One of the funkiest Colombian records we've ever heard – a set that really resonates strongly with some of the Latin funk experiments taking place up in the US at the time, and one that has a vibe that's very different than some of the cumbia and other styles you'd be more likely to hear on the Discos Fuentes label! The set was recorded in Spain, which might be part of its unique vibe – but the group are definitely Colombian, and mix some earthy elements in the rhythms with larger horn parts that really help their music soar – while also harmonizing on vocals, in a way that also really takes flight too! The whole thing's great – a sparkling gem from this key moment in Columbian music – with cuts that include "Carnaval En Barranquilla", "Nostalgia", "Simplemente Hombre", "El Fuego Del Padre No Quema A Sus Hijos", and "Tenmandumba". LP, Vinyl record album

Two remixes from ODB/Osiris/Big Baby Jesus, and one by the legendary Stimulated Dummies crew. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Titles include "Get Off My Cloud", "I'm Free", "As Tears Go By", "I'm Moving On", "Look What You've Done", "Talkin About You", "She Said Yeah", "Route 66", and "Blue Turns To Grey". CD

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Never-issued genius from pianist Cecil Taylor – a tremendous live performance from a time when Cecil was at the height of his powers! The group here is a really compelling sextet – with frequent partner Jimmy Lyons on brilliant alto throughout, next to Ramsey Ameen on violin, Alan Silva on bass and cello, Sunny Murray on drums, and Jerome Cooper on drums and balaphone – a lineup that is every bit as amazing as you might expect! Taylor really dominates the proceedings at times – spinning out these effortless improvisations on the piano that rank with the best of his important 70s live material – yet he also steps back and lets other musicians come into the spotlight too – with a balance that really keeps things interesting over the space of this three-part improvised performance, which runs for over an hour – all recorded on February 9, 1980. CD

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All the great early albums from Creation Rebel – plus their excellent comeback too! The set begins with Dub From Creation – not just the debut album from Creation Rebel, but also a set that marks the first studio work from the young Adrian Sherwood – part of the long On-U Sound legacy to come, and a wealth of other wonderful music! There's a spareness here that's great – maybe a bit less dark than later Sherwood projects, but no less stark – with melodica and keyboards weaving nicely amidst the dubby rhythms! Titles include "Basic Principals", "Dub Fusion", "Liberation", "Rising Star", "Vision Of Creation", and "Creation In A Iration". Next is Close Encounters Of The Third World – an early part of the On-U Sound legacy, even if the set wasn't issued on the label – a key effort by Creation Rebel that features recording work done both in London and Kingston, layered together in a beautifully dubby way! The sound here is definitely underground – full of message-oriented lyrics from Crucial Tony, who sings in a style that definitely earns him his name – with great melodica and organ flowing through the mix next to Lizard's bass – topped with added horn work from The Arabs in all the right spots! The production is superb – flat on the drums, wide on the sides, which makes for a really wonderful groove – on titles that include "Know Yourself", "Conspiring", "Creation Fever", "Natty Conscience Free", and "Joyful Noise". Rebel Vibrations features early production genius from Adrian Sherwood – and a record that sets the tone for all the On-U Sound genius to come! The set's a huge step forward from even the previous excellent Creation Rebel album – as the way the sounds are layered together is incredible – almost modes learned from post-punk production, but used to deliver a pure, righteous dub album – one that drops out all the vocals, and allows you to concentrate even more on the totally wicked instrumentation! The set features stunning drums from Style Scott, heady bass from Lizard, and all sorts of very cool keyboard work from Clifton Morrison – used in these ways that float about like a swarm of sounds, especially when mixed with the melodica of Doctor Pablo. The whole thing's amazing – and titles include "Diverse Doctor", "Hunger & Strife", "Jungle Affair", "Rebel Vibration", "Black Lion Dub", and "Mountain Melody". Starship Africa is a brilliant Creation Rebel effort for On-U Sound from the dawn of the 80s – landing in the futuristic dub spacecraft that is their Starship Africa – percussion heavy and spaced out ingenuity from Adrian Sherwood & co! Tripped, echoey atmospherics that's cast as a soundtrack to movie that doesn't exist, the music is forward thinking, boundary busting dubby grooves exists out of time and sounds great to this day. Includes "Starship Africa" (Sections 1-5) and "Space Movement" (Sections 1-4). On Psychotic Jonkanoo, Crucial Tony is back in the mix for this righteous early 80s album from Creation Rebel – a set that has Adrian Sherwood only furthering his production genius as he layers together stunning instrumental work from the group! The presence of the vocals has the instrumentation slightly back in the mix – but there's still a great run of rhythms throughout, all driven by the mighty heady basslines of Lizard Logan! There's less keyboards than before, but still some nice electronic bits all over the place – and titles include "The Dope", "African Space", "Threat To Creation", "Highest Degree", "Mother Don't Cry", and "Drum Talk". From 2023, Hostile Environment is the first album in many years from this legendary studio project from On-U Sound and Adrian Sherwood – and one that makes us feel as if the passage of decades hasn't happened at all! Sherwood's production is still wonderful – and, if anything, maybe less showy, or more soulful, or less moody – just something that seems to let the work of the group come through with energy that's wonderfully warm and organic, while still resonating with plenty of touches that will make longtime label fans proud! Vocals are shared between Charlie Eskimo Fox and Mr Magoo, and the set also features guest appearances from Prince Far I and Daddy Freddy – on titles that include "That's More Like It" "Jubilee Clock", "Swiftly", "Stonebridge Warrior", "Crown Hill Road", "The People's Sound", and "Whatever It Takes". CD

