In truth, Big Bus Dream have been around for a while, you just might not have come across them before now. Which is both good news and bad news. For the fact that you know nothing about them is bad news since you've not been repeatedly listening to them for the past few years. But that also becomes good news for you now as their new album, Big Dream Baby is now out in the stores on U.S. independent label Wampus Multimedia.

This new album brings together acoustic guitar with a trip into some synth, but never forgets that, at heart, it is still a broad rock album. Inundated with totally electrified thoughts and creations, singer-songwriter Mike Shannon and guitarist-songwriter Chick Tsikouras have said that this new release showcases the fact that 'we are not defined by our setbacks, but they are always there.' Which is very true and marks the incidence proportion ratio for the causal effect on this recording as one that will resonate with you long after the final track.

On Big Dream Baby the Charlotte, North Carolina-based Big Bus Dream kicks off with the full on rock out 'My Parade,' a song that perfectly introduces Big Bus Dream to anyone that has yet to musically journey alongside them to this point. The psychedelic, Beatlesesque 'Little Bit Insane' is next, with the acoustic ballad 'Wonderland' (a tale of a family torn apart) one of the true stand out tracks on this new album.

The generic plods of both 'In & Out' and then the guitar heavy 'These Days' are next, but the album gets back on track with a tuneful lament of time�s march, the seemingly Waits-inspired ballad 'Fried.' Big Bus Dream continue onwards with vibrancy via the upbeat light-ska-fused 'Laughing,' before the beautiful guitar work of the lyrically circular 'Trapped' is brought forth.

The gentle story-telling of 'Mary's Spoken' is next, with the synth-inspired 'Letting Go' following. The lush 'I'd Follow You' is yet another great track, before the rock of 'Here I Am' is backed by the excellent acoustic guitar work of 'Utopia.' A sound similar to an old-fashioned police siren wail leads us into the rap-fused 'Charlie's Gone,' before the 15 track album is rounded out with what might well be the best song on the new release, the insanely highly-melodic 'C'mon & Run.'

The late, and always-missed Luther Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer who during an incredible career sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards. Indeed, he actually won four of his Grammy Awards in 2004, including the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for the track 'Dance with My Father,' which was co-written with '80s pop star Richard Marx.

And being that Vandross was always so musically creative, always seemingly writing or co-writing most of his songs, arranging and producing his records in ways that shone brightly with a complete understanding of the business, Hidden Gems is a compilation of album tracks, soundtrack offerings and rare live performances that showcase all that and more.

The beautiful, although that could describe any and all Vandross work, 'When You call On Me (Baby That's When I Come Runnin')' is up first, and is followed by 'Once You Know,' the timeless 'I Know You Want To,' the sensual 'Once Were Lovers,' the soaring 'You Stopped Loving Me,' and the epic wind instrument approach to 'The Impossible Dream.'

Luther himself introduces the jazz funk of 'Are You Using Me?,' with the piano-fused 'Goin' Out Of My Head' (the theme from Money Train), 'The Thrill I'm In,' the fun of 'Heart Of A Hero' (from the Hero soundtrack), and then the gentle flow of 'Buy Me A Rose,' and the sax-fused 'I (Who Have Nothing),' a beautiful duet with Martha Wash.

This true gem of an album, of a hidden greatest hits album if you will, is brought to a close (too early, for my liking!) with the lovely 'I'd Rather,' 'Like I'm Invisible,' and the pop beats of 'You Really Started Something.' And man who is as missed today as when he first left us, Luther Vandross' voice is unmistakable and his music is legendary. And if this new collection can 'complete' your Vandross musical works, rush out and buy it today! Please, as you will not regret it. I mean, it's Luther, so how could you?!

The author, poet, actor, and activist and, of course American country music singer-songwriter, Willie Nelson seems to have been around forever. Born back in 1933 (I know, right!), he was one of the main figures of outlaw country, a subgenre of country music that developed at the end of the 1960s. A reaction to the conservative restrictions of the Nashville sound, Nelson took its reins and hasn't stopped leading the pack ever since.

The first track on this new album (produced by Buddy Cannon, Academy of Country Music' producer of the year 2006) is the gentle guitar work of 'A Horse Called Music,' a duet with Merle Haggard. This is followed by the honky tonk boogie of 'Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die,' a duet with the one and only Snoop Dogg and Kris Kristofferson and Jamey Johnson. But, in truth Snoop's involvement makes this song VERY hard to listen to, let alone enjoy! Things get back to normal with 'That's All There Is To This Song,' before we head into a couple of back-to-back ballad duets with his son Lukas Nelson - 'No Place To Fly' and the harmonica-driven 'Every Time He Drinks He Thinks Of Her.'

Next is the organ-fused 'Come On Up To The House,' a gloriously spun tale that once again involves Lukas and the delightful Sheryl Crow (albeit it her involvement seems to have been limited to one chorus and some background chirps), before we get the fantastic 'Hero' with Billy Joe Shaver and some great Jamey Johnson guitar work. The jive fun of 'My Window Faces South' together with Lukas is definitely one to get your feet tappin' before the more somber 'The Sound Of Your Memory' (Lukas) and the gentle twang of 'Cold War With You' (featuring Ray Price and Lukas).

This great album comes to a close with a rambling rendition of Pearl Jam's 'Just Breathe,' a duet with Lukas once again, the near-instrumental piano-jive of 'Home In San Antone' (with Lukas), the slow 'Come On Back Jesus' (with both Lukas and his other son Micah), and the album-ender, a brave cover of Coldplay's 'The Scientist.'

Blue �yster Cult (often abbreviated B�C) is, simply put, a classic Americana rock band from Long Island, NY. Best known for such classic rock songs as '(Don't Fear) The Reaper,' 'Burnin' for You,' and 'Godzilla,' the band actually originated as a group called Soft White Underbelly in 1967.

Blue �yster Cult's sound shifted tremendously over the years, and this 2CD set proves that. From their early distorted rock creations, they went on to craft the most amusing progressive songs one could hope to get from a gang of none-too-serious musicians. Later, their sound gives in to the arena rock affectations of the late '70s and early '80s. A time period where it seemed the best musical thing to do was to blend abundant acoustics with synths as their stable underbelly.

And as much as there was an 'Essential Blue �yster Cult' CD released by Legacy Recordings back in 2003, it only contained 14 songs. So, not really all that essential, to be quite frank! This new essential double album opens with a classic from their debut album 'Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll,' before we get the Eric Bloom boogie of 'Before The Kiss, A Redcap,' the Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser guitar-intro'd 'Stairway To The Stars,' the Richie Castellano organ-fused 'Transmaniacon MC,' a live version of the instrumental 'Buck's Boogie,' and the frantic ode to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police 'The Red And The Black.'

The Bolanesque, guitar-plucked intro to 'O.D'd On Life Itself' is next, with the psychedelic '7 Screaming Diz-Busters' followed by 'Career Of Evil' (co-written by Patti Smith), the heavy piano of 'Flaming Telepaths,' the gentle piano of 'Astronomy' (inclusive of, back then critic and manager Sandy Pearlman's very own poetry as its lyrics), and both live tracks 'Hot Rails To Hell' and from the same show, 'Harvester Of Eyes.'

The first disc ends with the show ending, nearly 8 minutes long live track 'ME 262' and from another live concert one of their ultimate classics 'Born To Be Wild.' Indeed, the second disc kicks of with a studio version of the FM radio hit 'Don't Fear The Reaper,' before a rousing 'This Ain't The Summer Of Love.'

A crackingly bluesy live version of 'E.T.I.' is next, with the guitar plodding 'Godzilla' following. The gentle breeze of 'Goin' Through The Motions' is a great way to break the constant speed of this second disc, and shows what the band could do when not straddled with blazing guitars! The synth-fused 'In Thee' is a treat also, as it showed a new, poppier time period in their history.

The light, near-instrumental 'Black Blade' (a song which is kind of a retelling of sci-fi and fantasy author Michael Moorcock's epic Elric of Melnibon�-Saga) is next, with a live version of 'The Marshall Plan,' the heavier drum-laden 'Veteran of The Psychic Wars,' a beautiful piano-driven 'Joan Crawford' (inspired by the book and film Mommie Dearest), and their uber hit, 'Burnin' For You.'

The spectacular two disc collection is rounded off by a live version of 'Roadhouse Blues,' the synth pop sound of 'Shooting Shark,' 'Take Me Away,' and finally the pop guitar work found within 'Dancin' In The Ruins.'

Created in 2011 in Brooklyn, Ronnie Shingelo, singer and creator of Black Bird White Sky teamed up with producer/engineer/mixer Nic Hard (The Bravery, Aberdeen City, Church, The Ropes) and co-producer/engineer Jonathan Goldstein for this truly outstanding self-titled debut album.

It opens with 'Little Kiss,' before heading into the romantic flow of 'Sleepless,' to my mind one of the best tracks on this album. Then comes the gentle guitar rap intro of 'Lay You Down,' which once sped up is yet another wonderfully vibrant tune to behold.

Knowing that Black Bird White Sky was actually recorded on an MBox with software at Ronnie�s private home studio (and later at Nic�s studio), the eclectic results are a beautiful collection of new songs to encourage the general public to once again believe in the singer/songwriter of today.

The trippy 'M.I.A.' is next, with the heavier 'Before Sunrise' backing it. Obviously one to showcase the entire band - Shingelo, Tommy Binasco (guitar, backing vox), Luke Wagman (maschine, sampling, beats), Jenna Perry (synth, backing vox) and Matt Belardinelli on drums - it's not my favorite on the album. Indeed, it seems when Shingelo takes a harder approach to his music the songs seem to lose some mellow, humble grounding to them. Indeed, this musically emotional world of his is shown to immense depth with the sorrowful 'I Saw Your Soul,' a track that breaks the album apart.

The melodic 'Remember The Time' is followed by the excellent 'Dreamer,' a song that combines driving dance beats and soaring vocal melodies with catchy synth hooks and guitar riffs. The album is then brought to a close (too early for my liking) with the generic 'As We Danced,' but then the tenderly haunting lyrics of 'Bright Star.'

'Total Abandon' was recorded in Australia on Deep Purple's 1999 World Tour which followed the release of the Abandon album the previous year. Now released for the first time in the U.S. (FYI - 'Total Abandon: Australia '99' was originally only available in DVD format in the 2008 box set, Around the World Live) the classic band line-up at the time was Ian Gillan on vocals, Steve Morse on guitar, Roger Glover on bass, Ian Paice on drums, and the brilliant Jon Lord on keyboards.

The album kicks off with the rousing 'Ted the Mechanic,' before heading into Lord's bluesy organ sway of 'Strange Kind of Woman.' After some terrific solo guitar work from Morse, the band then give us the electric 'Bloodsucker' and then the Lord-led 'Pictures of Home' - which Morse nails with some incredible (albeit a tad bit long) solo guitar work once again.

Gillan introduces 'Almost Human' (which includes a wonderful Lord solo moment) as a song about sticking to a night club floor one minute and then lighting up your first fag of the morning the next, before Gillan introduces always-brilliant-to-hear 'Woman From Tokyo' (a story of how Gillan used to drive women from Tokyo to Melbourne back in the day!).

The thumping 'Watching The Sky' is followed by the frantic guitar playing of 'Fireball,' before the trip of 'Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming' is delivered. And then, after a brief interlude (much like someone flipping through radio stations) into, amongst other, Zeppelin, Hendrix, Kinks, The Beatles, eventually the guitar work needle lands on on their classic, 'Smoke On The Water.' Bringing the album to a close with both 'Black Night' and the balls out 'Highway Star,' Gillan and company provide a still-important live encounter with the classic band.

