A massive blend of funk, soul, and gospel – from a small side label in the TK Records universe of the 70s! The sound is like some of the best soul LPs on TK from the time, and the arrangements have a nice warm feel – plenty of sweet Miami elements in the music, especially in the rhythms, which really know how to groove! The King James Version is comprised of five female singers, working with the warmth and depth you might get with Voices Of East Harlem – and they're arranged by keyboardist Gloster Williams, who also wrote some of the material, and delivers these solid lines that really hold the whole thing together. Most of the tracks have a distinct vocal lead, with harmony backing in the style of The Sweet Inspirations – and the album's honestly the sort of set you'd expect to hear on Atlantic Records in the early 70s – given the depth and feeling in the music. Titles include "What Good Is A Song", "There's Not A Friend", "Touch My Life", "No, Not One", and "Get Ready For This". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most unique albums to ever come out of the Miami soul scene of the 70s – a sublime set of work that we'd easily rank right up there with the best material of the time from Donny Hathaway or Stevie Wonder! Milton Wright has a really jazzy groove to his music – and he mixes his own acoustic guitar lines with warm keyboards and unusual rhythms that often have a bit of synth or moog – never too much, and almost more of a Mizell-like touch, but a bit more understated overall! The cuts are wonderfully written – quite righteous, almost with a Terry Callier sort of sensitivity – and Milton's vocals more than have the chops to live up to the heady batch of artists we're comparing him to in these notes. The sound is amazing throughout – one of those soul records that feels like nothing else you've ever heard, but which you can't live without once you've heard it! Titles include "Friends & Buddies", "Keep It Up", "Brothers & Sisters", "Get No Lovin' Tonight", "Po Man", "Black Man", and "Silence That You Keep". CD

Rare 70s work by Bobby Byrd – sides done for the Brownstone and International label, most of which feature work by members of the James Brown universe, and some production by James Brown himself! The best tracks on the set are from the early 70s – and feature Bobby working in that incredibly tight, incredibly fast-grooving mode he first forged with James – heard to best effect on some key live recordings, and served up here in some equally great studio sides that feature help from Fred Wesley and Brown. A few other cuts keep the funky fire burning with some surprisingly nice Miami touches – with Clarence Reid on production, but Bobby more than strongly in the mix on some great vocals. There also appears to be a few tracks from later years – featuring Byrd with singers Vicki Anderson and Martha High, plus a group that also includes Bootsy Collins and Fred Wesley – and 2 more that are later live numbers. The set features 11 tracks in all, and is a great counterpart to Bobby's one and only album for the King label – with tracks that include "Never Get Enough", "Hang It Up", "Back From The Dead", "The Way To Get Down", "Feel Good Friday", "Sayin It & Doin It Are Two Different Things", "Let Me Know", and "Tell Me What's On Your Mind". CD

A massive blend of funk, soul, and gospel – from a small side label in the TK Records universe of the 70s! The sound is like some of the best soul LPs on TK from the time, and the arrangements have a nice warm feel – plenty of sweet Miami elements in the music, especially in the rhythms, which really know how to groove! The King James Version is comprised of five female singers, working with the warmth and depth you might get with Voices Of East Harlem – and they're arranged by keyboardist Gloster Williams, who also wrote some of the material, and delivers these solid lines that really hold the whole thing together. Most of the tracks have a distinct vocal lead, with harmony backing in the style of The Sweet Inspirations – and the album's honestly the sort of set you'd expect to hear on Atlantic Records in the early 70s – given the depth and feeling in the music. Titles include "What Good Is A Song", "There's Not A Friend", "Touch My Life", "No, Not One", and "Get Ready For This". LP, Vinyl record album

