... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Selections include "Ya' All Know Who" by The Roots, "Belts To Match" by UGK, "Still Strugglin" by Too Short, "Back In The Day Remix" by Ahmad, "Freaks Come Out At Night" by Whodini, "Make The Music With Your Mouth" by Biz Markie, and more. LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

"Got It Twisted" produced by The Alchemist. Features 50 Cent on "Clap Those Thangs". 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... CD

Beats, Rhymes & Life – crucial aspects of Tribe Called Quest and hip hop in general – and the fourth album by the inimitable Tribe! After a couple or three years of down time following Midnight Marauders, the Tribe returned with this extra stripped down sound, collaborating with Jay Dee and the Ummah. Titles include "Jam", the r&b crossover ready "Stressed Out" feat Faith Evans, "Motivators", the great "Phony Rappers", and "Keeping It Moving", "Word Play", "The Pressure", "Word Play" and much more. CD

Massive. A couple of mixes of one of their biggest early cuts, plus the awesome "If The Papes Come", which only came out on 12", and stands as one of their best cuts ever. 12-inch, Vinyl record

The second album from the immortal Tribe Called Quest – one of the absolute essential hip hop LPs, and a record that should be an anyone's shortlist of the best albums in several subsections of hip hop – just a straight up masterpiece anyway you cut it. The album is so high up on the ladder, we're a loss to add any fresh insight o the critical consensus, so just get it. Classics one after another, steeped in bass note snapping, head nodding funk jazz beatcraft of the first order! "Buggin Out", "Excursions", "Rap Promoter", "Verses From The Abstract", "Check The Rhyme", "Everything Is Fair", "Jazz (We've Got)", "What?", "Scenario" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Nice 12" single of "Oh My God", with remixes by Tribe and Tumblin' Dice, plus a guest appearance by Busta Rhymes. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Nice 12" single of "Oh My God", with remixes by Tribe and Tumblin' Dice, plus a guest appearance by Busta Rhymes. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A hell of a comeback for Tribe Called Quest – maybe one of the best musical comebacks ever, and a fantastic reminder of why we loved the group so much in the first place! 18 years have passed since we last heard from the trio (now, sadly, a duo) – and that time only seems to have sharpened their sound, and given them a more powerful presence than ever! Everything we loved about them is still very firmly in place – that sense of collaboration, almost improvisation in a jazz-like way, and those moments of surprise and wonder at all the deft turns they can take in a short space. Yet there's also a new edge – one that might be even more powerful in this highly politicized moment in American history – a bite that the group never had before, and a larger social agenda that makes all of their incredible skills even more amazing, when focused on a target. We've certainly missed them – but the album's also well worth the wait! Titles include "Black Spasmodic", "The Donald", "The Space Program", "We The People", "Solid Wall Of Sound", "Dis Generation", "Kids", "Melatonin", "Enough", "Movin Backwards", and "The Killing Season". LP, Vinyl record album

10 tracks in all, including "Jazzy's Groove", "You Got It (Donut)", "Numero Uno" and "Too Damn Hype". LP, Vinyl record album

Kool Moe Dee's second album – a benchmark moment in mid-to-late 80s solo rap – and definitely worth a post millennium revisit! The title cut is a prime relic of the Kool Moe Dee vs. LL Cool J battles back in the day, and that along with "Wild Wild West" are bonafide classic cuts – but the a lot of the lesser remembered tracks here are ultimately just as nice. Even though it's only his second album, Moe was a block rockin' veteren by this point, with an MC pedigree stretching back to Treacherous Three, and is probably his sharpest point. Other tracks include "Suckers", "Way Way Back", "No Respect", "Don't Dance", "I'm A Player" and "Get Paid". LP, Vinyl record album

The classic first solo album from Kool Moe Dee – pivotal solo rap from the onetime Treacherous Three rhyme slinger – formative stuff that works nearly as well, to our ears anyway, as his platinum breakout How You Like Me Now! 9 tracks on the original album: "Go See The Doctor", "Do You Know What Time It Is", "I'm Kool Moe Dee", "Dumb Dick (Richard)", "Monster Crack", "Little Jon", "The Best" and "Rock Steady". This great, necessary reissue has the bonus "Go See The Doctor (Uncensored Version)". CD

