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A really fantastic little package – one that's put together in collaboration between Island and Transatlantic Records, to document the hippest Brit folk and folk rock of the late 60s and early 70s. Features gems by Fairport Convention, Roy Harper, John Martyn, Pentangle, Ralph McTell, Martin Carthy, John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, Davey Graham, Jackson C Frank, Marc Brierley, Gryphon, Hedgehog Pie, Young Tradition, Shirley Collins, Mr Fox, Lindisfarne, Jack The Lad, and many others! (Folk/Country, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album

(Folk/Country, Rock) 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

Psychedelic troubadour Robyn Hitchcock unleashes 2 discs of live Dylan covers – in a touching homage to his childhood hero and muse! Disc 1 is a recreation of an actual 1966 Albert Hall Dylan concert! – 16 tracks in all. CD

A sweet collection of early 70s female post folk revival material – independent and long lost recordings from unknowns that used folk and psychedelia as offerings to each singer's idiosyncratic muse – and another incredible collection of deeply sought rare tunes from the Numero Group! Numero really blows us away with their ability to seek out and lovingly reissue lost recordings – and package them in beautiful and insightful collections – and this one is as impressive as anything they've done to date. It features singer songwriters from sleepy midwestern Illinois and Minnesota, to the enlightened, heightened Bay, and points between and beyond – with songs from records originally pressed in runs of 500 to 5000. The music is warm, groovy and sincere as can be, much of it surprisingly timeless! Includes: "A Special Path" by Becky Severson, "Cricket" by Collie Ryan, "Sunlight Shadow" by Linda Rich, "Engram" by Caroline Peyton, "And I A Fairytale Lady" by Carla Sciaky, "Window" by Judy Kelly, "Dedication" by Mary Perrin, "Rain" by Marj Snyder, "Wildman" by Ginny Reilly. (Folk/Country, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album

A mixed bag record, but with some really wonderful moments – and essential listening as a lead-up to the Pet Sounds album to follow! There's a mix of styles here – some rough rocking numbers that are a bit stiff, mixed with some really amazing tunes that get at Brian Wilson's new sensitivities – tunes like "Girl Don't Tell Me", "You're So Good To Me", "Summer Means New Love", and "Let Him Run Wild" – all complicated in subtle ways, with a great sense of tension underneath. Other tracks include "Help Me Rhonda (45 single version)", "California Girls", "I'm Bugged At My Old Man", and "Amusement Parks USA". CD

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A well-remembered set from The Cocteau Twins' sublime 80s run on the 4AD label – a set that was one of the duo's first American titles, culled together from some of their early singles and import EP releases! The song choices are wonderful – some of the most focused, expressive cuts from the first few Cocteau years – magical moments that have the wordless vocals of Liz Frazier carving out these really beautiful melodies – while lush keyboards and splashy rhythms fill in the background with that unique 4AD style of production. There's still never been anything like the group at this point over all the years that have past – and the album's filled with gems that include "Wax & Wane", "Pearly Dewdrop Drops", "From The Flagstones", "Lorelei", "Aikea Guinea", "Pepper Tree", and "Musette & Drums". LP, Vinyl record album

A damn strong late effort from Leonard Cohen – we need to soak this one in a bit more before calling it the best of his later albums, but it's quite likely that! One thing you never need worry about is the quality of the songs, and Leonard delivers beautifully as usual – starting off with the sly, self-conscious and amused reflection "Going Home" – which is hard to top, but there's lots to love on Old Ideas. The production is better built to last than some of his work from the late 80s onward – his hushed, smoky phrasing as brilliant as it's been in years, accompanied by lovely backup singers and a great band. What else would you ask for from this fella? Includes "Going Home", "Amen", "Darkness", "Anyhow", "Crazy To Love You", "Come Healing", "Lullaby", "Different Sides", "Show Me The Place" and "Banjo". CD

Easily one of Donovan's most successful albums – but also a brilliant blend of folk and jazz that forged a bold new sound in the 60s! Part of the strength of the set comes from arranger John Cameron – an artist that we love for his jazz and easy work of the late 60s, and who's working here with players that include British jazzmen Phil Seamen, Tony Carr, Ronnie Ross, and Harold McNair! The instrumental component of the album alone is worth the price of admission – as Cameron gently blends together moddish and trippy styles, alongside some folksier vocals and guitar from Donovan. But it's also Donovan's own extrapolation of styles of the time that really makes the album a masterpiece – a strange post-folk mode of expression that's almost a British counterpart to the genius of Simon & Garfunkel, but which is arguably darker and more intellectual. Apart from classic hits like "Museum" and "Mellow Yellow", the album also features some moodier brilliance on tracks that include "The Observation", "Hampstead Incident", "Sunny South Kensington", "Writer In The Sun", "Sand & Foam", and "House Of Jansch". LP, Vinyl record album

