Fantastic material from Tim Buckley – rare tracks recorded in 1968 and 1973, both presenting two different slices of his too-short career – and standing together as a great addition to his too-small catalog of recorded work! The first half features small sessions from 1968 – with Tim on those amazing vocals of his and Lee Underwood on lead guitar – plus a bit of vibes from Dave Friedman, in a manner that echoes the great use of that instrument on his Elektra albums of the late 60s. The songs are dreamy, open, and have that sublime blend of blueness and flow that really set Tim apart from his contemporaries – titles that include "Danang", "Happy Time", "Buzzin Fly", "Song To The Siren", and "Ashbury Park" – all done in unusual versions. The second half of the record features material recorded in 1973 – songs that are a bit more tight, with more of an overall group feel – almost jamming in the way the whole thing comes together! 1973 titles include versions of "Honey Man", "Falling Timber", "Quicksand", "Stone In Love", "Sefronia", "Because Of You", and "The Dream Belongs To Me". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Tim Buckley's greatest albums ever – thanks to some incredible work by Dave Friedman on vibes! Friedman's sound really brings out the jazziness in Buckley's writing and phrasing – making for a beautiful blend with the album's 12 string guitar work and acoustic percussion – and giving the album a feel that's unlike any other from the time! Tim's in top form here, and is neither too emotional nor too full of himself. Nearly every cut's a gem, but our faves are "Strange Feelin" "Gypsy Woman", and "Love from Room 109 at the Islander". LP, Vinyl record album

Really fantastic work from Tim Buckley – early demo tracks that were used as the basis of his getting a contract at Elektra records, and material that's every bit as great as the work that appeared on his first few albums for that label! These aren't spare acoustic cuts with just Tim on vocals and guitar – and instead the music features a full band that really adds a lot of energy to Buckley's vocals – which are already completely fantastic here, and at that level that set him apart from so many other singers of his generation! There's some nicely wild instrumentation at times – especially electric guitar that quickly sets Tim apart from any folk rock sort of act – and titles include "It Happens Every Time", "I Can't See You", "Grief In My Soul" and "Sixface". LP, Vinyl record album

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An exceptional early release from the tragic Tim Buckley – done with a really unique sound that mixes late 60s folk rock with some subtly jazzy overtones! The record features beautiful string arrangements from the legendary Jack Nitzsche, and some beautiful work on piano, harpsichord, and celeste by Van Dyke Parks! But Buckley's the main star of the set – crooning beautifully with his sad-tinged voice, on wonderful tracks that include "Wings", "Aren't You the Girl", "She Is", and "Understand Your Man". CD

Beautiful music from Arthur Russell – some of his most tunefully compelling work ever, but still done with all the offbeat edges we love from his more experimental sounds too! The music often features Russell singing along with processed lines on cello – in this haunting style that at one level evokes the more personal side of the post-punk scene, but which also links Arthur back to older singer-songwriters like Tim Buckley or Kenny Rankin at their best. The use of processing on the vocals recalls a bit of the vibe of the early Ben Watt solo recordings, and his work with Robert Wyatt – but there's also a sound and spirit here that's definitely Russell's own – that incredible outburst of creativity that was taken from us all too soon. Titles include "Hollow Tree", "My Tiger My Timing", "Losing My Taste For The Night Life", "Me For Real", "Lucky Cloud", "Another Thought", and "A Little Lost". CD

Beautiful music from Arthur Russell – some of his most tunefully compelling work ever, but still done with all the offbeat edges we love from his more experimental sounds too! The music often features Russell singing along with processed lines on cello – in this haunting style that at one level evokes the more personal side of the post-punk scene, but which also links Arthur back to older singer-songwriters like Tim Buckley or Kenny Rankin at their best. The use of processing on the vocals recalls a bit of the vibe of the early Ben Watt solo recordings, and his work with Robert Wyatt – but there's also a sound and spirit here that's definitely Russell's own – that incredible outburst of creativity that was taken from us all too soon. Titles include "Hollow Tree", "My Tiger My Timing", "Losing My Taste For The Night Life", "Me For Real", "Lucky Cloud", "Another Thought", and "A Little Lost". LP, Vinyl record album

