Key proof that Art Blakey was still going strong in the late 70s – continuing his 60s legacy of working with the best young players he could find, in a setting that was bristling with sweet soul jazz energy! This version of The Jazz Messengers includes some tremendous players – including a young Bobby Watson on alto, the great David Schnitter on tenor, James Williams on piano, and Valery Ponomarev on trumpet – all grooving with Art in a style that steps nicely from the soulful Prestige Records years, when Blakey was leading the group with Woody Shaw and Carter Jefferson. Tracks are nearly all originals – loping and grooving with a soulful finish that's really wonderful, showing off equal parts of writing from nearly all corners of the group. The album's awash in soulful joy and love, and titles include "Reflections In Blue", "ETA", "Mishima", "Say Dr J", and "Stretching". LP, Vinyl record album

A stunning setting for this wonderful tenorist – a record that has the great George Coleman blowing with only the piano of Tete Montoliu for accompaniment – with really wonderful results! George has all that full, deep tone we know from his bigger group recordings – and it really seems to set the record on fire from the start, and bring out these bold rhythmic lines from Montoliu, who plays with a blocky sense of power that reminds us of his sublime late 60s album for MPS! There's still plenty of the lyrical moments you'd expect from Tete, too – but even then, George comes in with these freewheeling passages that are really lovely – and which bloom brilliantly in the presence of the piano. Titles include long takes on "Meditation" and "Sophisticated Lady" – plus "Walsing At Rosa's Place", "Lisa", and "First Time Down". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the best work that Louis Hayes and Joe Farrell cut during the 80s – a freewheeling and open session that's steep on soul, and filled with the best energy both players could muster! The group's a quartet, with Farrell on tenor, soprano, and flute, Hayes on drums, Rob Van Den Broeck on piano, and Harry Emmery on bass. Farrell's inventiveness, as always, is incredible – restrained from some of his over-the-top work in the 70s – but in a good way, one that has him really focusing on the construction of his solos, and coming up with some wonderfully soulful notes that hold the lively rhythms of the tunes together. All tracks are long, and titles include "Miles Mode", "Vim N Vigor", "Arab Arab", and "Besame Mucho". LP, Vinyl record album

An explosive late 70s moment of brilliance from trombonist Curtis Fuller – and one of his greatest albums of the time! The set's got Fuller working with an unusual group – Pepper Adams on baritone sax, making for a nice "bottom" alongside Fuller's trombone, plus James Williams, borrowed from Art Blakey's group of the time – and really stepping out here with some great soaring piano lines. The rest of the quintet features Dennis Irwin on bass and John Yarling on drums – but the real boss of the set is clearly Fuller, who's contributed some wonderful originals to the session, and is clearly working with a re-kindled spirit at this point in his career. Titles include "Four On The Outside", "Suite Kathy", "Little Dreams", "Ballad For Gabe-Wells", and "Corrida Del Torro". LP, Vinyl record album

A bold statement by one of the best underground jazz players of the 70s! Carter Jefferson cut his chops with Art Blakey in the years after Blakey had Billy Harper in the group – and seemed to follow Harper into some of the same highly spiritual, soulful territory at the time! Jefferson's a bit more inside, but equally searching in his style – and this key album as a leader is quite possibly one of the best-ever demonstrations of his talents. Carter's recorded here on tenor and soprano sax, in two different groups – one with Terumasa Hino on trumpet, and one with Shunzo Ono on trumpet – with a great lineup that includes Harry Whitaker on piano, Clint Houston on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums! Lani Groves sings on one track – and titles include "Why", "Rise Of Atlantis", "Blues For Wood", and "Changing Trains". LP, Vinyl record album

Chet plays trumpet, and also sings on the tracks "Ray's Ideas" and "Everything Happens To Me". Other tunes include "Girl With The Purple Eyes", "Speak No Evil", and "Inner Urge". LP, Vinyl record album

