A bit funk, a bit rock, and a bit soul – Sweet Apple proudly followed in the tradition of similar Columbia acts like Sly & The Family Stone or The Chambers Brothers, although they never lasted long enough to get the fame of either of those groups. Most tracks have vocals, which are alright, but the real strength of the band lies in their instrumental ability – which is nice and funky on the best cuts, especially those with more instrumental moments. These include "Fonky McGregor" and "Sweet Apple Jam", both nice groovers with a messed-up funk sound. Other tracks include "I Can't Find My Way", "Sweet Apple", "Silly People", and "Power Of A Man". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest female soul groups of the 60s – and one of the few who really helped to take the format into deep soul territory! The Sweet Inspirations got their start doing background work for countless sessions for Atlantic Records – and by the time of these tracks, they'd emerged as a fully-formed, deeply-skilled unit – graced with singers who'd been trained in gospel, but worked heavily in soul – with a sound that was perfect for the southern turn that Atlantic Records was taking at the time! The style of many of these early cuts is similar to the Memphis and Muscle Shoals modes of Aretha Franklin on late 60s Atlantic – but there's also some later Philly styles, too – early Sigma modes that are still pre-disco, but really show the range of the group. 2CD set features all the Atlantic singles from the group – from the beginning right up to the end of their time at the label – 37 tracks that include "That's How Strong My Love Is", "Let It Be Me", "Chained", "Brand New Lover (parts 1 & 2)", "Evidence", "Change Me Not", "Make It Easy On Yourself", "Light Sings", "Flash In The Pan", "Them Boys", "Get A Little Order", "Am I Ever Gonna See My Baby Again", "You Really Didn't Mean It", and "Don't Fight It". CD

A fantastic run of music from a group who were key to the rising sound of soul music on Atlantic Records during the 60s – but who sometimes didn't always get their due! The Sweet Inspirations have roots in gospel – as the famous Drinkard Sisters – and they've also got a legacy that goes beyond these recordings, including later group sessions, and solo 70s fame by Cissy Houston of the group. But here, they're completely at their prime – known to bigger audiences for their background vocals behind Aretha Franklin and others, and working with a completely sublime blend of their gospel roots and newly righteous 60s soul modes – given superb accompaniment and production in a series of recordings done in New York, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, and Sigma Sound in Philly! This set features a huge amount of material – everything the girls recorded for Atlantic – the full albums Sweet Inspirations, Songs Of Inspiration, What The World Needs Now Is Love, Sweets For My Sweet, and Sweet Sweet Soul – plus non-LP single tracks, and enough material for a 1970 bonus album too, most of it never issued at the time. The package is the best we've ever seen on the group – an instant classic in our book – and it features 66 tracks in all, plus a big booklet of notes. CD

A great back-to-basics set for the Sweet Inspirations – now working here as the trio of Estelle Brown, Myrna Smith, and Sylvia Shamwell – and working with David Porter in a strongly Memphis mode! The arrangements on the set are a bit more ambitious than usual for Stax at the time – and feature added strings and horns on many numbers, plus core backings by the Ebony Web group. The sound is rootsy at times, and spiritual at others – and titles include "Emergency", "Why Marry", "Wishes & Dishes", "Pity Yourself", and "Slipped & Tripped". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A rare Nigerian set, recorded at Tabansi – with tracks that include "Funky Makossa", "Sweet Love", "Jane", "Baby I Love You", and "Good Loving". LP, Vinyl record album

Joyous 80s grooves from Charles Amoah of Ghana – a set that's maybe got all the same electro soul elements as indie sides from New York at the same time! Charles definitely has his ear to the streets with the beats – and the mix of those and the basslines is very much in the best old school hip hop and breakin modes – spare and focused use of drum machine lines, then warmed up by live basslines, keyboards, and guitars – plys Charles' own vocals in the lead! There's a really celebratory vibe to the whole thing – almost like some party on a block where the streets are shut down – and titles include two versions of "Shake Your Body To The Beat", plus "Sweet Vibration", "Our Love's On Fire", "Jungle Rock", "Scratch My Back", and "Fighting Spirit". LP, Vinyl record album

Dreamy trumpet from this Latin legend – with titles that include "Moonlight On The Ganges", "September Song", "Stormy Weather", "Summertime", and more. 7-inch, Vinyl record

Includes "Ain't She Sweet", "Sweet Georgia Brown", "Take Some Insurance On Me Baby", and "Nobody's Child" by the Beatles; and "I Wanna Be Your Man", "She Loves You", "Please Please Me", "I Want To Hold Your Hand", and more by The Swallows. LP, Vinyl record album

Anders Bergcrantz on trumpet, Rick Margitza on tenor saxophone, Richard Beirach on piano, Ron McClure on bass, and Adam Nussbaum. CD

