the 1977 disco days – but instead he's sticking strong to his soul impulses, and has come up with a wonderful album of tracks that's like the first Luther album – one that you can enjoy whatever your take on the man, without any introduction to his person or persona. Of course, a big part of the credit also goes to Harvey Fuqua – who's reemerged here from his years at RCA to produce the record – showing his always strong ability to seek out new talent, and bring out the best in them. Titles include "I Tried To Forget You", "Tipsong", "I Been Down", "Loving Grows Up Slow", "Never Too Late", and "Over & Over". Step II is probably Sylvester's biggest album for Fantasy – and for good reason too! The set pushes onto the dancefloor a bit more than before – often with some slight keyboard touches that hint at the Patrick Cowley years, but with none of the coldness of those records at all. The great Harvey Fuqua's producing here with Syl, and the sound is rich and bold – an even more prideful statement than Sylvester's first album on Fantasy. Two Tons Of Fun deliver some great backup vocals, and Cowley lays down a bit of keyboards – and titles include the all-time disco classic "You Make Me Feel Mighty Real", plus "Dance (Disco Heat)", "Just You & Me Forever", "Grateful", and "I Took My Strength From You". CD

It might not be the frolic that the title implies, but that's a plus – because this a straight-up solid early album from Taylor – recorded in tight trio format, with that no-nonsense soulful approach that made him a star player from the start! The group features the great (and underrated) Earl May on bass and Kenny Dennis on drums – both of whom help Taylor work some simple magic that flowers wonderfully as the album moves on. There's a tight, sharp, in the pocket groove here that makes Taylor a key precursor for other piano talents to come in the 60s – and titles include "When Lights Are Low", "At Long Last Love", "Poinciana", "Blue Moon", "One For Fun", and "A Little Southside Soul". LP, Vinyl record album

A really wonderful album from Tony Toni Tone – maybe the set that showed the world that they could be way more than a playful pop soul act – thanks to some surprisingly strong harmonies throughout! The set's not exactly old school, but it almost marks a revival of the sound of some of the classic 70s soul harmonies by groups like The Moments or Delfonics – especially in the more mellow grooving moments of the album – inflected at other points with more of the "mellow gangster" vibe of the more up-and-coming groups of their generation. Titles include the wonderful "Anniversary" – plus "What Goes Around Comes Around", "Tell Me Mama", "My Ex-Girlfriend", "If I Had No Loot", "Gangsta Groove", "I Couldn't Keep It To Myself", "Dance Hall", "Castleers", "Fun", "Leavin", and "Slow Wine". CD

The great self-titled set from Tuff Darts – one of the less-remembered groups to play the CBGB scene of the late 70s, and one who effortlessly blend punkish energy with tighter power pop sounds! The group are maybe a strong precursor of new wave styles to come in the following year or two after the record's release – but they've also got a rawer sound overall, and a snottier vibe on some of their tunes – not exactly Dead Boys territory, but with the vibe that you might guess from their look on the cover! Yet they're also not afraid to get tuneful when they want, which happens on a few key tunes here – part of a great lineup that includes "My Guitar Lies Bleeding In My Arms", "Phone Booth Man", "Your Love Is Like Nuclear Waste", "Rats", "Slash", "Fun City", and "Love & Trouble". CD

The great self-titled set from Tuff Darts – one of the less-remembered groups to play the CBGB scene of the late 70s, and one who effortlessly blend punkish energy with tighter power pop sounds! The group are maybe a strong precursor of new wave styles to come in the following year or two after the record's release – but they've also got a rawer sound overall, and a snottier vibe on some of their tunes – not exactly Dead Boys territory, but with the vibe that you might guess from their look on the cover! Yet they're also not afraid to get tuneful when they want, which happens on a few key tunes here – part of a great lineup that includes "My Guitar Lies Bleeding In My Arms", "Phone Booth Man", "Your Love Is Like Nuclear Waste", "Rats", "Slash", "Fun City", and "Love & Trouble". LP, Vinyl record album

The debut of a legend – and a record that, we hate to admit it, must have actually had some political and cultural punch at the time – especially as the group had yet to go onto super-stardom, and were here stepping out with a butch camp, all-gay style that still had some power in the immediate post-Stonewall years. The approach here is similar to their later hits, but also nicely grounded in the standard disco mode of the time – thanks to some vocal arrangements from Phil Hurtt, and soulful string and horn backings from Horace Ott. Tracks are long, and as gay as you'd expect – but it's also not like the group's making fun of themselves as much yet either. Titles include "Fire Island", "Village People", "San Francisco", and "In Hollywood". CD

