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Really beautiful music for the George Clooney remake of Solaris – sounds that are quite different than those used in the Tarkovsky original, and which have a surprisingly pleasant feel at most moments! Light orchestrations are mixed with some key minimal passages on piano – resonating out in these slow, longform waves of melody – almost the sort of music you might expect to find in space, if it wasn't such a soundless wasteland! Titles include "First Sleep", "Is That What Everybody Wants", "Wormhole", "Wear Your Seat Belt", "Hi Energy Proton Accelerator", "Don't Blow It", and "Maybe You're My Puppet". CD

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A really fantastic score from Ennio Morricone – maybe better this time around than the images on the screen for some of his other westerns of the period – more proof that the maestro was always willing to rise above, and give his best no matter what the setting! The music begins with some already-fantastic elements – mule-like noises that mark the theme and title of the film – carried out with that fantastic sense of western flourish that Morricone could do so well – a use of space in the music that evokes the landscape, even without images to view – as subtle orchestrations mix with occasional guitar, and a fair bit of the sorts of unfamiliar sounds that the maestro was always able to create! Titles include "The Braying Mule", "The Battle", "The Cool Mule", "La Cueva", "Night On The Desert", and "Time For Miracles". This massive 2CD edition features the original 11 track album from 1970 – plus a full bonus CD of songs from the film score, most of which appear here for the first time ever – 21 more tracks, and a bonus hour's worth of music! CD

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One of Nelson Riddle's finest moments of the 60s – the wonderful original soundtrack for the campy full length Batman film! The tunes have a totally excellent blend of the dramatic and the jazzy – often using full orchestrations, but in a tight way that goes for rhythmic passages and tight little themes – all hitting hard with a style that goes "Zap!" "Pow!" "Slam!" The approach is a fair bit like the crime jazz of the Henry Mancini generation, but has a bit more swing and pop – as you'd guess from the comic book source material. The CD features 29 original instrumental tracks all from the film (6 more than the previous CD reissue) – plus 3 bonus tracks that includes a few other little bits not by Riddle – all packaged with a 20 page booklet that's got lots of vivid images from the movie! 31 tracks in all – with titles that include "Flee For Your Life", "Dehydrated", "Batmobile To Airport", "Good Job", "Roger Wilco", "The Grotto", "Small Craft", "Batman Theme", and "Fine Finkish Friends". CD

Pretty great work for the short-lived Planet Of The Apes TV show in the 70s – a brief spinoff of the films, done with a surprisingly similar style – and with some excellent soundtrack music that's really a cut above the usual for the time! The bulk of the music here is by Lalo Schifrin – although some episodes are scored by Richard LaSalle, Earl Hagen, and Lionel Newman – the the vibe is similar to the film, with an orchestral approach at the core, mixed with exotic touches, spooky elements, and some darker dramatic passages! The 2CD set features a huge amount of music from the show – over 2 hours of listening, with very detailed notes – and the set features music from the episodes "Escape From Tomorrow", "The Good Seeds", "The Gladiators", "The Trap", "The Legacy", "The Deception", "The Surgeon", "The Interrogation", and "Tomorrow's Tide" – plus extra songs from the credits. CD

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The soundtrack to the 60s version of Stagecoach – the one with the outrageously beautiful Ann Margaret, Bing Crosby, Red Buttons, Slim Pickens and Alex Cord – with a lavish, though appropriately dust-strewn Jerry Goldsmith soundtrack! This '66 remake may not rival John Ford's landmark earlier version, but it certainly has a wonderful soundtrack going for it. Oh, and also the jaw-droppingly gorgeous Ann Margaret. Wait, did we mention her already? La La Land does a respectful service to Goldsmith's great score, which includes the main title theme, plus "The Stage Is Coming", "The Aftermath", Escape Route", "All Is Forgiven", "A New Passenger", "No More Indians" and more – plus the vocal tune "Stagecoach To Cheyenne" sung by Wayne Newton (!!!) – and 8 bonus tracks. 20 in all. CD

Killer work from a very unique little group – the short-lived union of bassist Red Mitchell and saxophonist Harold Land – heard here in one of the hippest dates from the LA scene of the early 60s! Mitchell's a well-known name from more straight ahead sides of the 50s, but working here with Land he really hits a great groove – that harder sort of soulbop sound that was coming out of LA for a few brief years in the 60s – played with a sense of tightness and fire that matched the best work of the time in New York! The whole group here is great – and the amazing Carmell Jones is in the group on trumpet, alongside Frank Strazzeri on piano and Leon Pettis on drums. The solos are great, and the writing is too – with some lively lyrical original compositions that include "Comara", "Pari Passu", "Catacomb", and "Triplin Awhile". A great bridge between Land's earlier sessions under his own name, and his later partnership with Bobby Hutcherson! CD

