The cover's got a 70s look, but the material here is from that great mid-60s moment when the talents of Carmen McRae were really coming alive – and producer Bob Shad was on hand to capture all the magic in all of its glory! The Carmen heard here is completely different than the singer of the decade before – very much her own woman, and incredibly expressive but without ever sounding cliched – tuning each song into a subtle story with the help of the great Norman Simmons on piano, plus Victor Sproles on bass, and a young Stu Martin on drums. Most tunes are familiar, but completely transformed by Carmen's hipness – and titles include "Bye Bye Blackbird", "In My Solitude", "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most", "Long Before I Knew You/Just In Time", "Round Midnight", and "My Ship Is Coming In". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic mid 70s art rock, with Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera, Matching Mole's Bill MacCormick, This Heat's Charles Hayward and Dave Jarrett, plus guest spots by Brian Eno and Ian MacCormick. This album is the only one issued by the short lived group, which by the time of this recording was basically a side project for all involved. Pretty much in line with the 801 LP and other similar projects of the time. 7 numbers in all: "Sol Caliente", "Trumpets With Motherhood", "Bargain Classics", "RFD", "Mummy Was An Asteroid, Dady Was A Small Nonstick Kitchen Utensil", "Trot" and "Rongwrong". LP, Vinyl record album

A lost side of work from 70s funk powerhouse Mainstream Records – a company best known for its jazz albums of the early 70s, but one that also cut some great soul and club material too! Most of the work here came out only as singles, and wasn't nearly as well-circulated as the albums on Mainstream – and much of it was much more underground too, from a time when funk groups were picking up the pace a bit for the new styles of dance on the scene – yet still nicely far from the more slickly produced disco that would top the charts at the end of the 70s! Most tracks appear here on vinyl for the first time since the 70s – and titles include the unissued "Disco Man (parts 1 & 2)" by Three Ounces Of Love – plus "Get Down Get Down" by South Side Coalition, "Music Is Fun To Me" by The Grand Jury, "We've Got To Get Together" by Chocolate Syrup, "Gonna Have A Good Time" by Crystal Image, "Nothing Between Us" by Electric Ladies, "Whatever's Your Sign You've Got To Be Mine" by Prophecy, "Hundred Pounds Of Pain" by Lenny Welch, and "No Rebate On Love" by The Dramatics. LP, Vinyl record album

Heavy funk and soaring soul from the Mainstream Records family of the mid 70s – a rare batch of tracks that were only ever issued as singles by the label, and by the smaller Brown Dog and IX Chains imprints! Most of the cuts here are right from the middle of the 70s – and are a mix of small combo grooving and some fuller, Philly-styled backings – all in support of a range of great singers who often bring some deeper soul vocals into the mix. Most of the cuts here have never been reissued before, and the package is a whopping 17 track look at this under-acknowledged side of the Mainstream Records story – with rare tracks that include "Let The People Talk" by Steptones, "Seven Day Lover" by Raymond Smith, "Be Here In The Morning" by 2nd Verse, "I'm Gonna Get You" by Frankie Floyd, "Let The Music Play" by JG Lewis, "Gonna Have A Good Time" by Crystal Image, "You Are The Spice Of My Life" by Nia Johnson, "Wind Up Toy" by Zebra, "These Memories" by Almeta Lattimore, "Super Guy Flying High" by The Last Crusade, "Get Down Get Down" by South Side Coalition, "You've Got A Lot To Give" by Chocolate Syrup, "You're A Friend Of Mine" by Words Of Wisdom, and "If You Wanna Party" by Spectrum. CD

A real cooker from the Eastern Bloc – and an obscure organ and tenor session from Poland! Organist Wojciech Karolak co-leads the session with a hard-burning sound that reminds us of the best Jimmy McGriff work at the end of the 60s – especially because he's getting a nice chance to stretch out on the longer tunes. But tenorist Jan Ptasyn Wroblewski is also plenty darn great too – really cutting up the tunes with a more soulful sound than we know from some of his other records, and going for a strongly American approach to soul jazz on the set. Titles include "My Favorite Things", "I Got It Bad", "Dookola Wojtek", "I Hear Music", and "Walkin". LP, Vinyl record album

Funky jazz and a touch of soul – all pulled from the short-lived but legendary Mainstream Records – home to a whole host of hip artists in the early half of the 70s! Mainstream picked things up from Impulse, Prestige, and other soulful labels of the 60s – allowing jazz musicians to stretch out with a new sense of expression, but often in ways that hit a mighty nice groove – kind of a 70s update of the soul jazz modes of the generation before, but with a few spiritual jazz touches too! You'll know a few names here from older Blue Note recordings, and they've got an updated 70s vibe, and are matched with some hip younger talents too – all in a great array of grooves that's superbly selected throughout. Titles include "Inner City Blues" by Sarah Vaughan, "M'Bassa" by Lamont Johnson, "Last Tango In Paris" by Blue Mitchell, "Betcha Can't Guess My Sign" by Prophecy, "Family Affair" by Dave Burrell, "Right Off" by John White, "Betty's Bossa" by Johnny Coles, "Little Heart Of Pieces" by Barry Miles, "Quiet Afternoon" by Buddy Terry, "Matrix" by Mike Longo, and "It's The Right Thing" by Pete Yellin. CD