A brilliant 80s set from Pharoah Sanders – a record that has him a much more understated setting than some of his other albums from the time – but one that's maybe even more soulful and searching overall! The great one plays blistering tenor right from the start – in a quartet with John Hicks on piano, Curtis Lundy on bass, and Idris Muhammad on drums – all players who have this way of doing a lot with a little, especially in the rhythm department – where they seem to give Sanders some of his strongest sense of groove since the key albums for Theresa. Muhammad's got this tight sense of timekeeping, but with a looseness that we love – and Lundy's warm soulful bass does more than enough to give the set a sound bottom – and Hicks' free lyrical piano works nicely with Sanders' spiritual horn. Titles include a remake of "You've Got To Have Freedom", plus "Naima", "Origin", "Speak Low", "After The Morning", and "Africa". Also features the tracks "Duo" and "Heart To Heart" – not on the original vinyl release! LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite Woody Shaw albums from his later years – and an album that's got the same joyous spirit and free soaring feel of his best 70s work on Muse – really soaring with a sense of life and freedom in a really great way! The core group on the album is the Tone Jansa Quartet – led by European reedman Jansa, and working in a space that's quite similar to that of Shaw's backing groups on previous sessions – strong modal currents in the rhythms, and with Tone's work on soprano, tenor, and flute turning out to be a great partner for Woody's trumpet! Jansa wrote all the tunes on the set, and gave them a soaring feel that we really love – just the right mix of introspection and exploration found on classic Shaw sessions like Little Red's Fantasy or Lovedance. Titles include "Midi", "Boland", "Call Mobility", "River", and "May". LP, Vinyl record album

Archie Shepp is one of the most unique players in jazz – an artist who started out completely avant at the beginning of his career, then moved to spiritual jazz explorations, then to straighter jazz material in later decades – but always with all that knowledge of the edges and farther realms of jazz he explored in his other music! That's definitely the case here – as Shepp takes on a host of ballads, but with all these edges and dark passages that are completely different than you'd hear from any other player – cast beautifully with help from Horace Parlan on piano, Wayne Dockery on bass, and Steve McRaven on drums. Shepp blows alto and tenor, and in addition to the titles "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", "Lush Life", "Angel Eyes", "All Too Soon", and "Embraceable You" – the set also features Shepp originals "Deja Vu" and "I Know About The Life". LP, Vinyl record album

An overlooked trio date from McCoy Tyner – and a record that's just the sort of musical journey you might guess from the title! Tyner's piano is as full of fire and flight as always – and the group has some especially great work from bassist Avery Sharpe, who changes his approach from track to track, along with McCoy – and really helps bring a wide-ranging sort of sound to the record – the sort you might normally expect from some of Tyner's records with a fuller ensemble! Drummer Louis Hayes completes the trio – and titles include "Jazz Walk", "Summertime", "Bon Voyage", "Yesterdays", "Don't Blame Me", and "Blues For Max". Great 2LP edition – with a bonus disc that features four alternate takes! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the tighter late albums from trumpet legend Chet Baker – done during the last few years of his life, at a time when he was going for a sound that was a bit more back to basics than some of his more longer-winded records from a few years before! The group here is a quartet – Harold Danko on piano, Jon Burr on bass, and Ben Riley on drums – and Baker blows in this cool, compressed style that showcases all the sonic lessons learned from the late 70s/early 80s experiments, brought more in focus with territory that resonates with more familiar recordings. Titles include "Swing Shifting", "Round Midnight", "Caravelle", "For All We Know", "Blue Moon", and "My Foolish Heart". LP, Vinyl record album

Really wonderful material from trumpet legend Chet Baker – one of those sets from Chet's "lost" years recording for a variety of labels on the European continent – but also work that really shows him exploring some great new territory! The Chet Baker during these years is much more stretched out and open – often recording in a unique sort of group, as he does here – working wi French piano great Michel Graillier, and the excellent bassist Ricardo Del Fra – in space that's wonderfully loose, and very understated – full of subtle but brilliant colors and tones! The record's a gem through and through – and titles include "Mister B", "Beatrice", "Strollin", "Dolphin Dance", and "Ellen & David". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful little record from pianist Joanne Brackeen – unlike anything the artist ever recorded, as it's just a set of duets with guitarist Ryo Kawasaki, who brings in some really beautiful elements to the mix! Ryo plays an acoustic nylon string guitar, but with a dexterity that most other players would use on electric – and the balance of his instrument with Brackeen's piano is sublime – full of colors and imaginative tones, but also a fair degree of rhythmic impulses too – which guide the duo in ways that are completely refreshing throughout! And yes, Ryo could be slick on other records, but he's definitely not here – and instead finds a special space alongside those choppy blocks of sound that Joanne plays so well. Titles include a great reading of Kawasaki's "Trinkets & Things" – plus "Shadowbrook Air", "Spring Of Things", "Fair Weather", "Whim Within", and "Winnie & Woodstock". LP, Vinyl record album