Lots of Tico Records classics – work by Pete Terrace, Tito Puente, Joe Loco, La Playa Sextet, Machito, and Tito Rodriguez! LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic overview of the legendary Rampart Records – one of the strongest soul labels on the LA scene of the 60s, and a company that did some surprisingly compelling work in the 70s too! Rampart's biggest-ever act was Cannibal & The Headhunters – and the set is titled after their classic giant hit – but the company also really had a strong ear to the ground on the scene in East LA – which meant that they worked in a really great blend of modes that included vocal group soul, Latin-styled sounds, and plenty of funk and straighter soul too – before resurfacing in the late 70s with a more eclectic blend of music. This package is the first to really do justice to the complete Rampart legacy – and brings together every single issued by the imprint, who hardly ever put out full albums – a total of 79 tracks that's pretty darn heavy on the 60s, and which includes both the a-sides and b-sides of the singles. There's also a massive book, too – filled with notes on the story of the label, the details of all the songs, and a huge amount of photos – including a section on Rampart artists on the road in the 60s. A fantastic set, and a huge bargain for the price – with work by The Village Callers, Hummingbird 4, The Four Tempos, The Majestics, East Bay Soul Brass, Cannibal & The Headhunters, Phil & Del, Randy Thomas, Sammy Lee & The Summits, The Mixtures, Skylite, Eastside Connection, Graciela Palafox, and Raven. CD

A very groovy look at a very groovy record label – LA powerhouse White Whale Records, home to some mighty fine sounds in the second half of the 60s! As you'd guess from the title, there's a slight current of trippiness running through this material, but it's often blended with a really strong sense of production and a nice ear for a hook – maybe a bit like A&M Records, who might be a comparison to some of the work here – as White Whale always had a careful ear for the up-and-coming, and gave them great freedom to do their thing, and the right sort of production and presentation to make everything come out groovy! And although White Whale had some hits back in the day, this material is definitely from the farther reaches of the label's singles – as you can tell from the set list, which includes "Vegetables" by The Laughing Gravy, "You Got The Love" by Professor Morrison's Lollipop, "My Door Is Always Open" by Rainy Daze, "Love Story" by The Brothers, "Superman" by The Clique, "Look At You Now" by Bazooka, "Won't You Say You'll Stay" by The Rockets, "The Proud One" by Buster Brown, "Goin It Alone" by The Bears, "Song #7" by Lyme & Cybelle, "Darlin You Can Count On Me" by The Everpresent Fullness, "Little Girl Little Boy" by The Odyssey, "I'll Be In" by The Answer, and "We Must Find A Way" by The XLs. LP, Vinyl record album

Four classic albums from Dynasty – served up here with bonus material too! First up is Your Piece Of The Rock – a set that has Dynasty working with snapping grooves with a nice sort of electro undercurrent –- all the handiwork of Leon Sylvers, who also plays bass and drums on the record – and really helps Dynasty find their groove! The tracks here are all quite long, and offer up plenty of space for the players to jam nicely – a group that includes Fred Jackson on saxophone, Gene Dozier on keyboards, and Oscar Brashear on trumpet. Dynasty are pretty good too – a bit more than just a club trio filling in vocals from time to time – and titles include "Satisfied", "Your Piece Of The Rock", "I Don't Want To Be A Freak", "When You Feel Like Giving Love", and "It's Still A Thrill". Next is Adventures In Music – almost a fusion of older sweet group soul with some of the more bottom-driven modes forged by the Solar label! The keyboards are upfront, the basslines strong, and the group is completely tight on the money – at a level that made them one of the strongest 80s proponents of the Solar Records groove. The title cut here is our favorite – a sweet stepper that bursts out with this blast of sound that's totally great – completely captivating, and filled with cascading sounds that really grab us. Other tracks include "Ice Breaker", "Something To Remember", "Day & Night", "Do Me Right", and "I've Just Begun To Love You". Next is Second Adventure – the kind of set that shows why the group went on to become one of the strongest things going in the second chapter of the Solar Records soul empire from LA! The album begins with a rock-solid punch, then continues strongly throughout – basslines, guitar riffs, and funky drums all right on the money – used in a way that's somehow fresher than most of the larger funk groups of the time – and with a nice balance between mellower moments that still seem to have a gentle kind of groove. The energy is wonderful throughout – and titles include "Give It Up For Love", "Love In The Fast Lane", "Revenge", "Here I Am", "A Man In Love", and "You're My Angel". Last up is Right Back At Cha – a set that's super tight and right on the money – that wonderfully catchy approach to 80s R&B that was the hallmark of Dynasty at their height! The tunes are a hook-heavy blend of funk and upbeat modes – all brightly glowing with that style that made Solar Records one of the leading lights of the Cali soul scene in the decade – and which gets some extra special treatment here from one of their most consistent groups! Titles include "That's The Way I Feel About You", "Check It Out, "The Only One", "Questions", "Straight Out", and "Does That Ring A Bell". 3CD set also features 9 bonus tracks – all 7" single mixes of hits from the albums! CD

A lost session of spiritual jazz – recorded in LA in the latter half of the 80s, but with a soaring, righteous vibe that's right up there with the 70s scene! The group here is incredible – an all-star array of the best talents working for Nimbus Records – Nate Morgan on piano, Rickey Kelly on vibes, Jesse Sharps on reeds, Danny Cortez on trumpet, Joel Ector on bass, and Derek Roberts on drums – all moving with the cohesiveness of a well-honed small combo, in territory that's right in line with some of Morgan's most glorious recordings for the label! The use of Kelly on vibes is especially nice – as he's a player we've always loved, but hardly ever get to hear in a setting this ambitious – and his presence on the record makes the whole thing sound even more magical and majestic. Tracks are quite long, with a soaring, searching feel – driven on strongly by Morgan's piano, and topped by some great explorations by Sharps. Titles include "Retribution Reparation", "Big Spliff", "A Bientot", "The Goat & The Ram Jam", "Mfaconi", "Mrafu", "Distant Vibes", and "Journey Into Nigritia". CD

Brilliant work by the team of Clifford Brown and Max Roach – a seminal hardbop album that was one of the few to bridge the east and west coast scenes! The set was recorded in LA under the joint leadership of Brown and Roach – and features the classic quintet lineup that included Harold Land on tenor, Richie Powell (Bud's brother!) on piano, and George Morrow on bass. The mix of Roach's heavy full-on drumming and Brown's lyrical beauty is beyond compare – and Land's angular and sensitive tenor lines provide a perfect link between the two. Titles include classics like "Parisian Thoroughfare", "The Blues Walk", "Daahoud", "Jordu", and "Joy Spring". CD

A tight little record – with a strong focus on Al Cohn's solo work! Al's the lead soloist in a number of largish groups that are often tightly arranged, but which let the leader break out nicely – cutting with an edge on his tenor that's sometimes even sharper than usual. Cohn handled most of the arrangements – but a few are by Johnny Carisi, Ralph Burns, or Manny Albam –a nd players include Joe Newman on trumpet, Billy Byaers and Frank Rehak on trombone, Gene Quill on alto, and Jimmy Raney on guitar. Proceedings are tight, but never too uptight – and titles include "Cabin In The Sky", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "This Reminds Me Of You", "Move", "Cohn My Way", "La Ronde", and "Never Never Land". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little album that's every bit as wonderful as you might expect from its cover – one of the key late 50s sides as a leader from bassist Curtis Counce – cut with a killer lineup that includes Harold Land on tenor sax, Rolf Ericson on trumpet, and Elmo Hope on piano! The set's got the mix of modernism and soul bop leanings you might expect from the players – a really fresh approach that comes off especially well in the non-iconic production style of the Dootone label – a mode that really let the players do their own thing, and break out from some of the tighter restrictions of other LA labels on the scene. Frank Butler completes the quintet on drums – and titles include "The Countdown", "Into The Orbit", "Race For Space", "Move", "Angel Eyes", and "So Nice". CD also features 4 bonus tracks – "Foreplay", "Chasin The Bird", "Move (unedited version)", and "Head Gear (Countdown) (unedited version)". CD

Remarkable Carmell Jones, indeed – and one of the few albums ever cut as a leader by this up-and-coming force on the LA scene at the start of the 60s! Jones was a player who really showcased something new on the west at the time – a move away from cool jazz, and the start of a deeper, headier generation of musicians – the bold power that would come from cats like Lou Blackburn, Horace Tapscott, and Jimmy Woods. This date's an early entry into that legacy – and has a tight approach to hardbop with plenty of modern elements – a bit like the shift that Curtis Amy was making at the time. In addition to Jones on trumpet, the album also features Harold Land on tenor, Frank Strazzeri on piano, Gary Peacock on bass, and Leon Pettis on drums – all working with a careful blend of soul jazz and modern influences, on a wonderful batch of well-written tunes. Titles include "I'm Gonna Go Fishing", "Night Tide", "Sad March", and "Stellisa". CD