Gerry Mulligan's still far from the mainstream of jazz on this sweet little set – a great date that expands nicely from the mellower styles of the Pacific Jazz years – expanding the group a bit, with some really great results! In addition to Mulligan's usual baritone sax, Gerry also plays a bit of piano on one track – reconciling himself with the instrument, and using it in surprisingly soulful ways. Other players include Zoot Sims on tenor, Bob Brookmeyer on trombone, either Don Ferrara or Jon Eardley on trumpet, and Dave Bailey on drums. Tracks are long and nicely open – a bit less tightly arranged than some of Mulligan's work on Pacific Jazz – and titles include "Lollypop", "Igloo", "Blue At The Roots", "Elevation", and "Mainstream". CD

Not the first book on the groundbreaking comedy of the National Lampoon – but a very detailed document of the fantastic story of the magazine – a publication that not only shaped our sensibilities in the 70s, but also had a pretty big impact on radio, recording, and film as well! The story's maybe a bit more open-handed than the film narrative, and writer Ellen Stein goes into great detail about the triumphs and tribulations of the Lampoon organization – in a whopping 448 pages in this hardcover edition. Book

A really fantastic collection of funky jazz from the Mainstream Records label – a funky powerhouse that was maybe only second to CTI in the early 70s – and which had a great way of moving forward older soul jazz players to a sweet electric sound for the new generation! The choice of cuts here is superb – some of our favorites from Mainstream, including a lot of lesser-known gems from their more obscure LPs – packed in a collection that runs for nearly 80 minutes in length, with never a letup on the funky moments! Titles include "El Torro Poo Poo" by Charles Kynard, "Red Clay" by Jack Wilkins, "House Of The Rising Funk" by Afrique, "Naima" by Charles McPherson, "Equipoise" by Roy Haynes, "Quadrivium" by Hadley Caliman, "Mambo Au Go Go" by Joe Cain, "Hot Peppers" by Mauricio Smith, "Mi Hermano" by Blue Mitchell, "Inner City Blues" by Sarah Vaughan, "M'Bassa" by Lamont Johnson, "The Loud Minority (edit)" by Frank Foster, "Babylon" by Buddy Terry, and "Ain't Got Nobody" by Maxine Weldon. CD

Funky jazz and a touch of soul – all pulled from the short-lived but legendary Mainstream Records – home to a whole host of hip artists in the early half of the 70s! Mainstream picked things up from Impulse, Prestige, and other soulful labels of the 60s – allowing jazz musicians to stretch out with a new sense of expression, but often in ways that hit a mighty nice groove – kind of a 70s update of the soul jazz modes of the generation before, but with a few spiritual jazz touches too! You'll know a few names here from older Blue Note recordings, and they've got an updated 70s vibe, and are matched with some hip younger talents too – all in a great array of grooves that's superbly selected throughout. Titles include "Inner City Blues" by Sarah Vaughan, "M'Bassa" by Lamont Johnson, "Last Tango In Paris" by Blue Mitchell, "Betcha Can't Guess My Sign" by Prophecy, "Family Affair" by Dave Burrell, "Right Off" by John White, "Betty's Bossa" by Johnny Coles, "Little Heart Of Pieces" by Barry Miles, "Quiet Afternoon" by Buddy Terry, "Matrix" by Mike Longo, and "It's The Right Thing" by Pete Yellin. LP, Vinyl record album

Music from REM, Public Image Ltd, Ramones, X, Ministry, Morrissey, Jesus & Mary Chain, Echo & The Bunnymen, Joy Division, New Order, Depeche Mode, Sugarcubes, Husker Du, Faith No More, Violent Femmes, and Wire – 16 tracks in all. CD

A wicked dip into the catalog of 70s powerhouse Mainstream Records – a set that brings together the funkiest tracks from the label – not just from their electric jazz albums, but also their more obscure funky 45s from the same time too! The package is a strong blend of jazz, funk, and soul – and alongside familiar breaks sampled from the Mainstream label, you'll also hear some funky nuggets that are long overdue for greater exposure – all laid out in a way that really gets at the diversity of the company's great ear for heavy grooves! Long tracks mix with shorter ones, in a way that really keeps things fresh – and titles include "TB's Delight" by Dave Hubbard, "Miss Fatback" by Saundra Phillips, "Kissing My Love" by Afrique, "These Memories" by Almeta Lattimore, "Mother McCree" by Reggie Moore, "Make It With You" by Maxine Weldon, "Blue's Blue" by Blue Mitchell, "Livin Way Too Fast" by December's Children, "This Moment" by Hal Galper, "Bird & The Ouija Board" by Pete Yellin, "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" by Jay Berliner, and "Just A Little Lovin" by Sarah Vaughan. CD

