A great Tony Bennett LP – very different than others from the time (or any time!) in that the format pairs the master vocalist with the "who's who" of drummers and percussionists of the late 50s – including Art Blakey, Jo Jones, Candido, and Sabu. The sound is as majestic and crashing as you'd imagine, and cuts include "Let's Begin", "Love For Sale", "Crazy Rhythm", and "Let's Face the Music and Dance". A great LP, and one of his best. If you've ever doubted Tony's committment to jazz, check this one out, and be pleasantly surprised! CD

A bit more of a stripped-down set than other work that Benny Sings has given us in recent years – definitely a record with the vibe of the beat tape promised in the title – but one that still has some of the soulful elements that Benny's given us on other records too! The hip hop element is stronger here than usual, right down to the record's guests – who include Koreatown Oddity, Cola Boyy, Mocky, St Panther, Rae Khalil, and others – and Benny put the album together out of elements that weren't used in the final version of his album Music – but which still carry some of the soulful currents of that set. Titles include "Money & Guns", "Don't Look", "CGEOOL", "Green Grass", "Watch Me Heal", "Song 13", and "Mag Ik In Je Huid". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest Art Blakey Blue Note sessions of all time – and perhaps one of the greatest to realize the genius of the Jazz Messengers lineup that included Lee Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor, and Bobby Timmons on piano! The trio of young talents are at the height of their early soulful powers here – working with Blakey and bassist Jymie Merritt in a set of tunes that are overflowing with expressive solos, unusual timings, and the Blakey genius for mixing bold statements with personally introspective moments. Nearly every track on the record's a classic – and titles include an early version of Bobby Timmons' "Dat Dere", plus Wayne Shorter's beautiful tunes "Lester Left Town", "Chess Players", and "Sakeena's Vision". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest Art Blakey Blue Note sessions of all time – and perhaps one of the greatest to realize the genius of the Jazz Messengers lineup that included Lee Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor, and Bobby Timmons on piano! The trio of young talents are at the height of their early soulful powers here – working with Blakey and bassist Jymie Merritt in a set of tunes that are overflowing with expressive solos, unusual timings, and the Blakey genius for mixing bold statements with personally introspective moments. Nearly every track on the record's a classic – and titles include an early version of Bobby Timmons' "Dat Dere", plus Wayne Shorter's beautiful tunes "Lester Left Town", "Chess Players", and "Sakeena's Vision". CD

A completely righteous mix of jazz and African percussion – put together by drummer Art Blakey at a time when he was riding high with the Jazz Messengers, but also was willing to work on great experiments like this! The album's years ahead of its time – and arguably opens the door for countless spiritual jazz projects like this in the 70s, more proof that Blakey was a groundbreaking artist who was always opening doors for others! Blakey's own work on drums is joined by percussion from Montego Joe, Chief Bey, Garvin Masseux, James Ola, Folami, Robert Crowder, and Solomon Ilori – the last of whom would record his own record for Blue Note – and the rest of the group features Yusef Lateef on flute and tenor, Curtis Fuller on trombone, and the great Ahmed Abdul-Malik on bass – a great choice for the record, given that he was mixing together similar modes on his own records of the time. Titles include "Tobi Ilu", "Love, The Mystery Of", and "Obirin African". LP, Vinyl record album

Blondie had a lot to live up to after Parallel Lines, but they pulled it off here – Eat To The Beat is another classic! Downtown cool, a strong sense of pop history and tight production by Mike Chapman make for a really distinct sound on this one. Standouts include the excellent opener "Dreaming" (one of the finest Harry/Stein songs ever, if you ask us), the punky title track, "Union City Blue" and "Accidents Never Happen", and while Blondie albums are by nature hit-and-miss given the fearless mish-mash of styles they always brought in, the whole thing is pretty great! Other tracks include "Shayla", "Die Young Stay Pretty" and "Living In The Real World". LP, Vinyl record album

