Back catalogue: All genres

Review: A slice of Australian rock champs AC/DC in action in 1978 in their classic Bon Scott-led line up, on tour in the US in support of their penultimate album before Scott's death in 1980, the often underrated Powerage. Along with staple live favourites that have remained in the band's set for yonks - see 'Rocker', 'Bad Boy Boogie', 'Problem Child' and 'The Jack' - there are rare outings for the groovy but more subdued, bluesy 'Gone' Shootin' and, the final encore here, 'Dog Eat Dog' from 76's massive Let There Be Rock album. You can almost hear the collectors' salivating.

Review: They say that in life, we only regret the things we don't do. So imagine how you'd feel having sat in on The Beatles' 1962 audition for Decca Records if you then simply thanked the Fab Four for coming in and told them, through a smile of pure dishonesty, that they would be hearing from your assistant. A call that would never come. The label's loss was EMI and Parlophone's gain, in the end, and now we have the evidence to prove just how short sighted Decca execs were. The Decca Tapes, as it sounds, is a full setlist of everything that was played on that fateful morning. More so, it's a document of what could be the greatest misjudgement and oversight in 20th Century pop history. Still, you can't win 'em all.

Review: Vintage funk fans rejoice because this classic mid-60s collection is now available to you once more. James Brown's appropriately entitled Night Train - Mighty Instrumentals album is a high-class assembly of plenty of potent, hard-hitting funk as well as more tender and slow-burning soul sounds. These timeless, loveably lo-fi joints have plenty of low end heft to cut through modern dance floras while also offering up some authentic and original funk allure. It comes on nice heavyweight wax so sounds brilliantly loud and clear.

Review: This reissued gem from Sam Cooke stands as his most intimate, soulful and authentic recording. Captured in February 1963 with a small group of studio veterans, it was a low-key session that spotlights Cooke's transcendent voice in a setting free from the heavy orchestration of his other solo material. The album features spirituals, bluesy ballads and gospel classics, all imbued with the legendary singer's unique interpretations and buttery smooth vocal deliveries. Tracks like 'Lost and Lookin' highlight his breathtaking vocals with minimal accompaniment, while 'Mean Old World' and his reimagined 'Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen' reveal his rare songwriting prowess. This is a treasure that is warm and deeply moving and it remains a pinnacle in Cooke's career.

Review: Depeche Mode's performance at Hammersmith Odeon in London, 1983, captured the band at a pivotal moment in their career. This iconic live recording showcases their burgeoning synth-pop sound which blends pulsating rhythms with dark, introspective lyrics. Songs like the ever-green classic 'Just Can't Get Enough' resonate with irresistible signature sounds while Dave Gahan's charismatic vocals and Martin Gore's evocative melodies still sound like nothing else. The concert tracks Depeche Mode's evolution into global pioneers of electronic music and is an emotionally charged performance that is well worth reliving.

Review: Depeche Mode's 1983 performance at London's Hammersmith Odeon comes here on a special limited edition picture disc. It marked a pivotal moment in their career and listening back now is still an iconic live recording. Their burgeoning synth-pop sound with its pulsating rhythms and introspective lyrics shines through classics like 'Just Can't Get Enough.' Dave Gahan's charismatic vocals and Martin Gore's evocative melodies remain unparalleled. This concert tracks their evolution into electronic music pioneers, delivering an emotionally-charged performance that resonates with fans to this day, making it a timeless experience worth revisiting.

Review: In the annals of jazz history, few albums hold the prestige and enduring appeal of Getz/Gilberto. Released in 1964, this iconic collaboration between saxophonist Stan Getz, guitarist Joao Gilberto, and composer Antonio Carlos Jobim represents a pinnacle moment in the fusion of jazz and bossa nova. Across its ten tracks, the album weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of melody and rhythm, casting a spell that continues to captivate listeners over half a century later. At the heart lies the symbiotic relationship between two musical giants: Stan Getz, the virtuosic tenor saxophonist renowned for his velvety tone and lyrical phrasing and Joao Gilberto, the Brazilian guitarist and vocalist whose soft, intimate delivery epitomizes the essence of bossa nova. Together, they create a sublime synergy, effortlessly blending their respective styles to craft a sound that is at once sophisticated and deeply emotive.

