Mighty nice grooves from a series that might be better named as "Prog Rock Underground" – as most of the work here is from the 70s, and most from those great years of the German scene where it also seemed like there was plenty of jazz in the music as well! A few of these cuts are downright funk, and all are filled with great instrumentation – in an approach that's a nice change from some of the more familiar Brit prog modes of the same generation. Vocals are often an afterthought to the impeccable instrumentation – and titles include "My Dear Groovin" by Sunbirds, "Thoughts" by Exponent, "Space Guerilla" by Missus Beastly, "Kollektivtat" by Gila, "Kassiopeia" by Reaktor 4, "Tiflis" by Embryo, "Teppich" by Panko, and "Mankind Where Do You Go To" by Virus. CD

Willie and Hector really open things up here on this excellent early 80s session – going for longer tracks that really expand upon their classic sound of the 70s! There's a very ambitious approach to the music – with more passages that shift between vocals and instrumentation than before, and an overall sound that changes up mood and tone, sometimes a number of times within the same tune. That's not a bad thing, either – as it really gets them past a formula, into whole new territory! The work was originally intended for a soundtrack, but stands quite well on its own – and titles include "Pase La Noche Fumando", "Juanito Alimana", "Vigilante", and "Triste Y Vacia". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "How Can You Keep On Moving", "FDR In Trinidad", "On A Monday", "Vigilante Man", "Taxes On The Farmer Feeds Us All", and "Billy The Kid". CD

Never-issued work from this amazing group – a live performance recorded near Boston, and one that shows just how much players like Roy Campbell were helping to introduce more spiritual energy to the avant scene after the 70s! Roy blows trumpet, flugelhorn, and flute here – working on long tracks that get some tremendous bass accompaniment from William Parker, who's already at the top of his game, with that soulful richness that would soon make him such a crucial part of the scene in the 90s. Zen Matsuura handles drums, and often keeps things moving forward, but in response to Parker's basswork – so that there's a pulse, but one that's loose and fluid too – as all three players really find this wonderful way to respond to each other on the album's very long tracks. Titles include "Brother Yusef", "Vigilance", "Charmaine", "Imhotep", and one "Unidentified Title". CD

Beautiful solo work from Horace Tapscott – a record that's a bit gentler than some of his other sessions for Nimbus – very stretched out and moody, and with a wonderfully contemplative feel overall! There's a bit of echo in the recording quality here – so that even when Tapscott's notes are spare, they still ring out with a good sense of presence – stating their case simply, but with great effectiveness – as Horace makes his way through a set of original tracks, plus a few well-chosen numbers by other jazz artists. Titles include "Nica's Dream", "Vigilance", "Straight Street", "Sabroso", "Full House", "A Call For All Demons", and "For Patrice". CD

Will Vinson on alto sax, wurlitzer, and synth, Gilad Hekselman on guitars, and Nate Wood on drums and bass. CD

New Order take a slightly sweeter turn for this mid 80s set – but still never lose the charm that won us from their first few records! There's a warmth here we might not have expected in the immediate post-Joy Division years – and a catchy tunefulness on some of the biggest crossover numbers on the set – yet, given the commercial dreck of the time, New Order are still way ahead of the pack – and from the perspective of these many years later, we're even more impressed at the way they manage to balance nascent pop sensibilities with some of the darker leanings of their roots. More than enough edgey guitar and moody basslines to please fans of the first two albums – on titles that include "Sunrise", "Elegia", "Love Vigilantes", "The Perfect Kiss", "Sub Culture", "Face Up", and "Sooner Than You Think". LP, Vinyl record album

Music from The Royal Jacks, Ricky Ricardo & Group, The Jades, Greg Scott & Group, Toby And Ray with The Margilators, The Precisions, The Intimates, The Admirations, Fred Knight & The Chessmen, The Ivory's, and more - 33 songs in all. CD

With Gilad Hekselman on guitar, Matt Penman on bass, and Obed Calvaire on drums. CD

Featuring Chris Cheek on saxphones, Diego Urcola on trumpet, Freddie Bryant on guitars, Edward Simon on piano, Avishai Cohen on bass, Jordi Rossy on drums and Gilad on percussion. CD

Titles include "How Can You Keep On Moving", "FDR In Trinidad", "On A Monday", "Vigilante Man", "Taxes On The Farmer Feeds Us All", and "Billy The Kid". LP, Vinyl record album