A session originally issued under the name of Curtis Fuller – titled Boss Of The Soul Stream Trombone! We're not sure what "soul-stream" is as a genre – but given the strength of this record, we'd be more than willing to grant it onto Curtis Fuller all by himself! The record's a gem that's even more obscure than Fuller's already-rare dates for Blue Note at the end of the 50s – a crack set done for the Warwick label, and one that features an all-star group who've got a great blend of modern edges and soulful rhythms. Alongside Fuller's trombone, other players include Yusef Lateef on tenor and flute, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Walter Bishop on piano, Buddy Catlett on bass, and Stu Martin on drums – making a rare early appearance here. Titles include "If I Were A Bell", "Do I Love You", "Chantized", "Flutie", "The Court", and "Mr L". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

One of Shelly Manne's best records of the 60s – largely because the group's so great! Altoist Frank Strozier was playing with Shelly at the time, and his rich talents on the alto make the record almost worth seeking out for him alone – because here, Strozier's opening up his sound a lot more than in the early days – and going for strange phrasings, sharp edges, and other unusual twists that really add a lot more spice to the set than you might expect! The rest of the group features Conte Candoli, Russ Freeman, and Monty Budwig – and in a way, the record takes off from the energy of Shelly's classic Blackhawk sessions, but with even a bit more tightly dynamic sound. Titles include "Frank's Tune", "You Name It", "Margie", and "Idle One". LP, Vinyl record album

Diana Ross gets some great assistance on this set – the club classic team of Ashford & Simpson, who help give Diana a groove that's very much like their own great work of the time! Tunes are long and clubby, but never throwaway pop disco – and with Ashford & Simpson at the helm, Diana Ross sounds better here than on most of her other late 70s work! There's a tight-stepping groove to most numbers – never too fast, and exploding with that fuller soulful undercurrent we love so much in Ashford & Simpson. Titles include "No One Gets The Prize", "The Boss", "All For One", "I Ain't Been Licked", "It's My House", "Sparkle", and "Once In The Morning". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

The complete Etiquette catalog of the garage rock pioneers The Sonics – with the Here Are The Sonics and Boom LPs, plus a third LP of rarities! Here Are..is the debut of the mighty, maniacal Sonics – one of the most raucous rock & roll albums ever! Here they unleashed a fury on r&b and older rock & roll cover tunes – plus incendiary originals such as "The Witch", "Psycho" and "Strychnine" – in a way that was in a lot of ways unprecedented, and became hugely influential. How much roaring rock do you need? You need this much!!! Other tracks include "Do You Love Me", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Boss Hoss", "Money", "Walking The Dog", Nighttime Is The Right Time", "Good Golly Miss Molly" and more. Boom also finds 'em blasting at their best – a mostly-noisy, guitar-driven, garage-drenched sound that also sometimes slides into surprisingly more soulful territory too! The group are way more than just another gritty garage combo – and have a rough-edged sense of excitement that easily matches some of the best early work of bigger UK groups of the 60s – especially given The Sonics' clear love for American R&B and soul. Titles include "Cinderella", "Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark", "Let The Good Times Roll", "He's Waitin", "Louie Louie", "Jenny Jenny", "Don't You Just Know It", and "Shot Down". Also includes Volume 3 – a 10 track LP of alternate versions, non-album singles and live tracks – plus 36 page booklet and a poster! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the groovier soundtracks that Mike Curb ever recorded – a light batch of easy numbers with some electric bass and/or guitar at the bottom – tripping with a bit more punch than you might expect, and floating with some really wonderful instrumental touches at times! In a way, this is almost an easy version of Curb's biker/soundtrack albums – a bit cheesy, a bit hip, and featuring a few vocal numbers. Titles include "His Name", "The Big Bounce", "Once In A Lifetime", "The Boss Man", "Little Pickle", and "Throwing Rocks". LP, Vinyl record album

Mike Curb was a big boss at this time at MGM, which meant he could record moody vocal group albums like this one, and try to pass them off to the kiddies. Breezy and cheezy, with a few hits and some originals. LP, Vinyl record album

An album that originally started out as the Duck Stab EP, but was expanded with the addition of Buster & Glen songs – hence the unusual title! The material here is spooky early Residents at their best – almost without comparison to any of their contemporaries, which is saying a lot in this period before so many others were even beginning to approach their weirdness! Instrumentation is often spare, stark, and electronic – almost a precursor to the use of analogue elements that would soon make the German new wave so great, but handled here in murkier modes often combined with distorted vocals and other processing – mostly quite tuneful, but from behind a dark curtain – similar to the way the group always hid their own identity. Titles include "Krafty Cheese", "The Booker Tease", "Constantinople", "Sinister Exaggerator", "Elvis & His Boss", "The Electrocutioner", "Hello Skinny", and "Lizard Lady". LP, Vinyl record album

