It's a long way from The Mamas & The Papas by this time for John Phillips – standing on the beach on the cover, all bedraggled in a dirty hat and coat, with a long beard, and a worn-out look on his face – but that change turns out to be a great one for him, as you'll hear on the set! The style here is much rougher and earthier than the sweeter pop of the 60s – a batch of Laurel Canyon folksy numbers that show the hipper side of Phillips that didn't always get expressed in his former pop years. Titles include "April Anne", "Captain", "Drum", "Someone's Sleeping", "Holland Tunnel", and "Mississippi". Plus, the CD features 8 more bonus tracks, most of which are previously unreleased – "Shady", "Lonely Children", "Lady Genevieve", "The Frenchman", "16mm Baby", and "Black Girl". CD

Mindblowing work from this important Brit jazz group – working here with an augmented lineup that's mighty nice! In addition to soprano, baritone, and bass clarinet from John Surman – plus bass from Barre Phillips and drums from Stu Martin – the set also features cornet from Harry Beckett and Mark Charig, trombone from Nick Evans and Malcolm Griffiths, piano from Chick Corea, tenor and flute from Alan Skidmore, trumpet from Kenny Wheeler, alto and clarinet from Mike Osborne, and bass from Dave Holland. Titles include "Conflagration", "After The Morrow", "Nuts", and "Malachite". LP, Vinyl record album

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Davern plays soprano and c melody sax, and Flip plays soprano, tenor, and bass clarinet – in a group with Dave McKenna on piano, too! LP, Vinyl record album

Stu really surprised us all with this one – working in full orchestral mode on a great set of dramatic themes that almost beats John Williams at his game! The work was scored for the great 70s TV sci fi flick Battlestar Galactica – and overall, most of the tunes are orchestral ones, done in the highly dramatic and action-charged style of work that was revived strongly on the Star Wars score. But the album also features a nice disco tune – "It's Love Love Love", sung by the Space Angels! Other titles include "Cassiopia & Starbuck", "Destruction Of Peace", "Fighter Launch", "Escape From The Ovion Mines", "Let's Go Home", and "Dash To The Elevator". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful lost slice of British jazz, recorded during the crucial period before some of the scene's players went too far off the deep end! John Surman partners here with composer/leader John Warren, for a large group recording that sounds similar to some of the best early Mike Westbrook recordings. The album's comprised of a suite of 5 tracks, all played by a large group in a style that shows the best British modernist tradition of the 60's. The ensemble playing is dark and moody – but always tight at all moments. The group's soloists – like Surman, Mike Osborne, Barre Phillips, Kenny Wheeler, and others – soar out of the arrangements in tightly constructed, brilliantly realized solos that stand as some of their best work. Titles include "With Terry's Help", "We'll Make It", "The Dandelion", "The Picture Tree", and the "Tales Of The Algonquin" suite. LP, Vinyl record album

An essential piece of 60s avant garde jazz that often gets overlooked because the album is split between two different leaders – but with John Coltrane and Archie Shepp at the helm, what leaders they be! Shepp leads a quartet that includes Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Barre Phillips on bass, and Joe Chambers on drums – and the music is some of his best from the 60's. Hutcherson is haunting, and Shepp plays in a beautifully restrained style that brings out all of his best elements, without any of the indulgence that sometimes mars his playing. The group plays all original tracks, including "Rufus", "Le Matin Des Noire", and "Scag". Coltrane's quartet with Tyner, Garrison, and Jones adds one additional long track to the album, the lively "One Down One Up". A great set, and one not to pass up! CD

An essential piece of 60s avant garde jazz that often gets overlooked because the album is split between two different leaders – but with John Coltrane and Archie Shepp at the helm, what leaders they be! Shepp leads a quartet that includes Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Barre Phillips on bass, and Joe Chambers on drums – and the music is some of his best from the 60's. Hutcherson is haunting, and Shepp plays in a beautifully restrained style that brings out all of his best elements, without any of the indulgence that sometimes mars his playing. The group plays all original tracks, including "Rufus", "Le Matin Des Noire", and "Scag". Coltrane's quartet with Tyner, Garrison, and Jones adds one additional long track to the album, the lively "One Down One Up". A great set, and one not to pass up! CD

