Groundbreaking work by one of the greatest artists in Brazil – a masterful collection that dips heavily into Jorge Ben's key recordings of the 60s and early 70s for Philips! The scope of sounds here is really amazing – as Jorge starts with an already-great driving samba groove, then expands into bigger arrangements, more complicated sounds, and emerges in the 70s with a heavy funk approach to his work! Nobody could touch Jorge during this time, and every single track on the set is a winner – the kind of stuff that will make you a convert for life, and want to track down every Ben album from these years. The set's filled with treasures – 19 tracks that include "Que Pena", "Taj Mahal", "Chove Chuva", "Xica Da Silva", "Cade Tereza", "Zumbi", "Pais Tropical", "Oba La Vem Ela", "Que Maravilha", "Charles Anjo 45", "O Telefone", "Bebete Vaobora", "Caramba Galileu Da Gailieia", and "Ponta De Lanca Africano". CD

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A real breakout album for The Village People – thanks largely to the hit "YMCA", which had surprising play at the time – and has gone onto become one of those ballpark hits that everyone seems to sing completely un-self-consciously! The group are still working here in a New York Sigma disco mode – with backings by the Gypsy Lane group – and apart from the "YMCA" hit, other long tracks include "Hot Cop", "My Roomate", "The Women/The Cruiser", and "Ups & Downs". CD

Amazing music from an amazing moment – the legendary Zaire 74 concerts that took place before the Rumble In The Jungle fight between Muhammad Ali and George Frazier! The moment was one of great pride and power – and although the concert performances have become the stuff of legend over the years, this is the first time they've ever been properly issued – presented as a huge collection of tracks with very detailed notes! Other music from this festival has been issued – famous concerts by James Brown and Fania All Stars – but these tracks are all by African artists, and really show the tremendous cultural activity taking place on the continent at the time – in a mix of modes that are fierce and funky throughout. It's crazy that we've had to wait so long to hear this music – but the quality of the tracks is more than worth it – in a triple-length package that features smoking performances by Miriam Makeba, Franco & TP OK Jazz, Abeti, Orchestre Stukas, Abumba Masikini, Tabu Ley Rochereau & Afrisa, and Pembe Dance Troup. 34 tracks in all – and a really wonderful package! LP, Vinyl record album