Amazing work from west coast saxophonist Bill Perkins – playing here in a mode that's quite different than his more famous 50s recordings! The style here is almost one you'd hear on late 60s A&M Records – definitely "quietly there", with a blend of Perkins' reeds and light organ, piano, guitar, and percussion. The style is very subtle, and often very spare – mixed differently on each number, and shaded nicely with an equal focus on sound shapes as on jazz. There's a bit of a late 60s Paul Desmond feel here, but even more restrained – and other players include Victor Feldman on piano and organ, John Pisano on guitars, and Larry Bunker on drums. Titles include "Emily", "Quietly There", "Time For Love", "Just A Child", and "Shining Sea". LP, Vinyl record album

A surprising release on A&M for the Revolutionary Ensemble – formerly a much more underground group, but still sounding great here recording for a bigger label! The lineup features Jerome Cooper on piano, bugle, drums, and a variety of percussion instruments – with Sirone on bass and trombone, and Leroy Jenkins on violin, thumb piano, recorder, and small gongs! Titles include "Trio for Trio", "Chinese Rock", and "Ponderous Planets". LP, Vinyl record album

Mindblowing work from Minnie Riperton – her first solo album, cut at the end of the 60s, after a number of years of work with the group Rotary Connection. The album builds off the now famous sound of Rotary Connection – but takes it to the next level, with arch-baroque production by the great Charles Stepney – who couches Minnie's fantastic vocals in a suite of shimmering soulful tracks that mix strings, horns, jazzy piano, and slight touches of bouncing rhythms. The overall sound is impossible to describe – sort of a cross between Burt Bacharach on A&M, Scott Walker's 3rd album, and the sound of Marvin Gaye's What's Goin' On. The album's pure genius all the way through – one of the highlights of the Chicago scene of the 60s – and proof that Riperton, Stepney, and crew were shooting for the outer limits of soul music! Titles include "Les Fleur", "Only When I'm Dreaming", "Rainy Day In Centerville", "Memory Band", "Expecting", "Whenever Wherever", and "Oh, By The Way". CD

Mindblowing work from Minnie Riperton – her first solo album, cut at the end of the 60s, after a number of years of work with the group Rotary Connection. The album builds off the now famous sound of Rotary Connection – but takes it to the next level, with arch-baroque production by the great Charles Stepney – who couches Minnie's fantastic vocals in a suite of shimmering soulful tracks that mix strings, horns, jazzy piano, and slight touches of bouncing rhythms. The overall sound is impossible to describe – sort of a cross between Burt Bacharach on A&M, Scott Walker's 3rd album, and the sound of Marvin Gaye's What's Goin' On. The album's pure genius all the way through – one of the highlights of the Chicago scene of the 60s – and proof that Riperton, Stepney, and crew were shooting for the outer limits of soul music! Titles include "Les Fleur", "Only When I'm Dreaming", "Rainy Day In Centerville", "Memory Band", "Expecting", "Whenever Wherever", and "Oh, By The Way". LP, Vinyl record album

Mindblowing work from Minnie Riperton – her first solo album, cut at the end of the 60s, after a number of years of work with the group Rotary Connection. The album builds off the now famous sound of Rotary Connection – but takes it to the next level, with arch-baroque production by the great Charles Stepney – who couches Minnie's fantastic vocals in a suite of shimmering soulful tracks that mix strings, horns, jazzy piano, and slight touches of bouncing rhythms. The overall sound is impossible to describe – sort of a cross between Burt Bacharach on A&M, Scott Walker's 3rd album, and the sound of Marvin Gaye's What's Goin' On. The album's pure genius all the way through – one of the highlights of the Chicago scene of the 60s – and proof that Riperton, Stepney, and crew were shooting for the outer limits of soul music! Titles include "Les Fleur", "Only When I'm Dreaming", "Rainy Day In Centerville", "Memory Band", "Expecting", "Whenever Wherever", and "Oh, By The Way". This album's a 2nd pressing of the album Come to My Garden, from 1982, with one less track. LP, Vinyl record album

