Beautiful harmony soul from Act 1 – a group we totally love when they're in this mode – just grooving enough to open up the vocals a bit, stepping along with some great east coast sweet soul production! "Night Of The Wolf" is a completely different track, but equally groovy – a sharp funky instrumental with all sorts of fast-riffing guitar, taken from a rare Italian sound library album of the 70s – and topped with a cool whistle that almost has a spaghetti western vibe! 7-inch, Vinyl record

An obscure soul group, but a great one – equally at home with a fragile harmony tune as they were with more uptempo groovers for the dancefloor! This one and only album from Act One is a perfect illustration of the best two sides of the east coast indie soul scene of the early 70s – because some tunes are spare, simple, and heartbreaking – really building off the best qualities of 60s harmony soul, but with a lot more sophistication – while others are bolder, more upbeat, and positive – really using the new studio modes of the time to send a few tunes really over the top! The mix is quite similar to Black Ivory at their best – although the album's more under-discovered treasure – and although it's the only record ever by the group, it's got a solidity that should have made them as big as any of the 70s stars on Atlantic or Philly International! Titles include "Goodbye Love", "Friends Or Lovers", "Tom the Peeper", "Party Hardy People", "I Don't Want To Know What You Do To Me", "Still Waters", "It's The Same Old Story", and "Love's Got Your Mind". CD also features the bonus tracks "I Never Had A Love Like Yours", "A Whole Love Of Love Makin", and "It Takes Both Of Us". CD

Unlike Tom the Peeper, the other single of theirs we've had, "Friends or Lovers" is a beautiful sweet soul ballad, and one of the classics of the east coast group sound of the early 70s. 7-inch, Vinyl record

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A jammingly progressive set from Beggars Opera – a short-lived British group with plenty of great organ work from Alan Park! Beggars Opera are poised halfway between the tighter modes of the beat group years and the more stretched out sound of the classic rock supergroups – and the longish tracks here open up with heavier concepts and keyboard work that almost hints at ELP or Genesis, but still come across with some of the more personal, down-to-earth qualities of the progressive scene. Titles include "Memory", "Passacaglia", "Poet & Peasant", and "Light Cavalry". LP, Vinyl record album

Wicked early funk from The Commodores – a group that spent so much time on pop ballads in later years, it's hard to believe they could be this sharp and hard-edged! There's plenty of that bass-heavy style that would later dominate many Motown combos at the end of the 70s – but the group's really in control of the groove on this one, without any of the cliches that such bassery could lead them into – and production is nicely restrained, so that the whole thing has the loose, live feel of some of the best ensemble funk of the time – even some of the gems from the underground. Lionel Ritchie contributed one nice smooth soul number, "This Is Your Life", and the rest of the album includes "Let's Do It Right", "Wide Open", "The Bump", "Look What You've Done To Me", and the funk classic "Slippery When Wet". CD

Wicked early funk from The Commodores – a group that spent so much time on pop ballads in later years, it's hard to believe they could be this sharp and hard-edged! There's plenty of that bass-heavy style that would later dominate many Motown combos at the end of the 70s – but the group's really in control of the groove on this one, without any of the cliches that such bassery could lead them into – and production is nicely restrained, so that the whole thing has the loose, live feel of some of the best ensemble funk of the time – even some of the gems from the underground. Lionel Ritchie contributed one nice smooth soul number, "This Is Your Life", and the rest of the album includes "Let's Do It Right", "Wide Open", "The Bump", "Look What You've Done To Me", and the funk classic "Slippery When Wet". LP, Vinyl record album

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A sweet trio and solo set – with help from Chuck Domanico on bass and Cloni Bailey on drums. Titles include "The Blues Reclaimed", "Soon", "Pensativa", and "WPA Work Chant". LP, Vinyl record album

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A major extension of the concept albums first begun by The Kinks with Village Green and Arthur – taken fully to the next level, and conceived as a theatrical work with a strong message-oriented base of songs! The vibe here is kind of an exaggeration of the "preservation" feeling of the "Village Green Preservation Society" single – carried out in a variety of dramatic rock styles that shift with the mood of the scenes, and which show Ray and the group working in Tommy-like spectacle , with a subsequent range of musical modes on the set. Titles include "Morning Song", "Demolition", "Sitting In The Midday Sun", "There's A Change In The Weather", "Where Are They Now", and "Cricket". CD

