Not a standard sound library record, but one that's every bit as funky – thanks to a great ear for the right sort of 70s grooves from the folks at ATA Records! The music is contemporary, from the label that's been giving us some great funky 45s over the years – but the package has all the look and feel of a rare UK sound library record from decades back – and a sound that definitely matches that vibe too! These aren't fake funk tunes, or simple remix numbers that try to sound retro – they're just the sort of instrumental grooves you'd hear from Alan Hawkshaw, John Cameron, or other UK sound library giants – served up here by a nameless array of musicians, on great tracks that include "The Needle Nose", "Whack Slap & Blow", "Kaye Okay", "Wiretap", "Siren Sea", "Planet Nine", "Midnight Heist", "Nuclear Wind 1", and "Wigged Out". CD

Not a standard sound library record, but one that's every bit as funky – thanks to a great ear for the right sort of 70s grooves from the folks at ATA Records! The music is contemporary, from the label that's been giving us some great funky 45s over the years – but the package has all the look and feel of a rare UK sound library record from decades back – and a sound that definitely matches that vibe too! These aren't fake funk tunes, or simple remix numbers that try to sound retro – they're just the sort of instrumental grooves you'd hear from Alan Hawkshaw, John Cameron, or other UK sound library giants – served up here by a nameless array of musicians, on great tracks that include "The Needle Nose", "Whack Slap & Blow", "Kaye Okay", "Wiretap", "Siren Sea", "Planet Nine", "Midnight Heist", "Nuclear Wind 1", and "Wigged Out". LP, Vinyl record album

The last album in the cool classic run of German gems from Der Plan – a group that few folks paid attention to at the time, but who really gave the world some wonderful electronic music in the post-punk years! These guys really distill all the best sides of the German electronic experiments of the 70s – serving things up in shorter tunes that are filled with unusual twists and turns, and which also have plenty of offbeat vocals and a nice sense of humor too – almost like little audio cartoons, with a quality that's far more long-lasting than some of their contemporaries! Despite the 1991 date of the record, the style here is every bit as great as the group's earliest music – and like most of their music, there's hardly any connection to a real epoch in sound – as the whole thing's so darn unique. Titles include "El Cigarro", "Kleiner Junge", "Wir Babies", "Vive Le Vie", "Alter Mann", "Es Werde Licht", and "Spiel 77". CD

The last album in the cool classic run of German gems from Der Plan – a group that few folks paid attention to at the time, but who really gave the world some wonderful electronic music in the post-punk years! These guys really distill all the best sides of the German electronic experiments of the 70s – serving things up in shorter tunes that are filled with unusual twists and turns, and which also have plenty of offbeat vocals and a nice sense of humor too – almost like little audio cartoons, with a quality that's far more long-lasting than some of their contemporaries! Despite the 1991 date of the record, the style here is every bit as great as the group's earliest music – and like most of their music, there's hardly any connection to a real epoch in sound – as the whole thing's so darn unique. Titles include "El Cigarro", "Kleiner Junge", "Wir Babies", "Vive Le Vie", "Alter Mann", "Es Werde Licht", and "Spiel 77". LP, Vinyl record album

The title translates to "it's a strange and peculiar world" – and there's maybe no better introduction to the mad electronic music of this wonderful German trio from the 80s! Der Plan were part of that special small slice of the German new wave – groups who didn't rely on darkness or angst to get their message across – but instead mixed together whimsical elements with musical experimentation – often in ways that were years ahead of their time! Imagine Kraftwerk scoring the music for cartoons, and you'd get part of the idea here – but that's hardly the start of the sonic delights within – as the album features short tracks in many different varieties – exploding with innovation at each twist and turn. Titles include "1 Mann 1 Ball", "Bleib Gold", "Kennen Sie Koln", "Frisch Verliebt", "Komm Zurick", "Get Out", and "Ich Hab Den Jordan Gesehn". CD

