Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: Chicago's Live at 55 sees the legendary band celebrating over five decades of music with a performance full of energy and nostalgia. Featuring a mix of classic hits and deeper cuts, the set is a celebration of their enduring legacy. The performance builds with brass-heavy anthems like '25 or 6 to 4' and the smooth 'If You Leave Me Now', proving their ability to mix rock, jazz, and pop seamlessly. With guest appearances adding a fresh layer to the familiar sound, the album captures the essence of Chicago's rich musical history, while continuing to demonstrate their dynamic stage presence.

Review: David Hepworth has been writing, broadcasting, and speaking about music since the 1970 - often alongside Mark Ellen, with the pair currently hosting the Word In Your Ear podcast. He helped launch and edit Smash Hits and The Word amongst others, and was a presenter on BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test and an anchor for Live Aid in 1985. As such, he knows his stuff. Following the success of his Underrated Cuts From A Misunderstood Decade comes this follow up, which he has annotated track-by-track.From Roy Harper and Sandy Denny's folky shenangans to Status Quo. ZZ Top and proto-punks Eddie & The Hot Rods, this is Hepworth making a case that the 70s remains unmatched for music invention, and a strong case it is too.

Review: American baroque pop, or chamber pop as it is also known, flourished from 1966 to the early seventies. It's a sound that blends string quartets, harpsichords and woodwinds to evoke a unique summer-into-autumn kind of melancholy. Far from the raw energy of early rock 'n' roll, this style often attracted musicians from folk backgrounds who were drawn to its acoustic richness. Linda Ronstadt's first band, the Stone Poneys, introduced the autoharp in 1965 while artists like Bonnie Dobson and Nico experimented with string arrangements as they sought new, post-electric directions. This era marked a shift toward intricate, orchestral textures that redefined the boundaries of pop and folk music and are explored in this superb and comprehensive collection.

Review: It's almost Christmas time which of course means we get inundated with plenty of brilliantly seasonal albums to add a touch of sonic warmth and festivities to your parties. This one is a mix of more modern-leaning collections of Christmas sounds from favourites like Ed Sheehan and Kelly Clarkson next to more traditional names like Michael Buble, Otis Redding, Donny Hathaway and The Pogues. It does on four sides of vinyl and really will do the trick to get you in the mood while you over eat and drink too much for a good few weeks this December.

Review: An illuminating double-disc compilation that attempts to trace the musical DNA of one of rock's most shape-shifting and enigmatic figures. Given Bowie's unparalleled ability to absorb, reinterpret and transcend genres, the concept of "influence" feels almost reductive. Yet, this collection highlights the artists he admired, spanning rock 'n' roll pioneers, avant-garde experimenters, and boundary-pushing contemporaries. The set opens with Little Richard's electrifying 'Shake A Hand (If You Can),' a nod to the flamboyant, high-energy showmanship that Bowie carried forward. Anthony Newley's theatrical croon on 'Who Can I Turn To' reflects the dramatic flair that seeped into Bowie's early work, while Ken Nordine & The Fred Katz Group's spoken-word jazz piece hints at his taste for the unconventional. The Stooges' 'No Fun' and Pixies' 'Debaser' showcase the raw, confrontational rock energy he admired, while Cream's 'I Feel Free' echoes the psychedelic textures of his late '60s output. Side-3 ventures into Bowie's electronic inspirations, featuring Air's sleek 'Sexy Boy' and Brian Eno's atmospheric 'Another Green World', a direct link to their Berlin-era collaborations. Scott Walker's brooding 'Montague Terrace (In Blue)' and Tom Verlaine's 'Kingdom Come' reflect Bowie's fascination with outsider figures and poetic lyricism. The final stretch ties in his art-rock sensibilities with Roxy Music's 'Virginia Plain' and the haunting, childlike innocence of The Langley Schools Music Project's take on 'Space Oddity.' While no compilation could fully define Bowie's influences, this one paints a fascinating portrait of the sonic palette that shaped a legend.

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


Secret Superstar Sounds, courtesy of Soul Jazz, offers an eclectic and excellent collection of oddball punk and powerpop rare cuts from little-known bands from the late 70s, including but not limited to The Squares, The Meanies, The Monitors, Plummet Airline, and Krypton Tunes. Falling between the cracks of punk, new wave and post-punk, these unfairly overlooked and forgotten to time gems came from a slew of DIY ethos purists inspired by the messaging of bands like The Desperate Bicycles, Sniffing Glue fanzine and early UK punk labels like Stiff, Chiswick and Rough Trade, recording everything in-house, then sending their recordings to the likes of John Peel and labels with hopes of some airplay or recognition, little of which came. A long-lost micro-genre of unfairly forgotten underground punk (but not punk) gems awaits.

Review: NOW Yearbook 1977 takes listeners on a nostalgic trip through one of music's most diverse years. This 3x12" collection covers a broad spectrum of genres, blending rock, punk, disco, and pop. Iconic tracks like Queen's 'We Are The Champions'. Status Quo's 'Rockin' All Over The World', and Emerson, Lake & Palmer's majestic 'Fanfare For The Common Man' help headline the rock selections. Punk fans are treated to anthems from The Clash and The Stranglers, while disco enthusiasts will revel in Donna Summer's groundbreaking 'I Feel Love' and Chic's 'Dance, Dance, Dance'. Soft rock hits like Paul McCartney & Wings' 'Mull of Kintyre' and 10cc's 'The Things We Do For Love' add melody, alongside soul gems from Marvin Gaye and The Commodores. The collection also dips into pure pop joy with Boney M's 'Ma Baker' and 'Daddy Cool', plus novelty classics like Meri Wilson's 'Telephone Man'. With this sprawling lineup, NOW Yearbook 1977 encapsulates a defining year, highlighting the era's eclectic sounds and celebrating legendary artists across rock, punk, disco and pop.

Review: Secret Superstar Sounds, courtesy of Soul Jazz, offers an eclectic and excellent collection of oddball punk and powerpop rare cuts from little-known bands from the late 70s, including but not limited to The Squares, The Meanies, The Monitors, Plummet Airline, and Krypton Tunes. Falling between the cracks of punk, new wave and post-punk, these unfairly overlooked and forgotten to time gems came from a slew of DIY ethos purists inspired by the messaging of bands like The Desperate Bicycles, Sniffing Glue fanzine and early UK punk labels like Stiff, Chiswick and Rough Trade, recording everything in-house, then sending their recordings to the likes of John Peel and labels with hopes of some airplay or recognition, little of which came. A long-lost micro-genre of unfairly forgotten underground punk (but not punk) gems awaits.

Review: This soundtrack captures the electrifying energy and transformative power of Bob Dylan's early career, featuring a collection of iconic songs performed by the cast of 'A Complete Unknown'. Timothee Chalamet steps into Dylan's shoes, delivering captivating renditions of classics like 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall' and 'Like A Rolling Stone'. The soundtrack also features performances from Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, and Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, each adding their own unique flavour to the mix. With its blend of classic folk songs, bluesy grit and rock 'n' roll energy, this soundtrack is a must-have for any Dylan fan or anyone who appreciates the power of music to capture a moment in history.