Miguelito Valdes is reunited with his old boss, Machito, in an LP of tightly orchestrated "Afro-boleros", as the liner notes call them. All of the material is vocal, in the style that Machito was doing with his larger group of the late 50s. Titles include "Africanerias", "Black Coffee", "Sabor", "Mi Tumbao", and the groovy "Blen Blen Blen". LP, Vinyl record album

Bossa with a great American twist! Nancy Ames was an American pop singer of the 60s – one who did mostly folksy tunes with a light California feel, and who here is coming up with some great bossa nova numbers, set to arrangements by Stu Phillips! The package has all the sunniness of a summer LA afternoon at the beach – with the driving groove of a pop bossa session from Rio. The album's perennial favorite is Nancy's remake of "Mas Que Nada" (done here as "Pow Pow Pow") – but there's loads of other wonderful numbers, and the whole album's great! Titles include "Laia La Daia", "Love's Like Wine", "So Nice", and "A Man & A Woman". As the song says – Pow Pow Pow! Her greatest LP by a mile, too! LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

All the 70s classics – "On Broadway", "Give Me The Night", "Livin Inside Your Love", "Breezin", "This Masquerade", and lots more! LP, Vinyl record album

A great little record from the days before George Benson had totally hit his smooth jazz sound of the 70s, and was being pushed by Columbia as a hard wailing soul jazz leader! The record features his classic quartet with Lonnie Smith on organ – grooving away hard hard hard, sometimes even harder than George! Benson's fresh off his work with the Jack McDuff quartet, and his style's nice and lean, with some good riffs, and a very tight approach to the strings. Titles include "The Cooker", "Benny's Back", "Bossa Rocka", and "Benson's Rider". LP, Vinyl record album

Bertoncini and Moore play bossa nova cuts, mostly Jobim compositions, joined by Edison Machado on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

A very cool Japanese-only collection of early Columbia Records material from Dave Brubeck – with titles that include "Blue Rondo A La Turk", "Unsquare Dance", "Bossa Nova USA", "Elven Four", "It's A Raggy Waltz", and "Take Five". LP, Vinyl record album

Amazing work from a young Chico Buarque – a record that seems to draw on all the best elements of 60s Brazilian pop, and forge them into a sound that's all its own! At one level, there's a post-bossa style of larger arrangements here that recalls the work of Edu Lobo – handled by Maestro Gaya in a mode that recalls some of the best bits of the time on the Elenco or Forma labels. But at another level, there's also a personal and slightly folksy style that reminds us of the initial power of Geraldo Vandre – a sound that's clearly present in Buarque's work, and which stands in a direct line to the best strengths of the emerging Tropicalia generation. The set's filled with classics that include "Carolina", "Roda Viva", "O Velho", "Ate Pensei", "Sem Fantasia", and "Desencontro" – and a few tracks feature Chico in duets with either Toquinho, Cristina, or MPB4! LP, Vinyl record album

An early record that really links Chico Buarque to the European scene – an audience that would keep Chico's music strong for many years, and with a reach that went far beyond some of his contemporaries! The set was recorded in Italy, but with all the charm and sparkle of his classic Brazilian recordings – and Chico sings in Italian, doing versions of some of his best early songs – all in a lively mode, inflected with samba and post-bossa grooves, and some of the best young songwriting of his youthful years. There's a slightly different vibe here than some of his other early records – but the overall sound is every bit as appealing – and titles include "La TV", "La Banda", "Juca", "Ole Ola", "Far Niente", "Maddalena E Andata Via", and "C'E Piu Samba". LP, Vinyl record album

Straight, strong, and soulful sounds from guitarist Kenny Burrell – quite possibly one of his best albums of the 60s, thanks to a really well-focused sound throughout! The groove here is nice and tight – a cooking little rhythm section that features Richard Wyands on piano, Martin Rivera on bass, and Oliver Jackson on drums – snapping away on the kit on some of the best tracks, and really helping Burrell to hit this groove that's mighty nice! Kenny seems to have a bit more bite than usual too – and even the laidback tunes have plenty going on to keep our ears happy. Titles include "La Petite Mambo", "Suzy", "The Tender Gender", "Girl Talk", "Isabella", "If Someone Had Told Me", and "Hot Bossa". LP, Vinyl record album

Good compilation of gold discs by this Brazilian diva. Includes a number of her earlier bossa sides, some of which were recorded with the Zimbo Trio and Jacob do Bandolim. Cuts inlcude "Tempo Feliz", "Luz Negra", "Minhas Madrugadas", and "Pela Rua" LP, Vinyl record album