A huge run of music from this legendary psychedelic band – all served up here in a single set! First up is their Part 1 album – the initial uttering from the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band – a group with a heady sound that definitely lives up to their name! There's less "pop art" going on here than just trippy psych – served up at a level that makes the group one of the best bigger label examples of the style at the time – and definitely a lot more edgey than some of their labelmates on Warner. Jimmy Bowen produced, but really keeps all the edges intact – and titles include the completely insane "Help I'm A Rock" (actually about a rock calling for help!) – plus "Shifting Sands", "1906", "Transparent Day", "Here's Where You Belong", and "If You Want This Love". Next is Volume 2 – the amazing second album from this ultra-cool group – a set that's even weirder and wilder than their debut! The trio are maybe one of the few who really live up to the farthest expectations of the psych generation – as they're really open to let their minds fly in their choice of lyrics, instrumentation, and overall presentation of the record – which hardly seems the sort to yield any sort of singles at all, even though a few of the tunes are downright catchy! Instead, the whole thing's put forth as a dark statement on late 60s society – with a sound that's as heavy as the subject matter, and not afraid to really pus all the freak and fuzz as far as it can go! Quite surprising, even for the Reprise label – and tracks include "Queen Nymphet", "Tracy Had a Hard Day Sunday", "In the Arena", "Smell of Incense", "Suppose They Gave A War & No One Comes", "Overture Wcpaeb (part 2)", and "Carte Blanche" – which supposedly they were given in recording the album! Next is Child's Guide To Good & Evil, the third album in the continuing genius of the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band – a group who are certainly as experimental as their name would imply, but who can also come across with some warmer Sunshine Pop touches too! And it's that which makes the group so wonderful – the blend of freak and sweet, of fuzz and fun – all given a special shape in the studio through the genius of producer Jimmy Bowen, whose work here with Bob Markley is superb – and very much open to the best freedoms that Warner was offering its creative talents at the time! The song titles are equally superb – and titles include "A Child's Guide To Good & Evil", "Ritual #1", "Anniversary of World War III", "Eighteen Is Over The Hill", "As Kind As Summer", and "Our Drummer Always Plays In the Nude". CD 4 features 18 more bonus tracks – rare takes and alternate mixes of titles that include "Watch Yourself", "Ritual #1", "As Kind As Summer", "Eighteen Is Over The Hill", and "Until The Poorest People Have Money To Spend" – plus other tracks too. And all the other three albums are presented in both mono and stereo mixes – which makes for 84 tracks in the full set! CD

The last true masterpiece by the greatest rock band to ever come out of the late 70s and early 80s L.A. scene. More Fun In The New World serves in a lot of ways as X's upright middle finger to the early years of the Reagan era, with the anthemic opener "The New World", and the ballad "I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts", perfectly encapsulating the fear and loathing brought about by the ridiculous politics that infected the entire decade. The album is very much a sequel to the amazing Under The Big Black Sun, full of razor pop anthems, Billy Zoom's punkabilly guitar acrobatics, and amazing depth thanks to John and Exene's sensitive and perceptive song writing. Awesome! Other tracks include "True Love", "We're Having Much More Fun", "Poor Girl", "Make The Music Go Bang", "Devil Doll", "Painting The Town Blue", "Hot House", "Drunk In My Past", "I See Red", and "True Love Part 2". LP, Vinyl record album

Hard soul galore – a killer batch of upbeat vintage soul tunes – all pulled together from the wide range of many projects the Numero Group has handled over the years! This is the label's way of answering back to some of those overseas collections of American soul from the 60s – showing that Numero is every bit as well-tuned to the needs of Northern Soul clubbers and collectors as imprints like Ace/Kent, Outta Sight, and some of the other British labels! The package features a whopping 20 tracks in all – sock-soul groovers that you might have missed between the overstuffed track listings of other Numero compilations – sounding really great here together in the company of each other. Titles include "Wait A Minute" by Eddie Ray, "You Are My Sunshine" by Jerry Townes, "I'm Ready For Love" by Otis Brown, "Little Girl Blue" by The Webs, "Demanding Man" by The Sensations, "You're Not Loving A Beginner" by Jessie Fisher, "Do You Know What Love Is" by Syl Johnson, "Your Love Makes Me Lonely" by The Chandlers, "Stubborn Heart" by Earnest Mosley, "Look Around" by Two Plus Two, "Just Fun" by Brown Bombers & Soul Partners, and "Do The Pearl Girl (part 2)" by Matta Baby. CD

