A great return for the legendary Tom Ze – an artist who'd been brought back to prominence via the efforts of a Luaka Bop compilation – then given this great chance to record for the label on his own! The set's a great return to form for Ze – who sprung from this moment into a renewed period of creative energy – really drawing on his crucial years of groundbreaking sounds in Brazil during the Tropicalia generation, and especially the 70s – when Tom had really moved off into a realm of his own. Most tracks are relatively short, and pretty enigmatic – a flurry of the sounds and verbal experiments that always made Ze so great! Titles include "Jingle Do Disco", "Cortina 3", "Amar", "Ogodo, Ano 2000", "Feira De Santana", "Fliperama", and "Tatuaramba". LP, Vinyl record album

The legendary 1962 Bossa Nova concert at Carnegie Hall – and one of the first live recordings of the young bossa nova in all its glory! The concert is famous not only because it was a bit of a disaster (according to legend, just about nobody got paid!), but also because it brought together a huge amount of Brazilian talent on one stage, and premiered their music to a rabid US audience – very fresh at the time, as the big Verve boom of bossa recordings hadn't even started to take hold! The recording has a stunning live feel, and it preserves all the acoustics of Carnegie Hall, complete with lively crowd response. Oscar Castro Neves backs up most of the singers – including Sergio Ricardo, Carmen Costa, Carlos Lyra, Ana Lucia, and Chico Feitoso – and the LP has other instrumental performances by Joao Gilberto, Milton Banana, Roberto Menescal, Luiz Bonfa, and Sergio Mendes – all young bossa giants, really opening up here with their talents! The set features 15 tracks in all – and titles include "O Barquinho", "Influencia Do Jazz", "Outra Vez", "Zelao", "Nao Faz Assim", "Bossa Nova Em Nova York", and "Passarinho". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Chico's strongest albums of the late 70s – a masterful set of sophisticated tunes, recorded with some great guest help from Milton Nascimento, Zizi Possi, and Elba Ramalho! The album's got a slightly melancholy feel overall – not completely somber, but a slightly world-weary sound that makes the album a bit different and more mature than some of Chico's earlier work – and which beautifully unlocks a new chapter in his tremendous talents. The style is great – perfect for Buarque's growing international fame at the time, but not in a way that's ever too commercial. Titles include "Calice", "Feijoada Completa", "Tanto Mar", "Apesar De Voce", "Pequena Serenata Diurna", and "Ate O Fim". CD

A totally great record, with very obscure origin – one that didn't come out until 1973, but which features 1969 studio jam session work with a huge amount of famous players – including Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton under fake names – plus Harvey Mandel, Jack Wilkins, Buzzy Feiten, and Todd Rundgren on guitars; Dr John, Moogy Klingman, and Keith Emerson on organ; Stu Woods and Richard Davis on bass; Chris Wood and Joe Farrell on reeds; and Linda Ronstadt, Eric Mercury, Tommy Cosgrove, and others on vocals! LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent work from one of the most important production teams of recent times! Jazzanova have sharply defined the modern European taste for Brazilian and Latin-inflected grooves on the dancefloor – beginning in the mid 90s with work for the (then) new Compost Records imprint, and working up to present days with countless remix efforts for other artists. Sadly, Jazzanova have yet to cut an album of their own work – and this double-length set is probably the best full way to experience their rich talents. It features 20 tracks in all, many with a strong Brazilian or bossa flavor, and most with a tight dancefloor approach to jazz. Titles include "We Who Are Not As Others" by 4 Hero, "Soul Power" by Marcshmellows, "Carajillo" by Truby Trio, "Get Into My Groove" by Incognito, "Amazon Adventure" by Azymuth, "Words Of Love" by Soul Bossa Trio, "Welcome To The Party" by Har-You Percussion Group, "Planet Of Breaks" by Visit Venus, "Burnin" by Tate's Place, "Toda Tersafeira" by Soul Quality Quartet, "Circe" by Ursula Rucker, "Fifths" by Ski, and "Complete Life" by Liquid Lounge – all remixed by Jazzanova! CD

A wonderful package of rare bossa work! The set is a great tribute to the composers mentioned above – and it features some of their best songs in classic renditions, packaged in a cover with an 8 page booklet that's filled with great photos and writings in Portuguese. Titles include "O Barquinho" by Pery Ribero, "Fim De Noite" by Coral De Ouro Preto, "Marcha Da Quarta-Feira De Cinzas" by Elis Regina, "Maria Moita" by Nara Leao, "A Morte De Um Deus De Sal" by Roberto Menescal, "Pau De Arara" by Ary Toledo, "Telefone" by Os Cariocas, and "Invluencia Do Jazz" by Carlos Lyra. LP, Vinyl record album

