It's been nearly twenty years since Pat Martino's comeback from a near-fatal brain aneurysm. In that time he's re-established himself as one of the jazz world's premier guitarists, a technically advanced post bop player who combines forward-thinking musical ideas with native Philly grit; think Pat Metheny with more soul. Think Tank, as the name suggests, finds Martino at his most cerebral, which has its pros and cons. The title track, for example, is a blues of sorts built on an equation based on the letters of John Coltrane's name, which may sound like an exercise for a composition class, but manages to hold together pretty well organically. Coltrane, a Philadelphia mentor of Martino's, is a recurring reference on the album, both indirectly in Martino's intensely spiritual and intellectual approach to the music, and directly on the funk-based original "Phineas Trane as well as on an extended romp through Coltrane's "Africa.

Maiden Voyage stands as an explosive, infectious debut album by Swedish electroclash and synth-pop outfit Alice In Videoland. Released in 2003 on National Records, this thirty-five-minute release seamlessly fuses raw punk-rock energy, heavy electronic basslines, and razor-sharp pop sensibilities into a high-octane sonic package. Led by the charismatic lead vocals of Toril Lindqvist, the band established their signature sound by blending edgy electroclash club synth rhythms with aggressive, driving rock guitar riffs and memorable hooks. Outstanding highlights from the album include the hit singles Dance With Me and Video Girl, alongside energetic, dancefloor-ready tracks like Lay Me Down, Panic, and Naked. Sourced from original high-fidelity lossless transfers complete with EAC sector logging verification and track cue sheets, this debut album remains an essential centerpiece for electroclash purists, 2000s synth-pop enthusiasts, and Scandinavian electronic rock discography archives.

Released in 2003 by BMG, 1972-1974 is a premier retrospective highlighting the formative street-funk era of New York City's legendary Fatback Band. Formed by visionary drummer Bill Curtis to fuse the heavy "fatback" jazz beat of New Orleans with raw NYC street funk and R&B, the ensemble became one of the most prolific and influential funk groups of the 1970s and 1980s. Collecting 18 essential early tracks recorded for Perception and Event Records, this compilation captures their driving rhythm section, gritty horn arrangements, and infectious party grooves across classic cuts like "Street Dance", "Fatbackin'", "Clap Your Hands", and "Njia Walk (Street Walk)".

Released in 2003 on Stones Throw subsidiary Now-Again Records and compiled by Eothen "Egon" Alapatt, The South Dallas Funk Festival '1970 (also known as Live at the South Dallas Pop Festival 1970) is an extraordinary historical document of raw, uncut Texas gutbucket funk. Recorded live direct-to-tape on a rainy night in 1970 and left unreleased for over three decades, this compilation unearths ferocious live performances by heavy-hitting local groups including The Soul Seven, Apollo Commanders, Marchel Ivery Quintet, Black Maffia, and Les Watson & The Panthers. Packed with blistering drum breaks, fierce horns, and raw energy, it stands as an essential holy grail for funk collectors and crate diggers.

Released in 2003 as part of Universal Music/Regional Music's "3 De Colección" series, this 3-CD collection spans 33 iconic tracks from the legendary Mexican ensemble Grupo Yndio. Formed in Sonora in 1972 following the breakup of Los Pulpos, the group became a cornerstone of the grupero movement, famed for translating international pop, rock, and soul hits into lush, romantic Spanish ballads. Anchored by their signature organ swells, emotive vocals, and guitar work, this comprehensive set features all of their seminal hit adaptations, including "Melodía desencadenada" ("Unchained Melody"), "Línea telefónica" ("Telephone Line"), "Herida de amor" ("Love Hurts"), and "Yo comencé la broma" ("I Started a Joke").

The name of Era's third studio release, The Mass, was a departure from the eponymous titles of their previous albums. "The Mass" was also the name of the album's lead single, a track which differed from Era's previous songs in a significant way: rather than forming the choral backdrop themselves, Era used a sample of 'O Fortuna' (from Carl Orff's famous 'Carmina Burana'). The actual tune is a more upbeat version of "Divano", from Era 2, but the inclusion of the samples is a great idea. Though the track ends slightly abruptly, it remains one of the most wonderfully evocative songs of the New Age genre…

Released in 2003 by the seminal Danish jazz label SteepleChase, The Complete Trio & Quartet Studio Recordings is a mammoth 8-CD box set capturing tenor saxophone titan Dexter Gordon at the absolute zenith of his mid-1970s European residency. Spanning key sessions recorded in Copenhagen and New York between 1974 and 1976—including classic material from albums such as The Apartment, Stable Mates, Bouncing with Dex, Something Different, Lullaby for a Monster, and Biting the Apple—this definitive collection brings together 73 tracks, featuring 24 previously unissued alternate takes and master performances. Supported by a legendary constellation of rhythm sections—pianists Kenny Drew, Horace Parlan, Tete Montoliu, and Barry Harris, guitarist Philip Catherine, bass icon Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, and master drummers Albert "Tootie" Heath, Billy Higgins, and Al Foster—Gordon delivers soaring, effortlessly swing-laden tenor and soprano saxophone improvisations. Alongside his celebrated Blue Note repertoire, this collection stands as the ultimate document of Long Tall Dex during his celebrated European golden age.

