Seminal southern soul from the legendary Clarence Carter – one of his early killers for Atlantic Records, all of which really stand out from most of his work to come in later years! There's a raw, raspy brilliance here that's undeniable – the blind singer stepping out with incredible confidence on a host of tunes that really run the gamut – numbers of love and loss, mixed with a few more contemporary pop tracks – but all given a unique Muscle Shoals twist that really transforms them. Carter wins our heart from the start with his version of "I'd Rather Go Blind" – then keeps on soaring through cuts that include "Think About It", "Steal Away", "Look What I Got", "That Old Time Feeling", "Let Me Comfort You", "Weekend Love", "Light My Fire", and "Too Weak To Fight". LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent early work from Clarence Carter – recording here with production and arrangements by Rick Hall – in that sweet Muscle Shoals style that never sounded better than it did with Clarence! Carter had a way of working with Hall that was really beyond some of the cliches that crept into the scene at the time – a blend of bluesier roots and leaner soul that was totally great – and which was always touched by Clarence's keen sense of wit and personality! The record's got a slightly funky sound in parts – especially on the great cut "Snatching It Back" – and the rest of the titles are all killer southern soul material, with classics that include "Making Love (At The Dark End Of The Street)", "Soul Deep", "Doin' Our Thing", "I Smell a Rat", and "I Can't Do Without You". LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Nina Simone, Chris Norman and Suzi Quatro, Chico Hamilton, Sonny & Cher, Chuck Berry, The Doors, David Bowie, Clarence Carter, Seals & Crofts, James Gang, Blood Sweat & Tears, Taj Majal, and others. LP, Vinyl record album

A great early CTI session by George Benson, and one of the most stripped-down, straight-ahead funky records he did for the label! There's a sharpness here that's different than the larger feel of some of Benson 's later records – a sound that almost links back to his soul jazz roots in the 60s – played by a tight combo that features Benson on guitar, Clarence Palmer on organ, Ron Carter on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums – plus percussion from Michael Cameron and Albert Nicholson. There's a version of "So What" on here that's got to be one of the best funky takes of that standard ever – with great hard grooves on the intro – and on other cuts, the real genius is in the way the simple tracks are arranged to shift between darkly chromatic passages and slight bits of funk. Titles include "All Clear", "Ode To A Kudu", and "Somewhere In The East". LP, Vinyl record album

The classic debut of a young Wynton Marsalis – cut after a stretch when Wynton was working with Art Blakey, and had really sharpened his chops! The record's a wonderful return to straight jazz tradition for Columbia – but it also has some modern moments too – proof that the younger generation of 80s jazz players still had plenty of fresh sounds to bring to the table. Half of the record has Marsalis paired with the VSOP rhythm section – in a way that provides a nice link with the more modern edges of Columbia jazz a decade before. Wynton's sometimes a bit serious in his approach, but also opens up with freer Blakey-inspired moments too – and other players here include Herbie Hancock and Kenny Kirkland on piano, Jeff Watts and Tony Williams on drums, Clarence Seay and Ron Carter on bass, and Branford Marsalis on sax. Titles include "Twilight", "RJ", "Hesitation", "I'll Be There When The Time Comes", and "Father Time". LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Barbara Lewis, The Drifters, Lavern Baker & Jimmy Ricks, The Trammps, The Coasters, Willie Tee, The Tymes, Doris Troy, The Clovers, Mary Wells, Clyde McPhatter, Archie Bell & The Drells, Clarence Carter, Stick McGhee, Lenny O'Henry, Sam & Dave, and Ruth Brown. LP, Vinyl record album

Includes selections by Bobby Bland, Johnny Ace, Junior Parker, John Roberts, Lamp Sisters, Ernie K Doe, Paulette Parker, Clarence Carter & Calvin Scott, OV Wright, Jeanette Williams, Roy Head, Willie Mae Thornton, and The Insights. LP, Vinyl record album