Four fantastic albums from Bobby Bland – all brought together in a single package for the first time! First up is Come Fly With Me – great work from Bobby Blue Bland – one of the few artists to rise up at the end of the 50s, and still find a way to chart their own path forward in soul with fresh material like this! Bobby's voice is still incredible here, and he works with production from Al Bell and Monk Higgins, the latter of whom arranged – in this cool style that's a bit like some of the territory that Tyrone Davis was taking on at Columbia Records during the second half of the 70s – fuller arrangements that bring some sophisticated soul touches to the music, but in ways that never lose the core of Bobby's genius! Titles include "Lady Lonely", "Night Games", "You Can Count On Me", "Love To See You Smile", "Come Fly With Me", and "To Be Friends". The next album is I Feel Good I Feel Fine – and Bobby Bland sounds pretty good too – thanks to arrangements from the great Monk Higgins, who does a perfect job of mixing Bland's trademark vocals with some sweet late 70s arrangements! The sound is upbeat, but never in a cliched disco mode – more in the territory that you'd hear Johnnie Taylor using over at Columbia Records – maybe a good comparison, given the Memphis roots that both artists shared – as both also evolved a lot to shift their sound with the changing modes of the time. And as with Johnnie, Bobby never loses the core that makes him great – as you'll hear on titles that include "Tit For Tat", "Soon As The Weather Breaks", "In His Eyes", "Someone To Belong To", "I Feel Good I Feel Fine", and "Little Mama". Sweet Vibrations is a real gem from the start of the 80s – arranged by Monk Higgins, who co-produced the set with Al Bell – a duo who'd already given Bobby some great records before, but who really knock it out of the park with this one. There's an extra-special quality going on here – maybe a slight reintroduction of blues roots, but still with a very contemporary spirit – set up to superb backings throughout. Titles include "Soul With A Flavor", "Hollywood Woman", "You'd Be A Millionaire", "Sweet Vibrator", "Special Kind Of Fool", and "A Real Woman Is What It Takes". Try Me I'm Real is record with a title that certainly fits the bill – as the amazing voice of Bobby Bland is as real here as it ever was, and blended with superbly soulful backings that take the singer's sound forward for a whole new generation! Some of Bobby's contemporaries were content to just stick in a straight blues mode – but Bland really grew and developed a lot as an artist, thanks in part to Monk Higgins and Al Bell – who are both at the production helm of the record, and balance the bluesy roots of Bobby with some richer soul backings that really knock the whole thing out of the park! We love Bobby Blue Bland during his early Duke Records years – but we love him equally as much for music like this, on titles that include "But I Do", "What A Difference A Day Makes", "Givin Up The Streets For Love", "A Song For You My Son", "Just You Just Me", and "Love Is Where It's At". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Michael Moore on alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, melodica, and celesta, Ernst Reijseger on cello, and Han Bennink on drums and celesta. CD

A stunning look at one of our favorite singers of all time – captured here in the grooviest period of her career, and presented with a huge amount of rare and unreleased material too! In the late 60s, after her famous recordings for Verve, Blossom Dearie moved to the London scene, worked with hip arrangers, songwriters, and producers – and came up with a sound and style that was even more sublime than her earlier work – sometimes with touches of mod rhythms, sometimes bits of jazz, bossa, or soundtrack elements – and delivered in a mode that's unlike anything else she recorded before, or afterwards! This massive package brings together four albums from that time – That's Just The Way I Want To Be, Soon It's Gonna Rain, Sweet Blossom Dearie, and Blossom Time At Ronnie Scott's – plus two full CDs with 27 more London sessions that appear here for the first time ever! Those tracks include mono versions of some album tracks, but also some unusual tracks too – like "You Have Lived In Autumn", "The Joker", "Rings & Things", "Now That We're Here", "Wave", "What Is", "Feeling Good Being Me", "Windows Of The World", "Inside A Silent Tear", "Until It's Time For You To Go", "Didn't We", "Inside Out", "Let It Be Me", "While We're Lovin Me", "My Favorite Things", "What The World Needs Now", and "I'm Hip" – and the package then also has some bonus singles added to the albums – including "The Music Played", "Discover Who I Am", "Moonlight Saving Time", "Wallflower Lonely Cornflower Blue", and "Feelin Groovy". Plus, the whole thing comes in a cool 10" slipcover, with a huge booklet of notes and images in the middle! CD

There's few singers we like better than Blossom Dearie – and this great little record captures Blossom at her unfettered best, working live before an intimate crowd at London's Ronnie Scott's nightclub in the 60s! The performance is in the same small combo mode as some of Dearie's Verve albums from the 50s – but there's a looser swing here that's really great – an even hipper approach to the even hipper tunes that pushes the Blossom aesthetic very nicely into the 60s. Blossom herself is on piano, supported by the bass of Freddie Logan and drums of Alan Ganley – and overall, the album's a few notches up from the better-known Blossom Time At Ronnie Scotts, thanks to a more fluid groove and very strong choice of material. Titles include "Big City", "One Note Samba", "On A Clear Day", "You Turn Me On Baby", "Let's Go Where The Grass Is Greener", "You're Gonna Hear From Me", "Peel Me A Grape", "Sweet Lover No More", and an early reading of "Sweet Georgie Fame". CD

