Tuned drums, chimes, gongs, and xylophone – all played together in this slow-building, hypnotic way that stands as one of the most perfect records we've ever heard of Javanese gamelan! The music is quite spare, despite the size of the ensemble – as the timing of the players is perfect enough so that all the members of the group seem to work as one – with a sound that might make you think just one or two musicians where making the music, instead of a much larger group. The recording quality is perfect, too – that amazingly clear, faithful representation that was part of this Nonesuch series by David Lewiston – and titles include "Kebo Giro", "Liwung", "Pangkur", "Tijatrik II", and "Senggot". LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

Two fantastic early albums from The Browns – one of the greatest country harmony acts of all time! First up is Our Favorite Folk Songs – a set that maybe has a bit more of a stripped-down vibe than some of the other records by The Browns – stronger acoustic guitar, which is matched by the superb vocals of Jim Ed Brown and sisters Maxine and Bonnie! There's some slight traces of RCA production, but in keeping with the title, things are nicely and folksy – very up-close, which makes the vocals even more stunning – on titles that include "My Pretty Quadroon", "Pretty Wildwood Flower", "Columbus Stockade Blues", "John B Sails", "In The Pines", and "Down In The Valley". The Little Brown Church Hymnal has The Browns in the kind of spiritual territory that always served their vocals so well – often harmonizing with a slight bit of organ in the mix – never too churchy, but enough to evoke the spirit of songs – as the trio harmonize beautifully through "Just As I Am Without One Plea", "In The Garden", "An Evening Prayer", "Whispering Hope", and "When They Ring Those Golden Bells". CD also features bonus tracks – "Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On" and "You're So Much A Part Of Me". CD

Includes 24 tracks recorded with Artie Shaw & His Orchestra. CD

Barbara George is best known for the title track of this set – but she's also a hell of a singer from the early 60s New Orleans scene, and one who wrote a fair bit of her own material too! George is very much like Barbara Lynn in that way – more than just a great voice pulled into the studio to cut a few singles – as she's got a depth of feeling and great way with a pen, talents that should have been able to blossom much more strongly in years to come – had the singer ever gotten the treatment she deserved! Still, you can't beat the setting here – half tracks that were recorded with the great Harold Battiste for the AFO label, plus more Sue Records singles from the early 60s – before George left music way too early. Titles include "Whip O Will", "I Know", "The Recipe", "Bless You", "If You Think", "I'm In A Strain", "Hurted", "Without Love", "You Talk About Love", "Try Again", "Send For Me", and "If When You've Done The Best You Can". CD

Nat King Cole on piano, Les Paul on guitar, Shorty Sherock on trumpet, JJ Johnson on trombone, Illinois Jackson and Jack McVea on tenor saxophone, Johnny Miller and Red Callender on bass, and Lee Young on drums. CD

A huge collection of work from the overlooked Gus Jenkins – one of a number of blues musicians who started in the south, then moved out to the west coast during the postwar years – and found a way to change his older style into a great mix of jump blues and raw R&B! Jenkins both sings and plays piano – and like some of his key contemporaries who recorded for LA indies in the 50s, that mix is really set loose with all sorts of jazzy modern currents as the years move on – quite far from the earlier roots, into the coming modes of rock and soul. The set features more material by Gus than has ever been collected in one place – singles for labels that include Flash, Combo, and Pioneer – plus other material, songs with his wife Mamie, and work with the team of Albert & Charles, and Blues Slim and his band. Titles include "Copper Tan", "Hit The Road", "Remember Last Xmas", "Spanky", "Gonna Take Time", "Off The Road", "Jealous Of You Baby", "Celebrate (parts 1 & 2)", "Last Time", "Red River Shuffle", "Tricky", "You Lied", "Cold Love", "I Been Working", "Worries & Troubles", "Stand By Me", and "Pay Day Shuffle (parts 1 & 2)". CD

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes are certainly best-known for their huge Philly hits of the 70s with Teddy Pendergrass on vocals – but the group had a very long legacy that includes countless indie recordings in the years before their hooked up with Gamble & Huff – a good deal of which are included in this set! As most folks know, Harold Melvin was never the lead singer – maybe more of a creative force in the group, which shifted often over these early years, but continued to grow and mature – with styles that begin in maybe more of a postwar jump/jazz sort of mode, then evolve into styles we no more clearly as doo wop and early soul. The set opens the door very wide – so much so that there might be a few tracks that aren't fully established as having Melvin's involvement – and the package features 25 titles in all, including related tracks issued by Todd Randall and Bernie Williams, who were with the group. Titles include "My Hero", "The Letter", "Hey Doc", "The Retribution Blues", "With This Pen", "If It's Our Destiny", "She Is Mine", "Pucker Your Lips", "Devoted To You", "O Holy Nite", "WPLJ", and "While I'm Away". CD

