Possibly the last truly wonderful Wings album of the 70s – a monumental crossover record that smoothed out their groove a bit more and delivered some wonderful hits! Denny Laine is still in the group at this point, and titles include the classics "Let Em In" and "Silly Love Songs" – plus "Cook Of The House", "San Ferry Anne", "Warm & Beautiful", "Wino Junko", and "The Note You Never Wrote". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic King Records gospel material from this important group – witht itles that include "Alone", "I Cried & I Cried", "Over My Head", "Rock A Ma Soul", "When I've Done The Best I Can", "I've Been Buked", and "Trying To Get Ready". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most brilliant moments of genius from Paul McCartney & Wings – and a set that has Paul working with the group in perfect album formation – able to craft enough songs that became hit singles, yet also fit the whole thing together in a superb sonic reality that made the whole thing even more wonderful as a full length record! The shift of moods, tones, and sounds are as varied as the choice of celebrities appearing with the group on the cover – and the interplay between Paul, Linda, and Denny Laine has really hit its stride – on titles that include one of our all-time Wings favorites, "Nineteen Hundred Eighty Five" – plus "Band On The Run", "Bluebird", "Jet", "Mrs Vanderbilt", "Let Me Roll It", "Mamunia", "No Words", and "Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me)". 2CD version features the original 10 track US version of the album on CD1 – then CD2 features unreleased rough mix versions of 9 tracks from the record! CD

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Maybe the greatest moment ever from Paul McCartney & Wings – a set that features killer hits and lesser-known gems – all woven into a fantastic 70s sonic tapestry! The production and presentation of the record are wonderful – the whole thing was virtually a pop art piece when it came out – and Paul's got a way of both being intimate and charming, and helping push the whole group with soaring energy that really made them huge at the time. The album's got great production – and also features guest work from Allen Toussaint, Tom Scott, and Dave Mason. Side one is a non-stop flow of pop genius – woven from the tunes "Venus & Mars", "Rock Show", "Love In Song", "You Cgave Me The Answer", "Magneto & Titanium Man", and "Letting Go" – and side two follows up with so many great surprises – including "Treat Her Gently Lonely Old People", "Medicine Jar", "Spirits Of Ancient Egypt", and "Listen To What The Man Said". Newly remastered with an entire second disc of bonus material! CD

Excellent work from longtime Chicago legend Donnell Pitman – a mix of recent tracks, but material that also seems to have a much longer vintage too – served up here with a bit of mystery that makes the music even that much more enjoyable! There's plenty of basslines and boogie grooves throughout – and the work has a quality that really goes back to Pitman's roots in the 80s, but with some of the leaner contemporary touches that also make the music a perfect fit for the Star Creature label too! Titles include "Get Next To You", "Need My Love (ext)", "Tonight", "Do You Wanna (ext)", "Summertime Girls", "Joog With Me (hi fi mix)", and "Chocolate Lover (e live mix)". LP, Vinyl record album

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An incredibly beautiful album from the glory days of the acid folk scene in the UK – and a record that features just the right use of spare strings to really enhance the moody quality of the music! Jeremy Hamer sings in a wonderfully-accented voice – and with a very distinct, down to earth style that makes him a change from some of the more oversung vocalists of his scene – almost linking the work here to some of the rootsier UK folk of a few years before, while also coming across with all the sophistication of the Nick Drake generation! There's some great use of flute and viola in the instrumentation – and titles include "A Sad Song", "Pastiche", "People Smile With Ghosts In The Land Of Make Believe", "With You Each Day", and "Self Contained". CD

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A fantastic book from the great Joe McPhee – every bit as amazing as his music, but also presented in a way that's even more personal overall! As longtime listeners know, McPhee's had a hell of a life in music – a sonic journey that began in the 60s, and which has continued to evolve over the decades – mostly well-documented on record, but presented here with open, honest thoughts about both Joe's process of creation and his experience as a musician in the world! The words within have a very captivating quality – as the project features text that was "told to" co-creator Mike Faloon, who then gave McPhee's words shape, and balanced them with reflections on Joe from a host of key contemporaries, in little sidebars that are interspersed throughout the book. The book also has a number of great black and white photos, presented throughout – and visually illuminating the text, which has a great layout overall. Softcover, 168 pages, with many black and white images. Book

A third healthy dose of music from the early years of the Jamaican scene – work that's a direct precursor to the trio group soul mode of the rocksteady years, and which provides a great bridge into the way that American soul music went on to have such a strong influence on reggae! The "doo wop" in the title is key here – as these tracks are definitely heavy on harmonies and lighter on instrumentation – very much tied to American expressions of the genre, and delivered by artists who'd both go on to later fame, and disappear in the shifting sands of time. Titles include "My Heaven" by Alton & Eddie, "Sweet As An Angel" by Jiving Juniors, "First Time We Met" by Annette & Shenley, "Dream Girl" by Ricketts & Rowe, "Don't You Know" by The Moonlighters, "I'll Always Call Your Name" by Belltones, "Never Go Away" by Wilfred Jackie Edwards, "Change Of Mind" by Higgs & Wilson, and "I've Done You Wrong" by The Blues Busters. LP, Vinyl record album

