A well-collected batch of tracks from the mighty MC5 – easily the second heaviest sound to come out of the 60s Detroit rock scene after The Stooges! The package offers up the classic uncensored version of "Kick Out The Jams" – the controversial cut whose story is almost more famous than the band itself – plus loads of other gems that include "I Can Only Give You Everything", "Looking At You (A Square single version)", "Ramblin Rose", "Come Together", "Rocket Reducer 62", "Teenage Lust", "Tonight", "High School", "Call Me Animal", The American Ruse", "Shakin Street", "The Human Being Lawnmower", "Miss X", "Sister Anne", "Skunk", and "Over & Over". CD

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A really great look at a key year in British punk – a time when the music really broke open, and artists from a wide range of scenes began to make music in a punk rock vein! The set has way more variety than you might expect – not just the big names and new acts that were helping define the music, but also surprising entries from hard rock, pub rock, and other styles – all really embracing the short, sharp shocks of punk – and showing just how influential the new sound was to the larger British music scene. Punk never grabbed the mainstream the same way over here – and the 3CD set is a fantastic representation of the big bang the music made in the UK in 1977 – presented with the kind of detailed notes and other information that always makes these collections from Cherry Red so great. The package features a massive 87 tracks in all – with work by The Heartbreakers, Eater, Chartreuse, The Rings, Models, Buzzocks, Vibrators, Deaf School, The Damned, Gorillas, The Jam, Britzkrieg Bop, Cock Sparrer, Motorhead, Only Ones, Johnny Moped, Rezillos, Slaughter & The Dogs, Wreckless Eric, Boomtown Rats, Sham 69, Radiators From Space, Doctors Of Madness, Generation X, Alberto Y Los Trios Paranoias, Zeros, Tom Robinson Band, X-Ray Spex, Tyla Gang, Jerks, Spider, Alternative TV, John Cooler Clarke, Graham Parker, The Doll, Ultravox, Chelsea, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Raped, Norman & The Hoolians, Drug Squad, and many others. CD

Righteous work from the Wackie's stable – and a record that was initially issued under the title Visions Of John Clarke, then issued in a very different version by the Makossa label as Rootsy Reggae – with a different track list in some places, and different mixes of core tracks in others! Yet throughout, there's a nicely unified vibe – tunes that are very message-heavy, and delivered by this lesser-known Clarke with an "e" – not to be confused with Johnny Clark, but an equally great singer on his own! CD brings together both versions of the albums, with original track order and selection – 22 tracks that include "Pollution", "Big Leg Mary", "Boss I", "Creator", "Good Collie Weed", "Babylon Spanking", "Come Back Darling", "Recession", "Bum Bang Festival", and "Abortion". CD

J Boogie delivers track after track on Undercover – warm dancefloor material that spans genres and skirts boundaries – electronic soul rave-ups and moodier ones, spacey leftfield hip hop, horns and percussion flavored funk, Latin club bangers and beyond! Includes "Type Of Girl" feat The Mamaz, "Undercover" feat Chrys-Anthony, "It's On Fire" feat Lateef The Truthspeaker, "Go To Work" feat The Pimps Of Joytime, "El Ritmo" feat Deuce Eclipse & Caipa of Bang Data, "Blue Mountain Dub" feat Jazz Mafia, "Salaam", "Big Brother's Drunk", "Space And Time"f eat Gina Rene & Rich Armstrong and more. CD

An overlooked later gem from Parliament – a set that's very tight and funky, and which really picks up the groove first laid down on "Flashlight"! There's a tightly snapping approach here that rivals the best late 70s work by Funkadelic – the later P-Funk mode that's even more focused on rhythms than before, and which gets away from the sloppy stuff to really hit home with the groove! Tunes are steeped in horny horns, wah wah guitar, and lots of electric keyboards – and titles include "The Big Bang Theory", which is virtually a blueprint for the LA G-funk sound of the 80s – plus the tracks "The Freeze", "May We Bang You?", "Party People", and "(GloryHallaStoopid) Pin The Tail On The Funky". CD

