A monster of a jazz rock set from drummer Keef Hartley – a player who initially came to fame for his funky grooves in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers! Hartley's sound here is a great mix of rootsy rock and some of the jazzier touches that were creeping into the London scene at the time – with plenty of tightly snapping rhythms at the bottom of the tunes, enough to create a nice funky rock undercurrent on most numbers. The set's made even better by some great keyboard work from Mick Weaver – and the best cuts have some really jamming elements that let Weaver open up on organ and electric piano. Titles include "Roundabout", "Overdog", "Imitations From Home", "We Are All The Same", "Enroute", and "Plain Talkin". LP, Vinyl record album

Stellar work by Jimmy Hughes – one of those southern soul talents whose name you've heard, but can't always find on record! Jimmy's best known for his classic Muscle Shoals tune "Steal Away" – and that great number, plus many other similar ones, are presented on this obscure Vee Jay release – issued at a time when both that label and Chess were licensing a number of titles from Rick Hall's Fame studios. The sound is great – a key link in the southern scene of the 60s, and one that's often lost because it wasn't recorded for a bigger label, like Atlantic. Titles include "Steal Away", "Try Me", "I Want Justice", "Shot Of Rhythm & Blues", "Neighbor Neighbor", "I'm Getting Better", and "I'm Gonna Rise Again". LP, Vinyl record album

Phyllis Hyman's nicely balanced here between the two key sides of her early career at its best – working with straight soul production from Chuck Jackson, and slightly more complicated grooves handled by Norman Connors! The pair really bring a nice sense of balance to the record, and in a way the set may well be one of the deepest that Hyman cut during the 80s – a set that avoids some of the too-classy or too-contemporary modes that later held back her vocals a bit – and which instead goes for all the warmth and sensual soul that first made Phyllis rise to fame during the 70s! There's a gentle glow to the record that really shines through – a sense that even in the studio, working for a label like Arista, Phyllis Hyman could work with the same deep spirits as the more righteous albums of her youth. Titles include "Can't We Fall In Love Again", "I Ain't Asking", "Sunshine In My Life", "Don't Tell Me, Tell Her", and "Just Another Face In The Crowd". CD

Forget Tina Turner – we'll take Ike's backup singers, who sound great all the way through this collection! The Ikettes may never have had the fame of Tina, but back in the early and mid 60s, they were actually scoring a few more hits – and these recordings for the Modern label represent the group at their height – stepping firmly into righteous soul territory, shaking off any girl group cliches, and avoiding any of the stereotypes that could sometimes mar Ike Turner's projects. There's a really special sound here – one that's got bits of Motown, bits of R&B, and bits of Northern Soul – all wrapped together perfectly and delivered with sock-solid vocals from singers Robbie Montgomery, Jessie Smith, and Venetta Fields. The CD features all the material from the girls' full album for Modern – Soul The Hits – plus loads of other singles and even some unissued tracks! Titles include "Fine Fine Fine", "Camel Walk", "Sally Go Round The Roses", "Cheater", "You're Trying To Make Me Lose My Mind", "I'm So Thankful", "Don't Feel Sorry For Me", "Can't Sit Down Cos I Feel So Good", "Lonely For You", "Sha La La", "It's Been So Long", and "Nobody Loves Me". CD

Landmark early work from the legendary Weldon Irvine – recorded way back when he was first coming to fame with Nina Simone, but done as an obscure indie effort for his tiny Nodlew label! The set's a wicked batch of keyboard-heavy funk – at a level that's similar to some of the best titles on Black Jazz or Strata East at the time, but also filled with an even richer array of colors and musical ideas. Weldon's work on electric piano is worth the price of admission alone – often spare, spacious, and perfectly placed – especially on the funky classics "Homey", "Mr Clean", and "Sister Sanctified" – a tune later cut by Stanley Turrentine, but heard here in Weldon's original version! Other cuts include "Gloria", "Juggah Buggah", "Blues Wel-Don", and "Liberated Brother". LP, Vinyl record album

The one that put Janet over the top – and a record that also set the standard for so much more soul music to come – thanks to the production efforts of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis! Jam and Lewis had been doing some great work for other artists in the years before this set – and here, they bring an extra special sort of punch to the music – almost a sense of "blast" in the rhythms, which makes the rising talents of the young Janet sound even better than they would have otherwise – creating a style that's badass, but also perfect for the crossover fame that this classic album attained! The set's overflowing with classics – and titles include "Control", "Nasty", "What Have You Done For Me Lately", "The Pleasure Principle", "He Doesn't Know I'm Alive", "You Can Be Mine", "When I Think Of You", and "Funny How Time Flies". LP, Vinyl record album

A massive early Prestige set from tenorist Willis Jackson – and just the kind of record that set him firmly in the soul jazz camp for the 60s! By the time of the set, Jackson had already won plenty of fame for his R&B-tinged work – but here, he stretches out a bit more, and really gets creative on his solos – working with a very hip group that includes Jack McDuff on organ and Wild Bill Jennings on guitar – both players making a similar shift in their music at the time. The tracks are lively, recorded with a bold, loud tone, and have lots of those great open-mouthed tones from Jackson – quite possibly a good reason for his "Gator" nickname! Tracks include "Blue Gator", "East Breeze", "The Gator Jumps", and "Try A Little Tenderness". LP, Vinyl record album

A really unique album from the great Etta Jones – a session recorded down in Muscle Shoals, and not in Chicago – a setting that gives James an extra sort of deep soul power! The backing is nicely different than some of the other Chess material – killer work from the legendary Fame Studios lineup that included Barry Beckett on organ, Charles Chalmers on tenor, and Roger Hawkins on drums – all coming together with the great Rick Hall at the production helm! Etta's back in hard-belting R&B-tinged territory here – a bit more sophisticated than the 50s, with a good mix of hard soul numbers and ballads, opening up in some southern territory that really suits her well. Titles include "The Same Rope", "Watch Dog", "Tell Mama", "I'd Rather Go Blind", "Just A Little Bit", and "Don't Lose Your Good Thing". LP, Vinyl record album

A pivotal album for Waylon Jennings – the record where he really found the new direction that would finally get him the fame he deserved – delivered in a way that's free from all the later cliches, and which also ties Waylon pretty strongly to the hipper currents of the underground – especially that point where singer/songwriter genius intersected with country! The production is his own, and vastly different than the late 60s records – even though we love those to death too – and that magical Jennings vocal approach does fantastic things to tunes by Steve Young, Mickey Newbury, Kris Kristofferson, and others! Titles include the fantastic "Lonesome Onry & Mean", plus "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues", "Freedom To Stay", "Lay It Down", "You Can Have Her", "Pretend I Never Happened", "San Francisco Mabel Joy", "Sandy Sends Her Best", and a great take on "Me &Bobby McGee". CD includes 3 previously unreleased tracks: "Laid Back Country", "The Last One To Leave Seattle" and "Big, Big Love". CD

Elvin Jones rose to fame in the company of one of the greatest saxophone players ever – the mighty John Coltrane – and his post-Coltrane work like this really continues a keen respect for the role of the reeds in jazz – and really does a lot to push it forward as well! There's a compelling edge to the record that's light years from Elvin's work with Coltrane – a completely new sensibility that can be spacious one minute, extremely powerful the next – and quite possibly realized to its fullest potential here, thanks to the mindblowing contributions of Dave Liebman on tenor and soprano sax, Frank Foster on tenor and flute, and Joe Farrell on alto and soprano sax. All three players work together on each track – and all shift reeds throughout the session – opening up majestically with inspiration from Elvin's drums, and some wonderful work from Gene Perla on bass. The sound is beyond easy categorization or simple style – and the record's filled with wonderful titles that include "PP Phoenix", "For All The Other Times", "Three Card Monty", and "Cecilia Is Love". LP, Vinyl record album