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

One of the stunning late 60 psych rock classics on Mainstream Records – and, like the rest, a set that's a real standout at the time – and one of the few musical statements by a group who never got picked up and pushed more heavily by another label! Yet that quality is what makes the whole thing wonderful – a freaky, fuzzy east coast set with a very down to earth vibe – music that would have been garage a few years before, but which has picked up some very heady influences along the way – especially in the strong use of fuzz and distortion on the guitar! Drummer Chuck Monica has a nicely urgent vibe at times, echoed by the bass of Victor Muglia – and lead singer Brian Cooke delivers some great work on organ too! Nick Manzi is the man with the fuzz on guitar – and titles include "All Kinds Of Highs", "Riddles & Fairytales", "She Always Gives Me Pleasure", "Images", "Deaf Dumb & Blind", and "Paradox City". CD

A nice step forward for singer Clea Bradford – an artist who started out in bluesier territory that maybe reflected her St Louis roots – but who works here with arranger Jim Tyler, who sets her up in a sophisticated mix of jazzy styles! Bradford's vocals are quite dynamic – you can hear echoes of some of the other bigger female singers of the time – sometimes through the choice of material – and Bradford's got a great ear for bringing a subtle sense of drama to the proceedings, at a level that makes us wonder whatever happened to her – since we've lost track of her career after the 60s. Titles include "Little Boy Bad", "I Had A Ball", "All Around The World", "Row Row Row Row", "Hey Look Me Over", and "After You". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

One of Art Farmer's hippest albums of the 70s – thanks to some incredible work from the rhythm section! The tracks here are all quite skittish and grooving – not really funky, but flowing with a wonderful sort of energy – and bouncing along on the bottom with more drive than you might expect from Farmer! Art's working here with a group that features Jimmy Heath in the lead on tenor, soprano sax, and flute – but the real stars of the set are almost the core trio of Cedar Walton on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – who are augmented by Mtume and Warren Smith on percussion, both of whom give the record it's amazing sound. Even familiar numbers sound nicely fresh, and Heath himself is at one of his hippest points here – really opening up with lines that we would have never expected a decade before. Titles include include "Cascavelo", "Blue Bossa", "Some Other Time", and "Homecoming". CD features 2 more bonus tracks from a German live date in 1972 – the titles "Cascavelo" and "Let's Boom Chitty Boom" – played by a quartet on the first number, and a larger group on the last. CD

The title certainly gets it right – as the set's one of the best (and one of the few) albums that trombonist Curtis Fuller cut in the 70s – a searingly sharp session that really shows a change from some of his Blue Note modes of the 60s! There's a current of righteous energy that moves through the set – and which maybe ties the sound more strongly to the sort of underground soul jazz work being recorded by the Black Jazz label of the period, or maybe like some of the hipper currents over at Prestige – such as Joe Henderson's albums. George Cables plays electric piano on the record – which already sets it apart from Fuller's earlier material – and the tracks are long, loose, and open – and graced with strong solo work from Bill Hardman on trumpet, Ray Moros on tenor, and Bill Washer on guitar. Yet perhaps strongest of all in shaping the record is the work of the rhythm duo Stanley Clarke on bass and Lenny White on drums – both working together here at an early point in their careers, but already hinting at the greatness to come. A very different album for Curtis Fuller – and titles include "Crankin", "Maze", "Black Bath", and "The Spirit". CD

The only album we've ever seen from pianist Stan Hope – an obscure east coast player who also spent a good portion of his career touring overseas. Hope's working here in a blues-drenched soul jazz piano mode – a bit like the Les McCann LTD albums of the 60s, with a similarly-solid rhythm team of Peck Morrison on bass and Walter Perkins on drums – really helping Stan to round out the grooves! Morrison's bass is recorded with a really warm, round tone that dominates the bottom of the record wonderfully – making for a sweetly swinging groove on most tracks, even in places where you wouldn't expect it! Hope's fluttering all over the keys, but keeping things nicely in the pocket at all times – and titles include "Wave", "Honey", "You're Gonna Hear From Me", "All Blues", "Stanley Steamer", and "They All Say You're The Biggest Fool". CD

Morgana King in one of her most classic settings – working here with arranger Torrie Zito, whose sophisticated talents are a great match for her unique voice! Zito blends light strings and warm jazz touches in this perfect pillowy style – couching King's voice without ever smothering it at all – as Morgana steps, dips, and soars with effortless ease – really flowing through the tunes with that breathy richness that no other singer could ever hope to match! King's cut many great records over the years, but this is one of her best – and titles include "All Blues", "Meditation", "I'll Follow You", "Easy Living", "Cuore Di Mama", "Bluesette", and "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes". CD

