Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Scottish funk and r&b group The Average White Band had a fine series of disco and soul hits back in their heyday in the 1970s. As well as originals like their best known smash hit 'Pick Up the Pieces' they also served up superb covers like 'Let's Go Round Again.' AWB is their most successful album and it now turns a full half a centre old so gets a special reissue on Edsel across no fewer than 15 CDs. The album was number two for three weeks to Elton John's Greatest Hits upon release in 1974 and will no doubt do big numbers again all these years later.

Review: One of the most popular and influential groups in popular music, The Bee Gees' career spanned five decades, five Grammys and eight platinum albums-but until now, the group's extraordinary catalogue has never been upgraded. Reprise begins its complete restoration of their repertoire with 2xCD expanded remasters of their first three internationally released albums. 'The Studio Albums 1967-1968' is the definitive overview of the 5-piece Bee Gees line-up that shot to stardom in the late 60s: harmonising brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, and Australian musicians Vince Melouney and Colin Petersen. The revitalisation of these three early albums marks the first time the group has opened their extensive tape vaults for archival mining. On Bees Gees' 1st, Horizontal and Idea, the musical genius of the Bee Gees now sounds better than ever. Each reissue features the original album remastered in stereo and mono, plus a second disc of rare and unreleased tracks pulled for the first time ever from the Bee Gees' tape vaults. In-depth liner notes feature brand-new interviews from Barry and Robin Gibb. The Booklets also feature rare and previously unseen photos. The deluxe gatefold digipaks are in individually numbered limited-edition slipcases. Bee Gee's 1st, originally released in 1967, reached #8 on the UK Album chart and includes "To Love Somebody," "New York Mining Disaster 1941," and "Holiday." Disc 2 features 14 previously unreleased tracks, include alternate versions of most of the album cuts plus the recorded debut of "Gilbert Green," "House Of Lords," "All Around The Clock," and other ultra-rare recordings. "Horizontal", which debuted in early 1968, introduced the signature hit "Massachusetts," a chart-topper in Britain as well as the standouts "World" (a global hit), "Words," "Harry Braff," and the psychedelic title track. Disc 2 features thirteen rarities including nine previously unreleased tracks, among them "Out Of Line," "All My Christmases Came At Once," plus the medley "Silent Night/Hark The Herald Angels Sing" (one of only two songs in this box that doesn't feature a Gibb songwriting credit). "Idea" followed in August 1968 and broke the Bee Gees into the US Top 10 singles chart for the first time with the classics "I've Got To Get A Message To You" and "I Started A Joke". Disc 2 includes alternate mixes of "Idea," "Kitty Can," and "Let There Be Love," the film songs "Chocolate Symphony" and "Gena's Theme," plus, two previously unissued Coca Cola commercials.

Review: This boxset includes all the dual disc singles. Each single comes with the complimentary video.

Review: Just in time for Christmas comes this deluxe celebration of the career of Nigerian mystery man William Onyeabor. Intetest in the born-again Christian's output has been high since the release of last year's superb Who Is William Onyearbor? compilation and documentary. This simply titled nine-CD box set gathers together material from his nine album releases (eight studio albums, plus an alternate version of 1977 debut Crashes In Love), telling the story of his unusual career in full. An accompanying booklet fleshes out the story further, while retaining the mystique that's long accompanied his exotic, Moog-heavy take on African pop and dance music. For those with a passion for African music, it should be an essential purchase.