Stunning early sounds from the legendary George Jones – material recorded in the years before his bigger fame on the Musicor and Epic labels – and tracks that show that Jones was already a hell of a well-developed talent right from the start! The cuts here sparkle with that trademark George Jones vocal sound – but also have a nice sort of an edge, as George hasn't settled down into that totally smooth approach of later years – and instead here moves between rocking moments and more twang-heavy tunes – served up on an assortment of singles and rare tracks recorded for the Mercury, Starday, and Dixie labels. Titles include "Too Much Water", "Seasons Of My Heart", "Gonna Come Get You", "I'm Ragged But I'm Right", "Eskimo Pie", "No No Never", "Play It Cool", "Take The Devil Out Of Me", "Just One More", and "No Money In This Deal". A hell of a collection – 29 tracks in all! CD

Perhaps THE greatest Quincy Jones album of the 60s – a hard-swinging batch of big band bossa tunes – and one of the greatest American takes on the bossa sound ever! Quincy really brings a lot of soul to the set – syncopating the bottom end of the tunes to really bring out the rhythms, and working with a jazzy flourish of horns that creates all these quick and clever little turns in the tunes! The sound's been heard most famously on the incredible track "Soul Bossa Nova" – an original by Quincy for the set, which has gone onto much greater fame through its use in the film Austin Powers, and a bazillion TV commercials! But the whole album's great too – and other tracks include "Serenata", "Lalo Bossa Nova", "Boogie Bossa Nova", and "Chega De Saudade". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little collection of work recorded by bassist Sam Jones during the early 60s – done at a time when Jones had emerged from some key fame in the Cannonball Adderley Quintet, and was beginning to work as a leader on his own! The quality of the work here is extremely high, and Jones' sessions from the time marked a whole new voice for the bass as a leader in jazz – done at a time when soul jazz waves were rolling onto the market with great strength, and allowing the "bottom" of the genre's sound to come to the forefront. Players on the sessions include Nat Adderley, Charles Davis, Jimmy Heath, Bobby Timmons, Blue Mitchell, Les Spann, and Frank Strozier – and titles include "Blue Bird", "Some Kinda Mean", "There Is No Greater Love", "Home", "The Old Country", "Four", and "Unit 7". CD

A really amazing set of work from tenorist Clifford Jordan – a player who first rose to fame in the hardbop scene of the late 50s, but who moved into tremendous new territory with these Strata East recordings of the late 60s and early 70s! Jordan was a Chicago contemporary of players like Johnny Griffin and Von Freeman, but he was never content to rest on his laurels – and stretched out on these records with a spiritual vibe that he'd never expressed before – and which would go onto inspire countless other musicians in years to come! This set brings together all the Dolphy Series recordings that Jordan recorded – either as an artist or producer – two of which were never issued on record at the time. Jordan's own albums for the label are wonderful enough – the double-length Glass Bead Games, one of our favorite records ever – and the killer In The World, which is great too. But this set also adds in other Strata East albums that really help illustrate the scene in which Jordan was working – including the excellent Pharoah Sanders non-Impulse session, Izipho Zam; the modern music of Charles Brackeen on Rhythm X, with Don Cherry on trumpet and Brackeen on tenor; and the great Cecil Payne album Zodiac, which has some of the last trumpet work ever from Kenny Dorham. Plus, the set also features two extremely rare albums – the never-issued Shades Of Edward Blackwell – led by the drummer, with Don Cherry on trumpet and Luqman Lateef on tenor, plus a bit of log drum from Jordan – and the obscure Super Bass album from Wilbur Ware, which features Jordan on tenor, in a quartet with Ware on bass, Don Cherry on trumpet, and Ed Blackwell on drums! These two albums are worth the price of the package alone – even if you have other Strata East albums in your collection – and the whole thing features the usual sublime Mosaic package and booklet. CD

A pretty sweet little solo album by Lonnie Jordan – a key War member during the group's biggest fame. The album lives up to its title, and serves up a number of different musical styles, all with Lonnie on keyboards and vocals – but the best work is the stuff that's still in the War-type groove, those cuts that have a Latiny funk groove, like "Junkie To My Music" and "Nasty", both of which are pretty tasty numbers with a heavy Chicano groove. "Junkie" is especially great – as it's got some very cool keybord soloing over a heavy conga groove, in kind of a nice stoner funk way. Other tracks include "Jungle Dancin", "Grey Rainy Days", and "He Used To Be A Friend Of Mine". LP, Vinyl record album

The record that really put Jurassic 5 on the map – a set that came out after some key indie fame, but with a platform that helped the group become one of the more important mainstream hip hop forces of the century! All the creative lyrical interplay of the underground is firmly in place here – as the record's a major label effort, but one that's not sacrificing quality for success – thanks in part to the wonderful production from Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist – well-schooled in the more sophisticated styles of the 90s, yet also able to keep things lean and sharp – without some of the headier bedroom hip hop modes. Rhymes are by Zaakir, Chali 2na, Akil, and Marc 7 – every bit as sharp as the production – and tracks include "How We Get Along", "Contact", "Quality Control", "World Of Entertainment", "The Influence", "Monkey Bars", "Quality Control", "Twelve", "Contribution", "The Game", "Improvise", "Swing Set", and "Jurass Finish First". CD

A split album of early recordings by Otis Rush and Albert King – both featured here in early Chicago sides done for Chess Records in the years before their bigger late 60s fame! The style here is mostly stripped down, but still pretty tight – not as rough-edged as some of their Chess contemporaries, and with a fair bit of electric guitar driving most tunes along with a nice little groove. Albert King titles include "Searchin For A Woman", "Bad Luck", "Won't Be Hangin Around", and "Merry Way" – and Otis Rush titles include "So Close", "I Can't Stop", "I'm Satisfied", "So Many Roads", and "All Your Love". CD

A fantastic collection of work from Elizabeth King – a gospel singer who never reached the same sort of fame as singers who moved into the secular world – but one who's got a vocal power that would have made her a star, had she chosen such a move! The tunes here all feature King singing with tight small combo backing in a very rhythmic mode, and with strong support from a male backing group – who offer up this great call/response energy to Elizabeth's lead – which only seems to drive the music even further forward with its power! The tracks were all recorded in Memphis in 1972 – and titles include "Can't Do Nothing", "I Found Him", "This Man", "I'll Fly Way", "I Heard The Voice", "Stretch Out", and "Down Here Waiting". LP, Vinyl record album

Darkly new wave work from Kissing The Pink – a group who are never as well-remembered as Human League or Ultravox, but who often have a very similar feel! As with much British electronica of the time, the vocals are often flat and compressed into the rhythms very strongly – cold, but with a charm that's undeniable – especially on the few more hook-heavy tunes that won the group a bit of crossover fame. CD brings together the full Naked album and the Kissing The Pink EP – a total of 17 tracks that includes "Big Man Restless", "The Last Film", "Frightened In France", "In Awe Of Industry", "Mr Blunt", "Maybe This Day", "Watching Their Eyes", and "Love Lasts Forever". CD

Brilliant soul from the Detroit underground of the late 60s – a full set of work by vocalist Little Ann, issued here for the first time ever! You might recognize Ann's name from her appearance on a few of the Ace/Kent Records issues of material by Detroit producer Dave Hamilton over the years – and the work here all comes from those classic collaborations with Hamilton – trapped on tape for many years, always contemplated as a possible Little Ann album – but only issued in full all these many years later! The groove here is as offbeat as some of Dave's other great work – not nearly as tight, or uptight, as Motown music – and instead, done with a sly undercurrent of darkness on most numbers, even the mellower ones – almost that earliest mix of Detroit styles that you get on pre-fame singles from Westbound Records artists. Ann's vocals are nice and lean, and slide right into the mix with ease – heartfelt enough to grab us right away, yet without any obvious cliches as well. Titles include "What Should I Do", "Who Are You Trying To Fool", "The Smile On Your Face", "Stand Together", "I'm Doin All Right", "Lost A Lover", "That's All I want From You", and "I Got To Have You" – plus the unissued versions "Possession (master edit)", "Deep Shadows (multi mix)", and "Sweet It Out In The Shed (master tape)". PLUS – this CD features 9 more instrumental versions of the tunes by the Dave Hamilton Band – most issued here for the first time ever – plus three more alternates of album tracks! CD

