A masterpiece of synth pop – and a landmark album for the Human League! The record took the group from the Brit post-punk underground to the charts of the world – with a stark blend of noisy keyboards, spare beats, and Phil Okey's wonderfully flat and monotone vocals. And although the record is a bit of a departure from the group's noisier first few albums, it's also still got a dark edge that we'd kind of missed the first time around. Includes a nice remake of the theme from "Get Carter", plus loads of little great synth tunes like "I Am The Law", "Seconds", "The Sound Of The Crowd", and "Darkness" – as well as the hits "Love Action", "Don't You Want Me", and "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of". CD

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A fantastic collection of work by The Arrows – a glam-era UK power pop trio with a really great sound! The Arrow sound is sort of a leaner version of grooves laid down by Gary Glitter or Sweet – a fuzzy, hook-heavy approach to rock – one that uses lots of heavy drums on straightforward rhythms, full guitar lines that are clean and straightforward, and compressed production that pushes the guitars and vocals together nicely! There's a real power to these tunes that's simply amazing – an unabashed love of catchy pop mixed with heady guitars – best summed up in the group's original version of "I Love Rock & Roll", issued years before Joan Jett scored with her cover version. This 2CD package features everything the short-lived group recorded – their full First Hit album, 7" singles, and bonus Mickie Most and Arrowsvision tracks – 29 titles in all, including "I Love Rock & Roll", "We Can Make It Together", "Diesel Locomotive Dancer", "Love Child", "Boogiest Band In Town", "First Hit", "Once Upon A Time", "My World Is Turning On To Love", "Movin Next Door To You", "Broken Down Heart", "My Last Night With You", "Dreamin", "Bam Bam Battering Ram", "Wake Up", "Love Is Easy", "Gotta Be Next To You", "Love Rider", and "Dare You Not To Dance". CD

The second solo album by ex-Zombie Colin Blunstone – filled with amazing tracks that are perfect for his godlike voice! The production's a bit fuller than the string-quartet/piano sound of One Year – but the musicians still include most of Colin's old buddies from the Zombies, and Chris White and Rod Argent produced the album as well – coming up with some great inflections that really send home the gentle hooks of the album's tunes! Blunstone's vocals are as magnificent as always – breathily beautiful without sounding cheesy – which is a very fine distinction here, and one that keeps the album far from other adult pop of the time. Tracks include "I Don't Believe In Miracles", "How Wrong Can One Man Be", "Andorra", "Time's Running Out", and "How Could We Dare To Be Wrong". LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent compilation of the early solo tracks recorded by this beautiful vocalist from The Zombies. The tracks are culled from his first 3 records – One Year, Ennismore, and Journey – all of which are pretty darn tough to find on wax! If you don't know this stuff, it's some of the most godlike pop ever created in the world, and it mixes Colin's heavenly voice with swirling strings and haunting arrangements that are a perfect extension from the late Zombies material. Titles include "I Don't Believe In Miracles", "Wonderful", "Say You Don't Mind", "Misty Roses", "Though You Are Far Away", "Let Me Come Closer To You", "How Could We Dare To Be Wrong", and "Caroline Goodbye". LP, Vinyl record album

A different sound than the 60s, sure – but you can't beat Donovan, no matter what the setting. Mickie Most produced, and all songs are Donovan originals – including "Maya's Dance", "Local Boy Chops Wood", "Astral Angel", "Dare To Be Different", and "Sing My Song. LP, Vinyl record album

A group who definitely live up to their name – given that their recordings are so obscure, they were lost souls from the very start! Yet there's also a genius here that should have made them huge – an inherent tunefulness that clearly shows a love of The Beatles, Hollies, and a handful of other Brit groups – but delivered with an edge that's more like early Who or Creation – and by that last reference, we mean both the fab 60s British group, and the later 80s label with the same name! These tunes are fantastic little gems – catchy, but not commercial – charming, but never cloying – and often driven by some exceptionally strong basslines at the bottom, which works great with the warmer vocal harmonies and jangly guitars. Titles include "Dare To Surmise", "Love I Won't Admit", "Look At Me", "Things That Are Important", "Diamond Head", "Livin The Way I Want To", and "Trashcan Throne" – and the CD also features a few live tracks, and some bonus material too – 26 titles in all, by a group who hopefully won't be lost souls any longer! CD

