The two Impulse albums by Alice Coltrane presented on this single CD are actually the bookends of a trilogy, representing the artist's final recordings for the label. Universal Consciousness was recorded in three sessions in 1971, and Lord of Lords, recorded in a single 1972 session. The album between them is World Galaxy. Universal Consciousness utilized a small string section to augment its trio and quartet settings; by contrast, Lord of Lords emulated its immediate predecessor (World Galaxy) in employing a 16- piece string section behind the trio of Coltrane, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Ben Riley. The former album features bassist Jimmy Garrison on four of its six tracks, and drummer Jack DeJohnette on three…

With a career as illustrious as the Moody Blues, it's difficult to group together all their best material on a single disc, but Legend of a Band acts as a brief yet pleasant jaunt through some of their most popular work. While some of their early material is deemed slightly progressive because of lengthy keyboard suites and instrumental runs, it wasn't until the mid- to late '70s that their music began to take a more rock & roll-oriented path. Even though only 12 songs make up this hits collection, they do offer a definitive cross section of their music.

Awesome funk from all eras of Shakatak's career! This double CD collects the extended mixes for 25 of Shakatak's Greatest Hits.

Nick Saloman of the Bevis Frond once again invites us to join him in the obscure pleasures of little-known pop, R&B, and jazz instrumental sides of the '60s and '70s with this collection. A number of the selections featured on Return of the Instro-Hipsters are so obscure that even Saloman isn't sure just who is responsible for them (though he offers some educated guesses on the artists behind such names as Sharks, Oliver Bone, and the Masked Phantom), but there are a good share of solid grooves and kicky melodies to be found here from a number of gifted little-knowns. If you went to the movies in the '70s, "Soul Thing" by Tony Newman will sound familiar, while flautist Harold McNair solos over a Dave Brubeck-influenced piano groove on "The Hipster," Jerry Allen demonstrates new uses for game calls on "Fuzzy Duck," Thunder Road's synthesized version of "Peter Gunn" beats Art of Noise's variation on the theme by more than 15 years, "The Brooke Bond Beat" by Cliff Adams may be the most swingin' tea commercial ever, and the Outer Limits serve up some tough, moody rock, appropriately titled "Black Boots".

Discovered in Columbia's vaults 19 years after it was performed, this recording features a septet from Duke Ellington's orchestra keeping busy in the studios mostly playing standards and blues. With altoist Johnny Hodges, baritonist Harry Carney, trombonist Lawrence Brown and cornetist Ray Nance all having ample solo space, these renditions are quite enjoyable, swing hard and sound fresh. Ellington fans should pick this one up.

This disc in the Avison Ensemble’s project to record the complete Corelli chamber music is devoted to his Op. 5 collection of violin sonatas – works that swept Europe by storm when they were first published in 1700. Recent recordings include Accademia Bizantina, Purcell Quartet, Trio Corelli, Trio Sonnerie, and a particularly charismatic version from Andrew Manze with harpsichordist Richard Egarr. One of the most immediate differences between these versions is their approach to the continuo, the Avison Ensemble favouring the varied timbres and textures of an ensemble (variously harpsichord or organ, archlute, Baroque guitar and cello) rather than solo harpsichord.

The Pretty Reckless gave rock ‘n’ roll the jumpstart it needed for a new generation, but they did so entirely on their own terms. Since 2008, they have emerged as the rare force of nature who can appear in INTERVIEW Magazine, Nylon, ELLE, Good Morning America and Entertainment Tonight — and share a stage with Guns N’ Roses and Soundgarden. Joined by late producer Kato Khandwala, they fanned this flame on Light Me Up [2010] and Going To Hell [2014]. The latter housed three #1 smashes—the platinum-certified “Heaven Knows” (the biggest rock song of 2014), “Fucked Up World,” and “Follow Me Down.

Frontman Andrew Freeman, bassist Phil Soussan (ex-Ozzy Osbourne), and former Dio comrades-in-arms Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard) and Vinny Appice (ex-Black Sabbath) release their third album as Last In Line, Jericho. What was started by original Dio members Vivian Campbell and Vinny Appice as a tribute to their own legacy quickly developed its own momentum. Teaming up with esteemed bassist Phil Soussan and one of the best rock voices of the era, Andrew Freeman, Last In Line was born. It would be easy to call Last In Line a supergroup when all its members have and had careers in the most influential bands of the genre from Dio, Black Sabbath, and Ozzy Osbourne, to Billy Idol and Def Leppard.

Jacqueline Thibault (Laurence Vanay) often worked for other artists at the legendary Château d’Hérouville studio as arranger, keyboardist, co-composer, and assistant sound engineer. Between sessions she sometimes managed to record her own music. Several years after her two acknowledged masterpieces, “Galaxies” and “Evening Colours,” she was able to bring together the tracks for “La Petite Fenêtre” (The Little Window). As the 1970’s ended, trouble with the Château finances meant that again it was impossible for her to present her work to interested record labels. Instead, “I worked in another recording studio in Paris for fashionable artists,” she said, “and I managed after a time to resume and complete my unfinished songs”…

Awesome Live disc by this way-kool blues/rock axeslinger from Arkansas featuring 14 songs that deliver true, retro-sonic, blues-based, heavy guitar power trio rockin' excellence. Recorded live in Germany, the "Official Live Bootleg" disc includes a killer set of great original songs plus covers by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top, Alvin Lee, Freddie King & Eric Clapton that showcase Tony Spinner's impressive, kick-ass, guitar playing talents & excellent soul-powered vocals. Captured live without a net with his long-time rock solid rhythm section of Michel Mulder on bass & Alex Steier on drums complete with an excellent sonic production, Tony Spinner lands down 100% authentic as a genuine, modern day "old-school" guitar hero who speaks the six string truth & rocks the blues forever on the "Official Live Bootleg" disc released by Grooveyard Records.