Formative work from Bobby Mitchell – an early star of New Orleans soul music, and one who cut some killer singles for Imperial Records back in the 50s! The music here has plenty of elements that would flourish more strongly in both the worlds of soul and rock – but Bobby was one of the originators, and does a really great job here throughout the entire run of music – first starting out with his Toppers group, then recording as a solo act, and working with the orchestra of Dave Barthlomew too – all in the kinds of groundbreaking grooves that made Imperial Records one of the best labels to understand the Crescent City sound in the 50s. 32 tracks in all – and titles include "She Couldn't Be Found", "Baby's Gone", "One Friday Morning", "I'm Crying", "I'm A Young Man", "School Boy Blues", "Sister Lucy", "I Wish I Knew", "I've Got My Fingers Crossed", "When We First Met", "I Love To Hold You", "64 Hours", "You Better Go Home", "I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Someday", and "I Try So Hard". CD

Matt Murphy is a hell of a guitarist – one with roots in Memphis, and many years of work on the Chicago electric scene – where he recorded as a key session man during the 50s, on a range of classic tracks you'll hear on this set! In truth, Murphy maybe never got his full due a as a frontline name until later work in the Blues Brothers – but here, as a much younger musician, he's still completely on fire – adding his skills to tracks by some of the biggest names of the time! Titles include "Slim's Blues", "Lend Me Your Love", "Sassy Mae", "Lonesome", "I'll Just Keep On Singing The Blues", "Four Years Of Torment", and "Little Piece Of Mind" by Memphis Slim; "Lonesome Room Blues" and "Messin With The Man" by Muddy Waters; "You're My Angel" and "Bad Women Bad Whiskey" by Junior Parker; "Drifting From Town To Town" and "Good Lovin" by Bobby Blue Bland; "Do Yourself A Favor" and "You Never Miss Your Water" by Billy The Kid Emerson – and more with Chuck Berry, Otis Rush, and Earl Forrest! CD

A big overview of the early work of Johnny Nash – a singer that most folks know for a huge crossover radio hit in the early 70s, but who got his start much earlier, through years of recording for ABC Records! The label really saw the young Nash as a singer to challenge Nat King Cole or Johnny Mathis – and he definitely does a great job in the territory of both here, but also really finds his own space too – eventually ending up more as a precursor to the sorts of 60s male singers who were adept at more heartbreaking material, ala Jerry Butler or Chuck Jackson. Arrangements are large and rich, often with a bit of vocals behind the lead of Nash – on 31 tracks that include "Moment Of Weakness", "Love's Young Dream", "Too Much Love", "World Of Tears", "Kisses", "The End Of The World", "Almost In Your Arms", "Roots Of Heaven", "The Wish", "Too Proud", and "Take A Giant Step" – plus the unusual "Teen Commandments", done with Paul Anka and George Hamilton IV! CD

Danny Williams is a singer who never broke that big on our shores, but he's a heck of a vocalist with a really great range – a mature, sophisticated song stylist who's maybe in the same territory as a young Johnny Mathis, or maybe Tony Williams of The Platters – born in South Africa, but recorded here on a strong range of singles for the British market! The music is equal parts soul and jazz – and like Mathis, Williams opens the door for much more adult singers in years to come – modes that allow for a different range of expression than earlier blues and R&B. The set features both sides of Danny's ten singles for HMV, plus some tracks from EP releases and rare album tracks – 29 titles in all, including "Tall A Tree", "Stay As Sweet As You Are", "Lonely", "Moon River", "Weaver Of Dreams", "Jeannie", "Something's Gotta Give", "Get Happy", "Tiara Tahiti", "Tears", "The Wonderful World Of The Young", "So High So Low", and "Youthful Years". CD

A set with an 80s cover, but one that features vintage soul jazz throughout – the kind of late 50s/early 60s material that really played big on UK club floors in the early years of Acid Jazz, thanks to work by DJs like Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge! These are all classic cuts from the US – from labels like Prestige and Chess – served up with plenty of Hammond, riffing guitar, and strong tenor lines – plus occasional vocals too. Forget the look of the package, and imagine some fantastic jazz photographs instead – alongside cuts that include "Camp Meetin" by Sam Lazar, "Moanin" by Art Blakey, "Screamin" by Jack McDuff, "Cerveza" by Boots Brown, "Somethin Strange" by Baby Face Willette, "Meetin Here" by Curtis Amy & Paul Bryant, "Blue Vibes" by Johnny Lytle, "Wade In The Water" by Johnny Griffin, "Vera" by Richard Evans, "Sack O Woe" by Ray Bryant, and "Night In Tunisia" by Buck Clarke. CD

