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This issue's got a big cover feature on Bob Dylan's legendary 1974 tour with the band – full of newly-uncovered details from the Tulsa vaults, in advance of the huge new box set of material from the tour! The issue's also got a great look at that momentous Motown year of 1964 – plus more on Laurie Anderson, Galaxie 500, The The, Arthur Lee, Neil Young, John Mayall, and Gillian Welch – plus the usual super-huge section of music reviews! There's also a bonus CD – 15 tracks of music from 1974 – work by Dylan, Robert Wyatt, Can, Betty Davis, Fela Kuti, King Crimson, Gram Parsons, and others. Magazine

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Nick Cave's on the cover, somehow looking younger than ever – as he speaks inside at length about his new Bad Seeds album and a whole lot more! There's plenty of other superstars within – including James Brown, Doug Sahm, Jesus & Mary Chain, Average White Band, and Van Morrison – all of whom get long features – as well as the great producer Joe Boyd! And as always, there's plenty more too – bits on The Police, Fontaines DC, Man, and Francoise Hardy – as well as loads of great reviews, and a bonus CD of work from 40 years of the career of Nick Cave! Magazine

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Steve Nicks is on the cover for a piece that looks at the legacy of Fleetwood Mac, her solo career, her addiction & recovery and lots more from her legendary career! Other main features include a farewell to Steve Albini and pieces on Leadbelly, Nathaniel Rateliff, Tom Waits, The Chameleons and War – plus the usual wealth of news and reviews! This issue's free CD is Second Hand News – The Songs Of Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac – with tracks by Stevie, Dennis Brown, The Decemberists, The Melvins, Primal Scream, Caitlin Rose, The Autumn Defense and others. Magazine

A great shot of the young Byrds is on the cover – for a feature celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the legendary band taking flight! Other features include a look at Pete Townshend's 80s era, a great little catch-up with Paul Weller, the return of Dirty Three, Dusty Springfield, Belle & Sebastian, Jessica Pratt, Johnny Cash, Pat Metheny, the lost songs of Marvin Gaye, and an interview with Questlove – plus a huge number of reviews, and free CD that's worth the price alone! The CD is titled Jingle Jangle Morning – A Byrds Companion – and includes tracks by Gene Clark, Ray Charles, Clarence White, Woody Guthrie, International Submarine Band, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Ravi Shankar and more. Magazine

Kate Bush is on the cover, and the issue has a great dive into the early years of her career – with a look at her early shows, demo recordings, and first few records – all of which helped lay the groundwork for the superstardom to come! There's also an interview with Neil Finn, a look at the Climate Of The Hunter album by Scott Walker, the great soul singer Labi Siffre, the early years of Tangerine Dream, the key work of The Yardbirds, and Leyla McCalla of Carolina Chocolate Drops – plus lots more reviews, record news, and a look at The Minutemen's classic Double Nickels On The Dime. Also features a great bonus CD – with 15 tracks from the mid 60s years of British R&B and blues! Magazine

Pearl Jam are on the cover this time around, with a big exclusive interview inside – and there's other great articles too – including looks at the relationship between David Bowie and Mick Ronson, the guitar work of Phil Manzanera, UK folk legend Anne Briggs, unreleased Jimi Hendrix material, the late Wayne Kramer of MC5 fame, and the massive funk group Cymande! And, as always, there's plenty more too – including the famous Mojo reviews section, which is overflowing with music recommendations. Also comes with a bonus CD – with rare live tracks from Pearl Jam! Magazine

This issue of Mojo looks at the 30 greatest songs by Steely Dan – a large number, but maybe not big enough – given the greatness of the group! There's also plenty of other classic features – rare photos of the Rolling Stones, and more on Marvin Gaye, The Ramones, Lenny Kravitz, and the Butthole Surfers – plus Stone Roses guitarist John Squire and the mighty Liam Gallagher! The issue also features a bonus CD with 15 tracks from famous northern bands – including James, The Fall, Magazine, Blue Orchids, Inspiral Carpets, and others – plus the usual huge section of Mojo reviews! Magazine

A long-overdue full length album from The Mojo Men – one that's comprised of rare singles and early demo cuts by the group – a killer act on the San Francisco scene who followed the same Beau Brummels path from Autumn Records to Warner Brothers! The music definitely echoes some of that legacy, but also has a vibe that's very much its own – psychedelic garage at times, and delivered in a way that's nicely lean, and unadorned by the kind of larger production that another label might have used to either muddle or ruin their sound. The lean brilliance is right up there with some heady Cali favorites that were issued by Warner and Reprise at the time – and had the label had the smarts, this record would have been another classic catalog release from those glory days! Titles include "Watch You Walk Away", "Sure Of Your Love", "When You're Down", "I Wish Today Was Yesterday", "Take Me Away", "Unaware Of Me", "Candy", and "It's Okay". CD

