We can remember when this movie spooked the heck out of us – and now it remains as a charming period piece from the days when New York was overrun by gangsters dressed up in baseball uniforms or overalls – representing a version of the Big Apple during the bankrupt 70s that's turned out to have more longstanding charm than the gang in Clockwork Orange! The music's very well-suited in a period style – a sweet mix of Latin, funk, rock, and soundtrack spookiness – with titles that include "Echoes In My Mind" by Mandrill, "Baseball Furies Chase" by Barry De Vorzon, "In Havana" by Kenny Vance & Ismael Miranda, "Nowhere To Run" by Arnold McCuller, and of course the classic "In The City" by Joe Walsh. LP, Vinyl record album

The legendary alto saxophonist Paul Desmond serves up his own versions of key tunes by Simon & Garfunkel – with results that are simply amazing, and very different than the originals! The style here takes all the airy brilliance of the original S&G tunes, and turns it towards a more jazz-based mode – one that has some of the slight Brazilian undercurrents in the rhythms that you'll find on Desmond's previous two albums for CTI! The full arrangements are by Don Sebesky, who brings a great sense of balance to the set – and Herbie Hancock plays some great electric piano, in a group that also features Airto on percussion and Gene Bertoncini on guitar. But the real star of the set is Paul Desmond – blowing with that amazing tone of his – and sliding from tune to tune with effortless ease, in a way that really transforms these tunes in their instrumental readings. Titles include "Cecilia", "Mrs. Robinson", "America", "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright", and "Scarborough Fair" – all done with a sweet jazzy A&M approach! CD

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The group's lost some of its early members by this point – but Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson both make guest apperances – along with Ralph McTell too! Titles include "Me With You", "The Hens March Through The Midden & The Four Poster Bed", "Furs & Feathers", "Knights Of The Road", and "The Plainsmen". LP, Vinyl record album

Andy Fairweather-Low got his start in progressive rock territory – but here, as a solo act, he's in a very different mode entirely – more compact, and with almost a roots rock sort of vibe at times – but in a way that is nicely unfamiliar too, given Andy's rather distinct vocal style! There's help on the record from some key Nashville session players – like Vassar Clements and Charlie McCoy – but Fairweather-Low really keeps his own groove throughout, and uses these touches to open his sound, while also avoiding country rock cliches. Titles include "Drowning On Dry Land", "Same Old Story", "Mellow Down", "The Light Is Within", "Dancing In The Dark", and "Every Day I Die". CD

Includes the 1982 radio hit, "Der Kommissar". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

A true late 60s rock masterpiece – and like albums by Love and The Velvet Underground, a set that barely made a mainstream impact at the time – but which has gone on to be the stuff of influence and legend over the decades! The album's the first from Gram Parsons and the group – one of only two they would cut together – and the whole thing is a perfect blend of rough-edged rock and country influences rising up from the LA scene – all those glimmers of brilliance that Parsons had brought to the Byrds and other projects, maybe given their full flowering here in a mode that's unabashed about its country music influences – maybe even more so than some of Gram's later solo work. Sneeky Pete Kleinow's steel guitar really adds a lot – but so does the presence of Chris Hillman on guitar and mandolin, and Chris Ethridge on bass and piano. Titles include the brilliant "Sin City" – a track we'll love until we die – plus "Christine's Tune", "Do Right Woman", "Dark End Of The Street", "My Uncle", "Wheels", "Juanita", "Hot Burrito No 1", "Hot Burrito No 2", "Do You Know How It Feels", and "Hippy Boy". LP, Vinyl record album

