Back catalogue: All genres

Review: As we write this The Beatles have just managed to put out their last ever, they say, new single. By harnessing the vast powers of AI and feeding it a dusty old clip of him singing back in the day, they have even managed to recreate the voice of John Lennon. It's a reminder of how ahead of their time the Liverpool band always was, even back in the 1960s. And that's when this album London to Manchester was recorded live on October 13, 1963, which marked the point at which the press knew the band was going to be global superstars and features all their biggest hits from this early-on time.

Review: Dave Clark Five, Manfred Mann, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Searchers. To say the New Musical Express pulled together an impressive line up for the magazine's celebratory concert, at which the winners of a reader's poll were revealed, would be an understatement. And this is before we even mention the fact The Rolling Stones were also involved, only beaten to the top of the bill by The Beatles. On the day, Liverpool's Fab Four were presented their award by none other than Roger Moore, and then proceeded to play their first live show in 15 weeks. 'She Loves You', 'You Can't Do That', 'Long Tall Sally', and 'Can't Buy Me Love' were among the highlights, with an audience of 10,000 packing out the Empire Pool in Wembley for the entire day. This recording captures the energy of that set and the spirit of the time.

Review: Who'd have thought, some 54 or so years ago, that the Birmingham four piece called Black Sabbath would not only go on to enjoy success long into the next millennium but also create a style of music - heavy metal - that would spread globally and become one of culture's most dominant forces for decades to come. That's what happened though, and the strength of the material captured for radio broadcast at the iconic Olympia Theatre in Paris on December 20 1970 is a big clue, at least with the benefit of hindsight. As well as their genre-defining eponymous debut, the band dropped the Paranoid album this year too, showing not only how inspired but also prolific they were at the time, and naturally that anthemic song is present here, alongside colossal tunes like 'Iron Man', 'War Pigs' and 'Black Sabbath'. They sound uttterly unstoppable here, and, certainly for a fair few years to follow anyway, that's what they proved to be.

Review: The Black Truth Rhythm Band is renowned for its Afrobeat fusion - a sound that very much epitomizes the vibrant spirit of 1970s funk and soul. Their iconic album 'Ifetayo (Love Excels All)' stands as a testament to their musical prowess and social consciousness. It has been fully remastered here with all its pulsating rhythms, infectious brass, and impassioned vocals transcending time to deliver a message of love and unity. Rooted in the African diaspora experience, the band's music serves as a rallying cry for social justice and cultural pride. Ifetayo remains a timeless work that still resonates with audiences worldwide thanks to its potent blend of groove and meaning.

Review: Incredibly powerful stuff, Blazing Worlds - AKA Justin Wright & Grant Corum - recorded their self-titled latest album over a long summer in the US Midwest. Evidently inspired by what conditions were like, the official release information here opens with a reference to J.G. Ballard's landmark science fiction, The Drowned World, which, for all intents and purposes, could become a reality in the next few centuries. A planet so scorched lagoon waters that have flooded cities seem to burn by midday, there's a sense of rising temperatures about this truly hallucinatory album. Drone, ambient, use whatever label you prefer, this feels like you're either orbiting the sun itself, or looking out on lands that have long since succumbed to desertification, wondering when the scorching dunes might give way to some place more liveable. Atmospheric, futuristic, and deeply effective.

Review: This new, limited green vinyl version of Live At The Record Plant '73 captures the reggae legends Bob Marley & The Wailers in a dynamic and intimate live performance. Recorded at the famed Record Plant studio in California, the album exudes the essence of Marley's charismatic stage presence and the Wailers' tight musical prowess. The setlist features iconic tracks like 'You Can't Blame The Youth' and 'Get Up, Stand Up' all of which showcase the band's ability to merge reggae's rhythmic heartbeat with socially conscious lyrics. This live recording serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Bob Marley and immortalises a pivotal moment in reggae history.

Review: The Vinyl Champ are currently on a re-issuing roll, retroactively reviving some of the most impactful live shows of the 20th Century which nonetheless have yet to see the proper light of day, not least after the turn of the millennium or in vinyl form. Here they shift their focus to Bon Jovi, whose Wembley 1995 appearance, as part of their These Days tour, heard the stadium rockers reach the zenith of a mammoth 131-show tour (yes, you heard that correctly). All the Jovi-al hits, and with no misses either, come hurtling your way.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Heroes Just For One Day is a superb document of just how extraordinary David Bowie was in the live arena. In 1990 he was taking new paths to rejuvenate his creativity and before he embarked on it fully he headed out on his 1990 Sound+Vision Tour which was to be one final goodbye to many of his most famous back catalogue hits. It's a superb swan song that was captured in all its glory and is now presented here on multicoloured marble vinyl. As far as greatest hits go, it's as great as they get.

Review: The late Joanna Brouk's legacy as an electronic music pioneer is a mysterious one, given her rejection of industry conventions in favour of a more heartfelt connection with her craft. Her run of new age releases in the early 80s were landmarks of the genre, and now Numero Group are reissuing one of the finest of them now. Sounds Of The Sea originally came out in 1981, and it's never been reissued since. Making its first ever appearance on vinyl, this captivating, mysterious album remains wholly out of time and place, existing in its own sphere inhabited by flute, drones and whale song alike.

Review: Jamaican vocalist Dennis Brown is one of the most prominent talents of his generation and a leading light in the world of reggae. His magnificent Stage Coach Showcase album came first back in the eighties and is back with golden nuggets. The label that originally put it out is still going strong now and so has served up this superb reissue with all those bits of gold that were produced by Sidney Crooks of The Pioneers. The record was laid down at Harry J's with Sylvan Morris and The Professionals and standouts include a superb new take on Tyrone Davis's 'Can I Change My Mind.'