A trio of albums from this famous Brazilian trombonist – all of them great! First up is Sweet Lucy – a wonderful album from Raul De Souza, cut during the height of his fame on the California scene! Like Raul's other work for Capitol, this record really sparkles from tight help from George Duke – who handles production, and some of the arrangements – and really helps De Souza find a tight jazzy groove! The instrumentation is a bit leaner than some of Raul's other records of this nature, which is a nice thing – as you get to hear plenty of keyboards from Patrice Rushen, Fender Rhodes from Dawilli Gonga, trumpet from Freddie Hubbard, and percussion from Airto. There's a bit of chorus vocals at times, but the main focus is on Raul's trombone solos – and cuts include of Joao Donato's "Banana Tree", plus "Sweet Lucy", "New Love", "Wild & Shy", "Bottom Heat", "Wires", and "At Will". Don't Ask My Neighbors is a tremendous moment for trombonist Raul De Souza – working here in a style that's light years past his roots in bossa nova! The set's got a heavy California vibe – a late 70s blend of jazz and soul handled by producer George Duke, who also arranges many tracks on the record – but still leaves plenty of room for Raul to step out strongly in the lead! Things are never too overdone, and handled with that sunny style that players like Duke did so well – lots of warm jazzy elements in the backings, coming from Fender Rhodes by Bobby Lyle, percussion from Airto, and drums from the great Harvey Mason – who really brings an edge to some of the groovers. Titles include a killer cover of the Skip Scarborough tune "Don't Ask My Neighbors" – plus "La La Song", "Overture", "At The Concert", "I Believe You", and "Jump Street". Til Tomorrow Comes is filled with soaring sounds from Raul De Souza – a Brazilian musician who first recorded under the name of Raulzinho during the bossa nova years – but one who's at the height of his powers here working on the Cali scene at the end of the 70s! Raul manages to blend his lead instrument with fuller arrangements from Arthur Wright – who brings in plenty of the best elements from contemporary R&B, adds in some backing vocals, yet never diminishes Raul's presence on the record at all! Instead, De Souza seems to draw all sorts of energy from the folks around him on the sessions for the record – really stepping out with the best sort of jazz funk grooves that Capitol Records were laying down at the time – as you'll hear on cuts that include "Up & At It", "Self Sealing", "Pleasurize", "Fe No Me Nol", and "Til Tomorrow comes". CD features bonus tracks – single versions of "Til Tomorrow Comes", "Sweet Lucy", and "Daisy Mae". CD

Sweet Lucy, and mighty groovy – a wonderful album from Raul De Souza, cut during the height of his fame on the California scene! Like Raul's other work for Capitol, this record really sparkles from tight help from George Duke – who handles production, and some of the arrangements – and really helps De Souza find a tight jazzy groove! The instrumentation is a bit leaner than some of Raul's other records of this nature, which is a nice thing – as you get to hear plenty of keyboards from Patrice Rushen, Fender Rhodes from Dawilli Gonga, trumpet from Freddie Hubbard, and percussion from Airto. There's a bit of chorus vocals at times, but the main focus is on Raul's trombone solos – and cuts include of Joao Donato's "Banana Tree", plus "Sweet Lucy", "New Love", "Wild & Shy", "Bottom Heat", "Wires", and "At Will". CD

A nice back to basics soulbop date – with Herman Foster on piano, Calvin Hill on bass, and Idris Muhammad on drums. Titles include "Mo Gravy", "Shuckin Blues", "Mambo Inn", and "You'll Never Know". LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent Duke Ellington work from the late 50s – written and recorded during a period in which he was reemerging with a stronger jazz vision than ever before! The set was written by Ellington and Strayhorn – and dedicated to the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario – but forget the Bard-inspired roots of the tracks, because the shimmering moods of the pieces is pure Ellington – with a richness of feeling that's totally great, and a sound that's wonderfully fresh, given that most of these numbers aren't overplayed Ellington compositions! Players include Cat Anderson and Clark Terry on trumpets, Paul Gonsalves on tenor, and Johnny Hodges on alto – and titles include "The Telecasters", "Circle Of Fourths", "Sonnet For Caesar", "Sonnet To Hank Cinq", and "Such Sweet Thunder". LP, Vinyl record album

With Joe Lovano on tenor sax, Randy Brecker on trumpet, and John Scofield on guitar! CD

With Joe Lovano on tenor sax, Randy Brecker on trumpet, and John Scofield on guitar! CD

Features George Adams on tenor, Chris Hunter on alto, Tom Malone on trombone, Hiram Bullock on guitar, Pete Levin on synthesizer, Mark Egan on bass, Adam Nussbaum on drums, Mino Cinelu on percussion – and trumpet players Lew Soloff, Hannibal Marvin Peterson, Shunzo Ohno, and Miles Evans. LP, Vinyl record album

