Amazing work from Eric Dolphy – a record that's come out on a number of different labels, under a number of different names – but which is one of his most perfectly-realized sessions of the 60s, and one of his most spiritual albums ever! The record features a shifting lineup of players – almost presaging the ensemble modes that would rise more strongly in the post-Coltrane years – and Dolphy's chosen a strong group of associates, including Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Woody Shaw on trumpet, Clifford Jordan on soprano sax, Prince Lasha on flute, and Sonny Simmons on alto and bass clarinet. Dolphy plays flute, alto, and bass clarinet – and titles include "Love Me", a solo alto tune by Dolphy; "Alone Together", a duet with Davis' bass; a seminal take on "Jitterbug Waltz", completely reinventing the tune for new generations; and the massive "Music Matador". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic mid 60s album from Grant Green – but one that never got its due originally, because it was unreleased at the time – and didn't come out until a Japanese version in the late 70s! Despite that oddly long gap, Matador is truly one Grant's best ever records – a really inventive session that goes way past his standard soul jazz roots – and which really shows the guitarist stretching out towards future styles of jazz! The session's a spare quartet date – with Green's guitar playing modal grooves over rhythm by by his incredible combo – with Bob Cranshaw on bass, Elvin Jones on drums and the incomparable McCoy Tyner on piano – blocking out bold changes that really drive the record strongly. Cuts are long, and there's a freewheeling quality to the material that's only ever matched by some of the Grant Green/Larry Young sessions from the same time – especially the Street Of Dreams Record. Titles include "Matador", "Bedouin", Green Jeans", and a killer version of "My Favorite Things", done in a very Coltrane-esque style. CD

The title's not a metaphoric one – or at least not entirely so, as this set of original tracks by JD Allen draws strong inspiration from the art of bullfighting – but then also moves on to deeper musings on movement and choice – cast out perfectly by the expert trio on the set! Allen's tenor is already dynamic enough – but it's really set fire here by the bass of Gregg August and drums of Rudy Royston, who propel the original compositions with a deep sense of color and soul that really matches JD's horn – the kind of tenor trio effort that hearkens back to the initial late 50s experiments in the format by Sonny Rollins, but grows to encompass all the changes that have taken place since then! Titles include "Paseillo", "Cathedral", "Suite Of Lights", "Ring Shout", and "Muleta". CD

Includes the albums This Is The Moment, Quiet Kenny, Inta Something, and Matador. CD

A brilliant album from trumpeter Kenny Dorham – a set that's maybe a bit less-known than some of his records for Blue Note, but a set that shares a lot with those classics – as it's got that similar mix of larger compositional structures and more open solo moments! Kenny's own playing is tremendous, and the rest of the group is wonderful – a unique lineup with Jackie McLean on alto, Bobby Timmons on piano, Teddy Smith on bass, and JC Moses on drums – all working with Kenny in a slightly Latin tinged mode that features some really shimmering trumpet work! The record features a stunning three part reading of McLean's haunting tune "Melanie" (done under his name on the album A Fickle Sonance) – plus the tracks "Prelude", "El Matador", "Smile", and "There Goes My Heart". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic mid 60s album from Grant Green – but one that never got its due originally, because it was unreleased at the time – and didn't come out until a Japanese version in the late 70s! Despite that oddly long gap, Matador is truly one Grant's best ever records – a really inventive session that goes way past his standard soul jazz roots – and which really shows the guitarist stretching out towards future styles of jazz! The session's a spare quartet date – with Green's guitar playing modal grooves over rhythm by by his incredible combo – with Bob Cranshaw on bass, Elvin Jones on drums and the incomparable McCoy Tyner on piano – blocking out bold changes that really drive the record strongly. Cuts are long, and there's a freewheeling quality to the material that's only ever matched by some of the Grant Green/Larry Young sessions from the same time – especially the Street Of Dreams Record. Titles include "Matador", "Bedouin", Green Jeans", and a killer version of "My Favorite Things", done in a very Coltrane-esque style. LP, Vinyl record album

