2 nice ones from Lou's stay at Epic! Both tracks feature production and arrangements by Jerry Ragovoy – and "What Do You Want" is a nice mellow midtempo soul number, with the kind of spoken intro that has us hooked at "hello"! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Classic recordings by Jamal's early trio – with Israel Crosby on bass and Ray Crawford on guitar. Tracks include "Squeeze Me", "Perfida", "Love For Sale", "Rico Pulpa", "Autumn Leaves", "Don't Blame Me", and "Black Beauty". LP, Vinyl record album

A four movement suite composed and performed by Yusef Lateef – with Adam Rudolph, Charles Moore, Ralph Jones, Federico Ramos, and the Cologne Radio Orchestra! CD

A modern day spiritual jazz treasure – completely wonderful all the way through, and a set you might well file proudly next to your classics from John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders! The record's as epic as it promises in the title – a three volume journey in jazz, headed by tenorist Kamai Washington, who emerges here as a tremendous leader, a hell of a writer, and a rich jazz talent in every sense of the word – carefully steering a group of musicians through work that's searing, searching, and driven with a very cosmic vibe! Tunes are often modal, and never step too far outside, but always push the boundaries – and the instrumentation is a shifting mix of keyboards, piano, trombone, trumpet, bass, drums, and percussion – plus some vocal performances from Dwight Trible and Patrice Quinn. You might know Kamasi from his work with Flying Lotus and Thundercat – the latter of whom plays bass on this set – but the album's very much his own, and very much jazz all the way through. The kind of record we're mighty proud to be offering – with tracks that include "Askim", "The Next Step", "Rhythm Changes", "Miss Understanding", "Leroy & Lanisha", "Re Run", "Seven Prayers", "Malcolm's Theme", and "The Message". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of Lester Young's first great moments of prominence – his late 30s recordings with the Count Basie Band, offered here in a well-done collection issued as a memorial after his death in 1959! The sets are all led by Basie, but most feature strong saxophone lead by Young – solos that helped define the tenor sax sound of a generation, nestled in alongside other top-shelf players who include Buddy Tate on tenor, Freddie Green on guitar, and Harry Edison and Buck Clayton on trumpets. The set features a hefty 24 tracks in all – and titles include "Broadway", "Blow Top", "Dickie's Dream", "Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie", "Pound Cake", "Rock A Bye Basie", "Riff Interlude", "Easy Does It", "Jump For Me", "Hollywood Jump", "Tickle Toe", "12th Street Rag", "I Left My Baby", and "Shoe Shine Boy". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

A tremendous run of music from the great George Duke – an artist who'd already spent many years in the jazz and soul world before hitting his time at Epic Records – where he really took off on a great run of tracks like this! Duke started out as a straight jazz player in the 60s, then worked a bit with Frank Zappa on some really far-out sounds – and also got the chance to cut a run of fantastic spacey fusion sets for the MPS label – all experience that gave him plenty of time to try out new ideas on the keyboards, and find the right sort of space for his musical soul. At Epic, George took all those ideas and experience, and forged them down into some wonderful sounds that effortlessly blended soul, jazz, funk, and fusion – to a level that instantly made Duke the leading light in his field, and a creative talent who helped give exposure to a lot of other artists too. This smoking set features 38 tracks from those years – a really wonderfully-chosen collection that does a great job of touching all the right bases, and including some of our favorite George Duke material from the Epic recordings! Titles include "Reach For It", "Scuse Me Miss", "Yeah We Going", "Dukey Stick (parts 1 & 2)", "I Am For Real", "Movin On", "Pluck", "Brazilian Love Affair", "Games", "Shine On", "Dream On", "Reach Out (parts 1 & 2)", "Secret Rendezvous", "Heroes (voc)", "Dukey Stick (long version)", "Party Down", "Son Of Reach For It", "Finding My Way", "Positive Energy", "Thinking Of You", "Celebrate", "You Are The Light", "Say That You Will", "You & Me", "Don't Let Go", and "The Way I Feel". CD

Issued in 1983, but a good look back at the classic Brunswick years of this massive soul group from Chicago! The Chi-Lites are one of the best harmony acts ever to come out of the Windy City – and while at the Brunswick label during the late 60s and early 70s, leader Eugene Record forged a sound that became a virtual blueprint for the Chicago group sound of the next decade to come. The harmonies are impeccable on the record – as you probably know if you've already heard hits like "Have You Seen Her", "(For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People", "Lonely Man", "Oh Girl", "The Coldest Days Of My Life", "A Letter To Myself", and "Homely Girl". LP, Vinyl record album