A never-heard album from this excellent Detroit vocal group – recorded for Motown at the end of the 60s, but appearing here for the first time ever – and compiled with lots of bonus tracks from the vaults! The Fantastic Four never hit the bigger heights of some of the big Motown male groups of the 60s – but in some way, especially at this time in the label's history, they were a much more cohesive, organic ensemble – one that's a bit like The Originals in their strong commitment to great harmonies, and ability to always hold onto their own sort of personality, even amidst the larger Motown production machine. As with most great "lost" projects, we're not sure why this record never saw the light of day – because every aspect is great, from the vocals down through the arrangements and instrumentation – and although a few shorter singles came out over the years the rest of the set is wonderful – and matched here by another 13 rare bonus tracks, including many other unreleased singles! Titles include "A Little Too Much", "We Can Work It Out", "Take Him Back If It Makes You Happy", "You Turn Me Around", "I Feel Like I'm Falling In Love Again", "How Big Is Your Heart", "It Keeps Raining Down Tears", "In A Bad Way", "Fan The Flame", "I Shall Not Be Moved", "Double Cross", and "Loving You Is Hurting Me". CD

Art Farmer on trumpet, Clifford Jordan on tenor and soprano saxophone, Geoff Keezer on piano, Kenny Davis on bass, and Yoron Israel on drums. CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

One of Stan Getz's greatest records – no fooling! This gem often gets overlooked because it was issued in the years between Stan's bossa recordings and his later pop experiments – but trust us, it's a totally solid jazz album, with a quality level that was hardly ever matched by Getz again! The tracks are all long, sweeping, and very spiritual – and the group's a soulful batch of freer players (Chick Corea on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Grady Tate on drums) – all of whom really open Stan up, and drive him to give out some of the best solos of his careers, with a tone that's completely sublime. All tracks are long, and the album includes an amazing version of Corea's "Litha", plus the cuts "Windows", "Con Alma", and "O Grande Amor". One of our favorite jazz albums ever! LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic work from Marcia Griffiths – the Jamaican singer who first rose to fame in the duo of Bob & Marcia – but who already sounds very much her own woman on this classic set from the 70s! The groove is as much funky soul as it is reggae – in fact maybe more the former than the latter – and Marcia's got this proud, righteous approach that's very different than her style of just a few years before – set to great grooves that have sharp core instrumentation with Lloyd Charmers on piano and organ, and Willie Lindo on guitar. Almost more of a female funky soul record on most cuts – with tracks that include "Here I Am Baby", "Children At Play", "I'd Rather Be Lonely", "Sweet Bitter Love", "There's No Me Without You", "Everything I Own", "Green Grasshopper", and "Gypsy Man". Also features a full album of rare bonus tracks – including "Play Me", "The First Cut Is The Deepest", "Melody Life", "Don't Let Me Down", "Band Of Gold", "I See You My Love", "It's Too Late", "Baby If You Don't Love Me", "Love Walked In", and "Working To The Top". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A wonderful bit of cinematic jazz from the 50s – played by the Chico Hamilton group as part of the soundtrack! The combo was a key part of the LA scene at the time, but are oddly featured as a regular club act in the movie's New York setting – but we'll gladly forgive that geographic error, given that the music on the set is so great. The quality's a bit like some of the Hamilton Quintet work on World Pacific – but there's a slightly freer, more urgent feel here too – work that's sometimes somewhat driving, and beautifully blended from the guitar of John Pisano, clarinet of Paul Horn, cello of Fred Katz, piano of Carson Smith, and drums from Chico. Side one features a lot of short incidental cuts – like "Susan", "Cheek To Chico", "Jam", and "Night Beat" – and side 2 is an extended "Concerto Of Jazz Themes From The Soundtrack Of Sweet Smell Of Success". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the catchiest tunes ever from the solo years of George Harrison – and that's maybe no surprise, given that it was the subject of a court battle that claimed that the tune was a copy of the classic girl group tune "He's So Fine"! And yes, it probably was – by Harrison turned the energy of that older track into praise of Krishna – a whole new groove for the hippie generation – backed by the equally wonderful "Isn't It A Pity". 7-inch, Vinyl record

Two reed geniuses, working together in sublime formation – an extended, open live performance setting – which makes for incredible interplay throughout! There's a beautiful balance between unity and conflict going on here – Evan Parker and Joe McPhee both blowing soprano and tenor, with McPhee on a small bit of pocket cornet as well – crafting lines that sometimes snake out alongside each other, flowering in the open space of improvisation – sometimes chafe next to each other, but in ways that create a magical tension of sonic possibilities – growing to a sound that's way more than the sum of its parts. The set features seven live improvisations – all recorded in the space of the Chicago Cultural Center in 2003. CD

... CD

Nice early work from Blue! "Kinda Vague" is a spare, slow number with some great bass stepping out the groove as Blue blows a sweet trumpet solo over the top. "Sweet Pumpkin" is more of a lyrical number – sweetly blown, almost in a Kenny Dorham mode. 7-inch, Vinyl record

