Fantastic future soul from Bigyuki – an artist who's got a really far-reaching vision for his music – even though his sound is very stripped down overall! The music here is almost a science fiction take on contemporary soul – with these really wonderful, almost sinister keyboards and basslines – used in electronic flows that are wrapped alongside guest lyrics from Bilal, Chris Turner and others – but which also are more than happy to hang around some beats, and shift in these beautiful instrumental modes! The whole thing is completely unique – immediately contemporary, but with the depth of keyboard work of the past – jazz elements in the mix somewhere, but nice and lean overall. Titles include "Burnt N Turnt", "Pom Pom", "Eclipse", "Simple Like You", "Soft Places", "NuNu", "In A Spiral", "2060 Chiron", "Boom", and "Belong". CD

One of the earliest of the classic Verve bossa nova sessions of the 60s – and a wonderful showcase for the talents of guitarist Luiz Bonfa! Most of Bonfa's previous recordings were done in a very spare or solo mode – and this set makes a nice change by adding in some larger orchestrations – yet still handled with great bossa sensitivity by Oscar Castro Neves and Lalo Schifrin – themselves very big up-and-coming talents at the time! The sound is bright and breezy, as you'd expect from Verve at this time – and Bonfa's a lot livelier than usual, and even sings on a number of cuts – with a charming quality that's a bit like Joao Gilberto. Titles include "Bossa Nova Cha Cha", "Sambalamento", "Vem So", "Samba De Duas Notas", "Domingo A Noite", "Quebra Mar", and "Adeus". CD

Blam is right – an all-out batch of funky tracks from The Brothers Johnson – captured here right in the middle of their classic period with Quincy Jones! The Q's at the helm on production for the set, and the record's a great extension of their earlier efforts with the man – but a bit more Johnson-tuned (if we can say that in mixed company) – with the bass upfront on some of the best numbers, and a surprisingly strong male ballad approach on some of the gentler tunes. There's a slightly jazzy undercurrent at times, and tracks include "Rocket Countdown/Blastoff", "Ride-O-Rocket", "Streetwave", "Blam", "So You Won't Stay", "Ain't We Funkin Now", and "Mista Cool". CD

Great rare material from Clifford Brown's legendary days at Emarcy – tracks recorded as part of the Dinah Jams vocal sessions, but done in a much more extended jam session mode! Washington sings a bit on 2 of the tracks, but the main focus here is on Brownie working with a jamming set of instrumentalists that really open up on extended solo work. The album features 2 groups – one with the great Walter Benton on tenor, Herb Geller and Joe Maini on altos, and Kenny Drew on piano – the other with Clark Terry on trumpet, Geller on alto, Harold Land on tenor, and Junior Mance on piano – great lineups on both sessions! Tracks are long, very much in the "jams" feeling of the title – and titles include "Coronado", "I'll Remember April", and "Crazy He Calls Me". CD

A great follow up to the legendary Study In Brown album – featuring work recorded by Clifford Brown in the 50s, but not issued until nearly 30 years later, in this Japanese-collected batch of rare material! As with the original album, the core group on the record features Clifford Brown on trumpet, Max Roach on drums, Richie Powell on piano, and George Morrow on bass – plus Harold Land on most of the tenor tracks, replaced by Sonny Rollins on a few more – showing a shift that would occur in the group shortly after Brown's death. The focus is a bit more strongly on Clifford Brown's trumpet work than some of the other Brown/Roach albums – but is still a great group effort overall – and tracks are shortish and very tight, with titles that include "The Blues Walk", "Jordu", "Mildama", "Land's End", and "Junior's Arrival". CD

Quite possibly THE James Brown album of the mid 60s – a solid set of hard-grooving tracks, based around the monster title hit "I Got You (I Feel Good)"! The tune's one of those numbers that has been used a gajillion times over the years in commercials and promos – but which never sounds better than here, on James' original version – one of those cuts that never gets old! The hit's also nicely offset by a number of other more obscure numbers that make the album really worth tracking down – titles that include "I Can't Help It (I Just Do Do Do)", "Good Good Lovin", "I've Got Money", "Three Hearts In A Tangle", "You've Got The Power", and "Love Don't Love Nobody" – all on the rougher side of the JB spectrum. CD

Raw live energy from the great James Brown – and a record that comes hot on the heels of Live At The Apollo! Like that one, this set was supposedly "recorded on the spot" – and it's even harder, faster, and noisier than that classic – with a loud-bursting sound that definitely lives up to the "dynamite" title, and which is far more unbridled than James on his King studio albums. The crowds seem to get equal time in front of the microphones as James – further enforcing the liveness of the record – and titles include "I'll Never Let You Go", "Good Good Lovin", "Shout & Shimmy", "Like A Baby", and "I'm Tired But I'm Clean". Album cover is great too – with a cool gatefold cover that's filled with photos of James, fans, and some lovely ladies! CD

Raw live energy from the great James Brown – and a record that comes hot on the heels of Live At The Apollo! Like that one, this set was supposedly "recorded on the spot" – and it's even harder, faster, and noisier than that classic – with a loud-bursting sound that definitely lives up to the "dynamite" title, and which is far more unbridled than James on his King studio albums. The crowds seem to get equal time in front of the microphones as James – further enforcing the liveness of the record – and titles include "I'll Never Let You Go", "Good Good Lovin", "Shout & Shimmy", "Like A Baby", and "I'm Tired But I'm Clean". Album cover is great too – with a cool gatefold cover that's filled with photos of James, fans, and some lovely ladies! CD