Erik Wøllo is an architect of ambience, a poet of electronic landscapes. Inspired by memories of his native Norway, Erik Wøllo offers an intricate and profound musical interpretation of the visual and tangible as a metaphor for the internal esoteric landscapes of the imagination. Emotional Landscapes features deep floating ambiences, infused with the unique vitality of Wøllo's guitars and electronics. A magnificent vista, waiting to be heard.

Ferras was born at Le Touquet in 1933, he began studying the violin with his father, who was a pupil of Marcel Chailley. He entered the Conservatoire de Nice as a student of Charles Bistesi in 1941, and in 1943 obtained the First Prize. In 1944 he went to the Conservatoire de Paris. In 1946 he won the First Prize in both disciplines (violin and chamber music), and started his performing career with the Pasdeloup Orchestra under Albert Wolff, and later Paul Paray. He worked with Romanian violinist and composer George Enescu, who also acted as an instructor. Ferras premiered the Violin Concerto by Federico Elizalde, under the direction of Gaston Poulet.

Released in 2003 on the renowned German jazz label Enja Records, Chanson Irresponsable is a monumental double-CD suite composed by pioneering British jazz bandleader, composer, and pianist Mike Westbrook. Commissioned to explore themes of European unity, poetry, and free expression, the 14-part work bridges avant-garde jazz, classical chamber arrangements, cabaret, and improvisational poetry. Featuring a stellar 15-piece ensemble including vocalists Kate Westbrook and Matthew Sharp alongside top UK jazz instrumentalists like Chris Biscoe, Karen Street, and drummer Sebastian Rochford, the suite moves fluidly through multilingual spoken word, lush brass textures, dynamic string quartets, and theatrical free-form jazz improvisations. A magnificent, expansive opus for lovers of modern European avant-garde and progressive big band compositions.

Released in 2003 on Koch Records, Chance & Circumstance is a soulful and groove-laden release by veteran blues guitarist, producer, and songwriter Peter Malick. Coming right on the heels of his widely successful collaboration with Norah Jones on New York City, Malick leads his skilled group through an infectious 14-track blend of electric blues, jazz-tinged pop hooks, and smooth R&B arrangements. Highlighted by slick guitar craftsmanship, tight rhythm sections, and memorable guest vocal performances, the album moves effortlessly from bluesy rock tracks like "Immigrant" and "Opium" to radio-friendly roots-pop tunes, showcasing Malick's versatile musicianship and polished production style.

Released in 2003 on John Zorn's Tzadik label, Dreamspeed / Blind Light 1992-1994 collects two seminal, out-of-print experimental solo projects by legendary Golden Palominos drummer and Downtown NYC icon Anton Fier. Combining dense polyrhythmic sampling, hypnotic dub basslines, and atmospheric soundscapes, these recordings showcase Fier at the height of his avant-garde studio experimentation. Joined by long-time collaborator Bill Laswell on bass, an incredible roster of guitarists (Buckethead, Bootsy Collins, Nicky Skopelitis, Knox Chandler), and mesmerizing vocal contributions from Lori Carson, Phew, and Blonde Redhead's Kazu Makino, this 2CD compilation captures an influential bridge between avant-rock, illbient, and futuristic jazz dub. Includes two previously unreleased bonus tracks.

Released in 2003 on Decadance Recordings as part of their fast-selling six-CD series, The Ultimate Late Night Lounge Album is a massive 60-track compilation showcasing the finest in downtempo, chillout, and leftfield electronics. Spanning six themed discs, this comprehensive collection pairs foundational lounge and trip-hop luminaries—including Kruder & Dorfmeister, Nightmares On Wax, Thievery Corporation, Röyksopp, Mr. Scruff, Groove Armada, Bonobo, and Aim—alongside lush ambient cuts and deep house chillout revisions (such as iiO's "Rapture" and Afro Medusa's "Pasilda"). Perfectly curated for late-night listening and lazy summer evenings, it stands as an ultimate snapshot of the early 2000s global chillout movement.