A lost smoker from the legendary tenorist Hank Mobley – recorded relatively late in his career, at a time when his music on Blue Note was really taking some great new directions! The approach here is maybe a bit more straightforward than those records, but still completely amazing – as Mobley's soloing with all these unusual twists and turns, and phrasing that you never would have heard a few years before – all while working with a variety of Dutch backing combos on these live performances from the Netherlands in 1968! One group features Pim Jacobs on piano, Wim Overgaauw on guitar, Ruud Jacobs on bass, and future avant legend Han Bennink on drums – and another features the great Rob Agerbeek on piano, with Hans Van Rossem on bass and Cees See on drums. There's also two studio performances with the larger Hobby Orkest ensemble – quite an unusual setting for Hank, and a great one too – and titles include "Summertime", "Twenty Four & More", "Three Way Split", "Vierd Blues", "I Didn't Know What Time It Was", "Sonny's Tune", "Autumn Leaves", and "Blues By Five". CD

The former leader of Ollie & The Nightingale steps out on his own – hitting a wonderfully deep approach to Memphis soul that's even more sublime than his previous group's records for Stax! There's a quiet genius going on here – a simple but powerful take on southern soul that pushes the genre into a new level of sophistication while still holding onto its roots. The album's a lost southern soul classic that should be on the shelf of anyone who digs male deep soul vocals – and we've never been certain why Ollie never scored bigger with the set at the time! Production and arrangements are by Gene Bowlegs Miller, and titles include "Here I Am Again", "May the Best Man Win", "Sweet Surrender", and "I Gave Her Everything She Needed". LP, Vinyl record album

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

One of the most unusual Caribbean funk albums of the 80s – a set put together by Winston Bailey, aka Shadow – a singer and musician who'd been making grooves on the scene in Trinidad and Tobago for over a decade before this release – but never with a sound that's anything like this! The album's not conventional club, nor is it calypso, soca, or any other familiar 80s modes – and instead, the tunes have this offbeat, almost jagged approach to the rhythms – which is underscored by the cool keyboard work, and Bailey's blue-tinged vocals! The album's as unique in its own way as the music of William Onyeabor on the other side of the Atlantic – and even though the basslines bring in some definite influence from New York club of the period, the overall execution is very different. Titles include "Moon Walking", "Let's Make It Up", "Let's Get Together", "Way Way Out", "D'Hardest", and "Without Love". LP, Vinyl record album

With Eugene Phipps Sr on alto and tenor saxophone. CD

An overlooked vocal gem from Sarah Vaughan – recorded in the early 60s with some sweet arrangements by a young Lalo Schifrin! Schifrin was just getting his start on the US scene at the time – and for the set, he's working in a mode that has some of the fuller, richer orchestrations used on other Vaughan albums of the period – but which also breaks out into some leaner and jazzier moments that remind us of his later work. Sarah herself is great – singing with that mature and almost world-weary tone that made so many of her Roulette sides so memorable. Titles include "More Than You Know", "Thanks For The Ride", "Just Married Today", "I Wish I Were In Love Again", "This Can't Be Love", and "Slowly". LP, Vinyl record album

Includes the songs "Passing By", "Sweet Deal", "Early Spring", "After Goodbye", "With The Wind", "Catch Me In The Sun","Old Photograph", "As You Say", "Only Love", "Blue On Green", "Masai Talk", and "Cycling". CD

Brubeck originals performed by Uri Caine, Bill Frisell, Anthony Coleman, Joey Baron, Erik Friedlander, Sex Mob, and Medeski Martin & Wood. CD

Magnificent stuff – an a treasure trove of lost harmony soul! This is the kind of compilation that really gets us going – 24 super-mellow soul tracks from the late 60s and early 70s, all of them done by male harmony groups with a stellar vocal approach. Some of the groups are ones you'll know, singing in a style that you may not recognize from their earlier years – and others are obscure ensembles, the kind we treasure even more on a set like this! Vocals are wonderful throughout – smooth, yet deeply soulful – and often with the kind of sad and honest quality that we look for in harmony soul. Titles include "What Did I Do Wrong" by The Mayberry Movement, "I've Been Trying" by Reggie Saddler Revue, "Friends Or Lovers" by Act One, "Hearts Were Made To Love" by The Pretenders, "Please Don't Leave" by Tuxedo, "Baby It's You" by The Masqueraders, "You Send Me" by Ponderosa Twins Plus One, "I Am So Glad I Took My Time" by the Floaters, "Let Your Heart Be The Judge" by Gods Gift To Women, "What Am I Guilty Of" by The New Cymbals, and "Maybe So Maybe No" by The New Holidays. CD

