Nat King Cole as a leader and a sideman – incredible material from 1936-1946 – featuring the King Cole Trio, side work with Eddie Cole's Solid Swingers, Dexter Gordon, The Keynoters and The Lester Young Trio! There's a number of great tunes here with Nat singing, but also a whole bunch of recordings that shine a light on his impeccable work as a group piano player of the finest caliber, working as Nat King Cole and under some funny pseudonyms while he was recording hits for Capitol! Packaged stunningly, even by Hip-O Select Standards – essentially housing the CDs in a hardcover book of 31-pages with an essay by David Ritz, 7 3/8" square package with detailed session notes, and beautifully reproduced art work from original 78s and 10-inch LPs! Disc one features 17 tracks by the King Cole Trio with Nat singing and at the piano, with Oscar Moore on guitar and and Wesley Prince on bass: "Sweet Lorraine", "This Side Up", "Babs", "Scotchin' With The Soda", "Slow Down", "Hit That Jive, Jack" and more. Disc one also includes 5 tracks with Eddie Cole's Solid Swingers, with Nat on piano, Eddie Cole on bass, Kenneth Roane on trumpet, Tommy Thompson on saxes and Jimmy Adams on drums:" Honey Hush" (with Eddie on vocals) plus an alternate take, "Thunder", "Stompin' At The Panama" and "(Bedtime) Sleep, Baby Sleep". Last up on disc one, four tracks by the Keynoters with Willie Smith on alto, Nat as Lord Calvert on piano, Red Callender on bass and Jackie Mills on drums: "The Way You Look Tonight", "My Old Flame" and more. Disc 2 is comprised of Jazz At The Philharmonic: Los Angeles, July 1944, with collective personal including Nat as Shorty Nadine on piano and singing on "Sweet Lorraine", Shorty Sherlock on trumpet, JJ Johnson on trombone, Illinois Jacquet and Jack McVea on tenor, Red Callender on bass, Lee Young on drums, and Carolyn Richards singing on "The Man I Love". Other titles include "Blues", "Tea For Two", "Rosetta", "Bugle Call Rag", "Oh, Lady, Be Good!" and more. Disc 3 starts with 1943/44 material by Dexter Gordon's group featuring Nat on piano, Sweets Edison on trumpet, Gordon on tenor, Red Callender or Johnny Miller on bass and Clifford Owens on drums: "I've Found A New Baby", "I Blowed And Gone" and more. That's followed by Lester Young Trio material of similar vintage with Nat as Aye Guy on piano, Young on Tenor and Buddy Rich on drums: "I Cover The Water Front", "The Man I Love", "Peg Of My Heart" and more. Last, but not least, Keynoters alternate takes including "The You You Look Tonight", "Airiness A La Nat" and "I can't Believe That You're In Love With Me". CD

A Brazilian singer with a hell of a voice – the lovely Helena De Lima, whose vocal range really fits the lush moods of the tunes on the set! Things are in a more melancholy look than you'd guess from Helena's look on the cover – a nice sort of blueness that's never too overdone, and which has a good balance between the lead vocals and the woodwinds and strings used in the backings. Arrangements are by Ruben Pocho Peren – an overlooked sophisticated talent – and titles include "So So So", "Fio De Cancao", "Flor Da Noite", "Cravo Vermelho", "Balada De Saudade", "Vai", "Pierrot", "Por Onde Eu Vou", and "Boa Noite Rio". LP, Vinyl record album

A live and lively little bossa vocal set – recorded at the Cangaceiro nightclub, with backing by a really great small combo! The style here is similar to other live bossa jazz sets from the time – such as Elis Regina's classic with the Zimbo Trio – and although Helena's vocal style is a bit full and sometimes emotive, the spontaneous nature of the performance really helps keep things lean and clean! The combo here is named after the club – and features Raul Mascarenhas on piano and supposedly Rildo Hora on a bit of harmonica – although he doesn't seem to appear on the record as much as the cover might indicate. Titles include "Oitavo Botequim", "Penumbra", "Ponto E Chuva", "Aconteceu", "Desilusao", "Verdade Da Vida", and 2 longer "Pot-Pourri" tracks. LP, Vinyl record album

A mindblowing first album from ELO – recorded back at a time when the group were taking the "Orchestra" in their name seriously, and when the group included Roy Wood! While Jeff Lynne's nascent pop genius is firmly in place already, the album's also awash in some of Wood's madder, folksier touches – making for a juxtaposition of styles that really amazing. Strings, guitars, oboes, and horns all come together in a post-folk mode that conjures up images of a crumbling England that stretches back to years before the birth of the British Empire! Titles include "First Movement", "Mr Radio", "Manhattan Rumble", "10538 Overture", "Look At Me Now", and "Whisper In The Night". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautifully baroque batch of tracks, written and arranged for the Electric Prunes by the great David Axelrod – a really groundbreaking mix of modes that had quite an impact back in the late 60s! The record shows Axelrod's perpetual fascination with the spiritual – mixed with that great modern style of funk that he was forging at Capitol during the late 60s. The record's not really preachy, nor is it proggy. It's more of a complex blueprint of rock, jazz, funk, and touches of soul – all hung together on the same sort of "mass" structure that Axelrod would later use with Cannonball and on his own. Titles include "Kyrie Eleison", "Gloria", "Benedictus", and "Sanctus". LP, Vinyl record album

The only Apple album ever recorded by Elephant's Memory – a band that had a number of different claims to their fame – including work in the film Midnight Cowboy, and an association with John and Yoko! John & Yoko actually produced the album for the group (and play on it too!), and it's got sort of a rollicking horn-y sort of feel. There's less of the funk of other releases, but the overall sound's not bad – and titles include "Liberation Special", "Chuck N Bo", "Gypsy Wolf", "Madness", "Power Boogie", "Life", "Baddest Of The Mean", and "Cryin Blacksheep Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderfully obscure set of jazzy soul from keyboardist Billy Foster – a musician who's been making waves on the scene in Gary, Indiana for many decades – but has never fully gotten his due! This project captures a younger Billy – working in a soul-based mode that blends vocals with his own work on a variety of keyboards and acoustic piano – maybe an indie take on modes that artists like Rodney Foster or Bobby Lyle were exploring on the bigger labels at the time, but with a lot more charm. Vocals are by Glenda Eskew and Brenda Marshall McClure – and titles include the instrumental "City Lights", which has a nicely pronounced guitar solo by Henry Johnson – plus the tracks "As A Matter Of Fact", "Night Music", "I Need Your Love", and "It All Depends On You". LP, Vinyl record album

Includes the songs "Sunday Morning Boogie", "Old Time Shuffle", "I Can't Stay Here", "Honky Tonk Train", "Blues Hangover", "Alberta", "Century Room", "It's You I'm Thinking Of", "Good Times Back Home", "My Woman", "Charlie Henry", "I'm So Blue", "Yancey Special", "Now Is The Time", and "After Hours". CD

A rare funky treasure – lost live material from Grant Green's hippest years at Blue Note – presented here for the first time ever ! The set's an incredibly smoking one – with loads of long tracks that really stretch out in a hard-hitting, bottom-heavy funky mode – no surprise, considering that Idris Muhammad's on drums, as part of a lineup that also includes Ronnie Foster, Houston Person, and Clarence Thomas! The groove here is a bit more Prestige jazz funk than Blue Note – the kind of rough-edged and spontaneous vibe that Rusty Bryant, Leon Spencer, and others cooked up during the early 70s on some of their best classics for that label – but Green's a perfect person to catch the spirit of that wildfire, and jams long and nicely here on 8 tracks that include "Farid", "Jan Jan", "One More Chance", "Patches", "I Am Somebody", "More Today Than Yesterday", "Bottom Of The Barrel", and "Walk On By". CD