An amazing record – one of the best on Motown's short-lived Workshop Jazz subsidiary! The album is the first to feature Roy Brooks as a leader – and the super-hip drummer from Detroit really knows what to do with the opportunity! He's working here with a hip group that includes members of the Horace Silver quintet – including Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Junior Cook on tenor, and Gene Taylor on bass – as well as Detroit contemporaries George Bohannon on trombone and Hugh Lawson on piano. The overall style of the record is quite different from Brooks' work with Silver – and has a much more open-ended feeling emotionally – an early hint at the qualities that Roy would unveil on his rare indie sides at the start of the 70s. The tracks are a mix of soul jazz numbers and others with a rougher-hewn sense of modernism – almost like the excellent work coming out of Chicago during the early 60s, from artists like Gene Shaw or the MJT+3. All the players are at their best, and the album features some of the nicest tenor work we've ever heard from Cook. Titles include "Soulsphere", "Soulin", "Homestretch", "Passin The Buck", and "My Secret Passion". LP, Vinyl record album

With Pauline Braddy. 78 RPM, Vinyl record

Includes 41 tracks on 2 CDs. CD

Creative sounds from alto saxophonist Steve Coleman – working here with his Five Elements group, at a time that was one of his most productive! The group have an angular sort of swing – a style that certainly grows out of some more exploratory moments in 80s mainstream jazz, yet which here comes across with a warmer, more acoustic feel overall – never nearly as bogged down by some of the too academic moments that could hold back some of their contemporaries, or even Coleman at some earlier moments. Rhythms are stiff, but still nice and warm – thanks to drums from Gene Lake – and in addition to Steve's alto, the group also features piano from Andy Milne, bass from Reggie Washington, and a bit of tenor from Ravi Coltrane. Titles include "Dogon", "Flint", "Veritable Pedagogy", "The Khu", "Pad That", and "Multiplicity Of Approaches". CD

A pivotal set for DJ Cam – once a producer in the trip hop/abstract realm – transformed here into full-blown hip hop producer in his own right! The album features scratching, beats, and keyboards by Cam – plus guest appearances by the likes of Channel Live, Silvah Bullet, Otis, Dadou/Kdd, and JMDee. Titles include "I Love Hip Hop", "Broadcasting Live", "Renegade", "Success", "Inside In A Mind", "Raise Up", "Hardcore Freestyle", "L'Invasion", and "Brooklyn 1/2". CD

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A rocker by the Everly Brothers! Beat & Soul has the pair taking on a bit more of a mod soul approach – performing tunes often associated with other artists, but going for numbers that were then playing big with the UK scene. Titles include "Money", "Hi Heel Sneakers", "Lonely Avenue", "Man With Money", "People Get Ready", "My Babe", "Walking The Dog", and "The Girl Can't Help It". LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

Includes "We Got The Beat", "Our Lips Are Sealed", "Skidmarks On My Heart", "Lust To Love", and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic album that brings together all of the European winners of the recent Downbeat polls of the late 60s – a massive all-star lineup that features Karin Krog on vocals, John Surman on baritone and soprano sax, Albert Mangelsdorff on trombone, Francy Boland on piano, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, and Daniel Humair on drums – almost a who's who of hip jazz on the European scene of the time! The sextet is a lively batch of free-swinging European jazz stylists, with touches of modernism that keep the whole session on edge throughout – in a way that's right up there with the best of the classic MPS avant sessions of the late 60s/early 70s! The highlight of the set is Karin Krog's beautiful vocal version of "Maiden Voyage", but there's loads of other nice bits – like "Winter Song", "Ryoan-Ji", "Open Space", and "Hello Thursday". LP, Vinyl record album

Vocal by Irene Daye. 78 RPM, Vinyl record

A totally wonderful little record – not just a funky 70s soundtrack, but an excellent jazz outing as well – thanks to the talents of Hubert Laws on flute and Earl Klugh on guitar! Patrick Williams wrote and arranged the whole set – and he merges his jazzier roots with some of his sublime 70s soundtrack skills – in a mix that's still lean enough to keep the album right up there with Laws' best from the time, but also give things a bit more of a funky punch, too. There's lots of great moments in a CTI/Kudu mode – and titles include "Down River", "Piccolo Boogie", "The Edge", "The Caper", "The Scuffle", and "Ready To Run". LP, Vinyl record album

With Gennessee. Produced by Paul Nice and remixed by The Creators. 12-inch, Vinyl record

"Step By Step" features Murs, and "Show Business Part 3" features Zion I. 12-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