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Dubby funk by one of the more enigmatic groups on the Acid Jazz label – an ensemble who's jointly influenced by trippy 70s jazz, classic dub, and some of the more atmospheric funk of the time. The set features some wild instrumentation on melodica, toy keyboard, thumb piano, flute, bells, and harmonium – and guest production work by Attica Blues and UNKLE – and tracks include "Darklight", "Rollercoaster", "Tears Inside", "Four Corners", "Haunted Music", and "Welcome To Your World". CD

One of the most consistently creative piano trios in the world today – a group who are always pushing the boundaries of their sound, strongly keeping away from familiar territory and tradition – yet always with a sense of swing and lyricism that continue to appeal to fans of more conventional jazz! EST aren't really ever that "out", but they're always stepping into unexpected space – odd sounds from the piano, noises you can't really place, and ways of blocking out a tune that are quite different than a regular trio session – but which also don't have the tricks or easy gimmicks of some of the jamband-oriented side of the jazz spectrum. Titles include "The Goldhearted Minor", "Beggar's Blanket", "Goldwrap", "Dolores In A Shoestand", "Fading Maid Postludium", and "Slipping On The Solid Ground". CD

One of the hippest albums that John Lewis ever recorded – and a set that's noteworthy for the presence of two European modernists! Most of the record features Lewis in a wonderful group with trobmonist Albert Mangelsdorff – who gets plenty of space here to play in his stepping, stuttering style – one of the more angular approaches to trombone in the 60s, and a nice contrast to the piano of Lewis. The group shared by both features Karl Theodor Geier on bass and Silvije Glojarnic on drums – and titles include "Animal Dance", "Set Em Up", "Monday In Milan", and "Why Are You Blue". But possibly even better than these sides is the album's one track by the amazing Zagreb Jazz Quartet – a group that features Bosko Petrovic on vibes, in a style that's somewhat inspired by the MJQ, but a fair bit darker too! The group play the wonderful "Ornaments" – awash in blue tones and richly chromatic vibes. CD

An unusual trio format with John Lindberg on bass, Albert Mangelsdorff on trombone, and Eric Watson on piano! CD

German trombonist Albert Manglesdorff goes toe-to-toe with an amazing line-up of avant garde mainstays in duet settings for this MPS classic – including Don Cherry, Elvin Jones, Karl Berger, Attila Zoller, Lee Konitz, and Wolfgang Dauner! The format is simple; each of the seven tracks was blueprinted by Manglesdorff for his thick, punchy trombone blasts to mix it up with one other guy and their respective instrument. The wild lead off track "I Dig It – You Dig It" is a killer – pairing Albert with Don Cherry's trumpet. The duo trade long, fluid lines that descend into atonal sputters and thumps, and even seem to mimic wild animal gestures before falling back into formation! Another standout is the cut "Outox" with guitarist Atilla Zoller, whom Mangelsdorff found a groove with on the late 60s festival scene. Other tracks include "My Kind Of Time" with frenetic drumming by Elvin Jones, "Way Beyond Cave" with pounding vibes by Karl Berger, "Al-Lee" with alto sax by Lee Konitz, and the closer "My Kind Of Beauty" with piano by Wolfgang Dauner. It's all crisply remastered, and nicely packaged, too! LP, Vinyl record album

Great live work by Albert Mangelsdorff – recorded during the height of his creative years at MPS, at a time when he was easily one of the most creative trombonists in the world! Mangelsdorff has risen to new heights by the time of this record – pushing the instrument to a level that only a few might hope to match – maybe just Roswell Rudd or Grachan Moncur – although we'd argue that Albert has an even wider range of expression, especially over the course of different records. This set shows his fiercest, most unbridled side – a great live date recorded in Tokyo, with a group that includes Heinz Sauer on tenor, Gunter Lenz on bass, and Ralf Hubner on drums. The interplay between Sauer and Mangelsdorff is excellent, never too free, and with that bit of swing that Mangelsdorff always put into his work, no matter how modern the idiom. Tracks include "Sing & Swing", "Open Space", "Triple Trip", and "Mahusale" – and they all run for a fairly long time. CD