The title translates to "it's a strange and peculiar world" – and there's maybe no better introduction to the mad electronic music of this wonderful German trio from the 80s! Der Plan were part of that special small slice of the German new wave – groups who didn't rely on darkness or angst to get their message across – but instead mixed together whimsical elements with musical experimentation – often in ways that were years ahead of their time! Imagine Kraftwerk scoring the music for cartoons, and you'd get part of the idea here – but that's hardly the start of the sonic delights within – as the album features short tracks in many different varieties – exploding with innovation at each twist and turn. Titles include "1 Mann 1 Ball", "Bleib Gold", "Kennen Sie Koln", "Frisch Verliebt", "Komm Zurick", "Get Out", and "Ich Hab Den Jordan Gesehn". LP, Vinyl record album

The Sorcerers return, and with a sound that's even deeper than before – a fantastic blend of funk and Ethiopian elements – but with a tightness that also resonates with some of the hipper European sound library work of the 70s! In fact, there's a mode here that's like those few special records where a funky sound library session might take on some more exotic currents – which is definitely what the Sorcerers do with a wicked blend of percussion and unusual woodwinds, which includes some work from Chip Wickham – who we also love from his own records too. Titles include "Overgrown Icons", "Downriver", "The People Of The Forest", "Crossing The Rope Bridge", "Summoning The Monkey God", "Who Is The Hunter Who Is The Prey", and "Escape From The Catacombs". CD

The Sorcerers return, and with a sound that's even deeper than before – a fantastic blend of funk and Ethiopian elements – but with a tightness that also resonates with some of the hipper European sound library work of the 70s! In fact, there's a mode here that's like those few special records where a funky sound library session might take on some more exotic currents – which is definitely what the Sorcerers do with a wicked blend of percussion and unusual woodwinds, which includes some work from Chip Wickham – who we also love from his own records too. Titles include "Overgrown Icons", "Downriver", "The People Of The Forest", "Crossing The Rope Bridge", "Summoning The Monkey God", "Who Is The Hunter Who Is The Prey", and "Escape From The Catacombs". LP, Vinyl record album

There's nothing abstract here – as the set's a fantastically-focused tribute to the late Jay Dee – put together in a style that's mostly jazz, but which also has some great vocal touches too! The music's roots are in hip hop, but the presentation here is awash in strong work on saxes, trumpet, and trombone – used over rhythms that are played live, and which have this warm glow that's like 70s jazz funk, filtered through the hop hop generation! Emphasis is on horn solos, but the set also features twin female singers – who provide some chorus vocals, and a warm link between the instrumental modes in a really great way. So maybe consider this both a soul and a jazz remake of the world of Dilla – and a great one too. Titles include "Welcome To Detroit/The Diary", "Dilla Mix 1", "Official/Fall In Love", "Love", "Angel"," King", "Two Can Win", "Raw Sh*t", "Workinonit", and "Stop". LP, Vinyl record album

A really great little collection – one that's maybe not as "early" as you'd guess from the title, given that most of these tracks are less than a decade old – but a set that really shows the great ear for a classic style that we love from the ATA label! Most of these tracks have a rock-solid deep funk mode – more 70s in their approach, and with a range that moves between cinematic funk, Ethio-influenced numbers, and a number of down-to-earth grooves – of the sort you might find on a vintage funky 45! Titles include "Cave Of Brahma" and "Elephant" by The Sorcerers, "The Flip" by Cleveland Freckleton, "Cookie Jar" by The Reverend Barrington Stanley, "Thought Forms" by Ivan Von Engelberger's Asteroid, "Sucker Punch" by The Mandatory Eight, "What Are We Made Of" by The Cadets, and "London Station" by The Lamplighters. LP, Vinyl record album