Amazing work from Eric Dolphy – a record that's come out on a number of different labels, under a number of different names – but which is one of his most perfectly-realized sessions of the 60s, and one of his most spiritual albums ever! The record features a shifting lineup of players – almost presaging the ensemble modes that would rise more strongly in the post-Coltrane years – and Dolphy's chosen a strong group of associates, including Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Woody Shaw on trumpet, Clifford Jordan on soprano sax, Prince Lasha on flute, and Sonny Simmons on alto and bass clarinet. Dolphy plays flute, alto, and bass clarinet – and titles include "Love Me", a solo alto tune by Dolphy; "Alone Together", a duet with Davis' bass; a seminal take on "Jitterbug Waltz", completely reinventing the tune for new generations; and the massive "Music Matador". CD

This is the kind of CD that makes us love reissues! Why? Well, because it features 2 incredibly rare jazz albums – both of which never turn up on vinyl, and are lovingly packaged here on 1 CD filled with a dozen hard bop grooves. The album Matador was originally issued under Kenny Dorham's name, and Inta Somethin' was issued under Jackie McLean's name – but both players are sort of co-leaders on both albums, and it's fitting to pair the records together here because they represent the unique union of these two different players. Dorham's lyrical trumpet is an unlikely match for McLean's edgey alto, but the records work well, and with a modernist groove that's extremely compelling. Titles include "El Matador", "San Francisco Beat", "Prelude", and versions of "Una Mas" and "Melanie" – both of which were recorded later by the artists on Blue Note. CD

A real breakthrough record for Belle & Sebastian, and the record that introduced the term "Arab strap" to most of the world at the time! The set's got a focus and polish that really has them coming together – easily challenging some of the bigger British names in pop from the previous decade, as they carry forward an aesthetic that was lost for a few years amidst the beats of UK club and some of the more dance-inspired acts of the early 90s – helping the world to rediscover the appeal of some gentler guitars, well-spun lyrics, and more heartfelt vocals – all with a nice dose of wit. Titles include "Chickfactor", "It Could Have Been A Brilliant Career", "Sleep The Clock Around", "Is It Wicked Not To Care", "A Summer Wasting", "A Space Boy Dream", and "The Rollercoaster Ride". LP, Vinyl record album

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Tracks from the early days of Warp – Forgemasters, Nightmares On Wax, Sweet Exorcist, DJ Mink, LFO, Tricky Disco, The Step, Tuff Little Unit, Coco Steel And Lovebomb, and LFO Versus F.U.S.E*. CD

There's few cases where we want the clock to stop in music – but in the case of Belle & Sebastian, we'll gladly make an exception – as the group deliver all the completely charming, well-crafted songs here that we've always loved in their work – instantly appealing, and with that undeniable quality that has you instantly knowing the music as it unfolds! Titles include "Deathbed Of My Dreams", "If They're Shooting At You", "Young & Stupid", "Sea Of Sorry", "Working Boy In New York City", "Do It For Your Country", and "Reclaim The Night". LP, Vinyl record album

There's few cases where we want the clock to stop in music – but in the case of Belle & Sebastian, we'll gladly make an exception – as the group deliver all the completely charming, well-crafted songs here that we've always loved in their work – instantly appealing, and with that undeniable quality that has you instantly knowing the music as it unfolds! Titles include "Deathbed Of My Dreams", "If They're Shooting At You", "Young & Stupid", "Sea Of Sorry", "Working Boy In New York City", "Do It For Your Country", and "Reclaim The Night". LP, Vinyl record album

