Scorcher. Ska at the threshold of rocksteady. Mittoo and Dizzy Moore do it to it.

A lovely set from 1965 — taking its own path away from Fire Music, but forwards nonetheless — featuring the under-rated pianist Georges Arvanitas, and the drummer James Black, trumping his brilliant contributions to the Live At Pep’s sessions.
Bamboo Flute Blues and Satie’s First Gymnopedie are ravishing stand-outs.
‘Verve By Request.’

Chicha is the late-sixties, in-thing scrambling of traditionally-demented cumbia dance music. Uncouth electric guitar and organ join the mix, with other electronic debauchery.

Smoking mid-seventies Latin from Carlos Ruiz’ Ebirac label, headquartered back then in a bustling Puerto Rican community centre on the west side of the city.

‘Great Black Music’, and funny.

Unmissable Jimmy Smith. With Stan The Man and Kenny Burrell, the perfect foils, in 1963.
Blue Note Classic Vinyl series: ‘all-analogue’, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

Great-fun, expertly-assembled, well-presented collection of ye-ye girl pop, featuring Francoise Hardy (of course) alongside BB, Anna Karina (from the Godard films) and co.

Tough Jammys do-over of Cuss Cuss, with dangerous bass and banging dub, and Junior in no mood for messing. ‘Galong before we chop off your hand.’

With Eric Dolphy.

Wicked little minor-key organ instrumental, with a killer intro and rare toasting by Ramon The Mexican — resident deejay of Harriott’s Musical Chariot Sound System — who later changed his name to Ambelique.