A really groovy little record – lots of tight guitars from Tony Rizzi – but served up in this sunny style that's almost an update of earlier A&M Records modes! The group features four more guitars – true Tony Rizzi style – plus sweet Fender Rhodes from Tom Rainer, and backing vocals on a few cuts too – almost Brasil 66-style! Titles include "Wave", "Music To Watch Girls By", "Summer Samba", "Sunny", and "Huntington Beach". LP, Vinyl record album

A key album in the legendary 80s run of Shalamar – and a set that gets a tremendous amount out of a very stripped-down sound! The sound of Shalamar builds from a bit of bass, some snapping drums, waves of keyboards, and especially great vocals – warm and sweet, but never too commercial – despite the hit status of an album like this. If anything, the group have a style that's a bit more relaxed and personal than some of their contemporaries on the Solar Records scene at the time – one that matches the friendly title, and unassuming cover image of the set. Titles include "A Night To Remember", "Playing To Win", "Friends", "On Top Of The World", "Help Me", "There It Is", "I Can Make You Feel Good", and "I Don't Wanna Be The Last To Know". CD features 5 bonus tracks – "Night To Remember (UK 12")", "There It Is (UK 12" ext rmx)", "Friends (UK 12" ext)", "Night To Remember (M&M mix)", and "Night To Remember (M&M inst)". CD

Bud Shank takes on the sounds of The Beatles – and a whole host of other 60s pop stars as well – all with results that are as jazzy as they are groovy! The album's one of a few that Bud cut for Liberty in this format – alto and flute spread out over fuller backings from Bob Florence, a great arranger who knows how to make things swing by bringing in some wonderful 60s touches! There's a bit of guitar at times, some compressed horns – ala A&M – and some overall mod rhythms that help change things up nicely from tune to tune. Titles include "Michelle", "Yesterday", "Blue On Blue", "Sounds Of Silence", "Turn Turn Turn", "As Tears Go By", and "Girl". LP, Vinyl record album

Not sure what they mean by "Ameriachi" in the title – but from the sound of the music, there's definitely a great A&M Records-styled mix of jazz, Latin, and South American modes! The set begins with a set of cookers from drummer Hideo Shiraki – working with an excellent group that features tenorist Hidehiko Matsumoto handling arrangements – often in ways that have this upbeat, swinging, and pretty darn groovy way of moving along – sometimes with a bold Herb Alpert-styled trumpet in the lead – other times with a bit of marimba vibes. Titles include "Ashita Ni Nareba", "Akasaka After Dark", "You & Me", and "Ginza Wa Koi No Jujiro". The second half is handled by Takeshi Inomata & His West Liners Plus All-Stars – a group that has an equally great A&M approach to the groove – thanks to arrangements from pianist Masao Yagi! The whole thing's a great illustration of the way that 60s Japanese jazzmen could also work in some groovy instrumental styles in the right setting – and titles include "One Rainy Night In Tokyo", "Omoide", "Goodbye Mr Tears", "Koi Wa Akaibara", and "Aitakute Aitakute". CD

The near-complete Salsoul recordings of Skyy – the funky club combo headed by Randy Muller after his work with BT Express and Brass Construction! With Skyy, Muller honed his groove even more than before – creating a really tight focus on bass-heavy bottoms, and focusing all instruments in the group into a solidly soaring sound that showed that funk was alive and well on the dancefloor – even well into the disco years! This massively overstuffed 4CD package features all the titles from Skyy's 7 albums from Salsoul – plus bonus tracks from 12" singles too! Set features great notes, and the full albums Skyy, Skyyway, Skyyport, Skylline, Skyyjammer, Skyllight, and Inner City – and bonus cuts include "First Time Around (12" version)", "Skyyzoo (12" version)", "Let's Celebrate (12" version)", "Call Me (7" version)", "Bad Boy (12" version)", and "Because Of You (JM after session M&M mix)". CD