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A hell of a package – two key albums from Gang Of Four, plus lots of other rare material from these crucial years! At the core of the package is the classic album Entertainment – one of the greatest debut albums of all time – a record that hit the world like a comet when it was released, and which will continue to burn brightly for many decades to come! There's few groups who get things so right as Gang Of Four on this set – balancing the sharp edges of UK punk with a deeper political sense – but one that puts its message across in these short, sharp, shocks that are often given an extra punch by some surprisingly strong basslines! The mix of rawness, message, and surprising groove really sets this one apart from the pack – and that includes the work by legions of groups who've tried to imitate it over the years. Tracks include "Ether", "Natural's Not In It", "Not Great Men", "Damaged Goods", "Return The Gift", "Guns Before Butter", "Glass", and "Contract". Solid Gold is a stunning second set from the mighty Gang Of Four – and a record that's got all the power and politics of their famous Entertainment debut! The set's got some wonderfully heavy basslines amidst the scratchy guitar that makes the group so great – but nothing's too polished, certainly not as in their crossover club modes to come – and the call/response vocal style of Andy Gill and Jon King is tremendous – a very fresh way to deliver the message, and one that's still never been matched all these many years later. Titles include "Paralyzed", "What We All Want", "Why Theory", "If I Could Keep It For Myself", "Cheeseburger", "The Republic", "Outside The Trains Don't Run On Time", "In The Ditch", "A Hole In The Wallet", and "He'd Send In The Army". Next, you get an exclusive Singles album – the first-ever LP collection of all the early singles and b-sides – including tracks from the EP releases Yellow, Damaged Goods, and Another Day Another Dollar. Next is an another exclusive vinyl release – the 2LP set recorded Live At The American Indian Center 1980. Plus, the box features a 100 page full-color, hardcover book – with rare photos, contributions from group members, original artwork, and rare posters – plus essays from Greil Marcus, Michael Stipe, Jon Langford, and others. Also includes posters, flyers, and ephemera! CD

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Heavy-jamming fusion from Billy Cobham – done at a time when he was already cutting plenty of heavy-jamming fusion! The album was recorded live in Switzerland and London – all very much in a post Bitches Brew approach to jazz that has all players going pedal to the metal in pursuit of their ends – thankfully working together well here, and really propelled into the cosmos by Billy's mighty work on the drums! Players include John Abercrombie, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, and Milcho Leviv – and the tracks are all long, with titles that include "Red Baron (Revisited)", "Tenth Pinn", "Shabazz", and "Tauranian Matador (revisited)". LP, Vinyl record album

A monstrous bit of jazzy fusion from the 70s – and the record that really put drummer Billy Cobham on the map – virtually creating his own sort of space between jazz, funk, and prog – thanks to the help of an all star lineup too! Cobham is tremendous on drums – and is joined on most of the record by guitarist Tommy Bolin and keyboardist Jan Hammer – both at the height of their early powers – and a few other tracks feature a slightly different lineup, with great work from saxophonist Joe Farrell and trumpeter Jimmy Owens! The drummer is definitely in the space of the territory he would explore with George Duke – but is also maybe looser and more open to new sounds too – really stepping out on cuts that include the slow mellow funk number "Red Baron", which has great breaks and nice electric piano – plus "Stratus", "Taurian Matador", "To The Women In My Life", and "Quadrant 4". LP, Vinyl record album

A monstrous bit of jazzy fusion from the 70s – and the record that really put drummer Billy Cobham on the map – virtually creating his own sort of space between jazz, funk, and prog – thanks to the help of an all star lineup too! Cobham is tremendous on drums – and is joined on most of the record by guitarist Tommy Bolin and keyboardist Jan Hammer – both at the height of their early powers – and a few other tracks feature a slightly different lineup, with great work from saxophonist Joe Farrell and trumpeter Jimmy Owens! The drummer is definitely in the space of the territory he would explore with George Duke – but is also maybe looser and more open to new sounds too – really stepping out on cuts that include the slow mellow funk number "Red Baron", which has great breaks and nice electric piano – plus "Stratus", "Taurian Matador", "To The Women In My Life", and "Quadrant 4". CD

A superstar performance from the Antibes jazz festival at Cote D'Azur – one that features Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington sharing the stage, in a concert that was also recorded for a film! Most numbers here feature the full Ellington orchestra backing Ella up – but a few other numbers feature just backings from a trio with Jimmy Jones on piano and Grady Tate on drums. Duke and Ella trade the spotlight nicely – and Fitzgerald only sings on about half of the set, numbers that include "Mack The Knife", "The More I See You", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Jazz Samba", "How Long Has This Been Going On", and "Going Out Of My Head". Ellington's heard on other instrumental performances – some of which are a bit more upbeat and unbridled than usual – almost in a Basie mode. These tunes include "Trombonio Bustosolssimo", "Diminuendo In Blue & Blow By Blow", "The Old Circus Train Turn Around Blues", and "The Matador". CD

