BOOKER T & MG'S - DOIN' OUR THING

On the aptly titled Doin' Our Thing (1968), the famed Stax house band indeed play their own compositions, to be heard in the album opener "I Can Dig It", the title track and "Blue On Green". But the boys also make a list of classic Soul and R&B covers their own.

They tackle famous tracks like "Expressway To Your Heart", written by the famed producer duo Gamble & Huff and popularized by the Soul Survivors in 1967. "The Beat Goes On", originally written by Sonny Bono (who made it an evergreen with his then-wife Cher) is sprinkled with some Booker T. magic and "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by Holland, Dozier & Holland gets the ever-so-funky organ treatment.

• 180 gram audiophile vinyl

KEITH JARRETT TRIO - LIFE BETWEEN THE EXIT SIGNS

After graduating from the Berklee School of Music, Keith Jarrett formed his own trio in Boston, played briefly with Roland Kirk and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.

Charlie Haden, the bassist in this recording, is a musician who earned prominence as a member of the original Ornette Coleman Trio which exploded on the jazz scene in the middle fifties. Drummer Paul Motian, best known for his long association with the Bill Evans Trio, is one of the most sensitive drummers in jazz.

• 180 gram audiophile vinyl

Also available: Somewhere Before [MOVLP847]

RANDY NEWMAN - RANDY NEWMAN

Randy Newman's first album was aptly self-titled - the artistic outlet of a young man that would become a superstar in a few albums' time.

During his career, he intently takes on clichés, turning and twisting them until the point is made: out of the ordinary comes the extraordinary. This is the essence of Randy Newman.

• 180 gram audiophile vinyl

Also available: Faust, Sail Away, Little Criminals

GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION - RELEASE YOURSELF

On their second album Release Yourself (1974), the band revolving around bass guitar innovator Larry Graham returned with a set of 8 highly contagious, synth laden Funk songs.

By incorporating the latest innovations in keyboard instruments like the Mellotron and Hohner clavinets, this fun loving group were on the forefront of where Funk was bound to go a year or so later.

Supertight rhythms, poppin' basslines and gospel like vocal chants, this album could be even labeled Disco avant la lettre.

• 180 gram audiophile vinyl

Also available: Graham Central Station [MOVLP838]