A key blend of two chapters in David Bowie's career – his guitar-heavy groove with the Spiders From Mars, and his 60s roots in mod London! The tracks here all date from the mid 60s, and are Bowie's homage to that period in his life – but they're all played with a glammish 70s sensibility, and some definite Ziggy Stardust elements in the way the guitars come into the mix. Given Bowie's rise as a key songwriter of his time, the step back to an album of all covers is a surprising, but genius move – and the execution of the tunes here comes off brilliantly – with plenty of personal spirit that keeps them from being simple rehashes of hits! Tracks include "See Emily Play", "Friday On My Mind", "I Can't Explain", "Everything's Alright", "Don't Bring Me Down", "Shapes Of Things", and "Here Comes The Night". LP, Vinyl record album

Snotty New York rock with more than just an undercurrent of comedy running through the beefy tunes, and a heavy dose of good ole cockrock swagger fueling the proceeding! This record by the Dictator's is truly, completely punk – even though the groove is closer to the crotch thrusting of a garage version of Bad Company than it is to the CBGB's varieties. The Dictators are punks in the truest sense – sarcastic a**holes that perfected sneering irony a couple decades before smug indie rockers killed it forever. Handsome Dick Manitoba and the boys run through 9 numbers on this classic debut LP: "The Next Big Thing", "I Got You Babe", "Back To Africa", "Master Race Rock", "Teengenerate", "California Sun", "Two Tub Man", "Weekend" and "(I Live For) Cars & Girls". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Wonderful! Shawn Phillips started his career as a shaggy folk rocker with a bit of a jazzy twinge – but this album collects odd bits and pieces that were left off of earlier albums, and works perfectly as a record that shows a whole new side of his genius! The album shows Phillips as a master of the funky jazz groove – and although he's still singing on some of the songs, he also lets loose with a number of instrumental cuts, laid out in a tight well-produced mode that puts them up there with some of the best work coming out on labels like Fantasy or Blue Note during the mid 70s. The centerpiece of these is the massive long cut "We Came To Say Goodbye", which builds and builds over the course of 15 minutes, with cool keyboards, great guitar, and the kind of tightly compressed grooves you'd expect to find on a Headhunters album (no surprise, since Headhunters Mike Clark, Bill Summers, and Paul Jackson are on the cut!) Other instrumental tracks include "Prelude To A Leaving" and "Italian Phases" – and strong vocal numbers include "Parisian Plight 1" and "Your Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album

An early breakthrough for ZZ Top – a raucous hard electric blues rock classic that was popular at the time, if not critically beloved – finally getting its deserved respect nowadays for timeless grit and groove! The opening couple of classics "Waitin' For The Bus" and "Jesus Just Left Chicago" flow one to the other seamlessly and set the mood perfectly, and it's pretty much one great tune after another from there, including "Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers", "Master Of Sparks", "Hot, Blue And Righteous", "Move Me On Down The Line", "Precious And Grace", the almighty, never to diminish "La Grange", "Sheik" and "Have You Heard". LP, Vinyl record album

There's a cinematic look to the cover of this set by singer Tomoko Aran – and there's almost a cinematic presentation to the music too – but all in the best sort of 80s style you might hope for at the time! The work was put together by arranger Hideo Saito and Toru Shigemi – and the instrumentation is on the jazzier side of the spectrum, with plenty of guitar from Saito and keyboards from Shigemi – bumping out in sweet 80s production that seems to not only emphasize all the best hooks in Tomoko's vocals, but also give the thing a groove like some of the vocal tracks from a big 80s mainstream film. Lyrics are in Japanese through, as are most titles – and some tracks include "Luna", "Feel So Free", "Lucifer", and "Last Goodbye". (Japanese, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album

A masterpiece of mid 70s jazz rock – from an obscure combo that features work by fusion legend Todd Cochrane Bayete! Bayete recorded two wonderful albums for Prestige before this set – and although the record has him moving into a much more rock-based style than on his fusion sessions, there's still a really cosmic groove at play here – infused with Bayete's soulful vocals and strong keyboard lines! Titles include "My Pearl", "Comin Through", "One N One", "Geni Geni", "There's A Way", "ITD", "Automatic Man", and "Atlantis Rising Theme". (Soul, Rock) CD

A masterpiece of mid 70s jazz rock – from an obscure combo that features work by fusion legend Todd Cochrane Bayete! Bayete recorded two wonderful albums for Prestige before this set – and although the record has him moving into a much more rock-based style than on his fusion sessions, there's still a really cosmic groove at play here – infused with Bayete's soulful vocals and strong keyboard lines! Titles include "My Pearl", "Comin Through", "One And One", "Geni Geni", "There's A Way", "ITD", "Automatic Man", and "Atlantis Rising Theme". (Soul, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album

