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Produced by Just Blaze. 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

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An overlooked gem by the great Charlie Rich – an album recorded for Hi Records in the years before he broke big on Columbia in the late 60s – but at a level that certainly points the way towards his country fame to come! And yet, as with most of the best music by Rich – like his stunning Smash Records sides – there's a quality here that's quite far from both the mainstream, and conventional modes of expression – as Charlie almost seems to be drawing as much on soul music for inspiration as he is the sounds of Nashville – which might almost put this album in the territory of classic country soul material by singers like Ray Charles or Brook Benton. The whole thing's a perfect setting for that unique combination of talents that makes Rich so wonderful – and most tracks are Hank Williams hits, but redone completely. Titles include "I Can't Help It", "My Heart Would Know", "Take These Chains From My Heart", "Your Cheatin Heart", "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", "Cold Cold Heart", and "Nobody's Lonesome For Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A real killer from this legendary Latin trombonist – one of his rarest records! The set features a mix of Latin soul and hard-jamming numbers – and titles include "Bomba Con Boogaloo", "El Primer Boogaloo", "Desayuno Musical", "El Abogado", "Mi Morena", and "Bailando Plena". LP, Vinyl record album

Matana Roberts on saxophone and clarinet, Taylor Ho Bynum on cornet, Thomos Kneeland on bass, and Tomas Fujiwara on drums and percussion. CD

A really cool record from reedman Robert Rockwell – one that features some great work from keyboardist Bobby Lyle too! Lyle was recording for bigger labels at the time, but his work here on electric piano really adds a lot to the long tracks on the record – a nice mix with the tenor, soprano, and bass clarinet of Rockwell – who also plays some waterphone on the record too! There's a fair bit of added percussion on two tracks, plus guitar on two as well – and the rest of the core group features Willard Peterson on bass and Bill Berg on drums. Titles include "Androids", "Elvin's Waltz", "Todos Nosotros", and "On the Edge". LP, Vinyl record album

A perfect batch of classic and should-be classic girl group soul from The Ronettes – a set made of the prime era Phil Spector recordings – with the legendary, unshakable (for good reason) couple of biggest hits and a whole bunch of lesser-remembered gems that are just as brilliant! "Be My Baby" and "Baby, I Love You" are as iconic as any 60s hits of any stripe, and they come up early in the set – which features 18 tracks in all, most of which are ignored by oldies radio and lesser compilations. The Ronettes at their most essential! Other tracks include "Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love" and "So Young" (as Veronica), "Do I Love You?", "When I Saw You", "Paradise", "Here I Sit", "You Came, You Saw, You Conquered","Everything Under The Sun" & more. CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Pedrinho Sampaio is surrounded by keyboards on this late 70s gem from Brazil – and the record definitely makes it feel that way too – as Pedrinho handles a variety of different Yamaha organs and keyboards, plus some Roland strings as well! Yet there's also a nicely rounded group feel to the record – as the combo has guitar, bass, and drums – so that the whole session has a fluid groove that's not just driven by the keyboards – which is a good thing too, as Pedrinho provides some great vocals on most numbers – slightly soulful, and with a quality that's really down to earth. The whole thing's great – leaner and less commercial than if the record were done in the US – and with a vibe that's nicely between Brazilian soul and jazz of the period, with a very groovy sound throughout. Titles include "Rio Negro", "Manaus", "Correnteza", "Tranzamazonica", "Todas As Criancas Da Terra", "Pensando Em Pensar", and "Nocoes De Piano Harp". LP, Vinyl record album

A really beautiful album of spiritual soul jazz – featuring the Visions group of tenorist Sam Sanders, an ensemble that worked in Detroit for many years, but rarely made it out of the Motor City! This album's a fantastic demonstration of Sanders' talent and power – wonderfully compelling tenor solos blown with a real edge, over backing by bass, drums, and piano, the latter of which is played by Kenny Cox on a number of tracks. Bassist Ed Pickens is also a very strong element of the set, as his warm round tones on the instrument keep a good rolling groove going on most tracks – a soulful bottom that provides a strong counterpoint to Sanders' searching searing solos. Tracks include "Free Fall", "Fantasy", "Gift Of Love", "Slightly Anxious", and "Day After Yesterday". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe one of the most unique albums ever cut by tenorist Heinz Sauer, and one that definitely lives up to its title – as the session features plenty of blues harmonica and vocals from the great Carey Bell! The format is very unique – partly jazz, partly blues – with Bob Degen playing piano in a way that bridges both modes, while Sauer is more soulful than usual, yet still never really handling his horn in any way that's more familiar blues material either! Carey's right at home in the setting – really rising to the occasion on titles that include "Degen Blues", "I Want You To Love Me", "One Day I Get Lucky", "A Classical Preacher", and "Hollerin The Blues". CD

