The title here is very apt – as there's a reaching sort of vibe to the whole record – uplifting tunes from the farther reaches of the Numero catalog, all brought together in a way that really makes things soar! Genres shift nicely, and maybe the lack of description or cover notes is a good way of just making you trust the label and dive right in – something we've been doing for many years now! Tracks include "The Kiss" by Alex Johnson, "To Live In The Sea" by Masumi Hara, "Touch" by Calvin Keys, "Rain" by Bob Siebert, "Enchanted Pool Suite (prelude & part 1)" by Lenny White, "The Kiss" by Alex Johnson, "Thou Art With Me" by LaRhonda LeGette, "Past Life Regression" by ART Wilson, "Modulation Del Sol" by Ascending Wave, and "Gold Dust Twins" by Reach. (Funky Compilations, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album

The excellent, underappreciated mid 80s compilation of rare and unreleased Roky Erickson live recordings and studio material – recorded from the mid 70s to early 80s – with his backing bands The Explosives, The Aliens and Blieb Alien, plus a couple of sparely haunting beauties backed by guitarist Jack Johnson. It's great stuff – with some eccentric lyrics and some raucous instrumentation, but still finely crafted – as were Roky's proper studio albums from the period. Way more than an odds-and-ends compilation – this is just as vital as any Roky Erickson albums during this amazing period! Includes "Night Of The Vampire", "The Interpreter", "Song To Abe Lincoln", "Sweet Honey Pie", "I Am", his amazing, oddly uplifting cover of the Velvets' "Heroin" (recorded live at the Hollywood Whisky-A-Go-Go), the astonishingly beautiful "I Have Always Been Here Before", "Anthem (I Promise)", "Bermuda", "Burn The Flames", "I'm A Demon" and "The Beast". CD

A brilliant bit of work from the UK scene of the early 80s – a group formed out of the ashes of The Prefects, and driven strongly by the uniquely bristling energy of frontman Robert Lloyd! The record's got lots of fantastically jagged moments – punk into post-punk, but without the freer frenzy of The Fall – maybe more the well-rooted basslines of Gang Of Four, although the style of The Nightingales is very different! Lloyd's vocals and presence are wonderful – and the songs are laced together with all these fast, jagged guitar lines that are fantastic – a bit like those from the Ron Johnson label scene to come. Tracks include "Blood For Dirt", "Start From Scratch", "One Mistake", "It Lives Again", "Joking Apart", "Yeah, It's OK", "Under The Lash", "Blisters", "Don't Blink", "Elvis The Last Ten Days", and "Make Good". CD

With Chester Thompson and Patrice Rushen on keys, Alphonso Johnson on bass, Leon Ndugu Chancler on drums, and Armando Peraza and Jose Chepito Areas on percussion. Tracks include "Spiritual", "Elegant People", "Blues For Salvador", "Goodness And Mercy", "Europa", "and "Mandela". CD