Thirty years of rock radio have cast Traffic largely in the context of its later years as songwriter, singer, and keyboard player Steve Winwood's platform for jazz-inflected progressive rock, but their second, self-titled 1968 album reflects the equal weight of guitarist Dave Mason's voice, guitar, and songs. Together with drummer and third vocalist Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood's evocative sax and flute, this is Traffic at its most earthy, most concise, and arguably most coherent-even when the bulk of the songs are set as fevered dreams, surreal ballads, or outright nightmares. Winwood showcases like "Pearly Queen" and "Forty Thousand Headmen" are matched by Mason's classic "Feelin' Alright" and Beatle-browed "You Can All Join In", while the playing and arrangements are spirited and tight. -Sam Sutherland.

How the West Was Won has been a long time coming. For a band with such an overarching legacy, the official record of Led Zeppelin's legendary-and unpredictable-live act has previously been poorly represented by the disappointing, scattershot soundtrack to The Song Remains the Same. But this triple-disc live set (culled from 1972 Long Beach/LA shows in advance of Houses of the Holy) addresses history with a vengeance, if a few decades late. These shows have rightfully assumed cult status in the bootleg market, showcasing a band at the peak of its creative and performing powers. The Zep faithful will welcome this belated release as evidence for enduring loyalty, but younger fans may find its diversity and dynamics even more enlightening-indeed, whole careers have since been built on the musical ideas Jimmy Page and company throw out here as decorative filler. Crucially rooted in the amped-and-hammered American blues of the guitarist's former band, the Yardbirds, the marathon work-outs of "Dazed and Confused" and "Whole Lot a Love" (which consume nearly an hour all by themselves) somehow encompass Ricky Nelson, Morocco, James Brown, Holst, Elvis Presley and Muddy Waters amidst their trademark sturm und drang, while the acoustic set that closes out Disc One showcases the band's-and particularly Robert Plant's-good-natured, crypto-Celtic folk appeal with energetic aplomb. Bigger and brasher than just about any rock act that followed in its historic wake, yet ever fan-loyal to its myriad influences, Led Zeppelin's live juggernaut finally gets the monument it deserves. -Jerry McCulley.

Band leader and lounge kingpin Louis Prima will be best be known for the classic, "Just a Gigolo", immortalised by David Lee Roth for a whole new generation of swingers. But Prima's output went much further: in his day he recorded for Capitol, acted in a film or two, even owned a golf course. Prima's genius is infectious: lounge, swing, and Dixieland all fuse together into medleys that are fun, dance-worthy, and upbeat. Prima's duets with Keely Smith are the obvious highlights here: "That Ol' Black Magic", "Hey Boy! Hey Girl!", and "I've Got You Under My Skin" are essential Prima tracks. Sure, the cheese factor occasionally runs high, but it is a fun trip. -Jason Verlinde.