Fans of AC/DC's original singer Bon Scott who pick up Livestock expecting to hear AC/DC redux will be rather surprised with this release. These cuts, recorded in 1971 with Scott's previous band, Fraternity, reveal a drastically different sound than the bluesy hard rock Scott made his name with. Fraternity veer all over the stylistic map, from the funky "Summerville" to the extended prog-rock epic "Raglan's Folly" (which wouldn't sound out of place on an early Genesis album). Only "Race" (both parts) and "Livestock" bear any resemblance to Scott's most famous band, and even then just barely, since they sound closer to the Doors or mid-'60s Rolling Stones. Part of the discrepancy is that, as the extensive liner notes explain, Scott had very little creative input in Fraternity, which was chiefly the vision of bassist Bruce Howe and guitarist Mick Jurd…

Like many black American blues and R&B artists, New Orleans singer and pianist Champion Jack Dupree found more respect and recognition in Europe than he did in his homeland, and he relocated to Europe in 1959, only rarely returning to the U.S. He cut several albums there, including the two included in this double-disc set from Beat Goes On, From New Orleans to Chicago, recorded in London in 1966, and Champion Jack Dupree and His Blues Band, tracked in the same city a year later (both were originally released on London Decca). Of the two, the latter release is the stronger (thanks in no small part to guitarist Mickey Baker), although From New Orleans is probably better known, mainly for the presence of Eric Clapton and John Mayall at the sessions…

The unforgettable Chet Baker Sings put Baker on the map not just as a brilliant trumpeter, but also as a talented vocalist. This album was a revelation at the time and won Baker new fame and a new audience, which was less familiar with jazz than with pop music. The reasons are quite clear: Chet’s voice is tender and beautiful, and at the same time his phrasing always swings and surprises.

Unlike many bands whose careers had begun in the 1970 s, Camel continued to enjoy much success in the 1980 s, producing fine studio albums such as Nude. A conceptual work, the album featured many fine songs such as Lies, City Life and Drafted, along with excellent instrumental pieces such as Captured. An international success, Camel toured globally to promote the album, with their concert at Hammersmith Odeon recorded by the BBC for the In Concert programme. This re-mastered and expanded release includes the lengthy medley Excerpts from Nude from that radio broadcast as over 30 minutes of bonus material. This new release also includes an extensive booklet with copious photographs, memorabilia and a new essay.

Digitally remastered and expanded two CD edition of the Liverpool band's 1982 album. The bonus CD includes non-album tracks, radio sessions and more.
Like fellow Liverpudlians O.M.D., China Crisis began life as a synthetic duo who performed brilliantly executed pop songs with quirky edges. And like O.M.D., they seamlessly mixed their love of guitar-based pop with (then) modern musical technology (i.e., synthesizers). Unlike O.M.D., China Crisis' legacy languishes somewhere between there and then with no sign of them ever being considered "hip." Not to say that that is their fault! Gary Daly (the quirky vocalist/keyboardist) and Eddie Lundon (the smooth vocalist/guitarist) made their fascinating debut, Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms…