Mojo takes a huge look back at Pink Floyd's masterpiece The Dark Side Of The Moon – a 50th Anniversary feature that runs at the record from a number of different perspectives! There's also an article on musical gems from 1972, an interview with Iggy Pop, and plenty more on X Ray Spex, Billy Strings, Jerry Lee Lewis, Robert Forster, and Blur – plus a look at rare photos of The Rolling stones, and the guitar work of Wilko Johnson and Keith Levene! As usual, there's plenty of record reviews too – and a big look forward at records to come in 2023. Magazine

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This issue's got a big cover feature on the surprising durability of Blondie over the years – plus a look at the best of 2022, Joni Mitchell's comeback at the Newport Festival, the long-running work of Don Was in the studio, the keyboard madness of Rick Wakeman – and more on Bob Dylan, Johnny Marr, David Bowie, Margot Price, Tom Petty, and Sir Peter Blake! There's also a look at the new punk museum in Las Vegas – and the usual page after page of great record reviews – more than enough to help you keep on buying great new releases well into 2023! Magazine

Arctic Monkeys are on the cover – and inside there's a lot more too – including a look at the late-life recordings for the Anti label by Tom Waits, the special songwriting of Joan Armatrading, the contemporary groove of Paul Willer, the solo work of Bill Callahan, the musical genius of Alabaster DePlume, and the overlooked work of Blossom Toes! There's plenty more too – including Bob Dylan in Europe, a look back at Pharoah Sanders, and more on Steve Harley, King Crimson, ZZ Top, and Weyes Blood – plus the usual massive section of reviews – on records, books, and lots more too! Magazine

Mojo takes a bit look at the expanded version of Revolver – the new take on the Beatles' classic, with lots of bonus material – served up here alongside a loving look back at the great Lamont Dozier – and more features on Nick Cave, Bjork, Graham Coxon, Joe Strummer, and Blue Oyster Cult! And as usual, there's a huge amount of reviews and other news in the issue – plus a bonus CD that offers Mojo's Guide To The Avant Garde artists who influenced The Beatles, as well as a bonus Beatles art print too! Magazine

That's Kate Bush on the cover, enjoying a bit of canine love and her return to fame in the past year – all covered here in a long feature on her classic album, Hounds Of Love! There's plenty more too – a look at the groundbreaking music of Krautrock giants Neu – plus more on Bebop Deluxe, Joni Mitchell, The Byrds, The Libertines, T Bone Burnett, Marcus King, Jackie Leven, and Julian Lennon – as well as the magazine's usual stunning collection of reviews and other news too. Always essential reading! Magazine

There's sure to be plenty of arguments, but Mojo celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska record with a list of his top 50 greatest songs of all time! Read the article and disagree amongst yourselves – while we plow on to the secret history of Blondie, some unseen photos of Iggy Pop, and more on Joan Jett, Procol Harum, Dr John, Burning Spear, Steve Albini, Danger Mouse, and even Dexy's Midnight Runners! Plenty more too, as always – including the usual huge section of music reviews for new releases and reissues. Magazine

This issue's got a big interview with Patti Smith – in case you can't tell by the cover – and there's also a long article in which remaining Beach Boys members look back at their six decades of music! Plenty more too – Simple Minds, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Vangelis, David Johansen, Steve Earle, Robyn Hitchcok, and legendary sideman Jim Keltner – plus page after page of record reviews, and lots more too! Magazine

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A record that states its power right from the stark image on the cover – the genius talents of Lightnin Hopkins, handled by the soulful production of Harlem's great Bobby Robinson! The mix of modes is great – and rather than go for an uptown version of Hopkins' music, Bobby seems to understand it even more than most producers – and really allow the strings of the guitar to resonate with this chromatic, almost sparkling sort of quality – sounding fantastic next to the raw growl of the man himself! The record is still as classic as can be for Lightnin – no added instrumentation or arrangements – and titles include "Coffee For Mama", "Black Mare Trot", "Glory Bee", "Shine On Moon", "Santa", and "Have You Ever Loved A Woman". LP, Vinyl record album

The complete work from a short but wonderful stretch of recording – a series of sides done for the Fire/Fury record label – which match the genius talents of Lightnin Hopkins and the soulful production of Harlem's great Bobby Robinson! The mix of modes is great – and rather than go for an uptown version of Hopkins' music, Bobby seems to understand it even more than most producers – and really allow the strings of the guitar to resonate with this chromatic, almost sparkling sort of quality – sounding fantastic next to the raw growl of the man himself! The record is still as classic as can be for Lightnin – no added instrumentation or arrangements – and titles include "Coffee For Mama", "Black Mare Trot", "Glory Bee", "Shine On Moon", "Santa", and "Have You Ever Loved A Woman". CD features 18 tracks in all – the full Mojo Hand album, plus material from singles too! CD

