An overlooked gem from Rick James' classic early run for Motown – a set that maybe didn't chart as big as some of his other records for the label, but which stands strongly today as a well-crafted batch of mellow funky soul! James has a bit less of the bass-heavy riffs here than you'd expect – and instead, the record has kind of a laidback, almost dreamy feel at times – still upbeat, but with the kind of relaxed, glowing vibe you'd be more likely to find from Teena Marie around this point – a really nice contrast with the more familiar hit sounds you'd know from Rick! We actually really like these mellower groovers – which are almost like some of Johnny Watson's Caribbean-tinged grooves – and the production augments the tunes with a bit of sound effects, which really furthers the paradise garden feel of the tunes. Titles include "Mary Go Round", "Summer Love", "Big Time", "Don't Give Up On Love", "Getting It On In The Sunshine", and "Island Lady". CD features a previously unreleased demo of "Gypsy Girl", and a previously unreleased extended version of "Big Time". CD

One of the all-time great Rick James albums – a return to funkier sounds for Rick that worked both artistically and commercially – and actually got over far better than his more blatant attempts at crossover material on other records! The mix here is perfect – a true summation of all that made Motown great at the time, and the special sort of energy that made Rick one of the freshest mainstream talents at the end of the 70s! The record put a lot of money in Barry Gordy's pockets, and for good reason too – given that the set includes the classic hit "Super Freak" – plus "Give It To Me Baby", "Ghetto Life", "Make Love To Me", "Below The Funk (Pass The J)", and "Fire & Desire" – all done in that compressed pop-funky style that James kind of took from Bootsy Collins and manage to successfully soup up for the masses! CD also features the bonus tracks "Give It To Me Baby (12" mix)" and "Super Freak (12" mix)". CD

One of the all-time great Rick James albums – a return to funkier sounds for Rick that worked both artistically and commercially – and actually got over far better than his more blatant attempts at crossover material on other records! The mix here is perfect – a true summation of all that made Motown great at the time, and the special sort of energy that made Rick one of the freshest mainstream talents at the end of the 70s! The record put a lot of money in Barry Gordy's pockets, and for good reason too – given that the set includes the classic hit "Super Freak" – plus "Give It To Me Baby", "Ghetto Life", "Make Love To Me", "Below The Funk (Pass The J)", and "Fire & Desire" – all done in that compressed pop-funky style that James kind of took from Bootsy Collins and manage to successfully soup up for the masses! LP, Vinyl record album

Rick James hits a smoother sort of style here – one that's almost a compressed take on the mainstream version of funk first crafted on his earlier records, fused into a more radio-friendly approach for the Prince generation! The sound's actually not that bad – and the record has an appeal (albeit a dated one) as a relic of crossover soul from a time that's fading more and more from the collective memory. Rick's still writing, arranging, and producing the whole set – and titles include "Glow", "Melody Make Me Dance", "Can't Stop", "Spend The Night With Me", "Somebody", "Moon Child", "Sha La La La La", and "Rock & Roll Control". LP, Vinyl record album

Features special guests Boney James on saxes and Chris Standring on guitar! CD

A really unique album from the great Etta Jones – a session recorded down in Muscle Shoals, and not in Chicago – a setting that gives James an extra sort of deep soul power! The backing is nicely different than some of the other Chess material – killer work from the legendary Fame Studios lineup that included Barry Beckett on organ, Charles Chalmers on tenor, and Roger Hawkins on drums – all coming together with the great Rick Hall at the production helm! Etta's back in hard-belting R&B-tinged territory here – a bit more sophisticated than the 50s, with a good mix of hard soul numbers and ballads, opening up in some southern territory that really suits her well. Titles include "The Same Rope", "Watch Dog", "Tell Mama", "I'd Rather Go Blind", "Just A Little Bit", and "Don't Lose Your Good Thing". LP, Vinyl record album

