The Spencer Davis Group - Eight Gigs A Week: The Steve Winwood Years (2 CD, 1996/FLAC)

 This two-CD, 51-song set covers virtually everything the group recorded with Steve Winwood in the lineup from 1964-1967. The gap between the band's best and worst material was considerable; quite a few of their R&B covers are surprisingly routine, and the occasional cuts that don't have Winwood on lead vocals are downright pedestrian. Because of this inconsistency, the general fan's better off with the Rhino best-of, if it can be found. If you want to get more, though, this is the first and last place to go, with all the hit singles, everything from their three albums, an early EP, some B-sides, and a couple of previously unissued tracks. And some of the obscure material is really good, whether in a straight R&B/blues or more soulful vein. Be aware that the version of "Gimme Some Lovin'" here is the less dynamic, original British mix, minus some backup vocals and percussion. 

Whitesnake - Unzipped (Super Deluxe 5 CD, 2018/FLAC)

Rhino has released Unzipped, a new Whitesnake super deluxe edition box set,  that focuses on ‘unplugged’ and acoustic-based performances recorded over the last 20 years or so. This 5CD+DVD package includes rare and unreleased studio and live recordings, acoustic demos, concert videos, interviews and more.

The first CD in the set is called Unzipped… In The Studio: The Love Songs and features six previously unreleased tracks, while disc two, Starkers in Tokyo is a 1997 unplugged concert recorded in Tokyo. This has never been officially issued in the States and has been newly remixed for this set. Two further CDs, Starkers in Europe and More Starkers continue the theme, delivering 48 more audio tracks.

The final audio disc is Up Close & Personal which contains 25 of David Coverdale’s unreleased and acoustic demos.

Syd Barrett discography [1970-2010]

Like a supernova, Roger "Syd" Barrett burned briefly and brightly, leaving an indelible mark upon psychedelic and progressive rock as the founder and original singer, songwriter, and lead guitarist of Pink Floyd. Barrett was responsible for most of their brilliant first album, 1967's The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, but left and/or was fired from the band in early 1968 after his erratic behavior had made him too difficult to deal with (he appears on a couple tracks on their second album, A Saucerful of Secrets). Such was his stature within the original lineup that few observers thought the band could survive his departure; in fact, the original group's management decided to keep Syd on and leave the rest of the band to their own devices. Pink Floyd never recaptured the playful humor and mad energy of their work with Barrett.

Empire ft. Peter Banks & Sydney Foxx - Complete Recordings (3 CD, 2017/FLAC)

 EMPIRE was a band project, or rather three band projects, set up by former Yes guitarist Peter BANKS when his band Flash folded. The initial start of this venture came to be while Banks was out recruiting musicians for a brand new line-up of Flash. While meeting various possible candidates he met singer Sydney Foxx (Sidonie Jordan), and they soon developed a strong personal and professional relationship, the former leading to them marrying and the latter to the band assembled given a unique moniker - Empire.

The first album was recorded in 1974. However, the record labels weren't at all interested in the final result, and Empire disbanded. Banks and Foxx moved to the US shortly after. In 1977 a new line-up was assembled and a second album made. The record labels didn't take much interest in this second effort by the band either, and Empire dissolved yet again.

A third attempt with a new line-up came to be in 1978, but yet again the record labels found the end result wanting. Empire eventually dissolved in 1980, ending the professional relationship between Banks and Foxx - their personal one had disintegrated some time before.

Sam Cooke - The Complete Keen Years: 1957-1960 (5 CD, 2020/FLAC)

 

The Complete Keen Years: 1957–1960, collects Sam Cooke’s body of work as he began releasing secular albums, stepping away from the Soul Stirrers where he found great success as a gospel singer. Cooke had been releasing and dominating the gospel sales market over the six years previous to “You Send Me” and “Summertime” being released. Within this newly remastered collection are his unique versions of standards alongside performances that showcase his songwriting skills. Sam Cooke defined himself as a voice ahead of his time elevating the sound of soul at the turn of the decade.

The Complete Keen Years: 1957–1960 offers the Sam Cooke aficionado an opportunity to experience all of Cooke’s Keen album and single tracks for a comprehensive overview of his time at the label. The 5-CD set includes the content of his five originally released Keen LPs plus multiple bonus tracks, a total of 65 tracks in all.