Rolling Reissues 2021

Oh yeah, you can def hear that Beatles, Byrds etc. were listening

This looks inflated to me, but haven't heard a lot of the bonus stuff:

https://townsquare.media/site/838/files/2021/04/bowie-width.jpeg?w=980&q=75

David Bowie 1970 rarities collected on new comp ‘The Width of a Circle’
Bill Pearis
Published: April 14, 2021

A new compilation of rare David Bowie material the artist recorded in 1970 is on the way. Named for The Man Who Sold the World's opening cut, The Width of a Circle is being billed as a companion piece to that album's 2020 "Metrobolist" reissue, featuring non-LP singles, alternate versions, and BBC sessions, including 21 never-before-released recordings.

More specifically, the two-CD set includes David Bowie and The Hype live performances from early 1970 -- The Sunday Show where he's introduced by John Peel and Sounds Of The 70’s -- as well as five songs by Bowie from The Looking Glass Murders (aka Pierrot In Turquoise) and 2020 Tony Visconti mixes of five tracks including "The Prettiest Star." There's also a 48-page book.

There's also a 10" vinyl The Width of a Circle EP being released, featuring 2020 Visconti mixes of "The Prettiest Star," "London Bye, Ta-Ta," "Memory of a Free Festival," and "Holy Holy."

Additionally, Rhino is releasing a picture disc version of The Man Who Sold the World that comes with a Bowie poster.

The Width of a Circle set and the two vinyl releases will be out May 26 via Rhino and are available for pre-order now. Check out the full tracklist for the two-CD set, as well as the artwork for the vinyl releases, below.
https://www.brooklynvegan.com/david-bowie-1970-rarities-collected-on-new-comp-the-width-of-a-circle/

Another archival Swell Maps release, Mayday Signals, is out June 4 from Easy Action. Looks like a lot of it precedes the first LP. This is one of those bands where you would think the barrel would be empty, but apparently not? A comprehensive box set would be useful but maybe not cutup/random enough in spirit.

Thanks! Keep getting these UMG enewsletters w vinyl bloat, but here's a couple of relative rarities that may be fanworthy:

KISS

Off the Soundboard

Recorded in Japan in 2001, this marks the first in a series of upcoming live releases by the band, and will be pressed on exclusive 3LP crystal clear vinyl with bone swirl, plus 3LP black vinyl, 2CD & digital. Out 6/11

Frank Zappa - Zappa '88:

The Last US Show

The last show Frank Zappa ever played in the U.S. has been newly remixed from the digital master tapes, and features the first official release of “The Beatles Medley,” plus 25 unreleased tracks. Available on digital, 2CD, or 4LP black or purple vinyl.
Zappa Store says "this item will ship on or around June 18", same for 2-CD edition, and adds,The live concert material is taken from Long Island, NY; Providence, RI & Towson, MD and newly remixed from the 48 track digital master tapes. It features the first official release of “The Beatles Medley” along with over 25 unreleased performances and liner notes by FZ’s drummer, Chad Wackerman and Vaultmeister, Joe Travers.
track list:

1. “WE ARE DOING VOTER REGISTRATION HERE”
2. THE BLACK PAGE (NEW AGE VERSION)
3 .I AIN’T GOT NO HEART
4. LOVE OF MY LIFE

RECORD ONE: SIDE 2

1. INCA ROADS
2. SHARLEENA
3. WHO NEEDS THE PEACE CORPS?
4. LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO (CORY/CROSS)

RECORD TWO: SIDE 3

1. DICKIE’S SUCH AN ASSHOLE
2. WHEN THE LIE’S SO BIG
3. JESUS THINKS YOU’RE A JERK
4. SOFA #1
5. ONE MAN, ONE VOTE

RECORD TWO: SIDE 4

1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHAD!
2. PACKARD GOOSE PT. I
3. ROYAL MARCH FROM “L’HISTOIRE DU SOLDAT” (STRAVINSKY)
4. THEME FROM THE BARTOK PIANO CONCERTO #3 (BARTOK)
5. PACKARD GOOSE PT. II
6. THE TORTURE NEVER STOPS PT. I
7. THEME FROM “BONANZA” (LEVANS/LIVINGSTON)
8. LONESOME COWBOY BURT

RECORD THREE: SIDE 5

1. THE TORTURE NEVER STOPS PT. II
2. CITY OF TINY LITES
3. POUND FOR A BROWN PT. I

RECORD THREE: SIDE 6

1. POUND FOR A BROWN PT. II
2. CITY OF TINY LITES
3. POUND FOR A BROWN PT. I

RECORD THREE: SIDE 6

1. POUND FOR A BROWN PT. II
2. THE BEATLES MEDLEY (LENNON/MCCARTNEY)
3. PEACHES EN REGALIA

RECORD FOUR: SIDE 7

1. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (PAGE/PLANT)
2. I AM THE WALRUS (LENNON/MCCARTNEY)

RECORD FOUR: SIDE 8

1. WHIPPING POST (ALLMAN)
2. BOLERO (RAVEL)
3. AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL (BATES/WARD)

Think this was out on the 23rd:

MOTÖRHEAD’s Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin, a previously unreleased recording from the 2012 Kings of The Road Tour, is available today via Silver Lining Music.

Recorded December 5, 2012, Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin captures Germany’s love affair with the Grammy award winning band as they play in front of 12,000 delirious, delighted and demented MOTÖRHEAD fans at the Berlin Velodrom.

Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin is available on CD with a bonus live DVD, as a double vinyl set, box set (GSA Retail Exclusive and via D2C Worldwide Ex GSA, containing CD with bonus DVD in Digipak, double black vinyl gatefold album in 180 gm and MOTÖRHEAD branded passport cover) and via digital platforms.

Throughout Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin, MOTÖRHEAD’s powerful synergy boots its way through the speakers with the boisterous charm and dirty, dangerous, sweaty gusto that was the Lemmy Kilmister/Phil Campbell/Mikkey Dee trademark. From the unapologetically furious “I Know How to Die” to a deliciously raucous “Going to Brazil,” Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin is all about the thick, raw and liberating power of MOTÖRHEAD live, with longtime producer Cameron Webb bringing his mixing skills to the party as well as doing a 5.1 mix of the DVD. Further highlights include a favorably feral “Rock It,” a rudely raunchy “You Better Run” and a classic one-two haymaker of “Ace of Spades” and “Overkill.” The leading track from the album will be a cranium cracking “Over the Top,” a song which must be as close to definitive of this band as you’ll ever find.

A longtime favorite of heavy metal, punk rock and rock ‘n’ roll fans alike, MOTÖRHEAD also became unlikely media darlings around the globe. Early reviews of Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin have proven that five years after leader Lemmy Kilmister’s death, listeners are still ravenous for “new” MOTÖRHEAD music.

“…there's something about live MOTÖRHEAD recordings that make listeners feel as though they're in the crowd. The act's many years of experience lent to a robust and confident performance. MOTÖRHEAD's passion was simply undeniable, clearly displayed here.” – Blabbermouth

“‘Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin’ is a superb live album and DVD. It doesn’t get too much better than this.” - New Noise

“This live performance shows MOTÖRHEAD at the top of their game, as they have been performing as a trio for over a decade at this point.” – Classic Rock

“‘Louder Than Noise...Live in Berlin’ is a live album which shows everything for what MOTÖRHEAD stands. If you hear it, you'll get a lot of fun and some real Rock'n'Roll feeling. It's an honorable last release.” – Whiskey-Soda.com

“MOTÖRHEAD’s collective energy is as strong as it ever was and this is testament to the strength, depth and breadth of material they recorded throughout 40 illustrious years, across 22 studio albums. ‘Louder Than Noise …. Live In Berlin’ captures the very essence of this.” – Metal Planet

“‘Louder than Noise…Live in Berlin’ (is) a presentation about which MOTÖRHEAD’s most devoted fans will make plenty of noise.” - Phil’s Picks

“You’d think Germans are the biggest fans of MOTÖRHEAD based on the reactions of the crowd at the band’s 2012 Berlin stop on the ‘Kings Of The Road’ tour. It’s beautifully captured on the new album ‘Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin,’ with 12,000 screaming fans and big hits displayed in all their glory.” – Riff Magazine

“As another statement of how good MOTÖRHEAD is live, ‘Louder Than Noise…Live In Berlin’ is titled perfectly because in truth, only MOTÖRHEAD could be louder than noise.” – Cryptic Rock

DAIS RECORDS ANNOUNCES GETTING THE FEAR COLLECTION LP
DEATH IS BIGGER: 1984-1985
OUT JUNE 18, 2021
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR "AGAINST THE WIND" HERE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On1fpTja8b4
It's testament to how fertile England's mid-80's musical landscape was that the splintering of short-lived post-punk pioneers Southern Death Cult seeded so many memorable but divergent groups – from widescreen rock legends The Cult to romantic pop duo Into A Circle to “the Asian Public Enemy,” Fun-Da-Mental. But the band's most potent subsequent cross-pollination was undoubtedly Getting The Fear, formed by The SDC's rhythm section of Barry Jepson, David 'Buzz' Burrows, and Aki Haq Nawaz Qureshi, joined by Temple Ov Psychic Youth associate Paul ‘Bee’ Hampshire on vocals.

Galvanized by Margaret Thatcher's “iron fist” austerity policies and the cultural liberation of punk, the group blazed to creative fruition, quickly landing a lucrative deal with RCA. But immediately after recording their 1984 debut single, Last Salute, a shake-up at the label left them stranded and without support. Rather than stall in music industry purgatory they chose to dissolve, escaping their restrictive contract. Bee's lyrics on “Last Salute” are fitting final words: “If this must end let it pass me by / I’ll remain your friend, only flowers die.”

But this is of course only part of the story. Death Is Bigger: 1984-1985 rectifies history's error, collecting the group's entire vault of demos and unreleased songs alongside liner notes and a photo gallery capturing Getting The Fear in all their high libertine glory. The compilation's 10 tracks are alternately brooding, spiky, and sneering, fixated on dreams, sex, and Charles Manson (the sleeve of Last Salute famously features a detail from Manson's embroidered waistcoat, unbeknownst to label execs). Razor wire guitars slice across tense rhythms, veering between minimal and melodic, occasionally flowering into psychedelic poetry, revealing Bee's deep affinity with Psychic TV.

Taken as a whole, the album showcases the breadth of forking paths facing UK post-punk in 1984: pop eating itself, new wave while still new, transgression as alternative not affectation. Getting The Fear's music feels eclectic and unfettered, following whim, lust, and impulse, glinting with darkness against the fires of youth: “The earth is still beneath my feet, I start to sink to lose myself / Friends and lovers stand around unconcerned, their eyes in flames.”