A set that's way more than just a "best of" sort of anthology – as the package features three full albums by the group, plus other material too! The set begins with the classic debut, Gilded Palace Of Sin – a true late 60s rock masterpiece – and like albums by Love and The Velvet Underground, a set that barely made a mainstream impact at the time – but which has gone on to be the stuff of influence and legend over the decades! The album's the first from Gram Parsons and the group – one of only two they would cut together – and the whole thing is a perfect blend of rough-edged rock and country influences rising up from the LA scene – all those glimmers of brilliance that Parsons had brought to the Byrds and other projects, maybe given their full flowering here in a mode that's unabashed about its country music influences – maybe even more so than some of Gram's later solo work. Sneeky Pete Kleinow's steel guitar really adds a lot – but so does the presence of Chris Hillman on guitar and mandolin, and Chris Ethridge on bass and piano. Titles include the brilliant "Sin City" – a track we'll love until we die – plus "Christine's Tune", "Do Right Woman", "Dark End Of The Street", "My Uncle", "Wheels", "Juanita", "Hot Burrito No 1", "Hot Burrito No 2", "Do You Know How It Feels", and "Hippy Boy". Burrito Deluxe is the second of only two albums recorded by Gram Parsons with the Flying Burrito Brothers – and a masterpiece that pushes the group's sound even farther than their debut! The set is filled with special moments – songs that show just why these guys were such a special bridge between late 60s country and rock music – and why all of the other groups they inspired just never came close to serving things up this well! Gram Parsons is fantastic on vocals, of course – but the whole group is great, especially Sneaky Pete on steel guitar. Titles include the fantastic romper "Man In The Fog", the very groovy "Lazy Days", the haunting "God's Own Singer", and the group's Jagger/Richards' approved take on "Wild Horses – plus other cuts that include "High Fashion Queen", "Image Of Me", "Older Guys", and "If You Gotta Go". Flying Burrito Brothers is The Burritos first LP, post-Parsons – and a pretty strong statement for the merits of the now unquestioned leader, Rick Roberts, and multi-instrumentalist new guy Bernie Leadon, who would later turn to the dark side and join the Eagles! Roberts penned or co-penned seven of the album's ten tunes, including "Colorado", "Hand To Mouth", "Just Can't Be", and "Four Days Of Rain". His contributions are for the most part nicely fragile, with just the right doses of sweetness and sadness. The group also covers Merle Haggard's "White Line Fever", Gene Clark's "Tried So Hard", and Dylan's "To Ramona". This is one of the band's rarer LPs, probably because of the absence of hipster hero Gram Parsons – truly a worthy piece of work! CD also features some other tracks recorded by Parsons with the group – including "Six Days On The Road", "Break My Mind", "Sing Me Back Home", and "Close Up The Honky Tonks" – and live tracks "Ain't That A Lot Of Love" and "Losing Game" – plus Gene Clark singing on "Here Tonight". CD

Arguably one of the most successful double live albums ever! Includes the classic "Baby I Love Your Way", and "Show Me The Way". LP, Vinyl record album

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... LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "Mr Big", "All Right Now", "Fire & Water", "Remember", "Oh I Wept", and "Heavy Load". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty nice album of mellow jazz vocals – cut by George "Stardust" Green live at Rick Casares Pro Bowl, in Buffalo Grove, Illinois! George has that deep late night sound that's favored by many male jazz singers of his era – and he's performing here with a trio that includes Robert Knowles on piano and Dolphus Dean on bass. Tracks include Green's own "You're Mine You", plus "I'm A Fool To Want You", "Moon River", and "Early Autumn". George was a minor figure in the Chicago jazz scene, and it's nice to have at least this one example of the kind of work he laid down at small clubs around town! LP, Vinyl record album

Bassist Charlie Haden in a really wonderful mode – stepping out here in a set of spare duets, each with a different hip player on each of the album's four long tracks – a masterful setting not just for his own work as an improviser, but also for the collaborative spirit that's always made Charlie such a great musical player! The vibe is similar to his Closeness album, but maybe a bit more relaxed and open – and the set has many wonderful moments – as Don Cherry plays trumpet and flutes on "Out Of Focus", Archie Shepp plays tenor on "Shepp's Way", Hampton Hawes plays piano on "Turnaround", and Ornette Coleman plays trumpet on the beautiful title track "Golden Number". CD

A work of understated brilliance from guitarist Jim Hall – and one of our favorite records by him! The setting is simple – Hall plays live with a trio, on a set of familiar standards – but the results are remarkable, as both Hall and the rhythm section manage to bring a hell of a lot of swing and imagination into such a tiny space! Hall's always had a rhythmic approach to his work, but here, playing with drummer Terry Clarke and bassist Don Thompson, he really opens into a great groove – stretching things past his usual standard, and bringing a lot more soul into the set than you might expect. The tunes are ones you'll recognize – "Angel Eyes", "Round Midnight", and "The Way You Look Tonight" – but the real charm is what Hall and the trio do with them! CD

