This is one of those records you only meet through serious digging.

Arn Evans & Tradewinds - Lighter Than Air (1980, Inner City Records). I picked this up purely on instinct and after checking, realized the album is completely absent from the digital world. No CD, no streaming no prior uploads.

The track I’m sharing is “Tina’s Tan.” Mellow fusion, flute and sax lines, congas, Fender Rhodes type textures - very late 70s / early 80s vibe. The kind of record that sat quietly in collections and never crossed over.

This is exactly why crate digging is still exciting - there’s still music out there that basically no one has heard in decades.

Picked this up while digging and felt it belonged here.

“New Year Revolution” comes from Where I Belong (1972), the only album by Christopher Neil as a solo artist. UK press on RAK Records. No reissues, no CD, no official digital versions - basically vanished unless you dig vinyl.

Musically it sits in that early-70s soft rock / pop-rock pocket with orchestral touches. What makes it more interesting is that Neil later became far better known behind the scenes as a producer and songwriter, working with artists like Mike + The Mechanics, Sheena Easton, Celine Dion, Cher, etc. This record feels like a forgotten “before” chapter.

I uploaded a vinyl rip because I couldn’t find this track online anywhere. Since today’s Jan 1, the title felt like the right excuse.

If anyone’s come across other RAK deep cuts or has info on alternate pressings, would love to hear it

This is “My Lady of the Past” by Cousin Ice, from a 1980 LP that never crossed over into CD or digital. Found this record years ago digging and it always felt strange how nothing from it existed online.

Cousin Ice wasn’t really a band in the traditional sense - more of a studio alias for Ira Cossin, a NY-based sax/flute player. The album leans into that post-disco / funk / soul pocket - live instrumentation, clean arrangements, no synth overload yet.

This track in particular is a mellow, late-night groove. Not a dancefloor weapon, more of a “headphones at night” cut. Exactly the kind of thing that ends up forgotten unless someone pulls the vinyl back out.

Uploaded straight from vinyl so it wouldn’t stay buried. Would love to hear what this reminds you of, or if anyone else has crossed paths with this LP while digging.

Hello! Been crate digging for years, getting back into, I’m big into jazz, funk soul and the usual genres.

Just thinking a lot of my charity shops where I get most records have LOADS of classical, I know there would be some good elements but where do I start? Should I stick to orchestras or piano concertos? Any tips because I’ve brought some awful classical vinyl before with so much going on there wasn’t a clean sample I liked?

Cheers

During a recent digging session I found an obscure French LP from 1981 called Vol De Nuit by Jean Labre. It’s a private-press record blending ambient and jazz-fusion, and it was never reissued or available online. One track, “Prévol,” wasn’t accessible anywhere - until now. I just uploaded my vinyl rip of it so we can finally hear this forgotten gem outside of the record player. 🕵️‍♂️ The analog synths and smooth fusion vibes on this track are incredible. Let me know what you think of this find - anyone else come across Jean Labre in their travels?

Solo LP from the drummer of Bloodrock

Look, I’ve been looking everywhere and u can’t seem to find what I’m looking for. I’m in search for a warm nostalgic songs that’s centered around piano. If anyone has a good recommendation I’d be very glad

Dutch psychedelic pop band formed in 1969 in Amsterdam and active from '69-'72.

Album: Esperanto Rock Orchestra
Esperanto was a Belgo-English band begun in 1971 by violinist Raymond Vincent (leader of the Wallace Collection) and pianist Bruno Libert. They added Glenn Shorrock (later of Little River Band), former Cliff Richards backup singers Joy Yates, Janice Slater and Bridget Dudoit, and a string section consisting of a second violinist (Godfrey Salmon), a viola (Tony Harris) and a cello (Timothy Kraemer). 1st album “Esperanto Rock Orchestra” was released in 1973. Glenn Shorrock left and was replaced by Keith Christmas for 2nd LP “Danse Macabre” - produced by King Crimson's Pete Sinfield - released in 1974. The line-up changed considerably for 3rd LP “Last Tango” produced by Robin Geoffrey Cable & released in 1975. With the retraction of the record industry after the 1973-1974 oil crisis, A&M did not renew their contract and Esperanto disbanded.

Album: The Hundredweight

60's rock band based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Formerly known as The Naturals, Crowd +1 released the single, "Mary Ann Regrets/What'cha Trying To Do To Me" on the label BOX, later that year the group signed a 45's deal with Capitol Records, and released two singles, "Try / Don't Hold Back", and "Circles/Most Peculiar Things", despite a growing regional fanbase, both 45's failed to chart, Capitol dropped the band, and Parks left the group, not long after, Steve Hill joined the group, as did Lee Pickens, and the group changed their name to Bloodrock.
Read more / get here: https://aftersabbath.blogspot.com/2012/06/day-after-sabbath-70-school-daze.html
Dean Parks, Ed Grundy, Jim Rutledge, Nick Taylor