A really special set of soul tracks – and one that's got a vibe that's maybe even different from the previous two Manhattan Soul collections! This package is filled with the kind of overlooked gems that sometimes get lost because people are a bit too focused in their record-collecting tastes – mellow cuts that are still a bit funky, deep soul from up-north sources, and even some group numbers that are neither upbeat and Northern, nor slow enough to be mellow harmonies. Instead, these cuts together really defy the rules – showing that in the deeper corners of the New York underground, there were always great new ideas going on – not work that was trying to challenge the stars at Atlantic, or the Brill Building best – but instead very happy to just do their own thing, in some very groovy ways. The work comes from the Wand, Scepter, and Musicor family of labels – better-known for big hits, but also very dedicated to cool indie singles that only seem to be getting their due in more recent years. CD features 24 tracks in all – and titles include "Giving Up" by Junior Lewis, "Now That You're Gone" by Sonny Turner & Sound Limited, "Open Up Your Heart" by Dan & The Cleancuts, "Every Little Bit Helps" by Helen Henry, "Two Stupid Feet" by The Shirelles, "The Same Old Song" by The Dinos, "Nobody Made You Love Me" by The Charts, "Fun City Woman" by Ann Bailey, "The Landlord" by The Tabs, "Does Love Believe In Me" by Melba Moore, "Mr Schemer" by Brenton Wood, "You Picked Me" by The Soldier Boys, and "Never In My Life" by Lee Moses. CD

A set that goes back to the old school – but the old school of the late 80s/early 90s, not the early days of the South Bronx – in a very cool collection of cuts that bring together hip hop, club, and a bit of mainstream soul – all from a time when musical styles were really percolating together! The track list speaks for itself, and features classics that include "Back To Life" by Soul II Soul, "Too Blind To See It" by Kym Sims, "Big Fun" by Inner City, "My Definition Of A Boombastic Jazz Style" by Dream Warriors, "People Everyday (metamorphosis mix)" by Arrested Development, "They Reminisce Over You" by Pete Rock & CL Smooth, "Where I'm From" by Digable Planets, "Hey Ya" by Outkast, "What U Waitin 4" by Jungle Brothers, "Soul Flower" by Brand New Heavies with Pharcyde, "Push It" by Salt N Pepa, "Can I Kick It" by Tribe Called Quest, "Apparently Nothin (soul river mix)" by Young Disciples, "Always There (David Morales mix)" by Incognito, "Groove Is In The Heart" by Deee-Lite, and "Feel So Good" by Mase. LP, Vinyl record album

Hammond player Jim Alfredson works here in a setting that's nicely full and rich – one that mixes his sharp work on the organ with just the right sort of horn contributions – in a mode that's got some of the best energy of the Lonnie Smith or Lou Donaldson late 60s organ years on Blue Note! Part of the record's strength comes from the wonderfully snapping drums of EJ Strickland, sounding even funkier than usual – and really providing the right sort of crackle to push lean and groovy performances from the trombone of Michael Dease, trumpet of Alex Sipiagin, and tenor of Diego Rivera – all players we're not used to hearing in such a setting! The group also features guitar from Will Bernard and percussion from Kevin Jones – on original titles that include "Foster Blues", "The Side Eye", "Reo Town", "Strange Matter", "For Miles", and "Verna". CD

A really cool hybrid of styles – reggae, but recorded in Libya – which makes for all sorts of twists and turns in the music that are nicely different from mainstream modes! The rhythms still have echoes of Kingston, but the vocals have a special sort of phrasing, and the keyboards often use these cool tones and chords that you'd never hear in Jamaica – and at times, there's more elements in the tunes that shift towards other Mid East styles as well. The whole thing's a really unusual batch of tracks – exactly the kind of music we love from the Habibi Funk label, served up on titles that include "Subhana", "Ya Ghalian", "Damek Majeb", "Ya Ghayeb", "Aziz W Adda", "Ana Middaee", and "La Ta'tather". CD

Fun fact – Mitch Aliotta was also a member of Chicago's Rotary Connection! LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

