Quite an obscure one by Love – a mid 70s record that actually has quite a bit of soul in the mix! The album almost seems to be going for a Sly Stone approach – expanding the group past Arthur Lee and crew with a host of additional players that include Harvey Mandel, Bobby Lyle, and Joey Deguero. There's still plenty of bluesy and rocky tracks – but there's also a great cover of William DeVaughn's "Be Thankful For What You Got" – done in a chunky mode that really hits a great groove with us (and which is proof that people were covering the tune even back when it was first released!) Other tracks move between soulful rock, Thin Lizzy-esque compressed guitar numbers, and other styles that show a bit more soul than might be expected. Titles include "Time Is Like A River", "Everybody's Gotta Live", "You Said You Would", "Busted Feet", "With A Little Energy", and "Who Are You". LP, Vinyl record album

A really cool collection of Beatles' tunes – one that brings together material from all the films they were involved with – including "I Should Have Known Better", "Help", "And I Love Her", "Ticket To Ride", "I Am The Walrus", "All You Need Is Love", "Get Back", and lots more! LP, Vinyl record album

A mighty impressive box set of previously unreleased Can – incredible stuff captured throughout their groundbreaking run from the late 60s to mid 70s – culled from hours and hours of tapes of the sessions that could have just as easily wound up on any of their classic records of the period! We figured that this would almost certainly be a solid companion piece to their initial run of classic albums – but the best thing about it is that out stands up really well on its own. Can pretty famously let the tapes run while they worked things out and let the magic happen spontaneously, so it stands to reason a lot of brilliant stuff was left on those tapes! We're surprised it took so long to pour through it and assemble some of the best of the "lost" material, but better late than never! Since it covers the full late 60s & early 70s periods, it's got bits with Mooney and Suzuki, hypnotic live takes, slow-building tension, moody lulls and violent bursts of sound – it's Can, alright! 30 tracks sequenced brilliantly over 3CDs – and it comes a reel-to-reel style box with a 10-inch booklet. Titles include "Millionenspiel", "Waiting For The Street Car", "Evening All Day", "Deadly Doris", "Bubble Rap", "Your Friendly Neighborhood Whore", "Bilnd Mirror Sur", "Bubble Rap", "Godzilla Fragment", "Barnacles", "The Agreement", "The Loop", "A Swan Is Born" and more. CD

An essential record by The Smiths – even if it wasn't initially conceived as a full length album! The set brings together important early radio material by the group – but sounds that are recorded on a par with their album or single releases – yet often in slightly different variations that have become incredibly memorable over the years. Some material was done for John Peel – but at a level that's way better than most Peel Sessions – and honestly, to our ears, some of these versions are way better – way more urgent – than the versions that showed up on the first two albums. Given that this one was issued right around the same time as Meat Is Murder, it's a crucial part of The Smiths' history – and it's overstuffed with lots of tracks, making it almost even a better deal than the early albums. Titles include "This Charming Man", "How Soon Is Now", "Hand In Glove", "Still Ill", "Girl Afraid", "Accept Yourself", "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now", "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want", "Reel Around The Fountain", and more! CD

Richard Thompson's strictly instrumentals set from 1981 – not just folk guitar – Thompson plays acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin and and more, only accompanied on the percussion – and the stylistic breadth is as wide as his musicianship is strong! Thompson utilizes modern recording innovations to to faithfully present a variety timeless folk instrumentalism here – remarkably strong material that covers many folk styles. Thompson's such a great songwriter, you'd think we'd miss his voice to much, but he's such a devoted musician, it's actually a great joy to simply listen to him play. Includes "New-Fangled Reel-Kerry Reel", "Vaillance Polka Militia-Belfast Polka", "Do It For My Sake", "Rockin' In Rhythm", "The Random Jig-The Grinder", "Andalus-Radio Marakesh", "The Knife-Edge" and more. CD