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Humble Pie scales back a bit on Thunderbox – a tighter set than the preceding Eat It – but like that album, it's overlooked these days and it has plenty to recommend it! The Steve Marriot's and Clem Clemson's guitars bring the thunder, but the wailing harmonica and the soulfu vocals by the Blackberries sweeten or tart it up, depending on the needs of the tune – with some groovy organ and horns, too. Titles include "Thunderbox", "Groovin' With Jesus", "I Can't Stand The Rain", "Don't Worry, Be Happy", "Ninety-Nine Pounds", "Drift Away", "Rally With Ali" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Features Bernard Purdie on drums, Max Middleton on keyboards, and Bernie Holland on a double-necked guitar! LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Janet's first LP, produced by Foster Sylvers, with a number of tracks written by Rene & Angela. Includes "Say You Do", "Young Love", 'Don't Mess Up this Good Thing" and 'Forever Yours", and more. LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

A heck of a great record – and we don't mind saying it! After knocking around in territory that ran from new wave to neo ska, retro swing, and other assorted genres, Joe Jackson really emerged with a strong voice on this 1982 classic. The album's a loving tribute to New York – and is steeped in Jackson's growing knowledge of Latin and jazz music – performed here by a great group that really sets things up right, and recorded in a warmly acoustic mode that was quite striking for the time! The tracks on the set hold up incredibly well over the years – getting past the cliches that later plagued Jackson's career, and reminding us of how great he was at his best. CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible record – from the first off-key note to the last! The album's filled with some wonderfully moody LA studio sounds, arranged by Deodato, and a has a great swirling mix of sound that weaves around Jobim's lofty guitar and piano beautifully – complex, but still with the airy sense of space that Antonio Carlos first brought to his music in the 60s. From the very first note, you can feel the strange magic of Jobim and Deodato at work – as the album appears to be smooth and mellow, yet has a strangely unsettling undertone that keeps us coming back after all these years! Tracks include "Tema Jazz", "Carinhoso", "Rockanalia", and a nice remake of "Girl From Ipanema". Plus, the CD features 4 bonus alternate versions, including an 8 minute take of "Tema Jazz"! CD

A stunning mix of talents that brings the heavenly piano and guitar of Antonio Carlos Jobim into play with the lush, but light arrangements of Claus Ogerman – a swirling mix of post-bossa loveliness that redefines Jobim's sound, and opens up new avenues for exploration in sound! The production is amazing – pillowy-soft, but with a complex depth that's hardly been matched again – and although Jobim's the main player, other great musicians include Dom Um Romao, Claudio Slon, Jerome Richardson, Ron Carter, and others. Tracks include "Wave", "Mojave", "Lamento", "Batidinha", "The Red Blouse", "Antiguq", and the groovy "Captain Bacardi". Beautiful all the way through! CD

A stunning mix of talents that brings the heavenly piano and guitar of Antonio Carlos Jobim into play with the lush, but light arrangements of Claus Ogerman – a swirling mix of post-bossa loveliness that redefines Jobim's sound, and opens up new avenues for exploration in sound! The production is amazing – pillowy-soft, but with a complex depth that's hardly been matched again – and although Jobim's the main player, other great musicians include Dom Um Romao, Claudio Slon, Jerome Richardson, Ron Carter, and others. Tracks include "Wave", "Mojave", "Lamento", "Batidinha", "The Red Blouse", "Antiguq", and the groovy "Captain Bacardi". Beautiful all the way through! CD

A super-huge album from Quincy Jones – a record that's almost like Quincy's trying to show the whole younger generation that an older master like himself can still deliver the goods! The set was delivered right after Quincy helped out Michael Jackson on Off The Wall – and while it's got a few of the soulful touches of that set, it's also marked more deeply by the kind of work that Jones was turning out in the 70s – nicely focused with soulful vocals on most cuts, including some especially nice work from Patti Austin – a singer whose sophisticated style works perfectly for Quincy's groove. Titles include the killer "Ai No Corrida", plus "Razzamatazz", "Just Once", "Something Special", "Turn On The Action", "The Dude", "Betcha Wouldn't Hurt Me", "Velas", and "One Hundred Ways". LP, Vinyl record album

