Beats by Buck Wild on the b-side. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A wonderful album from Moody – one of his "comeback" albums for Chess/Argo, recorded after his release from the Overbrook institution, hence the title. By this point, Moody was writing and playing with much more of an edge than during his bebop days – and the record certainly shows that – not only on the title track "Last Train From Overbrook", a jumpy little number that became one of the big new tunes in Moody's book, but on the whole album, which features some well-conceived large charts written by Johnny Pate. Pate and Moody wrote the bulk of the songs, too – and titles include "Yvonne", "Brother Yusef", "The Moody One", "There She Goes", "Tico Tico", and "Why Don't You". The album also features a great double-exposed cover photo, and some of the most chilling liner notes you'll ever read about a jazzman's struggles with addiction. LP, Vinyl record album

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One of Oscar Peterson's biggest records ever – one of those albums we turn up time and time again when digging through classic jazz collections – and for good reason too, given the lasting power of the set! The album's got a rock-solid sound that's filled with soul – almost a bit more down and dirty than some of Peterson's earlier work, very much in the spirit of the group's hit performance of the title track. In a way, the album's almost Oscar's answer to some of the rising younger stars in the soul jazz scene – and is proof that the master still can do things as great as the artists he inspired. Ray Brown is on bass and Ed Thigpen is on drums – and tracks include "Bag's Groove", "Georgia On My Mind", "Easy Does It", "Band Call", and "Night Train". LP, Vinyl record album

Oscar follows up the original Night Train album – one of his most famous sessions and best selling albums! The format here is the same – Peterson working with likely suspects Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen (save for 2 tracks, which feature Herb Ellis, Brown, and Buddy Rich) – playing open and bluesy on tracks that include "Lil Darlin", "Night Train", "Easy Does It", "D&E", "Close Your Eyes", and "Blues For Basie". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the few small group sessions from vocalist Betty Roche – a singer who was known for her work with Duke Ellington, but who sounds even better in this setting! Betty's got a style that's warmly raspy – a bit more edge than some of the cooler vocalists on the Bethlehem label at the time, but still backed with a group that's slightly modern – in keeping with other dates on the label. The combo features Eddie Costa on vibes, Donn Trenner on piano, Conte Candoli on trumpet, Whitey Mitchell on bass, and Davey Williams on drums – all grooving gently with Betty on a set of tracks that includes "Take The A Train", "Something To Live For", "All My Life", "All Too Soon", "You Don't Love Me Any More", "Go Away Blues", and "September In The Rain". LP, Vinyl record album

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Although it would be easy to write these guys off as a cheapo product emblazoned with the Soul Train name to cash in on the fame of the TV show, the gang's actually a pretty decent harmony soul act, and they really benefit from strong Norman Harris production on this LP. The ensemble features 2 female vocalists and 3 male ones – and they have a sweet grooving style that's kind of in the same mode as The Spinners, but which also hints at some of the later LA harmony hits on the Solar label, which is no surprise, since Solar owner Dick Griffey's involved in the project as executive producer. Philly soul arrangements abound – by Harris, Ronnie Baker, or Bobby Martin – and tracks include "That Certain Way", "How Much Longer", "All My Life", and the "Soul Train Theme". LP, Vinyl record album

Like a lot of the Wand singles from this period, this one's got two versions of a single track – one disco and one soul. One of the bigger tracks from the South Shore Commission, with production by Bunny Sigler. 7-inch, Vinyl record

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... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

An incredibly groovy album – filled with instrumental tracks that shift between funky big band and groovy 60s soundtrack – all arranged by Mike Nesmith and Shorty Rogers! The feel here is like that of some of Rogers' other groovy late 60s instrumental one-off albums – like his hot rod, dune buggy, or surf-orchestra sides – and Nesmith brings in a slightly cynical tone that manifests itself in the choice of some of the instrumentation for the tracks, and the overall setting of the record. Think Monkees instrumentals gone groovier, and you've got part of the picture – but there's also plenty of snippets of Sunset Strip hip and Warner Brothers longing for the past too! Titles include "While I Cried", "Don't Cry Now", "Tapioca Tundra", "Nine Times Blue", "Carlisle Wheeling", and "You Told Me". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

