A classic rock power trio – with titles that include "Black Cat Moan", "Lady", "Sweet Sweet Surrender", "Lose Myself With You", "Livin Alone", "Oh To Love You", and surprising takes on Stevie Wonder's "Superstation" and Curtis Mayfield's "I'm So Proud". CD

A pair of early records from Hour Glass – back to back in a single set! First up is the self titled Hour Glass album – fantastic early work from Gregg And Duane Allman – a set that's nothing at all like their Allman Brothers material, but which has a wonderful style nonetheless! At some level, there's a very strong soul current running through the music – as the group mix in songs by Curtis Mayfield, Deon Jackson, and others with some headier rock material – all set up in these arrangements by Dallas Smith that seem to begin in uptown soul, then push things into more psychedelic territory! The blend is great, and makes for a really wonderful record – on titles that include "I've Been Trying", "No Easy Way Down", "Out Of The Night", "Nothing But Tears", "Heartbeat", and "Silently". Power Of Love is an excellent second set from Hour Glass – the pre-Allman Brothers Band that featured both Duane and Gregg Allman, the latter of whom is really coming into his own on the record! Unlike the group's debut, this one features a lot more original material by Gregg – and guitars that start to crackle in that sweetly cresting style that would become the group's hallmark, and which would have an undeniable influence on the sound of rock in the 70s. At some level, the whole thing's an early southern effort to answer the sounds of the Bay Area scene – and comes off beautifully, thanks to titles that include "To Things Before", "I'm Not Afraid", "Home For The Summer", "Down In Texas", "Now Is The Time", and "Going Nowhere". LP, Vinyl record album

A great side of the too-small Zombies catalog of the 60s – rare material recorded for BBC Radio – almost all of it with the same sort of great fidelity as their famous singles! The music here spans the years 1964 to 1968 – starting with some early material with a grittier edge, and featuring a surprising handful of soul music covers, too – including tracks by Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, and Bo Diddley – in addition to the group's own originals. Covers include "This Old Heart Of Mine", "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever", "Just A Little Bit", "Soulville", "It's All Right", and "For You My Love" – next to Zombies originals "She's Not There", "What More Can I Do", "Friends Of Mine", "Whenever You're Ready", and "Just Out Of Reach". Also includes some cool other bits – including "Kenny Everett Interview & Jingle", plus "Colin Talks About The Continent", "The Zombies Find America", and "Different Instruments" – all interview passages. LP, Vinyl record album

A set that steps out with a Curtis Mayfield reference in the title, but which goes into much heavier territory all – black rock, often mixed with a bit of funk, in the best tradition of some of the Hendrix-inspired groups who rose up at the start of the 70s! If you know the trippy psychedelic style of Merda, you'll get part of the vibe here – but as usual with Numero, the span is much wider-ranging overall – and the label's done a great job of uncovering a range of obscure African-American acts from the 70s who were firmly committed to the headier, heavier, fuzzier, freakier side of the spectrum! Titles include "I Can't Believe" by Flying Wedge, "Sweet Poison" by Iron Force, "Message To Planet Earth" by Solid Gold, "Ringing Bells (part 2)" by The Young Senators, "Rolling Love (part 2)" by Three Days Ahead, "It's A Dream" by Little Ed & The Soundmasters Band, "Funky Music" by The Basement, and "Chrystal Illusion" by Creative Unlimited. (Funky Compilations, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album