A key moment in the rebirth of the legendary Joyce – a set recorded on the European scene at a time when interest in her older records was at an all-time high, yet before she really had gotten the chance to record at a level that would take her back to those roots! Some of the studio Joyce records of the late 80s/early 90s never fully got the charms that made her so great, and instead tried to force her into other modes that didn't really work – which makes the lean live approach here a key back-to-basics moment, one that the Brazilian singer would follow on a number of great records to come. The crowd is very lively, and Joyce does a good job of leading them on as she runs through classics like "Samba De Gago", "Aldeia De Ogum", "Taxi Driver", "Fa Da Bahia", and a host of other great tracks! LP, Vinyl record album

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The title's a bit bluesy, and the record is too – one of the grittier collaborations between Hammond legend Jimmy Smith and ultra-hip arranger Oliver Nelson – who manages to make the whole thing come across with all the right soul styles in the end! There's definitely a nod to the electric blues of Chess Records and Chicago, but the approach is more sculpted in Nelson's tight, swinging big band modes – which snap along in the background, as Jimmy takes some freewheeling solos on Hammond that are outta sight – and even vocalizes occasionally along with his grooves – in a grunting, bluesy sort of way! Rhythm is augmented strongly by Grady Tate on drums and Kenny Burrell on guitar – and titles include "Mustard Greens", "Hobson's Hop", "Got My Mojo Workin", and "High Heel Sneakers". LP, Vinyl record album

Although he was the consummate high-class hipster at the start of his career, for some reason Jimmy Smith seemed to hit a forced sort of rootsy style about halfway through his years at Verve. The style worked well for him, even if it sometimes languished in bluesy tones that seemed a bit forced – and on this album, his basic trio of Grady Tate and Kenny Burrell are augmented by arrangements by Oliver Nelson. Nelson keeps things from getting too hokey, and Jimmy's organ lines are free and sharp on the best cuts. Titles include "Mustard Greens", "Hobson's Hop", "Got My Mojo Workin", and "High Heel Sneakers". Jimmy pays tribute to an earlier generation of R&B – in a hard-wailing set of soul jazz, done with backings from the legendary Oliver Nelson! A few tracks feature vocals by Jimmy, in a rough bluesy style, and others have some harmonica by Buddy Lucas – in a raspy, hard-wailing mode that still fits in nicely with the jazzier style of the album. Jimmy's organ is right up front on most numbers – recorded with that full, dynamic sound that makes so many of his Verve albums a treasure – and the best numbers have a more contemporary 60s groove alongside the older bluesy roots. Grady Tate plays drums – surprisingly funky at times – and other players include Melba Liston and Tom McIntosh on trombones, Billy Butler on guitar, Bob Cranshaw on Fender bass, and Joe Newman on trumpet. Titles include "Hi Heel Sneakers", "TNT", "Boom Boom", "Ain't That Just Like A Woman", and "One Mint Julep". CD

Trombonist Clifton Anderson co-produced this record with pianist Unno Tadataka – and the set turns out to be a wonderful showcase for both players – all the strongly soulful elements we love on Anderson's own records, but a strong sense of voice from Tadataka as well! The "mojo" in the title might make you expect a bit of hoke, but there's none here – as instead the album's flowing wonderfully with original tunes that also draw plenty from the work of Eddie Allen on trumpet, Anthony Ware on tenor and alto, Danton Boller on bass, and Jerome Jennings on drums. Tadataka plays a bit of celeste – and titles include "Birdbath", "Circle", "Mr Elegant Soul", "Enjoy It While You Can", "Sequel To That Old Story", and "Time Is Not What It Used To Be". CD

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The 5th genius compilation by the Mojo Club folks, and the one that's got some very cool stuff that's a little bit goofy, but which has a nice groove, and is nice guilty pleasure around here. Examples of this are "Sunshine of Your Love" sung by Ella Fitzgerald, "Season of the Witch" by Julie Driscoll, and "Young Generation" by Dakota Staton. Lots of other cool groovers, too, like "Hold Me, I've Got to Leave You" by Johnny Teupen, "Move Your Hand" by La Clave, "Bat Macumba" by Gilberto Gil, "Tema Rio 65" by Trio Rio 65, and "Cinnamon & Clove" by Lee Evans. Great stuff throughout, and like spending a very enjoyable evening at a great little club in Europe. 2 LPs. LP, Vinyl record album

