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ARTIST: Various Artists TITLE: Blues Icons: From The Delta To The City    Acrobat (LP) GENRE: Blues CAT NO: ACRSLP1723  FORMAT: LP COMING SOON: £18.00

Blues Icons: From The Delta To The City provides an essential, beautifully-curated historical survey of a genre that permanently shaped modern popular culture. Spanning thirteen landmark recordings, this comprehensive release meticulously traces the evolution of the blues from its raw, acoustic origins in the rural Deep South to the electrified, amplified nightspots of northern urban centres. 
Side A explores the foundational acoustic tradition, highlighting the polyrhythmic grit of Charlie Patton, the intricate Piedmont fingerpicking of Blind Willie McTell, and the breathtaking ragtime complexity of Blind Blake. It also honours Leadbelly's sweeping folk-blues preservation, Big Bill Broonzy's urban-transitional polish, and the haunting, existential slide guitar mastery of Robert Johnson. Side B documents the mid-century electric revolution that directly birthed rock 'n' roll, R&B, and modern soul. From T-Bone Walker's fluid, jazz-infused electric lead lines and Elmore James's explosive, overdriven slide riffs to the commanding Chicago club authority of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and B.B. King, these sides offer a masterclass in urban expression. Completed by the irresistible boogie shuffles of Jimmy Reed and John Lee Hooker, this compilation serves as an authoritative, deeply engaging overview of thirteen visionary trailblazers who transformed rural catharsis into an enduring international legacy. 

ARTIST: Various Artists TITLE: Rock 'n'  Roll Icons: A Musical Revolution (LP) GENRE: Rock n Roll CAT NO: ACRSLP1724 FORMAT: LP COMING SOON: £18.00

Rock 'n' Roll Icons: A Musical Revolution provides an essential overview of the explosive cultural shift that redefined popular music in the 1950s. Across eighteen seminal tracks, this collection traces how disparate genres - rhythm and blues, country, gospel, and boogie-woogie - fused into an electrified youth phenomenon. Rather than focusing solely on chart-topping hits, the track list was curated to showcase the fundamental architects who created the sonic, structural, and stylistic blueprint of modern rock, with every artist selected for their distinct, game-changing contribution to the genre's DNA. The line-up highlights the genre's key visionaries and boundary-pushers who defined the rock 'n' roll era. Instrumental pioneers like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and Link Wray introduced the foundational guitar riffs, syncopated rhythms, and distorted power chords that built the framework for future generations. At the same time, magnetic icons such as Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Big Mama Thornton brought raw, uninhibited vocal power and theatricality, shattering conservative social and stylistic norms. The collection emphasises the broader cultural impact and structural innovation that propelled the movement worldwide. Trailblazers like Buddy Holly, Wanda Jackson, and Ritchie Valens reshaped song structure, shattered gender barriers, and proved that rock was a multicultural movement. From the early mainstream catalyst of Bill Haley to the transatlantic influence of Billy Fury, the album illustrates how rock 'n' roll crossed regional, racial, and international borders. Spanning raw rockabilly and New Orleans piano boogie to heavy guitar instrumentals, this collection demonstrates why these eighteen artists remain the definitive icons of a musical revolution.

ARTIST: Various Artists  TITLE: Street Corner Icons: The Story Of Doo-Wop (LP) GENRE: Doo Wop CAT NO: ACRSLP1725 FORMAT: LP COMING SOON: £18.00

Street Corner Icons: The Story Of Doo Wop provides an essential, broad-scope survey of the sublime vocal movement that swept American popular music in the 1950s. Across sixteen definitive tracks, this collection documents a transformative era when working-class teenagers transformed raw vocal passion into an enduring cultural legacy.  The album traces the complete historical evolution of doo wop, which originated in the late 1940s on urban street corners, in hallway stairwells, and under subway arches across American cities. Lacking access to instruments, young singers relied on the human voice, fusing Black gospel quartet traditions with smooth pop arrangements and rhythmic vocal percussion. This distinct sound—defined by soaring tenor leads, deep bass anchors, and romantic call-and-response harmonies—shattered racial radio barriers and laid the crucial harmonic blueprint for Motown, 1960s girl groups, soul, and modern pop.  The featured artists showcase the full depth, diversity, and historical reach of the movement. The line-up captures foundational R&B trailblazers like The Clovers and gritty up-tempo groups like The Du Droppers alongside sacred monuments of street-corner balladry, including The Penguins' "Earth Angel" and The Five Satins' "In the Still of the Nite". It highlights key innovators who shattered youth, gender, and racial barriers - from 13-year-old prodigy Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers and female pioneers The Chantels to interracially integrated groups like The Crests. The compilation is rounded out by the genre's most sophisticated hitmakers, including Dion & The Belmonts, The Flamingos, Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs, and global pop giants The Platters.  Spanning raw R&B shuffles to ethereal studio arrangements, this album offers an introduction to the visionary vocal groups who forever changed the landscape of popular music.

ARTIST: Various Artists TITLE: Country Icons: From Hillbilly To Honky Tonk (LP) GENRE: Country CAT NO: ACRSLP1726 FORMAT: LP COMING SOON: £18.00

Country Icons: From Hillbilly To Honky Tonk offers an essential historical survey documenting the evolution of country music from rural mountain roots to a global popular culture phenomenon. Across fourteen landmark recordings, this collection captures the pivotal era where traditional folk tales, Appalachian ballads, and southern blues collided with electric instrumentation and radio broadcasting. Originating in the late 1920s, the genre emerged as a voice for working-class life, fusing British Isles folk traditions, African American blues phrasing, and Christian gospel harmonies. As America modernised, acoustic string-band traditions expanded into cinematic Western swing, high-speed bluegrass, and the electrified, neon-lit sound of post-war honky-tonk, establishing the structural and narrative blueprint for modern popular music. The artists featured on this LP were chosen because their innovations forged the genre's enduring DNA. Early pioneers like Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family laid the foundational yodel blues and guitar picking techniques, while Bob Wills and Bill Monroe expanded the genre's speed and swing. Defining voices like Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, and Johnny Cash introduced raw songwriting grit and jukebox swagger. Crucially, the line-up honours ground-breaking trailblazers who shattered industry barriers, including Kitty Wells - the first female solo artist to top the country charts - and Patsy Cline, whose crossover brilliance defined the sophisticated Nashville Sound. Spanning acoustic mountain picking to sweeping studio storytelling, this album serves as an authoritative primer on the visionary icons who shaped American roots music. 

ARTIST: Various Artists TITLE: Building The Tower Of Power - 101 Capitol Label Hits 1942-49 (4CD) GENRE: Pop CAT NO: ACQCD7201  FORMAT: 4CD COMING SOON: £19.00

The Capitol label was founded in Hollywood in 1942 by songwriter and singer Johnny Mercer, songwriter and movie impresario Buddy DeSylva and record store owner Glenn Wallichs. Within a few years it had become a major force in the US and subsequently the world market, rivalling the long-established major companies of RCA-Victor, Columbia and Decca. In 1955, it was bought by EMI to become its US arm and form part of a global music empire, with the legendary Capitol Tower at Hollywood & Vine opening the following year. It achieved by that status by having a continuous run of hits through the ‘40s, and establishing major artists, as well as building a presence in the country market. This collection brings together 101 of those hits, all of them Top 10 entries in Billboard, with 24 different artists represented, among them Nat King Cole, Jo Stafford, Stan Kenton, Peggy Lee, Margaret Whiting, Andy Russell, Martha Tilton, Alvino Rey, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Johnny Mercer himself. It tells a story of a business triumph but also captures the essence of the US chart music of the era, with R&B, swing, jazz and country alongside down-the-middle pop. It makes for a hugely entertaining slice of pop music history.

ARTIST: Louis Armstrong TITLE: The Hits Collection 1926-56 (3CD) GENRE: Jazz, Pop, CAT NO: ACTRCD9191  FORMAT: 3CD COMING SOON: £15.00

Louis Armstrong was one of the acknowledged innovative pioneers of early jazz, and one of the finest and most powerful trumpeters and cornetists in the genre, who shifted the focus from ensemble playing to solo performance during the 1920s with his legendary Hot Five. However, with a career spanning five decades he had a long history of making hit records and having big sellers, not only during the early New Orleans era but through the swing and big band years until he transitioned into mainstream pop in the 1950s. Very few collections have been based purely on his chart hits, so this 70-track 3-CD collection features just about all his releases on the Okeh, Columbia, Decca and Vocalion labels which were listed as hits during this 30-year period. It features his 1932 No. 1 with “All Of Me”, plus timeless classics like “Muskrat Ramble”, “Chinatown, My Chinatown”, “Body And Soul”, “Shine”, “West End Blues”, and “Jeepers Creepers” right through to his US and UK success with “Mack The Knife” in 1956. Inevitably it features performances with some of the most renowned jazz musicians of  the day, like Kid Ory, Johnny Dodds, Earl Hines, Zutty Singleton, Lionel Hampton, Lonnie Johnson and many more. It’s a substantial and entertaining overview of his extraordinary career from a particular standpoint, and a fine showcase for his prowess as one of the true greats of jazz.

ARTIST: Hugo Winterhalter  TITLE: All The Hits And More 1948-59 (2CD) GENRE: Pop, Easy Listening CAT NO: ADDCD3615 FORMAT: 2CD COMING SOON: £12.00

Hugo Winterhalter was an arranger, conductor, composer and musical director, who held posts at MGM, Columbia and RCA-Victor through the post-war decades, and was involved in arranging and providing accompaniment on many hit records by major artists during those years. However, he also made records on his own account under his own name, and had more than 25 hits in US pop charts. This 50-track 2-CD collection comprises selected A & B sides of releases on the MGM, Columbia and RCA-Victor labels from this era, and features all his hits under his own name from this era, including those where he received equal billing on the label with featured vocalists or soloists. It includes his No. 2 hit “Canadian Sunset” with pianist Eddie Heywood, plus Top 10 hits “Jealous Heart”, “Blue Christmas”, “Count Every Star”, “Blue Tango”, “Vanessa”, “The Velvet Glove” and “The Little Shoemaker”, along with hits with The Fontane Sisters, Don Cornell and Merv Griffin. He was one of the vital backroom practitioners, whose contributions were often overlooked, but who sometimes had the chance to grab the limelight, and this collection is an enjoyable insight into the orchestral work of one the most renowned of those great arranger/conductors.