Listen & Watch: Getting the Fear - "Against The Wind" (Official Video, dir. Jacqueline Castel)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On1fpTja8b4

Sorry, didn't realize they linked the same video twice.

Now that's a reissue long overdue. I found my (exceptionally battered) cassette of the demos while clearing some stuff out the other month.

Just as well I got in there, it's close to selling out already.

National Record Store Day drops, lots and lots; click on the title for more info (are the Beat Farmers good?) https://recordstoreday.com/PromotionalEvent/580

The Beat Farmers were better live than studio and without Country Dick they were stolid rather than great. But they had Country Dick and they killed it live and that’s good enough.

THE GUN CLUB’S 1981 PUNK-BLUES CLASSIC DEBUT FIRE OF LOVE RETURNS WITH DELUXE DOUBLE-VINYL AND DOUBLE-CD REISSUES VIA BLIXA SOUNDS
Both the LP and CD Editions Come with 10 bonus tracks and the Previously Unreleased Live At Club 88 – March 6, 1981

Street date July 23, 2021

LOS ANGELES, CA. (Tuesday June 1, 2021) — With a howling and unholy mix of punk rock and the blues, Jeffrey Lee Pierce and The Gun Club exploded upon the L.A. club scene in the early ’80s. They recorded their classic debut, 1981’s Fire Of Love, for the local Slash/Ruby Records label. And now that legendary album has been unearthed and brought back to life as a deluxe two-CD and two-LP set.

Both the double-CD and double-vinyl editions contain a digitally remastered version of the original 11-track album, produced by fellow L.A. scenesters Chris D. of The Flesh Eaters and The Plugz’s Tito Larriva. The CD version will include 10 previously unreleased four-track demos and alternate versions, while the LP will include a download card for the digital version of the 10 bonus tracks.
Both the CD and the vinyl versions will include a second disc, the previously unreleased Live At Club 88 – March 6, 1981, a concert recording capturing the band’s incendiary live set at the legendary West L.A. dive bar.

The double-vinyl version will be released as a two-LP set packaged in a gatefold cover with extensive liner notes by drummer Terry Graham and remembrances from producer Tito Larriva and co-producer Chris D., as well as rare photos and ephemera. The CD version will include a booklet with liner notes, photos and ephemera.
Born on June 27, 1958, Jeffrey Lee Pierce grew up in the East Los Angeles suburb of El Monte, California, before moving with his family to the San Fernando Valley, where he attended Granada Hills High School. Back then his main passion was acting. Eventually, his interest veered to music, but he held on to his love of drama and would later inject it into his music and performances. He’d been toying with guitar since the age of 10, and by his late teens and early 20s, he’d formed a few bands and wrote about reggae for Slash magazine under the pen name Ranking Señor Lea.
It was in Creeping Ritual, a band Pierce formed with guitarist Brian Tristan, in which Pierce found his footing. He’d discovered the Delta blues from the record collections of Canned Heat singer Bob Hite and L.A. scenester Phast Phreddie Patterson, and decided to make them his own. Although his first bassist and drummer bailed, the band — rechristened The Gun Club by Circle Jerks’ singer and Pierce’s one-time roommate Keith Morris — became a reality with the addition of the fully formed rhythm section of bassist Rob Ritter and drummer Terry Graham. They had already played together in punk band The Bags and could hold down a solid foundation for Pierce and Tristan — now known as Kid Congo Powers — to improvise over. “He was injecting blues into the heart of punk rock, struggling to give life into something new and brilliant even if it was old and obvious at the same time,” Graham says of Pierce, in the book More Fun in the New World: The Unmaking and Legacy of L.A. Punk.

Fire of Love captures the Gun Club at their rawest on such originals as the unforgettable album-opener “Sex Beat,” the addictive “She’s Live Heroin to Me” and the psychobilly stomp of “For The Love Of Ivy,” an ode to Cramps guitarist and future Kid Congo bandmate Poison Ivy Rorschach. The band also delved into their influences on the set, digging up Tommy Johnson’s “Cool Drink Of Water” and Robert Johnson’s “Preaching The Blues” and jolting them back with jumper cables via Pierce’s new arrangements and “Elvis from Hell” howl.
As Graham writes in the liner notes, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to know Fire Of Love has given so many a nice kick in the ass…I not only loved fighting off the Devil while a member of Gun Club, but I’m proud of what we did on Fire Of Love with Chris and Tito as our guides. And if this music continues to irk the purists, I couldn’t be more proud. Jeff, you were one hell of a great musician, but you knew that.”
The Gun Club went on to record several other albums — including 1982’s Miami (reissued by Blixa Sounds in 2020) — before Pierce’s death in 1996, yet Fire Of Love is their finest hour.

CD TRACK LISTING
DISC 1
1. SEX BEAT
2. PREACHING THE BLUES
3. PROMISE ME
4. SHE’S LIKE HEROIN TO ME
5. FOR THE LOVE OF IVY
6. FREE SPIRIT
7. GHOST ON THE HIGHWAY
8. JACK ON FIRE
9. BLACK TRAIN
10. COOL DRINK OF WATER
11. GOODBYE JOHNNY
BONUS TRACKS
12. BAD INDIAN (ALTERNATIVE VERSION)
13. COOL DRINK OF WATER (ALTERNATIVE VERSION)
14. FIRE OF LOVE (ALTERNATIVE VERSION)
15. FOR THE LOVE OF IVY (ALTERNATIVE VERSION)
16. GHOST ON THE HIGHWAY (ALTERNATIVE VERSION)
17. FIRE OF LOVE (4 TRACK DEMO)
18. DEVIL IN THE WOODS (4 TRACK DEMO)
19. GOODBYE JOHNNY (4 TRACK DEMO)
20. PREACHING THE BLUES (4 TRACK DEMO)
21. WATERMELON MAN (4 TRACK DEMO)
DISC 2 / LIVE AT CLUB 88 – MARCH 6, 1981
1. DEVIL IN THE WOODS
2. BAD INDIAN
3. SHE’S LIKE HEROIN TO ME
4. PREACHING THE BLUES
5. KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
6. JACK ON FIRE
7. RAILROAD BILL
8. FIRE OF LOVE
9. SEX BEAT
10. GHOST ON THE HIGHWAY

LP TRACK LISTING
LP1
SIDE A
1. SEX BEAT
2. PREACHING THE BLUES
3. PROMISE ME
4. SHE’S LIKE HEROIN TO ME
5. FOR THE LOVE OF IVY
6. FREE SPIRIT
SIDE B
1. GHOST ON THE HIGHWAY
2. JACK ON FIRE
3. BLACK TRAIN
4. COOL DRINK OF WATER
5. GOODBYE JOHNNY
LP2 / LIVE AT CLUB 88 – MARCH 6, 1981
SIDE C
1. DEVIL IN THE WOODS
2. BAD INDIAN
3. SHE’S LIKE HEROIN TO ME
4. PREACHING THE BLUES
5. KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
SIDE D
1. JACK ON FIRE
2. RAILROAD BILL
3. FIRE OF LOVE
4. SEX BEAT
5. GHOST ON THE HIGHWAY

Fire Of Love EPK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7kwkoRyI5w
For more information, please contact: william at blixa.com

(Will also be available as download, at least on Amazon, where you can pre-order all the formats.)

I was going to post about this since I had seen mention on Fb from ex members and the foundation.

Wish somebody would say more about the original rhythm section Brad Dunning and Don Snowden. Especially since Snowden wound up cowriting Willie Dixon's memoir.
So I assume he came to the band with some awareness of the blues in some form.
Haven't put a chronology to JLP and access to Hite's collection I think Phase Phreddie was pretty early anyway. Also turned him onto a lot of jazz stuff.
But Rankin' Jeffrey Lee wrote about reggae among other things for Slash. Had also been Blondie's fan club head as well as picking up 60s singles before that. Story I heard had him getting a Standells single signed by Blondie on their first meeting. Not sure how much sense that makes other than it being what was at hand.
I think Fromthearchives Gun Club entry may have a somewhat more complicated version of the band chronology including the Cyclones and the Red Lights. Red Lights had an ep released for Record Store Day last year. I think Cyclones was originally formed as a band for Pleasant German to front. Her current Podcast had pretty good episodes with Terry Graham and Kid Congo as individual guests. Terry Graham's book Punk Like Me is worth a read and hopefully Kid will have a memoir out shortly I think it's almost done.

OMFG:

BLUE NOTE ANNOUNCES JULY 30 RELEASE FOR LEE MORGAN - THE COMPLETE LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE
AN EXPANSIVE COLLECTION OF THE LEGENDARY TRUMPETER’S EPIC 1970 ENGAGEMENT AT THE HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA VENUE
PRESENTING ALL 12 SETS OF MUSIC HIS QUINTET RECORDED OVER 3 NIGHTS
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER AS 8-CD & LIMITED-EDITION 12-LP ALL-ANALOG 180g VINYL SETS

Blue Note Records has announced a July 30 release date for Lee Morgan The Complete Live at the Lighthouse, an expansive collection that presents for the very first time all 12 sets of music the legendary trumpeter’s quintet with saxophonist Bennie Maupin, pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Jymie Merritt, and drummer Mickey Roker recorded during their historic engagement at The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, California from July 10-12, 1970. Originally released 50 years ago in 1971 as a 2-LP set, and later expanded to a 3-CD set in 1996, this definitive edition produced by Zev Feldman and David Weiss will be available as an 8-CD set and a limited-edition 12-LP all-analog 180g vinyl set that encompasses 33 performances including more than 4 hours of previously unreleased music that lets the listener relive the experience of being in the club for every exhilarating moment. Watch the unboxing video here. A previously unreleased version of Mabern’s composition “The Beehive” from the 2nd set on Saturday, July 11 is available now to stream or download.

Both physical formats are accompanied by an enlightening booklet featuring new interviews with Bennie Maupin and the last extensive interview with Jymie Merritt before his passing last year; essays by Jeffery McMillan (author or Delightfulee: The Life and Music of Lee Morgan) and Michael Cuscuna; statements from Jack DeJohnette, Wallace Roney, Nicholas Payton, Charles Tolliver, Eddie Henderson, Dave Douglas, and others; previously unpublished photos by Joel Franklin and Lee Tanner; as well as a statement from Morgan’s family. The audio was mixed from the original ½” 4-track tapes by Steve Genewick at Capitol Studios with LP mastering by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and 180g vinyl manufactured at Record Technology Inc. (RTI) in Camarillo, California. CD mastering was done by Robert Vosgien at Capitol Studios.
Bennie Maupin, saxophonist
“Right from the beginning, we developed such a heart-to-heart connection with each other. I think that’s really reflected in what we did. It was just about being in the moment and capturing the moment, and we did that.”