A surprisingly compelling album from Michelle Phillips – recorded years after the breakup of The Mamas & The Papas – with a smooth late 70s LA sound that works perfectly for her more mature sexy approach! Jack Nitzsche handled the production and arrangements on most of it, and the album's got more of an edge than you might think from first look or listen – slightly self-reflexive, and less a comeback attempt than an expression of identity finally put on record. Wonderful! Titles include "Aching Kind", "Trashy Rumors", "Let The Music Begin", "Victim Of Romance", "Where's Mine", "Just One Look", "Paid The Price", "Lady Of Fantasy" (the lone track here produced & arranged by John Phillips) and more LP, Vinyl record album

John Surman on baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, recorder, synthesizer, and keyboards, Miroslav Vitous on double-bass, Kenny Kirkland on piano, Jon Christensen on drums, John Abercrombie on guitar, Marc Johnson on double-bass, Peter Erskine on drums, Stephen Waterman, Henry Lowther, and Stuart Brooks on trumpet, Malcolm Griffiths and Chris Pyne on trombone, David Stewart and Richard Edwards on bass trombone, Chris Laurence on double bass, John Marshall on drums, Jack DeJohnette on drums, Barre Phillips on double-bass, Stu Martin on drums, Paul Bley on piano, Gary Peacock on double-bass, Tony Oxley on drums, Terje Rypdal on guitar, Vigleik Stgoraas on piano, Rita Manning on violin, Keith Pascoe on violin, Bill Hawkes on viola, and Nick Cooper on cello. CD

Great funky avant work from this mad German duo – sounding very much here as they do on their Mad Rockers mode! The lineup features work from John Surman on baritone, Eje Thelin on trombone, Barre Phillips on bass, and both Stu Martin and Jacques Thollot on drums – one in each channel! LP, Vinyl record album

Wonderfully dark harmonies from The Mamas & The Papas – one of those amazing late 60s albums from the group that was pop on the outside, but something very else underneath – a wonderful blend of modes that was hardly duplicated this well again! There's a slightly spooky feel to some of the music – even their leadoff cover of "Dedicated To The One I Love", which has an eerie quality that's way different than any previous readings – possibly a hint of the trouble between the group members – although maybe that's reading too much into it! Whatever the case, though – there's a special magic here that goes way beyond any understanding of the group you may have from oldies radio, and the set features some great original compositions by the young John Phillips too. Titles include "Creeque Alley", "Boys & Girls Together", "Look Through My Window", "Sing For Your Supper", "Free Advice", "Did You Ever Want To Cry", and "String Man". LP, Vinyl record album

With Ezra Weiss on piano, Farnell Newton on trumpet, John Nastos on alto, Devin Phillips on tenor, Jon Shaw on bass, and Christopher Brown on durms. CD

The brilliant 3rd album from Mike Westbrook – a sharp-edged, two volume set with a scathing anti-war theme! The work is Westbrook's first total-concept album, and it's still one of his best – written with an edge that's free from some of the more whimsical touches that showed up in Mike's later years, and played by a core group of British avant soloists with searing intensity! You've never heard large group scoring like this – bold, ambitious, and quite different than most of what's come before. And although the whole thing sounds as if it's going to fall apart at any moment, it always snaps back into a sharp focus just in the nick of time – with brilliant results that bring the same sense of surprise that you might get from, say, a classic album from Charles Mingus or Archie Shepp! Players include Kenny Wheeler and Henry Lowther on trumpets, Mike Gibbs and Paul Rutherford on trombones, John Surman on baritone and soprano sax, Mike Osborne on alto and clarinet, Alan Skidmore on tenor and flute, Brian Smith on tenor, and Harry Miller and Barre Phillips on bass. Titles on this first volume include "Landscape", "Hooray", "Other World", and "Marching Song". LP, Vinyl record album