K-tel style compilation with a note in the corner of the sleeve that says "As Seen On TV", with a bunch of short versions of hot soul tunes that were making the rounds every Saturday afternoon on Soul Train. Nothing hard to find here, but a nice piece of the past loaded with familiar but still great tracks, 20 of them in all,and a great cover with photos of Don Cornelius and a number of the artists from their appearances on the show. With Barbara Mason "Give Me Your Love", James Brown "Good Foot", Curtis Mayfield "Super Fly", Archie Bell& The Drells "Dance To your Music", The O'Jays "Back Stabbers", Cymande "The Message", Timmy Thomas "Why Can't We Live Together", Dennis Coffey "Scorpio", Al Green "Guilty", Brighter Side Of Darkness "Love Jones" and The Dells "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation", plus a bunch more. . . LP, Vinyl record album

K-tel style compilation that was probably sold on TV, with a bunch of short versions of hot soul tunes that were making the rounds every Saturday afternoon on Soul Train. Nothing hard to find here, but a nice piece of the past, with 20 tracks in all, including George McCrae "Rock Your Baby", Isaac Hayes "Wonderful", Curtis Mayfield "Future Shock", The Spinners "I'll Be Around", The Staple Singers "I'll Take You There", The Soul Children "I'll Be The Other Woman", Kool & The Gang "Funky Stuff", The Moments "Sexy Mama", The Impressions "Finally Got Myself Together", The Natural Four "Can This Be Real" and Sylva "Pillow Talk", plus a bunch more. . . LP, Vinyl record album

A set issued on a small Pennsylvania label – with work from The Mad Violets, The Left, Ben Wah, Slickee Boys, Velvet Monkeys, Lone Ketamine Millipede, Billy Synth & The Turnups, and Yard Trama. LP, Vinyl record album

Quite possibly the crowning masterpiece by The Clash – and a record that certainly pushed them out of the punk rock ghetto and into the collections of countless mainstream folks over the years! This is the set that really pushed the group over the top – the one that harnessed all the best energy of the previous two records and gave it a strong new focus – one that draws on roots as deep as the late 50s Elvis reference of the cover art, but which also bubbled over with newly approaching 80s musical ideas and politics! Yet the message never gets in the way of the guitar-heavy tuneful appeal of the songs – ringing out for decades on classics like "Train In Vain", "London Calling", "Spanish Bombs", "Lost In The Supermarket", "Guns Of Brixton", "Clampdown", and "Rudy Can't Fail". LP, Vinyl record album

8 tracks in all "I Am The Living", "Another Summer", "All The Strength We Got", "It's The Beginning Of An End", "Gone Clear", "Love Again", "Satan's Kingdom" and "Morning Train". LP, Vinyl record album

One of numerous posthumous live sides, capturing a great early 60s performance by Trane in a quintet setting. Eric Dolphy joins the classic quartet of Tyner, Jones, Workman and Trane for a lenghty reading of "My Favorite things" and the contemplative numbers "Blue Train", "Naima" and "Impressions". LP, Vinyl record album

One of numerous posthumous live sides, capturing a great early 60s performance by Trane in a quintet setting. Eric Dolphy joins the classic quartet of Tyner, Jones, Workman and Trane for a lenghty reading of "My Favorite Things" and the contemplative numbers "Blue Train", "Naima" and "Impressions". LP, Vinyl record album