A treasure trove of greatness from British folk rock legend John Renbourn – all of his late 60s solo work, done before moving on to greater fame in Pentangle! First up is There You Go – a rare one from singer Dorris Henderson and future Pentangle founder John Rensbourn! Florida born, LA raised singer Dorris Henderson moved to London in 1965 and was soon singing London's folk clubs, where she met Rensbourn. A solid mix of traditionals and then contemporary folk songs – stripped down and honest takes on "Saly Free And Easy", "Cotton Eyed Joe", "Mr Tamborine Man", "Going To Memphis", Something Lonesome", "Mist On The Mountain" and more. This edition includes bonus tracks from a rare 45 – "Hangman" and "Leaves That Are Green". Next is the self-titled John Renbourn from 1965 – a set that would not only establish John's legacy for years to come, but also have a very strong impact upon the role of the guitar on the British scene too! The album's definitely in a mode that owes something to an American folk legacy – but it also really breaks from the past with unusual phrasings and colorings in Renbourn's guitar – certainly with an ear towards ancient English modes, but also at once very fresh and contemporary – a strong precursor to the waves of new acoustic talents that would flow from the UK a few years later, but maybe even more revolutionary – given that John's mostly just working here with his guitar and voice. Bert Jansch adds guitar to a few tracks – and titles include "Song", "Down On The Barge", "Plainsong", "Judy", "Beth's Blues", "Blue Bones", "Train Tune", "Winter Is Gone", and "Noah & Rabbit". Bert & John is a hell of a collaboration between British legends Bert Jansch and John Renbourn – both working here together to completely redefine the sound of their music for the generation to come! This one album may well hold all the sense of subtle power and possibility that was about to flower in the Brit movement often known as "acid folk" – that reworking of older aesthetics with modern conceptions, and doing so mostly with their work on acoustic guitar – quite a feat, given the stripped-down instrumentation of the set! Bert sings a bit – in that incredible style of his – but the real attraction here is the guitar interplay, which is always fresh, never hokey, neither familiar American folk nor forced singer-songwriter backup material. Titles include a wonderful reworking of Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" – plus "Red's Favourite", "Orlando", "Soho", "Piano Tune", "East Wind", "After The Dance", and "The Time Has Come". Another Monday is maybe the most obscure album in the collection – a set that is mostly instrumental, with some completely fantastic work by Renbourn on guitar – but which also features a bit of guest vocals from singer Jacqui McShee – whose warmer presence next to John really makes for a nice pairing. The album's as powerful as it is subtle, really beautiful in its sense of variety – with titles that include "Buffalo", "One For William", "Lost Lover Blues", "Another Monday", "Day At The Seaside", "Nobody's Fault But Mine", and "Waltz". Watch The Stars is another great collaboration with Dorris Henderson – an American singer, but one who moved to London in the 60s – where she cut this rare gem with guitarist John Renbourn! The album's got a righteous vibe that's hipper than the usual folk set – with some traditional tunes and some contemporary material – recorded with that amazing phrasing that made Renbourn's guitar so distinct right from the start, with lots of those jazzy currents we love so much – and which really fit the creative vocal approach of Henderson! Dorris also plays some autoharp, and there's a bit of bass in the backings – although overall the main focus here is on Renbourn's guitar and Henderson's vocals. Titles include "Come Up Horsey", "God Bless The Child", "Watch The Stars", "30 Days In Jail", "Mosaic Patterns", "Tomorrow Is A Long Time", and "There's Anger In This Land". Sir John A Lot Of is perhaps one of the best-known albums from British guitar legend John Renbourn – as it was issued widely in the US, and kept in print for a surprisingly long time over the years! The approach here is slightly different than Renbourn's previous records – a bit in the image presented by the cover, although with maybe not as slavish a sound – as John just uses the whole thing to go a bit more ancient than before, in ways that echo the time travel that the whole British folk scene was taking as the 70s approached. The tunes are done in ways that are really beautiful – still lots of the incredible guitar work that made Renbourn such a standout on the scene – plus flute from jazzman Ray Warleigh, who's very different here than usual – and spare use of finger cymbals, African drums, and glockenspiel by Terry Cox. Titles include "Morgana", "Transfusion", "The Trees They Do Grow High", "Sweet Potato", "Seven Up", and "White Fishes". 6CD box features all records in original artwork sleeves, with a booklet of notes – and bonus tracks that include "Message To Pretty", "The Waggoner's Lad", "Lucky Thirteen", "Blues Run The Game", "The Wildest Pig In Captivity (alt)", "Can't Keep From Crying", "Transfusion (alt)", and "The Leaves Are Green". CD