Lost funky work from Jimmy Smith – issued on his own small Mojo Records label, which he formed after leaving Verve in the early 70s. The album features 4 long tracks – played by by Jimmy in a hip small combo with Larry Gales on bass, Ray Crawford on guitar, Donald Dean on drums, and Buck Clarke on percussion. The standout cut is the loping groover "Can't Get Enough" – a spare but full-sounding number that has Jimmy hitting that perfect "Root Down" organ mode! Other tracks include a slow funky version of "Killing Me Softly", the jazzy stepper "Paid In Full", and the kicked-back "Bro Pugh". LP, Vinyl record album

28 tracks by Robert Garret, JB Lenoir, Amos Milburn, Floyd Dixon, Jack The Bear Parker, Lazy Slim, Rufus Gore, Peppermint Harris, Sonny Boy Williams, Lightnin' Hopkins, and more! CD

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One of the few Jimmy Smith albums issued on his own label – the tiny Mojo Records imprint, which he was running in the mid 70s when taking a break from the majors! The album's got a raw power that returns Jimmy to the glory days of his best 60s recordings – really taking advantage of the setting to cook up some great tracks! Side one features Jimmy with a trio in a live setting – a great little group that has Ray Crawford on guitar, working with Jimmy to cook up some great tracks that sound like some of his hard-hitting Blue Note trio sides. The other side's got more of a 70s funk sound – with Crawford again on guitar, plus Buck Clarke on percussion – and Jimmy himself on electric piano as well as organ. Those tracks have a nicely burning sound that's like some of Johnny Hammond's best Kudu work – and which puts Jimmy in a sweet electric funky style that he didn't always match on other 70s LPs! Loads of nice stuff – and titles include a great version of "Feel Like Makin Love", plus "Testifyin", "Jazz Scattin", "Lookin Ain't Getting", and "More To Life". LP, Vinyl record album

A really great collection from a sometimes-overlooked stretch of vocal group music – a time in the 50s when a number of doo wop and early soul groups explored the use of Latin rhythms to change things up – an approach that makes for a mighty nice set of grooves to go along with the harmonies! Some of these tracks maybe just have a hint of Latin, but others have heavy percussion, and a nice mambo-inspired groove – and together, the 32 tracks on the set do a really wonderful job of illuminating this generation – with cuts that include "Joogie Boogie" by The Dubs, "Oh Carol" by Duo Dinamico, "Mambo Boogie" by The Harptones, "Send Me A Picture Baby" by The Starlarks, "E Basta Cosi" by Hank Ballard & The Midnighters, "Arriba" by Damal & Rasheed, "Juanita In Mexico" by Professor Hamilton & The Schoolboys, "Mexico" by The Rocketones, "Any Way You Wanta" by Harvey, "Do Be Do Be Wop" by The Squires, and "Down In Cuba" by The Royal Holidays. CD

If there's one thing we love more than Christmas songs, it's novelty Christmas songs – the kind of silly, goofy tunes that somehow do a great job of cutting through the overwrought sentiment that sometimes mars other Holiday music! This set definitely gets the spirit of novelty Christmas songs right – as it brings together 28 cool cuts from those years when the 45rpm single meant that new and unusual Christmas tunes were recorded every single year – and often in ways that tried to be wilder than usual, in hopes of getting attention! There's plenty of tracks like that here – in a set list that includes "I Want A Big White Cadillac For Christmas" by Little Joey Far, "Rockin Santa Claus" by The Moods, "Rockin N Rollin With Santa Claus" by The Hepsters, "Elvis For Christmas" by Mad Milo, "Santa Claus Is Watching You" by Ray Stevens, "Baby Sittin Santa" by Barry Richards, "I Saw Mommy Do The Mambo With You Know Who" by Barry Richards, "Jingle Rock" by Tommy Lee & The Orbits, and "Santa's Got A Coupe De Ville" by The Four Imperials. CD

