Uncut

Unsung '60s soul queen of New Orleans

Two albums by Boston-based duo who subsequently fell in with the Haight-Ashbury crowd

The '80s albums which made them the most successful duo in US chart history

Treasures unearthed from '80s Beeb archives

Soft-pop group so good Stereolab named a song after them

Roundup of Texan troubadour's seminal recordings

Blameless boogie from two distinct golden eras

Indispensable double-disc compilation of Man In Black's Sun years

In many ways, A Certain Ratio were the bridge between Manchester's punk and house scenes. Originally signed to Factory, they had early support slots with Talking Heads (1979) and seminal New York funksters ESG (1980), helping shape the label's electronic dance ethos alongside New Order (albeit without the same commercial success). Despite reaching only No 53 in the album charts, 1982's Sextet received ecstatic reviews for its taut, abrasive swagger—an uncompromising blend of percussive NY dance-funk, avant jazz and African, Latin and Brazilian influences.

Brilliant session from Baker's tragically short-lived quartet