One of the best of Elton's early years – with cuts that include "Hercules", "Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters", "Salvation", "Slave", "Rocket Man", "Honkey Cat", "Mellow", and "I Think I'm Going To Kill Myself". CD

A lost classic in the funky poetry mode of the 70s – and right up there with the best work from the time by the Last Poets, Jim Ingram, or Gil Scott Heron! Bama's got a rough-edged voice that works very well with the funkier backings of the set – handled by a team that includes Bernard Purdie on drums, Richard Tee on keyboards, and Cornell Dupree on guitar – and this rough vocal style also fits the themes of the tunes, which are still as political and righteous as other work in the genre, but a bit more down to earth as well. The music itself was arranged and composed by Jimmy Wizner and Billy Jackson – and titles include "Ghettos Of The Mind", "The Right To Be Wrong", "Nothingness", "Drunken Sister", "I Got Soul", "Welfare Slave", "Social Narcotics", and "Blackman, My Brother". LP, Vinyl record album

An amazing unissued live set from drummer Roy Brooks – done at that moment when he was hitting the 70s with some very righteous energy, of the sort that only saw brief exposure on albums like The Free Slave, or some of Roy's own self-released titles! This album is a much-needed addition to that tiny catalog of spiritual avant gems – and it may well be the best of the bunch, as the live setting allows for long tracks that pack a hell of a punch all the way through – not just from Roy's work on drums, but also from this amazing quintet that includes Woody Shaw on trumpet, Carlos Garnett on tenor, Harold Mabern on piano, and Cecil McBee on bass! All players are at the height of their powers – often playing with even more edge than you might expect – and the album's as much a tribute to the genius of Shaw, Garnett, and Mabern as it is to the visionary leadership of Brooks. Titles include "Understanding", "Zoltan", "Taurus Woman", "The Theme", "Billie's Bounce", and "Prelude To Understanding" – all very long. CD

An amazing unissued live set from drummer Roy Brooks – done at that moment when he was hitting the 70s with some very righteous energy, of the sort that only saw brief exposure on albums like The Free Slave, or some of Roy's own self-released titles! This album is a much-needed addition to that tiny catalog of spiritual avant gems – and it may well be the best of the bunch, as the live setting allows for long tracks that pack a hell of a punch all the way through – not just from Roy's work on drums, but also from this amazing quintet that includes Woody Shaw on trumpet, Carlos Garnett on tenor, Harold Mabern on piano, and Cecil McBee on bass! All players are at the height of their powers – often playing with even more edge than you might expect – and the album's as much a tribute to the genius of Shaw, Garnett, and Mabern as it is to the visionary leadership of Brooks. Titles include "Understanding", "Zoltan", "Taurus Woman", "The Theme", "Billie's Bounce", and "Prelude To Understanding" – all very long. CD

A wonderful soundtrack to one of the most important films to Latin music in the 70s! This double-length set features a huge array of work from the movie – not only important musical bits, both live and in the studio, but also snippets from TV, concert introductions, and lots lots more that show the range and cultural impact of the early 70s New York scene – stretching way past a simple understanding that you might have from other records! Players include Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Larry Harlow, Pacheco, and Bobby Valentin – and tracks include "Drum Story", "The Sugar Cane", "Hollywood", "Barrio", "Mi Gente", "Congo Bongo", "Slave Ship", "African Village", and "Soul Makossa". Also features guest appearances by Geraldo Rivera, Dezi Arnaz, Ismael Quintana, Carmen Miranda, and Al Jolson! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best of Elton's early years – with cuts that include "Hercules", "Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters", "Salvation", "Slave", "Rocket Man", "Honkey Cat", "Mellow", and "I Think I'm Going To Kill Myself". LP, Vinyl record album

A well-titled album – given that Taj Mahal's music is always pretty darn rootsy – and this time around, he's also adding in a bit of Jamaican roots too, thanks to production help from Bob Marley and Aston Barrett of The Wailers! The pair help Taj out on a few numbers, mixing in some reggae rhythms with his bluesy lead – another compelling combination of modes that marks the creative apex of Taj Mahal's years on Columbia. Titles include "Johnny Too Bad", "Big Mama", "Cajun Waltz", "Slave Driver", "Blackjack Davey", and "Desperate Lover". LP, Vinyl record album