A really unique album from the great Etta Jones – a session recorded down in Muscle Shoals, and not in Chicago – a setting that gives James an extra sort of deep soul power! The backing is nicely different than some of the other Chess material – killer work from the legendary Fame Studios lineup that included Barry Beckett on organ, Charles Chalmers on tenor, and Roger Hawkins on drums – all coming together with the great Rick Hall at the production helm! Etta's back in hard-belting R&B-tinged territory here – a bit more sophisticated than the 50s, with a good mix of hard soul numbers and ballads, opening up in some southern territory that really suits her well. Titles include "The Same Rope", "Watch Dog", "Tell Mama", "I'd Rather Go Blind", "Just A Little Bit", and "Don't Lose Your Good Thing". CD adds a whopping 10 bonus tracks to include other material recorded by Etta for the album – issued only on singles during the 60s, or never issued until this CD. Additional tracks include "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man", "Misty", "I've Gone Too Far", "You Took It", "I Worship The Ground You Walk On", and "You Got It". CD

With John Blake, Arthur Blythe, Anthony Brown, Olu Dara, Milt Grayson, Roland Hanna, Billy Hart, Jay Hoggard, Pheeroan Ak Laff, and Rick Rozie. LP, Vinyl record album

A dozen previously-unreleased tracks from the great James Govan – presented here with work from some of his rare singles from Fame Records! All the music was recorded at Muscle Shoals when the scene was at its height – headed up by production whiz Rick Hall, and backed by the great Fame studio musicians – but it's Govan himself who really makes these tunes sparkle – singing with this rich voice that's clearly rooted in the 60s modes of Otis Redding, but which also stretch forth in a new style of his own! James has this earnest appeal on record that really echoes his image on the cover of the set – and there's a charm to these tunes that really goes beyond the usual southern soul of the period –far past any overdone cliches or commercial modes. The discovery of these dozen sides is a great thing for fans of southern soul – and they make a great counterpart to the few Fame singles that Govan ever issued. Titles include "I've Gone Too Far", "Something", "Stuck On Her", "Way Over Yonder", "I Shall Be Released", "You Get A Lot To Like", "Just Like A Woman", "Take Me Just As I Am", "Jambalaya", and "Wanted Lover No Experience Necessary". CD

Think what you want about DJ Quik, the west coast hip hopper is a key part of the sound of his scene in the 90s – and also maybe one of the most dedicated to the legacy of old school funk as well! This album's overflowing with wonderful samples – work by Cameo, Parliament, One Way, Rick James, The Blackbyrds, and others – all wonderful choices from Quik in the studio, and a way to ground his sometimes-dated rhymes with a really classic vibe – so much so, the album's maybe even more enjoyable now from the perspective of time – as a filter of the 70s through a 90s west coast style! Titles include "Get At Me", "Diggin U Out", "Somethin 4 Tha Mood", "Tha Ho In You", "Summer Breeze", "Quik's Groove III", "Sucka Free" and "Keep Tha P In It". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the first classic hip hop movie soundtracks of the late 80s, and a motherlode of great cuts! As divisive, hard hitting and uncompromising as the movie was, the Colors soundtrack does a great job of delivering on the tone with Ice T's title track and theme some, a snapshot of mid-to-late 80s classic rap, funk from Rick James and more. A time capsule for sure, but with tracks that are vital to this day. Marley Marl produced the majority of these cuts, and this was the early days of the Cold Chillin/Warner alliance, and titles include "Paid In Full (7 minute Cold Cut remix)" by Eric B & Rakim, "Butcher Shop" by Kool G Rap, "Colors" by Ice T, "Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste" by M.C. Shan, and "Go On Girl" by Roxanne Shante. More by Salt N Pepa, Big Daddy Kane, 7A3, and Rick James. LP, Vinyl record album

The legend of Teena Marie lives again, and in a really beautiful way – as John Morales serves up tunes that work together almost as a tribute to the memory of the lady – with these really fresh versions that seem to add a lot of majesty to the sound as well! These aren't easy remixes that just focus on the hooks – and instead, Morales strips the tunes down and builds them up from the core – sometimes adding elements that were removed from the original versions that were issued, or bringing in his own touches in ways that make us wonder what sort of magic might have happened, had Motown let John into the studio to produce some of her classic albums. Make no mistake, if you love Teena Marie, you'll find plenty here to love – but the set is also just way more than a set of remixes too – with sublime takes on tunes that include "You're All The Boogie I Need", "I Need Your Lovin", "365", "Portuguese Love", "Chains", "It Must Be Magic", "First Class Love", "Aladdin's Lamp", "Behind The Groove", "Square Biz", "Now That I Have You", "You're All The Boogie I Need", and her duet with Rick James on "Fire & Desire". LP, Vinyl record album

