Various - How Is The Air Up There? 80 Mod, Soul, RnB, and Freakbeat Nuggets from Down Under (RPM Records)(2018)(3 CD Box Set)

 

Wow..this is great! All the bands and songs are from New Zealand (NZ). While NZ was also enamored of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Pretty Things, The Kinks, and Manfred Mann all toured NZ in quick succession. As such, NZ bands from the 60s tend to be fuzzier, dirtier, and grungier than other music scenes. So, if you like 60s garage on the crunchy side, you will like this a lot. A must buy for anyone into 60s dirtier side!

Hemsley Morris - You Think I'M A Fool/Ernest Ranglin - Heart Beat 7" (Clancy's)(2023)Europe

 

Rocksteady music from 1968(?) but released in 2023. Can't tell if this is a reissue or newly released. Hemsley Morris has a nice voice and rides the Hot Milk riddim well. Reggae fans will recognize the riddim. B side is an instrumental of the riddim credited to guitarist Ernest Ranglin. Good release. Get it. Check out Hemsley Morris here.

Ras Talent - African Trap/African Trap Version 7" (I Aim, I Destiny, I Jah) (2022) Euro reissue

 

2022 reissue of a 1980 release by Ras Talent. Straightforward roots tune. Not a barn burner. Version side is the better side. I give this a C. There are better roots tune from the era available. Check it out here.

Various - parasol's sweet sixteen volume 1 (Parasol Records) (2000) CD

 

Parasol Records is legendary in the pop music community. They have consistently released great, melodic rock, pop, indie music for years. This is volume 1 of a series of compilations they released. This is from 2000. It has now been 25 years since they came out, yet it still sounds good because melodies are eternal. Parasol was a label that turned me on June and the Exit Wounds - I Can See You

I am trying to get all volumes!

Wellesley Braham - Never Get Weary/Version 7" (Love Love Love) reissue 2023

 

Great late 70s roots reggae tune. I have heard this 45 on mix tapes and on the radio but thanks to the good folks at TRS Records, I now have my own copy.  European reissue. At one time, all reggae sounded this good. This is a must. Check it out here. 

Various - Bad Education - Vol. 1: Soul Hits of Timmion Records (2019)(Timmion Records)(CD)

 

Timmion Records is a soul/funk label based out of Helsinki, Finland. This is a compilation of some music that is on that label. If you like your soul music with a 60s and 70s vibe, then go find this release. If you are familiar with Daptone Records and or Penrose Records, then this release will suit you. Top notch, new-soul. Check out. Willie West - I'm A Still A Man. No, this is not in Finnish. This plain old soul music. : )

Peach and Lee - Not For Sale 1965-1975 (Kool Kat Records) (2024) (CD)

 

Wow. Just a tremendous release. Great Midwest (Iowa) pop music. At times, it reminds me of The Raspberries. Definitely has a strong Beatle influence as well. Any fan of melodic pop music should get this. Listen to this for a taste. Paradise

Various - Jah Children Invasion Vol. 6: Digital Dawn (Wackies)(2024)(LP)

 

From the good folks at Deeper Knowledge (or aka "Digikiller"), we have a new selection of Wackies music but this time in a purely digital style. Solid set of digital releases from some legendary reggae performers including Horace Andy, Milton Henry, Jackie Mittoo, and Chris Wayne. I do not think this is available in CD format so you need to buy the LP.

This LP includes an interesting version of the Bobby Caldwell classic, "What You Won't Do For Love", by Wayne Chin. It works in a digital reggae style. The stand-out track for me is from Milton Henry with "Make it Right". Milton has such a smooth voice.  I would recommend this LP for advanced reggae music listeners only.