Whether you're looking back on your younger days, or just dropping the needle on this album for the first time, it's guaranteed to bring out the fist in the air, head nodding, jump up and down punk in you. Perhaps New Jersey's finest contribution to the rock lexicon, running through alternate versions oftracks from the Static Age LP, plus a number of their most sought after singles. 13 tracks in all, including "Angelf*ck", "Who Killed Marilyn", "Where Eagles Dare", "She", "Halloween", "American Nightmare", "Static Age", "TV Casualty", "Hybrid Moments", "Spinal Remains", "Come Back", "Some Kinda Hate" and "Theme For A Jackal". LP, Vinyl record album

Pretty much all the essentials from the Danzig era Misfits catalog with the exception of "Hybrid Moments" – includes the ghoulish hits "She", "Bullet", "Teenagers From Mars", "Night Of The Living Dead", "Where Eagles Dare", "I Turned Into A Martian", "Skulls", "Ghouls Night Out", "Astro Zombies", "Mommy Can I Go Out And Kill Tonight?", "Die Die My Darling", "Green Hell", and more! LP, Vinyl record album

Pretty much all the essentials from the Danzig era Misfits catalog with the exception of "Hybrid Moments" – includes the ghoulish hits "She", "Bullet", "Teenagers From Mars", "Night Of The Living Dead", "Where Eagles Dare", "I Turned Into A Martian", "Skulls", "Ghouls Night Out", "Astro Zombies", "Mommy Can I Go Out And Kill Tonight?", "Die Die My Darling", "Green Hell", and more! LP, Vinyl record album

Pretty wild work from Yoko Ono – a mixture of straight rock tunes and some very experimental numbers, a few of which sound so much like New York No Wave tunes from a decade later that we have to admit we're pretty darn shocked! In fact, we'd dare say the record's better than anything recorded around 1980 by artists like DNA or Lydia Lunch – or 2 decades later by the Boredoms or Deerhoof – and a bit more challenging, too! Titles include "Telephone Piece", "Fly", "Mind Holes", "Don't Worry Kyoko", "Mrs Lennon", "Toilet Piece", and "Mindtrain". CD

The masterpiece by one of the greatest genuine rock bands of all time – finally remastered! Let It Be veers all over the place, or at least as much as jangly rock music can, in the best way possible. Includes the pseudo twangy opener "I Will Dare", with the distinctly midwestern hardcore of the group's earlier years showing up on "We're Coming Out" and "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out", and Westerberg's great heart-on-sleeve, ragged balladry appearing for the closers. Like the Meat Puppets and X, the 'Mats really found themselves after they shed the rigid rules of punk rock, and developed into something every bit as genuine. They followed the rock songbook just enough to keep their work warm and familiar, but with way too huge and hard-pounding heart to ever seem even the least bit derivative. Hell, they even make Kiss's "Black Diamond" sound sincere! Other tracks include "Favorite Thing", "Androgynous", "Unsatisfied", "Seen Your Video", "Gary's Got A Boner", "Sixteen Blue" and "Answering Machine". CD

The masterpiece by one of the greatest, most sincere rock bands of all time! Let It Be veers all over the place, or at least as much as jangly rock music can, in the best way possible. Includes the pseudo twangy opener "I Will Dare", with the distinctly midwestern hardcore of the group's earlier years showing up on "We're Coming Out" and "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out", and Westerberg's great heart-on-sleeve, ragged balladry appearing for the closers. Like the Meat Puppets and X, the 'Mats really found themselves after they shed the rigid rules of punk rock, and developed into something every bit as honest and heartfelt. They followed the rock songbook just enough to keep their work warm and familiar, but with way too huge and hard-pounding heart to ever seem even the least bit derivative. Hell, they even make Kiss's "Black Diamond" sound sincere! Other tracks include "Favorite Thing", "Androgynous", "Unsatisfied", "Seen Your Video", "Gary's Got A Boner", "Sixteen Blue" and "Answering Machine". LP, Vinyl record album

The masterpiece by one of the greatest genuine rock bands of all time – finally remastered! Let It Be veers all over the place, or at least as much as jangly rock music can, in the best way possible. Includes the pseudo twangy opener "I Will Dare", with the distinctly midwestern hardcore of the group's earlier years showing up on "We're Coming Out" and "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out", and Westerberg's great heart-on-sleeve, ragged balladry appearing for the closers. Like the Meat Puppets and X, the 'Mats really found themselves after they shed the rigid rules of punk rock, and developed into something every bit as genuine. They followed the rock songbook just enough to keep their work warm and familiar, but with way too huge and hard-pounding heart to ever seem even the least bit derivative. Hell, they even make Kiss's "Black Diamond" sound sincere! Other tracks include "Favorite Thing", "Androgynous", "Unsatisfied", "Seen Your Video", "Gary's Got A Boner", "Sixteen Blue" and "Answering Machine". Includes 6 bonus tracks of outtakes & demos. CD