Late recordings by Willie "The Lion" Smith, done in Paris in the mid 60s – at a time when he was enjoying quite a bit of fame on the European scene! The set features solo work by Willie – only piano, in a style that's drenched in bluesy chord work, but which also has some surprisingly modern moments too – that great combination of modes you'd often get when a player was set loose with the new freedoms of the European scene. A number of the tracks are original compositions by Smith, and ttitles include "Steeplechase", "Dinah", "Sparklets", "Sharps & Flats", "Summertime", "Steeplechase", "Shine", "H&M Blues", "In A Minor Groove", and "The Stuff Is Here". Also features 3 bonus tracks – "Music On My Mind", "Polonaise", and "All Out Of Breath" – two of which feature a bit of vocals, too! CD

A wonderful project from late 80s Blue Note – a group that features trumpet and arrangements from Don Sickler, plus some great help from Bobby Watson as well – all to craft a sound that's as rich, soaring, and joyous as any solo projects from either player! The group's an octet, but have the tightness of a Blue Note quintet from the 60s – working with sharp arrangements in a really classic sound – one that has the horns in tight formation, but also really opens up to solo space right away – allowing plenty of room for Sickler on trumpet, Watson on alto, Frank Lacy on trombone, Roy Hargrove on trumpet and flugelhorn, Bill Pierce on tenor, and Mulgrew Miller on piano. The bass of Bob Hurst and drums of Kenny Washington provide some smoking rhythms throughout – and titles include "Open Sesame", "Conservation", "M&M", "Time Off", and "Marvelous Marvin". CD

A wonderful project from late 80s Blue Note – a group that features trumpet and arrangements from Don Sickler, plus some great help from Bobby Watson as well – all to craft a sound that's as rich, soaring, and joyous as any solo projects from either player! The group's an octet, but have the tightness of a Blue Note quintet from the 60s – working with sharp arrangements in a really classic sound – one that has the horns in tight formation, but also really opens up to solo space right away – allowing plenty of room for Sickler on trumpet, Watson on alto, Frank Lacy on trombone, Roy Hargrove on trumpet and flugelhorn, Bill Pierce on tenor, and Mulgrew Miller on piano. The bass of Bob Hurst and drums of Kenny Washington provide some smoking rhythms throughout – and titles include "Open Sesame", "Conservation", "M&M", "Time Off", and "Marvelous Marvin". LP, Vinyl record album

A very groovy set from guitar genius Gabor Szabo – one that features all those cool tones and elements he'd developed on his late 60s albums for Impulse and Skye Records, given a tighter LA groove here, with almost an A&M Records vibe! There's loads of great solos throughout, played in a combo that also features Lynn Blessing on vibes, Richard Thompson and Nick DeCaro on keyboards, and Sandra Crouch on percussion – all set to some backings handled by DeCaro, who really helps shape the sound of the set! The tunes are a really nice mix of material – and while this might not be Gabor's most way-out album, it's still full of lots of his great groovy guitar – on titles that include "Love Theme From Spartacus", "Country Illusion", "Sombrero Sam", "Lady With Child", "Pretty Girl Why", "Hum A Song", "Magical Connection", and "Fred & Betty". CD

A record with a really special sound – Japanese pop moving past some of the more emotive modes used a few years before, and working with a gentle, breezy style that sometimes echoes the best A&M Records styles from the Cali scene of the late 60s! Both singers intertwine in a wonderful way, often harmonizing with a great sense of balance – and the backings are often nicely groovy, with electric bass creating a gentle glide that's mighty nice! The whole thing is well-produced, but also has a laidback vibe that fits the barefoot image on the cover – and titles translate as "Being Astray On The Corner", "Another World For Lovers", "The Day We Lose Our Peace", "Moment By Moment", "A Rose & An Apple", and "Early Days". LP, Vinyl record album

A wild and weird early soundtrack work from the great Melvin Van Peebles – a set of songs composed by the man himself, and put together for an early directorial effort about a white man who wakes up one morning and finds himself black – and has to discover the real version of society from an African-American perspective! The music and politics are very similar to Melvin's early albums for A&M – songs that borrow from a few different styles, and aren't just straight soul and funk – handled with some larger arrangements from Bob Matthews, who amplifies some of the wildness in the tunes! Tracks include "Love, That's America", "Great Guy", "Eviction Scene", and "Where Are The Children". LP, Vinyl record album