The great first album from The Mary Jane Girls – easily their best, and an 80s pop soul delight all the way through! Rick James is firmly at the helm of the quartet for this release – and although the sound has elements of James' own crossover funk of the time, there's also an approach that's sweeter and more female – balanced in a surprisingly nice way, and not nearly as cloying as other efforts of its type! Backings are lean and stripped down – often in a nice clubby 80s groove mode – and titles include "All Night Long", "Candy Man", "Boys", "Jealousy", "On The Inside", "Musical Love", "Prove It", and "You Are My Heaven". CD

Rob McConnell on valve trombone, Steve Wallace on bass, Ernie Pattison on bass trombone, Rick Wilkins on clarinet and tenor saxophone, Terry Clarke on drums, Bob Leonard on flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, and baritone saxophone, Eugene Amaro on flute, clarinet, and tenor saxophone, John Johnson and Moe Koffman on flute, soprano and alto saxophone, and clarinet, Gary Pattison and James MacDonald on french horn, Ed Bickert on guitar, Brian Leonard on percussion, Don Thompson on piano, Bob Livingston, Ian McDougall and Jerry Johnson on trombones, Steve McDade, Arnie Chycoski, Dave Woods, Guido Basso and John MacLeod on trumpet and flugelhorn. CD

A bit of a change from previous Ozone albums – a set that still has plenty of bass at the bottom, but also a fair bit of keyboards as well – stretching out nicely over the top, almost with a bit of an electro pop feel at points! The keys really make for a catchy sort of edge – not just the usual bassy soul from Rick James-era Motown, but a slightly more complicated vibe that's really trying for something new at times. The set also features a few mellower ballads that are surprisingly great – sensitive moments we wouldn't have guessed from the group – and titles include "You Don't Want My Love", "I Can't Wait", "Glasses", "Strutt My Thang", and "Don't Leave Me Now". CD

A second set of Time-like groovers from Process & The Doo Rags – a near-lost mid 80s harmony group, produced and arranged by Rick James, with a sound that's clearly going for the Morris Day groove! The group began as a James side-project – a male act, to add to his roster next to the Mary Jane Girls – but they've got a strength of their own that really comes through on this set! The group are hardly a copycat act – and really show some variety on the second half of the set, which features work by Leroy Burgess and Aleem on a few cuts – which helps bring in a varied 80s groove for the group's catchy vocals. Titles include "Satisfy My Love", "Forever", "Call Me Up", "Sexy Dancer", "I Promise To Remember", and "Stage Lights". LP, Vinyl record album

An all-star effort from The Temptations – and a well-titled set that has the group brimming over with classic vocal talent! The group's expanded to a seven-piece outfit for the album – with Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin back in the fold, singing alongside Dennis Edwards, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, and the rest of the group! Motown also culled together some top-shelf production talent for the set too – including Berry Gordy, Rick James, Barrett Strong, and Smokey Robinson – all of whom produce numbers for the record. Some of the tracks are in an 80s groove modes, and others are mellower ballads that offer plenty of space for vocal interplay – and titles include "I've Never Been To Me", "Backstage", "More On The Inside", "Standing On The Top", "Lock It In The Pocket", and "You Better Beware". LP, Vinyl record album

A lost little gem from the Rick James camp – a bit obscure, despite the fact that Val's a former Bride Of Funkenstein! Val's not as well known as some of the other artists that Rick James worked with back in the 80s – but given her resume, she's got a solidly soulful sound that works perfectly with the hook-heavy tunes on the set! The style's a great blend of 80s groove and some of the more mainstream soul modes of the time – bouncy little tunes that are heavy on keyboards and rasping guitar – served up with a tight sound, but still a few shades to the left of chart soul – in a way that keeps things pretty darn fresh throughout! Rick James "conceived" the album, and arranged, produced, and mixed a number of tracks – and titles include "Mind Games", "Seduction", "Make Up Your Mind","Tellin' Me Lies", "If You Should Ever Be Lonely", and "Come Hang Out". CD

Includes selections by Glenn Frey, Patti La Belle, Pointer Sisters, Rick James, Shalamar, Danny Elfman, Junior, and The System. LP, Vinyl record album