We don't want to make any promises about meeting Mrs Claus – but we can say that this set's filled with very cool female vocal Holiday tunes from the postwar years – served up in a sweet mix of jazz, R&B, and other hip styles! The package is overflowing with unusual cuts – plenty of tracks that you won't find on the usual holiday sampler – with titles that include "I Want A Boy For Christmas" by The Del Vetts, "Mrs Santa Claus" by Alma Cogan, "I Need A Man" by Thelma Cooper, "Gonna Have A Merry Christmas" by The Nic Nacs, "Where Did My Snowman Go" by Molly Bee, "Rock N Rolly Poly Santa Claus" by Lillian Briggs, "Christmas Time" by Jan Bradley, "You Trimmed My Christmas Tree" by Baby Jane & The Blenders, "Santa Claus Bring My Man Back" by Ozie Ware, and "Christmas Man Blues" by Chippie Hill. CD

Music from Pee Wee Hughes, Po' Joe Williams, Schoolboy Cleve, Willie Nix, Harmonica Blues King Harris, Juke Boy Bonner, Shy Guy Douglas, Sammy Johns & The Devilles, The Bees, John Brim, and more - 28 songs in all. CD

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Soulful vocals, group harmonies, and lively rhythms – all coming together here in a fantastic package of tracks – one that looks at a less-remembered genre from the postwar years, and one in which some great musical elements do a great job of mashing things up together! This isn't Latin music, and it's not Latin Soul either – but there's a definite influence in the rhythms on many of these cuts – as the artists change things up from the obvious, and create all these romping modes that really work great with the vocals. Some of the cuts follow in the spirit of the Jukebox Mambo compilations, but others are farther afield – and the set features 28 titles that include "Mambo Fiesta" by The Calvaes, "Aye Senorita" by The Echoes, "Shake It Up Mambo" by The Platters, "Dulces Tonterias" by Los Rebeldes De Rock, "Cha Cha Twist" by Brice Coefield, "Hey Senorita" by The Penguins, "We Like Mambo" by Eddie Bo, "Mambo Shevitz" by The Crows, and "No Lo Ves" by Los Mustang. CD

We don't want to make any promises about meeting Mrs Claus – but we can say that this set's filled with very cool female vocal Holiday tunes from the postwar years – served up in a sweet mix of jazz, R&B, and other hip styles! The package is overflowing with unusual cuts – plenty of tracks that you won't find on the usual holiday sampler – with titles that include "I Want A Boy For Christmas" by The Del Vetts, "Mrs Santa Claus" by Alma Cogan, "I Need A Man" by Thelma Cooper, "Gonna Have A Merry Christmas" by The Nic Nacs, "Where Did My Snowman Go" by Molly Bee, "Rock N Rolly Poly Santa Claus" by Lillian Briggs, "Christmas Time" by Jan Bradley, "You Trimmed My Christmas Tree" by Baby Jane & The Blenders, "Santa Claus Bring My Man Back" by Ozie Ware, and "Christmas Man Blues" by Chippie Hill. CD

Vocal group Christmas charms galore – and a set that goes way pass the doo wop listed in the title! Sure, there's definitely some 50s tracks done in an R&B and early soul style – but there's also some jazzier numbers, a bit of pop, a touch of gospel, and a few cuts that feature a solo singer in the lead, with backing vocals to fit the mode of the rest of the tracks on the collection! There's a total of 30 titles in all – and titles include "Count Your Blessings" by The Demensions, "Limbo Under The Christmas Tree" by The Classic Four, "Santa's Too Fat For The Hula Hoop" by The Pixies, "Christmas" by The Faces, "Dance Mr Snowman Dance" by The Crew Cuts, "Christmas In Jail" by The Youngsters, "Merry Twist Mas" by The Marcels, "White Christmas Blue" by Huey Piano Smith, "Santa Done Got Hip" by The Marquees, "New Year's Eve" by The Delvues, and "I Will Miss You This Christmas" by Marvin & The Chirps. CD

Vocal group Christmas charms galore – and a set that goes way pass the doo wop listed in the title! Sure, there's definitely some 50s tracks done in an R&B and early soul style – but there's also some jazzier numbers, a bit of pop, a touch of gospel, and a few cuts that feature a solo singer in the lead, with backing vocals to fit the mode of the rest of the tracks on the collection! There's a total of 30 titles in all – and titles include "Count Your Blessings" by The Demensions, "Limbo Under The Christmas Tree" by The Classic Four, "Santa's Too Fat For The Hula Hoop" by The Pixies, "Christmas" by The Faces, "Dance Mr Snowman Dance" by The Crew Cuts, "Christmas In Jail" by The Youngsters, "Merry Twist Mas" by The Marcels, "White Christmas Blue" by Huey Piano Smith, "Santa Done Got Hip" by The Marquees, "New Year's Eve" by The Delvues, and "I Will Miss You This Christmas" by Marvin & The Chirps. CD