A really great take on the music of Madvillain – that famous collaboration between Madlib & MF Doom – served up here in a mostly instrumental mode that's heavy on funk and jazz! You'll definitely recognize the tunes in the set, but the presentation is very different – almost as if someone's gone back to the music, stripped it down to core samples, then worked those back up again with a new sort of energy! The group's directed by Rob Mitchell – clearly the genius behind the whole project – and solos are by James Russell on tenor and flute, Simon Bobby Beddoe on trumpet, Jim Corry on alto, and George Cooper on piano and keyboards. Titles include "Meat Grinder", "Eye", "Figaro", "Can't Reform Em", "Madmix 3", "Rainbows", "Fire In The Hole", "Rhinestone Cowboy", "Operation Lifesaver", and "Borrowed Time". LP, Vinyl record album

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Fantastic stuff – and one of the greatest records ever by Brazilian keyboardist Antonio Adolfo! The album was recorded at the end of the 70s, and has a sound that's a lot like the best fusion work by Azymuth – a great mix of jazz and funk, plus more dynamic Brazilian elements – all wrapped together in a way that a rare few hybrids do this well! There's great keyboards right up front in the mix – and the backing has some tight percussion that crackles along and gives the album a heavy bottom and a great groove. The album was originally only issued on the tiny Artezanal label – but it feels like a lost gem from the classic funk years at Fantasy Records – internationally funky, far past just a Brazilian music gem. Titles include the massive break cut "Cascavel", plus other nice tracks like "Viralata", "A Marcha", "Assanhada", "Vermelhinho", and "Brincadeira Em Mi Bemol". LP, Vinyl record album

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The classic from Afrika Bamaaataa & The Soul Sonic Force – one of the most revolutionary pieces of formative hip hop history! "Planet Rock" is straight up legendary for a number of reasons. It's one of those early hip hop hits to bring the genre to greater popularity, the deft use of Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra inspiration with a NYC party rocking vibe is pure genius, and the overall effect on hip hop, house, electro and pop music to come is seriously huge. Vital! 12-inch, Vinyl record

A lively batch of pop samba stuff from this big Brazilian artist of the 60's. The tracks are all fairly uptempo, with a sing song rhythm sound, and a nice 60's Brazilian pop groove. Tracks include "Leva Meu Samba", "Saudade Dela", "Sai Do Meu Caminho", "Vida De Minha Vida", "Mulata Assahda", and "Meus Tempos De Crianca". Nice original pressing, too. LP, Vinyl record album

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One of the spookiest albums we've ever heard from moog maestro Mort Garson – way darker and more complex than his Wozzard Of Id or moogy horoscope projects – with a feel that's much more like his legendary Black Mass album! Like that one, there's a fair current of supernatural running through the mix – an early use of the electronics to explore the darker corners of reality, served up with lots of cool 70s occult touches – in a way that's oddly more timeless than some of the later projects of this nature from the industrial generation. Garson's range of tones is wonderful – from fuzzy bassy bits, to sparkling keyboard lines, to lots of spacey sounds in between – and titles include "I Ching", "Tarot", "Deja Vu", "Seance", "Sorcerer", and "Astral Projection". LP, Vinyl record album

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Unheard music from guitar genius Robbie Basho – a selection of tracks that were never issued at the time, all rescued from Basho's archive of over 100 reel to reel tapes! Robbie gave us some groundbreaking records on Takoma, Vanguard, and Blue Thumb – which established him as one of the most important guitarists of the new acoustic generation to rise up in the 60s, alongside important contemporary John Fahey. But Basho also kept on evolving in his music before his untimely early death in 1986, even though he was often not getting the attention from labels that he deserved – which is why a package like this is so great! The tapes were a bit murky on details – but the tracks appear to include some work from the late 60s, contemporaneous with Basho's early recordings for Takoma – but they also move well into the later years, at a time when Robbie's spiritualism was rising even more, through his devotion to Sufism. There are many vocal passages on the set, done in that surprisingly majestic mode that Basho had in the later years – a more well-developed style than his early singing – and the set, of course, features countless moments of sublime work on 12 string guitar. 5CD set features 54 tracks in all – and a 48 page booklet of notes, essays, and photos. CD

An amazing crossover moment of the 70s Latin scene! During the 60s Joe Bataan had been experimenting with the many different mode of Latin Soul – crossing over styles in a way that not only reflected his complicated roots, but which also tried to break Latin music out of the small uptown market it was getting locked into. On the album before this one, Joe coined the term Salsoul, which he used to describe his unique mix of salsa and soul – which on this record also gets a bit of an infusion of disco, which was a brilliant move by Joe, and broke the album out of the ghetto, onto dancefloors around the world. The centerpiece of the record is Joe's funky cover of Gil Scott-Heron's classic "The Bottle" – but just about every track is great, and there's loads of excellent titles like "Chico & The Man", "Women Don't Want To Love Me", "X-Rated Symphony", "When You're Down (Funky Mambo)", and remakes of older Latin Soul tunes "What Good Is A Castle" and "Ordinary Guy". CD features bonus tracks – "What Good Is A Castle (parts 1 & 2)", "Ordinary Guy", and "Women Don't Want To Love Me". CD

Joe Bataan working in a pronounced dancefloor soul mode! While the legendary Bataan was no stranger to the fusion of Latin, soul and funk, this some of the most club soul oriented sounds from Joe we've ever heard – and the sessions are seeing official release for the first time ever! The recording feature players who worked on Joe's stellar Afrofilipino and features a backdrop of wonderful Afro and Latin percussion and rhythms with the best sounds of the NYC dancefloor soul in the mix – with uptempo and midtempo vocal numbers flirting with disco and modern soul very nicely – with solid lead vocals and groovy female backup! Most tunes bring a bit of harp into the mix for a little more of a soar that plays off the percussion in really cool way. Titles include "Sadie", "When We Get Married", "My Cloud", "I Need Love", a take on the Isaac Hayes "Theme From The Men", "Let Me Kove You", "My Opera" and "I Do Love You". CD

One of our favorite Latin soul albums ever – a rollicking mix of upbeat party tracks, gentle ballads, and more – all handled with the undeniable magic that is Joe Bataan at his best! The album kicks off with the fantastic groover "Subway Joe" – a hilarious tune about Joe trying to find a seat on the subway – and it rolls into killers like "Nuevo Jala Jala", "Juanito", "Ponte En Algo", and the wonderfully emotive "Special Girl". There's a really wonderful quality to all the tunes – honest, open, and done with instrumentation that includes lots of dark passages, yet which also continues to flower in hope! A landmark, and a record that delights us again and again over the years! CD

A recent samba session, but one with a really classic sound – thanks to heartfelt vocals from Batatinha, who was getting on in years by the time of the album! The backings here are gentle and spare – usually just a bit of guitar, percussion, and other instrumentation – but mostly a focus on Batatinha's vocals in the lead. A few tunes have famous stars stepping in for a bit of vocals – including Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Jussara Silveira, Gilberto Gil, and Maria Bethania – but to us, Batatinha's really the star of the set! Titles inlcude "Depois Eu Volto", "Bebe Diferente", "Ministro Do Samba", "Ironia", "Bolero", "Imitacao", and "Ze De Loca". CD

Features Roland Batik on piano, Woody Schabata on marimba & vibes, and Heinrich Werkl on bass. CD

A beautiful book of graphic imagination – a book that features 60s-styled ads for toys that never existed – but which take us back to the glory days of Matchbox, Big Daddy Roth, and Aurora Monster Models! The artwork is all by Marty Bauman – who would have made a heck of a toy designer back in the day – as he thrills us with full color creations like the Creepy Clutching Hand, Gorilla Rifle, Savage Cedric, Psychedelic Simians, Misterlectro, Robot Troooper, Super-Python 300, Battling Robot, Rick Mason Undercover Triple Agent, The Mighty Zorok, and lots lots more! Each fake toy gets a full color page – like an ad from the back cover of a vintage comic or kids magazine – and the creations are so cool, we really have trouble believing they never really existed! Over 160 pages, hardcover, and full color throughout. Book

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