The landmark first album from The Band – and along with the follow-up, it's among the greatest records of its time – which is all the more astounding given how independent of late 60s trends it is! Each member of The Band brings such inimitable textures – Garth Hudson's imposing organ grooves, Richard Manuel's aching tenor vocals, Rick Danko's voice and distinctive bass lines, Levon Helm's behind-the-beat drumming and the country wisdom of his voice, Robertson's guitar mastery – this really was THE Band. Includes "Tears Of Rage", "In A Station", "The Weight", "Long Black Veil", "Chest Fever", "Lonesome Suzie", "This Wheels On Fire", "I Shall Be Released" and more. CD

The birth of a legend – a smoking double-length collection of early work from Paul Butterfield and his Blues Band – a group that forever changed the sound of rock in the 70s, thanks to the way in which they really pushed their blues influences into great new territory for the psych and harder rock crowd! Butterfield was the real deal, right from the start – a young kid playing in Chicago blues bars on the south side, which gave him plenty of experience by the time he banded together with the key musicians who'd help him forge his groove – Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop, both masters of guitar whose work alongside Butterfield's vocals and harmonica really helped the music cook. Other players come into the mix along the way too, including the great Nick Gravenites – and the group sometimes add in more horns to further expand the soulful sound of their music. Titles include "Look Over Yonder's Wall", "Walkin Blues", "East West", "Spoonful", "One More Mile", "Mary Mary", "Born In Chicago", "Love March", "Last Hope's Gone", and "One More Heartbeat". CD

One of the great lost groups of the UK scene of the 60s – not lost to UK audiences, or to hipsters over the generations – but still an act that never made the impact on these shores that they should! The Creation are step in step right up there with early material by The Who or Small Faces – and share a similar groundbreaking re-fusion of American roots into a new London groove – all with searing guitars, clever wordplay, and a cutting-edge spirit that may well have kept them off our charts – but which makes them so great to discover all these many years later. You might have caught a few of their songs over the years – thanks to soundtrack placement from directors like Wes Anderson, or covers by many of their bigger fans. This 2CD set features 46 tracks in all, with remastering overseen by original producer Shel Talmy – and the set includes early sides by The Mark Four, some alternate takes, and even new mixes – plus an 80 page hardcover book with scores of photos, other images, session and discographical details, and a new essay too. CD

One of the great lost groups of the UK scene of the 60s – not lost to UK audiences, or to hipsters over the generations – but still an act that never made the impact on these shores that they should! The Creation are step in step right up there with early material by The Who or Small Faces – and share a similar groundbreaking re-fusion of American roots into a new London groove – all with searing guitars, clever wordplay, and a cutting-edge spirit that may well have kept them off our charts – but which makes them so great to discover all these many years later. You might have caught a few of their songs over the years – thanks to soundtrack placement from directors like Wes Anderson, or covers by many of their bigger fans. This 2CD set features 46 tracks in all, with remastering overseen by original producer Shel Talmy – and the set includes early sides by The Mark Four, some alternate takes, and even new mixes – plus an 80 page hardcover book with scores of photos, other images, session and discographical details, and a new essay too. CD

Really important early live work from The Doors – a performance at the legendary Matrix club in San Francisco – and one of the first concert recordings ever done of the group! The set wasn't originally part of their legacy with Elektra Records, but has become rehoused as a key part of their catalog at the label – a really burning performance that effortlessly mixes blues inspirations, psych inclinations, and that very special quality that the band was forging right from the start! As with other unearthed Matrix recordings – which seem to show up more and more as the years go on – the whole thing is a key window into not just a moment in the group, but a moment in the scene as well – even though, reportedly, the concerts were very under-attended at the time. This triple-length package brings together the entire five nights of recording, with lots of unissued material – including surprising versions of jazz tunes "Bag's Groove" and "All Blues" – plus never-heard versions of "Summer's Almost Gone", "When The Music's Over", "My Eyes Have Seen You", "Alabama Song", "Break On Through", and "Moonlight Drive". CD

A later masterpiece from the duo of Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt – maybe their strongest record since their early years – and a great way of allowing their always-strong songwriting a chance to find a new sort of groove! In this case, the music is both a step back to the more acoustic colors of their first record or two – and a nod to some of the new rhythms that were coming from the London scene – used here in very subtle but brilliant ways by Watt, who'd soon go on to make some of his own creative sounds in new formats. As always, the vocals of Thorn are breathtaking and heartbreaking in ways we can hardly begin to describe – on titles that include "We Walk The Same Line", "I Don't Understand Anything", "Troubled Mind", "Rollercoaster", "Get Me", "25th December", and "Missing". CD