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A really revelatory recording – material recorded by German trumpeter Manfred Schoof in 1966, and easily some of the most avant material set to tape on the scene at the time! The timing and presentation is similar to Schoof's better-known session for Hans Wewerke, but the overall sound here is even more groundbreaking – free sonic interplay within an incredible lineup that features Schoof on cornet and flugelhorn, Gerd Dudek on tenor, Alexander Von Schlippenbach on piano, Buschi Niebergall on bass, and Jacky Liebeziet on drums – heard here years before his work in Can! There's a great balance here between loose structure and free improvisation – very much at the top of the class for the European scene at the moment – and titles include "Voices", "Tropi", "Roots & Collage", "Adjustment", and "Rhythm Change". CD

Long live tracks from pianist Bert Seager – a player who may well be at his best in a setting like this, as the performance really lets him open up with a sense of flow and imagination that we don't always hear on his studio sessions! The group also features tenor from Billy Drewes and trumpet from Tim Hagans – players who can hit sharper edges when they want, but who fold nicely right into the lyrical vibe of Seager for the session – alongside the bass of Dan Greenspan and drums of Ian Froman. Titles include "Doloroso", "Manteca", "Monk's Mood", "Blues For Suz", and "Zatnin". CD

Rare work from Chicago bluesman Shakey Jake – issued on a small label from LA! Features work from Hollywood Fats on guitar, Lee King on second guitar, and Rod Pizzia on harmonica and arrangements. LP, Vinyl record album

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An overlooked gem in the career of tenorist Archie Shepp – one of those fantastically soulful European recordings that sometimes get missed, given that Shepp was recording so much and in so many ways overseas during these later years! The style here is a wonderful distillation of the modes he was exploring in his post-Impulse years – a small group rendition of the spiritual ideas of that earlier moment, but refined with more of a focus on Shepp's tremendous tone on tenor – even more maturely expressive here than before, at a level that makes us really love this period more and more as the years go on! The group features Horace Parlan on piano, Clifford Jarvis on drums, and Harry Emmery on bass – the last of whom does a wonderful job of filling the space left empty by Wilbur Little, with round tones that echo the soulfulness of Archie's tenor, and really live up to the tribute promised in the title. Tunes include a really wonderful reading of "Steam" – plus "Arrival", "Manhattan", and "Reflexions". CD

An overlooked gem in the career of tenorist Archie Shepp – one of those fantastically soulful European recordings that sometimes get missed, given that Shepp was recording so much and in so many ways overseas during these later years! The style here is a wonderful distillation of the modes he was exploring in his post-Impulse years – a small group rendition of the spiritual ideas of that earlier moment, but refined with more of a focus on Shepp's tremendous tone on tenor – even more maturely expressive here than before, at a level that makes us really love this period more and more as the years go on! The group features Horace Parlan on piano, Clifford Jarvis on drums, and Harry Emmery on bass – the last of whom does a wonderful job of filling the space left empty by Wilbur Little, with round tones that echo the soulfulness of Archie's tenor, and really live up to the tribute promised in the title. Tunes include a really wonderful reading of "Steam" – plus "Arrival", "Manhattan", and "Reflexions". CD

A very late session from trumpet legend Chet Baker – recording here in the very unusual company of tenorist Archie Shepp – a player that few could have imagined working together a few years before! By the time of the date, Shepp had become more of a traditionalist, but still with an ear for the modern edge that graced his earlier work – and while Chet had gotten more modern in his music, the direction was very different than Archie's – in part because of some of the physical changes Baker had gone through. At some level, the session's maybe more one in the mode of Shepp in Europe during the 80s, with Baker along for a guest – as the rhythm section is more suited to Shepp too – with work from Horace Parlan on piano, Herman Wright on bass, and Clifford Jarvis on drums. Both Archie and Chet sing a bit, and titles include "My Ideal", "When Lights Are Low", "Confirmation", "Dedication To Bessie Smith's Blues", "My Foolish Heart", and "How Deep Is The Ocean". CD

One of the hippest 60s sets from saxophonist Sahib Shihab – a large group album recorded with the Danish Radio Group – a great batch of modernists from the Scandinavian scene of the time! The album's still got the modal rhythms and long-flowing solos we love in Sahib's best 60s work – but the presence of the larger ensemble also fills up the sound a bit more too – letting in a wider range of colors and tones behind the solos, in a way that makes for a really expressive sound! Shihab's playing baritone sax and flute – and other players include Palle Mikkelborg and Allan Botschinsky on trumpets, Bent Jaedig on tenor and flute, Niels Husum on soprano sax and bass clarinet, Bent Axen on piano, and Louis Hjulmand on vibes. The whole thing's got a great sense of energy and soul – never too academic, as you might expect from a modernist outing like this – and Sahib keeps a strong, bold tone in his horns throughout! Titles include "Di Da", "Dance Of The Fakowees", "Mai Ding", "Not Yet", "Tenth Lament", "The Crosseyed Cat", and "Little French Girl". LP, Vinyl record album