A really well-done overview of work that Pharoah Sanders did for the Timeless label during the 80s – recordings that are not nearly as widely-circulated as his material for Impulse and Theresa, but which represents a key third slice of his career! The setting here is sometimes more conventional in terms of standard jazz productions – smaller groups who play a bit more inside, yet still are a perfect match for Sanders' spiritual vibe on the tenor – an instrument he often uses to cross bridges of jazz generations in these recordings – linking the 70s spiritualism to some of the energy of the younger 80s musicians who were moving things back to basics. Given that Pharoah never had a "basics" stage of his career, this later life material is a real surprise – a bit like the territory that Archie Shepp was hitting in a similar mode at the time – lessons learned from the fringes, brought back to transform the center. Titles include "Africa", "Times Past", "Polka Dots & Moonbeams", "Soul Eyes", "Moniebah", "Moonchild", "You've Got To Have Freedom", "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes", and "Origin". Also includes an unreleased version of "Central Park West". LP, Vinyl record album

Beautiful solo electronics from Moebius – an album recorded in the early 80s, but with a really timeless feel that takes it far from so many other electric sets of this vintage! There's still very much a spacious sound going on here – similar to the Cluster projects with Roedelius – warmly melodic, and very understated – every bit that picture perfect approach to analogue electronics that Kraftwerk first brought into the scene, and which guys like Moebius perfected even more with records like this! Titles include "Nervos", "B 36", "Immerhin", "Sinister", "Furbo", "Etwas", and "Transport". LP, Vinyl record album

Beautiful Columbia work from Thelonious Monk – a record that has as much warmth and charm as it does visionary modernist moments! A number of the tunes are standards, not Monk compositions – and they're done here with a sense of depth and joy of exploration that's really wonderful – a transformative energy that opens them up magically – and which sits them strongly next to the few original tunes by Thelonious on the set. The tenor sax of Charlie Rouse is a joy throughout – angular and fluid, but also personal and soulful as well – and Monk's piano has some especially timeless edges on the mellower tracks. Titles include "Liza", "I Love You", "That Old Man", "Pannonica", "Teo", and a nice take on "April In Paris". LP, Vinyl record album

A set from the 80s, but a record with a very timeless feel – as Ephat Mujuru plays mbira here with a group that's heavy on percussion, and which features all these wonderful vocal refrains alongside the lead! The mbira is never buried in fuller instrumentation – and instead, the chromatic keys of the instrument get plenty of space to play out with the kind of warmth that makes the thumb piano such a blend of melody and percussion at once, with a universal sort of appeal that goes way beyond the boundaries of language in the lyrics. Most tracks are nice and long – and titles include "Mudande", "44"," Nyama Musango", and "Kwenda Mbire". LP, Vinyl record album

A timeless collaboration between Nujabes and Fat Jon – tracks done for the animated Samurai Champloo project, but music that stands more than strongly on its own – with a sublime mix of soulful currents and beat-heavy rhythms! The set begins with a number of tracks that have Nujabes in the lead – with that soul-heavy style that makes his work of this moment so wonderful – balanced by Fat Jon contributions that are maybe even better than records issued as a solo act! Titles include "Ole", "Genome", "No Way Back", "Transcendence", "Aruarian Dance", "Battlecry", "The Space Between Two Worlds", "1st Samurai", and "How You Feel". LP, Vinyl record album

An album of fragile beauty and buried darkness – in a space that's somewhere between the work of Nico and Brigitte Fontaine, but a fair bit sweeter overall! Emmanuelle Parrenin sings here in a timeless style that might almost be called folksy – especially in the return to tradition styles of the UK 70s scene – but it's also got a slightly headier feel overall, almost trippy at times, with a sense of crumbling innocence that's further underscored by spare instrumentation that includes hurdy-gurdy, spinet, and dulcimer. Most tunes just feature vocals and some combination of these instruments – and a few numbers feature slightly larger backing, but never a full group mode. Titles include "Ritournelle", "Leiturgie", "Copraze", "Lecharpe De Soie", "Ce Matin A Fremontel", and "Belle Virginie". Amazing vinyl reissue – very heavy cover and vinyl, and beautifully done overall! LP, Vinyl record album