ARTIST: Dolly Dawn & Her Dawn Patrol TITLE: You're A Sweetheart - The Singles Collection 1935-52 (2CD)  GENRE: Pop, Swing CAT NO: ADDCD3616 FORMAT: 2CD COMING SOON: £12.00

Dolly Dawn, real name Theresa Stabile, was born in Newark, NJ, in 1916, and initially became a big band singer on radio in the early 1930s. When she joined George Hall’s orchestra in 1935, she was given the name of Dolly Dawn, and made records under that name through into the 1950s, with the members of Hall’s band who accompanied her being known as her Dawn Patrol. In 1941, George Hall turned the band over to her, so she became leader, and Hall became her manager.  This 51-track 2-CD collection features selected A & B sides of her releases on the Bluebird, Variety, Vocalion, Elite, Regent & Jubilee labels. It includes her No. 1 “You’re A Sweetheart” and the Top 10 hits “The You And Me That Used To Be”, “Have You Got Any Castles, Baby”, “Blossoms On Broadway”, “Who Blew Out The Flame” and “Goody Goodbye”. Although the hits dried up, she continued performing as Dawn Stabile through into the 1980s. She was one of the artists who typified a particular strand of pop through the swing era of the ‘30s and ‘40s, and this is a substantial and entertaining showcase for her music, which captures the musical zeitgeist of those days.

ARTIST: Charlie Byrd TITLE: Early Years - Offbeat & Riverside Label Albums 1958-62 (2CD) GENRE: Jazz CAT NO: ADDCD3617 FORMAT: 2CD COMING SOON: £12.00

Charlie Byrd was a jazz guitarist, who, unusually, played finger-style using a classical guitar. He became especially associated with Latin music through his collaborations with Stan Getz in the early 1960s. Born in Virginia in 1925, he learnt guitar from his father as a child, and saw combat duty in Europe during WWII, after which he studied at Manhattan’s Harnett National Music School and later with Andres Segovia in Italy – he cited Django Reinhardt as his greatest influence.  His first recording was a private session with Charlie Parker’s Tentette in 1952, but after performing through the mid-50s in Washington DC he made his official recording debut on Savoy in 1957. He then made a series of albums for the Offbeat label, part of Washington Records, based in the capital, which over time were licensed or sold to Riverside and re-issued by them. This 34-track 2-CD collection comprises most of the titles from a selection of the Offbeat albums “Jazz At The Showboat Vol. 2” (reissued as “Byrd In The Wind”), “Jazz at The Showboat Vol, 3” (re-issued as“Mr, Guitar”), “At The Village Vanguard”, and “Blues Sonata”. It features performances with Charlie Schneer (piano), Keter Betts (bass), Bertell Knox (drums) and others. He was a skilled, distinctive and much-admired azz guitarist and this is an enlightening and absorbing insight into his early career.

ARTIST: Highway QCs TITLE: The Vee Jay Singles & Albums 1955-62 (2CD) GENRE: Gospel CAT NO: ADDCD3618 FORMAT: 2CD COMING SOON: £12.00

The Highway QCs are a gospel quartet - although they expanded their numbers from time to time - who came together in Chicago in 1945 and which provided an early grounding in music for later would and R&B stars like Sam Cooke, who left in 1951, Lou Rawls, who departed in 1953 and Johnnie Taylor, who performed and recorded with the group from 1955-57, so appears on this collection. Although they were popular performers, they did not record until doing their first sessions for Vee Jay in 1955. This 43-track 2-CD collection features the A and B sides of their Vee Jay singles from these years and the tracks from their Vee Jay albums “Highway QCs”, “Jesus Is Waiting” and “Oh Lord I Pray” not otherwise featured on singles. The group members and songwriters during these years, as well as Johnnie Taylor, include Spencer Taylor, Creadell Copeland, Ray Crume, Arthur Crume, James Walker and Chris Flowers. This comprehensive collection of their early work, which features their big sellers “Somewhere To Lay My Head” and “The Way Up The Hill”, captures them at a crucial stage in their career, as they established their reputation on record, and is an inspiring and uplifting showcase for their distinctive approach to gospel music.

ARTIST: Andy Williams TITLE: Baby Doll - The Cadence Years 1956-62 (LP) GENRE: Easy Listening CAT NO: ACRSLP1717  FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Andy Williams stands as one of the most celebrated and enduring vocalists of the traditional pop era. Renowned for his smooth tenor voice, effortless phrasing, and warm, charismatic presence, he eventually became a global superstar, earning 18 gold and three platinum-certified albums over his multi-decade career. Before achieving massive television success with his own variety show and releasing his era-defining recordings with Columbia Records, Williams established his definitive musical foundations at Archie Bleyer’s Cadence Records, where he first crafted his signature sophisticated sound. This collection compiles the essential, formative hits that launched Williams into the international mainstream. This definitive 18-track collection features his crucial early singles, including his very first major chart breakthrough "Walk Hand In Hand" and the iconic Billboard #1 smash hit "Butterfly" from 1957. The compilation beautifully chronicles his rapid evolution from a rising pop crooner into a dominant chart force, highlighting timeless tracks such as "Canadian Sunset" (#7), the lush "Hawaiian Wedding Song" (No.11), and the emotionally resonant "Lonely Street" (No.5). Spanning key commercial releases from 1956 through 1962, this anthology provides an indispensable overview of the rich orchestral arrangements, impeccable vocal performances, and classic pop songwriting that characterized his foundational tenure. By capturing the precise historical moment Andy Williams transformed into a household name, this collection serves as both an essential retrospective and an absolute must-have addition for vinyl enthusiasts, audiophiles, and loyal fans of classic American popular music.

ARTIST: Jimmie Rodgers TITLE: The Singing Brakeman - Essential Blue Yodels & Ballads (LP) GENRE: Country CAT NO: ACRSLP1718 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Widely revered as the "Father of Country Music," Jimmie Rodgers remains one of the most influential foundational figures in American popular music. Known affectionately as "The Singing Brakeman" due to his early career working on the railroads, Rodgers pioneered a revolutionary sound that seamlessly blended traditional folk, blues, jazz, and distinct vocal styling. His signature "blue yodel" became a cultural phenomenon, forever altering the landscape of country and roots music. Despite a tragically brief recording career cut short by illness in 1933, his profound impact earned him the distinction of being the very first inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as a true musical innovator.This 14-track vinyl compilation that celebrates the enduring genius of Jimmie Rodgers during his peak recording years between 1927 and 1933. This meticulously curated collection spans his foundational contributions to American roots music, bringing together his most iconic milestones on a single release.
The tracklist boasts cornerstone recordings that shaped the genre, including his legendary breakthrough "Blue Yodel No.1 (T For Texas)" from 1927, the timeless narrative of "In The Jailhouse Now," and the hauntingly evocative "Waiting for a Train". It also highlights influential blues-infused masterpieces like "Blue Yodel No. 8 (Mule Skinner Blues)" and his final poignant works, such as "Mississippi Delta Blues". Offering an unparalleled acoustic overview of his legendary fingerstyle guitar work and unmistakable vocal delivery, this essential anthology is a monumental addition for historical preservationists, vinyl collectors, and traditional country purists

ARTIST: Bobby Rydell  TITLE: Swingin' And Swayin' With Bobby: 1959-62 (LP) GENRE: Rock n Roll CAT NO: ACRSLP1719 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Bobby Rydell stands out as one of the most talented and enduring teen idols of the early rock 'n' roll era. Emerging from Philadelphia's vibrant music scene, Rydell possessed a versatile, robust baritone voice and a background as a skilled drummer, which set him apart from many of his contemporary pop crooners. His clean-cut charm, natural comedic timing, and genuine musicality made him a staple on television programs like American Bandstand and eventually landed him a starring role in the classic 1963 film Bye Bye Birdie. With a remarkable string of chart successes, Rydell defined the polished, energetic sound of the turn-of-the-decade pop mainstream. Swingin' And Swayin' With Bobby: 1959-62 is a comprehensive 18-track vinyl compilation that captures Rydell at the absolute peak of his commercial power and musical assurance. Spanning four crucial years, this collection showcases his unique ability to effortlessly straddle the line between driving, up-tempo teen anthems and sophisticated, big-band-style standards. The anthology brings together his definitive breakthrough hits, led by the high-energy rock pop tracks "Wild One" (#2) and "Swingin' School" (#5), alongside early milestones like "Kissin' Time" and "We Got Love". It also features his superb, swing-infused interpretations of classic material, including his famous top-five cover of "Volare," the sultry "Sway," and a driving rendition of "That Old Black Magic". Chronicling his chart dominance right up to 1962 favorites like "The Cha-Cha-Cha" and "I'll Never Dance Again," this premium retrospective provides an indispensable overview of a golden era in American pop, making it an essential addition for vinyl collectors and nostalgic enthusiasts alike.

ARTIST: Brenda Lee TITLE: Little Miss Dynamite: Her Early Hits 1956-62 (LP) GENRE: Easy Listening CAT NO: ACRSLP1720 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Brenda Lee stands as one of the most prolific and influential vocal powerhouses in the history of American popular music. Affectionately dubbed "Little Miss Dynamite" after her explosive vocal presence and diminutive stature, she holds the distinction of being the first woman inducted into both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. Rising to prominence in the mid-1950s as a prodigiously talented child star, Lee effortlessly navigated the worlds of rockabilly, traditional country, and sweeping pop ballads. Her remarkably mature, raspy voice and emotional depth allowed her to conquer global charts, making her one of the top-charting female vocalists of the entire 1960s decade. Little Miss Dynamite: Her Early Hits 1956-62 is a stellar 18-track vinyl compilation that chronicles the defining foundational years of Brenda Lee's legendary career. Spanning a pivotal seven-year window, this comprehensive anthology perfectly captures her electrifying artistic evolution from an energetic rockabilly pioneer into a world-class pop songstress. The collection features her landmark early offerings, including her high-octane 1957 signature track "Dynamite" and the timeless 1958 seasonal standard "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". It also showcases her unrivaled mastery of the emotional heartbreak ballad, anchoring the tracklist with her crowning chart achievements: the brilliant, self-penned pop crossover masterpiece "I'm Sorry" and the dramatic "I Want to Be Wanted". Complete with essential international sensations like "Speak to Me Pretty" and "All Alone Am I," this beautifully curated retrospective offers an indispensable overview of a true vocal titan, serving as an absolute must-have for vinyl collectors, rockabilly purists, and casual fans alike.