As you may or may not know (altough hardcore fans of Jethro Tull will obviously know this by heart!), back in 1972, Ian Anderson wrote and recorded the Jethro Tull progressive rock classic album Thick As A Brick. The lyrics were credited at the time to the fictitious child character, Gerald Bostock, whose parents supposedly lied about his age. The record instantly became a number one Billboard Chart album and enjoyed considerable success in many countries of the world.

The follow-up to that FM staple, Aqualung, Thick as a Brick gave us something that just wouldn't be accepted in todays musical society - an album-length song! Yep, 22 minutes in length, the track has been called a "total masterpiece in the greatest sense of the word" be reviewers and fans all across the world.

I mean sure it might have been written as a spoof, but it was nonetheless one of the greatest tunes ever recorded. And any prog rock collection is incomplete without this album, in any of its forms.

Which is made even more poetic of a statement now that EMI have released Thick As A Brick 2 - Special Edition. Starting where TAAB, Part 1 ended TAAB, Part 2 flows seamlessly with the story of what if, or what had become thereafter. Ian Anderson's new band do sound like Jethro Tull, I'll give them that, but it's just not the same. That said, if you are willing to take Ian's journey into Gerald's possible futures (pasts?) - for at this point there are many twists and turns and expansive ideas wound into this yarn - then this is the train pulling up at your prog rock station platform you've been waiting a mighty long time to board!

For my money, TAAB, Part 2 is not time returned out of mind but Brick in time as it flows today. Following? OK, well, simply put the lyrical allusions to such a song as 'Passion Play' were not lost on me on 'Cozy Corner.' I wonder what former Gentle Giant frontman and record exec Derek Shulman thought of Ian's response to his press to continue Gerald's story?!

www.jethrotull.com

UK TOUR DATES

For those not in the know, Donovan was a sixties Icon. To have a sixties collection, Donovan must be a part of it, crossing boundries and providing further definition as to what the 60's were truly about.

This new, essential 2CD collection is an excellent introduction to Donovan's many musical faces. From his Dylanesque era, to his Psychedelic phases (where many of his hits came from), to the more mature and rock crafted phase, and then full circle to more introspective, The Essential Donovan is, thankfully just that.

Admittedly, it all seems a bit dated now, but if you loved it when it was new, you'll find yourself responding to the old favorite catchy tunes like 'Mellow Yellow' as well as the more spiritually uplifting fantasies of 'Atlantis,' 'The Hurdy Gurdy Man,' 'Season Of The Witch,' 'Catch The Wind,' and so many more.

Indeed, if you like Folk music in general, this 2CD provides a true, deep example of his Folk phase. I mean, with coming to us inclusive of 36 tracks, one would assume, and hope so anyway, in truth! And for all you Donovan purists out there, Essential also includes his early material issued on Hickory Records.

As for some of the extras included, well, we have 'Sunshine Superman' (Extended Version), 'The Land Of Doesn't Have To Be' (Early Version), and a rousing version of 'Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)' with The Jeff Beck Group.

The Pearl Sessions, based off of the incredible album in its own right Pearl, has finally been remastered and expanded by Legacy Recordings. Sure there was the 2CD Pearl: Legacy Edition that came out in June of 2005, but this contains, for the first time ever, a collection of never-before-heard studio outtakes, live recordings, and other rarities.

Janis Joplin was just 27 years old when she died in October of 1970. She had put together a band, Full Tilt Boogie, which would dispense with the endless jams and showcase her voice and her talent in a way that wasn't done by Big Brother. In the midst of recording Pearl with her vocals tracks for 'Buried Alive in the Blues' scheduled to be recorded the day after her death, instead 'Buried Alive in the Blues' continues to rest on the album as an instrumental filler; a lonely commentary of her life, sadly.

And so, released in 1971 after her death, Pearl was a truly extraordinary album which displayed a range and emotion which Janis' voice was more than capable of reaching. In truth, it was obviously meant as a bridge to better things instead of the lasting musical landmark that it is. Janis' voice stretches from gentle and tender in a 'Woman Left Lonely' to pained and sorrowful in 'Cry Baby' to amused in 'Mercedes Benz.

And so The Pearl Sessions documents the legacy of Janis Joplin's masterpiece album. In 1971, the noted posthumous release of Pearl topped the charts, yielding the hit single 'Me and Bobby McGee' and going on to sell nearly 8 million copies.

A feew of this album's highlights, for me if nobody else, include the funky beats of the John and Johanna Hall song 'Half Moon,' her commanding, three-dimensional, highly textured vocal bounce across the delightful melodies on both 'Move Over' and 'Cry Baby,' and and seemingly induced dulcet psychedelic trance for 'Half Moon.'

Note: The 24-page booklet has liner notes by Holly George-Warren that discuss the forming of her backing band Full Tilt and the myriad of great writers used for the songs on the album (of the ten tracks only 'Move Over' and 'Mercedes Benz' are her own compositions). The text is peppered with new photos of Janis and her band live on stage, a snap of her laughing with Kris Kristofferson, reproductions of trade adverts and master tape boxes - and a great outtake of the iconic front cover artwork where she's reclining on her favorite chez lounge.

After the crowd's applause dies down, the orchestra gently comes to the fore as they bring us the first song off the double album, 'Intruder,' a song whose lyrics are simply shocking - "slipping the clippers through the telephone wire" - given their reality-based, happens all the time in our society subject matter. "I wouldn't clap for too long or I'll do it again," he jokes, before the crystal clear live recording continues onwards with the older track 'Wallflower.' A track from his Scratch My Back album that Gabriel was involved in is next; a stunningly-quiet version of Paul Simon's 'The Boy in the Bubble.' Before the Regina Spektor culled 'Apres Moi' and the delicious 'The Drop.'

We then get an incredible live version of 'Washing of the Water', before one final pull from Scratch, 'The Book of Love.' The slow,, mellow, thoughtful first CD continues with 'Darkness,' before the interesting arrangement of 'The Power of the Heart' ("This is actually how Lou Reed proposed to Lori Anderson") is performed. And then comes a song they had never sung live before with strings, the newly-arranged 'Biko,' before the first disc is rounded off with the piano-infused 'San Jacinto'.

A gentle orchestral sway-bounce opens into a brilliant duet on 'Digging in the Dirt,' before the 46-piece New Blood Orchestra step their game up for the incredible 'Signal to Noise.' After introducing the New Blood Orchestra, the duet 'Downside Up' is backed by one of the stand-out tracks included on this fine album, 'Mercy Street.' Composed now with beautiful tubular bells-inspired orchestral sounds and pitch perfect resonating vocals, the songs soars in its depth.

After reading Carl Jung books, Gabriel then informs us that the origins of 'The Rhythm of the Heat' originated from those very same readings. After introducing his on stage band that fronts the New Blood Orchestra, he introduces the love song, the beautiful 'Blood of Eden.' Recorded at the beautifully simple and iconic Hammersmith Apollo in London in March of last year, the acoustics add a vibrant flow to one of the most anticipated songs of the evening, 'Red Rain.'

It's now about the time that the audience call out for songs to be sung, which is a shame as it breaks up the beauty of this album. But, as Gabriel progresses ever onwards with his reimagined, and it has to be said awe-inspiring orchestral arrangements, he introduces all the soloists and we next get a quietly pulsating 'Solsbury Hill.' After thanking the baying audience multiple times, Gabriel's orchestra heads down the musical road less traveled before breaking into 'In Your Eyes,' with special guest Samara Lubelski.

A haunting Marcia Bassett-infused 'Don't Give Up' then leads us into the last song of the long night, the ethereal instrumental track 'The Nest that Sailed the Sky.' A song that brings this to a close in fine style, the entire 2CD recording shows us the veteran Peter Gabriel as a man who has, once again, outdone himself. These new, beautiful orchestral arrangements of songs with his New Blood Orchestra are of the highest sound quality and means that this is a highly recommended live recording of his work - even if 'Sledgehammer' is nowhere to be seen!

Renowned as one of the greatest British rock acts to have enjoyed worldwide success over the last few decades, The Cult have finally brought forth their first studio album in five years. The newly created Choice of Weapon kicks of with the barnstorming 'Honey From A Knife,' which showcases the fact that time may have taken the acute, angered edge from Astbury's vocals, but his infamous tone is still most definitely there. With a chorus that screams "We got the drugs, we got the drugs," whether they truly still have or not, this is a great way to kick the new album off!

Following that with the more sedate, if there is such a Cult offering, 'Elemental Light,' their new album on their own UK label Cooking Vinyl is ten tracks of pure, unadulterated raw and encapsulating themes. Themes of love, revolt, and redemption encircle and entwine as we flow into both 'The Wolf' (a song that smells of The Cult from 100 miles away) and 'Life > Death.'

'Choice of Weapon' was written by Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, and recorded in New York City, Los Angeles, the California high desert, and the band's Witch Mountain studios in the Hollywood Hills in late 2011. Indeed, long-time Cult collaborator and producer Bob Rock (Metallica, Bush), who produced one of The Cult's most successful albums, the platinum-certified Sonic Temple, actually put the finishing touches on the foundations that were laid by co-producer Chris Gos (Queens of the Stone Age).

The fast-paced 'For The Animals' is followed by 'Amnesia,' a track that truly showcases that fact that with founding members Astbury on vocals and Duffy on guitars, the addition of drummer John Tempesta and bassist Chris Wyse was a wise, solid musical choice. My God, what must they look and sound like live?!

The soaring 'Wilderness Now' is next, with the pulsating 'Lucifer' following close behind. Word from their camp is that this new album is aimed at the heart of The Cult's loyal following. If that's true, well, it hits their bullseye of expectance dead center! The electric 'A Pale Horse,' which could well turn out to be my own personal favorite from this album then bleeds into the final track on the album, the solar 'The Night In The City Forever.'

The Christians - which refers to the surname of the three brothers that were originally in the line-up, and is also coincidentally guitarist Henry Priestman's middle name - were a musical ensemble from Liverpool, England. They had many UK and international chart hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but sadly Roger Christian died in early 1998 from a brain tumour.

With a frontman - Garry Christian - who quickly became the groups unique selling point ala his distinctive bald-headed look and velvet-smooth soulful tones, The Christians couldn't put a musical foot wrong in the UK charts for the longest time. Indeed, their first three singles (all from their self-titled debut album) all made the Top 40 in Britain, and amazingly, for an unknown band at the time, it eventually sold over a million copies.

Their second album, Colour released in 1990, reached #1 in the UK Albums Chart and yielded the international hit 'Words,' which reached #18 in the UK Singles Chart. The second single from the album, 'I Found Out,' which reached #56 in the UK proved to be the last chart-entering cut from the album, sadly. In truth, Colour was built on the back of the success of that greatly-lauded debut album, but it really does feature some great songs. All sung in their distinctive gospel soul style (indeed, one of the tracks, 'Hour of Need' features the London Community Gospel Choir) all the tracks are delivered with great panache - and still serve as a delightful trip down memory lane.

In 1992, the following LP, Happy in Hell charted at #18 on the UK Album Charts, but after a Greatest Hits album was released in 1993, the band disbanded.