The incredible debut from Pearls Before Swine – a group who were a bit late to the New York folk party of the 60s – but at a level that really helped them evolve past the rest of their scene! The album's sometimes a bit overlooked – as it came out on the mostly-jazz ESP label – but it's a mindblowing treasure from the year of 1967, and one of the most forward-thinking albums of the time! The group begin with folk constructions, but really take off quickly with some trippier elements too – especially when they mix organ, vibes, or electronics with more familiar guitar and mandolin. Singer Tom Rapp maybe has a slight touch of Dylan in his approach, but he's already up there as his own man – and we love Rapp so much, we'd place him in the same heady territory as Tim Buckley, Tim Hardin, or Leonard Cohen – all of whose work is a good match for the energy here. There's a wonderfully dark quality to this album that gives it a timeless feel – strains of avant instrumentation underneath the gentler sound of Rapp's voice, and an undying sadness that's matched by the feel of songs like "Another Time", "Playmate", "Drop Out", "Ballad To An Amber Lady", "Miss Morse", "I Shall Not Care", and "Morning Song". LP, Vinyl record album

A return to folksier forms for Tom Rapp and Pearls Before Swine – working here in territory that's very different than some of the baroque light arrangements used on previous records. Rapp's emerging as a more confident singer/songwriter – recording in an almost Dylan-like setting, but with more of the irony of Leonard Cohen, and as always, working in a timeless idiom that's still beginning to be understood more than 30 years after its inception. Beautiful work throughout – as earthy as it is majestic – and with titles that include "My Father", "The Man", "Once Upon A Time", "City Of Gold", "Nancy", and "Wedding". LP, Vinyl record album

Gregory Porter arrives on Blue Note Records – and the result is Porter's most fully-formed set so far – just the kind of album that will push him firmly into the limelight – a place that we've felt he's deserved for quite a few years! Porter's a hell of a singer, and a hell of a songwriter too – and although his roots are in jazz, he's got a rare ability to step between genres with plenty of soul – a special space that belongs to a very rare few – like Nina Simone, Bill Withers, Roberta Flack, or Gil Scott-Heron! Gregory's voice is amazing, his lyrics are both personal and pointed – and he does so much here with so little, the album should be handed out to the hundreds of mis-directed vocalists who think that a few extra tweaks in the studio is all they really need. Most numbers just feature small combo backing, with wonderfully warm piano from Chip Crawford – and the whole thing's got a timeless feel that makes us think this is the beginning of a rich new season for Porter. Titles include "Free", "Water Under Bridges", "Lonesome Lover", "Liquid Spirit", "No Love Dying", "Brown Grass", "When Love Was King", and "Wind Song". This great 3LP deluxe version features special guest bonus tracks on the fifth side – Water Under The Bridge" with Laura Mvula, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" with Jamie Cullum and "Grandma's Hands" with Ben L'Oncle Soul – plus Rainer & Grimm, Claptone, 20syl, St Germain and Knuckle G remixes on the sixth side! LP, Vinyl record album

The title says "57", but the music's from a few years before – yet that's OK with us, because Bud Powell always has a sound that's instantly timeless no matter what the year! The album brings together sides from Verve dates in 1954 and 1955 – one featuring Art Blakey on drums and Lloyd Troutman on bass, the other featuring Max Roach and Percy Heath. Given the presence of the strong drummers, there's a drive here that's a bit harder than on some of the other Verve dates – a highly rhythmic component that often brings a real focus to some of the more upbeat numbers, but which lays back nicely on the mellower ones to let Powell hit some especially dark notes. Titles include "Deep Night", "That Old Black Magic", "Round Midnight", "Thou Swell", and "Tenderly". LP, Vinyl record album