One of the grooviest records we've ever seen from this hip Japanese ensemble – a set that brings some great keyboards to the group's usual horn-heavy sound! There's a wonderful blend of Fender Rhodes and organ on the set – often used as the lead solo instrument over the fuller backings, in a way that's especially nice on the tunes with Rhodes! Tunes are mighty nice, too – a bit funkier than usual for Hara and the gang – and often arranged with a nice kick on the bottom, which seems to further emphasize the keys. Titles include "Nervous Breakdown", "Come Together", "Spinning Wheel", "Bouree", "Breit Kopt", and "Liberation". LP, Vinyl record album

Trippy psychedelic tunes from BBC Radiophonic Workshop pioneers Peter Howell & John Ferdinando – music that was originally created for the Ditchling Players' production of Lewis Carroll's Alice Through The Looking Glass from 1969 – plus additional material that didn't end up in the play! Overall, the set's an evocative mix of traditional folky touches with psychedelia era strangeness – played with organ, glockenspiel, acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, autoharp, and strange elements of percussion! Includes "The March Of The Chessmen", "Dance Of The Talking Flowers", "Alice's Train Journey", "Dum And Dee", "Alice Meets The Knights", "Her Majesty Queen Alice", and "Whose Dream". CD includes 13 bonus tracks including a number of brief sections and effects – including "March of The Chessmen, Part 1", "Jabberwocky Part" and "Jabberwocky Acoustic Section", "Whose Dream? Try-Out", and "Dance Of The Talking Flowers Instrumental". CD

Pivotal work from trumpeter Freddie Hubbard – a tight, edgy quintet performance that's done with a modern jazz sound that approaches the Blue Note "new thing" sound, but which stays just this side of the fence to keep in line with Freddie's other soulful work of the 60s – yet still with an edge that you never would expect if you only know his electric and funky work of the 70s! The group features some great work by James Spaulding, who gets a lot of solo room on alto and flute – and Ronnie Matthews is on piano, effortlessly shifting between rhythmic and soulful lines, and passages that get a bit darker and deeper. The tunes are nearly all Freddie Hubbard originals, except for the classic "Mirrors", written by drummer Joe Chambers, who's also a key part of the group – and other tunes include "Breaking Point", "Far Away", "Blue Frenzy", and "D Minor Mint". CD

A cool small combo set from vocalist Helen Humes – with excellent backing from a group that features Joe Gordon on trumpet, Teddy Edwards on tenor, Wynton Kelly on piano, and Al Viola on guitar! LP, Vinyl record album

Really fantastic sounds from The Action – a set that maybe has them stepping a bit from mod to psych, but still with all the catchier elements of their earlier work! There's a very open-minded set of production going on here – a bit like the shift that Small Faces took with Ogden's Nut Gone Flake, but without the sillier sides of that record – and the simple lineup of guitar-based instrumentation somehow hits this richer sense of majesty – maybe a bit like The Hollies' shifting their sound at a similar point. Reg King is fantastic on vocals, really bringing a subtle edge to the music – and titles include "Icarus", "Love Is All", "Strange Roads", "Brain", "I'm A Stranger", "Look At The View", "Climbing Up The Wall", "Come Around", and "In My Dream". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Cannonball Adderley's late funky sessions for Fantasy – and a record that still features some mighty heavy production from David Axelrod! The album's got that core groove that Axe and Cannon first crafted together at Capitol in the 60s – but the sound here has some definite 70s touches too – a bit more emphasis on electric piano, played here by Hal Galper – and rhythms that are even funkier than before! Other players include Nat Adderley on cornet, Walter Booker on bass, Roy McCurdy on drums, and King Errison on percussion – and titles include the excellent "Snakin' the Grass", which is just ripe for samplin', plus some other good grooves like "Second Son", "Saudade", "Five Of A Kind", and "Inside Straight". LP, Vinyl record album

Almost everything soulful at Capitol Records in the mid 60s – packed together in one sweet little place! The set's a winner in a great line of Cannonball Adderley live dates from the time – produced by David Axelrod, and done with that great mix of angular, slightly electric groove the combo was virtually pioneering – thanks to help from Joe Zawinul on electric piano, and Nat Adderley on cornet! Cannon also plays some great soprano sax – an instrument that he was taking off beautifully with at the time – and sets fire to a few great tunes with the instrument. But as if that's not enough, Lou Rawls joins in on vocals on a few cuts, and Nancy Wilson comes in on a few more – and the album alternates singing with instrumentals in a really great way. Titles include two very nice extended tracks by Joe Zawinul – "Rumplestiltskin" and "The Scavenger", both of which are over 10 minutes long, and which have the group stretching out in a nice live vein – and other cuts include "The Scene", "Somewhere", "Sweet Emma", and "Zorba". LP, Vinyl record album

Incredible work from the obscure African Music Machine – a southern funk combo led by bassist Louis Villery – a legendary batch of funky singles, finally brought together as a full album! The band has a very unique sound that involves a lot of rolling bubbling basslines, spacey organ grooves, tight choppy guitar riffs, and punchy horn blasts – almost with the African elements promised in the title, but served up with a deeper funk sound all the way through! In a way, the group's a bit like Cymande or some of the other 70s hybrid ensembles – yet they've got a lot less dub, a much more direct funky groove, and plety of raw southern elements in the mix as well! This is the funky 45 material we first cut our teeth on back in the day – and the original singles are legendary! Includes massive cuts like "Black Water Gold (Pearl)", "A Girl In France", "Never Name A Baby (Before It's Born), "Making Nassau Fruit Drink", "Camel Time", "The Dapp", "Tropical", and "Mr. Brown". LP, Vinyl record album

A really fantastic little record – and one that's even better than you might expect from the title – which itself is already pretty darn fantastic! The set is upbeat and funky, but not entirely disco – more this very groovy blend of Mid-East elements and more familiar keyboards – all moving and grooving in ways that are a lot hipper than any other belly dance music we've heard! Music features piano and organ, plus a very cool "string synthesizer" by played by the leader – and there's also plenty of percussion at the core of the set, making for a nice juxtaposition with the electric elements. Titles include "Night Entertainer", "Dance Of Tenderness", "Joy Of Lina", "A Flower Of My Imagination", "Love Of Laura", "Girls Of Iskandariah", and "Once A Year". CD

A really fantastic little record – and one that's even better than you might expect from the title – which itself is already pretty darn fantastic! The set is upbeat and funky, but not entirely disco – more this very groovy blend of Mid-East elements and more familiar keyboards – all moving and grooving in ways that are a lot hipper than any other belly dance music we've heard! Music features piano and organ, plus a very cool "string synthesizer" by played by the leader – and there's also plenty of percussion at the core of the set, making for a nice juxtaposition with the electric elements. Titles include "Night Entertainer", "Dance Of Tenderness", "Joy Of Lina", "A Flower Of My Imagination", "Love Of Laura", "Girls Of Iskandariah", and "Once A Year". LP, Vinyl record album