One of Baden Powell's first great bossa sessions in Europe – recorded in a light and lively MPS mode that's a bit different than some of his work at the time in Brazil! Rhythm is by the team of Eberhard Weber on bass and Charly Antolini on drums – both players with non-bossa roots, but who push Powell's groove into some slightly new directions – almost hailing the Brazilian influence that would show up even more strongly in European jazz in years to come! Sidney Smith also adds a bit of flute into some of the tracks on the album – underscoring the moodier moments with a subtle tone next to Powell's more pronounced guitar – and the whole thing's got a sense of poise, grace, and beauty that's simply tremendous! Titles include "Euridice", "Consolacao", "Feitinha Pro Poeta", "Dindi", "Reza", "Samba Triste", and "All The Things You Are". LP, Vinyl record album

Brazilian guitarist Sebastiao Tapajos usually records in a relatively mellow mode – but here, he's working with percussive backings from Pedro Dos Santos – who plays a wide variety of instruments, and really adds a lot to the sound of the set! There's kind of a bossa guitar with percussion vibe to the record – although Tapajos' style always moves past just straight bossa – and Pedro handles all sorts of percussion elements, and even brings in some cool vocal effects – on titles that include "Escola De Samba", "Laberinto", "Catedral", "Dora/Saudade Da Bahia", "Ganga", "Rio Das Ostras" "Emboscada", "Feitio De Oracoa", and "Sambaden". Features 9 bonus tracks – including "Ganga", "Catedral", "Samba Do Aviao", "Laberinto", "Cancion Del Fuego Fatuo", and "Tornei A Caminhar". CD

A groundbreaking collaboration from the start of the century – the union of three of Brazil's most important artists of the decade before – coming together in a mode that's even deeper than any of their previous albums as solo acts! There's clearly a Tropicalia inspiration taking place here – but there's also rootsier elements that have the trio moving even more firmly away from the mainstream – with genre-blurring modes that are an especially strong revelation as a vehicle for Marisa Monte. Titles include "Carnavalia", "La De Longe", "O Amor E Feio", "Passe Em Casa", "Velha Infancia", and "Ja Sei Namorar". CD

A set that not only features an amazing and well-recorded live set by the early version of Weather Report – but one that also features them joined by a few great European jazz musicians as well! The core of the album has the quintet at their finest – playing in the TV studio featured on the cover, with incredible sound that's captured beautifully – as the group stretch out on really long takes that move past their studio genius of the time – served up by Wayne Shorter on soprano sax and tenor, Joe Zawinul on electric and acoustic piano, Miroslav Vitous on bass, Alphonse Mouzon on drums, and Dom Um Romao on percussion. And on three very long tracks, the group are joined by some amazing additional players – John Surman on soprano sax and bass clarinet, Alan Skidmore on flute and tenor, and Eje Thelin on trombone – really helping the group open up the tunes "Sunrise", "Moto Grosso Feio", and "Directions". Other titles include "Eurydice", "Morning Lake", "Orange Lady", "Dr Honoris Causa", "I Would Like To Tell", and "Early Minor". CD

One of Chico's strongest albums of the late 70s – a masterful set of sophisticated tunes, recorded with some great guest help from Milton Nascimento, Zizi Possi, and Elba Ramalho! The album's got a slightly melancholy feel overall – not completely somber, but a slightly world-weary sound that makes the album a bit different and more mature than some of Chico's earlier work – and which beautifully unlocks a new chapter in his tremendous talents. The style is great – perfect for Buarque's growing international fame at the time, but not in a way that's ever too commercial. Titles include "Calice", "Feijoada Completa", "Tanto Mar", "Apesar De Voce", "Pequena Serenata Diurna", and "Ate O Fim". Amazing package, too – comes in a hardcover book-style jacket, with a bonus 42 page book that also includes full color images, with lots of vintage photos, plus notes on the record in Portuguese! The whole thing's sort of an update of the old Abril Cultural style of the 70s – brought into the CD generation. CD