Jymie Merritt, bassist
“In a sense, it is holy music. And that was the thing I felt throughout the performances at The Lighthouse, this was totally uncompromised music in terms of the way it went down.”

Don Was, President, Blue Note Records
“’Live at the Lighthouse’ probably gives us the clearest picture of where Lee Morgan was headed and, as such, is a record of monumental importance.”

Zev Feldman, producer
“‘Live at the Lighthouse’ is an all-time desert island disc for me and to be ushering in a complete edition of this magnitude—each set, night-by-night just like if you were at the club witnessing it live—is nothing short of a dream come true. This was one of the very first projects I wanted to pursue when I came to Blue Note. I had prior knowledge that there was 4-plus hours of unissued material sitting on the shelves, but I didn't realize how great it was until hearing it all. Just as these musicians worked to create a recording that would stand the test of time, we made every effort to create a package that would serve that legacy.”

PERSONNEL:
Lee Morgan – trumpet, flugelhorn
Bennie Maupin – tenor saxophone, flute, bass clarinet
Harold Mabern – piano
Jymie Merritt – Ampeg bass
Mickey Roker – drums
Jack DeJohnette – drums (on "Speedball" from Friday, July 10, Set 4)

Original recordings produced by Francis Wolff

TRACK LISTING:
*previously unissued

Friday, July 10, 1970
Set 1
Introduction by Lee Morgan (2:06)
The Beehive (12:51) *
Introduction (0:20)
Something Like This (12:43)
Yunjana (14:28) *
Speedball (4:34) *

Set 2
I Remember Britt (16:45) *
Introduction (0:19)
Absolutions (21:55) *
Speedball (3:46) *

Set 3
Introduction (0:33)
Neophilia (18:52) *
Introduction (0:47)
416 East 10th Street (11:46)
The Sidewinder (12:49)
Speedball (0:53)

Set 4
Introduction (0:30)
Peyote (13:23) *
Speedball (11:55)

Saturday, July 11, 1970
Set 1
Aon (13:47)
Introduction (0:21)
Yunjana (17:32) *

Set 2
Introduction (0:14)
Something Like This (11:46) *
Introduction (0:28)
I Remember Britt (14:25)
Introduction (0:47)
The Beehive (15:23) *
Speedball (7:00) *

Set 3
Neophilia (19:18) *
Nommo (17:44)

Set 4
Peyote (11:24) *
Absolutions (22:28)

Sunday, July 12, 1970
Set 1
Introduction (1:37)
Something Like This (15:39) *
Introduction (0:29)
Yunjana (16:07)

Set 2
I Remember Britt (16:19) *
Absolutions (19:35) *
Speedball (0:27)

Set 3
Introduction (1:19)
Neophilia (18:59)
Introduction (0:46)
The Beehive (15:11)
Speedball (1:59)

Set 4
Peyote (9:27)
Nommo (19:19) *

Oh yeah, heard some of that on an archived episode of the invaluable Night Lights jazz historical, from Indiana Public Radio, also some of the Morgan set is on YouTube.

I don't usually try to keep up with singles here, but

https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/img/MlErM0VDZm0wY0QyZ2poNXZkc0kydz09/420x420.png

Rudy Mills
John Jones / Bombshell
(Harlem Shuffle)
7" HSRSS-0006£13.00
In stock

1. John Jones
2. The Crystalites – Bombshell

"Produced and apparently co-written by Derrick Harriott, 'John Jones' was released in 1968 on the Big shot label. With its unstoppable rhythm and its aggressive lyrics 'John Jones' was a major hit among the Skinhead subculture in the UK, its release on the popular Tighten Up series certainly helped the song becoming a cult track then and now. The Crystalites were Harriott's studio band and included very famous 60s Jamaican musicians e.g. Bongo Herman, Bongo Les, Boris Gardiner, Gladstone Anderson, Karl Bryan, Winston Wright among others. They were extremely productive between 1968 and 1974 recording four albums and countless singles. More specifically, they recorded many wild and awesome 'versions' of hit songs of that time e.g. 'John Jones', making 'Bombshell' easily the best choice for the B Side as it is indeed a special instrumental and an awesome cover." Hard too find a clean copy on 7" single, now's your limited chance..A Stone Cold Classic!!

sorry, meant to end with:
More info, audio: https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/product/rudy-mills-john-jones-bombshell

Also"

https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/img/aVFNODlIZUNjUzc3M3hPUjZweVpTQT09/silvertones.jpg

The Silvertones
Silver Bullets (Expanded Edition)
(Doctor Bird{

CD DBCD080 £14.00
In stock

Long overdue expanded edition of the hugely sought-after Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry-produced album from 1973, “Silver Bullets” features the entirety of the Silvertones’ work for the widely acclaimed music maker.

The collection was one of the first to be produced at Perry’s newly opened Black Ark studio in Washington Gardens, with the vocal tracks added at King Tubby’s equally illustrious establishment in Dromilly Avenue.

Unavailable on CD for over a quarter of a century, this hugely collectable album has now been expanded to include Silvertones’ remaining output for the Upsetter, as well as solo sides by the vocal trio’s original lead singer, Delroy Denton.

Annotated by Lee Perry’s biographer, David Katz, “Silver Bullets” is an essential collection for fans of the producer’s work as well as anyone wishing to own and hear some of the very finest vintage reggae sounds from the late Sixties and early Seventies.

More info, audio:
https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/product/the-silvertones-silver-bullets

Actually, no audio samples in that last, unlike most Sounds of the Universe listings.

Derrick Harriott
Greatest Reggae Hits
(Doctor Bird)

2×CD DBCDD079£15.00
In stock

https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/img/QW5FbG1QcCt0NGJYcllVdVJOZ2Vzdz09/derrick-harriott-gre-n3lkb.jpg

By the mid-1970s, Derrick Harriott was already a veteran of the Jamaican music scene, having launched his singing career some two decades earlier. During the rock steady era, his productions included a score of hits, with his work widely regarded as being among the most accomplished of the era.

His hit rate continued unabated into the Seventies and by the time Trojan Records released his “Greatest Hits” album in 1975, Harriott was firmly established as one of reggae music’s premier hit makers.

The best-selling collection was to have a profound influence on the developing sound of lovers rock, yet despite its popularity and significance, has remained unavailable on CD – until now.

CD1 of this deluxe expanded version of the LP includes dub versions of nine of the album’s dozen tracks, while the second disc showcases Harriott’s follow-up long-player, “Reggae Disco Rockers”, the original UK release of which was pulled due to Trojan’s abrupt demise in ’75

Including 33 tracks new to CD, “Greatest Hits” not only showcases some of the finest soulful reggae sounds ever to see issue, but also provides a wonderful opportunity to discover one of the most reggae albums of the Seventies.
More info:
https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/product/derrick-harriott-greatest-reggae-hits

The Best Of Reggae
(Doctor Bird)

2×CD DBCDX081 £15.00
In stock

https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/img/N1J6RGxSTngvRk1zRU56c1FIbnZmUT09/best-of-reggae.jpg

1. DISC 1: Jimmy Cliff – Wonderful World Beautiful People
2. Bob & Marcia – Young Gifted And Black
3. Greyhound – Moon River
4. The Pioneers – Let Your Yeah Be Yeah
5. Harry J. All Stars – Liquidator
6. Nicky Thomas – Love Of The Common People
7. Desmond Dekker – Israelites
8. Dandy Livingstone – Suzanne Beware Of The Devil
9. Greyhound – Black And White
10. Horace Faith – Black Pearl
11. Desmond Dekker – You Can Get It If You Really Want
12. Desmond Dekker – It Mek
13. The Maytals – 54-56 That's My Number
14. Toots & The Maytals – Country Roads
15. Byron Lee And The Dragonaires – Elizabethan Reggae
16. The Upsetters – Return To Django VDsStuffGift Voucher

Everything (2 items)
The SilvertonesSilver Bullets (Expanded Edition)Doctor Bird
The SilvertonesThe Strong Will SurviveTRS
The Best Of Reggae
Doctor Bird
Reggae, Roots, Lovers, Reggae Funk and Soul, Essential classics!

2×CD DBCDX081£15.00
In stock
Add to Bag

1. DISC 1: Jimmy Cliff – Wonderful World Beautiful People
2. Bob & Marcia – Young Gifted And Black
3. Greyhound – Moon River
4. The Pioneers – Let Your Yeah Be Yeah
5. Harry J. All Stars – Liquidator
6. Nicky Thomas – Love Of The Common People
7. Desmond Dekker – Israelites
8. Dandy Livingstone – Suzanne Beware Of The Devil
9. Greyhound – Black And White
10. Horace Faith – Black Pearl
11. Desmond Dekker – You Can Get It If You Really Want
12. Desmond Dekker – It Mek
13. The Maytals – 54-56 That's My Number
14. Toots & The Maytals – Country Roads
15. Byron Lee And The Dragonaires – Elizabethan Reggae
16. The Upsetters – Return To Django
17. Bob & Marcia – Pied Piper
18. Dandy Livingstone – Come Back Liza
19. The Chosen Few – Everybody Plays The Fool
20. The Pioneers – Roll Muddy River
21. Judge Dread – Oh! She Is A Big Girl Now
22. Greyhound – Floating
23. Bruce Ruffin – Mad About You
24. Bruce Ruffin – Rain
25. Greyhound – Dream Lover
26. Tito Simon – Build It Up
27. Dandy Livingstone – Big City
28. The Hotshots – Snoopy Versus The Red Baron
29. The Pioneers – I Need Your Sweet Inspiration
30. Dave & Ansel Collins – Double Barrell
31. DISC 2: Desmond Dekker – 007
32. The Pioneers – Long Shot Kick The Bucket33. The Maytals – Monkey Man
34. Greyhound – I Am What I Am
35. Teddy Brown – What Greater Love
36. Desmond Dekker – Pickney Gal
37. Bruce Ruffin – One Big Happy Family
38. John Holt – The Further You Look
39. The Pioneers – Give And Take
40. Dave & Ansel Collins – Monkey Spanner
41. Owen Gray – Suffering In The Land
42. Daniel In The Lion's Den – Dancing In The Sun
43. Danny Ray – I'm Gonna Get Married
44. The Melodians – Sweet Sensation
45. The Ethiopians – Train To Skaville
46. Tony Tribe – Red Red Wine
47. Jackie Edwards – Come On Girl
48. The Paris Connection – Who's That Lady
49. Nicky Thomas – Yesterday Man
50. John Holt – Reggae From The Ghetto
51. Desmond Dekker – Sing A Little Song
52. Delroy Williams – Down In The Boondocks
53. Dandy Livingstone – Think About It
54. The Melodians – Rivers Of Babylon
55. Freddie Notes & The Rudies – Montego Bay
56. Lord Creator – Kingston Town
57. Zap Pow – This Is Reggae Music
Expanded version of the best-selling TV advertised album from 1973, comprising 55 of the biggest reggae hits of the late Sixties and early Seventies.