The brilliant 3rd album from Mike Westbrook – a sharp-edged, two volume set with a scathing anti-war theme! The work is Westbrook's first total-concept album, and it's still one of his best – written with an edge that's free from some of the more whimsical touches that showed up in Mike's later years, and played by a core group of British avant soloists with searing intensity! You've never heard large group scoring like this – bold, ambitious, and quite different than most of what's come before. And although the whole thing sounds as if it's going to fall apart at any moment, it always snaps back into a sharp focus just in the nick of time – with brilliant results that bring the same sense of surprise that you might get from, say, a classic album from Charles Mingus or Archie Shepp! Players include Kenny Wheeler and Henry Lowther on trumpets, Mike Gibbs and Paul Rutherford on trombones, John Surman on baritone and soprano sax, Mike Osborne on alto and clarinet, Alan Skidmore on tenor and flute, Brian Smith on tenor, and Harry Miller and Barre Phillips on bass. Titles on this second volume include "Transition", "Rosie", "Tension", "Ballad", "Conflict", and "Requiem". LP, Vinyl record album

The second killer set in this series – a wonderful blend of AOR hits and soulful singers – wrapped up in a stunning style that's a great subgenre in itself! Many of the tunes here are familiar, but served up in versions you might not know at all – done by soul artists who were clearly inspired by the warmer styles of mid 70s AOR, but who also bring the modes back to soul music, and really open up the tunes with fantastic vocals and mighty nice grooves! The set is particularly heavy on that late 70s/early 80s moment when things were really coming together in the modern soul scene – and the set features titles that include "Dedicate This Heart" by Dionne Warwick, "Dreams" by Richie Havens, "Monkey See Monkey Do" by Patti Labelle, "Euphrates" by Main Ingredient, "Sara Smile" by Impact, "Listen To The Music" by Isley Brothers, "Gringo" by Arnold McCuller, "What You Won't Do For Love" by Roy Ayers, "Tin Man" by John Edwards, "It's Too Late" by Billy Paul, and "I Hope You'll Be Very Unhappy Without Me" by Esther Phillips. CD

A really fantastic final album from The Peddlers – the UK trio who effortlessly mixed jazz and soul in the 60s, but who work here in a more expanded format! All the best elements of the group's sound are still nicely in place – those raspy vocals, strong use of keyboards, and especially their great sense of a groove – one that's made them a favorite for samples for more sophisticated DJs and producers over the years! But here, the sound is maybe even cooler – thanks to work from the London Philharmonic. Group leader/singer/keyboardist Roy Phillips composed the whole thing, and the Peddlers are at the core – but they're also helped out by percussionist John Punter and guitarist Toney Walmsley, and Peter Robinson – who did the larger orchestrations. Titles include "This Strange Affair", "Raining In London", "Sequence Of Thought", "Did She", "Sequence Of Thought", "In Juxtaposition", "Under London Nights", "River Lives", "I Have Seen", "Impressions", and "A Year And A Day Metamorphosis". CD includes 6 bonus rarities – equally strong singles the trio cut between 1971 and 1973 – compiled by St Eteinne! Titles include "Manah", "Have You Ever Been To Georgia", "Nothing Sacred", "Sing Me An Old Song" and "It's So Easy". CD

The lovely and late Edie Sedgwick is the cover draw on the record and movie – but the music within is maybe an even more interesting blend of sounds, and very different than what you might expect to come from the famous star of Andy Warhol's Factory scene! Some of the music here is by Gino Piserchio – and is spare, electronic material – of the creepy style that you'd hear in underground films of the time, but sometimes almost given a Brian Eno sort of tunefulness too. Other tracks are vocal numbers, and have a rootsy rock vibe that seems much more west coast than New York – which makes a nice contrast. There's even a few spoken passages that feature Edie's voice from the film – which balances things out in a great way. Titles include "Angel Shock", "Driving Verdeccio", "Revolution Of Youth", and "Night Riders" by Gino Piserchio – plus "I Can't Make It Anymore" by Richie Havens, "Citizen Kane" by Skip Battin & Kim Fowley, "To Give All Your Love Away" by Richie Havens, "Malibu People" by John Phillips, "Justice" by Kim Milford, and "Shouldn't All The World Be Dancing" by Richie Havens. CD