Rare funky work from Bob Marley & The Wailers – tracks that are more of a studio jam than a typical recording – and which were done before a famous performance that the group played at the Matrix club in San Francisco! There's a lean, snakey groove to all these cuts – heavy on basslines from Family Man Barrett, whose work really sets the tone for the tunes – while Bob and Peter Tosh trade guitar lines, Carlton Barrett holds things down on drums, and Earl Lindo spices things up with some sweet organ work! Titles include "Kinky Reggae", "Stir It Up", "No More Trouble", "Rastaman Chant", "Slave Driver", "Put It Up", "Stop That Train", and "Duppy Conquer". LP, Vinyl record album

A pivotal album from The O'Jays – and an undeniable Philly classic! The record was the third the group cut for the Philadelphia International label – but it was really the first one that pushed their strong righteous soul agenda, sort of a mix of message-oriented lyrics and heavy soul (ala The Temptations), fused with the warmer more sophisticated styles of the Philly sound! The blend is perfect – and has a way of getting the message from the underground right into the living room – and a bit onto the charts as well! From the image on the cover – which features the group in a slave ship setting – to politics of tracks like "Don't Call Me Brother", "For The Love Of Money", "Put Your Hands Together", and "This Air That I Breathe", the record's an extremely unified effort – kind of to the O'Jays what What's Going On was to Marvin Gaye. Other titles include "You Got Your Hooks In Me", "Now That We Found Love", and "People Keep Tellin Me". LP, Vinyl record album

An album that some thought might mark the final years of The Rolling Stones – as it came out as Mick Jagger was reaching 40 – but one that instead marked a great rebirth of the group and its sound, and set a whole new standard for the group for years to come! The opening lick of the first track, "Start Me Up", has become one of The Stones trademark sonic fingerprints – and the whole thing keeps on moving strong, through titles that include "Hang Fire", "Slave", "Black Limousine", "Worried About You", "Waiting On A Friend", "No Use In Crying", "Tops", and "Little T & A". LP, Vinyl record album

It's been 8 years since Sade's last album, but rest assured, she's still pretty much the same! Her vocals are as lovely as ever – with that indescribable floating quality that always sends us, no matter how many times we've heard her songs on the radio. The production is slightly different than before – with a spare, stripped-down, slightly dubby style that's hinted at by the Lover's Rock title. Nice and mellow – but that's the way we like her! Titles include "Flow", "King Of Sorrow", "By Your Side", "The Sweetest Gift", "Every Word", "All About Our Love", and "Slave Song". CD

Spiritual sounds from the source – a host of incredible tracks from a time when jazz was really opening up into new dimensions – as players stepped forward in a wave of strong post-Coltrane energy to really push the music into the skies! The music here can be seen as a blueprint for generations to come – styles that are now getting new fame in the hands of Kamasi Washington and some of his contemporaries, but which flowered first in recordings like these – pulled from the early 70s vaults of Prestige, Milestone, and Muse Records – and brought together here in a really wonderful collection! Tracks are all nice and long, and the set showcases an older generation of jazz musicians really flowering at the time – balanced perfectly between a sense of freedom and a spiritual soul – on titles that include "Celestial Blues" by Gary Bartz NTU Troop, "Let Us Go To Higher Heights" by Carlos Garnett, "The Almoravid" by Joe Chambers, "Brown Eyes" by Charles Earland, "Warriors Of Peace" by Azar Lawrence, "Aftermath" by Oliver Nelson, "Josie Black" by Hampton Hawes, "Let It Take Your Mind" by Bayete Umbra Zindiko, "Fire" by Joe Henderson and Alice Coltrane, and "The Free Slave" by Roy Brooks. CD

Spiritual sounds from the source – a host of incredible tracks from a time when jazz was really opening up into new dimensions – as players stepped forward in a wave of strong post-Coltrane energy to really push the music into the skies! The music here can be seen as a blueprint for generations to come – styles that are now getting new fame in the hands of Kamasi Washington and some of his contemporaries, but which flowered first in recordings like these – pulled from the early 70s vaults of Prestige, Milestone, and Muse Records – and brought together here in a really wonderful collection! Tracks are all nice and long, and the set showcases an older generation of jazz musicians really flowering at the time – balanced perfectly between a sense of freedom and a spiritual soul – on titles that include "Celestial Blues" by Gary Bartz NTU Troop, "Let Us Go To Higher Heights" by Carlos Garnett, "The Almoravid" by Joe Chambers, "Brown Eyes" by Charles Earland, "Warriors Of Peace" by Azar Lawrence, "Aftermath" by Oliver Nelson, "Josie Black" by Hampton Hawes, "Let It Take Your Mind" by Bayete Umbra Zindiko, "Fire" by Joe Henderson and Alice Coltrane, and "The Free Slave" by Roy Brooks. LP, Vinyl record album