That's a Paul Weller-looking chap on the front cover – and it's no surprise that his work in The Jam helped usher in a huge new crop of British mods in the 80s and 90s – groups who were really inspired by the same 60s influences that got Weller and his group going a few years before – but also ready to take all those inspirations into great new directions as the scene moved on! There's been other collections to look at UK mod material from the post-punk years onward – but this package does an even better job of tracing those influences in less obvious ways – especially as it stretches to include some of the surprising successes from acts who were less slavish to the initial mod aesthetic, and really did something interesting with it. As with all Cherry Red boxes of this nature, the choice of cuts is as great as the detailed notes on the music – and the 4CD set features 92 tracks in all – by artists who include Knave, The Aardvarks, Five Thirty, James Taylor Quartet, Mood Six, Biff Bang Pow, The Clique, Fine Young Cannibals, Inspiral Carpets, The Undertones, The Times, The Nerve, Dee Walker, Playn Jayn, Big Boss Man, New Jersey Kings, Charlatans, The La's, Stone Roses, and many others. CD

A mindblowing collaboration between The Heliocentrics and underground film legend Melvin Van Peebles – a set that has the group serving up some madly trippy grooves, while Melvin speaks and sings some wisdom of his own! Van Peebles already blew our minds years ago with his insane soundtrack to Sweet Sweetback's Baaaadasss Song – still one of our favorite records of all times – and The Heliocentrics follow in the odd spirit of that gem, by mixing lots of sounds and styles together in a mad cacophony of music – then leaving just the right amount of space for Melvin to come into the mix! Instrumentation is often fuzzy and psych-oriented, but always with a funky, soulful vibe as well – of the sort you'd hear on vintage records from Van Peebles – and titles include "Big Bang Reincarnation", "Transformation", "Infinite List", "Trust The Cosmos", and "Blue Mist". Special package also features a full bonus disc of instrumentals too! CD

A brilliant overview of work from one of the most important London labels in recent years – Big Bang's Arision label, home to some incredible work that pushes the boundaries of modern groove! Arision's sound is firmly in the style inspired by the post-4 Hero generation – but there's also a much deeper quality here than in most of its British counterparts – strongly influenced by jazz of the past 30 years, and put together with a care that takes most of these tunes far past the simple world of beats and keys. The set features a few previously unissued tracks exclusive to the set, plus some other hard to find tunes from expensive singles – and the whole thing's got a really unified feel that makes the compilation a delight throughout! Titles include "Search For The Sun" by Xantone Blacq, "Belong" by Dharma One with Tuomo, "Percussive One (Vipersquad 2003 re-edit)" by Cuica, "Little Egypt (Cuica rmx)" by Bakazou, "The Cat (Nature's Plan re-work)" by Consequences, "I Am With You" by Hajimi Yoshizawa, "Won't Let It Go" by Domu with Alexander, and "Flightime" by Hopper. CD

Great work from one of the most important labels of the past few years – the groundbreaking Far Out imprint, known for its unique style of blending Brazilian and London grooves! The set features tracks from Far Out's oft-deleted singles series – hard to find 12" releases that often get only short release, and disappear much more quickly than the rest of the label's catalog. If you've missed some of these gems, or if you're like us, and sometimes prefer to put on a full album and save yourself flipping wax, the set's a great way to catch up – and probably introduce yourself to loads of great new music. Titles include "Khameleon" and "Second Future" by Difusion, "Ponteio" by Da Lata, "Colours" by Big Bang, "Smile" by Nature's Plan, "Strike Hard" by Trouble Man, "Brazil (Brazilian reprise)" by Democustico, "Faca De Conta (Roni Size rmx)" by Azymuth, "E Ruim/The Samba (4 Hero rmx)" by Grupo Batuque, and "Banzo Theme" by Banzo. CD