ARTIST: Carmen McRae TITLE: Get Set For Miss Jazz: 1953-57 (LP) GENRE: Jazz CAT NO: ACRSLP1721 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Carmen McRae stands as one of the most influential and foundational vocalists in jazz history, renowned alongside figures like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan. Celebrated for her masterfully behind-the-beat phrasing, sharp lyrical irony, and unparalleled storytelling ability, McRae was a true musician’s singer who also possessed formidable skills as a jazz pianist. Her sophisticated, smoky contralto voice and distinct, worldly delivery allowed her to dissect a lyric with dramatic precision and emotional depth. Over a career that spanned five decades, McRae’s singular vocal artistry earned her continuous critical acclaim, multiple Grammy nominations, and a permanent place in the pantheon of great American jazz icons. This essential 16-track vinyl compilation chronicles the definitive, foundational years of Carmen McRae's illustrious solo career. Spanning a pivotal five-year window from 1953 to 1957, this meticulously curated anthology beautifully captures her evolution from a prominent big-band singer and vibrant New York club performer into a major, chart-recognized solo jazz force. The collection features landmark early recordings that established her legacy, including her poignant interpretation of "A Foggy Day" from 1953 and the high-energy title cut "Get Set" from 1955. It showcases her peerless command of the Great American Songbook, bringing together stunning, sophisticated performances of classic standards such as "Midnight Sun," "Yesterdays," and the hauntingly complex "Lush Life". Complete with definitive renditions of "My Funny Valentine" and "Yardbird Suite," this beautifully pressed retrospective offers an indispensable historical overview of an artist at the absolute peak of her early creative powers. It serves as a monumental addition for historical jazz preservationists, vinyl enthusiasts, and vocal jazz aficionados alike. 

ARTIST: The Fleetwoods TITLE: Come Softly To Me: The Early Singles 1959-62 (LP) GENRE: Doo Wop CAT NO: ACRSLP1722 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

The Fleetwoods hold a unique and revered place in the history of late-1950s and early-1960s popular music. Hailing from Olympia, Washington, the trio - comprising Gary Troxel, Gretchen Christopher, and Barbara Ellis—became famous for their distinctive, soft-spoken vocal blend that stood out in stark contrast to the louder, driving rock 'n' roll of the era. Characterised by acoustic guitar backdrops, Troxel’s warm, understated lead vocals, and the ethereal, contrapuntal harmonies of Christopher and Ellis, they became the first group in Billboard chart history to score multiple number-one hits in a single calendar year. Their sophisticated vocal arrangements and gentle approach to doo-wop and teen pop left an indelible mark on the pre-British Invasion musical landscape. This 20-track vinyl compilation chronicles the peak commercial and artistic output of this iconic vocal group. Spanning four incredibly prolific years, this comprehensive anthology brings together the precise sequence of original singles that established their global reputation. The collection is anchored by their twin crowning achievements: their legendary, self-penned 1959 debut smash "Come Softly To Me" and the timelessly melancholy "Mr. Blue," both of which conquered the Billboard charts at number one. Beyond these massive hits, the tracklist showcases their signature harmonic perfection across a wealth of major chart milestones, including the top-ten favorite "Tragedy," the top-forty gems "Graduation's Here" and "Outside My Window," and the iconic "(He's) The Great Imposter". Capturing the serene, romantic atmosphere of a bygone golden era, this beautifully curated retrospective provides an indispensable historical overview, making it an essential addition for vinyl collectors, vocal group enthusiasts, and traditional pop purists. 

ARTIST: Stan Getz TITLE: Classic Collaborations & More - Verve Recordings 1953-57 (4CD) GENRE: Jazz CAT NO: ACQCD7200  FORMAT: 4CD BUY HERE: £19.00

Stan Getz is widely regarded as one of the all-time great jazz tenor saxophonists, coming to the fore in the bebop era of the late 1940s and early ’50s, and becoming a pioneer of the west coast ‘cool school’ of jazz musicians, helping to popularise Latin forms like the bossa nova within the idiom. During the mid-1950s, while recording for Norman Granz’s Norgran and Verve labels, and with the long-playing vinyl LP era now under way, he recorded many sessions and projects in collaboration with other like-minded musicians and bandleaders, which resulted in a string of notable albums. This 44-track 4-CD set comprises titles from the classic Verve albums “Interpretations” with Bob Brookmeyer, “Diz And Getz” with Dizzy Gillespie, “Hamp And Getz” with Lionel Hampton, “West Coast Jazz” with Conte Candoli, “The Steamer” with his Quartet, “Sittin’ In” with Dizzy Gillespie and Coleman Hawkins, “Stan Getz & The Oscar Peterson Trio”, and “Getz Meets Mulligan” with Gerry Mulligan. The creative stimulus provided by these encounters naturally makes for some fascinating and high class jazz. Apart from the main collaborators, the performances feature many other notable musicians of the day, and it makes for a substantial and hugely entertaining collection.

ARTIST: Casey Bill Weldon TITLE: A Career Anthology 1935-38 (3CD) GENRE: Blues CAT NO: ACTRCD9190  FORMAT: 3CD BUY HERE: £15.00

William “Casey Bill” Weldon was a country blues singer, guitarist and songwriter, born in 1901 in Arkansas, but who made his home in Kansas City for a long while, giving rise to his nickname of Casey, or K.C., although he spent a number of years living and working in Chicago, the primary centre for blues recording in that era. He played a National steel guitar, often playing it on his lap Hawaiian style, and became known as the “Hawaiian Guitar Wizard”. This 67-track 3-CD collection comprises a substantial proportion of his career recordings – he had stopped recording by 1938, although he lived until 1972. The set features recordings for the Vocalion and Bluebird labels from this era under the names Casey Bill, Casey Bill Weldon and Kansas City Bill Weldon, plus recordings as a member of the Washboard Rhythm Kings and Brown Bombers Of Swing. It includes his notable compositions “Gonna Move To The Outskirts of Town” and “Someone Done Changed The Lock On That Door”. It features recordings with noted bluesmen of the era, including Peetie Wheatstraw, Black Bob, Tampa Red, Arnett Nelson, Washboard Sam, Bill Settles, Charlie McCoy, Big Bill Broonzy, Calvin Dillard, Clifford Medlock and Henry Singleton. He was well-known for his upbeat and extrovert style, often performing material in the hokum idiom, and this is an entertaining showcase for his distinctive approach to the blues  

ARTIST: Various Artists  TITLE: The 1956 Complete British Albums Chart - The First Chart Year (2CD) GENRE: Pop CAT NO: ADDCD3611 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

The UK Album Chart was first published in the music paper the Record Mirror in July 1956. It was a Top 5 chart and during the first five or six months of its existence through to the end of 1956, just fifteen different albums were listed in that chart, with six of those making No. 1. Of those, three were the soundtracks of the movie versions of Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals, “Carousel”, “Oklahoma” and “The King And I”. Other artists to make the top spot were Frank Sinatra, Bill Haley & His Comets and Elvis Presley. This 45-track 2-CD collection comprises three selected titles from each of those albums to give a representative flavour of the content of the charts during its first year of operation. It makes for an interesting and varied selection of music, underlining the state of flux the pop landscape was in with the advent of rock ‘n’ roll in the pop charts during the previous year or more. This collection builds on Acrobat long-standing catalogue of annual “British Hit Parade” collections and our parallel “America’s Greatest Hits” sets, based on the singles charts in each market, and there will be subsequent collections for the years which followed.

ARTIST: Tony Bennett TITLE: Stranger In Paradise - Early Albums 1955-58 (2CD)  GENRE: Pop, Easy Listening, Jazz CAT NO: ADDCD3612 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

Tony Bennett was one of the great male vocalists to come to fore in the post-war era, in his case in the early 1950s, and he enjoyed a hugely prolific and successful career as a hit singles artist, with more than 70 hits to his name across three decades (see Tony Bennett “The Singles Collection 1951-62”, Acrobat ACTRCD9062). However, with the advent of the long-playing album during the 1950s, he built a reputation as a prolific and popular album artist, recording over 60 studio albums plus ‘live’ and compilation albums. His uniquely adaptable and unmistakable voice enabled him to perform in different styles and address various concepts, while recording in a variety of orchestral, small band and jazz environments. This 51-track 2-CD collection comprises just about all the titles from his albums “Cloud 7”, “Alone At Last”, “Tony”, “The Beat Of My Heart” and “Long Ago And Far Away”, from the early years of his album career (his only previous album was a collection of titles from singles). On two of the albums he performs with a small modern jazz group, while on the others he is accompanied by orchestras arranged and  conducted by Percy Faith and Stan De Vol. It’s a fascinating collection that captures the great vocalist at the start of his album career, and, as with any Tony Bennett set, it’s an enjoyable showcase for his uniquely distinctive talent.

ARTIST: Al Donahue & His Orchestra TITLE: Jeepers Creepers - The Singles Collection 1935-42 (2CD) GENRE: Pop, Easy Listening, Jazz CAT NO: ADDCD3613 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

Al Donahue was an American violinist and big band leader, born in Massachusetts in 1904, who enjoyed a chart heyday during the 1930s and into the early swing era, playing a mixture of the “sweet” middle-of-the-road style popular on radio during that era, and more swinging material during his later years. This 53-track 2-CD collection comprises selected releases on the Decca, Vocalion and Okeh labels from this era, and features all his career hits including the No. 1 “Jeepers Creepers” and the big sellers “Lambeth Walk”, “Heart And Soul”, “Stop Beating About The Mulberry Bush”, “Stairway To The Stars”, “The Wise Old Owl” and more. Most of his recordings featured performances by one or other of his resident vocalists during these years, who include Paula Kelly, Barry McKinley, Dee Keating and Phil Brito. He recorded prolifically through these years, with more than eighty releases to choose from, so this a very much a cherry-picked selection of his work. It captures the flavour not only of his particular approach to the music, but also the mood and style of the era as he recorded popular standards, plus new compositions from Broadway, Hollywood and Tin Pan Alley by the Great American Songbook composers who were active in those years.