A third great chapter in the career of the mighty Steve Arrington – a solo debut, after work in the groups Slave and Hall Of Fame – and a set that has Arrington maybe shining even more than ever in the spotlight! Rhythms are a bit more mid 80s than his previous work – but Steve's way of handling beats, basslines, and keyboards is every bit as funky as before – and his enthusiasm on the vocals brings a sort of warmth to the record that really knock away so much of the thinner soul on the charts! Arrington keeps things nice and lean – in a good way, which lets you know he's in charge – and titles include the anthemic title track "Dancin In The Key Of Life" – plus "Gasoline", "Stand With Me", "Turn Up The Love", "Brown Baby Boy", "Feel So Real", and "She Just Don't Know". LP, Vinyl record album

A third great chapter in the career of the mighty Steve Arrington – a solo debut, after work in the groups Slave and Hall Of Fame – and a set that has Arrington maybe shining even more than ever in the spotlight! Rhythms are a bit more mid 80s than his previous work – but Steve's way of handling beats, basslines, and keyboards is every bit as funky as before – and his enthusiasm on the vocals brings a sort of warmth to the record that really knock away so much of the thinner soul on the charts! Arrington keeps things nice and lean – in a good way, which lets you know he's in charge – and titles include the anthemic title track "Dancin In The Key Of Life" – plus "Gasoline", "Stand With Me", "Turn Up The Love", "Brown Baby Boy", "Feel So Real", and "She Just Don't Know". CD features five bonus tracks – "Feel So Real (voc ext)", "Feel So Real (inst ext)", "Dancin In The Key Of Life (special rmx)", "Dancin In The Key Of Life (megamix)", and "Dancin In The Key Of Life (Timmy Regisford & Boyd Jarvis rmx)". CD

One of Les Baxter's greatest records – and one of his rarest too, one of the few he cut for Reprise after leaving Capitol! The record is a continuation of Baxter's exotica sound of the late 50s – played with some great help that includes Larry Bunker on vibes and percussion, Clare Fischer on celeste and piano, and Leo Acosta on gourd! The sweetly dreamy sound of Fischer is an especially nice addition – and often creates a gentle flow to tunes that have a more driving approach overall – but it's Les' genius with the arrangements that make the album sparkle most of all, because even familiar tunes are transformed by his exotica magic! Titles include "Slave Ship", "Congale", "Via Veneto", "Night With Cleopatra", "Peking Tiger", and "Fiesta Brava". LP, Vinyl record album

The second album by The Black Crowes – and as the title suggests, they take a somewhat deeper step with the southern rock swagger, though still proudly wearing the influence of their Brit heroes on their sleeves! There weren't a ton of prominent neo-classic rock bands making such big waves, circa '92 and the Crowes well earned it – good songs with irresistible choruses, a real love for gritty soul in the vocals, and a fleshed out sound thanks the the addition of a full time keyboardist. Includes "Sting Me", "Remedy", "Thorn In My Pride", "Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye", "Hotel Illness", "Black Moon Creeping", "No Speak No Slave", "My Morning Song" and "Time Will Tell". Cassette

The legendary debut of Black Moon – one of those records that was slept on by the mainstream at the time, but which has gone on to be an undeniable part of hip hop history as the years moved on! The group are part of that great second wave of young east coast talent who really set this edge, and managed to rival some of the attitude of the west, but without falling into cliches and overplayed gimmicks. Part of the record's strength is its excellent Beatminerz production – very standard-setting work – and the set also features guest appearances from scenemates Smif N Wessun and Havoc – on cuts that include the singles "Who Got Da Props" and "I Got Cha Opin" – plus "Powaful Impak", "Ack Like U Want It", "Sh** Iz Real", "Slave", "Make Munne", "How Many MCs", "U Da Man", "Enta Da Stage", "Buck Em Down", and "Make Munne". LP, Vinyl record album

