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That's a four-man Rolling Stones on the cover, contemplating life without Charlie Watts – the big feature this time around! Also, 2021 gets plenty of coverage too – with a look at the 75 best albums of the previous year, plus more on St Vincent, Questlove, Can, Warren Ellis, and The Beach Boys – and everything that's happened with those acts in the past 12 months. The issue also has a special feature on How To Read Bob Dylan – and looks at Laura Nyro, John Lennon, Geno Washington, The Fillmore East, and the duo of Bonnie Prince Billy and Bill Callahan. And lastly, there's a bonus CD – 15 tracks by St Vincent, Floating Points & Pharoah Sanders, Robert Plant & Allison Krauss, David Crosby, Low, and others! Magazine

The hairy-looking cover photo is part of the issue's celebration of 50 years of Led Zeppelin IV – and there's other big features on guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, the famous No Nukes Concert, and more on Buffalo Springfield, The Carpenters, Sturgill Simpson, World Party, and others! There's also a brief feature on the lost David Bowie album Toys – and plenty more little bits, as well as page after page of record reviews! The issue also comes with a bonus CD, put together by Idles – with one of their tracks, plus more from The Waterboys, Nick Cave, Sophie, and others. Magazine

A very jam-packed issue of Mojo – one that has a big cover feature on The Beatles film Get Back – plus a bonus art print of the group in the studio, and a bonus CD of selected Beatles cover songs! There's also a look at Patti Smith by frequent partner Lenny Kaye, a look back at the rich life of Charlie Watts, the reunited Genesis – and plenty more on The Meters, Johnny Marr, Primal Scream, Queen, and Tori Amos! The issue also features plenty of reviews – page after page of listings that will help you expand your record collection! Magazine

This issue looks at the surprisingly strong pairing of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss – back on record with a new album – and also has a close up look at Aretha Franklin, a feature on Bob Dylan in the 80s, and more on the legendary Faust, Jack White, Lindsey Buckingham, Low, and The War On Drugs! There's also the story behind the 1988 Reading Festival – billed on the cover as the worst rock festival ever – plus lots more great bits, and pages and pages of the sorts of music reviews that make Mojo essential reading, month after month. Plus, you also get a bonus CD – 15 songs chosen by Plant and Krauss! Magazine

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

Live recordings from 1971 and 1976. CD

Music from John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker, Howlin Wolf, Guitar Slim, Odetta, Muddy Waters, Son House, Lead Belly, Otis Rush, and Hound Dog Taylor. CD

Music from Felt, Weather Prophets, Nightingales, Flatmates, Blue Aeroplanes, Billy Bragg, and the Chesterfields. CD

A great little collection that definitely gets at the mojo of Dr John – the legendary New Orleans soul singer who really sprang forth in the mainstream at the end of the 60s! Much of this set captures the doctor before that time – early tracks from both New Orleans and LA, all of which echo the vibe of his later productions, but with a style that's maybe more stripped-down and a bit less psychedelic – although there's still a few great trippy touches along the way! CD1 features material recorded both as Dr John, and under his real name of Mac Rebenack – and CD2 features more early rarities, plus some live material too. 31 tracks in all – with titles that include "Feedbag", "Sahara", "Good Times", "The Ear Is On Strike", "Go Ahead On", "Doghouse Blues", "Got Lonesome-itis", "You Said It", "Make Your Own", "Somebody Tryin To Hoodoo Me", "I Pulled The Cover Off You Two Lovers", "Don't Want No Monkey In My Business", and "Bring Your Own Along". CD

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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