Legendary work from one of the greatest soul labels ever – a tiny Alabama imprint that helped bring the Muscle Shoals sound to the masses – thanks to the work of producer Rick Hall, and his crack band of session players! The music here set a whole new standard for soul in the south – and really helped bridge older 50s modes and the new wave of more expressive, more sophisticated singers – an evolution that you'll really hear over the span of the label's complete singles, even in this first volume. A few names here are big – like Jimmy Hughes and Arthur Conley – but there's also some great lesser-knowns that really make the collection great – some singers we never even knew recorded for Fame, and a few session players as stars on their own – like Dann Penn or Spooner Oldham. Titles include "Wish You Didn't Have To Go" by Spooner & The Spoons, "Party Talk" by June Conquest, "She Wants What She Can't Have" by Terry Woodford, "You're Gonna Lose That Girl" by The Villagers, "In The Same Old Way" by Arthur Conley, "You Can't Believe Everything You Hear" by Jimmy Hughes, "The Road Of Love" by Clarence Carter, "Take A Good Look" by James Barnett, "Let Them Talk" by Dann Penn, "A Piece Of My Heart" by Art Freeman, and "Time Will Bring You Back" by Jimmy Hughes. 52 tracks in all – with both a and b-sides too! CD

Music from Rick James, George Clinton, the Bar Kays, the Gap Band, Skyy, Brothers Johnson, Kurtis Blow, Howard Johnson, Carl Carlton, Kool & the Gang, and more. CD

We can't get enough of Fame Records – that legendary powerhouse of southern soul in the 60s and 70s – and fortunately, the vaults of the studios have finally been opened after all these decades – and we're really getting the full picture of all the genius that went down in Muscle Shoals! This tremendous little package is essential southern soul listening for both the collector and newcomer – a whopping 24 tracks that virtually define the sound of the genre at its height – handled perfectly by producer Rick Hall and his core combo of crack musicians – working way past cliche to create some tremendous music on the set! A few of the artists here are names you'll know from Fame hits, a few more are lesser-knowns from the scene at the time – and a few more are even completely unknown – singers who weren't listed on the master tapes or studio records, but who are issued here because their vocals are so great. Titles include "Long Ago" by Ben & Spence, "It Tears Me Up" by James Barnett, "Take Me Back" by George Jackson, "Unfortunately" by Jackie, "Have Pity On Me" by Billy Young, "Don't Let It Be Sad" by June Conquest, "Fool For A Woman" by Prince Phillip, "Take It All Off" by Clarence Carter, "Are You Teasing Me" by Linda Carr, "I Can't Stop" by Big Ben Atkins, "Get In A Hurry" by Joe Simon, and "Midnight Affair" by George Soule. CD

An amazing package – one that comes in a tiny replica of the original home of Motown Records in Detroit! As you'd guess from the title, the 11CD set features every single Motown track that ever hit #1 on the charts – almost 200 classic songs, running from the early 60s right up through the 90s – with work by The Temptations, Four Tops, Diana Ross, Boyz II Men, The Contours, Rockwell, The Originals, Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes, Stevie Wonder, High Inergy, The Dazz Band, Rick James, Commodores, and lots more! The package also includes a photo book with classic images and notes – but man, what we dig most of all is that tiny house of hits packaging – a really amazing thing! Plus, this version of the set also features a bonus CD that wasn't in the original version – with 12 more tracks whose cover versions charted at #1! CD

Classic sounds from one of the coolest labels and studios in southern soul – the mighty Fame, which was to Muscle Shoals what Stax was to Memphis – especially at the time of these mid 60s recordings! Like Stax, Fame was an indie with a strong ear to the ground – and was able to pull together some incredible talent for its in-house roster – really strong songwriters, and session musicians who went on to become the stuff of legends – very different than the slicker cats on the coast, and instead some really dedicated young players who forever helped change the sound of soul in the 60s! Because of the core collection of talent at Fame, and the strength of its leader and producer Rick Hall, there's a really unified vibe to this material, even though the singers in the lead are always different – as were the labels that originally released some of this material. Leave it up to Ace Records to pull all the best bits together, and also give us the wonderful story behind the Muscle Shoals scene – on titles that include "Fortune Teller" by The Del-Rays, "I Can't Stop" by Arthur Conley, "It Tears Me Up" by James Barnett, "Feed The Flame" by Billy Young, Take Me Just As I Am" by Dan Penn, "Hi Heel Sneakers" by Jimmy Hughes, "Slippin Around With You" by Art Freeman, "That Kind Of Lovin" by Otis Clay, "Don't Make Me Hate Loving You" by Jeanie Greene, "Back In Your Arms" by George Jackson, "Thread The Needle" by Clarence Carter, "You Really Know How To Hurt A Guy" by Ralph Soul Jackson, "Long Ago" by Ben & Spence, "Keep On Talking" by James Barnett, "Come On Home" by Herman Moore, "Almost Persuaded" by June Conquest, "Wish You Didn't Have To Go" by Spooner & The Spoons, "I Worship The Ground You Walk On" by Jimmy Hughes, "A Piece Of My Heart" by Art Freeman, and "Blind Can't See" by Richard Earl & The Corvettes. CD