A legendary meeting of American and European modern jazz talents of the 50s – heard here on 2 different performances from a 1957 tour! The set brings together the complicated reeds of Bob Cooper and Bud Shank with the airy trombone of Albert Mangelsdorff and lightly stepping guitar of Atilla Zoller – a sublime blend of sounds that almost tops any of the more famous studio work cut by any of the players on their respective scenes! Recording quality here is quite strong too – careful enough to get out the subtleties of the players, especially on the sparer numbers that have them sliding into even smaller groups. Gary Peacock makes a noteworthy appearance on bass – and titles include "What A Difference A Day Makes", "I Can't Get Started", "Tea For Two", "I'll Remember April", "Studio 15", "Our Love Is Here To Stay", and "Lullaby Of Birdland". CD

The first full length from MF Doom – a record that set the standard for underground hip hop to come! On this modern classic, Doom caps off the 90s with more jazzy soul in the beats, and some semblance of straightforward rhyme mastery from both Doom & his guests – taken to the outer limits! What really pushes this one into legendary status are how well he works with creaky comic adventure samples – using them as the genesis of Doom's metal face supervillain persona. Looking back, the set is clearly the building blocks for deeper insanity to come – but the sense of structure may well make it his best album ever! Includes "Doomsday", "Rhymes Like Dimes" feat Cucumber Slice, "The Finest" feat Tommy Gun, "Go With The Flow", "Tick Tick", "Hey!", "The Mic", "Dead Bent", "?" feat Kurious and much more – including all of the classic skits (yeah, we said it, classic skits, creative sci fi sample genius that are creative as the proper tracks) – with 19 tracks in all. LP, Vinyl record album

The first full length from MF Doom – a record that set the standard for underground hip hop to come! On this modern classic, Doom caps off the 90s with more jazzy soul in the beats, and some semblance of straightforward rhyme mastery from both Doom & his guests – taken to the outer limits! What really pushes this one into legendary status are how well he works with creaky comic adventure samples – using them as the genesis of Doom's metal face supervillain persona. Looking back, the set is clearly the building blocks for deeper insanity to come – but the sense of structure may well make it his best album ever! Includes "Doomsday", "Rhymes Like Dimes" feat Cucumber Slice, "The Finest" feat Tommy Gun, "Go With The Flow", "Tick Tick", "Hey!", "The Mic", "Dead Bent", "?" feat Kurious and much more – including all of the classic skits (yeah, we said it, classic skits, creative sci fi sample genius that are creative as the proper tracks) – with 19 tracks in all. LP, Vinyl record album

The first full length from MF Doom – a record that set the standard for underground hip hop to come! On this modern classic, Doom caps off the 90s with more jazzy soul in the beats, and some semblance of straightforward rhyme mastery from both Doom & his guests – taken to the outer limits! What really pushes this one into legendary status are how well he works with creaky comic adventure samples – using them as the genesis of Doom's metal face supervillain persona. Looking back, the set is clearly the building blocks for deeper insanity to come – but the sense of structure may well make it his best album ever! Includes "Doomsday", "Rhymes Like Dimes" feat Cucumber Slice, "The Finest" feat Tommy Gun, "Go With The Flow", "Tick Tick", "Hey!", "The Mic", "Dead Bent", "?" feat Kurious and much more – including all of the classic skits (yeah, we said it, classic skits, creative sci fi sample genius that are creative as the proper tracks) – with 19 tracks in all. CD

A record that marks the live recording debut of the alto giant Art Pepper – quite a surprise, given that he'd already had many years of playing under his belt – but also a date that captures Art at a time of real revival in his career – stretching out with new inspirations, and a sound that's very different from the Art Pepper of the 50s and 60s! The group features George Cables on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums – on titles that include "Valse Triste", "Goodbye", "Blues For Les" and "My Friend John". CD

From their classic first LP. Featuring the aptly named Try-And-Blend-It off beat remix of Holy Intellect. 12-inch, Vinyl record