A seminal album from Elizabeth Cotten – not just a backwoods lady with a guitar, but a self-taught player with a completely unique style that went on to shape generations of musicians in the 60s! This 1958 Folkways album was the first to bring Cotten's talents to a wider audience – and soon resulted in much greater attention, and even visits to her home by fans and legendary followers – which makes the whole thing almost a touchstone of acoustic music in the postwar years! Yet despite any later acclaim, the record's got a quality that grabs you right at the core – music that needs no introduction at all, and which has the same earthy power of early John Fahey recordings, and a similar individual sensibility. Elizabeth plays both guitar and banjo, and sings just a bit – on titles that include "Freight Train", "Vastopol", "I Ain't Got No Honey Baby Now", "Going Down The Road Feeling Bad", "Run Run/Mama Your Son Done Gone", "Spanish Flang Dang", and "When I Get Home". LP, Vinyl record album

Silly title – but a great album, with Cugie playing relatively straight Latin versions of 60s pop hits. A few of the tunes are a bit silly, but there's less of the goofiness that "caricatures" might imply. Titles include "Papa Loves Mambo", "Night Train", "Fly Me to The Moon", "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", "Desafinado", "The Continental", "Witchcraft", and "I've Got The World On A String". LP, Vinyl record album

As Culture moved to working with producer Sonia Pottinger, they began to develop more of their own distinctive style, rather than relying on the model of Burning Spear's harmony work. And though they achieved some of the greatest commercial success of any of the more hardcore roots groups, their message and music remained undiluted throughout. 10 tracks in all, including "Innocent Blood", "Cumbolo", "Natty Never Get Weary", "Natty Dread Now Run", "Down In Jamaica", "This Train" and "Mind Who You Beg For Help". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic tenors head-to-head – as Griff & Lock lay out one of their excellent 2 tenor classics from the early 60s! The rhythm section's deeply soulful – with Junior Mance on piano, Larry Gales on bass, and Ben Riley on drums – and the album grooves through some long blowers, a mellow number, and a few choppy modern ones. Titles include "Last Train From Overbrook", "Second Balcony Jump", "Midnight At Mintons", "Hey Lock", and "Good Bait". LP, Vinyl record album

Surprisingly great later work from the legendary Desmond Dekker – a set that should have been a sloppy cash-in during the ska revival, but material that shows Desmond still very much at the top of his game! The production and backings show a bit of a late 70s British touch, but Dekker's vocals are still very much his own – and the tunes really faithfully stay in the groove that made him so great in the first place. Titles include "Israelites", "Lickin' Stick", "It Mek", "Please Don't Bend", "Many Rivers To Cross", "Hippo", "Juliet", "007", "Work It Out", "Problems", "Rude Boy Train", "Pickney Gal" and "Why Fight". LP, Vinyl record album

Sublime late 50s work from Martin Denny – his third album under the Exotica banner, and almost a deeper and weirder album than the other two! The sound here is extremely haunting – even more freed from conventional melody than the rest, and very fixated on the tonal possibilities that could be produced from Denny's unique grouping of percussion, piano, bass, and vibes. There's few tricks or gimmicks on the set – just a spare and other-worldly approach to music that's totally great! Titles include "Manila", "Mama Iti E Papa E", "Bamboo Lullaby", "Ringo Oiwake", "Moon Of Manakoora", "Congo Train", and "Beautiful Kahana". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Martin Denny's greatest albums – thanks to some extra special added elements! For the record, Denny's classic quartet is augmented by a wealth of odd added percussion – including gongs, cymbals, tuned logs, steel drums, chimes, and "chromatic bamboo"! All of these elements take Denny's exotica sound way further than ever before – and if that's not enough, the legendary Tak Shindo plays a bit of Koto on the record too! Titles include "M'Bira", "Burma Train", "Kalua", "M'Gambo Mambo", and "Mau Mau". LP, Vinyl record album

A mellow masterpiece of sunshine country rock from Dillard & Clark – a duo that featured Gene Clark of the Byrds and Doug Dillard of the Dillards – in a wonderful blend of Cali longhair harmonies, back porch psych, and expert Byrds-y tunefulness! Dillard provides lots of great banjo and some chirping fiddle – along with mandolin and chiming acoustic guitars that bring a bit of bluegrass into the sound – but the record has California written all over it thanks to the vocal harmonies and wistful tune craft. Really close to perfection – and deserves as much praise as the better known country rock benchmarks of the era – including the early two classics by Flying Burrito Brothers. Tracks include "Out On The Side", "She Darked The Sun", "Train Leaves Here This Mornin", "With Care From Somewhere", "Git It On Brother", "In The Plan", and "Don't Come Rolling". LP, Vinyl record album