Amazing production by Premier, of course, that works nice with the more laid-back style KRS adopts on this one from the "KRS-One" LP. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Too Short's third album for Jive and sixth overall, still riding at a near peak level, since Born To Mack and Life Is...pretty much made a legend while still in his early 20s! A few tracks have the same dark humor as the above mentioned classics, but he takes a turn into seriousness on "The Ghetto" using the classic Donny Hathaway melody and it's got other high points like "Ain't Nuthin But A Word To Me" with Ice Cube, plus "Punk B#tch", "Short But Funky" the title track and more. Classic! LP, Vinyl record album

Too Short's third album for Jive and sixth overall, still riding at a near peak level, since Born To Mack and Life Is...pretty much made a legend while still in his early 20s! A few tracks have the same dark humor as the above mentioned classics, but he takes a turn into seriousness on "The Ghetto" using the classic Donny Hathaway melody and it's got other high points like "Ain't Nuthin But A Word To Me" with Ice Cube, plus "Punk B#tch", "Short But Funky" the title track and more. Classic! CD

Tracks include "Check The Rhime", "Bonita Applebum", "Award Tour", "Can I Kick It?", "Scenario", "Buggin' Out", "If The Papes Come", "Electric Relaxation", "Jazz (We've Got)", "I Left My Wallet In El Segundo", "Hot Sex", "Oh My God", "Stressed Out", "Luck Of Lucien", "Description Of A Fool", "Keeping It Moving", "Find A Way", "Sucka Ni**a", and "Vivrant Thing". CD

The last Tribe Called Quest LP – one of those "end of an era" type experiences for sure – and record that was fairly slept on it the time given the dizzying heights of their earlier record – and holds up today as an essential! The tracks are all produced by The Ummah featuring J Dilla, and just a solid bed of production that's a reminder of how this excellent style of hip hop production excels so sweetly at both looking forward and making 70s soul jazz beats sound forever fresh – with tracks including "Pen & Pad", "Find A Way", "Like It Like That", "Steppin' It Up" (featuring Busta Rhymes & Redman), "Rock Rock Y'all" (featuring Mos Def, Jane Doe, Punchline & Wordsworth.) As an added bonus, the CD includes six rare classic Tribe Called Quest alternate tracks and remixes that this point only ever appeared on 12-inches – including the classic "Scenario" remix, "Oh My God" remix, "Hot Sex", "One, Two Sh*t", and "Jazz (We Got)" re-recorded version. CD

The second album from the immortal Tribe Called Quest – one of the absolute essential hip hop LPs, and a record that should be an anyone's shortlist of the best albums in several subsections of hip hop – just a straight up masterpiece anyway you cut it. The album is so high up on the ladder, we're a loss to add any fresh insight o the critical consensus, so just get it. Classics one after another, steeped in bass note snapping, head nodding funk jazz beatcraft of the first order! "Buggin Out", "Excursions", "Rap Promoter", "Verses From The Abstract", "Check The Rhyme", "Everything Is Fair", "Jazz (We've Got)", "What?", "Scenario" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A masterpiece from prime era Tribe Called Quest! Midnight Maurauders was Tribe's third LP, and even though there were no tracks yet credited to the Ummah, this is pretty much the beginning of Tribe's transition to that sound – with the same mellow, laid back vibe as their best early material, but less of an overtly jazzy reference in their sound. Phife and Tip are still on point lyrically, and honestly, this is pretty much the last LP that Tribe dropped that's got nearly all hits and no misses on it. With the cuts "Award Tour", "Midnight", "Electric Relaxation", "Clap Your Hands", "Oh My God", "The Chase, Part II", and "Keep It Rollin". LP, Vinyl record album