A heck of a package of girl group soul – one that features work by a quartet who not only recorded under the name of The Dreamers and The Blossoms, but also The Playgirls, The Rollettes, and as The Crystals and The Blue Jeans for Phil Spector too! The "evolution" in the title is very well-put – as the set has the group starting with Richard Berry on some early sides for RPM/Crown – music that still has a strong 50s R&B approach, sometimes with the girls backing Berry's lead – before blossoming (all pun intended) on some late 50s sides for Capitol Records, where the group where really finding their groove. The set also features the group backing up Ed Townsend on a few tracks, Shelly Fabares on one more, and even behind guitarist Duane Eddy – on a total of 32 titles that include "Move On", "He Promised Me", "Little Louie", and "Have Faith In Me" as The Blossoms; "Sad Fool" and "Kiss Me Benny" as The Rollettes; "Good Love", "Do Not Forget", and "At Last" as The Dreamers; "Hey Sport" and "Young Love Swings The World" as The Playgirls; and "He's A Rebel" as The Crystals. CD

A huge collection of work from the overlooked Gus Jenkins – one of a number of blues musicians who started in the south, then moved out to the west coast during the postwar years – and found a way to change his older style into a great mix of jump blues and raw R&B! Jenkins both sings and plays piano – and like some of his key contemporaries who recorded for LA indies in the 50s, that mix is really set loose with all sorts of jazzy modern currents as the years move on – quite far from the earlier roots, into the coming modes of rock and soul. The set features more material by Gus than has ever been collected in one place – singles for labels that include Flash, Combo, and Pioneer – plus other material, songs with his wife Mamie, and work with the team of Albert & Charles, and Blues Slim and his band. Titles include "Copper Tan", "Hit The Road", "Remember Last Xmas", "Spanky", "Gonna Take Time", "Off The Road", "Jealous Of You Baby", "Celebrate (parts 1 & 2)", "Last Time", "Red River Shuffle", "Tricky", "You Lied", "Cold Love", "I Been Working", "Worries & Troubles", "Stand By Me", and "Pay Day Shuffle (parts 1 & 2)". CD

A pair of Hammond jazz classics from organist Sam Lazar – back to back on a single CD, with rare bonus tracks too! First up is Space Flight – a tight batch of organ groovers with a raw R&B feel, recorded by the obscure St Louis organist Sam Lazar – with a very young Grant Green on guitar! The album's a bit different than Sam's other records for Argo – in that the tunes are all quite short, with a tight fast sound that's almost more R&B at times than jazz – a very unusual setting especially for Grant Green! The guitar is nice and loud – really racing to keep up with Lazar's fast work on the Hammond – and other members of the group include Willie Dixon on bass and Chauncey Williams on drums. Titles include "Mad Lad", "Space Flight", "Caramu", "Funky Blues", and "Big Willie". Playback is one of a few rare albums from Hammond player Sam Lazar – a lesser-known artist from the same searing generation as Baby Face Willette and Jack McDuff, but a musician who never full got his due! This record was done for the Argo side of Chess Records, and it's got a raw sound that's equal parts soul jazz and R&B – with Sam doing some great work on the keys, and the obscure tenorist Miller Brisker in the group too – a really great musician who works with lots of unique twists – and spurs Lazar onto new heights of playing, with maybe an even farther reach on the keys than his other albums. Lazar wrote most of the set, and the tracks include "Deep", "Fuzz Buzz", "S&S", "Scootin", and "Long Gone". A nice bit of soul jazz, with a deep rootsy sound all the way through! CD also features the bonus two-part 45rpm single of "Space Flight". CD

Tony Williams was one of the greatest singers of the 50s – the famous lead voice of The Platters, and a heck of a singer on his own – as you'll hear in this set of overlooked solo material that Tony cut around the same time! Williams has a majesty and range that rivals Johnny Mathis at his best – but he's also able to get a bit more down and dirty when he wants to, moving from classy modes to more R&B-oriented territory – which comes as a nice surprise on a few of the cuts on this set! The package brings together 28 tracks in all – obscure solo material recorded for Reprise Records, more tracks for Mercury, and even a duet with Linda Hayes – titles that include "Oochi Poochi", "When You Return", "Peggy O'Neill", "Sleepless Nights", "Sad River", "Movin In", "The Miracle", "My Prayer", "Amapola", "Ida", "Charmaine", "On My Word Of Honor", and "You'll Never Know". CD

