Back catalogue: Rock

Review: The Firm was a UK supergroup that formed in 1984. Singer Paul Rodgers was the man responsible for getting together with guitarist Jimmy Page and the group became one of the most successful rock outfits of their era. They released a brace of brilliant albums - the self-titled debut in 1985, then a year later Mean Business - and played across the UK and US in the years after. One of the best shows they did was at the Oakland Coliseum on 15th March. Their extraordinary energy and fine set list was recorded for live FM Radio Broadcast and now you can listen back to the whole thing on vinyl for the first time ever.

Review: Recorded in 1975 after the disintegration of The Stooges and eventually released, albeit in altered form, in 1977, the album saw Iggy recording his vocal contributions at weekends, on leave from the mental institution at which he was recovering from heroin addiction. With the addition of pianos, acoustic guitars and saxophones to the musical palate it's a different beast from the raw power - and Raw Power - of the Stooges, a bridge between his garage rock roots and the classier pop offerings he'd soon become known for. A fascinating document, regardless, it's well worth a listen.

Review: 30 years ago in August, Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins and Eric Avery aka Janes Addiction put out their second album. It proved the most critically acclaimed and successful of all their work and in fact was their last for 13 years. Few other alternative rock albums have ever come close to the impact of the one. Fact fans will know, of course, the original record came with three different covers, and might also have read that the tortuous recording process behind the album is what eventually lead to the group's demise.

Review: This compilation brings together ten standout tracks from Jefferson Airplane's influential descendants, Starship and its predecessor. Opening with the smooth, soulful 'Miracles,' the collection spans the evolution from Airplane's psychedelic roots to Starship's polished rock anthems. Side-1 features the dreamy 'With Your Love,' the uplifting 'Count on Me,' and the classic 'Runaway,' offering a diverse glimpse into the bands' extensive catalog. The side concludes with the quintessential hit 'Jane'. Side-2 is dominated by Starship's most iconic tracks, including the anthemic 'We Built This City' and the rousing 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now,' both embodying the band's 80s rock ethos. The side also includes 'Find Your Way Back' and 'Sara', each track highlighting the band's ability to craft enduring pop-rock hits. The final track, 'It's Not Enough', wraps up the compilation with a dynamic flourish. The enduring legacy of Jefferson Airplane's and Starship can not be denied.

Review: Capturing the prog rock legends in the prime of life, Skating On Thin Ice Vol 2 is a live album from Jethro Tull which was recorded in 1977 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. It's an expansive set which takes in no less than 22 tracks, covering classics such as 'Wond'ring Aloud', 'Velvet Green', 'Hunting Girl', 'Too Old To Rock n' Roll', and, of course, 'Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day'. The latter song was in fact a prescient comment on climate change, albeit Ian Anderson was singing about global cooling as opposed to global warming.

Review: Jim Jones All Stars emerges as a potent force in the realm of garage rock with their latest offering, Ain't No Peril. Led by garage rock luminary Jim Jones, the band brings together a formidable lineup of musicians to create a swampy, unholy fusion of rhythm and blues. Recorded amidst the atmospheric aura of Memphis, Tennessee, the album pulsates with raw energy and gritty authenticity. Ain't No Peril features Jones's songwriting ability at its peak, propelled by the relentless drive of Gavin Jay, Elliot Mortimer, Chris Ellul, Carlton Mounsher, and a vibrant horn section. The addition of guest vocalists Nikki Hill and Eugene S. Robinson adds further depth and dynamism to the album. Infused with the essence of the Mississippi delta, each track on Ain't No Peril exudes a primal allure, beckoning listeners into a sonic landscape of dark grooves and infectious rhythms. With this release, Jim Jones All Stars are torchbearers of the garage rock tradition, delivering a visceral and exhilarating musical experience.

Review: This new old live album was recorded at the legendary Los Angeles Forum in April 26, 1969. The lineup for the concert featured all original members of the Jimi Hendrix Experience (namely Hendrix on electric guitar and vocals, Noel Redding on bass guitar and Mitch Mitchell on drums) while the tracklist includes a cover of Cream's 'Sunshine of Your Love' as well as a pre-Woodstock version of the 'Star-Spangled Banner' which Hendrix famously smashed out at the cult festival, in doing so making a real piece of musical history. This gig saw plenty of mad fans trying to storm the stage and some heavy policing which annoyed Hendrix and saw him ad-lib "'Scuse me while I kiss that policeman," during 'Purple Haze'.