The scene may be changing, but nothing can dampen the fire of the great Bud Powell – and, if anything, this fifth installment in Blue Note's "Amazing" series may well have the pianist at his mature best! The rhythm duo are wonderful – more late 50s modern hardbop than some of Bud's accompanists in years past – the great Paul Chambers on bass and Art Taylor on drums, both of whom can bring the fire when needed, yet also craft their lines with these subtle touches that really match Powell's incredible dexterity on piano. Tunes are shorter than usual for a Blue Note album of this vintage – but mostly because all three players pack a hell of a lot into a very small space – and really make timeless magic on titles that include "Down With It", "Cleopatra's Dream", "Gettin' There", "Danceland", "Borderick", and "Duid Dee". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the first moments of genius from a young Pharoah Sanders – a set that builds on the energy of John Coltrane's Love Supreme generation – but takes it in a much more expansive direction! The album's got a sense of majesty that's years ahead of its time – righteous, positive, spiritual jazz that flows out with a timeless power, and a quality that almost out-Coltrane's Coltrane! All tracks are long, expressive, and freely flowing – building with a very organic sense of energy – totally free from any gimmicks or cliche. Players include Dave Burrell on piano, Henry Grimes on bass, and Sonny Sharrock on guitar – and Pharoah plays alto, tenor, and piccolo – and even vocalizes a bit. The album begins with the amazing "Upper & Lower Egypt" – which is a perfect illustration of the two sides of Pharoah's genius – free/out & spiritual/modal – and other titles include "Japan", and "Capricorn Rising". LP, Vinyl record album

Mighty raw work on thumb piano from Ekuka Morris Sirikiti – mostly pulled from radio broadcasts in northern Uganda, and served up here with a very timeless vibe! Most tracks feature vocals and percussion alongside Ekuka's lead instrument – which itself has some of the chromatic warmth as on other recordings of kalimba and other variations – but also a much rougher edge, too – certainly more percussive than melodic at most moments, but in a really hypnotic way. Titles include "Omaro Cil Pacu", "Peko Me Kin Calo", "In Balonyo For Ayinet", "Jo Ame Aparo Loc", "Acoc Acoc Twol Iye Akayi", "Pwan En Obalo Gum Waa", and "Wilo Koti Me Kwalo Orango". LP, Vinyl record album

A 70s gem from singer/songwriter Al Stewart – a set that was part of his long-overdue rise to global fame – after quietly giving the world a number of great and overlooked albums from the UK scene! The vibe here is similar to the preceding set – the classic Year Of The Cat – in that Al's got all of his sharp songwriting and very unique vocal phrasing intact – all set to sharp production that brings out the real strengths of his catchier moments, and certainly pushes Al far past the more Dylan-inspired territory of his earliest years. Titles include the wonderful title cut "Time Passages" – plus "Song On The Radio", "Life In Dark Water", "Valentina Way", "A Man For All Seasons", "Almost Lucy", "The Palace Of Versailles", and "Timeless Skies". LP, Vinyl record album

Lyrically and spirtually fresh wordplay from Superstar Quamallah – working with blueprint era funky hip hop beatcraft, done with a timeless style! Titles include "You Need Knowledge", "88 Soul", "Black Shakespeare", "For My People. . .It's Spiritual", "Just Listen", "California Dreamin", "Kunta Kente", "We Got Plots", "Do Nin_Dis", "Hope She Remembers Me" and more. Enhanced CD includes the video for "Hope She Remembers Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Beautifully spiritual sounds from the contemporary LA scene – served up in a record that mixes generations old and new, and with a really wonderful sound throughout! There's a timeless quality to the record right from the start – maybe because the great Phil Ranelin begins the set with a vocal performance over mellow electronics – in a laidback spirit that's followed by the rest of the set too – as a shifting array of artists under the direction of Jesse Peterson turn out a record with a subtle righteous power! Peterson previously worked with Carlos Nino – and there's definitely a bit of Nino spirit here, but with a different vibe – in a lineup that includes Sam Gendel on reeds, Randal Fisher on flute, Fabiano Do Nascimento on guitar, Josh Johnson on alto and keyboards, Aaron Shaw on tenor, Carlos Nino on percussion, and Photay and Diego Gaeta on electronics – plus vocal work from Phil Ranelin, Laraaji, Mia Doi Todd, and Dwight Trible. Titles include "Alive To Feel", "Island Bells", "Pandanus Grove", "Tune Up", "Ocean Garden", "Floating Sunset", and "Arukitai". LP, Vinyl record album