The double disc collection includes numerous chart-busting hits and dancefloor-fillers, performed by some of the greatest Jamaican performers of the era, including such legendary artists as Desmond Dekker, the Maytals, Dave & Ansel Collins, the Pioneers, John Holt, Greyhound and Bob & Marcia.

Guaranteed to bring a touch of warm Jamaican sunshine to even the coldest of days, “The Best Of Reggae” is sure to brighten up any occasion, 365 days of the year!

More info:
https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/product/various-the-best-of-reggae

From Goldmine:

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Omnivore Recordings will release two sets of rare Laura Nyro music over the next few months: Trees of the Ages: Laura Nyro Live in Japan and the never-before-issued Go Find the Moon: The Audition Tape. Both will be available on CD and Digital, with Go Find the Moon also available on vinyl (a 45-rpm LP). Each was restored and mastered by Grammy®-winner Michael Graves and produced for release by Grammy®-winner Cheryl Pawelski and George Gilbert with the approval of the Laura Nyro Trust.

https://www.goldminemag.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_602/MTgxMjY0NjI0NzQwNDc2MjY0/go-find-the-moon.webp
Go Find the Moon: The Audition Tape, scheduled for September 10, [contains the proto singer-songwriter’s previously unissued 1966 audition.

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Tree of Ages: Laura Nyro Live in Japan, previously available only in Japan, due out July 16.

A member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Laura Nyro not only wrote songs that became hits for artists like 5th Dimension, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Three Dog Night, and Barbra Streisand, but has been cited as a major influence by artists as varied as Kate Bush, Elton John, Elvis Costello, Cyndi Lauper, Todd Rundgren, Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Wicked), and countless others. Born in the Bronx in 1947, she left us far too soon, at age 49 following a bout with ovarian cancer.

She recorded ten of her own studio albums (one released posthumously), but a live performance from Nyro was always a particularly special event.

Originally issued only in Japan as Live in Japan in 2003, the 16 tracks recorded at Kintetsu Hall, plus five recorded at On Air West return as Trees of the Ages: Laura Nyro Live in Japan, to be released July 16, 2021.

The set runs the gamut of her career, from Nyro-penned hits including “And When I Die,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” and “Save the Country,” to covers of Bacharach/David, Smokey Robinson, and Phil Spector classics. It is an essential document of her historic February 1994 visit to Japan. With Nyro on piano and vocals, augmented by the harmonies by Diane Wilson, Dian Sorrell, Diane Garisto, the performances are sublime.

The reissue packaging contains updated artwork and new liner notes from author and musician John Kruth. Looking and sounding incredible, this essential addition to Nyro’s discography is available worldwide for the first time. Trees of the Ages: Laura Nyro Live in Japan cements the legacy of an incomparable artist.

* * *

In the summer of 1966, an 18-year-old Laura Nyro auditioned for Milt Okun, one of the most respected music producers of the day, and Artie Mogull, a noted A&R man. After the session, these eventual music business legends were so blown away that Mogull became her manager, and Okun signed on to produce her debut record, More Than Just a Discovery. The first song she performed, “And When I Die,” became the opening track on Peter, Paul and Mary’s hit album, The Peter, Paul and Mary Album, and achieved even bigger success with the cover by Blood, Sweat, & Tears, which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. Quite a song with which to begin an audition!

Nyro certainly wrote other future smashes delivered to the charts by artists like Three Dog Night (“Eli’s Coming”), the 5th Dimension (“Stoned Soul Picnic,” “Save the Country,” and “Wedding Bell Blues”), Barbra Streisand (“Stoney End”), and more. But it was Nyro’s heart, soul, songwriting brilliance and magnificent vocal talent that drove music fans to discover her own work.

Go Find the Moon: The Audition Tape, due out September 10, 2021, puts the listener in the room at the very beginning of Nyro’s legendary career. Available now for the first time, it includes “And When I Die” as well as songs she never officially released, and her own versions of classics, all delivered with a deft and distinctive touch.

As journalist Jim Farber writes in the liners: “Here, Laura Nyro led the way with a performance that captured an artist who, however young, was, at root, already fully formed.”

Omnivore will offer a special bundle of the LP Go Find The Moon: The Audition Tape with a numbered litho print of the cover limited to 200.

Track listings:

Trees of the Ages: Laura Nyro Live in Japan

1. Dedicated to the One I Love

2. Ooh Baby Baby

3. Woman of the World

4. Louise’s Church

5. Lite a Flame (The Animal Rights Song)

6. Walk the Dog & Light the Light (Song of the Road)

7. The Japanese Restaurant Song

8. And When I Die

9. To a Child

10. The Descent of Luna Rose

11. Wild World

12. Save the Country

13. Wedding Bell Blues

14. Trees of the Ages/Emmie

15. Walk on By

16. Let It Be Me

17. Oh Yeah Maybe Baby (The Heebie Jeebies)

18. Wind

19. Broken Rainbow

20. My Innocence/Sophia

21. Art of Love

Go Find The Moon: The Audition Tapeeion

1. And When I Die

2. Lazy Susan (False Start)

3. Enough of You

4. In and Out

5. Go Find the Moon

6. Luckie/Studio Talk

7. When Sunny Gets Blue (Fragment)/Kansas City (Fragment)/I Only Want to Be With You

8. Lazy Susan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojTJ30UL5ms

Orange Goblin, Healing Through Fire reissue out August 20

• 35 track double CD from UK heavy metal legends Orange Goblin, with new liner notes by the band

Track Listing:

CD 1 – HEALING THROUGH FIRE

1. The Ballad of Solomon Eagle
2. Vagrant Stomp
3. The Ale House Braves
4. Cities of Frost
5. Hot Knives and Open Sores
6. Hounds Ditch
7. Mortlake (Dead Water)
8. They Come Back (Harvest of Skulls)
9. Beginners Guide to Suicide
10. The Ballad of Solomon Eagle (Radio One Rock Show 17.08.07)
11. They Come Back (Harvest of Skulls) (Radio One Rock Show 17.08.07)
12. Scorpionica (Radio One Rock Show 17.08.07)
13. Blue Snow (Radio One Rock Show 17.08.07)
14. The Ballad of Solomon Eagle (2006 Demo)
15. They Come Back (Harvest of Skulls) (2006 Demo)
16. New Rose (2006 Demo)

CD 2 – LIVE AT THE MEAN FIDDLER, LONDON, DECEMBBER 16, 2006

1. Intro
2. Some You Win, Some You Lose
3. Quincy the Pig Boy
4. Getting High on the Bad Times
5. The Ballad of Solomon Eagle
6. Hot Magic, Red Planet
7. Round Up the Horses
8. They Come Back (Harvest of Skulls)
9. Your World Will Hate This
10. Blue Snow
11. Scorpionia

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Makin' his own kinda music:
Rare Richard Pryor Recording from 1973 Set for First-Ever Release
Titled Richard Pryor Live at The Comedy Store, 1973, the 20-track set is taken from the opening show of a four-night run at the legendary Comedy Store in West Hollywood, where the comedic icon workshopped new material for his residency. Though the jokes from the set were never meant to be heard outside of the now-essential Los Angeles stand-up institution on that October 1973 evening, the tapes survived and have been featured in segments across a number of box sets and collections over the last 20 years. 14 tracks were previously featured on a promo CD included in the 2013 box set, No Pryor Restraint: Life in Concert, while the six bonus tracks can be heard And It’s Deep Too!: The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings (1968–1992) and Evolution/Revolution: The Early Years (1966-1974). However, this is the first time the show will be released in its entirety. July 26, sez here, but may be 23, according to still image of trailer---which is here. along w more info, incl. track list:
https://www.okayplayer.com/culture/rare-richard-pryor-recording-from-1973-set-for-first-ever-release.html

https://redirect.haulix.com//6VB8ppFAFUy5a5XAdxJjwB7UF8FInsMNkujGjsUMPJQ%3d/PromoAccessory_244434.jpg?width=425

MOTÖRHEAD
No Sleep 'til Hammersmith Box Set
BMG
25 June 2021

Back in the Summer of 1981, Motörhead got louder, dirtier and more universal, and you’re getting an invitation to relive this most glorious of achievements once again…

Following on from 2020’s year-long celebration of Motörhead’s iconic ‘Ace Of Spades’ album comes the live album to end all live albums the undisputed definitive live record of all time; No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this number one album, it is being presented in new deluxe editions. There will be hardback book-packs in two CD and triple LP formats, featuring a new venue demolishing remaster of the original album, bonus tracks and the previously unreleased - in its entirety - concert from Newcastle City Hall, 30th March 1981, the story of the album and many previously unseen photos. Also, the album will be released as a four CD box set of all three concerts recorded for the album, released here in their entirety for the very first time and primed to gleefully shatter what’s left of your grateful eardrums.

Upon that original June 27th ’81 release, Lemmy is quoted as saying of No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith after it crashed into number one in the UK charts; “I knew it’d be the live one that went best, because we’re really a live band. You can’t listen to a record and find out what we’re about. You’ve got to see us.” No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith was Motörhead’s first and only number one record in the UK and is still the most necessary live album of all time.

The No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith CD box set contains:

The No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith album, remastered from the original master tapes. Featuring extra bonus tracks and newly unearthed, previously unreleased sound check recordings.
The three full recordings of the concerts that made up No Sleep, never before released in their entirety.
The story of No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith told through previously unpublished and new interviews with the people that were on the road at the time.
Never before seen photos and rare memorabilia.
Double sided, A3 concert posters from 1981.
Reproduction USA ’81 tour pass.
Motörhead ‘England’ plectrum.
1981 European tour badge.
Reproduction Newcastle City Hall ticket.
Port Vale gig flyer post card.