Morgana King in one of her most classic settings – working here with arranger Torrie Zito, whose sophisticated talents are a great match for her unique voice! Zito blends light strings and warm jazz touches in this perfect pillowy style – couching King's voice without ever smothering it at all – as Morgana steps, dips, and soars with effortless ease – really flowing through the tunes with that breathy richness that no other singer could ever hope to match! King's cut many great records over the years, but this is one of her best – and titles include "All Blues", "Meditation", "I'll Follow You", "Easy Living", "Cuore Di Mama", "Bluesette", and "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the more obscure 60s albums cut by jazz vocalist Irene Kral – and a great little record that shows her to be more of a singer than we expected! Some of the tunes on the set have the straight vocals with band feel of Irene's other albums, but a few more go for a groovier sort of 60s sound that we really love – pushing Irene almost into pop vocal territory, but with enough jazz and enough class to keep things cool. Overall, the album's sort of in the range of similar mid and late 60s work by Blossom Dearie or Chris Connor – and the set list includes a lot of hip tunes, like "Nothing Like You", "Wonderful Life", "There Is No Right Way", "Is It Over Baby?", "Goin To California", and "I've Never Been Anything". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hippest albums ever from the team of Harold Land and Bobby Hutcherson – and a set that's even more open than some of their other records on Blue Note or Chess! This set's a bit more electric than some of the other records from the pair – with these drawn-out Fender Rhodes lines from Bill Henderson – who comps and vamps with modal energy that really draws out some searing, searching solos from Land's tenor! Bobby's vibes are maybe a bit more restrained, but offer a key element in the overall soundshape of the record – and the rest of the lineup includes Reggie Johnson on bass, Ndugu and Woody Theus on drums, and Harold Land Jr on additional piano. All tracks are long – and titles include "Black Caucus", "Our Home", "Up & Down", and "Choma". CD

Harold Land at his most spiritual – recording solo after a set of great albums with Bobby Hutcherson as a partner – but still very much in the same sort of unbridled energy! The tracks are soaring and open – and have Land's tenor really sounding nice and raw – amidst a lineup that includes Oscar Brashear on trumpet, Bill Henderson on piano, Buster Williams on bass, and Ndugu Chancler on drums and percussion! Henderson picks up Fender Rhodes at points – especially on the great funky cut "In The Back In The Corner In The Dark", which is one of the best-remembered tracks on the set. And Land also plays a bit of oboe on the cut "Pakistan", almost in a Yusef Lateef sort of style. Other cuts include "Chocolate Mess", "Damisi", and "Step Right Up To The Bottom" – all great too! LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Sweet soulful work from trumpeter Blue Mitchell – a set that has him working with a slightly large group of players, but in a style that's always very much in the groove! There's a nice electric undercurrent to the record throughout – sometimes in the instrumentation from other players, sometimes in the overall way the grooves are put together – which gives the record a quality that's almost like a funky soundtrack at the best moments! The lineup is a bit weird, too – with Joe Sample on keyboards, Freddy Robinson on guitar, Herman Riley on tenor and flute, and even John Mayall on harmonica – playing with a vamping funky edge on a few tunes! The title track – "Blues Blues" – is a great little jazzy break number, and other tracks include "Granite & Concrete", "Casa Blues", and "I Didn't Ask To Be". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Blue Mitchell's hippest funky sets of the 70s – an unusual little record that mixes a bit of funky harmonica with his own soulful trumpet! The approach definitely echoes a bit of the "blues" in the title – but the groove is much more straightforward and funky – that hard-edged approach that shows up on the best electric Mainstream sessions of the time, with a bad-stepping bottom that moves along nicely throughout! Harmonica's handled by Don Bailey, and other players include Joe Sample on keyboards, Herman Riley on tenor, Freddie Robinson on guitar, and Ray Pounds on drums. Cuts are all nice and long, quite open overall, and almost more relaxed than some of Blue's other Mainstream sessions – and titles include "Graffiti Blues", "Yeah Ya Right", "Express", "Asso Kam", and "Dorado". CD

Some of the last recordings we've ever seen from bop legend Bud Powell – a mix of solo and trio material that still shows the pianist bursting with imagination! The origin of the tracks is a bit obscure – they're listed on the original album as "compiled by Experience Group Ltd" – and Powell's also working with an unknown bassist and drummer, so there's not much we can tell you about the details of the recording – but as usual, Bud speaks volumes on the piano, which hardly needs much in the way of words from us! Titles include "A Moment's Notice", "Ups/Downs", "Caravan Riffs", "Round Midnight", and "Jazz Black/White". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the last recordings we've ever seen from bop legend Bud Powell – a mix of solo and trio material that still shows the pianist bursting with imagination! The origin of the tracks is a bit obscure – they're listed on the original album as "compiled by Experience Group Ltd" – and Powell's also working with an unknown bassist and drummer, so there's not much we can tell you about the details of the recording – but as usual, Bud speaks volumes on the piano, which hardly needs much in the way of words from us! Titles include "A Moment's Notice", "Ups/Downs", "Caravan Riffs", "Round Midnight", and "Jazz Black/White". CD