Spare, solo, and incredibly haunting work from Dollar Brand – recorded in Switzerland in the early 70s, and featuring Brand on both flute and piano, playing a set of 14 original compositions designed to provide small sketches of his African homeland. The mood of the work is less sprightly than some of his compositions for larger groups, and carries with it the tone of exile, an extra layer of sadness that gives a real emotional depth to the music. Titles include "Salaam – Peace – Hamba Khale", "Slave Bell", "The Stride", "Tokai", "The Dream", and "The Aloe & The Wildrose". LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorites in the colossal reissue and compilation series put together by Pressure Sounds. Deep soulful roots cuts, all produced by Derrick Harriott, one of the finest producers of Jamaican music, with a feel that is at times reminiscent of some of the best soul cuts coming out of Motown or Curtis Mayfield's productions. Most of the tracks here are DJ cuts, with some of the best, like Big Youth & U Roy chatting over the bubbling rhythms, and a couple of nice harmony tracks featuring the Ethiopians, plus some instrumentals with Augustus Pablo blowing some nice melodica lines. Derrick even takes a vocal turn himself on the massive 12" version of "Slave". Also included are Dennis Brown's "Concentration", an version of "Dock of the Bay" by Big Youth & the Ethiopians "Good Ambition". 16 tracks in all. CD

Nicely selected collection of tracks from Grace Jones' years at Island Records – when she was a genre-bending club queen who turned out some pretty fantastic cuts. A few numbers on here don't hold up that well these days, but we're surprised at how fresh some of this material sounds – especially with the rediscovery of the post-punk Danceteria sort of scene. Titles include "Pull Up To The Bumper", "Love Is The Drug", "Slave To The Rhythm", "My Jamaican Guy", "I Need A Man", "Walking In The Rain", and "Private Life". CD

Nas's controversial N-word LP – N- for Nas, that is – his 9th album and an occasionally strong set of straight up lyrical domination from one of the greatest MCs in the history of hip hop. The late 00s find Nas in a strange holding pattern in which his album titles (both the used and rejected ones) become news headlines – but beneath all the hype is some decent, if uneven material. Tracks include "Queens Get The Money", "You Can't Stop Us Now", "feat Eban Thomas of the Stylistics and Last Poets, "Project Roach" feat Last Poets, "America", "Make The World Go Round" feat Chris Brown & The Game, "America", "Sly Fox", the almost title track "Ni**er (The Slave And The Master)", "Fried Chicken" feat Busta Rhymes, "Black President" and more. CD

Classic work from the O'Jays – presented here in a multi-channel SACD! First up is Ship Ahoy – a pivotal album from The O'Jays – and an undeniable Philly classic! The record was the third the group cut for the Philadelphia International label – but it was really the first one that pushed their strong righteous soul agenda, sort of a mix of message-oriented lyrics and heavy soul (ala The Temptations), fused with the warmer more sophisticated styles of the Philly sound! The blend is perfect – and has a way of getting the message from the underground right into the living room – and a bit onto the charts as well! From the image on the cover – which features the group in a slave ship setting – to politics of tracks like "Don't Call Me Brother", "For The Love Of Money", "Put Your Hands Together", and "This Air That I Breathe", the record's an extremely unified effort – kind of to the O'Jays what What's Going On was to Marvin Gaye. Other titles include "You Got Your Hooks In Me", "Now That We Found Love", and "People Keep Tellin Me". Message In The Music is one of those records that really took Philly soul to the next level back in the 70s – a set that works amazing magic with the already-great harmonies of the O'Jays – pointing them even more strongly towards groove-heavy territory, while still keeping all the fragile, personal qualities of their earlier work! The title cut is a righteous anthem that never gets old – a perfect blend of subtle politics and homegrown soul – all polished to perfection in the Philly studios. And the rest of the record is equally mindblowing – a set where even the ballads have as much power as the upbeat numbers – as you'll hear in the lineup of tracks that includes "Message In The Music", "Darlin, Darlin, Baby", "A Prayer", "Make A Joyful Noise", "Let Life Flow", and "Paradise". Live In London is a seminal album in the development of Philadelphia International – who seemed to be taking a cue from Motown and Stax in the 60s, by bringing their biggest act to a European audience! The set features the O'Jays working as beautifully in a live setting as they had in the Sigma Sound studios – singing to arrangements by Dennis Williams, but still getting enough production by Bobby Martin to keep the sound in line with their better known studio work from the time. There's a bit of a deeper soul sound overall here – especially on the vocals, which crackle nicely with a live sense of spontaneity. Titles include "Back Stabbers", "Sunshine", "Love Train", "When The World Is A Peace", and "Put Your Hands Together" – plus a few vocal introductions! CD