The mid 90s classic from Underground Kingz – they're commercial breakthrough, with all the uncompromising grit of their first few records on the lyrical tip, albeit with a stripped down soulful resonance to the beats. The gritty rhymes is the unifying element here, with tracks that split the difference between lean, crisply bouncing, hard-hitting production and surprisingly soul and funk steeped tracks. It works great on both sides of that style divide, and it's little wonder that made such a big impact at the time. Stands the test of time, too. Titles include "One Day", "Murder", "Pinky Ring", , "Touched", "F*** My Car", "Diamonds & Wood", "Good Stuff" and "Ridin' Dirty". LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty great follow up to the previous hits package Retrospective – this one with many of the Tribe's OTHER hits, plus 2 previously unreleased nuggets! Alternate mixes, out of print soundtrack and 12-inch cuts, plus album tracks that weren't ingrained into the mainstream consciousness – cuts like "Oh My God", "Award Tour", "Can I Kick It?", "One, Two, S&!t" with Busta Rhymes, "Peace, Prosperity, and Paper" and "Glamour & Glitz". Of course, you also get the better known tracks like " I Left My Wallet In El Segundo", "Check The Rhyme", "Buggin' Out", "Scenario", "Jazz (We've Got)" and the rest. 2 rare unreleased cuts made it on: "Mr. Incognito" and "The Night He Got Caught". CD

Just before he got too hot for Jive and jumped to Death Row, this is the album where Pac moves above the Thug Life image he worked so hard to craft and delivered the lyrical goods with both his street stories and more introspective rhymes – helping set up his legacy as one of the most soul searching of street rappers – a reputation that stands to this day! Includes uber classic singles like "Dear Mama" and "So Many Tears", plus "Temptations", "If I Die 2 Nite", "Me Against The World", "Heavy In The Game", "Old School", "F*ck The World", "Death Around The Corner" and "Outlaw". Classic! LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

Featuring selections by Billy Ocean, Ruby Turner, Hugh Masekela & Jonathan Butler, Willesden Dodgers, Whodini, Precious Wilson, Mark Shreeve, The Nubians, and Jack Nitzsche. LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent mix of soul, jazz, and funk from Bernard "Pretty" Purdie – and a record that's kind of the summation of the entire Flying Dutchman groove of the early 70s! By the time of this 1971 recording, Purdie had played on a host of classic soul and jazz sides from the 60s – and that long tradition of work is drawn on strongly in the set, which features guest appearances from the likes of Harold Wheeler, Blue Mitchell, Gil Scott-Heron, Chuck Rainey, Cornell Dupree, Seldon Powell, and Norma Jenkins. About half the tracks are instrumental versions of soul tracks – and a few feature vocals, either by Purdie, Norman Matlock, or Gil Scott-Heron. Heron does a very hip track called "Artificialness", and other tracks include "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get", "Modern Jive", "Never Can Say Goodbye", "It's Too Late", and the mad mad number "Funky Mozart", which has a great break! CD

Pure vocal magic – featuring the lovely Flora Purim at the height of her California powers – working in a sublime mix of jazz, fusion, and Brazilian rhythms – a sound that she virtually invented! The group on the set is one of her greatest of the time – with players that include Joe Henderson, George Duke, and Stanley Clarke – coming together with some great Brazilian percussion from husband Airto. The tracks are tight and jazzy – and include "Light As A Feather", "Dr. Jive (parts 1 & 2)", "Butterfly Dreams", "Moon Dreams", and "Dindi". This is the stuff that virtually defined the Brazilian/American groove of the 70s – and it's still light years ahead of any of Flora's many imitators! LP, Vinyl record album