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Great Pharoah Sanders albums from '73 – 2 in a single set! Village is an overlooked gem – one that has him breaking the pattern a bit, but in a really great way! The session mixes up more shorter songs than before – still all quite spiritual, but also a bit more focused – in a way that packs an incredible punch, even at more contemplative moments. Players include Sanders regulars – like Norman Connors on drums and Cecil McBee on bass – but also some key newcomers, like Art Webb on flute, Joe Bonner on piano, and Jimmy Hopps on drums – making one of his excellent Impulse appearances for the record. But perhaps even more striking are the vocals on the set – done often by Sedatrius Brown, who sings partially in a Leon Thomas spiritual mode – but also hits notes that are a bit earthier, and which are picked up in added vocalizations by members of the group. Sanders himself plays soprano and tenor sax – and titles include the expanded "Village Of The Pharoahs" suite, plus "Went Like It Came", "Memories Of Lee Morgan", "Myth", and "Mansion Worlds". Wisdom Through Music features soaring spirits and joyous jazz-based expression – another overlooked treasure from Sanders – and proof that his work on Impulse Records just kept on getting better and better! The style here is a bit tighter than some of the previous Impulse albums – no side-long tracks here – but the overall feel is also almost a bit more organic too – with lots of rootsy percussion and earthy sounds in the mix, all emanating from instruments in ways that are quite unique! The core group features Pharoah on tenor, soprano sax, and flute – alongside James Brance on flute, Joe Bonner on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Norman Connors on drums – plus percussion from the trio of Badal Roy, James Mtume, and Lawrence Killian. Percussion bits and vocalizations drift in and out of most tracks – giving them a rich sense of color and tone, even when the grooves are a bit more direct! Titles include a shorter take on "Love is Everywhere", plus "The Golden Lamp", "Selflessness", "Wisdom Through Music", and "High Life". CD

A fantastic jazz group from the contemporary South African scene – one who've got a very righteous vibe, and a sound that's maybe even more far-reaching than any jazz we've heard from that scene back in the 60s or 70s! The group's led by Shabaka Hutchings on tenor, but is a very collaborative ensemble – with these tremendous upfront vocals from Siyabonga Mthembu, a singer with a very unique approach, and a spiritual current that we'd rank right up there with work by Leon Thomas, Dwight Trible, or Joe Lee Wilson, even though Mthembu's very much his own man. The group's also got two other great horn players – Mthunzi Mvubu on alto and Mandla Mlangeni on trumpet – plus Fender Rhodes and piano from Nduduzo Makhathini, and a wonderfully early array of bass, percussion, and drums – which lay down a fantastic groundwork for each tune. The music starts somewhere in the spiritual territory of the post-Coltrane scene – but really takes off immediately with its own individual spirit – ala Kamasai Washington – and the performance is live and unadorned, without some of the studio efforts that show up on other Brownswood label releases. Beautiful work throughout – an instant classic that we'd rank right up there with the best material by folks like Nat Birchall or Matthew Hallsall, but very different too. Titles include "Nguni", "Mzwandile", "Joyous", "The Sea", "The Observer", and "Give Thanks". CD

A great little set of 70s salsa – recorded with a strong Puerto Rican groove, as you might guess from the title! The album's one of the first, and best, records by Quicque Lucca's Sonora Poncena group – filled with youthful energy, and done with a lineup that includes vibes, piano, tres, trumpet, and percussion. The instrumentation is really strong on the best tracks – almost sinister at times – and the album also features vocals by Tito Gomez and Luigi Texidor. Titles include "Al Pan Pan Al Vino Vino", "Oh Mayi", "Prende El Fogon", "El Guaguanco Nacio En La Habana", and "Con Mana Si". LP, Vinyl record album

Selections from the original TV series, conducted and supervised by Fred Steiner, one of the original composers. CD

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A mad batch of funky grooves, with a world's worth of influences in the mix – elements of African, Indian, and other styles – all wrapped around some mighty funky instrumentation at the core! One track has a bit of sitar, another some Ethio organ, one more some Nigerian rhythms – and the album progresses with a lean vibe that makes each of these cultural references nicely unified next to the sharp funky instrumentation at the core! Without the global elements, the set would already be a great funk record – but with them alongside, it really soars to the skies – on titles that include "Mehal Safari", "Flugzeug String Machine", "Tilahun", "The Chase", "Stranger To Myself", and "Seven Wisdoms Of Plutonia". LP, Vinyl record album

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Spencer Barefield on guitars & Dawudaphone, Anthony Holland on saxophones and Tani Tabbal on trap drums & tablas. CD

A key record in the evolution of the free jazz spirit on the German scene – one that not only has the Machine Gun generation allowing for a bit of extra space and moments of contemplation in their music, but which also opens itself up to work from a slightly older member of the scene as well! The group is great – with Peter Brotzmann on clarinet, alto, tenor, and baritone – plus Fred Van Hove on piano, and Han Bennink on drums, self-made clarinet, and "homemade junk" – joined by trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff, who almost feels as if he's been waiting for the chance to really open up and experiment with the other improvisers – showing sounds that are maybe even more mindblowing than on his own records of the time! Titles include "Serienze Serie", "Boogie Fur Fred", and "Der Spaziegang". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful batch of jazzy instrumentals – and one of our favorite soundtracks ever from George Duning! The sound here is often light and breezy – a bit of woodwinds, strings, and some almost bossa-inspired rhythms – all wrapped together beautifully to accompany a goofy sex comedy that starred Dean Jones, Jane Fonda, and Jason Robards. The feel here is prime 60s comedy – with music that's often more whimsical and playful than the images on the screen – and plenty of the jazzier touches you might find in the time on some of the soundtracks by Neal Hefti. Many numbers are variations on the great "Any Wednesday Theme" – and titles include "Cass & Ellen", "Frantic Cass", "Split Screens", "Playboy John", "Righteous Cass", and "Wife Meets Mistress". LP, Vinyl record album