A long-overdue full length album from The Mojo Men – one that's comprised of rare singles and early demo cuts by the group – a killer act on the San Francisco scene who followed the same Beau Brummels path from Autumn Records to Warner Brothers! The music definitely echoes some of that legacy, but also has a vibe that's very much its own – psychedelic garage at times, and delivered in a way that's nicely lean, and unadorned by the kind of larger production that another label might have used to either muddle or ruin their sound. The lean brilliance is right up there with some heady Cali favorites that were issued by Warner and Reprise at the time – and had the label had the smarts, this record would have been another classic catalog release from those glory days! Titles include "Watch You Walk Away", "Sure Of Your Love", "When You're Down", "I Wish Today Was Yesterday", "Take Me Away", "Unaware Of Me", "Candy", and "It's Okay". LP, Vinyl record album

Weird, wild, wonderful work from the 7" single underground of the postwar years – music from a time when monster themes pervaded all sorts of musical styles – rock, soul, jazz, and even blues too – which resulted in a great run of very groovy records! This package digs deep into the sounds of those glory days – serving up some cuts that are pretty horroriffic, mixed with others that might have a slight novelty sort of approach – qualities that are sometimes emphasized by odd production techniques and other studio tricks! The package features 28 tracks in all, including a number of horror rockers we've not seen compiled elsewhere – titles that include "Horror Show" by Johnny Thunder, "The Hammer" by Faye Adams, "Terror" by The Bees, "Vampire" by Bobby Barrett, "Jack The Ripper" by The Tip Tops, "Shiverin & Shakin" by Edwin & Alvin, "Jack The Ripper" by The Elites, "Horror Pictures" by The Calvanes, "Graveyard Blues" by John Lee Hooker, "The Mummy" by Bob McFadden & Dor, "Igor's Lament" by Tony & The Monstrosities, "Cemetery Blues" by Lightnin Hopkins, "The Hex" by The Moroccos, "Witchcraft In The Air" by Betty Lavette, and "Graveyard Disposition" by Gatemouth Moore. CD

Music from the Contours, Martha & the Vandellas, the Supremes, Eddie Holland, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5, Four Tops, the Miracles, the Temptations and more. CD

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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

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

A wonderful entry in the Mojo Club series – the famous set of compilations that run the gamut of genres and geographies to track down some of the coolest cuts in the world! As before, the vibe starts with American jazz, soul, and funk – then quickly moves out to other unique interpolations of the groove – blowing our mind with its range of wonderful music, and definitely earning our dollar with its long set list and high musical value! The set features 17 tracks in all – and titles include "Jungle Fever" by Chakachas, "Summer in the City" by Quincy Jones, "Feedback Brother" by Peter Herbholzheimer, "My Kind of Sunshine" by Dieter Reith, "Saiupa" by Bossa Rio, "Funky Like a Train" by The Equals, "Here I Am Baby" by The Marvelettes, "Bolero 75" by James Last, "Etude In The Form Of Rhythm & Blues" by Paul Mauriat, "Blues A Volante" by Baden Powell, "Thank You Falletinme Be Mice Elf Again" by Hearts Of Stone, "Ponta De Lanca Africano" by Jorge Ben, and "Aquarius" by George Shearing. CD

Stacked compilation with music from John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Duke Ellington, Hank Mobley, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan, Jimmy McGriff, Lonnie Smith, Charles Mingus, Archie Shepp, Herbie Hancock, and much more. CD

With Hidehiko Tanaka on bass and Jackie Williams on drums. CD

After a long and successful stint at Verve/MGM, Jimmy retreated to the underground during the mid/late 70s, where he put out a few hard to find releases on smaller labels. This is one of them, issued on his own tiny Mojo label – and it features a relatively straight soul jazz organ set, played with a trio that includes Kenny Burrell on guitar and Grady Tate on drums. Titles include "Yesterday I Heard The Rain", "Well, You Needn't", "Reunion", "Second Coming", and "It's All Right With Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A treasure trove of obscure psych from the UK – with 72 tracks in all! CD