A real step forward for Quincy Jones – a record that really shows the jazzman moving into sophisticated new territory – a sound that's just right for the CTI generation! The album's got a vibe that's a bit similar to Quincy's Walking In Space album, but it's a lot deeper too – touched with some of the African elements you might guess from the title – arranged in ways that are often quite spacious, so that the tunes really take some time to find just the right groove! Backings are large, but show the leaner elements that Jones was bringing to his soundtrack work – and instrumentation includes vibes from Milt Jackson, marimba from Don Elliott, flute from Hubert Laws, soprano sax from Jerome Richardson, trumpet from Freddie Hubbard, trombone from Al Grey, and guitar from Eric Gale. Keyboards figure strongly – played by Herbie Hancock and Bob James – and special features include a bit of guitar and whistling from Toots Thielemans, plus some soulful vocals from Valerie Simpson. "Gula Matari" is an incredible 12 minute tribal groove – and other titles include a killer take on Nat Adderley's "Hummin", plus "Walkin" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". LP, Vinyl record album

A real step forward for Quincy Jones – a record that really shows the jazzman moving into sophisticated new territory – a sound that's just right for the CTI generation! The album's got a vibe that's a bit similar to Quincy's Walking In Space album, but it's a lot deeper too – touched with some of the African elements you might guess from the title – arranged in ways that are often quite spacious, so that the tunes really take some time to find just the right groove! Backings are large, but show the leaner elements that Jones was bringing to his soundtrack work – and instrumentation includes vibes from Milt Jackson, marimba from Don Elliott, flute from Hubert Laws, soprano sax from Jerome Richardson, trumpet from Freddie Hubbard, trombone from Al Grey, and guitar from Eric Gale. Keyboards figure strongly – played by Herbie Hancock and Bob James – and special features include a bit of guitar and whistling from Toots Thielemans, plus some soulful vocals from Valerie Simpson. "Gula Matari" is an incredible 12 minute tribal groove – and other titles include a killer take on Nat Adderley's "Hummin", plus "Walkin" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". LP, Vinyl record album

Quincy Jones may be best remembered for his funky soundtrack work of the 70s – but the man can also hit a deeper, more serious vein when he wants – as he does on this ambitious album-length project inspired by the landmark Roots mini-series! The music isn't a straight soundtrack from the program, but instead evokes the longer narrative over the passage of its different selections – working as its own "saga of an American family", as it moves from African roots, through years of oppression, to moments of pride and power – amidst larger orchestrations from Jones, with help from Letta Mbulu on some key vocals, and more help from Bill Summers, James Cleveland, and even Lou Gossett. Titles include "Many Rains", "Free At Last", "Jumpin De Broom", "Ole Fiddler", "Boyhood To Manhood", "Oluwa", and "Motherland". LP, Vinyl record album

A totally cool little record from Tommy "Madman" Jones – an obscure Chicago tenor player who only cut a handful of records during his long career on the city's south side! The record has a very strange approach – typical of the wonderful creativity in the city's small bar jazz scene – and the tracks mix together funk, Latin, and other influences that push way past the bop that you might expect from a crowd like this. Side one features the most interesting stuff – and the tracks include some odd instrumentation, with guitar, moog, and added percussion getting into the mix on cuts like "Blue Jay", "Shirley", and "Bow Legs". Side two is a tribute to Willie Jones – a great under-discovered pianist from Chicago who plays here in a set of 4 tracks that have a very groovy tone. That side features Eldee Young on bass, Larry Frazier on guitar, Phil Thomas on conga, and George Freeman guesting on guitar on one track. Titles include "Sweet Lena", "Dream Samba", and "Good Thang". An excellent obscure session, with a very fresh sound! LP, Vinyl record album