Extremely heady work from the French scene of the early 70s – and hardly the Latin Rock album you might guess from the title! Ergo Sum have a sound that's as contemplative as their name – a slow-building, almost brooding blend of jamming, jazzy work on flute, Fender Rhodes, organ, guitar, violin, bass, and drums – all topped by the distinctive vocals of Lionel Ledissez, who's got a raspy, rough-edged appeal that almost sounds like Cat Stevens gone to seed! The lyrics are all in English, which adds to the appeal of the record – and the flute and keyboard parts are handled by Jean Guerin. Titles include "Night Road", "John's Nightmare", "Faces", "Second Rebirth", and "Albdion Impressions". As with all Lion reissues, the production is wonderful – lots of notes and photos on the music, plus bonus tracks that include "Mexico (inst)", "It's Me", "Tijuana", and "All's So Comic". CD

The classic music of Kraftwerk – re-presented beautifully in this excellent box set! The package features material from famous recent live performances by the quartet – as they go back and present new takes on classic albums – from Autobahn through Radioactivity, Trans Europe Express, Man Machine, Computer World, and Techno Pop – all played live, with incredible sound that shows the way the group link their earlier analogue brilliance with the newly expanded sonic possibilities of the 21st Century! The set also features a full disc that expands on Tour De France, with other singles – and a CD titled The Mix – which also includes a special "headphone surround 3D" mix! Performances were recorded at the Museum Of Modern Art, Sydney Opera House, Tate Modern, Paradiso Amsterdam, and other global venues – and the package features eight full albums worth of material – all in a cool box with great graphics. CD

Led Zeppelin at their most sprawling – in both ambition and in the pacing – on the gargantuan Physical Graffiti! This is the album where they started bringing some odd synth textures to the sound, and it's to Zeppelin's eternal credit that this doesn't compromise their blues-reverent hard rock one bit! There's no better Zeppelin album when it comes to giving the fans what they want, while chasing the band's adventurous muses at the same time. Includes the classics "Kashmir", "Custard Pie", "Houses Of The Holy", "In The Light", "Ten Years Gone", "Boogie With Stu", "Sick Again" and more. (Cassettes, Rock) Cassette

Led Zeppelin at their most sprawling – in both ambition and in the pacing – on the gargantuan Physical Graffiti! This is the album where they started bringing some odd synth textures to the sound, and it's to Zeppelin's eternal credit that this doesn't compromise their blues-reverent hard rock one bit! There's no better Zeppelin album when it comes to giving the fans what they want, while chasing the band's adventurous muses at the same time. Includes the classics "Kashmir", "Custard Pie", "Houses Of The Holy", "In The Light", "Ten Years Gone", "Boogie With Stu", "Sick Again" and more. CD

Led Zeppelin at their most sprawling – in both ambition and in the pacing – on the gargantuan Physical Graffiti! This is the album where they started bringing some odd synth textures to the sound, and it's to Zeppelin's eternal credit that this doesn't compromise their blues-reverent hard rock one bit! There's no better Zeppelin album when it comes to giving the fans what they want, while chasing the band's adventurous muses at the same time. Includes the classics "Kashmir", "Custard Pie", "Houses Of The Holy", "In The Light", "Ten Years Gone", "Boogie With Stu", "Sick Again" and more. CD

Led Zeppelin at their most sprawling – in both ambition and in the pacing – on the gargantuan Physical Graffiti! This is the album where they started bringing some odd synth textures to the sound, and it's to Zeppelin's eternal credit that this doesn't compromise their blues-reverent hard rock one bit! There's no better Zeppelin album when it comes to giving the fans what they want, while chasing the band's adventurous muses at the same time. Includes the classics "Kashmir", "Custard Pie", "Houses Of The Holy", "In The Light", "Ten Years Gone", "Boogie With Stu", "Sick Again" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

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Their first album – on 4AD! LP, Vinyl record album

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16 tracks that supposedly define what the hipsters have been listening to in NYC for the past 40 years. Titles include "What If?" by Bongwater, "Slum Goddess" by The Fugs, "Dreams" by Suicide, "Cavern" by Liquid Liquid, "Run Run Run" by The Velvet Underground, "Don't Let Me Stop You" by Glen Branca, "In The Temple Of Hadjarim" by John Zorn, "File Under Futurism" by DJ Spooky, "Prefeelings" by Arto Lindsay, "Venus De Milo" by Television, and "Bob The Bob" by The Lounge Lizards. CD