US collection of work by Brian Auger from the late 60s – released on Polygram, most likely to cash in on the fame he was having with the Oblivion Express group. Not that that fame was that great, though – and frankly, we always like this stuff a lot better, as Brian's funky organ is leaner and meaner, and the R&B influences are a lot closer to the core. The record features some groovy remakes – like a wonderfully baroque-yet-funky version of "A Day In The Life", a moody version of Wes Montgomery's "Bumpin On Sunset", and a crazy 7 minute version of Donovan's "Season Of The Witch" that turns the track into a slow grooving dancefloor number! (Jazz, Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

Brian Auger's first album away from singer Julie Driscoll – and a landmark batch of funky organ work that made big waves in both the rock and jazz worlds at the time! Auger's really stretching out here – getting past the simple R&B of his roots, and going into a bubbling funky style that's clearly touched by chromatic inspirations from Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith – both of whom are referenced by some of the song structures on the set. The album's filled with killer organ-based instrumentals – some lean and stripped down, others full and rich – and all of them coming across with a richly soulful sound that you'd hardly expect from a member of the British rock scene! Titles include "Day In The Life", "Red Beans", "Definitely What!", and his classic "Bumpin' On Sunset". (Jazz, Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

Brian Auger's first album away from singer Julie Driscoll – and a landmark batch of funky organ work that made big waves in both the rock and jazz worlds at the time! Auger's really stretching out here – getting past the simple R&B of his roots, and going into a bubbling funky style that's clearly touched by chromatic inspirations from Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith – both of whom are referenced by some of the song structures on the set. The album's filled with killer organ-based instrumentals – some lean and stripped down, others full and rich – and all of them coming across with a richly soulful sound that you'd hardly expect from a member of the British rock scene! Titles include "Day In The Life", "Red Beans & Rice", "Definitely What!", and his classic "Bumpin' On Sunset". Great stuff, and the kind of Brian Auger material that will convince you of his talents! Includes the bonus track : "What You Gonna Do?". (Jazz, Soul) CD

A killer set from a player who should have been huge – ultra-sweet guitarist Bobby Broom, a player we'd vote to become the next big heir to the sound of Wes Montgomery or George Benson! This debut set is a wicked mix of jazz and soul – recorded right at the best stretch of the early GRP label, with a similar blend and sense of depth as the label's initial albums by Don Blackman and Bernard Wright! The core groove focuses strongly on Broom's guitar, but there's also some great vocal numbers too – and it turns out that Bobby's a surprisingly good singer, too – with a nicely honest vocal approach that works great alongside his guitar. Arrangements are by Broom, Dave Grusin, and Marcus Miller – and titles include "No Bad Vibes", "Saturday Night", "Niqui", "Share My Love", "She's My Reason", and "Remember When". (Jazz, Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

One of Phil Upchurch's best records – and one that's a no-nonsense batch of funky instrumentals that feature some really great guitar! Phil's dropped the Hendrix fuzz of some of his Cadet sides of the late 60s – and instead, he's working in a stretched-out chromatic mode that has bits of Wes Montgomery and George Benson – but which also has some of the more soulful undercurrents of the great O'Donel Levy! The album's nicely laidback, and never too slick or smooth – and other players include Tennyson Stephens on Fender Rhodes, Lucy Scott on bass, Steve Cobb on drums, and Derf Reklaw on percussion. Titles include "Another Funky Tune", "I Still Love You", "Washing Machine", "Sitar Soul", and "Keep On Tripping". LP, Vinyl record album