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A large, ambitious early 70s experiment in "chamber jazz" from pianist/composer Roger Kellaway – a really haunting set with the sweep you'd be much more in store for on a classical or chamber orchestra record, but with an earthbound core, chords and tonal shifts of a piano jazz album! Kellaway leads on piano, with a group that includes Emil Richards on percussion, Ed Lustgarten on cello and string arrangements, and the A&M Records staff symphony orchestra! Tracks include "Saturnia", "Sunrise", "Esque", "Invasion Of The Forest", "Morning Song" and more. CD

With Liebman on tenor, in an assortment of groups – with co-production from James Brown mainstay Pee Wee Ellis, who also plays tenor and electric piano, and co-wrote many songs! Leon Thomas also sings a bit on the record, too. LP, Vinyl record album

The genius of 60s pop is hardly summed up better by anyone else than Claudine Longet! This dreamy female singer cut a handful of excellent late 60s albums for A&M – and this gem from 1967 is one of her best! The set's arranged by Nick DeCaro, and produced by Tommy LiPuma – all in a gently grooving mode that takes elements of bossa, jazz, and other A&M pop – and softly fuses it into a perfect backdrop for Claudine's breathy vocals – completely sublime, and a wonderful illustration of the A&M genius at work! Titles include "Think Of Rain", "How Insensitive", "Good Day Sunshine", "The End Of The World", "Manha De Carnaval", and a sublime reading of "The Look Of Love". LP, Vinyl record album

Massively solid boogie work from Jeffrey Osborne and LTD – still grooving beautifully at the end of the 70s, and working here with top-shelf production from Bobby Martin! The set's got that buoyant LTD groove that was a perfect foil for Osborne's soaring vocals – a sound that never fell into the cliches of some of Osborne's later solo work, and which was a perfect match between ensemble funk, dancefloor rhythms, and the charisma of a strong lead singer. There's a few smoother ballads on the set that point the way towards later years, but the bulk of the set is very much in the group's best boogie mode – and titles include "You Gave Me Love", "Lovers Everywhere", "Don'tcha Know", "Shine On", "Where Did We Go Wrong", "Getaway" and "Lady Love". LP, Vinyl record album

Jeffrey Osborne's really emerging strongly here in the mellow soul mode – especially on the album's two great ballad cuts, "Concentrate On You" and "We Both Deserve Each Other", both of which are smooth mellow steppers with a modern soul approach that's slightly less overblown than Osborne's 80s work. Bobby Martin produced, and tracks include "Holding On", "Jam", "Don't Stop Loving Me Now", and "Let's All Live & Give Together". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

A set of extended tracks from French powerhouse Magma, but one that burns with intensity throughout – thanks not just to the killer drum work of group members Christian Vander on drums and Jannink Top on bass (with both on keyboards as well) – but also to the presence of legendary guitarist Brian Godding, whose sounds on the album really set the whole thing on fire! Magma already had a great keyboard and drum groove going on with previous records – but the presence of Godding here really sends things over the top – as, again, the group show that their instrumentation can deliver far more than their vocals – on extended titles that include "Kohntarkosz", "Ork Alarm", and "Coltrane Sundia". LP, Vinyl record album

With Mangione on flugelhorn and Rhodes, Gerry Niewood on saxophones and flute, Joe La Barbera on drums and percussion, and Chip Jackson on electric bass. Coordinated by Kai Winding, with Lew Soloff on lead and concert master Gerald Vinci. LP, Vinyl record album