ARTIST: Helen Merrill TITLE: Early Years - The First Four Albums And More 1952-58 (2CD) GENRE: Jazz, Easy Listening CAT NO: ADDCD3614 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

Helen Merrill was a jazz vocalist, born in New York in 1929 to Croatian immigrant parents, who began singing in clubs in her teens in the mid-1940s and made her first recordings in 1952. She recorded an album for Mercury, and the success of that brought her a long-term contract and a period of high visibility and popularity during the 1950s and ‘60s, providing the basis for an album career that lasted into the new millennium. She is still alive in 2026 at the age of 97. This 43-track 2-CD collection features her debut recording with Earl Hines and a single for Roost in 1952-3, plus the titles from her first four albums “Helen Merrill with Clifford Brown”, “Helen Merrill With Strings”, “Dream of You” and “Merrill At Midnight”. It features recordings with small jazz groups and larger orchestras, including performances with Clifford Brown, Barry Galbraith, Oscar Pettiford, Quincy Jones,  Milt Hinton, Hank Jones and Joe Morello, with arrangements by Quincy Jones, Richard Hayman, Gil Evans and Hal Mooney. She was one of the lesser known jazz stars of the era, but was a highly respected performer, with whom the top musicians of the day were more than happy to perform and record. This is a fine showcase for her already highly sophisticated style, even at the dawn of her album career.
 

ARTIST: Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys TITLE: The King Of Western Swing: 1944-48 GENRE: Country CAT NO: ACRSLP1711  FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Discover the absolute zenith of Anerican roots music with this definitive 16-track vinyl collection profiling Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys. Forging the multi-genre DNA of Western Swing,Wills masterfully dissolved musical boundaries by marrying big-band jazz brass, driving Delta blues, and traditional frontier fiddle breakdowns into a singular, cohesive sound. This release captures Wills at his commercial and artistic peak as he transitioned to the West Coast. As thousands of workers migrated to California's defence industries, Wills established a musical empire that rivalled the biggest pop orchestras in the nation. Operating with a leaner, intensely rhythmic post-war lineup, the Texas Playboys utilized amplified steel guitars and a driving jazz trap-drum backbeat to pioneer a sonic framework that directly anticipated early rock 'n' roll. Featuring a staggering run of chart-topping hits, this record chronicles Wills' unmatched strike rate. Essential tracks include the patriotic No.1 blockbusters "Smoke on the Water" and "Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima," alongside the historic 16-week chart-topper "New Spanish Two Step" and late-night honky-tonk anthems like "Bubbles in My Beer". Secure the undisputed King of Western Swing today.

ARTIST: The Dominoes TITLE: Rags To Riches: The R&B Chart Hits 1951-58 GENRE: R&B CAT NO: ACRSLP1712 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Formed in late 1950 by classically trained Juilliard alumnus Billy Ward, The Dominoes operated as a disciplined musical academy that revolutionised American rhythm and blues.By blending the technical precision of a choir with the raw, emotional fire of the black church, Ward created a legendary vocal launching pad that forged future icons Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson into global superstars.Witness the definitive sonic evolution of rhythm and blues with this essential retrospective of Billy Ward and His Dominoes. Operating as the most rigorous, influential vocal powerhouse of the 1950s, this group pioneered the transition from the polite, refined vocal harmonies of the post-war era to the raw, sweat-soaked soul of the 1960s. From the historic, chart-topping proto-rock crossover phenomenon of "Sixty Minute Man" to the soaring vocal acrobatics of the title track "Rags To Riches," every cut radiates with strict, symphonic precision. A monumental addition to any serious American music collection, these sixteen tracks bridge genres and generations alike, delivering the foundational DNA of soul directly to your turntable.

ARTIST: LaVern Baker  TITLE: That's All I Need - Her Greatest Singles 1955-62 GENRE: Blues CAT NO: ACRSLP1713 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Hailing from Chicago's rich blues landscape, LaVern Baker was a foundational pillar of early rock ’n’ roll. Blessed with a voice of astonishing power and a commanding stage persona, she successfully navigated shifting teenage tastes and industry barriers to become a premier crossover star and a permanent architect of modern rhythm and blues.This collection brings together 18 definitive A and B sides from LaVern Baker’s influential tenure at Atlantic Records. Spanning from the infectious syncopation of "Tweedle Dee" to the high-energy, gospel-infused drive of "Saved", the track list provides a thorough retrospective of an artist helping forge the language of early soul.Listeners can trace her musical journey through core hits like the chart-topping smash "Jim Dandy", the elegant pop ballad "I Cried A Tear" featuring King Curtis, and her celebrated modern reinvention of the traditional blues standard "See See Rider". Backed by some of the premier studio musicians of the era, this release stands as a comprehensive tribute to the achievements of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame pioneer

ARTIST: Kitty Kallen TITLE: Little Things - A Decade Of Hits 1943-54 GENRE: Easy Listening CAT NO: ACRSLP1714 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Rising to fame during the swing era, Kitty Kallen was a premier big band vocalist who sang for legends like Jimmy Dorsey and Harry James before transitioning into a solo powerhouse. Celebrated for her conversational clarity and emotional intimacy, she defined the soundtrack of 1940s wartime America and scored the biggest pop smash of 1954 with "Little Things Mean a Lot". Her evolution from a child radio star to a sophisticated vocal stylist showcases an unparalleled ability to bridge the gap between big band precision and deeply personal pre-rock torch songs. “Little Things - A Decade Of Hits 1943-54” captures the absolute commercial and artistic peak of Kallen's career. This beautifully curated collection bridges the gap between high-energy swing and late-night ballads. Featuring historic No.1 hits alongside lush big band collaborations, this essential LP beautifully captures a nation's transition from wartime conflict to post-war suburban optimism. Crucially, her enduring appeal shines on tracks that have found a massive, resurrected global audience by serving as the emotional anchor for key moments within the modern Marvel Cinematic Universe.

ARTIST: Slim Gaillard TITLE: Scat, Swing & Surrealism feat. Slim & Slam 1938-52 GENRE: Jazz CAT NO: ACRSLP1715 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Singer, dancer, and visionary jazz pioneer Slim Gaillard was an absolute anomaly in American music. While respected by elite modern jazz players for his Charlie Christian-style guitar technique and heavy boogie piano, Gaillard chose a path of pure musical Dadaism. Armed with his invented, food-obsessed jive dialect "Vout," he transformed standard swing into surrealist art. Scat, Swing & Surrealism feat. Slim & Slam 1938-52 captures the prime creative era of hip-hop’s linguistic ancestor. Side A features his breakthrough New York recordings with bassist Slam Stewart, anchored by the iconic, chart-topping global phenomenon "Flat Foot Floogie". Side B chronicles his post-war West Coast explosion, where he operated with absolute studio freedom. From the mechanical, rhythmic drive of the massive hit "Cement Mixer" to the late-night, deep-grooving junk food celebration of "Potato Chips" alongside tenor saxophone giant Ben Webster, this collection highlights Gaillard’s unmatched showmanship. Including the historic, once-banned bebop track "Yep-Roc-Heresy" featuring Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, this 16-track release belongs in the collection of every serious jazz enthusiast and lover of mid-century pop culture.

ARTIST: The Shadows TITLE: Dance On! The Savage Sound Of The Shadows 1960-62 GENRE: Rock 'n' Roll CAT NO: ACRSLP1716 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Dance On! The Savage Sound Of The Shadows 1960-62 captures the absolute pinnacle of Britain’s most influential instrumental rock ’n’ roll band. Long before the Merseybeat boom, The Shadows dominated the UK charts with a revolutionary sound that inspired a generation of guitar legends, including Eric Clapton, Brian May, and Pete Townshend.This beautifully curated 20-track vinyl release brings together their monumental hit singles from a highly prolific three-year golden era. Featuring the historic, five-week number one smash "Apache", the lush orchestral sweeping of "Wonderful Land", and the driving rhythm of "F.B.I.", this collection highlights the unmatched musical chemistry of the classic Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Jet Harris, and Tony Meehan lineup. Listeners will track their progress from raw, energetic, guitar-driven instrumentals to sophisticated, string-laden masterpieces engineered by legendary producer Norrie Paramor. Complete with comprehensive background narratives detailing session insights, chart triumphs, and their historic cinematic tie-ins, Dance On! is an essential addition for vinyl collectors, mid-century pop aficionados, and anyone who appreciates the timeless brilliance of the Fender Stratocaster sound.

ARTIST: Isham Jones & His Orchestra  TITLE: The Complete Hits 1920-38 (3CD) GENRE: Blues CAT NO: ACTRCD9188  FORMAT: 3CD BUY HERE: £15.00

Isham Jones was a saxophonist and bandleader, born in 1894 in Ohio, who grew up In Saginaw, Michigan, and started his career as a bandleader and songwriter in Chicago during WWI. His orchestra became one of the most popular and successful dance bands of the 1920s and ‘30s, coming early to the recording scene during the early years of post-war euphoria and having an extraordinary string of huge hits in the first half of the decade which established his profile and reputation, writing several of those with lyricist Gus Kahn. This 73-track 3-CD collection comprises all 73 of his US hits, all achieved during the inter-war years through to 1938, with releases on the Brunswick, Victor, Decca and Vocalion through that era. It features all eight of his No. 1s with “Wabash Blues”, “On The Alamo”, “Swingin’ Down the Lane”, “Spain”, “It Had To Be You” and “I’ll See You In My Dreams”, “Remember” and “Star Dust”, all on Brunswick through to 1930. It includes performances by his featured vocalists over the years, Frank Munn, Alfie Evans, Keller Sisters, Billy Scott, Dave Franks, Rita Smith, Joe Martin and Eddie Stone. He was one of the bandleaders whose music drew on jazz idioms, but who achieved huge popularity in the middle ground of the US public, and this collection encapsulates the music that made him such a formidable force in popular music between the wars.