Titles include "Streets Of Love", "Rough Justice", "Let Me Down Slow", "Rain Fall Down", "Infamy", "Driving Too Fast", "Back Of My Hand", "Biggest Mistake", "This Place Is Empty", "Oh No Not You Again", and "Dangerous Beauty". CD

The second of Dio's twin masterpieces – a second album knockout that followed Holy Diver by a single year! The biggest difference this time out is the addition of full time keyboard player Claude Schnell to the band, making Dio a quintet – but what the keyboards do NOT do is air out the heaviness. This remains a headbanging classic, with songs as heavy as any in the Dio canon. Like they did on Holy Diver, the band balances a melodic sensibility with heavy rock in a way that would prove hugely influential – we can't imagine the quietly melodic to massively heavy transitions on Metallica's Master Of Puppets LP could've been what they are without the opening minute of the title track here, but this whole thing is a win – with "We Rock", "Mystery", Breathless", "I Speed At Night", "One Night In The City", "Evil Eyes", "Eat Your Heart Out" and "Egypt (The Chains Are On)". CD

Fantastic early work from Gil Evans – emerging here in this early session as an already far-thinking modernist. The tracks are shorter and less ambitious than some of Evans' work on Impulse, but the group is excellent – and even in a shorter format, the conception of the work still contains plenty of rich new ideas. Players include Louis Mucci, John Carisi, Steve Lacy, Willie Ruff, Paul Chambers, Nick Stabulis, and "Zeke Tolin" on alto, who is certainly a more famous player under a fake name. Titles include "Ella Speed", "Big Stuff", "Jambangle", "Nobody's Heart", and "Remember". CD

No charity needed here – as reedman Eji Oyewole's got a wealth of talent on his own! Eji's a musician with roots in the 60s Nigerian scene, but left to follow a personal path through Europe and the US, where he picked up some wonderfully funky styles which are then brought home to create this completely cooking late 70s album! The style's different than other big Afro Funk names of the time – like Fela Kuti or Manu Dibango – but shares a similar sense of flowing, open grooves – and Eji's ability to act strongly as both a lead vocalist, and a soaring soloist on tenor, soprano, and flute! Rhythms are damn funky at the core – with almost a blacksploitation vibe at times – and the tracks are all quite long, with most of the real "voice" coming from the saxes, which speak volumes on their solos. Titles include "Gele Odun (Oil Boom)", "Lagos Complex Highways", "Unity In Africa", and "Charity Begins At Home". CD

One of the best debuts in the history of hip hop – and one of the most important albums the genre ever produced! Criminal Minded is a landmark for a number of reasons. Among the biggest is, of course, that it was recorded with the late great DJ Scott La Rock – and he was soon to fall prey to the very street violence that BDP documented with such raw brilliance by KRS-One. Importance aside, Criminal Minded is simply a great, timeless record that no true fan of gritty classic hip hop should be without. The track list alone is a full chapter in the hip hop book of legends – with tunes like "Poetry", "Elementary", "South Bronx", "Super-Hoe", "Bridge is Over", and the "P is Free" remix. Also includes "Criminal Minded", "Dope Beat", and "9mm Goes Bang". CD

Fantastic early work from Gil Evans – emerging here in this early session as an already far-thinking modernist. The tracks are shorter and less ambitious than some of Evans' work on Impulse, but the group is excellent – and even in a shorter format, the conception of the work still contains plenty of rich new ideas. Players include Louis Mucci, John Carisi, Steve Lacy, Willie Ruff, Paul Chambers, Nick Stabulis, and "Zeke Tolin" on alto, who is certainly a more famous player under a fake name. Titles include "Ella Speed", "Big Stuff", "Jambangle", "Nobody's Heart", and "Remember". CD