Motörhead in 1981 was a band of extremes; a flammable mix of non-stop celebration over their rising success and punishing graft, underscored by an inter-band powder-keg dynamic. After recording Ace Of Spades, it had shot to number four in the UK; the killer breakthrough after Overkill and Bomber had done essential groundwork, late 1980’s Ace Up Your Sleeve UK tour was a triumphant lap of honour that spilled into the recording of No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith. The album took its title from an inscription painted on one of the trucks, referencing the 32 gigs they were playing with only two days off. The track listing ended up featuring three tracks from Ace Of Spades, five from Overkill, Bomber’s title track and two from their self-titled debut.

See below for full details of the No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith releases and be sure to visit www.iMotorhead.com for news and updates!

CD BOX SET TRACKLISTING

NO SLEEP ‘TIL HAMMERSMITH

Ace of Spades

Stay Clean

Metropolis

The Hammer

Iron Horse

No Class

Overkill

(We Are) The Roadcrew

Capricorn

Bomber

Motörhead

Over The Top

Train Kept A Rollin'

Stay Clean (soundcheck)

Limb From Limb (soundcheck)

Iron Horse (Soundcheck)

LIVE AT NEWCASTLE CITY HALL 30/3/1981

Ace Of Spades

Stay Clean

Over The Top

Metropolis

Shoot You In The Back

The Hammer

Jailbait

Leaving Here

Iron Horse

Fire Fire

Capricorn

Too Late Too Late

No Class

(We Are) The Road Crew

Bite The Bullet

The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

Overkill

Bomber

Motörhead

LIVE AT NEWCASTLE CITY HALL 29/3/1981

Ace Of Spades

Stay Clean

Over The Top

Metropolis

Shoot You In The Back

The Hammer

Jailbait

Leaving Here

Fire Fire

Capricorn

Too Late Too Late

No Class

(We Are) The Road Crew

Bite The Bullet

The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

Overkill

Bomber

Motörhead

LIVE AT LEEDS QUEENS HALL 28/3/1981

Ace Of Spades

Stay Clean

Over The Top

Metropolis

Shoot You In The Back

The Hammer

Jailbait

Leaving Here

Fire Fire

Capricorn

Too Late Too Late

No Class

(We Are) The Road Crew

Bite The Bullet

The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

Overkill

Bomber

Motörhead

Oops, just now got to this:

A never-before-published interview with legendary MOTÖRHEAD frontman Lemmy has been unearthed by veteran journalist Malcolm Dome, who conducted the interview in 1981 and recently happened upon the handwritten transcript in his personal archive.

Four decades later, Rolling Stone has presented the unpublished interview for fans to enjoy. Read the interview today at https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/motorhead-lemmy-kilmister-no-sleep-til-hammersmith-lost-interview-1183208/.

From Strutl last Friday"
Hello everyone. We're back in your inbox with the latest update from Strut HQ and this month we have two new editions of classic albums to bring you alongside an exclusive Record Store Day release.. First up is Patrice Rushen who this week was honoured as a Trailblazer at the Salute THEM Awards. There’s also Miriam Makeba’s 1970 'Keep Me In Mind' that Bandcamp made Album of the Day last Friday. See below for more details.

Record Store Day is back with two more 'drops' this year and, for the first drop tomorrow, our offering is the definitive, expanded edition of the Egyptian jazz classic, 'Egypt Strut' by Salah Ragab and Cairo Jazz Band, originally released on Prism Music Unit in 1973.

(I came across an incredible live performance of Cairo Jazz Band on YouTube, now bracing myself for this album)
Influenced by a concert in Cairo by Randy Weston in 1967 encouraging Pan-African unity, drummer Ragab, Eduard “Edu” Vizvari, a Czech jazz musician, and Hartmut Geerken of Goethe Institut vowed to create Egypt's first jazz big band. Inspired by Sun Ra and his Arkestra's visit to Egypt in 1971, Ragab recorded his landmark 'Egypt Strut' album in '73, a perfect fusion of jazz and Arabic modes with tracks referencing Islamic festivals, Egyptian landmarks and people dear to Ragab.

This expanded version of the album features eight extra tracks recorded during associated sessions. It is released in its original artwork for the first time and is packaged with the original Prism Music Unit house bag designs, a replica of an original mini-booklet describing the tracks and an over-sized booklet featuring rare photos and new liner notes by Francis Gooding of The Wire.

Available in your local record store from tomorrow.

MIRIAM MAKEBA - KEEP ME IN MIND

Released in the summer of 1970, Keep Me In Mind was Miriam's third and final studio session for Reprise Records, produced by Lewis Merenstein who was best known for his work on Van Morrison's Astral Weeks.

Essentially her farewell record to the America, Keep Me In Mind featured a mix of soul arrangements of rock hits including Van Morrison's 'I Shall Sing', alongside Miriam's own songs including 'Kulala' that reflected Guinea's Manding vocal style and the electric 'Lumumba'.

Vinyl features full original artwork and a 12"-sized 4pp booklet featuring rare session photos and extensive new liner notes.

PATRICE RUSHEN - STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART

We are very pleased to present the definitive edition of Patrice Rushen’s landmark album from 1982, ‘Straight From The Heart’. The album features singles ‘Breakout!’, ‘Number One’ and of course the massive global hit ‘Forget Me Nots’. LP and CD are coming in their full original artwork and feature bonus 12” versions of the album’s singles including a previously unreleased extended mix of ‘Tired Of Being Alone’.

Package includes rare photos by Bobby Holland and a new interview with Patrice Rushen. All tracks remastered from the original tapes. You can also read an in-depth interview with Patrice published this week here.
https://www.albumism.com/interviews/forever-straight-from-the-heart-a-conversation-with-patrice-rushen

https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/img/T0RaSkxENmtIMzhvK3dNWHN2YUVuUT09/image004.jpg

The New Jazz Orchestra
Le Dejeuner Sur l'Herbe
Decca
LP Expected 10 September

If one were asked to pick an album that represented the best of British jazz in the 1960s, 'Le Déjeuner Sur l’Herbe' by the New Jazz Orchestra would be a serious contender. Recorded in September 1968, it draws together many of the key streams that had developed in British jazz in the preceding years, and also presages much of what was to come. Notwithstanding the line-up, which includes some of the very best British jazz musicians directed by an inventive and ingenious leader in Neil Ardley, the session features pieces written by the most distinctive jazz composers active in Britain at that time alongside idiosyncratic interpretations of works by John Coltrane and Miles Davis. And it’s all captured beautifully by engineer Howard Barrow and producer Tony Reeves and it features a stella cast of some of the greatest musicians, not just from that era or genre but beyond; Jack Bruce, who would become one of the founding members of Cream, Barbara Thompson, Ian Carr, Michael Gibbs, Dave Gelly, Dick Heckstall-Smith and Jon Hiseman, who went on to form one of the greatest jazz/progressive/rock bands – Colosseum.
More info: https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/product/le-dejeuner-sur-lherbe

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Don Rendell
Space Walk
Decca

LP 3568785 £30.00
Expected 16 Jul

A figure in British modern jazz for over half a century, Don Rendell was both active protagonist and key witness to the main developments in the music from its rise out of tiny clubs and back rooms on up to the most prestigious national stages. From his earliest performances in London’s West End and his work of the 50s and 60s — most not ably with the Don Rendell-Ian Carr Quintet — to the lower profile work of the 70s and 80s, his quite assurance and consistent performance marked him out as a highly respected figure among his peers. He is one of a handful of British artists to feature on Blue Note Records and appeared on some of the most distinctive and characterful British jazz albums by the likes of Michael Garrick, Stan Tracey, Amancio D’Silva, and Neil Ardley. Even though Rendell eschewed much of the free and electric fusion styles that came to the fore in the late 60s, in the main sticking to an acoustic sound with melody and rhythm at its heart, he similarly bridled at any notion that he was merely a ‘bopper’, a description he positively hated. In many ways, Space Walk was as much a valedictory as transitionary album for Rendell. It was his last for Denis Preston, the fabled producer behind Lansdowne Studios, described by Neil Ardley as a ‘rare Diaghilev like figure’ who steered many of the key figures of the British jazz scene into the studio when nobody else would record them.
More info, audio:
https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/product/space-walk

https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/img/Rmkxek0rbDh3N0xvUng4OHErbGlrUT09/image001.jpg

Journeys In Modern Jazz: Great Britain
Various Artists
Decca

New 2×LP (180 GRAM) + Download Code 5393589 £31.00
• 16-page 12x12" insert with 20,000 word essay detailing this crucial era of British jazz with track commentaries and artist biographies
• Vinyl audio remastered & cut by Gearbox Records
Expected 16 Jul
2×CD 5393586 £17.00
• 2xCD hard cover book includes a 20,000 word essay detailing this crucial era of British jazz with track commentaries and artist biographies
Expected 16 Jul

**Featuring amazing music from British jazz legends such as Don Rendell, Michael Garrick, Neil Ardley, Ian Carr, Dick Morrissey, Harry Beckett and more!**

A deep dive into the one of most collectable jazz catalogues in the world, a selection of some of the rarest and most sought-after recordings from the 60s and 70s, a time when British jazz began to find its own identity. Drawn from the iconic labels of Decca, Deram, Argo, EMI Columbia/Lansdowne Series, Fontana, Mercury and Philips.

More info, audio:
https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/product/journeys-in-modern-jazz-great-britain

https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/img/NkpBMGVna2VNeE9JUk1BSXoyUkZldz09/1.jpg

Impulse Records: Music, Message And The Moment
Various Artists
Impulse!

4×LP Box Set (2kg) 3567187 £160.00
• 4xLP box set is housed in a high-quality archival portfolio cast with a museum drop front.
• Magazine style booklet featuring original impulse! ads and artist photos
• Impulse! vinyl slipmat.
• Free UK shipping!
In stock

2×CD 3567186 £20.00
In stock

UNBELIEVABLE new compilation of deep spiritual music by John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Oliver Nelson, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp and other groundbreaking Impulse Artists.