28 tracks from Arthur Alexander – a seminal force in the development of southern soul, featured here in some super-rare tracks from the Monument and Sound Stage Seven labels! Arthur's early hit "I'm Movin On" was recorded for Dot, and is pretty well compiled elsewhere – but this set pushes past that one, and takes us to a few years later, when Arthur was working out of Nashville, taking in equal parts 60s soul and country, mixing both into a sublime sound that should have gotten greater notice. The set features a number of issued singles, plus a wealth of previously unreleased material – and titles include "Baby For You", "The Other Woman In My Life", "Stay By Me", "Me & Mine", "Baby This Baby That", "In My Sorrow", "Miles & Miles From Nowhere", "Taking Care Of A Woman", "Concrete Jungle", "Another Place Another Time", "Call Me Honey", "The Migrant", "In The Middle Of It All", "Bye Bye Love", and "We're Gonna Hate Ourselves In The Morning". CD

A classic album from one of our favorite jazz singers ever – a set that really set a whole new standard for a generation! Even at this early stage, Lorez Alexandria was an amazingly accomplished vocalist – as you'll hear on this excellent selection of tunes from the Lester Young songbook – laidback and soulful tunes that really let her open up and do her thing! The backing on the album's nice and earthy – provided by a Chicago group that includes King Fleming piano, Charles Stepney vibes, Paul Serrano trumpet, and Vernel Fournier drums – and the overall style is perfect for Lorez' deep soulful vocals. Titles include "DB Blues", "Easy Living", "No Eyes Blues", "This Year's Kisses", and "Jumpin With Symphony Sid". CD

Wonderfully fuzzy work from Amanaz – one of the trippiest, headiest groups of the Zamrock scene of the 70s! The guitars here are very full and present – not at a hit you over the head jamming label, but with this rich sonic element that has lots of bassy undercurrents – at a level that makes the album a head-nodding gem all the way through – poised perfectly between some of the more psyche styles of the African scene of the time, and some of the more thoughtful singer-songwriter material. The group have a quality that's surprisingly deep – very soulful, and with a subtle power that comes through strongly – thanks to a mostly-English batch of lyrics (although a few tunes here are in their native Bemba.) No cuts are all-out funky, but all have this great slow-funk sort of charm – and titles include "I Am Very Far", "Sunday Morning", "Khala My Friend", "Green Apple", "Africa", "Making The Scene", "Easy Street", "Big Enough" and "Kale". 2CD package features a full bonus "reverb mix" of the album – even trippier! CD

Wonderfully fuzzy work from Amanaz – one of the trippiest, headiest groups of the Zamrock scene of the 70s! The guitars here are very full and present – not at a hit you over the head jamming label, but with this rich sonic element that has lots of bassy undercurrents – at a level that makes the album a head-nodding gem all the way through – poised perfectly between some of the more psyche styles of the African scene of the time, and some of the more thoughtful singer-songwriter material. The group have a quality that's surprisingly deep – very soulful, and with a subtle power that comes through strongly – thanks to a mostly-English batch of lyrics (although a few tunes here are in their native Bemba.) No cuts are all-out funky, but all have this great slow-funk sort of charm – and titles include "I Am Very Far", "Sunday Morning", "Khala My Friend", "Green Apple", "Africa", "Making The Scene", "Easy Street", "Big Enough" and "Kale". LP, Vinyl record album

Let's face it, you're not buying an album entitled "B!tch Betta Have My Money" for lyrical depth. For better or worse, this one's earned its place in the hip hop history books, and we'll be the first to prop up "Vertical Joyride" as a funky guilty pleasure, and guaranteed floor filler for you working DJ's. 21 tracks, counting all the interludes, of rump-shaking, potty-mouthed, booty music, that believe it or not didn't come from the Dirty South, though it's no doubt in large part responsible for most of what has. Includes the title track, "Jiggable Pie", "Tha Booty Up", "Mai Sista Izza B!tch", "I Wanna Be Yo Ho","B!tch Betta Have My Money" and a whole trunk full of riffs on similar themes. LP, Vinyl record album

Cinematic hip hop soul from Anderson.Paak named after a seaside city west of Los Angeles, CA – but it's not Malibu, it's the stunning follow up Oxnard – a little looser, more diverse, and ultimately just as impressive set from this still rising talent! The uber-impressive guest list including Kadhja Bonet, Norelle, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop, Dre, Pusha T, J Cole, Q-Tip and more but this is the sprawling Anderson.Paak show all the way, his distinctive blend of Cali sunshine and nighttime music and mood, his gritty-smooth voice so masterfully going back & forth from singing to rhyming, the production breathtaking from the stripped down beats, bass and vocals focused tracks to grander and more densely layered material. Includes "The Chase" with Kadja Bonet, "Headlow" feat Lowrell, "Tints" feat Kendrick Lamar, "Who R U", "6 Summers", "Saviers Road", "Smile/Petty", "Mansa Musa", "Brothers Keeper" feat Pusha T, "Anywhere" feat Snoop Dogg & Last Artful Dodgr, "Trippy" feat J Cole and "Cheers" feat Q-Tip – plus the bonus tracks "Sweet Chick" feat BJ The Chicago Kid and "Left To Right". LP, Vinyl record album

You might know Jaimie Branch as a trumpeter, but as part of the Anteloper duo she also handles a fair bit of electronics – working alongside drummer Jason Nazary, who's also pretty handy with the synth as well! The album was recorded live, and features a great pairing of electronic and acoustic elements – and is presented here with notes from Rob Mazurek, whose own music can hit similar territory at times – making him the perfect person to direct our approach to the proceedings! However, there's also a difference here – some nicely organic moments at times, when the electronics almost take on qualities of the other instruments – mixed with other passages that have them in starker contrast. Titles include "Fossil Record", "Oryx", "Lethal Curve", and "Seclusion Self". LP, Vinyl record album

Radiant grooves indeed from Atlantic Starr – a group who really make things sparkle throughout this magnificent set! The group are at the height of their powers here – skirting a perfect line between mainstream soul and upbeat club – never falling too much into one style or the other, and never sounding as commercial as some of their contemporaries! There's a relaxed, easygoing feel to most of the grooves on the set – never too much fake bass, nor too many electric touches – and the vocals shift a bit from track to track, taking good advantage of singers Wayne Lewis, David Lewis, and Sharon Bryant. Titles include "When Love Calls", "Think About That", "Mystery Girl", "Under Pressure", "My Turn Now", "Does It Matter", and "Send For Me". CD

One of Roy Ayers' biggest albums ever – and also one of his deepest, too! The whole thing's an incredible album of mellow jazzy soul – and it shows Roy at the crossroads, perfecting his earlier funk style with a sweet mellow R&B edge, getting a bit slicker, but still staying on the righteous path, and opening up a whole new bag in soul music. There's a wonderful electric vibe running through the record – not just from Roy's vibes, but from the Fender Rhodes and Arp work by Phillip Woo – and the amazing energy of the rest of the group too. Features the landmark title cut – "Everybody Loves The Sunshine", one of those tunes that becomes more and more of a classic each year – plus spiritual numbers like "Third Eye" , "Keep on Walking", and "The Golden Rod". Very righteous, and with a cool dope jazzy groove! CD