A never-issued live set from the legendary Brit leader Neil Ardley – recorded right during his classic years, and featuring a host of leading jazz luminaries of his scene! The material features both original compositions by Neil, plus some surprising other inclusions as well – all wrapped together in some of the most creative jazz orchestra modes of the UK scene of the time, and played by a cast that includes Henry Lowther and Harry Beckett on trumpet, Mike Gibbs on trombone, Dick Heckstall-Smith on tenor and soprano sax, Barbara Thompson on alto and flute, Frank Jellett on vibes, and Dave Greenslade on Hammond and electric piano. The horns are mighty heavy – blowing both with a nice sense of force on the heads, but also allowing some good space for players to really stretch out and do their thing – and although Ardley's got a definite modern bent to his vision here, there's also plenty of stone groovy moments too. Titles include "Rope Ladder To The Moon", "Tanglewood", "Stratusfunk", "Dusk Fire", "Naima", "Rebirth", "Study", "Ballad", and "Le Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe". CD

One of the greatest albums ever from the legendary soul singer Curtis Mayfield – even though it's different than most of the rest as well! Curtis is captured here in a small club, with a tight band, spinning out these extended readings of some of his best tunes – both tracks he sang with The Impressions, and as a solo act – completely transformed here in the righteous energy of the setting! The vibe is similar to the classic Donny Hathaway Live album from the same time – save for the fact that this set is double-length, and maybe even more powerful as Curtis sings and plays guitar in a small group with additional guitar, bass, and drums – and some very hip percussion from Master Henry Gibson, of Pharoahs fame. Tracks include "We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue", "Stare and Stare", "Check Out Your Mind", "Stone Junkie", "I Plan To Stay A Believer", "If There's A Hell Below We're All Going To Go", "Mighty Mighty", and "The Makings Of You". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest albums ever from the legendary soul singer Curtis Mayfield – even though it's different than most of the rest as well! Curtis is captured here in a small club, with a tight band, spinning out these extended readings of some of his best tunes – both tracks he sang with The Impressions, and as a solo act – completely transformed here in the righteous energy of the setting! The vibe is similar to the classic Donny Hathaway Live album from the same time – save for the fact that this set is double-length, and maybe even more powerful as Curtis sings and plays guitar in a small group with additional guitar, bass, and drums – and some very hip percussion from Master Henry Gibson, of Pharoahs fame. Tracks include "We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue", "Stare and Stare", "Check Out Your Mind", "Stone Junkie", "I Plan To Stay A Believer", "If There's A Hell Below We're All Going To Go", "Mighty Mighty", and "The Makings Of You". LP, Vinyl record album

A whole host of vocal group gems from the legendary Chart Records label – a Miami-based imprint that was run by the equally legendary Henry Stone in the years before he topped the 70s airwaves with his later TK Records empire! Here, Stone's clearly got the same ear for talent and way of putting out a tune to match the big record names up in New York – and the roster of tracks easily matches all the great doo wop work coming out on northern labels at the time. Production is great – that mid 50s way of letting the vocals really take the lead, with very little other instrumental support – and the package features a whopping 28 tracks from Chart, including a few unissued numbers. Titles include "The Same Old Story" and "No Good Woman" by The Champions, "Magic" and "Tears In My Eyes" by The Tru-Tones, "Love's Our Inspiration" and "Heart Of A Rose" by The Charms, "I Can't Believe" by Rufus Beacham & Group, "Friends Until The End" and "You Want Me" by Johnny & Marsha, "Guitar Player" by The Evergreens, and "Mr Butterball" by The Piccadilly Pipers & Pic-a-dillies, CD