John Hicks on piano, Buster Williams on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums. CD

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Aerosmith's second album – and a prime slab of badass mid 70s rock – coming close to, maybe even equalling Toys In The Attic as ultimate Aerosmith badassery! It's got a tighter, punchier sound than their debut – courtesy of producer Jack Douglas – who would continue to produce Aerosmith in their pre-blowout 70s best. It opens up with one of their staples, "Same Old Song And Dance" and other tracks include their kickass cover of "Train Kept A Rollin'", plus "Lord Of The Thighs", "Spaced", "Woman Of The World" and "Pandora's Box". LP, Vinyl record album

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After influencing countless groups of the 70s with their righteous funky soul of the late 60s, the Temps end up sounding kind of silly trying to hit a funk groove like the rest of the other 70s bands. This is the case on side one, where the group's getting some keyboards and funky horn arrangements from Truman Thomas – on tracks that include "Up The Creek (Without A Paddle)", "China Doll", and "Sweet Gypsy Jane". Side two is completely different, and has them doing some sort of "china and lace" fragile soul work, set to arrangements by Donald Baldwin that are more appropriate for adult contemporary radio than Motown soul. LP, Vinyl record album

Live concert with music from Gladiator, Thin Red Line, Thelma & Louise, Mission Impossible 2, Rain Man, True Romance, and The Lion King. CD

Very early work from the Jamaican scene – a set that includes cuts by artists who'd later record classic tracks in the rocksteady years, but who here are working in a much different mode! The title is plenty apt, but only gets at part of the sound – as this isn't straight doo wop as you'd know from the American scene, but instead some early group harmony – of the sort that would flourish even more strongly on famous Jamaican trio recordings of the late 60s – handled here with much more stripped-down instrumentation, and a shifting set of rhythms that mixes US influences with other more Caribbean modes. Titles include "Muriel" by Alton & Eddie, "Dearest Darling" by Jiving Juniors, "Til The End Of Time" by Chuck & Dobby, "Dearest Beverly" by Jimmy Cliff, "Heavenly Angel" by Laurel Aitken, "Do You Know" by Owen & Millie, "I'm Going Back" by The Charmers, "Diamonds & Pearls" by Dobby Dobson, and "Album Of Memory" by The Mellowlarks. LP, Vinyl record album

Very early work from the Jamaican scene – a set that includes cuts by artists who'd later record classic tracks in the rocksteady years, but who here are working in a much different mode! The title is plenty apt, but only gets at part of the sound – as this isn't straight doo wop as you'd know from the American scene, but instead some early group harmony – of the sort that would flourish even more strongly on famous Jamaican trio recordings of the late 60s – handled here with much more stripped-down instrumentation, and a shifting set of rhythms that mixes US influences with other more Caribbean modes. Titles include "Muriel" by Alton & Eddie, "Dearest Darling" by Jiving Juniors, "Til The End Of Time" by Chuck & Dobby, "Dearest Beverly" by Jimmy Cliff, "Heavenly Angel" by Laurel Aitken, "Do You Know" by Owen & Millie, "I'm Going Back" by The Charmers, "Diamonds & Pearls" by Dobby Dobson, "Album Of Memory" by The Mellowlarks, "Have Faith In Me" by Jiving Juniors, "Now You Want To Cry" by Prince Buster & The Charmers, "I Love My Teacher" by Chuck & Dobby, "Call Your Name Forever" by The Blues Busters, "I Love You Forever" by The Echoes Celestials, "Hear My Cry" by Wilfred Jackie Edwards, "Guilty Convict" by Rupert Edwards, "Julie" by The Moonlighters, "Worried Over You" by Keith & Enid, "My Heaven" by Alton & Eddie, "Sweet As An Angel" by Jiving Juniors, "First Time We Met" by Annette & Shenley, "Dream Girl" by Ricketts & Rowe, "Don't You Know" by The Moonlighters, "I'll Always Call Your Name" by Belltones, "Never Go Away" by Wilfred Jackie Edwards, "Change Of Mind" by Higgs & Wilson, and "I've Done You Wrong" by The Blues Busters. CD

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One of the best records to offer the team of alto giant Johnny Hodges and Hammond player Wild Bill Davis – not just because there's a great soul food cover on the front, but also because the group features Grant Green on guitar! The group plays a number of originals, with a solid soul jazz sound that borders on a Blue Note bag – and titles include "Wings & Things", "Dow De Dow Dow Dow", "Casanova", and "Spotted Dog". LP, Vinyl record album