Today, Cherry Red Records, as always, has remastered and expanded this still-wonderful Christians album and packed it with extra material. So, alongside all the orginal tracks from the vinyl release we also now get some B-sides from the album�s single releases along with some unique remixes! Oh, and let's not forget the brand new liner sleeve notes from Garry Christian together with some rare images from the time.

With a lead singer whose mellow tones and captivating crecendos pleasantly haunting you for many years to come, Colour may not have been as successful as their self-titled debut, but all the close harmony singing does make for a complex and matchless sound. And, for my money, such wonderment comes perfectly together at its best on timeless tracks like 'Greenbank Drive,' 'Words' and the stunning album opener, 'Man Don't Cry.'

1. Man Don't Cry
2. I Found Out
3. Greenbank Drive
4. All Talk
5. Words
6. Community Of Spirit
7. There You Go Again
8. One More Baby In Black
9. In My Hour Of Need
10. Long Gone (Bonus Track)
11. Funny Money (Bonus Track)
12. Save Us From Our Friends (Bonus Track)
13. Sent Here To Shine (Bonus Track)
14. Greenbank Drive (Laurie Latham Remix) (Bonus Track)
15. From The Water's Edge (Bonus Track)
16. Greenbank Drive - Nomad Soul 7 (Bonus Track)

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The Christians - which refers to the surname of the three brothers that were originally in the line-up, and is also coincidentally guitarist Henry Priestman's middle name - were a musical ensemble from Liverpool, England. They had many UK and international chart hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but sadly Roger Christian died in early 1998 from a brain tumour.

With a frontman - Garry Christian - who quickly became the groups unique selling point ala his distinctive bald-headed look and velvet-smooth soulful tones, The Christians couldn't put a musical foot wrong in the UK charts for the longest time. Indeed, their first three singles all made the Top 40 in Britain, and this newly-released and Deluxe Edition of that very same debut album (The Christians, 1987) entered the UK Albums Chart at #2. Amazingly, for an unknown band at the time, it eventually sold over a million copies.

The highest placed single from it was the soulful 'Ideal World,' which reached #14 in the UK Singles Chart. Other chart hits were the brilliant bounce of 'Forgotten Town,' the bluesy flow of 'When The Fingers Point' and both 'Save A Soul In Every Town' and 'Hooverville.' And during all this, come early 1988 the band even had time to release a cover of the Isley Brothers' 'Harvest for the World,' a #8 (in the UK) singles chart hit that had all the proceeds going to charity.

Amazingly, as I remember buying the vinyl of this myself back in the day, 2012 sees the 25th anniversary of the original release of The Christians' self-titled debut album! Which has enabled Cherry Red Records, as always to celebrate the groundbreaking occasion by releasing this Deluxe 2-disc edition of the album, packed with extra material. So, alongside all the orginal tracks from the vinyl release we also now get some B-sides from the album�s single releases, along with some uniquely interesting remixes of the hits themselves! Oh, and let's not forget the brand new liner sleeve notes from Garry Christian together with some rare images from the time.

As it turned out, the album The Christians became better known in North America, at least) for two later hits: 'Words' and 'The Bottle.' Anyway, all ends up, no matter where you live in the world, this debut is their best. Chock full of very uplifting music, in this two-disc format it is a winner all ends up!

Disc: 1
1. Forgotten Town
2. When The Fingers Point
3. Born Again
4. Ideal World
5. Save A Soul In Every Town
6. ... And That's Why
7. Hooverville
8. One In A Million
9. Sad Songs
10. Forgotten Town (12" Dub Version)
11. When The Fingers Point (12" Remix)
12. Why Waltz

Disc: 2
1. Man Oh Man
2. Look Around
3. No Reason
4. The Losing Game
5. Rebecca
6. Every Town Waltz
7. Throw A Farewell Kiss
8. Say It Isn't So (Part One)
9. Rocking Chair Blues
10. Ideal World (Tr 808 Mix)
11. Forgotten Town (Midtown Mix)
12. Forgotten Town (Uptown Mix)
13. A Lovers' Question
14. Undecided (A Cappella)
15. Harvest For The World
16. Harvest For The World (Remix)
17. Small Axe
18. Heading For A Hard Time

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In truth, and to most people's musical recollections of back in the day, Elbow Bones and the Racketeers only ever had one hit single - called 'A Night in New York.' Written by Ron Rogers and Deborah Clarkin, Elbow Bones and the Racketeers was an American big band-era styled male/female vocal group, created by August Darnell aka Kid Creole (and the Coconuts).

The single spent five weeks in the top 40 in early 1984 as well as reaching #24 in the Dance charts in the States. Bssically, Elbow Bones and the Racketeers was lyricist Debbie Clarkin, Frank `Pago Pago' Passalacqua' and lead singer Gichy Dan. Additional musicians include the Coconuts Carol Coleman, Ken Fradely and Lee Robertson. It was an album chock full of 1940's-esque big band and 80's dance beats that (kinda) also reflected the vibe that Creole/Darnell was also putting out, so quite why he chose to create this pseudonym project is beyond many people/fans.

That said, it is a fabulously frantic album of great songs and toe-tappin', hip-shakin' melodies! Just about every track is a winner, no fillers here as lead off track 'A Night In New York' opens the door to other such rich songs as 'Happy Times,' 'Happy Birthday, Baby,' 'I Got You' and the brilliant 'You Got Me High.' So, it has to be said that if you liked with Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band and/or Kid Creole and the Coconuts, you will LOVE this one-off album!

This newly-expanded album, now housed in a deluxe super jewel case, comes with the original 10 songs plus adds six more bonus tracks to the mix. Along with that the new liner notes include a brand new and exclusive interview with August Darnell (Kid Creole) himself! The complete new tracklisting is as follows:

1. A Night In New York
2. Other Guys
3. Happy Times
4. Our Love Will Always Stand
5. Happy Birthday, Baby
6. Mama s In Love Again
7. I Got You
8. I Call It Like I See It
9. I Belong To You
10. You Got Me High
11. A Night In New York (12'' Version) (Bonus Track)
12. Happy Birthday, Baby (Extended Version) (Bonus Track)
13. Happy Times (Extended Version) (Bonus Track)
14. I Wanna Remind You
15. A Night In New York (Single Version) (Bonus Track)
16. Happy Birthday, Baby (Single Version) (Bonus Track)

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Formed in London in 1980, Loose Ends initially comprised of vocalist and guitarist Carl McIntosh, vocalist Jane Eugene, and keyboard player, writer and founder Steve Nichol. A successful British R&B band that had several urban contemporary hits, Eugene and Nichol left the group in 1989, sadly bringing an end to the band's most successful phase.

After their debut album A Little Spice was released in 1984, but not to critical acclaim, Loose Ends then achieved their first single success on their follow-up album, So Where Are You? That hit was 'Hangin' On A String (Contemplating)' in 1985, which reached #13 in the UK Pop charts. 'Hangin' On A String' also reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard R&B charts, making Loose Ends the first British band ever to top that chart! Indeed, they reached #16 with the follow-up single 'Magic Touch' that very same year.

Indeed, what a lot of people don't know is that this second album from Loose Ends, So Where Are You? was never released in the US! So, tracks from it were used for the group's third release (their second in the US), Zagora (which made #7 on the US Billboard R&B charts).

Produced by Philadelphia-based Nick Martinelli, this album has now been lovingly remastered and expanded to include all ten of the original songs and now five mixes of tracks from the LP. Including two more versions of the classic 'Hangin' On A String.'

In what must have been a homage to the likes of Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, legendary producers for the likes of the S.O.S. Band, Alexander O' Neal, Cherrelle, Chaka Khan, Janet Jackson, etc. lead single 'Hangin' on a String' is a monster sound, even today. And yes, please note I said homage and not duplication or reproduction! That track was the song of the summer in 1985 and, as paid mention to above, made Loose Ends the first British black group to have a #1 single in the American R&B chart!

Anyway, as for the rest of the album, apart from a cover of Bowie's 'Golden Years' (UK #59 Single) and Dexter Wansel's 'The Sweetest Pain', the remainder of the tracks were self composed by the trio. Which goes a long way to showing just how underappreciated they truly were as a music unit. The band only releases two more albums - 1988's The Real Chuckeeboo and 1990's Look How Long - before disbanding thereafter. Actually, on a side note, in 1998 the group reunited to appear on a single by Pete Rock called 'Take Your Time.'

1. Magic Touch
2. A New Horizon
3. If My Lovin' Makes You Hot
4. So Where Are You?
5. Golden Years
6. Hangin' On A String (Contemplating)
7. Give It All You Got
8. The Sweetest Pain
9. You Can't Stop The Rain
10. Silent Talking
11. Hangin' On A String (The Twilight Firm All Night Mix)
12. Hangin' On A String (Frankie Knuckles Club Mix)
13. You Can't Stop The Rain (Timmy Regisford Remix)
14. Golden Years (Uk 12" Single)
15. Magic Touch (Vibes Version)

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Five Star were a hugely successful British pop, some might also say R&B group formed in 1983. Comprising of siblings Stedman, Lorraine, Denise, Doris and Delroy Pearson, they were known for their flamboyant images, matching costumes and heavily choreographed dance routines. Indeed, such was the love for this group that Five Star achieved a string of Top 40 singles and albums in the UK between 1985 and 1988.

After their debut album Luxury of Life reached #12 in the UK (#57 in the US), with 1986's lush Silk and Steel reaching #1 (UK), this now newly-remastered Between the Lines (1987) album reached #7 in the UK, and their last album of the '80s 'Rock The World' came out in 1988. Between The Lines paired the group with producer Dennis Lambert and songwriter Diane Warren, who penned the singles 'Strong As Steel,' 'Whenever You're Ready,' and 'Somewhere Somebody.'

In 1989 they released a Greatest Hits album, which was followed by Five Star (1990), Shine (1991), Heart and Soul (1994) and their final album come 2001, Eclipse.

For my money, out of all of Five Star's albums, I thought that 1986's Silk & Steel was their best. But, that said, this one's still pretty good too. The '80s formula that made that album such a great one is still mostly intact here. And the upbeat, feel-goodness of 'Ain't What'cha Do' certainly makes that one of their best songs here. Though they made a few albums in the '90s, the formula was starting to wear thin. So, people looking to get interested in this group should start with their '80s albums first, for sure.

Anyway, and with that all said, this brand new 14 track collection features the original ten tracks of the album plus four bonus tracks. Included now on this expanded CD is a 12" remix the single 'Whenever You're Ready,' which actually appears anywhere for the first time in the UK. Also included is the Shep Pettibone 12" remix of 'Somewhere Somebody,' which was only previously available on vinyl, a 1987 full vocal B-side song in 'How Dare You (Stay Out Of My Life)' (which was actually used as the theme tune to ITV's How Dare You, and is previously unreleased also), with the final track a monster eleven minute megamix - featuring nine of Five Star's biggest hits!