A bit of soul history!!!! This was one of the first-ever singles issued by the early Satellite label that later became Stax. The record was their first big hit – and the fame of the single brought them into conflict with another label called Satellite, who told them they had to change their name. 7-inch, Vinyl record

Quite possibly THE Bob Marley album – or at least the record that really exploded the man from the Jamaican scene into huge global fame – thanks to a universally soulful sound that moved the record way past the barriers that were holding the rest of Kingston sounds back from the mainstream! The record still has Bob working with the original Wailers lineup that includes Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh – both of whom have enough of a presence here to really rise Marley up, and point him in the majestic direction he'd take on his later solo albums. The record features the classics "Get Up Stand Up" and "I Shot The Sherriff" – and other titles include "Duppy Conqueror", "One Foundation", "Pass It On", "Burnin & Lootin", "Hallelujah Time", and "Small Axe". Also includes 3 bonus tracks – "Reincarnated Souls", "No Sympathy" and 'The Oppressed Song". CD

One of the greatest albums ever from the legendary soul singer Curtis Mayfield – even though it's different than most of the rest as well! Curtis is captured here in a small club, with a tight band, spinning out these extended readings of some of his best tunes – both tracks he sang with The Impressions, and as a solo act – completely transformed here in the righteous energy of the setting! The vibe is similar to the classic Donny Hathaway Live album from the same time – save for the fact that this set is double-length, and maybe even more powerful as Curtis sings and plays guitar in a small group with additional guitar, bass, and drums – and some very hip percussion from Master Henry Gibson, of Pharoahs fame. Tracks include "We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue", "Stare and Stare", "Check Out Your Mind", "Stone Junkie", "I Plan To Stay A Believer", "If There's A Hell Below We're All Going To Go", "Mighty Mighty", and "The Makings Of You". LP, Vinyl record album

The first really in-depth look at the life of the great Al Green – a book that traces the fascinating journey that led a young man from Memphis to the top of the soul charts in the 70s – only to leave the world of secular music for the church in the following decade, then go on to a surprisingly rich career in decades that followed! The book is especially great at the roots of Al's sound and style – and if you dig southern soul as much as us, you'll really appreciate the author's account of the long journey before Green rose to fame at Hi Records – the kind of journeyman work that's often eclipsed when an artist becomes a star. The book also includes an appendix with a discography and legal notes too – and is over 400 pages, hardcover, with some black and white images. Book

A really fantastic album from singer Helen Merrill – and quite an obscure one as well! The set was recorded after Helen's initial burst to fame on the Mercury label in the 50s – and has her taking on a more laidback, more open-minded approach here in a very hip setting that includes a fair bit of work from guitarist Charlie Byrd – fresh off his fame of recording with Stan Getz, and able to bring some of his unique phrasing to the record in a really great way! The material is nicely varied – different than what Merrill would have recorded in the previous decade – and definitely indicates the step into hipper territory that some of the rising vocalists of the 60s, such as Nina Simone or Oscar Brown Jr, were taking at the time. Other musicians include Jimmy Giuffre on clarinet, Hal McKusick on flute, and Jimmy Raney on second guitar – and titles include "The River", "Minha Rocca", "Forbidden Games", "John Anderson My Love", "Cannetella", "Itsuki No Komoriuta", "Quiet Nights", and "Careless Love". CD

The first full album from the great Fred Neil – recorded for Elektra Records in the years before his underground fame on Capitol – and with a sound that's maybe a bit more bluesy overall, but in a very cool way! Fred's songwriting strengths are very much at play here – as almost all songs are originals – but there's also a tighter focus that compresses most numbers to the 2/3 minute range – instead of making them more of the wispier workouts of later years. The group's quite an interesting one – with on guitar and dobro from Pete Childs, bass from Felix Pappalardi, and harmonica from John Sebastian – all at a young point that has them bringing plenty of folk blues inflections to their performances, but in a way that's completely free of any hoke or cliche. CD

Killer piano jazz, and some of the greatest modernist work ever recorded by Blue Note! Herbie Nichols deserves every bit of the rare fame he ever got – and it's only the paucity of his recordings that has kept him from achieving the status of Thelonious Monk or Cecil Taylor as an avant garde forefather – which makes this album a really key piece of a too-small jazz puzzle! Nichols is amazing throughout – bristling with new ideas, and a fresh approach to modern jazz that also transforms the presence of the other two members of the trio – Art Blakey on drums and Al McKibbon on bass, both of whom are clearly following Herbie's lead here. All titles are original – Nichols was a hell of a writer – and titles include "Third World", "Step Tempest", "Dance Line", "Blue Chopsticks", "Shuffle Montgomery", "Brass Rings", "Crisp Day", and "Amoeba's Dance". Single LP version features all material that was originally on the two different 10" LP releases. LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic photographs of the Queen Of Soul – images that start from her early years in Detroit, then move to her rise to fame on Atlantic Records in the 60s – and continue with images that follow Aretha well into her later years too! The book mixes together color and black and white, famous and obscure – and often includes images that are a great sidebar to some better-known photos of Franklin – all supported by text from author Meredith Ochs. This is hardly a comprehensive look at Aretha Franklin, but the photos are more than enough – great shots of Aretha on stage, in the studio, on the TV screen, and just kicking back on her own – 138 pages, hardcover, with images throughout. Book

A mega-hit from Peaches & Herb – best known for the crossover classic "Reunited", but equally great for a host of modern soul groovers! The duo first achieved fame at the end of the 60s – through a set of key pop soul tracks that had a warm and sweet finish. Here, though, the pair are stepping out with a bit more of an Ashford & Simpson vibe – more mature and groove-oriented – and getting some great help on production and arrangement from Freddie Perren. Titles include, of course, "Reunited" – plus "Shake Your Groove Thing", "We've Got Love", "Love It Up Tonight", "Easy As Pie", "Four's A Traffic Jam", and "All Your Love". LP, Vinyl record album

2 albums recorded by Esther in the years before she broke into big fame on the Kudu label. Burnin is a stunning live set that marked Esther's move from being a loud young R&B singer into an older, more mature interpreter of material in a more jazzy style. She's backed here by a good group that includes Jack Wilson on piano, Richard Tee on organ, Chuck Rainey on bass, and Cornell Dupree on guitar – and she moves through a heartbreaking set of material that heralds her later 70's recordings for Kudu. Tracks include "Don't Let Me Lose This Dream", "And I Love Him", "Shangri-La", and "Please Send Me Someone To Love". Confessin points back at Esther's earlier career in R&B, but has a nice jazzy finish – thanks to players like Sonny Criss, Teddy Edwards, and Herb Ellis – and the record also features a few more sides from the Burnin sessions at Freddie Jett's Nightclub in LA. Titles include "Romance In The Dark", "I Wonder", "I'm Getting Long Alright", "In The Evenin", and "I Love Paris". Due to time limit restrictions, the CD excludes the cuts "I'm Getting Long Alright" and "It Could Happen To You" from the LPs. CD

Two of the hippest soul artists of the late 60s – coming together here for an incredible collection of work! Bobby Womack would explode into huge fame as a star in his own right at the end of the decade – but at the time of these recordings, he was mostly getting play as a songwriter – and the young Wilson Pickett was one of the strongest supporters of his work! The tracks here were all recorded between 1966 and 1968 for Atlantic Records – including many excellent Muscle Shoals recordings – and the style of Womack's writing is a perfect blend with the deep soul vocals of the Wicked Pickett – at a level that almost seems to provide a blueprint for the mode that Bobby would use on his first few length albums. The lyrics are wonderful – full of fantastic feeling, and arguably more mature than some of the contemporary soul from the time – and it's wonderful to hear all the selections together in one place, especially with detailed notes that really frame the whole project. Titles include "It's A Groove", "Let's Get An Understanding", "People Make The World What It Is", "Trust Me", "Remember I Been Good To You", "I've Come A Long Way", "Sit Down & Talk This Over", "Nothing You Can Do", "I'm In Love", "I'm Sorry About That", "I Found A True Love", "We've Got To Have Love", and "Jealous Love" – and the CD also features two great bonus tracks – an early Bobby Womack single from Atlantic in 1967 – with Bobby singing "Find Me Somebody" and "How Does It Feel". CD