Richard Thompson's strictly instrumentals set from 1981 – not just folk guitar – Thompson plays acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin and and more, only accompanied on the percussion – and the stylistic breadth is as wide as his musicianship is strong! Thompson utilizes modern recording innovations to to faithfully present a variety timeless folk instrumentalism here – remarkably strong material that covers many folk styles. Thompson's such a great songwriter, you'd think we'd miss his voice to much, but he's such a devoted musician, it's actually a great joy to simply listen to him play. Includes "New-Fangled Reel-Kerry Reel", "Vaillance Polka Militia-Belfast Polka", "Do It For My Sake", "Rockin' In Rhythm", "The Random Jig-The Grinder", "Andalus-Radio Marakesh", "The Knife-Edge" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A totally cool bit of French prog from the 70s – served up by a group who definitely have some vocals, but who often seem very content to just focus on their instrumentation – a warmly wonderful blend of guitar, organ, bass, and drums! There's a quality here that's really nice – never too-jamming, nor too concerned with trying to show off the way they can be complex with their instrumentation – and instead, the group are happy to let the sounds gel nicely, often with a slightly gentle vibe – in that laidback way that can make French prog so different than other work on the Euro scene. Titles include "L'Arbre", "La Montre", "Cages En Beton", "Sans Nom", and "Passant De La Nuit". LP, Vinyl record album

A sweet bit of Argentine prog, served up with a slightly jazzy vibe at times – maybe in part because by the end of the 70s, so many groups didn't care as much about the lines in the sand that were being drawn a few years before! The keyboards are definitely proggy – spun out by singer Cesar Pueyrredon with an effortless quality – but grounded a bit more by the guitar work, and some rock solid drums and bass – augmented just slightly by guest tenor on one cut. Titles include "Au Es Tiempo De Sonar", "Vispera", "Preguntas Al Cielo", "Quien Se Acordara", and the long "El Escultor Y La Estatua". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic collection of Chuck Berry's early genius – a set that introduced his best cuts to a new younger audience in the 70s! All the work here is from the early Chess Records days – and titles include "Deep Feeling", "Wee Wee Hours", "Nadine", "Brown-Eyed Handsome Man", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Thirty Days", "Havana Moon", "Too Much Monkey Business", "School Days", "Reelin & Rockin", "Oh Baby Doll", "Too Pooped To Pop", "Round & Round", "Rock & Roll Music", and "Back In The USA". (Soul, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album

Includes the songs "Maybellene", "30 Days", "You Can't Catch Me", "Too Much Monkey Business", "Brown-Eyed Handsome Man", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Havana Moon", "School Days", "Rock And Roll Music", "Oh Baby Doll", "Reelin' & Rockin'", "Sweet Little Sixteen", "Johnny B. Goode", "Around And Around", "Carol", "Beautiful Delilah", "Memphis", "Sweet Little Rock And Roller", "Little Queenie", "Almost Grown", "Back In The USA", "Let It Rock", "Bye Bye Johnny", "I'm Talking About You", "Come On", "Nadine", "No Particular Place To Go", and "I Want To Be Your Driver". (Soul, Rock) CD

A really heady record from the Venezuelan scene of the 70s – a record that mixes hard rock energy with prog-styled instrumentation, all at a level that creates some really dynamic sounds overall! These guys take off right from the start – and although the record's a concept album, the approach here is maybe a bit more open overall, and liberates the set from some of the traps that an Anglo group like this might fall into – or maybe it's just us and our weak understanding of Spanish, which allows us to take the tunes as they come! Titles include "Kazmor El Prisionero", "Mi Cancion", "Inocetnes Perdidos", "Prisa", "Advenimiento/Trayectoria", and "El Asuente". LP, Vinyl record album

A really heady record from the Venezuelan scene of the 70s – a record that mixes hard rock energy with prog-styled instrumentation, all at a level that creates some really dynamic sounds overall! These guys take off right from the start – and although the record's a concept album, the approach here is maybe a bit more open overall, and liberates the set from some of the traps that an Anglo group like this might fall into – or maybe it's just us and our weak understanding of Spanish, which allows us to take the tunes as they come! Titles include "Kazmor El Prisionero", "Mi Cancion", "Inocetnes Perdidos", "Prisa", "Advenimiento/Trayectoria", and "El Asuente". LP, Vinyl record album