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A rare bit of gospel from Chicago – issued by a small label on Michigan Ave! 7-inch, Vinyl record

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A strong second set by Angie Stone – with production work by Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Raphael Saadiq, Rufus Blaq, and others – warmly wrapped up in a NuSoul orgy of beats, smooth instrumentation, and gutsy soul vocals. Titles include "The Ingredients Of Love" with Musiq Soulchild, "Snowflakes", "Soul Insurance", "Brotha", "Pissed Off", "More Than A Woman" with Calvin, "Brotha Part 2", "Time Of The Month", and "Wish I Didn't Miss You". CD

Angie's out to prove that she's one of the best young soul singers around – kicking off the record with a straight acapella track, then rolling into some of the most classically soulful tracks she's ever recorded! The set's a stunner from the word go – grabbing us like a classic mellow soul album from the mid 70s, featuring production and instrumentation that seem to give Angie a deeper sound than we ever remember. The songwriting is simple, sensual, and damn effective – and even the presence of famous guests like Snoop, Floetry, and Anthony Hamilton come across as organic and necessary elements to the tunes – and not just gimmicky one-offs. Angie, we love ya more than ever! Titles include "I Wanna Thank Ya", "My Man", "U-Haul", "Stay For A While", "Lover's Ghetto", "You're Gonna Get It", and "Come Home". CD

Frank Strazzeri on piano – with Frank DeLarosa or Harvey Newmark on bass, Michael L Stephans or Will Bradley Jr. on drums, and special guest Sam Most on flute. CD

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A fantastic album from trumpeter Clark Terry – a small group date that features superb tenor from Paul Gonsalves, in a mode that's very similar to the work that both he and Terry recorded for Chess/Argo Records in the late 50s! This set's a French date, and features both horn players in a hip quintet with Raymond Fol on piano, Jimmy Woode on bass, and GT Hogan on drums – playing in a mode that's laidback, open, and which really has Terry showing off the most soulful side of his phrasing! Gonsalves is fantastic too – very different in a setting like this than in his larger group performances with Ellington – and the pair together are really at their best, with very expressive tones. Titles include "Blues For The Champ Of The Champs", "Clark Bars", "Lonely One", "Pannonica Ou Les Liaisons Dangereuses 1960 No 2", and "Serenade To A Bus Seat". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Features Curtis Robert Macdonald on alto, Roman Filiu on alto sax and flute, Jose Davila on tuba, Crhistopher Hoffman on cello, David Bryant and Luis Perdomo on piano, David Virelles on piano and harmonium, and Craig Weinrib on drums and percussion. CD

Rare work from Lennie Tristano – some brilliant recordings made at the Half Note in 1958 and 1964, all of which feature Warne Marsh in the group on tenor sax! The first half of the set features Lennie's piano with Marsh's tenor – in a cool quartet with Henry Grimes on bass and Paul Motian on drums. Remaining tracks feature Tristano and Marsh with Lee Konitz on alto, Sonny Dallas on bass, and Nick Stabulas on drums – working in slightly more open territory than the other tracks. Titles include "Continuity", "My Baby", "She's Funny That Way", "Subconscious Lee", "317 East 52nd", and "Background Music". LP, Vinyl record album

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An essential collection of early work from Ike Turner – done before Tina was in the mix, and with a host of great singers – in lineups that include material recorded under the names of Icky Renrut, Bobby Foster, Timothy Cooper, Sammy Grimes, Chuck Wheeler, and Johnny Wright! Lots of rare singles – and great notes too! CD

Fantastic early work from the great Ike Turner – most of it with his sharp 50s group, during the years they were recording for King/Federal Records! These are the years before Tina joined Ike – and the group have a raw, romping vibe that's at the top of the R&B spectrum from the time – definitely with echoes of the soul and funk that Turner would help pioneer in the 60s, but with a much grittier postwar vibe overall! A fair bit of cuts feature vocals from Billy Gayles, and other titles include work from Clayton Love, Tommy Hodge, Jackie Brenston, and The Sly Fox – on titles that include "I'm Tore Up", "I'm Sad As A Man Can Be", "Take Your Fine Frame Home", "Just One More Time", "The Big Question", "She Made My Blood Run Cold", "Do You Mean It", "Hoo Doo Say", and "Rock A Bucket". CD

Obscure later work from the great Kansas City legend – including a number of tracks that just feature Joe on piano and vocals! LP, Vinyl record album

