One of the darkest albums of the Krautrock scene in the 70s – an album that was actually recorded in a WWII-era bunker – where the duo were free to open up their instruments, jam for a very long time, and play with the sorts of effects and techniques you might know from bigger groups of the period! Yet there's a brooding quality here that's different than Can, Faust, or other groups – maybe because German Oak were a duo without a very clear path forward, and also because recording an album in an underground concrete bunker was bound to produced some weird vibes on the session! One of the group members recalls in the notes that in the space, he couldn't help thinking of the trauma of WWII – and you can definitely hear that in the music, and see it in the look of the package – which carries tunes that include "Screaming Skeletons", "Missile Song", "Belle's Song", and "Nothing". This fantastic package offers up some great notes from the group – in both German and English – and also adds in rare material too – the tracks "Bear Song", "Happy Stripes On Cats", "Ghost Guitar", "Belle's Song (extended)", "Python Vs Tiger", "Giant Rock Boulder Golem", "Missle Song (extended)", "Harpy & Peregrine", and "Bear Song (alt version)". CD

A very cool little package – one that comes in a 10" record jacket, features a 10" record, and also a bonus booklet of notes and a CD with lots more music too – all to document the ultra-rare Oak Records label – a small company that put out some real killers at the end of the 50s! Oak was a tiny imprint way out in tobacco country in North Carolina, but they had a great ear for some homegrown talent who really knew how to knock a tune out in the studio – the kind of cuts that would leap right from the grooves of an indie 45, at a level that's made these gems some top-shelf treasures for collectors over the years. The package features 12 tracks on the LP, 25 on the CD, and comes with a full color booklet of notes and images, telling the Oak Records story – alongside cuts that include "My Honey My Honda" by Frank Rice, "Haystack Rock & Roll" by P Jay & The Haystackers, "Little Heart Attacks" by Glenn Johnson & The Acorns, "Sweet Thing" by Bobby Green & The Sportsmen, "Run Here Honey" by Glenn Johnson & The Acorns, "Liza Jane Bop" by Don Hager & The Hot Tots, "Dr Nack's Tom Cat" by Frank Rice, "Bermudas" by Big Jay Mercer, "Little Heart Attacks" by Bobby Green & The Sportsmen, and "Sure Is A Cryin Shame" by Big Jay Mercer. LP, Vinyl record album

Brilliant sounds from trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff – a rare live set that captures the modern jazz giant at the height of his powers! The set was recorded around the same time as Albert's famous Now Jazz Rammwong record – and it's got a very similar feel, with lots of elements from Eastern and Indian music styles – touches of the exotic intertwined with modal rhythms, soulful solos, and some occasional freer jazz moments! The blend of sounds is completely captivating, and the recording quality is excellent – sharp enough to make the whole thing feel like some lost Saba/MPS gem from these incredibly creative years in German jazz. In addition to Mangelsdorff's trombone, the set also features tenor and soprano sax from Heinz Sauer, alto from Gunter Kronberg, bass from Gunter Lenz, and drums from Ralf Hubner – on titles that include "Sakura Waltz", "Raknahs", "Now Jazz Ramwong", "Oakaka", "Theme From Pather Panchali", "Burungkaka", and "Far Out Far East". CD

Tommy Sands maybe wasn't the coolest cat in the crowd – but at the right moment, with the right recording style, he could deliver up some surprisingly great work – as you'll hear in this well-done collection that's in the best Bear Family tradition! Sands' work for Capitol Records isn't usually the type that's tracked down by collectors – but the cuts together here really show a lost legacy of a singer who could really shine when he wanted to – and who gets superb backing here by the great Bob Bain on guitar and arrangements on many tracks – and the legendary Scotty Moore on some others! The set features a massive 36 tracks in all – and titles include "Big Date", "Soda Pop Pop", "The Worryin Kind", "Ring My Phone", "Is It Ever Gonna Happen", "Bigger Than Texas", "Doctor Heartache", "Rock Light", "Goin Steady", "Little Mama", "Your Daddy Wants To Do Right", "Should I", "Can't Change My Love", "The Old Oaken Bucket", and "I Love You Because". CD

The cover's a bit creepy, but the set's a great one – way more soulful than the image of a dummy might make you expect! The collection follows strongly in the same territory as the funk titles on the Tramp Records label – and like those, digs deep in the American underground to find a host of under-exposed gems from back in the day – tunes that start out in the fast funk years of disco, but also move into some great 80s grooves as well! There's a huge number of cuts here we've never heard before – but that's no surprise, given the way that Tramp puts a set like this together – and titles include "The Freeze" by Steven Toll, "SOS" by Tyree Glenn Jr, "Missing You" by Silky Vincent Group, "Sights & Sounds" by Jeffords Brothers, "Medicine Man" by Grayson Street, "Puss (part 1)" by Oakland Express, "A Fool No Longer" by Afrodisia, "Don't It Make You Feel Good" by Deep South Dance Band, "Touchdown Cleveland Browns" by Ray Jay Band, "Future" by Keither Florence & The Associates, "Anytime" by Empulse, "Beautiful Day" by Mel O Madnezz, and "Dig This Piece" by Progressive Sounds Band. LP, Vinyl record album