A surprise reunion for this all-piano ensemble that features the hip talents of Harold Mabern, Sonelius Smith, Stanley Cowell, Nat Jones, and Hugh Lawson. The group that put out two albums on Strata East back in the late 70s, and this follows in the same form, with pianos handling every part of the music – rhythm, melody, and all these great little bits around the edges! Titles include "Slave Song", "Bip Bip Bam", "Here But For The Grace Of", and "Maiden Voyage". CD

A sweet little live set by Sade – done with the subdued warmth of her later work, but also featuring a few key songs from earlier years! There's a nicely understated quality to the record, in keeping with Sade's own presence – and we're quite pleased to hear how these songs hold up away from the studio. Titles include "Smooth Operator", "Jezebel", "Cherish The Day", "No Ordinary Love", "Flow", "Is It A Crime", "Kiss Of Life", "Slave Song", and "The Sweetest Taboo". CD

A sweet little live set by Sade – done with the subdued warmth of her later work, but also featuring a few key songs from earlier years! There's a nicely understated quality to the record, in keeping with Sade's own presence – and we're quite pleased to hear how these songs hold up away from the studio. Titles include "Smooth Operator", "Jezebel", "Cherish The Day", "No Ordinary Love", "Flow", "Is It A Crime", "Kiss Of Life", "Slave Song", and "The Sweetest Taboo". CD

Music from Brick, Dazz, Slave, One Way, George Clinton, Pleasure, Bootsy Collins, Ray Parker Jr & Raydio, and Steve Arrington. CD

We're always happy to take a trip to Crampsville – as the journey means that we not only get to live within the world of Lux Interior and Poison Ivy, we also get to discover a huge amount of obscure singles from the glory days of the indie 45! The Cramps built their music on building blocks like these – weird, obscure tunes from the late 50s and early 60s – often leaping across genres in a single tune – mixing rock and R&B, slinky lounge with gritty sleaze, and always exploding with the kind of energy that never could have lasted past the few minutes of music that fit on a 7" record. The set's very much in the great mode of other Righteous Cramps-inspired titles – and features 52 tracks that include "Love Slave" by Bart Mattson, "She'll Never Let Him Go" by Gin Gillette, "Little Joe" by Jack Day, "I'm Blue" by The Ikettes, "Chicken Rock" by Scott Wood & His Band, "Big Foot" by Googie Rene, "The Tingle" by Jackie Weaver, "She's Mine" by Johnny Strickland, "I Got School" by Scott Miller, "Stop At The Hop" by Don Eee, "Rock & Roll Fever" by Gene Ray, "The Gorilla Walk" by Sascha Burland, "The Cat" by Rod Willis, "Watch Your Step" by Bobby Parker, and "I'm Buggin Out Little Baby" by Donny Lee Moore. CD

Includes music by Faze-O, Deodato, Chic, Slave, Chaka Khan, Neal Howard, LFO, Soft House Company, Dillinja, Orbital, Calibre, Jaheim, and Tronikhouse. CD

A mighty nice early album from Jimmy Cliff – a set that's maybe not as well-known as his massive hits of the 70s, but which definitely sets the tone for all the greatness to come! Jimmy's voice already has this raw, righteous power that's incredible – trained in the soul of the rocksteady generation, but given all these nice lean production touches that were handled by Cliff himself – clearly already really getting his ears around the best aspects of the forces available at Dynamic Studios! There's some key ringers in the set – including Winston Wright on organ and Tommy McCook on tenor – and The Heptones provide some mighty nice backing vocals too. The whole thing has a much rawer sound than you might guess for a record on a major label – and titles include "Black Queen", "Be True", "Oh Jamaica", "Commercialization", "The Price Of Peace", "Poor Slave", and "Rip Off". CD