A mighty nice record that carries on some of the work from the European scene of the early 70s – that moment when prog got a slight influence from classical in the way the instrumentation opened up – not just with the virtuoso dexterity of the players, but also in the way the sound would rise up and almost create a more symphonic sensibility from a smaller combo performance! By that, we don't mean that this is a "with strings" presentation – just that the group have a way of soaring together, which really fits the vocals on the tunes too – all in Spanish, given that these guys hail from Venezuela – on titles that include "Krakatoa", "Aun No Puedo Ver", "Arco Iris", "Sharon", "Blanco Y Negro", "Mar Vestido De Mujer", and "Paginas De Tiempo". LP, Vinyl record album

A mighty nice record that carries on some of the work from the European scene of the early 70s – that moment when prog got a slight influence from classical in the way the instrumentation opened up – not just with the virtuoso dexterity of the players, but also in the way the sound would rise up and almost create a more symphonic sensibility from a smaller combo performance! By that, we don't mean that this is a "with strings" presentation – just that the group have a way of soaring together, which really fits the vocals on the tunes too – all in Spanish, given that these guys hail from Venezuela – on titles that include "Krakatoa", "Aun No Puedo Ver", "Arco Iris", "Sharon", "Blanco Y Negro", "Mar Vestido De Mujer", and "Paginas De Tiempo". LP, Vinyl record album

The final album in the initial run of genius from Felt – a set that marks a short step from Creation Records over to El at Cherry Red – where they receive some nicely expanded handling on the production! Adrian Borland produced, and the tunefulness of the songs really comes to the forefront – all while still providing a perfect showcase for the lyrical and vocal talents of Lawrence, set up beautifully amidst the swirling Hammond lines that made their Creation material so distinct! There's definitely some new ideas bubbling up here – which Lawrence would explore more freely in later work – and titles include "I Can't Make Love To You Anymore", "Budgie Jacket", "Down An August Path", and "Get Out of My Mirror". CD

A trio of albums from one of the most unique groups on the west coast scene! First up is Where's The Money – a classic live album from Dan Hicks and this mighty cool west coast combo – a set that's all stripped-down, and provides a great showcase for their amazing vocal and acoustic instrumental interplay! Dan's got two two female singers along for the performance – Maryann Price and Naomi Ruth Eisenberg – both of whom do way more than provide backup, as they work with plenty of percussion, and harmonize along with Dan's lead on most tracks – in that cool blend of acoustic roots and jazzy inflections that made the group so unique. The lineup also includes violin, mandolin, and bass – plus guitar from Dan – on titles that include "News From Up The Street", "Shorty Falls In Love", "The Buzzard Was Their Friend", "Is This My Happy Home", "Dig A Little Deeper", "Reelin Down", and "Caught In The Rain". Striking It Rich features the great Dan Hicks at the height of his powers – working in a sublime acoustic mode that weaves together strands of gypsy swing, American roots, harmony vocals, and plenty more too – all in a mode that's lean and timeless, and which was one of the hipper new sounds on the west coast scene of his generation! Dan works with great support from vocalists Maryann Price and Naomi Ruth Eisenberg – alongside instrumentation that includes guitar, bass, violin, mandolin, and plenty of percussion – all wrapped up with a sublime sound that has all the elements resonating together wonderfully! Titles include a great remake of his earlier gem "I Scare Myself" – plus "You Got To Believe", "O'Reilly At The Bar", "Moody Richard", "The Laughing Song", "Canned Music", "Skippy's Farewell", "Fujiyama", "Woe The Luck", and "I'm An Old Cowhand". Last Train To Hicksville is completely charming work from the great Dan Hicks – one of the few cats who could make us like music like this so much! Dan sings and plays rhythm guitar – and the group also features vocals from Maryann Price and Naomi Eisenberg – that lovely pair whose harmonies with Hicks really helped the group find their sound! As before, instrumentation is all acoustic, but used in these jazzy ways that are very unique – not folk, not string band, nor swing – but something very unique, and a real breath of fresh air in the 70s scene! Titles include "Long Come A Viper", "It's Not My Time To Go", "My Old Timey Baby", "Lonely Madman", "Cowboy's Dream No 19", and "Payday Blues". CD

