Jackpot US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Jackpot US reissue the 1967 Impulse! standout and instrumental masterpiece from Mel Brown, Chicken Fat. Initially working as a guitar player for such greats as Sonny Boy Williamson & Etta James, Impulse! eventually offered Mel Brown the chance to record his own material. Recorded in 1967 in Hollywood, CA, Brown amassed a group of session musicians who had previously played with Charles Mingus, Marvin Gaye, and Dizzy Gillespie. Much of the album was arranged by Oliver Nelson, who worked with Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Smith and more. His touch is felt all over the record and helps solidify the journey; these sessions reflect the Sunset Strip and the energy of late 60s Los Angeles so accurately that you can almost hear the go-go boots hit the floor.

Review: Sourced from the original master tapes and out of print since the mid-1960s, almost as soon as it was released in 1961, Martin Denny's superb Exotic Percussion now returns to vinyl through Jackpot Records. The album is a wonderful window into the ambitious and futuristic production of Denny with xylophones, chimes, and traditional jazz instruments blended with unusual sounds like boo bas, shamisens, Manga harp, and Burmese gongs, all of which create a beguiling sound and wild journey, from the fast-paced 'Cumana' to the smooth 'Moonlight On The Ganges.' The standout track here has long been 'Misirlou' which gained fame through Dick Dale and Pulp Fiction.

Review: Gandalf's 1969 self-titled album stands as a masterpiece of haunting psych-pop, now reissued from the original master tapes. Recorded at Century Sound in Manhattan with Grammy-winning producer Brooks Arthur, the album's ethereal vocals and innovative production techniques - including the use of a Binson Echorec - set a mesmerising tone. With sitars, vibes, B3 organs, and harpsichord layered over minor guitar chords and bass drones, each track unfolds like a vivid journey through sonic landscapes. Released on clear vinyl and cut by Kevin Gray, this reissue invites listeners into a richly textured experience best enjoyed with eyes closed and the music turned up. Gandalf's album is a shinning example of timeless craftsmanship in psychedelic music, beckoning both old fans and new listeners alike to immerse themselves in its beauty and depth. This version comes on clear vinyl.