Great duo work from Carl and Pearl Butler – maybe not the sexiest country couple, but sounding great hear on titles that include "Loving Arms", "Kentucky", "Who Knows Right From Wrong", "Dreaming Of A Little Cabin", "Sing Me A Blue Blue Song", and a nice take on "Satisfied Mind". LP, Vinyl record album

A seminal session of LA hardbop – featuring a great group that includes Gerald Wilson, Jack Sheldon, Harold Land, Frank Butler, and pianist Carl Perkins, the unique talent who had a strange way of playing the keys (sideways!), and who died shortly after the recording of this set. As the title might imply, the album's dedicated to Perkins – and titles include "Nica's Dream", "Pink Lady","Carl's Blues", and "Larue". LP, Vinyl record album

The complete Okeh label recordings of Billy Butler – Jerry Butler's lesser-known brother, but an even more grooving artist on the Chicago soul scene of the 60s! Billy's work at Okeh is easily some of the best of the all-great imprint – tracks that step, slide, and groove along in a flurry of tight-edged Chi-soul rhythms – nearly all of which are produced by the legendary Carl Davis, with arrangements from Johnny Pate and Riley Hampton! Billy's in the lead on vocals, but nearly all numbers have a strong harmony soul component too – support from The Four Enchanters or Chanters – in a mode that echoes The Impressions' style of the time somewhat, but which also carries more of the Butler-family emotive quality, thanks to the stronger lead. This is the first time all this material has ever been brought together so well – and the package features great notes and a number of previously unissued titles as well – including some rare versions and instrumentals that are sure to get some play from Northern Soul listeners. Titles include "Found True Love", "Lady Love", "Gotta Get Away", "Can't Live Without Her", "Right Track", "Boston Monkey", "Does It Matter", "Fighting A Losing Battle", "To Be Or Not To Be", "Singing The Blues", and "You're Gonna Be Sorry". CD

An album with a sexy cover, but a set that's one of the more soulful from the LA scene of the 50s – thanks to a tight, sharp group working under the leadership of bassist Curtis Counce! Counce didn't cut many albums as a leader, but all of them are pretty darn great – and done with a bit more edge than the cool jazz of the LA scene – a bit more open, with a strong focus on the solos on some of the album's longer tracks too! Solos include great work on tenor by Harold Land – who's really coming into his own here – plus Jack Sheldon on trumpet, and Carl Perkins on piano – a player who would pass away not long after this set. Frank Butler completes the group on drums – and titles include "Complete", "Big Foot", "Counceltation", and "Mean To Me". LP, Vinyl record album

The first of six "comeback" albums that this great Chicago soul singer cut during his second wave of recording during the late 70s! Walter had originally done some amazing work with the great Carl Davis at the Okeh label during the mid 60s – and this album marks a return to their collaboration – this time at Davis' own Chi-Sound subsidiary of 20th Century Records. Jackson here takes all the smooth sophistication of his early days, and transforms himself into an adult singer of soul songs – taking a route similar to that travelled by singers like Jerry Butler or Lou Rawls at the same time. Like Rawls, the style doesn't always work – but when it does, it's great. Titles include "Love Is Lovelier", "Words", "Too Shy To Say", "Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me Of A Friend)", "Love Woke Me Up This Morning", and a remake of "Welcome Home". LP, Vinyl record album

Dang, is this great Chicago soul! We don't know much about Marvin other than the odd single here and there, but it's gems like these that will keep us looking for his work. Both sides are wonderful – loping along in a Carl Davis groove, with vocals that are as great as any from the time by Gene Chandler or Jerry Butler! 7-inch, Vinyl record

An album with a sexy cover, but a set that's one of the more soulful from the LA scene of the 50s – thanks to a tight, sharp group working under the leadership of bassist Curtis Counce! Counce didn't cut many albums as a leader, but all of them are pretty darn great – and done with a bit more edge than the cool jazz of the LA scene – a bit more open, with a strong focus on the solos on some of the album's longer tracks too! Solos include great work on tenor by Harold Land – who's really coming into his own here – plus Jack Sheldon on trumpet, and Carl Perkins on piano – a player who would pass away not long after this set. Frank Butler completes the group on drums – and titles include "Complete", "Big Foot", "Counceltation", and "Mean To Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Hard-burning early work from tenorist Harold Land – exactly the kind of date that set him apart from other west coast players of the 50s! Although he was part of the LA scene of the time, Harold Land grooved a lot harder and louder than his cool jazz contemporaries – and this album's a perfect chance to hear the underground bop scene of which he was a cornerstone. The tunes are amazing – and even the familiar numbers have a real edge, thanks to sharp arrangements by Harold and Elmo Hope. Equally great is the group – which features an unusual US appearance from Swedish trumpeter Rolf Ericson, who's a surprisingly soulful fit for the sound of the session – plus Carl Perkins, the legendary sideways pianist, Leroy Vinnegar on bass, and Frank Butler on drums. Titles include "Delerium", "Smack Up", "Grooveyard", "Lydia's Lament", and "Nieta". LP, Vinyl record album