An incredible underground bit of prog from the US scene – a set that was self-released by the group during the year that punk rock was starting to break – but a record that would have been right at home in the classic early 70s catalogs of labels like Harvest, Vertigo, or Charisma! The instrumentation here is fantastic – also up at a level that matches some of the greats from the Italian scene, in the way that the group are able to change up quickly, but also spin out some jazzy inflections too – with a lineup that features superb guitar, keyboards, and even a bit of flute and trumpet – lots of long instrumental passages, but some key vocals too. All tracks are nice and long, and include "For Four", "Conversation With Personality Giver", "Number Six", and "Light Of The Candle". LP, Vinyl record album

Improvised electro-acoustic music from the Venezuela scene – a record that's been lost to the shifting sands of time, but which is every bit as mindblowing as any of the group's European predecessors – maybe even more so, given that the trio were working in relative obscurity, and without the usual sort of academic support! Musikautomatika is the trio of Luis Levin, Alvise Sacchi, and Stefano Gramitto – who blend together a wonderful array of electronics and acoustic elements – all with this long-spun sense of spontaneous creation that still has a very cohesive whole. Some moments are noisy, but the whole thing is far from the "noise" of later generations – and still have a very optimistic vibe and this great sense of discovery. (Out Sound, Rock) CD

One of those rare gems that's definitely worth digging for – an obscure set from Australia at the start of the 70s, and one that has a unique vibe that's very much its own! On his own, Roy Rutanen would probably be more of a folk artist – but here, he gets some great backing that emphasizes electric bass, sometimes-funky drums, and jazzy work on flute and saxophone – so that there's this folk funk vibe to the record, but also with some earthier elements that make you feel like the set was recorded way out in the bush, different than UK work of a similar mode. The instrumentation is as great as Roy's vocals – and titles include "Sinful Man", "The Country Song", "Hitchin", "The Old Man", "The Last Song", "Plastic World", and "The Trip Song". LP, Vinyl record album

A stunning live performance from this legendary group – presented here in its entirety for the first time ever – spread out over a total of four discs that really let the lineup stretch out and do their thing! Soft Machine are at their jazz/rock best here – with Mike Ratledge on Hohner pianet, Lowrey Holiday organ, and Fender Rhodes – with bass from Hugh Hopper, drums and a bit of vocals from Robert Wyatt, and killer work on alto and saxello from Elton Dean – all players who can open up and improvise freely, in a way that often makes the whole thing much more of a jazz performance overall, instead of the usual prog outing where a group might just duplicate the same solos from their studio material. Tracks are long, and there's a massive 30 selections in all – titles that include "Eamoon Andrews", "All White", "Pigling Bland", "Kings & Queens", "Vocal Improvisation", "Teeth", "Slightly All The Time", "Facelift", "Neo Caliban Grides", "Fletcher's Blemish", and "Out Bloody Rageous". CD

A stunning live performance from this legendary group – presented here in its entirety for hte first time ever – spread out over a total of four discs that really let the lineup stretch out and do their thing! Soft Machine are at their jazz/rock best here – with Mike Ratledge on Hohner pianet, Lowrey Holiday organ, and Fender Rhodes – with bass from Hugh Hopper, drums and a bit of vocals from Robert Wyatt, and killer work on alto and saxello from Elton Dean – all players who can open up and improvise freely, in a way that often makes the whole thing much more of a jazz performance overall, instead of the usual prog outing where a group might just duplicate the same solos from their studio material. Tracks are long, and the titlesinclude "Eamoon Andrews", "All White", "Pigling Bland", "Kings & Queens", "Vocal Improvisation", "Teeth", "Slightly All The Time", "Facelift", "Neo Caliban Grides", "Fletcher's Blemish", and "Out Bloody Rageous". LP, Vinyl record album