Wonderful, atmospheric hip hop instrumentals from Esbe! While the sounds might be a little less explosively psychedelic the fungal rocket launch on the cover, trust is that's a good thing – this one has some blissfully hazy jams, nicely unpredictable changes in beats, and lots of cool little touches – from oddball samples, to melodic bits of strings and horns and lots more. Good stuff on Cold Busted! Includes "Float", "Fulfill The Dream", "Wanderlust", "Tribute To Music", "Autumn Bliss", "Blossom", "Thousands Of Rhythms", "Day By Day", "Forever", "Songs We Danced To", "Fragment", "Hello World", "Darling", "Serenade", "Folklore" and more. CD

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A beautiful mix of ancient and contemporary modes – tracks that feature Awalom Gebremariam playing the Ethiopian krar, which is a lute-like stringed instrument – and the especially cool wata, which features just a single string, inflected with a bow! These elements are set to spare drum machine rhythms, then topped with haunting vocals that echo some of the more famous Ethiopian singing styles of the 70s – sometimes with a female singer, both of them dipping, turning, and carving their way around the rhythms and melody from the krar and wata! The electric rhythms are still very spare, and any sense of modernity is offset by the more ancient styles of acoustic instrumentation – and the set features ten tracks in all, all with Ethiopian titles. CD

German trombonist Albert Manglesdorff goes toe-to-toe with an amazing line-up of avant garde mainstays in duet settings for this MPS classic – including Don Cherry, Elvin Jones, Karl Berger, Attila Zoller, Lee Konitz, and Wolfgang Dauner! The format is simple; each of the seven tracks was blueprinted by Manglesdorff for his thick, punchy trombone blasts to mix it up with one other guy and their respective instrument. The wild lead off track "I Dig It – You Dig It" is a killer – pairing Albert with Don Cherry's trumpet. The duo trade long, fluid lines that descend into atonal sputters and thumps, and even seem to mimic wild animal gestures before falling back into formation! Another standout is the cut "Outox" with guitarist Atilla Zoller, whom Mangelsdorff found a groove with on the late 60s festival scene. Other tracks include "My Kind Of Time" with frenetic drumming by Elvin Jones, "Way Beyond Cave" with pounding vibes by Karl Berger, "Al-Lee" with alto sax by Lee Konitz, and the closer "My Kind Of Beauty" with piano by Wolfgang Dauner. It's all crisply remastered, and nicely packaged, too! CD

A very cool record, and one that's a bit beyond easy description – recorded by a group that's led by Emil Mangelsdorff on alto and clarinet, and which features piano, soprano, and tenor from a young Joki Freund – plus work from Gustl Mayer on tenor, Fritz Hartschuch on vibes, Gunter Lenz on bass, and Volker Kriegel on guitar! Emil's got roots in more trad jazz styles, but there's something groovier and cooler going on here – especially with Freund and Kriegel in the mix, and the album's heavy use of vibes – all of which give the album a more mixed-up vibe that's very Saba/MPS! LP, Vinyl record album

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The first full length from MF Doom – a record that set the standard for underground hip hop to come! On this modern classic, Doom caps off the 90s with more jazzy soul in the beats, and some semblance of straightforward rhyme mastery from both Doom & his guests – taken to the outer limits! What really pushes this one into legendary status are how well he works with creaky comic adventure samples – using them as the genesis of Doom's metal face supervillain persona. Looking back, the set is clearly the building blocks for deeper insanity to come – but the sense of structure may well make it his best album ever! Includes "Doomsday", "Rhymes Like Dimes" feat Cucumber Slice, "The Finest" feat Tommy Gun, "Go With The Flow", "Tick Tick", "Hey!", "The Mic", "Dead Bent", "?" feat Kurious and much more – including all of the classic skits (yeah, we said it, classic skits, creative sci fi sample genius that are creative as the proper tracks) – with 19 tracks in all. Cassette

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Albert Mangelsdorff on trombone, Bruno Spoerri on alto and soprano saxophone, Christy Doran on guitar, and Reto Weber on drums, percussion, ghatam, and djembe. CD