A major extension of the concept albums first begun by The Kinks with Village Green and Arthur – taken fully to the next level, and conceived as a theatrical work with a strong message-oriented base of songs! The vibe here is kind of an exaggeration of the "preservation" feeling of the "Village Green Preservation Society" single – carried out in a variety of dramatic rock styles that shift with the mood of the scenes, and which show Ray and the group working in Tommy-like spectacle , with a subsequent range of musical modes on the set. Titles include "Morning Song", "Demotion", "Sitting In The Midday Sun", "There's A Change In The Weather", "Where Are They Now", and "Cricket". LP, Vinyl record album

The second act of The Kinks' entry into the rock opera mode of the early 70s – and in some ways, a much more confident effort than the first! The second act of Preservation is much bleaker than the first in a number of ways – quite possibly the strongest because it seems that Ray Davies has really begun to inhabit the roles of the tunes – stretching out here in high drama on a double-length set that certainly matches Tommy for its sense of scope and ambition – even if it was less likely to generate a catchy single! Titles include "Oh Where Oh Where Is Love", "Flash's Confession", "Introduction To Solution", "Shepherds Of The Nation", "Scum Of The Earth", "Mirror Of Love", and "Salvation Road". LP, Vinyl record album

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Amazing production as always from Premier that works nice with the more laid-back flow KRS adopts on this one from the "KRS-One" LP. B-side features Das EFX. 12-inch, Vinyl record

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Bob Brookmeyer on valve trombone, Heiner Wiberny, Olivier Peters, Paul Peucker, and Rolf Romer on saxophone, Bernt Laukamp, Dave Horler, and Roy Deuvall on trombone, John Abercrombie on guitar, Frank Chastenier and Rainer Bruninghaus on keyboards, Dieter Ilg on bass, Danny Gottlieb on drums, with the WDR Big Band Koln Orchestra. CD

A very earthy setting for the legendary reedwork of Peter Brotzmann – a killer live performance that has him working in a trio with the great Hamid Drake on drums, and Moroccan musician Majid Bekkas on the spare-stringed guembri! Drake really adapts himself to the guembri, and opens up with that way he can have of making the drum kit seem like a more varied set of percussion instruments – and the setting is maybe almost one that would be more typical of Don Cherry than you'd usual expect from Brotzmann – an even further surprise, given that the material was recorded at Jazzfest Berlin in 2022, and marks one of the last recordings that Brotzmann would give us before departing the planet! Titles include "Hamdouchia", "Balini", "Chalaba", and "Mawama". CD

With Harbie Hancock on piano, Greg Kurstin on piano & keyboards, Gary Thomas on saxes, Wallace Roney & Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Kevin Eubanks, Paul Bollenback, Jeff Richman & Danny Robinson on guitar, Bob Hurst & Malcolm Jamal Warner on bass, Katisse Buckingham on soprano sax, Ed Barguiarena & Darryl Jackson on percussion & Teri Lyne Carrington on drums. CD

Scott DuBois on guitar, Gebhard Ullmann on tenor sax and bass clarinet, Thomas Morgan on bass, and Kresten Osgood on drums. CD

Esbjorn Svensson on on piano and electronics, Dan Berglund on bass and electronics, and Magnus Ostrom on drums. CD

Esbjorn Svensson on on piano and keyboards, Dan Berglund on bass, and Magnus Ostrom on drums. CD

One of the most consistently creative piano trios in the world today – a group who are always pushing the boundaries of their sound, strongly keeping away from familiar territory and tradition – yet always with a sense of swing and lyricism that continue to appeal to fans of more conventional jazz! EST aren't really ever that "out", but they're always stepping into unexpected space – odd sounds from the piano, noises you can't really place, and ways of blocking out a tune that are quite different than a regular trio session – but which also don't have the tricks or easy gimmicks of some of the jamband-oriented side of the jazz spectrum. Titles include "The Goldhearted Minor", "Beggar's Blanket", "Goldwrap", "Dolores In A Shoestand", "Fading Maid Postludium", and "Slipping On The Solid Ground". CD

Paolo Fresu on trumpet and flugelhorn, Richard Galliano on accordion and bandoneon, and Jan Lundgren on piano. CD

With Peter Madsen on piano. CD

With Chris Tordini on bass and Tommy Crane on drums. CD

A classic trio set – with Vijay Iyer on piano, Stephan Crump on bass, and Marcus Gilmore on drums! CD

Trio album with Vijay Iyer on piano, Stephen Crump on bass, and Marcus Gilmore on drums. Features a mix of originals and songs by Julius Hemphill, Andrew Hill, MIA, and Stevie Wonder. CD