Funky genius from a mighty unique group – one who've drunk deep on the classic steel band sounds of the 70s, but who've also refined that groove with a contemporary funk approach too! The group's the brainchild of Bjorn Wagner – who you might know from The Mighty Mocambos – and the sound here is every bit as well-crafted as that combo, but with the difference of steel drums in the mix! The drums provide most of the melodic elements, while the funky backings kick things up nicely – all at a level that's maybe even funkier than some of the best funky steel drum albums of the 70s – especially across the space of the entire album. Titles include "Xxplosive", "Touchdown", "Burn", "Real Hot", "Hoola Hoop", "1 Thing", "Crockett Theme", "Bocas Del Dragon", "Bushfire", and "I Love You". LP, Vinyl record album

Really wonderful material from trumpet legend Chet Baker – one of those sets from Chet's "lost" years recording for a variety of labels on the European continent – but also work that really shows him exploring some great new territory! The Chet Baker during these years is much more stretched out and open – often recording in a unique sort of group, as he does here – working wi French piano great Michel Graillier, and the excellent bassist Ricardo Del Fra – in space that's wonderfully loose, and very understated – full of subtle but brilliant colors and tones! The record's a gem through and through – and titles include "Mister B", "Beatrice", "Strollin", "Dolphin Dance", and "Ellen & David". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic album of vocal tracks from Chet Baker – one that elevates the sound of his earlier small group work with some added backings on some tracks – all at a level that continues the new level of sophistication that Baker brought to jazz on his first few recordings! The mid 50s set is overflowing with key performances from Chet, both on vocals and trumpet – and the core group features wonderful work on piano from Russ Freeman, and this great use of flute by Bud Shank – which seems to underscore some of the moodier currents in Baker's music. Some tracks feature larger arrangements that really elevate the proceedings – handled by Johnny Mandel, Marty Paich, and Frank Campo – and the album's classic Chet all the way through – cool but fragile – summed up in the set's perfect take on the stone classic "Lets Get Lost" – plus titles that include "Just Friends", "Grey December", "I Remember You", "Long Ago & Far Away", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "I Wish I Knew", and "Daybreak". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe not the first album from the legendary Band – but a record in which the group get everything completely right all the way through – and sparkle with that special sound that continues to influence generations of music makers, and music lovers! All the great elements the group were bringing to their work with Bob Dylan are in place here – but the focus is completely different, with this warm glow that really fits the vocals of Levon Helm, and a sense of unified vision that makes it really hard to even come up with a match for the energy of the group on this album. The great John Simon adds a few special touches to the overall sound – and titles include "Rockin Chair", "Across The Great Divide", "When You Awake", "Up On Cripple Creek", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", "Look Out Cleveland", and "King Harvest". Includes 7 bonus tracks. CD

A beautiful hymn to the sun from saxophonist Laurent Bardianne – an artist who's not afraid to play with the rhythms a bit, while still offering up some jazz-based material at the core! Bardianne plays tenor in a quintet that also has lots of great Hammond organ from Arnaud Roulin – and both artists add in a bit of electronics too – but the most striking aspect of the record might be the rhythms, which are served up in blend of bass from Sylvain Daniel, drums from Philippe Gleizes, and percussion from Roger Raspail – all players with a real global sensibility, who push the music past standard jazz, with a very free-flowing vibe. The whole thing's very much in the best cross-cultural mode that we love from the French Heavenly Sweetness label – and titles include "La Vie La Vie La Vie", "Adieu My Lord", "Destination Danger", "Verte Gronouille", "Sarang", and "Kenya Sunrise". CD

The "quartet" in the group's name is well-placed – as there's almost a jazz combo undercurrent to the record at times – hiding beneath some folksier instrumentation and vocals in ways that remind us a lot of Tim Buckley's early best for Elektra! Steve Baron's perhaps a bit less blue-tinged than Buckley on his vocals, but still a pretty great singer/songwriter overall – nicely mature, and quite free of any folk rock cliches – with a fresh appeal that really makes this record worth seeking out. Instrumentation includes acoustic guitar, organ, and piano – but it also feels like there's some vibes lurking back in the mix, giving some tunes a warmly chromatic nature. Manny Albam helped a bit on arrangements, and titles include "Lonely River", "In The Middle", "Goodbye Road", "Mr Green", "God Never Lived For Me", "Shadow Man", and "Bertha Was The Mother Of Us All". LP, Vinyl record album

A tremendous package of work from this overlooked soul and gospel legend – four classic albums, plus other rare material too – all packaged with detailed notes in the wonderful Numero Group style! First up is Like A Ship Without A Sail – a gospel album from Pastor TL Barrett, but one that's gone on to legendary status among funk and soul collectors over the years! Barrett works here with his Youth For Christ Choir – a south side ensemble that's filled with genuine spirit and passion, aimed towards lofty ideals – but set up with some deep secular soul production touches and instrumentation that keep things razor sharp throughout! The album was supervised by Chess Records sax player and arranger Gene Barge – with other Chess players Richard Evans and Phil Upchurch on the sessions too – and the music is filled with raw drums, heavy bass, and lots of great organ lines! Next is Do Not Pass Me By Vol 1 – an album that's got a nice balance between intimate soul numbers and larger tracks that have the whole Mount Zion Baptist Church along for support! The set's definitely got the strongly soulful vibe of Barrett's Like A Ship album – a strong ear for the best secular elements of the time, which are used liberally in the instrumental backing – to really send home the message in the music! Most tunes really soft-pedal the religion, and instead go for an overall feel that really crosses over to regular soul music. Next is the great second volume of Do Not Pass Me By – like the first, the product of a wonderfully spiritual setting on Chicago's south side – music created in the church, but with all the same vibe as the hippest secular soul coming from the Windy City in the early 70s! The set does a great job of alternating strong lead singers with the rest of the group – a bit like Voices Of East Harlem, but with more of a larger ensemble feel – and there's some really wonderful moments on the record throughout – even a bit of funk amidst the more righteous soul-styled tunes. I Found The Answer is one of the biggest-circulating albums from this fantastic figure in Chicago gospel – a unique set done for the Gospel Truth subsidiary of Stax Records, but a set served up in the same blend of soul-based inspirations as some of TL Barrett's indie label releases back home in the Windy City! Plus, the package features a full album of Singles & Sermons – rare non-LP material by this seminal figure in both soul and spiritual music. CD

Our favorite chapter in the long and storied career of film score legend John Barry – music from a moment when he'd moved past the fame of his earlier James Bond soundtracks, and started hitting territory that was even more mindblowing overall! Barry was already great with Bond, and as those films moved on, he developed this amazing ear for more sophisticated, subtle elements – which unfold here at a level that easily puts the composer/arranger in territory of much more lauded studio and sound library talents! There's still some catchy vocal tunes in the mix – but what's even more striking is Barry's evolved sense of sound and timing – so that familiar instruments can sound all weird and unusual – yet still tuneful too – almost as if he were running over to the European avant garde to borrow a few sonic ideas, then fold them into the groovier numbers included within. The set features some of our favorite John Barry tracks ever, mixed with other more obscure numbers that are equally great – tunes that include "Follow Follow", "The Adventurer", "Highway 101", "The More Things Change", "Theme From The Appointment", "Fun City", "Midnight Cowboy", "Theme From Romance For Guitar & Orchestra", "We Have All The Time In The World", "Afternoon", "Theme From The Persuaders", "Lion In Winter", and "Who Will Buy My Yesterdays". CD