A sublime quartet, coming together here for a really unique session – one that's got a very modal vibe mixed with some freer moments served up by a piano-less group with a very special sound! Bassist Josh Werner got the whole project together, and the set's got a rock-solid foundation in his beautiful basslines – spun out alongside the drums of Ches Smith, while James Brandon Lewis solos on tenor and Patrick Holmes on clarinet – both players using these long, soulful lines that perfectly fit the modal movement of the energy! Lewis is especially powerful – the album may be one of his most spiritual recordings ever – and titles include "If Not That", "Gotham Rundown", "Ill Scenario 2", "Embody", "Resilient Vessels", "Exit Realms", and "Green Paper Tea". LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic work from Rickey Calloway – a killer soul singer who's one of the few contemporary artists we can say holds up to the best side of the James Brown legacy! The vocals are great, and the Tennessee Band back him up with a vibe that's very much late 60s King Records – then get a chance to take off on the instrumental on the flipside – kind of a "part 2" to the vocal on side one! 7-inch, Vinyl record

An overlooked gem from west coast vibist Ricky Kelly – a player who only cut a small number of records, but who was kind of an 80s equivalent to some of the hippest Bobby Hutcherson work of the 70s! This album's a bit different than some of the more avant work on the Nimbus Records label – as Kelly plays with a warm modal vibe – echoing some of the spirit of Bobby Hutcherson, and also taking on one of his tunes, and one by Herbie Hancock as well – in a very cool group that features flute from Dadisi Komolafe, piano from David Tillman, bass from James Leary, and drums from Sherman Ferguson – a very hip underground west coast lineup. The whole thing's a stunner – the kind of nice lost session we keep on digging for – and it's got other great numbers that include "Flying Colors", "Yesterdays", "Same Shame", "Dolphin Dance", and "Distant Vibes" – the last of which is a great original track with a nice groove! LP, Vinyl record album

A modern classic hip hop soundtrack to Black Panther that should make T'Challa proud! It was pretty clear early on that Black Panther might be one of the greatest modern super hero movies – and an important one for the political and cultural climate of the late teens – so the pressure was on to deliver a relevant soundtrack. What's stunning is how creatively uncompromising it is, with sharp, lyrically pointed tracks by Kendrick Lamar – and with no watering things down to PG-13 on this unedited version – plus tracks by Schoolboy Q, Vince Staples, The Weeknd, Ab-Soul and more. Kendrick headlines or guests on several tracks including the title track, "All The Stars" with SZA, "King's Dead" with Jay-Rock, Future & James Blake, "Big Shot" with Travis Scott and "Pray For Me" with Weeknd. Other tracks include "Opps" by Vince Staples, "I Am" with Jorja Smith, "X" by Schoolboy Q, 2 Chainz & Saudi and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A legendary album from the great Eddie Kendricks – a set that not only has the singer soaring on the kind of sublime old school vocal numbers he always did so well – but one that also has Eddie stepping out into some great dancefloor modes that would have a huge impact for years to come! Kendricks really scores big with the classic "Keep On Truckin" – a tune that's virtually the blueprint for boogie, and which is echoed here by a few other great numbers that really stand out – tunes that preface disco to come, but which also still bear a very strong link to the richest styles of Motown soul! Northern soul legend Frank Wilson had a great hand in the record – penning some of the best cuts, co-producing with Leonard Caston, and handling arrangements with Caston and James Carmichael – and in addition to "Keep On Truckin", other titles include "Darling Come Back Home", "Not On The Outside", "Any Day Now", "Where Do You Go (Baby)", "Each Day I Cry A Little", and "Only Room For Two". LP, Vinyl record album