Vijay Iyer on piano, Prasanna on guitar and vocals, and Nitin Mitta on tabla. CD

Features Nils Landgren on trombone and trumpet, Per Johansson on saxophones, Henrik Janson on guitar, Esbjorn Svensson on keys, Magnum Coltrane Price on synth and vocals, and Lars Danielsson on bass – plus special guests Bernard Purdie, Michael and Randy Brecker, Airto Moreira, and Till Bronner. CD

A four movement suite composed and performed by Yusef Lateef – with Adam Rudolph, Charles Moore, Ralph Jones, Federico Ramos, and the Cologne Radio Orchestra! CD

Features Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto – plus Adam O'Darrill on trumpet, Matt Mitchell on piano, Francois Moutin on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums – performing a set of original tunes, all based on pieces or solos by Charlie Parker. CD

With the NDR Bigband and Radio Philharmonie Hannover. CD

Bernard Purdie takes a trip down 40 years of soul jazz history – starting with late 50s jazz experiments by Art Blakey, Cannonball Adderley, and others – and working his way up through 60s soul and 70s funk! The set's got a slightly polished feel, but still plenty of nice moments – with soloists that include Michael and Randy Brecker, Eddie Harris, and Nils Landgren, plus larger arrangements by the WDR Big Band, conducted by Gil Goldstein. Titles include "Moanin", "Superstition", "Iko Iko", "Senor Blues", "Sidewinder", "Freedom Jazz Dance", "Work Song", "Land Of 1000 Dances", and "Brother Where Are You". CD

Purdie follows up his first Soul To Jazz set – with a style and lineup that's even hipper than the first! This one was recorded in New York, and has a tighter, leaner feel overall. Purdie plays with jazz luminaries that include Hank Crawford, Stanley Turrentine, Vincent Herring, Junior Mance, and Cornell Dupree – in a style that's a bit more stripped down than the first session. Includes versions of "New Orleans Strutt", "Mr Magic", "Jubilation", "Shaft", "Amen", and "Nobody Knows". CD

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Fantastic work from the massive electric years of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet – one of the group's last records to feature the keyboards of Joe Zawinul – and also one of the heaviest from the time! The set's a double-length gem that presents the group in an open live setting – one that really displays the full charm of their approach at the time, and that wonderfully crowd-winning mode that made Cannon a key act at this time for rock and soul audiences too! Adderley raps a bit at key points, and brings some righteous energy to the concert – while the rest of the group follow up with performances that really send the whole thing home – Nat Adderley on cornet, Zawinul on Fender Rhodes and piano, Walter Booker on bass, and Roy McCurdy on drums. Cannon plays some soprano sax, in addition to his familiar alto – and titles include "Alto Sex", "Lonesome Stranger", "Wild Cat Pee", "Soul Virgo", "Painted Desert", "Directions", "Pra Dizer Adeus", "Rumplestiltskin", "Price You Got To Pay To Be Free", "Esquisition", "Get Up Off Your Knees", "Down In Black Bottom", and "The Scene". Produced by David Axelrod too! LP, Vinyl record album

A landmark album from The Allman Brothers – and a set that forever set the standard for double live albums in the 70s! The expanded format really let the group open up and show the strengths they had already developed as a live act, long before they walked into the studio for their initial album – as the tracks are often quite long, and let you hear the way they approached the process of creation – using lots of jamming energy that's really let loose here on the longer tunes, which are awash in amazing guitar and organ solos! Dickey Betts and Duane Allman are fantastic together – and titles include the side-long "Whipping Post" and "You Don't Love Me" – plus "Hotlanta", "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed", "Statesboro Blues", "Stormy Monday", and "Done Somebody Wrong". LP, Vinyl record album

A landmark album from The Allman Brothers – and a set that forever set the standard for double live albums in the 70s! The expanded format really let the group open up and show the strengths they had already developed as a live act, long before they walked into the studio for their initial album – as the tracks are often quite long, and let you hear the way they approached the process of creation – using lots of jamming energy that's really let loose here on the longer tunes, which are awash in amazing guitar and organ solos! Dickey Betts and Duane Allman are fantastic together – and titles include the side-long "Whipping Post" and "You Don't Love Me" – plus "Hotlanta", "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed", "Statesboro Blues", "Stormy Monday", and "Done Somebody Wrong". LP, Vinyl record album

