This is where you find a list of the current best selling titles in this category at CD Services – Nothing like your standard mainstream chart material, you’ll agree! For technical reasons we are not displaying these lists in descending numeric order, as a normal music chart would look, but then it’s not really meant to be a chart as such – Just an alphabetical listing that offers customers a working guide as to what the top selling titles in this genre currently are. The list size varies from department to department, starting at a ‘Top 20’ to cover the smaller categories and spanning up to a ‘Top 50’ (or more) for the bigger department in the shop

With all the praise heaped on Hatfield And The North, Soft Machine, Matching Mole & National Health, you sometimes feel that this band got somewhat overlooked, which is a shame because they were just superb. However, like so many bands of that period, Gilgamesh unwittingly delivered their finest work when let loose ‘live’ in the studio. This CD is taken from such sessions, faithfully restored from the original masters, and sounds just heavenly. The band, with the core trio of Alan Gowen & Phil Lee on guitars and Mike Travis on drums, with appearances from Neil Murray (bass), Peter Lemer (electric piano/synths), Steve Cook (bass) and Jeff Clyne (bass, later-Turning Point), have never sounded better, partly because the playing on the tracks, largely from the first album, but much extended, is just totally spot on. Another reason is the production, which has revealed the qualities of individual musicians to the maximum - The bass work really comes across as vibrant and punchy, and the rest of the band positively shine, with some exquisite keyboards work and magical lead guitar. The compositions themselves are melodic, relaxed and varied so that the mix of quite bits allied to the louder, more direct sections gives the music a dimension that makes it still sound so utterly incredible. The playing is also full of expression and emotion, and as far as Canterbury Fusion music goes, this is one of the finest examples to come from the vaults so far.

372633
Weight: 150.00 g

Extraordinary!  But that's not all - the music on this CD is totally 1990's, totally magical and totally fresh, yet doesn't abandon those special constructions, atmospheres and sounds that made the spaciest Gong/Mother Gong such an awesome sound in the 1970’s. For a start, it's a mix of styles with Gilli Smyth's gorgeous vocals and space whisper styling (mostly the latter you'll be pleased to hear), converging with guest appearances from Daevid Allen on glissando guitar and Mark Hewins on textural guitar, to name but two. Together they create really beautiful soundscapes and melodies. This is all underpinned by a variety of rhythmic bases from the main hero of the musical arrangements, namely one Orlando Allen. It is the sheer depth, variety and vari-paced nature of these percussive and electronic rhythmic foundations that counterpoint the flowing top layers, effects and melodies to superb effect. For ‘Ambient’ music and rhythmic ‘Ambient’ music fans with a penchant for psychedelia and the heady days of 70's Gong, this is a recommended release.

916097
Weight: 150.00 g

Live document of the Gong reunion concert that took place in Paris in 1977. Featuring the classic 'You'-era line-up this is a stormingly well played set of their greatest songs, and features the newly invigorated line-up on top form, although the live sound is not perfect – well, more than good, but the atmosphere and feel are red hot with Tim Blake and Steve Hillage playing excellently throughout.

216216
Weight: 150.00 g

Live album documenting their ‘Y2K’ tour of Europe, with a line-up from the last studio album expanded to include ex-Zorch synth player Gwyo Zepix. With the lion’s share of the lead work still from the sax players, Daevid Allen’s lead guitar is effective enough, but there’s no Steve Hillage, so you might think this would not sound so great, but you’d be horribly wrong! This is absolute vintage Gong that’s every bit as good as their classic early 70’s albums. It’s quite amazing how the band sound almost exactly the same as they did over twenty five years ago, right down to Daevid & Gilli’s vocals, particularly Gilli Smyth’s trademark space-whisper vocal - still is the finest heavenly vocal style around. The band is on top form, with the sax players stealing the show, while Allen’s lead, rhythm & glissando guitar parts fill out the sound to perfection. The rhythm section does everything expected of it, and effortlessly at that, while the synth parts are kept more to dynamic effect more than anything else, and personally, I could have done with more of the keyboard sounds in there, but this will do just nicely for starters. Across a selection of 14 tracks, old and new, this is a Gong band back with a vengeance, making you feel there’s not only life in the old dog, but there’s more to come – and I for one, can’t wait!