A massive tribute to this groundbreaking, genre-busting label – a short-lived imprint on Island Records that was put together by Brian Eno in the mid 70s – all to showcase some of the best new experiments in avant classical and minimalist music! There's a special sort of quality to these records – work that maybe has a bit more "heart" than some of the colder, more academic work of the period – even in comparison to some of the other records issued by some of these artists – warmer and more personal than the productions of Cramps or CRI, for example – and always seeming to have that special sort of sonic brilliance that Eno brought to his own music of the time! The label only issued ten full records, but that makes for a very unified vibe for the entire catalog – which is collected here with a huge booklet of notes inside the box set. Albums include The Sinking Of The Titanic by Gavin Bryars, Voices & Instrumentals by Jan Steele & John Cage, Irma by Tom Phillips, Pavilion Of Dreams by Harold Budd, Decay Music by Michael Nyman, Discreet Music by Brian Eno, New & Rediscovered Musical Instruments by Max Eastley & David Toop, Music From The Penguin Cafe by Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Machine Music by John White & Gavin Bryars, and Ensemble Pieces by Christopher Hobbs, John Adams, & Gavin Bryars. CD

Charlie Hunter on guitar, John Ellis on reeds and flute, and Derrek Phillips on drums. CD

The brilliant third album from Mike Westbrook – a sharp-edged, two volume set with a scathing anti-war theme! The work is Westbrook's first total-concept album, and it's still one of his best – written with an edge that's free from some of the more whimsical touches that showed up in Mike's later years, and played by a core group of British avant soloists with searing intensity! You've never heard large group scoring like this – bold, ambitious, and quite different than most of what's come before. And although the whole thing sounds as if it's going to fall apart at any moment, it always snaps back into a sharp focus just in the nick of time – with brilliant results that bring the same sense of surprise that you might get from, say, a classic album from Charles Mingus or Archie Shepp! Players include Kenny Wheeler and Henry Lowther on trumpets, Mike Gibbs and Paul Rutherford on trombones, John Surman on baritone and soprano sax, Mike Osborne on alto and clarinet, Alan Skidmore on tenor and flute, Brian Smith on tenor, and Harry Miller and Barre Phillips on bass. This set features both volumes of the recording – with titles that include "Landscape", "Hooray", "Other World", "Marching Song", "Transition", "Rosie", "Tension", "Ballad", "Conflict", and "Requiem". Great 3CD set features a full bonus disc of rare material – including the 7" single of "Original Peter" and "Magic Garden" – 1970 recordings of "But It Must Get Better & It Will Get Better" and "When Young" by The Mike Westbrook Quartet, and a 1966 recording of "Marching Song" by the Mike Westbrook Sextet – the last three of which have never been released! CD

A massive tribute to this groundbreaking, genre-busting label – a short-lived imprint on Island Records that was put together by Brian Eno in the mid 70s – all to showcase some of the best new experiments in avant classical and minimalist music! There's a special sort of quality to these records – work that maybe has a bit more "heart" than some of the colder, more academic work of the period – even in comparison to some of the other records issued by some of these artists – warmer and more personal than the productions of Cramps or CRI, for example – and always seeming to have that special sort of sonic brilliance that Eno brought to his own music of the time! The label only issued ten full records, but that makes for a very unified vibe for the entire catalog – which is collected here with a huge booklet of notes inside the box set. Albums include The Sinking Of The Titanic by Gavin Bryars, Voices & Instrumentals by Jan Steele & John Cage, Irma by Tom Phillips, Pavilion Of Dreams by Harold Budd, Decay Music by Michael Nyman, Discreet Music by Brian Eno, New & Rediscovered Musical Instruments by Max Eastley & David Toop, Music From The Penguin Cafe by Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Machine Music by John White & Gavin Bryars, and Ensemble Pieces by Christopher Hobbs, John Adams, & Gavin Bryars. LP, Vinyl record album