Frank Zappa's on the front, but the set's a collection of material issued on his bown Bizarre and Straight labels at Warner! Titles include "Willie The Pimp" by Frank Zappa, "I Must Have" by Tim Buckley, "Titanic Overture" by Alice Cooper, "The Blimp" by Captain Beefheart, "Reflected" by Alice Cooper, "Valarie" by Mothers Of Invention, "Do Me In Once" by GTOs, "Lucille Has Messed Up My Mind" by Jeff Simmons, and "Merry Go Round" by Wild Man Fischer. LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe the most amazing work we've heard so far from Greg Foat – and that's really saying a lot, as the British keyboardist has given us some really incredible records over the years! The work's got a more ambitious vibe than some of Greg's straighter jazz sets – with large arrangements that also bring in voices at times – used in a really haunting way that's part late 60s Chess/Cadet Records, part acid folk – even though the instrumentation is mostly jazz overall! The core group also features this great mix of older British jazz giants and contemporary musicians – the legendary Ray Russell on guitar, with Duncan Lamont on tenor, Art Themen on soprano and tenor, Nat Steele on vibes, Warren Hampshire (of Hampshire & Foat) on guitar and percussion, and Moses Boyd, Clark Tracey, and Malcolm Catto on drums! Lamont is especially great – with these old school tenor solos that bring a strong current of soul to the more complex arrangements – and Foat himself plays piano, keyboards, and harmonium. Titles include versions of Tim Buckley's "Driftin" and Piero Piccioni's "Endless Love" – plus originals "The Mage", "The High Priestess", "Incantation", and "The Magic Radish". LP, Vinyl record album

Linda Ronstadt got her start in the Stone Poneys, but this third album from the group makes it clear that she's rising as a lead act on her own – and as the "friends" in the title indicates, Ronstadt's also beginning to have quite a reach within the California scene itself too! The album unfortunately doesn't list credits besides songwriting, but we're guessing there's some great talents in the studio – as the mix of solo vocals, group harmonies, and larger instrumental touches is really wonderful – way past simple Capitol 60s pop! The set's overflowing with great tunes – and titles include the cool "Fragments" medley – plus versions of Tim Buckley's "Aren't You The One", "Hobo", and "Wings", a version of Mike Nesmith's "Some Of Shelly's Blues", and a version of Laura Nyro's "Stoney End". CD

One of the strongest recordings ever made of the mad mad Lord Buckley! The album was issued in the late 60s for Frank Zappa's Straight label – but it features material recorded more than a decade before – at a time when Buckley was still alive, and one of the most bad-rapping comedian's to ever hit a stage. The approach is somewhat freer than some of Buckley's earlier sides – allowing the ersatz comedian a chance to really riff on a variety of subjects – talking with almost a jazz improvisational energy, in the way that made him a big favorite for the beat generation. The overall nature of the record is kind of hard to pin down – as it's not really comedy, just more of a freewheeling spoken session that's a bit jive, a bit beatnik, and plenty darn crazy! Titles include "The Raven", "The King Of Bad Cats", "Governor Slugwell", and "The Hip Einie". LP, Vinyl record album

A really beautiful collaboration between Jameszoo and the Metropole Orkest – that large Dutch ensemble who seem always able to shift into the right sort of mode with their key collaborators! That's definitely the case here, as Jules Buckley masterfully leads the group – so that they flesh out all these great strands of sounds coming from the core quintet – with lots of keyboards and electronics from Jameszoo himself, plus more organ, Fender Rhodes, percussion, and saxes – sometimes used in ways that are spare and jagged, but which take on this richness next to the strings and woodwinds of the Metropole ensemble! Titles include "Nail", "Flu", "Crumble", "Meat", "Lose", "Toots", and "Soup". LP, Vinyl record album