We always like the work of Ulysses Owens Jr on drums, but we might love it even more here – as Owens works as a leader at the head of a group of young, bright musicians who really live up to the new beat promise of the title! The songs are full of life and imagination – bursting forth with bright colors and a warm range of expression, as the group stretches out on longer performances that shift effortlessly between combo voicing and individual solos. Players include Sarah Hanahan on alto, Benny Benack and Anthony Hervey on trumpets, Luther Allison on piano, and Philip Norris on bass – and the great Milton Suggs sings on one cut, "Heart Full Of Rhythm". Owens is dynamic throughout – and titles include "London Towne", "Better Days", "Bird Lives", "Helen's Song", and "Soulful". CD

Think you know hip hop records? Think again – because if you only know the commercially released and vocal versions of the material, then you only know half the story – because among true collectors, the instrumental wax can be even more in-demand! This book opens up that secret world of hip hop – by detailing rare instrumental versions of hip hop albums – some issued only as promotional items, some only as record club or online releases, and some as dodgy bootlegs from the underground! The book has page after page of these releases – with label scans of the original records, alongside other release information, and a very well-done review for each item – a brilliant book that will really open you up to a greater range of hip hop vinyl to collect. There's listings for about 200 different instrumental records, plus more images and other details in the book – and the whole thing even features a bonus CD of instrumental mixes! Book

Carl Perkins may not be the most revolutionary talent in rock and roll – but damn, he's good – and every bit the worthy Sun Records contemporary of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis! Like those three giants, Perkins is a Tennessee cat who can really find his own personality in the studio – a hell of a singer, and a really rhythmic guitarist – stepping out with effortless ease on the kind of cuts that made Sun Records a legend right from the start! We'll be honest in saying that we love Perkins at just about every later point in his career – but he's completely on fire here, on early tracks that include "Blue Suede Shoes", "Sure To Fall", "Tennessee", "Only You", "Wrong Yo Yo", "Matchbox", "Boppin The Blues", "Gone Gone Gone", "Honey Don't", "Your True Love", and "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby". LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

Reissue of the amazing, and previously impossible to find, track produced by Jean Michel Basquiat. Originally released in 1983, the deep, laid-back production and vocals were years ahead of what anyone else was doing at that time. This reissue features the original 10+ minute version and instrumental and the hard to get cover art, white on black drawings on the front and back, done by Basquiat. 12-inch, Vinyl record

... CD

... CD

This was a follow-up to the hit Ray Bryant record, "Madison Time", and although it's an obvious attempt to cover it, it's also released by the same label (Columbia) that put out the Bryant version. Buddy Tate leads a tight little combo through "Madison Time", and a host of related dance cuts (like "Madison Bird"). Eddie Morrison does the "calls", and each song is in two parts, vocal and instrumental. All this, and you get a diagram for the Madison on the cover. LP, Vinyl record album

Although he's best known for his vocal R&B hit "Heartbreak", Jon Thomas was also a darn good organist, and this mid 50s album for Mercury's a nice batch of sides in the same tradition as contemporaneous work by Bill Doggett and Doc Bagby. The tracks are short and lively, and Jon plays with most of the stops out, for a vibrato-heavy sound. Titles include "Blu Jon", "Hot Tip", "Fat Back", "Go & See", and "Jelly Belly". LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

Kenny Werner on piano, Johannes Weidenmuller on bass, and Ari Hoenig on drums. CD

Detroit vibist Lem Winchester cut too few albums in his brief career before his untimely death in the early 60s – but all of them are plenty darn great, and rank right up there with the best work of the period by Johnny Lytle or Freddie McCoy! Although not as all-out funky as fellow Detroiter Lytle, Winchester did play in a style that was down and dirty, with a tight groove that still appeals to soul jazz fanatics and jazzy steppers here in Chicago. This album's one of his best, and features some very rootsy tenor work by Oliver Nelson, plus some excellent alto solos by Curtis Peagler, who at the time was working with the obscure group The Modern Jazz Disciples. Art Taylor's on drums, and the whole set snaps right in the pocket with a deep soul jazz groove! The best tracks are nice and long, and titles include "Eddy's Dilemma", "Lem & Aide", "Lady Day", and "Your Last Chance". CD