A great one from that period when Chuck Mangione was mixing his sublime flugelhorn sound with some well-crafted larger ideas – served up with a core combo that features Chuck on Fender Rhodes as well as his horn, plus Chip Jackson on bass, Joe LaBarbera on drums, and Gerry Niewood on soprano, tenor, and flutes! The great Esther Satterfield sings a bit, Kathy Moses guests on flute, and there's some nice larger arrangements at times. LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Upbeat soul from Sergio Mendes – but a record that's still got a Brazilian heart beating underneath! The sound of the set is very much in the best mainstream soul modes of the time – never too electric overall, but put together with a nicely warm groove that continues the legacy of R&B-influenced music that Sergio first started in the 70s. Vocals are by a variety of singers – including Gracinha Leporace, Carol Rogers, Leza Miller, Geoff Lieb, and others – and just when you think the whole thing's more LA than Rio, Sergio has a nice way of throwing in a slight Brazilian touch to remind you of his roots. Titles include "My Summer Love", "Carnaval", "Never Let You Go", "Voodoo", "Si Senor", and "Life In The Movies". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic double-length collection of work by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 – originally titled a "Foursider" because of the 2LP format of the original! The package is overflowing with greatness by the group – and the extra space allows the set to include some real gems from the later A&M years – a time when the group were hitting the charts a bit less than before, and really deepening their Brazilian groove! These later tracks are all plenty darn great – and show echoes of changes going on in late 60s Brazilian music – not Tropicalia entirely, but some of the groovier moments at EMI/Odeon and Philips, with traces of influences from Edu Lobo, Marcos Valle, Jorge Ben, and Luiz Carlos Vinhas. 21 tracks in all – with titles that include "Ye Me Le", "After Sunrise", "Pais Tropical", "Crystal Illusions", "Mas Que Nada", "Bim Bom", "Look Of Love", "Chelsea Morning", "After Midnight", and their breakbeat version of "For What It's Worth". CD

A classic double-length collection of work by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 – titled a "Foursider" because of the 2LP format! The package is overflowing with greatness by the group – and the extra space allows the set to include some real gems from the later A&M years – a time when the group were hitting the charts a bit less than before, and really deepening their Brazilian groove! These later tracks are all plenty darn great – and show echoes of changes going on in late 60s Brazilian music – not Tropicalia entirely, but some of the groovier moments at EMI/Odeon and Philips, with traces of influences from Edu Lobo, Marcos Valle, Jorge Ben, and Luiz Carlos Vinhas. 21 tracks in all – with titles that include "Ye Me Le", "After Sunrise", "Pais Tropical", "Crystal Illusions", "Mas Que Nada", "Bim Bom", "Look Of Love", "Chelsea Morning", "After Midnight", and their breakbeat version of "For What It's Worth". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer set by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 – recorded in Japan in 1970, and never issued in the US! The album's the rarest that Sergio ever cut, and it's a real gem – a live show that features the group moving at double-speed, turning out incredibly lively versions of some of their biggest hits, all done without any studio augmentation – which is a perfect way to hear just how fantastic the group truly was! The whole thing's wonderful all the way through, and it's a fresh addition to your treasured collection of work by Sergio. The extended jamming on "Mas Que Nada" is especially great, and the other tracks include "Day Tripper", "Pradizer Adeus", "Scarborough Fair", and "What The World Needs Now". CD

Was there ever anyone groovier than these guys? We don't think so – as Sergio had it all: 2 female singers in the lead, great bossa nova backing, and production on his records that couched the grooves in the pillowy-soft pop style of the A&M studios! This 17 track package isn't much on looks – but it does feature a great retrospective of Sergio's work – mostly 60s numbers, with a few of the best 70s and 80s numbers thrown in for good measure. Titles include "Pais Tropical", "So Many Stars", "Pretty World", "Bim Bom", "Never Gonna Let You Go", "Alibis", "Song Of No Regrets", "Mas Que Nada", "Scarborough Fair", "Look Around", "Like A Lover", "One Note Samba/Spanish Flea", "Going Out Of My Head", and "Look Of Love". CD

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Mindblowing! This is when Wes Montgomery really starts to get interesting to us – when he's working with a top-line arranger like Don Sebesky, crafting some incredibly compelling chords over lightly jazzy arrangements and soaring strings, in a whole new mode of expression that would go onto transform a generation of guitar players! And sure, this album sold a gazillion copies – but we'll be honest in saying that we think it's loads more complex and mature than some of Wes' straight jazz sides from earlier years – light years away from the small combo dates of the early years, both in conception and sound. Titles include "Day In The Life", "Watch What Happens", "California Nights", "Windy", "Trust In Me", and "The Joker". CD