A heady dip into the glorious work of soul music from Miami – the city that took the reigns for southern soul after initial waves of creativity in Memphis and Muscle Shoals! Miami's best known for its big disco hits of the mid 70s, but most of the music here is from the years before then – a time when Henry Stone and his early TK Records empire were drawing a lot of attention in the city, turning out some killer funk and soul – and also catching the interest of Atlantic Records, who began moving some of their artists down to Miami to record as well! The mix of modes here is wonderful – deep soul vocals, of the sort you'd know from Stax or Fame Records – mixed with newer modes of expression, currents of funk, and some killer studio techniques – all to serve a smoking batch of 20 tracks in all! Titles include "Winterman" by Charles Allen, "Africano" by Timmy Thomas, "Party Freaks" by Miami, "Clean Up Man" by Jimmy Bo Horne, "Concrete Jungle" by Little Beaver, "I Get Lifted" by Latimore, "Kisses Kisses Kisses"b y Lynn Williams, "Do It Again" by Paulette Reaves, "Ten Tons Of Dynamite" by Clarence Reid, "Jimmy Bo Charlie" by Robert Moore, "All This Love That I'm Giving" by Gwen McCrae, "Keep It Up" by Milton Wright, "Monkey Tamarind" by Beginning Of The End, "Free I'll Always Be" by Chocolate Clay, and "Burn The Candle" by Raw Soul Express. LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic pairing of soulful talents – the legendary John Lee Hooker on the mighty Stax Records – in a set that's a real standout in the career of both! The vibe here is different than the usual sound of Stax – not a Memphis-ized John Lee Hooker, but instead the kind of stripped-down session that the singer had done for other labels in his early years – given a very faithful presentation here by producer Henry Stone (who himself might well be the third important force at work on the set!) Tracks are mostly short – apart from one eight minute jam – and Hooker's got that raw, raspy bite that still makes him one of the all-time greats. Titles include "Teachin' The Blues", "Goin To Louisiana","I Need You", "My Love Comes Down For You", "Please Don't Go", "I Just Don't Know", "Slow & Easy", "Two White Horses", "Feel So Bad", and "Grinder Man". CD

A surprisingly great later album from Gwen McCrae – one that has her returning to hit territory of years back, and re-recording older Miami soul hits from the 70s! The sound is far better than we could have hoped for – very much in the older spirit of the TK label, thanks to production by George Perry and Henry Stone that keeps things simple, and which doesn't clutter up the tunes with too many modern flourishes. The musicians are all great too – and include Perry, Little Beaver, Latimore, and Timmy Thomas – the last two of whom also sing on the record! Gwen's not only singing her own hits here either, but tracks by other TK artists like Betty Wright, Paulette Reaves, and Bobby Caldwell – performed very nicely here in versions that are almost as great as the originals. Titles include "Jazz Freak", "What You Won't Do For Love", "Rock Your Baby", "Why Can't We Live Together", "90% Of Me Is You", "Clean Up Woman", "Honey Honey", "You Gotta Love Me", "Rockin Chair", "Misty Blue", and "Party Down". CD

A heady dip into the glorious work of soul music from Miami – the city that took the reigns for southern soul after initial waves of creativity in Memphis and Muscle Shoals! Miami's best known for its big disco hits of the mid 70s, but most of the music here is from the years before then – a time when Henry Stone and his early TK Records empire were drawing a lot of attention in the city, turning out some killer funk and soul – and also catching the interest of Atlantic Records, who began moving some of their artists down to Miami to record as well! The mix of modes here is wonderful – deep soul vocals, of the sort you'd know from Stax or Fame Records – mixed with newer modes of expression, currents of funk, and some killer studio techniques – all to serve a smoking batch of 20 tracks in all! Titles include "Winterman" by Charles Allen, "Africano" by Timmy Thomas, "Party Freaks" by Miami, "Clean Up Man" by Jimmy Bo Horne, "Concrete Jungle" by Little Beaver, "I Get Lifted" by Latimore, "Kisses Kisses Kisses"b y Lynn Williams, "Do It Again" by Paulette Reaves, "Ten Tons Of Dynamite" by Clarence Reid, "Jimmy Bo Charlie" by Robert Moore, "All This Love That I'm Giving" by Gwen McCrae, "Keep It Up" by Milton Wright, "Monkey Tamarind" by Beginning Of The End, "Free I'll Always Be" by Chocolate Clay, and "Burn The Candle" by Raw Soul Express. CD

One of the hippest, most righteous albums ever cut by pianist Jessica Williams – a set where it feels like all of her ideas come together perfectly, and are carried forward by a wonderful lineup of players! The group is small, but there's a very large feel to the whole thing – such that there's moments when we have to remind ourselves that this is still a small combo, even if Williams' music make things feel larger and more ambitious – a lineup that includes the great Eddie Henderson on trumpet, plus Jim Grantham on tenor, Kim Stone on bass, Henry Robinette on guitar, and Dave Tucker on drums. Williams is superb throughout on piano – and titles include "To The Children Of The Future", "The Demise Of Armored Man", "Weapon Of Truth", "Up The Entropy Slope", and "Longing". Expanded version features lots of bonus tracks – including "Power Of Love", "Gratitude", "The Shroud", "All Strange", and "Orgone". CD