The title tells the tale on this one – as the session's a studio meeting of players all associated with Count Basie over the years – captured here in a style that's much more laidback and relaxed than the usual Basie set! Originally issued as 2 separate LPs a year apart, and both have the feel of Prestige's best work in the Swingville series. The set has an approach more in the blowing session mode, with long tracks on the album that really let each player step out in their own voice. Players include Paul Quinichette, Shad Collins, Buck Clayton, Jack Washington, Nat Pierce, Freddie Greene, Walter Page, Eddie Jones and Jo Jones. 10 numbers in all including "Rock-A-Bye Basie", "Texas Shuffle", "Out The Window", "Jive At Five", "Diggin' For Dex", "Blues I Love To Hear", "Love Jumped Out", "John's Idea", "Roseland Shuffle" and "Baby Don't Tell On Me". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent bit of spacey club grooves from the enigmatic Rinder & Lewis team! The record has a sweet jazzy vibe that's different than some of their other records – and which seems to share equal parts influence from Kraftwerk, Larry Mizell, and Tangerine Dream. Includes the great spacey electronic track "Blue Steel", plus "Willie & The Hand Jive", "Harlem Shuffle", and "Arabella/Home". LP, Vinyl record album

Great work by one of the archetypal funky soul bands of the 70s – and a group whose impact is still being felt today! Of course, one of the reasons for that is Chaka Khan's incredible vocals – caught here at a prime early point, and very nicely set against some warm electric keyboards and tight groovy guitars – which provide a groove that's live and spontaneous, and never too forced – just the right kind of energy to work perfectly with her approach to the lyrics, without any of the too-polished modes you'd fine from copycat groups trying to fake a sound like this. Rufus had been with Chaka for years by this point – fusing together a sublime blend of funk, soul, jazz, and rock – a sound they forged woodshedding in Chicago in the early days, let loose in perfect studio territory on the west coast of the 70s. The whole thing's a classic – and titles include "Jive Talking", "Sweet Thing", "Fools Paradise", "Circle", "Everybody Has An Aura", and "On Time". LP, Vinyl record album

The greatest album to date from Sugarman 3 – one of the funkiest combos of the past 50 years! The group's organ/sax sound has never sounded so great – and it's pumped up even further here from some added guest instrumentation, including drums from Bernard Purdie, plus vocals on a number of cuts from deep funk legends Lee Fields, Charles Bradley, and Naomi Davis. The whole thing's as funky as funky can be – the kind of a record that would be selling for $300 if it came out in the 70s, and which is even nicer to have at a low everyday price! Titles include "Shot Down", "Modern Jive", "Funky So & So", "Take It As It Come", "Pure Cane", "Promised Land", "Country Girl", "La Culebra", "Down To It", "Honey Wagon", and "Bosco's Blues". CD

An obscure later set from Texas legend Bubbha Thomas – a drummer you'll know from his work with the legendary Lightmen group in the 70s – working here in an 80s-styled extrapolation of some of the ideas from that previous combo! The music is much leaner than before – heavy on basslines, beats, and keyboards – and Bubbha does a great job of sliding into electro-styled funk and soul modes, while still holding on to some of his own sound too. The record's maybe more New York than you'd expect from something recorded in Houston – and titles include "Livin On Love", "Skipp Hopp", "Life & Times (Of Daddy Jive)", and "Let Me Play The Music". LP, Vinyl record album

A really cool set that looks at the rise of late 50s beatnik culture from a variety of different styles – not just the jazz and poetry that marked that scene's biggest contribution to music – but also the wealth of modes that inspired those years too! The 3CD package features a stunning 57 titles in all – and begins in the late 30s with hard-edged small combo work and jive-heavy vocal tracks – then runs past WWII to include some bebop, R&B, and very cool vocal numbers – before moving into Greenwich Village classic sounds in a mix of spoken word, jazz poetry, and even a bit of folk! The booklet is filled with notes and history in both English and French – and titles include "The Beat Generation" by Bob McFadden, "High School Drag" by Phillipa Fallon, "The Nazz" by Lord Buckley, "American Haikus" by Jack Kerouac & Al Cohn, "Route 66" by Bobby Troup, "Gator Tail (part 2)" by Cootie Williams, "Rock & Roll" by Wild Bill Moore, "Killin Jive" by Cats & The Fiddle, "You'se A Viper" by Stuff Smith, "Scrapple From The Apple" by Les Double Six, "Kookie's Mad Pad" by Ed Byrnes, "So What" by Eddie Jefferson, "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg, "I Sing Of Olaf" by Roger Steffans, "Say Man" by Bo Diddley, "Shulie A Bop" by Sarah Vaughan, and "The Rocket Ship Show" by Jocko Henderson. CD