There's nothing folk about the Folklords – and the group are overall maybe more in the best mode of the Sunshine Pop generation, as you'd guess from their dreamy image on the cover! The group features a trio of singers – two guys, one gal – trading leads and harmonies, and coming off with these really easygoing, sparkling sort of glow – supported with a bit of work on guitar, bass, drums, and autoharp – the last of which adds a cool an unique vibe to the record! Titles include "Jennifer Lee", "Don't Hide Your Love From Me", "Child", "Windows", "Pardon Me Judas", "Thank You For Your Kindness", "We'll Love Like Before", "Suzanne Marie", "Don't Look Back", and "The Slave" – plus bonus tracks "Unspoken Love" and "Forty Second River". LP, Vinyl record album

Not the first album from saxophonist Camilla George, but the set where it really feels like she's found her voice in music – weaving together her own strong solo on alto sax with the work of a top-shelf array of players from the London scene, while also nodding towards her roots in the Ibibio culture of southeast Nigeria! Camilla's got a soulful warmth on her horn that reminds us of Gary Bartz at some of his best moments – yet the presentation here is very much her own, and inflected with contributions from a wonderfully rich lineup that includes Daniel Casimir on bass, Sarah Tandy on piano, Rosie Turton on trombone, Sheila Maurice Grey on trumpet, Daru Jones on percussion, Shirley Tetteh on guitar, and Renato Paris on piano and Fender Rhodes – the latter of whom also provides a bit of vocals – as does Sanity, who makes a guest appearance on three tracks with Jones. Titles include "The Long Juju Slave Route Of Arochokwu", "Creation Nnyin Ido Ibibio", "Abasi Enyong", "Ukpong", "Journey Across The Sea", and "Creation Abasi & Atai". CD

Not the first album from saxophonist Camilla George, but the set where it really feels like she's found her voice in music – weaving together her own strong solo on alto sax with the work of a top-shelf array of players from the London scene, while also nodding towards her roots in the Ibibio culture of southeast Nigeria! Camilla's got a soulful warmth on her horn that reminds us of Gary Bartz at some of his best moments – yet the presentation here is very much her own, and inflected with contributions from a wonderfully rich lineup that includes Daniel Casimir on bass, Sarah Tandy on piano, Rosie Turton on trombone, Sheila Maurice Grey on trumpet, Daru Jones on percussion, Shirley Tetteh on guitar, and Renato Paris on piano and Fender Rhodes – the latter of whom also provides a bit of vocals – as does Sanity, who makes a guest appearance on three tracks with Jones. Titles include "The Long Juju Slave Route Of Arochokwu", "Creation Nnyin Ido Ibibio", "Abasi Enyong", "Ukpong", "Journey Across The Sea", and "Creation Abasi & Atai". LP, Vinyl record album

Jazzy wonderfulness from Chris Harwood – not a jazz singer herself, but one who gets some superb backings from a range of British musicians – all of whom take her folk-tinged vocals into territory that makes for a wonderfully unique record! The approach is one of those rare studio moments when things come together in a really magical way – with a quality that's laidback and easygoing, as if everyone is just sliding into a groove – but with results that are nicely focused, and a sound that's beautifully cohesive throughout the entire set! The record features work by prog heavyweights like Ian McDonald on saxes and Dave Lambert on guitar – but isn't a prog set at all, as you'll hear on tracks that include "Hear What I Have To Say", "Never Knew What Love Was", "Wooden Ships", "Before You Right Now", "Crying To Be Heard", "Question Of Time", "When I Got Home", "Romance", "Ain't Gonna Be Your Slave", "Flies Like A Bird", and "Mama". LP, Vinyl record album

The first Bob Marley album on Island Records – and the start of a really legendary run that would not only transform reggae in the 70s, but the rest of popular music as well! Chris Blackwell's partially at the helm on production, but the album was mostly recorded in classic Kingston studios – Randy's, Dynamic, and Harry J's – and retains the same vibe as some of Marley's earlier work, but with more of the forward-thinking vision he brought to his time at Island. Bunny Livingston lays down some excellent percussion on the set – and rhythm is from the team of Aston and Carlton Barrett on bass and drums. Titles include the classic "Stir It Up" – plus "Slave Driver", "Kinky Reggae", "High Tide Or Low Tide", and "Concrete Jungle". This expanded deluxe edition also has a full CD of the more raw Jamaican versions, which on almost all songs are the superior takes to our ears! CD