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

A fantastic classic from The Band – a set that's hardly got them cowering in the corner the way the "stage fright" title might imply – and which instead seems to have the group at their most confident during the early years, effortlessly spinning impeccable musicianship and some surprisingly biting lyrics! The young Robbie Robertson is on guitar, Garth Hudson warms things up with organ lines, and vocals are handled by the shifting array of other players in the lead – Rick Danko, Levon Helm, and Richard Manuel. Titles include "The Shape I'm In", "Sleeping", "Strawberry Wine", "Just Another Whistle Stop", "Daniel & The Sacred Harp", "Stage Fright", and "Time To Kill". 2CD version, with lots of bonus material! CD1 features "Strawberry Wine (alternate)", "Sleeping (alternate)", and Calgary Hotel Room Recordings from 1970 – of "Mojo Hannah", "Calgary Blues", "Before You Accuse Me", "The WS Walcott Medicine Show", and two takes of "Get Up Jake". CD2 features lots lots more – a 20 track live set, recorded in June 1971 at the Royal Albert Hall in London! CD

A mixed bag of tracks from Gary – but a really nice record overall, one that has him stretching out in the Atlantic years! 3 of the album's tracks were recorded live in Montreux, the others were recorded back in New York – and Gary plays a variety of instruments in addition to vibes, including electric piano, organ, and piano. Tracks are a mixture of modern and hippy, and titles include "Moonchild/In Your Quiet Place", "The Sunset Bell", "Hullo Bolinas", "General Mojo's Well Laid Plan", and "Chega De Saudade". CD

The title's a bit strange, as these weren't exactly "hits" – but the Japanese-only set is filled with excellent early Gary Burton recordings for RCA – with players who include Larry Coryell on guitar, Steve Swallow on bass, and either Roy Haynes or Bob Moses on drums! Titles include "A Family Joy", "On The Third Day", "Green Mountains", "Blue Comedy", "Walter L", "Wrong Is Right", "Sweet Rain", "General Mojo's Well Laid Plan", "Sing Me Softly Of The Blues", and "Good Citizen Swallow". LP, Vinyl record album

A hugely sprawling 2CD collection of spanning the career of the incredible Lightnin Hopkins – from his most beloved years from the late 40s to late 50s – and a quite wonderful collection of numbers from the 60s after he had captured the hearts of the young, idealistic folk crowd of the era! Disc one focuses on the years 1947 to 1959 – wonderful, wonderful solo blues recordings that are justifiably revered to say the least. Titles include "Lightin's Boogie", "Coffee Blues", "Moanin Blues", "Highway Blues", "The Foot Race Is On", "Hopkin's Sky Hop", "Short-Haired Woman", the previously unissued "Ain't No Monkey Man" and many more. 26 tracks on disc one. Disc two covers the 60s, when Lightin was recording for Fire, Bluesville, Jewel and other labels. Nice picks from the later years, including some live numbers. Includes "Mojo Hand", "Ida Mae", "I Got Tired", "Sinner's Prayer", "Slavery Time", "Tom Moore Blues", "Up On Telegraph Avenue" and many more. CD

Top shelf Dilla beats from the archives – and a strong debut full length from Ruff Draft Records! Posthumous releases by favorite departed artists can be a dicey proposition – and much to our relief, Rebirth Of Detroit delivers – with both high quality beats and positive mojo! Dilla didn't cop to current trends in his time on earth (except for the ones he started in the first place) so it stands to reason that the beats he had in the can before he departed would hold up strongly years later – and they do Includes "Detroit Madness", "Big Thangs", "My Victory", "Do It For Dilla Dawg", , "Dillatroit", "Center Of The Movement", "City Of Boom" and more. 12 tracks on 2LPs. LP, Vinyl record album

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

The first-ever book on Gang Of Four – one of our favorite groups of all time – served up by the writer who also gave us an important book on The Wire! Paul Lester's writing style is maybe a bit loose here – different than a completely in-depth look at the group and its influence – more journalistic, as he weaves together narratives from interviews with various band members and associates, while quickly spinning the story of the group's fantastic rise in the late 70s, their mid-80s breakup, and return to music in the 90s. Think of the approach as maybe a special Mojo issue devoted to Gang Of Four, with all the details and interest that would imply – and the book is 204 pages, softcover, with some black and white images. Book

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". CD features 3 bonus tracks by The Nitty Sextet, all previously unissued – "Nitty Boo Boo", "Something New", and "Say Listen". CD