Review: About Face was the second solo album from English guitar legend David Gilmour, released in 1984, just a year after he assumed the captain's position on the good ship Pink Floyd. Landing to positive acclaim, peaking at 21 in the UK Albums Chart and 32 in the US equivalent, it produced two singles - 'Blue Light' and 'Love On The Air'. Neither broke the Top 40, but the record went on to be certified gold. Northern Lights captures the vitality of Gilmour in the flesh during that period. A recording of one night in Stockholm, specifically 24th April 1984, it reflects the majesty and vision of both About Face, the LP the tour was tied to, and the overall sound and feel of a true six string genius in full flow.

Review: "They already sound like a veteran group and soon ought to be ranked in the company of the Who, Rolling Stones and the late Cream," said one US critic after catching Led Zeppelin playing one of America's most treasured concert halls, San Francisco's Filmore West. Then in its infancy, opening just a year before Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham took to the stage, we can say with a degree of certainty that this would be one of the shows that helped establish the address' now historic reputation. Gritty, very loud, and utterly groundbreaking at the time, trying to write about a Led Zeppelin record in 2023 isn't easy - so much has already been said and anyone with ears has likely heard them plenty by now. Attempting to do the same with a live recording feels even more redundant. Capturing their energy and ferocity on stage via words on page is impossible. Let's just say this, then: you won't regret picking this one.

Review: There are a slew of live albums dropping in January whether by fluke or by design and one of the best ones is this. Madonna's Live In Dallas 1990 album comes on grey marbled vinyl and was originally recorded for a live radio broadcast. Her brilliant performance at Reunion Arena, on May 7th, takes in all of the very many Madge hits of the era, as you would expect. There is a particularly sensual version of 'Like A Virgin', an empathic version of 'Like A Prayer' and plenty of crowd-pleasing part starters such as 'Papa Don't Preach'.

Review: On April 17, 1994, Led Zeppelin's main songwriters reunited for the Alexis Korner Memorial Concert in Buxton, England. In August, they recorded performances in London, Wales, and Morocco featuring Egyptian and Moroccan orchestration of classic Led Zeppelin tracks along with four new songs. These performances were broadcast as a 90-minute MTV special UnLedded which led to a successful tour starting in February 1995. This newly reissued release captures an exceptional performance from that tour and includes both new material and Middle Eastern-influenced renditions of Zeppelin classics like 'Bring It On Home,' 'Ramble On,' 'The Song Remains the Same,' 'Black Dog' and 'Kashmir.'

Review: This album captures a legendary live performance by David Berne's marvellous Talking Heads and exhibits the band's famously lively stage presence during their 1978 tour. This limited release offers a snapshot of the band's early electrifying sound right before they reached international stardom. The recording is taken from a performance in Chicago and highlights their signature and singular blend of punk, new wave and funk with Byrne's unique vocals and the band's tight rhythms leading the charge. A thrilling document of Talking Heads' formative years, Chicago Killers 78 is one of many superb records from this artful outfit.

Review: Stevie Wonder's seminal The Jazz Soul Of Little Stevie album very much unveiled the budding talent of a musical prodigy. Released in 1962, this instrumental collection showcases Wonder's early mastery of jazz-infused melodies at the tender age of just 12 years old. With his harmonica prowess and soulful organ touches frost and centre, Wonder paints vivid tracks that belie his youth. Pieces like 'Fingertips' and 'Square' exude a playful energy, while 'Soul Bongo' delves into rhythmic complexity. Despite its brevity, the album foreshadows Wonder's illustrious career and undeniably set the stage for his future triumphs on Motown and beyond. It's a captivating glimpse into the early genius of a music icon.