Remember Beach music? Once upon a time we might have argued that was a more contemporary term for an older genre, like northern soul, but this mighty fine collection from the late 60s on Atlantic shows you the sound's been around for quite some time! A great soundtrack for the beach from the Carolina scene – sweetly loping grooves that got heavy play at summer resorts on the southern shores of the Atlantic! While not all the groups originated in the south, the music's gained a special place in the hearts of folks in the Carolinas, who've come to consider the music their own because of it's slightly stepping beat and gentle kind of groove! A dozen numbers in all, including "One Mint Julep" by the Clovers, "Searchin" and "Zing Went The tings Of My Heart" by the Coasters, "Think A Little Sugar" by Barbara Lewis, "CC Rider" by Chuck Willis, "Money Honey" and "Honey Love" by Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters, "Walking Up A One way Street" and "Thank You John" by Willie Tee,"There Goes My Baby" by the Drifters, "Just One Look" by Doris Troy and "Drinkin' Wine Spo Dee O Dee" by Stick McGhee. LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by The Redcaps, Soul Agents, Pirates, Downliners Sect, The Roulettes, Cliff Bennett & The Rebelrousers, Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders, Four Pennies, Zephyrs, The Big Three, The Escorts, The Paramounts, and many others. LP, Vinyl record album

Fuzzed-out groovy 60s tunes – very mod, hip, and out of this world! These tasty little gems are pulled from obscure Italian soundtracks – very nicely collected in this fab package, with an ear-popping sound that includes great work on organ, guitars, electric harpsichord, and other instrumentation just right for coming up with a Blow Up party mood! Titles include "Discoteque Party" by Piero Umiliani, "Franco Nero Shake (new edit)" by Fred Bongusto, "Catherine Spaak Shake (new edit)" by Armando Trovajoli, "Easy Dreamer" by Piero Piccioni, "I Baronetti" by Alessandro Alessandroni, "Gaby Shake" by Nico Fidenco, and "Black Sheep Shake" by Luis Bacalov. CD

Featuring artists Elmore Jones, Buddy Guy, T Bone Walker, Joe Turner, Tampa red and others. 25 tracks total! CD

Raw mod and gritty funk rock grooves from team Le Beat Bespoke – the fourth set in the series – bubblegum garage, fuzzed out pop, funky percussion and wailing organs – this just might be the best in the series to date! Compiler Rob Bailey out does himself here, once again digging deep for obscure mod singles, groovy slabs of garage rock, with a few left turns such as a heavy Latin gem and a more psych-steeped number or two – propulsive, exciting numbers regardless of genre affections and fiery dancefloor ready rock tunes all the way! 16 tailor made cuts on the vinyl version – a brief notes on each tune, all of which are exciting and groovy as can be! Titles include "Voodoo Medicine Man" by Jerry & Jeff, "False Alarm Love" by Peaceful Coalition, "Eg Veit Ao Pu Kemar" by Trubrat, "Feelin" by Joy Unlimited, "No Thank You Mr Pusher" by Big Tom, "King Of Siam" by East Of Eden", "Comin On Down" by The Twilights and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Underground mod, garage and otherwise raucously R&B-fueled singles from the late 60s – rugged, raw and fuzzy, though melodic and unstoppably danceable, no matter how freaky – and possibly the best yet in the Le Beat Bespoke series! The songs are almost all deeply obscure and completely irresistible – rare stuff from around Europe and the US, plus a few other freak scenes around the world – wild, groovy stuff from The Deep Set, Los Delphines, The Hush, Satin Bells, Maximus, Tobias, Jay & The Hot Kids, The Outcasts and many more! Along with the above-mentioned kaleidoscope of styles on Volume 5 is more than a little bit of funky psych – and it all flows brilliantly thanks to driving dancefloor rhythm and the freewheeling era that Le Beat Bespoke represents! Includes "Make Love" by The Grabbeltons, "That's The Way Life Goes" by The Deep Set, "Sunset Show" by Sense Of Humor, "Turn Out The Lights" by Sand Of Time", "I'd Like To Know" by Tobias, "One Fine Morning" by James Curtis, "Loving You Sometimes" by The Outcasts, "A Better Mind" by Maximus, "Come C'Mon" by Satin Bells and more. 16 tracks on the vinyl version. LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic collection of funky mod and psych tracks from the great Rob Bailey – the man who's steered us through a handful of other wonderful compilations over the years, and won our undying respect in the process! Rob's choices are quite far from the obvious – and are made up from a selection of ultra-rare singles that maybe start in the grooviest freakbeat or garage modes of the mid 60s – but then quickly step out in more expansive styles, too – often with a full-on fuzzy guitar in the lead, and some really romping rhythms at the core. The whole thing's a mindblower right from the very first track – and titles include "No One Knows The Day" by Paragraph Music, "Face The New Day" by The Sound Track, "Polka Dotted Eyes" by The Snaps, "If I Didn't Love You Girl" by Travis Pike's Tea Party, "Situation Sad" by Finnigans Wake, "Won't You Say Yes To Me Girl" by Chuck Conlon, "Can't Tell You" by The Fabulous Depressions, "Norwegian Skies" by Bill Euker, "He Means So Much To Me" by Marilyn Mattson, and "Such A Good Thing" by The Showmen. LP, Vinyl record album

This great series just seems to be getting better and better with each new release – maybe digging deeper than back with the first volume – as the label's knowledge and understanding of rare mod and freakbeat grooves really expands past the classics! This volume features some especially rare cuts from acetates that were never issued – cleaned up and included next to rare singles – all in an array of great 60s tracks that all have a great sense of groove next to the guitars and organ! Beat Bespoke always focuses on the more upbeat, groovy side of mod music – a tradition that definitely continues on cuts that include "Sold Out Show" by Sounds Of Tyme, "Search Your Mind" by Mark Five, "The God Of Love" by Confederate Music Corps, "One Million People" by Kandy Kolored Konspiracy, "Red Purple & Blue" by The Bag, "Chien De Rue" by Edwin, "Don't Cry To Me" by The Unknown, "Judge Carter" by The Yellow Payges, "Going Out Of My Mind" by Giant Red Jellybean, and "Which Way" by The Sorrows. 20 tracks on the CD. CD

This great series just seems to be getting better and better with each new release – maybe digging deeper than back with the first volume – as the label's knowledge and understanding of rare mod and freakbeat grooves really expands past the classics! This volume features some especially rare cuts from acetates that were never issued – cleaned up and included next to rare singles – all in an array of great 60s tracks that all have a great sense of groove next to the guitars and organ! Beat Bespoke always focuses on the more upbeat, groovy side of mod music – a tradition that definitely continues on cuts that include "Sold Out Show" by Sounds Of Tyme, "Search Your Mind" by Mark Five, "The God Of Love" by Confederate Music Corps, "One Million People" by Kandy Kolored Konspiracy, "Red Purple & Blue" by The Bag, "Chien De Rue" by Edwin, "Don't Cry To Me" by The Unknown, "Judge Carter" by The Yellow Payges, "Going Out Of My Mind" by Giant Red Jellybean, and "Which Way" by The Sorrows. 16 tracks on the LP. LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Groovy, moddish, magnificent and sunny girl pop from The Land Of The Rising Sun – pummeling drums, jumping arrangements and groovy vocals from the mid-to-late 60s Japanese scene! This is fantastic stuff, any kitch or novelty appeal you might be expecting is kind of muted by the exceptional quality and excellent performances – but it is flat out fun! As the title states, strains of pop, beat & bossa – plus mod & psychedelic fuzz – and the vocals girl group vocals are bright, rocking, playful or sultry or innocent depending on the groove! 25 tracks in all: "Black Room by Jun Mayuzumi, Sharock No 1" by Mie Nakao, "Nagisa No Tenshi" by Mieko Hirota, "Hatsu Koi No Letter" by Miki Obata, "Bazazz Tengoku" by The Cupids, "Aeba Suki Suki" by Margaret With Bunnys, "Nukui Aitsu" by Mika Nohira, "Kiiro No Sekai" by J Girls and more. CD

A killer collection from the Indian scene at the end of the 60s – a set that's much more hard rocking than you might expect! The original package was put together by a tobacco company to promote their Simla cigarettes – but the music within has a surprisingly underground vibe – a very heady brew of garage, psych, and some harder rocking moments – served up by groups who maybe have a lot more in common with the British and American scenes of the time than most of the artists in their homeland. The vibe is maybe more Anglo mid 60s than the 1970 date might imply – and titles include "Voice From The Inner Soul" by Confusions, "You Can't Beat It" and "Sinister Purpose" by Dinosaurs, "Psychedelia" by X'Lents, "Zorba's Dance" and "Baby Baby Please" by Innerlite", "What's Going On" and "Proper Stranger" by Genuine Spares, and "Mist" by Great Bear. LP, Vinyl record album