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One of those 70s rock albums that seems to turn up in a fair bit of collections of hip soul and jazz – a bit like the work of Harvey Mandel, and with a similar blend of blues rock currents with farther-reaching ideals! Roy Buchanan is spectacular on the guitar here – the kind of player who almost could have fronted a bigger arena rock group, given his chops – but who choses instead to keep things close to the chest, with the more down to earth vibe of his look on the cover – even though his playing here is pretty outta sight. Roy's got some great help on the album – including some of the MGs on a version of "Green Onions" – plus more guitar from Steve Cropper on other tracks, plus piano from Jan Hammer, bass from Stanley Clarke, and drums from Narada Michael Walden. Other titles include "Judy", "Your Love", "Done Your Daddy Dirty", "The Circle", and "Hidden". CD

A fantastic early solo project from guitarist Roy Buchanan – recorded for Polydor at the start of the 70s, but never issued at the time! We're not sure why the label slept on the set, as it's a searing little killer right from the start – done in a gritty mode that's far hipper than some of the other blues rock of the period – never that cliched, with some swampy elements, a few funky touches, and a strong hint of the farther-reaching modes that Buchanan would hit in later years. Roy sings, as does a young Charlie Daniels, who plays second guitar and also wrote many of the tracks – and the set also features some vocals from Joe DiGregorio, and keyboards from Bob Wilson. Titles include "Humbug Down On The River", "Billy Joe Young", "The Story Of Isaac", "Black Autumn", "Funky Junky", "There'll Always Be", "I Desire You", and "Pain". 2CD set also features a March 1971 session, and bonus tracks too – with titles that include "Roy's Bluz", "Shotgun", "Dual Soliloquy", "CC Rider (live)", "Down By The River (live)", "After Hours/The Messiah Will Come Again", and "Sweet Dreams". CD

A bluesy classic from Roy Buchanan – and a record that states his mighty guitar powers right from the very first note! In fact, although Roy sings on the record, it's the guitar that's probably the main attraction here – and the instrument often comes off first on most tunes, setting a rich current that's complemented by the vocals in ways that sometimes remind us of swamp rock modes from the late 60s – and at others which have the changes that were shifting in blues rock during the mid 70s. titles include "If Six Was Nine", "Running Out", "Man On The Floor", "Keep What You Got", "Caruso", "Okay", and "Guitar Cadenza". CD

The title might be a tipoff here – as Roy Buchanan really soars into space on an album that finds an even more majestic setting for his mighty powers on guitar – especially given that a fair bit of the album's instrumental! Roy works with a core quartet that includes Ray Gomez on second guitar, Willie Weeks on bass, and Andrew Newmark on drums – a group who are almost a fusion combo at times, and who maybe help Buchanan find one of his more compelling settings of the 70s – free from some of the song structures that vocals would provide, and sounding fantastic throughout. The set does have a great vocal workout of the Neil Young tune "Down By The River" – with lead vocals by Gary St Clair – and other titles include "You're Not Alone", "The Opening/Miles From Earth", "Fly Night Bird", "Turn To Stone", and "Supernova". CD

Bouncy, bubbly soul from Vernon Burch – one of his stone dancefloor classics from the 70s, served up with a groove that never quits! Burch is one of the few who can make a clubby set sparkle with the more personal qualities of a mellower soul album – and this excellent set is a great example of his style at the time. Production is by James Gadson, who also plays funky drums in the small backing combo – along with keyboards from Michael Thompson and guitar from Burke himself. Titles include the slightly bizarre transgender tune "Sammy Joanne (One Half Woman One Half Man)" – but other numbers are all pretty great, and include "Get Up", "Arrogant Lady", "Once Again In My Life", "Never Can Find The Way", and "For You". CD

A really sweet little album from guitarist Kenny Burrell – one in which he takes older tunes ("a generation ago"), and updates them with a sweetly compressed Verve 60s groove ("today"!) The record features 2 small groups – one with Ron Carter on bass, Grady Tate on drums, and Phil Woods on some mighty nice alto sax – and another with Carter, Tate, and the great Richard Wyands on piano. The style is light, laidback, and recorded with a warm tone overall – in a mode that's almost a precursor to the CTI sound of the late 60s. Mike Maineri joins on vibes on one track – and titles include "Wholly Cats", "Rose Room", "As Long As I Live", and "A Smooth One". CD

James Burton gave his guitar talents to many over the years – but here he stands strongly in the lead – on a cool set of instrumentals issued at the start of the 70s by A&M! The album's a bit unusual for the label at the time – as it was recorded in Nashville, with production by Felton Jarvis – who brings out both the twang and fuzz in Burton's solo style – but maybe also gives the record some of the soulful currents you'd find in Memphis rock productions of the period. Burton himself does a great job of avoiding both country and instrumental rock guitar cliches – which really keeps things interesting – and titles include "Mystery Train", "I Know", "Long Peach", "Rock & Raunch", "Delta Lady", "Polk Salad Annie", and "Fools Rush In". CD

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The cover's a bit creepy, but the album's still plenty great – old school Cameo still strongly in a funk-based mode, before some of the stiffer grooves of their later years! Bass is the ruler of the set – and most tracks here vamp around in a very heavy P-Funk style of groove – lots of guitar dancing around the rhythms, and plenty of spoken/sung vocals from the whole ensemble – not to mention a heavy dose of keyboards that helps keep things clean and lean! A partyful album if there ever was one – with tracks that include "Soul Army", "Enjoy Your Life", "Flirt", "Secrets Of Time", "I Owe It All To You", and "For You". CD