A superstar performance from the Antibes jazz festival at Cote D'Azur – one that features Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington sharing the stage, in a concert that was also recorded for a film! Most numbers here feature the full Ellington orchestra backing Ella up – but a few other numbers feature just backings from a trio with Jimmy Jones on piano and Grady Tate on drums. Duke and Ella trade the spotlight nicely – and Fitzgerald only sings on about half of the set, numbers that include "Mack The Knife", "The More I See You", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Jazz Samba", "How Long Has This Been Going On", and "Going Out Of My Head". Ellington's heard on other instrumental performances – some of which are a bit more upbeat and unbridled than usual – almost in a Basie mode. These tunes include "Trombonio Bustosolssimo", "Diminuendo In Blue & Blow By Blow", "The Old Circus Train Turn Around Blues", and "The Matador". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Willie Nelson's best albums of the later years – a sparer effort, with a 4 piece band and a ton of Willie's raw, classical and Spanish influnced guitar playing that he does some charmingly on stage over the years, but doesn't often come through in the studio. Includes "Matador", "She Is Gone", "We Don't Run", "It's A Dream Come True", "I Thought About You Lord" and more. CD

Three killer albums from pianist Frank Strazzeri – all brought together in a wonderful demonstration of his genius during the 70s! First up is Taurus, a record that's also known as View From Within – a date that has Frank playing Fender Rhodes with a wonderful sound – that open quality he always had in acoustic piano, stretched out even more with the space allowed by The Rhodes! The group features work from Conte Candoli on trumpet, Frank Rosolino on trombone, and Don Menza on tenor and flute, in a nicely laidback vibe – with tracks that include "Strazzatonic", "Taurus", "Lazy Moments", "View From Within", "Calcutta", and "Sphinx". Frames is a great overlooked set from the 70s – one that has the mighty Frank Strazzeri working some real magic on Fender Rhodes – with an open style that's completely wonderful, and warmed up even more with help from Don Menza on soprano sax and flute, Frank Rosolino on trombone, and Gary Barone on trumpet. Titles include "Frames", "Injun Jo", "Jo Gee", "Ballad Of The Matador", and "La Mosca". After The Rain is filled with funky keyboard work from Frank Strazzeri – a player who's really stretching out here in the 70s, with a massively cosmic vibe you'd never have guessed from his earlier work! Strazzeri had recorded and played heavily around the LA scene by the time of this mid 70s release – but most of his other work was a bit restrained, and hardly as wonderfully soulful as this! Frank's working here on moog and electric piano – in a group that includes Sam Most on tenor, Bobby Shew on trumpet, and Don Alias on percussion – grooving with Frank in a gently funky way that's got a heck of a lot of soul, and which makes for some nice extended tunes. Titles include "After The Rain", "Rush Hour", "Philadelphia Flyer", "Cloudburst", and "The Third Eye". CD

Heavy-jamming fusion from Billy Cobham – done at a time when he was already cutting plenty of heavy-jamming fusion! The album was recorded live in Switzerland and London – all very much in a post Bitches Brew approach to jazz that has all players going pedal to the metal in pursuit of their ends – thankfully working together well here, and really propelled into the cosmos by Billy's mighty work on the drums! Players include John Abercrombie, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, and Milcho Leviv – and the tracks are all long, with titles that include "Red Baron (Revisited)", "Tenth Pinn", "Shabazz", and "Tauranian Matador (revisited)". CD

An excellent set that was recorded in 1971, but not issued until ten years later – by the small Artists House label, home to groundbreaking work by Ornette Coleman and James Blood Ulmer! Gil Evans works here with one of his hippest groups – a soaring lineup that features key work from the great Billy Harper on tenor – plus Johnny Coles on trumpet, Joe Beck on guitar, and the duo of Airto and Flora Purim on both percussion and vocals. Evans plays electric piano – which is always a treat – and Don Preston adds in moog on two tracks too – on titles that include "Zee Zee", "Where Flamingos Fly", "Nana", and "El Matador". CD