An overlooked album from the legendary Nina Simone – recorded in Paris in the early 80s, and not circulated as much as some of her records from the 60s and 70s – but every bit as compelling in its own sort of way! Nina's working here with a greater array of global elements than on previous recordings – very much in that way that the French scene was embracing sounds from the Caribbean and African cultures in these post-colonial years, and using them to forge a wealth of wonderful new styles in the studios of Paris. The approach is still jazz-based, but with lots of earthy percussion, including some handled by Nina with her own piano work – a mode that's not foisted on Simone by another producer, but arranged and conceived by the lady herself. Lyrics are in French and English, and titles include "I Sing Just To Know That I'm Alive", "They Took My Hand", "Stop", "Liberian Calypso", "Vous Etes SEuls Mais Je Desire Etre Avec Vous", "Fodder In Her Wings", "Thandewye", "Heaven Belongs To You", and "Le Peuple En Suisse". LP, Vinyl record album

An overlooked album from the legendary Nina Simone – recorded in Paris in the early 80s, and not circulated as much as some of her records from the 60s and 70s – but every bit as compelling in its own sort of way! Nina's working here with a greater array of global elements than on previous recordings – very much in that way that the French scene was embracing sounds from the Caribbean and African cultures in these post-colonial years, and using them to forge a wealth of wonderful new styles in the studios of Paris. The approach is still jazz-based, but with lots of earthy percussion, including some handled by Nina with her own piano work – a mode that's not foisted on Simone by another producer, but arranged and conceived by the lady herself. Lyrics are in French and English, and titles include "I Sing Just To Know That I'm Alive", "They Took My Hand", "Stop", "Liberian Calypso", "Vous Etes SEuls Mais Je Desire Etre Avec Vous", "Fodder In Her Wings", "Thandewye", "Heaven Belongs To You", and "Le Peuple En Suisse". LP, Vinyl record album

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Given that Pepper was on and off the LA scene a fair bit in the 50s – due to personal trouble and legal battles – this album's not so much "the return", as it is one of Pepper's many strong steps back into the studio, a place in which he demonstrated an uncanny ability to craft brilliant work, despite the turmoil going on around him. The set's as classic as you can get for Pepper – right down to the classic William Claxton photo on the cover (which has a chilling story that you'll find in Art's autobiography). Players include Jack Sheldon, Russ Freeman, Leroy Vinnegar, and Shelly Manne – and titles include "Pepper Returns", "Funny Blues", "Angel Wings", "Walkin Out Blues", "Five More", "Minority", and "Mambo De La Pinta". CD

A beautiful tribute to the genius of alto saxophonist Art Pepper – lovingly put together by his wife and late-life creative partner Laurie Pepper – with wonderful notes that tell the story of Art's life and struggles, as they take you through his music as well! About half the work in the package is either previously released, or has only seen limited release so far – and unlike other CDs in this series from Laurie, much of the material here was recorded in the studio – rare tracks by Pepper, mixed in with key moments from labels that include Savoy, Capitol, and Contemporary. Disc one features the most familiar Pepper – that of his famous 50s years – but discs two and three really open up, and show some lost sounds from the 60s – plus wonderful material from his 70s comeback period – most of which was not on his later Contemporary albums. There's a total of 31 tracks on the 3CDs – and titles include "Angel Wings", "Historia De Un Amor", "Mambo Koyama", "That's Love", "Lost Life", "Chelsea Bridge", "That Crazy Blues", "So In Love", "D Section", "Art Pepper", "Cool Bunny", "Pepper Returns", "Diane", "Nutmeg", and "Track 2". CD

A landmark album from Queen – a set conceived when the group were already at the top of their game, and willing to not only lean into their strengths, but also take a few chances by slimming things down, and really bringing the focus onto the guitar work, vocals, and heavy rhythms that continue to make the quartet the stuff of legend! Those qualities come through right away on the album's first two tracks – the instant classics "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions" – followed by plenty more greatness on titles that include the ultimate take on "Sheer Heart Attack", and the cuts "My Melancholy Blues", "It's Late", "Who Needs You", Fight From The Inside", "Spread Your Wings", "All Dead All Dead", and "Get Down Make Love". LP, Vinyl record album