Massively funky work from Cameo – a set that's right in the middle of their classic early run – and still quite strong on the bass-heavy grooves the group helped inspire in countless legions of imitators! The tightness of the set is incredible – moving at a pace that's simply mindblowing, especially in a pre-sampling, pre-programming world – proof that spontaneous work by a group like this could still blow away any commercial crap! There's a few mellower moments too – always a side of the group that we love – and titles include "Use It Or Lose It", "Freaky Dancin", "I Like It", "Knights By Nights", "I'll Always Stay", "The Sound Table", and "Don't Be So Cool". CD

One of our favorite albums ever from Cameo – the group's third release! The album's got a great approach that hints at more sophisticated soul styles, but which is still firmly in charge of the bass-driven grooves that made their early albums so great – a compressed approach to the music that was copied by countless other groups at the time, but rarely came off this well! The whole thing's great – filled with excellent cuts that include "I'll Be With You", "Give Love a Chance", "Ugly Ego", "Two of Us", "Friend to Me", "Insane", and "I Want You". Super-dope – with loads of great jams! CD

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Charanga 76 at the end of the 70s – but still grooving hard in the new charanga mode that made them such a hit at the time! The style here is a great combination of new advances in 70s salsa and older instrumentation from 60s charanga – violin, flute, and tight timbales mixed with some more modern arrangements, and a production styles that has lots of the warmth you'd find in salsa sessions of the time! Basslines really help shape the sound a lot – subtle, but coming up beautifully from the bottom to bounce things arounnd – and the set also features some nice guest violin from Eddie Drennon, moving away from his Latin disco styles here. Tracks include "Wanda", "Yo Seguire", "Quien Eres Tu", "Miami", and "Flores". CD

Some of the grooviest classical piano work you'll ever hope to hear, thanks to the keyboard talents of the amazing Eugen Cicero – heard here on a two rare albums of material recorded for the MPS label! Back in the 60s, a number of European artists were experimenting with a blend of classics and jazz – but few did it as well as Cicero, who could hit the keys with the fluidity of a concert pianist, but make the whole thing swing like some of his best jazz labelmates! The set begins with Marching The Classics – which has Cicero really swinging some unlikely numbers – march numbers from Mozart, Strauss, and others – taken at quick tempos that really move wonderfully with very fluid piano lines from Eugen, and work on bass from JA Rettenbacher, and drums from Kenny Clarke. Titles include "Aida March", "Carmen March", "Boccaccio March", "Love Of The Three Oranges March", and "Radetzky March". Balkan Rhapsody features wonderful tunes sourced from Balkan folklore, but also revamped strongly by Eugen Cicero – to give them a swinging 60s piano sound overall! Great credit here goes to the members of his trio – Peter Witte on bass and the legendary Charly Antolini on drums, the latter of whom had a sense of tightness that really brought a new sense of energy to these tracks. Titles include "Der Gehort Mein Ganzes Leben", "Memories Of Clausenberg", "Suber Sang Ertront", "Dort In Der Ferne", "Ima Modenschein", and "Der Schlitten Eilt". CD

A big 70s album for Clapton – with titles that include "Cocaine", "The Core", "Wonderful Tonight", "Lay Down Sally", "Next Time You See Her", and "Mean Old Frisco". CD

A record that really has Natalie Cole finding her groove – not needing any help from her famous familial legacy, thank you – and instead stepping out with a tight, proud mode that really helped refine the sound of female soul in the 70s! The album's got plenty of influences from the Chicago soul scene – including songwriting and production from the team of Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy – and work from key session players like Richard Evans and Gene Barge, who worked in the Curtom Studios to craft the grooves on the set! Titles include "Keep Smiling", "Mr. Melody", "Heaven Is With You", "Can We Get Together", "Touch Me", "Hard To Get Along", and "Good Morning Heartache" CD

The funkiest album ever recorded by Lyn Collins – a stone solid set that really lives up to the legacy of her funky 45s! Like those gems, this one has Collins working with James Brown on production and the JBs in the background – creating a razor-sharp groove that's probably the closest any female singer ever came in the 70s to matching The Godfather's groove! The album's got Lyn shifting between heavy funk numbers and mellower soul cuts – really pushing things to the max with an incredibly deep take on a few older favorites, plus some killer new numbers – all produced to funky perfection, with just the right sort of balance between the rough and the tight. Titles include her great version of "Think", a funky sample cut that never gets old – plus the cuts "Things Got To Get Better", "Women's Lib", "Never Gonna Give You Up", "Just Won't Do Right", "Wheels Of Life", and the funkiest version ever of "Fly Me To The Moon". CD

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Not the group's 7th album, but a bold statement of the unity they feel as a 7 piece ensemble – perfectly lived up to in the record's well-crafted grooves! The album's one of Con Funk Shun's best overall – really solid, but never too slick, very tight in the bass department, but still soulful on the vocal tip, and never afraid to slip into a sweeter, more mellow tune. Titles include "Straight From The Heart", "Bad Lady", "Promise You Love", "I'll Get You Back", "A Song For You", and "California 1". CD

A stellar bit of boogie from Con Funk Shun – produced to perfection by Skip Scarborough, and done in a style that has lots of jazzy elements! The album was recorded well into the group's time on the Mercury label, but it's a real standout from the rest – thanks to an extremely well-written batch of tunes, and a mode of bass-heavy funk that avoids the cliches of other groups at the time – and goes for a more laidback style that sounds especially nice on the mellower numbers. Michael Cooper's great on lead vocals – and titles include "By Your Side", "Early Morning Sunshine", "Curtain Call", "Happy Face", "Juicy", "Lovestruck 1980", and "Honey Wild". CD

