... LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Neil Diamond's first official LP for the Uni label – originally released in 1968 – a great record that was initially way underappreciated! This is a solid portrait of Neil that's too often overlooked – with his heart-on-sleeve lyrical sensibility and anthemic songcraft on full display long before the glittery, superstar trappings of his 70s ouvre! His vocals and catchy tunefulness are as extroverted as ever, in a post Brill Building groove that's B-I-G, loads of fun, and not nearly as hamfisted as later stuff! Includes "Two-Bit Manchild", "Pot Smokers Song" (OK, this one is pure honeyglazed ham – but it's the good tasty kind), "Brooklyn Roads", "Sunday Sun", "Practically Newborn", "Knackelflerg", "Merry-Go-Round" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A jazz duo with a very striking name – but one that makes complete sense, when you realize the record comes from the growing genius of Artie Black and Hunter Diamond – two up-and-coming tenorists on the Chicago scene who've developed a really wonderful affinity for each other! Here, the record just features bass and drums alongside the two horns – Matt Ulery on the former, Neil Hemphill on the latter – and the recording style has each player in one channel – a way of further expanding the great style they have of riding together, commenting on each other, and answering their own calls to rise to even more greatness. The record has a keen understanding of the farther reaches, but always keeps things tuneful, inside, and rhythmic – on tracks that include "Rudy's Mood", "Jacunda", "Village Within The City", "Mandala", "Little Melody", "Clay Feet", and "Eleanor & Rufus". CD

The Monkees had so many fantastic records during their short span of recording, nearly all of them might well be "greatest hits" – but this set does a nice job of slimming the selection down to focus on some of the most long-lasting tracks from the group! There's a few killer Boyce & Hart compositions, produced by the duo too – and the set also features contributions from other 60s pop heavyweights, like Chip Douglas, Neil Diamond, Jeff Barry, and the duo of Carole King & Gerry Goffin – all of whim give the foursome some great material, on tunes that include "Theme From The Monkees", "Last Train To Clarksville", "She", "Listen To The Band", "A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You", "Daydream Believer", "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Steppin Stone", "I'm A Believer", and "I Wanna Be Free". LP, Vinyl record album

Warmly wonderful early work from William Bunny Clarke – billed here under a different name, but the same singer who'd rise to great fame a few years later as Bunny Rugs in Third World! The vibe here is different than his hits with that group – more laidback and mellow, with great production from Lee Perry – who knows more than enough to let Bunny shine in the lead when he wants, even while bringing in some sweet Scratch touches from time to time! The set features the wicked funky number "Kinky Fly" – plus lots of mellow rockers, including a version of "Use Me", and the cuts "What's The Use", "Big May", "Let Love Touch Us Now", "Second Avenue", and even versions of "Sweet Caroline" and "I Am I Said" – which have Bunny and Perry making sweet magic from the songs of Neil Diamond! LP, Vinyl record album

Warmly wonderful early work from William Bunny Clarke – billed here under a different name, but the same singer who'd rise to great fame a few years later as Bunny Rugs in Third World! The vibe here is different than his hits with that group – more laidback and mellow, with great production from Lee Perry – who knows more than enough to let Bunny shine in the lead when he wants, even while bringing in some sweet Scratch touches from time to time! The set features the wicked funky number "Kinky Fly" – plus lots of mellow rockers, including a version of "Use Me", and the cuts "What's The Use", "Big May", "Let Love Touch Us Now", "Second Avenue", and even versions of "Sweet Caroline" and "I Am I Said" – which have Bunny and Perry making sweet magic from the songs of Neil Diamond! CD features bonus tracks – a great version of the William De Vaughn classic "Be Thankful For What You Got" in a discomix version – plus "I Never Had It So Good", "Hip Harry", and "Hip Version". CD