A warmly jazzy album from Gal Costa – much more so than you'd expect from her slightly creepy white face on the cover! There's a fair bit of keyboards in the instrumentation – usually stepping around with a relatively mellow feel, which lets Gal concentrate on ballads and gently soulful numbers – all put together by a variety of arrangers who include Lincoln Olivetti, Paulo Ramiro, Luizinho Avelar, and Cleberson Horst. The sound is light years from the Tropicalia generation, but Gal more than proves herself to be a good interpreter in any situation. Titles include "Nada Mais", "Ave Nossa", "Vaca Profana", "Tililingo", "Cabeca Feita", and "Chuva De Prata". LP, Vinyl record album

A surprisingly straightforward Christmas album from Chilly Gonzales – one that features spare piano on most of the tracks, usually handled with this really moody vibe that really gets the complicated spirit of the holiday right! It's as if Chilly knows that the season can be as sad for some folks as it is happy for others – so he created a special record that opens up more melancholy elements in familiar classics, while mixing things with a few original numbers that really fit the mood. There are a few vocal moments – thanks to Jarvis Cocker and Feist – and titles include "The Bannister Bough", "Jingle Bells", "All I Want For Christmas Is You", "Snow Is Falling In Manhattan", "Come All Ye Faithful", "We Three Kings", "In The Bleak Midwinter", and "Last Christmas". CD

The rare second album by the Jongo Trio – a fantastic bossa group who mixed together vocals and keyboards with stunning magic! The trio's approach is similar to that of the more famous Tamba Trio – in that the three members groove on keyboards, bass, and percussion – while also harmonizing vocals in a soaring, airy style that really adds a lot to the set. This album's got the group using a bit of organ and electric piano in addition to their usual acoustic keys – making for a bossa style that's slightly electrified, with great results on the album's overall sound. The set includes a really great uptempo version of "Aguas De Marco", plus the tracks "Alo Feveiro", "Quem Vem La", "Cavaleiro De Aruanda", "Sandalia De Prata", "Bate Barriga", "Feitinha P'Ro Poeta", and "Duas Contas". CD

Sweet 70s pop from Martinha – a Brazilian singer with a wonderfully breathy voice! The album's a bit like some lost French session from the time – string-laden, but never in a cloying way – and often put together with a sliding sort of feel in the background, so that Martinha's vocals glide nicely across the tunes. The style's a bit different than other Brazilian female pop of the time – not really MPB, nor post-bossa either – and really with more of a European influence overall. Titles include "Minha Casa", "Erros E Defeitos", "Eu Era Voce", "Como Antigamente", "A Noite Combinamos", "Eu Quero", "Elementar", and "Dream A Little Dream Of Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Early bossa album by the man who was one of the leading instrumentalists behind many of the bossa era's best singers. The set's fairly mellow, and all instrumental. Menescal plays guitar, and other instrumentation includes vibes & piano. The tracks have a light lilting bossa feel, with some occasional strings backing the group up. Other instrumentation includes flute, organ and Brazilian percussion, and the titles include "Nos E O Mar", "Fale De Samba Que Eu Vou", "Influencia Do Jazz", and "Menina Feia". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic program of live recordings – all captured at the Museum Of Contemporary Art in Chicago – as part of their 50th Anniversary tribute to the AACM! Roscoe Mitchell works here in a very unusual format – with four different trios, each heard separately – then grouped together in different ways on larger recordings that feature all members in varied formation! The trios feature James Fei on reeds and electronics with William Winant on percussion and vibes; Hugh Ragin on trumpet withTyshawn Sorey on trombone, piano, and percussion; Craig Taborn on piano, organ, and electronics with Kikanju Baku on drums and percussion; and Jribu Shahid on bass and percussion with Tani Tabball on drums and percussion. Mitchell plays a range of reeds and percussion – and some of the percussion used is from the collection of various Art Ensemble Members, being exhibited by the museum. The performances are great – and not only is Mitchell still at the height of his improvisational powers, but he's also got the other musicians working in a spirit that really lives up to the tradition of the AACM! CD

