Various Artists

From cross-legged cult to major pop star in three years. The first five albums, plus outtakes and alternate versions

Even before Belle & Sebastian and Franz Ferdinand cited jangling, DiY indie as a touchstone, it had influenced Kurt Cobain (who covered The Vaselines' "Molly's Lips", featured here), the Manics and Saint Etienne. Essentially, indie-pop continued where Postcard records (Orange Juice, Josef K et al) left off a few years earlier (though minus the soul influences).

Star-crossed line-up shines on underrated singer's catalogue

Another tasteful Soul Jazz series rolls on

Nineteen Jamaican 'versions' of US soul/funk tunes

Cult horror movie-inspired synth-pop

Intense, peak-period live set featuring two previously undiscovered Nyro songs

Sterling two-disc salute to the (very much alive) godfather of lo-fi

Innocent nostalgia-fest; highly-charged

Don Letts soundtrack to early-'80s NYC