One of the hippest, most righteous albums ever cut by pianist Jessica Williams – a set where it feels like all of her ideas come together perfectly, and are carried forward by a wonderful lineup of players! The group is small, but there's a very large feel to the whole thing – such that there's moments when we have to remind ourselves that this is still a small combo, even if Williams' music make things feel larger and more ambitious – a lineup that includes the great Eddie Henderson on trumpet, plus Jim Grantham on tenor, Kim Stone on bass, Henry Robinette on guitar, and Dave Tucker on drums. Williams is superb throughout on piano – and titles include "To The Children Of The Future", "The Demise Of Armored Man", "Weapon Of Truth", "Up The Entropy Slope", and "Longing". Expanded version features lots of bonus tracks – including "Power Of Love", "Gratitude", "The Shroud", "All Strange", and "Orgone". LP, Vinyl record album

A great set of classic jazz dance tunes – pulled from the famous 5-volume series Out Of The Cool, originally put together by Italian DJs during the early 90s. The set has a distinct hardbop feel – with many hard-driving straight ahead jazz tracks, some with a good Latin feel. You'll recognize many of the tunes on here, but the set's a great mix of material, and is a good one to play with a popular crowd. Titles include "Jeanine" by Oscar Brown Jr, "Loose Caboose" by Henry Mancini, "Selim" by Johnny Lytle, "Blues In The Closet" by Willie Bobo, "Afro Jaws" by Eddie Lockjaw Davis, "Soul Bossa Nova" by Quincy Jones, "The Coffee Song" by Eydie Gorme, "Kiko" by Brian Auger, and "Swing 39" by Barney Wilen. 15 cuts in all! CD

An unusual slice of work from the James Brown Family – material from three different periods – early 60s cuts for Dade Records, early 70s material for Brownstone, and late 70s tracks for TK Records! The collection features some especially rare Dade material – tracks from artists that were working with James Brown, recording off for Henry Stone in a raw early 60s mode with James helping out in the studio – killer cuts that include "I Need Love" by The Baby, "Someone Up & Told Me" by Sonny Till, and "Do The Mashed Potatoes (parts 1 & 2)" by Nat Kendrick & The Swans. The set then features some early 70s cuts that were contemporaneous with the big burst of activity at People Records, but issued on Brownstone – tracks that include "Never Get Enough" and "I Need Help" by Bobby Byrd, "In The Land Of Milk & Honey" by Vicki Anderson, "You've Got To Change Your Mind" by Bobby Byrd, and "Nature (parts 1 & 2)" by The JBs International. The set also has some TK Records cuts – "You & Me Together" by Vicki Anderson, and "Mashed Potatoes" and "Rapp Payback" by James Brown – then also includes more rare cuts, including "Wichita Lineman" by Dee Felice Trio, "I Loves You Porgy" by James Brown & The Famous Flames, and "Win Your Love For Me" by Johnny The Man. CD

Features Joe Locke on vibes, Billy Childs on piano, Eddie Gomez on bass, and Gene Jackson on drums. Tracks include "Charade", "Days Of Wine And Rose", "Two For The Road", "Slow Hot Wind", and "Moon River". CD