Nine incredible albums from the legendary Serge Gainsbourg – all presented together here in a limited box set, with very high quality vinyl, and half-speed mastering that makes the records sound even better than ever before! The set begins with a number of key early albums by Serge – work that shows him emerging from the postwar left bank scene, and working in a mix of jazz and Latin styles, always with the sharp edge, wit, and offbeat approach to material that made his music so great! Next are two records with famous female co-stars – one record that has the lovely Brigitte Bardot working with Serge – getting some fantastic grooves in the process, and also pushing boundaries of sexual liberation in the 60s! That same mode follows in Gainsbourg's famous album with life partner Jane Birkin – barely an adult at the time of recording, but a fantastic muse for Serge's music! The set also features a record exclusive to this set – rare 60s material from singles and soundtracks – featuring some of Gainsbourg's famous cinematic performances! Other albums on the set include Du Chant A La Lune, Serge Gainsbourg No 2, L'Etonnant Serge Gainsbourg, Serge Gainsbourg No 4, Confidentiel, Gainsbourg Percussions, Initials BB, and Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg – and all albums come with their original artwork inside the slipcase! (French, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album

A mid 70s masterpiece of heavy space rock from Hawkwind – one of their best albums ever! The sci fi errata that was always such crucial element to Hawkwind's ouvre is of course, still here in force, but the heavier, more insistent and lumbering groove really serves them well – spacey, hard rocking fun from legendary group that sounds as great here as they ever would on a studio album! Includes "The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear In Smoke)", "D-Rider", "Web Weaver", "Goat Willow", "Paradox", "Lost Johnny" and more. With 4 bonus tracks. CD

The complete recordings of July – a set that features their rare original album, unreleased tracks, and lots of surprisingly great later material too! First up is the self-titled July album from 1968, presented in both mono and stereo mixes – the debut album from July – a group who only gave the world this gem of a record back at the end of the 60s – but who've gone on to become legendary, based on the strength of the set! The whole thing is a real standout in the psych scene of the UK – well-crafted songs that are tight, but groovy and loose at the same time – tuneful, but filled with experiments – and produced with just the right sort of inventive qualities to make the special flourishes and individual moments of genius really come to light! There's so many great things going on here – an all-rich, no-filler record that's filled with gems that include "My Clown", "Dandelion Seeds", "Jolly Mary", "Hallo To Me", "You Missed It All", "The Way", "To Be Free", "Crying Is For Writers", "I See", and "A Bird Lived". Next is Second Of July – a great counterpart to the legendary self-titled album from July – material recorded in a private setting, to predate that psych masterpiece – but every bit as stunning overall! The quality of this work goes way beyond its origins as demo material – as the sound is wonderful, the musical ideas very rich, and overall psychedelic conception is amazing! There's no overindulgence, but also no easy pop psych modes either – and it's really incredible how much these guys can pack into a short song – from unusual guitar lines, to freewheeling rhythms, and trippy ideas in the lyrics. Many numbers have a sweet groove underneath, and are slightly freakbeatish – but there's also a much more unique feel to the record as well. Tracks include "Dandelion Seeds", "You Missed It All", "My Clown", "Friendly Man", "I See", "The Girl In The Cafe", and "Move On Sweet Flower". The box set then moves into two later albums from a re-formed group – Temporal Anomaly and Resurrection – both of which feature material conceived over a number of years, issued on Resurrection in 2013, and on Temporal Anomaly here for the first time ever. Tracks are great – still very much in the spirit of the classic material, and produced with a nicely understated vibe. Last up is The Wight Album – a recent project from July – still sounding surprisingly great after all these years! At this point, the group is a duo – original members Peter Cook and Tom Newman – but they really manage to craft some great sounds here, with a style that ties back to their initial recording in 1968, and which features some of the successful flourishes of their revived activity from about a decade ago! The tunes are way better than any sort of younger attempt at material like this – mostly because there's a nicely understated, although still quite psychedelic, approach to the whole thing – maybe a reminder that with the best psych records, charm is every bit as important as fuzz. Titles on the double-length set include "The Traveler", "Sophie", "Special Guy", "Henry's Squirrel", "Seeking The Hacksaw Blades", "The Game", "What's Gonna Be", "Disco Klingon", "Mods Of Ryde", "It's Up To Me", and "Once When We Was Free". CD

A great counterpart to the legendary self-titled album from July – material recorded in a private setting, to predate that psych masterpiece – but every bit as stunning overall! The quality of this work goes way beyond its origins as demo material – as the sound is wonderful, the musical ideas very rich, and overall psychedelic conception is amazing! There's no overindulgence, but also no easy pop psych modes either – and it's really incredible how much these guys can pack into a short song – from unusual guitar lines, to freewheeling rhythms, and trippy ideas in the lyrics. Many numbers have a sweet groove underneath, and are slightly freakbeatish – but there's also a much more unique feel to the record as well. Tracks include "Dandelion Seeds", "You Missed It All", "My Clown", "Friendly Man", "I See", "The Girl In The Cafe", and "Move On Sweet Flower". CD