408704
Weight: 150.00 g

THE ultimate Gong compilation - it's as simple as that!!! With this you have virtually every classic track from the 1970's line-ups, across two immense remastered discs of excellent quality. Nothing has been taken away or added, yet what existed before now sounds pretty poor compared to this. With tracks from the quartet of albums recorded for Virgin, as well as the fantastic guitar-dominated 15 minute gem from the Planet Gong album, this is as good as it gets and whether you know the band or not, this is one awesome compilation that just sounds great. In preference to an album of just songs, the label have included all the classic instrumentals from the band, so the entire package comes across as one that will appeal to people really into Gong as well as to fans of names like Tim Blake, Hillage, etc. 100% perfect.

880726
Weight: 250.00 g

I'm on my fourth play and I still don't believe it... This is a real Gong album - I mean a REAL Gong album! Technically, in terms of its subject matter, this is the follow-up to the ‘You’ album. But, musically, it's like the last 25 years had never happened, as we are transported back to the 1970’s classic Gong line-up, with the added swing and crispness of the rhythm section allied to all the trademark soundscapes and arrangements that still make the original ‘Radio Gnome’ trilogy of albums so timeless. All the elements are here - the glissando guitars, the ever glorious space-whsiper, sharp and tasty lead and rhythm guitars, some totally inspired sax work, the sense of humour, the mix of styles and the spot-on bass & drum work that drives it all forward, maintaining a tight, yet fluid rein on proceedings, and at the centre of it all is Daevid Allen's spirit. Even the balance of songs and instrumental stretches mirrors the way it used to be; and yet the whole thing sounds so fresh and alive - the music of yesterday frozen in time and then tweaked about with, to become the music of today. For any fan of the classic Gong line-up, of which most are present here, this has to be essential listening - With Cipher member Theo Travis partnering Didier Malherbe on synths and saxes, Chris Taylor doing an amazing Pierre Moerlen job in the drum department, while Gilli Smyth, Daevid Allen, Didier Malherbe & Mike Howlett do their stuff, seemingly effortlessly. A truly remarkable comeback, not that they ever went away, but this is something very special indeed.

202603
Weight: 150.00 g

Absolutely amazing... this album contains some of the band’s finest performances that have ever been committed to the recorded medium, and these tracks are way better than anything they have previously released. Played by the classic line-up, this CD features all previously unreleased songs and jams (with six lengthy tracks from six to sixteen minutes long) and they all sound superb. In a great many places, this could almost be a lost live Steve Hillage or Gong album from the early-mid 70's, with trademark electric guitar and swooping space synths dominating the lead instrumental framework, as well as plenty of that gorgeous glissando guitar sound. The electric guitar solos are just fantastic and done in best Hillage vein, while the inclusion of a sax player and Gong's Gilli Smyth on the final sixteen-minute track leads you to close your eyes and think of Gong. As the sleeve notes say, this really does reflect the feel and spirit of the mid-1970's free festival era. Each and every track is a gem, and anyone into this whole side of music cannot fail to fall head over heels in love with the incredible album. All this plus an excellent 32 page booklet and a stunning picture disc too, make this a total package that’s worth every penny you pay to get your copy.

952487
Weight: 150.00 g

Long deleted but we’ve got the last batch, and it just has to be one of the finest albums Hillage ever made. Recorded in the BBC Theatre for two radio broadcast quality ‘live’ concerts in 1976 and 1979, this is the sound of his bands on top form, delivering 11 classic tracks over seventy minutes of Hillage magic, including lengthy improvisations of some and steaming renditions of others that are more faithful to the original album versions, only here with way more energy and spark. You’ll hear loads of trademark Hillage electric guitar leads and glorious glissando, Gong-like space whisper, soaring, swirling and floating synths, as solid a rhythm section as they come and classic tracks such as ‘Salmon Song’, ‘Hurdy Gurdy Glissando’, ‘It’s All Too Much’, and the fiery ending that is ‘The Glorious Om Riff’ where the band really smokes on an instrumental that is out of this world, and plenty more too! In short, an essential album for Hillage, Gong and Om-rock fans throughout the world – get it now or be forever kicking yourself.