A beautiful tribute to the legendary British pianist Mike Taylor – recorded at the equally legendary Landsdowne studios in the early 70s, with contributions from some of Taylor's key contemporaries – and released here for the first time ever! Taylor was a rising star in the London scene of the 60s, but sadly passed away right at the end of the decade – leaving a great sense of loss and unfulfilled promise – part of which is addressed by the work on the set. All tracks are original compositions by Taylor – music penned back in the 60s, and given a more ambitious performance here by a large ensemble directed by Neil Ardley – and featuring Henry Lowther and Ian Carr on trumpets, Barbara Thompson and Ray Warleigh on reeds, Peter Lemer on piano and electric piano, Alan Branscombe on vibes, and Norma Winstone on vocals. There's strands here of some of the other high-concept large ensemble work from the UK in the same generation – echoes of Mike Westbrook or Mike Gibbs – but the style's also more personal too, with more of the spirit of some of Taylor's own small group recordings from his all-too-short career. Titles include "Summer Sounds Summer Sights", "Half Blue/Pendulum", "I See You", "Song Of Love", "Folk Dance No 2", "Jumping Off The Sun", "Black & White Raga", and "Timewind". CD

Some of the grooviest Nelson Riddle albums recorded for Capitol – both of them swinging sets based around popular TV themes of the 50s and 60s! Nelson's no stranger to that sort of work, and both albums are warm, wonderful, and filled with plenty of jazzy touches that open up the tunes tremendously. Riddle's got the set's banked in sliding strings with jazzier instrumentation over the top – in a mode that's a bit like Henry Mancini, and which makes for some wonderful contrasts. There's loads and loads of wonderful numbers on the sets, and titles include "The Untouchables", "Route 66", "Dr Kildare", "Stoney Burke", "Dick Van Dyke", "New Naked City Theme", "Lucy Theme", "McHale's Navy", and "My Three Sons". LP, Vinyl record album

Tremendous lost work from British saxophonist Barbara Thompson – a wonderful 70s player who didn't always get her due! The set brings together material from three different sessions, all nicely different – really demonstrating the range of expression that Thompson could bring to her work – as she blows tenor, soprano, and flute here – all in the company of very different groups! The set begins with a combo that features Peter Lemer on piano – a nicely avant group that also includes Johnny Dyani on bass and Laurie Allen on drums, plus some cool wordless vocals from Pepi Lemer at points too – on the titles "Threnody" and "The Tie Game". Next is a very striking large ensemble directed by Neil Ardley – with Thompson in a very hip lineup that also includes Howard Riley on piano and organ, Henry Lowther and Kenny Wheeler on trumpet and flugelhorn, Don Rendell on reeds, Bill LeSage on electric piano and vibes, and even Norma Winstone on a bit of voice – as the group perform the longer "The Awakening" suite of tracks. Last is the Jubiaba group – with Lemer on electric piano, Bill LeSage on vibes, Ian Carr on trumpet, Trevor Tomkins on percussion, and Derek Wadsworth on both acoustic and electric trombones! Titles from that group include "Miguel The Speed Freak", "Favela", "Touch Of Blue", and "Black Pearl". CD

One of the most creative albums ever from UK composer Neil Ardley – and that's saying a lot, given the complexity of his other work! The set's got a wonderful blend of jazz arrangements and some freer passages – scored by Ardley with some of his most sensitive, most beautiful music ever – almost as if the whole thing's an extended soundtrack for a passage in time – or at least a sonic journey that's filled with some wonderful twists and turns! There's definitely some jazz/rock elements in the music, but the main focus is jazz – and Ardley has that same strong sense of large charts and forward-moving rhythms that you'd find in the best early work of Mike Westbrook, particularly his albums for Deram. Players are a very familiar, and very top-shelf batch of British musicians – including Barbara Thompson, Dick Heckstall-Smith, and Don Rendell on reeds; Harry Beckett and Henry Lowther on trumpets; Derek Wadsworth on trombone, Frank Rocotti on vibes, and Stan Tracey on both piano and celeste. Ardley plays prepared piano, and Ivor Cutler makes a great guest appearance on one track – reciting "The Dong With A Luminous Nose" – and Norma Winstone sings on "Will You Walk A Little Faster". The title track – "A Symphony Of Amaranths" – is dedicated to Duke Ellington and Gil Evans – with a feel that more than lives up to both! CD features the bonus track "National Anthem & Tango". CD

