One of the coolest entries we've ever seen in this excellent series – a package that's heavy on rare funk tracks from overseas, most of which we're never likely to find on vinyl in our neck of the woods! There's a slinky, sexy groove to most of these cuts – very 70s, with plenty of sweet electric elements, and lots of keyboards too – and although the vocals are part of the sound, the strength of the cuts really lies in the instrumentation – especially on the longer numbers that really take off strongly! Titles include "Puutharassa" by Pekka Streng, "Ombilic Contact" by Atomic Crocus, "Erotica" by Agua Turbia, "Primitivo" by Hareton Salvanini, "September 13" by Deodato, "Dingo" by Olivier Despax, "Animal" by Farm, and "Psychastenie" by Serge Gainsbourg. LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic compilation of groovy tracks from the 60's, and one that we've had for years, and never tire of playing! The whole thing was put together by the genius Karminsky Brothers, and the tracks are a swirling mix of Latiny, Bossa-y, Groovy, and Now Sound material – including stuff by Serge Gainsbourg, The Gimmicks, Berry Lipman, Wilson Simonal, Ray Rivera, Roberto Delgado, and others! Two of the biggest highlights include Burt Bacharach's rare beautiful track "Something Big", which is worth the price of the CD alone – and Astrud Gilberto's great version of "Happenings". Very long, with 23 killer tracks, and a gorgeous package, too! Expensive, but one of the best things you'll buy this year! CD

A wonderfully groovy set – every bit as great as you might guess from the title and the cover – and the very first installment in the now-legendary Mood Mosaic series! The set's one of the few to bring together tunes from the groovier side of the spectrum at the end of the 60s – work from British, French, American, and German sources – all awash in a great blend of funky, easy, and pop-oriented modes! There's a nicely trippy feel throughout – and titles include "Hascisch Party" by George Garvarenz, "Kiss This" by Claude Denjean, "Acka Raga" by Shocking Blue, "Mas Que Nada" by Luiz Enriquez, "En Melody" by Serge Gainsbourg, "Love For Sale" by Marian McPartland, "Batucada" by Phil Crewe, "Marins Armins Amant Ou Maris" by Michel Legrand, and "Sitar Beat" by Klaus Doldinger. CD

A totally fresh take on French sounds of the late 60s – served up here with a sound that's as revolutionary as the image on the cover! This isn't the dreamy strings of familiar Paris in the Spring – but instead, the sound of change that happened in and around 1968 – as a whole new generation of younger French musicians, singers, artists, and intellectuals were really making themselves known in bold new ways! You'll recognize a few names here – like Serge Gainsbourg or Brigitte Fontaine – but the collection goes way beyond those bigger names, and features loads of obscure artists from the scene that will be a real revelation. The collection was done by the same Saint Etienne team that gave us the excellent English Weather and Songs For The Carnegie Deli compilations on Ace – and titles include "L'Elu" by Ilous & Decuyper, "La Metaphore" by Jacques Dutronc, "Looking For You" by Nin Ferrer, "Chanson D'Un Jour D'Hiver" by Cortex, "Couleurs" by Leonie, "Leslie Simone" by William Sheller, "Litanies" by Triangle, "Baleines" by Francois De Roubaix, "Lileth" by Leonie, "Ystor" by Ys, "Chanson Pour Que Tu M'Aimes U Peu" by France Gall, "Le Victime" by Karl Heinz Schafer, "Les Adventures Extraordinaires D'Un Ballet De Banque" by Bernard Lavilliers, "Helicoptere" by Mireille Darc, "Les Garde Violent Au Secours Du Roi (alt version)" by Jean Claude Vannier, and "La Chanson D'Helene" by Romy Schneider & Michel Piccoli. LP, Vinyl record album