With Common. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Blue-eyed soul from Boz Scaggs, with a decidedly Philly influenced sound to the production, which we'd hazard a guess comes more from the Hall & Oates side of town than the Sigma Sound axis. Still, this is a solid album with the irresistible hit "Lowdown", still a favorite around these parts. Also includes "Lido Shuffle", "Harbor Lights", "Jump Street" and "What Do You Want The Girl To Do". LP, Vinyl record album

Quite possibly the greatest music that Nina Simone ever recorded – brought together beautifully in one compact yet complete set! Nina Simone recorded some great music before she hit the RCA label in the late 60s – but her time at that company really saw a flowering of her unique talents – a way of hitting a vibe that went way beyond familiar jazz vocals – stretching out into something more righteous, more powerful, and more moving than had ever been recorded before – a wealth of great sounds represented beautifully on the albums in this package! The set begins in familiar territory of her Philips Records years – jazz vocals, but with a folksy depth, and political undercurrent. Yet as things move on, the tunes open up, often get longer, and Simone's vocals get bold and powerful – sometimes with key help from a young Weldon Irvine – who wrote some of the best original tunes, and also worked with Nina on keyboards. The package features the full albums Nina Simone Sings The Blues, Silk & Soul, Nuff Said, Nina Simone & Piano, To Love Somebody, Black Gold, Here Comes The Sun, Emergency Ward, and It Is Finished – all in cool LP-styled sleeves, with a bonus booklet too! CD

2CD set of traditional music from China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and other Central Eurasian nations and peoples. CD

Smooth as silk, with plenty of soul – a classic set that has the guitar of Eric Gale produced by the legendary Allen Toussaint! The cross of talents is pretty compelling – and although the album's not a New Orleans funk outing, it definitely shares some of the more creative elements that you'd get from some of Toussaint's other side projects at the end of the 70s. A few numbers definitely have a bit more bump than you'd expect from a fsuion date like this – and Toussaint himself plays piano and moog on the record, and even sings a tiny bit. Robert Dabon plays Fender Rhodes – and titles include "You Got My Life In Your Hands", "War Paint", "Touch Of Silk", "Au Privave", "With You I'm Born Again", and "Once In A Smile". CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Blue-eyed soul from Boz Scaggs, with a decidedly Philly influenced sound to the production, which we'd hazard a guess comes more from the Hall & Oates side of town than the Sigma Sound axis. Still, this is a solid album with the irresistible hit "Lowdown", still a favorite around these parts. Also includes "Lido Shuffle", "Harbor Lights", "Jump Street" and "What Do You Want The Girl To Do". CD

A record with a lonely-looking cover, but one that's got a really full, rich sound overall – sharp funky jazz arrangements served up by keyboardist Hiromasa Suzuki, then topped with bit of sitar as well! The vibe is different than any other jazz/sitar records of the time – as the instrument is much more buried in the mix, as the album draws a lot more energy from Suzuki's keyboards, and other instrumental elements in the lineup – including some great reed lines from Takeru Muraoka. Tracks are shorter and more focused than on the previous "rock joint" project from Suzuki – and titles include "Silk Road", "3000 BC", "Karei Naru Bamyan", "O No Michi", "Ganhara", and "Mrv No Tsurugi". LP, Vinyl record album

A nice mid 90s collection of Diana Ross tunes, all done up in house versions by Frankie Knuckles, Satoshi Tomiie, David Morales, E Smoove, Steve Silk Hurley, Maurice Joshua and others. 7 tracks in all: "The Boss", "Love Hangover", "Upside Down", "Soeday We'll Be Together", "Chain Reaction", "You're Gonna Love It" and "I'm Coming Out". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic work from the UK soul scene – music from a time when some of the bigger names overseas were starting to grab interest on US charts, but were only the tip of the iceberg next to some of the overlooked artists on this set! If you dig the sounds of Loose Ends, Soul II Soul, and Mica Paris, you'll find plenty to love here – as the set's overflowing with 80s and 90s-styled soul tracks that make great use of beats and more contemporary production in a great way – almost bringing back a more organic approach in the music, at a time when American R&B could come off sounding a bit too stiff or commercial. And we'll be honest in saying that although we were scouring the racks for imports during this generation, there's plenty of cuts here that are still new to our ears – a superb set list that includes "Straight to The Top" by Purely Fizzycal, "Passion" by Taffy, "Hold Your Head Up" by Weekend In Paris, "Don't Touch "by Cavalier, "Coming Back" by Bovel, "What You Do For Me" by Pure Silk, "Take Me There" by Marcelle Moncrieffe, "Life (club mix)" by Sam, and "Step By Step" by Kofi. LP, Vinyl record album