A set that's gotta be one of the most righteous school band records ever – way more than just a bunch of students doing big band numbers, and instead a killer batch of spiritual jazz numbers, directed by the legendary Alvin Batiste! The record's one of a rare few 70s sets of this nature – one that shows a group of younger musicians really reaching out for bold new sounds – every bit as complex and soulful as work on labels like Strata East or Black Jazz, with a fiery power that signals a new generation of the jazz underground! And while Batiste is at the head of the group, there's plenty of other great younger players too – including Henry Butler on piano, Henry Scott on flute, Kirk Ford on tenor, Reginald Houston on baritone, Raymond Deggs on trumpet, Julius Farmer on bass, and Herman Jackson on drums! Side one features burning ensemble numbers that include "Music Came", "Tunjii", "Straight Life", and "North American Idiosyncrasy" – and side two features early material by the Henry Butler Trio, on titles that include "So What", "In My Solitude", and "Milestones". LP, Vinyl record album

A great collection of (until then) previously-unreleased material – pulled from the Pacific Jazz vaults from a range of 50s sessions, and spanning some of Gerry's initial sides for the company, up to work that approached the late 50s date of this album's release. Material features Gerry in a number of settings, including some of his initial quartet dates, plus tunes done with a variety of players that include Annie Ross, Jon Eardley, Henry Grimes, Larry Bunker, Bob Brookmeyer, Chico Hamilton, and Jimmy Rowles. Titles include "Get Happy", "Darn That Dream", "Gold Rush", "She Didn't Say Yes", "Blues For Tiny", and "Blue At The Roots". LP, Vinyl record album

Quite possibly one of the greatest funk compilations ever – and we're not just saying that because we're from the Midwest! The genius compilers at Jazzman spent years scouring the smaller cities of the American hinterlands – tracking down obscure musicians, long-lost labels, and nearly-gone master tapes – all to bring together 23 bits of rare funk that bristle with the same energy and excitement as the day they were first recorded! The package is incredible – not only filled with incredible tunes that somehow manage to push the boundaries and redefine our understanding of classic funk from the time, but also doing so in a package that's filled with liner notes that offer more information on the artists than probably their own mothers know! Plus, the set's also got some previously unissued numbers as well – making it a must-have for any funk fan, even if you've somehow managed to track down original copies of some of these choice bits! Titles include "Whip It" by The New Establishment In Soul, "Let's Do It Today (full version)" by The Us, "Pushin To The Top" by Markus Kelly & The Impassions, "Sissy Walk" by Billy Ball & The Upsetters, "Tell Her" by Fred Williams & The Jewels Band, "The Hatch" by The TMGs, "Boots Groove" by The Soul Tornados, "Po Boy's Dream" by Illinois Connection, "It's Not You For Me (live)" by Billy Joe Holloman, "Funky In Here" by Dayton Sidewinders, "Master Groove" by Henry Peters & The Imperials, and "A Day In The Life" by Chocolate Snow. CD

A wonderful document of underground soul – not just the original California scene in which most of these keys were cut – but also the work of the Now Again label and their smaller Soul Cal imprint – which originally circulated most of these tracks as limited 12" singles at the start of this current century! Now Again have roots deep in funk – not just with their reissues, but also the original Stones Throw hip hop world that gave them a start – and the choice of cuts here is all very directed by a contemporary ear for the right sort of funk, soul, and clubby grooves that were overlooked upon release, but sound fantastic now. The title track is the great "You Can Be A Star" by Luther Davis – and other cuts include "Ecology" by Anubis, "I'm Gonna Miss You Girl" by Ellis & Cephas, "Sha La La" by Mixed Feelings, "The Stranger (edit)" by Henry Woods, "Get Down" by Freedom Express, "Love Is (full version)" by Leon Mitchison & The Eastex Freeway Band, "Wake Up" by Pure Essence, "Keep Running Away" by Clifford Nyren, and "Don't Get Discouraged" by UPC All Stars. LP, Vinyl record album