Four albums that show the continuing evolution of Earl Scruggs in the 70s – with a sound that's very different than his earlier music, and maybe even sharper instrumentation overall! First up is I Saw The Light – a record made after the famous banjo pioneer split with Lester Flatt, and was very popular with a young rock crowd – as evidenced by help he gets here from Linda Ronstadt and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – not to mention Gary and Randy Scruggs, Vassar Clements, and Norman Blake! The mix of famous names and the growing Scruggs Review sound is great – and the record is an unlikely but important entry in the rise of country rock during the early 70s, with a very different quality than some of Earl's earlier work. We might well thank the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – as the vibe is similar at times to their shifting music of the period – mixed with some Mike Nesmith inspiration, as a few of his tunes are included. Titles include "Lonesome & A Long Way From Home", "Silver Wings", "Never Ending Song Of Love", "Rock Sant & Nails", "Some Of Shelly's Blues", "It's A Picture From Life's Other Side", and "Propinquity". Features bonus tracks "The Cure", "I Saw The Light", "Fireball Mail", and "Tramp On The Street". On Live From Austin City Limits, the great Earl Scruggs takes on the growing Austin scene – which turns out to be a perfect fit for his Revue's blend of new country modes and older styles of instrumentation! Earl leads off the set with stunning work on banjo – maybe even sharper than earlier years – and the group lead off with some Dylan material at the start, showcasing some of their rock leanings – but soon bringing on other songs of their own, and making for this beautiful mix of key instrumental moments and lyrical passages. Lead vocals are from Gary Scruggs, and Randy and Steve Scruggs are in the group too – on titles that include "Nashville Skyline Rag", "I Shall Be Released", "Tall Texas Woman", "I Just Can't Seem To Change", "Black Mountain Blues", "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven", and "The Swimming Song". Strike Anywhere is a mighty nice album from the great Earl Scruggs – recorded with his boys' Revue group, and a sound that really helps keep Earl's instrumentation fresh for the 70s! Years back, we never would have thought that mixing the legendary Scruggs banjo sound with keyboards would have worked – but the change here is a great one, as Earl makes the shift that a few of his traditional instrumental contemporaries were doing at the time – such as Vassar Clements or Bashful Brother Oswald – finding a new setting for the instruments that still shine out in the lead at all the best moments. Titles include a great remake of "Mandolin Wind" – plus "Muhammad Ali", "Bring It On Home To Me", "You Really Got A Hold On Me", "I Think Of You", and "Dreaming As One". On Bold & New, the great Chips Moman produced and recorded the record – a set that shows that move that Earl had made into country rock during the decade, delivered in the best possible hands! Vocals are from some of Earl's sons, and the man himself still gets gets in plenty of banjo solos too – as the group mix their own material with a few from Bobby Emmons, who plays organ, electric piano, and clavinet on the set. Titles include "The Cabin", "Our Love Is Home Grown", "That's Alright Mama", "Found Myself A New Love", "Games People Play", "Take The Time To Fall In Love", and "Louisiana Lady". CD

A record of free-thinking jazz – recorded by a trio from Chicago, featuring drummer Paul Wertico, reedman Rich Corpolongo, and bassist Doug Loftstrom. There's a frenetic, choppy sound here that at one level seems to take off from European fusion groups of the 70s – yet also point the way towards the later Chicago experiments of the NRG Ensemble, and some of the better improvisations to emerge in the Vandermark years (and if we had to be honest, we'd say that this one has much more the quality level of the Okka Disk era than the overdone modes of the NRG years.) Many tunes are quite subtle, and along with the core instrumentation of the trio, players also bring in a lot of added percussion and effects. Titles include "Flutter Wings", "Bird Dirge", "Chinese New Year", "No Survivors", and "March Of The Schnatskis". LP, Vinyl record album

The final album from Spooky Tooth – at least during their initial run – and a surprisingly strong set that really points to a huge amount of new directions and ideas! Mike Patto is in the group this time around – and the presence of his vocals and deft instrumental work really give Spooky Tooth a renewed focus and sense of energy – which seems to push the guitars of Mick Jones into territory that's even bolder than before – with more than a few hints of the Foreigner to come! Gary Wright's vocals are still at center stage, but the whole album almost feels like the whole group coming together to really stretch their wings and soar. Titles include "Fantasy Satisfier", "Two Time Love", "Higher Circles", "Hell Or High Water", "The Hoofer", "I'm Alive", and "The Mirror". LP, Vinyl record album

A pair of Spooky Tooth classics – back to back in a single package! You Broke My Heart is an onslaught of fuzz from the reformed version of Spooky Tooth – a group that has Gary Wright very firmly back in the lead on vocals, and the new addition of Mick Jones on guitar – whose lead lines give the group a whole new sense of power! Wright and Jones worked together in Wonderwheel, and are a perfect pair here – with Mick's well-crafted lines underscoring Wright's vocals perfectly – all at a level that prefaces some of the bigger arena rock to come by a few years, but which also falls into none of its cliches at all! Wright's ear for a well-penned tune is still very firmly intact – and the rest of the group deliver some mighty heavy energy on the rhythms – on titles that include "Old As I Was Born", "Wild Fire", "Holy Water", "Times Have Changed", "Moriah", and "Cotton Growing Man". Witness is a further deepening of the Spooky Tooth sound – on an album that seems to have a headier approach to the lyrical themes, which is also echoed by the vocals of Gary Wright, and the energy of the rest of the group! These guys are still a blues-influenced rock group at the core – and are still hardly a progressive group at all – but they've also really opened up their palette on the tunes, and find ways of giving more than just the full-on fuzz of previous records, while still using that element to kick things in gear at all the right places! Titles the surprisingly funky "Ocean Of Power", plus "As Long As The World Keeps Turning", "Wings On My Heart", "Pyramids", "Dream Me A Mountain", and "Sunlight Of My Mind". CD