Also, as is Cherry Pop's way with such things, the new CD booklet contains comprehensive sleeve notes, including interviews with several writers and producers of the album, 1987 single discography, and a brand new exclusive interview with Five Star's very own Doris Pearson. And the complete tracklisting is as follows:

1. Somewhere Somebody
2. Whenever You're Ready
3. Strong As Steel
4. Read Between The Lines
5. Live Giving Love
6. Ain't Whatcha Do
7. Made Out Of Love
8. You Should Have Waited
9. Knock Twice
10. Hard Race
11. Whenever You're Ready - The New York Mix (Bonus Track)
12. Somebody Somewhere - The Pettibone Remix (Bonus Track)
13. How Dare You (Stay Out Of My Life) (Bonus Track)
14. The Five Star Hit Mix (Including Can't Wait Another Minute, Let Me Be The One, All Fall Down, Whenever You're Ready, Find The Time, If I Say Yes, R.S.V.P., Love Take Over, The Slightest Touch) (Bonus Track)

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Five Star were a hugely successful British pop, some might also say R&B group formed in 1983. Comprising of siblings Stedman, Lorraine, Denise, Doris and Delroy Pearson, they were known for their flamboyant images, matching costumes and heavily choreographed dance routines. Indeed, such was the love for this group that Five Star achieved a string of Top 40 singles and albums in the UK between 1985 and 1988.

After their debut album Luxury of Life reached #12 in the UK (#57 in the US), with 1986's lush Silk and Steel reaching #1 (UK), and 1987's Between the Lines reaching #7 in the UK, their last album of the '80s 'Rock The World' came out in 1988. The album yielded two UK top 30 hits in 'Another Weekend' and 'Rock My World' - which would become the group's final chart hit. Indeed, two further singles from the album, 'There's A Brand New World' and 'Let Me Be Yours' sadly failed to reached the UK top 40.

In 1989 they released a Greatest Hits album, which was followed by Five Star (1990), Shine (1991), Heart and Soul (1994) and their final album come 2001, Eclipse.

In truth, their previous releases each had several good tracks, but also had many tracks that were poorly produced, contained corny lyrics and, in my opinion, should not been on the albums. On Rock The World they did a great job, especially on tracks like 'Godsend,' 'Rescue Me,' and 'There's A Brand New World.' It's just too bad that by the time this super talented group began to do the quality work all knew they could do the public was done with them - because of their previous below par releases.

Anyway, this brand new 17 track collection features the original ten tracks of the album plus seven bonus tracks. Indeed, one of the most interesting additions to this Special Edition is the David Morales 7" remix of the US single 'Someone's In Love,' which (amazingly) is available for the first time in the UK here on this release.

Luckily for all those avid Five Star fans still out there, included here are two 1989 tracks from their aborted fifth album for RCA: the single 'With Every Heartbeat' and the highly-appreciated-by-fans 'Something About My Baby.' Also, as is Cherry Pop's way with such things, the new CD booklet contains comprehensive sleeve notes. These include interviews with key figures involved in the making of the album, 1988-89 single discography, rare photographs and exclusive comments from Five Star's very own Doris Pearson. And the complete tracklisting is as follows:

1. Another Weekend
2. Rock My World
3. Godsend
4. Are You Really The One
5. Let Me Be Yours
6. Free Time
7. Physical Attraction
8. Someone's In Love
9. There's A Brand New World
10. Rescue Me
11. Another Weekend (Saturday Night Mix)
12. Rock My World (Extra Terrestrial Dub)
13. There's A Brand New World (12" Version)
14. Let Me Be Yours (Remix)
15. Someone's In Love (David Morales Us 7" Radio Mix)
16. With Every Heartbeat (7" Mix)
17. Something About My Baby

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British-born Hazell Dean was a dance-pop singer who achieved her biggest success in the 1980's as one of the country's favorite Hi-NRG artists. A woman of many talents, she even participated twice in the A Song for Europe contest. She also provided backing vocals for Samantha Janus in 1991's Eurovision Song Contest.

Indeed, Dean gained initial success in the 1980's when she entered the UK Singles Chart with the double A-sided single, "Evergreen" / "Jealous Love" which peaked at #63. Two months later however, she scored her first Top 10 hit with the re-release of "Searchin' (I Gotta Find A Man)", which peaked at #6. Dean then released the follow-up "Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)" (which was produced by the musical force of Stock Aitken Waterman) which hit #4.

And now Dean's classic 1988 album Always is given a long-awaited Deluxe Edition reissue on the brilliant Cherry Pop label. Featured on this brand new 2-disc edition are an incredible 29, yes 29 tracks, that bring us all the original album tracks along with extended mixes, remixes, house mixes and even B-side bonus tracks.

Digitally re-mastered direct from master tapes held at the PWL, Abbey Road and Capitol Records archives, this Deluxe Edition - produced by the aforementioned powrehaus Stock Aitken and Waterman production team of the '80s and '90s - brings us a whole host of theirs (and, of course Dean's) classic SAW singles - Who's Leaving Who? (#4), Maybe (We Should Call It A Day) (#15), Turn It Into Love (#21), and the dancefloor smash hits They Say It's Gonna Rain and Always Doesn't Mean Forever.

Sadly, and yet in truth, by the time Hazell was ready for her comeback SAW had passed her on to Harding & Curnow for her comeback single Love Pains - which barely scraped into the UK Top 50. She returned to SAW in 1989 to record 'Can't Help The Way That I Feel,' which was then mysteriously taken from her and given to Sonia! Then in 1991 SAW did another song with Hazell, 'Better Off Without You' (originally a Lonnie Gordon track, which also flopped!

Anyway, and for all those Hazell Dean devotees out there, Always comes with an extensive, newly-created booklet that features additional photos, a fully illustrated discography complete with recording data, full lyrics, and an exclusive track-by-track commentary written just for for this release by Hazell herself! And the complete track-listing is as such:

Disc: 1
1. They Say It's Gonna Rain 7" Version
2. Who's Leaving Who? 7" Version
3. Turn It Into Love
4. You're My Rainbow
5. Always Doesn't Mean Forever 7" Version
6. Maybe (We Should Call It A Day) 7" Version
7. Walk In My Shoes
8. Nothing In My Life
9. Danger
10. No Fool (For Love) The Murray 7" Mix (Bonus Track)
11. Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing Duet With Darryl Pandy (Bonus Track)
12. Stand Up 7" Version (Bonus Track)
13. Can't Get You Out Of My Mind (Bonus Track)
14. Love Ends, Love Parts (Bonus Track)
15. Walk In My Shoes Original Version (Bonus Track)
16. E.S.P. (Extra Sensual Persuasion) 7" Version (Bonus Track)
17. Who s Leaving Who? The Boys Are Back In Town Mix (Bonus Track)
18. Stand Up 12" Version Extended Version (Bonus Track)

Disc: 2
1. E.S.P. (Extra Sensual Persuasion) Extended Dance Mix
2. Image In The Mirror
3. They Say It s Gonna Rain Indian Summer Mix
4. Always Doesn t Mean Forever My-Ami Mix
5. Turn It Into Love The Danae Jacovidis Edit
6. Walk In My Shoes Nightmare Mix
7. Who's Leaving Who? Bob s Tambourine Mix
8. Maybe (We Should Call It A Day) The Extra Beat Boys Remix
9. Turn It Into Love House Mix
10. They Say It s Gonna Rain The Zulu Mix
11. Turn It Into Love Alternative 12" Mix

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Having achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s, The Pointer Sisters - an American R&B group from Oakland, CA - had a career that spanned over three decades. With its early origins as far back as 1969 when sisters June and Bonnie Pointer began performing in clubs as "Pointers, a Pair," the line-up grew to a trio when sister Anita Pointer joined them.

As things turned out, Bonnie Pointer left the group in 1976 and the remaining trio of Ruth, Anita and June Pointer eventually signed with Richard Perry's fledgling label Planet Records. Their first album on that label and as a trio was 'Energy,' which came out in late 1978. It was quickly certified gold making #13 in the US Pop Charts and #9 in the US R&B Charts.

These days Energy is renowned as one of The Pointer Sisters' absolute classic albums. It has also been a VERY rare CD to find in latter times which makes this new release perfect for all their fans. Indeed, it's the music that still matters. And this is the album that re-launched the Pointer Sisters in 1978-1979 marking their long run with hits into the '80s. It contained their cover of Bruce Springsteen's 'FIRE,' which soon became their first gold single, 'EVERYBODY IS A STAR' (Sly and The Family Stone), and the fun of 'HAPPINESS' (Alan Toussaint).

Amazingly, as most people think this album was created with originals, Energy also features songs originally recorded by Steely Dan ('DIRTY WORK'), Fleetwood Mac ('HYPNOTIZED'), Redbone ('COME AND GET OUR LOVE') and even The Doobie Brothers' 'ECHOES OF LOVE.'

The new bonus tracks include 'LOVE IS LIKE A ROLLING STONE,' a wonderfully rocking once B-side, another B-side in 'NOTHIN� BUT A HEARTACHE,' and a 12" disco mix of 'HAPPINESS' - which, in truth, only gives us an extended ending of a minute or so longer. For the record, their follow-up rock album Priority (1979) was also a strong record to listen to - even today.

And so as those wonderful people at Cherry Pop have brought forth this newly remastered and super deluxe version of Energy with these bonus tracks (and even brand new interviews), here is the new track listing:

1. LAY IT ON THE LINE
2. DIRTY WORK
3. HYPNOTIZED
4. AS I COME OF AGE
5. COME AND GET YOUR LOVE
6. HAPPINESS
7. FIRE
8. ANGRY EYES
9. ECHOES OF LOVE
10. EVERYBODY IS A STAR
11. LOVE IS LIKE A ROLLING STONE (B-Side)
12. NOTHIN� BUT A HEARTACHE (B-Side)
13. HAPPINESS (12� Disco Version)

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As the documented story goes, Profile Records was founded by Cory Robbins and Steve Plotnicki, both Jewish New Yorkers in their 20s. Products of the disco boom, they first met in 1979 when Robbins released a Plotnicki-penned disco song, "Love Insurance," on Panorama; a small imprint that Robbins ran for MCA Music Publishing.

Amazingly, the basic idea behind Profile Records - which Robbins and Plotnicki subsequently launched in May 1981, with a $34,000 loan from their parents - was to release 12" dance singles.

Ergo, Profile's first single, a disco record by British TV star Grace Kennedy(?!), was an all-American flop! But over the course of the next twenty years, with signings like Run DMC, Dana Dane, Rob Base & D.J. EZ Rock, Poor Righteous Teachers, Profile Records would become one of the biggest and most respected hip-hop labels in the world.

Thus, GIANT RECORD: PROFILE RECORDS RAP ANTHOLOGY brings us a bright white spotlight on the story of one of hip-hop�s true super-powered indie labels. The chrono�logically-arranged, 31-song double-CD begins with such legends as DR. JECKYLL & MR. HYDE's "Genius Rap" and "Whip Rap" from DISCO FOUR, before heading into "Beat Bop" (RAMMELZEE VS K-ROB), "Fresh Fresh" (3 MC S), "Here Comes That Beat!" (PUMPKIN & THE PROFILE ALL-STARS), and both "King Kut" from WORD OF MOUTH and the always-excellent "Sucker M.C.'s" from KRUSH-GROOVE 1 aka RUN DMC.

Side one is rounded out by "A Fly Guy" (PEBBLEE POO), "Nightmares" (DANA DANE), "Get Off My Tip!" (THE MASTERDON COMMITTEE), "Lies. Lies" (RAP-O-MATIC LTD.), and "I Can't Wait (To Rock The Mike)" from SPYDER D, "Drag Rap" from THE SHOWBOYS, "It's My Beat" from SWEET TEE & JAZZY JOYCE, and the great "Ragamuffin Hip-Hop" from ASHER D & DADDY FREDDY.