The second killer set in this series – a wonderful blend of AOR hits and soulful singers – wrapped up in a stunning style that's a great subgenre in itself! Many of the tunes here are familiar, but served up in versions you might not know at all – done by soul artists who were clearly inspired by the warmer styles of mid 70s AOR, but who also bring the modes back to soul music, and really open up the tunes with fantastic vocals and mighty nice grooves! The set is particularly heavy on that late 70s/early 80s moment when things were really coming together in the modern soul scene – and the set features titles that include "Dedicate This Heart" by Dionne Warwick, "Dreams" by Richie Havens, "Monkey See Monkey Do" by Patti Labelle, "Euphrates" by Main Ingredient, "Sara Smile" by Impact, "Listen To The Music" by Isley Brothers, "Gringo" by Arnold McCuller, "What You Won't Do For Love" by Roy Ayers, "Tin Man" by John Edwards, "It's Too Late" by Billy Paul, and "I Hope You'll Be Very Unhappy Without Me" by Esther Phillips. LP, Vinyl record album

A stunning selection of cuts from a huge moment in prog on the British scene – the year 1973, and a time when the movement was maybe at its peak – or at least had some of its leading lights working at the top of their creative powers! This isn't a collection of classic rock hits, nor is it overly-familiar material from album rock giants – and instead, the package is a really inventive journey through a nicely varied mix of material – album cuts, rarities, and a few single cuts that have the bands focusing their energy into shorter tunes than before. In fact, that's maybe the real charm of this work – as so many of the groups are have really perfected their craft, yet haven't given in to commercial pressures – so there's top-shelf cuts all the way through, but also nary a hit in the batch. As with other Esoteric/Cherry Red collections like this, the package has very detailed notes that support the wonderful choice of tracks – and the 4CD set features 48 titles in all, with work from PFM, Badger, John Martyn, Curved Air, Hawkwind, Jonesy, Rare Bird, Nektar, Al Stewart, Anthony Phillips, Greenslade, John Lees, Yes, Beggars Opera, Robert Calvert, Caravan, Camel, and many others! CD

Great work as a leader from this legendary Duke Ellington altoist – working here with Ben Webster on tenor, Lawrence Brown on trombone, Emmett Berry on trumpet, Leroy Lovett on piano, and Lloyd Trotman on bass – plus some tracks that Flip Phillips and Al Sears on tenor, and Sonny Green on drums. Titles include "In A Mellow Tone", "I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart", "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good", "Sophisticated Lady", and "Solitude". LP, Vinyl record album

Johnny's very much in his "revival" mode here – dipping back to his earlier R&B roots, and working with a host of famous older blues singers. The set's got vocals by Roy Milton, Roy Brown, Esther Phillips, Mighty Mouth Evans, Ivory Joe Hunter, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Margie Evans, and Big Joe Turner – and even though Shuggie Otis is on the album, the whole thing's a pretty bluesy affair overall. Titles include "Shuggie's Boogie", "Plastic Man", "Margie's Boogie", "Baby You Don't Know", "Little Esther's Blues", "RM Blues", "Goin Back To LA", "Willie & The Hand Jive", and "Since I Met You Baby". LP, Vinyl record album

Original score for the film by Paul Scrader. Features composer Scott Johnson on guitar, Fred Zlotkin on cello, Michael Riesman and Peter Phillips on keyboards, Karl Bargen on viola, and Sergiu Shwartz and Timothy Baker on violin. CD

A well-done set, and one that stretches from the pre-Verve years of these groupings, to the big run when they were starting to really shine on record! The first half features mid 40s material – with performances from Illinois Jacquet, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Flip Phillips, and Jack McVea on tenors – plus Willie Smith on alto, Buck Clayton and Shorty Sherock on trumpets, JJ Johnson on trombone, Nat King Cole on piano, and Les Paul on guitar. The second half features early 50s material, including three long ballad medley tracks – with performances from Benny Carter and Willie Smith on altos, Oscar Peterson on piano, Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Eldridge on trumpets, and Ben Webster, Lester Young, and Flip Phillips on tenors! LP, Vinyl record album