Brazilian grooves all over the place – and a wonderful assortment of tunes from the Warner, Atlantic, and Elektra vaults of the 60s and 70s! The set list goes way past the pop-bossa numbers that you might think from the cover, which is a cop from an old Atlantic compilation of the 60s – and includes some lesser-known tracks cooked up in Brazil during the 70s, as well as some of their American counterparts. Titles include "Celebration Suite" by Airto, "Jive Samba" by Jon Hendricks, "Eu Bebo Sim" by Osmar Milito, "Mr Funky Samba" by Banda Black Rio, "From The Lonely Afternoon" by Flora Purim, "Upa Neguinho (live)" by Elis Regina,"Manha De Carnival" by Louie Ramirez, "Barsanova Brown" by Eddie Cano, and more. CD

An amazing world of music – rare funk, soul, reggae, and other grooves from Belize – all beautifully compiled in the rich Numero Music style! We're really stunned by the set – as we had no idea at all that Belize had anything going on at this level – and the collection is an amazing surprise to our ears, filled with new delights at each turn, and clearly marking Belize as a new funky capitol on our ever-expanding map of musical understanding. Numero really outdid themselves with this package – going far beyond their already-great collections of work from the Bandit and Capsoul labels – to dig up a range of tracks that have never really made it out to the world at large, but which bubble over with influences from American funk and soul at the time. The notes are great, and the booklet's got plenty of excellent images to back up the writings – but the music is the real star of the set, and is presented on 16 tracks that include "More Love Reggae" and "Boogaloo A La Chuck" by Lord Rhaburn, "Theme From The Godfather" and "Backstabbers" by The Professionals, "Can't Go Halfway" and "Shame Shame Shame" by The Harmonettes, "Things Are Going To Work Out Right" and "Rated G" by The Web, "Funky Jive (parts 1& 2)" by Soul Creations, and "Long Time Boy" by Nadia Cattouse. CD

There's a whole lot more going down in Florida than alligators and Disney World – as you'll hear on this amazing little set! The package follows brilliantly in the tradition of Jazzman's Texas and Midwest Funk compilations – and like those collections, this one uncovers an incredible amount of under-heard music from an especially unlikely source! Florida is usually best remembered as the home of TK disco in the 70s, or contemporary club in more recent years – but back in the late 60s and early 70s, the state was a hotbed of indie funk activity – with loads of artists who were every bit as great as bigger names from points north, all working in an underground network of clubs, studios, and labels. The Jazzman team of Gerald Short and Malcolm Catto have really outdone themselves here – providing not only almost two dozen great funky tracks, but also a wealth of notes and information on each track – all served up in one really beautiful little package! The CD features a whopping 24 pages of notes and pictures all in color – with titles that include "Quit Jive'in" by Pearly Queen, "Cutting Room (Hot Pants)" by Oceanliners, "Super Cool" by Carrie Riley & The Fascinations, "Pure Funk (part 2)" by Delrays, "Do Right Man" by Sam Baker, "All The Time" by Bobby Williams & His Mar Kings, "Butterfly Theme" by Blowfly, "Lay It On Me" by Willie Johnson, "Funky Fast Bump" by The Outlaw Gang, "Na Na" by Coke, "Get Down" by The Montereys, "90% Of Me Is You" by Vanessa Kendrick, "Soft Soul" by Lavell Kamma, "Baby Don't Cry" by Third Guitar, "Spider Web" by Weston Prim & Backlash, "Soul Food" by Frankie Seay & The Soul Riders, "Save Me" by James Knight & The Butlers, and "It's Gonna Be A Mess (part 2)" by The Mighty Dogcatchers. US pressing features the bonus track "Soft Soul" by Lavell Kamma – and different cover art too! CD