Includes music by Ministry, MC Hammer, Silk, Kriss Kross, Space Hog, Collective Soul, Sleater-Kinney, Dinosaur Jr, Gin Blossoms, Weezer, Salt-N-Pepa, They Might Be Giants, The Posies, Ice-T, Cibo Matto, the Goo Goo Dolls, Primus, Screaming Trees, Naughty By Nature, Wilco, and others. CD

A beautiful set of soundscapes from Chris Bowden and the legendary 4-Hero! Although this is a 12" single, both sides have an awesome majesty to them – reaching forth with a scope and power far beyond any dance track. Indeed, both sides are more sound sculptures, in the manner of Bowden's Time Capsule LP – and they both extend beautifully past any expectations! 12-inch, Vinyl record

Gil Evans never stopped growing as the years went on – a leader who was always open to new ideas and new modes of expression – which he reached for strongly, even as his older "modern" contemporaries started to sound out of date! This excellent late 70s session is a key illustration of Evans' continual drive – as he works in modes that equally embrace acoustic and electric elements, but never like a funky big band record, or some of the electrification added to older groups – instead with this richly visionary way that brings all the elements together at a level that's completely sublime! The lineup features Gil on piano, alongside almost equal use of keyboards from Pete Levin – and other players include Arthur Blythe and David Sanborn on alto, George Adams on tenor, Marvin Hannibal Peterson and Ernie Royal on trumpet, Jimmy Knepper on trombone, and Keith Loving on guitar – an extremely varied group that comes together beautifully under the leadership of Evans. Side one features a brilliant reworking of the Billy Harper tune "Priestess", which runs for almost 20 minutes in length – and side two features Charles Mingus' "Orange Was The Color Of Her Dress Then Silk Blue" – plus "Lunar Eclipse" and "Short Visit". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic old school Chicago house number from DJ Pierre, with help from Bad Boy Bill, Mike Hitman Wilson and Steve Silk Hurley. 12-inch, Vinyl record

House mixes by Steve Silk Hurley, E-Smoove and Clivilles & Cole. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Excellent stuff – and a classic concert performance recorded in Paris in 1964! The group features Eric Dolphy on flute, alto sax and bass clarinet – plus Clifford Jordan on tenor, Jaki Byard on piano, and Dannie Richmond on drums – playing with very long takes on Mingus standards, with some excellent hard soloing all the way through! Titles include "Fables Of Faubus", "Parkerana", "Orange Was The Color Of Her Dress Then Blue Silk", "ATFW", "Sophisticated Lady", and Meditations On Integration". CD

Key moments in the career of Charles Mingus – all recorded during the crucial years of 1964 and 1965, and featuring the first-time release of a fair bit of live material too! The set represents the first full presentation of recordings that have appeared piecemeal on a handful of obscure releases – self-released records from Mingus himself – Town Hall, My Favorite Quintet, and Music Written For Monterey – all really expanded here with the full recordings of the tracks, and unreleased titles provided from the original tapes! Mingus was really on fire during these years – severed from most of his bigger label associations, and freely working on some of his most inventive ideas with various smaller groups of players – all fresh young talents who were key interpreters of Charles' ideas – including Johnny Coles and Lonnie Hillyer on trumpet, Jimmy Owens on trumpet and flugelhorn, Charles McPherson on alto sax, Clifford Jordan on tenor, Jaki Byard on piano, Eric Dolphy on alto, flute, and bass clarinet. The stalwart Dannie Richmond is on drums, and the sides represent some of Dolphy's last, and most important recordings on the planet – recordings done at Town Hall and in Amsterdam in April of 1964 – in addition to live material at Monterey in 1964 and 1965, in Minneapolis in May of 1965. Tracks are all quite long – some pushing the half-hour timing – and as with the best live Mingus, there's variations here that go way past any studio readings – really incredible solo flights that are still beautifully integrated with the ideas of the main group. Titles include "So Long Eric", "Orange Was The Color Of Her Dress Then Blue Silk", "Mingus Piano Solo", "Bird Preamble", "Themeless Blues", "Copa City Titty", "A Lonely Day In Selma", "Cocktails For Two", "Praying With Eric", "Parkeriana", "ATFW", "Meditations On A Pair Of Wire Cutters", and "Meditations On Integration". 7CDs, limited edition, and with a great book of notes too! CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

Key recordings from Sonny's breakout year of 1954 – tracks from 2 different sessions, brought together into one album that packs a hell of a punch! The modernist Rollins tenor is at its early peak here – fresh, bold, and highly creative – yet equally concerned with the role of the ensemble as well. And with players like Kenny Dorham, Elmo Hope, Thelonious Monk, and Art Blakey helping things out, the sessions are both cookers all the way through! Titles include 4 by a group with Dorham, Hope, and Blakey – "Solid", "Movin Out", "Swingin For Bumsy", and "Silk N Satin" – plus 1 more by a quartet with Monk, Tommy Potter, and Art Taylor – the longer "More Than You Know". CD