An amazing little record from Lars Bartkuhn – a mixture of spacey jazz, cosmic grooves, and more – all done by Lars himself, but with a rich, righteous feel throughout! The record reminds us of some of our favorite cosmic work from the London scene a decade or so ago – that great post-jungle period when musicians started to settle into warmer, more jazz-based grooves that drew strongly from a legacy of 70s fusion, but came off with a really fresh contemporary vibe. Bartkuhn's music's a bit different than that, but still follows nicely in the spirit of Nathan Haines and some of his contemporaries – often with keyboards in the lead, soloing sweetly over electric rhythms – occasionally with these scatting vocals that warm the record up wonderfully, creating a unique groove that we totally love! The best Sonar Kollektiv record we've heard in awhile – and a set that could easily fool you into thinking it was recorded sometime in the mid 70s. Titles include "In Harmony With The Elements", "Goodbye Dancing Hello God", "Foundation Suite", "The New Continent", "Marianna", and "Born Again". CD

My God – they finally did it! After all these years of hearing about the legendary Smile album from The Beach Boys – hearing snippets on other albums, studio bonus tracks, re-recordings, and all the other sources they've dangled in front of us for decades – Capitol's finally gone and done what they never did back in the 60s – released the whole legendary set together, as one package – and in formats that even exceed anything that might have been issued back in the day! You've probably heard a good number of the songs here before – some as they were chopped up and included on Smiley Smile, 20/20, and other post-Pet Sounds albums by the group – and in some recent re-recordings by Brian Wilson. But trust us, they all sound amazing here together – in the original recordings, with sublime 60s studio production, and godlike arrangements by the young Brian Wilson. Titles include "Our Prayer", "Gee", "My Only Sunshine/You Are", "Cabin Essence", "Wonderful", "Surf's Up", "Holidays", "Vege-Tables", "Good Vibrations", "Love To Say Dada", "Do You Like Worms", "Barnyard", and "I'm In Great Shape". Plus, this hip box set has loads of cool bits – 2CDs that include the original album with 8 bonus tracks on the first disc – then a full bonus CD of "finished" work from the project – alternate takes, expanded versions, and more – including "Our Prayer Dialogue", "Surf's Up 1st Movement", "Vege-Tables (fade)", "Cool Cool Water (version 2)", "Heroes & Villains (children were raised)", and more. Box also comes with a poster, a 36 page booklet, and a button! CD

2 rare sides by one of the most enigmatic players to ever record for the Bethlehem label! Bassist Max Bennett displays a wonderful ear for unique phrasing and compelling small combo leadership on the first self-titled album on the set – working with a group that includes Carl Fontana on trombone, Charlie Mariano on alto, Nick Travis on trumpet, and Mel Lewis on drums. The style is a bit in the east coast chamber jazz model of the mid 50s – but has some freer-swinging components overall, and some especially great alto solos from Mariano, whose playing on the set is worth the price of admission alone! Titles include "Ira Of The IRA", "Johnny Jaguar", "Max Is The Factor", "13 Toes", and "Something To Remember You By". Max Bennett Plays is an expanded edition of an earlier 10" LP – and it features a group led by bassist Max Bennett, and featuring Charlie Mariano on alto, Stan Levy on drums, Claude Williamson on piano, and Frank Rosolino on trombone. Helen Carr makes a vocal appearance on a track or two, and the album's got a nicely schizophrenic style that pushes it past simple expectations – really cooking with a mean Mariano solo one minute, and laying back for a mellower vocal passage the next. Titles include "Rubberneck", "Just Max", "They Say", "TK", "Do You Know Why", and "I'll Never Smile Again". CD

An overlooked early 70s set from the legendary Chuck Berry – one that has him in a really great setting that shows just how much Chuck continued to grow over the years! Sure, plenty of folks would have been content to live off their early hits – especially if those hits were as great as Berry's – but Chuck seems to be an even better guitarist here than usual, and hits all these great bluesy currents in the company of a small combo that features members of the group Elephant's Memory, who provide Berry with backing on most of the tracks. Things are nice and lean down – more blues than soul or funk – and titles include "Aimlessly Driftin", "Bio", "Woodpecker", "Rain Eyes", and "Talkin Bout My Baby". LP, Vinyl record album

A funky little record from Chuck Berry – one that has him picking up a bit of Memphis soul, but in ways that are nicely different from the sound of Stax and Hi Records! Berry's guitar work still gets plenty of play, but there's also a nice current of deep soul in the overall arrangements – moving him more from the rocking style of the Chess years, and more towards a southern soul scene, and with some surprisingly bluesy currents too. Titles include "Check Me Out", "Bring Another Drink", "Back To Memphis", "I Do Really Love You", "Goodnight Well It's Time To Go", and "My Heart Will Always Belong To You". LP, Vinyl record album

If you think that Chuck Berry only hit his heights at Chess Records, then get ready to change your mind – as this late 60s record for Mercury is quite a cooker! Side one has Berry working in a cool hybrid of blues and soul, but with some very weird production – handled by Chuck himself, with almost a nod towards the way that the younger generation was messing up electric blues a bit with their rock experiments. Chuck uses a bit of unusual echo here and there, but still nicely avoids any cliched attempts to cash in with a rock blues mode – and then on side two, he really gets crazy – by offering up a side-long song that runs for over 18 minutes in length – the mighty "Concerto In B Goode", which is one hell of a guitar-heavy jam! Other shorter titles include "Good Looking Woman", "It's Too Dark In There", "Put Her Down", and "My Woman". LP, Vinyl record album

A pivotal record in the career of the great Matt Berry – a set that firmly established him as a musical act away from his work on the screen – not his first album, but one that really seems to have Berry finding his very unique voice! A number of the tunes have a slight nod to spookiness – an element that maybe prefaces Berry's role in What We Do In The Shadows – and the instrumentation has more Wicker Man-like elements at times than some of the mod-styled backings on other of Matt's records – although you can definitely hear his love of vintage keyboards on the album too. Tracks include "Vintage Dance", "Farewell Summer Sun", "Bonfire", "The Signs", "Solstice", "Wolf Quartet", "Fallen Angel", and "October Sun". This edition features all sorts of great tracks recorded at the original sessions – almost doubling the size of the record with cuts that include "Fire Chant", "Food Chain Blues", "October", "Sea Chant", "Honky Knock", "Venison Sketch", "The Dawn", and "To The Floor". CD

A pivotal record in the career of the great Matt Berry – a set that firmly established him as a musical act away from his work on the screen – not his first album, but one that really seems to have Berry finding his very unique voice! A number of the tunes have a slight nod to spookiness – an element that maybe prefaces Berry's role in What We Do In The Shadows – and the instrumentation has more Wicker Man-like elements at times than some of the mod-styled backings on other of Matt's records – although you can definitely hear his love of vintage keyboards on the album too. Tracks include "Vintage Dance", "Farewell Summer Sun", "Bonfire", "The Signs", "Solstice", "Wolf Quartet", "Fallen Angel", and "October Sun". This edition features all sorts of great tracks recorded at the original sessions – almost doubling the size of the record with cuts that include "Fire Chant", "Food Chain Blues", "October", "Sea Chant", "Honky Knock", "Venison Sketch", "The Dawn", and "To The Floor". LP, Vinyl record album

