New releases last four weeks: 50s/60s

Review: Original Gravity serve up yet two more contemporary soul tracks; sides A and B on this latest 7" are shared by Curtis Baker & The Bravehearts and Floyd James & The GTs respectively. The A's 'By Hook Or By Crook' recounts the all-to-relatable feeling of stopping at nothing to get what one wants, while 'The Switchback' ups the big beats and big halls for a roomy guit-funk come mod romp. Yet another delight to add to the OG Newtonians' pile.

Review: The Beatles: The Red Album: 1962-1966 encapsulates the iconic band's early years with a dynamic selection of tracks that have now all been remastered at half speed so they sound extra good. This compilation showcases the evolution of their sound from the exuberant energy of 'Love Me Do' to the groundbreaking creativity of 'A Hard Day's Night' and beyond. There are also timeless hits like 'Twist and Shout' and 'Yesterday,' which means this collection serves as a definitive journey through the first part of the The Beatles' legendary catalogue. Each song is a direct portal back to the 60s and to the vibrant era of Beatlemania at the peak of its powers.

Review: The reissue of Step On by Junior Dell & The D-Lites is here only three short years after its initial run of 300 copies. 'Step On' is a reggae and ska version of the song 'He's Gonna Step on You Again' by John Kongos, made famous by Happy Mondays, who shortened its title to 'Step On'. For the B-side comes an original song done by the band called 'Meanwhile On The 15th Floor' which is a classic sounding ska instrumental from the 70s. This second pressing is a mere 250 copies - so act fast.

Review: Rachel Maxann's 7" single 'All Of This And Nothing' offers a delightful journey back to the swinging 60s. With a sultry voice and passionate singing, Maxann channels the era's essence, accompanied by a backing band featuring a vibrant horn section and captivating organ melodies. The title track oozes with vintage charm and undeniable groove, transporting listeners to a bygone era of soulful music. On the B-side, 'Find Myself Another Man (alternate take)' takes a different turn, embracing early rock 'n roll vibes with a sprinkling of blues influence and soulful flair. Maxann's vocals shine against the backdrop of energetic instrumentals, delivering a rousing performance that keeps the essence of the era alive while adding her own modern twist.

Review: Nancy Sinatra's sophomore album, How Does That Grab You?, solidifies her status as a pop icon. Released in 1966, it features the iconic title track, a top ten hit that encapsulates her sultry and playful style. Another standout is 'Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down),' later made infamous by its inclusion in Quentin Tarantino's 'Kill Bill' films. Sinatra's collaboration with Lee Hazlewood brings a cinematic quality to her songs, creating a haunting and ethereal atmosphere. "How Does That Grab You?" showcases Sinatra's versatility, from the catchy pop melodies to the dramatic ballads, cementing as a legendary performer.

Review: Jazzman Records' curatorial moniker Greasy Mike delivers a seventh compilation in his eponymous beatnik jazz series. At The Beatnik Cafe follows up former visits to the Tropical Island, the Chinese Takeaway, and the Halloween haunted house for a trip back in time and place to 1950s New York, netting the sonic essence of the Beat generation. Predominantly comprising swing, bebop and hard bop recorded during and at the turn of the following decade, we're smitten at the likes of Harvey Anderson's 'Monday Night At 8PM', The Seven Arts Beat Society's 'New York Havana', and Cindy Laine's 'Whispering Wind', all of which amount to prototypical, quiet cafe-bound storms, and the perfect complements for free-assocative poetry composition and goatee grooming.

Review: Lux Interior and Poison Ivy, of Cramps fame, team up to deliver Leather Jackets and Diesel Smoke, a whopping 50-track compilation that documents their utmost personal favourite rock recordings, in the micro-veins of acid folk, rockabilly and psychobilly. We'll doff and eat our hats if both said punk legends' rising signs aren't Scorpio. With madcap performances from Donnie James with the Mighty Joe Houston Orchestra, Tall Tonio And The Mello-Dees, Chris Christian And The Chordaires, Elisabeth Waldo, Fred Katz and John Reedy and His Stone Mountain Trio among many more, this is a cavalcade of no-hit wonders, every last one of them a gem. Amounting to a contemporaneous account of the music that The Cramps heard and loved during their rise to notoriety, not to mention the lesser-known music that would've graced the halls of New York's CBGB club, of which they were favourite performers.

Review: This is, indeed, a compilation of mod, curator Dean Rudland's focus here is Ace Records, whose whopping catalogue provides a historic snapshot of Black American funk and southern soul. A dynamic selection of faintly jazz-intoned US soul and r&b is hauled from the net here, as delights from the likes of Richard Berry, The Merced Blue Notes, Jimmy Hughes, James Carr, Timmy Thomas and Lowell Fulsom hear them engaging in various thematic staples of the time: pining after girls, deliberating over faux pas, riffing against Hammonds, and revelling - finding joy, in fact - in the everyday blues. With a few Northern soul treats also peppered in there to contrast to the introductory southerly comforts, this is the perfect intro compilation for those seeking the best music to go with their mohair.

Review: "The album was inspired by my many happy DJ nights promoting my club night 'Club Pod' down in Brighton in the 1990s and my love of all things Sixties Freakbeat. I wanted to put as many great tracks as I could on one compilation to hopefully bring across the feeling of sheer joy from spinning these awesome tracks in a club and seeing the place go off," says Mark McQuillan, the man responsible for this expansive compendium to a driving 1960s sub genre of UK and US guitar undergrounds. The Haunted, The Birds, The Wimple Winch, The Remains, The Kinks, The Eyes, The Shadows of Knight, and The Action, all make appearances. As do other bands that don't start with 'the'. For example, Davie Allan & The Arrows, Count Five, and Spencer Matthews Band (just kidding). If you know, you know.

Review: An exact dozen Bollywood musical gems, expertly curated to reflect a multitude of styles and sounds within the full spectrum. Tracks from movies such as Blackmail, Apradh, Junglee, Priya, Bhoot Bungla, and Sholay all make appearances, many of which are names that should be familiar to fans of 'world cinema' - for want of a less lazy label - even if the soundtracks themselves are not. Spanning the later mid-20th Century, everything here was recorded between 1958 and 1984, and as such Bollywood Nuggets can be taken as a window on how tastes and demand changed during that time, while certain totems remained. Featuring artists such as Mohammedd Rafi, Kalyanji & Anandji, P Susheela & SP Balasubrahmanyam, and RD Burman, it's a fantastic overview and a fascinating deep dive.

Review: Due to persistent demand and soaring prices for the original pressing, this reissue of 'Why Don't You Go Home' on striking red transparent vinyl could not be more essential. Featuring the dynamic vocals of Diane Ward, the title track delivers a powerhouse performance echoing the King and Federal r&b sound. On the flip side, 'Cocktail De Medianoche' serves up a delightful blend of Boogaloo and Northern Soul, a cherished favourite among aficionados of Latin grooves and Uptempo Soul. With two phenomenal tracks, this reissue promises a perfect double-sider experience! for lovers of soul.