As you listen on through it, 'Giant Single: The Profile Records Rap Anthology' boasts a na�ve exuberance that came in part because the boundaries of rap and hip-hop had yet to be defined. Indeed, by the time of RUN DMC's 1986 remake of AEROSMITH's �Walk This Way,� which leads off the second disc in fine style, the music had emerged from the streets to become the latest sound of young America.

That song is followed by "Cinderfella Dana Dane" (DANA DANE), the monster one-hit wonder of pop history "It Takes Two" from ROB BASE & DJ E-Z ROCK, "Beats To The Rhyme" from RUN DMC, "Give Em A Sample" (TOO KOOL POSSE), "I Got It Made" (SPECIAL ED), and both "Do It To The Crowd" from TWIN HYPE and "Hey Love" from KING SUN.

The chronicles of this great label's 15-year history and legacy continue with "Ah, And We Do It Like This" (ONYX), "Rock Dis Funky Joint" (POOR RIGHTEOUS TEACHERS), "Born And Raised In Compton" (DJ QUICK), "Be True To Yourself" (II NONE), "Zulu War Chant" (TIME ZONE), "Whutcha Want?" from NINE, and ends with both "Broken Language" by SMOOTH DA HUSTLER and "Luchini AKA This Is It" from CAMP LO.

With nearly a dozen hip-hop heavyweights whose tributes appear in the CD booklet, all who which champion what founders Cory Robbins and Steve Plotnicki set out to to (and ultimately did), 'Giant Single: The Profile Records Rap Anthology' is a mountain of rap and hip-hop music that needs to be ain any serious record collector's collection.

Ren�e Fleming�s luminous sound, brilliant stage presence and superb artistry are just a few of the qualities that make her one of the world�s most beloved and recognisable musical figures. Her freshness and purity of tone, together with an exceptional musical intelligence and grace, continue to enchant audiences worldwide.

As a passionate champion of creativity in the arts, it is so exciting when a recording accomplishes something new and interesting. This is the case with the beautiful and exceedingly interesting 'Poemes' album.

An album of French orchestral songs, something that might make Fleming's opera fans stay away sadly (but not likely), it's her account of Ravel's often-recorded Sh�h�razade (that sounds, at moments uncannily like de los Angeles) that stands out here on 'Poemes.'

This is a must have for anyone who loves opera, classical music and beautiful vocal music. You can't go wrong with Renee!

Taking their name from the Irish Gaelic for �family from Dore� or �Clann As Dobhar,� members of the Brennan and Duggan families make up the wonderful Irish band, Clannad.

An incredible double disc containing 30 tracks these discs makes this an excellant introduction to the group. Basically, 'The Essential Clannad' touches on fan favorites, collaborations, and songs from films. Inclusive of newer new age facets of their work, it also includes a stronger celtic flavor also - a little something for everyone.

This collection features some of Clannad's best songs from the 80's, from their albums Magical Ring, Legend, Macalla, and Sirius. It opens with one of Clannad's movie theme hits, "I Will Find You" (the theme From 'The Last Of The Mohicans') and is followed by their second greatest hit, "In A Lifetime."

Some songs are instrumental pieces, others involve voices, but all draw you into a lilting, almost ethereal world of Celtic beauty. There are no fast fiddle pieces, just intricately crafted, delicately beautiful musical charms, one and all. Indeed, the second disc carries the more traditional tracks like "Buachaill An Eirne", "Coinleach Glas An Fhomhair" and "Ta Me Mo Shui".

The lack of two instrumental tracks, "Lady Marian" and "The Fairy Queen" is a little disturbing, but you'll get over it. For as you yourself will quickly discover, Clannad had quite a few really beautiful songs as well as exciting pop songs. But, for my money, the stunning "Harry's Game," even though it is so short, will always be the best song the band has taken the time to record.

'Live at the Carousel Ballroom 1968' is a previously unavailable live concert recording of Big Brother and the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin. Recorded on June 23rd of that year by the late legendary soundman Owsley Stanley (aka "Bear") - who supervised the mastering of this release - in truth, the album marks the one-year anniversary of his passing and is dedicated to the man himself.

The album kicks off with knock ya rock ya of 'Combination Of The Two,' before Joplin's vocals are stretched to the limit on 'I Need A Man To Love.' 'Flower In The Sun' and 'Light Is Faster Than Sound' are next, before the true depths of Joplin's raspy vocals are brought forth on 'Summertime.'

The jam of 'Catch Me Daddy' is followed by the short 'It's A Deal' and the slow sway of 'Call On Me.' Then comes 'Jam - I'm Mad (Mad Man Blues)', before an incredible, rousing rendition of 'Piece Of My Heart.' This followed by a near 7 minute softly-sung 'Coo Coo,' before the album rounds out with the guitar-riffing 'Ball & Chain,' 'Down On Me,' and another 'Call On Me' - recorded from the previous nights show.

Thankfully the quality of the audio is incredible. For being sourced from a 1968 soundboard the audio is really quite good. You can hear all the instruments and vocals and the overall balance is great too. You, as I, will have no complaints, trust me.

As you all know by now, hopefully, Candice Night is not only an American vocalist/songwriter, but the musical partner and wife of Rainbow/Deep Purple guitar legend, Ritchie Blackmore. Also being the lead singer, multi-instrumentalist, and lyricist for the traditional folk rock project, Blackmore's Night (since its origins in 1997), Candice has released solo rcords before ... but this one is the best yet, for my money!

Candice's voice on Reflections' is amazing! Truly evocative at every musical turn, every song is different, each note sung and lifted to its most perfect of platos - which makes the whole listening experience even more worthwhile. Indeed, her songwriting transports you into a world where you are asked to reflect on the everyday happenings in life; more than just to listen - if that makes any sense!

The album starts with very ethereal 'Wind Is Calling (Hush The Wind),' before heading into the faster, beat-infused 'Gone Gone Gone,' the Maire Brennanish 'Black Roses,' and both 'Now And Then (2011)' and the wonderful vocals of 'Dangerous Smile.'

I know I go on about it, but Candice's voice is simply enchanting. It is also nice to hear her away from Blackmores Night, to stand alone, so to speak - as she does it so well. She is quite an extraordinary talent and proves that ever onwards with the ballad 'For You,' the mid-tempo 'Call It Love,' the stunningly beautiful 'Robin Red Breast,' before closing the album out with the storytelling of 'Alone With Fate' and 'In Time.'

Blue Mink was a colorful British five-piece pop group, that existed from 1969 to 1974. Roger Coulam was the expert organist who actually formed the band in the autumn of 1969, along with the incredible vocal tones of the lovely, and oh so sexy Madeline Bell (vocalist), Roger Cook (vocalist), Herbie Flowers (bassist), and the late Barry Morgan on drums.

This new Blue Mink 'The Singles Collection' CD is a 17 track round up of every A side issued by the multi talented band. The "mix it all in" 'Melting Pot' was released as Blue Mink's debut single (UK No.3), and the first single on this hits collection (FYI - the second verse controversially includes the slang term Chinkies, which was seemingly OK to use back then!) Next up is 'Good Morning Freedom' (inclusive of the infectious line "A Bee Bow Bow B'B Buppa Bow!" - UK No.10), 'Our World,' 'Time For Winning,' and then 'The Banner Man' (basically one long oompah-pa-pa-pah song - UK No.3), 'Sunday' and 'Count Me In.'

Next up is the island-flavored 'Wacky Wacky Wacky' (complete with tuba backbone throughout - also, I implore you to locate their live video performance of this on YouTube whilst on the UK music show TOTP from 1972!), 'Stay With Me' (a song whose intro'd bass line was both piano and bass guitar in perfect unison - UK No.11), the true classic 'By The Devil (I Was Tempted)' (UK No.26), and then 'Randy.'

As glam rock elbowed Blue Mink's brand of light-hearted pop out of the way, next up is 'Quackers' (from their final album), and then 'Get Up,' 'Another Without You Day,' 'You�re The One,' 'Five Minute Wonder' and lastly 'Where Were You Today' - which was used as the soundtrack to the UK chain store C&A�s television adverts!

The booklet contains exquisitely-detailed liner notes by guitarist Mick Rossi with clippings and memorabilia culled from the bands early days.

Throughout Blue Mink's career, the individual members maintained their high profile session careers, but their main success came as this musical unit. Indeed, come 1974 Blue Mink released their last album, Fruity, but it didn't do anything - and the band broke up that fall, following one final American tour.

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Aimee Mann was not only the voice, no pun intended, behind 'Til Tuesday, but the selling image, the interview go-to, and the only name that anyone could/would remember associated with them! Go on, prove me wrong - name one of the other band members she sang with in 'Til Tuesday?!

Anyway, that aside, Voices Carry (or, as anyone will tell you, a song sometimes mistaken as 'Voices Scare Me'!) was with the debut album from 'Til Tuesday back in 1985. And, together with that title track complete with Mann's shrill vocals and Robert Holmes' rhythm guitar, it netted the quartet their only Top Ten hit on the Billboard charts. Indeed, the combination of Mann and Holmes set the stage for what some (most) called new-wave/synth pop, but that some dared call gothic pop!

The album lays out as the original does with a bass guitar intro to 'Love In A Vacuum,' before 'Looking Over My Shoulder,' 'I Could Get Used To This,' 'No More Crying,' 'Voices Carry,' some wicked guitar playing then brings in 'Winning The War,' 'You Know The Rest,' 'Maybe Monday,' the despair of 'Don�t Watch Me Bleed' and finally 'Sleep.'

The bonus tracks included on this glorious expanded edition include a 'Voices Carry' (Single Mix), a 'Looking Over My Shoulder' (Single Mix), and 'Love In A Vacuum' (Single Mix). In truth, being that they are all Single Mixes, two of which make their debut CD release, they don't rival the album cuts much, sadly. I'd have hoped for some 12" remixes or some such, but perhaps another day, another version.

'Voices Carry: Expanded Edition' is fully remastered and comes in a deluxe Super Jewel case with extensive liner notes - including exclusive interviews with Robert Hoimes (guitarist) and Mike Thorne. (There you go, there's two of the band names for you to remember for a future musical pop quiz! Oh, the third was Joey Pesce on keyboard!)

To bring this review full circle, their next album included a mix of tracks that have the very same synth/new wave rock sound, as well as the folky/acoustic sound that would appear on the third album. The band broke up after that. It's actually interesting to see how much their sound changed as they progressed, although the songwriting was basically the same.

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'Golden Gate Groove: The Sound Of Philadelphia Live 1973' documents the first - and only - time that the stars of Philadelphia International Records ever played in concert with the label's fabled house band, known as MFSB. Capturing a 1973 night in the City by the Bay it introduced the brightest stars from the City of Brotherly Love to en mass of an audience.

And each one of these artists contained on this fantastic collection and their classic songs can now be heard on this quite remarkable time capsule. One that's newly arrived from Legacy Recordings and Philadelphia International.

The CD kicks off with an Introduction By Master Of Ceremonies, the late Don Cornelius Of Soul Train, before 'Freddie's Dead' from MFSB (containing some 35 members!), then it's a trio of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes songs in 'If You Don't Know Me By Now,' 'The Love I Lost, and 'I Miss You' - all featuring Bernard Wilson, Lawrence Brown, Lloyd Parks an Theodore Pendergrass, Jr.

Being that this is the first, and hopefully not the last collection from Legacy in the 40th anniversary celebration of Philadelphia International Records, there truly isn't a bad, filler of a song here. It continues with a duo from The Three Degrees in 'I Didn't Know' and 'Dirty Ol' Man' - both featuring Fayette Pinkney, Shirley Porter & Linda Turner, of course.