Brit DJ Keb Darge is (and has been for years) one of the world's foremost experts on the funky 45. This masterful comp put together by the folks at BBE brings together an amazing collection of rare tracks lost to the world – nearly all of which have never appeared on other comps of this sort of stuff. Excellent all the way through, with a masterful selection of tracks like "Quit Jive'in" by Pearly Queen, "Gimme Some Skin" by Frank Penn, "Zambezi" by The Fun Company, "Who Dun It" by The Originals Orchestra, and "The First Thing I Do In the Morning" by Joyce Williams. Great all the way through, and compiled with a feel that makes you think you're spending time at some great club night in London! Stormin funkiness! CD

A beautiful set of late 60s to early 70s Soweto township jive sounds – soulful, joyful and amazing numbers mostly only ever available on rare South African 45s – brought to the world at large by our friends at Strut Records! Most numbers are from the early 70s, with a couple from the last couple years of the 60s, material from local combos in the years before the Soweto uprising of 1976. It's wonderful music, and you'll want to jump up and dance to most of the numbers – most with exuberant vocals and wholly danceable guitar and percussion, a joyous mix jazz, soul, rumba and funk in the craft. Amazing! Includes "I Sivenoe" by Melotone Sisters With Amaqola Band, "Maphuti" by Mgababa Queens, "Kuya Hanjwa" by S Piliso & His Super Seven, "Wenzani Umoya" by The Big Four, "Inkonjane Jive" by Zed Nkabinde, "Take Off" by Tempo All Stars, "Enuva" by African Swingsters, "Sikhwele" by Aba-Lilizeli, "10 To 11" by Sammy Boy, "Iza Wena" by Happy Africa and more. 20 tracks on 2LPs. LP, Vinyl record album

The Jazzman label hits a whole new level of brilliance – as they turn their funk-trained crate digging skills to the world of spiritual jazz! The collection's an amazing batch of ultra-rare tunes – tracks that take inspiration from the John Coltrane/Archie Shepp work on Impulse Records in the 60s, then run with those roots in bold new directions – soaring, spiritual aims in jazz that reach for new freedoms, but never lapse into the totally-outside modes of free jazz! Instead, there's a really great balance here between structure and struggle – as many tunes often have a good rhythmic pulse, usually modal and soulful, then let the horn solos stretch out more in their own sounds and directions. The mix is amazing, as is the selection of tunes – rare numbers pulled mostly from American independent jazz releases of the 60s and 70s – most of which are as obscure as the funky 45s we normally get from Jazzman. As with the label's US funk compilations, there's full notes on all the music – a heck of a lot of detail on these artists – and tracks on the set include "Paul's Ark" by Morris Wilson Beau Bailey Quintet, "Ayo Ayo Nene" by Mor Thiam, "Nomusa" by Ndikho Xaba & The Natives, "The Afrikan In Winter" by The Positive Force, "Neveen" by Salah Ragab, "Ja Mil" by Hastings Street Jazz Experience, "Be There" by Leon Gardner, "Psych City" by Ohio Penitentiary 511 Jazz Ensemble, "Introduction" by James Tatum Trio Plus, and "No Jive" by Frank Derrick Total Experience. US pressing has 2 bonus tracks – "All Prasies To Allah (parts 1 & 2 edit)" by Lightmen Plus One, and "Bada Que Bash" by PE Hewitt Jazz Ensemble. CD

Includes the songs "Toby", "One O'Clock Jump", "John's Idea", "Topsy", "Jumpin' At The Woodside", "Swingin' The Blues", "Blue And Sentimental", "Doggin' Around", "Dark Rupture", "Cherokee (Parts 1 And 2)", "Goin' To Chicago", "Jive At Five", "9:20 Special", "Softly, With Feeling", "Corner Pocket", "April In Paris", "Every Day I Have The Blues", "Shiny Stockings", and "Li'l Darlin'". CD