A stellar bit of boogie from Con Funk Shun – produced to perfection by Skip Scarborough, and done in a style that has lots of jazzy elements! The album was recorded well into the group's time on the Mercury label, but it's a real standout from the rest – thanks to an extremely well-written batch of tunes, and a mode of bass-heavy funk that avoids the cliches of other groups at the time – and goes for a more laidback style that sounds especially nice on the mellower numbers. Michael Cooper's great on lead vocals – and titles include "By Your Side", "Early Morning Sunshine", "Curtain Call", "Happy Face", "Juicy", "Lovestruck 1980", and "Honey Wild". CD

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A sweet collection of funk from this ultra-cool Japanese combo – all hand-picked, and served up in a special mix by DJ Muro! Crazy Ken Band have an odd name, but a warmly soulful take on funk that began in the pre-Daptone years, and which maybe shares more with the funk revival modes on the London scene at the start of the 90s – especially as the group have some of the warmer currents of Incognito or Brand New Heavies! But there's also a harder funk approach on some numbers – really sharp instrumentation that works equally well with blasting horns or warmer modern soul grooves – almost always topped with lead lyrics in Japanese. Most of their work was only issued overseas, so this collection's a great place to start with their music, especially with Muro in the lead! CD features 25 titles, most listed in Japanese – but with tracks that include "Brand New Honda", "El Diablo", "Midnight Cruiser", "Lady Mustang", and "Punch Punch Punch". CD

A beautiful turn in style for Johnny Darrell – a singer who maybe hit kind of a pop/country mode in the 60s – but who here comes across with a nicely deep vibe! The cover image has kind of a lonely feel, and that spirit is definitely in he music too – as Darrell matures into a much better singer than we remember, and picks up elements of the rising country rock world too – a hip vibe that really works well for the songs on the album – which include work by Jackson Browne, Hoyt Axton, Lowell George, and DeWayne Blackwell. Titles include "These Days", "Brother River", "She's Headed For The Country", "Brother River", "Willing", "Mae Jean Goes To Hollywood", "Mama Come N Get Your Baby Boy", and "Meanwhile Back In Memphis". CD

A beautiful way to experience the early work of Miles Davis – all 14 of his 50s albums for Prestige Records, presented in a special box that contains each album in a tiny replica LP-styled sleeve! The music here is the stuff of legend – trumpet material that really transformed the way the instrument was used in jazz – as Davis really comes into his own as a leader, after time spent recording with Charlie Parker, and doing a bit for Blue Note – then really taking off in the full length space offered by the album format on Prestige! Some of these sets feature classic collaborations with the young John Coltrane, and others include work with Sonny Rollins on tenor, Milt Jackson on vibes, and JJ Johnson on trombone – as well as the famous rhythm section of Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums! Some CDs feature bonus tracks from the OJC versions – and the albums include Dig, Miles Davis & Horns, Collectors Items, Blue Haze, Walkin, Bag's Groove, Miles Davis & The Modern Jazz Giants, Musings Of Miles, Miles Davis Quintet/Sextet, New Miles Davis Quintet, Steamin, Workin, Relaxin, and Cookin. CD

One of our favorite-ever Miles Davis albums – and a groundbreaking soundtrack that forever changed the way that jazz music was used in film! According to legend, the sounds here were recorded by Miles on a hot Paris night – late in the studio, after a live performance – in a very intimate setting that had he and the combo creating these little poetic passages along with the action in the film! In addition to sublime and moody muted trumpet from Miles – the small group also features tremendous tenor work from the great Barney Wilen – a French modernist who's at the height of his powers – and beautiful bass from Pierre Michelot, whose rich tones really frame the whole proceedings. The rest of the group features bop pianist Rene Urtreger and American drummer Kenny Clarke – but the real charm comes from the interplay between Wilen, Davis, and Michelo. Titles include "Florence Sur Les Champs-Elysees", "L'Assassinat De Carla", "Diner Au Motel", "Evasion De Julien", "Nuit Sur Les Champs-Elysees", "Le Petit Bal", "Au Bar Du Petit Bac" and "Sur L'Autoroute". This amazing 2CD version features one never-issued track – "L'Interrogatoire De Julien" – plus 16 more tracks from the sessions for the recordings, and a 60 page booklet of notes! CD