A long-awaited full length set – one that finally brings together all of the amazing Tony Allen reworks done by the Honest Jon's label! These "chop up" tracks were originally issued over a range of limited 12" singles, and they're really amazing stuff – not just remixes of Tony Allen's work, but re-recordings and re-interpretations as well – a batch of music that stands amazingly well on its own, even if you're not a fan of Tony originally – and which takes his music into even more exotic territory than just Afro Funk! The choice of artists here is key to the set – as players from other Afro-influenced genres really take a new spin on Allen's music – and are allowed to strongly bring their own sounds to the set. Titles include "Ole (Cairo version)" by Salah Ragab, "Sankofa" by Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, "Kilode (rmx)" by Carl Craig, "Awa Na Re (rmx)" by Bonde De Role, "Mark's Disco Dub" by Mark Ernestus, "Reggae Land Dub" by Wareika Hill Sounds, "Samba" by Son Palenque De Colombia, "Kilode (rework)" by Wajeed, "Ole (rmx)" by Moritz Von Oswald, "Fuji Ouija" by Diplo, and "One Tree (TP's spirit of unity mix)" by Terrence Parker. LP, Vinyl record album

Funky jazz nuggets with a mighty nice lineup – one that features plenty of vibes next to the keyboards, all resonating strongly over tight rhythms on acoustic bass and drums! There's almost a sunshiney vibe to the music at times that fits the image on the cover – not polished or slick, but this sort of shimmering quality that really lets you bathe in the warmth of the music – especially as the grooves are often laidback, yet still plenty darn funky! The drums are great, and the way they kick in with the vibes is wonderful – on titles that include "Estinto Omicida", "Hydromiel 2022", "Orso Pacifico", "Bourguignon", and "Saint Emilion". LP, Vinyl record album

A nice bit of funky blues, and a very strange record to appear on Motown! The production style and presentation are very rootsy – right down to the photo of Luther on the front cover, who's smoking a cigarette, but trying to pretend it's a joint! The style is electric blues of the Chicago school, but given a bit more of a country funk kind of sound. Titles include "Bad News Is Coming", "Dust My Broom", "Evil Is Going On", "Rock Me Baby", and "Raggedy & Dirty", which actually has some very nice drums! LP, Vinyl record album

A cool Scandinavian combo, and one who've got heavy influences from both American and African funk of the 70s – influences that they weave together wonderfully here in a rich tapestry of grooves! There's as much Nigerian elements in the music as Ethiopian – especially the more exotic horn parts of the latter – and in addition to familiar funk instrumentation on guitar, keyboards, saxes, and trumpet – the record features some especially nice use of percussion, flute, xylophone, and sitar too! Titles include the long Indian-themed track "Bhimpalasi" – plus "Gunkali", "Movefeze", "What Could I Do", "Surrounded", and "Big Words". CD

A cool Scandinavian combo, and one who've got heavy influences from both American and African funk of the 70s – influences that they weave together wonderfully here in a rich tapestry of grooves! There's as much Nigerian elements in the music as Ethiopian – especially the more exotic horn parts of the latter – and in addition to familiar funk instrumentation on guitar, keyboards, saxes, and trumpet – the record features some especially nice use of percussion, flute, xylophone, and sitar too! Titles include the long Indian-themed track "Bhimpalasi" – plus "Gunkali", "Movefeze", "What Could I Do", "Surrounded", and "Big Words". LP, Vinyl record album

A mad batch of funky grooves, with a world's worth of influences in the mix – elements of African, Indian, and other styles – all wrapped around some mighty funky instrumentation at the core! One track has a bit of sitar, another some Ethio organ, one more some Nigerian rhythms – and the album progresses with a lean vibe that makes each of these cultural references nicely unified next to the sharp funky instrumentation at the core! Without the global elements, the set would already be a great funk record – but with them alongside, it really soars to the skies – on titles that include "Mehal Safari", "Flugzeug String Machine", "Tilahun", "The Chase", "Stranger To Myself", and "Seven Wisdoms Of Plutonia". CD

A blistering album of Latin funk – a set that's got a lean vibe but a very classic sound – one that's put together in the same mode as the excellent run of funky 45s from the long-running Original Gravity label! Nestor Alvarez is Neil Anderson – who handles drums, guitars, keyboards, percussion, and plenty more too – layered in with contributions from funky horn combo The O'Gees, and added keyboards, trumpet, trombone, and flute – depending on the cuts. And despite the one man activity at the core, the sound is very live, and very real – especially as the presence of the others really expand out the groove – and make the whole thing feel like a fresh take on the late 60s world of Latin soul and Latin jazz! Titles include "Joanna", "Un Bucanero Mas", "Original Gravity (parts 1 & 2)", "Melting Pot", "En Candela", and "El Ladron En La Noche". LP, Vinyl record album