A really unusual setting for the soprano saxophone talents of Evan Parker – and one that definitely unlocks some of the more textural shapesounds in his music! Parker works here alongside Matthew Wright on turntable and live sampling – and the Trance Map trio of Adam Linson, John Coxon, and Ashley Wales – who all add more electronics to the equation – at a level that balances out the spectrum with a huge amount of electric energy next to the acoustics of Parker's horn! Evan's always had a great ear for settings like this – maybe even more so than Anthony Braxton in his famous experiments of the 70s – and there's a building ferocity to the sound that's nicely punctuated by occasional more acoustic-styled tones from Parker. The set features one long live performance, almost an hour in length – divided up into seven segments. CD

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Essentially early Stones! 12 X 5 is The Rolling Stones at a very early, hard grooving peak, way back in '64. It's ground breaking stuff, in they they truly pave the way for so much of the soul, blues and R&B loving Anglos to come out of the Brit and US scenes in the months and years to come. It's a covers-heavy set, given that they were just beginning to do doing original material at this early point – and the tracks include the Jagger/Richards penned "Good Times, Bad Times", "Congradulations" and "Grown Up Wrong" – plus "Time Is On My Side", "Around And Around", "2120 South Michigan Avenue", "Susie Q" and more. CD

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Classic mid 90s David S Ware – with a force of blowing that's perhaps a bit too strong at times, but set up nicely within Ware's great group with Matthew Shipp on piano, Susie Ibarra on drums, and William Parker on bass. Titles include "Utopic", "Alignment", "Continuum", and "Acclimation". CD

A mad batch of funky grooves, with a world's worth of influences in the mix – elements of African, Indian, and other styles – all wrapped around some mighty funky instrumentation at the core! One track has a bit of sitar, another some Ethio organ, one more some Nigerian rhythms – and the album progresses with a lean vibe that makes each of these cultural references nicely unified next to the sharp funky instrumentation at the core! Without the global elements, the set would already be a great funk record – but with them alongside, it really soars to the skies – on titles that include "Mehal Safari", "Flugzeug String Machine", "Tilahun", "The Chase", "Stranger To Myself", and "Seven Wisdoms Of Plutonia". CD

Soulful genius from Kenny Barron – an excellent quintet outing from the late 80s, and one that really benefits from the presence of horns added to the trio! Kenny's work on piano is always great – and his sense of scope, soul, and timing are presented perfectly here – but what we really appreciate is the way that Eddie Henderson's trumpet and John Stubblefield's tenor flesh out the longer tunes on the set, and bring in even more colors that Barron's own writing and performance. The rest of the quintet features Cecil McBee on bass and Victor Lewis on drums – and tracks include the great originals "Lunacy", "518", and "Sand Dune" – plus "There Is No Greater Love" and "Misterioso". CD

One of the weirdest Don Cherry albums you'll ever hope to hear – and that's saying a lot, given the range of incredible albums the man has given us over the years! The music here was recorded for a French film based on the music, poetry, and "antics" of Cherry – done in the Saravah Records studios in 1969, around the same time as Cherry's albums for the BYG/Actuel label on the Paris scene – but with a much looser, more freewheeling vibe overall! The first side of the record features music done with Karl Berger – in a mix of piano, percussion, wood flutes, electronics, and pocket trumpet – shifting many times in terms of tone and spirit, with Cherry at his most organic. Side two features most of the same music, but with Anthony Braxton joining in – as well as poetry at some parts – in the complete edit that was used in the film. A fantastic document in so many ways – of the musicians, of post-68 Paris, and even of European avant cinema! LP, Vinyl record album

Produced for the US Army Recruiting Command LP, Vinyl record album

A long-overdue second full length albums from the SSS International years of the great Johnny Adams – tracks that were mostly issued as singles by the label, and which come together here with a punch that's even harder than the work on his Heart & Soul album from the time! Adams has a voice that's definitely trained in the deep soul modes of the south, but also gets some groovier help that's more in keeping with the SSS approach – a bit funky at times, nicely gritty at others – on titles that include "South Side Of Soul Street", "Give Me A Chance", "Release Me", "Proud Woman", "I Won't Cry", "In A Moment Of Weakness", "You Made A New Man Out Of Me", "I've Got Too Much To Lose", and "Living On Your Love". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the first records on Blue Note – a sweet single from the days when the label was dedicated to recording the best trad jazz players in the best possible setting! Albert Ammons really stretches out on both tracks here – and the 12" reissue presents the music in a format similar to the original heavy 78rpm release! 12-inch, Vinyl record

A gem of a record from the groundbreaking Landsdowne series of UK jazz recordings at the end of the 70s – an ambitious effort directed by composer Neil Ardley, cut very much in the mode of the best work by the Ian Carr/Don Rendell group of the time! As the title might imply, the tunes are all of Greek mythological inspiration – but not in a hokey sort of style, or one that has any overdone "battle of the gods" feel. Instead, there's a warm, intimate approach to the work – almost in the mode of the best sophisticated jazz soundtracks of the late 60s – with a real concern for color, shadings, and tone – ultimately in a style that has less to do with mythology than you might think, but which is pretty darn impressive nonetheless! Carr plays trumpet and flugelhorn, Rendell plays saxes and flutes – and other players include Jack Bruce on bass, Chris Spedding on guitar, and and Barbara Thompson on reeds. Titles include "The Greek Variations", "Farewell Penelope", "Persephone's Jive", "Veil Of Ino", and "Siren's Song". LP, Vinyl record album