There have been lots of Lowrider soul compilations on the market over the years – documenting the great of of mellow cuts on the LA scene of the 60s – particularly the kind that could move slow, but with a heavy groove at the bottom – perfect for chilling out in the back of a car on an endless summer night! Yet few have ever done the job as well as this collection – because in the hands of Ace/Kent Records, the music finally gets proper historical context – moved past the jargon of the East LA in crowd, and presented with great sound, and the kind of detailed notes that really get at the special qualities that made the west coast soul scene so different than the east in the 60s! The set list is superb – fantastic mellow soul tracks that are perfect, even if you don't care about this history – and the set features 14 titles that include "Someone" by The Lovers, "Here It Comes" by The Persians, "That's The Way Our Love Is" by The Radiations, "It's Not That Easy" by Reuben Bell & The Casanovas, "No Doubt About It" by The Esquires, "What Am I Going To Do" by the Houston Outlaws, "So Much In Love" by The Exceptions, "Please Say It Isn't So" by Lee Williams & The Cymbals, "Somebody Please" by The Vanguards, "Someone" by The Lovers, "Follow Your Heart" by The Manhattans, and "Settle Down" by Little Ben & The Cheers. LP, Vinyl record album

A nice selection of classic 60s soul numbers, sweet soul just like the title says, and while we had recalled this collection as being fairly tied to mainstream tastes, there's a few nice little nuggets on here that they dug a little deeper for. 14 tracks in all: "Get On Up" by the Esquires, "It's Got TO Be Mellow" by Leon Haywood, 'Love Makes The World Go Round" by Deon Jackson, "Sunny" by Bobby Hebb, "Cowboys To Girls" by the Intruders, "Gimme Little Sign" and "The Oogum Boogum Song" by Brenton Wood, "Black Pearl" by the Checkmates Ltd, "The In Crowd" by Dobie Gray, "My Pledge Of Love" by the Joe Jeffrey Group, "Backfield In Motion" by Mel & Tim, "She Shot A Hole In My Soul" by Clifford Curry, "The Jerk" by the Larks and "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" by Larry Williams and Johnny Watson. LP, Vinyl record album

Featuring Pliers, Ian Sweetness, Max Romeo, Mickey Melody, and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A treasure trove of wonderful tunes – all written by the legendary southern soul team of Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham! The pair rarely entered the spotlight themselves, but contributed countless compositions that helped forge the sound of southern soul in the 60s – classic tunes that made the music of Memphis and Muscle Shoals even more mighty than anyone might have expected – thanks to a depth of feeling, sensitivity of emotion, and a trademark undercurrent of sadness that really helped the music set a new level at the time! This collection is the first to really do justice to the full range of the Penn/Oldham catalog – a beautiful batch of soul singles from a variety of different 60s labels – laid out back to back, in a breathtaking tapestry of soulful music. Titles include "Feed The Flame" by Ted Taylor, "Take Me" by Solomon Burke, "I'm Your Puppet" by Dionne Warwick, "Out Of Left Field" by Percy Sledge, "Cry Like A Baby" by Arthur Alexander, "It Tears Me Up" by Jeanne Newman, "I Met Her In Church" by Tony Borders, "I Need Someone" by The Wallace Brothers, "In The Same Old Way" by Arthur Conley, "Let It Happen" by James Carr, "Are You Never Coming Home" by Sandy Posey, and "I Worship The Ground You Walk On" by Etta James. CD

Sweet and smooth 70s soul – hand-picked with a freshness that should appeal to folks who found these sounds through the hip hop that these grooves laid the sonic groundwork for. The tracks on here aren't as beat or break-heavy as some of the material on other sample-driven collections – but that's fine with us, as the tracks move into a sophisticated soul range that's always a pleasure to hear, bringing together the kind of well-produced 70s tracks we love! Titles include "Sweet Taste Of Sin" by Dennis Coffey, "I'll See You In Hell First" by Phillip Mitchell, "Do It To Me Now" by Fatback, "Don't Risk Your Happiness On Foolishness" by Fantastic Four, "Killing Time" by Natural Essence, "Your Love Is My Desire" by Eramus Hall, "Baby Get Down" by Eddie McLoyd, "Set It Out" by The Detroit Emeralds, "Love Starved" by Shirley Brown, "I'm Gonna Have To Tell Her" by Isaac Hayes, "If I Had The Power" by Johnny Guitar Watson, and "I Got To Have Your Love Now" by Caesar Frazier. CD

A nice little set that delivers exactly what's promised in the title – sweet soul music from back in the day, plus a few tracks from the contemporary Philly scene! The cuts here nicely move between styles – many are the warm harmony cuts that were the calling card of Philly and New Jersey at the start of the 70s – and the rhythms here move from completely mellow to midtempo – that shift in harmony soul towards the club that was so influential from some of these artists at the time. Tracks include "Me & My Gemini" by First Class, "Carla My Love" by Softones, "Together" by Tony Strong & The Philly Soul, "Babies Having Babies" by Terry Tate, "Sure Thing" by New Birth, "Hypnotized" by Linda Jones, "My Ebony Princess" by Jimmy Briscoe & The Little Beavers, "Special Lady" by Ray Goodman & Brown, "Natural High" by Captain Sky, "Reunited" by Johnny Ingram with Sherena Khan, "You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good" by Glenn Leonard with Jean Carne, "Didn't Anyone Ever Tell You I Love You" by Philly Devotions, "Yes I'm Ready" by Barbara Mason, "A Lover's Stand" by Norma Jenkins & The Dolls, and "Your Love Is So Doggone Good" by The Whispers. CD