Two early 70s classics from Poco – back to back in a single set! Deliverin is a great live album from Poco, one that has the group sounding nicely different than the warmth of their studio albums – in front of a crowd that's clearly going nuts for their special blend of country and rock elements! The setting gives Poco an edge that really gets at the newness of the sound at the time – very different than a few years later, when it was more arena-filling fare – and almost in the territory of a Flying Burritos live set from the same time. Timothy B Schmidt's vocals are great – and titles include "C'Mon", "You'd Better Think Twice", "Man Like Me", "I Guess You Made It", "Hear That Music", and two great medley tracks – "Hard Luck/Child's Claim To Fame/Pickin Up The Pieces" and "Just In Case It Happens/Grand Junction/Consequently So Long". CD

A great early album from David Pomeranz – a great 70s singer/songwriter who got the chance to record often, but never seemed to achieve the fame he deserved! This set's clearly got the Decca label investing heavily in David's talents – as he gets great production from Charles Callelo, who also helped with the arrangements – and uses an all-star group of jazz players who include Chick Corea and Jan Hammer on piano, Randy Brecker on trumpet, Joe Farrell on tenor, John Tropea on guitar, Billy Cobham on drums, and both Airto and David Friedman on percussion – players who really bring an instrumental complexity to the record that matches the inspiration of the well-penned tunes by Pomeranz. David himself also plays guitar and piano at times – and titles include "Dagger", "Hideaway Suite", "First", "Father Thoughts", "City Show", "I Need Time To Fly", "We Loved Just Fine", and "Day Prayer". CD

Prince certainly hit and run with this record – as the set was so secret, we couldn't even announce it until it was released! But the lack of advance fame certainly doesn't hold it back – as the whole thing is one of Prince's strongest efforts in years – a record that echoes lots of his 80s famous funk right at the start, then breaks out into a mode that's a lot more brash and almost brutal at times – as if the purple one's expressing anger and emotion we never would have heard in his music from years back! Everything is very much right on the money – vocals, instruments, and all the rhythms woven together with that magic that Prince first created decades ago – but with a fresher 21st Century spirit that still blows away most of the younger generation he's inspired. Titles include "Hardrocklover", "Fallinlove2nite", "Mr Nelson", "June", "Million $ Show", "Ain't About 2 Stop", and "This Could B Us". CD

Don't let the title fool you, because it's similar to the album that Ricardo Ray and Bobby Cruz started off the 70s with – El Bestial Sonido – but the record's something quite different indeed! This set has Ricardo and Bobby exploring a more spiritual side of their music – one that's still socially conscious, and still plenty heavy on the Puerto Rican salsa of their fame – but one that also features all original material with themes of faith and redemption. Of course, if you're not a Spanish speaker, all you'll really notice is that the album's got plenty of salsa grooves – and at some level, that's really the genius of the album – as Ray and Cruz pushed a new sensibility into mainstream salsa audiences. Titles include "Eres Tu", "El Relajo", "Juan En La Cuidad II", "Pra Tra Y Pa Tra", and "El Sonido De La Bestia". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic collection of work from Blind Alfred Reed – a West Virginia singer and fiddle player who's best known for his participation in the 1927 Bristol recordings that helped lay the foundation for generations of country music to come! Reed's style is very individual – that near-lost Appalachian strain that has surprisingly strong ties to modes from the British Isles, but which comes across with a definite American vibe – not just in Alfred's twangy representation of the lyrics, but also in the sprightly phrasing he brings to his instrument. And unlike some of his contemporaries, who often reworked older themes, Reed wrote all his own material – which reflects both the hardship of life in Appalachia at the time, and some of the higher ideals that could support flagging spirits in such a setting. Some of these songs have had greater fame in later remakes, but they still sound best here in Alfred's original recordings – which themselves have been beautifully restored for this lavish package – which also includes a hardcover book with notes on Reed's life, music, and long legacy. Titles include "The Old Fashioned Cottage", "Money Cravin Folks", "There'll Be No Distinction There", "The Prayer Of The Drunkard's Little Girl", "How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times & Live", and "Explosion In The Fairmount Mines". CD

The title's an apt one here, as Jimmy Rogers was one of the many bluesmen who started out in the south, but headed to Chicago for greater fame – which was a good thing for Chess Records, who managed to come some of these great sides in the 50s! Rogers both sings and plays guitar – the later of which has a sometimes snakey quality that almost echoes a slight bit of jazz – a mode that recalls some of the inventions T Bone Walker was putting down at the time, but a little bit rootsier overall. Players on these sessions include Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Otis Spann, and Willie Dixon – and tracks include "Money Marbles & Chalk", "Ludella", "You're The One", "Back Door Friend", "I Used To Have A Woman", "Sloppy Drunk", "Blues Leave Me Alone", and "Walking By Myself". LP, Vinyl record album

An overlooked funky classic! Although it's easy to pass off this album as a cheapo follow-up record to Roundtree's fame in the Shaft movies – it's actually a pretty groovy soul record, with production by Eugene McDaniels, and arrangements by Leon Pendarvis and McDaniels – with an overall feel that's similar to some of McDaniels' off-beat soul work of the same time. Includes the cool cut "Street Brother", plus other nice ones like "Sagittarian Lady", "Gets Hard Sometimes", "Peace In the Morning", and "Tree Of Life". And sure, Roundtree's not the best singer – but with great writing and production – and players like Billy Harper, Sonny Fortune, and Hubert Laws – who cares how he sings? LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful album of spacey jazz funk! Eddie Russ was a 70s keyboard genius – right up there with Lonnie Liston Smith and Herbie Hancock in our book, although he never reached the fame of either of those players. This album's one of Eddie's best – and it's got a smoothly produced soul jazz sound that's almost a takeoff on the style of Smith's excellent records for Flying Dutchman – but a bit cooler overall, and with a great feel that links back to Russ' years in the Detroit scene. Tracks are uptempo and jazzy, with a strongly soulful vibe that features lots of electric keyboard work over the top of fast dancing rhythms. A few cuts have sweet female soul backup vocals, and additional instrumentation includes trumpet, sax, and guitar. Tracks include "Zaius", "Salem Avenue", "Poko Nose", and "See The Light". LP, Vinyl record album

A rare early cooker from Hammond player Rhoda Scott – a musician who went onto much greater fame after moving to France in the late 60s – but who is heard here in a great gritty trio with an R&B vibe! The trio features Joe Thomas on tenor and Bill Elliott on drums – and Elliott's invited a female trio to sing a bit on the record, which includes a very young Dionne Warwick! LP, Vinyl record album

The last album that Bob Seger recorded with his early System group, and a set that's still got more of the hard rock and psych elements that Bob was using during his initial late 60s rise to fame! There's a rawness here at times that will surprise folks who only know Seger's late 70s mainstream classics – yet Bob's already got that nicely soul-drenched approach to vocals too, which makes for a nice change from the usual underground group of the time. Dan Watson provides great piano and organ, Pep Perrine handles some mighty heavy drums, and titles include "Big River", "Mongrel", "Lucifer", "Teachin Blues", "Song To Rufus", "Leanin On My Dreams", "Highway Child", and a heady take on "River Deep Mountain High", with some mighty nice guitar! CD

Fantastic sounds from Jackie Shane – a Canadian soul singer who's achieved a bit of recent fame, due to her legacy as an underground trans figure – but an artist who'd already be a winner, even without such a fascinating back story! Fortunately, both sides of Jackie's life are included here – a stunning array of rare soul singles from the late 60s, alongside a heavy package of notes, photos, and other bits of Shane's unusual story – all given the wonderful Numero Group treatment! These guys have a way of digging out stories even where you might not expect them – so in the case of Jackie, their efforts are extra-important – and the heavy weight of the record really seems to emphasize that fact – as the whole thing's really a double-whammy of Numero genius. But again, even without all of that, the whole thing's more than essential for any fan of underground soul – especially female soul – half the set features her rare singles, the other lost live work – with titles that include "Sticks & Stones", "Cruel Cruel World", "Comin Down", "In My Tenement", "Send Me Some Lovin", "I've Really Got The Blues", "Stand Up Straight & Tall", "Cruel Cruel World", "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag", "Any Other Way", "Shotgun", "I Don't Want To Cry", and "Money". CD