A heady set of work from the Detroit scene at the start of the 70s – originally issued on the Westbound label, and one of the company's few rock releases of the time – although maybe not that far overall from the freaky fuzzy sound of the early years of Funkadelic! There's a nicely swirling vibe to the music – guitars and organ cooked up nicely in the best Motor City way, with a definite soul influence in both the production and the way the vocals kind of bubble and flow out of the mix – slightly psychedelic at points, but with some roots elements at the core as well – all of which make for a mighty nice blend, and a record that definitely lives up to the Westbound legacy! Titles include "Dirty Gurty", "Lean On Me", "Black & White", "It's Not Easy", and "Everything Is Going To Be Alright". LP, Vinyl record album

Chet Baker serves up a tribute to Billie Holiday, but in a set that's very different than you might expect – very much a Chet Baker album overall, and one that's done at a time when Chet was doing a lot less vocalizing on record! Arrangements are by Jimmy Mundy, but the group's somewhat lean overall – with work from Seldon Powell and a few other players on reeds – plus Hank Jones on piano, Everett Barksdale on guitar, Richard Davis on bass, and Connie Kay on drums – and Chet blows flugelhorn throughout, an instrument that provides a nice change from his more familiar phrasing on trumpet. Titles include "There Is No Greater Love", "Easy Living", "Travelin' Light", "Crazy She Calls Me", "That Old Devil Called Love", and "Don't Explain". CD

With Jens Petter Antonsen on trumpet, Per Jrgensen and Arve Henriksen on trumpet and vocals, Morten Halle on alto saxophone and flute, Tore Brunborg on tenor and soprano saxophone, Gertrud kland, Henrik Hannisdal, and Odd Hannisdal on violin, Trond Villa and Marek Konstantynowicz on viola, Jonas Franke-Blom, Svante Henryson, and Morten Hannisdal on violoncello, Jon Balke on piano, keyboards, percussion, and electronics, Anders Jormin on double-bass, Audun Kleive on drums, and Marilyn Mazur on percussion. CD

One of the most iconic rock and roll shows of all time – the late 70s farewell to The Band, captured by Martin Scorcese in a famous film of the same name – and presented on record in a package that really lives up to the majesty of the moment! In the world of 2LP live sets of the 70s, the 3LP presentation gave the group even more space to stretch out and say their goodbyes to the world – while also opening the door up for a large lineup of guests who include The Staple Singers, Muddy Waters, Ron Wood, Van Morrison, Dr John, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Hawkins, and other well-chosen artists who allow the group to show off their roots and inspirations while also wrapping things up. Robbie Robertson produced, and the whole thing is pretty darn iconic from start to finish – on titles that include "The Last Waltz", "Up On Cripple Creek", "The Shape I'm In", "Down In South New Orleans", "Forever Young", "I Shall Be Released", "Rag Mama Rag", "Further Up The Road", "Dry Your Eyes", "Evangeline", and "The Weight". LP, Vinyl record album

A lost piece of wisdom and knowledge! This hard to find recording is based around a play written by Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones), and features music from Sun Ra & The Myth Science Arkestra. The original recording is extremely rare – and the CD accurately captures the excitement and raw energy of the performance. The main theme by the Arkestra is "Satellites Are Spinning", and the performance features 7 players, plus a narrator. Very dark, with a strong militant vibe, and many references to the Nation Of Islam. One of the more political projects for Ra and the group, and a rare peek at the kind of underground cultural activity that was happening in the New York/Newark scene of the late 60s. CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

With Lise Sorensen Voldsdal on strings. CD

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Genius, pure genius from a young David Bowie – an album that we've always treasured as much as Ziggy Stardust! This set's pre-Hunky Dory, pre-Space Oddity – and it's an amazing little record that's almost completely devoid of guitars – instead using weird woodwinds (lots of oboe!), soaring strings, and offbeat orchestrations to carry off the tunes – all of which are as weird, mad, and wonderful as anything Bowie wrote in later years! The subject matter of the songs is almost a dark reflection of the picture postcard England that you'd find in work by The Kinks – the local pederast, weird guy who lives with his mum, old military geezer who can't get out of the past, cross-dressing soldiers, a gravedigger about to meet his death, and hip Londoners gallivanting all over town – all delivered with a sharpness that's stunning. We honestly think the record is flawless – incredibly complicated instrumentally, but incredibly groovy too – with all the edge you'll always love in Bowie, but in a fresh young flavor too. Years back, as young Bowie-heads, we always passed this one by – assuming it was unformed early roughness – but it's not, and is an incredible album that would have been more than enough for any other artist to build a career on. Includes "Uncle Arthur", "Sell Me A Coat", "Rubber Band", "Love You Till Tuesday", "There Is A Happy Land", "When I Live My Dream", and more. CD