Includes "Wash Your Face In My Sink (radio)" by Dream Warriors, "Let Em Out (edit)" by Maceo, "Disciples Of Funk" by Bootsy's Rubber Band, "Elevate My Mind" by Stereo MC's, "Pickin Up Metal" by Boo Ya Tribe, "Do The Skate" by Skatemaster Tate, "Now's The B Turn (b-mixed edit)" by Laquan, "Grand Verbalizer, What Time Is It" by X Clan, and "Hail The Words Of Isis" by Isis. CD

A killer collection of early work from Studio One – and a set that focuses on the ska and rocksteady that were the initial famous calling card of that legendary Jamaican label! Soul Jazz originally issued a smaller 7" single box set under the same title – but this version is expanded, to include some tracks that go well past the two minute space of a typical reggae 45 from the late 60s – really showing some great growth in both the singers and the Studio One approach! Titles include "Just Say Who" by Horace Andy, "Queen Of The Minstrels" by The Eternals, "Dub Specialist" by Hooligan, "Your Heart Is Gonna Pay" by Alton Ellis, "No No No" by Dawn Penn, "You'll Be Sorry" by Freddie McKay, "We Need Love" by Alton Ellis, "Best To Be Free" by Cornel Campbell, "Live Loving" by Sugar Minott, "Addis Ababa" by The Skatalites, and "Can't Stand It" by Lone Ranger. LP, Vinyl record album

Reb Abbasi on guitars, John Hebert on bass, and Satoshi Takeishi on drums. CD

Includes work by Dave Batholomew, Smiley Lewis, The Spiders, Jewel King, The Bees, Bobby Mitchell, and others. CD

A loving reissue that brings together two of the best June Christy albums on one CD! Both albums were cut a bit later than some of Christy's more famous work, and they represent the peak of her emotional maturity as a singer. The arrangements on both albums were done by Pete Rugolo, and he brought the same sort of eerie sound to the records that he did to Something Cool, his earlier classic with June. There's 20 cuts in all, and titles include "Off Beat", "The Bad & The Beautiful", "Saturday's Children", "Out Of This World", and "Nightime Was My Mother". Incredibly haunting work by one of our favorite all-time jazz vocalists! CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... CD

2 lost sessions from early 60s tenor titan Wild Bill Moore – an R&B inflected player who only cut a few sides on his own, all of them a unique mix of jazz with some of the more screaming R&B saxophone tendencies! This set brings together two albums that feature Bill rocking with a Latinized rhythm section – Ben Riley on drums, Joe Benjamin on bass, and Ray Barretto on conga, kicking things up from the bottom. One album features Johnny Hammond Smith on organ, the other Junior Mance on piano – and both sets groove nicely with a wealth of original tracks! Titles include "Heavy Soul", "A Good Un", "Tearin Out", "Wild Bill's Beat", "Sister Caroline", "Bottom Groove", "Bubbles", "My Little Girl", and "Down With It". CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

One of the deepest explorations of the disco era we've come across from author Peter Shapiro – not at all a nostalgic look back, really more of a cultural study that looks into the music and the world around it. Shapiro does a great job of putting it all into perspective, from the social factors leading to the growth of the music, to the technological and artistry behind it, from the dawn of the sounds, to full blown pop culture fad that exploded it and sunk it back underground later in the decade, and how it survives in the new millennium. Softcover edition is 346 pages, and features a new epilogue, a timeline, and helpful appendix details! Book

