One of those super-rare albums that never went beyond the stage of being a demo, yet which has gone on to be the stuff of legend over the years – maybe in part because it was later discovered to be an obscure side project by the legendary Wrecking Crew of LA 60s studio fame! The approach here is sunshine pop at its best – mixed male/female vocals, working with really well-crafted backings that were all arranged by Allyn Ferguson, who also penned all of the tracks! The vibe is maybe somewhere between Free Design and the Alan Copeland Singers – and the set is every bit as groovy as our favorites from both groups. Titles include "Playtime", "Calico Bus", "Time", "Come Out In The Sun", "Ride A Pink Horse", and "Candy Egg". LP, Vinyl record album

A completely mesmerizing performance from these three avant giants – all working in longform territory that owes a lot to Tony Conrad's sense of sound – but at a level that really draws plenty from the contributions of all three players! Jim O'Rourke handles harmonium, cranking the instrument at a constant level to create these beautiful tones – next to some sharper lines from Arnold Dreyblatt on equally drone-like violin – matched with these long bowed sonic passages from Conrad on cello. The album features a full 41 minute performance, recorded at Tonic in New York – split over both sides of the record. (Out Sound, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album

An overlooked roots rock nugget from the early 70s – and a record that should be known well enough for its work from singer Judy Roderick – an artist who'd already spent plenty of time in the folk underground of the 60s! Yet the sound here isn't folk at all – much heavier, as if Judy's picked up some influences from blues and southern rock – qualities that come through especially when she picks up the electric guitar, which she does on most of the album's tracks – in a way that's very different than her folk records of the 70s! The production is nice and lean – that respectful, laidback vibe that labels like Atlantic were giving records like this at the time – on titles that include "Shake It & Break It", "Canyon Persuasion", "Cocaine Shuffle", "Maid Of Constant Sorrow", "Callin You Down", and "Country Girl Again". LP, Vinyl record album

Incredible! The record's one that will blow away all your previous understandings of Rod Stewart – a wicked reinterpretation of the Faces sound, done with heavily acoustic instrumentation and really wonderful production. Includes Rod's landmark take on "Handbags & Gladrags" – plus "Man Of Constant Sorrow", "Cindy's Lament", "An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down", and "I Wouldn't Change A Thing". LP, Vinyl record album

Incredible! The record's one that will blow away all your previous understandings of Rod Stewart – a wicked reinterpretation of the Faces sound, done with heavily acoustic instrumentation and really wonderful production. Includes Rod's landmark take on "Handbags & Gladrags" – plus "Man Of Constant Sorrow", "Cindy's Lament", "An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down", and "I Wouldn't Change A Thing". CD

A surprisingly sweet solo effort from Beach Boy Dennis Wilson – a record of surprising depth and darkness, and arguably stronger than most of the albums at the time from the larger group! Dennis produced the album himself, with some executive help from James William Guerico – whose guidance here seems key, given the overall quality of the set. There's some echoes of Beach Boys' styles in the music, but the sound is much more personal as well – Wilson's ragged vocals in the lead on all numbers, sometimes upfront and fragile, sometimes given a bit more umph through the use of processing – at that level that the whole group would often experience in the studio during the 70s. The album's as much of a showcase for Dennis' writing skills as it is for his vocals – and songs are co-written with co-producer Gregg Jakobson, as well as Carl Wilson, Mike Love, and Karen Lamm-Wilson. Titles include "River Song", "Friday Night", "Thoughts Of You", "Dreamer", "Time", "You And I", and "What's Wrong". This limited version of the expanded Legacy edition is really amazing – with a huge booklet of notes and photos, as well as essays on Dennis' music – plus session bonus tracks that include "Mexico", "Holy Man", "Only With You", and "Tug Of Love". Also features a full bonus CD with the sessions for the unreleased Bambu album – with tracks that include "School Girl", "It's Not Too Late", "Under The Moonlight", "Are You Real", "He's A Bum", "Cocktails", "I Love You", "Constant Companion", and "Time For Bed". CD

A surprisingly sweet solo effort from Beach Boy Dennis Wilson – a record of surprising depth and darkness, and arguably stronger than most of the albums at the time from the larger group! Dennis produced the album himself, with some executive help from James William Guerico – whose guidance here seems key, given the overall quality of the set. There's some echoes of Beach Boys' styles in the music, but the sound is much more personal as well – Wilson's ragged vocals in the lead on all numbers, sometimes upfront and fragile, sometimes given a bit more umph through the use of processing – at that level that the whole group would often experience in the studio during the 70s. The album's as much of a showcase for Dennis' writing skills as it is for his vocals – and songs are co-written with co-producer Gregg Jakobson, as well as Carl Wilson, Mike Love, and Karen Lamm-Wilson. Titles include "River Song", "Friday Night", "Thoughts Of You", "Dreamer", "Time", "You And I", and "What's Wrong". This expanded Legacy edition is really amazing – with a 24-page booklet with notes and photos – plus session bonus tracks that include "Mexico", "Holy Man", "Only With You", and "Tug Of Love". Also features a full bonus CD with the sessions for the unreleased Bambu album – with tracks that include "School Girl", "It's Not Too Late", "Under The Moonlight", "Are You Real", "He's A Bum", "Cocktails", "I Love You", "Constant Companion", and "Time For Bed". CD

Current Rage were one of the more obscure groups to come out of the Athens, GA scene in the early 80s – but they've also got all the instantly creative energy that made that short-lived world of music every bit as exciting as some of the best New York sounds at the time! There's a nicely choppy approach to the rhythms going on here, and plenty of strong guitar play too – deft music that's somewhere in the territory of Pylon, and like that group, maybe a warmer US answer to British post-punk sounds of the same time. Titles include "Right Side Of The Brain", "Bitte Schoen", "Sweet Torture", "My Dog Sam", "Looking Through Gels", and "Scream In The Dark". Expanded version features bonus tracks that include "Adventures In America", "Punch A Clock", "The Theme", "Constant Hiss (demo)", and live tracks "My Dog Sam", "AF", "Tequila", and "The Book Pressed Flowers". LP, Vinyl record album

Current Rage were one of the more obscure groups to come out of the Athens, GA scene in the early 80s – but they've also got all the instantly creative energy that made that short-lived world of music every bit as exciting as some of the best New York sounds at the time! There's a nicely choppy approach to the rhythms going on here, and plenty of strong guitar play too – deft music that's somewhere in the territory of Pylon, and like that group, maybe a warmer US answer to British post-punk sounds of the same time. Titles include "Right Side Of The Brain", "Bitte Schoen", "Sweet Torture", "My Dog Sam", "Looking Through Gels", and "Scream In The Dark". Expanded version features bonus tracks that include "Adventures In America", "Punch A Clock", "The Theme", "Constant Hiss", and live tracks "My Dog Sam", "AF", "Tequila", and "The Book Pressed Flowers". LP, Vinyl record album