A great volume in this really fantastic collection – a series that really reminds us that there's still so much great work to discover in the world of underground soul! As with previous volumes, this set focuses on the sweet soul style of the late 60s and early 70s – that moment when groups around the US were really maturing to a new level of vocal harmony – sometimes using a bit of funk in the mix, sometimes going for these sublime ballad modes that brought a new level of emotion and heartbreak to the music! You're sure to know bigger names like The Moments or Delfonics, but this is work that was cut at the same time, in the same mode, but which never fully got its due – pulled together by the longtime soul historians at Soul Junction – and even featuring a few never-issued tracks. Titles include "Read It & Weep" by Bobby Banks, "Give It A Chance To Grow" by The Toppiks, "Running Wild" by The Scott Three, "Lucky Guy I Am" by Delegates Of Soul, "Imitation Of Life" by Music Machine, "This Is Love" by The Holidays, "Plain As The Nose (alt unissued version)" by The Four Thoughts, "Love Song About You" by Robert Montgomery, "I'm Going To Treat You Good" by The Donations, "You Got To Steal It" by The Flairs, "Win All Your Love" by The Toppiks, "Nothin Left 2 Do" by The Coalitions, and "Stop Look & Listen" by The Jonesetts. CD

A very cool project from trombonist Ray Anderson – and a group that definitely lives up to its name! The Pocket Brass Band here is a unique quartet – one that features Ray on trombone, Lew Soloff on trumpet, and Matt Perinne on sousaphone – with just the drums of Bobby Previte for accompaniment! The sound is a really creative take on rootsier brass modes – almost a stripped down version of what you'd hear from the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – but also given more avant jazz touches at times, too – as you'd guess from Ray's pedigree. The sound is extremely evocative – especially on the core "Sweet Chicago Suite" – a really beautiful portrait in sound, with passages that include "High School", "Chicago Greys", "Going To Maxwell Street", and "Get To It". Other titles include "Next March" and "The Stingray Rag". CD

A 70s album on Miami's powerhouse TK Records – but a set that's got a real northeast pedigree, given that arrangements were handled by John Davis, and the whole thing was recorded at the New York branch of Sigma Sound! Peggy Santiglia handles the lead vocals, but many of the tracks are long-spun numbers in the best disco-suite mode – almost a record of 12" single cuts, but maybe a bit more concise! Davis is in prime form throughout – with modes that sometimes get a big funky in the best late 70s club tradition – and titles include "Fantasia/Carnival", "Sweet Sweet City Rhythm", "Go On And Dance To The Music", and "Alice Street". CD

A nice one from Ella – and a good move past the Songbooks mode that sometimes dogged her years on Verve a bit too much! This set has Ella singing to light arrangements by Frank DeVol – nothing fancy, but a good set of tunes that are perfect for the lovely style that Ella was hitting back in the 50s. Tracks are short, uncomplicated, and very nicely swinging – even in the gentler moments – with titles that include "Let's Fall In Love", "Sweet & Lovely", "Moonlight Serenade", "I Remember You", and "East Of The Sun". CD

A nice one from Ella – and a good move past the Songbooks mode that sometimes dogged her years on Verve a bit too much! This set has Ella singing to light arrangements by Frank DeVol – nothing fancy, but a good set of tunes that are perfect for the lovely style that Ella was hitting back in the 50s. Tracks are short, uncomplicated, and very nicely swinging – even in the gentler moments – with titles that include "Let's Fall In Love", "Sweet & Lovely", "Moonlight Serenade", "I Remember You", and "East Of The Sun". LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

Great work by this obscure harmony group who only ever recorded singles for Capitol! "You're Sweet" is a sublime harmony track – sweet and mellow, with a sound that reminds us of the best work of the Lost Generation for Brunswick. "I'm Gonna Give" is a funky track, still quite nice – but not as wonderful as the ballad! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Another sharp turn in direction for Wibutee – and a record that's much more full-out and funky than before! This time around, the group have shed their more chilled out styles, and are going for a sound that's filled with thundering drums, heavy bass, floating keyboards, and warmly chromatic guitar bits – all usually topped with plenty of jazz-based lines from saxophonist Hakon Kornstad! There's a really unique feel here overall – one that's plenty hard to peg, and which vacillates through a range of different 70s and 80s influences – but comes out sounding entirely like it's own thing. Anja Garbarek sings lead vocals on the track "The Ball", and other tunes are instrumentals – with titles that include "Two With Nature", "Crash Hit", "Aalo", "Travel With You", "Stereo Plains", "Sorpi", "It's All Here", and "Sebastopol". CD

Featuring Mirettes, Betty Everett, Patti Drew, Gloria Jones, Brenda & The Tabulations, Sweet Inspirations, and more. LP, Vinyl record album

With Sonny Fortune and Vincent Herring on alto saxes, plus Rob Bargad on piano, Walter Booker on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums. CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