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". LP, Vinyl record album

The first Salsoul album from Tierra – a great west coast Latin soul combo who followed strongly in the tradition of Malo and El Chicano! Like those groups in their later years, Tierra's focus here is more on tunes that have a mellow-grooving soul approach – still Latin in some of the instrumentation, rhythms, and phrasing – but also aimed at more of a crossover soul market, and sung with a great East LA appreciation for a gentle harmony. Titles include "Stranded", "Baila Simon", "Land Of The Free", "Don't Be So Sure", "Some Kind Of Woman", "Knowing You Loving You", and the great groover "Sun God", which has a wicked mix of electronics and congas! LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent album from Gerald Wilson – one that features some of his most inventive writing and arranging to date! The album's a perfect balance between the two sides of LA jazz in the 60s – the soul jazz groove, and the growing modern scene – which often didn't get the larger exposure it needed, but would sometimes peek forth under the guidance of mainstream figures like Wilson. The set features very strong solo work by hip LA players like Jimmy Woods on alto, Jack Wilson on piano, Harold Land on tenor, and Joe Pass on guitar – and the tracks are all tributes to some of Wilson's biggest influences – so "Eric" is dedicated to Eric Dolphy, "Ravi" to Ravi Shankar, "Paco" to the great Spanish matador, and so on. The whole thing's quite hip, and another example of how Wilson could perfectly balance the modernist impulses of the LA underground with a tight sense of arrangement and presentation that helped him reach a very wide audience at the time. CD

A sweet set by vibist Victor Feldman, certainly one of his best from the 50s, and one that has more of an edge than a lot of the others currently in print. The group on the session includes a number of great LA boppers – like Harold Land, Carl Perkins, and Leroy Vinnegar – and the tracks are a bit longer than usual, and mostly originals. Titles include "Fidelius", "Bass Reflex", "Evening In Paris", and "Wilbert's Tune". Plus, the cover's got a shot of Feldman playing vibes on the ribcage of a skeleton! LP, Vinyl record album

Incredibly righteous work from Bobby Hutcherson – a rare Blue Note session that features vocals by Eugene McDaniels! The set was recorded right before McDaniels' groundbreaking Headless Heroes album, but it's got a similar sort of vibe – breaking down genres and musical expectations – and reaching forth with a powerful progressive sound that's beyond compare! All tracks feature lead vocals by Eugene McDaniels, supported by a small chorus of backing singers – in a mode that's a bit like some of the Eddie Gale work on Blue Note at the time – all topped off with some great instrumental work by a core combo that features Hutcherson on vibes, Harold Land on tenor, Wally Richardson on guitar, and Joe Chambers on drums. Imagine the greatness of the Hutcherson/Land group, but with the added bonus of a spiritual soul jazz vocal aspect – and you've really got a key picture of this one! Like the best work on Strata East, but recorded years before – and featuring the titles "Now", "Slow Change", "Black Heroes", "The Creators", and "Hello to the Wind". And, as if that wasn't enough, this CD features 4 bonus tracks from the Blue Note Meets The LA Philharmonic album from 1977 – featuring new recordings of tracks from the album – without vocals, but with some larger orchestral backings that take the tunes just as far! Bonus titles include "Slow Change", "Now", and "Hello To The Wind" – done in versions that really complement the originals nicely! CD

It's hard to overstate the influence of Max Roach and Clifford Brown on the west coast scene of the 50s – as the two players helped draw out the bop sound of LA that was quickly getting lost in the cool jazz shuffle of the time, and gave it a strength and focus that not only made the group one of the strongest of the time, but which also sparked new life and a hardbop generation on the LA scene! This classic set of live recordings was one of the first great Brown/Roach moments – recorded during 2 different concerts by Gene Norman Presents, and featuring some great tenor work by LA giants Teddy Edwards and Harold Land, plus some piano by the amazing "sideways" player Carl Perkins, as well as Bud Powell's brother Richie – a key factor of the group's studio recordings on Mercury, and a player who would perish in the same accident that took the life of Clifford Brown. Titles include "Parisian Thoroughfare", "I Can't Get Started", "I Get A Kick Out Of You", and "Jordu". LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "Part-Time Lover", "Overjoyed", "I Love You Too Much", "Stranger On The Shore Of Love", "Spiritual Walkers", "Land Of La La", and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic work from the Cannonball Adderley Quintet – one of their greatest performances from the seminal early 60s years! The band at this time includes Cannon on alto, Nat on cornet, Victor Feldman on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums – and although Feldman's not as strong of a soul jazz player as Bobby Timmons or Joe Zawinul, both of whom also played with the group, his playing on this set is great, thanks to a really lively rhythm section! Includes an 11 minute version of "Sack O Woe", plus "Blue Daniel", "Azule Serape", and "Big P". LP, Vinyl record album