The full length debut of the Yancey Boys – Frank Nitt & Illa J – the former of the venerable duo Frank N Dank, the latter J Dilla's rhyme centric younger brother – who come together with the dual purpose of keeping J Dilla's production pedigree alive, and to simply deliver timeless, top notch Detroit hip hop! Production is provided by J Dilla's archive – and a pretty impressive roster of Dilla friends and collaborators take part as guests – include Common, Talib Kweli, Posdnuos of De La Soul, Dank, Rhettmatic, Eric Roberson, Guilty Simpson, J Roc and others. Titles include "Dilltro" with Dank, "Fisherman" feat Vice, J Rocc & Detroit Serious, "Flowers" with Kweli, Niko Grey & Rhettmatic, "Without Wings", "Beautiful" with Posdnuos, "Quicksand" with Slimkid3 & Niko Gray", "The Throwaway", "This Evening" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A pair of Verve Classics – back to back on this UK album from the 70s! First up is Jazz Giants 56 – a timeless ensemble session from Verve Records! The feel here is almost in jam session mode, but perhaps a bit tighter – a group of all-star players from the mid-50s, with Lester Young on tenor, Roy Eldridge on trumpet, Vic Dickenson on trombone, Teddy Wilson on piano, and Freddie Green on guitar – a nice mix of generations and styles that really helps open up the sound of the record. Tracks are nice and long, taken in that open, solo-conscious Verve mode – and tunes include "I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan", "This Year's Kisses", "You Can Depend On Me", and "I Didn't Know What Time It Was". Next is Pres & Teddy – a classic session of mellow magic from tenorist Lester Young and pianist Teddy Wilson – both giants of jazz from an earlier generation, but maybe sounding even better here in a sublime Verve Records setting from the 50s! Young's tenor fronts the trio of Wilson – with Gene Ramey on bass and Joe Jones on drums – a somewhat unassuming group, which means that Lester's power really holds sway throughout – these magical solos that so easygoing they almost seem effortless – but which are filled with soul and imagination. Titles include "Love Me Or Leave Me", "All Of Me", "Prisoner Of Love", and "Love Is Here To Stay". LP, Vinyl record album

Astonishing work from Alexis Zoumbas – a Greek musician from the early days of the 78rpm recording, and one who plays violin with the dexterity of Paganini, but in ways that are much more rootsy and fokloric overall! Zoumbas' classic 78s have recently gotten new attention on an excellent compilation – but this set brings together unissued material from the same time – a huge undertaking, given that the recordings are almost 100 years old, but come through with a surprising amount of life here – as Alexis' deft solos on his instrument blend with a bit of percussion, piano, or other instrumentation – depending on the track – all with a timeless vibe that's expanded on nicely in the detailed booklet of notes and photos. Titles include "Selfo", "Arvanitikos", "Skizo Rizo Mor Panaghio", "Epirotiko Moiroloi", "Tsamiko Makedonias", and "Rast Taxim". LP, Vinyl record album

Highly percussive sounds from the kingdom of Buganda – an area that predates the formation of modern day Uganda, and which has an equally ancient sound to its music! The work here is served up on a variety of instruments – percussion, drums, flutes, and stringed instruments – but there seems to be a unifying approach throughout, as all of the cuts have a fast-moving sort of intensity, which also seems to inspire the vocals with similar energy – very different than most other East African work that we've heard, and with a special quality that feels very timeless, even though most of these recordings are from the postwar years! A great discovery of this overlooked tradition – with selections from Albert Bisao Sssempke, Erusana Lutwana & Budo African Music Club, Evaristo Muyinda, Kopolyano Kyobo, Kalema Hassan Katipa, and Semuwemba George William. LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Timeless Legend, Tippie Washington, Forbidden Blackness, Ira Allen, Ti-Fri, Young Underground, Wendy Harris, Spaded Jade, Final Analysis, Capris, Greg Foust, and Brother's Rap. LP, Vinyl record album

Killer grooves from the Kenyan scene of the 70s – sounds that are very spare, and very timeless – often just percussion, a stringed instrument, and chanted vocals – all served up in a very driving, hypnotic blend! The set collects tracks from a time when the initially rural nyatiti style had moved into the cities, particularly Nairobi – and seemed to pick up an intensity along the way, so that the relatively lean and traditional mode somehow gained greater urgency, and in a way that makes for a surprising amount of power with just a few key elements! Titles include "Adele Obonyo" by James Obwanda, "Ojul Otieno" by Ochieng Ragwel, "Odola Richard" by Oganga Joginda, "Ndonji Oyang O" by Lucas Odote, "Samuel Ayany" by Ogola Opot, and "Dr Were Were" by Ogwang Lelo K'Okoth. LP, Vinyl record album