A landmark album from The Allman Brothers – and a set that forever set the standard for double live albums in the 70s! The expanded format really let the group open up and show the strengths they had already developed as a live act, long before they walked into the studio for their initial album – as the tracks are often quite long, and let you hear the way they approached the process of creation – using lots of jamming energy that's really let loose here on the longer tunes, which are awash in amazing guitar and organ solos! Dickey Betts and Duane Allman are fantastic together – and titles include the side-long "Whipping Post" and "You Don't Love Me" – plus "Hotlanta", "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed", "Statesboro Blues", "Stormy Monday", and "Done Somebody Wrong". CD

A landmark album from The Allman Brothers – and a set that forever set the standard for double live albums in the 70s! The expanded format really let the group open up and show the strengths they had already developed as a live act, long before they walked into the studio for their initial album – as the tracks are often quite long, and let you hear the way they approached the process of creation – using lots of jamming energy that's really let loose here on the longer tunes, which are awash in amazing guitar and organ solos! Dickey Betts and Duane Allman are fantastic together – and titles include the side-long "Whipping Post" and "You Don't Love Me" – plus "Hotlanta", "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed", "Statesboro Blues", "Stormy Monday", and "Done Somebody Wrong". This version features lots of great bonus material too! CD

Mid 60s concept pop from Appletree Theatre – a mix of unpredictable baroque pop, soaring string laden tunes, and more stripped down and moody numbers – and programmed as acts, in keeping with the theatre mode! What's most impressive, other than the tuneful songcraft, is that it never comes off as shtick, and the concept doesn't get in the way of the songs, making this a really nice discovery! Arranged as a 3 act play, with overture and epilogue, titles include "Lullaby", "Hightower Square", "Saturday Morning", "Nevertheless It Was Italy", "I Wonder If Louise Is Home", "E-Train", "Brother Speed", "Don't Blame It On Your Wife", "What A Way To Go" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A great one that showcases the group's best second suit – their smooth compressed late 70s soul sound – a great evolution of their earlier groove, and one that showed them as a great mainstream soul act! The tunes are a bit mellower overall, but still have a lot of crackle and warmth – and Hamish Stuart's lost none of his vocal charm, and in fact may even sound better in a more laidback, less funky heavy setting! With the great break track "Stop The Rain" – and the cuts "When Will You Be Mine", "Please Don't Fall In Love", "Walk On By", "Feel No Fret", "Atlantic Avenue", "Ace Of Hearts", "Too Late To Cry" and "Fire Burning". CD features bonus single mixes of "When Will You Be Mine", "Walk On By", "Feel No Fret", and "Stop The Rain". CD

Don't be put off by the title – as these guys aren't abrasive in the way that some noise act might be – and instead, they've got this really complex way of spinning out improvised sounds on an array of instruments – all in a spirit that's very much like the German work on the FMP label at the time! Axolotl are much more obscure – as a French trio, they were more overlooked – but they really share an ear for the best free improvisation that was exploding in the hippest scenes in Europe by the end of the 70s – served up here in a two-reed lineup that has Jacques Oger on tenor, baritone, and other reeds – and Etienne Brunet on alto, bass clarinet, and more – accompanied by guitarist Marc Duford. As you can imagine, with a lineup like that, there's plenty of fresh sounds within – delivered on shorter tracks that really keep their focus, with titles that include "Illusion", "Ombre Pilee", "Suave", "Dehors", "Paris Froisse", "Trottoirs Defunts", and "Couloir". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Burt Bacharach's finest moments, and a soundtrack that we never tire of hearing! Burt wrote all the tunes – and the album's a wonderful romp, with lots of odd twists and turns that are quite different from Burt's usual bag (baby!), but which still have all of the charm of his best work. A few performances on the set are by Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass, who do the completely chaotic "Casino Royale Theme" – and the lovely Dusty Springfield sings a versions of "Look Of Love" that has to be the best ever recorded! Other tracks include "Home James, Don't Spare The Horses", "Money Penny Goes For Broke", "The Venerable Sir James Bond", and "Hi There Miss Goodthighs". This expanded 50th anniversary edition is different than any of the other bonus versions on the market – as it first features the full album in stereo, then includes another 22 mono tracks, many never heard before – tunes from the film and a few singles – with titles that include "Sitar Background", "The Black Rose", "James Bond In Scotland", "Gymnasium Training", "Le Chiffre's Magic Act", "Bond Arrival In France", and "Have No Fear Bond Is Here", with vocals by Mike Redway. CD