Sarah Vaughn hit a very groovy new style on her handful of records for the Mainstream label in the early 70s – a new approach that offered her amazing voice a way to stretch out with some of the new sophistication of the time! The arrangements are still jazz, but they've taken a direction that other younger singers, like Nancy Wilson, were following as the decade began – maybe more adult themes in the lyrics, and a way of balancing out the larger charts without ever getting in the way of the singer – which is especially important here, in the way that the album demonstrates that phrasing that not only made Sarah so unique at the start, but which got even more amazing as the years moved on. The arrangers are a hip lot who are definitely up to the job – and include Michel Legrand, Peter Matz, and Jack Elliott – on titles that include "Run To Me", "And The Feeling's Good", "Just A Little Lovin", "Deep In The Night", "When You Think Of It", and a nice take on "Easy Evil". CD

A 70s set from Sarah Vaughan, but one that's recorded in a classic small combo mode – acoustic overall, and a bit of a change from her other sessions for Mainstream Records! The date's a live one, and the tracks are taken at a looser level than some of Vaughan's studio work – a bit more open, and with a bit of conversation too – which is a nice surprise. The group's a trio – with Carl Schroeder on piano, John Gianelli on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums – and titles include "I Could Write A Book", "Love Story", "The Nearness Of You", "Bye Bye Blackbird", "Wave", "Misty", "There Will Never Be Another You", "A Foggy Day", and "Round Midnight". LP, Vinyl record album

A 70s set from Sarah Vaughan, but one that's recorded in a classic small combo mode – acoustic overall, and a bit of a change from her other sessions for Mainstream Records! The date's a live one, and the tracks are taken at a looser level than some of Vaughan's studio work – a bit more open, and with a bit of conversation too – which is a nice surprise. The group's a trio – with Carl Schroeder on piano, John Gianelli on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums – and titles include "I Could Write A Book", "Love Story", "The Nearness Of You", "Wave", "Misty", "There Will Never Be Another You", "A Foggy Day", and "Round Midnight". CD

West coast r&b, doo wop and all around fantastic numbers from the mid 50s to the dawn of the 60s – fantastic stuff from Tony Allen – not the Afrobeat legend, but the unjustly overlooked singer! Tony had a bunch of excellent singles on the important r&b labels of the day, but never really hit a stride that carried him into the mainstream. It's as good as the better known r&b and proto rock of the day, and this CD is a wonderful introduction to a singer we haven't been well enough acquainted with! Includes tunes cut for labels such as Specialty, Ebb, Crown, Modern, Kent & Ultra – rollicking solo numbers and others with group backing by the Chimes, The Champs, The Night Owls and The Wanders. 26 tracks in all with several previously unissued! Includes "Check Yourself Baby", "Nite Owl", "Especially", "I", "Come Back", "Lovers Mountain", "If I Had Aladdin's Lamp", "Give Me A Chance", "Don't You Know I Love You", "I Found An Angel", "It Hurts Me So", "Check Yourself", "Be My Love, Be My Love" and more. CD

Really lovely work from Altered Images – a group who, like many of their new wave contemporaries, is maybe best remembered for one song – even though they had a heck of a lot more to offer! That hit – the always-great "Happy Birthday" – is one of the first tracks on the set – but the box overall brings together the full range of sounds from the group – the kind of catchy new wave tunes that always had slight crossover potential in the early 80s – but which have sometimes been lost to the sands of time, because the music is either not edgey enough to be remembered by the indie crowd, nor slick enough to yield long mainstream success. You might put these guys somewhere in a space with Icicle Works, The The, or early Talk Talk – music that's tuneful, but still has much rawer guitars than the commercial big names of the time – a definite sense of post-punk production, even though the work came out on a major label. The package features the group's three full albums, the bonus album of 12" mixes, and lots of singles too – with titles that include "Happy Birthday", "Real Toys", "Legionnaire", "Beckoning Strings", "A Days Wait", "Midnight", "Leave Me Alone", "Who Cares", "Jeepster", "Pinky Blue", "See Those Eyes", "Little Brown Head", "See You Later", "Funny Funny Me", "Disco Pop Stars", "Bring Me Closer", "Surprise Me", "Love To Stay", "Now That You're Here", "Thinking About You", "Stand So Quiet", "Happy Birthday (dance mix)", "Love To Stay (dance mix)", "See Those Eyes (ext mix)", "Jump Jump/Think That It Might (segued dance mix)", and "Don't Talk To Me About Love (ext dance mix)". CD

Pure genius from America – the kind of record that forever transformed the sound of the mainstream in the 70s! There's a balance here that's completely sublime, right from the start – a summation of all that went before in popular music, wrapped up into a whole new sound that's light years ahead of most music of its generation! The group use acoustic instrumentation and warm harmonies – yet never in a way that's folksy at all – often more jazzy in their phrasing, yet not jazz either – really just a sound that we can only sum up as "America-like" – and maybe add the word "perfect" too. Titles include the classic "Ventura Highway" – plus "Moon Song", "Only In Your Heart", "Till The Sun Comes Up Again", "Saturn Nights", and "California Revisited". CD