Two early albums from this legendary group – back to back in a single set! First up is the self-titled Pointer Sisters – the group's debut, and an album that's a lot deeper than most of their crossover pop from years to come! At the time of the album's release, the trio were a badass group of female singers on the Bay Area scene – out to redefine the role of the girl group in soul – working not only with righteous power that was a real change from modes of the 60s – but also this trans-temporal quality that had them reaching back with ease for references from decades past, which also includes a surprising amount of jazz! The highlight here is the group's classic funky break version of Allen Toussaint's "Yes We Can Can" – and other titles include "Naked Food", "Wang Dang Doodle", "Sugar", "Pains & Tears", "Jada", "River Boulevard", and "Cloudburst". That's A Plenty is a wonderfully retro-styled set from the Pointer Sisters – one that has the group singing in a variety of older jazz modes, but which also mixes in a nice dose of heavy funk as well! The format's an odd one, but very typical of the group's genre-blending style – of the sort that first got them noticed strongly in the early 70s, then helped them bridge out to a wide variety of audiences later in the decade. Styles include bop, swing, and even a bit of trad jazz – plus some bluesier funk on the best numbers – and the album features an incredible 8 minute version of "Love In Them There Hills", done in a sweet 70s electric style! Other tracks include "Grinning In Your Face", "Little Pony", "Fairytale", "Black Coffee", "Shaky Flat Blues", and "That's A Plenty/Surfeit USA". CD

Articles, reviews, interviews and comics covering the history of Rock, punk, soul and hip hop on television. The main feature is an exhaustive, critical episode guide to every episode of Behind The Music. Also features interviews with 60s garage band Daughters Of Eve, Snoop Dogg, King Diamond, Eddie Shaw of The Monks, Cannibal Corpse, Art Fein, Jim Peterik of The Ides of March and Marv Wolfman of Marvel Comics. Plus Hanna-Barbera, The Goodies, The Beatles, Jerry Lee Lewis and much more. Magazine

Robot Rock n Roll issue featuring a lavishly illustrated encyclopedia of hundreds of robot records/bands/etc. Interviews with Captured! By Robots, Gilbert and George (The Singing Sculpture), Arthur Lee Maye (1950s R&B/Baseball star), Blowfly, The Troggs, Snoop Dogg, The Syndicate of Sound, Richard and the Young Lions, Rocket From The Crypt, Archer Prewitt, Andy Starr and Junior Brown. Plus Bubblegum, Martin & Lewis, Shrimpenstein (written by Dominic Priore), Crispy Ambulance, Sammy Davis, Jr., Art Fein's 1950s Chicago memories, Bryan Gregory obituary, lots of comics, reviews and more. Magazine

A groundbreaking collaboration from the start of the century – the union of three of Brazil's most important artists of the decade before – coming together in a mode that's even deeper than any of their previous albums as solo acts! There's clearly a Tropicalia inspiration taking place here – but there's also rootsier elements that have the trio moving even more firmly away from the mainstream – with genre-blurring modes that are an especially strong revelation as a vehicle for Marisa Monte. Titles include "Carnavalia", "La De Longe", "O Amor E Feio", "Passe Em Casa", "Velha Infancia", and "Ja Sei Namorar". LP, Vinyl record album

The legendary 1962 Bossa Nova concert at Carnegie Hall – and one of the first live recordings of the young bossa nova in all its glory! The concert is famous not only because it was a bit of a disaster (according to legend, just about nobody got paid!), but also because it brought together a huge amount of Brazilian talent on one stage, and premiered their music to a rabid US audience – very fresh at the time, as the big Verve boom of bossa recordings hadn't even started to take hold! The recording has a stunning live feel, and it preserves all the acoustics of Carnegie Hall, complete with lively crowd response. Oscar Castro Neves backs up most of the singers – including Sergio Ricardo, Carmen Costa, Carlos Lyra, Ana Lucia, and Chico Feitoso – and the LP has other instrumental performances by Joao Gilberto, Milton Banana, Roberto Menescal, Luiz Bonfa, and Sergio Mendes – all young bossa giants, really opening up here with their talents! The set features 15 tracks in all – and titles include "O Barquinho", "Influencia Do Jazz", "Outra Vez", "Zelao", "Nao Faz Assim", "Bossa Nova Em Nova York", and "Passarinho". CD

One of the few cases in jazz where an oft-played classic still resonates with power! The record itself is a key cap to Miles Davis' already-groundbreaking years of the 60s – a bold step forward, not just for his nascent electric sound, but also for jazz in general – and the benchmark by which so many other records would be judged (and fail) in years to come! The double-length set makes full use of all four sides of the record – expanding the flow (as well as the lineup) of the original Davis modal vision – and using all players to amazing effect, so much so that most players here turn out some of their best recorded work ever! The lineup is virtually a whose who for the sound of fusion in the 70s – including Wayne Shorter on soprano sax, Bennie Maupin on bass clarinet, Joe Zawinul and Chick Corea on keyboards, John McLaughlin on guitar, Dave Holland on bass, and Lenny White and Jack DeJohnette on drums – plus Jumma Santos and Don Alias on added percussion. Titles include "Pharaoh's Dance", "Spanish Key", "Sanctuary", "Bitches Brew", "John McLaughlin", and "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down". CD features one bonus track – "Feio" – nearly 12 more minutes of electric goodness! CD