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A really incredible record from the great Gary Burton – a key 60s set that definitely has him finding a musical voice that's all his own – a way of using the vibes that nobody else had ever attempted before! The instrument is a flurry of chromatic beauty – tones and light exploding at each new twist and turn – mixed here with superb work from a quartet that includes Larry Coryell on guitar, Steve Swallow on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums! The names of the players alone might be enough to give you a picture of the sound – but let us go onto say that the overall approach is amazing – angular, jagged, and more rhythmic than melodic – but equally swinging, in sort of a modal way. Tracks include "Ballet", "One Two 1234", "Liturgy", "Response", "General Mojo's Well Laid Plan", and "Sweet Rain". LP, Vinyl record album

Mindblowing work from Booker Ervin – one of our favorite albums ever from his years at Prestige, and a record that really earns its haunting title and cover image! Book's definitely headed out to space on this one – working in a freer mode than on some of his Texas tenor-styled albums – and getting great accompaniment in his journey from Jaki Byard on piano, Richard Davis on bass, and Alan Dawson on drums. The Davis/Dawson team is a delight throughout – soulful and in the pocket, yet working with enough sense of space to allow Ervin and Byard to really take off on their solos! The album features 4 long tracks – and titles include "There Is No Greater Love", "Number Two", "Mojo", and "I Can't Get Started". CD

A tremendous non-Prestige moment from tenorist Booker Ervin – one of his first albums ever as a leader, and a record that bristles with 60s modern energy! The group here is only a quartet – with Horace Parlan on piano – and the album's got Booker's amazing tenor right out front, played with those angular, searching tones that are heard most famously on the Space and Freedom Book sessions for Prestige – but which seem to get almost more room for expression here! The remaining players are George Tucker on bass and Al Harewood on drums – both of whom help the album maintain a nicely rhythmic pulse, even when Ervin is going off into the stratosphere – and the album features 4 original tunes – "Mojo", "Uranus", "Boo", and "Booker's Blues" – plus versions of "Speak Low" and "Poinciana". CD

An incredibly captivating album of female soul – unlike anything else we can think of! Side one features a suite of tracks that details an ill-fated love affair in 4 modes: Introduction, Hoping, Final Attempt, and The Next Time – all done in a mode that mixes standard southern soul with these deeper monologues delivered by Tami in between each track! Lynn performs the work in a starkly intimate style that sends chills down our spine – and which makes you feel like you're listening in on her talking to her best friend – very cool, very personal, and deeper than most other work of its type. Side two is back on the regular tip – with shorter songs overall – but Tami does a pretty good job its range of mellow southern ballads and a few more uptempo numbers. Titles include a version of Andre Williams "Mojo Hanna", plus "Ain't No Soul", "One Night Of Sin", "Love Is Here & Now You're Gone", and "That's Understanding". CD

A well-done collection of work from one of the real giants of the early days of Sun Records – and we mean that in more ways than one, as Carl Perkins was a towering figure of a man! Perkins may not have hit the fame as Elvis Presley or Johnny Cash, but his work here is every bit as wonderful, and a key part of the Sun Records sound – raw material that's way more than the standard rockabilly you'd hear on other labels – as there's this special kind of mojo that really knocks these tracks out of the park! Titles include classics like "Matchbox", "Honey Don't", and "Blue Suede Shoes" – plus all sorts of other gems that include "Put Your Cat Clothes On", "Sweethearts Or Strangers", "Look At That Moon", "Movie Magg", "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby", "YOU", "All Mama's Children", and "You Can Do No Wrong". LP, Vinyl record album

The sound of Wilson Pickett is the sound of soul – bursting out here proudly in a classic session that features production from Rick Hall and the Fame Studios team! The record's got a gritty, nitty kind of feel that easily makes it one of Wilson's best – and with backing that includes Chips Moman on guitar, Spooner Oldham on piano and organ, and Roger Hawkins on drums, Pickett could almost sit the record out. But instead of taking it the easy way, he even outdoes the combo with a really hard-wailing performance of his own! Titles include the great 2 part take on "I Found A Love (parts 1 & 2)", plus "Mojo Mama", "I Found The One", "I'm Sorry About That", "Love Is A Beautiful Thing", "Soul Dance Number 3", "Funky Broadway", and "I'm Sorry About That". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little collection of Jimmy's tight tight tight Hammond sides cut for Verve during the 60s – with backings by Oliver Nelson and Lalo Schifrin, plus a few other sides in smaller combo format. Tracks include "Walk On The Wild Side", "Ol Man River", "The Cat", "Got My Mojo Workin", "High Heel Sneakers", "Hobo Flats", and "Organ Grinder's Swing". LP, Vinyl record album