Seminal work from the man credited with the invention of bossa nova! Way back in the early 50s, Bud Shank cut some albums for Pacific Jazz in LA with guitarist Laurindo Almeida. These records mixed together Shank's flute and sax with lively guitar stylings by Almeida – and in many accounts, the recordings are quoted as being a seminal influence on the bossa scene in late 50s Brazil. No surprise, then, that when bossa broke in the US, Pacific Jazz took Shank back in the studio to cut more side in the same style – which is what you'll get on this excellent 2CD set! The work here ranges from 1962 to 1965 – and it features Shank playing in a number of groups: one with Clare Fisher piano, Larry Bunker vibes, and Milt Holland percussion; one with Fisher on piano and organ, Bunker on vibes, and Joe Pass on guitar; one with Joao Donato on piano and Rosinha De Valenca on guitar; and one with De Valenca on guitar and Sergio Mendes on piano. The 2CD set features 28 tracks in all – all pure stripped-down bossa jazz at its finest. Shank's a hell of a reed player – and the format gives him one of the best platforms to blow of his career. Titles include "Sambou Sambou", "Elizete", "Um Abraco No Bonfa", "Gostoso", "Joao", "Serenidade", "Silk Stop", "Sausalito", "Illusao", "Caminho De Casa", "Otem A Note", "Wistful Samba", "O Barquinho", and "Samba Guapo". CD

We really loved the first volume in this series, and this second entry maybe goes even deeper into the unique territory of the collection – a genre that's maybe all its own, with a really cool blend of older tracks and contemporary numbers, all served up with a laidback sort of vibe! There's plenty of soul in the mix, but often from a global perspective – and those cuts are mixed in with more 21st century-styled tracks, which makes for a very cool blend of material. Titles include "Baby This Love I Have" by Avis, "Malibu Nites" by Frank Hatchett, "DE 108" by Bach Revolution, "We May Be Cattle But We All Got Names" by Michael De Albuquerque, "Marimba" by Yargo, "Play A Sweet Rhythm On Them Drums" by Okyerama Asante & Black Fire, "Shove Piggy Shove" by LFO, "Lost Children" by Veronica Mickie, and "Storm (Arp Duppy Chip mix)" by Rare Silk. LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A stupid title, but a record that features some excellent material from Mingus' fruitful trip to Europe in 1964! The 2CD set brings together live tracks recorded at the Salle Wagram in Paris, played by Mingus with a small group that includes Eric Dolphy, Clifford Jordan, Jaki Byard, and Dannie Richmond. Johnny Coles also plays trumpet on a haunting version of "So Long Eric", recorded very shortly before Dolphy's tragic early death – and the set features great long versions of "Orange Was The Color Of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk", "Meditations On Integration", and "Fables Of Faubus". Live Mingus is crucial to any fan of this genius – and the kinds of colors and creativity expressed in a live set like this are a key component to an understanding of his music! CD

Music from Freddie McGregor, Beres Hammond, Garnett Silk, Dennis Brown, Pam Hall, Makeda, Gregory Isaacs, Jack Radics, Cutty Rank & more. LP, Vinyl record album

A plain and simple shirt – one that's bound to get plenty of years of use – served up here at a plain and simple price, as well! The front features a big version of the Dusty Groove logo – the classic half-turntable that's topped our website for years – in brilliant gold-tone silkscreen, which really pops out against the bold color of the background! Nothing else – no bells, whistles, or frilly designs – just the good ol' DG logo, on a heavy 100% cotton shirt! Clothing

A plain and simple shirt – one that's bound to get plenty of years of use – served up here at a plain and simple price, as well! The front features a big version of the Dusty Groove logo – the classic half-turntable that's topped our website for years – in brilliant gold-tone silkscreen, which really pops out against the bold color of the background! Nothing else – no bells, whistles, or frilly designs – just the good ol' DG logo, on a heavy 100% cotton shirt! Clothing

A plain and simple shirt – one that's bound to get plenty of years of use – served up here at a plain and simple price, as well! The front features a big version of the Dusty Groove logo – the classic half-turntable that's topped our website for years – in brilliant gold-tone silkscreen, which really pops out against the bold color of the background! Nothing else – no bells, whistles, or frilly designs – just the good ol' DG logo, on a heavy 100% cotton shirt! Clothing

Just the first album from pianist Sean Mason, but a set that already feels like an effort from a much more mature musician – a set of original music that's overflowing with the kind of life and color that you'd be more likely to hear on some of the bigger-name efforts on this label associated with Jazz At Lincoln Center! It's pretty daring to begin your recorded career with an extended original suite – but Mason's clearly got the strengths to pull it off, and gets some especially great help from Chris Lewis on tenor and Tony Glausi on trumpet, both players who can wrap around each other and somehow create a sound that's even greater than the sum of its parts! The group also features Felix Moseholm on bass and Domo Branch on drums – and titles include "Final Voyage", "Lullaby", "Closure", "Kid", "Lavender", "Silky M", and "One United". CD