Wonderfully noisy, messy grooves from the mighty Mark Stewart – working here in the best spirit of the On-U sound years – when just about anything was allowable in the studio! Stewart's equally influenced by punk and dub, but also has a sound that's completely his own – very dark and moody, and filled with political energy from the Reagan/Thatcher era – with instrumentation from a host of other On-U label mates – including musicians from New Age Steppers, African Head Charge, and The Dub Syndicate – brooding under the kind of trippy percussion that only Adrian Sherwood could deliver at the time. A huge bridge between London of the punk years, and England of the Massive Attack/Tricky generation – with titles that include "Liberty City", "The Paranoia Of Power", "High Ideals & Crazy Dreams", "None Dare Call It Conspiracy", "Learning To Cope With Cowardice", "Blessed Are Those Who Struggle", and "Don't Ever Lay Down Your Arms". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest British groups of the 70s – presented here in all their glory – a huge package that includes all their full length albums in one set, plus rare bonus material too! The music here runs from the original quartet lineup through the time when Kevin Godley and Lol Creme stepped out – and 10CC still continued their genius approach to recording, with some of the most inventive studio work of their generation – and unusual, hook-heavy tunes that made for record after record that were full of sonic surprises! The set features all the albums – 10CC, Sheet Music, Original Soundtrack, How Dare You, Deceptive Bends, Live & Let Live, Bloody Tourists, Look Here, Ten Out Of 10, Windows In The Jungle, and Meanwhile – and also comes with 2 extra CDs of rare material – titled Bits We Missed – with 33 more tracks that include "Run Away", "Bee In My Bonnet", "Waterfall", "18 Carat Man Of Means", "Channel Swimmer", "Good News", "Hot To Trot", "Get It While You Can", "I'm So Laid Back I'm Laid Out", "Nothing Can Move Me", "Tomorrow's World Today", "Only Child", and "Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste". CD

The Vaqueros created music hundreds of miles from the ocean – working in the Twin Cities in the 60s – but that didn't stop them from creating some mighty nice surf numbers at the time, which were then mixed with more rocking numbers that sported a very cool female singer in the lead! That singer is Linda Anderson, who's almost got a rockabilly inspiration, but a few years too late – a style that makes for a really unique combination with the excellent surf-styled guitar work of the group – who shine equally well on their own when Linda's not in the lead! The tracks here were all unearthed from the Kay Bank archives – and titles include "Growing Pains", "69", "Don't You Dare", "80 Foot Wave", "Space Journey Ranger 7", "Birds & The Bees", "Island In Paradise", and "Soft Summer Rain". CD

The Vaqueros created music hundreds of miles from the ocean – working in the Twin Cities in the 60s – but that didn't stop them from creating some mighty nice surf numbers at the time, which were then mixed with more rocking numbers that sported a very cool female singer in the lead! That singer is Linda Anderson, who's almost got a rockabilly inspiration, but a few years too late – a style that makes for a really unique combination with the excellent surf-styled guitar work of the group – who shine equally well on their own when Linda's not in the lead! The tracks here were all unearthed from the Kay Bank archives – and titles include "Growing Pains", "69", "Don't You Dare", "80 Foot Wave", "Space Journey Ranger 7", "Birds & The Bees", "Island In Paradise", and "Soft Summer Rain". LP, Vinyl record album

A stunning, funny, and truly great collection of ultra-rare female tracks from the mid 50s – lots of honky tonk and rockabilly stompers – cut for labels like Fraternity, King, Sandy, and even Sun Records, all pulled together in one wonderfully-themed collection! You'll probably never see this primordial, sludgy early rock and underground country next to those great early Wanda Jackson albums in the bins – but these tracks are all cut from the same cloth, and emote the same pith and vinegar, if not the same innate ability to let loose with sheer early rock power! Great stuff – dug from even deeper reservoirs than the Nuggets compilers dare to look – and the set list will show you that there's plenty to discover in the early years of female rock and roll. Tracks include "Skull & Crossbones", "Killer" and "Tiger" by Sparkle Moore, "Everlasting Love" by Barbara Pittman, "Ten Cats Down" by the Miller Sisters, "Dirty Dishes" by Jeani Mack, "I'm Leaving" by Linda Brannon, "Wille Joe" by the Mystery Trio, "Sugar Baby" by Helen Bozeman, "Three Young Chicks" by the Star Sisters. CD