A lost early 70s gem on Milestone – kind of a laidback and openly-flowing set of soulful jazz tracks – played by a group led by guitarist Michael Howell, and featuring Henry Franklin on bass, Ndugu Chancler on drums, and Hampton Hawes on electric and acoustic piano. Hawes' work is the surprise hit of the session, as he's got a cool approach to the grooves that's quite different from his playing in the 60s – almost snaking around the chromatic notes laid down by Howell, and going for a very moody 70s-styled approach. Titles include "Five Weeks", "Half Blues", "Invitation", "Micheline", and "A Day In San Francisco". LP, Vinyl record album

A 70s double LP issue of a variety of sides Milt cut as a leader for Prestige and Riverside. The first batch of numbers were originally released as a couple of 10"s, then repackaged under various guises in LP format, and feature a slightly different take on the Modern Jazz Quartet sound of the early years – as the album features Milt Jackson's vibes in the company of MJQ bandmates Percy Heath and Connie Kay, but also includes Horace Silver on piano – in the spot normally reserved for John Lewis! The presence of Silver on piano gives a bit of a harder edge to the set, one that almost recalls some of Jackson's work on Blue Note in the early 50s, yet which is rounded out here by a few lighter and more lyrical touches on rhythm. The set includes a great reading of "Moonray", the Jackson original "Stonewall", and the tracks "Wonder Why", "I Should Care", and "My Funny Valentine". There's also 4 numbers with the same group adding Henry Boozier on trumpet, performing "Soma", "Buhaina", "Opus De Funk" and "I've Lost Your Love". The second LP is from almost a decade on, a very nice little Milt Jackson album – cut in the mode of some of his excellent soul jazz group sides from the mid 60s. This set pushes Milt past the format of much of his other work – especially that of the MJQ – as it features him in a very soulful sextet, working with Tommy Flanagan on piano, Kenny Dorham on trumpet, Jimmy Heath on tenor, Ron Carter on bass, and Connie Kay on drums. The presence of Dorham and Heath give the album a light lyrical swing that really opens things up – and there's a fair bit of modally-oriented tunes on the set that hint at the more soulful playing of most of the players in the 70s. Tracks include a great version of "Invitation", plus "The Sealer", "Poom A Loom", "Ruby", and "None Shall Wander". LP, Vinyl record album

With Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Spike Wells, Ray Warleigh, Stan Sulzman, Frank Ricotti, Don Rendell, Chris Pyne, Henry Lowther, Phil Lee, Chris Karan, Dave Horler, Harold Fisher, and Tony Coe. CD

Quite possibly one of the greatest funk compilations ever – and we're not just saying that because we're from the Midwest! The genius compilers at Jazzman spent years scouring the smaller cities of the American hinterlands – tracking down obscure musicians, long-lost labels, and nearly-gone master tapes – all to bring together 23 bits of rare funk that bristle with the same energy and excitement as the day they were first recorded! The package is incredible – not only filled with incredible tunes that somehow manage to push the boundaries and redefine our understanding of classic funk from the time, but also doing so in a package that's filled with liner notes that offer more information on the artists than probably their own mothers know! Plus, the set's also got some previously unissued numbers as well – making it a must-have for any funk fan, even if you've somehow managed to track down original copies of some of these choice bits! Titles include "Whip It" by The New Establishment In Soul, "Let's Do It Today (full version)" by The Us, "Pushin To The Top" by Markus Kelly & The Impassions, "Sissy Walk" by Billy Ball & The Upsetters, "Tell Her" by Fred Williams & The Jewels Band, "The Hatch" by The TMGs, "Boots Groove" by The Soul Tornados, "Po Boy's Dream" by Illinois Connection, "It's Not You For Me (live)" by Billy Joe Holloman, "Funky In Here" by Dayton Sidewinders, "Master Groove" by Henry Peters & The Imperials, and "A Day In The Life" by Chocolate Snow. CD

Music from Earl Johnson & His Dixie Entertainers, Allen Shaw, Ernest Stoneman & Kahle Brewer, Bobby Leecan & His Need More Band, Henry Thomas, Fiddling John Carson & His Virginia Reelers, Richard 'Rabbit' Brown, Uncle Dave MacOn & His Fruit Jar Drinkers, Cannon's Jug Stompers, Shelor Family, and more. CD