Really dynamic work from a group who mix up equal parts jazz and prog, but with a very 21st Century vibe – almost as if they'd been digging the post-Robert Wyatt Soft Machine records of the 70s, then decided to craft something different of their own! The drums alone are fantastic – crackling with bold energy that's both skittish and focused at the same time – which really sets fire to the saxophone lines, explodes the keyboards, and continues to shake up all the other sounds in the mix too! Titles include "The Tower Of Blue Horses", "Fictions", "For Henry Moore", "Keep The Apidistra Flying", and "An Astrologer's Day". LP, Vinyl record album

Funky soul from the great Marcos Valle – a great blend of mellow grooves and upbeat tunes recorded at the same time Valle was working in the US with Leon Ware! The style here is very similar to Ware's 2 albums for Elektra – both of which feature work from Valle, and include tunes that are also done here in Portuguese versions! Marcos makes a real departure from some of his earlier work here, and emerges as a surprisingly great soul star with plenty of talents for penning two-step tunes and keyboard-heavy tracks that glisten with a sweet California groove. A few tracks recall some of Valle's Odeon work – like the baroque instrumental "Camina Grande" – but we're most partial to the soul tracks that dominate the record, and which include "Bicho No Cio", "Pecados De Amor","Garimpando" and "A Paraiba Nao e Chicago". LP, Vinyl record album

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This entry in the very cool PV Tapes series features the full soundtrack music for a TV series titled De Komst Van Joachim Stiller – work that opens up in ways that are even more expansive than some of the other releases in the series! The tracks are short, in a cue-type style – but contain some beautifully evocative instrumental moments, shifting through themes handled on flute, saxophone, organ, and even trombone – plus one cool tune that's listed as having a "bad saxophone" too! The LP features 33 numbers over the course of the album – and the bonus 7" single includes both carillon and orchestral versions of the main theme – but stretched out into versions that are each more than 7 minutes long! LP, Vinyl record album

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Unpublished works by Woody Guthrie, set to music by bassist Rob Wasserman, performed by Van Dyke Parks, Lou Reed, Studs Terkel, Ani DiFranco, Jackson Browne, Pete Seeger, Tom Morello, Kurt Elling, and others. CD

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Genius early work from a young Barney Wilen – an album issued in the US during a brief time when the French tenor star was turning a lot of heads on the American scene! The date's a great illustration of Wilen's amazingly deft talents on the tenor right from the start – a keen ear for the best changes of American jazzmen of the generation, but a depth of soul that really points the way towards some of Barney's more expressive modes in later years! Tracks are relatively short, but he gets a hell of a lot into such a small space – and the group features alto from Hubert Fol, piano from Nico Buninck, bass from Lloyd Thompson, and drums from Al Levitt. Titles are mostly originals, played with a sharp, crisp edge – and tunes include "Brainstorm", "Papiermento", "Blue Hubert", "The Office", and "Spracklin". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest French jazz soundtracks ever – a haunting score composed and performed by sax legend Barney Wilen! Barney's work is possibly best known to American audiences for his solos on the Miles Davis soundtrack Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud, recorded a year earlier – and this album has Barney working with American players Kenny Clarke, Kenny Dorham, and Duke Jordan to forge a very similar sound. Tracks are spare, moody, and feature a style that's often snakey and a bit modal – perfect for the dark mood of the film, and equally evocative without any image! 12 tracks in all – including "Ambiance Pourpe", "Poursuite Et Metro", "Melodie Pour Les Radio Taxis", "Temoin Dans La Ville", "Sur L'Antenne", and "SOS Radio Taxis". LP, Vinyl record album

Spanky Wilson really takes off here – hitting some of her boldest soul modes to date – and serving up a few funk-heavy classics in the process! Production and arrangements are by HB Barnum – who draws on his own rich legacy of soul projects for the set, and finds a way to let Spanky really knock things out of the park – while still also holding tight to a mighty sweet groove! The style's almost an indie soul take on the Capitol Records groove that Barnum forged with David Axelrod for other singers – with all the strong sense of space between the grooves that would imply. The set features Spanky doing nice hard grooving versions of tracks that you've heard before – like "Loveland", "Let It Be", "Gloomy Sunday", and "Perhaps" – but there's also some nice ones like "Foolish" or "Love or Let Me Be Lonely", that are less familiar, and mighty nice too! LP, Vinyl record album

Spanky Wilson really takes off here – hitting some of her boldest soul modes to date – and serving up a few funk-heavy classics in the process! Production and arrangements are by HB Barnum – who draws on his own rich legacy of soul projects for the set, and finds a way to let Spanky really knock things out of the park – while still also holding tight to a mighty sweet groove! The style's almost an indie soul take on the Capitol Records groove that Barnum forged with David Axelrod for other singers – with all the strong sense of space between the grooves that would imply. The set features Spanky doing nice hard grooving versions of tracks that you've heard before – like "Loveland", "Let It Be", "Gloomy Sunday", and "Perhaps" – but there's also some nice ones like "Foolish" or "Love or Let Me Be Lonely", that are less familiar, and mighty nice too! CD