The long-overdue reissue of some of Ahmad Jamal's first recordings – early sides for the Okeh and Columbia labels, all tunes that would go on to have a huge influence on the use of the piano in jazz! All tracks on the set were recorded in the early 50s with Jamal's great drumless trio that featured Ray Crawford on guitar and either Eddie Calhoun or Israel Crosby on bass – the latter of whom is tremendous here, working as a player who really helped set his instrument free from its traditional role in jazz. The trio's blend of guitar, bass, and piano is completely unique – extremely inventive at both a rhythmic and melodic level, as each instrument often fills both roles equally well – dancing around with an internal groove that emerges outwardly as an especially fluid approach to the tune. If you've never heard Jamal at his early best like this, the CD's gotta be one of the best places we can think of to start – as it features 21 titles in all, all beautifully remastered with impeccable sound that goes far beyond even our original albums! Titles include "Poinciana", "Black Beauty", "Something To Remember You By", "Pavanne", "Perfida", "Rica Pulpa", "Old Devil Moon", "Autumn Leaves", "Ahmad's Blues", and "Aki & Ukthay". CD

The hands of Webster Lewis are on a classic Fender Rhodes on the cover – and you'll hear plenty of that instrument on this collection, along with all the other many keyboards that Lewis can handle so well! Webster started out as a straighter jazzman in his early years, but by the time of these tracks he was at the top of his game in the world of soulful fusion – picking up a torch first lit by Herbie Hancock and Ramsey Lewis, and blending it with more influences from soul music too – which means that in addition to great keyboard solos from Lewis, you'll also hear wonderful vocals on most of these cuts – a key element that really helped Webster cross over into so many worlds at the time. As with work from the same period by Patrice Rushen, there's a sublime blend going on here – one that still sounds tremendous all these many years later, and which is presented with a great selection of cuts – including the rare "Japanese Umbrella" and "Boston" – plus "El Bobo", "Barbara Ann", "Hideaway", "Give Me Some Emotion", "Dancer", "Do It With Style", "Let Me Be The One", "Touch My Love", "Reach Out", "Love Won't Harm No One", and "There's A Happy Feeling". CD

The hands of Webster Lewis are on a classic Fender Rhodes on the cover – and you'll hear plenty of that instrument on this collection, along with all the other many keyboards that Lewis can handle so well! Webster started out as a straighter jazzman in his early years, but by the time of these tracks he was at the top of his game in the world of soulful fusion – picking up a torch first lit by Herbie Hancock and Ramsey Lewis, and blending it with more influences from soul music too – which means that in addition to great keyboard solos from Lewis, you'll also hear wonderful vocals on most of these cuts – a key element that really helped Webster cross over into so many worlds at the time. As with work from the same period by Patrice Rushen, there's a sublime blend going on here – one that still sounds tremendous all these many years later, and which is presented with a great selection of cuts – including the rare "Japanese Umbrella" and "Boston" – plus "El Bobo", "Barbara Ann", "Hideaway", "Give Me Some Emotion", "Dancer", "Do It With Style", "Let Me Be The One", "Touch My Love", "Reach Out", "Love Won't Harm No One", and "There's A Happy Feeling". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hardest, heaviest soul groups of the 70s – so much so that their music often has a fair bit of rockish touches too – especially in the guitars, which are nice and fuzzy! Lead singer Joyce Kennedy is a killer throughout – almost rivaling Nona Hendryx for unbridled energy and raw power – and the rest of the group provide lots of vocal support too – as well as some plenty heavy drums, bass, and guitar! Things really cook on titles that include "Rain", "Fire", "Fly With Me", "Dontcha Wanna Love Me", and ironically-titled "Niggizz Can't Sang Rock & Roll". LP, Vinyl record album

With Mobb Deep and Lord Tariq! 12-inch, Vinyl record

A trio of albums from the reborn Steppenwolf – all presented here in a single set! First up is Slow Flox – a set that has the group really coming back into the fray, after John Kay had left for a bit and recorded as a solo act! All the raw power of the group is still very much at play here – plenty of searing guitars, at that level that made Steppenwolf such a key precursor to the hard rock sound of the 70s – maybe answered to by the group themselves here, who felt a need to reform and show the younger acts how things were done! But there's also some fuller production at times too – touches of soul inspiration that hit a few of the songs, but without ever knocking the guitars out too much – on titles that include "Get Into The Wind", "Children Of The Night", "Smokey Factory Blues", "Morning Blue", "A Fool's Fantasy", and "Gang War Blues". Hour Of The Wolf is a record that seems to have Steppenwolf adapting nicely for the 70s – not in any sort of too-commercial way, but with a vibe that brings in all these nice shifts to their sound! The guitar and bass are still plenty high in the mix, but the vocals of John Kay are varied a bit more from track to track, as is the use of organ – which sometimes steps out as a great force in the sound, even at a time when so many other groups had switched to more modern styles of keyboards. Titles include "Caroline", "Just For Tonight", "Two For The Love Of One", "Someone Told A Lie", "Mr Penny Pincher", "Another's Lifetime", and "Annie Annie Over". Skullduggery is a set with a skull on the cover and some massive drums at the start – both of which are key signals to the world that Steppenwolf are still alive and well! Despite their lack of chart success at this point, the group are still super-sharp – burning on all the best elements that made their classics so great – burning organ, bubbling basslines, searing guitar, and those vocals from John Kay that really send things over the top – schooled on soul in the 60s, but turned much more towards a hard rock standard here – on titles that include "Rock N Roll Song", "Life Is A Gamble", "Skullduggery", "Lip Service", "Pass It On", and "Train Of Thought". 3CD set features two bonus tracks – "Angeldrawers" and "Caroline (mono promo mix)" – plus a big booklet of notes! CD