Tracks include "Walk On The Wild Side", "The Cat", "Blues In The Night", " James & Wes", "Ol' Man River", and "Got My Mojo Workin". CD

The Velvet Fog gets hip and swinging in this Now Sound album recorded for Capitol in the late 60's. The title cut's ok, but the real gems are the versions of "Sunshine Superman" and "Take a Letter Maria", plus the more obscure "Catch a Robber by the Toe" and "Requiem: 820 Latham", written by Jimmy Webb. Very Mojo club. LP, Vinyl record album

A really wonderful early album from tenorist Mark Turner – a set that's got all those dark moments and sharp edges of his later recordings, but in a setting that's nicely warm at times – and which has Turner coming across with a bit more soul! There's a special sort of mojo in the record – darkness mixed with redemption, as Turner carves his way over beautiful lines from the rest of the group – a quintet that features Kurt Rosenwinkel on guitar, Brad Mehldau on piano, Larry Grenadier on bass, and Jorge Rossy on drums. Melhdau is especially nice next to Turner here – and the group are also joined by additional tenorists Seamus Black and Terence Dean on the title "Zurich". Other titles include "Isolation", "Subtle Tragedy", "Yam Yam", "Cubism", "Tune Number One", and a version of "Moment's Notice". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic document of the first-ever Ann Arbor Blues Festival – the start of a great event that would blossom into other styles of music in the 70s, but which stood as a strong blues-based event in its initial year of 1969! In some ways, the three day series of concerts is a roots answer to Woodstock – which took place just a few weeks before – as the festival featured a great scope of blues talents, from the rootsier sort of artists who were recording for labels like Folkways or Arhoolie, to some of the sharper modern talents rising to the top on Chess or Delmark! The package alone is almost worth the price of admission – beautiful photographs of the event, detailed notes, and the first-ever release of this music – which has sat in the vaults for decades, finally to see the light of day. Titles include "Dirty Mother For You" by Roosevelt Sykes, "So Glad You're Mine" by Arthur Big Boy Crudup, "Everybody Must Suffer/Stone Crazy" by Luther Allison & The Blue Nebulae, "Help Me" by Junior Wells, "I Wonder Why" by Jimmy Dawkins, "Too Much Alcohol" by JB Hutto & His Hawks, "So Many Roads So Many Trains" by Otis Rush, "Long Distance Call" by Muddy Waters, "Off The Wall" by James Cotton Band, "Juanita" by Big Joe Williams, "Jelly Jelly Blues" by Shirley Griffin, "I Feel So Good" by Magic Sam, "Call It Stormy Monday" by T-Bone Walker, "Death Letter Blues" by Son House, "Key To The Highway" by Sam Lay, and "Mojo Hand" by Lightnin Hopkins. CD

One of those few classic cases where a compilation of tracks was maybe even more influential than the original music itself – as this early 70s collection of 60s material turned out to shape and influence generations for decades to come! Guitar genius Lenny Kaye put the set together famously for Elektra Records in 1972 – as a reminder that, just a few years before, there were some amazing sounds that were not only brewing up in local indie scenes around the country, but also on the radio as well – even though most of those groups had been pushed into relative obscurity by the rise of soft rock, hard rock, and classic rock of the early 70s! The package is a return to the pre-prog years, with an especially strong ear for garage-tuned tracks that would go on to shape later punk, 80s indie, and lots more underground sounds in the future. Volume 3 includes tracks by the Hombres, New Colony Six, the Palace Guard, Lollipop Shoppe, Mojo Men, the Amboy Dukes, the Standells, E Types, and Lyme & Cybelle – 30 tracks total. CD

