‘So it is that Honest Jon’s has (again) unearthed an episode of black music history in Britain: these are tough cuts — in no way easy listening, but absolutely essential’ (**** The Observer).

A Hamlet moment two hours long.

The bees-knees in heart-broken, close-harmony, symphonic soul; up there with the very best of The Delfonics, The Stylistics and co. Nearly all ballads, with Billy Brown’s falsetto in devastating form, though that’s Harry Ray leading their all-time-classic To You With Love — as sampled by Dilla at the end of Donuts — in all the straight-up glory of its original setting.

A compelling range of covers and homages, all-time heroes and new discoveries, to lift the spirits.

A fascinating delve into the bizarre and brilliant world of Jeremiah Yisrael and the funky disco treasures of Tap Records. The boxed vinyl is beautifully done even by Numero standards, with 11 extras and a free CD.

Scott Walker’s interpretations of the nine Jacques Brel songs from his Scott, Scott 2 and Scott 3 albums, followed by Brel’s original French-language recordings.

Black Ark business.