Beautifully lofty work from the great Wes Montgomery – a set that was recorded quite late in his too-short career, and really points the way towards some of the sophisticated sounds that might have followed, had Wes not left this planet all too soon! Don Sebesky is at the head of the charts this time around, and while the vibe echoes some of the other work that Montgomery did with larger backings in the period, there's also a nice current of darkness too – this intensity that can come through, even if the tune is a familiar pop number. The ensemble is filled with great players – Herbie Hancock and Hank Jones on piano, Stan Webb on flute, Grady Tate on drums, and Ray Barretto on percussion – and titles include "I'll Be Back", "Road Song", "Yesterday", "Serene", "Green Leaves Of Summer", and "Fly Me To The Moon". CD

A late 80s gem from Gerry Mulligan – doing his thing with grace and a sweet groove – a quartet effort filled with Mulligan compositions that range from blue & lonesome to more of an upbeat approach! Mulligan's baritone sax is profoundly in leadership mode here, well out front in the mix, but the players get more than enough room to stretch and breath, with Bill Charlap on piano, Richie De Rosa on drums and Dean Johnson on drums. A tender reading of "Splendor In The Grass" works as a centerpiece, splitting up a roster of fine Mulligan pieces including "Rico Apollo", "I Heard The Shadows Dancing", "Curtains", "Good Neighbor Thelonius", "Wallflower", "Etude For Franca" and more. CD

Featuring Fat Lip and Tre from The Pharcyde. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Extremely early work from the great Milton Nascimento – one of his first albums ever, and oddly recorded in America, not Brazil! The set was done in the A&M studios, with production by Creed Taylor – but has a spacious, soulful sound that's a lot like Milton's first few records from Brazil. The album is a huge meeting of talents – and features Herbie Hancock and Deodato on keyboards, plus a host of excellent other jazz players who give Milton's music a nice lyrical edge. The record features that classic Nasicmento mix of soulful vocals, baroque songwriting, and incredible jazz-tinged arrangements – and a few tracks have lyrics in English, too! Tracks include classics like "Bridges", "Vera Cruz", and "Gira Girou" – plus "Tres Pontas", "Rio Vermelho", and "Catavento". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "We Belong To Love", "Soweto", "You Should Be Mine", "Emotional", "A Second Chance", and "Love's Not Ready". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

A pivotal album for Jeffrey Osborne – and a record that showed the world that he could stand proudly on his own away from his old group LTD! The album was actually his second solo outing, but the first to really gel together in that hit-making blend of ballads and catchy mid-tempo pop tunes – a crossover sound that put Osborne firmly on top at the time. As with Osborne's previous set, George Duke is at the production helm, keeping things in a lightly jazzy 80s soul mode. Titles include "Don't You Get So Mad", "We're Going All The Way", "Stay With Me Tonight", "Plane Love", "Greatest Love Affair", "Other Side Of The Coin", "When Are You Comin Back", and "Forever Mine". CD

A nice little set of smooth jazzy numbers from trumpeter Jimmy Owens – produced with a warm finish that seems somewhere in the Skip Scarbrough mode, but which is bit less perfect than any of his recordings. Jimmy's really going for a Donald Byrd or Eddie Henderson sort of style here – blowing solos over some smooth fusiony backings that give him a bit more room to be spacious and thoughtful than some of his other records. Titles include "Sweet Love", "BS", "Home", "New Tune", and "Never Subject to Change". LP, Vinyl record album

Two early albums from the great Shawn Phillips – back to back in a single set! First up is Collaboration – beautiful early work from Shawn Phillips – a British singer from that moment when the folk scene was really taking off into all sorts of new currents – but which are handled here by Shawn in ways that are very different than most of his contemporaries! The "collaboration" in the title refers to the work of Paul Buckmaster – who plays cello throughout the record, and also handles these great large arrangements on a few tracks – and Peter Robinson, who plays piano and bass – working with the other two musicians in this spare trio approach on most numbers, which really opens up the moody quality of Phillips' lyrics. The record is very different than, say, some of the other acoustic work coming out on Island Records at the time – and titles include "Us We Are", "Burning Fingers", "For Her", "Armed", "Spaceman", "Times Of A Madman Trials Of A Thief", "Springwind", and "8500 Years". Faces is a set that's billed as "an anthology of music from 1969" – and which captures the songwriting skills of Shawn Phillips at their early best! Right from the start, Shawn was very much his own sort of artist – able to work with modes that go way past any standard folksy sounds you might expect from a guy with an acoustic guitar – thanks in part to his use of an LA setting for some of the recordings on the record, which include help from Joe Sample on piano, and Sneaky Pete Kleinow on steel guitar! Shawn's got a bit of a rootsy vibe on those cuts, and there's a few other titles recorded a bit earlier, in the UK, which feel a bit more like the material on his Collaborations album – a nice blend, on titles that include "Chorale", "I Took A Walk", "Anello", "We", "Parisian Plight II", and "Hey Miss Lonely". CD