A rare lost treasure from James Brown – the full, unedited version of a live concert that was cut up and butchered for the Sex Machine album – presented here for the first time ever, with a huge amount of never-issued tunes! Sex Machine was one of those "fake" concert albums from James – some original live recordings, other studio tracks tricked out – and put together in a way that never really made much sense. This set is something completely different altogether – a James Brown concert from start to finish, complete with some wickedly sharp patter from the stage – and long tunes that really show his group hitting on all burners! The lineup of musicians include three drummers at once – Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo Stars, and Melvin Parker – alongside Fred Wesley on trombone, Maceo Parker on alto, Jimmy Nolen on guitar, and Charles Sherrell on bass. James himself plays a bit of organ at instrumental moments – and tracks include the never-released "Lowdown Popcorn", "World", "Spinning Wheel", "Try Me", "I Got The Feelin/Lickin Stick Lickin Stick", and "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose" – next to versions of "There Was A Time", "Say It Loud", "I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing", "Mother Popcorn", and "I Can't Stand Myself". CD

A rare lost treasure from James Brown – the full, unedited version of a live concert that was cut up and butchered for the Sex Machine album – presented here for the first time ever, with a huge amount of never-issued tunes! Sex Machine was one of those "fake" concert albums from James – some original live recordings, other studio tracks tricked out – and put together in a way that never really made much sense. This set is something completely different altogether – a James Brown concert from start to finish, complete with some wickedly sharp patter from the stage – and long tunes that really show his group hitting on all burners! The lineup of musicians include three drummers at once – Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo Stars, and Melvin Parker – alongside Fred Wesley on trombone, Maceo Parker on alto, Jimmy Nolen on guitar, and Charles Sherrell on bass. James himself plays a bit of organ at instrumental moments – and tracks include the never-released "Lowdown Popcorn", "World", "Spinning Wheel", "Try Me", "I Got The Feelin/Lickin Stick Lickin Stick", and "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose" – next to versions of "There Was A Time", "Say It Loud", "I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing", "Mother Popcorn", and "I Can't Stand Myself". CD

One of the greatest grooves from the legendary Desco Records years – a brilliant album of modern Afro Funk done by The Daktaris – in a groove that's just as hard-hitting as any of Fela's work from the 70s! The album was one of the first to bring back an older African style to current funk – and even years later, it's still one of the best examples of the sound – a razor-sharp session that helped set the stage for better-known Antibalas work to come! Percussion and guitar is super-heavy throughout – produced with that bare-bones Desco style, and handled in a way that makes you think the record might be some treasure from mid 70s Nigeria – a trick the label tried to pull when it was released! Cuts include a cover of Fela's "Upside Down", James Brown's "Give It Up Or Turn It Loose", and the originals "Super Afro-Beat", "Daktari Walk", "Voodoo Soul Stew", and "Quiet Man Is A Dead Man". LP, Vinyl record album

A rare set from the Chicago scene of the early 70s – put together by a group who are the "American family" promised in the title, but who have a lot more to offer than just the kiddie soul of the time! The members of the group have a nice range of ages and styles – which maybe makes the music come across with the depth of groups like Voices of East Harlem or The Stairsteps – more mature, sometimes righteous currents that are a real surprise – and captured here with instrumentation that's a nicely lean take on east coast styles of the time – that grittier approach that always made records on the Perception label so great! Titles include two nice cuts by Patrick Adams – "Loneliest Girl In Town" and "Find the One Who Loves You", plus others by the producer James L Porter – "Oh Yes I Do" and "Time For a Change" – and the titles "Next Time I'll Be Good", "I Can't Get No Higher", "I Can't Wait", and "Take My Love Don't Set Me Free". CD features four bonus tracks – "Here's Some Dances", "Will You Still Be Mine", "Let's Sign A Peace Treaty", and "Looking For A Brand New Game". CD

Duke's orchestra under the direction of Mercer, shortly after his death – with players who include Bill Easley, Ricky Ford, and Harold Ashby on tenor; Cootie Williams and Buddy Bolden on turmpets; James Spaulding and Harold Minerve on alto; and Harry Carney on baritone. LP, Vinyl record album