595837
Weight: 150.00 g

Previously unreleased live tracks that sound so good you’d swear they’d been done in the studio – crystal clear or what!! Recorded in Europe, presumably France, judging by the intro, which finds Wyatt trying his pigeon French out on the audience, and after just forty-four seconds, we’re off, on a wild ride through classic Matching Mole country. The band consists of Robert Wyatt on drums (and the odd vocal), Phil Miller on electric guitar, Bill MacCormick on bass and Dave McRae on electric piano. Across such classic tracks as ‘Nan True’s Hole’, ‘Brandy As In Benj’, ‘March Ides’, ‘Instant Pussy’ and more, the band are on top form with every musician playing a vital role, and heard clearly too. The ensemble playing shows how it should be done, summing up the way the real post-Soft Machine bands panned out. No mindless or endless soloing, no overly fast or twiddly playing, this is solid, group-driven instrumental music with feel and atmosphere. The guitar and piano ring out, while the crisp and strong electric bass, and Wyatt’s fluid and intricate drum work keep it all together. This sounds every bit as good as it did thirty years ago (God, is it really that long!!), and is every bit the equal to the two legendary albums that the band released back then. This is totally essential listening for all Canterbury and English fusion music fans.

694321
Weight: 150.00 g

Recorded in two concerts in 1979, this features the later line-up of Gowen-Greaves-Pyle-Miller delivering an immaculate sounding set of instrumentals. It’s very much a band effort, as you’d expect from a line-up such as this, both in terms of playing and composing credits. From the testaments that Soft Machine at their best, and Hatfield & The North laid down to set the Canterbury Sound in stone, this only adds to the legacy of immaculately tasty UK fusion mixed with a sense of melody, intricacy of playing and flow of composition that mere jazz-rock could never hope to match - This album truly is an essential addition to that roster.

493562
Weight: 150.00 g

At last... the first and best of the Soft Heap albums AND it features over twenty-one21 minutes of previously unreleased music extra to the existing album. With Soft Machine stalwarts Elton Dean and Hugh Hopper on sax & bass respectively, plus Gilgamesh/National Health keyboard player Alan Gowen on electric piano & synth, not forgetting Dave Sheen providing solid support and dynamics in the drum department, this is one of the more melodic examples of the Canterbury style of jazz-rock. Still with all the hallmarks of Soft Machine at their best, this album is possibly more accessible. In the realms of Canterbury fusion, it’s an unheralded classic and should have achieved the same 'legendary' status as the Soft’s ‘Third’ album. The playing is exemplary, and the interaction between the musicians is superb. You can't single out any one member's contibution, because this truly is a group performance. Of the previously unreleased tracks, the nigh-on seventeen minutes of 'Ranova' are breathtaking - Beginning with soaring, slow sax and keyboard fills that run over cascading bass and delicate cymbal splashes, it continues on for four minutes before hitting a groove on a classic Softs-style rhythm over which the piano and sax fly high in brilliant fashion - All wondrously melodic with not a squealing sax or and form of weird improvisations in sight. The other is a shorter piece penned by Gowen and it’s another gem. For jazz-fusion and Softs/Canterbury fans alike, as long as you're not from the guitar-end of the genre, this is a real treat and definitely has to be on your essential listening list.

652768
Weight: 150.00 g

Thirty years on from its original performance, this is a ridiculously rare and immaculately recorded, played, arranged and delivered performance. It’s not only the legendary quartet that made the awesome ‘Third’ album, notably Wyatt-Hopper-Dean-Ratledge, because they are also joined by short-lived (in the group that is) 5th member Lyn Dobson on sax and flute, giving an extra dimension to an already cooking-on-gas band. Needless to say, this is an album of some of their best tracks, and it also includes two previously unreleased pieces in the bargain. The performance by all members is nothing short of jaw-dropping and this whole album marks a real landmark in the history of British jazz-rock. Not only that but it is an unbeatable performance from the band, and in short - It’s a Soft Machine album that you just have to own.

189460
Weight: 150.00 g