With Master P, Mystikal, Phiness, and Silkk The Shocker. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A plain and simple shirt – one that's bound to get plenty of years of use – served up here at a plain and simple price, as well! The front features a big version of the Dusty Groove logo – the classic half-turntable that's topped our website for years – in brilliant gold-tone silkscreen, which really pops out against the bold color of the background! Nothing else – no bells, whistles, or frilly designs – just the good ol' DG logo, on a heavy 100% cotton shirt! Clothing

A plain and simple shirt – one that's bound to get plenty of years of use – served up here at a plain and simple price, as well! The front features a big version of the Dusty Groove logo – the classic half-turntable that's topped our website for years – in brilliant gold-tone silkscreen, which really pops out against the bold color of the background! Nothing else – no bells, whistles, or frilly designs – just the good ol' DG logo, on a heavy 100% cotton shirt! Clothing

A plain and simple shirt – one that's bound to get plenty of years of use – served up here at a plain and simple price, as well! The front features a big version of the Dusty Groove logo – the classic half-turntable that's topped our website for years – in brilliant gold-tone silkscreen, which really pops out against the bold color of the background! Nothing else – no bells, whistles, or frilly designs – just the good ol' DG logo, on a heavy 100% cotton shirt! Clothing

A plain and simple shirt – one that's bound to get plenty of years of use – served up here at a plain and simple price, as well! The front features a big version of the Dusty Groove logo – the classic half-turntable that's topped our website for years – in brilliant gold-tone silkscreen, which really pops out against the bold color of the background! Nothing else – no bells, whistles, or frilly designs – just the good ol' DG logo, on a heavy 100% cotton shirt! Clothing

Classic 80s work from Luther Vandross – the kind of record that catapulted him from the soul music shadows into the major mainstream of the time! The style here is a fair bit more electric than some of Luther's music of the 70s, but the sound is still silky, soulful, and sensuous – thanks to Vandross' amazing vocal approach, which is undeniably one of the greatest of his generation. The tunes often have a snaking midtempo rhythm that works perfectly for Luther's groove – and while a few more numbers get a bit more upbeat, they're still never too over the top, nor commercial in nature. Vandross produced, with some help from Marcus Miller – and titles include "Superstar/Until You Come Back To Me", "For The Sweetness Of Your Love", "I Wanted Your Love", "Busy Body", "Make Me A Believer", "I'll Let You Slide", and "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye" – a duet with Dionne Warwick. LP, Vinyl record album

A dreamy exploration of south sea ideals from the great Les Baxter – a set that's got a more lightly drifting quality than some of his more percussive exotica albums, and which is awash in dreamy soundscapes penned by Les himself! The orchestrations are large and bold throughout – mixing strings and woodwinds almost in a soundtrack-y mode – but always with the light sense of interplay that makes Baxter's work so great. Titles include "Monkey Dance Of Bali", "Pearls Of Ceylon", "Tahiti: A Summer Night At Sea", "Hong Kong Cable Car", "Tramp Steamer To Singapore", "Spice Islands Sea Birds", "Harem Silks From Bombay", "Bangkok Cockfight", and "Sidewalk Cafes Of Saigon". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful set, and one that's definitely filled with spirits – most particularly from the tenor of Kidd Jordan, which has all this subtle power behind it, at a level that really gives proof to Jordan's many years on the freer side of the jazz spectrum! The trio here also features Alvin Fielder on drums and percussion, and Joel Futterman on piano, Indian flute, and curved soprano sax – but throughout the proceedings, which are freely improvised, the tenor of Jordan seems to be the real anchor in sound – an element that can match the modes of the other players, but also provide some direction too. Titles include "Start Stop", "Run Drop", "Start Continue", "Ripples, and "Double Strike". CD

Just the first album from pianist Sean Mason, but a set that already feels like an effort from a much more mature musician – a set of original music that's overflowing with the kind of life and color that you'd be more likely to hear on some of the bigger-name efforts on this label associated with Jazz At Lincoln Center! It's pretty daring to begin your recorded career with an extended original suite – but Mason's clearly got the strengths to pull it off, and gets some especially great help from Chris Lewis on tenor and Tony Glausi on trumpet, both players who can wrap around each other and somehow create a sound that's even greater than the sum of its parts! The group also features Felix Moseholm on bass and Domo Branch on drums – and titles include "Final Voyage", "Lullaby", "Closure", "Kid", "Lavender", "Silky M", and "One United". CD