Not Now Music レコード& CD

Review: Many critics have suggested that Know What I Mean is one of the most accessible and desirable albums in Cannonball Adderley's vast discography. Recorded and released in 1961, it saw the saxophonist join forces with virtuoso pianist Bill Evans and the rhythm section of the Modern Jazz Quintet to deliver an impressively diverse range of tracks that largely draw influence from hard-bop and soul-jazz. There are some great up-tempo numbers in which both Adderley and Evans shine - see 'Who Cares', 'Toy' and 'Waltz For Debby' - while the album's most quiet and contemplative moments are, arguably, even better. For proof, check the sublime and haunting 'Goodbye'.

Review: Elvis Presley can mean many things to many people, but he was surely at his best in those heady breakthrough years, all scratchy guitar and bucketloads of tremolo backed up by one of the most distinctive voices of all time. This handy compilation for Not Now Music gathers together some of the indelible hits from Presley's purple patch on one handy comp, taking in the likes of 'Hound Dog', 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Blue Moon Of Kentucky' and scores more besides. If you need a reliable primer on the King, this compilation will have you covered for any amount of hip-shaking action you have in mind.

Review: The original soundtrack for King Creole is one of the best the Memphis magician Elvis Presley ever worked on. It was his fourth Hollywood movie and the story is based loosely on Harold Robbins' novel A Stone For Danny Fisher which tells the tale of a struggling Boxer. In the movie, that boxer becomes a singer played by Presley who also plays all the music, of course. It features r&b, Dixieland rock, jailhouse rock and plenty more gems which is why Presley himself said it was one of his favourites. It was also his last real dramatic role on screen.

Review: Elvis Presley's 1961 album 'Blue Hawaii' complemented the film of the same name - it was the tragic rock & roll star's eighth motion picture, and amounted to an 'exotic' romcom flick in which Elvis plays a surfer named Chadwick who just so happens to seduce pretty much everyone who crosses his path while holidaying in Hawaii. Hilarious novelty value aside, the music here is actually Elvis' only homage to the 50th US state. Retro-romantic highlights like 'Rock-A-Hula Baby' and 'Can't Help Falling In Love' document the king in one of his most heartfelt moods - and while modern accusations of cultural appropriation might fly, Elvis is really rather quite respectful, dutifully singing in the Hawaiian language all while expressing his undying love for the island. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the album went triple platinum.

Review: American singer, musician, hip-swinger and burger eater Elvis Presley recorded Something For Everybody in late 1960 and early 1961 in both Hollywood and Tennessee. It was his first record after big discharged from military service and he soon managed to capture the form that made him such a hero in the 1950s. The album peaked at number 1 on Billboard's Top Pop LPs chart and has long since been certified gold. This is the latest in a long line of reissues across multiple formats and it comes on 180 gram pink vinyl.

Review: Presley's 11th film Girls! Girls! Girls! is set in Hawaii and is packed with plenty of exotic locations and plenty of stirring Elvis songs that all capture the vibe of that beautiful island. It was released in 1962, just a couple of years after Presley had been discharged from military service. People wondered if he would ever be able to capture the early career form he had in the 1950s and this film, its soundtrack, and other albums like Something For Everybody certainly put paid to that. This reissue from Not Now Music comes on 180 gram blue vinyl.

Review: A bonafide masterpiece; Minnie's first album post-Rotary Connection should need little introduction. A cult hit in 1970, a global smash when re-released in 74, Come To My Garden hasn't enjoyed a reissue for over 10 years. Her first pure soul and jazz album, this was the album where the world truly understood Ripperton's incredible range and tenderness. Powered by the breath-taking orchestration and song writing of Charles Stepney and her husband Richard Rudolph, everything about this album stands the test of time from the dreamy pastoral haze of "Close Your Eyes" or the delicate harmonies and nightingale rush of "Expecting" via the untouchable "Les Fleur". Immaculate music history.