Review: Elton John's Madman Across the Water is a cornerstone of his early 1970s output. It's a window into his magnificently emotive songwriting and Bernie Taupin's vivid lyricism and this reissue comes on limited edition blue splatter vinyl. Featuring iconic tracks like the dramatic 'Levon' and the hauntingly beautiful 'Tiny Dancer,' both timeless fan favourites, it was first released in 1971. Its blend of lush orchestration with Elton's signature piano melodies creates an intimate yet grand sound. Pie for the collection, for sure.

Review: This is one of many landmark albums from the great pop innovator Elton John and one packed with his signature blend of pop, rock and heartfelt balladry. Released in 1973 and soon topping the charts, the album features iconic tracks like the wistful 'Daniel' and the upbeat, rollicking 'Crocodile Rock' which both became instant classics. This one reflects Elton's growing confidence as a composer and performer, with Bernie Taupin's evocative lyrics adding depth to every song. Backed by lush arrangements and Elton's masterful piano work the essence of 1970s pop-rock is right here.

Review: Two British pop legends unite for Who Believes in Angels?, a new record spot-checking our faith in divinity. Having connected through a mutual admiration and shared love of music, Elton initially became a fan of Carlile through her effusions of folk, rock and country, which matched the former's megastar's sometimes pained, moving songwriting. Their friendship deepened over the years, with Carlile performing at Elton's annual AIDS Foundation events and joining him on stage for special collaborations. Now blending Elton-led and Brandi-led tracks, the album contains lyrics from longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin alongside Carlile's own contributions, with production by Andrew Watt. This marks Elton's 33rd studio album and Brandi's eighth.

Review: A great example of how critics are often not all right, when Jack Johnson dropped his third studio album, In Between Dreams, music writers the world over adopted partisan positions. Some believed this definitely was worthy of catapulting him from Pretty Famous Acoustic Surf Rock Guy Popular With People Who Went Travelling Post-Millennium, to global superstar. Other were pretty non-plussed.

Suffice to say, we all know who won in the end - Jack Johnson. In Between Dreams rocketed to high chart positions, reaching number one in Australia and the UK, and number two in America, returning to reclaim that US position upon reissue in 2013. One of the most familiar records of the last couple of decades, even if you've never actually owned a copy (partly the result of all the advertising licensing that has taken place), perhaps now is the time to rectify that ownership issue.

Review: What you see before you ranks among the most mythologised live albums (n)ever released. Like the title suggests, it was originally recorded in 1972 at Parisian rock institution Le Bataclan, a legendary venue which would later gain notoriety after a group of armed gunmen opened fire on a crowd in 2015, killing 90 people. But that grisly recent history belies its status as one of the most respected concert halls in the French capital, and this not-quite-Velvet Underground show has contributed to that legacy. Showcasing the stop-you-dead qualities of Nico's staggering (and unique) vocal timbre, the surreal, immersive qualities of the Cale and Reed's legendary art-rock tones, this time capsule had been bootlegged and bootlegged until 2004, when it finally got an official release. Now it's back.

Review: This broadcast was first aired on French TV having been recorded at the Bataclan club in Paris, on January 29, 1972. It got a first official release in 2004 having been bootlegged for many years before that from a recording taken from the sound board at the gig. Fans of The Velvet Underground will know that this was the first time the group members Lou Reed, John Cale and Nico had all been up on stage together.

Review: Jules Buckley can do absolutely no wrong in our eyes. The conductor responsible for leading the globally revered Heritage Orchestra has made a name for himself experimenting with the limits and limitless potential of classical music, taking influences from the world of dance and club tunes to open up orchestral performances to new demographics and generations.

He also has the honour of heading up the BBC Symphony Orchestra at select performances, another of the world's finest ensembles. This is just one recording from one of those shows, but clearly proves there's genius at work. The same could be said for Paul Weller, the iconic UK guitarist and singer who here invites said players to rethink tracks from his back catalogue for a staggering 75-minute set that elevates the rocker's oeuvre to greater heights than ever before.