A really wonderful album – timeless in sound and style, and a set that almost takes us back to the warmth of some of our favorite Brazilian records from the 70s! Bala Desejo have a way of mixing harmonies with lead vocals that's completely sublime – often set to light percussion, acoustic guitar, and other spare instrumental touches that glow as nicely as the vocals! If you've heard some of the 70s material from Quarteto Em Cy, you'll know part of the vibe here – but there's also maybe a more contemporary sense of songwriting too, which really keeps things fresh – on titles that include "Lua Comanche", "Nesse Sofa", "Chupeta", "Faixa Tecnica", "Chronofagia", "Muito So", "Dourado Dourado", and "Lambe Lambe". LP, Vinyl record album

In 1994 when everyone seemed to be turning hardcore, Common Sense wasn't having it – and gave the world this superb second album that formed a key part of his soon-to-be huge legacy! The album's very near and dear to our Chicago-born hearts – and is filled with introspective tales of growing up and living on the South Side, given perfect support by the production of No ID – a real overlooked hero of this generation! The album was made with little regard to trends of the time, and that's given it a timeless quality that really holds on over the years – maybe even more so than some of Common's later, bigger records. The set features two guest appearances by Y-Not aka Twilight Tone – and titles include "I Used To Love HER", "Book Of Life", "Chapter 13", "Nuthin' To Do", "In My Own World (Check The Method)", "Maintaining", "Communism", "Watermelon", "Thisisme", and "Sum Sh*t I Wrote". (And bonus trivia – Chicago station WHPK, a breeding ground for Dusty Groove, even gets a mention on the set!). This excellent 2LP deluxe vinyl reissue includes a side featuring 3 bonus tracks – "Resurrection 95", "Resurrection (Large Professor mix)", and "Resurrection (Extra P rmx)". LP, Vinyl record album

A set from the late 90s, but one that's got a very timeless vibe – as it features spare duets on kora between these two legendary players – coming together in a way that's completely magical, and fresh enough to earn the "new ancient" in the title! There's a sense of warmth to the proceedings right from the start – an improvising sympathy that seems borrowed from jazz, although there's nothing jazz-like at all in this music – and the production uses just the right touch of echo to bring out the resonant qualities of the instruments, but never seeks to commercialize the proceedings at all. Titles include "Salaman", "Bi Lamban", "Kita Kaira", "Korobali", "Yamfa", "Cheikhna Demba", and "Bafoulabe". LP, Vinyl record album

Timeless rock & roll from Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – an indie rock pioneer who simply doesn't get the credit she deserves for shattering the glass ceiling for both women and independent souls in mainstream rock in the early 80s! Includes the hit title track and her cool cover of "Crimson & Clover", plus "Nag", "Bits & Pieces", "Be Straight" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

The first solo set by KRS-One on his own – maybe a bit of a surprise, given that he was really the driving force and main voice of Boogie Down Productions after the first album – yet one that also gives him a chance to spotlight some new wisdom and a growing sense of identity! The set has KRS working with some great producers – DJ Premier, Showbiz, and Kid Capri – while also doing plenty of production on his own – all at a level that seems to only intensify the sound and increase the sense of urgency in his music! That quality really comes through on the timeless cut "Sound Of The Police" – maybe even more powerful now than when it was recorded – next to other classics that include "Outta Here", "I Can't Wake Up", "Black Cop", "Stop Frontin'", "Uh Oh", "Hip Hop Vs Rap", "Brown Skin Woman", and "Return Of The Boom Bap". LP, Vinyl record album

Warmly hypnotic work from this great Moroccan group – a set of long tracks that mix together percussion, acoustic strings, and chanted vocals – all swirling together with a vibe that's as spiritual as it is timeless! The set was recorded in the 70s, but the only aspect of that decade you'll hear might be the quality of the recording – as the instrumentation and vocals are crystal clear throughout, and come across with a power that almost brings a trance-like quality to the entire album! We don't know much about these guys, but that hardly matters, given the power of the album on its own – on tracks that include "El Hassada", "Ghir Kouhdouni, "Youm Malkak", and "Lahmami". LP, Vinyl record album