The definitive Vince Guaraldi – but with some unreleased material too! The double-length package is a beautiful tribute to one of the grooviest piano players ever – and it does a great job of bringing together some of Vince's more famous moments, mixed with really standout tracks from the Fantasy Records years – including some excellent bits that were penned and played for use in the Peanuts cartoons! There's a massive 31 tracks in the set – with previously unreleased versions of "Autumn Leaves" and "Blues For Peanuts", alongside other goodies that include "Calling Dr Funk", "Fascinating Rhythm", "Cast Your Fate To The Wind", "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise","A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing", "Fenwyck's Farfel", "Days Of Wine & Roses", "Ginza Samba", "Work Song", "Mr Lucky", "Corcovado", "Great Pumpkin Waltz", "Skating", "Christmas Is Coming", "Thanksgiving Theme", "Theme To Grace", "Linus & Lucy", "El Matador", "Oh Good Grief", and "Christmas Time Is Here (inst)". CD

A much-needed vinyl release of music from this wonderful band – one we've been loving for the past 15 years, through a slew of Japanese-only CD releases! Indigo Jam Unit have a wicked style that goes way beyond the "jam" in their name – as they're tightly jazzy, but with a very stripped-down quality – one that tends to focus on the funkiest moments in their tunes – even though their music isn't exactly funk! The group's a quartet, led by some monstrous lines on acoustic bass – warm, full, and flowing – set fire further by hard, heavy acoustic piano, plus drums, extra drums, and sometimes percussion – all used in these spare, chunky ways that are totally great! This set brings together some of their best cuts from a variety of albums – and titles include "Descarga", "La Tomatina", "Danza Eterna", "Matador", "Time", "Raindance", "4 Caminos", and "Rush". LP, Vinyl record album

Wicked work from saxophonist Don Menza – really stretching out here in a massively beautiful 70s session for Catalyst Records! Menza was a heck of a player, but one who mostly kept things pretty close to the chest – yet on this album, he blows with a soulful, flowing tone that's simply impeccable – gently gliding along electric rhythms with a really mellow feel! The album unfolds like the petals of some hip 70s flower – gently opening up from tune to tune, peeling back layer upon layer of soulful sound – as Menza blows on tenor, soprano, and flute – with a group that includes Alan Broadbent on piano and electric keys, Frank Rosolino on trombone, and Paulinho and Claudio Slon on percussion. All tracks are original, and titles include "Samba De Rollins", "Magnolia Rose", "Ballad Of The Matador", and "Groove Blues". Features a full bonus CD of alternate tracks from the session – plus the unissued titles "Bones Blues", "Intrigue", and "Spanish Boots". CD

One of the richest albums from the Kudu years of Grover Washington – a double-length set that shows the full range of his soul and imagination! The album was done in collaboration with Bob James – who arranged and conducted all tracks, and also plays keyboards on the date – and the style is kind of an added extension of other Washington work on Kudu, with added string and chorus bits to round out the sound! Things are still wonderfully soulful – thanks to James' sense of space and timing on the charts – and if anything, the added voices and orchestrations bring an almost soundtrack-like quality to the record – but one that still leaves plenty of room for Washington's solos on tenor, alto, and soprano sax! Most tracks are quite long – really stretching out with lots of room for fresh ideas – and titles include a 15 minute version of "Trouble Man", plus "Taurian Matador", "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life", "Masterpiece", "Aubrey", and "Don't Explain". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the richest albums from the Kudu years of Grover Washington – a double-length set that shows the full range of his soul and imagination! The album was done in collaboration with Bob James – who arranged and conducted all tracks, and also plays keyboards on the date – and the style is kind of an added extension of other Washington work on Kudu, with added string and chorus bits to round out the sound! Things are still wonderfully soulful – thanks to James' sense of space and timing on the charts – and if anything, the added voices and orchestrations bring an almost soundtrack-like quality to the record – but one that still leaves plenty of room for Washington's solos on tenor, alto, and soprano sax! Most tracks are quite long – really stretching out with lots of room for fresh ideas – and titles include a 15 minute version of "Trouble Man", plus "Taurian Matador", "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life", "Masterpiece", "Aubrey", and "Don't Explain". Both volumes together – for the price of a single CD! CD