The first Bob Marley album on Island Records – and the start of a really legendary run that would not only transform reggae in the 70s, but the rest of popular music as well! Chris Blackwell's partially at the helm on production, but the album was mostly recorded in classic Kingston studios – Randy's, Dynamic, and Harry J's – and retains the same vibe as some of Marley's earlier work, but with more of the forward-thinking vision he brought to his time at Island. Bunny Livingston lays down some excellent percussion on the set – and rhythm is from the team of Aston and Carlton Barrett on bass and drums. Titles include the classic "Stir It Up" – plus "Slave Driver", "Kinky Reggae", "High Tide Or Low Tide", and "Concrete Jungle". Includes bonus tracks "High Tide Or Low Tide" and "All Day All Night". CD

An incredible companion to the book Enjoy The Experience – and like that volume, a set that's filled with gems from the obscure sides of the American recording industry – vanity and privately pressed records that are plenty darn groovy, and pretty darn funky in all the right spots! The book is a painstakingly researched collection – and this soundtrack is just as carefully put together – with a great range of styles – heavily steeped in freaky funk, upbeat boogie, acid folk, offbeat psych, and trippy jazz! The range of sounds is really wonderful – with a feel that's somewhere between a Trunk Records or Finders Keepers compilation – and titles include "Intro (Excerpt)" by The Muzzy Band, "Spacing Out" by The Invaders, Diska Limba Man" by Medico Doktor Vibes, "Music Slave" by Jade, "White Panther" by Arcesia, "Never Come Back" by Boa, "ESP Switch" by Michael Farneti, "6.4 = Makeout" by Gary Wilson, "Just To Say Goodbye" by Russ Saul, "Cadillac Woman" by Stephen David Heitkotter, "Piledriver" by Dennis The Fox, "Old Time Feeling" by Circuit Rider, and "666" by Ray Torske. CD

Three albums from this legendary South African pianist! African Sketchbook is spare, solo, and incredibly haunting work from Dollar Brand – recorded in Switzerland in the early 70s, and featuring Brand on both flute and piano, playing a set of 14 original compositions designed to provide small sketches of his African homeland. The mood of the work is less sprightly than some of his compositions for larger groups, and carries with it the tone of exile, an extra layer of sadness that gives a real emotional depth to the music. Titles include "Salaam – Peace – Hamba Khale", "Slave Bell", "The Stride", "Tokai", "The Dream", and "The Aloe & The Wildrose". Zimbabwe has South African pianist Dollar Brand still going strong into the 80s – as this excellent quartet session will attest! The record features a group with Carolos Ward on alto sax and flute, playing next to Brand's own piano and occasional soprano sax, backed by the bass of Essiet Okun Essiet and the drums of Don Mumford. Tracks are medium length – but filled with the slow-building grace that always makes Brand's work differ majestically from most of his contemporaries. Titles include "Karmat", "Guilty", "Zimbabwe", "For Coltrane, No 11", and "Bombella". Good News From Africa features beautiful duets between pianist Dollar Brand and legendary bassist/Blue Notes member Johnny Dyani – two great South African jazz musicians who should have recorded more together in a format like this! Brand's open-ended rolling piano lines bring out the best in Dyani's bass – which at this point in his career, was not often heard in such an intimate setting, and was instead often hidden amidst larger more bombastic groupings of avant players – a shift in setting that really brings out some of the more spiritual currents in his music. The record features a version of Brand's excellent "The Pilgrim", plus the tracks "Msunduza", "Ntsikana's Bell", "Good News", and "Moniebah". CD

Glen Brown's often the producer here – helming the decks on a host of classic cuts from the early 70s – but he also emerges as the main character too, at times when he steps to the mic and adds in a bit of encouragement to the proceedings! Brown's not really working in deejay mode – he's more in the background on most cuts, but then gets to shine as the lead artist on some of the later tracks in the package – especially the numbers that feature Glen on melodica, blowing the sweet keyboard with a spacious style that's a bit like Augustus Pablo! Titles include "Get Up" by Ron Wilson, "Scatter Light Rock" by Ron Wilson & Lennox Brown, "Dirty Harry" by Tommy McCook & Richard Hall, "Determination Skank" by Tommy McCook & Glen Brown, "Mr Ball Head Aitken" by Bobby Aitken, and the Glen Brown cuts "No More Slavery", "Crisp As A Ball", "Pantomine Rock", "The Winner", "Mitchville Rock", and "School Call". LP, Vinyl record album