One of our favorite-ever Miles Davis albums – and a groundbreaking soundtrack that forever changed the way that jazz music was used in film! According to legend, the sounds here were recorded by Miles on a hot Paris night – late in the studio, after a live performance – in a very intimate setting that had he and the combo creating these little poetic passages along with the action in the film! In addition to sublime and moody muted trumpet from Miles – the small group also features tremendous tenor work from the great Barney Wilen – a French modernist who's at the height of his powers – and beautiful bass from Pierre Michelot, whose rich tones really frame the whole proceedings. The rest of the group features bop pianist Rene Urtreger and American drummer Kenny Clarke – but the real charm comes from the interplay between Wilen, Davis, and Michelo. Titles include "Florence Sur Les Champs-Elysees", "L'Assassinat De Carla", "Diner Au Motel", "Evasion De Julien", "Nuit Sur Les Champs-Elysees", "Le Petit Bal", "Au Bar Du Petit Bac" and "Sur L'Autoroute". This amazing 3LP version features one never-issued track – "L'Interrogatoire De Julien" – plus 16 more tracks from the sessions for the recordings, and a booklet of notes! LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the coolest soundtrack music you'll ever hope to hear – all played by a cat who could equally handle the sitar, guitar, Fender Rhodes, and electronics pictured on the cover! Francois De Roubaix is easily one of our favorite soundtrack composers ever – a French talent at the end of the 60s who never got the same international exposure as some of his countrymen, but who had an ear for odd instrumentation and funky undercurrents that rivals that of Serge Gainsbourg, Michel Colombier, or Jean-Claude Vannier – although we might even be tempted to say that Francois is even more way-out than any of them! This collection really lives up to its "essential" promise – and mixes together weird electronic numbers, bass-heavy funk tracks, jazzy groovers, and lots more – all with arrangements and production that are totally fresh, and which should turn you into the same sort of De Roubaix fanatic that we've been for years. Titles include "Le Samourai", "L'Homme Orchestre", "La Vie A Bord", "Les Caids", "Bataille Navale", "Clara 1939", "Journal De Bord", "Le Rapace", "La Scoumoune", "Dernier Domicile Connu", "Tom/Les Prisonniers", "Adieu L'Ami", and "Far From Dallas". CD

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The classic single! "X Gon' Give It To Ya" kicks of loudly but loose, a horns and a growly intro from DMX before falling into that steady beat and DMX balancing wild energy and on beat control. We paired with the equally huge "Party Up" (Up Here)" on the flip. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Dr Hook were always one of the weirder groups in mainstream rock during the 70s – a group who were maybe founded in roots rock modes, but who often had a funky current in their rhythms – and this very weird blend of catchy tunes and the offbeat lead vocals of Ray Sawyer! The sound's a bit hard to describe, but surprisingly compelling over the years – kind of like the hippies taking over the corporation – which is a bit like the image on the cover! Titles include "Let Me Be Your Lover", "Levitate", "Everybody Loves Me", "Cooky & Lila", "Everybody's Making It Big But Me", and "The Millionaire". CD

One of the Dramatics' best albums, and a real masterpiece of 70's group soul! The style here is a bit different than the group's previous records for Stax – maybe a bit tighter, with sweet arrangements – but these fantastic vocals that cut through everything and grab you to your core – a bit like the way The Dells could always sound amazing in the 70s, no matter what the setting! The approach really takes the group up to the next level – with fantastic vocals from Ron Banks and LJ Reynolds, and superbly sophisticated sounds from the Detroit Groovesville crew. Titles include "I Dig Your Music", "How Do You Feel", "Thousand Shades Of Blue", "I Cried All The Way Home", and "Good Things Don't Come Easy". CD

A record that gave Yvonne Elliman one of her biggest solo hits – the huge disco crossover cut "If I Can't Have You" – but a set that also features a nicely wide-ranging mix of material too! The album's got a much more balanced vibe than you'd expect from the single – some mellower cuts that almost seem to respect Yvonne's vocals even more, and touches of global rhythms at points that illustrate her role as a bigger star around the world, thanks to roles on stage and screen. In addition to "If I Can't Have You", other titles include "Sailing Ships", "Baby Don't Let It Mess Your Mind", "In A Stranger's Arms", "I'll Be Around", and "Sally Go Round The Roses". CD

One of the greatest runs of records ever for a single jazz artist – all the earliest recordings as a leader by legendary pianist Bill Evans – packaged here in a single set, in LP-styled covers, along with bonus material too! The full albums here are the stuff of legend – records that forever changed the face of jazz piano, and which are still go-to albums for countless listeners – and the box also includes all the other albums that came out later, but which featured unreleased Evans material recorded by the Riverside and Milestone labels at the same time. Albums include New Jazz Conceptions, Everybody Digs Bill Evans, Portrait In Jazz, Explorations, Sunday At The Village Vanguard, Waltz For Debby, How My Heart Sings, Moon Beams, Interplay, and At Shelly's Manne Hole – plus Loose Blues, with work from Zoot Sims and Jim Hall – plus the Tenderly album with Don Elliott, the great On Green Dolphin Street set, and the two volume Solo Sessions material. CD

An incredible package of work by the legendary Georgie Fame – the first to ever fully document his talents, and also present a lot of rare work from every different stage in his career! Yes, there's already been a box on the market that documents Fame's early work – but that material only makes up the first CD or two on this set, and is quickly followed by loads of unusual tracks from the 70s – a time when Georgie was moving past the R&B-inspired sounds of his early career, taking off in new soulful modes, then returning to straighter jazz in later years. All that great span of sounds is here – and is a wonderful journey in music, as Fame never lost his charm, or the groove that first got him going – and the package brings together early Polydor material with later sides for Columbia, Island, Pye, and other labels – and includes 18 tracks that have never appeared before from the late 60s and early 70s, plus lots of other rare singles and unusual cuts too. There's a full unreleased live show from 1974 that's wonderful, some sweet electric early 70s sides that are appearing for the first time, and lots more too – all in a special box with 6CDs, a 48 page hardcover book, and a whopping 110 tracks in all. Take it from us – we're MASSIVE fans of this totally unique singer – and even though we have just about everything else we can get from him, there's still plenty here to make the box totally essential for our collection! CD