Genius, pure genius from a young David Bowie – an album that we've always treasured as much as Ziggy Stardust! This set's pre-Hunky Dory, pre-Space Oddity – and it's an amazing little record that's almost completely devoid of guitars – instead using weird woodwinds (lots of oboe!), soaring strings, and offbeat orchestrations to carry off the tunes – all of which are as weird, mad, and wonderful as anything Bowie wrote in later years! The subject matter of the songs is almost a dark reflection of the picture postcard England that you'd find in work by The Kinks – the local pederast, weird guy who lives with his mum, old military geezer who can't get out of the past, cross-dressing soldiers, a gravedigger about to meet his death, and hip Londoners gallivanting all over town – all delivered with a sharpness that's stunning. We honestly think the record is flawless – incredibly complicated instrumentally, but incredibly groovy too – with all the edge you'll always love in Bowie, but in a fresh young flavor too. Years back, as young Bowie-heads, we always passed this one by – assuming it was unformed early roughness – but it's not, and is an incredible album that would have been more than enough for any other artist to build a career on. Includes "Uncle Arthur", "Sell Me A Coat", "Rubber Band", "Love You Till Tuesday", "There Is A Happy Land", "She's God Medals", "Maid Of Bond Street", "Join The Gang", and "When I Live My Dream". 2LP version features rare alternates, unusual mixes, single mixes, and rare tracks that include "The London Boys", "The Laughing Gnome", "The Gospel According To Tony Day", "Did You Ever Have A Dream", "Let Me Sleep Beside You", "Karma Man", "In The Heat Of The Morning", and "London Bye Ta Ta". LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

Really fantastic work from bassist Anna Butterss, and a set that's maybe more live and less assembled than her previous effort – with key contributions from some really great musicians who make the whole thing sound like a mighty strong group effort on most tracks! Butterrss handles electric bass, guitar, flute, and drum machine rhythms – which are then augmented by live percussion from Ben Lumsdaine, who also plays guitar – as does Gregory Uhlmann, who also adds in effects – which are also brought in by Josh Johnson, alongside his more familiar alto sax! That shifting mix of electronic and live sources really gets at the way the players come together – blending tones and colors, textures and feelings in a really beautiful way – augmented by the guitar of Jeff Parker on the track "Dance Steve" – next to other tunes that include "Shorn", "Pokemans", "Breadrich", "Saturno", "Counterpoint", "Seeing You", "Ella", and "Lubbock". CD

Really fantastic work from bassist Anna Butterss, and a set that's maybe more live and less assembled than her previous effort – with key contributions from some really great musicians who make the whole thing sound like a mighty strong group effort on most tracks! Butterrss handles electric bass, guitar, flute, and drum machine rhythms – which are then augmented by live percussion from Ben Lumsdaine, who also plays guitar – as does Gregory Uhlmann, who also adds in effects – which are also brought in by Josh Johnson, alongside his more familiar alto sax! That shifting mix of electronic and live sources really gets at the way the players come together – blending tones and colors, textures and feelings in a really beautiful way – augmented by the guitar of Jeff Parker on the track "Dance Steve" – next to other tunes that include "Shorn", "Pokemans", "Breadrich", "Saturno", "Counterpoint", "Seeing You", "Ella", and "Lubbock". LP, Vinyl record album

A cooker of an album from The Challengers – one of the lesser-known surf combos on the LA scene of the 60s, but one of the best as well! These guys have a confidence that comes through right in the very first note – a perfectly-placed approach to electric guitar that features the bold work of Glenn Grey in the lead, with very strong second guitar support – alongside bass, piano, and drums! The sound is occasionally expanded with an extra tenor, or some vocal chants from the group – but overall the core focus is guitar instrumental rock all the way through – recorded with just the right sort of echo to make the whole thing come off right. Titles include "Bulldog", "Kami Kaze", "Mr Moto", "Ramrod", "Latin'Ia", "Red River Rock", and "Vampire". LP, Vinyl record album

The Chambers Brothers live – working in the same unfettered mode as their debut for Vault Records – and like that album, a set of tracks that was also recorded at The Unicorn in Boston and at The Ash Grove in Los Angeles! Things are pretty rootsy overall here – with strong influences from Chicago electric blues, plus some of the rougher side of the soul spectrum in the 60s – almost a "more real" presentation of Atlantic or Chess Records ideals than you might get from its original artists! Titles include "Bony Maronie", "CC Rider", "What'd I Say", and "High Heel Sneakers". LP, Vinyl record album