Amazing stuff from the Converted Mind of Bishop Manning and his family! Manning was a former down & dirty blues singer who was changed forever byThe Good Word in the early 60s – and the lived in realness of these recordings certainly suggests a blues pedigree. It's completely wonderful, with Manning and Family singers backed perfectly with organ, guitar and drums. 28 tracks in all: "Manning Family Theme Song", "Back In St Matthews Days", "I Am A Pilgrim", "Don't Let Satan Ride", "The Jealous Man And The Jealous Woman", "The Last Step", "Back In Slavery Days", "I Want To Shout At The Meeting", "Going Off Theme", "Sit Down Servent" and many more. CD

Nothing fancy, but a tight set of soul jazz trio tracks from Les – recorded with Ron Jefferson on drums, and either Leroy Vinnegar or Herbie Lewis on bass. The tracks were all recorded live, and stretch out longer than most of Les' studio work from the time. Titles include "Frankie & Johnnie", "Love Letters", "Three Slaves", and "On Green Dolphin Street". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe not the funk of ages, but a mighty nice solo set from Bernie Worrell – done at a key stretch when he was working away from George Clinton and the P-Funk universe! The set's got Bernie opening up in a blend of jazz and funk – and some tracks feature lead vocals, in a style that takes off from his earlier solo album on Arista, but tuned here with a bit more of that electro vibe that the Gramavision album was doing so well at the time! Bernie handles much of the music himself, but there's plenty of key guests on the record too – rhythms from Sly & Robbie, more keyboards from Herbie Hancock, guitar from Keith Richards and Vernon Reid, and seven some backing vocals from David Byrne and other old associates from the P-Funk years. Titles include "Straight Ahead", "Sing", "Don't Piss Me Off", "Ain't She Sweet", "V Spy", "BW Jam", "Volunteered Slavery/Bern's Blues/Outerspaceways", and "Beware Of Dog". CD

A wonderful collection of modern Brazilian grooves lifted from the legendary Far Out label! The set is much more than a regular compilation – as it's now the only place you can get some of the out-of-print singles on the label, plus a few rare mixes that aren't available elsewhere! The groove is nice and smooth, with a good mix of Brazilian roots and modern production, all with the high quality you've come to expect from Far Out. Includes the stellar groover "Ponteio", done here in an excellent remake by Da Lata – plus the tracks "Consteleacao" by Tutty Moreno, "Canto De Libertacao" by Aricia Mess, "Amazon Adventure (Jazzanova rmx)" by Azymuth, "Freio Aerodynamico" by Marcos Valle, "Times Before (Ape rmx)" by Azymuth, "Quem Com Quem" by Azymuth & Marcos Valle, "Os Escravos Do Jo (Jos Slaves)" by Friends From Rio 2, and "Soberana" by Wilson Das Neves. CD

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

A wonderful album of southern soul – and the only full-length LP cut by Bobby Moore and his long-lived Rhythm Aces combo! The group's the sort that slaved away endlessly in live shows all over the south – playing on their own, or providing extra backup for countless big stars touring through the area. Bobby's on tenor, and the group has some incredibly rich vocal talents – unnamed, but with a group harmony style that's equally at home with sweet ballads or hard stompin party numbers. The latter style is the band's strongest suit, though – with an approach that's somewhere between the hard soul of Sam & Dave and the party grooves of Doug Clark & The Hot Nuts – and like that group, Moore's style was probably forged out of years of playing at beach dances, frat parties, and bar gigs, the real proving ground for a tight combo like this! A great little LP, with a fresh sound throughout – and tracks include "The Hamburger Song", "Follow Me", "Hey, Mr. DJ", "Searching For My Love", "Jenny, Jenny", "Come Back Baby", and "We've Got That". Recorded at Fame in 1966 with Rick Hall, too! CD

The first LP from a group that would go on to become one of the most well known Jamaican artists, largely due to their crisply produced crossover sound that appealed to fans of modern soul. The sound here's a shade rootsier than the album's that would garner them wider appeal, with 8 numbers in all, including "Sette Messgana", "Slavery Days", "Brand New Beggar", "Got To Get Along", "Sun Won't Shine" and "Freedom Song". LP, Vinyl record album