ARTIST: Sylvia Syms TITLE: I Could Have Danced All Night - The Singles & Albums collection 1952-61 (3CD) GENRE: Jazz, Pop, Easy Listening CAT NO: ACTRCD9189  FORMAT: 3CD BUY HERE: £15.00

The American jazz and pop singer Sylvia Syms (not to be confused with the British movie star of the 50s and ‘60s of the same name) was a highly distinctive performer, who Frank Sinatra once said was “the world’s greatest saloon singer”, with a journalist noting that was “one of America’s most distinguished cabaret and jazz singers with a profound appreciation of lyrics”. Born in Brooklyn in 1917, and influenced by meeting Billie Holiday, she came to the fore in immediate post-war years, and made her first albums in the early ‘50s for Atlantic before signing to Decca, with whom she had hit singles in mid-decade. This 70-track 3-CD collection comprises singles for Decca from this era, plus the titles from her album on Atlantic “Songs  By Sylvia Syms”, her Decca albums “Sylvia Syms Sings” and “Songs Of Love”, the Columbia album “Torch Song”, and the Kapp album “That Man (Love Letter To Frank Sintra)”, through to the early 1960s. It includes her US hit singles “I Could Have Danced All Night”, “English Muffins And Irish Stew” and “Dancing Chandelier”. Her work and talents have not enjoyed as high a profile over the years as they deserve, and this collection captures her during a key decade of her career, offering a fine showcase for a notable song stylist.

ARTIST: Count Basie & His Orchestra  TITLE: The Roulette Years - Classic Albums 1958-59 (2CD) GENRE: Jazz CAT NO: ADDCD3607 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

Count Basie was one of the most important and influential personalities in the whole history of jazz, as pianist, composer and bandleader, and Acrobat has several products devoted to his music, the most recent being “The Legendary New Testament Band 1952-55” (ACTRCD9131). This collection follows on a few years after that, and addresses his early years with the Roulette label later in the decade with some fine albums with his orchestra in between hugely successful projects when he made albums accompanying noted vocalists. This 41-track 2-CD collection features all but one of the titles from his original LP releases of “The Atomic Mr. Basie”, “Basie Plays Hefti”, “Basie One More Time” and “Chairman Of The Board”. These were among his most highly regarded albums of the era, featuring the compositions and arrangements of Neal Hefti on “The Atomic Mr. Basie” and “Basie Plays Heftie” and the compositions of Quincy Jones on “Basie One More Time”, so he is performing and recording up-to-the-minute material among these selections. Any collection of Basie’s work is bound to be worth listening to, and this set captures him during what was a fascinating era of his career, as his image and positioning became more contemporary, underlining his ability always to stay abreast of where jazz was going. As always, it’s a fine showcase for one of the genre’s true legends.

ARTIST: J.B. Lenoir TITLE: Let's Roll - The Singles Collection 1952-60 (2CD)  GENRE: Blues CAT NO: ADDCD3608 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

J. B. Lenoir was a blues singer, guitarist and songwriter, born in Mississippi in 1929, and who learnt his trade in the south alongside Sonny Boy Williamson and Elmore James before moving to Chicago in 1949 and becoming associated with the Chicago style of blues – he died tragically after a car crash in 1968. Working initially with Big Bill Broonzy, Big Maceo Merriweather, Memphis Minnie and Muddy Waters, he became a significant figure among the Chicago blues community, despite having only one hit during his career. He was a noted showman, famous for his Zebra-patterned suits, and was well-known for his songs of social commentary like “Eisenhower Blues”. This 54-track 2-CD collection comprises releases and recordings for the J.O.B., Chess, Parrot, Checker, Shad and VeeJay labels during this era.  It includes his US R&B No. 11 hit “Mamma Talk To Your Daughter”. It also features other popular releases like “Let’s Roll”, “ Don’t Dog Your Woman” and “Don’t Touch My Head”.It features performances with Sunnyland Slim, Snooky Pryor, Willie Dixon, Leroy Foster, Alfred Wallace, Joe Montgomery, Ernest Cotton, Robert Lockwood Jr. and other top Chicago musicians of the era, and it’s a fine showcase for his music during  primary era of his career.

ARTIST: The Stanley Brothers & The Clinch Mountain Boys TITLE: Man Of Constant Sorrow - The Singles Collection 1946-1958 (2CD) GENRE: Country, Bluegrass CAT NO: ADDCD3609 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

The Stanley Brothers were a bluegrass duo comprising Carter and Ralph Stanley, both born in Virginia in the mid-1920s, who started performing professionally with their band The Cinch Mountain Boys in the immediate post-war years, taking their musical lead from Bill Monroe, and becoming a key strand of the burgeoning bluegrass genre of that era. This 58-track 2-CD collection comprises selected A and B sides on the Rich-R-Tone, Columbia and Mercury labels from these years, which include titles from their Columbia albums “The Stanley Brothers” and “The Angels Are Singing” and their Mercury albums “Country Pickin’ And Singin’” and “Hard Times”. This was a key formative era of their career, before they travelled abroad and became popular in Europe, although they career as a duo came to an end with Ralph’s premature death in 1966. This is an entertaining and enlightening showcase for two of the finest exponents of the bluegrass idiom.

ARTIST: Sister Ernestine Washington TITLE: Gospel Songbird - The Singles & Albums Collection 1943-59 (2CD) GENRE: Gospel CAT NO: ADDCD3610 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

Born Ernestine Thomas in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1914, from the age of four was singing alongside her sanctified singer mother in church, and was by all accounts a childhood friend of Rosetta Tharpe. After working in domestic service, she married Frederick Washington in 1934, and moved to New Jersey where Frederick founded the Trinity Temple, later moving to Brooklyn, where he established the Washington Temple Church of God in Christ. Madame, later Sister, Ernestine was soloist in those churches and did most of her recording under the auspices of her husband’s churches. Gospel commentator Tony Heilbut said that “Her singular achievement was to wed sanctified bravura to the legato soul of her Baptist inspiration Roberta Martin”. As she became better known, she started to be called “The Songbird Of The East”. This 46-track 2-CD collection comprises A and B sides of her releases on the Regis, Jubilee, Manor and Groove labels from this era, including recordings with The Dixie Hummingbirds and Bunk Johnson’s jazz band, through to 1954, plus titles from her 1959 albums on Westminster “Gospel Singing In Washington Temple” and the Delden album “Showers Of Blessings”. Although she did not tour widely as a result of her church commitments, she was a popular and influential performer, and this is an enlightening showcase for her distinctive style of gospel.
 

ARTIST: Billy Fury TITLE: The Hit Parade Hero: 1959-62 GENRE: Rock 'n' Roll CAT NO: ACRSLP1705  FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Billy Fury remains one of the most important and charismatic figures in the history of British rock ’n’ roll. Born Ronald Wycherley in Liverpool in 1940, he was a shy young songwriter who transformed almost overnight into a national sensation after a chance meeting with impresario Larry Parnes in 1958. Parnes, impressed by both Fury’s original material and striking presence, signed him immediately, setting in motion a career that would define the sound and style of pre-Beatles British pop. Fury possessed a rare versatility: he could deliver energetic, American-influenced rock ’n’ roll with conviction, yet switch effortlessly to tender, emotionally charged ballads. His voice—smooth, yearning, and capable of surprising dramatic power—made him one of the most distinctive singers of his generation. During the early 1960s, he became a fixture on the UK charts, achieving an extraordinary run of hits that placed him just behind Cliff Richard and The Shadows in chart appearances for the decade. His tours, which often featured young Merseybeat acts such as the Beatles in support slots, played a vital role in shaping the emerging British pop landscape. The Hit Parade Hero 1959–62 brings together the defining recordings from his most influential early years. Side A captures his breakthrough and rapid rise with tracks like “Maybe Tomorrow,” “Margo, Don’t Go,” “That’s Love,” and the atmospheric fan favourite “Wondrous Place,” a song that perfectly showcases his moody, intimate vocal style. The side also highlights his early experimentation with teen-pop and rockabilly influences. Side B presents the full force of Fury’s hit-making period, including the majestic ballad “Halfway to Paradise,” the dramatic “Jealousy,” and the polished romantic pop of “Last Night Was Made for Love” and “Once Upon a Dream.” Together, these tracks form a definitive portrait of an artist who helped shape British popular music—passionate, stylish, and timeless.

ARTIST: Ben E. King TITLE: The Solo Sessions 1960-62 GENRE: Soul CAT NO: ACRSLP1706 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

The Solo Sessions 1960–62 presents the essential early solo work of Ben E King, one of the most distinctive and influential voices in soul and R&B. After first achieving success with The Drifters, King stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist in 1960, quickly establishing himself as a major force on the charts and across radio. His unique blend of emotional depth, warm baritone vocals and refined pop-soul arrangements helped shape the sound of the early 1960s and continues to resonate with listeners today. This collection brings together the standout recordings from those formative first years, beginning with the beautifully orchestrated classic “Spanish Harlem.” The global anthem “Stand By Me”—a song that remains one of the most enduring and recognisable in modern music—shows King at his most powerful and heartfelt. The set also features further chart successes including “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)” and a wealth of fan favourites such as “Ecstasy,” “Young Boy Blues,” “The Hermit of Misty Mountain,” and “Walking in the Footsteps of a Fool.” Across these tracks, King demonstrates remarkable versatility, moving seamlessly between tender balladry, dramatic pop-soul arrangements, and songs influenced by Latin and Caribbean rhythms. His performances highlight not just vocal command, but the ability to convey emotion with clarity, elegance and timeless appeal. Beautifully sequenced and curated, The Solo Sessions 1960–62 offers a definitive portrait of Ben E King in his early prime. This LP is essential for vinyl collectors, soul aficionados, and new listeners discovering the richness of King’s catalogue. A must-have addition to any classic soul or early-’60s pop collection.