"Orange and black. Fire and ebony. Fury and pride. Wearing its signature colors proudly and raising its exclamation point high, Impulse! Records was the go-to label for music that harnessed the searching and political stand-taking of the Sixties. Launched in 1961, Impulse grew to become an inherent part of the era’s velocity as well as its volume, pulling jazz into the age of Black Power, Afrocentricity, and Spiritual Expansion. In its balance of tradition and transition, it bridged the golden age of jazz, that brief window from the late Fifties to the Seventies when players representing every jazz era were alive and active—from Louis Armstrong to Albert Ayler, from the legends of lore to a new generation of energy players. Impulse treated all its musicians as innovators, revolutionaries even—from swing and bebop, to free and Afrofuturist. The performances on Impulse Records: Music, Message and the Moment draw their staying power from a wide embrace of styles and sounds, as well as a tight focus on a historic moment when the promise of change was in the air and the message of racial harmony was in the music. Today that music has lost none of its relevance: the promise still deferred, the message still on time."

More info, audio: https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/product/breathe

That Journeys in Modern Jazz compilation is very good. I'm gonna write it up for Stereogum next month. The Impulse one is good too but they put out a 4CD set called The House That Trane Built several years ago, to coincide with a book of the same name, that I like better.

Are they both introductions as well as summaries so aimed less at the connoisseur than somebody less familiar with the music? I know I got the book of House That Trane Built and think I got the box too.
Probably got something to make the more familiar listener want to buy. Not sure if tracklist programming is a lure any more assume it must be though. Listening experience must still rely on the disc for a lot of people not just individual tracks once the disc is ripped.

https://www.soundohm.com/data/products/042/le-temps-fou-lp-1.jpg

In September 1968, Marion Brown, who moved to Europe two years earlier, recorded the soundtrack of the movie by Marcel Camus entitled 'Le Temps Fou' in the legendary Parisian studio Davout. The movie starring Nino Ferrer was released in 1970 under the title 'Un Été Sauvage'. Soon fallen into oblivion, 'Le Temps Fou' was printed in very few copies by the French arm of Polydor and is almost impossible to find in its original pressing. Finally, more than fifty years later, Le Tres Jazz Club has brought it back to life in a stunning replica edition for the joy of connoisseurs and new fans alike.
It was in Paris in 1968 that Marion Brown and Gunther Hampel made their first proper record together, Le Temps Fou, a soundtrack for filmmaker Marcel Camus' Un Été Sauvage, with McCall, Jackson, expatriate American bassist Barre Phillips and percussionist Alain Corneau. Both the film and the recording are scarce, so much so that Brown was unaware the LP had even come out. The French arm of Polydor did release the date briefly, and it's in demand among soundtrack and funk aficionados for the tune "Boat Rock," which, despite freewheeling collective horn improvisations, does have a relentless vibes-bass-drums backbeat. Yet the fragmentary, event-oriented freedom posed by Porto Novo is one precedent for this music, as is the loose, open framework of Hampel's own group at the time.

The title track has a catchy, singsong melody, slinky in a film-program manner, but quickly opens into a collective improvisation that breaks down into occasional solo and trio areas. Terse trumpet bleats and alto squeals are met with curt melodic snaps and clanks from vibes, McCall's sea-swells, Phillips' dusky sonata snippets, and Corneau's rattle of castanets and slide-whistle. Phillips' composition "Cascatelles" follows, initially a duo for bass and bass clarinet before it's ensnared by the seismic counterpoint of Brown and Jackson. McCall is simply huge, a force of nature even when his cymbal taps and tom rolls are at their lightest and most fleet. The alto-trumpet dialogue that closes the piece moves from slashes to aching contrapuntal beauty, a bluesy weight that takes Phillips' woody ignition to another level. "Ye-Ye" revels in collective textures similar to the title track, though without the tuneful opening – here, Brown skitters and bounces off Hampel and Jackson (at times even playing a second mouthpiece), building fierce, jagged glossolalia off tonal jabs and rhythmic tides. What's especially interesting about Le Temps Fou is how vastly it differs from Brown's work of the mid-60s, how much more openly it investigates tonal colors and lets dynamics create themselves. Brown's tone and phrasing are more mature, surefooted, and measured, but the main difference is in the rhythmic choices offered by Hampel and McCall (a very loose drummer schooled in bebop fundamentals), which have an openness that never becomes (as with brief Dutch association) antagonistic. - Paris Transatlantic

Marion Brown (as, bells) Gunter Hampel (vibes, bass cl, tree bells) Ambrose Jackson (tp, cow bells, tambour) Barre Phillips (b, castanetes, whistle) Steve McCall (dr, triangle, tambour) Alain Corneau (claves, cow bells)

https://letresjazzclub.bandcamp.com/album/le-temps-fou

Want this for sure:

IANNIS XENAKIS’ 100th anniversary ELECTROACOUSTIC WORKS box sets (LP/CD) + download

Karlrecords is excited to announce a 5LP/5CD box set celebrating the 100th anniversary of Iannis Xenakis (on May 29th, 2022), one of the most influential 20th century avantgarde composers. As with La Légende d’Eer and Persepolis before, the tracks have been newly mixed by longtime zeitkratzer sound engineer Martin Wurmnest and mastered by Rashad Becker and now reveal their full sonic range and dynamics.

„This is the definitive Persepolis“ stated The Wire (May 2018, issue 411) and this will be true for the new sets as well.

Scheduled for release as part of the Perihel series curated by Reinhold Friedl in January 2022 and flanked by several performances across Europe in the Xenakis jubilee year (details tba), while preorder starts early December.

Formats:
# 5x 180gram LP incl. 4c insert and download code + booklet
# 5x Digipack CD + booklet
# Digital download

Listen to „Mycenae Alpha“:
soundcloud.com/karlrecords/iannis-xenakis-mycenae-alpha

Tracklist

I: EARLY WORKS
Diamorphoses (1957)
Concret PH (1958)
Orient Occident (1961)
Bohor (1962)

II: LES POLYTOPES I
Hibiki Hana-Ma (1969)
Mycenae Alpha (1978)
Polytope de Cluny (1972)

III: LES POLYTOPES II
Persepolis (1972)

IV: LES POLYTOPES III
La Légende d’Eer (1978)

V: LATE WORKS
Tauriphanie (1987-88)
Voyage Absolu Des Unari Vers Andromède (1989)
Gendy 3 (1991)
S.709 (1992)

Arg, there's only four of those pieces I don't already have. Intrigued by the remixes, though.

https://folkways-media.si.edu/images/album_covers/SF700/SFW40230.jpg

This is a pre-order item. The box set will ship on or around the release date of August 20th, 2021. ONLY AVAILABLE TO SHIP WITHIN THE USA.

The Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap is a first-of-its-kind multimedia collection chronicling the growth of the music and culture from the parks of the Bronx to solidifying a reach that spans the globe. The set includes 129 tracks on 9 CDs and a 300–page book with original design by Cey Adams, artist and founding creative director of Def Jam Recordings, as well as essays by some of hip-hop’s leading writers and critics and hundreds of photographs spanning decades of history. Through the music, writing, and extensive liner notes, the Anthology reveals the many trends within this multifaceted genre, its social and political implications, and its influence on popular culture.

The Anthology is the third major compendium produced by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings that tells the story of a defining era of music “of, by, and for the people,” following the Anthology of American Folk Music and Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology. It frequently highlights the objects and stories of hip-hop displayed in the National Museum of African American History and Culture galleries, offering perspective on the African American experience and its impact on American culture. Curation of the Anthology was headed by a committee including rappers Chuck D and MC Lyte; writers and scholars Jeff Chang and Mark Anthony Neal; early Def Jam senior executives-turned-cultural-advisors Bill Adler and Bill Stephney; artist and writer Questlove; and producer and educator 9th Wonder.
trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjDaZuMpvxg

tracklist, more info
https://folkways.si.edu/smithsonian-anthology-of-hip-hop-and-rap?mc_cid=8c6fc85e0a&mc_eid=b45ecb38a9

The Getting The Fear reissue ^^^^^ is AMAZING by the way.

Well god dammit, this comes after I managed to track down Karlrecords' release of Persepolis -_- At least I should be able to pass that on without too much difficulty.

https://folkways-media.si.edu/images/album_covers/SF700/SFW40242.jpg

Listen and Buy Here:
https://orcd.co/joseph-spence-encore?mc_cid=caa741e9b7&mc_eid=b45ecb38a9

Vigorous unreleased recordings of the influential Bahamian folk musician... shows off his dextrous fingerpicking and singing style"
- The Guardian
"Will effortlessly transport you to another place and another time... truly enthralling" - Americana UK
"There is an unabashed joy in Spence’s performance of all these songs... we can now share in some of that joy"
- The Riff

Encore: Unheard Recordings of Bahamian Guitar and Singing is out now! The album is a collection of never-before-heard recordings from Bahamian guitar legend Joseph Spence (1910-1984), recorded by renowned recording engineer, documentarian, and producer Peter Siegel in 1965.

Sam Charters, the folklorist who first recorded Spence, wrote: "He was one of the rare musicians whose own abilities are so unusual that they, in turn, reshape the tradition from which they've come. It isn't possible to think of Bahaman music— and finger-picked acoustic guitar music— without thinking of Spence, and at the same time, there is no one like him."

Encore offers a look at a master at work, at the height of his powers and recorded with expert equipment. It includes two entirely new songs that Spence had never recorded before, as well as new settings of Spence classics. A brilliantly virtuosic guitarist who influenced everyone from Richard Thompson to The Grateful Dead, Ry Cooder, and Taj Mahal, Spence was infused with the spirit of improvisation. As he sang, lyrics tumbled over exclamations, swaying between guttural interjections and fast-rhyming patter.

A resoundingly gifted guitarist and a clever interpreter of tradition, Spence has cast a long shadow over the 20th-century folk revival, with his sparkling wit and creativity shining strong even today. He was one of the last of the Bahamian rhymers, heir to a working class tradition, but his music rang across the world long after his death in the 1980s. Today we have a chance to look back at him at the height of his musical craft, an artist full of curiosity and life.