Killer Hammond soul from one of the all-time greats – a smoking set of gems from his big years on King Records! Most numbers feature the legendary combo with Billy Butler on guitar and Clifford Scott on tenor – but there's also some nice instrumental variation too. Titles include "Honky Tonk" in two parts, "Big Boy", "Buttered Popcorn", "Backwoods", "Slow Talk", "Quaker City", "Night Train", "Rainbow Riot", and "Peacock Alley". LP, Vinyl record album

A pivotal moment for Bob Dylan – and maybe one of THE albums of the 60s! The newly-electrified Dylan really takes off here – putting more punch and bit into his already-strong lyrical approach – and twisting things in amazing ways that still leave us breathless all these many years later! And sure, the album gave Bob a few hits – which are nestled in here next to headier tunes that work together perfectly. Titles include "Like A Rolling Stone", "Ballad Of A Thin Man", "It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry", "From A Buick 6", "Desolation Row", "Highway 61 Revisited", and "Queen Jane Approximately". LP, Vinyl record album

Dylan & The Dead come together in the late 80s – touring together for quite a while and here with Dead backing Dylan on classics like "All Along The Watchtower", "Slow Train", "Gotta Serve Somebody", "Joey", "Knocking On Heaven's Door" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Buck Clayton's trumpet joins the Ellington band – on titles that include "Take The A Train", "In A Mellotone", "Newport Jump", "I Got It Bad", and "Skin Deep". LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "Satin Doll", "Don't Get Around Much Anymore", "Take The A Train", "C Jam Blues", "Mood Indigo", "Prelude To A Kiss", "Perdido", and more. LP, Vinyl record album

One of Duke Ellington's standout sides for Columbia – a strong recording that revisits many of the best elements of his earlier work, and offers up some more sophisticated scoring for the 50s – thanks to extended track length in the LP generation! The tunes here are older ones, but they're taken to some nicely hip territory – thanks to Duke's strong ear for modern changes, and a line up of players that includes Billy Strayhorn on piano, Paul Gonsalves on tenor, Clark Terry and Ray Nance on trumpets, Juan Tizol on trombone, and Louis Bellson on drums. Bellson does a great job on the classic "Skin Deep" – a real showcase for his talents in this recording – and other titles include "The Mooche", "Take The A Train", and "Perdido" – plus a 13 minute reading of "A Tone Parallel To Harlem (aka The Harlem Suite)". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Duke Ellington's standout sides for Columbia – a strong recording that revisits many of the best elements of his earlier work, and offers up some more sophisticated scoring for the 50s – thanks to extended track length in the LP generation! The tunes here are older ones, but they're taken to some nicely hip territory – thanks to Duke's strong ear for modern changes, and a line up of players that includes Billy Strayhorn on piano, Paul Gonsalves on tenor, Clark Terry and Ray Nance on trumpets, Juan Tizol on trombone, and Louis Bellson on drums. Bellson does a great job on the classic "Skin Deep" – a real showcase for his talents in this recording – and other titles include "The Mooche", "Take The A Train", and "Perdido" – plus "The Controversial Suite". LP, Vinyl record album