Ana and Jaime may look like post-punk artists on the front cover, but they've got a style here that's perfect for the 1969 date of the recording – a really cool mode that mixes mainstream Latin pop with some killer psychedelic touches – served up with lots of echo in the production, swirling moody strings, and some great touches on organ and guitar! There's more rough edges on the vocals than you'd get from a sweeter pop duo – and that also makes for part of the charm of the record, as it almost feels like the teens wandered into a studio down a dark hallway, then got the chance to record some tunes with a very spontaneous vibe and mighty nice edge. Titles include "Es Largo El Camino", "Dispersos", "Soy Rebelde", "Nina Nana", "Ricardo Semillas", "A Veces Quisiera Ser Ciego", and even a very cool moody take on "Love Story". LP, Vinyl record album

A damn great record from Aquakulture – and a set that's way more of an R&B album than we might have expected – fleshed-out, fully formed, and with a sense of tracks and timing that really makes for a great flow al the way through! There's a lot of guests on the record, and while we might almost even say that they get in the way a bit – the timing of the record always comes back nicely to the role of its leader, who may well have what it takes to become a shining star in the mainstream in the next few years! The set's definitely got inspiration from soul classics of years past, but is completely fresh and very much its own – with titles that include "It's All Good", "Milk & Honey", "I Can Wait", "Getting Close", "You Got Feets", "Hitwoman", "Magic", and "Lunch". CD

A damn great record from Aquakulture – and a set that's way more of an R&B album than we might have expected – fleshed-out, fully formed, and with a sense of tracks and timing that really makes for a great flow al the way through! There's a lot of guests on the record, and while we might almost even say that they get in the way a bit – the timing of the record always comes back nicely to the role of its leader, who may well have what it takes to become a shining star in the mainstream in the next few years! The set's definitely got inspiration from soul classics of years past, but is completely fresh and very much its own – with titles that include "It's All Good", "Milk & Honey", "I Can Wait", "Getting Close", "You Got Feets", "Hitwoman", "Magic", and "Lunch". LP, Vinyl record album

There's a cinematic look to the cover of this set by singer Tomoko Aran – and there's almost a cinematic presentation to the music too – but all in the best sort of 80s style you might hope for at the time! The work was put together by arranger Hideo Saito and Toru Shigemi – and the instrumentation is on the jazzier side of the spectrum, with plenty of guitar from Saito and keyboards from Shigemi – bumping out in sweet 80s production that seems to not only emphasize all the best hooks in Tomoko's vocals, but also give the thing a groove like some of the vocal tracks from a big 80s mainstream film. Lyrics are in Japanese through, as are most titles – and some tracks include "Luna", "Feel So Free", "Lucifer", and "Last Goodbye". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe not one of the biggest Motown groups at the start of the 90s, but one who really do a great job of mixing together some of the mainstream styles of the time with a deeper approach to soul that comes from the great weaving of their vocals! Different singers of the group take the lead at times – especially Dierdre Adams and Timmy Arthur – but it's the well-crafted way the three singers come together that makes things so great – a fresh take on older harmony modes, but one that's also not overly dominated by the contemporary production from Gene Griffin. Titles include "New Jac City", "Bump N Grind", "X Marks The Spot", "Just Music", "Night Life", "Make You Sweat", and "Jac To This". CD

Sublimely satisfying work from Ashford & Simpson – a stone killer from the height of their late 70s glory days on Warner Brothers! The pair are working together wonderfully at this point – wrapped up in that blend of upbeat soul and righteous undercurrents that made them a real cut above in mainstream soul – getting great help from arrangers William Eaton, Paul Riser, and Al Gorgoni – all of whom know how to hit that perfect Ashford & Simpson balance between tightness, class, and soulful spontaneity! Backings are always filled with lots of jazzy touches, too – the kind of sophisticated soul elements other would cop from the pair in years to come – and titles include "Over & Over", "It's You", "If You're Lying", "Couldn't Get Enough", "Destiny", "So So Satisfied", and "Tried Tested & Found True". LP, Vinyl record album

A great one that showcases the group's best second suit – their smooth compressed late 70s soul sound – a great evolution of their earlier groove, and one that showed them as a great mainstream soul act! The tunes are a bit mellower overall, but still have a lot of crackle and warmth – and Hamish Stuart's lost none of his vocal charm, and in fact may even sound better in a more laidback, less funky heavy setting! With the great break track "Stop The Rain" – and the cuts "When Will You Be Mine", "Please Don't Fall In Love", "Walk On By", "Feel No Fret", "Atlantic Avenue", "Ace Of Hearts", "Too Late To Cry" and "Fire Burning". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the first big moments of Albert Ayler's work in the jazz mainstream – and a record that doesn't dim his greatness at all from the earlier sides recorded for ESP! The album's got a sharply angular sound that more than lives up to its vibrant cover image – a well-honed approach to improvisation, showcased by Ayler in a set of recordings done upon his return from work on the European scene. The material was recorded on two different dates – featuring two different groups: one with Alan Silva, Beaver Harris, and Joel Friedman; the other with Donald Ayler, Henry Grimes, and Michel Sampson. Titles are long, with the searing emotional sound that Ayler was peaking at during this time – and titles include "For John Coltrane", "Change Has Come", and "Truth is Marching On". LP, Vinyl record album