A really beautiful project from trumpeter Dave Douglas – an artist who lately seems as if he's even better than usual when he's got a special idea behind a record! That's definitely the case here – as Douglas works with inspiration from a medieval mural in Ghent – used for both the secular and spiritual currents that run through the music in a beautiful way – with Dave's instrument blended with pump organ and prepared piano from Marta Warelis, guitars and lute from Frederik Leroux, and cello from Tomeka Reid – plus use of "serpent" and tuba by Berlinde Deman, who also vocalizes a bit next to Douglas. Lander Gyselinck moves between drums and electronics – the latter of which are used in nicely subtle ways – and titles include "Instrumental Angels", "Mercy", "Arrival", "Hermits & Pilgrims", "Righteous Judges", and "Ah Moon". CD

A really beautiful project from trumpeter Dave Douglas – an artist who lately seems as if he's even better than usual when he's got a special idea behind a record! That's definitely the case here – as Douglas works with inspiration from a medieval mural in Ghent – used for both the secular and spiritual currents that run through the music in a beautiful way – with Dave's instrument blended with pump organ and prepared piano from Marta Warelis, guitars and lute from Frederik Leroux, and cello from Tomeka Reid – plus use of "serpent" and tuba by Berlinde Deman, who also vocalizes a bit next to Douglas. Lander Gyselinck moves between drums and electronics – the latter of which are used in nicely subtle ways – and titles include "Instrumental Angels", "Mercy", "Arrival", "Hermits & Pilgrims", "Righteous Judges", and "Ah Moon". CD

A noirish and beautiful fifth album from Keren Ann – sung in English and recorded in New York, Tel Aviv, Paris, Avignon, Reykjavik and LA (did we leave anywhere out?) – a record that's hypnotic and mesmerizing throughout! Keren Ann's voice is the unequivocal lead instrument and mood setter, appropriate for a self-titled album, backed by spare electric and acoustic guitar and drums, keys and effects – and the some incredibly subtle and effective choir backing vocals. Very nice stuff, sort of matching the mood of some of Nico's 70s recordings. Titles include "It's All A Lie", "Lay Your Head Down", "In Your Back", "The Harder Ships Of The World", "It Ain't No Crime", "Where No Endings End", "Liberty", "Between The Flatland And The Caspian Sea" and "Caspia". CD

A full LP that combines early work by Dave Brubeck – pulled together from a few 10" LPs, and packaged in a nice cartoony cover. The record features the work of his octet – a group that gives a rare opportunity to hear Brubeck in a large group setting, and one that also features work by Cal Tjader on drums (!), plus Dick Collins and Paul Desmond on their usual instruments. Titles include "The Prisoner's Song", "Prelude", "IPCA", "Fugue On Bop Themes", "Schizophrenic Scherzo", "Playland At The Beach", and "Serenades Suite". LP, Vinyl record album

Pretty nice stuff from Brubeck's early years! The record features the work of his octet – a group that gives a rare opportunity to hear Brubeck in a large group setting, and one that also features work by Cal Tjader on drums (!), plus Dick Collins and Paul Desmond on their usual instruments. Titles include "The Prisoner's Song", "Schizophrenic Scherzo", "Playland At The Beach", and "Serenades Suite". Nice Arnold Roth cover too! LP, Vinyl record album

With Freddie Greene on guitar, George Duvivier on bass, Eddie Shaughnessy on drums, Roy Eldridge on trumpet, Al Grey and Billy Byers on trombone, and Eddie Lockjaw Davis on tenor sax. LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderfully weird little record – one that has Kola Beldy bringing back ancient chants from the Mongolian plains – then setting them to instrumentation that's a bit contemporary, but usually in some very offbeat ways! The record sounds nothing like what you'd guess from the date of 1989 – as there's plenty of sounds here that are almost-ancient, with lots of deep percussion – mixed with others that use a bit more keyboards and other contemporary elements – but often sparingly, so that the weird, very moody vocals of Kola are often right out front! The whole thing is impossible to describe in words, but has a really riveting sound – on titles that translate as "By Dog Sledge", "My Darling", "To The Ocean", "Fisher Woman", "White Island", and "Master Of Forest". CD