Quite an interesting session from the Art Ensemble Of Chicago – and exactly what it says in the title! The group pay tribute to the Chicago blues masters of their hometown – but somehow manage to do so in a way that gives the work a style that pushes the tunes with plenty of Art Ensemble touches! Material was recorded live in performance in Switzerland in 1993 – at a point when the group still featured Lester Bowie on trumpet – and for the performance, the core ensemble is expanded by Frank Lacy on trombone, James Carter on tenor sax, Amina Claudine Myers on organ and vocals, and Herb Walker (of Saturn Records fame) on guitar. But even more important is the return of Chicago Beau, who'd worked with the group during their heady Paris days – and whose work here represents the key "blues" component of some of the tunes. Titles include "Hoochie Coochie Man" "Odwalla", "I, The Blues", "Tin Pan Alley", and "Got My Mojo Workin". CD

One of those great Jackie Chan tribute albums from Japan – with work from the groups Hero, Mojo, and MFB – all packaged in an image-heavy set! LP, Vinyl record album

A great live session in the best tradition of the Smalls Live series – one that seems to have all players working at a level that's even higher than usual, as they stretch out on long tracks that offer up plenty of room for freely expressive solos! The songs are mostly familiar numbers, not originals by trumpeter Dwayne Clemons – but the group more than makes magic on their own, with that special sort of mojo that the club always seems to bring to a performance! Other players include Amanda Sedgwick on alto, Aaron Johnson on tenor, Jin Joo Yoo on piano, Paul Gill on bass, and Taro Okamoto on drums – and titles include "Hey George", "Hornin In", "My Sweet Emmalina", "Smoke Rings", "Shadow & Act", and "I Cover The Waterfront". CD

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". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little record – one that showcases the continuing commitment of Dizzy Gillespie to exploring the world of Latin and Caribbean rhythms, but in a way that's very different than his early cubop experiments of the 40s! The tracks are nice and long here – very open and flowing, with that combo mode that Dizzy picked up near the end of the 50s – with key contributions from James Moody on tenor and flute, Kenny Barron on piano, and Chris White on bass and guitar – plus some great Latin percussion at the core! The tunes trip nicely with a really sparkling sort of energy – and Diz is always out front, almost leaping ahead of the arrangements especially on groovers that include "Fiesta Mojo", "Jambo", "Trinidad, Hello", and "Don't Try To Keep Up With the Joneses". CD

A set with younger players – "New Faces" – including Kenny Kirkland on piano, Branford Marsalis on tenor, and Lonnie Plaxico on bass! Ttiles include "Birk's Works", "Tin Tin Deo", "Fiesta Mojo", and "Tenor Song". LP, Vinyl record album

Tasty bluesy organ material from Prestige, featuring 2 hard-to-find records, back-to-back in a single set! Billy Hawks sings and plays organ with a groove that's in between jazz, blues, and deep soul. On New Genius Of The Blues he's fronting a trio that includes a young Ivan "Boogaloo Joe" Jones on guitar, and the group plays a few instrumentals with some excellent organ/guitar interchange. Some of the material here is a bit bluesy, but there's also still a relatively strong soul jazz component as well – one that comes through in the overall structure of the tunes, and in the lean style in which they were recorded. Titles include "Hawks Blues", "Let Me Love You Before You Go", "Got My Mojo Working", "Mean Woman Blues" and more. More Heavy Soul is the rarest of his albums for Prestige – and on this one he plays organ in a style that's more in keeping with some of the funky jazz artists on the label – especially on the instrumental tracks, which give a lot more room to the instrumental solos. There's a great instrumental groover called "That's Your Bag" that's right up with the best of the Prestige funky jazz tracks from the 60s, and even the vocal cuts are really nice, as Billy has a good soulful singing style. He's backed here by Buddy Terry and Maynard Parker, and other tracks include "Heavy Soul", "Whip It On Me", and "I'll Be Back". 19 tracks in all! CD

A hell of a great large group session from Jimmy Heath – filled with those special tones and colors we always love in his arrangements, and that special sort of soul that usually makes his bigger band records swing like most small combo dates! The album's one of the best we've heard from Heath in years – and maybe his best in this format for decades – and in addition to Jimmy's own excellent leadership and solos on tenor and soprano sax, the group's overflowing with great talent throughout – including Antonio Hart on alto and flute, Charles Davis on tenor, Roy Hargrove and Michael Mossman on trumpets, Steve Davis on trombone, Peter Washington on bass, and Lewis Nash on drums. Tracks are all long and really lovely – scored with a vibe that's more 70s than you'd guess from the date – and titles include "Togetherness", "A Time & A Place", "A Sassy Samba", "Fiesta Mojo", and "A Sound For Sore Ears". CD