Next up is the blusterous 'T.S.O.P. (The Sound Of Philadelphia)' by MFSB and then a couple of classics from Billy Paul, the raw and powerful 'East' and the infamous chart mega hit, 'Me And Mrs. Jones.' In truth, Producers Rob Santos and Leo Sacks have created a high class package here for all listeners of beautiful music. Also, the 12-page black-and-white booklet offers a detailed essay by Ashley Kahn about that very special San Francisco evening, extensively drawing on interviews with Kenneth Gamble and others.

The CD comes to a close with four songs from The O'Jays - the always-classic 'Back Stabbers,' 'When The World's At Peace,' 'Sunshine' and as always featuring Eddie Levert, Walter Williams and William Powell, it comes to an end with the brilliant 'Love Train.'

Sure there have been many a compliation from the Queen of Soul, but this new one, 'Knew You Were Waiting: The Best Of Aretha Franklin 1980-1998' is the first comprehensive overview of her productive and fulfilling association with Clive Davis and Arista Records.

As we all know, Aretha Franklin is an icon of American popular music and one of the most influential recording artists of the 20th century. With the collection including shorter single/45 versions, some are even promo DJ edits, it begins with both 'United Together' and 'Love All The Hurt Away,' together with George Benson.

The original compilation, released in 1994 as The Greatest Hits 1980-1994, isn't as full as this one, and continues on with 'Jump To It,' 'Get It Right,' the forceful 'Freeway of Love' and the new classic 'Who's Zoomin' Who?' This near-complete set carries on with 'Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves' (with the Eurythmics), 'Another Night,' and 'Jumping Jack Flash' (with Keith Richards and from the 1986 soundtrack of the same name).

A wonderful 'Jimmy Lee' is next before the song that won a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Duo back in 1987 - the duet with George Michael, 'I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me).' Another trio of duets are next with 'Through The Storm' (with Elton John), 'It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be' (with Whitney Houston), and 'Ever Changing Times' (with Michael McDonald).

Aretha Franklin's pipes blow away most of the female singers out there today and she brings the album to a close with both 'Willing To Forgive' and the tender 'A Rose Is Still A Rose.' And sure, there are some weird ones missing from the set - 'Chain of Fools,' 'Respect' and 'Think' - but you can't have it all ... can you?!

Linx first came to musical prominence in the UK with the mega hit single/album �Intuition� in 1981, but the duo didn�t sit on their TOTP performances without attempting to push forward at the same time. Having actually started off as a quintet (I know, who knew!), the band we all know and love ie: Sketch aka Peter Martin and singer David Grant quickly knocked out their follow-up album �Go Ahead� in the very same year!

In a feat that is rarely achieved these days, when it seems much easier to do, the duo were owning 1981 with their hit singles on the charts. Featuring such notables here on this Expanded Edition of that sophomore album as �So This Is Romance,� �Can�t Help Myself� and �Plaything,� sure the album wasn�t as full as it�s predecessor, but it still managed to please at every musical turn.

The UK soul/funk band actually had six entries on the UK Singles Chart from 1980 to 1982. The biggest being their infectious �Intuition,� but others that made us all dance were tracks such as �You�re Lying� and �So This Is Romance.�

This newly-Expanded Edition of �Go Ahead� kicks off with the brilliant 'So This Is Romance,' and follows it up with 'I Don't Want To Learn,' the slap-bass and funky horns of 'I Wanna Be With You,' 'Urban Refugee,' 'I Won't Play The Game,' the clap-along beat of 'Can't Help Myself,' and the sultry 'All My Yesterdays' and 'Know What It Is To Be Lonely.'

'Tinsel Town (You Don't Fool Me)' is next, before some great 12� versions and remixes come out to play. And, no pun intended, 'Playing' (12" Version) is then backed by 'Don't Hit Me With Your Love' (12" Version), a fantastic version of 'So This Is Romance' (12" Rio Mix), and then 'I Won't Play The Game' (Remix). The slow-building funk of 'The Ice Is Melting' is next with both 'I'm Not Joking' (Long Version) and 'It's My Life' (Extended Version) bringing the disc to a close.

Digitally remastered, lovingly expanded, and also containing non-album b-sides too (a rare find, unless you have the original 7� singles still - which I do!), �Go Ahead� reached #35 on the UK Albums Chart in October of 1981 - and sadly proved to be their last album spent together as Linx.

However, ending on an up note, �Go Ahead: Expanded Edition� comes complete with some in-depth, truly beautiful and extensive new liner notes, that feature an interview with David Grant!

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The British New Wave/Soul band first entered into our musical lives in 1983 with the debut album Like Gangbusters. An album that spawned hit singles such as the highly-infectious �Boxerbeat� and its follow-up, �Just Got Lucky,� the band may well have had an ex-pat American singer on lead, but the power of his vocals and the beats behind him were enough for the UK audiences to quickly fall in love.

Containing former members of the punk outfit Subway Sect, the Northern Soul aspect of JoBoxers made their songs all throb with beats that got your feet tappin,� whether you intended them to do so or not! The debut single, �Boxerbeat� reached #3 on the UK Singles Chart and its follow-up �Just Got Lucky� made it into the Top Ten also. Sure subsequent singles such as �Johnny Friendly� and �Jealous Love� didn�t have what it took to match their out-the-gate-at-full-speed predecessors, but the album is solid, trust me!

The album kicks off with 'Boxerbeat,' before we get 'Crosstown Walk Up,' 'Fully Booked,' 'Not My Night,' the infectious 'Just Got Lucky,' 'She's Got Sex,' 'Curious George,' 'Hide Nor Hair,' and then both 'Crime Of Passion' and 'Johnny Friendly.'

The slew of crackin' bonus tracks then follow onwards, with so-called Single Mixes of the singles ('Boxerbeat,' 'Just Got Lucky,' and 'Johnny Friendly') before a lush 12" Mix of 'Jealous Love.' Their Northern Soul infused pop sound continues ever onwards in 'She's Got Sex' (12" Mix), the overlooked 'Boxerbeat' bside 'Let's Talk About Love,' the bside to 'Just Got Lucky' aka 'Forget Me Love,' and the stunning live track 'Why Don't You Do Right (Get Me Some Money Too).' The album is topped and tailed by a wonderful 'Just Got Lucky' (12" Mix) and a 'Johnny Friendly' (12" Mix).

JoBoxers went on to release a sophomore album, Skin and Bone in 1985, but it failed and the band split up soon thereafter. Quantified in many musical circles as One Hit Wonders re: �Boxerbeat,� some would argue that �Just Got Lucky�s Top Ten slot removes that theory from the table. But, as all hardened journos will tell you, hand on heart, I think they would rather be remembered as One Hit Wonders re: that one truly great song.

As you can tell, this newly remastered, expanded edition of Like Gangbusters is chock full of goodies! In addition to containing all the original 7� and 12� releases and remixes of their singles, rare bsides and even a live track, this incredible 20 track strong CD release also contains the non-album hit, �Jealous Love�! And it also comes complete with some in-depth, truly beautiful and extensive new liner notes, that feature interviews with the newly reformed group!

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Orchestrated by one of the music industry�s most revered remixers and producers, Phil Harding, �Club Mixes of the �80s� showcases his 30+ career spanning years at the musical wheel. From recording The Clash in the �70s, remixing and producing top club/dance and pop acts in the �80s and �90s, to recently working with Lamont Dozier in L.A., Harding�s mixes dominated the dance floors and club charts on an international scale.

So, for this double-disc release of his work, we kick off with an old school mega-mix of Michael Jackson with The Jackson Five. Stated as simply being �I Want You Back� (12� Remix) it is as far removed from that as possible! A bit of a long mess to start things, sadly, but soon we�re into the luscious Eighth Wonder with �I�m Not Scared� (10� Remix). Those dulcet, sultry Patsy Kensit vocals still get to me today and what a real pleasure it was to hear this song again after some 20+ years!

The always-infectious �When Smokey Sings� (The Miami Mix) from ABC is next and, as expected, was one of the true highlights of the double CD. Sure I could have done without some of the sounds-like SAW effects stretched out over it, but still fun to hear today. Next things slow down with Diana Ross�s 12� mix of �Love Hangover.� A song that seems out of place here, in truth, she meanders her way through it well enough before the master of �80s pop/dance music comes to the fore re: Rick Ashley�s �She Wants To Dance With Me� (Original Extended R �n� B Version).

Then comes another Motown burst of energy from the past re: �Reach Out (I�ll Be There)� from the Four Tops (a 12� Remix verison). A generic remix at its best, at least it�s not messed with too much by Harding. The PWL Extended Verson of Holly Johnson�s wonderful dance floor smash �Americanos� is next and is a true breath of fresh air to this CD. Wow, what fun it was to hear this song again, with Holly in fully flamboyant vocal form! The Godley & Cr�me track �Snack Attack� (Extended Remix) is next, and in truth it was a track I�d never ever heard before - and I lived and collected records in the UK in the �80s!

Same can be said for �Easy Just To Say (I Love You)� from Jimmy Ruffin, for this Extended Club Mix was another song that I had never come across before either! A song that starts slow, it quickly builds and is soon an all-out Ruffin vocal experience. Nothing special though, sorry. However, Basia�s cover of the classic �Until You Come Back To Me� (Phil Harding 12� Remix) is a beautiful experience. Her voice is exquisite and I never tire of listening to her tones sweep across this song.

Another chance for Rick to roll comes in the form of �Til The Day That I Die.� A lesser-known cut of his, this Remix is nothing special and is not even a good Rick song, in truth! In fact, it sounds like an out-take to an album that was released, but should never have been!! The first disc ends with the HUGE UK dance floor smash from Dead or Alive, �You Spin Me Round (Like A Record).� Perhaps infused with one too many cowbells come the end, the so-called Murder Mix comes in at around 9 minutes long, but it�s worth it for every beat!

The second disc kicks off with a highly-underrated song from back in the day, �I Want To Be Your Property� (DEF B4 Dishonour Mix) by Blue Mercedes. A great dance track that you would swear features ABC�s Martin Fry on vocals (albeit that it�s actually David Titlow), it amazingly peaked only at #66 on the UK Singles Chart back in 1988! Then comes Wham!�s female backing singers, Pepsi & Shirle with their hit single, �Heartache� (Dot & Daisy�s Club Remix). A track in its new form here on this album that turns it into more of a beat machine, the song wasn�t much back then and hasn�t been helped here either!

Imagination�s lesser-known track �Instinctual� (Jack Leee Freak Mix) is next, and now features a vocal overdub and some deeper bass beats from Harding. Lee Johns� vocals still come through, but seem somewhat drowned by this new mix. However, the brilliant Blow Monkeys track �Digging Your Scene� (Remix) is a real pleasure to behold once again. A hit single from the day that doesn�t seem to have been messed with too much now by Harding, its strings and musical swoops make this song a classic for today too! Then comes yet another lesser-known Rick song, this time in the form of �Stay With Me Tonight,� the remix. Why, oh why these sub-par Astley songs are on this album is beyond me, but I didn�t create the album!