Wonderfully fuzzy work from Amanaz – one of the trippiest, headiest groups of the Zamrock scene of the 70s! The guitars here are very full and present – not at a hit you over the head jamming label, but with this rich sonic element that has lots of bassy undercurrents – at a level that makes the album a head-nodding gem all the way through – poised perfectly between some of the more psyche styles of the African scene of the time, and some of the more thoughtful singer-songwriter material. The group have a quality that's surprisingly deep – very soulful, and with a subtle power that comes through strongly – thanks to a mostly-English batch of lyrics (although a few tunes here are in their native Bemba.) No cuts are all-out funky, but all have this great slow-funk sort of charm – and titles include "I Am Very Far", "Sunday Morning", "Khala My Friend", "Green Apple", "Africa", "Making The Scene", "Easy Street", "Big Enough" and "Kale". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer contemporary set from Gyedu Blay Ambolley – one of the Afro Funk heroes of the 70s, still sounding fantastic after all these years! The album was all recorded at Ambolley's Simigiwa Studios in Ghana – and arrangements, instrumentation, and production are all in a very classic mode – with the leader on tenor and vocals, stretching out with this nicely raspy quality that's a great evolution in his sound – as if he's found a way to put even more feeling and experience into the sound that he gives us! The rest of the lineup features keyboards, trumpet, tenor, alto, guitar, and plenty of percussion – on titles that include "Black Woman", "I No Dey Talk I Do De Lie", "Ignorance", "Little Small Girl", "Sunkwa", "Who Go Pay", "Brokos", and "Who Made Your Body Like Dat". CD

Dream session indeed, as this date brings together Eddie Henderson, Benny Golson, George Coleman, Grover Washington, Jaki Byard, and Ron Carter – plus a crack group of younger players including Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, Joe Locke, and Ed Thigpen – performing a great set of songs made famous by Miles Davis! Titles include Davis classics "All Blues" and "So What", plus standard "My Funny Valentine" and "I Thought About You", as well as the original "Davis", penned by Benny Golson. CD

A great comeback for tenor legend Gene Ammons – not just in a musical sense, but also because Jug had spent most of the past few years in prison – as part of the usual trumped-up drug charges that were filed against musicians at the time! At the time of this album, Ammons had not recorded since a very successful flurry of sides recorded in 1961, done for a number of labels, and issued slowly during his time off the recording market – a precursor to this fantastic return to form, which has Gene hitting more of a jazz funk mode, in the best Prestige style at the end of the 60s! Case in point is the presence of Bernard Purdie on drums on a number of cuts – in a lineup that also features some organ from Sonny Phillips, piano from Junior Mance, and electric bass from Bob Bushnell – plus congas from Candido for a nice extra kick! Titles include the funky cuts "Tastin' the Jug" and "Jungle Boss" – plus "Madame Queen" and "Feeling Good". LP, Vinyl record album

Gene Ammons may be the leader, but the tenor giant is in great company here – stretching out over four long tracks, with help from Jackie McLean on alto, Art Farmer on trumpet, Kenny Burrell on guitar, and Mal Waldron on piano! The rhythm is kicked in nicely by Doug Watkins on bass and Art Taylor on drums – and titles include "Pint Size", "King Size", "Stella By Starlight", and "Funky". LP, Vinyl record album

Gene Ammons' last session – not as funky as earlier work for Prestige, but pretty nice at that! The group's got Gary Bartz on alto, Kenny Drew on piano, Sam Jones on bass, Louis Hayes on drums, and Nat Adderley on cornet – and they groove together well, in the kind of soul jazz/modal mode that you'd find on some of the better mid 70s sides for the Muse label. The album includes a nice remake of Duke Pearson's "Jeanine", plus the tracks "Out In The Sticks", "Alone Again Naturally", "It Don't Mean A Thing", and "Geru's Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

