MUSIC UPFRONT - 05.07.08: Catalogue reviews.

Blondie: Parallel Lines (Capitol 2276892)

EMI has rightly pushed the boat out for the 30th anniversary of Blondie's Parallel Lines set. Home to hits such as Hangin' On The Telephone, Picture This, Sunday Girl and Heart Of Glass, Parallel Lines has sold more than 20m copies since its 1978 launch, and this edition provides not only the 2001 remasters but also a quartet of rare bonus tracks and a DVD featuring promo clips and a Top Of The Pops performance previously not licensed for commercial release.

Various: Essential Guide To New Orleans (Essential Guide ESGCD325)

New Orleans is rightly celebrated by this three-disc set, with each disc dedicated to jazz and roots, R'n'B and `voodoo funk' apiece. Recordings from the likes of Louis Armstrong, Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Robert Parker, Aaaron Neville, The Pointer Sisters and Dr. John illustrate the city's rich history. A melting pot of American culture, the Big Easy has had a hard time recently with Hurricane Katrina but the spirit of its incredible music lives on.

Bob Markey & The Wailers: Reggae Legends (Trojan/Universal 1761948)/Jimmy Cliff: Reggae Legends (5308603)/Lee Perry: Reggae Legends (5309349)/Desmond Dekker: Reggae Legends (5308776)/Toots & The Maytals: Reggae Legends (5309393)

Universal's acquisition of Sanctuary last year included the estimable Trojan copyrights, and form the basis of these five new additions to its `legends' series. All five albums are dressed in digipacks and contain excellent material, with Marley's Sun is Shining, Dekker's 007, Toots' Pressure Drop, Cliff's The Harder They Come and Perry's Jungle Lion among many ...