A truly fantastic record, and one that's become the stuff of legend over the years – a rare CTI album that was only ever issued in Japan – and which may well be one of the coolest sessions recorded during the A&M years of the label! Trombonists JJ Johnson and Kai Winding had recorded two other records for CTI during the period – both great – but this set has them stretching out in this really expansive mode that's completely unique – long tracks put together with complicated arrangements that really blow away anything else they ever did – funky, soulful, but also moving towards higher ideals too – a fantastic testament to the newfound arranging skills of Johnson, who handled most of the record. The group also features some amazing keyboard work from both Herbie Hancock and Bob James – who get plenty of room to roam – plus guitar from George Benson, bass from Ron Carter, and drums from Grady Tate – a superb lineup who really make the whole thing shine. The depth of this music is hard to describe in words, but the whole thing's wonderful – and the set features just four long tracks – "Dontcha Hear Me Callin To Ya", "Musings", "Mojo", and "Recollections". LP, Vinyl record album

Lost grooves from Spanish Harlem – an incredible set of Latin Soul from The 107th Street Stickball Team! With a name like that, the group certainly aren't as well-remembered as contemporaries like Joe Bataan or Willie Colon, but they've got a soulful groove that definitely fits the style of the time – a sweet uptown blend of Harlem soul and Latin rhythms – with the same blend of sweet soul ballads and uptempo groovers you'd find on some of Bataan's classic albums for Fania Records! Bobby Marin put the whole album together, with a tight groove that's very similar to his work for Speed Records – played here by a group that includes Orlando Marin, Louie Ramirez, Ozzie Torrens, and Joey Pastrana – all kings of Latin Soul at the time! Vocalists include Butch Johnson and Danny Agosto – but there's a real group feel to the record, with lots of harmonies behind the lead – the kind of streetcorner soul you might have heard while catching a stickball game on one of the side streets up north of Harlem. Titles include "Toma Guajira", "Look To Me", "You Put A Hurt In My Heart", "Rhythm & Soul", "Mojo Shingaling", "Barbara With The Kooky Eyes", "Tell Her I Love Her", and "Let Me Do My Thing". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the biggest albums of Muddy Waters' career – a key crossover effort that has Waters as the "father" working with "sons" Paul Butterfield and Michael Bloomfield! The style here is still quite rootsy overall – and the double-length session features one album recorded in the studio, and a second done live at the Super Cosmic Joy-Scout Jamboree – key evidence of the growing hippie audience for blues like this! The core group features Waters on vocals with Otis Spann on piano, Mike Bloomfield on guitar, Paul Butterfield on harmonica, Donald Duck Dunn on bass, and Sam Lay on drums – and guest players include Phil Upchurch on bass and Buddy Miles on drums – each on one number. Titles include "All Aboard", "Mean Disposition", "Forty Days & Forty Nights", "Sugar Sweet", "Twenty Four Hours", "I'm Ready", "Walkin Thru The Park", "Got My Mojo Working (parts 1 & 2)", "The Same Thing", "Baby Please Don't Go", and "Honey Bee". LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Tail Dragger Chicago Blues Band, Prez Kenneth Chicago Blues Band, Joshie Armstrong, Paul Jones Rockin' Four, Little Mack Simmons Chicago Blues Band, Studebaker John Tonemasters, Big Mojo Elem Chicago Blues Band, Pretty Things/Yardbird Blues Band, the El Dorados, Jo Ann Garrett, Chicago Slim Maxwell Street Trio, and Andre Williams Fatback Band. 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

With selections by The Neighborhoods, Get Smart!, Outlets, Dead Milkmen, Electric Peace, Straw Dogs, Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper, Lazy Cowgirls, 28th Day, The Villanelles, John Trubee & The Ugly Janitors Of America, and Fear. LP, Vinyl record album

Billed as "the hits that started the San Francisco sound" – with selections by The Beau Brummels, Grace Slick & The Great Society, Mojo Men, Knight Riders, Bobby Freeman, and Tikis. LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent funky jazz from Czechoslovakia – served up in a blistering mix of big band arrangements and electric rock elements! The group's a jazz-rock orchestra – with a hard wailing instrumental sound that's sort of like the Clarke Boland Big Band, mixed with fuzzed-out guitars – a really great blend that's in the territory of some of the best MPS work of this type from the time! There's a bit of a progressive vibe to the record, but never in a way that has the solos getting too overindulgent – and throughout, the group keeps things going with very strong jazz elements in the music. Titles include the 14 minute groover "Nova Synteza", which has a tasty drum breakdown – plus "Popinavy Brectan", "Ma Hra", and "Smer Jihovychod". CD features 6 bonus tracks – including "Blue Taxi", "Living Things", and "I Got My Mojo Working". CD