Titles include "Spirits In The Material World", "Hungry For You", "Demolition Man", "Too Much Information", and "One World". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Two different live recordings – a late 70s set recorded at the Orpheum in Boston and broadcast on WBCN, and a 1983 show recorded at the Omni in Atlanta. CD

Their runaway hit – with titles that include "King Of Pain", "Every Breath You Take", "Wrapped Around Your Finger", "Tea In The Sahara", and "Synchronicity". LP, Vinyl record album

Billy Preston's first album on A&M Records – a surprisingly great home for his ever-evolving style! Billy give some big thanks in the notes to George Harrison, Bobby Womack, and Quincy Jones – all of whom he credits for bringing the album into being – although it's Quincy who really seems to do the most, given that he handled the string and horn arrangements for the set! Jones' touch is very apparent in the overall sound, as Preston's got a new sense of tightness for the record – a focus to his previous range of styles that really hits home hard, and which sets the tone for big successes to come. Titles include the nice funk instrumental "Outta Space", plus "I Wrote A Simple Song", "John Henry", "The Bus", "The Looner Tune", "You Done Got Older", and "Should've Known Better". LP, Vinyl record album

With "Dance Floor", "Freak To Me", "I'm Mackin", "Punks Give Me Respect", "Shotgun" and "The Vigilante". LP, Vinyl record album

A surprising release on A&M for the Revolutionary Ensemble – formerly a much more underground group, but still sounding great here recording for a bigger label! The lineup features Jerome Cooper on piano, bugle, drums, and a variety of percussion instruments – with Sirone on bass and trombone, and Leroy Jenkins on violin, thumb piano, recorder, and small gongs! Titles include "Trio for Trio", "Chinese Rock", and "Ponderous Planets". LP, Vinyl record album

A real classic from Emitt Rhodes – easily one of the most unusual voices in music of his time! Rhodes has this really dreamy approach to the vocals – a mode that feels much more tuned towards late 60s pop/psych, but which comes across here in a very different setting – some echoes of more open 70s singer-songwriter modes, and some slight touches of Americana, too – a really unique setting that makes the record one of his most compelling ever! All tunes are originals, and titles include "Your A Very Lovely Woman", "In Days Of Old", "Til The Day After", "Holly Park", "Mother Earth", "Pardon Me", and "Textile Factory". CD features a bonus track too! CD

Sweet folksy pop from the glory days of A&M! Evie Sands has a voice that's emotive in a folk rock way, but which is here produced with smoother west coast arrangements that are more in an LA mode – which makes for a very cool mix of modes! The overall sound of the album is very hip – with that cool late 60s approach that never gets picked up by oldies stations, and which is only the province of records like this – odd mis-shots in the pop economy that often got cut out as soon as they were produced, shunned by an uncaring record buying public – but waiting to be discovered by your ears all these many years later. Titles include "Crazy Annie", "It's This I Am", "Shadow Of The Evening", "Close Your Eyes, Cross Your Fingers", "Any Way That You Want Me", "One Find Summer Morning", and "I'll Hold Out My Hand". Also includes the bonus track "Maybe Tomorrow". CD

Titles include "Hunter & The Hunted", "Colors Fly & Catherine Wheel", "Someone Somewhere In Summertime", "New Gold Dream", "King Is White & In The Crowd", "Big Sleep", and their classic "Promised You A Miracle". LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

... CD

Titles include "Angelsea", "Boy With A Moon & Star On His Head", "18th Avenue", "Freezing Steel", and "O Caritas". LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

... LP, Vinyl record album