Famous hits, but in versions that you might not recognize – as they're the original recordings of the tunes, some of which are a lot more obscure than the bigger later versions! The package is a great romp through a range of different styles – rock, soul, and a little bit more – all from the glory days of the 7" single, when all sorts of artists were trying out all sorts of great material – so much so that even gems like these didn't always hit the charts! Consider the whole thing as a great "whodunit" of rock and roll – with a set list of 33 titles that includes "I Found You" by Yvonne Fair, "Pony Time" by Don Covay, "The Pale Faced Indian" by Marvin Rainwater, "Last Kiss" by Wayne Cochran, "Come Tomorrow" by Marie Knight, "Rave On" by Sonny West, "Johnny Angel" by Georgia Lee, "He's A Rebel" by Vikki Carr, "Ring Of Fire" by Anita Carter, "I Wanna Go Home" by Billy Grammer, "I'm All Shook Up" by David Hill, "Endlessly" by Johnny Ray, "Go Away Little Girl" by Bobby Vee, and "Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On" by Big Maybelle. CD

The biggest collection of work we've ever seen from Charline Arthur – a female singer who's often known for her rockabilly work on RCA, where she was dubbed by the label as The Female Elvis – but an artist who also opens up here on singles for Imperial, Bullet, and Coin Records too! Charline's got a big-toned guitar on the cover, and she's wearing country-styled duds too – and that's a good way of picturing her sound here – as the set begins in a postwar hillbilly mode, then moves into some of the material that made Arthur's rocking singles a nice match with the Wanda Jackson Capitol tracks of the late 50s. The collection features a whopping 32 tracks in all – and titles include "Honey Bun", "I Was Wrong", "Anything Can Happen", "Is Love A Game", "I've Got The Boogie Blues", "Too Long Too Many Times", "Flash Your Diamonds", "Kiss The Baby Goodnight", "What About Tomorrow", "I Heard About You", "Welcome To The Club", "Hello Baby", "Cryin Alone", and "The Good & The Bad". CD

Maybe the most overstuffed collection of work we've ever seen from early New Orleans soul legend Eddie Bo – a set that not only includes his early classics for the Ric label, but also more obscure material for Apollo, Chess, Ace, and Swan – all brought together here with a number of unissued tracks from the time! If you don't know Eddie, you're in for a treat – as the singer first began in a more familiar New Orleans R&B mode, but already had a gritty style that helped him first pave the way towards Crescent City soul, then some even more important funk territory as the 60s moved on! This set focuses on six key years in Bo's early career – clearly a very fruitful time, as the package features 43 tracks in all – titles that include "Baby", "I'm Wise", "Happy Tears", "I'll Be Satisfied", "Walk That Walk", "Oh Oh", "My Dearest Darling", "I Love To Rock & Roll", "So Glad", "I'm So Tired", "Hey There Baby", "I Need Someone", "Tell It Like It Is", "Every Dog Got His Day", "Roamin-titis", "Now Let's Pop Eye", "Hep Hep Hooray", "I Cry On", and lots lots more! CD

A great overview of the early career of Eddie Burns – a Detroit guitarist who also plays harmonica on a fair bit of these sides – coming across with the gritty blend of urban and rural modes that made Burns a key contemporary of John Lee Hooker in the city! Hooker's actually on a few of these tracks, and you'll hear appearances from other talents who include John T Smith, Joe Hunter, Little Sonny, and even a few early Motown artists too – in a set of tracks that include singles for the Gotham, Palda, Kent, Deluxe, and Harvey labels – plus unissued titles too. In later years, Eddie was recorded more heavily on full albums – but this 27 track set is a great look at these early days – with titles that include "Hello Miss Jessie Lee", "Sittin Here Wonderin", "Grieving Blues", "Squeeze Me Baby", "Notoriety Woman", "Love Shock", "I Gotta Find My Baby", "Orange Driver", "The Thing To Do", and "Mean & Evil". CD

A stunning legacy of music – the first 10 singles from the mighty Creation Records label – almost all of them records that really helped redefine the sound of British rock in the years after punk! The box is cool, with a fabric-like texture – and each single comes with its own vintage pic sleeve – plus a book with the whole thing as well! Titles include "73 In 83" by The Legend, "Flowers In The Sky" by Revolving Paint Dream, "Fifty Years Of Fun" by Biff Bang Pow, "Think" by Jasmine Minks, "Something Going On" by The Pastels, "Do The Ghost" by The X-Men, "There Must Be A Better Life" by Biff Bang Pow, "Where The Traffic Goes" by Jasmine Minks, "Why Does The Rain" by The Loft, and "The Legend Destroys The Blues" by The Legend. 7-inch, Vinyl record