A very groovy set that was recorded in Cairo at the end of the 70s – vocals by Maha, a singer who'd worked with the Egyptian Jazz Band of Salah Ragab – but done here in a style that's very different than the work of that group! There's some nice funky tracks on the record, mixed with a few mellower ones – a very cool blend of styles that's got plenty of western touches overall, a bit like the Iranian or Lebanese records of the same generation – but with a special spirit that comes from the subtle drama of Maha's vocals! Titles include "Ana Gaya", "El Hob Matnassash", "Orkos", "Kabl Ma Nessallem We Nemshy", "Law Laffeina El Ard", and "We Mesheet". LP, Vinyl record album

A stunning tribute to the work of Swedish reedman Bengt Frippe Nordstrom – a player whose solo and small group improvisations arguably set the tone for countless Scandinavian recordings in years to come – presented here with both unreleased material and his legendary Natural Music record for his own Bird Notes label! The package was put together by improvising reed genius Mats Gustaffson – a player who has a strong influence from Nordstrom – and the set features four 12" albums, one 10" disc, and an EP too – all with digital downloads of the music, in a very limited box set with a bonus set of notes and a discography too! Given how rare any of the Bird Notes material is – and even was, back in the day – the package is something of a steal, even with a high price tag – and the work is augmented here by some exclusive tribute tracks for the set as well. Titles include "Bird Notes & Fok Tunes" and "Reality" by Nordstrom – plus "When Will The Blues Leave", which has Frippe with the Ornette Coleman Quintet – plus the tracks "Flickorna I Smaland" by Sven Ake Johhansson, "Shrot 1" by Dror Feiler, "Cellar Fright 3" by Jorgen Adolfsson, "Vacker Men Kort Alltsa" by Isak Hedtjarn, and "Rrrhhmmmmrrrrrrrhhhmmmmm" by Mats Gustafsson. LP, Vinyl record album

A groundbreaking collaboration from the start of the century – the union of three of Brazil's most important artists of the decade before – coming together in a mode that's even deeper than any of their previous albums as solo acts! There's clearly a Tropicalia inspiration taking place here – but there's also rootsier elements that have the trio moving even more firmly away from the mainstream – with genre-blurring modes that are an especially strong revelation as a vehicle for Marisa Monte. Titles include "Carnavalia", "La De Longe", "O Amor E Feio", "Passe Em Casa", "Velha Infancia", and "Ja Sei Namorar". CD

The legendary 1962 Bossa Nova concert at Carnegie Hall – and one of the first live recordings of the young bossa nova in all its glory! The concert is famous not only because it was a bit of a disaster (according to legend, just about nobody got paid!), but also because it brought together a huge amount of Brazilian talent on one stage, and premiered their music to a rabid US audience – very fresh at the time, as the big Verve boom of bossa recordings hadn't even started to take hold! The recording has a stunning live feel, and it preserves all the acoustics of Carnegie Hall, complete with lively crowd response. Oscar Castro Neves backs up most of the singers – including Sergio Ricardo, Carmen Costa, Carlos Lyra, Ana Lucia, and Chico Feitoso – and the LP has other instrumental performances by Joao Gilberto, Milton Banana, Roberto Menescal, Luiz Bonfa, and Sergio Mendes – all young bossa giants, really opening up here with their talents! The set features 15 tracks in all – and titles include "O Barquinho", "Influencia Do Jazz", "Outra Vez", "Zelao", "Nao Faz Assim", "Bossa Nova Em Nova York", and "Passarinho". CD

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A bit trippy, a bit groovy – and a very compelling little set from the Brazilian duo of Rubinho & Mauro Assumpcao! At one level, the record's got an earthy feel that matches the cover image of the pair climbing out of a tree without their shirts on – but at another level, there's often echoes of some of the funkier modes coming into Brazilian music at the time – a slight Samba Soul influence that mixes well with the earthy, sometimes personal vocals of the duo. In a way, there's almost a similarity here to early work by Os Novos Baianos – who seem to inhabit a similar space – and like that group, these guys have a sound that's got plenty going on, even if you can't completely understand it! Titles include "Ta Tudo Ai", "Debandada Geral", "A Montanha", "Bloco Da Visao", "Os Olhos", "Sozinho Nao Estou", "Quero Companheira", and "Pe Na Estrada". LP, Vinyl record album