Basie's working here with his New Testament Band – a new orchestra formed in 1952, after working briefly with an octet earlier in the year. The set documents the group's initial recordings for Verve/Clef – all recorded between January and December in 1952. Players include Joe Newman, Charlie Shavers, Benny Powell, Ernie Wilkins, Paul Quinichette, Marshall Royal, and Eddie Lockjaw Davis – and titles include "Jive At Five", "No Name", "Bread", "New Basie Blues", "Why Not", "Blee Blop Blues", "Cash Box", "Bootsie", "Hob Nail Boogie", and "Paradise Squat". LP, Vinyl record album

Yes, it was a mega-hit – and yes, it was one of those records that everyone who lived through the 70s seemed to own at one time – but after all these decades, you can't deny the power of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack – especially for the way that it mixed club soul classics with new original material! Obviously, the Bee Gees cover placement make them big stars of the record – but the set's also got some great early disco gems – like "Open Sesame" by Kool & The Gang, "Disco Inferno" by The Trammps, "KJEE" by MFSB, "Calypso Breakdown" by Ralph MacDonald, "Fifth Of Beethoven" by Walter Murphy, "If I Can't Have You" by Yvonne Elliman, "Boogie Shoes" by KC & The Sunshine Band, and "More Than A Woman" by Tavares. The Bee Gees reinvent themselves from the early days – and sing "Stayin Alive", "How Deep Is Your Love", "More Than A Woman", "Jive Talkin", "You Should Be Dancin", and "Night Fever" – and the set also features a few instrumentals by David Shire – "Manhattan Skyline", "Night On Disco Mountain" and "Salsation". LP, Vinyl record album

A massive amount of rare work from East Bay funk maestro Eugene Blacknell – an artist who never cut a full album, but managed to record a lot of great funky tracks over the years! This package is the first ever full length set to focus on Eugene's work, and it's a treasure trove of guitar-heavy groovers – starting with some rough-edged, raw R&B-styled funk – then moving into some fuller party funk and boogie-styled numbers! Eugene's guitar is fully in the lead on most tracks – and the vibe of the later work is in a space that's somewhere between Bootsy Collins and Shuggie Otis – a very good place to be, in our opinion. The package was done in collaboration with Eugene's son, and features rare singles, remastered cuts, and even some exclusive and live tracks that have never seen the light of day before. The set features a whopping 25 tracks in all, all with great notes on Eugene's music and story – and titles that include "Cousin John", "Mo Self", "Jump Back", "Getting Down", "The Trip", "Dance To The Rhythm", "For The Sake Of Love", "Jive Kinda Friends", "Wah Wah Funk", "Space Funk", "Don't Stop Now", "Grov-ve Monkey", and even a few rare radio spots! CD

A real treasure – and the best album in years from Latin percussion maestro Jack "Mr Bongo" Costanzo! Jack's moved past the bongo rhythms that he was famous for in the 50s and 60s, and is working here as the lead congolero in a tight group that features some bright young west coast Latin Jazz talents. The record's got all the fresh flavor of some of the best recent Cubop sessions – and the session was produced by Bobby Matos, with a real appreciation for the strongest points in Jack's playing. No-nonsense, hard-hitting Latin jazz all the way through – and tracks include "Descarga.com", "Jack's Back", "Going Home", "Trompeta y Bongo", "Airegin", "Milestones", "Nana Sere", and "Jive Samba". CD

An obscure little album from Jack "Mr Bongo" Constanzo – his only entry into the Latin Soul genre, and a really nice batch of grooves! Jacko's working here with singer Gerrie Woo – who sings in English on about half of the album's tracks, giving the set a nice pop-styled Latin groove that reminds us a lot of Willie Bobo's work for Verve, and some of the more unusual indie Latin albums of the time. The set's filled with loads of great numbers – including Hector Rivera compositions "Recuerdos", "Que Vengo Acabando", "Don't Squeeze The Peaches", and "Mambo Jack" – plus covers of "Jive Samba", "Words", and "Green Onions". LP, Vinyl record album