A smoking set of all-star performances – recorded at Carnegie Hall in 1954, and with a sense of tremendous talent that may well blow away some of the Jazz At The Philharmonic sets of the time! The material here is heavy on Count Basie performances – excellent material from that period when he was really hitting full power again on Verve – with strong solos from Frank Foster and Frank Wess on reeds, plus work from Joe Newman on trumpet! Lester Young's tenor also joins Basie's group at one point – and Sarah Vaughan sings with the group too – but the set also features some more Verve-like performances – from Charlie Parker on alto, and Billie Holiday on vocals, who gets almost one side of the record to herself. There's a huge amount of material on the double-length set – and titles include "My Funny Valentine", "Cool Blues", and "The Song Is You" by Charlie Parker; "Them There Eyes", "My Man", and "Lover Man" by Billie Holiday; "Saturday", "Time", "That Old Devil Moon", and "Don't Blame Me" by Sarah Vaughan; and "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Sure Thing", "Perdido", "Blues Backstage", and "You For Me" by Count Basie. LP, Vinyl record album

Beautifully atmospheric work from the team of keyboardist Jeremiah Chiu and string player Marta Sofia Honer – a set that's heavy on field recordings done in the Aland Islands in the Baltic Sea, which are then layered with with sounds from both of the musicians! The approach follows in the creative construction of other projects on the International Anthem label, but with a vibe that's much more like some of the work you might hear from Harold Budd and Brian Eno – very thoughtful about space and mood, and really done at a level that conveys the sense of place that both artists are going for in the project. Chiu plays piano, organs, modular synths, bass, and other instruments – and Honer plays viola and chimes – while both also play the crumar performer analog syth/string instrument. Titles include "By Foot By Sea", "Anna's Organ", "Under The Midnight Sun", "Kumlinge Kyrka", "Rocky Passage", "Stureby House Piano", "On The Other Sea", and "Snacko". LP, Vinyl record album

Two of the hard-hitting jazz LPs that the Clarke-Boland big band cut for MPS in the late 60's. All Blues features an exteded original suite, written by Francy Boland, with killer solos by Idrees Sulieman, Tony Coe, Benny Bailey, and Johnny Griffin. Sax No End has shorter cuts, with a harder ensemble feel, and features lots of playing Johnny Griffin and Eddie Lockjaw Davis. Tracks include "The Turk", "Milkshake", "New Box", and "Sax No End". CD

Way more than an "encore" of the legendary Clarke Boland album Golden Eight – and instead a whole different set of recordings, done way back in 1961, but unissued until now! The album's a killer through and through – every bit the same sort of gem you'd get with the early Clarke Boland albums of the pre-MPS years – extremely tight large ensemble jazz, driven with plenty of soul in the rhythm section, and swinging with some incredible solos that further deepen the sound! Right from the start, the pair were totally on the money – and work here with a lineup that's filled with key European soloists, including Dusko Goykovich on trumpet, Derek Humble on alto sax, Karl Drewo on tenor, and Fats Sadi on percussion – not to mention the core crack rhythm trio of Francy Boland on piano, Jimmy Woode on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums. Titles include the great Boland originals "A Ball For Othello", "La Campimania", "You Dig It", "Pape Satan Aleppe", and "Free Wheel" – plus a great version of "Invitation". LP, Vinyl record album

Rare tracks by the Clarke-Boland Sextet – a small group offshoot of the funky Big Band that was led by Kenny Clarke and Francy Boland – and which featured some of the key soloists in the group! The lineup here includes Sahib Shihab on flute, Fats Sadi on vibes and bongos, Joe Harris on percussion, and Jimmy Woode on bass – plus Clarke and Boland on drums and piano, respectively – a wonderful group that has an incredible sense of rhythm, and comes up with loads of wonderful modal numbers throughout! The vibe is wonderful – and the collection's a great look at this unusual combo – filled with fire and soul – and proof that in the jazz world, at least, great things can happen when global boundaries are crossed. Titles include "Con Alma", "Invitation", "Sconsolato", "Lilemor", "Just Give Me Time", "Love Hungry", "Ensadinado", and "Man From Potter's Crossing". CD