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". CD features 3 bonus tracks by The Nitty Sextet, all previously unissued – "Nitty Boo Boo", "Something New", and "Say Listen". CD

Tracks include "The Cat", "Midnight Special", "I've Got My Mojo Workin", "Root Down", "Oh Happy Day", and "Sermon". 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. The record is quite similar to the Come On Home album from Luther and Muddy – but has a different track list, and maybe different versions of the shared tunes too – with titles that include "Mud In Your Ear", "Diggin My Potatoes", "Watch Dog", "Sting It", "Why'd You Do Me", "Excuse Me Baby", and "Long Distance Call". 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

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

You may not know the Arlecchino Disco in Italy, but their DJs have come up with some mighty great grooves for this set – a mix of tracks from around the globe, served up in different styles – but working together here as a great demonstration of all the many colors in the funky spectrum! The approach is a bit like the older Mojo Club sets from the German scene, but maybe more strongly focused on heavier funk – and most tracks here are from the earlier half of the 70s, with titles that include "Mo Funk" by Debate, "Love Circuit" by Hamilton Movement, "Hot Pants Breakdown" by Soul Toronadoes, "Buckingham Palace" by Col Nolan, "The Best Day" by Marsha Hunt's 22, "Boogie Juice" by Brian Bennett, "Soulful" by The Apostles, "Popcorn Push Push" by Ernest Van Treose & The McDaniel Mary Street Band, "Life Is Like A Puzzle (part 2)" by Village Soul Choir, "Keep Movin On" by Sugar Billy, "I Feel Funky" by Matata, "Get Up Stand Up" by Malcolm's Locks, "Gimme Some" by General Crook, "Cuckoo Cuckoo" by Chanter Sisters, "Put Your Gun Down Brother" by Riot, and "Sweet Potato Collard Greens" by Sweet Les & Joe Frazier's Knockouts. LP, Vinyl record album

The third volume in the La Noire series of high-spirited early 60s singles – incredible stuff that bridges the style of early rhythm & blues stormers to the raw soul scenes to come – with great cuts by Bobby Bland, The Ideals, Joe Simon, Betty Everett, Willie Hightower, ZZ Hill and more! It's pivotal material, though much of it is fairly obscure to the masses these days, culled from hard-to-find singles on Duke, Arke, Goldband, Soundstage, Venessa and other labels. A prime batch of early soul – with "Yield Not To Temptation" and "Honey Child" by Bobby Bland, a great version of "Don't Cry No More" by Travis Wammack, "The Power" by Johnny Fuller, "Mojo Hanna" by The Ideals, "Whole Lotta Lovin" by The Contours, "Nobody But You" by Willie Hightower, "You Were Wrong" by ZZ Hill, "Just A Little Bit" by Tiny Topsy and more. 16 cuts in all. LP, Vinyl record album

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

You may not know the Arlecchino Disco in Italy, but their DJs have come up with some mighty great grooves for this set – a mix of tracks from around the globe, served up in different styles – but working together here as a great demonstration of all the many colors in the funky spectrum! The approach is a bit like the older Mojo Club sets from the German scene, but maybe more strongly focused on heavier funk – and most tracks here are from the earlier half of the 70s, with titles that include "Mo Funk" by Debate, "Love Circuit" by Hamilton Movement, "Hot Pants Breakdown" by Soul Toronadoes, "Buckingham Palace" by Col Nolan, "The Best Day" by Marsha Hunt's 22, "Boogie Juice" by Brian Bennett, "Soulful" by The Apostles, "Popcorn Push Push" by Ernest Van Treose & The McDaniel Mary Street Band, "Life Is Like A Puzzle (part 2)" by Village Soul Choir, "Keep Movin On" by Sugar Billy, "I Feel Funky" by Matata, "Get Up Stand Up" by Malcolm's Locks, "Gimme Some" by General Crook, "Cuckoo Cuckoo" by Chanter Sisters, "Put Your Gun Down Brother" by Riot, and "Sweet Potato Collard Greens" by Sweet Les & Joe Frazier's Knockouts. 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

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. CD

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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