Brazilian diva Elizeth Cardoso lays down a number of tracks recorded either with the Zimbo Trio, or with Jacob Do Bandolim. The Zimbo tracks have a nice bossa feel, and the titles include "Cidade Vazia", "Abertura", "E Louxo So", "Tem Do", and "Derradeira Primavera". The cuts with Jacob Do Bandolim are a little more samba oriented, but have a nice groove. Those cuts include "Barracao", "Jamais", and "Mulata Assanhada". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A very groovy mid 60s set from Chris Connor – quite different than her famous 50s sides for Bethlehem, thanks to some hip arrangements by Don Costa! Don never goes to over the top here, but he does add in some nice groovy touches – things like bossa rhythms and electric harpsichord, used sparingly, but to very nice effect – and all in ways that help Connor hit some new ground for the times! Vocals are still totally top-shelf – as you'd expect from Chris – and tracks include "Love Life", "You're Gonna Hear From Me", "Who's Afraid", "Nowhere Man", and "Goin Out Of My Head". LP, Vinyl record album

Mostly lush and laidback tunes, written by Cosma for this strange little French film from the early 70s – about a guy who spends most of his time as a shut in! The track does have a great theme – the tune "Where Is The Summertime", which is performed in a great bossa nova version at one point – with tightly dancing rhythms, and some great whistling organ that makes the track sound a bit like a Lalo Schifrin tune! There's one or two other numbers with a similar groove on the set – and tracks include "Piano Sweet Piano", "Rhythm In The Afternoon", "Bird Watchers", "Flirtation In The Grass", and "The Dog". LP, Vinyl record album

A live and lively little bossa vocal set – recorded at the Cangaceiro nightclub, with backing by a really great small combo! The style here is similar to other live bossa jazz sets from the time – such as Elis Regina's classic with the Zimbo Trio – and although Helena's vocal style is a bit full and sometimes emotive, the spontaneous nature of the performance really helps keep things lean and clean! The combo here is named after the club – and features Raul Mascarenhas on piano and supposedly Rildo Hora on a bit of harmonica – although he doesn't seem to appear on the record as much as the cover might indicate. Titles include "Oitavo Botequim", "Penumbra", "Ponto E Chuva", "Aconteceu", "Desilusao", "Verdade Da Vida", and 2 longer "Pot-Pourri" tracks. LP, Vinyl record album

A legendary album from the 70s funk scene – and one of the crowning achievements of keyboard maestro Eumir Deodato! Deodato got his start during the bossa years of the 60s – where his sophisticated charts were already enough to make his career a landmark – but in the following decade he picked up the Fender Rhodes, and really took off in a great new direction with classic records like this! The set's a wonderful blend of larger charts and jazzy soloing – with sublime Rhodes lines from the leader, plus a mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation in the best CTI mode – underscored by percussion from both Ray Barretto and Airto. The features Deodato's remake of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" into the funky "2001" – soaring with Fender Rhodes lines that set a new standard for the instrument, with a funky undercurrent that few would have expected for the tune. Other tracks are nice too – and include a great bossa-y version of "Baubles Bangles & Beads", plus "Spirit Of Summer", "September 13", and "Carly & Carole". LP, Vinyl record album

Darkly brilliant – and one of Joao Donato's most fantastic records! The set was recorded during Joao's time in America in the mid 60s – cut in New York with lofty backings by Claus Ogerman, in a pillowy soft mode that fits perfectly with Joao's light bossa piano lines, and which has all the hints of sadness and moodiness that often creep into his playing. The complicated approach of the album far surpasses some of Joao's work from Brazil at the same time – and the album's one of the best of its generation, a sublime mix of all elements that still sounds as fresh today as it did in 1965! Titles include "Amazonas", "Glass Beads", "Sugarcane Breeze", "Vento Do Canavail", "It Didn't End", and "O Barquinho". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A great summation of Jose Feliciano's genius during his initial years at RCA – that unique mix of Chicano soul, acoustic folk, and Latin rhythms that made him sound unlike anyone else at the time! There's a charm to this work that's undeniable – an instantly compelling feel that makes you understand just why folks went so nuts for Jose right from the start, and why his particular growth and contribution to American music was as important from his perspective during these years as was Stevie Wonder's over at Motown! The set features a mix of live work, singles, and album tracks – and titles include his haunting version of "California Dreaming", plus "Hitchcock Railway", "Nature Boy", "Light My Fire", "Susie Q", "Hi Heel Sneakers", "Destiny", "Malaguena", "Life Is That Way", and "Rain". LP, Vinyl record album

This appears to be a slightly different version of an LP Maynard cut for Cameo called "New Sounds Of Maynard Ferguson", but sideman aren't credited. This release has 6 track, including the originals "Bossa Nova De Funk", "Maine Bone", "At The Sound Of The Trumpet", "New Hope", and "Country Boy". LP, Vinyl record album