A fab collection of work from the second great wave of girl group music – the great run of female groups that rose to the forefront during the power pop generation, then continued to burn strongly all through the following decade! You'll recognize a few of the names here from bigger hits on the radio – but as with the previous Ace Records collection in this series, the focus is on tight early tunes that really hew to the sharp, catchy vibe of the power pop generation – music that's as lean as punk, but a lot more friendly – and free from some of the moodier modes that would later emerge in grunge, shoegaze, and other styles to come! The music is as playful as the cover – and supported with the usual great Ace Records notes and attention to detail – in a package that features 25 titles that include "Hit The Ground" by The Darling Buds, "Knock Knock Knock" by The MnMs, "The Real World" by The Bangles, "Goodbye To You" by Scandal, "Cherry Bomb" by The Runaways, "Dream Lover" by The Rebel Pebbles, "Just Before Mary Goes" by Universal Honey, "Jimmy Loves Maryann" by Josie Cotton, "Way Behind Me" by The Primitives, "Cruel To Be Kind" by Letters To Cleo, "Lipstuck" by Eve's Plum, "I Wanna Go Home" by Holly & The Italians, "Vacation" by The Textones, "Glad Again" by Fuzzy, and "Boys Are Drinking" by The B Girls. CD

The title's maybe a bit misleading – as most folks think of day-glo as a color associated with some of the most throwaway culture of the 80s – but the brightness of the hue definitely marks the big explosion in styles during the key British year of 1978 – a time when the punk revolution of 1977 opened the door for a big range of modes to follow! It might be said that the post-punk years came immediately after the initial days of punk – and they definitely begin here, as hard and fast modes are mixed with more unusual styles that include mod revival moments, electronic experiments, and even some offbeat pop – expressions of humor, anger, and a shifting political landscape – served up as an amazing document of the creative intensity of the time! As with other Cherry Red boxes, the overall package is great – a huge amount of notes to support the 79 tracks within – a diverse array of music from Blue Steam, The Others, UK Subs, The Jam, Monochrome Set, Wreckless Eric, Spizzoil, Public Image Ltd, 999, The Stranglers, Japan, The Only Ones, Magazine, Alternative TV, Slush, Time Machine, Eater, The Bozos, Tyla Gang, Ed Banger, No Sweat, The VIPs, John Cooper Clarke, Scritti Politti, Penetration, Stiff Little Fingers, Alberto Y Los Trios Paranoias, Teardrops, Coventry Automatics, Menace, Bleach Boys, Jilted John, Zones, Electric Chairs, and many more! CD

The fuzzy side of the Brit pop underground hits the mainstream of the late 80s – with results that resonated strongly around the world! John Leckie's production is perfect here – just right for pushing the Roses into a bigger audience, but still hanging onto the longer-haired elements that made them great in the first place. This one was pretty much an instant classic and it sounds great to this day. Titles include the anthemic "I Wanna Be Adored" – plus "She Bangs The Drums", "Bye Bye Badman", "This Is The One", "Made Of Stone", "Shoot You Down", and "Waterfall". CD

Don't get this John Williams confused with the bigger-name soundtrack composer of later years – because this set is pure piano jazz all the way through, played by an artist who shined briefly with Stan Getz in the mid 50s! Although little-known, Williams is a great link between bop and mainstream piano jazz worlds at the time – and really sparkles on these two sessions for Emarcy from 1954 and 1955 – records that go way beyond simple standards and easy inflections – always voiced freshly by Williams in a mode that's modern, yet not self-consciously so. Rhythm is from Bill Anthony, Ernie Farrow, or Chuck Andrus on bass – and by Frank Isola or Jack Edie on drums. And titles include the originals "Shiloh", "Okeefenokee Holiday", "Blue Mirror", "I'll Take The Lo Road", and "Williams Tell" – plus versions of "Manteca", "Like Someone In Love", "Baubles Bangles & Beads", and "Railroad Jack". CD