Badge are maybe best known for their mindblowing Kath album – a real outsider underground classic from the 70s – yet the group also recorded a number of singles during their years, too – really showing a weird and wild sound that's partly enforced by the raw production used on most of the tracks! Like so many of the best US obscure groups of the time who never got larger exposure – Badge are clearly out there in a local scene, finding a groove that's very much all their own – certainly graced with some sharp guitar work on many cuts, but also not nearly as slavish to any mainstream or commercial modes of the period – as you'll hear on titles that include "It Doesn't Mean", "As I Looked", "She", "Keep Tryin", "Lonely Again", "The Stream", "She's Gone", and "Haze". LP, Vinyl record album

A nice one from Badu – one with a depth of feeling and genuine soulful vibes that live up to its title, despite the fact that she records for one of the world's biggest media conglomerates! It's all about the vibe here. Erykah rolls her syllables, scats and emotes feelings more than an actual narrative in the strongest of these cuts. It's not that she's forgone lyrics; but it's all about the ambience, not radio sing-a-longs. She also dives head first into her organic soul and hip hop hybrid sound a little more sparingly, but still better than any of the ladies that followed her lead after Baduizm. She channels Donald Byrd on the great "Think Twice", which is pretty indicative of the vibe as a whole. The groove is sorta mellow, but in a very tripped-out way, with deep organ washes and synth, scratchy soul guitar, and crisp organic beats. There's an appearance by Dead Prez on "Steady On The Grind", and a really sweet old school flavored remake of the great "Love Of My Life" track from the Brown Sugar soundtrack with Queen Latifah and Bahamadia, but for the most part Erykah is sweating soul on her own spiritual plane here. It's gonna take a little while to sink in, but this may be her best album (despite whatever naysaying BS you may read in mainstream reviews.) Tracks include "Bump It", the great single "Danger", "Woo", "Back In The Day" and "I Want You". CD

A nice one from Badu – one with a depth of feeling and genuine soulful vibes that live up to its title, despite the fact that she records for one of the world's biggest media conglomerates! It's all about the vibe here. Erykah rolls her syllables, scats and emotes feelings more than an actual narrative in the strongest of these cuts. It's not that she's forgone lyrics, but it's all about the ambience, not radio sing-a-longs. She also dives head first into her organic soul and hip hop hybrid sound a little more sparingly, but still better than most who that followed her lead post-Baduizm. She channels Donald Byrd on the great "Think Twice", which is pretty indicative of the vibe as a whole. The groove is sorta mellow, but in a very tripped-out way, with deep organ washes and synth tones, scratchy soul guitar, and crisp organic beats. There's an appearance by Dead Prez on "Steady On The Grind", and a really sweet old school flavored remake of the great "Love Of My Life" track from the Brown Sugar soundtrack with Queen Latifah and Bahamadia, but for the most part Erykah is sweating soul on her own spiritual plane here. It's gonna take a little while to sink in, but this may be her best album (despite whatever naysaying BS you may read in mainstream reviews.) Tracks include "Bump It", the great single "Danger", "Woo", "Back In The Day" and "I Want You". LP, Vinyl record album

A trio of solo albums from Phillip Bailey – presented here with bonus material too! First up is Continuation – an 80s soul classic from Philip Bailey – stepping out here from Earth Wind & Fire in a set that has him sparkling strongly as a solo act! The vocals still have that trademark Bailey sound – a wonderful range that's never overdone, and which seems to shine especially well on the mellow and midtempo tunes in the set! Production is by George Duke, who does a lot to preserve the jazzier warmth of Bailey's previous settings – and although there's a bit more crossover potential here, the sound is still never too commercial or aimed at the charts. Titles include "It's Our Time", "Trapped", "I Know", "I'm Waitin For Your Love", "Desire", "The Good Guy's Supposed To Get The Girls", and "Your Boyfriend's Back". Next is Chinese Wall – a big breakthrough for Philip Bailey – and a record that was kind of a second-level explosion for the Earth Wind & Fire sound in the 80s! There's a definite crossover feel to the record – a style that takes Bailey's soulful vocals, and mixes them with lots of catchy hooks – in ways that push the Kalimba aesthetic even more into mainstream modes. Yet the album's still got some solid soul grounding, too – thanks to arrangements by Tom Tom and Arif Mardin – which is a nice contrast to the production by Phil Collins, who also guests on the hit "Easy Lover". Other cuts include "Time Is A Woman", "Go", "Walking On The Chinese Wall", "Photogenic Memory", "I Go Crazy", and "Children Of The Ghetto". Last is Inside Out – a set that has Philip Bailey working with Nile Rodgers, who gives him a lean, clean sound that works perfectly with his vocals! The sound is a nice change from the direction Bailey was heading in previously – a return to the focused soul of the later Earth Wind & Fire years, with his amazing lead opening up in ways that few other singers can match. Tunes are pretty well-penned too – catchy, but never cloyingly commercial – and titles include "State Of The Heart", "Welcome To The Club", "Special Effect", "Because Of You", "Take This With You", "The Day Will Come", "Back It Up", and "Echo My Heart". 3CD set features nice bonus material – "I Know (ext dance mix)", "Love Is Alive", "Easy Lover (with Phil Collins)", "Walking On The Chinese Wall (single)", "State Of The Heart (dub mix)", "Twins (with Little Richard)", "Twins (club mix)", and "Easy Lover (ext dance mix)". CD