A monstrous bit of jazzy fusion from the 70s – and the record that really put drummer Billy Cobham on the map – virtually creating his own sort of space between jazz, funk, and prog – thanks to the help of an all star lineup too! Cobham is tremendous on drums – and is joined on most of the record by guitarist Tommy Bolin and keyboardist Jan Hammer – both at the height of their early powers – and a few other tracks feature a slightly different lineup, with great work from saxophonist Joe Farrell and trumpeter Jimmy Owens! The drummer is definitely in the space of the territory he would explore with George Duke – but is also maybe looser and more open to new sounds too – really stepping out on cuts that include the slow mellow funk number "Red Baron", which has great breaks and nice electric piano – plus "Stratus", "Taurian Matador", "To The Women In My Life", and "Quadrant 4". LP, Vinyl record album

Killer work from one of the best 60s soul talents of the Windy City! Major Lance was one of Chicago's first big soul stars – crossing over big on the charts with huge hits for the Okeh label during the early and mid 60s – thanks to some great tunes penned by Curtis Mayfield, and stellar production from the legendary Carl Davis! In a way, Lance's sound was a key culmination of the modes that had been bubbling under in the hometown indies like Vee Jay and Chess – taken slightly to the next level, and brought more into the mainstream by Okeh. Many of the arrangements here are by the massive Johnnie Pate – who gives the record the same sort of brilliance as the best 60s Impressions work on ABC – and the titles include "Ain't No Soul", "Investigate", "Um Um Um Um Um Um", "The Monkey Time", "Wait Till I Get You In My Arms", "Delilah", "Rhythm", "Hey Little Girl", "It's The Beat", "The Matador", "Ain't It A Shame", "You Don't Want Me No More", "You Belong To Me My Love", and "Sometimes I Wonder". CD

A strange one for Sonny Stitt – but also a real gem! The album has Sonny, who'd been working for the Roost/Roulette label, coming together with other jazz players in the same boat, plus Latin musicians who were recording for the related Tico label. Moishe Levy never made such a good talent judgement as he did with this session – which features an all-star Latin jazz jam that includes the likes of Ray Barretto, Joe Cuba, Junior Mance, Les Spann, Billy Taylor, Wild Bill Davis, Barry Galbraith, Walter Perkins, and Tito Puente. The organ of Davis is a particularly great touch – odd for a Latin session, but creating a cool groove on the best tracks, and a nice way to touch back with a soul jazz sound. Stitt's tone is right out front, and never sounded better – making us wish he'd recorded a few more albums in this manner! Titles include "Duketation", "Twana", "Icey Stone", "Let My People Split", "Samba De Orfeo", "Liberian Love Song", and "Handkerchief Head". Very hip stuff – and organized by Henry Glover, which might be part of the explanation for that! LP, Vinyl record album

Nice bit of Chicago funk, recorded during the big years of the "Here Come The Judge" routine – but in a bag all of it's own! Andre Williams wrote the cut, and it's got a great chugging funk groove with a vocal that features a crook pleading with the Funky Judge! The flip's an instrumental, too! 7-inch, Vinyl record

An original compilation from this great soul label – with work by Inez Foxx, Soul Sisters, The Matadors, Johnny Darrow, The Duals, Barbara George, Ike & Tina Turner, Jimmy McGriff, Baby Washington, and Bobby Hendricks! LP, Vinyl record album