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

Groovy 60s pop from the sunny brother & sister duo of Nino Tempo & April Stevens – wonderful stuff that's crafted as sweetly as can be, encapsulating influences from a wide range of pop styles of the time – and it still sounds great! This anthology features a bunch of the their best duo numbers, as well as some earlier and later separate projects we'd never heard before. 24 tracks in all: "Deep Purple", "All Strung Out", "Sweet And Lovely", "Follow Me", "Hey Baby", "Out Of Nowhere", "Wings Of Love", "Lovin' Valentine" (April Stevens), "Sister James" (Nino Tempo & 5th Ave Sax), "Hey Baby", "Honeysuckle Rose", "Whispering", "Amazon River" and many more. CD

Frank Zappa's got some fantastic fusion touches on this sweet little set from the 70s – thanks to keyboards and a bit of vocals from George Duke, heavy drums from Chester Thompson, and even some brief help from Johnny Guitar Watson! The set's still got a very Zappa-esque feel, but it's clear he's also letting Duke stretch his wings a bit too as there's parts of the record that almost echo the style of some of George's more far-out recordings for MPS. The balance is great – and one that makes the album a lot more soulful at points than we're used to hearing from Zappa. Titles include "Florentine Pogen", "Can't Afford No Shoes", "Inca Roads", "Po-Jama People", "Evelyn A Modified Dog", and "San Ber'Dino". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hipper benefit records of the early 80s – with exclusive live performances by The Clash, The Specials, Ian Dury, Elvis Costello, The Who, Rockpile, Wings, Pretenders, Queen, and Rockestra – a group with Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend, Robert Plant, and Dave Edmunds! LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic collection of lesser-known gems from the 70s scene in Nigeria – music that's a great counterpart to better-remembered Afro Funk and soul from international giants like Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade! This set digs deep, and is a nicelly expanded version of a set that Soul Jazz issued years back as a limited edition 7" single box for Record Store Day – presented here with more music, and a detailed set of notes – really getting at the special scene that was taking place in Nigeria at the time, as the nation was rising to the top of the African scene with a fantastic criss-crossing of musical modes! There's definitely plenty of the funk promised in the title, and the "rock" is usually of the funky kind with great guitar work – and a few later cuts even pick up the pace with a bit of disco, but more in the fast-funk mode, and hardly the slick stuff of the American scene. Titles include "Africans Must Unite" and "Shake Hands" by Geraldo Pino, "We'll Get Home" by The Wings, "E Ye Ika Se" by Alhagi Prof Kollington Ayinala, "Kassa Kpa Sama Kpa" by Colomach, "Beware" by MFB, "You Are The One" by Tony Grey & The Ozimba Messengers, "Single Boy" by The Wings, "Sugar Baby" by Don Bruce & The Angels", "Power To The People" by Geraldo Pino, "Igba Alusi" by Original Wings, "Dance Of The Elephants" by Sonny Okosunds Ozziddi, and "Oba Erediauwa I" by Sonny Okosuns. CD

Sublime soul from the great Thom Bell – one of our favorite arranger, producer, songwriters of all time – and a talent who really helped push the Philly soul scene much farther than most during the 70s! Bell was trained as a classical pianist as a kid – which might explain part of his ear for a special sort of tune – but by the time of this work, he was neck-deep in the soul scene – and working with a fantastic track record for bringing the best out of a very wide variety of artists! Bell was especially great with groups – he helped more than a few really stretch out their wings and grow – but as you'll hear here, Thom also handled a fantastic range of music in Philly studios – all with magnificent touches that really set the tunes apart from the rest – French horns, harpsichord, and especially that twangy sitar sound that worked so well with a harmony ballad. The set's got 23 tracks in all, and a massive set of notes on the man and his music – with titles that include "What I See" by Three Degrees, "Here I Go Again" by Archie Bell & The Drells, "You've Been Untrue" by The Delfonics, "Moody Woman" by Jerry Butler, "Something For Nothing" by MFSB, "One Man Band" by Ronnie Dyson, "Close The Door" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Life Is A Song Worth Singing" by Johnny Mathis, "Look The Other Way" by Lesley Gore, "What Kind Of Lady" by Dee Dee Sharp, "It's The Same Old Love" by The Courtship, "Do You Remember Yesterday" by The Intruders, "Track Of The Cat" by Dionne Warwick, and "I Wanna Be A Free Girl" by Dusty Springfield. CD