Very moody work from Polish keyboardist Wladyslaw Komendarek – an unreleased album from 1990, and one that features a whole host of Korg, Casio, and Yamaha Keyboards – all creating a dark soundscape that's very much in keeping with the image on the cover! This isn't playful robot music, as you might find in the work of Der Plan at the start of the previous decade – and instead, Komendarek crafts a very dystopic sort of record – each track longer than the next, and creating a world where it really seems like the robots have won the war! Titles include "Zadanie", "Inwazja", "Korekta Inteligencji", and "Milosc Robotow". The set also features two bonus tracks added to the record – "Synergia" and "Kepler 1649C". (Sound Library, Rock) CD

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You may know the Ozark Mountain Daredevils as a crossover AM radio act from the mid 70s – but on this early record, the group have a nicely rootsy vibe that certainly lives up to their name! Production is by David Anderle and Glyn Johns – who do a great job of avoiding some of the cliches of the nascent country rock scene – which really suits the way that the group brings some more personal themes to tunes that have a mixture of acoustic elements, especially harmonica, and some heavier rock touches. And the Ozark here might be a good way of nicely placing the album's feel away from some of the other work of the period – as the sound is neither LA country rock, nor upstate New York, nor even Memphis or Muscle Shoals. Titles include "Chicken Train", "Colorado Song", "Within Without", "Black Sky", "Road To Glory", "Standing On The Rock", and "Country Girl". CD

Maybe not the first album by Queen, but the record that really put them on the map – as the group create a wonderful sense of interplay between all the elements that make them so great – while also using the studio in ways the group had never dared before – taking their transcendent sound to the skies, and forever changing the face of rock in the 70s! The highlight of this approach, of course, is the groundbreaking "Bohemian Rhapsody" – one of the most unlikely pop hits of the time – served up here alongside the easier hit "You're My Best Friend" – in a masterful assemblage of tracks that also includes "I'm In Love With My Car", "39", "Sweet Lady", "Seaside Rendezvous", "The Prophet's Song", "God Save The Queen", "Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon", and "Death On Two Legs". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe not the first album by Queen, but the record that really put them on the map – as the group create a wonderful sense of interplay between all the elements that make them so great – while also using the studio in ways the group had never dared before – taking their transcendent sound to the skies, and forever changing the face of rock in the 70s! The highlight of this approach, of course, is the groundbreaking "Bohemian Rhapsody" – one of the most unlikely pop hits of the time – served up here alongside the easier hit "You're My Best Friend" – in a masterful assemblage of tracks that also includes "I'm In Love With My Car", "39", "Sweet Lady", "Seaside Rendezvous", "The Prophet's Song", "God Save The Queen", "Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon", and "Death On Two Legs". CD

Maybe not the first album by Queen, but the record that really put them on the map – as the group create a wonderful sense of interplay between all the elements that make them so great – while also using the studio in ways the group had never dared before – taking their transcendent sound to the skies, and forever changing the face of rock in the 70s! The highlight of this approach, of course, is the groundbreaking "Bohemian Rhapsody" – one of the most unlikely pop hits of the time – served up here alongside the easier hit "You're My Best Friend" – in a masterful assemblage of tracks that also includes "I'm In Love With My Car", "39", "Sweet Lady", "Seaside Rendezvous", "The Prophet's Song", "God Save The Queen", "Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon", and "Death On Two Legs". (Cassettes, Rock) Cassette

Hypnotic and frenzied instrumental sounds from the early 70s – heavy rhythms and fuzzy walls of guitar from Bob Thompson and Doug Snyder – a masterful piece of avant rock! Daily Dance is one of those records that's so far ahead of the pack stylistically, you can hardly believe it was made when it was. The songs are long and roll out in a way that makes it clear the players are unafraid of noise, but it's wholly riveting and finds a real groove – they set up their own dynamics and they work well within them. The duo does more with electric fuzz, echoes, and pounding rhythms than all too few boundless artists dared to even attempt – and it's a record that you could have easily convinced us was produced at some point in the 80s, 90s, or 00s rock underground had we not been informed it was from early 70s southern Ohio! Timeless, original and exciting stuff. Includes "Daily Dance", "Living With The Crocodiles", "Time Overlaps Itself", "Soul And Universe", "Hit And Run", "Truth Is A Pathless Land" and "Teenage Emergency". CD

