... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Recorded in Westminster Abbey, with some really fantastic sound – featuring guest vocals by Alice Babs! LP, Vinyl record album

A sweet set of Polish easy from the end of the 70s, but one that's got a style that's much more in the early 70s mode of other Euro territories – particularly that upbeat, optimistic work from the German economic miracle scene! Tunes have a soaring vibe that's driven by nice drums, tight horns, and these wordless female vocals that often scat along with the grooves – bringing a very lively, playful sort of quality to the whole thing – sunny-sounding, and just right for foot-tapping through a day of hard work and house cleaning! Titles include "El Arenal", "Zagubione Nadzieje", "Sul Mare", "Hacjenda", "Zloty Kask", "Stracony Dzien", "Porty Zagaslych Swiatel", and "Kolorowa Ballada". CD

An excellent album of hard percussion tracks from congolero Guem – recorded in Sao Paulo in 1982, with accompaniment on djembe, bonga, and assorted other percussion instruments. The tracks are spare, but very driving – with tight rhythms on all cuts, which has made the album quite sought-after over the years. Almost like a Brazilian descarga record – with the cuts "Viagem", "Universo", "Tempestade", and "Riacho". LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

A surprisingly cool little book – even though you probably hardly need a guide to record collecting! That's the main framework of the book – but the contents inside are a lot more intriguing taken bit by bit – as the volume features all sorts of little sections on the rarest records of all time, a history of recorded formats, a look at quality bootlegs, unreleased projects, unusual collaborations, and lots lots more – all presented with plenty of photos and other details that are super-interesting if you're as into record collecting as we are. There's even a look at 30 different record labels – and countless other bits of useful information along the way – in a heavy softcover volume that's almost 300 pages, fully illustrated, and a lot of fun on a day when you can't make it out to the record racks for shopping in person! Book

One of those really special records from the French scene of the 70s – a time when the local musicians were mixing sounds with new visitors from the post-colonial years – often with inspiration from American artists too! This set features singer/cultural figure Franck Valmont working with the hip Synchro group – a jazzy combo with some fantastic work on saxes from the great Jo Maka – who you'll know from other albums – alongside keyboardist George Nouel, guitarist Gerard Coubillon, drummer Yves Dolphin, and bassist Louis Xavier – all in this blend of French vocals, jazz instrumentation, and some strong currents from the global scene! The whole thing feels like some of the best cross-cultural experiments on the Saravah Records label – and titles include "Le Blanc Bleute", "Malere", "Ou Te Ke Belle", "Roche L'Anglais", "Mimil", "Petit Bonhomme", and "Quand Le Bateau". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

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". CD features bonus tracks – "I Got Cha Opin (voc)" and "Buck Em Down (Beatminerz rmx)". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

Mos Def appears on "Yo, Yo, Yo". Produced by Ge-ology. "Medina Green Giants" produced by Da Beatminerz. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Great stuff by Noro – featuring his haunting piano lines spun out over spare backing by percussion only, in a manner that you don't always find on his other recordings. A few tracks have larger orchestrations, but they're still pretty darn tight, and have a great hard sound to them. The set's a nice one, and was put out by the Latin branch of RCA in the early 60s. Titles include "Quien Sara", "Piel Canela", "Campanitas De Cristal", "Silencio", and "Serenata Ritmica". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Essential 90s material from Smif N Wessun – one of those key records that was not only great in and of itself, but also as part of a larger tapestry of top shelf talents finally getting to shine in the spotlight! Previously, Smif N Wessun had shown up on Black Moon's first album – and here, they take center stage, but also give key exposure to Boot Camp Clik – in a standard-setting album that features great production from Beatminerz, who really keep things at the right level for the harder-edged lyrics of the set! The album cover is a bit of a Roy Ayers reference – and the set makes a key early use of the Ayers classic "We Live In Brooklyn" on the track "Home Sweet Home" – amidst other cuts that include "Wrekonize", "Timz N Hood Check", "Wrektime", "Wontime", "Sound Bwoy Bureill", "Shinin Next Sh*t", "Wipe Ya Mouf", "PNC", "Bucktown", and "Let's Git It On". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

It's no secret that the city of Rio De Janeiro has an amazing musical legacy – one that began in the years before bossa nova became their calling card in the 60s, through so many musical revolutions in the 70s – on up to the current day, when the city is still abuzz with all sorts of amazing and fresh musical styles! Not long ago, we were very plugged into the sound of Rio through countless great records issued on the Brazilian scene – but more recently, things have gone digital and a bit more underground – which makes a collection like this such an essential way of keeping in touch with the music – a really well-done collection that shows just how much has been happing in Brazil in recent years! There's definitely echoes of older styles in the music, but they resonate with a freshness that's amazing – with qualities that make each new tune on the set a real delight – in a lineup that features titles that include "Sigo Num Site/Marmore" by Rosabege, "Vento De Bierada" by Dora Morelenbaum, "Bandeide" by Troa, "Gigolo" by Jonas Sa, "Soar Estranho" by Tiago Nassif, "Cliche" by Pedro Fonte, "Saudade"b y Ana Frango Electrico, "Avos De Experienca" by Exercito De Bebes, "Briga De Familia" by Vovo Bebe, "Apreco Antigo" by Le Ameida, "Sambolero" by Os Ritmistas, and "Dois Litorais" by Joana Quieroz. CD

It's no secret that the city of Rio De Janeiro has an amazing musical legacy – one that began in the years before bossa nova became their calling card in the 60s, through so many musical revolutions in the 70s – on up to the current day, when the city is still abuzz with all sorts of amazing and fresh musical styles! Not long ago, we were very plugged into the sound of Rio through countless great records issued on the Brazilian scene – but more recently, things have gone digital and a bit more underground – which makes a collection like this such an essential way of keeping in touch with the music – a really well-done collection that shows just how much has been happing in Brazil in recent years! There's definitely echoes of older styles in the music, but they resonate with a freshness that's amazing – with qualities that make each new tune on the set a real delight – in a lineup that features titles that include "Sigo Num Site/Marmore" by Rosabege, "Vento De Bierada" by Dora Morelenbaum, "Bandeide" by Troa, "Gigolo" by Jonas Sa, "Soar Estranho" by Tiago Nassif, "Cliche" by Pedro Fonte, "Saudade"b y Ana Frango Electrico, "Avos De Experienca" by Exercito De Bebes, "Briga De Familia" by Vovo Bebe, "Apreco Antigo" by Le Ameida, "Sambolero" by Os Ritmistas, and "Dois Litorais" by Joana Quieroz. LP, Vinyl record album

A massive collaborative effort – one that features the talents of Buckshot, OGC, Heltah Skeltah, and Smif N Wessun – all bringing forward a 90s New York indie vibe, and with a power that seems to resonate even more strongly as they work together! Production here is top shelf, and nicely varied – handled by Pete Rock, Large Professor, 9th Wonder, and Da Beatminerz – all of whom also share a sense of contemporary changes in hip hop, and work with the MCs to really keep things urgent and upfront throughout. Titles include "He Gave His Life", "Everybody Knows Now", "Soul Jah", "Hate All You Want", "Don't You Cross The Line", "Take A Look In The Mirror", "Here We Come", "Let's Go", and "Yeah". LP, Vinyl record album

Mic Geronimo's first LP, a little less crossover with a harder sound than his later efforts. The Beatminerz & Buckwild handled production on about half of the album. Royal Flush, OC & the Lost Boyz show up here and there, too. Includes "Lifecheck", "Wherever You Are", "Sh*t's Real", "Time To Build" & "Masta IC". LP, Vinyl record album