Blue Six are definitely deepening the groove on this set – still staying in the warm Naked Music territory of their previous records, but also allowing space for some earthier, more organic elements in the mix! There's some great percussion that rumbles out at the bottom of some cuts – almost elements from global sources, wrapped up in the warmer beats and keyboards that are the trademark Blue Six groove. And while the approach may not be as groundbreaking as that of Osunlade or some of his contemporaries, the album's definitely a nod in that direction – but something of a recasting of that groove for the mainstream. Vocals are by Lisa Shaw, Catherine Russell, and Aya – and titles include "Tropicalia", "You Just Can't Stop", "Half Light", "Harbour", "A Woman Of The World", and "Fast Free Delivery". CD also features the bonus track "Tropicalia (Jay's Bahia rmx)". CD

You gotta hand it to these guys – releasing 2 albums at nearly the same time, yet somehow managing to come across sounding nice and fresh! Unlike the Ipanema Lounge album (issued weeks before this one), Uma Batida Diferente has a style that's much more in keeping with the group's earlier sessions for Six Degrees – an updating of classic bossa styles through clever use of modern rhythms and electronics – in a mode that really respects its roots, yet still offers up something new. As part of the old/new diad that drives the group, they're working here with classic bossa talents Marcos Valle, Orlandivo, and Roberto Menescal (father of one of the group's members) – plus more current artists Celso Fonseca and Zuco 103. Titles include "Bom Dia Rio", "Samba Da Minha Terra", "Previsao", "Queria", "Just A Samba", "Bonita", and "Vai Levando". CD

Pressure Sounds does it again, with another fine collection of mighty, mighty dub! A much needed Blackbeard retrospective collecting 16 hard to get cuts from British dubmeister Dennis Bovell, rare dubs and instrumentals, plus a couple of outstanding vocal tracks from the man at the epicenter of the British reggae scene. Focusing on Bovell's early work, this collection brings some of his heaviest productions out for the first time since their original release in the mid-seventies, all propelled by his chubby bass playing and rounded out by his deft touch on the console. 16 tracks in all: "The Grunwick Affair", "Harmoniser Dub", "Dominion Dub", "Rowing (12" version)", "Zombie Zones", "Zion Dub", "Higher Ranking", "Ranking High", "Scientific", "Shi-cago", "None Jah Jah Children (Melodica version)", "Uganda Crisis", "Ah Fi Wi Dis", "Entebbe", "Blood Ah Go Run" and "Dub'er". As always, a wonderful package, with new liner notes and photos! LP, Vinyl record album

David Bowie back in costume at the end of the 70s – but informed enough from his Berlin trilogy that he's coming at things quite differently here! The album's a great summation of the sounds on Low, Heroes, and Lodger – taken almost back to some Ziggy Stardust and Space Oddity territory, but in ways that are a bit leaner, and more focused. Even more impressive, though, is the near-complete absence of other 1980 elements in the set – hardly any influences from punk or new wave, no post-disco dancefloor elements – just deeply unique Bowie all the way through, and proof that he could always find his own space in music when he wanted! Titles include "Up The Hill Backwards", "Teenage Wildlife", "Scream Like A Baby", "Because You're Young", "Scary Monsters", "Ashes to Ashes", "Fashion", and "Kingdom Come". LP, Vinyl record album

That's the middle finger of David Boykin on the front cover – bidding a bold farewell to the year of 2016 – with a record that offers up some of the most soul-nourishing sounds we've ever heard from the reedman! The album's got a sharper, almost funkier sound than some of Boykin's other work – a double-length performance that features David on tenor, in a group that also has James Baker on a piano that sounds electric, and which is often played in these blocky chords that fit well with the bass of Alex Wing and drums of Isaiah Spencer – all working as a cohesive trio unity, while Boykin takes off with these searing, searching solos! The mix of spiritual reeds and chunkier rhythms is almost a bit like some of the early "funk" work of Joe McPhee – but Boykin's clearly got his own agenda in the music, and comes off with a mindblowing positive sound. All tracks are long, and titles include "Coronal Mass Ejection", "Wherever You At", "Make It Count", "You Know Who You Are", and "Jaglavak". CD

A crowning classic from maestro Waltel Branco – a Brazilian talent who could be smooth and sophisticated, but also pretty darn funky too – especially on this famous album from this 70s! The set takes off in a large ensemble vein of Brazilian grooves from a few years before – kind of more of a kick to the Blue Brazil/Odeon generation, as Branco works with a large string and horn section, but also ensures lots of tightness in the rhythms, and sweet electric touches on keyboards. There's a bit of Brazilian percussion at times – which let you know you're not in familiar CTI territory – and as with so many other great Brazilian albums of the time, the production is superb – really different than on American records of this nature. Titles include "Lady Samba", "Jael", "Satiricon", "Walking", "Luar Do SErgao", "Petit Fils", and "Zoraia". CD

A crowning classic from maestro Waltel Branco – a Brazilian talent who could be smooth and sophisticated, but also pretty darn funky too – especially on this famous album from this 70s! The set takes off in a large ensemble vein of Brazilian grooves from a few years before – kind of more of a kick to the Blue Brazil/Odeon generation, as Branco works with a large string and horn section, but also ensures lots of tightness in the rhythms, and sweet electric touches on keyboards. There's a bit of Brazilian percussion at times – which let you know you're not in familiar CTI territory – and as with so many other great Brazilian albums of the time, the production is superb – really different than on American records of this nature. Titles include "Lady Samba", "Jael", "Satiricon", "Walking", "Luar Do SErgao", "Petit Fils", and "Zoraia". LP, Vinyl record album

A seminal meeting between two of the most important modern jazz talents of the 70s – reedman Anthony Braxton, whose roots in the Chicago AACM scene were already expanding to a huge influence on the European world of free jazz – and guitarist Derek Bailey, the British player who seemingly stepped out of his own unique space to completely revolutionize the electric guitar! Both musicians are at their best here – working together at a level that's as much sonic exploration in terms of tones, textures, and timings – as it is new frontiers of music. And that's not to say that there's not some great musical moments, too – as the combination of darkness and light is what really makes the album special – as both players move effortlessly through an extended improvisation. Bailey plays electric guitar – and Braxton blows soprano, alto, b flat clarinet, and contrabass clarinet. Great 2LP reissue – with a full two sides of unreleased material recorded at the same performance as the main album! LP, Vinyl record album

An obscure bit of boogie from Brief Encounter – a southern soul group known best for their mid 70s sides for the Sound Stage Seven label, stepping out here in a completely different 80s groove! Most tracks are upbeat and dancefloor funky – plenty of bass on the bottom and some sweet electric keys – but often used in a way that's more in a 70s ensemble funk mode than the keyboards you'd hear on other early 80s indie soul. There's a warmth here that's quite nice, and most tracks feature the larger group harmonizing on vocals – in a way that sounds especially sweet on the mellower tracks. And while the recording quality of the original record is sometimes a bit muted, the group themselves sound plenty great – really bouncing along wonderfully with a soaring groove and a sense of tightness that goes beyond their indie roots! Titles include "Sweet Tender Loving", "We Want To Play For You", "Now I Know I Love You", "Rocking", "Since I Met You Girl", "Just For Love", "Open Up Your Heart", and "If You Want My Love". CD