A long-overdue collection of work by Balka Sound – an important 80s group from Brazzaville, and one whose name evokes their style of music – a sound based in folksy roots, but which is updated here with electric guitar and bass, next to lively percussion and really great vocals! The group's lead singer is Nkibi Albert, who has this really enigmatic way of putting across a lyric, especially when a bit of echo is used in the production – and amidst the other instrumentation, he also plays ngonfi as well. The production is great on most of these tracks – not nearly as mainstream as other African sounds from the time, which were rising to meet the global world music market – and titles include "Bia Sala", "Lekou", "Ku Mavula", "Kidilu", "Ah Luisaala", "Nia Nia", "Wa Yiwou", "Mwan Kisana", and "Kwele". CD

A long-overdue collection of work by Balka Sound – an important 80s group from Brazzaville, and one whose name evokes their style of music – a sound based in folksy roots, but which is updated here with electric guitar and bass, next to lively percussion and really great vocals! The group's lead singer is Nkibi Albert, who has this really enigmatic way of putting across a lyric, especially when a bit of echo is used in the production – and amidst the other instrumentation, he also plays ngonfi as well. The production is great on most of these tracks – not nearly as mainstream as other African sounds from the time, which were rising to meet the global world music market – and titles include "Bia Sala", "Lekou", "Ku Mavula", "Kidilu", "Ah Luisaala", "Nia Nia", "Wa Yiwou", "Mwan Kisana", and "Kwele". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little record that's really grown strongly over the years – issued in the mid 70s to almost no notice at all, but a set that's gotten plenty of attention from crate-diggers, club-goers, and collectors over the past few decades! Sandy Barber's got a hell of a voice – singing with this soaring vibe that's a lot richer than some of her 70s club contemporaries – and working here with tight arrangements from Nat Adderley Jr and David Wofford, under production from the great Clyde Otis – whose previous studio experience really knows how to bring out the depth in Barber's singing! The set's pretty upbeat on most numbers – a tight vibe that's far more indie club than mainstream disco – and the set also features a few mellower moments that really let Sandy open up and show off her chops. Titles include "I Think I'll Do Some Steppin On My Own", "Can't You Just See Me", "Dont' You Worry Baby", "The First Time", "I've Got Something Good", and "Look Out Sky". CD features some bonus tracks too – "I Think I'll Do Some Stepping On My Own (John Morales alternative mix)", and "I Think I'll Do Some Stepping On My Own (Al Kent disco jam)". CD

The Beasties' masterpiece – and one of the original nightmares for sampling opponents everywhere – the cut & paste hip hop classic Paul's Boutique! The Dust Brothers unapologetic way of weaving very famous samples with soul, funk and film score obscurities would steal the show if not for the infectious, boisterous rhymes of the Beastie Boys – they couldn't possibly have cared less about alienating the massive frat boy fan base built with License To Ill, and it's a joy to behold. It's one of those mindblowing pop transformations on par with the Beatles (who the Beasties and Dust Brothers were so brazen to sample several times on this album) and the Beach Boys on the pop maturation scale from earlier hits to later artistry – even if the wild lyrics and deft back & forth rhymes by the Beasties aim to be the goofy antithesis of maturity. From classic rock dinosaurs to soul and disco classics, from the Jaws score to "Dueling Banjos", it all finds it's way into the beatcraft – and both mainstream pop and underground hip hop are better now because of this record. Tracks include "Hey Ladies", "Shake Your Rump", "High Plains Drifter", "Shadrach", "Johnny Ryall", "Eggman", "Car Thief", "What Comes Around", the "B-Boy Bouillabaisse" suite and more. LP, Vinyl record album

The Beatles for sale, but never in a commercial way at all – early proof of the group's great balance between mainstream appeal and sounds that still stick to the frontiers of rock and roll! The tunes are short, and heavy on influences from American R&B – yet the Fab Four are already crafting their new sound strongly, and have a melodic brilliance that's hard to deny! Titles include "Eight Days A Week", "Words Of Love", "Honey Don't", "Every Little Thing", "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party", "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby", "I'm A Loser", "Rock & Roll Music", "I'll Follow The Sun", "Mr Moonlight", and "No Reply". CD