One of Joe Bataan's greatest albums ever – a landmark record that bridges a number of different musical worlds. Although Joe's own music on previous albums was known as "Latin Soul" – this one has him dropping some of the Latin influences to move towards a soul-based sound – one that shows the incredible power of the ballad and harmony styles in the Latin community. The tracks are pretty much all straight soul numbers, done by Joe with incredibly heartfelt vocals – in a mode that's both mellow and hip, emotive, but never cloying. Includes versions of "This Boy" and "Shaft" – plus other great tunes original to the album, like "Cry", "Johnny's No Good", "You're Driving Me Right Out of My Mind", and the great "So Young, Too Young". LP, Vinyl record album

A great one from Buddy DeFranco – exactly the kind of record that will make you understand why jazz collectors have always prized his Verve Records work so much! Although Buddy's given instrument, the clarinet, was one that was handled by so many others at the time in kind of an outmoded way – DeFranco always managed to keep things fresh and modern, drawing heavily on bop inspiration for a record like this, yet also remaining true to his roots too. Part of the strength of the record is the group, too – given that Sonny Clark is on piano, bringing in a mighty soulful undercurrent to the rhythm section, and even playing a bit of organ too! Tal Farlow brings in some nice guitar – and the group's completed by Gene Wright on bass and Bobby White on drums – on titles that include "Indian Summer", "Cooking The Blues", "Stardust", and "How About You". Sweet and lovely – but plenty darn soulful too – and one of the excellent early 50s Verve dates that features the piano of Sonny Clark with the clarinet of Buddy DeFranco! The album's got an even more unusual twist in that it features a bit of organ from Clark too – one of his only recordings on the instrument – as well as guitar from Tal Farlow on a number of tracks – another leading light of the fresh Verve sound of the 50s, really working some great music next to Buddy's horn. The stripped down sound is very nice – equal parts bop and swing, in that unique mode that made DeFranco one of the hippest players on his instrument at the time! Titles include "Getting A Balance", "Old Black Magic", "Moe", and "What Can I Say". CD

Gil Evans on piano, Chris Hunter on alto and soprano saxophone and flute, Hamiet Bluiett on baritone saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet, Bill Evans on soprano and tenor saxophone and flute, Dave Tucker on bass trombone, Johnny Coles on flugelhorn, John Clark on French horn and hornette, Gil Goldstein and Peter Levin on synthesizer, Dave Bargeron on trombone, Lew Soloff, Miles Evans, and Shunzo O'no on trumpet, Hiram Bullock on guitar, Mark Egan on bass, and Danny Gottlieb on drums. CD

A 70s album on Miami's powerhouse TK Records – but a set that's got a real northeast pedigree, given that arrangements were handled by John Davis, and the whole thing was recorded at the New York branch of Sigma Sound! Peggy Santiglia handles the lead vocals, but many of the tracks are long-spun numbers in the best disco-suite mode – almost a record of 12" single cuts, but maybe a bit more concise! Davis is in prime form throughout – with modes that sometimes get a big funky in the best late 70s club tradition – and titles include "Fantasia/Carnival", "Sweet Sweet City Rhythm", "Go On And Dance To The Music", and "Alice Street". LP, Vinyl record album

With 34 tracks on 2 CD's. CD

... CD

One of Stan Getz's greatest records – no fooling! This gem often gets overlooked because it was issued in the years between Stan's bossa recordings and his later pop experiments – but trust us, it's a totally solid jazz album, with a quality level that was hardly ever matched by Getz again! The tracks are all long, sweeping, and very spiritual – and the group's a soulful batch of freer players (Chick Corea on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Grady Tate on drums) – all of whom really open Stan up, and drive him to give out some of the best solos of his careers, with a tone that's completely sublime. All tracks are long, and the album includes an amazing version of Corea's "Litha", plus the cuts "Windows", "Con Alma", and "O Grande Amor". One of our favorite jazz albums ever! CD

A brilliant album of Latiny grooves from Diz! The record takes off from the soulful/modal mood of the early 60s groups with Lalo Schifrin and Kenny Barron – and features a young Mike Longo crafting some fantastic lines on piano, stretched out over tight rhythms on electric bass and drums, with Dizzy soloing on trumpet, and James Moody adding in washes of color and emotion on alto, tenor, and flute. The best tracks are long groovers that really show the group stretching out – especially on the album's 16 minute reading of Dizzy's classic "Kush", the title track "Swing Low Sweet Chariot", and a great version of "Mas Que Nada"! LP, Vinyl record album

With Paul Gonsalves on tenor, John Anderson on trumpet, Jimmy Hamilton on clarinet, Britt Woodman, Dave Wells, and Mitchell Wood on trombones, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Aaron Bell on bass, and Sam Woodyard on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

A tight trio set, issued only in Japan – with Gene Taylor on bass and Ben Riley on drums – really stretching out on long tracks that let you hear Junior Mance's soulful solos in a great way! Titles include extended takes on "Wave", "Cubano Chant", and "Summertime". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record