James Alexander Bright joins forces here with Groove Armada's Tom Findlay – and the result is a set of grooves that partly have an 80s boogie sort of vibe, and partly reflect that sunnier, hazier sound that we've loved from the LA underground scene in recent years! Beats, basslines, and keyboards rule the sound – and vocals are often processed and layered right down in the mix, sounding pretty electric too – working well with the sparkle of the set, on titles that include "Flowers", "Leave It All Behind", "Slow Dance", "When I Look Into The World", "Space & Time", and "NY Disco". LP, Vinyl record album

A key slice of Clifford Brown from the 50s – two long tracks both recorded in an open-ended jam session format, showing a side of Brown's powers that's even bolder and more inventive than some of his previous studio work! The album soars along beautifully – with Brownie in the lead amongst an unusual, but well-chosen batch of players that includes Herb Geller and Joe Maini on alto saxes, Walter Benton on tenor, Kenny Drew on piano, Curtis Counce on bass, and Max Roach on drums – all grooving alongside Clifford on the album's nicely extended tracks. The album was released after Brown's death in 1956, features the side-long tracks "Caravan" and "Autumn In New York". LP, Vinyl record album

Massive – and one of the best James Brown compilations ever, filled with rare and unreleased material! This completely essential set features tracks pulled from James' best years ever – the mighty early 70s, when he was working with the JBs, and laying down tracks that would forever change the face of funk! The tunes on the album are right up there with the best work on classic albums like The Payback, Doin It To Death, Hot Pants, and any of the other killer Polydor funk albums by James – and most of them were pulled from sessions for those records, and brought together in this format for the first time in the late 80s. The centerpiece of the set is a 9 minute version of "Funky Drummer", and other highlights include new versions of "Give It Up Or Turn It Loose (remix)", "Soul Power (mono re-edit)", and "Talkin' Loud & Sayin' Nothin (remix)". The set's also got bonus beats of "Funky Drummer", a long single take of "Hot Pants (She Got To Use What She Got To Get What She Wants)" (8:42 minutes long!), and the nice rare track "I Got To Move" – previously unreleased, and nice and long! CD

A sweet bit of funky jazz vocals from Oscar Brown Jr – recorded during his early 70s stay at Atlantic Records, in a style that's very different than his early work! The tracks are all still original numbers by Oscar – penned with that clever bad-rapping approach to the lyrics that always earned him a huge audience in the cognoscenti. The feel is a bit more electric than before, with Richard Tee on electric piano, Cornell Dupree on guitar, and percussion by Ralph MacDonald. A few cuts have female backing vocals, and titles include "Gang Bang", "Feel the Fire", "Dime Away from a Hot Dog", and "Young Man". LP, Vinyl record album

A pair of rare records by Sidiku Buari – issued back to back on a single CD! Feelings is a record that was issued on the tiny Precious label – home to only two Buari albums in its tiny catalog – and the set follows strongly on the work that Sidiku recorded in New York during the 70s, records that were initially issued just under his last name! The groove on some tracks is full of early 80s NYC touches – sweet electro keyboards that provide some great middle-ground shocks to the tunes – while beats crackle crispy at the bottom, and Buari sings these slinky soul vocals that are a lot more American than you'd guess from the Ghanaian recording of the album. But other numbers have more of a West Africa vibe – that updating of older modes that was taking place in Nigeria too. Titles include "Music", "Feelings", "Anowar", and "Yayo Papa". Sidiku Buari & His Jam Busters has a groove that definitely lives up to its name – a sweet 80s crackle with lots of tunes that jam in an old school funk style – keyboards, basslines, and rhythms right on the money – in a great Transatlantic bridge between Ghana and New York City! The set begins with the super-funky "Let's Go To Funky Town" – a tune with a break on the intro to rival some of the best funky club work of the time – and the vibe continues strongly through the rest of the set, on titles that include "Sophisticated Jammer", "Power To My People", "Rhythm Of Africa", "Minsumobo", and "Karambani". CD

A pair of rare records by Sidiku Buari – issued back to back on a single CD! Feelings is a record that was issued on the tiny Precious label – home to only two Buari albums in its tiny catalog – and the set follows strongly on the work that Sidiku recorded in New York during the 70s, records that were initially issued just under his last name! The groove on some tracks is full of early 80s NYC touches – sweet electro keyboards that provide some great middle-ground shocks to the tunes – while beats crackle crispy at the bottom, and Buari sings these slinky soul vocals that are a lot more American than you'd guess from the Ghanaian recording of the album. But other numbers have more of a West Africa vibe – that updating of older modes that was taking place in Nigeria too. Titles include "Music", "Feelings", "Anowar", and "Yayo Papa". Sidiku Buari & His Jam Busters has a groove that definitely lives up to its name – a sweet 80s crackle with lots of tunes that jam in an old school funk style – keyboards, basslines, and rhythms right on the money – in a great Transatlantic bridge between Ghana and New York City! The set begins with the super-funky "Let's Go To Funky Town" – a tune with a break on the intro to rival some of the best funky club work of the time – and the vibe continues strongly through the rest of the set, on titles that include "Sophisticated Jammer", "Power To My People", "Rhythm Of Africa", "Minsumobo", and "Karambani". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe the greatest moment ever from Brit soundtrack genius Roy Budd – an artist who started with his roots in jazz piano, but who really explodes here in a range of groovy styles! The main title is an incredible blend of Eastern percussion and moody jazz – and other cuts bring in some trippier elements, mixed with funkier bits and warmer moments – all at a level that have Budd even outdoing the best late 60s work by Lalo Schifrin! The keyboards are often at the forefront – either acoustic or electric – and the album's got so many groovy grooves, with such variety, it's got a feel that's much richer than the usual soundtrack set. Titles include "Love Is A Four Letter Word", "Carter Takes A Train", "Looking For Someone", "The Girl In The Car", "Livin Should Be This Way", "Manhunt", "Goodbye Carter", and "Hallucinations". CD

Maybe the greatest moment ever from Brit soundtrack genius Roy Budd – an artist who started with his roots in jazz piano, but who really explodes here in a range of groovy styles! The main title is an incredible blend of Eastern percussion and moody jazz – and other cuts bring in some trippier elements, mixed with funkier bits and warmer moments – all at a level that have Budd even outdoing the best late 60s work by Lalo Schifrin! The keyboards are often at the forefront – either acoustic or electric – and the album's got so many groovy grooves, with such variety, it's got a feel that's much richer than the usual soundtrack set. Titles include "Love Is A Four Letter Word", "Carter Takes A Train", "Looking For Someone", "The Girl In The Car", "Livin Should Be This Way", "Manhunt", "Goodbye Carter", and "Hallucinations". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hippest groups going in the deep funk underground – a combo who play way more than just conventional funk – and who manage to embrace a whole host of classic influences at once! Echoes of older Latin, African, and soundtrack-styled grooves sift together beautifully in this second album from The Budos Band – all in an approach that's totally unified, and which borrows the best elements from other modes to create a whole new Budos-styled sound! The album's all instrumental, but it's far more evocative than most vocal funk sessions we can think of – and the group's horns are tighter than ever, with a slightly exotic feel that creates some real otherworldly moments. Titles include "Ride Or Die", "Budos Rising", "Chicago Falcon", "King Cobra", "Origin Of Man", "Deep In The Sand", "My Girl", and "Mas O Menos". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the deepest, heaviest work we've ever heard from the Budos Band – as you might guess from the album's dark title and cover! There's a bit of a heavy metal look to the package, but the sounds within are still the righteous funk we've always loved from Budos – yet are also inflected with a very slight bit of trippy elements this time around – a touch of fuzz on the guitar, or cosmic echoes on the keyboards – which really balance out strongly with the group's bold horns and razor-sharp drums! The slight changes make for a more sinister sound than before, and show that these guys continue to be one of the most forward-thinking funk bands around – never content to just rest on the laurels of their great musicianship, but always leaping ahead with new ideas. Titles include "Shattered Winds", "Black Hills", "Magus Mountain", "Into The Fog", "The Sticks", "Burnt Offering", and "Turn & Burn". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the deepest, heaviest work we've ever heard from the Budos Band – as you might guess from the album's dark title and cover! There's a bit of a heavy metal look to the package, but the sounds within are still the righteous funk we've always loved from Budos – yet are also inflected with a very slight bit of trippy elements this time around – a touch of fuzz on the guitar, or cosmic echoes on the keyboards – which really balance out strongly with the group's bold horns and razor-sharp drums! The slight changes make for a more sinister sound than before, and show that these guys continue to be one of the most forward-thinking funk bands around – never content to just rest on the laurels of their great musicianship, but always leaping ahead with new ideas. Titles include "Shattered Winds", "Black Hills", "Magus Mountain", "Into The Fog", "The Sticks", "Burnt Offering", and "Turn & Burn". LP, Vinyl record album

