Michael Hurd was a pioneer in composing brief, witty and, above all, performable choral music for children to enjoy. When Jonah-Man Jazz arrived in 1966, young singers and their teachers had modern-sounding music to make and share.

Mary Wells occupies a unique niche in pop music in that she was the first female artist on any of Motown's labels to have a hit record, and she remained as the vanguard in that regard until leaving the label in 1964, her hits during those years helping to define the Motown sound and style. Starting out as a budding songwriter and singer in Detroit, when she was 17 years old, she approached label founder Berry Gordy Jr. With a song she had written for Jackie Wilson - hearing her voice, he signed her on the spot. In 1960 he made the R&B Top 10 and pop Top 50 with her first release, her own song "Bye Bye Baby", and over the next two years had four more hits from her five releases, most notably the R&B No. 1s, which also made the pop Top 10, "You Beat Me To The Punch" and "Two Lovers", both written and produced by Smokey Robinson. This collection comprises the A and B sides of all he singles from these formative years, plus all the tracks from her two albums during this era, "Bye Bye Baby - I Don't Want To Take A Chance" and "The One Who Really Loves You", not otherwise released as singles. It naturally features the hits already mentioned plus the other chart entries from these releases "I Don't Want To Take A Chance" and the R&B No. 2 "The One Who Really Loves You". It's a fascinating insight into the creative world of the early years of Motown, and a great showcase for one of the most distinctive voices of the era

While children' voices have been heard in church music for centuries, music specifically composed for young choristers is a relatively recent, and most welcome, development. As the attractive and diverse music by the fourteen composers represented on.

The piano pieces here trace a trajectory from the Edwardian poetry of Leo Livens to the overdubbing of Peter Reynolds by way of a century of evocative, descriptive and exciting miniatures. Reflecting pastoral, light and experimental traditions, these previously unrecorded works offer rich variety from neglected composers. Duncan Honeybourne enjoys a colorful and unique career as solo pianist, chamber musician, educator and artistic director. He has appeared at many major concert halls and at leading festivals, and has been a frequent broadcaster at home and abroad. One of his generation's leading exponents of 20th century English piano music, several celebrated contemporary composers have also dedicated major new works to him. An inspiring teacher and educator, he has devised and written several recital programmes blending words and music and has created and directed several series of piano and chamber concerts. Duncan is also sought-after nationwide as a thought-provoking and entertaining lecturer on his experience of living with autism.

Blues Hit Big Town contains the historic first recordings of Junior Wells. Junior was still a teenager at the time of the first session and between sessions replaced Little Walter in the Muddy Waters band. In a Down Beat review Pete Welding said "In their power, directness, unerring taste and utter consistency of mood, these may well be the most perfectly distilled examples of Wells' music ever recorded, taking their place alongside of those of Waters, Walter, Wolf and other masters of the period. Five stars." Blues Hit Big Town captures genius emerging from one of the greatest blues personalities and harmonica players of all time.(Previously deleted:3/1/03. Original release date:4/1/92)

The follow up to Hoodoo Man Blues (DMK 612), this classic Chicago blues album is now re-issued in an expanded digipak, "Deluxe Edition" containing unissued performances and a 16-page booklet with many never-before-seen photos. The Godfather of Blues, Junior Wells is accompanied by Buddy Guy and Louis Myers, guitar; Otis Spann, piano; Earnest Johnson, bass; Fred Below, drums. Recorded December 30, 1969 and January 8, 1970 the five extra performances include "Rock Me Baby", an alternate take of "I Could Have Had Religion", "Junior's In Charge" a eight-minute improvisational studio jam with lots of Otis Spann and more, 73 minutes. With new notes by producer Bob Koester. A must have for blues lovers.

This live recording takes US back to just a few months after the release of the legendary Hoodoo Man Blues (DMK 612) album. Junior is accompanied by the Aces - Louis Myers, guitar; Dave Myers, bass; Fred Below, drums. Eleven songs and great bits between Junior and the audience in between songs comes to over 60 minutes of pure blues delight. "I Wanna Boogie", "Messin' with the Kid", "Man Downstairs", "Worried Life Blues", "Hideaway", "That's All Right", "Look on Yonder's Wall", "Fattening Frogs for Snakes", "Got My Mojo Workin'" and more.