15 bass-heavy classics from the band that virtually invented the 80s groove sound! The set's a good selection of tracks from Slave's classic Cotillion albums from the late 70s, and it also includes 5 tracks from bandmember Steve Arrington, who went on to record with his Hall Of Fame group during the early 80s. Titles include "Slide", "Stellar Fungk", "Stone Jam", "Watching You", "Wait For Me", "Weak At The Knees", "Feel So Real", "Way Out", and "Are You Ready For Love?" CD

Part of the great 80s run from The Smiths – and a record that has them continuing to grow, continuing to express new ideas – yet still find a way to hang onto all the charm and catchiness that made them so great in the first place! Morrissey's definitely stretching out a bit with his songwriting, and Johnny Marr's guitar finds lots of lovely places to show us why he was such a standout talent in his generation – and production, as always, is wonderfully uncluttered – none of those too-smooth or too-commercial modes that held back so many Smiths contemporaries once they started raising in fame. Titles include "A Rush & A Push & The Land Is Ours", "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me", "I Won't Share You", "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before", "Death Of A Disco Dancer", and "Girlfriend In A Coma". LP, Vinyl record album

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

Some of the greatest work ever from The Staple Singers – early gospel recordings for Vee Jay Records, mostly recorded in a spare vocal group mode that's greatly different from their later fame at Stax! The style here is quite traditional and earthy – near-acapella vocals often just supported by a bit of guitar to underscore some of the bluesier elements of the tunes. The approach is great, and perfectly recorded – in a way that's still gospel, but which shows plenty of early soul leanings too – a style that's different than most of the group's contemporaries, and which certainly hints at their later direction. LP, Vinyl record album

After first breaking into the soul business as a mellow southern-styled singer cut by Rick Hall in the classic Fame mode of Muscle Shoals, Candi made a wise move to the Hotlanta sound and hooked up with producer Dave Crawford for this runaway hit album from the mid 70s! The title cut – "Young Hearts Run Free" – mixes the best elements of Candi's southern roots with a strident smooth groove that worked as well on the dancefloor as it did on the radio. Along with that cut, though, the album's got a great overall sound – kind of a mix of southern and modern soul styles, with a sophisticated approach that worked well for Candi. Other cuts include "I Know", "Run To Me", "Destiny", and "What a Feeling". Also with a nice cover of Al Green's "Living For You". LP, Vinyl record album

A definite love storm from Tavares – a set that has the group's vocal approach honed to perfection – really soaring high with some sweet clubby arrangements from Freddie Perren! The album came at a time when the group was riding high on mainstream disco fame – but it's hardly a cash-in set at all – and still really keeps the group strongly in that special harmony space that was all their own! Tavares have a glow that's warmer than some of the east coast groups of the time, and which fits in perfectly with Perren's sophisticated grooves – yet the vocals still bristle with plenty of feeling, and that unified energy that nobody else could touch. Titles include "One Step Away", "Whodunit", "Keep In Touch", "Watching The Women's Movement", "Fool Of The Year", "Goodnight My Love", and "The Going Ups & The Coming Downs". LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic work from one of the most compelling mainstream talents in recent years – an artist who can get wide fame and acclaim, yet keep on pushing the boundaries into fresh new cosmic territory! This album may well be Thundercat's masterpiece – not just a summation of all the ideas and areas he's explored in the past, but also kind of a re-filtering of other modes as well – including the more spiritual and jazz-based territory that he's moved towards, especially when working with others! Yet there's nothing here that's an easy copy of another style, or another's work – as the whole thing bristles with a personal newness that's wonderful – even when Thundercat is getting help from guests who include Kamasai Washington, Flying Lotus, Wiz Khalifa, Pharrell, and Kendrick Lamarr – as well as some especially nice work from AOR legends Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald. Titles include "I Am Crazy", "3AM", "Rabbot Ho", "Bus In These Streets", "Lava Lamp", "Jethro", "Show You The Way", "Drink Dat", "Jameel's Space Ride", and "Tokyo". LP, Vinyl record album

The Trammps are still burning strong at the end of the 70s – never losing their Philly groove despite a run on the charts and much bigger fame than most of their contemporaries – and in a way, the album's almost a back-to-basics affair that's pure Philly all the way! Arrangements here are by Norman Harris, Ron Kersey, and Ron Baker – who've taken the group into a mode that's perhaps got some of the new club touches being explored more at Salsoul than Philly International – but which still works tremendously well for the group. Tracks are all full, flowing, and and aimed at the dancefloor – and although there's not really any standout hits or hooks here, that aspect of the album is almost a welcome relief, given that the group could be going for easy hits at this point. Titles include "Love Insurance Policy", "Whole World's Dancing", "My Love It's Never Been Better", "Soul Bones", "Love Magnet", and "More Good Times To Remember". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe the most lasting classic during the short but important run of Tupac Shakur – the overstuffed album that catapulted him to huge mainstream fame, and which was also the last to be released before his early death. The producers and guests read like a who's who of the harder side of the mainstream spectrum – and include Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Redman, Method Man, Kurupt, E-40, The Outlawz, and others – but it's also clear who's going for the crown here, as you'll hear on tracks that include "All Eyez On Me", "California Love (rmx)", "I Ain't Mad At Cha", "2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted", "Can't C Me", "Heartz Of Men", "Got My Mind Made Up", "Shorty Wanna Be A Thug", "Ain't Hard 2 Find", "Run Tha Streetz", "Picture Me Rollin", "When We Ride", "Thug Passion", "Heaven Ain't Hard 2 Find", and "How Do U Want It". CD

A really fantastic chapter in the career of the great Muddy Waters – a set that was initially dismissed as "inauthentic", but which has gone on to much-deserved fame over the years! Part of the genius here is the great Charles Stepney – that hip Chicago arranger who did so many wonderful things in the Chess/Cadet Records studios at the end of the 60s – which he definitely does here, as the gritty blues of Muddy Waters is mixed with a righteous current of 70s funky – with added guitar from Phil Upchurch and Pete Cosey, bass from Louis Satterfield, and organ from Stepney himself! The vibe is similar to the best funk blues sessions on Chess at the time by Bo Diddley and Etta James – and titles include "I'm A Man", "I Just Want To Make Love to You", "Hoochie Coochie Man", "Same Thing", "She's All Right", and "Tom Cat". CD