A large group in a small club – the legendary Clarke Boland Big Band, playing at the home turf of one of their key members – tenorist Ronnie Scott! The set features a very legendary performance by the ensemble – a crack lineup that's easily one of the best ever sported by the CBBB – perfectly mixing American rhythms, and a trans-Atlantic lineup of soloists – all tied together with just the sort of rich arrangements that make the group so great! Things groove right from the get-go – thanks to a rhythm lineup that features Kenny Clarke on drums, and Francy Boland on piano – plus bassist Ron Matthewson, sitting in for the usual Jimmy Woode. The horn players really send things off, though – tight trumpets from Benny Bailey, Idrees Sulieman, and Dusko Goykovich; bold trombones from Ake Persson and Nat Peck; and some searing reed lines from Johnny Griffin and Ronnie Scott on tenor, Derek Humble on alto, Sahib Shihab on baritone, and Tony Coe on both tenor and clarinet. This CD features both the first and second sets at Scotts by the group – albums titled Volcano and Rue Chaptal – with titles that include "Volcano", "Griff's Groove", "Now Hear My Meanin", "Box 703 Washington DC", "Thence We Issued Out Again to See the Stars", "Rue Chaptal", "I Don't Want Nothin From Nobody & I Ain't Giving Nothin Away", "Sax No End", "Minor Blues", and "The Girl & The Turk". CD

Great early genius from the Clarke Boland Big Band – proof that Kenny and Francy were onto something great, right from the start! The album really has the group hitting the heights of their MPS years – stretching out way past earlier big band modes, into the hip mix of rhythms and soulful solos that made the ensemble unlike any other group in the 60s – a really groundbreaking approach to their music, delivered by a range of top-shelf players! Arrangements are by Boland, who also plays piano – and other group members include Benny Bailey and Jimmy Deuchar on trumpets, Derek Humble on alto sax, Carl Drewo and Zoot Sims on tenor, Sahib Shihab on baritone sax and flute, and Ake Persson on trombone – plus rhythm from the rock-solid duo of Jimmy Woode on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. Titles include the Latin-tinged "Los Bravos", and more great originals by Boland – including "Volutes", "The Styx", "Charon's Ferry", and "Box 703 Washington DC" – plus versions of "Gloria" and "Last Train From Overbrook". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest records ever by this hip jazz ensemble – and one of their most unique! The record has the band grooving hard through two incredible suites of Latin music – Gary McFarland's "Latin Kaleidoscope" and Francy Boland's "Cuban Fever" – each of which takes up a side of the record, both driving the band to new solo heights with a very hip edge! Players include the usual cream of the crop of European jazz residents – like Sahib Shihab, Dusko Goykovich, Jimmy Deuchar, Phil Woods, Tony Coe, and Benny Bailey – and the tracks include "Uno Graso De Areia", "A Rosa Negra", "Olhos Negros", "Cara Bruja", and "Fiebre Cuban". Wonderful all the way through – and always a treasure! One of the shining jewels in the crown of MPS – and a Gilles P classic all the way through! LP, Vinyl record album

A great set of tracks that represents some of Chris Connor's first recordings as a solo act – culled from earlier ep and 10" releases, and issued here on a full LP with a total of 14 tracks. Backing is by three groups – the Ellis Larkin Trio, Vinnie Burke's Quartet, and Sy Oliver's Orchestra – and Chris is in fine fine form, vocalizing with that icy tone we love so much, a bit sad, and a bit mellow, but always heartfelt, without the forced emotion of other singers of her generation. Titles include "Stella By Starlight", "Goodbye", "Spring Is Here", "Ask Me", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Try A Little Tenderness", and "He's Coming Home". LP, Vinyl record album

Vital vinyl snapshot of The Cramps tearing it up in Auckland, New Zealand in 1986! It was right around this time that the group really started touring harder and harder and laying the groundwork for their legacy as one of the greatest live bands rooted in the punk 70s. Really, they're rooted in the trash rock 50s and early 60s, inspiration-wise – and on stage, the mix of roots rock love, sex shop costumes and ghoulish B-Movie twists and turns was an incredible thing to behold. Includes "The Hot Pearl Snatch", "People Ain't No Good", "What's Inside A Girl", "Cornfed Dames", "Sunlasses After Dark", "Can Your Pussy Do The Dog?", "Aloha From Hell", "Heartbreak Hotel", "Do The Clam" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

2 house mixes, and a couple of dancehall mixes. 12-inch, Vinyl record

The drums have the lead in this 1972 session that was recorded as a tribute to the late British percussionist Frank King. The main backing is by the Bobby Lamb-Ray Premru Orchestra, a fairly hip large group that had a style that was similar to the Clarke-Boland Big Band. Here, though, they're a bit eclipsed by the drummers – who crack out nicely on all tracks, dominating the proceedings with some very strong solo work and firey interplay. Titles include "Son Of Cuchulainn", "Round And Round And Round Again", and "Conversations With BLK". LP, Vinyl record album