This series keeps on getting better and better – and this fourth installment may well be the best illustration to date of the birth of soul music! As hinted by the title, the collection features tracks from the late 50s and early 60s that marked a key transition from earlier R&B and blues into soul music – work that pulled a bit more strongly from the church than some of its predecessors, and which also put over a groove that was a bit more sophisticated, sometimes a bit more polished – all to set the stage for the huge soul music explosion to come later in the 60s! A number of the artists here are familiar from R&B years, but they're represented by tracks that show a real change in their styles – and others are known from later successes, but stand out here with early work that's a lot more formative – making them a perfect choice for the collection. CD features 24 tracks in all – including "Come On & Stomp" by Marv Johnson, "Lil Valley" by The MMs & The Peanuts, "Bossa Nova Baby" by Tippie & The Clovers, "Irresistible You" by Bobby Peterson, "Take Your Heart" by Betty Willis, "Puff" by Kenny Lynch, "Jack Be Nimble" by The Intruders, "A Clock That's Got No Hands" by Della Reese, "I Came Running" by Wade Flemons, "You'd Be Crying Too" by The Matadors, "The Gypsy Said" by The Fiestas, "Please Don't Cry Anymore" by Ketty Lester, "Pretty Little Girl Next Door" by Bobby Day, and "Trouble I've Had" by Clarence Ashe. CD

A great record that's sort of a follow-up to Gabor's excellent Sorcerer LP – and like that one, features long tracks that have a spiralling modal feel that's much more serious, much more grooving, and a lot less campish than some of his other albums of the time. The album features a two-guitar lineup that mixes rhythm and melody – perfect for the tunes on the set, like "Los Matadoros", "Spellbinder", "Comin Back", and "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds". LP, Vinyl record album

Seminal soul from one of Chicago's greatest labels in the 60s – the One-Der-Ful/Mar-V-Lus imprints, plus tracks from related Toddlin Town too – home to some of the best indie work at the time! The quality here is right up there with the best you'd hear from Chess, Okeh, or Brunswick in the 60s – no surprise, since the pair of labels shared lots of similar talents with the bigger companies – as well as session men, songwriters, and producers too! The full scope of Chicago soul is really covered here – upbeat groovers for the dancefloor, heartfelt ballads with great harmonies, and some of the harder-edged bluesy numbers that really helped put One-Der-Ful on the map! There's also some key early examples of funk – proof that in the 60s, Chicago was one of the hippest scenes in the world – and the set comes with 2 CDs, nestled in a hardback booklet of notes and photos – with a whopping 50 tracks in all. Titles include "Tired Of Being Lonely" by The Sharpees, "Without You" by The Ulti-Mations, "That's How It Is" by Otis Clay, "Keep On Dancin" by Alvin Cash, "The Funky Judge" by Bull & The Matadors, "I Get A Groove" by Thomas East & The Fabulous Playboys, "Damper Down" by Bobby Davis, "The Town I Live In" by McKinley Mitchell, "Come Back Home" by Beny Turner, "Master Key" by Harold Burrage, "If I Could Live My Life All Over" by Dorothy Prince, "You Told A Lie" by Johnny Sayles, "New Girl" by The Accents, and "Don't You Worry" by Joe & Mack. CD

Music from The Premiers, Maureen Gray, John Madara, Dale & The Cashmeres, Danny & The Juniors, Bobby Wells, The Hearts, The Matadors, Sultans, Billy & The Essentials, and more - 24 tracks in all. CD

A great entry in one of our favorite series for rare soul tracks these days – a really special sort of collection that brings together tracks with a vibe that's very much all its own! The set definitely serves up the "real side" that it promises in the title – tunes that aren't showy or full of fuss – and instead, these easygoing soul tracks that hit their mark, right from the start – then go long with tremendous staying power, and a sense of warmth that has us returning to the set again and again for repeated listenings! The choice of cuts is sublime – a few familiar numbers mixed with overlooked tracks from artists we know, but haven't heard from in this way before – served up on 20 tracks that include "Never Set Me Free" by Continental Showstoppers, "I'm Coming Home" by Gerald Taylor, "I Can Remember" by The Whispers, "I'd Believe Him" by Deniece Chandler, "What Does It Take" by The Electrifying Cashmeres, "If You Decide" by Bull & The Matadors, "Try Something New" by Eddie Billups, "When" by Joe Simon, "Lover Come Back" by Jackey Beavers, "Nobody But You" by Willie Hightower, "I Hate Hate" by Razzy Bailey, "Why Don't You Write" by Lee Bates, "Grooving With My Thing" by The DeVons, and "Smooth Sailing" by Three Shades Of Soul. CD