The rare fourth album from We Five – still in the folk-based mode of the group's earlier work, but done with a much looser, hipper style overall! The poppier A&M touches of their hits are way behind them here, and We Five are almost moving into a mode that's more studio-spontaneous – a bit like some of the groovier groups of the Bay Area scene who got a chance to record albums for Columbia or Capitol during the period. Tracks are still mostly short, and sweetened by larger arrangements from Al Capps – but the vocals have a bit more soul and righteousness overall – a quality that's never forced, but which fits the group comfortably and well. Titles include "One Last Time", "Belong Beside You", "Here Comes The Sun", "Early Mornin Rain", "Tomorrow Is A Long Time", "Come & Sit Down Beside Me", and "For Lovin Me". CD

The rare fourth album from We Five – still in the folk-based mode of the group's earlier work, but done with a much looser, hipper style overall! The poppier A&M touches of their hits are way behind them here, and We Five are almost moving into a mode that's more studio-spontaneous – a bit like some of the groovier groups of the Bay Area scene who got a chance to record albums for Columbia or Capitol during the period. Tracks are still mostly short, and sweetened by larger arrangements from Al Capps – but the vocals have a bit more soul and righteousness overall – a quality that's never forced, but which fits the group comfortably and well. Titles include "One Last Time", "Belong Beside You", "Here Comes The Sun", "Early Mornin Rain", "Tomorrow Is A Long Time", "Come & Sit Down Beside Me", and "For Lovin Me". LP, Vinyl record album

The birth of Miami soul, and a beautifully done document of the rare Deep City label – home to Willie Clarke, Clarence Reid, and Betty Wright in the years before Alston and TK Records! Way before Miami soul started cracking the charts at the start of the 70s, Deep City was already putting the best parts in place – working with a tight roster of artists and an equally tight in-house band that rose from the ranks of Florida A&M's Marching 100 band – razor-sharp instrumentalists who helped forge a groove worthy to rival the sounds of Memphis, Muscle Shoals, and even the best of Detroit at the time – given that some of the work here has a much sweeter soul sound than other 60s southern soul. As usual, the Numero team have done an incredible job with the package – pulling out rare photos, personal stories, and just the right amount of information to breathe new life into the Deep City label and help it live anew. CD features 17 tracks in all – including "Paralyzed" and "Good Lovin" by Betty Wright, "Am I A Good Man" by Them Two, "Someone To Fulfill My Needs" and "I Love You Baby" by The Moovers, "I Am Controlled By Your Love" and "Willing & Able" by Helene Smith, "Good Thing (part 1)" by Frank Williams & The Rocketeers, "It's My Baby" and "The Upset" by Paul Kelly, and "Stay Away From My Johnny" by Freda Gray & The Rocketeers. CD

A treasure trove of soul from LA's mighty Money Records – home to some of the best indie singles on the west coast at the end of the 60s! The work here really runs the gamut of hip styles from the time – and includes group soul, Northern groovers, and even a bit of funk too – packaged together beautifully by the folks at Kent Records, who make this third volume sparkle every bit as strongly as other volumes in their Money Records series! There's an equal mix of male and female singers on the set, and the package features not only rare 45s on Money and related labels, but also a few unissued cuts as well – making the whole thing essential to own, even if you've got a pile of rare Money singles at home. Titles include "Girl You're So Fine" by Bobby Angelle, "Give Back Your Lovin" by Don Trotter, "The Skate" by The Larks, "If She Wants To Go" by Choice Of Colors, "I'll Give My Love To You" by Eric Williams, "You Got Me Dizzy" by Bobby Angelle, "Don't Take My Mind" by Bettye Swann, "Put Your Weight On It (part 2)" by Filmore Street Soul Rebellions, "Doin The Thing" by Question Marks, "Open Up Your Eyes" by The M&Ms & The Peanuts, "Why'd You Put Me On" by Bobbi Row & The Englishmen, "Sad & Blue" by The Mysteries, "Speak To Me In Your Soulful Way" by Hank Jacobs & The TKOs, and even "Hard Times Are Coming" by an Unknown Duo! CD