One of the most enigmatic records we've ever gotten from the Numero Group – especially since they usually go out of their way to tell the full story of most of their releases! This set purports to be the never-issued soundtrack from a 60s film titled You're Not From Around Here – but none of the film details, director, or writer show up with an internet search – leading us to believe that the label just felt that the whole thing was a great story to serve up some twang-heavy rarities from the underbelly of early 60s rock and roll. Turns out, they were plenty darn right – as the package alone is a dream – a cool octagonal box with a replica poster and a very cool look – housing a record full of rare rockers that include "A Song For Mary" by Gene Sikora, "First Love" by Bailey's Nervous Kats, "Spacewalk" by Nicky Roberts, "Wandering" by The Expressos, "Lonely Walk" by Alvie Self, "Somewhere Down The Line" by Shelley Duncan, "Haunted After Midnight" by Slim Martin, "16.88" by Hayden Thompson, "Wouldn't It Be Nice To Have Wings & Fly" by Buzz Clifford, "Tomorrow's Gone" by Charlie Megira, and "Ebb Tide" by Houston & Dorsey. LP, Vinyl record album

The kind of overlooked, understated gem that should have put Badfinger at the top of the charts in the mid 70s – a record of impeccable songwriting, really great production, and a refinement of an earlier musical ideal that really points the way forward – all while avoiding most of the pitfalls of some of the group's UK contemporaries! There's a quality here that almost reminds us of the more straightforward elements of Wings, but with a rootsy vibe too – almost a bit like Little Feat, but definitely British in terms of the way the vocals come across. The album's overflowing with hooks, and the kinds of songs that should have been huge – and maybe that's what makes it such a treat all these many years later. Titles include "Just A Chance", "Got To Get Out Of Here", "Dennis", "No One Knows", "In The Meantime/Some Other Time", "King Of The Load", "Love Time", and "Meanwhile Back At The Ranch/Should I Smoke". CD

Pure brilliance from start to finish – especially the second side of the record, which has a continuous run of tunes that's very unique – and still completely sublime all these many years later! The album shows the fracturing ideas of the group, but crafted together with a unity you won't find on The White Album or Let It Be – still a way of making it all gel together beautifully, as the fab four stretch their wings to find new ways of being. Added instrumentation is used wonderfully – never overdone, but with orchestral passages that can really hammer home the best musical moments – and titles include "I Want You", "Because", "You Never Give Me Your Money", "Golden Slumbers", "The End", "Her Majesty", "Polythene Pam", and "Sun King". This very cool 2CD version features a new mix by Giles Martin and Sam Okell – and a huge amount of bonus alternate tracks – including "Come Together (take 5)", "Something (studio demo)", "Oh Darling (take 4)", "Maxwell's Silver Hammer (take 12)", "Golden Slumbers/Carry The Weight (takes 1, 2, & 3)", "Sun King (take 20", "I Want You (Trident recording session & reduction mix)", "Octopus' Garden (take 9", "Because (take 1 inst)", and "Mean Mr Mustard (take 20)". CD

Pure brilliance from start to finish – especially the second side of the record, which has a continuous run of tunes that's very unique – and still completely sublime all these many years later! The album shows the fracturing ideas of the group, but crafted together with a unity you won't find on The White Album or Let It Be – still a way of making it all gel together beautifully, as the fab four stretch their wings to find new ways of being. Added instrumentation is used wonderfully – never overdone, but with orchestral passages that can really hammer home the best musical moments – and titles include "I Want You", "Because", "You Never Give Me Your Money", "Golden Slumbers", "The End", "Her Majesty", "Polythene Pam", and "Sun King". CD

A beautiful album that perfectly mixes both sides of Aretha Franklin's talents – the hard-edged soul singer who first flourished at Atlantic records in the late 60s, and the artist who was growing even more as a vocalist – really reaching out her wings to more sophisticated material! There's a balance here that makes the record one of the deepest that Franklin ever recorded for Atlantic – lots of larger Arif Mardin touches, but also some raw moments that really round things out – on titles that include Aretha's classic take on the Weldon Irvine/Nina Simone tune "Young Gifted & Black", the funky classic "Rock Steady", the wonderful mellow groover "Day Dreaming", the hit "Brand New Me", and the strangely compelling "First Snow In Kokomo" – plus other titles that include "All The King's Horses", "Oh Me Oh My", "Border Song", "Didn't I Blow Your Mind", "April Fools", "I've Been Loving You Too Long", and "The Long & Winding Road". LP, Vinyl record album