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... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

Rod Argent's project immediately after the breakup of the Zombies! There's plenty of Zombie-like ideas here – particularly those floating around the Odyssey and Oracle album, but they're also done without the dreamy pop style of Colin Blunstone's vocals, which makes for a much harder sound overall. Added into that the guitar of Russ Ballard, which really kicks into the tunes nicely, and you've got some great rock and roll work – written with a pop sensibility, but played with a razor-sharp edge that's pretty hard hitting. Titles include "Like Honey", "Liar", "Schoolgirl", "Bring You Joy", "Stepping Stone", and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A double-live set from the mighty Rod Argent – working here with James Rodford on bass, Robert Henrit on drums, and the great Russ Ballard on guitar! Includes a 10 minute take on "Hold Your Head Up" – and long versions of "Music From The Spheres", "It's Only Money", "I Am The Dance Of Ages", and "The Coming Of Kohoutek" – plus Argent's take on "I Don't Believe In Miracles" – better known as a Colin Blunstone song! LP, Vinyl record album

Rod Argent is deep into his solo career here – working with Russ Ballard on plenty of lead guitar and vocals, and getting production help from Chris White. Titles include "Candles On The River", "Rosie", "Christmas For The Free", "Losing Hold", "It's Only Money (parts 1 & 2)", and "Be Glad". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic work from Argent – the reigning talents of Rod Argent and Chris White, post-Zombies – with the great Russ Ballard on guitar! Titles include "Man For All Reasons", "Thunder & Lightning", "Once Around The Sun", "The Coming Of Kohoutek", "Keeper Of The Flame", and "Gonna Meet My Maker". LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "Lady Lady", "Never Keeping Secrets", "Rock Bottom", "Saturday", "And Our Feelings", "When Can I See You", and "Well Alright". CD

Hardbop albums don't get any better than this – and although drummer Dave Bailey only recorded for a brief stretch as a leader, this session's one that shows that he was a heck of a force to contend with! The record's got an intensity that easily rivals the best by Art Blakey over at Blue Note during the early 60s – but Dave's also got a slightly looser groove too – a bit more sense of humanity, and one that allows for really organic interplay between the players. There's a slight soul jazz undercurrent – especially in the piano lines of Billy Gardner – and other players in the quintet include Bill Hardman on trumpet, Frank Haynes on tenor, and Ben Tucker on bass. The group wails on an early version of Tucker's classic "Comin' Home Baby", plus other great originals like "Coffee Walk", "Lady Iris B", and "Two Feet In the Gutter". A old favorite on the south side of Chicago! LP, Vinyl record album

Heavy duty hardbop – one of three amazing Epic Records sessions cut by drummer Dave Bailey! Dave didn't ever cut many sessions as a leader – but when he did, they really cooked hard – with a quality level and sharpness of vision that easily rivals the best on Blue Note or Prestige Records at the time! In fact, this album would have been right at home on either imprint – a smoking session of soulful hardbop, with very long songs that allow plenty of room for solos by players who include Charlie Rouse on tenor, Clark Terry on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, and Horace Parlan on piano – who are all in the group with Dave, alongside bassist Peck Morrison. There's a nicely unbridled feel to the whole set – a real "something extra" that's always made the album a treasure – and titles include the side-long 17 minute "Blues For JP", plus "Slop Jah", "Little Old Mongoose", and "Evad Smurd". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "You Know What I Mean", "Air Blower", "Scatterbrain", "Cause We've Ended As Lovers", "She's A Woman", and "Freeway Jam". CD

Titles include "Blue Wind", "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", "Play With Me", "Love Is Green", "Head For Backstage Pass", and "Come Dancing". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic rock power trio – with titles that include "Black Cat Moan", "Lady", "Sweet Sweet Surrender", "Lose Myself With You", "Livin Alone", "Oh To Love You", and surprising takes on Stevie Wonder's "Superstation" and Curtis Mayfield's "I'm So Proud". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

... LP, Vinyl record album