Times Group

Punk rock's poet laureate Patti Smith ranks among the most influential female rock & rollers of all time. Ambitious, unconventional, and challenging, Smith's music was hailed as the most exciting fusion of rock and poetry since Bob Dylan's heyday…

2013 two CD live release from the Blues rocker. After two decades of recording and touring with many live fan recorded bootlegs in circulation, Chris Duarte finally has an official live set that catches him tearing it up during his 2012 tour of Japan. A brilliant guitarist of the highest caliber, Duarte's riveting live show has been finally captured on disc and it's a fine thing to behold. Chris' recordings have always been rooted firmly in the Blues with a Rock 'n' Roll edge which further established Duarte as one of the rare musical talents of his generation. Chris Duarte Group Live continues in the tradition of smokin' Blues with doses of heavy Psychedelia throughout. With more than 10 records to his credit with no live CD in his discography, this set is the release for which Duarte fans have been waiting as it shows Duarte in his best light as one of the most impressive guitarists on the rockin' blues scene today.

This five-disc set from legendary UFO and Scorpions guitarist Michael Schenker collects all six albums that he made for Chrysalis between 1980 and 1984 under the Michael Schenker Group moniker. Bolstered by a handful of live cuts, B-sides, and alternate edits, The Chrysalis Years: 1980-1984 includes the group's eponymous 1980 debut MSG 2 (1981), the Japanese double-live album One Night at Budokan (1981), Assault Attack (1982), Built to Destroy (1983), and the band's second live album, Rock Will Never Die (1984).

Nuclear Blast will release on Blu-ray Michael Schenker Group's new album, Immortal, on Blu-ray/CD and Blu-ray/CD Earbook. The two releases will be available for purchase on January 29.
Label description: MSG is a legendary name. After two phenomenal records under the guise of Michael Schenker Fest, a true guitar hero is returning to his roots. By forming Michael Schenker Group (MSG) back in 1979, Michael Schenker laid the foundations for one of hard rock's most glorious solo careers of all times. And while nobody expected anything less from a former guitarist for Scorpions and UFO, it's close to impossible mentioning everything Michael has built over the past 50 years, or the countless people he influenced or played with. This, truly, is the stuff that hard rocking myths are made of.

Splinter Group/Destiny Road is a remarkably good value for anyone interested in the comeback of Peter Green. Combining the self-titled debut of the Splinter Group along with Destiny Road, this two-fer offers a good snapshot of the man's return…

Infusing traditional gospel music with Memphis soul, Detroit-based singer Rance Allen helped pave the way for the secularized gospel sound of the '80s and '90s. After signing with Stax in 1969, Allen and his group proceeded to bring their hip brand of gospel to the masses by scoring several chart hits and opening concerts for the likes of Isaac Hayes. This hits package covers the group's successful run in the '70s, spotlighting Allen's incredibly flexible and powerful voice (one listens to cuts like "Ain't No Need of Crying" and "Gonna Make It Alright" and it's easy to figure out where Prince picked up his misty falsetto from). The selections include Allen's biggest Stax hit, "I Got to Be Myself," the spiritually reconfigured cover "Just My Imagination (Just My Salvation)," and modern gospel pioneer James Cleveland's "That Will Be Enough for Me." Allen contributes a handful of slick and spirited groovers, like "I Give My All To You" and "I Belong to You," and even goes in for a little disco on another original, "Smile" (considering Allen's devout nature, it's hard to tell if the more commercial elements in the music came from him or hit-minded producers).

The Spencer Davis Group is fondly remembered for their late-1960s singles that featured the deep soul vocals of Steve Winwood, then only a teenager. Singles like "Somebody Help Me," "Keep on Running," "Gimme Some Lovin'," and "I'm a Man" were solid R&B rockers, making The Spencer Davis Group one of the most explosive bands in the so-called British Invasion era…