Heavy soul from the great Spanky Wilson – an album that explodes with energy right from the start – in a groove that definitely lives up to the title! Spanky's got a great mix of funk and class on this set – a punch in the rhythms at points, yet also a poise in the way she delivers the lyrics – a blend that's a bit like Marlena Shaw in her earlier years – and set to some killer arrangements from the great HB Barnum! Barnum gives the record all the cool punch of his great 60s work with Lou Rawls – and nearly all the material was written by the obscure Howlett Smith – an excellent lost writer who had a real talent for coming up with cool little soul songs that rise above the usual bag of his generation. This material works great for Spanky, and together, the pair, along with Barnum, cook up a unique lost soul treat! Titles include "Apartment 101", "On The Morning After", "The Other Girl", "You're Gonna Miss Me", "Love Has Me By The Hand", and "Mighty Great Feeling". LP, Vinyl record album

Heavy soul from the great Spanky Wilson – an album that explodes with energy right from the start – in a groove that definitely lives up to the title! Spanky's got a great mix of funk and class on this set – a punch in the rhythms at points, yet also a poise in the way she delivers the lyrics – a blend that's a bit like Marlena Shaw in her earlier years – and set to some killer arrangements from the great HB Barnum! Barnum gives the record all the cool punch of his great 60s work with Lou Rawls – and nearly all the material was written by the obscure Howlett Smith – an excellent lost writer who had a real talent for coming up with cool little soul songs that rise above the usual bag of his generation. This material works great for Spanky, and together, the pair, along with Barnum, cook up a unique lost soul treat! Titles include "Apartment 101", "On The Morning After", "The Other Girl", "You're Gonna Miss Me", "Love Has Me By The Hand", and "Mighty Great Feeling". CD

One of the most beautiful albums we've ever heard from either player involved – a set that's a tremendous showcase for the alto and soprano work of Steve Wilson, and an open presentation of the drum genius of Lewis Nash! The record comes as a bit of a surprise – especially in contrast to some of Wilson's work in larger groups, which can be more structured and sometimes darker – and although we love when Nash can swing a quintet or a quartet, we're also wonderfully impressed at his presentation here in a looser format. The set feels very improvised along themes, but still has a sense of melody and swing – as the pair deliver very unique readings of tunes that include "Equinox", "Con Alma", "Chelsea Bridge", "Senor Blues", "Island Birdie", and "Freedom Jazz Dance". CD

One of the most beautiful albums we've ever heard from either player involved – a set that's a tremendous showcase for the alto and soprano work of Steve Wilson, and an open presentation of the drum genius of Lewis Nash! The record comes as a bit of a surprise – especially in contrast to some of Wilson's work in larger groups, which can be more structured and sometimes darker – and although we love when Nash can swing a quintet or a quartet, we're also wonderfully impressed at his presentation here in a looser format. The set feels very improvised along themes, but still has a sense of melody and swing – as the pair deliver very unique readings of tunes that include "Equinox", "Con Alma", "Chelsea Bridge", "Senor Blues", "Island Birdie", and "Freedom Jazz Dance". CD

With Ingrid Laubrock, Sylvie Courvoisier, Cory Smythe, Matt Moran, and others. CD

Nate Wooley on trumpet, Paul Lytton on percussion and David Grubbs on harmonium. CD

A stone killer from OV Wright – a record that's got all the raw, deeply soulful vocals we love in his early work – mixed with some wicked 70s Hi Records production from Willie Mitchell! Imagine an Al Green record, but with rawer vocals, and you've got a good idea of the feel of this one – a perfect setting for OV's massive talent, and a great way for him to reach out to a wider audience too! The sound is impeccable – about as classic as you can get for Hi – and titles include a number of great Willie Mitchell originals – including "I Feel Love Growin", "The Time We Have", and "You Gotta Have Love". The set also includes a nice version of "Trying To Live My Life Without You", too! CD

OV Wright at the end of the 70s – working live in front of a very enthusiastic Japanese crowd, and in a groove that's right up their with his best work from earlier in the decade! In fact, there's a rawness here that you won't always find on Wright's other records – great live backing from a cool combo of American players, really rich in Memphis soul elements – and served up with funky touches that really work wonders with OV's presentation of the music. So instead of being a throw-off record for the overseas market, the set's instead a key piece of Wright's catalog at the time – seminal work that really stands strongly next to his studio classics. Titles include "Precious Precious", "I'd Rather Be Blind Crippled & Crazy", "Love & Happiness", "Eight Men & Four Women", "Into Something", and a great long "Medley" track. CD