An expanded version of the first album to carry the Jazz At The Philharmonic formula into the studio – and a record that virtually coined the term "jam session" for 50s jazz! Norman Granz repeats the style he'd done so well in a live setting – and brings together a host of all-star players in a very relaxed, open environment – one that gives them all plenty of space to open up and hit some nice long solos. Players include Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges, and Benny Carter in a three-alto frontline, plus Flip Phillips and Ben Webster on tenor, Barney Kessel on guitar, Oscar Peterson on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and JC Heard on drums. Side one features the original "Jam Blues", and side two features a "Ballad Medley", with each solo star taking one of the tunes in the set. Also features the material from vol 2 – "Funky Blues" and "What Is This Thing Called Love". LP, Vinyl record album

An expanded version of the first album to carry the Jazz At The Philharmonic formula into the studio – and a record that virtually coined the term "jam session" for 50s jazz! Norman Granz repeats the style he'd done so well in a live setting – and brings together a host of all-star players in a very relaxed, open environment – one that gives them all plenty of space to open up and hit some nice long solos. Players include Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges, and Benny Carter in a three-alto frontline, plus Flip Phillips and Ben Webster on tenor, Barney Kessel on guitar, Oscar Peterson on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and JC Heard on drums. Side one features the original "Jam Blues", and side two features a "Ballad Medley", with each solo star taking one of the tunes in the set. Also features the material from vol 2 – "Funky Blues" and "What Is This Thing Called Love". CD

The first album to carry the Jazz At The Philharmonic formula into the studio – and a record that virtually coined the term "jam session" for 50s jazz! Norman Granz repeats the style he'd done so well in a live setting – and brings together a host of all-star players in a very relaxed, open environment – one that gives them all plenty of space to open up and hit some nice long solos. Players include Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges, and Benny Carter in a three-alto frontline, plus Flip Phillips and Ben Webster on tenor, Barney Kessel on guitar, Oscar Peterson on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and JC Heard on drums. Side one features the original "Jam Blues", and side two features a "Ballad Medley", with each solo star taking one of the tunes in the set. LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Lester Young, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Machito, Johnny Hodges, Benny Carter, Flip Phillips, Anita O'Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Blossom Dearie, Mel Torme, Jimmy Giuffre, Lee Konitz, and more. CD

Southern hillbilly soul from Fern Jones – a minister, church singer and songwriter with a real feel for the secular shake of 50s Sun Records, honky tonk, and shout blues – a pure evangelical with a worldly groove! Fern worked the gospel circuit of tent and church shows for many, many years – but only recorded two albums, this one for Dot/Paramount. Fern sings in the torch country style of Patsy Cline, often with spare rockabilly-styled guitar and drums backbeat. This album is probably most noteworthy for the classic song "I Was There When It Happened" – co-written by Fern Jones and made famous by Johnny Cash. It's especially legendary because it was the only gospel number Sam Phillips allowed Cash to include on his first LP. But Fern's album is more than worthy of a late discovery – she's a true pioneer, fearlessly blending the Lord's work with the Devil's music – at a time when such poles were anathema for most artists, fans, and record labels alike! Original album tracks include "You Ain't Got Nuthin'", "I Do Believe", "Be Thankful You're You", "I Ain't Got Time", "Let Tomorrow Be" – plus the bonus tracks "When I Meet You", "By And By", "I Don't Care What The World May Do" and "This World Is Not My Home". CD

A surprisingly strong collection of country cuts from a very unusual scene – material recorded for the tiny Cuca Records label in Wisconsin – a company who was more likely to open their doors to just about anyone, than they were to carefully pick who got to record in their studio! Yet because of that approach, Cuca was able to capture some fantastic sounds that would have otherwise been lost to more commercial concerns – music that here represents an underground of country singers and late rockabilly acts from the scene in southern Wisconsin – all artists with the kind of twang and subject matter you'd be much more likely to discover down in Tennessee! As usual with Numero Group, the record is as musically great as it is culturally compelling – put together with plenty of care, and a stunning set list that includes "Happy Don't Last Forever" by Nancy Lee Jordan, "Little Hero" by Dixie Drifter, "Cardinal" by John D Curnow, "Six Foot Down" by Gene Ski & The Troubadours, "There's A River" by Sam Podnay, "Hello Houston" by Johnny Madrid, "Wanderer" by The Lavenders, "Challenge" by Larry Phillipson, "Run Little Girl" by Harrison Two, "Heaven Help The Working Girl" by Janet Kaye, "Trouble Sweet Trouble" by Curley Fields & The Kentuckians, and "When I See You" by Rog Winters & The Plainsmen. LP, Vinyl record album

