With Steve Narahara on guitar, Dan Siegel on keyboards and synthesizers, Keith Rouster on bass, Moyes Lucas Jr on drums, Rich Cole, Richard Elliot, and Jerry Peterson on saxophones, Steve Watson, Carl Verheyen, and Richard Smith on guitars, and Steve Reid on percussion. LP, Vinyl record album

With Lester Bowie, Craig Handy, Philip Harper, Billy Higgins, Steve Kroon, Cedar Walton, Peter Washington, and Bobby Watson. CD

A great Latin twist for Bobby Watson – an album that has the alto sax genius joining the Space Station combo of percussionist Ray Mantilla – for a session that's easily one of the most memorable moments of the time from both players! Watson has a depth of soul in his horn here that's really incredible – a way of grabbing us right from the start of a tune, and bringing things home strongly even with a bit of electric bass in the lineup, which might otherwise mar the acoustic vibe of the group. Dick Oatts handles tenor, flute, and soprano sax on the record – but Bobby's clearly the main horn star – and other members include Eddie Martinez on piano, Ruben Rodriguez on bass, and Steve Berrios on drums and percussion. Titles include "Hostage", "Curve Ball", "Dark Powers", "Catch Me If You Can", "The Things You Do", and "Rostro De Ti". LP, Vinyl record album

Features Bobby Watson, David Newman, Jack Walrath, and Steve Turre on horns – plus Steve Kahn and Cornell Dupree on guitar. CD

Two fantastic early cuts from bassist Curtis Lundy – one of which features superb vocals from the young Carmen Lundy too! The stellar "Never Gonna Let You Go" was the first time most of us heard Carmen's voice – which is perfect for this uplifting, hard-grooving number that also features superb alto from the great Bobby Watson! The group here also features Steve Nelson on vibes, Hank Jones on piano, and Kenny Washington on drums – and "Jabbo's Revenge" is a wonderful instrumental track from the group! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A European disco world that's ripe for rediscovery – one that's much more obscure than better-known club work from Germany, France, and Italy – but which may well be even groovier than the work from those three scenes! The package is a great complement to some of the funk and jazz sets on the Sdban label – and like those, it really digs deep – to uncover a vast array of music from the small nation – which was clearly a hotbed of groovy activity in the 70s, at a level that none of us realized at the time! The tunes here mix together funk and pop, soul and disco – all in ways that criss-cross strongly with more familiar modes of the period – but often have an offbeat quality, and sometimes a surprising sense of humor that comes through in the mostly English lyrics in the lead. 2CD set features 30 tracks – and titles include "Ethereo Disco" by R Roland, "King Kong" by Carl Watson, "Baby Won't You Turn Me On" by Charles Watson, "Sexy" by Lovedream, "La Gomme" by L2, "Cool & Get Up" by Quartz, "I'm Free" by Steve, "Groovin To The Music" by Flame, "Queen To The Pharoah" by Marianne, "Feel So Glad" by Dan Davis, "Ivro De Vie" by Kevin Moraine, "Be My Love Tonight" by CC Band, "Strange How You Move" by Venus, and "Bubblegum" by Bubble. CD

A European disco world that's ripe for rediscovery – one that's much more obscure than better-known club work from Germany, France, and Italy – but which may well be even groovier than the work from those three scenes! The package is a great complement to some of the funk and jazz sets on the Sdban label – and like those, it really digs deep – to uncover a vast array of music from the small nation – which was clearly a hotbed of groovy activity in the 70s, at a level that none of us realized at the time! The tunes here mix together funk and pop, soul and disco – all in ways that criss-cross strongly with more familiar modes of the period – but often have an offbeat quality, and sometimes a surprising sense of humor that comes through in the mostly English lyrics in the lead. Part 1 of the vinyl series features 16 tracks – and titles include "Ethereo Disco" by R Roland, "King Kong" by Carl Watson, "Baby Won't You Turn Me On" by Charles Watson, "Sexy" by Lovedream, "La Gomme" by L2, "Cool & Get Up" by Quartz, "I'm Free" by Steve, "Groovin To The Music" by Flame, "Queen To The Pharoah" by Marianne, "Feel So Glad" by Dan Davis, "Ivro De Vie" by Kevin Moraine, "Be My Love Tonight" by CC Band, "Strange How You Move" by Venus, and "Bubblegum" by Bubble. LP, Vinyl record album

Hip stuff by Nancy Wilson – and a sophisticated album of soul tracks arranged and produced by Gene Page, in a string-heavy, slightly-funky style that reminds us of Gene's work with Barry White at the time. The tracks are all pretty hip – and include titles written by Stevie Wonder, Johnny Guitar Watson, Thom Bell & Linda Creed, Billy Page, and Tennyson Stevens. No standout tracks, but plenty of nice moments, and a good side of Nancy's career that isn't always given that much exposure. Titles include "Tell The Truth", "Try It, You'll Like It", "All In Love Is Fair", "There'll Always Be Forever", and "You're As Right As Rain". LP, Vinyl record album

Hip stuff by Nancy Wilson – and a sophisticated album of soul tracks arranged and produced by Gene Page, in a string-heavy, slightly-funky style that reminds us of Gene's work with Barry White at the time. The tracks are all pretty hip – and include titles written by Stevie Wonder, Johnny Guitar Watson, Thom Bell & Linda Creed, Billy Page, and Tennyson Stevens. No standout tracks, but plenty of nice moments, and a good side of Nancy's career that isn't always given that much exposure. Titles include "Tell The Truth", "Try It, You'll Like It", "All In Love Is Fair", "There'll Always Be Forever", and "You're As Right As Rain". LP, Vinyl record album