An amazing debut from pianist Clare Fischer – an artist who went onto have a subtle, but immediate influence upon both the American and Brazilian jazz scenes of the time! Fischer's got a lyrical approach to rhythm that's simply amazing – modern, but never cold and academic – and instead always freely dancing around, in a way that gives equal melodic roles to the bass and drums in his trio. There's a clear bossa nova inspiration here, but keep in mind that Fischer's sensibility was also a big influence on the bossa players of the time. The whole session sparkles with a fresh genius that still beats the work of most players still recording today – and Fischer's piano is accompanied by equally free-thinking work on bass by Gary Peacock and drums by Gene Stone. Most titles are originals, and tunes include "Toddler", "Stranger", "Nigerian Walk", "Afterfact", "Free Too Long", "Piece For Scotty", and "Blues For Home". LP, Vinyl record album

The debut album from Friends Of Distinction – a very groovy LA harmony vocal group who really transcended the worlds of pop and soul! The quartet were originally part of the earlier Rex Middletone's Hi Fi group – which split into both Friends Of Distinction, and 5th Dimension – and like that other, slightly more famous group, FoD have a soaring approach that really reflects their years in music, tuned towards a groovier late 60s style! The record sports their hit vocal version of Hugh Masekela's "Grazing In The Grass", with the great "I can dig it" line, plus an excellent reading of a lost cut by funky drummer Roy Porter, entitled "Lonesome Mood" – next to other great titles that include "Sweet Young Thing Like You", "Peaceful", "Baby I Could Be So Good At Loving You", "Eli's Coming", and "Going In Circles". LP, Vinyl record album

Oft-overlooked album that's actually one of Getz's most far-reaching of the 60s! Recorded in the year before he got caught up in his bossa pop frenzy, the record shows Getz as a darkly toned modernist, weaving out complex solos over the album's extended suite "Focus", written and arranged by the great Eddie Sauter, with whom Stan worked on the Mickey One soundtrack. The album's a surprisingly refreshing one, and shows yet another complex side of Getz's endlessly compelling career. Titles include "Pan", "Her", "Night Rider", and "Once Upon A Time". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful dreamy album that's quite different from the classic Getz/Gilberto collaboration – but which also shares much of that set's lyrical beauty! This album was recorded live, in 1964, when Stan Getz was playing with his quartet that included Gary Burton on vibes – an incredible lineup that made for some wonderfully moody sounds! The vibes/tenor approach was a high point in Getz's career – especially as the young Burton could create these beautiful washes of sound that were a perfect counterpoint to Getz's breathy playing. And although Astrud Gilberto is thrown into the mix here to give the album a bit of bossa appeal – vocals on 6 titles that include "Corovado", "Eu E Voce", "It Might As Well Be Spring", "One Note Samba", "Only Trust Your Heart", and "The Telephone Song" – there's also 4 more tracks that are all instrumental, and which show the Getz/Burton union in all of its glory! These tracks include "6 Nix Pix Flix", "The Singing Song", "Here's That Rainy Day", and "Summertime". And for reference, the rest of the group includes Gene Cherico on bass and Joe Hunt on drums – but on 3 tracks, Chuck Israels plays bass instead of Cherico, and on a few others, Helcio Milito plays drums instead of Hunt, and Kenny Burrell joins in on guitar. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best of the Stan Getz bossa nova sessions – and a record that features the great Laurindo Almeida on guitar – playing with more virtuosity than either Charlie Byrd or Joao Gilberto did on their collaborations with Getz! The record's got a driving rhythm section, with lots of long tracks, and nice laid-back solos by both Getz and Almeida – who's getting in some of his few jazz licks of the 60s here, working in a groove similar to that of his earlier sides with Bud Shank, but which sounds almost even better in the languid company of Getz. Cuts include "Outra Vez", "Winter Moon", "Maracatu-Too", and "Samba Da Sahra". Very nice! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hardest to find Astrud Gilberto records on Verve – and one of the best! Deodato, Don Sebesky, and Pat Williams did the arrangements – and the sound here is a bit different than some of the straighter Gilberto sets of the time – still very bossa-inspired, but also in a style that mixes in some great Sunshine Pop and 60s easy influences too – particularly on the tracks arranged by Williams! Tracks are all quite short, but get a heck of a lot of magic into a tiny space – and the album features some really wonderful songs that break Gilberto's pattern a bit – including versions of the Marcos Valle tracks "Crickets Sing For Anamaria" and "Chup Chup, I Got Away" – plus takes on "Windy", "Sing Me A Rainbow", "Never My Love", and "Where Are They Now?" LP, Vinyl record album