An expanded version of the first album to carry the Jazz At The Philharmonic formula into the studio – and a record that virtually coined the term "jam session" for 50s jazz! Norman Granz repeats the style he'd done so well in a live setting – and brings together a host of all-star players in a very relaxed, open environment – one that gives them all plenty of space to open up and hit some nice long solos. Players include Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges, and Benny Carter in a three-alto frontline, plus Flip Phillips and Ben Webster on tenor, Barney Kessel on guitar, Oscar Peterson on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and JC Heard on drums. Side one features the original "Jam Blues", and side two features a "Ballad Medley", with each solo star taking one of the tunes in the set. Also features the material from vol 2 – "Funky Blues" and "What Is This Thing Called Love". CD

The first album to carry the Jazz At The Philharmonic formula into the studio – and a record that virtually coined the term "jam session" for 50s jazz! Norman Granz repeats the style he'd done so well in a live setting – and brings together a host of all-star players in a very relaxed, open environment – one that gives them all plenty of space to open up and hit some nice long solos. Players include Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges, and Benny Carter in a three-alto frontline, plus Flip Phillips and Ben Webster on tenor, Barney Kessel on guitar, Oscar Peterson on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and JC Heard on drums. Side one features the original "Jam Blues", and side two features a "Ballad Medley", with each solo star taking one of the tunes in the set. Also features the material from vol 2 – "Funky Blues" and "What Is This Thing Called Love". CD

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The deepest sound of the legendary TK Records label in the 70s – music that shows the way the company was really helping to transform the sound of southern soul in the decade, and also open the door to a whole new range of styles too! The tracks here definitely have a mellow groove, but they're never sleepy – just set apart from the more disco-oriented hits on TK, thanks to a sophisticated approach to instrumentation and arrangements – at a level that still makes most of these cuts stand head and shoulder above mainstream soul of the time! You'll know a few artists from earlier, straighter material – and will discover a number of other rarer, much more obscure TK talents – in a great set list that includes "Confusion" by Leno Phillips, "Keep Her Happy" by Phillip Wright, "I Got Bills To Pay" by Johnny K, "Thousand Years" by Brand New, "If You Want My Love" by Jimmy Bo Horne, "You Can Be A Lady" by JP Robinson, "Girls Can't Do What The Guys Do" by Betty Wright, "Sleep On Dream On" by Raphael Munnings, "Tears Of The World" by Robert Moore, "The Silence That You Keep" by Milton Wright, "You Knock Me Out" by Wildflower, and "Love Insurance" by Gwen McCrae. CD

Music from The Platters, Sil Austin, Ricky Nelson, Bill Justis, The Diamonds, Connie Francis, Sheb Wooley, Tommy Edwards, Big Bopper, Brook Benton, Phil Phillips With The Twilights, Johnny Preston, Mark Dinning, Conway Twitty, and Jimmy Jones. CD