Now we hit a section of songs that I never ever came across once on the radio back in the �80s re: the UK! Fe Fi Fo Fum with �Beat Your Body� (Manhattan Mix) is a painful mess to hear, �Oxygen� (Extended Dance Version) by The Blue August Project (who? I know, right!) is a combination of all cheesy sounds from a synth �80s, and only Sinitta�s �Body Shopping� (New Vogue Version) is one I can claim to kinda recall. That said, upon first listen, it must also have Madonna�s reps reaching for their lawsuit phones soon!

Then come another three tracks I�ve never encountered in all my life in the UK chart scene: XS-5 with �I Need More� (Extended Dance Version), Agents Aren�t Aeroplanes with an Art of Noise-ish bass beat laden �The Upstroke� (12� Version), and Jimmy Ruffin�s slow-groover �Truly Yours�! An overlong, yet pleasant to hear after all this time �Rain Or Shine� Remix from the Pearson family group known as Five Star comes next, before Rick brings the collection to an end with a boisterous Phil Harding 12� Mix of �Never Gonna Give You Up.�

OK, this release is obviously gonna piss off a lot of Styx fans ... and, at the same time make some nod in agreement that it is an interesting outting. You see, and oddly enough, the best remakes on this 'Regeneration: Volumes 1+2' CD are those done by DeYoung replacement Lawrence Gowan! The track 'Queen of Spades' clearly the best song on this compilation, in my humble opinion, of course.

Tommy's regenerated songs (especially 'Too Much Time on My Hands') just aren't very good, sorry. The overall recording quality is thin and sounds amateur compared to current CD's out there. The production quality is second rate seemingly too. I just don't know why though, unless it was all recorded at home, in the basement, devoid of any and all true recording studIo elements?

Anyway, and aside from that, we do get the Styx music to behold re: soaring vocals, harmonies, power guitar riffs, and solid, catchy rhythms; all produced by someone who knows how to make it sound right - well, for the most part on a good day!

Which makes this latest 'regeneration' of greatest hits just, well, confusing ... and goes a long way to show that, if you'll pardon the HUGE upcoming pun, that they collectively had "too much time on their hands"! I mean, come on now, there are even two Damn Yankees songs on here! Why though?! And they don't compare to the originals, as you'd guess. Sorry guys, but as much as you've always been one of my favorite bands, this just isn't good enough, my friends.

I was pretty hardcore into the trance/house scene from 2001-2003 when I was wrapping up college. Back then deep progressive house reigned supreme with guys like John Digweed, Satoshi Tomiie, Danny Howells, Steve Lawler and many others. Back then I loved Tiesto's Magik and ISOS albums but the two times I saw him live were very underwhelming. After a 7 year lay-off I got back into the dance scene in 2010 only to see how dramatically the landscape has shifted.

When my friends and I heard Tiesto established a monthly residency at the Hard Rock in Vegas, I had to give him one last shot to hear him live. I'm so glad I gave him another chance as not only did he not disappoint but it may have been the best live performance I've seen in the last year topping even Armin and Markus Schulz! What I loved most about his set was that he know longer spun his usual trancy tracks but evolved into a whole new style of uplifting and beaty house.

This album does well in capturing the magic and energy I felt that night I saw him in Vegas. Much like his live set he mixes it up a bit with the happy vocal house tracks along with the some entertaining beat driving progressive tunes that set and sustain your mood throughout the evening. One thing I've noticed since returning to dance is the copious number of songs with uplifting and melodic piano and guitar riffs.

Indeed, this album has plenty of tracks that feature many insatiable piano melodies melded together with well produced electronic beats. I would highlight some of my favorite tracks but I would say overall it's just a magnificent mix.

While I truly appreciate dj's that go out on a limb and like to produce experimental mixes when they release cd's but what I enjoy above anything else is a album that brings me back to how it felt to hear and see that dj perform live. The tone, energy and overal quality of this album is exactly what you should expect when you see him live. Listening to this over and over just excites me to see him at EDC and hopefully one or two more trips to the Hard Rock before the year ends! [JC]

OK, let's get this straight ... and for the record, by NO means is this a piece of classical music which will become iconic! But it certainly is one which displays Paul McCartney's many talents. 'Ocean's Kingdom' can best be described as oceans beauty and tranquility.

The music is subtle yet powerful. The best parallel I can make to it is John William's 'Saving Private Ryan' score where it did not want to become too powerful so it would not take away from its purpose. The same is true for Paul's work here. Paul is making sure that this commissioned work for the New York City Ballet reflects the dance but does not take away from the dance or what the dancers are trying to represent.

Indeed, McCartney uses his tricks of the trade well. It starts out with a sufficiently watery-sounding opening that vaguely recalls the atmosphere of the underwater opening of Wagner's "Rheingold". Dramatic sequences use the percussion section well - tympanis and xylophones beat out rhythmically driving, somehow corporate-sounding themes representing the bad guys in the storyline of the ballet.

But, that all said, I (think I) would need to see this work on stage with the dancers in order to give it two thumbs up as this piece obviously is one which works in an almost ensemble-like way. And, of course, on CD you just cannot experience this. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to this work, but it did not take my breath away. However, this is a wonderful piece which anyone would be proud to have in its collection.

Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality ('The Sing-Off'). A man of many hats, from 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. But, since the group disbanded, Folds has performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world.

Having collaborated with musicians from so many genres, from so many continents, now he has sat down and brought us a 3-disc retrospective - one culled together by Folds, and Folds alone ... which is refreshing.

Disc One (aka the entire album if you're just buying the standard set) is a "best of" rather than a "greatest hits," which explains why fan favorites like 'Army' didn't make the cut. The album doesn't suffer from this at all, as it allows the disc to represent Ben's finest work as opposed to his most well known. Not to worry though, as all the "hits" missing here are represented in some shape or form on Discs 2 and 3!

Disc Two is a live disc. The songs and performances are all good choices to be included here, as they capture Ben Folds (Five) at his (their) most energetic,interesting, and most quirky. Lots of good stuff to listen to here.

Disc Three is a disc of rarities, most of which haven't seen the light of day until now. Here you'll find alternate versions of songs, demos, unreleased material, and rare tracks. It's hard to review a disc of material that essentially wasn't meant to be released. A casual fan will probably find this disc unsatisfying, while a veteran fan (such as myself) will find themselves listening for hours and marveling at these recordings.

Demos and unreleased songs reveal aspects of the creative process from the artist that can only truly be appreciated by knowledgeable fans. Die-hards, this disc is for you, and boy does it satisfy. New fans, listen to the first two discs, digest the material, and come back to this later when you're ready. [DR]

On his new disc, Eric Sardinas does one heck of a great job. Covering the full emotion of each and every tune he undertakes, from Delta to full-out hot blues, this rates right up there with Devil's Train as one of my personal favorites.

'Sticks And Stones' (on Mascot Records) allows Sardinas and his trusty, self-modified electric Resonator Guitar to ride alongside his always-cowboy booted feet as the guitarist and Big Motor bring one massive tidal wave of rocked up blues through into your living room, car or personal play house!

His stunning guitar work and bourbon soaked voice are chock full of total rock attitude. Combining with him to bring these blues/rock tunes to life, are bassist Levell Price and drummer Chris Frazier. Both bring a mighty crash to the huge grooves and a hefty amount of deep blues to the gritty riffs.

And yes, for those seeking a more virtuoso guitar performance from Sardinas, there's a few times that the charismatic and uber-skilled six-stringer gets to play with boundless solo enthusiasm. None more so than the full steam ahead instrumental, 'Behind The 8.' A song which not only lets Sardinas burn up his fretboard, but is also a hugely infectious stand-out blues/rock track on this incredible new album.

Well-renowned musician, Popa Chubby is back with a brand new CD. His follow-up to The Fight Is On, Back to New York City is Popa's first North American release (on the Mascot/Provogue label).

If you didn't know, Popa Chubby (yes, yes, I get it, trust me!) actually has a wickedly interesting back story. The death of his father at the age of 7 left him largely to fend for himself. At 18 years-old, he wound up in New York with a debilitating heroin habit. He was left out on the streets in his early twenties while working as a backing for punk-rock poet, Richard Hell!

Now, and after a massive life spent (and survived) inbetween, and at 51 years-old, after coming up through the ashes of the New York blues scene of the early 90's�Mr. Chubby (see, not so funny when introduced that way, is it?!) is still bringing us his trailblazing Blues Rock brand of kick-ass!

From the Hendrix inflected wailings of 'Back To New York City', to the Stevie Ray on steroids texas boogie of 'She Loves Everybody But Me', to the broken-hearted dirge of 'Pound Of Flesh' to the classical melodic strains of urban woe in 'A Love That Will Not Die,' Popa Chubby is back in New York City - and we love him for being so!

The Fairchilds is a band led by French singing/songwriter, Cyril Niccolai. But more than that, the band's classic rock look and sound reveals the influence of some truly great legends of rock music. Sure they have found a cozy home in the belly of that genesis, but at least it's one less conventional than one would expect.

Cyril, a young medical student, allowed himself to accept the beckoning call of the music siren, choosing to ditch the medical profession and opt instead for a rock life - small clubs, small paychecks and, at times, small love given back.

His band�s first album, Our Revolution, is a 12-song powerhouse derived from over 200 songs that Cyril had written. The influences of his aformentioned idols are all over this recording though. Names such as Elvis, U2, Bon Jovi, Guns N� Roses, the Goo Goo Dolls, Muse and many others are so evident there are times when you think it might well be a cover album!

In truth, I have been waiting for quite some time for Mountain, or Leslie West, to reinvent themselves after the departure of Felix Pappalardi/Gail Collins. And, thankfully for all us fans, ... the time is NOW!

In fact, it turned uut all Leslie needed was a little help from his friends! This new CD, 'Unusual Suspects,' while influenced by the blues is much, oh so much more. Leslie, somewhat recently, released two blues albums which captured his blues roots. And were quite good. But there was something missing, in my opinion, of course.

This new CD showcases some new, moody, so-called power ballads (ie: 'My Gravity' and 'Legend') that were missing from any recent Mountain or Leslie solo work. It has some great bluesy tunes in the remake of 'Third Degree' (WBL fans will smile at the end), 'One More Drink,' 'Mud Flap Momma,' 'Higher Ground,' etc.

Was I hoping for more after listening to this new CD ... nope, this CD delivers everything and a little bit more! [JB]

Recorded in the B-52s� hometown of Athens, Georgia this past February - at a show that commemorated the band�s 34th anniversary of their first-ever live show on Valentine�s Day 1977 -wig-wearing, boa-draped, glitter-covered fans came from near and far to celebrate this historic event!

As soon as the intro to 'Pump' starts, and the lead guitar powerfully kicks in you know you're in for a listening party of the highest order! The fist-pumping song, that showcases all the group as singers, is a great way to start this live CD, and is followed by one of their classics, 'Private Idaho.' "Hello, Athens, Georgia," Fred bursts out, before the band light up again for 'Mesopotamia.'

"Many people like to search, journey all over the world and some people like to search within for their G-spot! And that is what this song is about," Fred informs us as they then go into 'Ultraviolet.' Kate then leads us into the frantic 'Give Me Back My Man,' before Fred talks to us again. "Well, in these troubling times there's a place that a lot of us go, especially on Sunday. Sometimes several days a week. Just to find a little peace and quiet. To do a little thinking ... and shopping! This about the shopping mall. This is 'Funplex'."