Incredible jazz rock from Soft Machine – recorded after Robert Wyatt left the group, and for some reason, a bit overlooked because of that fact – but still a pretty darn great album, awash in long tracks with plenty of jazzy touches – still finely crafted in the sublime crossover mode that was coming out of the UK at the time, and of which Soft Machine was one of the strongest proponents! There's loads of strong fusiony moments built around keyboards and guitar – almost funky at times, and stretching forth with a freely exploratory sound! 12 cuts in all – with titles that include "Day's Eye", "Down The Road", "The German Lesson", "The French Lesson", "Nettle Bed", "Bone Fire", and "Snodland". LP, Vinyl record album

The first album from Steely Dan, and a really nice chapter in their career – one that's maybe a bit less iconic than the late 70s records, but in a way that really keeps things interesting! There's definitely less jazz and polish than on the later albums – but already, the group are writing the kinds of songs that nobody ever seemed to pen before, and which few other groups could match later – despite the countless legions who tried! The guitars are all nice and strong – that sharp Skunk Baxter edge that helped get the group firmly onto the charts right away – on titles that include their classic singles "Do It Again" and "Reelin In The Years", the oft-showcased "Dirty Work", and other cuts that include "Kings", "Midnite Cruiser", "Only A Fool Would Say That", "Fire In The Hole", "Brooklyn Owes The Charmer Under Me", "Change Of The Guard", and "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again". CD

The first album from Steely Dan, and a really nice chapter in their career – one that's maybe a bit less iconic than the late 70s records, but in a way that really keeps things interesting! There's definitely less jazz and polish than on the later albums – but already, the group are writing the kinds of songs that nobody ever seemed to pen before, and which few other groups could match later – despite the countless legions who tried! The guitars are all nice and strong – that sharp Skunk Baxter edge that helped get the group firmly onto the charts right away – on titles that include their classic singles "Do It Again" and "Reelin In The Years", the oft-showcased "Dirty Work", and other cuts that include "Kings", "Midnite Cruiser", "Only A Fool Would Say That", "Fire In The Hole", "Brooklyn Owes The Charmer Under Me", "Change Of The Guard", and "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again". LP, Vinyl record album

The first album from Steely Dan, and a really nice chapter in their career – one that's maybe a bit less iconic than the late 70s records, but in a way that really keeps things interesting! There's definitely less jazz and polish than on the later albums – but already, the group are writing the kinds of songs that nobody ever seemed to pen before, and which few other groups could match later – despite the countless legions who tried! The guitars are all nice and strong – that sharp Skunk Baxter edge that helped get the group firmly onto the charts right away – on titles that include their classic singles "Do It Again" and "Reelin In The Years", the oft-showcased "Dirty Work", and other cuts that include "Kings", "Midnite Cruiser", "Only A Fool Would Say That", "Fire In The Hole", "Brooklyn Owes The Charmer Under Me", "Change Of The Guard", and "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again". LP, Vinyl record album

We've always considered Steely Dan one of the quintessential 70s "Album Oriented Rock" bands, in that all of there albums work so well as a whole, so the idea of a greatest hits collection doesn't exactly work for us. Still, taken out of context, these songs are still gems, and listening to them in sequence really lets you hear the groups progression from their intellectual rock roots to their later sophisticated jazz influenced style. 18 tracks in all: "Do It Again", "Reeling InThe Years", "My Old School", "Bodhisattva", "Show Biz Kids", "East St Louis Toodle Oo", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Pretzel Logic", "Any Major Dude", "Here At The Western World", "Black Friday", "Bad Sneakers", "Doctor Wu", "Haitian Divorce", "Kid Charlemagne", "The Fez", "Peg" and "Josie". LP, Vinyl record album