One of those few classic cases where a compilation of tracks was maybe even more influential than the original music itself – as this early 70s collection of 60s material turned out to shape and influence generations for decades to come! Guitar genius Lenny Kaye put the set together famously for Elektra Records in 1972 – as a reminder that, just a few years before, there were some amazing sounds that were not only brewing up in local indie scenes around the country, but also on the radio as well – even though most of those groups had been pushed into relative obscurity by the rise of soft rock, hard rock, and classic rock of the early 70s! The package is a return to the pre-prog years, with an especially strong ear for garage-tuned tracks that would go on to shape later punk, 80s indie, and lots more underground sounds in the future. Titles include "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)" by Electric Prunes, "Dirty Water" by the Standells, "Respect" by Vagrants, "No Time Like The Right Time" by Blues Project, "Invitation To Cry" by Magicians, "You're Gonna Miss Me" by Thirteenth Floor Elevators, "Psychotic Reaction" by Count Five, "Baby Please Don't Go" by Amboy Dukes, "My World Fell Down" by Sagittarius, "Open My Eyes" by Nazz, "It's A Happening" by The Magic Mushrooms, "Lies" by The Knickerbockers, "Oh Yeah" by Shadows Of Knight, "Sit Down I Think I Love You" by The Mojo Men, "Just Like Romeo & Juliet" by Michael & The Messengers, "Hey Joe" by The Leaves, and "Farmer John" by The Premiers. LP, Vinyl record album

A great entry in Blue Note's amazing Groovexperience series – one devoted to the hot & cool organ trippin' groovers of the late 60s/early 70s! The set features a mother load of Hammond-driven beauties for both rare groove hunters and folks simply looking for a nicely tripped out set of tunes – many of which paved the way for the electric funk of the 70s. In addition to the heavy funk jams and proto-fusion numbers by the great ones of the time – cuts like "Hallelujah, I Love Her So" by Groove Holmes, "Who's Making Love" by Lou Donaldson, "Blarney's Stoned" by Alan Hawkshaw, and "Where It's At" by Jimmy McGriff – there are also some sweet little jams in more of a deep soul & blues mode like "I Got My Mojo Workin'" by Jimmy Smith, and "The Beast" by Milt Buckner. Nice, nice stuff – a number of it familiar to the groove diggers, but a treasure to have in one greatly packaged set! Other cuts include "I Feel The Earth Move" by John Keating, "Spinning Wheel" by Lonnie Smith, "Burnin'" by Paul Bryant, "Oblighetto" by Brother jack McDuff", "Shortnin' Bread" by George Semper and more. 16 blazing slices of funky organ grooves in all. CD

A tremendous non-Prestige moment from tenorist Booker Ervin – one of his first albums ever as a leader, and a record that bristles with 60s modern energy! The group here is only a quartet – with Horace Parlan on piano – and the album's got Booker's amazing tenor right out front, played with those angular, searching tones that are heard most famously on the Space and Freedom Book sessions for Prestige – but which seem to get almost more room for expression here! The remaining players are George Tucker on bass and Al Harewood on drums – both of whom help the album maintain a nicely rhythmic pulse, even when Ervin is going off into the stratosphere – and the album features 4 original tunes – "Mojo", "Uranus", "Boo", and "Booker's Blues" – plus versions of "Speak Low" and "Poinciana". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little record – one that showcases the continuing commitment of Dizzy Gillespie to exploring the world of Latin and Carribean rhythms! The set features Diz's great mid-60's combo with James Moody (on tenor and Latin flute), Kenny Barron (on piano and bass), and Chris White (on bass and guitar) – plus some added Latin percussion and occasional backing vocals by the group. Dizzy's sound is sparkling and shining, and soars ahead of the arrangements nicely – especially on groovers like "Fiesta Mojo", "Jambo", "Trinidad, Hello", and "Don't Try To Keep Up With the Joneses". CD

Obscure sessions originally done for the Douglas label – with a similar lineup to, but different tracks than the album issued as Come On Home! The combo here features Johnson on guitar, with more guitar from Muddy Waters – who leads the band on the session, which also features Otis Spann on piano and George Mojo Buford on harmonica! LP, Vinyl record album

A contemporary group, but one who play with a definite old school vibe – both in the style of their gritty blues, and even in the instruments and studio equipment they use! The vintage gear makes for a nicely raspy approach to the music – one that really helps give the record an edge you might not expect. Studebaker John sings, plays guitar and harmonica, and titles include "Cold Black Night", "Wicked Soul", "Shake It Down Now", "She's All Right", "Mississippi To Chicago", and "Mojo Hand". CD