Keyboardist Jun Fukamachi floats dreamily on the Sea Of Dirac in this mellow fusion classic from the 70s – a set that has Jun getting plenty of help from American fusion heavyweights like Steve Gadd on drums, Tony Levin and Anthony Jackson on bass, and Steve Khan and Eric Gale on guitars! If anything, the vibe here is a bit like some of the 70s albums by Khan or Gale – fusion that's spacious sometimes, more full-on at others – but never all-out jamming like some of the more rock-fusion records of the time. And Fukamachi always sets himself apart with some nicely introspective modes – working nicely on a variety of keyboards, on titles that include "It's You", "Neutrino", "Apres Un Reve", "The Minority", and "The Sea Of Dirac". CD

An incredible collaboration between Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot – one of Serge's first duet albums ever – and a gem all the way through! In the year before he cut "Je T'aime Moi Non Plus" with Jane Birkin, Serge recorded this great album with Brigitte Bardot in which he worked out many of the same ideas. The album is probably best known for the track "Bonnie & Clyde" – which has been sampled to great fame over the years – but there's loads of other great tracks on here, with a mix of styles that joins Serge's jazzy years with his softcore 70s work – very cool, very groovy, and years ahead of its time. Some tracks are duets, and some are sung individually by Serge or Brigitte, but they're all great, and titles include "Intoxicated Man", "L'eau A La Bouche", "Un Jour Comme Un Autre", "Comic Strip", and more! Arrangements by Alain Gourager, Michel Colombier, and Claude Bolling – and the cover's got a great shot of Serge & BB as Bonnie & Clyde! CD

A record as revolutionary as the French year in which it was recorded – an amazing batch of late 60s grooves from Parisian pop madame France Gall! The set's upbeat and jaunty, with plenty of fuzz – almost a psyche pop sound, with lots of groovy guitars that make the album sparkle with plenty of razor-sharp notes! Gall's vocals are as wonderful as ever, and almost sound a bit more sinister in this setting – thanks to arrangements by Alain Gouraguer and the great David Whitaker. There's plenty of France Gall classics here – including versions of the Serge Gainsbourg tunes "Nefertiti" and "Teenie Weenie Boppie" – plus "Toi Que Je Veux", "Made In France", "Bebe Requin", and "Avant La Bagarre". CD features lots of bonus tracks – 10 more numbers that include "Don't Make War Captain Make Love", "La Vielle Fille", "24/36", "Dady Da Da", "Le Temps Du Tempo", "Y'A Du Soleil A Vendre", "Rue De L'Abricot", and "Souffler Les Bougies". CD

No baby pop here, as France Gall is all-woman throughout – one of the best of the French female pop singers of the mid 60s, working here with an upbeat, groovy sound throughout! Backings are by the great Alain Gouraguer, who gives the record a tightly jerking kind of feel – a sound that's the Paris contribution to the same sort of mod grooves that were coming out of the London scene at the time. The album's filled with classics by Gall, all sung in a sweet voice that's a great contrast to the music – wonderful stuff throughout, with titles that include "Baby Pop", "Cet Air La", "L'Amerique", "Mon Bateau De Nuit", and "Deux Oiseaux". CD features bonus tracks "Je Me Marie En Blanc" and "Ca Me Fait Rire". CD

France Gall won the Eurovision song contest with the title track of this one – and for good reason too, given that the tune is totally groovy! The rest of the work here really follows suit – romping, jerking, and grooving in that wonderful mix of mod rhythms that made France's 60s material so great – some of the best of the French pop scene at the time, with a sound that's really a cut above on all the numbers here! Backings are by the mighty Alain Gouraguer, who brings in a hip mix of jazz inflections, rocking rhythms, and some of the more sparkling soundtrack elements bubbling in the French 60s scene – all a perfect accompaniment for Gall's catchy girl pop vocals. Titles include "Poupee De Cire Poupee De Son", written by Serge Gainsbourg – plus "Le Coeur Qui Jazze", "Le Premier Chagrin D'Amour", "On T'Avait Prevenue", "Dis A Ton Capitaine", "Nounours", "Laisse Tomber Les Filles", and "Bonne Nuit". CD features bonus stereo mixes of "Poupee De Cire Poupee De Son" and "Prince Charmant". CD

Some of the best work that Stan Getz ever recorded – a fantastic collaboration with French soundtrack maestro Michel Legrand! The album features larger orchestrations by Legrand, often touched with voices – swirling, swaying, and swinging in a style that's as hip, modern, and fresh as some of the greatest soundtracks Legrand wrote in the 60s. The setting lets Stan really open up – blowing freely in his best post-Coltrane mode, but with a tightness that's missing from other records – and a soulful approach to the tunes that really leaves us breathless! Tremendous stuff – a record that's unlike anything else we can describe, and one we've treasured for years! We love this one to death, and never tire of hearing it! Titles include "Soul Dance", "Flight", "Redemption", and "Bonjour Tristesse". CD

A great album from Astrud Gilberto – one that has her pushing past the simple bossa of early years, running through a range of 60s styles that all sound great – really opening up, finding new confidence in her vocals, and bridging a few different musical worlds in the process! There's still plenty of Brazilian tunes in the mix – like "Oba, Oba", "Canoeiro", "Bossa Na Praia", "Nao Bate O Corocao", and Marcos Valle's great "The Face I Love" – and the album also features great versions of "Misty Roses", "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice", and "Stay". Backings are by Deodato and Don Sebesky – and the album's a dreamy 60s pop delight! CD

