The Siegel Schwall Band are still kicking it hard here – playing with a surprisingly gritty vibe, maybe thanks in part to production from the great Sam Charters – who'd handled so many great blues sessions over the years! But we're guessing that at this point, the group didn't even need Sam's help to sound this tight – as they're really finding their voice, and work with mostly original material of their own – yet in a way that strongly echo the Chicago blues legends who inspired their sound. The set leads off with a version of the Willie Dixon tune "Shake For Me" – then moves into originals that include "My Starter Won't Start", "Think", "334 3599", "Get Away Man", "Wouldn't Quit You", and "You Can't Run That Fast". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe the greatest moment ever from Country Joe & The Fish – an insane blend of politics, psychedelia, rock roots, and more – all wrapped up in a nice of carnival-esque style that really lives up to the group's name! Many folks later copied the group – and others, like The Fugs, worked in somewhat similar territory – yet there's a really special sound to the group on this early set, a balance that brings more focus to otherwise trippy moments, more sense to their political agenda, and these sharp instrumental inflections that really send the whole thing home. Blues historian Samuel Charters produced, giving the record another influential quality – and titles include "The Fish Cheer & I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die-Rag", "Who Am I", "Pat's Song", "Magoo", "Jam", "Eastern Song", and "Colors For Susan". LP, Vinyl record album

The Siegel Schwall Band change things up a bit here – leaving behind the rootsy Sam Charters production of their first few albums for the the heady sound of Dunwich – and picking up just a bit of electric piano and electric bass in the process! The style is still rooted in blues, but maybe not as slavishly tied to the modes of Chess Records as before – as the group, especially Corky Siegel, seem to be coming up with lyrical modes that are maybe a bit more of a nod to the north side crowds that were really cheering them on in Chicago – not mainstream, certainly, but maybe a bit more longhaired than south side juke joint crowds – almost a bit of a Bay Area vibe in the mix. Titles include "Angel Food Cake", "Song", "A Sunshine Day In My Mind", "Do You Remember", "I Don't Want You To Be My Girl", and "Geronimo". LP, Vinyl record album

A nice, diverse display of avant instrumental soundscapes from Tortoise – who sound as unpredictable and vital as they have in years on Beacons Of Ancesorship! All the descriptions of how groundbreaking Tortoise was in the earlier years, and forward looking they've remained throughout their career is all fine and good (and true) – but in the decade and a half of accolades, it isn't often discussed how flat out fun the group is at its best – and that's what we love about this record. Here they blend dynamics built from Krautrock and elastic proggy influences, electronic experimentalism, dubby bass, hypnotic soundtracky vibes, and even a little bit of raw, rugged punk into an overall approach that's Tortoise through and through. Their best since Standards, to say the least, and up there with their best work. Titles include "High Class Slim Came Floatin In", "Prepare Your Coffin", "Northern Something", "Gigantes", "Penumbra", "Yinxianghechechengqi", "The Fall Of The Seven Diamonds Plus One", "Minors", Monument Six Thousand One Hundred", "De Chelly" and "Charteroak Foundation". CD