A big package of work – all the albums recorded by The Weather Girls, plus solo material and bonus tracks too! First up is Success – maybe the greatest moment ever from The Weather Girls – a long-running duo who started out as backing singers for Sylvester in the 70s, then recorded as Two Tons O Fun, and finally got the chance to cut this classic for a major label in the early 80s! Both Martha Wash and Izora Armstead are great singers – and work here with previous disco maestro Paul Jabara, who has a great way of shifting the groove to 80s club, while still allowing all the playful elements of the decade before! In a way, this was definitely one of those records that showed the world that in the right corners, disco wasn't dead – heard to best effect on the classic "It's Raining Men" – alongside other cuts that include "Success", "Hungry For Love", "Dear Santa", "Hope", and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair". Next is Big Girls Don't Cry – soaring vocals from The Weather Girls, set to bouncy grooves that are equal parts soul and pop! Martha Wash and Izora Armstead have mighty vocal chops throughout – that bold duo approach they first crafted as Two Tons O Fun, and pushed even more strongly as The Weather Girls – set here to keyboard-heavy backings from Leon Pendarvis, who knows just where to put the best hooks in the grooves! Titles include "Well A Wiggy", "Lock Me Up", "No One Can Love You More Than Me", "Big Girls Don't Cry", "You Can Do It", "Laughter In The Rain", and "March". Next is the self-titled Weather Girls album – the last album in the original run of The Weather Girls – and a set that's full of well-produced tracks from Reggie Lucas and Full Force, balanced out nicely as a way of pushing the duo's sound strongly past the disco years from which they emerged! Sylvester makes a guest appearance on the cut "Love's On The Way" – and other titles include "Why Can't We Show Our Love", "Burn Me", "Love You Like A Train", "Opposite Directions", "Something For Nothing", and "Land Of The Believer". Last up is a super-huge solo set from Martha Wash – made a number of years after her fame in The Weather Girls, and at a time when she had really emerged as an important voice in dance music after a big cut with C&C! By this point, Wash had plenty of recording experience under her belt – and she knocks it out of the park with vocals that are disco-trained, but much richer in soul content overall – certainly more so than some of her other contemporaries on the early 90s club scene. The album features help from a huge amount of studio talent, but it's clear that Wash is the shining star in the lead – really blowing away so much of the work from the "sound system with singer" generation of club – on cuts that include "Leave A Light On", "Give it To You", "Runaround", "Things We Do For Love", "So Whatcha Gonna Do", "Someone Who Believes In You", "Just Us", "Hold On", "When It's My Heart", and "Carry On". 4CD set features bonus tracks on every CD – 22 more bonus mixes and more! CD

Weather Report at the height of their 70s fame – captured live in a double-length set, very much the practice for jazz superstars of the time! The format is familiar – but the liveness gives the album a slightly different feel than their studio sets – a sound that echoes out strongly along with thunderous applause from the crowds, who are themselves clearly situated in some very large arenas. And while the studio Weather Report albums are easily documents of the group's power themselves, it's something extra to hear the crowd going nuts for them here – cheering on Jaco Pastorius during a frenetic bass solo, roaring with approval at a Joe Zawinul keyboard bit, or clapping with enthusiasm after Wayne Shorter finishes a snakey solo. Tracks are all longish, and titles include "Black Market", "Birdland", "Thanks For The Memory", "8:30", "Brown Street", "In A Silent Way", and "Slang". Due to the length of the CD, the track "Scarlet Woman" has been omitted. CD

Weather Report at the height of their 70s fame – captured live in a double-length set, very much the practice for jazz superstars of the time! The format is familiar – but the liveness gives the album a slightly different feel than their studio sets – a sound that echoes out strongly along with thunderous applause from the crowds, who are themselves clearly situated in some very large arenas. And while the studio Weather Report albums are easily documents of the group's power themselves, it's something extra to hear the crowd going nuts for them here – cheering on Jaco Pastorius during a frenetic bass solo, roaring with approval at a Joe Zawinul keyboard bit, or clapping with enthusiasm after Wayne Shorter finishes a snakey solo. Tracks are all longish, and titles include "Scarlet Woman", "Black Market", "Birdland", "Thanks For The Memory", "8:30", "Brown Street", "In A Silent Way", and "Slang". LP, Vinyl record album

Way more than just a "cellarful" of Motown – a wealth of great tracks, all of which are previously unreleased! This incredible 2CD set is a landmark in the history of both Motown and Northern Soul – as it brings together 40 tracks that were recorded in the glory days of the Detroit scene, but never issued at the time. A number of cuts on the set have risen to fame over the years as bootlegs floating around the UK club scene, and they're issued properly here for the first time ever, along side other lost gems that will soon become new classics to a generation of soul fans – all wrapped up in one great package filled with notes on the music, and listing the origins of the tunes! Titles include "My Sugar Baby" by Frank Wilson, "Baby A Go Go" by Barbara McNair, "How Can I" by Brenda Holloway, "He Was Really Sayin Somethin" by Earl Van Dyke, "Until You Came Along" by Carolyn Crawford, "Before It's Over" by Sammy Ward, "Long Gone Lover" by Velvelettes, "If You Ever Get Your Hands On Me" by Gladys Knight & The Pips, "Lucky Lucky Me" by Jimmy Ruffin, "I Wish I Liked You" by Marvin Gaye, "You Made Me Feel Like" by Syreeta, "Don't Let Me Down" by Kim Weston, "Don't Put Off Till Tomorrow What You Can Do Today" by The Monitors, and "It Must Be Love Baby" by Chuck Jackson & Yvonne Fair. Lots lots more, and filled with wonderful tunes! CD

The depths of the early 80s underground never fail to amaze us – because while the late 70s punk rock years are constantly being reissued and compiled, the electronic scene of just of a few years later is still so largely undiscovered! Part of the situation is that much of the work came out as cheap 45s, or cassette-only releases – which didn't lend themselves to the same level of collecting – and other groups who started dark hit the bigtime and went onto great fame – like Human League or Cabaret Voltaire – but for every one of those, there were a hundred left behind in the shifting sands of time – only to be discovered by the tireless efforts of the current generation! Titles include "Universe" by The Lord, "X Cell" by Silicon Valley, "Oscillations" by The Disintegrators, "Red Suit" by Lives Of Angels, "Destination" by Echophase, and "Club Paris" by Berserk In A Hayfield. CD

A huge document of work from LA's Consolidated Productions – a company you might not know by name, but one who issued work on a number of tiny indie labels – including City Lights, Simco, Space, Velvet, Angel Town, and many other labels! The set is heavy on 60s soul in a variety of styles – and features group harmonies, deep soul singers, and even some instrumental work too – all with qualities that are very much in the best modes that the Chicago scene was recording at the time – sophisticated, but gritty too – and with a vibe that's way past the 60s soul hits you'll find on mainstream compilations! You'll recognize a few names here – including Gene Russell, later of Black Jazz fame – and there's a fair bit of obscure artists too – in a set list of 28 tracks that include "Misery" by The DeVelles, "Cool It Baby" by BB Carter, "I'm Mad" by Spider Walker, "Money Man" by LA Untouchables, "I Got To See My Baby" by Lee Jones, "Jet Set" and "Doin The Snake Hips" by Gene Russell's Trio, "Don't You Fool Me" by Ann Stacy, "My Lover" by Marilyn Calloway & The 4 Silvertones, "Lighten Up Baby" by Ty Karim, "Turkey Trot" by Dynamic Duo & The Penguiness, "False Pride" and "Prove It" by Lee Harvey, and "So Called Friend" by Billy Williams. LP, Vinyl record album

A huge collection of work from the second chapter in the career of long-running New Orleans soul singer Johnny Adams – work after his initial rise to fame on the SSS International label, from a time when he was working with producer Senator Jones, in a groove that nicely updated an older deep soul style! In later years, Adams would emerge as a more traditional artist, but here he's doing a great job of working with larger charts alongside his well-crafted vocals – in a style that's not unlike that used by Johnnie Taylor and Tyrone Davis in the late 70s too – a more sophisticated take on southern soul, and one that seems to push some of Adams' vocals even more than before! Most of the work was recorded at the Seasaint studios in the late 70s – and titles include "Nothing Takes The Place Of You", "After All The Good Is Gone", "Feel The Beat", "Chasing Rainbows", "It's Been So Long", "Think About You", "Your Love Is All I Need", "Baby Baby I Love You", "She's Only A Baby Herself", "Stay With Me & Stay In Love", "I Don't Want To Cry", and "Memories". 2CD set features 30 tracks in all – including the live cuts "Lost Mind", "Road Block", and "I Cover The Waterfront". CD