... CD

... CD

... Cassette

A great set that moves towards the farther reaches of the Caribbean scene in the 80s – music that's much more underground than some of the bigger soca and tropical hits of the time! As you might expect from the Soundway label, the work here is a very unusual, very well-done presentation of a fresh slice of global music – Caribbean cuts that borrow bits from electro soul, house music, and other styles of the time – and weave the newer elements into island rhythms with a very forward-thinking feel! The tunes are heavy on keyboards and beats, yet still have a indie soul sort of charm – and as usual with Soundway, the whole thing comes with very detailed notes on the music. Most tunes are b-sides, dubs, or edits – and titles include "Last Days" by The Millers, "Wild Indian Band" by Andre Tanker, "Zion Gates (dub)" by Mohjah, "I Want Your Love" by Peter Britto, "Hotter & Hotter (dub edit)" by Juno D, "D'Jab Jab Dance (bad lad mix)" by Colin Jackman, "Fighting Soldier" by Cito Jarvis, "Stand Up & Rock Your Body (inst)" by Roger Bain, "Fire (ext dub edit)" by D Ivan, "Body Beat" by Bill Campbell, and "It's Alright" by Adonijah. CD

A killer collection of early work from Studio One – and a set that focuses on the ska and rocksteady that were the initial famous calling card of that legendary Jamaican label! Soul Jazz originally issued a smaller 7" single box set under the same title – but this version is expanded, to include some tracks that go well past the two minute space of a typical reggae 45 from the late 60s – really showing some great growth in both the singers and the Studio One approach! Titles include "Just Say Who" by Horace Andy, "Queen Of The Minstrels" by The Eternals, "Dub Specialist" by Hooligan, "Your Heart Is Gonna Pay" by Alton Ellis, "No No No" by Dawn Penn, "You'll Be Sorry" by Freddie McKay, "We Need Love" by Alton Ellis, "Best To Be Free" by Cornel Campbell, "Live Loving" by Sugar Minott, "Addis Ababa" by The Skatalites, and "Can't Stand It" by Lone Ranger. CD

All the best early tracks from this old school Bronx legend! Tracks include "Zulu Nation Throw Down", "Planet Rock", "Looking For The Perfect Beat", "Frantic Situation", "Unity Part 7", "What Time Is It", and "Funk You". CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

With Dave McKenna on piano, Bob Carter on bass, and Dick Scott on drums. CD

... CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

A very nice small combo album from Peggy Lee – singing here with live backings by the George Shearing Quintet, in a style that's very different from a lot of her other work for Capitol! The set's got a slight Latin feel, thanks to George's mix of percussion, vibes, piano, and guitar – and Peggy's never sounded better, stepping out strongly on tunes that include "Do I Love You", "Get Out Of Town", "There'll Be Another Spring", and "Mambo In Miami". Features 2 bonus tracks. CD

Early bossa jazz from Sergio Mendes – recorded with his famous Bossa Rio combo, in the years before he moved to America! The album's a classic in Brazilian jazz – a tight album of bossa-inflected jazz tunes played with razor-sharp precision, handled with a style that went on to influence countless other Brazilian groups at the time. Mendes is in the lead on piano, and other players include Edison Machado on drums, Raul De Souza on trombone, and Hector Costita on tenor sax. The whole thing's great – a masterpiece of both jazz and bossa – and it's filled with classic tunes arranged by Jobim, Moacir Santos, and Sergio himself. Titles include "Nana", "Primitivo", "Desafinado", "Ela E Carioca", "Amor Em Paz", "Noa Noa", and "Neurotico". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Tito Puente's best sides for RCA – a really jazzy effort that was cut with a top-shelf list of players! The groove's a bit different than some of Tito's other work – but in a good way, and one that has him stretching past straight Latin to mix in a heavy dose of jazz – really getting the most of players who include Eddie Bert on trombone, Gene Quill on saxes, Bernie Glow on trumpet, and Barry Galbraith on guitar. The rhythms are key – and in addition to drums from Jimmy Cobb, the album also features Mongo Santamaria on congas and Willy Correa on bongos – not to mention more percussion from Tito himself! Titles include a number of nice compositions by the great AK Salim, plus a few by Tito – tracks that include "Mambo Beat", "Malibu Beat", "Carioca", "The Late, Late Scene", "Emerald Beach", "Sea Breeze", and "Night Hawk". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Maybe not the beat of the street in our neck of the woods, but a set that's definitely got a bit more bite than some of Tom Scott's other late 70s efforts! Scott's work on saxes is mixed with a bit of Lyricon as well – tied up in a group that features fuzzy guitar from Carlos Rios, who underscores the groove nicely on some of the album's funkier tracks. Other players include Don Grusin on keyboards and Ralph MacDonald on drums – plus a small horn section that features Jim Horn on tenor and baritone sax. A vocal chorus sings on a few numbers, but the main focus is instrumental – that well-crafted funky jazz vibe that Scott helped invent during the 70s. Titles include "Give Me Your Love", "The Shakedown", "Greed", "Street Beat", "Come Closer Baby", "We Can Fly", and "Car Wars". LP, Vinyl record album