Dizzy and strings – a surprisingly great combination! Although it was Charlie Parker who first made famous the modernist "jazz with strings" approach, Dizzy does wonderfully here in the format – working in similar fashion with edgey backing from the "Operatic String Orchestra" in sessions recorded in Paris in the early 50s! The material was originally only issued as a number of separate 78rpm singles, but is brought together here with full notes and a few bonus tracks – making for a wonderful album that documents this really under-represented part of Dizzy's career. The solos are warm, but edgey – blown over the top of backings that shimmer with rich colors, but have a slightly modern bent. Titles include "Fine & Dandy", "Stormy Weather", "The Very Thought Of You", "Jalousie", "Sweet & Lovely", "The Man I Love", and "Ghost Of A Chance". CD

A bit of a change for The Great Jazz Trio, but a great one too – given that Buster Williams is on bass here, instead of the usual Ron Carter – working with drummer Tony Williams and pianist Hank Jones to really make things sparkle! Buster's bass is always a treat, and this album's no exception – a set that's filled with some surprisingly soulful moments on the bottom, which really seems to push the group nicely on the longer tracks in the set. Jones sounds a bit different here than before – in a good way – and titles include versions of "Love For Sale", "Secret Love", "Autumn Leaves", and "Someone To Watch Over Me". CD

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Easily one of the greatest records ever from the Keef Hartley Band – and certainly the group's jazziest! The album's awash in great horn parts that dance along beautifully with the rootsier vocals of the set – sung by guitarist Miller Anderson, in a rough-edged style that has some American bluesy overtones. The set features a great instrumental called "Premonition" – a really tasty little jazz rocker – and saxophonist Jimmy Jewell and trumpeter Henry Lowther get in some great licks on the album as well. Titles include "Morning Rain", "The Time Is Near", "Another Time Another Place", "Change", and "Premonition". CD

Smoking Motown work from Thelma Houston – a great 70s set that catches the singer at the top of her groove! The album's polished, but never in a too-commercial way – and the grooves acknowledge the growing role of the dancefloor in mainstream soul, yet also mostly stay away from some of the disco cliches of the time – thanks to sophisticated work by arrangers Art Wright, Paul Riser, and Michael Smith! Although we should also point out that this is the record that gave Houston one of her bigger hits – the key crossover track "Don't Leave Me This Way" – nestled nicely amidst other great numbers like "Don't Know Why I Love You", "Any Way You Like It", "If It's The Last Thing I Do", and "Don't Make Me Pay". CD

A landmark album that is perhaps the single most influential beat source in hip hop! The record was the brainchild of bongo player Michael Viner – who also happened to be running the Pride subsidiary of MGM at the time. Viner's got a meeeeeean touch on the bongo, hitting it hard and funky like the best 70s conga players – and his approach to the instrument is kind of like a funky update of popular instrumental styles laid down on guitar by The Ventures or on moog by Hot Butter. This album features the classics "Apache" and "Bongo Rock" – both with monster funky breakdowns that showed up on a heck of a lot of hip hop records over the years – plus loads of other goodies like "Last Bongo In Belgium" and "Bongolia". Excellent stuff – and darn hard to find! (We can still remember how stunned we were when we found our first copy in a Canadian record store back in 1987 – and even then we had to pay plenty!) Japanese reissue version includes 4 bonus tracks – "Sing Sing Sing", "Kiburi (part 1)", "Satisfaction", and "Last Bongo In Belgium (breakers mix)". CD

2 of the Jackson 5's lesser-selling albums – but both pretty darn great! Goin Back To Indiana is the original soundtrack to the group's TV special – and it's got some excellent numbers, plus a few odd tracks that are very nice. Bill Cosby, Rosey Grier, and Tommy Smothers all make a bit of a guest appearance on the record – and it also includes hits like the tune "Goin Back To Indiana", plus versions of "I Want to Take You Higher", "Feelin Alright", "The Love You Save", and "Stand". Lookin Through The Windows shows that the group were really solidly working at the time – and even though the record had no big hits, it's pretty darn great all the way through! The boys could really sing well at this point, and they're backed by nice arrangements by The Corporation, Willie Hutch, Johnny Bristol, and other Motown heavy-hitters. Titles include "I Can Only Give You Love", "E Ne Me Ne Mi Ne Moe", "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing", "Lookin Through The Windows", and "To Know". CD also includes 2 bonus cuts – "Love Song" and "Who's Lovin You", recorded live in Gary, Indiana! CD

The music of Antonio Carlos Jobim opened up huge new territory for male singers in Brazil during the 60s – a way of being personal and emotive, but without any of the overdone modes of the generation before – nor some of the false bravado that was usually mixed in with the presentation of the lyrics! Instead, Jobim allowed a stripped-down, warmly poetic approach that opened up huge new territory for singers in the bossa generation and beyond – as you'll hear in this very cool collection of classic work that begins during the initial time of Jobim's first compositions, and runs through the 60s and 70s to show an array of artists who were really helping to transform his music. Titles include "Ligia" by Chico Buarque, "Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar" by Caetano Veloso, "So Danco Samba" by Joao Donato, "Tema De Amor De Gabriela" by Ney Matogrosso, "Samba De Uma Nota So" by Baden Powell & Jimmy Pratt, "So Tinha De Ser Com Voce" by Pedro Mariano, "Olha Maria" by Emilio Santiago, "Agua De Beber" by Tamba Trio, "Dindi" by Lucio Alves, and "Ana Luiza" by MPB4. CD

