Lothar & The Hand People gave the world one of the greatest psych albums ever issued by Capitol Records – but this set of earlier recordings shows the group in a very different light – raw, noisy, and very garagey – much more in the territory of The Seeds or The Sonics! The recording is live, but feels more like it was captured in a small basement room than a larger rock club – as there's a very forward sound to the whole thing, as if the group were trying to rip the performance space out of its foundations, while they work their own rough-edged magic on tunes that are familiar, but which sound very different in this setting – a perfect illustration of the genius of garage at its best! The guitar lines are wonderful – and titles include "If I Have To Choose", "Walking The Dog", "Baby Please Don't Go", "Come Along", "Who's Been Talking", "Gloria", "That's Another Story", and "Nobody Knows". CD

A very hip group from the Michigan scene of the 60s – an all-female outfit, but one with a sound that's a lot more raw than the sweet girl group sounds you might be expecting! The Luv'd Ones have a great way with a bassline and sinister guitar riff – at a level that often gives these tracks a garagey vibe that's really outta sight, and which is even more surprising when the vocals come into play with the instrumentation – very different than other 60s standards, with a quality that really sets these guys apart from the pack! The set brings together rare singles and a number of unissued tracks – all to make for a lost girl rock treasure that includes the titles "Scratchy", "Please Get Up", "He Cried", "Dance Kid Dance", "Stand Tall", "Yeah I'm Feelin Fine", "The Memory Of It All", "Up Down Sue", "Truth Gotta Stand", "Walk Me Too The Door", and "Stand Tall". CD

One of the most memorable Esquivel albums, and perhaps the first record that really let him hit his fantastic mix of off-beat orchestrations and spacey electronicized production! The arrangements are splendid, with echoey piano lines in the front that seem to trail off into the stratosphere. Behind them, the orchestra swings in a tight rocket-fueled way, soaring and dipping to match the oddly arranged piano lines. Titles include "Playfully", "That Old Black Magic", "Speak Low", "It Had To Be You", and "Night & Day". Plus, the cover's got a groovily attired model, hanging out in a very green lunar scene! CD

If our jukebox was like this, we'd be rich! The compilation's a much-needed overview of the limited edition 45s issued by the Stones Throw label – a genre-busting blend of hip hop, deep funk, and turntable work – always exciting, and with a style that's unlike anything else we can think of! The package really offers a great sampling of the work on these hard-to-find singles – 22 ultra-hip titles that are as appealing to any fan of classic funk as they are a fan of underground hip hop. Titles include "Getcho Soul Togetha (part 2)" by Breakestra, "Rocket Ship" by Stark Reality, "Harlem River Drive Interlude" and "I Am Singing" by Yesterday's New Quintet, "My 2600" by Captain Funkaho, "Breaks Of Meditate" and "Chops & Thangs" by Beat Conductor, "Things Could Be Better" by Ernie & The Top Notes, "On Point" by Lootpack, "Poppin Popcorn" by The Highlighters, "Devotion 92" by Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf, "Take Me" by Fabulous Souls, "Color" by LA Carnival, "Enter Ralph Wiggum" by A Trak, and "Place Your Bet" by Medaphor. CD

Easily the best collection so far in the Let's Boogaloo series – and one that's overflowing with great older work from the 60s and 70s! We've liked the other Let's Boogaloo sets plenty, but this one's even more deep funk oriented than before – and not only features some great rare funky 45 material, but also a few great sound library rarities – mixed in alongside the newer cuts that Record Kicks always champions, done in a mix of funky and mod styles overall! Previously unreleased titles include "Funky Skunk" by Pete Thomas, "Beatcoma" by Alan Moorehouse, "Jazz Cat" and "Latin Soul Strut" by D Glover & G Crockett, and "Miss Augusta" by Minivip – and other cuts include "Hot Pants Party" by Guy Morris, "Look What You Can Get" by Funky Nassau, "Don't Let This Happen" by Fred Hughes, "Say Yeah Yeah" by Yvonne Fair, "Getting Down" by Brand New Rhythm, "Ain't Gonna Tell No More" by Stoned Soul Picnic, and "Oh My" by The Dansettes. 12 tracks in all! CD