A rare early gem from Joe Lee Wilson – the singer who's probably best known to the world for his performances on Archie Shepp's late Impulse recordings. The vibe here is similar to his work on Shepp's albums of the time – but it's also mixed with a hip and mellow approach that has Joe working through tracks that provide a strong link between the earlier styles of singers like Babs Gonzalez and Eddie Jefferson, and the early 70s hipness of Andy Bey and Leon Thomas. Really great all the way through – and tracks include Joe's classic "Return Of The Prodigal Son", a nice track with an Andy Bey groove to it, plus "Hey Look At You", "Feeling Good", and "Soul Lady". (Also issued under the title Without A Song in the US.) CD

Mindblowing sounds from the great Bunny Lee – and exactly the kind of collection that makes us love the Pressure Sounds label so much! The track selection is wonderful – and most numbers are balanced in a unique space between reggae and rocksteady, and often have some crucial influences from American soul and funk as well – but they come across with a mode that's very different from more standard reggae, especially the style of the music that would be more codified a few years later. Instead, there's a really rich sense of experimentation here – as Bunny Lee and his All Stars work on instrumental tracks, or alongside other key artists like Delroy Wilson, Rico Rodriguez, Tommy McCook, U Roy, or Winston Williams. Some tunes have amazingly trippy touches – and a few points even mix in some wild moog too – and titles include "Double Attack", "Ivan Itler The Conqueror", "Scarface", "Joe Lewis", "War", "Wet Vision", "When I Get My Freedom", "Smooth & Sorts", and "Death Rides A Horse". CD

One of the only records ever recorded as a leader by alto player Monty Waters – a hip New York altoist who's appeared on records with Joe Lee Wilson, but rarely got the chance to lead a group on his own. This Japanese-only set from 1975 features Waters working with a quartet that includes Ronnie Boykins on bass, George Avaloz on drums, and Yoshiaki Masuio on guitar – playing together in a mode that's almost a lyrical take on some of Ornette's harmelodic recordings from the same time, a style that we evoke mostly because of the way that the guitar comps in behind the rhythm in parts, letting Waters blow over the top in solo formation. At other times, the guitar's in a more tradition role – but the lack of a piano in the group means that there's still quite a bit of freedom, although the group always manages to swing soulfully. Titles include "Modesto", "The Black Cat", "RPM", "J Love March", and "Apt #2H". CD

A great overview of a really fantastic label for jazz and avant garde material in the late 70s – the Japanese-only Why Not imprint, which was briefly a great home for some of the best work by key American players from both the AACM and the loft jazz generation! The label only issued a small amount of albums, most of which never saw release in the US – records that provided a key bridge for important artists in the years between earlier material for labels like Demark or Strata East, and some of the new wave of jazz recordings that would take place in Europe during the 80s. The quality level here is top-shelf all the way – and the tracks are some of the best by these artists from the period – a selection of 16 titles that include "To Yaisa & Wanda With Luv" by Donald Smith, "Ted Tempo" by Ted Curson, "Re-Entry" by Charles Sullivan, "Pepe's Samba" by Chico Freeman, "Mode For Trane" by Joe Lee Wilson, "Triangle" by Joe Bonner, "Gratitude" by Don Pullen, "On Green Dolphin Street" by Manhattan Graffiti Four, "Raindrops" by Andrew Cyrille, "Tell Us Only The Beautiful Things" by Walt Dickerson, "The Black Cat" by Monty Waters, and "Invitation" by Sonny Fortune. CD

Caribbean styles hit the American scene – then get transformed into something completely different in this huge collection of recordings that span styles that include jazz, Latin, R&B, soul, and blues! In some cases, the Caribbean element comes through in the song structure – which might be lifted directly, then reworked for an American audience. But at other times, the influence is more in the rhythms or instrumentation – used as inspiration to then create something new – a bit in the way that American soul would provide the inspiration for reggae in the 60s. The package has the usual fantastic Fremeaux presentation – with a big booklet of historical notes, in both French and English, to support 66 titles that include "Jamaica Farewell" by Sam Cooke, "Salty Fish Aki Rice" by Ruth Wallis, "Bajan Girl" by Lionel Belasco, "Sly Mongoose" by Sam Manning, "El Gallero" by Dioris Valladares & Angel Viloria, "El Mambo Diablo" by Tito Puente, "Hey Little Girl" by Professor Longhair, "Un Poco Loco" by Bud Powell, "Chee Koo Baby" by Lloyd Price, "Shrinking Up Fast" by Camille Howard, "Ojai" by Joe Lutcher, "Salee Dame" by Albert Nicholas & Baby Dodds, "Inside" by Hector The Ram, "Run Come See Jerusalem"b y Stan Wilson, "I Learn A Merengue" by Robert Mitchum, "Afro Blue" by Cal Tjader, "La Maricutana" by Damiron & Chapuseaux, "Magical Joe" by Herb Jeffries, "Begin The Beguine" by Charlie Parker, "Make It Do" by Slim Gaillard, "Guitarambo" by Mickey Baker, and "Don't Touch Me Nylon" by The Charmer (aka Louis Farrakhan). CD

A selection of rare tracks that appeared on the Bongo Man label from Studio One – the company's very hip imprint in the roots reggae generation – and a package that also includes a number have never been released on LP! Titles include "Ring A Ting" by Prince Jazzbo, "Stepping Into Zion" by El Tibby & The Stingers, "Nanny Version Skank" by Big Joe, "Burn Collie" by Cliff Stewart, "Jah Jah Rock" by Emperor DP, "Jah Jah Way" by Jackie Bernard, "Little Joe" by Prince Jazzbo, "Burn Collie (version)" by The New Establishment, "Got To Be Cool" by The Classics, "Money Worries" by Ernest Wilson, "Soul People" by The Beltones, and the extended "Skylarking (disco mix)" by Sleepy & Jazzbo. CD

Even better than volume one – and a stellar collection of rare funky grooves! The compilation features a brilliant batch of tracks from the 70s – mostly underground soul, jazz, and funk tunes that have yet to appear on reissues, chosen by UK DJ Dean Rudland, with a feel that's as righteous and progressive as the title might imply. There's lots of gems on here that were only ever issued on 45s, or on the kinds of rare LPs that we'd be selling in the $100 range, if and when we could find them! Titles include "Sleep Talk" by King Errison, "Theme From The Men" by Joe Bataan, "Kissing My Love" by Spanky Wilson, "Fever" by Sharon Cash, "Where Will You Run" by Walter Hawkins & Selah, "Harambee" by Jambo, "Africa" by Preston Epps, "Mucho Macho" by Macho, "I Must Be Doing Something Right" by Irene Reed, "I Can't Stand It" by Brenda George, "Afro Texas" by Letta Mbulu, "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" by Katie Love & The Four Shades Of Black, "Kicking Back" by Joe Houston, "Love Potion Cheeba Cheeba" by The Mighty Tom Cats & Ann Winley, and "Return Of The Prodigal Son" by Byrdie Green. CD