Although organist Don Patterson is the leader of this set, the quintet date is most notable for the playing of trumpeter Howard McGhee. McGhee, who had not been heard from much on record for a few years, proves to still be in prime form. Altoist Charles McPherson, the young guitarist Pat Martino and drummer Billy James complete the group. The repertoire is particularly strong with two McGhee originals (including the memorable and haunting "Island Fantasy"), "Epistrophy," "Now's The Time" and a trumpet feature on "Donna Lee."

Egg were exponents of the so-called "Canterbury" style of Folk/Rock music and were focused around the compositional and keyboard playing skills of Dave Stewart (later in Hatfield & The North) and Mont Campbell and Clive Brooks. In 1974, they recorded their final album for the Virgin Record label. Featuring guest musicians such as Steve Hillage (Gong) and members of Henry Cow, The Civil Surface is now regarded as a classic of the "Canterbury" and "Progressive" genres. This Esoteric Recordings release has been remastered from the original tapes and is certain to the many who made the reissues of Egg’s previous work such a success.

Bobby Rush and Kenny Wayne Shepherd were born about 44 years and miles apart. Several decades later after the two forged their own path in music and the blues, it seemed like an idea that had been waiting to happen. For over 100 years, blues music has inspired, comforted and spoken to the truth. Young Fashioned Ways has managed to accomplish all of that and more. Shepherd notes, “Once Bobby and I got together, it felt like going home," with Rush adding, "I've been waiting a long time for something like this to come knocking.” Kenny Wayne Shepherd is a multi-platinum recording artist with five Grammy nominations, several Blues Music awards, among many other awards and accolades. Bobby Rush is a 3x Grammy winner and Blues Hall of Famer with his most recent Grammy win for his last album All My Love For You.”

An electronic tribute album to Pink Floyd isn't a bad idea, since the head-swimming quality of the group's music is so often a prime mover in electronica. However, the talent assembled for this Vitamin production is too often relies on a restatement of the original song to achieve bliss, without employing available electronic trickery to suggest anything new. Alex Xenophon is the main offender here, offering two versions of "Comfortably Numb" (slow and fast, natch), and a take on "The Wall." Only Motor Industries rises to the task, giving "Is There Anybody Out There?" a cool, retooled, new wave groove. The collective also renders "Time" as a drifting cocktail of 10cc and dub, referencing the clouds in Pink Floyd's head while creating a few of its own.