Dear Boss Vinyl & CDs

Review: Offering up a fly-on-the-wall earful of the legendary punk spoken word songstress at the peak of her prowess, First We Take Manhattan is a live LP captured at New York City's iconic CBGB's on August 11th 1979, whilst touring in promotion of the Todd Rundgren-produced Wave, which would mark the third and final album billed under the Patti Smith Group. Whilst receiving somewhat of a mixed reception upon release due its more radio-friendly oriented sound, longtime staples such as 'Frederick', 'Seven Ways Of Going' and 'Dancing Barefoot' all make appearances, exuding Smith's unbothered stance towards critical reception, while also making room for Easter deep cut 'Space Monkey', as well as a reliably hefty dose of material from her classic 1975 debut solo LP Horses, including 'Redondo Beach' and 'Kimberly'.

Review: Keep Me Safe Keep Me Sane offers up a scholastic batch of rarities from Iggy Pop fronted proto-punk timebomb The Stooges, all captured in and around 1972 when the band had reformed from their first break up and were in the process of crafting their cult classic Raw Power. Boasting an array of studio outtakes, tour rehearsal cuts and unhinged live performances, this collection gets you as close to the madness as a fly on the wall of a dingy tour van or sweaty rehearsal studio, yet prevents from being caught in the chaotic drug-fuelled egotistical malaise that would eventually torpedo the group.