A rare 60s meeting of groovy talents from both sides of the Atlantic – and a record that matches the trumpet of Dizzy Gillespie with the hiply swinging vocals of The Double Six Of Paris! The group were a wonderfully groovy precursor to the Swingle Singers – and sung in a scatting approach to jazz vocals that was very much in the tradition of Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross – but also drew inspiration from the earlier work of Eddie Jefferson, King Pleasure, and others. Their sound is great – much more 60s groovy than some other vocal groups – and pairing them with Dizzy gives this record an added punch that some of their other sessions are missing! Backing is small combo throughout – with either Bud Powell or Kenny Barron on piano, Kenny Clarke on drums, and James Moody on tenor – and with the presence of Diz, most of the material here is of bop orientation – taken at a fast and lively clip! Lalo Schifrin arranged the whole session too – and titles include "One Bass Hit", "Blue N Boogie", "Emanon", "Groovin High", "Ow", "The Champ", "Tin Tin Deo", "Hot House", and "Con Alma". CD

The beginning of a whole new chapter of greatness for singer Eddie Jefferson – a record that took his older style of putting words to jazz solos, and updated it nicely for a new generation in the 60s! Eddie's got a rootsy look on the cover, but the sound here is snappingly hip and sophisticated throughout – a cool soul jazz take on vocalese that's right up there with the best solo work by Jon Hendricks, and sung in a similarly raspy style. The group shifts a bit from track to track – between small combo and larger ensemble arranged by Ernie Wilkins – and players include Clark Terry and Joe Newman on trumpets, Johnny Griffin on tenor, James Moody on alto and flute, Junior Mance and Joe Zawinul on piano, and Barry Galbraith on guitar. Titles include some great original lyrics by Jefferson on the tunes "Soft & Furry", "Keep Walkin", "Things Are Getting Better", and "Back In Town" – and equally great vocals on versions of "Letter From Home", "Billie's Bounce", and "Night In Tunisia". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best non-Saturn Sun Ra albums of the 60s – material recorded live on a tour of New York colleges in 1966, and very much in a spirit that captures the Arkestra at their best! Longer tracks are juxtaposed nicely with shorter ones – in a way that has the group running very outside one minute, yet stepping soulfully back to the center the next – never schizophrenicly, but in a mode that really displays the full range of energy pulsing in the group. Interesting instrumentation on the set includes Ra on clavoline, plus Carl Nimrod on the beautiful-sounding "sun horn" – and other players include Marshall Allen on alto, John Gilmore on tenor, Pat Patrick on baritone, and James Jacson on log drum and flute. Titles include "Dancing Shadows", "Next Stop Mars", "Outerspaceways", "Shadow World", and "Sun Ra and His Band From Outer Space". LP, Vinyl record album

A later classic from Sun Ra – a record that brought his music to a much wider audience in the 80s, and which bears one of his most beautiful cover shots ever! The record's got a wonderfully tight feel – a sound that's often not as out as Saturn sides, and which shows Ra's ability to lead a larger ensemble with a very complex sound – drawing on Ellingtonish roots, but inflecting them with his own space-tuned sensibilities! Players include Tyrone Hill on trombone, Pat Patrick on alto and clarinet, Marshall Allen on alto and flute, John Gilmore on tenor and clarinet, and James Jacson on bassoon and african drums – and Ra himself plays synth as well as piano. Titles include "Yesterdays", "Say It Isn't So", and the originals "State Street Chicago" and "Reflections In Blue". CD

A nice range of soul tracks that have been sampled over the years – titles that were snipped for beats and breaks by artists who include Outkast, Kanye West, House Of Pain, Moby, Kendrick Lamar, and others – served up here in their entirety! These aren't just 70s soul classics either, as there's some good surprises in the mix – which makes the whole thing a bit more interesting than usual – a mix of 21 cuts that includes "Tiden Flyver" by Boom Clap Bachelors, "Open Your Eyes" by Bobby Caldwell, "Something's Got A Hold Of Me" by Etta James, "Coffee Cold" by Galt MacDermot, "It's My Thing" by Marva Whitney, "Walking Down Lonely Street" by Joe Simon, "Mellow Mellow Right On" by Lowrell, "Come To Me" by Johnny Mathis, "I Hate I Walked Away" by Syl Johnson, "Trouble So Hard" by Vera Hall, "Why Can't We Live Together" by Timmy Thomas, "Parce Que Tu Crois" by Charles Aznavour, and "Good Times" by The Persuasions. LP, Vinyl record album