One of the weirdest albums to ever come out on Scepter Records – one of the label's few psych offerings, and a real monster all the way through! The enigmatic Joseph hails from Texas, and he's got the same weird blend of fuzzy elements and bluesy roots as some of the most freewheeling groups on that scene – but also carries a heady, heavy sound that's very much his own sort of style – almost with elements of swamp rock at times, especially in his upfront presentation of the lyrics – but much weirder and wilder overall! The album's a stunner from the cover right down to the fuzz in the grooves – and titles include "Mojo Gumbo", "Stone Age Man", "Cold Biscuits & Fish Heads", "Gotta Get Away", and "Come The Sun Tomorrow". CD

Raw work from the American underground of the 60s – material that predates punk by more than a decade, but which really sets the scene for the kind of searing, sneering attitude that really burst forth at the end of the 70s! The work is from a variety of scenes, although is especially heavy on the west coast – tracks recorded as a great antidote to more polished pop of the time, especially the sort that was trying to pass itself off as rock, but which was really a much more watered-down vibe. The "garage" in the title doesn't really do the music justice – as many of these acts are great musicians, given a key opportunity to really showcase their sound – and some of these tracks were surprising hits, although many others are under-discovered gems. The set is put together in the best style of the Strawberry label – a nice box, and plenty of notes on the tracks within – a whopping 94 titles in all, with work from The Unusuals, Dimensions, Shadows Of Knight, We The People, The Standells, Rationals, Other Half, Rangers, Strangeloves, Barbarians, Castaways, Remains, McCoys, Mad Hatters, Love, Mojo Men, Rocky & The Riddlers, Chris Morgan & The Togas, Limey & The Hanks, Echoes Of Carnaby Street, Don & The Goodtimers, Bobby Fuller Four, Seeds, Merrell & The Exiles, New Yorkers, Bedlam Four, Jackals, and dozens of others. CD

A sweet set of grooves from around the globe – all the sorts of tracks that Guts plays in his legendary DJ sets overseas – music that's got a much more far-reaching vibe than some of the tracks he issues under his own name! Overall, the set's very much in the best spirit of the Heavenly Sweetness label – especially in the way that company brings together music from so many different times and scenes around the planet – music that's taken even further here in the rich array of tunes that Guts serves up! A number of tracks are contemporary, but there's definitely some classic global flavors going on too – and titles include "Saude" by Pupulies & Rebecca, "Aye" by Ngalah Oreyo", "Canette (Bosq rmx)" by Pat Kalla & Le Super Mojo, "Utammada" by Ismail & Sixu Toure, "Nzambi/Muadiakime" by Alcione, "Aye" by Ngalah Oreyo, "Pe Di Bissilon (Dam Swindle rmx)" by Bande Gamboa, "Mi Moin Mi Ou" by Jobby Valente, "Cumbia De Sal Y Azucar" by Chucho Pinto Y Sus Kassino, "Limye" by Violaaa, and "Yamona (Dam Swindle rmx)" by Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band. LP, Vinyl record album

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

A wealth of wonderful work from the key years of the British Invasion – including a fair bit of groups who never really crossed the Atlantic to invade our shores at the time! Liverpool is best known as the home of The Beatles, but during the early 60s, the city was host to a huge wave of creative activity – as were nearby cities in the north of England – and as you'll hear in this set, there was no end to the range of groups making killer records over the space of number of years! Some of the work here will ring your ears with familiar tones from UK 60s rock, yet in ways that are different than the mod styles down in London, there's plenty of overlooked gems here to discover – and given that the box set goes well into the second half of the 60s, there's plenty of tracks here that are way different than just the work that grew up in the shadows of the fab four! The package has that fantastic presentation we love from the Grapefruit/Strawberry label – really well-chosen cuts, supported by very detailed notes – a massive 93 tracks in all, with work from The Perishers, Quotations, Satin Bells, Cilla Black, Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas, Wimple Witch, Selftons, 23rd Turnoff, Tony Jackson & The Vibrations, The Mojos, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Wailing Howie Casey & The Seniors, Lee Curtis & The All-Stars, The Big Three, The Kinsleys, Wellington Wade, and dozens of others! CD