A special vinyl-only collection of tracks from the legendary Dave Godin Deep Soul series – a set that's kind of the best of the best – given the strength of those all-great soul collections! All the cuts here offer a perfect definition of the deep soul groove at its best – a rich, heartfelt approach to the genre that's heavy on sounds from the southern soul scene of the 60s, but which also features a few inflections from other styles too! Vocals are always at the forefront, sung in a mindblowing way that may well even surpass some of the bigger names of the period – like artists on Atlantic or Stax – and titles include "Like It Stands" by Robert Ramsey, "These Four Walls" by Irma Thomas, "Losin Boy" by Eddy Giles, "Just Loving You" by Ruby Andrews, "You Got Me" by Jaibi, "Try Love" by Dori Grayson, "I'm Sorry I Hurt You" by Nat Phillips, "I Don't Cary Anymore" by Doris Duke, "Who Are You Gonna Love" by Rozetta Johnson, "You Make Me Feel Good" by Jawrence & Jaibi, and "It's Not That Easy" by Reuben Bell & The Casanovas. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the coolest collections of music we've ever heard from the legendary TK Records in Miami – a company that was a powerhouse of 70s hits and disco classics – but which also cut some wonderful underground soul at the time! This sublime set looks at that great lesser-known legacy of TK – the hipper, more sophisticated music they cut in between the chart numbers and boogie singles – often by soul artists who had some involvement with bigger acts, but who really got a chance here to shine on their own! There's a surprising amount of funk in the mix – that deeper current that made Miami a key heir to 60s funky styles from Memphis and New Orleans – and there's some equally great modern soul, but served up with a complexity that goes way past the usual – both in the songwriting and arrangements. If you've only heard TK hit collections, you'll find plenty to love here – and even for deeper diggers like us, there's still plenty of new bits to be discovered! Titles include "Confusion" by Leno Phillips, "You Knock Me Out" by Wildflower, "Hey There Jim" by Jimmy Bo Horne, "Tears Of The World" by Robert Moore, "I Got Bills To Pay" by Johnny K, "I Want To Be Loved" by Stevens & Foster, "Sleep On Dream On" by Raphael Munnings, "Life Is A Beautiful Feeling" by Formula 1, "Bahama Soul Stew" by Funky Nassau, "Lay It On Me" by Willie Johnson, "The Silence That You Keep (version 1)" by Milton Wright, and "There Must Be Something" by Friday Saturday & Sunday. LP, Vinyl record album

A trio of pop talents you'd normally find on TV – Paul Peterson and Shelly Fabares from the Donna Reed Show, plus James Darren, who'd also done some work for the same program as well – brought together here in a classic 60s album that allows each of their stars to shine brightly on their own! Every singer gets a set of their own tracks for the record – Fabares in the same style as her excellent records with producer/arranger Stu Phillips, Peterson at a level that's maybe a bit more throwaway kid pop, and Darren with a surprisingly strong presence that belies his record as the strongest recording star of the three. Titles include "She Can't Find Her Keys", "Keep Your Love Locked", and "Lollipops & Roses" by Paul Peterson; "Johnny Angel", "I'm Grlwoing Up", and "Johnny Loves Me" by Shelly Fabares; and "Her Royal Majesty", "Goodbye Cruel World", and "Conscience" by James Darren. LP, Vinyl record album

We love the idea of spending the summer with Shelly Fabares – especially if it would sound as groovy as this rare gem from the 60s! Shelly's not the best singer you'll ever find, and the tunes here are hardly personal tunes from her heart – but the album's production and presentation are flawless – and one of the best examples of great girl pop you'll ever find from the time! Maestro Stu Phillips arranged and produced, and has a very good ear for the right mix of jaunty and weepy sounds that work with Fabares vocal range – at a level that often leans heavy on echo to really resonate some of the best moments in the set. The album's a real pop masterpiece – and titles include "Johnny Loves Me", "Johnny Get Angry", "See You In September", "Palisades Park", "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", "The Things We Did Last Summer", and "It Keeps Right On A Hurtin". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic package of work – material that not only helped kick off the career of the legendary Howlin Wolf, but also the Memphis powerhouse Sun Records too! The material here was all cut in the Sun Studios right at the start of its famous run – material recorded by Sam Phillips long before Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis – at a time when he was deeply interested in the shifts taking place in southern blues at the time, and was willing to take a chance on the mighty talents of Howlin Wolf! Wolf was no newcomer to the scene, but hadn't gotten recorded much before – especially not at this level, which brings out qualities that really ignited a long stretch of important 50s sessions after Sun licensed a few key tracks to other labels before they got their own imprint up and running. This very cool 10" package features titles not issued at the time – ten great tracks that were in the Sun Records vaults for years – presented here in a very cool vintage-styled LP. Titles on this second volume include "Color & Kind", "My Baby Walked Off", "Baby Ride With Me", "Smile At Me", "California Blues", "Well That's All Right", "Mr Highway Man/Cadillac Daddy", "Decoration Day Blues", "Dorothy Mae #2", and "CV Wine Blues/Drinkin CV Wine". LP, Vinyl record album