ARTIST: The Chordettes  TITLE: Doo Wop Darlings:1951-62 GENRE: Doo Wop CAT NO: ACRSLP1707 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

“Doo Wop Darlings 1951–62” brings together the signature sound of The Chordettes, one of the most recognisable and influential female vocal groups of the 1950s and early ’60s. Known for their silky harmonies, playful arrangements and a uniquely polished blend of pop and vocal-group tradition, The Chordettes defined an era of American music with their sweet, instantly memorable style. Formed in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, they first found success through national radio performances before becoming chart favourites with a string of classic singles that continue to charm new audiences today. This carefully curated collection captures their finest recordings from their golden decade, beginning with early gems such as “Runnin’ Wild,” “Moonlight on the Ganges,” and “Love’s Old Sweet Song.” Their breakthrough hit “Mr Sandman”—a timeless pop landmark—stands as a highlight on Side A, alongside favourites like “Humming Bird,” “The Wedding,” “Eddie My Love,” and the elegant ballad “Born to Be With You.” Side B continues the journey through their most beloved repertoire, opening with “Lay Down Your Arms” and the dreamy “Teen Age Goodnight.” Charming harmony showcases such as “Just Between You and Me,” “Soft Sands,” and the bubbly, chart-topping “Lollipop” demonstrate the group’s effortless vocal blend and signature sweetness. Later hits including “Zorro,” “No Other Arms, No Other Lips,” “A Girl’s Work Is Never Done,” and their stylish rendition of “Never on Sunday” show their smooth transition into early-1960s pop.

ARTIST: The Clancy Brothers TITLE: Rebels, Rovers & Rakes: 1959-62 GENRE: Folk CAT NO: ACRSLP1708 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

“Rebels, Rovers & Rakes: 1959–62” captures the raw energy, storytelling brilliance, and enduring charm of The Clancy Brothers, the legendary Irish folk group who brought traditional Irish songs to international prominence. Emerging from New York’s Irish-American community in the late 1950s, the group—led by Paddy, Tom, Liam, and later included other members—redefined the sound of Irish folk with their rich harmonies, driving rhythms, and charismatic performances. Their recordings from 1959–62 remain milestones in the folk revival, inspiring countless musicians and audiences worldwide. Side A opens with stirring, politically and culturally charged ballads such as “The Rising of the Moon,” “The Croppy Boy,” “The Foggy Dew,” and “Kevin Barry,” showcasing the group’s ability to convey history with passion and authenticity. Lively reels and drinking songs such as “Whiskey, You’re The Devil,” “The Real Old Mountain Dew,” “A Jug of Punch,” and the rollicking “Finnegan’s Wake” illustrate their fun-loving, communal energy, balancing historical reflection with rowdy celebration. Side B offers intimate, timeless folk favorites including “The Parting Glass,” “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye,” “Roddy McCorley,” and “Brennan On The Moor.” Traditional tunes like “I’ll Tell My Ma,” “The Wild Colonial Boy,” “Shoals of Herring,” and “Will Ye Go, Lassie Go? (Wild Mountain Thyme)” highlight their mastery of narrative, melody, and harmony, delivering songs that feel both authentic and immediately engaging. Rebels, Rovers & Rakes: 1959–62 is an essential collection for folk enthusiasts, collectors, and newcomers alike, offering a definitive portrait of The Clancy Brothers at their peak—bold, heartfelt, and timeless.

ARTIST: Ma Rainey TITLE: Black Bottom Blues: 1923-28 GENRE: Blues CAT NO: ACRSLP1709 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Black Bottom Blues 1923–28 is a definitive collection of recordings by Ma Rainey, the “Mother of the Blues” and one of the most influential singers of early 20th-century American music. Between 1923 and 1928, Rainey helped shape the sound and style of classic blues, blending raw emotion, vocal power, and narrative storytelling into songs that became the foundation of modern blues and jazz. Her recordings capture the vitality of African-American culture in the early 1920s, from the deep Southern roots of the genre to the vibrant energy of urban blues. Side A features some of Rainey’s most iconic works, including “Bad Luck Blues,” “Bo-Weavil Blues,” “Barrel House Blues,” “Moonshine Blues,” “Southern Blues,” “Lost Wandering Blues,” “Shave ‘Em Dry Blues,” and “Booze And Blues.” Each track showcases her commanding vocal presence, emotive phrasing, and storytelling that resonates with themes of love, hardship, and resilience. Side B continues with equally compelling recordings: “Jealous Hearted Blues,” “See See Rider Blues,” “Jelly Bean Blues,” “Countin’ The Blues,” “Slave To The Blues,” “Yonder Come The Blues,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” and “Prove It On Me Blues.” These tracks highlight her versatility, combining upbeat numbers, sensual ballads, and socially pointed songs that cemented her legacy as a pioneer of blues music. Black Bottom Blues 1923–28 is essential listening for blues collectors, jazz enthusiasts, and anyone exploring the roots of American music. This carefully curated collection captures Ma Rainey at the height of her early career, delivering performances that remain timeless, bold, and unforgettable.

ARTIST: Eddy Arnold TITLE: The Tennessee Plowboy: 1946-55 GENRE: Country CAT NO: ACRSLP1710 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Richard Edward Arnold, the "Tennessee Plowboy," was arguably the most commercially successful country artist of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Far from the typical 'twang' of the era, Arnold pioneered a smooth, lush, baritone croon, a style that transcended genre boundaries and allowed him to outsell the entire pop division of RCA Victor in 1948. This essential compilation captures the period of his greatest chart dominance, featuring the major hits that made him a crossover superstar and innovator of the eventual Nashville Sound. Side A is a masterclass in Country-Pop fusion, containing the records that established him as a national phenomenon. Starting with "That's How Much I Love You" (1946), the side proceeds through legendary chart-toppers like "It's A Sin" (No.1 for 5 weeks), the phenomenal "I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms)" (No.1 for 21 weeks - an unprecedented run), and the iconic "Bouquet Of Roses" (19 weeks at the top). These were not just country hits; they were pop radio staples that introduced millions to his polished sound. Side B continues the dominance, spanning the early 1950s with further No.1 hits and key signature songs. It includes the charming "Don't Rob Another Man's Castle," the enduring "There's Been A Change In Me," and his much-loved 1953 hit, "I Really Don't Want To Know." The side concludes with his signature tune, "The Cattle Call," a song he recorded multiple times throughout his career. With over 145 chart entries and 85 million records sold across his career, Eddy Arnold's impact is undeniable.
 

ARTIST: Rev. Gary Davis  TITLE: The King Of Gospel Blues - The Singles & Albums Collection 1935-62 (4CD) GENRE: Blues CAT NO: ACQCD7199  FORMAT: 4CD BUY HERE: £19.00

The Rev. Gary Davis, known variously during his career as Blind Gary, Gary Davis, Blind Gary Davis and Rev. Gary Davis, was a unique figure in the blues. He was a guitarist, singer and songwriter, who also played banjo and harmonica, born in Laurens, South Carolina, in 1896, and who, during his early career, was a leading exponent of the Piedmont style of blues from that region. He became an ordained minister, and moved to New York, where he became involved in the folk/blues revival of the 1950s and performed a style of blues which focused on gospel and faith themes, while still being authentic blues music. This 83-track 4-CD collection comprises releases on 78s through to 1949 on the ARC, Perfect, Conqueror, Melotone & Lenox labels, along with the tracks from the albums from 1954 through to 1962, “The Singing Reverend” on Stinson, “Harlem Street Spirituals” on Riverside , “A Little More Faith” and “Say No To The Devil” on Bluesville and “Pure Religion And Bad Company” on 77 Records.  His virtuoso guitar technique was hugely influential on later post-war blues musicians. This collection bridges the two eras of his career, so is a fine showcase for the breadth of his talent and musical compass as a crucial figure in the genre.

ARTIST: Wes Montgomery TITLE: Classic Early Albums: The Riverside Years 1959-62 (3CD) GENRE: Jazz CAT NO: ACTRCD9187  FORMAT: 3CD BUY HERE: £15.00

Wes Montgomery, born in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1923, was one of the most renowned guitarists in post-war modern jazz, using an unusual technique of using his thumb to pick the notes rather than a plectrum, and making extensive use of octaves. Himself a disciple of Charlie Christian, he started playing in Indianapolis clubs in post-war years, joining Lionel Hampton’s band in 1948 and building a reputation with Hampton and various other bands during the 1950s, both ‘live’ and in the studio. The albums featured here were among his first as a leader. This 38-track 3-CD collection comprises the tracks from the original releases of his albums on Riverside from these years “The Wes Montgomery Trio - A Dynamic New Sound”, “The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery”, “Movin' Along”, “SO Much Guitar!” and “Full House”. It includes performances across the various trios, quartets and quintets featured on the recordings  with pianists Tommy Flanagan, Victor Feldman,  Hank Jones & Wynton Kelly, bassists Percy Heath, Sam Jones, Ron Carter & Paul Chambers, drummers Paul Parker, Albert Heath, Louis Hayes, Lex Humphries & Jimmy Cobb,  tenor saxophonists James Clay and Johnny Griffin and organist Melvin Rhyne. It’s a substantial showcase for his noted compositions and his highly distinctive guitar artistry and technique.

ARTIST: Various Artists  TITLE: George Gershwin: Concert And Orchestral Works (2CD) GENRE: Jazz, Classical CAT NO: ADDCD3603 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

George Gershwin was one of the most renowned contributors to the Great American Songbook, writing dozens of hits for Broadway shows and Hollywood movies through the 1920s and ‘30s through to his untimely death in 1937 aged just 38, with many of his compositions becoming ubiquitous jazz standards.. However, he became equally famous as a hugely original composer of longer works, blending classical with jazz forms and exploring wider musical avenues, most notably with his seminal works “Rhapsody in Blue” and “An American In Paris”. This 2-CD collection brings together recordings of those two works, with “Rhapsody in Blue” performed by Oscar Levant With The Philadelphia Symphony Orch. conducted by Eugene Ormandy from 1945, and one of the original recordings of “An American In Paris” by The Victor Symphony Orchestra in 1929, with Gershwin himself on celeste. Along with those are recordings of the three movements of his “Piano Concerto In F Major”, the Second Rhapsody for Piano & Orchestra , known as “Rhapsody In Rivets”, and The Cuban Overture”, plus his Three Preludes for Piano” and “Variations on ‘I Got Rhythm”. It’s a collection which marvellously showcases another side to Gershwin’s unique talents as a composer, which made him such an influential and admired figure.