A jazz records of sorts, but a funk one as well – recorded mostly by Gerald Bailey on a variety of instruments, and with an intimate vibe that really reflects the creative process! The tunes often have a nice kick, with some really great drums – and are short and melodic, with key passages on piano and keyboards, plus a bit of trumpet – not really solos so much as themes that come into the mix and really give each tune a particular color and flavor! This is definitely the case of hip hop influencing instrumental creativity, especially in production – and titles include "Dune Boogie", "Overnight Heat", "Crab Shell", "Raised By Frogs", "Aurica", Call To Act", "Dasani Falls", "Dusty Rhodes", and "Free Trial". LP, Vinyl record album

A trio of solo albums from Phillip Bailey – presented here with bonus material too! First up is Continuation – an 80s soul classic from Philip Bailey – stepping out here from Earth Wind & Fire in a set that has him sparkling strongly as a solo act! The vocals still have that trademark Bailey sound – a wonderful range that's never overdone, and which seems to shine especially well on the mellow and midtempo tunes in the set! Production is by George Duke, who does a lot to preserve the jazzier warmth of Bailey's previous settings – and although there's a bit more crossover potential here, the sound is still never too commercial or aimed at the charts. Titles include "It's Our Time", "Trapped", "I Know", "I'm Waitin For Your Love", "Desire", "The Good Guy's Supposed To Get The Girls", and "Your Boyfriend's Back". Next is Chinese Wall – a big breakthrough for Philip Bailey – and a record that was kind of a second-level explosion for the Earth Wind & Fire sound in the 80s! There's a definite crossover feel to the record – a style that takes Bailey's soulful vocals, and mixes them with lots of catchy hooks – in ways that push the Kalimba aesthetic even more into mainstream modes. Yet the album's still got some solid soul grounding, too – thanks to arrangements by Tom Tom and Arif Mardin – which is a nice contrast to the production by Phil Collins, who also guests on the hit "Easy Lover". Other cuts include "Time Is A Woman", "Go", "Walking On The Chinese Wall", "Photogenic Memory", "I Go Crazy", and "Children Of The Ghetto". Last is Inside Out – a set that has Philip Bailey working with Nile Rodgers, who gives him a lean, clean sound that works perfectly with his vocals! The sound is a nice change from the direction Bailey was heading in previously – a return to the focused soul of the later Earth Wind & Fire years, with his amazing lead opening up in ways that few other singers can match. Tunes are pretty well-penned too – catchy, but never cloyingly commercial – and titles include "State Of The Heart", "Welcome To The Club", "Special Effect", "Because Of You", "Take This With You", "The Day Will Come", "Back It Up", and "Echo My Heart". 3CD set features nice bonus material – "I Know (ext dance mix)", "Love Is Alive", "Easy Lover (with Phil Collins)", "Walking On The Chinese Wall (single)", "State Of The Heart (dub mix)", "Twins (with Little Richard)", "Twins (club mix)", and "Easy Lover (ext dance mix)". CD

From the female singer in the obscure group Chapter 8, Anita went onto become one of the biggest selling soul music acts during the 80s – and this album's her first effort as a solo act. The record's a smooth sophisticated batch of soul tunes, with lots of nice jazzy touches, and a classy sound that was quite refreshing in the face of some of the overly-synthesized soul work of the time. Patrick Moten produced and wrote most of the cuts – but it's Anita's deep vocals that make the record work so well. Titles include "You're The Best Thing Yet", "Feel The Need", "No More Tears", "Will You Be Mine", and "Do You Believe Me". CD

From the female singer in the obscure group Chapter 8, Anita went onto become one of the biggest selling soul music acts during the 80s – and this album's her first effort as a solo act. The record's a smooth sophisticated batch of soul tunes, with lots of nice jazzy touches, and a classy sound that was quite refreshing in the face of some of the overly-synthesized soul work of the time. Patrick Moten produced and wrote most of the cuts – but it's Anita's deep vocals that make the record work so well. Titles include "You're The Best Thing Yet", "Feel The Need", "No More Tears", "Will You Be Mine", and "Do You Believe Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little record that's kind of a prequel for Rubber Soul – filled with short, tuneful tracks that would flower more deeply on that later album – and often served up with a bit more wit and adult consciousness than in any of the group's earlier records! One of those records that we always forget about, until we drop the needle – the revel in its sweet blend of Beatles modes on tracks that include "Help", "The Night Before", "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away", "I've Just Seen A Face", "Yesterday", "Act Naturally", "It's Only Love", "Ticket To Ride", and "I Need You". Original 14 track UK lineup – much different than the American release! CD

A great American-only album from the Rubber Soul generation – the last one made specifically for the US market because of the different release patterns in the US and UK – with a number of their greatest songs of the period! Features a bunch of classics, and it ultimately holds together better creatively than some of their other US-only LP – but it also encapsulates a fascinating period in Beatles history, summing up end months of their middle period, very soon to segue into more psychedelic territory. Includes "Nowhere Man", "Drive My Car", "Dr Robert", "Act Naturally", "Day Tripper", "And Your Bird Can Sing", and "If I Needed Someone". LP, Vinyl record album

A searing set from Bedlam – a group who only ever gave the world one full album at the time, a set that stands as a great bridge between generations and styles on the UK hard rock scene! The group's most famous member is drummer Cozy Powell – the ersatz leader of the lineup – but the whole combo hits on all burners, with great lead vocals from Frank Aiello, guitar from Dave Ball, and bass from Dennis Ball – plus keyboards on the set from both Max Middleton and Felix Pappalardi – the latter of whom produced. Powell's drums are fantastic throughout – really driving the whole thing along – and Aiello comes across like some lost lead act from the glory days of the arena scene. The set features one killer break track called "Seven Long Years" – a stone jammer that begins with some great drums that break nicely into guitars – and other titles include "Believe In You", "Hot Lips", "Sweet Sister Mary", "Putting On The Flesh", "Set Me Free", and "The Beast". LP, Vinyl record album

A massive package of work from Bedlam – an early project from drummer Cozy Powell, and one with a legacy that's surprisingly bigger than the single album they issued back in the day! The first 2CDs feature both a new mix and 1973 mix of the self-titled Bedlam album – a searing set that stands as a great bridge between generations and styles on the UK hard rock scene! The group's most famous member is drummer Cozy Powell – the ersatz leader of the lineup – but the whole combo hits on all burners, with great lead vocals from Frank Aiello, guitar from Dave Ball, and bass from Dennis Ball – plus keyboards on the set from both Max Middleton and Felix Pappalardi – the latter of whom produced. Powell's drums are fantastic throughout – really driving the whole thing along – and Aiello comes across like some lost lead act from the glory days of the arena scene. The set features one killer break track called "Seven Long Years" – a stone jammer that begins with some great drums that break nicely into guitars – and other titles include "Believe In You", "Hot Lips", "Sweet Sister Mary", "Putting On The Flesh", "Set Me Free", and "The Beast". CD3 features a Live In London set from 1973; CD4 features a Live in New York set from 1974; CD5 features a related Big Bertha Live In Hamburg set from 1970; and CD6 features 16 more formative tracks from 1968 to 1970, recorded as Bedlam, Ace Kefford Stand, Big Bertha, and Ideal Milk. CD

A pivotal record in the career of the great Matt Berry – a set that firmly established him as a musical act away from his work on the screen – not his first album, but one that really seems to have Berry finding his very unique voice! A number of the tunes have a slight nod to spookiness – an element that maybe prefaces Berry's role in What We Do In The Shadows – and the instrumentation has more Wicker Man-like elements at times than some of the mod-styled backings on other of Matt's records – although you can definitely hear his love of vintage keyboards on the album too. Tracks include "Vintage Dance", "Farewell Summer Sun", "Bonfire", "The Signs", "Solstice", "Wolf Quartet", "Fallen Angel", and "October Sun". This edition features all sorts of great tracks recorded at the original sessions – almost doubling the size of the record with cuts that include "Fire Chant", "Food Chain Blues", "October", "Sea Chant", "Honky Knock", "Venison Sketch", "The Dawn", and "To The Floor". CD

Really stunning work from John Blum – one of his few efforts as a lead act, and one that has us wondering why he hasn't given the world a lot more tremendous albums like this! Blum's got this way of attacking the piano that's definitely in the school of Cecil Taylor, an old mentor – yet the recording also has this way of working the sound of the room into the blend of the work on the keys of the piano – this kind of echoey brilliance that almost seems to absorb some sonic ideals of avant composition as much as it does explode with the energy of free improvisation! Titles the set features nine tracks in all – each numbered "River" selections. CD

Really stunning work from John Blum – one of his few efforts as a lead act, and one that has us wondering why he hasn't given the world a lot more tremendous albums like this! Blum's got this way of attacking the piano that's definitely in the school of Cecil Taylor, an old mentor – yet the recording also has this way of working the sound of the room into the blend of the work on the keys of the piano – this kind of echoey brilliance that almost seems to absorb some sonic ideals of avant composition as much as it does explode with the energy of free improvisation! Titles the set features nine tracks in all – each numbered "River" selections. CD