Hypnotic and frenzied instrumental sounds from the early 70s – heavy rhythms and fuzzy walls of guitar from Bob Thompson and Doug Snyder – a masterful piece of avant rock! Daily Dance is one of those records that's so far ahead of the pack stylistically, you can hardly believe it was made when it was. The songs are long and roll out in a way that makes it clear the players are unafraid of noise, but it's wholly riveting and finds a real groove – they set up their own dynamics and they work well within them. The duo does more with electric fuzz, echoes, and pounding rhythms than all too few boundless artists dared to even attempt – and it's a record that you could have easily convinced us was produced at some point in the 80s, 90s, or 00s rock underground had we not been informed it was from early 70s southern Ohio! Timeless, original and exciting stuff. Includes "Daily Dance", "Living With The Crocodiles", "Time Overlaps Itself", "Soul And Universe", "Hit And Run", "Truth Is A Pathless Land" and "Teenage Emergency". CD

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Melodic psychedelia from 70s Iran – an incredible full scale anthology of recordings by guitarist and vocalist Kourosh Yaghmaei from the pre-revolution years – and an absolute treasure! Kouroush often recorded with his brothers – Kourosh singing lead and playing guitars or bass – with Kamran Yaghmaei on guitars and backing vocals and Kambiz Yaghmaei on keys and backing vocals. Other players contribute drums, bass and occasional additional elements – harmonica or horns on few tracks. The sound is a really wonderful amalgam of western garage, psych and strains of funk with native Iranian modes and tempos. The songs here sink in on an emotional level without us knowing a word of the language – the passionate vocals work wonderfully in that regard – but musically, it's innovative stuff that's nicely tripped out and heavily rhythmic, without compromising the melodic sensibility. The heavy duty 3LP set features 21 tracks in all – in a sweet 6 panel gatefold with a 24 page booklet – featuring extensive notes and photos, with Kourosh's story told in autobiographical detail. Like other recent Now Again packages, it's really beautifully done! Titles include "Gol E Yakh", "Dar Enteha", "Paiz", "Leila", "Del Dareh Pir Misheh", "Shirin Joon", "Ghazal", "Mosafere Shahre Baran", "Saghe", "Niyayesh", "Saraabe Toe", "Baroona", "Khaar", Bachehaye Khoobe Koocheh" and more. (Global Grooves, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album

Melodic psychedelia from 70s Iran – an incredible full scale anthology of recordings by guitarist and vocalist Kourosh Yaghmaei from the pre-revolution years – and an absolute treasure! Kouroush often recorded with his brothers – Kourosh singing lead and playing guitars or bass – with Kamran Yaghmaei on guitars and backing vocals and Kambiz Yaghmaei on keys and backing vocals. Other players contribute drums, bass and occasional additional elements – harmonica or horns on few tracks. The sound is a really wonderful amalgam of western garage, psych and strains of funk with native Iranian modes and tempos. The songs here sink in on an emotional level without us knowing a word of the language – the passionate vocals work wonderfully in that regard – but musically, it's innovative stuff that's nicely tripped out and heavily rhythmic, without compromising the melodic sensibility. The heavy duty 3LP set features 21 tracks in all – in a sweet 6 panel gatefold with a 24 page booklet – featuring extensive notes and photos, with Kourosh's story told in autobiographical detail. Like other recent Now Again packages, it's really beautifully done! Titles include "Gol E Yakh", "Dar Enteha", "Paiz", "Leila", "Del Dareh Pir Misheh", "Shirin Joon", "Ghazal", "Mosafere Shahre Baran", "Saghe", "Niyayesh", "Saraabe Toe", "Baroona", "Khaar", Bachehaye Khoobe Koocheh" and more. (Global Grooves, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album

A huge batch of Peruvian rock from the late 60s & early 70s – some hard driving and garagey, others more soulful or more psychedelic – fantastic stuff from groups like Los Incognitos, Los Texao, Madera Fresca, Free Love System and Opus! The groups work in a number of global rock influences, and they pull it all off very well, with excellent drumming and guitars on most tunes, and keys. Excellent stuff from the fertile Peruvian scene! A massive set of 21 tracks: "La Pelea Del Gobernador", "Stone" and more by Los Texao, "Un Paseo Por El Recuerdo", "Correteando Anoranzas" and more by Free Love System, "Ya Sera Tarde" , "Siempre Te Recordare" and more by Los Incognitos, "Amy Time" and "La Lenta Que Apura" by Madera Fresca, "Va Y Bien" by Opus and more. CD