Abstract instrumentals by producer/beatmaker Samiyam – on his Stones Throw debut – with just a couple of vocal cuts with guests Jeremiah Jae & Oliver the 2nd, Action Bronson and Earl Sweatshirt! Lots of cool, oddball samples on this one, with a timeless sense of tripped out beatcraft. Good stuff. Tracks include "Taco Chase", "Blowed", "Animals Have Feelings", "Surprise", "Mirror" with Earl Sweatshirt, "One Day", "Paddle Boat", "Ronald", "Gumdrops", "Not A Fluke", "Smoke Break" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Benchmark dub by Scientist – and introduction to a truly pivotal figure! Introducing Scientist is certainly one of his best records – and if it doesn't fully live up to the subtitle boast ("the best dub album in the world"), it really does come pretty darn close! Mixed at master King Tubby's studio and bearing Tubby's influence very strongly, the record features Scientist and dub music at a genuine, pre-Space Invadors peak. A timeless dub masterpiece from one of the greatest ever! Titles include "Steppers", "Rubber Foot", "Elasticated", "Rocking", "Lovers", "Front Line", "Scientific", "Jungle", "Bali-Hi" and "Chemistry". LP, Vinyl record album

A great bit of boogie from the Chicago scene of the early 80s – a set recorded with a nice jazzy bounce overall, and a strong ear for a catchy hook and tight groove – very much in the mode of Omni or Zoom from the same period! Alfonzo's got a warm vocal style that soars up to falsetto one minute, but dips down deep the next – a perfectly fluid approach that works well with the dynamic grooves of the record. And throughout, the whole thing stays nice and cool – nice and classy – never too over the top or schlocky, and in a really timeless way that's held up great for years! Titles include "Gimmie", "Forever", "Only A Winner", "Gimmie Your Love", "Make It Feel Good", "Gotta Be Love", and "Our Love Is For Keeps". LP, Vinyl record album

A hell of a debut from The B-52s – and a record that's become surprisingly timeless over the years, despite a retro-styled approach by the group! These guys aren't the silly group of later years here – and instead, they've got this moody darkness that's wonderful – a re-envisioned postwar America, one in which the neuroses are all on the outside – served up with instrumentation that's stark, but incredibly tight – snapping drums, riffing guitar, and these great organ lines that sound beautiful next to the vocals of Fred and the girls. The set gave the group their perennial hit "Rock Lobster" – but taken as a whole, it's an incredibly different landscape – as you'll discover on tracks that include "Planet Claire", "52 Girls", "Dance This Mess Around", "Lava", "There's A Moon In The Sky (Called The Moon)", "Hero Worship", "6060-842" and "Downtown". LP, Vinyl record album

Michael Henderson definitely does it all here – mixing jazz and soul and funk with his own strong sense of personality – all at a level that's head and shoulders above most of his contemporaries! Henderson's that rare breed in soul music – part of an elite 70s lineup who were rooted in jazz, able to sing soul, and yet still keep all the depth of their roots in their grooves! At times, Henderson sings with the poise and class of a jazz vocalist – at others, he's got the sensual slink of a R&B giant – always amidst instrumentation that goes way past the obvious, and avoids any of the commercial cliches that were plaguing mainstream soul at the time. There's a really timeless feel to the record – the sort that's kept Henderson at the top of the hip soul stacks for years – and titles include "Wait Until The Rain", "In The Summertime", "Riding", "To Be Loved", "I Do It All", and "Playing On The Real Thing". LP, Vinyl record album

The Hurley machine keeps heaving forward – stepping out here in a set of contemporary recordings, but with sounds that are as timeless as anything else we've heard from him before! The album begins with a haunting number that features just vocals and electric piano – but played in ways that are almost like hammered dulcimer – and two more cuts feature wonderfully spooky pump organ, pulsating in ways that make the music sound even moodier than ever. Other tracks feature acoustic guitar, but still mighty nice, with all the Hurley charm in the vocals – and titles include "The Corridor", "In The Morning", "Tea", "Meara O'Reilly", and "Shockoe Bottom". LP, Vinyl record album

Timeless sounds from Lewlewal – a contemporary group from Senegal, and part of a vanishing culture in the city of Podor! The tracks were recorded recently, but have a feel that goes back decades – mostly acoustic instrumentation on percussion and guitar, played with an intimate approach that draws strongly on tradition – but which also allows for some personal inflections from the group members too. The vocals – sung by Demba Doka Barry – are especially nice – with this hauntingly soulful feel that really grabs us, even over the space of a language difference. Titles include "Ziarre", "Patrimonie", "Jaanfa", "Diaraby", "Yela", and "Almamy". LP, Vinyl record album