Carroll Baker

Here's an educated guess that road tapes are the second most popular type of homemade mix cassette. (One suspects that old off-road standard–the bedroom mix–would clock in at No. 1.) Hot Rods & Custom Classics is Rhino Records' big daddy of road mixes: four discs housed in an elaborate box that includes a scrupulously assembled 66-page booklet, a catalog of hot-rod accessories, a strip of decals, and even a set of fuzzy dice for your own resto rod. Musically, this collection is all over the road, ranging from selections that seem like they were written with one foot on the accelerator (Johnny Bond's "Hot Rod Lincoln," Chuck Berry's "Maybelline," War's "Low Rider") to more tangential tracks that might force you to pull into a rest stop (Hank Williams's mournful "Lost Highway," Rod Stewart's "Gasoline Alley"). Spanning multiple genres and five decades, Custom Classics is enlivened by film and ad snippets, including a public-safety message from high-speed-crash victim James Dean on, naturally, safe highway driving. –Steven Stolder

Wagram Music Presents French Touch Greatest Hits : The Finest Selection of Electronic Music Made in France – Trip-Hop, House, Electro and Techno album original hits and the original artists genre Electronic, Trip-Hop, House, Electro, Techno.

"Soul Woman" is an incredible 80 track, 4CD album of the biggest and best finest female soul singers of all time. The fabulous collection spans decades, from the 60s anthems of Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfield (celebrating 50 years of 'Respect' and 'Son of a Preacher Man'), to the disco-infused sisterhood of Chaka Khan’s 1978 hit ‘I'm Every Woman’ and Diana Ross’ ‘I’m Coming Out’. In addition to classic soul and disco, there are legendary ladies from the nu-soul era: Mary J Blige, Mica Paris, Amy Winehouse.

Here's an educated guess that road tapes are the second most popular type of homemade mix cassette. (One suspects that old off-road standard–the bedroom mix–would clock in at No. 1.) Hot Rods & Custom Classics is Rhino Records' big daddy of road mixes: four discs housed in an elaborate box that includes a scrupulously assembled 66-page booklet, a catalog of hot-rod accessories, a strip of decals, and even a set of fuzzy dice for your own resto rod. Musically, this collection is all over the road, ranging from selections that seem like they were written with one foot on the accelerator (Johnny Bond's "Hot Rod Lincoln," Chuck Berry's "Maybelline," War's "Low Rider") to more tangential tracks that might force you to pull into a rest stop (Hank Williams's mournful "Lost Highway," Rod Stewart's "Gasoline Alley"). Spanning multiple genres and five decades, Custom Classics is enlivened by film and ad snippets, including a public-safety message from high-speed-crash victim James Dean on, naturally, safe highway driving. –Steven Stolder

Few (if any?) opera singers have also been Academy Award nominees, let alone for Best Actor. But then again, there is only one Lawrence Tibbett (1896–1960). Described as dashing, Tibbett had a career as a movie actor, radio show personality and host, with sponsors such as Packard, Firestone, and Chesterfield. He was also one of the first “crossover” artists singing Gershwin, Kern, and Porter, and was a staple at the Met. A cogent and articulate advocate for artistic causes (rare in his day), he founded the American Guild of Musical Artists with Jascha Heifetz. But first and foremost, Lawrence Tibbett was an opera singer and one of the greatest baritones of all time.

A celebration of all things US car related from the 40s through to the early 60s with well known classics by the likes of Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, The Beach Boys, Vince Taylor etc. along with some obscure Rockabilly sides and novelty tunes, making this the ultimate homage to the Hot Rod, Chevy, Cadillac, Thunderbird et al. Get that motor runnin' !!!

Appearing with Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, and Harry James during the late '30s and early '40s, Helen Forrest became one of the most popular swing era singers – even vocal authority Mel Tormé named her his favorite, male or female. Though her voice wasn't quite as clear as Doris Day's, Forrest was an excellent interpreter, and her sweet vocals proved a solid foil for the Benny Goodman band during 1940 and half of 1941. Collectors' Choice compiled her complete appearances with Goodman on three discs, though they're hardly overloaded at 55 tracks total. The package makes for a lot of great material, including her biggest hits while there, "How High the Moon" and "I Can't Love You Any More (Any More Than I Do)," the latter recorded with top swing guitarist Charlie Christian. Also featured is a previously unreleased track featuring Goodman's own competent vocal (reminiscent of Hoagy Carmichael) on "Jenny."

NOW Decades of Soul transports you through the years of one of the most beloved musical genres. These five discs showcase the rich history of soul music, featuring the best each decade has to offer as soulful sounds continue to change over time. Starting with the 60s, featuring era-defining classics including Aretha Franklin’s Respect, Ben E. King’s Stand By Me, Percy Sledge’s When A Man Loves A Woman as well as the legendary James Brown hit - It's A Man's Man's Man's World, and the stunning lineup of Motown’s A-list superstars.Moving into the 70s we saw a wave of these Motown legends creating further iconic hits including Diana Ross’ Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and Commodores’ Easy, along with distinctive hits of the decade such as Bill Withers’ Lovely Day and The Crusaders’ Street Life.