A 50s LP that showcases Duke's early 40s sides for the Bluebird/Victor label – including early versions of formative compositions, featuring players like Rex Stewart, Johnny Hodges, Barney Bigard, and Ray Nance. Titles include "Take The A Train", "Portrait Of Bert Williams", "Rumpus In Richmond", "Rocks In My Bed", "Sepia Panorama", "Flaming Sword", "Perdido", and "Blue Serge". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful 60s album from Duke Ellington – one that features some of his more popular numbers, as you'd guess by the title – but captured in these sublime, sophisticated arrangements that really reflect the genius sound of his group during the later years! The tracks are familiar, and the arrangements are maybe never too way out – but they're also these mini-masterpieces in color and tone – carried off by a fantastic group of all-stars who've matured and grown as much as the Duke himself – Cootie Williams and Cat Anderson on trumpets, Lawrence Brown and Buster Cooper on trombones, Jimmy Hamilton on clarinet, Johnny Hodges on alto, Paul Gonsalves on tenor, and Harry Carney on piano. There's a darkness in Duke's piano that's maybe missing from earlier versions of this material – that great modern undercurrent of the late years – and titles include "Black & Tan Fantasy", "The Twitch", "Perdido", "Solitude", "The Mooche", "Creole Love Call", "Take The A Train", and "Sophisticated Lady". LP, Vinyl record album

A collection of Duke's signature tunes spanning two decades – with "Black And Tan Fantasy", "The Mooche", "Ring Dem Bells", "Mood Indigo", "Solitude", "Take The A Train", "Perdido", "C Jam Blues", "Caravan", "Sophisticated Lady", and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Hard to believe it took a few decades in the careers of both players for them to record together – but that's exactly what you've got here – a landmark meeting of Count Basie and Duke Ellington from the early 60s, near the tail end of Duke's classic stretch on Columbia! Teo Macero produced the session with just the right amount of care and class to keep the whole thing from being an exercise in cliche – and there's a surprising amount of depth here that you might not expect – the best modern elements of Duke's orchestra on Columbia, coming into play with a bit more of the fire and vamp of the Basie group at the time! Titles include "Battle Royal", "Wild Man", "Segue In C", "Jumpin At The Woodside", "To You", and "Take The A Train". LP, Vinyl record album

Funky funky Don Ellis – a great set of electric groovers released at the same time that Don scored big with his soundtrack for The French Connection! As you'd guess from the title, the feel here is quite similar – funky electric big band jazz, with a very hip 70s action soundtrack feel – one that mixes acoustic sax and trumpet passages with some groovier keyboards and electronic bits – all wrapped up in production that's tight, but never too slick to be funky! The album features a great take on Don's excellent "Theme From The French Connection" – plus great electric jazz covers of "Alone Again Naturally", "Superstar", "I Feel The Earth Move", "Roundabout", and "Lean On Me" – as well as album originals "Chain Reaction" and "Train To Get There". LP, Vinyl record album

Ella's performing songs written by or associated with Duke–what could be better? Titles include "Rockin' In Rhythm", "Caravan", "Take The A Train", "Clementine", and "Perdido", all performed with the with the big band. LP, Vinyl record album

A superstar performance from the Antibes jazz festival at Cote D'Azur – one that features Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington sharing the stage, in a concert that was also recorded for a film! Most numbers here feature the full Ellington orchestra backing Ella up – but a few other numbers feature just backings from a trio with Jimmy Jones on piano and Grady Tate on drums. Duke and Ella trade the spotlight nicely – and Fitzgerald only sings on about half of the set, numbers that include "Mack The Knife", "The More I See You", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Jazz Samba", "How Long Has This Been Going On", and "Going Out Of My Head". Ellington's heard on other instrumental performances – some of which are a bit more upbeat and unbridled than usual – almost in a Basie mode. These tunes include "Trombonio Bustosolssimo", "Diminuendo In Blue & Blow By Blow", "The Old Circus Train Turn Around Blues", and "The Matador". LP, Vinyl record album