A great lost bit of funk – and a pretty mysterious record, too! The record came out hot on the heels of Manu Dibango's big original version of "Soul Makossa" – and while it's got a groove that definitely leans towards Afro Funk, it's also got plenty of Caribbean touches too – a wicked blend of funk and island styles that's almost like The Beginning Of The End at some of the best moments – but with a touch of New York underground as well! We've never been entirely sure if the group wasn't just a Winley Records studio project – maybe The Rimshots under another name – but whatever the case, the record's a damn funky classic – filled with lots of original-sounding grooves that make the whole thing well worth tracking down. Titles include a version of "Soul Makossa", with a groove that's harder than the original – plus "Skin N Soul", "Good Groove", "Mozambique", "Finger In It", "Dance Girl", and the extended "Bahamas Melody". CD

A key second chapter in the long and wonderful career of Joni Mitchell – a set that brings together the four albums she recorded for the Asylum label in the mid 70s – a post-Blue period that really had Joni opening up and exploring a lot in her music – including a jazzier side of the spectrum that never showed up as strongly before! First up is For The Roses – a sometimes-overlooked album in the career of Joni Mitchell – but a set that's every bit as great as the two huge hits that bracket it! Joni's really finding a great way forward, sounding more mature, and bringing some jazzier currents into her music – thanks in part to help from reedman Tom Scott and bassist Wilton Felder of The Crusaders – and a style of songwriting that's sometimes more fluid than before, and often a lot more biting too! Titles include "Woman Of Heart & Mind", "You Turn Me On I'm A Radio", "For The Roses", "Barbangrill", "Cold Blue Steel & Sweet Fire", "Let The Wind Carry Me", "Lesson In Survival", and "Judgement Of The Moon & Stars". Court & Spark is a key record in the second chapter of Joni Mitchell on record – a set that has both her vocals and her overall music style flowing with all these amazing touches you might not have heard a few years before – jazzier currents in her music that really set the album apart from earlier work in Joni's career! Mitchell responds to the music with soaring vocals that are completely wonderful, and nicely changed up in character from tune to tune – given backing by a host of great jazz and studio players who include Tom Scott on reeds and Joe Sample on keyboards! Titles include her classic version of "Twisted" – a redone version of the old Annie Ross track – plus the classic hit "Help Me", and "Just Like This Train", "Car On A Hill", "Court & Spark", "Down To You", "Free Man In Paris", and "People's Parties". Miles Of Aisles is the first-ever live album from Joni Mitchell – and a record that sounds a fair bit different than a concert set might have during the Reprise years – as Joni's got plenty of help from Tom Scott & The LA Express, who bring a tight yet intimate vibe to the proceedings! Joni's definitely a superstar at this point – as you might guess from the size of the amphitheater on the cover – but she's also got an even stronger ability to come across with a personal, pointed style – one that's very different than the overblown hype of so many other 70s live albums. The set includes a few tracks not yet on albums, and a nice mix of material – including the live version of "Big Yellow Taxi" that ended up as a hit single – and the cuts"You Turn Me On I'm A Radio", "Blue", "Woman Of Heart & Mind", "Both Sides Now", "Real Good For Free", "Jericho", "Circle Game", "Cactus Tree", "The Last Time I Saw Richard", "People's Parties", and "Woodstock". Hissing Of Summer Lawns is a further step forward in the career of Joni Mitchell – a record that not only continues the jazzier currents she explored in the 70s, but also brings in a whole bunch of different modes as well – so much so, it's almost as if Joni's daring anyone to still call her a folk singer with the album! The themes are wonderfully sophisticated, as is the songwriting – the king of material that would keep Mitchell strong for decades, while so many of her contemporaries faltered – as you'll hear on the tracks "In France They Kiss On Main Street", "Sweet Bird", "Shadows & Light", "The Boho Dance", "Don't Interrupt The Sorrow", "The Jungle Line", and "Edith & The Kingpin". CD