Muddy Waters' band meets the vocals and guitar of Luther Snake Johnson – in a sweet little set that's almost a double-header, given the talent on deck! The material's got a gritty feel that's right up there with Muddy's best for Chess – and the group features Mojo Buford on harmonica, Otis Spann on piano, and Waters on guitar (Muddy couldn't sing, due to contractual obligations!) Johnson's got a nice rough approach – almost a touch of soul at times – and the group keeps things nicely in a classic 60s electrified Chicago mode. Titles include "Sad Day Uptown", "I'm So Glad", "Chicken Shack", "Long Distance Call", "Digging My Potatoes", "Coming Home Baby", and "Mud In Your Ear". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic document of the first-ever Ann Arbor Blues Festival – the start of a great event that would blossom into other styles of music in the 70s, but which stood as a strong blues-based event in its initial year of 1969! In some ways, the three day series of concerts is a roots answer to Woodstock – which took place just a few weeks before – as the festival featured a great scope of blues talents, from the rootsier sort of artists who were recording for labels like Folkways or Arhoolie, to some of the sharper modern talents rising to the top on Chess or Delmark! The package alone is almost worth the price of admission – beautiful photographs of the event, detailed notes, and the first-ever release of this music – which has sat in the vaults for decades, finally to see the light of day. Titles on this second volume include "Long Distance Call" by Muddy Waters, "Off The Wall" by James Cotton Band, "Juanita" by Big Joe Williams, "Jelly Jelly Blues" by Shirley Griffin, "I Feel So Good" by Magic Sam, "Call It Stormy Monday" by T-Bone Walker, "Death Letter Blues" by Son House, "Key To The Highway" by Sam Lay, and "Mojo Hand" by Lightnin Hopkins. LP, Vinyl record album

DJ mixes with tracks by Eddy Grant, Mojolators, Agent Sumo, Ron Carroll, Michael Moog, Goodfellas, Muse, Fatboy Slim, Superchumbo, and Pete Heller. CD

Heavy Nigerian funk from the great Segun Bucknor – an artist who was working during the same Afro Funk revolution as Fela Kuti & Africa 70, but one who never fully got the exposure he deserved on a global level! By the time of these cuts, Segun had already been working hard in a variety of different groups – and he emerges at the start of the 70s with a bold new vision in music – one that draws on the same American soul and funk inspirations that you'll hear on the records of Geraldo Pino, but which also has some moodier elements at times too – a heady current that's clearly inspired by the psych generation, and taken to some more message-oriented lyrics at times. The blend is wonderful, especially when most cuts have these deeply funky rhythms at the bottom – and this 2CD package is a fantastic introduction to his music, with 16 long cuts that include "Sorrow Sorrow Sorrow", "Poor Man No Get Brother", "Dye Dye", "Only In My Sleep", "Adanri Sogbasogba", "Baby Get Your Thing", "Love And Affection", "Son Of January 15th", "La La La", "Gbmojo", "Ayinde Ogo", "Who Say I Tire", "You Killing Me", "Adebo", and "That's The Time". CD

Features work by the Beatles, the Tornados, Lulu & the Luvers, Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames, the Big Three, the Mojos, Petula Clark, Them, the Pretty Things, the Bachelors, Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Donovan, and more. CD

Fantastic work from a time when the London scene was heavy on influences from American soul, blues, and R&B – and sought to turn the best elements of that music into something new and unique! Some of the groups here are ones that you'll recognize from later years and greater fame, others are early combos that featured later stars, and still others are wonderful groups you've been lost to the shifting sands of time – but who really show the fantastic edge that the British scene had in the mid 60s! Lots of this work has the mod vibe you'd expect from the title, but there's also some fuzzier moments too – and the package is a hell of a deal at this great price! 80 tracks in all – with titles that include "Looking Back" by Spencer Davis, "I Don't Need Your Kind" by The Rockin Vickers, "Done Me Wrong" by The Couriers, "Broken Truth" by A Wild Uncertainty, "Looky, Looky" by The Brothers Grimm, "Kangaroo" by Hoagy Benson, "Reviewing The Situation" Jacki Bond, "No Good Without You" by The Birds, You Can't Be Serious" by The Mirage, "Jak D'Or" by Episode Six, "Until My Baby Comes Home" by The Mojos, "Hush" by Kris Ife, "Take It Easy" by Sugar Simone, "Yes I Do" by Ram John Holder, "Take Away" by The Couriers, "I'll Be Doggone" by Glen Ingram, "Ace Of Clubs" by The Knave, "Last Night" by Laurel Aitken & The Soulmen, "Baby Do You Know What You're Doing" by Arthur Brown Set, "Please Go" by The Trekkas, and "Tough She Says" by The In Crowd. CD