A jangle-pop spectacular from The Five Man Electrical Band – an incredibly groovy outfit from late 60s Canada! Although issued at the end of the 60s, the album's got a sweetly-crafted feel that sounds a lot like some of the best mid 60s pop – particularly that coming from overseas – almost a lost Brit Invasion sort of sound, but one that's tuned with a few odder touches that show the group's ear for some of the west coast musical changes of the time. All tunes are incredibly catchy, and recorded with great focus on the jangly lead guitar – so much so that the vocals are almost buried down a bit more in the mix, which makes for a kind of cooly tripped-out sound. Titles include "Maple Lane", "Fancy Dancin Man", "Black Sheep Of The Family", "Running Back", "Didn't Know The Time", "Five Man Electrical Band", and "Private Train". CD also features a whopping 9 tracks added to the original album – some by the group as The Staccatos – with titles that include "Half Past Midnight", "Weather Man", "Super Girl", "Let's Run Away", "Catch The Love Parade", and "Whisper Words". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic 60s album by the Four Tops – really one of their better efforts of the period – a record that finds the group working some soulful magic on a couple of their best known tunes, as well as adding a dose of deeper emotion to some hit songs of the time! Like other Motown success stories from that time, this set features some pop tunes and standard chart material, done by the group in their inimitable harmony style – with a few hits like "Reach Out, I'll Be There" and "7 Rooms Of Gloom" – plus wonderful interpretations of songs like "Walk Away Renee", "Last Train To Clarksville", and "I'm A Believer". Also includes "What Else Is There To Do", "Bernadette", and "Standing In The Shadows Of Love". LP, Vinyl record album

Man, if there's an unpopped bass left in the house after this one's through, we'll be surprised! The Gap Band were one of the bigger bass-heavy funk acts of the early 80s – and Polygram did all their fans a favor by culling together the 12" mixes of some of their bigger cuts. The set includes the perennial sample favorite "Outstanding", plus "You Dropped A Bomb On Me", "Party Train", "I Don't Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance", and "Burn Rubber". LP, Vinyl record album

The Gap Band are definitely Jammin on this sweet little set from the early 80s – hitting that fierce funk mode they do so well, with lots of snapping lines at the bottom of the rhythms! The style is trademark Gap all the way through – a percolated approach to funk that's tight, but never too slick – in a groove that's different than some of their other mainstream counterparts at the time – hard to describe accurately, but almost with a touch of jazz in the mix! Charlie Wilson handles most of the lead vocals, with support from brothers Robert and Ronnie – and Ronnie produced most of the set. Titles include "Where Are We Going", "Shake A Leg", "Jam The Motha", "Someday", "You're Something Special", "I'm Ready", "You're My Everything", "Smile", and "Jammin In America". CD also features the bonus track "Party Train (special dance mix)". LP, Vinyl record album

A nice collection of famous work by tenor players recorded for Verve and Norgran – all packaged in a classic David Stone Martin cover! Titles include "All Of Me" and "Pastel" by Illinois Jacquet, "Tenderly" and "Almost Like Being In Love" by Ben Webster, "With The Wind & The Rain In Your Hair" and "I Hadn't Anyone Till You" by Stan Getz, "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" and "Take The A Train" by Flip Phillips, and "Swinging On A Star" and "Charlie's Venture" by Charlie Ventura. LP, Vinyl record album

Dave Grusin's definitely out of the shadows here – after years of session work, soundtrack music, and other arrangements – finally beginning to shine in the limelight as a jazz musician on his own! The set's got a nice sort of vibe – not the too-smooth later sound of the GRP label, and instead this nice balance of electric keyboards and acoustic piano – delivered with help from key contemporaries who include Lee Ritenour on guitar and Steve Gadd on drums! Production is nicely understated – and titles include the mellow stepper "Serengeti Walk", plus "Last Train To Paradiso", "She Could Be Mine", "Crystal Morning", "Hokkaido", and "Sweetwater Nights". LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "Sour Suite", "So Long Bannatyne", "Pain Train", "Fiddlin", and "Goin A Little Crazy". LP, Vinyl record album

"Plastic is out and real is in!" declares the liner notes to this obscure blues release on Capitol – and from the sound of the record, you can definitely hear that Capitol was making a pitch for the "real" crowd. The record's got a very nice electric blues sound, with a style that's very Chicago, even though it appears that the record was produced in LA. Titles include "Go To the Mardi Gras", "Wee Wee Hours", "Train & The Horse", "Broke & Hungry", and "Bed Bug Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