There's a wonderful sense of sound going on throughout this obscure set of dubs from the Bullwackies crew – music that's got some of the headier, bassier sounds of the generation – but which is also dappled with lighter touches at points, especially on keyboards – which makes the whole thing sparkle with a really timeless vibe! Joe Auxumite serves up vocals on about half the tracks on the set, and the instrumentals are equally great – working together with the more lyrical numbers to make a set that's maybe a lot more well-conceived overall than you might expect. Titles include "Shining Star", "Rain From The Cloud", "Simple Little Woman", "Troubled Land", "Recording Connection", "United Rock", and "Black World". CD

A fantastic 20th anniversary celebration of Burnt Sugar – one of the most righteous, forward-thinking ensembles of the past few decades – some of the first proponents of a 21st Century sound that now seems to be flowing from many other corners! Yet these guys are still unlike anyone else we can think of – maybe a jazz ensemble at the core, but one that's keenly aware of soul, funk, and hip hop – and not afraid to allow any of those elements equal play in their music – almost as if Duke Ellington grew up in the 90s, listening to electric Miles Davis, Tribe Called Quest, and Curtis Mayfield – then found a way to expand larger musical ideas based on influences that diverse. Greg Tate founded the group, and directs with bassist Jared Michael Nickerson – and this series of three CDs is dedicated to bringing back some of the group's best work, much of which has gone out of print in recent years. Guests on this first album include Matana Roberts and Capt Kirk Douglas – and titles include "Mazzafrique", "If There's A Hell Below", "Sandpiper", "Kirk Bit My Hand", "Crazy In The Dark", "The Crepescularium", "Wretched Of The Earth Page 88", and "4.29.92". CD

A fantastic 20th anniversary celebration of Burnt Sugar – one of the most righteous, forward-thinking ensembles of the past few decades – some of the first proponents of a 21st Century sound that now seems to be flowing from many other corners! Yet these guys are still unlike anyone else we can think of – maybe a jazz ensemble at the core, but one that's keenly aware of soul, funk, and hip hop – and not afraid to allow any of those elements equal play in their music – almost as if Duke Ellington grew up in the 90s, listening to electric Miles Davis, Tribe Called Quest, and Curtis Mayfield – then found a way to expand larger musical ideas based on influences that diverse. Greg Tate founded the group, and directs with bassist Jared Michael Nickerson – and this series of three CDs is dedicated to bringing back some of the group's best work, much of which has gone out of print in recent years. Guests on this second album include JS Williams and Abby Dobson – and titles include "Jungle Fauvre", "Funky Rich Medina", "Driva Man", "All Fall Down", "Night In Tunisia Sorta", "Screamin Arthur Jafa", "Held In Faith", "That Bent Arc Be Slow", and "Somebody To Love You". CD

An obscure little session from Kenny Burrell – recorded at the end of the 70s, and with a very laidback feel! The set was produced by Helen Keane, who'd done some of Bill Evans' greatest sets – and who had a real ear for the mellower side of the jazz spectrum. And for the record, she's got Kenny playing in a trio format that's very spacious – with only gentle accompaniment from Reggie Johnson on bass and Sherman Ferguson on drums, and most of the sound on the set coming from the strings of Kenny's guitar. Following in the gentle spirit of the set, Kenny even plays an acoustic guitar on 2 numbers – making for a very different sound than usual. Some tracks are quite long, really letting Kenny open up on his solos – and titles include "So Little Time", "All Blues", "I'm Glad There Is You", and "You & The Night & The Music". CD

A record that really has Busta Rhymes coming into his own – taking all those charms that had been bubbling in the underground through years of guest appearances, and finding a way to really shine in the light of the mainstream! The album's not Busta's first solo effort, but has a sense of identity and confidence that really steps forward – with all those brash, in-your-face sort of rhymes you'd expect from the man himself – set to production by DJ Scratch, The Ummah, and Rockwilder – all at a level that's held up very well over the years! The set features guest work from Flipmode Squad, Rampage, Mase, Anthony Hamilton, and Erykah Badu – Tracks include the singles "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See", "Dangerous", and "Turn It Up" – plus the cuts "The Whole World Lookin' At Me", "One", "We Could Take It Outside", "The Body Rock", "Things We Be Doin' For Money", "When Disaster Strikes", "Get Off My Block", and "There's Not A Problem My Squad Can't Fix". LP, Vinyl record album

Sweet electric funk from trumpeter Donald Byrd – one of his first forays into an electric mode, and done in a style that's very different than his better-known soul fusion of the mid 70s! Before Byrd hooked up with Larry Mizell and started recording his smooth fusion grooves on records like Blackbyrd and Street Lady – he recorded this gem, kind of a "lost" album that has Donald working in an open-ended electric sound – one that's clearly inspired by the experiments of Miles Davis, but which has a generally funkier feel overall! The tracks are very long – with lots of spiraling keyboard and trumpet solos – and the hip players on the set include Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, David T Walker on guitar, Harold Land on tenor, and Joe Sample on organ – a very cool combo that's got a cross between The Crusaders and the Hutcherson/Land quintet! We love the tracks on this set – especially "The Emperor" and "The Little Rasti", which are both over 15 minutes long, and have a haunting spacey sound that's a departure from Donald's usual work! LP, Vinyl record album

The first-ever release of a lost live performance from trumpeter Donald Byrd – material from that brief time when he was working on the Paris scene, and really pushing his music in new directions! As you'll note from the title, the group here also features the great reedman Bobby Jaspar – who blows both flute and tenor, and works alongside Byrd in tremendous formation – in part because there's a crack rhythm trio on the date – a Prestige/Blue Note-styled group that features Walter Davis on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and Art Taylor on drums! The material was recorded with great fidelity by the French ORTF – far better than another live date with Byrd and Jaspar that's been floating around over the years – and the whole thing cooks like a stone classic that should have been issued on an American label in the late 50s, not languishing in the vaults for decades. Titles include "I Get A Kick Out Of You", "Long To You", "Flute Bop", "Boogie Woogie", "When Your Love Has Gone Away", and "It Could Happen To You". LP, Vinyl record album