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A beautiful session that was Lester Young's last-ever recording! The session was cut in Paris in 1959, and features the rhythm section of the famous Blue Note club, home to many American expatriates in France at the time – a great setting for Young to really sparkle in these later years of his life. Kenny Clarke plays drums, Jamil Nasser plays bass, Rene Utreger is on piano, and Jimmy Gourley plays guitar – a group who are tight, but easygoing and laidback enough to really let Lester open up on tenor. Young's tone is amazing – and has touches of his classic sound, but is also filled with a somber sense that's really great – a sense of melancholy that really deepens the album. Titles include "New DB Blues", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Three Little Words", and "I Didn't Know What Time It Was". LP, Vinyl record album

Guitarist Jimmy Raney cut some fantastic records on the American scene during the 50s – but by the time of this set, he was working and recording a lot more overseas – often in a much more modern tone that makes him a perfect match for the guitar genius of the great Attila Zoller! Both musicians here play without any other backing at all – and the music has this lean, intertwining quality that's breathtaking – complicated lines from both players, really understanding the space and sound of the other – never getting in the way, nor dominating – yet also finding ways to be very individual and distinct! This quality comes through immediately on the album's leadoff, the surprisingly strong "Hommage A Bach" – and continues on other tunes that include "The Gallery", "Autumn", "Conjecture", "Jim & I", and "Two Beat Circa 1980". LP, Vinyl record album

Two guitars, tangled together beautifully on a set of long, live improvisations recorded in Berlin – material that's very much at the best level you might expect from the genius of Attila Zoller, and which stands as a great demonstration of just how much Jimmy Raney grew as a musician in his later years, after leaving the US for some very fruitful time on the European scene! The pairing of players is fantastic – Raney never would have matched Zoller so well 20 years before – and the pair have a way of working freely, but not in an avant sort of way – really opening up all these colors ans shapes between themselves in a stunning array of modes. Titles include "Autumn In Berlin", "Out In Quasimodo", "Scherz", and "Ku Damm". CD

A wonderful record, and one that reunites two famous modernists from the German scene – guitarist Attila Zoller and saxophonist Hans Koller – both recording here in New York with just the bass of George Mraz for accompaniment! The approach is great – almost like some of the vintage Jimmy Giuffre trio material, but sharper overall and with qualities that really resonate with both players – that sense of open sound on the strings that we in Zoller, and those raspy lines that Koller can deliver so well in a spare setting – blowing here on both tenor and soprano. Mraz brings just the right amount of warmth to the proceedings – and titles include "Puszta Feuer", "East River Reflections", "K&K Three In New York", and "The Clown Down & Upstairs". CD

Features Chucho Valdes, Irakere, and others. CD

17 songs from Darryl Carter, James Gadson, Henry Shed, Ernest Mosley, Brenton Wood, Ken Williams, and Southern Fried. CD

One of the comps that rode the mid 90s wave of turntablism, with a nice time table inside the gatefold sleeve. Not as much over the top trickery as you might hear on the Return of The DJ compilations on Bomb, but some essential moments, like Cut Chemist's "Lesson 6" and the X-Men's "A Turntable Experience". Radar's "Radar Frees Tibet" and Beyond There "On Wax" display some nice turntable moments, while a few of the other tracks don't really justify their place in the context of the comp, but are nice to have anyway – like Latyrx's "Say That". Also includes Prince Paul "DJ Prince Paul Vs The World", Ingrid De Lambre & Eddie Def "Poeisies, Scene 1 Le Blues", DJ Swingsett & DJ Wally "Centaurus Space Bass (Cloak & Destroy mix)", Peanut Butter Wolf & The Beat Junkies "They Don't Fall Down", Mumbles "At The Mountains Of Madness" and Q-Burn's Abstract Message "Book Of Changes". CD

A massive assortment of tracks that go way past the familiar – not a collection of standard classics from Blue Note, Impulse, or Prestige – and instead a whole host of jazzy groovers that we'd never have discovered otherwise! This volume of the series does a great job mixing in contemporary cuts with rare nuggets from years past – in ways that never make you notice the passage of years, as almost all of this work is rooted in a solid blend of tight rhythms and inventive improvisation – heavy on acoustic instrumentation, but with occasional electric moments too! Imagine the kind of groove that Gilles Peterson used to turn us onto years back, when he was spinning rare jazz records, and you'll get the vibe here – served up on titles that include "Tape Your Beat" by Born 74 & Onj, "Still In Love" by GeeW, "46 To Somewhere" by The Sultan's Swing, "Unreachable Galaxy" by Stefano Di Santis, "Movin" by Charro Band De Emilio Guerro, "Caught In A Fever" by Moreen Meridian, "Mr Fool" by Alonson Gonzalez & Jazz Latino, "Cla Samba" by Juju, "I Face East" by Mary Greer Mudiku, "Mende" by Jacques Schwarz Bart, "Mother Of The Future" by Venus Dodson, "Wanting Touch (inst)" by Juju, "Mambo De Papi" by El Caballo Y Su Orquesta, "Ponteio" by Miho Nobuzane, "Samba De La Cruz" by Tres Men, and "I'll Bet You Thought I'd Never Find You" by Lifetime. CD

