Bobby Byrd ought to be much more famous. He gave James Brown his big break and wrote most of his hits but never became a household name.

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Culture’s debut album Two Sevens Clash was a landmark release back in 1977. Joe Gibbs and I-Roy teamed up on the 12-inch version.

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This is the opening track from Gillian Welch’s debut album, presaging the revival of old-time music and the emergence of Americana. (more…)

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Here’s a second-wave punk band I don’t remember hearing before, probably because my tastes had evolved by the time they formed in 1981.

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Much as I dislike comedy songs, and as much as I disdain punk revivalists, it’s hard not to smile when you hear this novelty hit by Irish band Sultans Of Ping FC.

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Moon Martin was one of those characters who hitched a ride on the New Wave and followed its tributary into the smoother waters of Power Pop.

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This is such a sad and shocking song. The confessional domestic drama that unfolds over its two minutes is nothing less than heartbreaking. Especially if you listen all the way through to the abrupt surprise ending.

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Here is my ultimate reggae playlist – drawn mostly from that golden period for classic roots reggae in the mid-Seventies but stretching back to the earlier eras of rocksteady and ska in the mid-Sixties, and edging into the dancehall era of the early Eighties.

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