Late great work from Ammons – an album done at the time of his funk sides for Prestige, but recorded in the style of his earlier years in Chicago! The session's a laidback set of soulful solo-heavy work – recorded as part of a hip series of shows at the North Park Hotel, with a local rhythm trio that includes Jodie Christian on piano, Cleveland Eaton on bass, and Marshall Thompson on drums. James Moody joins Ammons in the frontline, and the set's got the best electric feel that you'd hear if you were lucky enough to catch either player in a small club date in the early 60s. Loads of very imaginative solo work in the best Chicago tenor tradition – with titles that include "Work Song", "Jim Jam Jug", "Have You Met Miss Jones", and "C Jam Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible leap forward for Antibalas – a record filled with bolder sounds and deeper grooves than ever before – and one that even tops the already-great sound of their previous albums! The mix of modes here is really amazing – some of the group's familiar Afro-Funk at the core, but also a much wider range of influences too – bits of dub, choppy Latin guitar, Sun Ra-like organ lines, and gamelon-styled metal bits – all wrapped together in a groove that has some particularly hypnotic undertones! The set was produced by John McIntire, who's no doubt a big influence on the sound here – and the record really shatters any expectations you might have from the group – proof that they're way more than just another Afro Funk combo. Titles include "Beaten Metal", "Filibuster X", "Sanctuary", "Hilo", "War Hero", "ICE", and "Age". CD

A funky treasure trove from Apple & The Three Oranges – a group we hardly know at all, but who really blow us away with the cuts on this collection! The groove is plenty hard right from the get-go – the best of the funky 45 underground of the early 70s – which means that there's more 60s rawness on the record than you'd get from bigger-label funk at the time – as Ed "Apple" Nelson still works here with a mostly underground vibe! Ed plays drums – which are mighty hard on most numbers – and his vocals have this offbeat, off-kilter, over the top quality that almost reminds us a bit of the Hank Ballard/James Brown recordings for late 60s King – particularly in the way that Nelson's completely unbridled with his energy. The whole thing's great – one of the best funky collections we've heard in years – and presented with a rich amount of notes and historical information too. Titles include "Free & Easy (parts 1 & 2)", "Moon Light", "Curse Upon The World", "What Goes Around Comes Around", "Down Home Publicity", "True Love Will Never Die", "Gotta Stand For Something (parts 1 & 2)", and "I'll Give You A Ring". CD features a massive 52 page booklet, too! CD

A funky treasure trove from Apple & The Three Oranges – a group we hardly know at all, but who really blow us away with the cuts on this collection! The groove is plenty hard right from the get-go – the best of the funky 45 underground of the early 70s – which means that there's more 60s rawness on the record than you'd get from bigger-label funk at the time – as Ed "Apple" Nelson still works here with a mostly underground vibe! Ed plays drums – which are mighty hard on most numbers – and his vocals have this offbeat, off-kilter, over the top quality that almost reminds us a bit of the Hank Ballard/James Brown recordings for late 60s King – particularly in the way that Nelson's completely unbridled with his energy. The whole thing's great – one of the best funky collections we've heard in years – and presented with a rich amount of notes and historical information too. Titles include "Free & Easy (parts 1 & 2)", "Moon Light", "Curse Upon The World", "What Goes Around Comes Around", "Down Home Publicity", "True Love Will Never Die", "Gotta Stand For Something (parts 1 & 2)", and "I'll Give You A Ring". Features a great 16 page booklet with extensive liner notes and photos! LP, Vinyl record album

A legendary group from the 70s Nigerian scene – one who could be as trippy as they were funky – often in ways that had them using studio production to really get some cool effects from their vocals and guitar! There's a spacey edge to most of these tracks – one that comes through most strongly on the mellower moments – which include one or two slow-funk killers that are quite different than the usual sounds of Lagos! But even the more upbeat numbers have this wash around the edges – which seems to filter things together in an unusual way, and really make them come out sounding great. Titles include "Try Me", "Deep Funk", "Mind Twister", "Lay On The Ground", "Don't Drive Me Out", and "Time For Me To Go". CD

An obscure album of southern funky soul from Chuck Armstrong – an artist we know from his earlier funky 45 work in Chicago, but who sounds quite different on this set! The album was produced by George Kerr in New Jersey, but it's got a rolling, vamping approach on most cuts – a sound that's somewhere between Muscle Shoals and the nascent Jackson style of the 70s – a bit smoother than 60s deep soul, but still with a mighty nice edge – and handled perfectly by Kerr! Chuck's vocals are well-suited to the set, and a few numbers bear traces of his earlier more northern sound – and the whole thing's the kind of rare soul killer that only turns up once in a blue moon. Titles include "Sweet Foxy Woman", "You Got To Deal With It", "Shackin Up", "Goodness Gracious", "I'm A Lonely Man", "She Had The Right", and "Nightmare". LP, Vinyl record album