Various Artists: Fania Essential Recordings: Salsa Explosion: The New York Salsa Revolution 1969-1979 (Strut)

Various Artists: Fania Essential Recordings: Salsa Explosion: The New York Salsa Revolution 1969-1979 (Strut) - Without a doubt, NYC's Fania Records and its artists produced some of the best Salsa music ever recorded. The genera's formative heavy hitters are well represented on this 65+ minute collection guaranteed to get you dancing. This is the inaugural release in Strut's mining of Fania's rich catalog. Nearly Highly Recommended.
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Various Artists: The Sound of Rhythm and Culture (Rhythm and Culture)

Various Artists: The Sound of Rhythm & Culture (Rhythm & Culture) - Eighteenth Street Lounge DJ Farid Nouri's Rhythm & Culture Music branches out into the global downtempo dance culture. The proverb "the apple does not fall far from the tree" holds true here. Sultry rhythms, caressing horns and middle-eastern flair meet dub aesthetics. Nearly Recommended. Play 1 4 6 7 10 14

Various Artists: The Definitive Collection of Federal Records 1964-1982 (17 North Parade)

Various Artists: The Definitive Collection of Federal Records 1964-1982 (17 North Parade) - Federal Records was founded by Kenneth Khouri in the early sixties. This chronological collection begins with the bright, raw sound of ska, moves into cool, smooth rocksteady, and concludes with pop infused reggae. The first two periods were far more enjoyable, and make the disc 1 a real winner. A hallmark of the Federal label was their pop tune remakes… which very hit or miss. Dig disc 1, be careful with disc 2.

Various Artists: Afro-Beat Airways: West African Shock Waves Ghana & Togo 1972-1978 (Analog Africa)

Various Artists: Afro-Beat Airways: West African Shock Waves Ghana & Togo 1972-1978 (Analog Africa) – Climb aboard for a smoking journey into organ-driven Afro-beat, cosmic Afro-funk and raw, psychedelic boogie from Ghana and Togo. Features funky guitars, punchy horns, flipped-out organ, deep poly-rhythms and jagged vocals. Culled from vintage Essiebons and PolyGram West Africa sides, this compilation will have you flying high. Highly Recommended. Dig 3 5 6 7 8 10 11 15

Various Artists: Been Here All My Days (Selections from the George Mitchell Archive) (Mississippi [064])

Various Artists: Been Here All My Days (Selections from the George Mitchell Archive) (Mississippi [064]) – Mississippi presents a vinyl only collection of highlights from a series of Fat Possum 45s recorded during 60s and 70s by George Mitchell. Well known and obscure artists deliver down home blues, mostly of the acoustic variety. Highly Recommended.

Various Artists: Cloud Cuckooland (Finders Keepers- German Miner- B-Music)

Various Artists: Cloud Cuckooland (Finders Keepers- German Miner- B-Music) - A collection of pre-1974 recordings from Germany's Kuckuck records' psychedelic prog-rock era. The forward thinking experimentations will lift you into the clouds with heady elements of blues, jazz, gospel, ambiance and more. Bizarre samples, dynamic movements, fuzzy guitar and groovy moog are essential ingredients. Recommended.

Various Artists: Palenque Palenque: Champeta Criolla and Afro Roots in Columbia 1975 - 91 (Soundway)

Various Artists: Palenque Palenque: Champeta Criolla and Afro Roots in Columbia 1975 - 91 (Soundway) - The music heritage of Columbia's Caribbean coast stretches back to Africa. Soundsystem DJs of the day refreshed those roots, veering popular Cumbia and Porro forms toward Afrobeat and African psychedelia. Though somewhat uneven for Soundway, it's still Recommended. [nice 28 page color booklet has LP scans and commentary]

Various Artists: Bustin' Out 1982 (Year Zero)

Various Artists: Bustin' Out 1982 (Year Zero) – Mike Maguire (of trance group Juno Reactor) presents the 2nd installment in his map of formative 80s industrial and electronica tracks. While the 80s were full of flamboyant color, this set is for those who wore all black and relished the underground dance club scene. Nearly Recommended.

Various Artists: Absolute Belter (Finders Keepers/B-Music)

Various Artists: Absolute Belter (Finders Keepers/B-Music) - Finders Keepers continue their magical journey into leftfield psychedelia with tracks from Barcelona's Belter Progressiva records. Heady covers and reworkings of Stones, Bowie, Quincy Jones and others coalesce in a heady stoner funk rock and freaked out cosmic pop. Its crate digging made easy - with 20-page color booklet 45/LP art and notes. Nearly Highly Recommended.