Killer work from the same sessions that gave the world Cannonball Adderley's classic Black Messiah album – live material from an extended stretch as the Troubadour club in LA – featuring a very righteous, freewheeling version of Cannonball's group! The lineup features some wonderful work on Fender Rhodes from George Duke – who brings a more soulful, spiritual current to the proceedings than Joe Zawinul did in earlier years – a really commanding presence that hints at his brewing solo fame, and which is a very welcome addition to the core lineup, which also includes Cannon on soprano and alto, and brother Nat on cornet! The performance also fetaures some great guest work from Ernie Watts on tenor and Airto on percussion – who really help round out the long tunes on the set. David Axelrod produced – leaving some nice room for Adderley's key spoken bits – and titles include the 12 minute groover "The Brakes", plus "Oh Babe", "Music You All", and "Capricorn" – plus a sweet take on "Walk Tall", which really has Duke stomping away on the Rhodes! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the all-time great ones by Cannonball! This record captures him in the prime of his early soul jazz fame – working with an unbelievably heavy quintet that featured Bobby Timmons on piano (with Barry Harris sitting in on a few tracks), Sam Jones on bass, Louis Hayes on drums, and brother Nat Adderley on cornet. The quintet forged a sound that made them an immediate hit – and which had their tight, jagged, soul-drenched sound getting copied by everyone. The record features some amazing soul jazz standards – like Nat's original version of "Work Song", the first-ever record of Timmons' amazing "Dat Dere", Cannon's slinky "Them Dirty Blues", and the jaunty groover "Jeannine", a wonderful cut by Duke Pearson that never sounded better! The CD features alternates of "Work Song" and "Dat Dere" – for a total of 9 tracks in all! CD

An album that definitely lives up to its title – given the great change and evolution in the style of Cannonball Adderley's music – definitely pointed towards the soul jazz fame to come in the 60s! The group here has Adderley's alto in the company of some all-stars who may not be his regular group, but who definitely help keep the whole thing at a top-shelf level throughout – a quintet that features Milt Jackson on vibes, Wynton Kelly on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Art Blakey on drums. There's still a few echoes of Cannon's earlier bop recordings, but the sound is also moving towards the new modes to come – especially on the classic title cut "Things Are Getting Better". Other cuts include "Just One Of Those Things", "Sounds For Sid", "Groovin High", "Serves Me Right", and "Blues Oriental". CD includes two alternate takes. CD

Great early work from King Sunny Ade – billed as "volume 12" – but a set that's way before his bigger 80s fame on Island Records! The title cut takes up all of side one – and side two features shorter tracks that include "Gbogbo Wa L'Ope", "Asiko Ni", and "Ori Olowo". LP, Vinyl record album

Mose Allison's last album for Prestige Records – before moving onto even bigger fame at Columbia and Atlantic during the 60s! Unlike Allison's later sets, this one is mostly instrumental – but there are a few sweet vocal tracks that bring out the hip, rootsy lyrical modes that would make Mose a big hit with the mod scene overseas – including the classic "Eyesight To The Blind", plus "That's All Right" and "Do Nothing Till You Here From Me". The remaining piano trio sides have a great rollicking groove – rootsy, yet slightly modern too – with bass by Addison Farmer and drums from Ronnie Free – on titles that include "Promenade", "It's Crazy", "Strange", "Autumn Song", and "Groovin High". CD

The full length classic from the duo of Althea Forrest and Donna Reid – a pair who recorded the title hit as a bit of a lark, then found themselves quickly coming up with enough material to follow up with a full length album! Despite their almost accidental fame, the duo are pretty darn great – very much in the best roots mode of the mid 70s, with an easygoing vocal style that slides right into the well-crafted grooves of the set! Instrumentation is top-shelf throughout – key Kingston backing from Tommy McCook on tenor, Vin Gordon on trombone, Chinna Smith on guitar, and Sly and Robbie on rhythm – all giving the record a great midtempo groove that lets the vocals flow in a nicely seductive way throughout. Titles include "No More Fighting", "Jah Rasafari", "Make A Truce", "The West", "Jah Music", "Sorry", "They Wanna Just", "Uptown Top Ranking", and "If You Don't Love Jah". LP, Vinyl record album

A third great chapter in the career of the mighty Steve Arrington – a solo debut, after work in the groups Slave and Hall Of Fame – and a set that has Arrington maybe shining even more than ever in the spotlight! Rhythms are a bit more mid 80s than his previous work – but Steve's way of handling beats, basslines, and keyboards is every bit as funky as before – and his enthusiasm on the vocals brings a sort of warmth to the record that really knock away so much of the thinner soul on the charts! Arrington keeps things nice and lean – in a good way, which lets you know he's in charge – and titles include the anthemic title track "Dancin In The Key Of Life" – plus "Gasoline", "Stand With Me", "Turn Up The Love", "Brown Baby Boy", "Feel So Real", and "She Just Don't Know". LP, Vinyl record album

A third great chapter in the career of the mighty Steve Arrington – a solo debut, after work in the groups Slave and Hall Of Fame – and a set that has Arrington maybe shining even more than ever in the spotlight! Rhythms are a bit more mid 80s than his previous work – but Steve's way of handling beats, basslines, and keyboards is every bit as funky as before – and his enthusiasm on the vocals brings a sort of warmth to the record that really knock away so much of the thinner soul on the charts! Arrington keeps things nice and lean – in a good way, which lets you know he's in charge – and titles include the anthemic title track "Dancin In The Key Of Life" – plus "Gasoline", "Stand With Me", "Turn Up The Love", "Brown Baby Boy", "Feel So Real", and "She Just Don't Know". CD features five bonus tracks – "Feel So Real (voc ext)", "Feel So Real (inst ext)", "Dancin In The Key Of Life (special rmx)", "Dancin In The Key Of Life (megamix)", and "Dancin In The Key Of Life (Timmy Regisford & Boyd Jarvis rmx)". CD

Writer Nelson Algren is one of our hometown heroes, and spent most of his key years right around the corner of Dusty Groove – so we're always a bit biased when it comes to his work – but you can trust us when we say that this well-done biography is almost as fantastic as some of Algren's classic books! Algren knew the streets of Chicago like the back of his hand – and his interaction with the city and its characters provided Algren with a life's worth of pain and pleasure – a richness of experience that really comes through in the biography. Nelson had a quick rise to fame with the success of The Man With The Golden Arm and a few other key books – but was also the subject of a long FBI investigation, and a number of other political pitfalls too – all documented here in great detail, along with his famous love affair with Simone DeBeauvoir. There's as much sadness and struggle to Algren's life as you'll find in one of his books – and the well-researched volume looks at a stunning array of material to give a full picture of his time and writing. 543 pages, hardcover, with some black and white images. Book

A mid 80s classic from Atlantic Starr – at the height of their catchy commercial fame – bouncing along with rhythms that crossover nicely to the mainstream, yet still keep a bit of their previous funky edge intact! The groove here is almost in the style that Atlantic Starr inspired in so many other younger groups in the earlier part of the 80s – although it's also a bit more polished too. Most instrumentation is electric, and tunes are mostly written by the team of David and Wayne Lewis – both of whom sing on the record. Barbara Weathers also handles female vocals, and titles include "Once Lover At A Time", "Let The Sun In", "My Mistake", "I'm In Love", "Always", "Don't Take Me For Granted", and a version of Sam Dees' "All In The Name Of Love". LP, Vinyl record album

One of those King Records collections that manages to pack a heck of a lot of tunes on a single LP – yet manages to make the whole thing still sound great! The work here is all from the early years of Hank Ballard's career – the kind of hard rocking and R&B tunes that first brought him to fame, right up to the early soul sides he was cutting before leaving King for the first time – including some danceable numbers that are pretty great. Titles include "Baby Please", "Give It Up", "The Twist", "The Float", "I'm Young", "Move Move Move", "The Coffee Grind", "Finger Poppin Time", "Daddy Rolling Stone", "No It Ain't", "Cute Little Ways", and "Ooh Ooh Baby". CD

Fantastic solo work from Peter Bardens – an artist who'd later gain fame as the lead singer of Camel, but who's even more fantastic here on his own – working in a trippy blend of modes that's equally balanced between prog and psych! Bardens plays organ on most of the tracks, but he uses the instrument in ways that are very different from the more R&B-inspired Hammond lines of the mod generation – often tightly fused with the sublime guitar of Andy Gee, a player who's got this sharp sound that's full of chromatic hues that really resonate with the keys of the organ – as the pair take off in this soaring groove that's occasionally a bit funky, always a bit trippy, and which gets a great kick from bass, drums, and percussion – plus support vocals from Linda Lewis and Steve Ellis. The album's really something special – great all the way through – and titles include "The Answer", "Homage To The God Of Light", "I Don't Want To Go Home", "I Can't Remember", "Let's Get It On", and "Don't Goof With A Spook". CD

A wonderful album of 60s Basie – one that focuses on the writing and arranging talents of the great Neal Hefti! Hefti's one of our favorite soundtrack composers of the decade, but in the years before his film fame, he was a frequent partner of Basie – and this album marks one of their greatest collaborations together. The tunes are very much in the "loud, then soft, then loud" mode that Hefti pioneered with Basie's angular group of the 50s – but they've also got some of the warmer, more whimsical touches that Neal would explore more fully in his later soundtrack work too. The result is a classic Basie session, but with plenty of surprises – featuring a fresh batch of tunes that includes "Jump For Johnny", "Ducky Bumps", "Rose Bud", "Shanghaied", "Together Again", and "Eee Dee". LP, Vinyl record album

Socking soul from the 60s – a record with American roots and a very groovy British sound! The set was the second full length album from Madeline Bell – an American singer transplanted to the mod UK scene of the 60s, where she really flourished in a rich career of hit singles, endless session work, and later fame with the group Blue Mink. The tunes on this set are a wonderful bridge between Madeline's two worlds – and have a sound that's a lot like the uptown soul coming out of the US at the time – sweet and smooth arrangements, topped by deeper soul vocals that make for a wonderful juxtaposition. Arrangements are by British talents Arthur Greenslade, Ian Green, and Keith Mansfield – and titles include "Step Inside Love", "Hold It", "Help Yourself", "After All Is Said & Done", "For Your Pleasure", and "It's Up To You". LP, Vinyl record album

An incredibly righteous record from the legendary Andy Bey – an artist who's risen back to fame in recent years as a relatively straight jazz singer – but who was in some very heady territory here in the early 70s! Bey first rose to fame as part of the vocal trio, Andy & The Bey Sisters – and while that group's 60s recordings were already wonderful, Andy soon stepping out into tremendous territory of his own – working with Max Roach, Horace Silver, and Gary Bartz – and adding some unique spiritual and socially conscious vocals to some of their best jazz records at the end of the 60s! This set's one of Andy's few solo moments from the time – and really follows up the groove strongly – with lots of help from the mighty William Fischer, who wrote some of the tracks, and plays keyboards – although Bey is clearly the main compositional force here. The album includes a remake of "Celestial Blues", which Bey recorded famously with Gary Bartz – and which is in a leaner, even funkier take here – and other titles include "Being Uptight", "Tune Up", "Hibiscus", "Experience", and "The Power Of My Mind". CD

A rare early date as a leader from pianist Walter Bishop Jr – cut for a tiny east coast label that folded almost as soon as the record was issued – but a date that's gone onto great fame over the years, thanks to circulation in a few different formats! Bishop's got a really maturing approach here – as sharp as his work from the bop years, but with a deeper sense of tone and color too – occasional lyrical moments that get great shading from the bass of Jimmy Garrison and drums of GT Hogan – both players who make the album really something special – a real cut above the usual trio session. In that manner, the record features two tunes that run for nearly 10 minutes each – opening up in that reflectively soulful mode that Bish would be known much more for in later years – and titles include "Speak Low", "Milestones", "Green Dolphin Street", and "Blues In The Closet". CD features 4 bonus alternate takes! CD

The Black Pumas went from underground status to much bigger fame in just a short span of time – and this smoking second album will definitely continue that nonstop rise to stardom! As before, the group are heavy on older references to funk and soul, but given a lean, contemporary spin in the production – handled by Adrian Quesada, with all the richness he's forged on countless other projects over the years – so that the grooves and instrumentation are right on the money, and augmented by these slight sonic surprises that really keep things interesting! The vocals seem even better than before – raw, raspy, and very powerful – on titles that include "Mrs Postman", "Gemini Sun", "Sauvignon", "Angel", "Hello", "Chronicles Of A Diamond", "Ice Cream", and "More Than A Love Song". LP, Vinyl record album

Two of the later Blackbyrds LPs on one CD! Action is a great little sleeper from the Blackbyrds – a record that never gets as much due as their earlier records that have a hard funky feel, but offer instead a tasty batch of smoother jazz funk numbers that show the group still continuing to grow. Donald Byrd's still at the production helm – and the band's got a nice spacey sound that almost reflects directions that other funk groups, like Kool & The Gang, were taking at the time. The best case of this is the massive cut "Mysterious Vibes", a slow jazzy stepper that was sampled to great fame a few years back – but you can also hear it on the cuts "Supernatural Feeling", "Soft & Easy", and "Dreaming About You". Better Days is filled with sweet warm grooves from the mighty Blackbyrds – a set that has George Duke working with the group, giving them some of the electric vibe of his own great work! The sound is less sharply funky than the early days of the group, but still mighty nice – and titles include "Do It Girl", "Love Don't Strike Twice", "What We Have Is Right", and "What's On Your Mind". CD

A gem of a record from Bliss Band – a group that features lead vocals and Fender Rhodes from Paul Bliss – who also turns out to be a hell of a songwriter too! Bliss has this sweet way of crafting a tune – AOR tight, but never too slick – that really special moment of the 70s scene when artists like Paul were able to bring a high level of care to work in the studio – elevating the singer/songwriter mode of a few years before with lots of well-crafted jazzy instrumentation – in ways that echo the bigger fame of Steely Dan during the same period, but with a bit more personal approach. The result is completely sublime – a record that stands as one of our favorite AOR sets from the time – with titles that include "Don't Do Me Any Favors", "On The Highway", "Right Place Right Time", "Rio", "Over The Hill", "Here Goes", "Stay A Little Longer", and "Take It If You Need It". LP, Vinyl record album

A seasonal classic from the legendary Stax Records – a set of all instrumental Holiday tunes, played by Booker T & The MGs! The album was recorded at the height of the group's early fame – and features a simple, straightforward groove that features plenty of Hammond from Booker T – plus tight grooves from Steve Cropper on guitar, Donald Duck Dunn on bass, and Al Jackson on drums – all of whom cook up some Memphis soul instrumental takes on seasonal favorites – in a mode that easily makes the record one of the hippest Christmas sides from the time! The whole thing's great – almost like a lost Booker T album overall – and titles include "Blue Christmas", "We Three Kings", "Winter Wonderland", "Silver Bells", and "Merry Christmas Baby". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the greatest moments from David Bowie, mixed with some rare tracks, collaborations, 45 mixes, and more – as well as the single "Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime)" – which is one of Bowie's best singles in years! The package is available in a number of varieties, with a number of covers – and each different iteration offers a special sort of focus on Bowie's varied creative career – reminding us in more different ways how much we've continued to love his music over the years! This 3CD version features the track "Sue" – plus 58 more tracks that include"All The Young Dudes", "Dancing In The Streets" with Mick Jagger, "Silly Boy Blue", "Can't Help Thinking About Me", "Liza Jane", "You've Got A Habit Of Leaving", "Wild Is The Wind (2010 Harry Maslin mix)", "Buddha Of Subburbia", "Your Turn To Drive", "The Stars Are Out Tonight", "Blue Jean", "This Is Not America" with Pat Metheny, "Oh You Pretty Things", "Moonage Daydream", "Drive In Saturday", "Sorrow", "Fame", "Boys Keep Swinging", "Fashion (single)", "Ashes To Ashes (single)", "Love Is Lost (DFA hello Steve Reich mix)", "New Iller Star (radio)", "I'm Afraid Of Americans (V1 radio edit)", "Jump They Say (radio)", "Let's Dance", "Life On Mars", "Hello Spaceboy (PSB rmx)" with Pet Shop Boys, "Under Pressure" with Queen, "Sound & Vision", "Golden Years (single)", "Absolute Beginners (single)", "Starman (single)", "Rebel Rebel", "Jean Genie (orig single version)", "Changes", "Where Are We Now", "China Girl (single)", and "Heroes (single)". CD