Okay, so compact disc box sets are on sale all this week, until Saturday, November 7, inclusive. 40% off.

They were actually on sale starting this morning (Sunday), but you'd only know that if you were smart enough to already have joined our mailing list. I gave people on the mailing list an extra day's heads-up. That's what you get for being on the downlow. So sign up if you want to swing with the hip kids for our next sale. Otherwise, get your bad self into the store to save a heap o' cash on some great soul, jazz, folk, pop, rock, blues...

Fine print: Compact disc sets only (dvd sets not on sale); stuff currently behind the counter only (no multi-disc sets that are on the floor in the artist sections; no opera, etc.); no holds whatsoever--first come first served.

Someone hipper than you came in with a heap of good "alternative" vinyl today. I didn't write down the titles but off the top of my head I remember:

Fleet Foxes
Jackie Mittoo
Black Dice
Atmosphere
The Books
Bjork (on DMM vinyl)
Miami
Cub
Ulrich Schnauss
Thievery Corp
K+D
Black Keys
Looper
Gris Gris
Chet Baker
Excepter (on red vinyl)
The Gay
Chad VanGaalen
Beirut

That's probably about half to a third of what he surrendered. Some sold today. The rest will sell soon. No, really.

These vinyl titles should be in in a week or so. Click for reviews. I've also got confirmation that our Numero Group order has shipped and restock of the Candi Staton 2LP.

World - Various Artists

African Scream Contest: Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds 2LP
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Vol 1 2LP
Legends Of Benin 2LP
The Bombay Connection: Funk From Bollywood Action Thrillers 2LP
Bombshell Baby of Bombay: Bouncin' Nightclub Grooves 2LP
Tumbélé! Biguine, Afro & Latin Sounds 2LP
London is the Place for Me 2LP
Thai Beat A Go-Go Vol 1

Experimental / Drone / Ambient

Anduin - Forever Waiting (CD+LP, limited to 300 copies on colored vinyl)
Simon Scott - Navigare (Scott is x-Slowdive)
Black to Comm - Alphabet 1968 (Stream the entire LP.)
Leyland Kirby - Sadly, The Future Is No Longer What it Was 2LP, limited to 450 copies

I'm also bringing in a cd-only release of Black to Comm's Charlemagne & Pippin. I played my copy twice on Saturday and had a few inquiries. It's limited to 500 copies. Here's an mp3 sample.

Just a shorty: the Mississippi Records order arrived, with the exception of the McDowells, which are coming separately and should be in next week. The Abner Jays sold out promptly (practically before I had a chance to price them) so I re-ordered those. Hopefully my source still has some. The Mortika set is very nice and has a great 16-page book with it. The Bobby Beusoliel, which came in the same box but is a diff label, is beautifully packaged. 4LPs, two large posters, 4 pages of 12x12 notes. More info on this stuff in a previous post.

I also now have confirmation on the Tom Waits box set. We will be getting some, Anti- lists it as a "limited run first pressing". I don't know the exact price yet but Amazon.com is selling it for us$142 plus shipping. We will definitely be beating that price. It's a 7-LP set on 180g vinyl and is the Orphans material plus some extra songs. Since these are a pricey item, I only have a few on order. Should be in the week of December 8th.

People have been asking about the Nirvana Live at Reading. Yup, that's on order as well. 2LP, 180g. We'll also be getting stock on the anniversary edition of Bleach, hopefully on 180g white vinyl. 2LP as well.

The Numero Group is a USA-based label that specializes in rarely-heard gems from (mostly) little-known American acts of the soul, folk, and international variety. Their titles are beautifully mastered and packaged. They were originally a web-only label, meaning their items were unavailable in stores. One of the reasons I've been reluctant to bring in their titles is that they're a little pricey when imported and redistributed by a Canadian company. I've now found a reliable source south of the border at what I think is the best price possible and our first shipment is on its way.

Here's a list of what's coming, along with links to more info on each title:

Various Artists - Wayfaring Strangers: Lonesome Heroes
Various Artists - Wayfaring Strangers: Guitar Soli
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul - Young Disciples
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul - Smart's Place
Various Artists - Local Customs: Downriver Revival
Various Artists - Soul Messages from Dimona
Various Artists - The ABCs of Kid Soul: Home Schooled
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: The Prix Label
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: The Big Mack Label
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: The Capsoul Label
Various Artists - Don't Stop: Recording Tap
Various Artists - Cult Cargo: Grand Bahama Goombay
Various Artists - Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: Twinight's Lunar Rotation
Various Artists - Good God! A Gospel Funk Hymnal
Various Artists - Light: On the South Side

All of The Numero Group's titles thus far have been wonderful but this last title is a stunner. Light: On the South Side is 2 LPs documenting Chicago's South Side night club scene between 1975 and 1977 accompanied by a 12x12 132-page hardcover book with photos by Michael Abramson. For those unfamiliar with Abramson's work, here's a PDF of an article called Groove Memories from last year's Chicago Tribune.

That article--and those photos--were the spark for The Numero Group doing this boxed set. Here's a photo of the box and book:



I don't yet have pricing on any of this stuff as it'll depend on what happens when customs gets hold of it, but I'll do my damnedest to offer them at the lowest price in Toronto. You can read more about the Numero Group on their site.