You can purchase Encore, on CD/digital now, and pre-order the vinyl (out this fall). There's also a Spence bumper sticker designed by Darryl Norsen -- free with all vinyl pre-orders, and available for purchase separately!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56idw4IclOc

listened to the Spence (as a fan) and tbh it's... not very good

Arthur Baker Presents Dance Masters: The Shep Pettibone Master Mixes (4CD/two 2LP sets)

CD 1

GEORGE MICHAEL – HARD DAY (Shep Pettibone Remix Remastered)
DURAN DURAN – I DON’T WANT YOUR LOVE (Big Mix)
LEVEL 42 – LESSONS IN LOVE (Shep Pettibone Remix)
WHITNEY HOUSTON – SO EMOTIONAL (Edited Remix)
BELINDA CARLISLE – HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH (Heavenly Version)
THE B-52’S – SUMMER OF LOVE (Summer Party Mix)
HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS – HIP TO BE SQUARE (Dance Mix)
MIAMI SOUND MACHINE – BAD BOY (Shep Pettibone Remix)
CYNDI LAUPER – CHANGE OF HEART (12″ Extended Club Remix)
RUN DMC – IT’S TRICKY (Club Mix)
PAULA ABDUL – KNOCKED OUT (Pettibone 12″)
NARADA – DIVINE EMOTIONS [Shep Pettibone Single Remix)
CD 2

PET SHOP BOYS – WEST END GIRLS (The Shep Pettibone Mastermix)
ALISHA – BABY TALK (Extended Dance Mix)
THE FLIRTS – YOU AND ME (12″ Shep Pettibone Mix)
PHYLLIS NELSON – I LIKE YOU (12″ Extended Version)
NEW ORDER – BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE (Shep Pettibone 12″ Remix)
DEPECHE MODE – BEHIND THE WHEEL (Shep Pettibone Mix)
ERASURE – CHAINS OF LOVE (Unfettered Remix) (2009 Remaster)
KIM WILDE – YOU CAME (Shep Pettibone U.S. 7″ Version)
PSYCHEDELIC FURS – SHOCK (The Shep Pettibone Mix)
ELTON JOHN – I DON’T WANNA GO ON WITH YOU LIKE THAT (The Shep Pettibone Mix)
THE COMMUNARDS – NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE (Single Mix)
GLORIA GAYNOR – I AM WHAT I AM (12″ Extended Version)
CD 3

LISA LISA & CULT JAM WITH FULL FORCE – I WONDER IF I TAKE YOU HOME (The Shep Pettibone Remix)
SANANDA MAITREYA – IF YOU LET ME STAY (The Shep Pettibone Mix)
FIVE STAR – ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH (The Shep Pettibone Remix)
POINTER SISTERS – GOLDMINE (12″ Version)
LIONEL RICHIE – LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL (12″ Vocal Version)
B B & Q – (I’M A) DREAMER (12″ Shep Pettibone Vocal/Long Version)
HOWARD HEWETT – STAY (After Midnight Mix)
GEORGE BENSON – TWICE THE LOVE (Club Love Remix)
THOMPSON TWINS – IN THE NAME OF LOVE ’88 (Railroad Mix)
LISA STANSFIELD – THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME (Shep Pettibone Mix)
PIA – DANCE OUT OF MY HEAD (The Dress-Down Mix)
CD 4

LEROY BURGESS – HEARTBREAKER (12″ Shep Pettibone Mix)
SINNAMON – THANKS TO YOU (12″ Shep Pettibone Mix)
THE JAMMERS – BE MINE TONIGHT (12″ Shep Pettibone Mix)
INSTANT FUNK – (JUST BECAUSE) YOU’LL BE MINE (12″ Shep Pettibone Mix) 2017 Remaster
AURRA – SUCH A FEELING (12″ Shep Pettibone Mix)
CAROL WILLIAMS – NO ONE CAN DO IT (LIKE YOU) (12″ Special Remix)
STEVE SHELTO – DON’T GIVE YOUR LOVE AWAY (Shep Pettibone Mix: Short Version)
SKYY – SHOW ME THE WAY (12″ Shep Pettibone Mix)
MIKE AND BRENDA SUTTON – DON’T LET GO OF ME (GRIP MY HIPS AND MOVE ME) (12″ Shep Pettibone Mix)
WEEKS AND CO. – IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR FUN (12″ Shep Pettibone Master Dub Mix)
THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA – OOH, I LOVE IT (LOVE BREAK) (12″ Shep Pettibone Mix)
FIRST CHOICE – LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER (12″ Shep Pettibone Mix)

I got excited when I saw this announced, though peak excitement would've been 10-15 years ago. The "Love Break" mix is hard to come by on CD despite being it seems to me the canonical version.

Previously unreleased Bill Evans concert recordings:

For the first of two Record Store Day drops on June 12 (the second is on July 17), Elemental Music is releasing Behind The Dikes: The 1969 Netherlands Recordings as a three-LP set, mastered at 33⅓ RPM by Bernie Grundman and pressed at Standard Vinyl in Toronto. The album’s title is borrowed from Dutch producer Michiel de Ruyter’s LP series Jazz Behind The Dikes on Philips in the 1950s. De Ruyter served as an original co-producer on these Evans recordings. He is backed here by Eddie Gomez on bass and Marty Morell on drums...The trio can take a standard like “’Round Midnight” and essay it effortlessly, then turn in a lively take on more lighthearted material like “A Sleeping Bee."
On June 25, Craft Recordings releases another live LP from Evans, a two-LP set titled On A Friday Evening, a newly discovered live performance by Evans featuring Gómez on bass and Eliot Zigmund on drums. The release captures the entire performance.

Craft is also bringing out an Evans box.
From https://downbeat.com/news/detail/lasting-impressions-of-bill-evans

Looking fwd to these previously unreleased Roy Hargrove/Marcus Miller performances:

Clothier recorded the shows in 2006 at New York’s Merkin Concert Hall and in 2007 at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, and the music was recently released as a two-album, full-packaged beauty for Record Store Day’s RSD Drop on July 17 with a limited run of 7,000 copies. (A two-CD version and digital edition will arrive on July 23.)

Feldman first heard the groove-, blues- and swing-steeped music at the home of jazz aficionado and producer Jacques Muyal in Geneva, Switzerland. It was 2016 and Feldman had just attended the jazzahead! conference in Bremen, Germany. He was immediately transfixed by the joyful interplay between the trumpeter and pianist. He heard Hargrove’s dynamic presence and piercing melodic phrasing through their take on Cole Porter’s “What Is This Thing Called Love,” his smoky tone on the ballad “This Is Always” and the emotive blues on his original “Blues For Mr. Hill.” He also fell in love with Miller’s sparkle on Jobim’s “Triste” and his dissonant edge on Dizzy Gillespie’s “Con Alma.” Together, the two were able to transform timeless music into a living transcendence. Not bad for shows that were performed without rehearsals or sound checks.
from https://downbeat.com/news/detail/the-harmony-of-roy-hargrove-and-mulgrew-miller

Shit, that's *Mulgrew,* yes, sorry!

This is one of my favorite records.
http://www.modernharmonic.com/j-ann-c-trio-the.aspx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJqW2oO-7r0

^listened to that a couple of times last week, it's wonderful! Thanks

Creative Construction Company, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 CD

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/813bEO1V74L.jpg

Back in 1970, this AACM supergroup (Anthony Braxton on saxes, Wadada Leo Smith on trumpet and flugelhorn, Leroy Jenkins on violin, Muhal Richard Abrams on piano, Richard Davis on bass, Steve McCall on drums) assembled for a single concert which was released on two LPs (separately, not a double) by the Muse label. Only Vol. 1 was ever out on CD before, but now a Japanese label has combined them and remastered them.

A pretty amazing Fania Records compilation coming (I think I'm gonna buy it):

IT’S A GOOD, GOOD FEELING: THE LATIN SOUL OF FANIA RECORDS (THE SINGLES) CELEBRATES THE LEGENDARY LABEL’S ERA-DEFINING LATIN SOUL AND BOOGALOO SONGS
Spanning 1965–1975, the collection features single versions of 89 tracks from Ray Barretto, Joe Bataan, Ralfi Pagan, and Larry Harlow, among others, including rarities and B-sides

Craft Latino announces the release of It’s a Good, Good Feeling: The Latin Soul of Fania Records (The Singles), a brand-new collection that showcases Fania’s era-defining output of boogaloo and Latin soul music. Spanning 1965–1975, the box set compiles 89 singles from such best-selling artists as Ray Barretto, Joe Bataan, Bobby Valentín, Ralfi Pagan, and Larry Harlow, plus rarities from 125th Street Candy Store, The Latinaires, The Harvey Averne Band, and Ali Baba, among many others.

Set for release on October 8th and available for pre-order today, It’s a Good, Good Feeling includes four CDs plus a bonus 7-inch single, all housed in a 60-page hardcover book, featuring extensive new liner notes by compilation co-producer and DJ Dean Rudland, as well as photos and ephemera from Fania’s archives. Helping to set the scene is a 7-inch single, which culls vintage promo tracks for “Symphony” Sid Torin’s radio shows on New York’s WEVD AM and FM. The famed DJ was an early champion of Latin music and helped to popularize the genre in the ’60s. Featuring newly remastered audio by the GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer, Paul Blakemore, It’s a Good, Good Feeling will also be available on digital and streaming platforms, while an abridged, 2-LP vinyl edition of the compilation offers 28 choice cuts and an eight-page booklet. A collectible orange-crush colored pressing (limited to 300 copies) and a commemorative T-shirt can be found exclusively at Fania.com. The first instant grat. single “Gypsy Woman,” Joe Bataan’s 1967 debut hit, is available to stream/download today.

In the ’60s, a unique musical moment was brewing in New York City, as young Latin American artists—many of them second-generation—found themselves split between the traditional music they grew up on and the rising sounds of soul, doo-wop, and R&B. They began experimenting in the clubs, blending Afro-Cuban beats, Latin jazz, and soul with predominantly English lyrics. The result was a delectable new genre with broad appeal that epitomized the cultural melting pot of New York. While boogaloo and Latin soul was a short-lived craze (peaking in the late ’60s and early ’70s), it popularized Latin music in America and established the careers of many internationally beloved artists.

Fania Records was founded just prior to the rise of boogaloo in 1964 by bandleader Johnny Pacheco and his lawyer, Jerry Masucci. Over the next few years, Fania would sign and nurture a variety of emerging Latin soul artists. As Rudland points out in his notes, “Fania was not the first label to release Latin soul, but they were vital within its rise, releasing important records, and its owners patently understood the opportunity it allowed the young label to expand quickly.”

Among their earliest signings were Willie Colón, Joe Bataan, Bobby Valentín, and Ray Barretto: four rising stars who were all eager to experiment with their sounds—and Fania gave them the freedom to do so. Colón, who became one of the label’s most celebrated artists, rarely strayed from traditional stylings but offered one foray into Latin soul with his debut single, “Willie Baby” (1967). Valentín, meanwhile, straddled the line stylistically, but scored several boogaloo hits for the label early on, including 1967’s joyful “Geronimo” and “Bad Breath,” as well as the anthemic “Use It Before You Lose It” (1968).

