Ride (2014)

Reuben Wilson - Blue Mode (1969) {2014 Japan SHM-CD Blue Note 24-192 Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 271 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 100 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 303 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit 192 kHz remaster
© 1969, 2014 Universal Japan / Blue Note | BN 75th The Masterworks | TYCJ-81092
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Soul Jazz / Organ

Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and the latest 24bit 192kHz remastering. Heavy funk from the mighty Reuben Wilson – one of his first few albums for Blue Note, and a solid soulful groover that's right up there with Lou Donaldson's work for the label at the time! Tracks are nice and long, and pretty open – often with that kicking drum sound at the bottom that you'd normally associate with Idris Muhammad, but which is handled here by Tommy Derrick on drums. Melvin Sparks plays some mighty mean guitar – in that great lean early style of his – and the group's completed by John Manning on tenor, a player we don't know at all – but whose lines here are a great counterpart to Wilson's heavy Hammond! Titles include "Orange Peel", "Blue Mode", "Bambu", "Knock On Wood", "Twenty Five Miles", and "Bus Ride".

Duke Pearson - Merry Ole Soul (1969) {2014 Japan SHM-CD Blue Note 24-192 Remaster UCCQ-5053}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 236 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 93 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 305 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit 192 kHz remaster
© 1969, 2014 Universal Japan / Blue Note | BN 75th The Masterworks | UCCQ-5053
Jazz / Hard Bop / Piano

Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and the latest 24bit 192kHz remastering. One of the strangest albums ever recorded for Blue Note – and one of the coolest, too! Duke Pearson recorded this set in 1969 – during the middle of his last productive period of activity, at a time when he was doing some tremendous genre-crossing jazz that really broke from his earlier styles.

Marc Brierley - Welcome To The Citadel (1968) {CBS–Cherry Tree CRTREE013 rel 2014}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 432 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 188 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 35 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1968, 2014 CBS / Cherry Tree / Sony Music | CRTREE013
Rock / Acid Folk / Folk Rock / Country Rock / Sunshine Pop

With a voice similar to Roy Harper and songs in the Folk Rock tradition of Nick Drake meets Simon & Garfunkel meets Al Stewart - it's a mystery as to why Marc Brierley's debut LP on the giant CBS Records did so little business in 1968? Maybe it was the concert-poster lettering of his name/title or Ron Hendersen's stunning oil painting on the cover that led people to believe it was some kind of "Odyssey & Oracle" Psych masterpiece when it was really a good old Folkie record? It sold zip and consequently it's booked at Ј400 in 2014 Price Guides - but often sells for much more on Auction sites. And on the strength of this fabulous Cherry Tree Expanded CD remaster (part of Cherry Red Records) - it's easy to see why collectors want it.

Recorded in New York with Tommy Tucker, Lowdown Back Porch Blues is Louisiana Red's first album and, in many ways, it's his best. Supported by a bare-bones rhythm section, Red plays a number or traditional tunes and originals. His guitar is nearly as powerful and overwhelming as his vocals, making this a truly compelling listen.

Frank Zappa - Puttin' On The Ritz (2014) {2CD Goldfish Records GOLF009 rec 1981}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 1.10 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 361 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 33 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1981, 2014 Goldfish Records | GOLF009
Rock / Experimental Rock / Avant-Garde / Art Rock / Jazz Rock

By the closing months of 1981 Frank Zappa had already released five albums during that productive year. Three of these records were his instrumental guitar collections - Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar, Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar Some More, and The Return of the Son of Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar - initially sold via mail order but later released through CBS. There was also the live double Tinseltown Rebellion and the 2-LP studio set You Are What You Is, released in September. Zappa also hit the road in September 81, performing a largely domestic tour that criss-crossed the US and took in a couple of shows in Canada between September and Christmas. On board for the tour were Frank s latest touring band, comprising Chad Wackerman on drums, Ed Mann on percussion, Tommy Mars on keyboards, Scott Thunes on bass, with Steve Vai and Ray White on guitar.

John Lee Hooker - Sings The Blues (1961) & Sings Blues (1960) {Soul Jam Records 600843 rel 2014}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 359 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 180 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 47 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remastered
© 1960-61, 2014 Crown / King / Soul Jam Records | 600843
Blues / Electric Blues / Delta Blues / Acoustic Blues / Detroit Blues / Blues Revival

John Lee Hooker developed a “talking blues” style that became his trademark. Though similar to the early Delta tradition, his metrically free approach and unique sound would make him a staple of Detroit blues. Often called the “King of the Boogie,” Hooker's driving, rhythmic approach to guitar playing has become an integral part of the blues. This quintessential release includes two albums from the beginning of his career: Sings the Blues (Crown 1961) and Sings Blues (King 1960). Although the two records share nearly identical titles, each contains a different and excellent track list. The former LP features great electric numbers such as “Hug and Squeeze (You),” “Good Rockin' Mama,” and “The Syndicate,” while the latter contains Hooker's solo recordings originally issued on the Modern label. Both albums have been remastered and packaged together in this very special collector's edition, which also includes 5 bonus tracks from the same period.

Bon Jovi had perfected a formula for hard pop/rock by the time of New Jersey, concentrating on singalong choruses sung over and over again, frequently by a rough, extensively overdubbed chorus, producing an effect not unlike what these songs sounded like in the arenas and stadiums where they were most often heard…