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A much-needed look at an overlooked side of the genius of Quincy Jones – not his jazz work, not his productions for famous soul artists, but instead his huge legacy of soundtrack material – a part of Q's career that really took off in the 60s! By the time he started working in films, Jones had already had a decade under his belt as one of the hippest arrangers, leaders, and composers in jazz – and the film business really respected those talents, and allowed Quincy to bring some really fresh styles into play – modes that really opened up the vibe of American cinema, and also paved the way for the funky styles of the 70s! As that decade approached, Jones left behind the cinema to take on some more higher-profile records of his own – but all the charms of those great albums can be found here at their roots – in this stunning collection of soundtrack material, some of which has never been on CD. The package is way more than just a sampler – and includes an album's worth of material from the films The Pawnbroker, Slender Thread, Mirage, The Deadly Affair, In The Heat Of The Night, In Cold Blood, Walk Don't Run, The Italian Job, Lost Man, and John & Mary – plus two versions of the love theme from The Getaway, and a bonus CD with 18 tracks – titled Q's highlights, and featuring tracks from his Mercury records – plus more by Billy Preston, Arthur Prysock, Bill Cosby, Shirley Horn, Letta Mbulu, Toots Thielemans, and others. Even features the "Sanford & Son" and "Ironside" themes! CD

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It's definitely winning time for Klique – as the trio grooves here with a lean, clean sound that's totally great! Despite the silly jumpsuits on the cover, the group actually have a pretty nice sound in the grooves – one that's kind of a poppy approach to the boogie, filled with plenty of nice hooks and riffing rhythms – all laid out with production that never gets too cluttered or cliched! The sound is simple, but that's it's strongest suit – and the album's got a nice focused quality overall. Titles include "Love's Dance", "It's Winning Time", "From Now On", "Better Times", "So In Love With You", "I Think You Know", "Middle Of A Slow Dance", and "You Brought My Love To Life". CD

Brilliant work from Jerry Knight – an artist who often lent his talents to others as an arranger or producer, but who could also really shine in the spotlight on his own! Knight spent time with Raydio, and that vibe definitely shows through here – on tunes that are the perfect summation of 80s funky soul at its best – never over-polished, nor trying too hard for any sort of chart placement – but completely catchy and very tuneful overall! Jerry's also got some superstar help on the record – including piano from James Ingram, who also sings backing vocals with Phil Perry – and production from Leon Haywood on half the set, rounding things out with his own great groove. Titles include "She's Got To Be A Dancer", "I'm Down For That", "Fire", "Beautiful", "Do It All For You", and "Brand New Fool". CD

A super-huge album for Kool & The Gang – and for good reason too! The set features their massive hit "Celebration" – a cut that firmly planted the group in the mainstream, and which keeps getting countless play over the decades – probably still earning them a fortune in royalties year after year from wedding bands alone! The group's got some great help on the record from Deodato – the Brazilian keyboardist who scored big with his own records in the 70s – and who's working here to arrange, conduct, and produced the album with a sweet jazzy finish! In a way, it's Deodato's ear for a great warm groove that really seems to make the set sparkle – giving it a strong soul sound, even with tighter production – still somewhat down to earth, despite its hit status – that core quality that's always made Kool & The Gang so great! Apart from "Celebration", other tracks include "Jones Vs Jones", "Love Festival", "Love Affair", "Night People", and "Morning Star". CD

Sweet 80s sounds from the legendary Kool & The Gang – one of the key classics from the second chapter of the group – when their lineup and sound were a lot leaner than before, and they managed to cross over big to a much wider audience than before! The upbeat cuts show that the group were still kings of the funky dancefloor – and the mellower ones are equally great too – showing a rising ballad style that proved to be the group's big crossover card at the time – a way of putting over a laidback track, but with plenty of soul. This approach is heard to great effect on the album's great single "Cherish" – and other tracks include "Bad Woman", "Surrender", "Emergency", "Misled", "Fresh", and "You Are The One". CD

Amazing work from Kool & The Gang – from a period when they were pushing past their tight early funky sound, into a super-dope mix of electronics and spacey jamming that is still pretty darn revolutionary today! Although you might think the album would be a bit disco by the date, it's not – and instead has the group moving more towards a style of cosmic righteousness that was undoubtedly influenced by the early work (and success) of Earth, Wind, & Fire. The album has a few live cuts - including an amazing 8 minute long live version of "Summer Madness", with an extended keyboard solo that's just great! Other titles include "Cosmic Energy", "Do It Right Now", "Universal Sound", and a remake of "Hollywood Swinging". CD

Way more than just a "boogie" album – as you might think from the title – and much more a hard-hitting batch of funky tunes, mixed with some even cooler laidback numbers! The album follows heavily off the style of Wild & Peaceful – mixing together the group's older crack rhythms with some newer, hipper, jazzier inflections – making for an incredibly powerful sound that really opens them up. Titles include the massively funky "Jungle Jazz" – a jazzy follow up to "Jungle Boogie" – plus some spiritual numbers that have a cosmic soul jazzy feel, like the tracks "Cosmic Energy", "Ancestral Ceremony", and "Winter Sadness". The whole thing's great – and other titles include "Mother Earth", "Caribbean Festival", and "Ride The Rhythm". CD

An excellent set of 80s groove – produced here by Larry Blackmon, with a very Cameo-styled touch – under a title that definitely shows the big shift in the funk scene over to the west coast at the start of the 80s! LA Connection really have a great way of blending things together – with a bit of that stronger keyboard mode that Cameo, Zapp, and other groups were using at the time – but also plenty of bass at the bottom, and nicely crisp production – and just the right balance of mellow soul tracks and funky numbers to give the album the right sort of depth. Titles include "Promise Me", "Come Into My Heart", "I'll Find A Way","Shake It", "Get It Up", "Jealousy", and "Burn Me Up". CD