Ahhh . . . The young genius of The Replacements! A bit punk, a bit garage, with a heartfelt quality that you didn't always find in indie rock at the time. These rough hewn gems are already as brilliant as they can be – shiny little diamonds that show Westerberg and crew working at top form, possibly topper than they'd ever be at in later years. Every single track is fantastic – and the album dances from number to number with delight, an endless array of great hooks, soulful vocals, and searing guitar bits that are laid out with early 80s economy! Titles include "Take Me Down To The Hospital", "Run It", "Color Me Impressed", "Within Your Reach", "Buck Hill", and "Treatment Bound" – and it's finally, after all these years, been carefully remastered! CD

A great one from Shawn Phillips – a set that has more of the jazzy tones of his later work coming to the forefront – in a sound that's fuller, richer than before – with larger orchestrations by Paul Buckmaster and Ian Green, and a growing sense of groove that's made Shawn one of the best examples of the early 70s folk funk generation! There's a tightly vamping energy to most of the best numbers that's really great – and a slightly jazzy sensibility too, even when things still sound mostly folksy overall. Titles include "Song For Mr C", "Sleepwalker", "Keep On", "Song For Sagittarians", "Steel Eyes", "Schmaltz Waltz", and "F Sharp Splendor". CD

The Holiday Inn chain of motels was first launched in Memphis during the city's rockabilly years, and an early investor was Sam Phillips of Sun Records – so it's maybe no surprise that the company also hosted a small record label of its own – a short-lived imprint that's a treasure trove of rare Memphis music! This set brings together all the great early singles on the imprint – both a-sides and b-sides, with a blend of instrumental rockers, soulful pop, and rockabilly – much of which was handled by Phillips at the Sun Studios! Most of the names here aren't Memphis legends, but the music definitely lives up to the rare 45s from that city's scene at the time – and in addition to a rare single here by Charlie Feathers, the package also includes work from Buck Griffin, Jimmy Foster, The Roller Coasters, Stony Martin, Jimmy Foster, Joe Fuller, and others – plus two Holiday Inn jingles too! CD

A hell of a tribute to the songwriting genius of Dolly Parton – a side of her talents that's sometimes obscured by her incredible voice and overwhelming personality! Yet right from the start, long before she was a superstar, Dolly was as much a writer in country music as she was a singer of songs – and her early records are filled with gems that opened up a whole new space for the female voice not just in country music, but in other styles too – as testified by the mix of soul, rock, and other modes that appear on this set! Dolly kicks off the collection with one of her hits – but the package then spans decades to bring together a range of really wonderful readings of songs from the pen of Parton – all accompanied by detailed notes on every selection in the set. Titles include "I Will Always Love You" by Linda Ronstadt, "Two Doors Down" by Zella Lahr, "In The Good Old Days" by The Everly Brothers, "Here I Am" by Percy Sledge, "Nickels & Dimes" by Buck Owens, "I Loved So Fast & Hard" by Porter Wagoner, "There'll Always Be Music" by Tina Turner, "My Tennessee Mountain Home" by Maria Muldaur, "Little Sparrow" by Bettye Lavette, "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" by Bill Phillips, "Most Of All Why" by Holly Dunn, "I'm In No Condition" by Hank Williams Jr, "Touch Your Woman" by Margie Joseph, "Kentucky Gambler" by Merle Haggard, "Coat Of Many Colors" by Emmylou Harris, "Don't Let It Trouble Your Mind" by Rhiannon Giddens, and "Love Is Like A Butterfly" by Nana Mouskouri. (Folk/Country, Rock) CD