A massive return to form for Maxwell – his first album in many years, but definitely well worth the wait! The set's supposedly the start of a trilogy – but hell, we're more than happy to have it all on its own – a wonderful reminder of the deeply soulful sound that first made us fall in love with Maxwell's music many years back – at a time when few mainstream soul artists could hit such a classic vibe – equally amazing all these years later, as Maxwell's still doing it better than most! Tunes are beautifully-written – straightforward, without any gimmicks, and cascading in warm beats, laidback grooves, and those sweetly crackling vocals that make Maxwell a winner on both mellow and funky numbers. Titles include "Bad Habits", "Cold", "Pretty Wings", "Playing Possum", "Phoenix Rise", "Stop The World", and "Love You". CD

A massive return to form for Maxwell – his first album in many years, but definitely well worth the wait! The set's supposedly the start of a trilogy – but hell, we're more than happy to have it all on its own – a wonderful reminder of the deeply soulful sound that first made us fall in love with Maxwell's music many years back – at a time when few mainstream soul artists could hit such a classic vibe – equally amazing all these years later, as Maxwell's still doing it better than most! Tunes are beautifully-written – straightforward, without any gimmicks, and cascading in warm beats, laidback grooves, and those sweetly crackling vocals that make Maxwell a winner on both mellow and funky numbers. Titles include "Bad Habits", "Cold", "Pretty Wings", "Playing Possum", "Phoenix Rise", "Stop The World", and "Love You". DVD runs for 23 minutes – and includes "5 Days Of Black", "Intro", "Pretty Wings", "Help Somebody", "Cold", "Stop The World", "Love You", and "Pretty Wings". CD

Paul McCartney has left Wings behind for this record – but in their place he's come up with a wonderful new approach – serving up all the instruments himself, as he did on the first album titled Paul McCartney – but also using more electronics than before, which makes for some wonderfully moody moments! The songwriting is great – every bit as strong as the 70s years, without some of Paul's later 80s fluff – and the change in instrumentation really makes for some beautifully haunting moments. The set includes "Waterfalls" – one of our favorite tracks ever by Paul – and other titles include the hit "Coming Up", the groovy "Temporary Secretary", and the tracks "Darkroom", "Summer Day's Song", "On The Way", "Nobody Knows", "Bogey Music", and "Frozen Jap". CD

An early moment of genius from post-Beatles Paul McCartney – a solo set that's wonderfully diverse throughout – filled with the kinds of cool little twists and turns we loved in his late Beatles records, and in his 70s killers with Wings! There's a newly-emerging sweetness going on here – that great sound that started to emerge with the McCartney album – where Paul was a proud, put-together family guy – easily one of the most confident of his fab foursome, and able to bring an incredible amount of charm to just about any style he wanted to try! Some of the best cuts here are the mellower, more personal moments – still delivered with an amazing rock-solid sense of musicianship and production, too – and even the rockers, which might sound clunky in the hands of anyone else, manage to come off with a great deal of charm as well. Titles include the wonderfully playful "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" – plus "Too Many People", "Heart Of The Country", "Dear Boy", "Ram On", "The Back Seat Of My Car", and "Smile Away". CD

An early moment of genius from post-Beatles Paul McCartney – a solo set that's wonderfully diverse throughout – filled with the kinds of cool little twists and turns we loved in his late Beatles records, and in his 70s killers with Wings! There's a newly-emerging sweetness going on here – that great sound that started to emerge with the McCartney album – where Paul was a proud, put-together family guy – easily one of the most confident of his fab foursome, and able to bring an incredible amount of charm to just about any style he wanted to try! Some of the best cuts here are the mellower, more personal moments – still delivered with an amazing rock-solid sense of musicianship and production, too – and even the rockers, which might sound clunky in the hands of anyone else, manage to come off with a great deal of charm as well. Titles include the wonderfully playful "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" – plus "Too Many People", "Heart Of The Country", "Dear Boy", "Ram On", "The Back Seat Of My Car", and "Smile Away". LP, Vinyl record album

A really great later album from Anita – one recorded live in Berlin, with some backing by the George Arvanitas trio – at the time when they had the kick-ass rhythm section of Jacky Samson on bass and Charles Saudrais on drums. Anita's in a much more swinging groove than usual – opening up in an MPS-like setting that's quite different from her Verve albums. The highlight of the record is a nice funky version of "Sunny", which starts with a great drum bit at the beginning – and other tracks include "Soon It's Gonna Rain", "Your Wings", "On A Clear Day", and a medley of "Yesterday" and "Yesterdays". LP, Vinyl record album

A landmark album from Queen – a set conceived when the group were already at the top of their game, and willing to not only lean into their strengths, but also take a few chances by slimming things down, and really bringing the focus onto the guitar work, vocals, and heavy rhythms that continue to make the quartet the stuff of legend! Those qualities come through right away on the album's first two tracks – the instant classics "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions" – followed by plenty more greatness on titles that include the ultimate take on "Sheer Heart Attack", and the cuts "My Melancholy Blues", "It's Late", "Who Needs You", Fight From The Inside", "Spread Your Wings", "All Dead All Dead", and "Get Down Make Love". CD

An obscure late ESP session featuring Don Rafael Garrett and Zusann Fasteau Garrett in a set of duets on percussion, bass, clarinet, and voice. The sound's a bit hippy dippy in parts, with a vibe that's kind of groovy and optimistic – but at other times, the playing is nice and spare, with a good east coast avant sound, in that mid 70s loft jazz mode. Titles include "Wave Hands Like Clouds", "Stork Cools Its Wings", and "Snake Creeps Down". CD

A mix of spiraling psychedelia and grittier garagey rock from Chocolate Watch Band! No Way Out has a bit more grit than the more mystical follow up LP, but we wouldn't complain about that – the mix of more tripped out organ and atmospheric touches paired with harder hitting, sweaty r&b and fuzz rock influenced sounds match pretty well in our book! Groovy stuff from the late 60s Cali scene! Titles include "Let's Talk About Girls", "Midnight Hour", "Come On", "Dark Side Of The Mushroom", "Hot Dusty Road", "Gone And Passes By", "Expo 2000" and "Gossamer Wings". CD

A mix of spiraling psychedelia and grittier garagey rock from Chocolate Watch Band! No Way Out has a bit more grit than the more mystical follow up LP, but we wouldn't complain about that – the mix of more tripped out organ and atmospheric touches paired with harder hitting, sweaty r&b and fuzz rock influenced sounds match pretty well in our book! Groovy stuff from the late 60s Cali scene! Titles include "Let's Talk About Girls", "Midnight Hour", "Come On", "Dark Side Of The Mushroom", "Hot Dusty Road", "Gone And Passes By", "Expo 2000" and "Gossamer Wings". Includes 8 bonus tracks. CD

A sweet 70s classic from Roberta Flack – recorded with a mellow jazzy undercurrent that really fits the spirit of the title! The set's a bit more varied in moods than some of Flack's previous Atlantic efforts – showing a stretching of wings from Roberta, but still very much in some righteous territory overall – given that Eugene McDaniels is overseeing the record on production. Arrangements are by Harry Whittaker, Hugh McCrackin, Leon Pendarvis, and Roberta herself – and instrumentation is warmly electric, yet never too slick to wash away the deeper soul of Flack's vocals. Titles include "The Closer I Get To You", "Why Don't You Move In With Me", "Love Is The Healing", "Soul Deep", "Where I'll Find You", "25th Of Last December", "This Time I'll Be Sweeter", and "Fine Fine Day". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic set by this spiritual jazz ensemble from Pakistan – one who work with this really wicked blend of familiar jazz elements, some regional instrumentation, and some of the forward-thinking jazz ideas that have been bubbling up from the London scene of late! The music weaves together acoustic and electric elements wonderfully – blending Fender Rhodes and guitar with trumpet, piano, flute, tenor, tabla, and sarangi – plus a bit of electronics from Tenderlonious, who also handles the reeds! There's a really evocative quality to the record – east meets west in the world of spiritual jazz – and titles include "Mingusterstood", "A Sound Heart", "Forgive Me", "Reflections Of God", "Wings Of Submission", "Lahori Blues", and "Raga Bairagi Todi". CD

A very strange little album – one of those records that was created without any interest in an audience – but which has gone on to become the stuff of legend over time! The set features vocal performances by a group of rural school students recorded in the mid 70s – often performing alongside just a bit of sad-tinged piano or guitar, as they deliver these surprisingly compelling versions of songs from their generation – tunes by David Bowie, Wings, The Beach Boys, and others – in versions that are completely different than the originals. The whole thing's about as strange as you can imagine – and has had a huge amount of attention and followers over the years. Titles include "Band On The Run", "God Only Knows", "Space Oddity", "Venus & Mars", "Wildfire", and "Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft". CD

A beautiful bit of mainstream soul from Gerald and Eddie Levert – two of the best male voices from two generations, working beautifully here in a laidback set of tracks! The vibe's almost like that direction taken by the O'Jays in the early 80s – that time when their ballads were actually better than their groovers – although there's definitely some styles here that are more 90s soul too. The mellow format makes for a wonderful record, with lots of great interplay between the two Leverts – and titles include "I Got Your Back", "Already Missing You", "Get Your Thing Off", "Don't Make Me Beg", "I'm Savin Your Place", "The Apple Don't Fall", "For The Love", and "Wind Beneath My Wings". CD

A very hip record of vocal tracks – done in the same sort of spiritual soul style that Les introduced on Roberta Flack's first album, and which was also showing up on some of Donny Hathaway's work for Atlantic. While the record is not on of McCann's funkiest, it more than makes up for that with the well-conceived vocal performances – especially on the tracks that feature arrangements by William S Fischer. Titles include "What I Call Soul", "How Many Broken Wings", "Can't We Be Strangers Again", "Comment", and "Baby Baby". CD