A massive assortment of tracks that go way past the familiar – not a collection of standard classics from Blue Note, Impulse, or Prestige – and instead a whole host of jazzy groovers that we'd never have discovered otherwise! This volume of the series does a great job mixing in contemporary cuts with rare nuggets from years past – in ways that never make you notice the passage of years, as almost all of this work is rooted in a solid blend of tight rhythms and inventive improvisation – heavy on acoustic instrumentation, but with occasional electric moments too! Imagine the kind of groove that Gilles Peterson used to turn us onto years back, when he was spinning rare jazz records, and you'll get the vibe here – served up on titles that include "Tape Your Beat" by Born 74 & Onj, "Still In Love" by GeeW, "46 To Somewhere" by The Sultan's Swing, "Unreachable Galaxy" by Stefano Di Santis, "Movin" by Charro Band De Emilio Guerro, "Caught In A Fever" by Moreen Meridian, "Mr Fool" by Alonson Gonzalez & Jazz Latino, and "Cla Samba" by Juju. LP, Vinyl record album

A massive assortment of tracks that go way past the familiar – not a collection of standard classics from Blue Note, Impulse, or Prestige – and instead a whole host of jazzy groovers that we'd never have discovered otherwise! This volume of the series does a great job mixing in contemporary cuts with rare nuggets from years past – in ways that never make you notice the passage of years, as almost all of this work is rooted in a solid blend of tight rhythms and inventive improvisation – heavy on acoustic instrumentation, but with occasional electric moments too! Imagine the kind of groove that Gilles Peterson used to turn us onto years back, when he was spinning rare jazz records, and you'll get the vibe here – served up on titles that include "I Face East" by Mary Greer Mudiku, "Mende" by Jacques Schwarz Bart, "Mother Of The Future" by Venus Dodson, "Wanting Touch (inst)" by Juju, "Mambo De Papi" by El Caballo Y Su Orquesta, "Ponteio" by Miho Nobuzane, "Samba De La Cruz" by Tres Men, and "I'll Bet You Thought I'd Never Find You" by Lifetime. LP, Vinyl record album

Includes tracks by Pepe Bradock, Deadbeats, Jaywalkers, L-Fudge, Spacehopper, Cooly's Hot Box, and Smoke No Bones. CD

The nice set of club jazz, downtempo, cosmic hip hop, and all around groovy beatcraft blended together by DJ Mark Farina – his 6th volume in the Mushroom Jazz series! Mark does a terrific job here of assembling some of our favorite club grooves from around the globe, and an even better job of mixing into a fine set – with tracks by Ta'Raach, Super Smoky Soul, Kero One, J Boogie, Jazzual Suspects and more. 20 tracks in a well paced continuous mix – "This Beat" by Jazzual Suspects, "Fool's Competition" by Smooth Current, "Baaaby" by Ta'Raach, "Groovin'" by Kero One, "Dopebeatz" by Colossus, "Life" by Mark Farina, "Way Back When" by Choice 37, "Day At The Beach" by J-Boogie's Dubtronic Science and more. CD

14 tracks from Yost & Funk, Kevin Yost, Jazz-N-Groove, Richard Les Crees, The Soul Immigrants, Somore, STP, Fresh & Low, Fish Go Deep, Fredrik Stark, and Two Tone. CD

A killer collection of cuts, and one that looks at one of the coolest musical hybrids of the postwar years – work that's very strongly R&B at the core, but which also bears a surprising influence from Latin music in the rhythms – all of which makes for a very unusual groove! There's been other collections of this nature, but this one not only stacks the deck with a huge number of tracks – 62 in all – but also includes material that you might not normally associate with this mode, but which fits into the track list surprisingly well! Titles include "The Crawl" by Guitar Junior, "Got Love If You Want It" by Slim Harpo, "Mary Ann" by Texas Ray, "Girl That Radiates Charm" by Arthur Alexander, "Where's My Money" by Willie Jones, "Hurricane" by Dave Cortez, "Shoo Doo" by Andre Williams, "Night Train To Memphis" by Bobby Hebb, "Only Sixteen" by Tal Miller, "Voodoo Woman" by Curtis Knight, "Yours Truly" by Ford Eaglin, "Tell Me Pretty Baby" by Screamin Joe Neal, "Pig Tails & Ribbons" by Leonard Carbo, and "Wicked Old Fever" by Charles Sheffield. CD