A perfect illustration of the rich new directions Wayne Shorter was taking at the start of the 70s – an amazing flurry of sounds and styles that's light years ahead of where he began in the 60s! Shorter's one of those players who was already great at the start – an amazing tenorist, both on his own and with the groups of Art Blakey and Miles Davis – yet by the time of this record, he'd absorbed a huge amount of influences from Brazilian music, modal jazz, the spiritual underground, and even the free European scene – all of which come to play on the long, complex tunes on the set! The record has Shorter working with some other key contemporaries of this new moment in jazz – John McLaughlin on 12 string guitar, Chick Corea on marimba and percussion, Dave Holland and Miroslav Vitous on bass, and Ron Carter on cello – all players who have the same open, exploratory vibe as Wayne's own lines on tenor and soprano sax. Titles include an excellent cover of Milton Nascimento's "Vera Cruz", plus the tracks "Antiqua", "Iska", and "Montezuma". CD

Michael Feinberg on bass, Godwin Louis on alto saxophone, Noah Preminger on tenor saxophone, Billy Buss and Randy Brecker on trumpet, Orrin Evans on piano, Leo Genovese on keyboards and organ, Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums, and Gabriel Globus-Hoenich on percussion. CD

A bit trippy, a bit groovy – and a very compelling little set from the Brazilian duo of Rubinho & Mauro Assumpcao! At one level, the record's got an earthy feel that matches the cover image of the pair climbing out of a tree without their shirts on – but at another level, there's often echoes of some of the funkier modes coming into Brazilian music at the time – a slight Samba Soul influence that mixes well with the earthy, sometimes personal vocals of the duo. In a way, there's almost a similarity here to early work by Os Novos Baianos – who seem to inhabit a similar space – and like that group, these guys have a sound that's got plenty going on, even if you can't completely understand it! Titles include "Ta Tudo Ai", "Debandada Geral", "A Montanha", "Bloco Da Visao", "Os Olhos", "Sozinho Nao Estou", "Quero Companheira", and "Pe Na Estrada". CD

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An album that marked a huge return to form for the legendary Tom Ze – brought back to all the power and creativity of his groundbreaking work of the 70s! The set was given huge global circulation by the folks at Luaka Bop – who were key in introducing most of the world to Tom's music – which although groundbreaking, barely made it outside of Brazil in the 70s – and every aspect of the record is done just the right way to showcase the mania that Ze always brought to his music. Some tracks are quite spare, and have the poetic structure of some of Tom's classics – while others have more of a tuneful approach, but with an offbeat vibe that really sets them apart from most Brazilian music of the period. The set marked a huge interest in Tom's music for a new generation – and for good reason too. Titles include "Dancar", "Juventude Javali", "Valsar", "Xiquexique", "Olho Do Lago", and "Politicar". CD

A warmly crafted album from South African saxophonist McCoy Mrubata – not one that's sleepy, as the lullaby in the title might imply – but just nicely relaxed and mellow, in a way that has the reedman crafting some moody colors on tenor – in a lineup that features lots of great guitar work from Gary Wittner, whose chromatic contributions balance the saxophone nicely. The set also features piano from Steven Feifke, bass from Jennifer Vincent, and drums from George Gray – plus guest trombone from Siya Charles on three tracks, all of which feature either alto or clarinet from Evan Christopher. There's definitely a few bolder moments on the record, and these resonate with some of the best South African jazz grooves from years back – that cascading sense of rhythm that seems perfect for a soulful saxophone solo over the top. Titles include "Jazzy Jive", "Oh Yhini", "The White Sand Of The Flats", "Hudson Bridge Crossing", "Siyabulela", and "Tshona Khona". CD

The first-ever full collection of work from underground comix pioneer Frank Stack – an artist who arguably created the first ever underground comic, and whose work appeared in a variety of publications over the years – from National Lampoon, to some of Harvey Pekar's most compelling stories! Stack has a style that's cartoony, but surprisingly pointed – more Jules Feiffer, than the goony style of some of his underground contemporaries – and very well-suited to the subject matter he chooses to portray especially some of his more political material. The large book features work from Blab, Drawn & Quarterly, National Lampoon, Mineshaft, Weirdo, and Ripoff Press – and the book is black and white, 224 pages, softcover. Book