Killer work from one of the hippest cats of the postwar years – including tracks recorded under his own name, plus Wynonie Harris vocals on recordings by Oscar Pettiford, Johnnie Alston, Todd Rhodes, and Lucky Millinder! Titles include "I Gotta Lyin Woman", "Playful Baby", "Rebecca's Blues", "Lollipop Mama", "Night Train", "Do It Again Please", "Married Women Stay Married", and "Good Mambo Tonight". LP, Vinyl record album

Features John Hartford's original recording of the title track, which many others would make a hit – plus other gems that include "The Six O'Clock Train & A Girl With Green Eyes", "California Earthquake", "Mouth To Mouth Resuscitation", "Untangle Your Mind", and "Front Porch". Great production and lots of odd arrangements! LP, Vinyl record album

Great musings on love and other weirdness – done in the amazingly offbeat style of the young John Hartford! Titles include "Windows", "This Eve Of Parting", "The Six O'Clock Train & A Girl With Green Eyes", "Landscape Grown Cold", "Prayer", "Empty Afternoon Of Summer Longing", and "Natural To Be Gone". LP, Vinyl record album

A really seminal set from the legendary Richie Havens – one that perfectly illustrates his famous blend of folk, rock, and soul – on a set of tunes that have continued to inspire listeners for many years to come! The record's a great bridge between the 60s and 70s – showing some of the hipper modes of the east coast folk scene as it moved way past traditional styles in the latter half of the 60s – and prefacing some of the use of acoustic instrumentation that would later come in soul music – in the work of artists like Bill Withers. Tracks are mostly originals, and feature a wonderful blend of acoustic and electric guitar, piano, and plenty of rootsy percussion that really sends the whole thing home – and titles include "Here Comes The Sun", "Some Will Wait", "Patient Lady", "Missing Train", and "End Of The Seasons". LP, Vinyl record album

Richie Havens is way past the folksy mode of his roots by this point – working in a set of smooth arrangements by William Smitty Smith and Booker T – a style that mixes electric touches with Havens' still-raspy vocals, an approach that's a bit like that used on some of Bill Withers Columbia Records, put possibly even a bit more mainstream here. The real issue almost seems to be the choice of songs – as the record features covers that occasionally seem a bit ill-placed, but which come off as nice oddities at the best moments – like Richie's versions of "Do It Again" and "Long Train Running". Other titles include "We Can't Hide It Anymore", "I Was Educated By Myself", "Daughter Of The Night", and "If Not For You". LP, Vinyl record album

Jimi's legendary live recordings for BBC radio and television – live studio sessions from 1967 to 1969 – remastered from BBC tapes and sounding incredible! Most of the tracks feature the trio of Hendrix, Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell at their fiery best, on classics like "Foxey Lady", "Fire", "Love Or Confusion", "Purple Haze", "Hey Joe" and more, plus some great, loosier, bluesier performances, such as"Drivin South", "Hear My Train A Coming" and more. The few guest musician appearances are incredibly notable – Alexis Korner plays some slide guitar on "(I'm Your) Hoochie Choochie Man" – and Stevie Wonder plays drums (!!!) on "Jammin" and "I Was Made To Love Her". Also includes the never before released bonus track "Burning Of The Midnight Lamp", a cover of "Day Tripper" and more. 38 tracks on 3LPs. LP, Vinyl record album

Great vintage recordings from Lightning Hopkins – initially recorded by producer Bob Shad on his trips to the south in the early 50s, then later issued on Shad's label Mainstream in the 60s! The style here captures Hopkins at his best – very spare and lowdown, with gritty guitar alongside Lightning's wonderful vocals – both intertwined in a snakey mode that's extremely compelling. There's no other instrumentation on the tracks at all, but there's a presence and personality that's extremely full – maybe more so than most other Hopkins material of this vintage. Titles include "Coffee Blues", "Hello Central", "Long Way From Texas", "Gotta Move", "Dirty House Blues", "Freight Train", and "Everybody's Down On Me". LP, Vinyl record album