Up next we get 'Whammy Kiss' and the always-brilliant to hear 'Roam,' which is in turn followed by the lesser-known ("This goes out to Jeremy") Kate-sung '52 Girls.' "OK, Athens, Georgia, let's party on! OK, you know that every party is not complete without a crasher. So, who could that crasher be?" Kate asks. The surprise is that the 'crasher' is Fred, acting drunk for 'Party Out Of Bounds.'

Then comes 'Love In The Year 3000,' which is followed by the bouncy fun of 'Cosmic Thing.' "Here's a song about us and Athens, G.A.," Kate announces, as they sing 'Hot corner.' "There are so many things that I�d like to say, but I've forgotten all of them! So, I'd like to introduce the band," Fred says, which he then goes on to do. He then leads them into the barnstorming 'Love Shack,' complete with audience participation, as expected, before the uber-fun 'Wig' is brought forth.

The album is rounded out by both 'Planet Claire,' a pounding, bass-brilliant catch of a song if ever there was, and then the fun party time of 'Rock Lobster' brings it all to a close.

The Young & The Restless

Drive A is a four piece punk rock band that came out of LA. This year the band came out with their second CD The World In Shambles. The CD starts off with an 18 second intro talking about the band being missing and there being no leads. This intro is the first chapter out of 14. After the intro the CD goes to the song �Revolt!� which starts with a siren, then is followed by a fast guitar, a drum beat just as fast, a heavy bass line to keep it all together, and heavily grunge influenced vocals.

�Young C*nts� comes after in the story. The song has a very strong intro that is followed up with Bruno Mascolo�s famous yelling singing that is used in most of the tracks. �Let�s Have A Wreck� is one of the bands more popular songs. You are able to hear Bruno�s very young singing voice along with his very heavy screaming. The bass stands out right with the guitar while the drumming gives the whole rhythm to the song. The new CD is only a half hour long but is more than enough time for the band to say what�s on their minds.

Bruno�s singing changes from clean vocalization to fast screaming/yelling grunge vocalization throughout the CD. Jason Nott has a very noticeable style in regards to playing the guitar. The band goes from playing with a grunge style then mixing 90�s punk in with it. Their bassist Taylor Knowles really holds the songs together throughout the CD.

Lastly in June of �09 the band got their newest drummer Cody Roots who has been nothing but good with them. The World In Shambles is defiantly worth the sit and listen.

Review by: Brandon Asaro

The Death Of Greeley Estates is Greeley Estates' 6th studio album and isn�t anything like what they have done in the past. This CD goes back to the roots of the band and has more clean vocals done by the lead singer Ryan Zimmerman like their first CD (Outside Of This). At the same time it has the heavy drumming, low bass chords, and very heavy vocals.

Ryan�s words in each song are like hearing one story after another. Singing or screaming, he gets his words across. The new CD is under Tragic Hero Records, which the band had joined in 2010 after leaving Science Records.

Their song 'Friendly Neighborhood Visit' talks about the abuse that too many ladies take from their men. They�re screaming about the time to stand up, not to be pushed around. The song starts off with a very catchy rhythm and is then followed by Ryan�s heavy vocals. Then you have the song 'The Medic' that kicks things off with very fast drumming done by their drummer Chris Julian. Screaming comes after the drumming for a few seconds before Ryan starts to sing.

This new album is a mix of their first CD and their fourth and fifth. The new CD sounds like their first CD, which came out in 2004, because of the large amount of clean vocals by Ryan. It�s like Go East Young Man, Let The Evil Go West and No Rain, No Rainbows, which came out in 2008 and 2010. Due to the deep growls, heavy rifts, fast drumming, and creepy effects to give it a little Greeley feel.

The band has really stepped everything up on this new CD. The Death Of Greeley Estates is really the rebirth of Greeley�s sound.

Review by: Brandon Asaro

Nevermind, Never Forgotten.

The record label Geffen put out Nirvana�s Nevermind as a two-disc edition. This is the record that made Nirvana who they are. Nevermind showed the world what this band could do. The CD has the original 12 tracks plus 26 other sounds that were live, or just never used on the CD along with 14 unheard tracks. Being able to have Kurt�s work back on the shelf with the new CDs was a very wonderful sight.

The CD has the classics like 'Smells Like Teen Spirt,' 'Polly,' 'On A Plane,' along with all the other loved ones followed by more. After you get done playing the original songs, the rest of the first disc is B-Sides and live recordings. One is able to hear Kurt�s voice at all points. Demo, live, recorded in the studio. All of this is found on disc one.

When you hear an earlier version of, let's say 'Teen Spirt,' you can get a feel for how they really played. It�s not just recorded and edit and sold. It is raw. You are able to hear Kurt mess up here and there. David missing a beat here and there. It shows how young they were. It really shows how new they where, and that�s something that people tend to forget to see; as Kurt Cobain is an icon in many ways.

Disc two is filled with 18 tracks of demos and unreleased rehearsals. Out of the 18 tracks, 14 of them are previously unreleased. The disc really shows the roots of the favorite songs like 'Breed,' 'Polly,' and 'Drain You.' You know how people say it�s the little things that matter, well that is what this CD is. There are so many little changes here and there and then some. It shows the songs in a new way. A way that hasn�t been shown to the Nirvana fans. You are shown how raw the music is.

The second disc starts with studio sessions, then goes to rehearsal tracks, and ends with two sessions done by the band. One is able to hear how they first sounded when the band wrote the songs. One is able to have fun and be there with them 20 years ago. Now if you are a die hard fan, and need to hear EVERYHTING, then the four disc might be the way to go. The 3rd disc is all mixes and demos then followed up with disc four which is a live DVD.

Review by: Brandon Asaro

One of the most beloved cultural milestones of the �60s generation and every generation since, Sgt. Pepper�s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles gets creatively interpreted and re-imagined in this all-instrumental rendition by the Andy Timmons Band.

A guitarist whose lifelong love of this material has resulted in an album that transcends all musical boundaries, Sgt Pepper was two years in the making - and its creative juices show that within each and every (give or take) song!

Kicking off with the title track, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' we bleed into 'With A Little Help From My Friends' seamlessly soon thereafter. Timmons' guitar work, all done from memory on the day of recording is sublime; truly. Sure you find yourself singing along, forgetting words along the way, sometimes wishing there were lyrics to catch a ride on, but this is not what this record is about.

The haunting 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds' is next and showcases Timmons' concentrated guitar work to a tee. Including a lot of distorted guitar, I'm not sure it works as well as he had wished; or us, but it certainly fits perfectly on the album. Album track 'Getting Better' follows, and then comes another filler (on whichever album you choose to apply that statement to), 'Fixing A Hole.'

The more impressively-played 'She's Leaving Home' is next. A track that Timmons' veritably brings to life, it is a slow burner, but definitely one of the delights on the new album. 'Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!' strolls along next, with long track 'Within You, Without You' backing it up. The bouncy, fun quickness of 'When I'm Sixty-Four' is next and as much as Timmons and his boys do it some true credit, it does seem they have transformed it (at times) into a country hoedown version!

Moving on and 'Lovely Rita' shows us the rhythmic heart and soul of the band, before the full speed ahead sound of 'Good Morning, Good Morning' comes a knocking. A quick 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)' is next, with the album being rounded out by a simply stunning version of 'A Day In The Life' and a bonus track (which was actually meant to be included on the original album), 'Strawberry Fields Forever.'

The latest Paul Simon audio release, Songwriter is a selection of songs chosen strictly by the man himself, and culled from the best of his five decades-long creative musical output.

Included on this 2-disc set are well-known hits, but also some more obscure works. All of which ooze the creative genius of Simon, but some of which you may never actually have heard before.

The distinctly lyrical, always melodic, and rhythmic signature of the great man springs to the fore immediately on the opener, the beautiful, truly stunning 'The Sound of Silence.' But this isn't just any version of his classic song for this is a live cut recorded 06/06/11 at New York's Webster Hall and thus far previously-unreleased. Simon, together with his acoustic guitar joins musical forces to give us a fresh version of an old classic. Then we flashback to Simon & Garfunkel '91 and the Live At Central Park cut, 'The Boxer.'

Next up is the Aretha Franklin-sung 1970 Gospel version of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' which I bet many have never heard. Wow, what an incredible studio take of the song she preaches forth. Then comes the reggae funk-bounce of 'Mother And Child Reunion,' from his 1972 self-titled album, before the slowness of 'Tenderness' and 'Peace Like A River' (songs taken from 1973's There Goes Rhymin' Simon and Paul Simon respectively).

Then we get a very rueful 'American Tune,' before the bouncy vibe gets back under Simon's musical wheels on 'Kodachrome.' Both from the aforementioned There Goes Rhymin' Simon album, we add one more from that release when we slow down for the lush 'Something So Right' - a song that was produced by not only Simon, but Phil Ramone too (as a fair few seemingly were).

From his One Trick Pony album (1980) we get the frantic 'Late In The Evening,' with the soulful 'Train In The Distance' next, which in turn is followed by the relationship-storytelling of 'Hearts And Bones.'

From the album of the same name comes the always-brilliant to hear 'Still Crazy After All These Years' - which is always a treat to hear. Complete with a lovely Michael Brecker saxophone solo, it is followed by the oddly-named 'Rene And Georgette Magritta With Their Dog After The War.' Another track from the '82 Hearts And Bones album, it is followed by a trio of Graceland singles: 'Diamonds On The Souls Of Her Shoes,' which features the emphatic voice of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the guitar playing of Chikapa 'Ray' Phiri; 'The Boy In The Bubble,' which features Forere Mothoeloa on accordion and Bakithi Kumalo and Vusi Kumalo on bass and drums respectively; and 'Graceland' itself, which brings them all together - inclusive of The Everly Brothers on vocals too!

The second disc opens with the drums of Grupo Cultural Olodum and therefore begins with 'The Obvious Child' from his The Rhythm Of The Saints album from 1990. It then moves on with three other tracks from that very same album in the form of the sweeping 'Further To Fly' - that also features Ringo Starr on guitar; the subtle 'The Cool, Cool River,' complete with Ya Yo de la Nelson on caheire and Nana Vasconcelos on berimbau and gourd; before we get the tribal-sounding 'Spirit Voices' thereafter.

The storytelling of 'Born In Puerto Rico,' from his 1997 album Songs From The Capeman is next, and features trumpet solos from both David Rodriguez and then Ray Vega, with the doo-wop of 'Quality' (featuring falsetto vocals from Frank Negron and duo vocals from both Teana Rodriguez and Myrna Gomila) following along next from the same album. And then, and all from his 2000 album You're The One, come: the beautiful, albeit sad 'Darling Lorraine,' ("your breathing is like an echo of our love"); the search for love in 'Look At That'; and the lyrical wisdom of 'Senorita With A Necklace Of Tears.'

Next is the industrial-sounding 'That's Me,' and also from his Surprise album of 2006 comes the Brian Eno-electronic guidance on 'Another Galaxy.' We then get the trippy 'Father And Daughter' from The Wild Thornberrys Movie soundtrack. Featuring his son Adrian (the first child of Paul and Edie Brickell) on additional vocals it is followed by a trio of songs from his brand new album, So Beautiful Or So What: 'Rewrite,' which comes complete with some astonishing-delicate glass harp from Steve Shehan; the religious 'Love And Hard Times,' with Mick Rossi on piano; and the collection rounds out with the title track itself.

And, adding to the overall package are extensive liner notes by music journalist Tom Moon, who notes that the collection "... features commercial landmarks alongside ambitious and often criminally under-appreciated compositions." I couldn't have said it better myself, Tom, I just couldn't.