ARTIST: Johnny Mercer TITLE: All The Hits And More 1938-52 (2CD)  GENRE: Pop CAT NO: ADDCD3604 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

Johnny Mercer, born in Savannah, Georgia, was a prolific and highly successful songwriter, contributing dozens of hits to the Great American Songbook, often as a lyricist, although his background was very different from most of his peers from New York’s Jewish immigrant community.  He was one of the co-founders of Capitol Records in 1942. He was also a singer, recording largely of course for Capitol,  and recording mostly with the Pied Pipers vocal group and The Paul Weston Orchestra.  This 50-track 2-CD collection features all his 29 career hits as an artist, plus other selected A & B sides from early Decca releases, and then from his Capitol singles during the 1940s. Among his hits were the No. 1s Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive”, “Candy”, and “Personality”. Along with The Pied Pipers and Paul Weston, it features performances with Bing Crosby, Jo Stafford, Margaret Whiting, The Benny Goodman Orchestra, The King Cole Trio, Freddie Slack’s Orchestra, and Wingy Manone’s Dixieland Band. He was an influential and multi-talented personality and this collection highlights what was maybe the lesser known side of his extraordinary contribution to pop music over the years.

ARTIST: Alma Cogan TITLE: Dreamboat: The Singles Collection 1952-62 (2CD) GENRE: Pop CAT NO: ADDCD3605 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

Alma Cogan, born in Whitechapel, in the East End of London in 1932, was a British pop singer, who enjoyed huge success in the UK during the 1950s and into the early 60s, and was one of the few artists to maintain a chart profile from the early ‘50s through the upheaval caused by the advent of rock ‘n’ roll and beyond. Her career was tragically brought to an end by cancer in 1966 at the age of just 34. Known as “The Girl With A Giggle In Her Voice”, she specialised in old-school pop, with her releases and hits liberally sprinkled with novelty-flavoured material.  This 59-track 2-CD collection comprises all her 21 UK hits, along with selected A and B sides of her UK releases on HMV during this era. It features her UK No. 1 “Dreamboat”, along with the Top 20 entries “Bell Bottom Blues”, “I Can’t Tell A Waltz From A Tango”, “Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo”, “Little Things Mean A Lot”, “Sugartime”, “Twenty Tiny Fingers” and more. Along with her mother, she managed her own career, designed and made her dozens of stage gowns, and made her Kensington home a centre of London showbiz life, with the Beatles as regular guests. She was a highly individual personality and this collection is an entertaining showcase for her distinctive style of pop.

ARTIST: Chet Atkins TITLE: Walk Don't Run - The Early Albums 1953-58 (2CD) GENRE: Country CAT NO: ADDCD3606 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

Guitarist, songwriter, session man, record producer and record company A&R man Chet Atkins was a ubiquitous and highly influential figure in Nashville through the 1950s and ‘60s, helping to shape the industry’s output of country music as the genre’s styles and sounds evolved into the country/pop styles of the modern era. His prowess as a guitarist was legendary, and this collection focuses on that aspect of his work. Acrobat already has on catalogue a 2-CD set devoted to his singles, which includes his early hits (“The Chet Atkins Singles Collection 1946-61” Acrobat ADDCD3254), but this 59-track 2-CD collection focuses on his early album output during the 1950s as the LP format became established, and features most the titles from his albums “Gallopin. Guitar”, “Stringin' Along With Chet Atkins”, “A Session With Chet Atkins”, “Chet Atkins In Three Dimensions”, and “Finger Style Guitar” and selected titles from “At Home” and “Hi-Fi In Focus”. It showcases the many sides of his instrumental artistry, as he interprets material from across the spectrum of the genres in his inimitable style. It’s an entertaining and absorbing showcase for his unique skills as a guitarist. 
 

ARTIST: Frank Sinatra TITLE: All The Way: Best Of The Capitol Years 1953-60  GENRE: Easy Listening CAT NO: ACRSLP1699  FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Frank Sinatra’s career took a significant turn when he signed with Capitol Records in the 1950s. After a slump in popularity, he reinvented himself, transitioning from a pop crooner to a more sophisticated, swinging artist, defining the album as an art form. This period, often considered his artistic peak, produced some of his most iconic and influential recordings, setting the stage for his legendary status. This LP, "Best of the Capitol Years," is a definitive collection that captures the essence of that remarkable era. It features a powerful selection of songs that showcase Sinatra’s unmatched vocal phrasing and the lush, brilliant arrangements that became his signature. The album swings from the joyful exuberance of "I've Got The World On A String", "You're Sensational", and "Young At Heart" to the romantic charm of hits like "Love And Marriage" and "Witchcraft". It also includes the heartfelt balladry of "All The Way" and the triumphant anthem "High Hopes". The collection showcases the full breadth of his genius, from the playful duet "Hey! Jealous Lover" and the whimsical "Ol' Mac Donald" to the melancholy beauty of "Learnin' The Blues". A celebration of timeless melodies, from the iconic "Three Coins In The Fountain" to the cinematic "South Of The Border (Down Mexico Way)", this collection is an essential document of a cultural giant at the peak of his powers, confirming his place as one of the greatest vocalists of all time. Feel the sincerity in "You're The Nearest Thing To Heaven" and the playful swagger of "Guess Things Happen That Way". From the heartbreak of "All Over Again" to the classic character study in "Frankie's Man, Johnny" and the romantic simplicity of "Ballad Of A Teenage Queen", this LP is a definitive look at a true American icon.

ARTIST: Cliff Richard TITLE: Gee Whizz, It's Cliff! The Chart Hits 1958-62 GENRE: Rock ‘n’ Roll CAT NO: ACRSLP1700 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Cliff Richard first exploded onto the British music scene in the late 1950s as a rock and roll pioneer, quickly becoming the UK's first true teen idol. He spearheaded the charge of homegrown talent, providing a powerful, domestic answer to the American rock sound. His early career, spanning from 1958 to 1962, saw him evolve from a rebellious rock 'n' roller to a charismatic pop superstar, a transformation perfectly captured in his chart history. This album is a testament to his versatility and the enduring appeal of his music. This LP, "Gee Whizz, It's Cliff: The Chart Hits 1958-62," is a definitive collection that charts that very journey. It opens with the raw energy of his debut hit "Move It", followed by the quintessential rock and roll of "High Class Baby" and "Livin' Lovin' Doll". The album showcases his transition to mainstream pop with beloved classics like "Living Doll" and the title track, "Gee Whizz It's You". Featuring hit after hit, from the heartfelt ballads like "I Love You" and "When The Girl In Your Arms Is The Girl In Your Heart" to the vibrant energy of "The Young Ones" and "Bachelor Boy", this collection is a testament to the versatility that made him a legend.
The album also includes classic tracks that showcase his range and enduring appeal, such as the melodic "Theme For A Dream", the reflective "I'm Lookin' Out The Window", and the hopeful "A Voice In The Wilderness". With hits like "The Next Time" and the energetic "It'll Be Me", this collection is an essential record for understanding the birth of British pop music.

ARTIST: Big Joe Turner  TITLE: Honey Hush: The R&B Hits 1950-60 GENRE: R&B CAT NO: ACRSLP1701 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Big Joe Turner was one of the most powerful and influential blues shouters of all time, whose booming voice and charismatic presence played a pivotal role in the birth of rock and roll. He bridged the gap between jump blues and the emerging rock and roll sound of the 1950s, a true pioneer who brought the raw energy of rhythm and blues to a wider audience. This album focuses on his key R&B chart-hit singles from 1956-1960, a defining period in his career. "Honey Hush The R&B Hits 1956-60" is an electrifying collection that captures Big Joe Turner at his best. This LP features his most iconic tracks, including the classic anthems that became a blueprint for rock and roll: "Shake, Rattle & Roll" and "Flip Flop And Fly". The album showcases his incredible vocal power and a tracklist filled with essential hits like the swaggering title track "Honey Hush" and the soulful "Chains Of Love". From the mournful "Still In The Dark" to the party atmosphere of "Well Alright", this collection captures the full emotional and sonic range of his talent. The album’s tracklist demonstrates his mastery of the genre, moving seamlessly from the smooth R&B of "The Chill Is On" to the lively jump blues of "T.V. Mama". The collection also includes classics like "Sweet Sixteen" and "Corrine, Corrina", showcasing the rich, diverse sound that made him a legend. From the insistent rhythm of "Rock A While" to the confident swagger of "Lipstick, Powder And Paint", this is a must-have album for anyone interested in the foundational years of rock and roll.

ARTIST: The Imperial Gospel Singers TITLE: Leave It All To Him: The Savoy & Gospel Singles 1958-62 GENRE: Gospel CAT NO: ACRSLP1702 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

The Imperial Gospel Singers were a celebrated gospel group renowned for their powerful, harmonized vocals and deeply spiritual performances. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, they became a cornerstone of the Savoy label, which was at the forefront of gospel music. Their sound was a powerful blend of traditional gospel fervor and polished vocal arrangements, a style that left an indelible mark on the genre and continues to inspire today. This LP, "Leave It All To Him: The Savoy & Gospel Singles 1958-62," is a powerful testament to their legacy. It is a definitive collection of their work from this golden era, showcasing their most uplifting and poignant singles. From the soulful call of "Swing Low" to the comforting message of the title track "Leave It All To Him", the album is a spiritual journey. It features the powerful declaration of faith in "I'll Shout When I Get Home", the poignant "Fountain Of Blood", and the uplifting "My Change Will Come". The collection’s tracklist demonstrates their mastery of the genre, moving seamlessly from the smooth harmonies of "In My Father's House" to the soulful guidance of "Show Me The Way" and "Guide My Weary Feet". It includes a breadth of spiritual themes, from the hopeful "If You Wait" to the timeless narrative of "Lazarus". With every track, from "Reach Out And Touch Him" and "The Sower" to "Down On Me", this album is a must-have for any fan of classic gospel music and a vital document of a key period in the genre's history.