Strong work from GC Cameron – really making a bold mark here on his own – working in a smooth, rich, masculine style that's a bit like some of the best early 70s material from Eddie Kendricks! Arrangements are by James Carmichael, Paul Riser, Wade Marcus, Gene Page, and other smooth soul talents – and GC's got this edgey vocal approach that strikes out from the backings very strongly, with a hip dope sound on the best cuts, almost in a blacksploitation soundtrack mode – with a sharper edge than on his previous group recordings. Titles include a great version of "If I Ever Lose This Heaven", plus the cuts "Me & My Life", "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday", "Strong Love", "Share Your Life", "Truly Blue", and "Don't Want To Give It Up". LP, Vinyl record album

Sun Ra's really moving forward with this classic set – refining the sound of his Chicago-based Arkestra, and reaching for new territory that moves him way past familiar jazz modes! The cover bills the group as playing "music from tomorrow's world" – and you can definitely hear that on some titles here, including one number that features Ra on some really haunting celeste, and another that features Marshall Allen making weird noises with his mouthpiece! The group is all greats from the old days – John Gilmore on tenor, Marshall Allen on flute, Pat Patrick on baritone and flute, James Spaulding on alto and flute, Hobart Dotson on trumpet, Charles Davis on baritone, and Ronnie Boykins on bass – and titles include "Hours After", "Saturn", "Ancient Ethiopia", and "Blues At Midnight". LP, Vinyl record album

A later classic from Sun Ra – a record that brought his music to a much wider audience in the 80s, and which bears one of his most beautiful cover shots ever! The record's got a wonderfully tight feel – a sound that's often not as out as Saturn sides, and which shows Ra's ability to lead a larger ensemble with a very complex sound – drawing on Ellingtonish roots, but inflecting them with his own space-tuned sensibilities! Players include Tyrone Hill on trombone, Pat Patrick on alto and clarinet, Marshall Allen on alto and flute, John Gilmore on tenor and clarinet, and James Jacson on bassoon and african drums – and Ra himself plays synth as well as piano. Titles include "Yesterdays", "Say It Isn't So", and the originals "State Street Chicago" and "Reflections In Blue". LP, Vinyl record album

Funky funky California – and a great set of rare grooves from the 70s! The folks at Luv N Haight records are up to their old tricks – digging through the crates for the kind of hard-to-find funky tracks that first gave birth to the fame of the Ubiquity label. The set traces a sound that barely shows up in the history books – the harder funky sound of California in the 70s, a scene that was mostly underground, and which stood in stark contrast to the smoother sounds coming out on major labels at the time. A few of the artists on the set might be familiar through other Luv N Haight reissues, and there's others here that we've never heard at all – grooving in hard and heavy styles that spread across the Sunshine State from East LA to Funky Frisco to Oaktown – a total of 14 tracks that include "Freaky To You" by Sweet Stuff, "Losing You" by Cordial, "Love & Affection" by Ike White, "Freedom Time" by Linda Tillery, "Patience" by Rokk, "Party Time" by Roy Porter, "Carnaval" by Oquesta Esencia, "Wobble Cha" by Cool Benny, "Feelin Alright" by West Coast Revival, "Where Do We Go From Here" by Cool Sounds, "Hang On In There" by Mike James Kirkland, "Daydreamer" by Adele Sebastian, and "A Real Thing" by Sons & Daughters Of Life. CD

The musical vision of Marquis Hill just keeps on getting more and more vivid with each new album – and even here, on a live date with a title that evokes a previous record, the trumpeter is clearly pushing forth to some great territory with his music! We've loved the warm, majestic sounds that Hill can bring to his own trumpet – but he's also really opening up as a composer, and working with a soaring group feel that's delivered here by a lineup that includes the great Joel Ross on vibes, Walter Smith III on tenor, James Francies on piano, Harish Raghavan on bass, and Kendrick Scott on drums. Titles include "The Thump", "Perpetual", "New Portrait Of Fola", "Lullaby", "Autumn", "New Gospel", "The Believer", and "Law & Order". CD