Remix by Keith Sweat. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Massive Afro Funk! This slammin' batch of funky African (and African-sounding) tunes was put together by the same team who did the Africa Funk set on Harmless – and it's even better than that one was! Like Africa Funk, this set compiles a whopping batch of rare tracks from the 70s, plus a few from other eras that have a 70s feel – and the mix of tracks is filled with heavy drums, pounding percussion, funky keyboards, and choppy guitar riffs. You might have a few of the cuts on here, but most of them are quite rare, and the set's well worth having for newcomers and trainspotters alike! Titles include "Silver Black Summer Day" by Living Funk, "Rhythm On Rhythm" by Sookie, "Jungle Funk" by Nkengas, "Samba" by Miriam Makeba, "Everybody's Groove" by Ashantis, "Karam Bani" by Buari, and a nice remake of "Soul Makossa" by The Gaytones! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the coolest collections of cumbia music we've ever heard – a set that focuses on the really special sounds that were being cooked up in Peru in the late 60s and early 70s – a time when there was a definite influence from rock guitar modes mixing in with Latin rhythms! The tunes chug along with all the fast-stepping crackle of later cumbia – but there's very pronounced use of guitar on most numbers – sometimes clean and lean, ala American surf instrumentals – sometimes fuzzier and freaky, with a clear psychedelic inspiration! Peru was always a bit farther from other Latin scenes, and seemed to have more freedom in cooking up their grooves – which is definitely the case in this really wonderful set! Titles include "El Avison" by Silvestre Montez Y Sus Guantanameros, "Viento" by Grupo Celeste", "Cumbia Pop" by Los Beltons, " Arre Caballito" by Manzanita Y Su Conjunto, "La Ardillita" by Los Destellos, "Beteando" by Los Beta 5, "Mujer Hilandera" by Juaneco Y Su Combo, "Malambo" by Los Diablos Rojos, and "Liliana" by Los Demonios Del Mantaro. LP, Vinyl record album

The bikini beat is a great one here – no simple beach music classics, but a range of mod groovers from the classic years of the Italian soundtrack scene! This volume is heavy on electric elements – fuzzy guitars, keyboards, and more – all filtered nicely through a range of rhythms from the 60s and the 70s – bossa, jazzy, and funky – filled with amazing twists and turns throughout! The double-length collection is a treasure through and through – easily one of the greatest soundtrack sets we could have hoped for. Tracks include "Teresa L'Illusa" by Riz Ortolani, "Malizie Di Venere" by Gianpiero Reverberi, "Spy Chase" by Bruno Nicolai, "Airport Rock" by Barigozzi Group, "Shake 2000" by Piero Piccioni, "Amanda Blues" by Gianni Ferrio, "Un Detective" by Fred Bongusto, "Katmandu" by Piero Piccioni, "Theme" by Armando Trovajoli, and "La Bambolona" by Luis Bacalov. CD

Killer cuts from one of the coolest compilation series we've ever stocked – the long-running Beat Bespoke collection from mod maestro Rob Bailey – a collector with a surprising ear for a funky groove! The records here are all rare rock singles from the late 60s and early 70s – tunes from that time when UK mod was turning into freakier, trippier modes – but Rob also makes sure that most of these numbers have strong basslines or really great drums – which means that the whole thing grooves a lot more than any other collection of rare rock singles – with more than enough appeal to fans of offbeat funk as well! As with previous volumes, the track selection is superb – we're not sure we've heard any of these numbers at all – and titles include "Please" by BG System, "Painted Air" by The Remaining Few, "Down To The Sky" by Sean Bonniwell, "Seasons" by Neal Ford & The Fanatics, "Mister Sun" by Sound Vendor, "How It Used To Be" by Oedipus & The Mothers, "Searchin" by Lenny Roberts, "I Want You" by Tony & Terri, "Sally I Do" by Abdullah's Regime, "Love's A Workin" by Dean Carter, and "Tomorrow's Sunlight" by The Estes Bros. LP, Vinyl record album