Tracks from Digs, Woosh & Mr Ski, Juan Iborra, Wrenchman, Dimitri From Tokyo, Black Powder, River Ocean, Francois K, Digital Boogie, Mettle Music, Peppermint Candy, and more. CD

A fantastic explosion of funk, soul, and club – put together at a level that may well even top the first Supafunkanova collection! As before, the cuts here are all super-rare and obscure – but all kick heavy ass when it comes to tight rhythms and catchy clubby grooves – never straight disco or mainstream boogie – but borrowing plenty from the mainstream to turn out cuts with a really raw, underground vibe! There's a slight touch of hip hop in the mix – more that old school skating mode – and the whole thing definitely shows Joey's decades in cutting great cuts for the dancefloor – and his big love of the best groups from the hinterlands. 2LP set features the titles "Drive Me Insane" by Airplay, "Betcha Got A Dude On The Side" by Star Quality & Class, "Cool Out" by Magnum Force, "Spunk In The Funk" by Blue Denim Band, "Walk" by Sam Culley Band, "Sound Reason (Joey Negro edit)" by Splash, "Making Love Will Keep You Fit" by Brenda Harris, "Let's Get High" by Nice & Tight Band, "Easton Assassin" by Sunburst Band, and "Super Stimulus" by Stimulus. LP, Vinyl record album

A classic compilation from the Chicago scene – one that stood as one of the key full-length releases of house music that was bubbling under in the Windy City – important at the time, as most other albums of house music were from overseas labels issuing Chicago recordings! As you'd guess from the title, Mickey Oliver's at the helm throughout – producing the work with a nicely soulful quality – one that takes things a bit past some of the starker, colder modes that sometimes showed up on Trax Records – and which really illustrates that great second chapter as Chicago house was maturing a bit. The beats are nice and crispy throughout, the keyboards get cool and moody – and titles include "I Can't Stop For You" by Pierre's Fantasy Club, "Take It To The Top" by Joe Magic, "House Rights" by Phortune, "Suavesito" by Ralphi Rosario, "I Want Your Love" by Jamie, "Lost Me Boy" by Mickey Oliver with Dari Mor, and "Anticipate" and "I Need A Beat" by Mickey Oliver. CD featuers bonus tracks – "Anticipate (12" rmx)" by Mickey Oliver and "I Need A Beat (12" mix)" by Ralph Rosario. CD

A fantastic entry in this long running series – a batch of compilations that normally focuses on rare disco grooves, but which also features a fair bit of funky soul nuggets this time around! The groove is still mostly uptempo, but with all these wonderfully weird, wild funky elements in the mix too – not gimmicky tracks, but the kind of unusually-crafted cuts that are quite far from the mainstream – and which show that there were often some really amazing things happening in the farther reaches of the soul music underground at the end of the 70s! Plus, most of these cuts are impossibly rare – so much so that many are reaching our ears for the first time, via this excellent compilation – in a list of tracks that includes "Specialty Item" by MVP Cloudburst, "Give Me Love" by EKG, "Disco 2000" by Pleze, "Flashback" by Jeff Burns, "Dance Your Blues (part 2)" by Spellboun, "Forget Yourself" by Body Heat, "Say Raise Your Hand & Say McNasty" by McNasty, "Reflex" by Reflections, "Reaching For Our Star" by Sharon Revoal, "Space Ghost (parts 1 & 2)" by Jackson Lee, "Spend Some Time With Me" by Rideout, "Move On" by Frederick, "I'm Into Your Love" by Executive Jam, "Seeking" by Cash Money, "Give It Up" by Horizon, and "Twilight" by Firewater. CD

An entry in this excellent series that's very near and dear to our heart – as the cuts here were all chosen by Chicgao DJ Rahaan, who's got a mighty nice ear for a rare clubby groove! The collection explores territory that the previous volumes have hit, but with a special sound that's a nice change too – less of the standard disco or boogie, and some nicely unusual tracks that really change things up, and show just how much fresh creative energy was happening in the underground, way past the bigger labels of the time! Many of these cuts are completely new to our ears, which is really saying a lot in favor of the strength of the collection – and titles include "Ticket" by John Lamkin, "Wanna Get Down With You" by Jaze, "He Loves You" by Wings Of Light, "Let's Get It On" by Marini, "Come & Get It" by Santrax, "Shoot Me With Your Love" by Venus Dodson, "One Of These Days" by The 21st Century Singers, "For You" by Cherish, "Super Disco" by Frank Hatchett Dance Explosion, "Count Of Monte Thisgo" by Ship Of The Desert, "Back Fire" by Time Unlimited, "Juicy Fruit My Love" by Boobie Knight, "Go Down Moses" by Porno Disco, and "Catch Your Glow" by Cousin Ice with Zack Sanders. LP, Vinyl record album