ARTIST: Tennessee Ernie Ford TITLE: Shotgun Boogie: The Country Hits Collection 1949-56 GENRE: Country CAT NO: ACRSLP1703 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Tennessee Ernie Ford was a hugely popular American singer and television host, known for his distinctive bass-baritone voice and a unique blend of country, blues, and boogie-woogie. As a star for Capitol Records from the late 1940s through the mid-1950s, he became a crossover sensation, defining the sound of country music for a generation while finding massive success on the pop charts. This LP, "Shotgun Boogie: The country hits collection 1949-56," is a fantastic anthology of his most influential recordings. It features a powerful selection of his signature "boogie" tracks, including the hard-driving title song, "The Shotgun Boogie", "Smokey Mountain Boogie", and "Blackberry Boogie". The collection also highlights his knack for storytelling and theatricality on iconic songs like "Mule Train", "River of No Return", and his legendary, career-defining hit, "Sixteen Tons". The album showcases his incredible versatility, moving seamlessly from the high-energy "Country Junction" to the poignant folk ballad "The Ballad of Davy Crockett". It also features classic duets with Kay Starr, "Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own" and "I'll Never Be Free". With additional gems like "The Cry of the Wild Goose" and the playful "Tailor Made Woman", this album is a must-have for fans and a testament to an American music legend at his commercial peak.

ARTIST: Coleman Hawkins TITLE: Hawk's Flight 1937-48 GENRE: Jazz CAT NO: ACRSLP1704 FORMAT: LP BUY HERE: £18.00

Coleman Hawkins, widely known as "Hawk," was one of the most important and influential figures in jazz history. He single-handedly established the tenor saxophone as a major solo instrument, transforming it from a novelty into a powerful and expressive voice. The period from 1937 to 1948 was particularly crucial for Hawkins, as he returned from Europe and entered his most productive years, bridging the gap between the structured swing era and the improvisational freedom of bebop.
"Hawk's Flight: 1937-48" is a definitive collection that showcases the soaring artistry of a true jazz master. It features his most iconic and revered recording, the breathtakingly beautiful "Body & Soul", which remains a masterpiece of lyrical improvisation. The album highlights his versatility with classic standards like "Honeysuckle Rose", "Stardust", and "She's Funny That Way", as well as his groundbreaking forays into bebop, captured on tracks like "Disorder At The Border" and "Picasso".
The collection masterfully documents the evolution of jazz through the work of one of its greatest soloists. Tracks like "Riffitide" and "Stuffy" demonstrate his rhythmic ingenuity and sophisticated improvisational style, while the swinging "Crazy Rhythm" and "Voodte" show his enduring command of the swing idiom. With timeless renditions of "The Man I Love" and "April In Paris", alongside bebop-inflected numbers like "Bean & The Boys", this collection is an essential document of a jazz genius at the very peak of his powers.
 

ARTIST: Oscar Peterson  TITLE: Oscar Peterson Plays The Great Composers 1953-54 Vol. 1 (3CD) GENRE: Jazz CAT NO: ACTRCD9185  FORMAT: 3CD BUY HERE: £15.00

The legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson was one of the most admired of his era, his speed and dexterity matching that of his idol Art Tatum, drawing on swing, blues and classical influences in his music. He is perhaps most famous for his recordings with his classic trios of the 1950s, and this 71-track 3-CD collection captures him in that era on a series of early album releases on Norman Granz’s Clef label in which he interprets the work of the some of the most renowned of the Great American Songbook composers. The collection features the entire contents of the albums “Oscar Peterson Plays Cole Porter”, “Oscar Peterson Plays Irving Berlin”, “Oscar Peterson Plays George Gershwin”, “Oscar Peterson Plays Duke Ellington”, “Oscar Peterson Plays Jerome Kern” and “Oscar Peterson Plays Richard Rodgers”. On these albums he works in his favoured trio format with bass player Ray Brown and variously with guitarists Barney Kessel and Ray Ellis. He is a master interpreter of this kind of repertoire, bringing his special stamp to some of the finest pop and jazz standards, and it’s a great showcase for one of the genre’s most illustrious practitioners.

ARTIST: Oscar Peterson TITLE: Oscar Peterson     Oscar Peterson Plays The Great Composers 1954-56 Vol. 2 (3CD) GENRE: Jazz CAT NO: ACTRCD9186  FORMAT: 3CD BUY HERE: £15.00

The legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson was one of the most admired of his era, his speed and dexterity matching that of his idol Art Tatum, drawing on swing, blues and classical influences in his music. He is perhaps most famous for his recordings with his classic trios of the 1950s, and this 52-track 3-CD collection captures him in that era on a series of early album releases on Norman Granz’s Clef label in which he interprets the work of the some of the most renowned of the Great American Songbook composers. The collection features the entire contents of the albums “Oscar Peterson Vincent Youmans”, “Oscar Peterson Plays Harry Warren”, “Oscar Peterson Plays Harold Arlen”, “Oscar Peterson Plays Jimmy McHugh” and “Oscar Peterson Plays Count Basie”.  On these albums he works in his favoured trio format with bass player Ray Brown and variously with guitarists Barney Kessel and Ray Ellis, with drummer Buddy Rich also featured on the “Plays Count Basie” album. He is a master interpreter of this kind of repertoire, bringing his special stamp to some of the finest pop and jazz standards, and it’s a great showcase for one of the genre’s most illustrious practitioners.

ARTIST: The Pied Pipers  TITLE: Dream - The Singles Collection 1939-48 (2CD) GENRE: Easy Listening CAT NO: ADDCD3599 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

The Pied Pipers were one of vocal groups who graduated from being featured performers with the big bands of the swing era to careers as recording artists in their own right, and enjoying a string of hits during their heyday in the 1940s. With the fine female vocalists Jo Stafford and June Hutton as members of the group at various time during these years, they had a distinctive harmony style that was very much of it era, their repertoire encompassing swing material, ballads and pop novelty songs and more. Having made early records for RCA as an 8-piece group they became a quartet and spent three years with Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra before splitting with him and striking out on their own.  This 51-track 2-CD collection comprises selected A & B sides of early releases on the RCA-Victor and Ammor labels,  and then most of their releases on the Capitol label from this era. It features their US No. 1 “Dream” plus all their other ten US hits, including the Top 10 entries “Mairzy Doats”, “The Trolley Song”, “In The Moon Mist”, “Open The Door, Richard”, “Mam’selle” and “My Happiness”. They were a group who very much captured the spirit of their time, and this is an entertaining showcase for their particular brand of vocal group pop.

ARTIST: Lenny Bruce TITLE: Comedy & Controversy - The Original Albums 1958-61 (2CD)  GENRE: Comedy/Spoken Word CAT NO: ADDCD3600 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

Lenny Bruce was a stand-up comedian, satirist and social observer who was one of the first really controversial figures of stand-up comedy, adopting an unstructured free-wheeling approach that addressed topics no-one else would go near, and not afraid to employ shock tactics in his language and reference points, which eventually saw him convicted of obscenity, although he was pardoned posthumously. One  critic said he was “ a comic right out of the jazz world….colossally irreverent…..ribald….even sometimes rough”.This 35-track album comprises most of the contents first four albums of his for the Fantasy label – “Interviews Of Our Times”, “The Sick Humor Of Lenny Bruce”, “I Am Not A Nut, Elect Me! (Togetherness)” and “American” – unfortunately, there was not room for his 19-minute performance “The Palladium”. The contents of the albums range across a spectrum of topics, satirising the hypocrisy and pretence of American life, religion, showbiz, political and national affairs, and more – the targets for his barbed commentary know no boundaries. The year after “American” was released he was arrested on stage, and by 1966 he was dead from a drug overdose at the age of 50. He broke new ground in comedy and counterculture and this album captures him in the core era of his career, and is a startling showcase for one of the boldest and most challenging comedians of all time.

ARTIST: Bobby Day TITLE: Rockin' Robert! The Singles Collection 1954-62 (2CD) GENRE: R&B CAT NO: ADDCD3601 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

R&B singer Robert Byrd, better known as Bobby Day, recorded in many guises, starting with The Hollywood Flames, (see The Hollywood Flames “Buzz, Buzz, Buzz - The Singles Collection 1950-62” Acrobat ACTRCD9116), and then with various other groups and as a solo artist, but always recognisable from his distinctive voice, and best-known for his big hit with his original version of “Rockin’ Robin”. This 58-track 2-CD collection comprises selected A & B sides of releases on the Swing Time, Cash, Specialty, Modern, Atlantic, Spark, Zephyr, Class & Rendezvous labels from this era. It features solo performances and recordings as Bob & Earl, The Question Marks, The Original Turks, The Voices, Bobby Byrd & The Byrds, David Ford & The Ebbtides, The Sounds, The Crescendos, Robert Byrd and Bobby Day & The Satellites. It includes his No. 2 US hit and UK chart entry “Rockin’ Robin”, plus his other US hits “Little Bitty Pretty One”, “Over And Over, “The Bluebird, The Buzzard And The Oriole”, “That’s All I Want”, “Gotta New Girl” and “Gee Whiz”. He was a significant personality in the R&B, rock ‘n’ roll and pop scene of the ‘50s and ‘60s and this is a comprehensive and entertaining selection of his work.

ARTIST: The Highwaymen TITLE: The Complete Releases 1960-62 (2CD) GENRE: Folk CAT NO: ADDCD3602 FORMAT: 2CD BUY HERE: £12.00

The Highwaymen were an American folk group of the early 1960s, very much a part of the coterie of folk bands who emerged from the college folk scene of that era, typified also by The Kingston Trio and The Brothers Four. They made a huge impact in 1960 with their single “Michael (Row The Boat Ashore), which was a No.1 on both sides of the Atlantic. However, their main focus was their album career, and this 39-track collection comprises all the titles from their first three albums “The Highwaymen”, “Standing Room Only!” and “Encore”, from which came their hit singles “hit “Michael, (Row The Boat Ashore)”, plus their other hits “The Gypsy Rover”, “Cotton Fields”, “I’m On My Way”. Also included is their US chart entry “The Bird Man”, with narration by Burt Lancaster, which did not come from one of the albums.  The collection primarily features traditional material arranged by lead singer Dave Fisher, plus other folk standards. They were a group that remained faithful to the roots of their music, while performing in the contemporary style of the folk boom of that era, and this is an enjoyable showcase for their distinctive approach.