Barretto, who had already established himself—and the boogaloo sound—prior to signing with Fania, was known for such foundational hits as 1962’s “El Watusi.” Once he joined the burgeoning label, however, he recorded one of the genre’s most important albums, Acid (1968), which spawned such enduring singles as “A Deeper Shade of Soul” and “Mercy, Mercy Baby.” Latin soul regularly reflected the political tensions of the ’60s and Barretto, in particular, often delivered socially conscious messages in his songs, including the funky “Together” (1969) and “Right On” (1971).

Bataan, meanwhile, burst onto the scene in 1967 with a cover of The Impressions’ “Gypsy Woman”—the title track of his debut album. A year later, he followed with “Subway Joe,” which, Rudland argues, is “the pinnacle of Latin soul,” and scored an R&B crossover hit with a two-part cover of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles’ “It’s a Good Feeling” (subtitled “Riot” by Bataan). The artist also found broad success with emotion-filled ballads like “Sad Girl” and the epic “My Opera” (both 1969), as well as a dramatic cover of The Beatles’ “This Boy” (1971).

Taking the soul route even more directly was Ralfi Pagan, who scored a multitude of R&B hits in both English and Spanish, including sultry covers of Bread’s “Make It with You” (1971) and the Drifters’ “Up on the Roof” (1973), as well as the up-tempo “Wonderful Thing” (1974), and the reflective “Just for a Little While” (1975).

The man behind many of Pagan’s hits, as well as songs by Barretto, Bataan, and lesser-known Fania acts like the Latinaires and Ronnie Marks, was producer, songwriter, and musician, Harvey Averne. While Averne was not of Latin heritage, he was deeply entrenched in the scene and released several of his own albums and singles under a variety of monikers, including the swinging “Make Out” (Harvey Averne + 9, 1967), “The Micro Mini” (Harvey Averne and Group Therapy, 1967), and “Accept Me” (The Harvey Averne Dozen, 1968).

Larry Harlow was another white bandleader who found success in the Latin market, signing to Fania in 1965 and enjoying a long and prolific run with the label. While the majority of his work was more traditional fare, he did deliver several soulful tracks in the late ’60s with his Orquesta Harlow, including such funky cuts as “Mess Around” and “That Groovy Shingaling” (both from 1967’s El Exigente album) as well as a 1968 cover of Hugh Masekela’s “Grazin’ in the Grass.”

In addition to such legends as Louie Ramirez (featured alongside Bobby Marin as “Ali Baba” in this compilation) and Mongo Santamaría, the Fania All Stars also make an appearance on It’s a Good, Good Feeling. The supergroup—which, at the time included the likes of Bataan, Valentín, Barretto, Ramirez, and Colón, plus a handful of special guests—offered Fania an opportunity to showcase its talented roster. The two tracks here (“Richie’s Bag” and “Red Garter Strut”) are culled from the group’s 1969 live album, Live at the Red Garter, Vol.2, and feature vocals by the great Richie Ray.

By the mid-’70s, the popularity of boogaloo had widely given way to salsa—and Fania quickly rose to become a leader in the genre. While salsa ultimately proved to be the more enduring style, the success of boogaloo and Latin soul was instrumental in paving the way for its mainstream appeal. Many of the artists who found early fame with Latin soul records, meanwhile, would go on to enjoy thriving careers, including NEA Jazz Master Award-winner and International Latin Music Hall of Fame Inductee Ray Barretto, Joe Bataan, Bobby Valentín, and Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award-winner, Larry Harlow.

4-CD + 7” Tracklist:

Disc One
1.125th Street Candy Store – Silent Heart
2.125th Street Candy Store – Hey Girl
3.Bobby Valentín – Geronimo
4.Harvey Averne + 9 – Make Out
5.Willie Colón – Willie Baby
6.Bobby Valentín – Love Me So
7.Bobby Valentín – Bad Breath
8.Joe Bataan – Gypsy Woman
9.Joe Bataan – So Fine
10.Harvey Averne and Group Therapy – The Micro Mini
11.Harvey Averne and Group Therapy – The Think Drink “Spiked”
12.Joe Bataan – Ordinary Guy
13.Joe Bataan – Too Much Lovin’
14.Monguito Santamaría – Juicy
15.Ray Barretto – Mercy, Mercy Baby
16.Ray Barretto – Soul Drummers
17.Joe Bataan – Subway Joe
18.Joe Bataan – Special Girl
19.Joe Bataan – Magic Rose
20.Bobby Valentín – Use It Before You Lose It
21.Bobby Valentín – Funky Big Feet
22.Larry Harlow – Mess Around
23.Larry Harlow – That Groovy Shingaling

Disc Two
1.The Latinaires – Camel Walk
2.Bobby Quesada – Bataola Boogaloo
3.Joe Bataan – It’s a Good Feeling (Riot) Part 1
4.Joe Bataan – It’s a Good Feeling (Riot) Part 2
5.Ray Barretto – A Deeper Shade of Soul
6.Ralph Robles – Mercie
7.Joe Bataan – What Good Is a Castle - Part 1
8.Joe Bataan – What Good Is a Castle - Part 2
9.Orchestra Harlow – Grazin’ in the Grass (Una Miradita de Amor)
10.Ray Barretto – Hard Hands
11.Ray Barretto – Love Beads
12.The Harvey Averne Dozen – Accept Me
13.The Harvey Averne Dozen – Why Can’t We Really Be Free
14.Ali Baba (Louie Ramirez) – Ungawa
15.Ali Baba (Louie Ramirez) – Cookin’ with Ali
16.Monguito Santamaría – Hey Sister
17.Fania All Stars – Richie’s Bag
18.Fania All Stars – Red Garter Strut
19.Ralph Robles – Maybe
20.Joe Bataan – Sad Girl
21.Ray Barretto – Together
22.Ray Barretto – New York Soul
23.Ralfi Pagan – Who Is the Girl for Me
24.El Apollo Sound – Spinning Wheel

Disc Three
1.The Harvey Averne Band – Come Back Baby
2.The Harvey Averne Band – Stand
3.Ralfi Pagan – Don’t Stop Now
4.Joe Bataan – My Opera
5.The Harvey Averne Band – Lovers
6.The Harvey Averne Band – Love Never Stays the Same
7.Joe Bataan – When We Get Married
8.Monguito Santamaría – Crying Time
9.The Harvey Averne Band – Let’s Get Together This Christmas
10.Ray Barretto – Right On
11.Ronnie Marks – Some Lonely Heart (Vocal)
12.Ralfi Pagan – Make It with You
13.Ralfi Pagan – Stray Woman
14.Joe Bataan – So Young, Too Young
15.Joe Bataan – I’m Satisfied
16.Joe Bataan – This Boy
17.Joe Bataan – Johnny’s No Good
18.Ralfi Pagan – Baby I’m a Want You
19.Ralfi Pagan – Look at Her
20.Joe Bataan – Shaft

Disc Four
1.Joe Bataan – Cry
2.Joe Bataan – If I Were a King
3.Ralfi Pagan – My Dream
4.Ralfi Pagan – It’s Alright
5.Ralfi Pagan – Up on the Roof
6.Ralfi Pagan – The Gambler
7.Ralfi Pagan – Too Late
8.Ralfi Pagan – To Say I Love You
9.Joe Bataan – Latin Soul Square Dance
10.Joe Bataan – Call Me
11.Ralfi Pagan – Wonderful Thing
12.Butter Scotch – Try Just a Little Harder
13.Butter Scotch – Today
14.Ralfi Pagan – Didn’t Want to Have to Do It
15.W.R.L.C – Johnny’s No Good
16.W.R.L.C. – Blonde Latin Blues
17.Joe Bataan – I’m No Stranger
18.Ralfi Pagan – Just a Little While
19.Ralfi Pagan – Loneliest Loneliness
20.Ralfi Pagan – I Could Never Hurt You Girl

7” Single
Side A
1. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid – Joe Bataan
Side B
1. Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid – Bobby Valentín

Wow, that does look pretty great, and I would appreciate having something so thorough.

If you want to go all digital:

https://craftrecordings.com/collections/various-artists-its-a-good-good-feeling-the-latin-soul-of-fania-records/products/its-a-good-good-feeling-the-latin-soul-of-fania-records

But as it is I'll likely do this one:

https://craftrecordings.com/collections/various-artists-its-a-good-good-feeling-the-latin-soul-of-fania-records/products/various-artists-its-a-good-good-feeling-the-latin-soul-of-fania-records-the-singles-4-cd-7-box-set

Hello!

At Rough Trade we are extremely proud to be reissuing two majestic albums from Scritti Politti's back catalgue - 1985's Cupid & Psyche 85 and 1999's Anomie & Bonhomie on both vinyl and CD format on August 13th. Both albums feature extensive new sleeve notes from Scritti Politti members Green Gartside and David Gamson. A third reissue of their 1988 album Provisions will follow later this year.

Both Cupid & Psyche 85 and Anomie & Bonhomie provide evidence of an extraordinary musical journey. After witnessing a show by The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned and The Heartbreakers in 1976, frontman Green felt as if he had been “given permission” to form a band. Scritti Politti was the result, a Camden-based, squat-dwelling collective who produced what he describes as “scratchy-collapsy” music, all tumbling drums, stumbling reggae basslines and tinny guitars.

Cupid & Psyche ‘85, released in the summer of 1985, was both a pop masterpiece and landmark in music production. Terrifyingly complex technology, embarrassingly expensive studio time and months of intensive work resulted in a brilliant, immaculate sound, described today by singer Green Gartside as “pyrotechnics of pointillist syncopation”.

Overseen by legendary producer Arif Mardin and featuring some of New York’s finest session musicians, Cupid & Psyche 85 took Scritti’s acute pop sensibility to new, glittering heights. It spawned five singles, all hits on one side of the Atlantic or the other: ‘Wood Beez’, ‘The Word Girl’, ‘Absolute’, ‘Perfect Way’ and ‘Hypnotize’.

Anomie & Bonhomie was originally released in 1999 and only on CD, never until now on vinyl. Eleven years after the previous album Provision, Scritti Politti erupted back into life recalibrated, re-evaluated, re-imagined and, eventually, rewarded. Anomie & Bonhomie is the heady results of this artistic rebirth. Illuminated by the band’s stylish pure pop spotlight and collaboration with Mos Def, Meshell Ndgeocello and Wendy Melvoin which gives the record a neon-lit, nocturnal shimmer. Hip Hop flourishes sit side-by-side with heart-hitting balladry, as truly touching melodies match moments of uncompromising musical grit with their emotional impact.