A madly grooving late 60s French soundtrack by Jean-Pierre Mirouze – and a masterful one at that – with sounds that range from a moody, dramatic vocal tune to some killer instrumental funk! The haunting "Together" opens the record in a great way – with a mystical mellow vibe and English language vocals by Barry Green. Subsequent instrumental tunes have a similarly evocative or sultrier vibe – while others such as "Sexopolis" have heavy Hammond, massive rhythms, and a totally freaked-out groove! Includes "Tivoli Garden", "Ulla Et Georgie", "Karin On The Ryke", "Lovers Party", "Tivoly By Night", "Scene Du Port" and "Tandoori Dance". (Soundtracks, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album

The second and best album by Morphine – rightly remembered as a much needed antidote to the grunge and mainstream alternative rock that was taking over pop culture at the time – and an enduring, ageless classic that would stand out in any era! Morphine's previous album was nearly as great, but Cure For Pain is nearly perfect. Mark Sandman's 2-string slide bass sound is indeed perfectly paired with his own vocals, the sax and drums doing the rest of the work instrumentally – there was only a couple years in which they'd really surprise us sonically with this setup, but what an amazing couple of years – and albums! Includes "Dawna", "Buena", "I'm Free Now", "All Wrong", "Candy", In Spite Of Me", "Thursday", "Cure For Pain", "Sheila", "Let's Take A Trip Together". LP, Vinyl record album

Insane grooves from arranger Mustafa Ozkent – an artist who was to Turkey what Lalo Schifrin was to the US in the 70s! Like Lalo, Mustafa had a great ear for mixing funkier rhythms and fuller orchestrations – often with odd instrumental twists and turns that bubble over with a fair bit of electricity over heavy percussion – kind of in an Incredible Bongo Band way, but with some moogier touches overall! The record's an instrumental masterpiece through and through – filled with enough heavy breaks to satisfy even the pickiest crate-digger, but also the more complicated arrangements to appeal to fans of funky 70s soundtracks! Titles include "Uskudar", "Burcak", "Dolana", "Carsamba", "Lorke", "Ayas", "Emmioglu", and "Karadir". LP, Vinyl record album

Insane grooves from arranger Mustafa Ozkent – an artist who was to Turkey what Lalo Schifrin was to the US in the 70s! Like Lalo, Mustafa had a great ear for mixing funkier rhythms and fuller orchestrations – often with odd instrumental twists and turns that bubble over with a fair bit of electricity over heavy percussion – kind of in an Incredible Bongo Band way, but with some moogier touches overall! The record's an instrumental masterpiece through and through – filled with enough heavy breaks to satisfy even the pickiest crate-digger, but also the more complicated arrangements to appeal to fans of funky 70s soundtracks! Titles include "Uskudar", "Burcak", "Dolana", "Carsamba", "Lorke", "Ayas", "Emmioglu", and "Karadir". LP, Vinyl record album

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 Rolling Stones at their rawest, most shambling, sleazy and brilliant – the epic, unimpeachable Exile On Main Street! What can we say about one of the most iconic LPs of all time other than chime in with our agreement that it's one of the greatest rock albums ever! Big choruses come and go, but the easy hooks of earlier and later Stones hits are buried in mud, grit and a sleazy bluesy groove. Titles include "Rocks Off", "Rip This Joint", "Tumbling Dice", "Sweet Virginia", "Loving Cub", "Torn And Frayed", "Let It Loose", "All Down The Line", "Shine A Light", "Soul Survivor" and more. CD

The Rolling Stones at their rawest, most shambling, sleazy and brilliant – the epic, unimpeachable Exile On Main Street! What can we say about one of the most iconic LPs of all time other than chime in with our agreement that it's one of the greatest rock albums ever! Big choruses come and go, but the easy hooks of earlier and later Stones hits are buried in mud, grit and a sleazy bluesy groove. Titles include "Rocks Off", "Rip This Joint", "Tumbling Dice", "Sweet Virginia", "Loving Cub", "Torn And Frayed", "Let It Loose", "All Down The Line", "Shine A Light", "Soul Survivor" and more. 2CD deluxe remastered edition includes a bonus disc with 10 previously unreleased tracks that were recorded in the Exile era, some finished up specifically for this release. Bonus tracks include "Pass The Wine", "Plundered My Soul", "Dancing In The Light", "Following The River", "So Divine (Aladdin Story)", alternate takes of "Loving Cup" and "Soul Survivor" and more! CD