The Valdons were one of the most popular funk and soul groups of the late '60s and early '70s in the Twin Cities. After disbanding, the quartet never dropped their passion for music, continuing to perform with other bands and as solo artists. So Minnesotans and the rest of the world are getting a rare treat: the modern day reincarnation of The Valdons courtesy of Secret Stash Records.

Minneapolis label Secret Stash Records will release this compilation on September 25th. Not only is it an awesome listen, but a Twin Cities music history lesson. We played a song from Wanda Davis with "Save Me."

Local music notes from the week of September 10-14

Lee Michaels is best known for his Top 10 hit in 1971 "Do You Know What I Mean." On the cover of Recital, he look like he's wearing some sort of chainmail tank top with no pants.

Legendary folk musician and Minnesota native son Bob Dylan returns home for a performance at the Xcel Energy Center on November 7, 2012. The Current is offering special access to buy your tickets early.

Local bands that deserve must-hear status this week

Here's just a sampling of what's new on The Current airwaves this week, including a first taste of Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard's solo venture and thrilling newcomers like Milo Greene, Niki and the Dove and the Neighbourhood.

There’s something bold and even confrontational about kicking off a show with the line “I’m just as f***ed up as they say.” But Emily Haines of Metric did just that last night at the State Theater, setting the bar high for a set of honest, from-the-heart lyricism set to throttling new wave and bursting arena…

The second album from Lynyrd Skynyrd had the big hit Sweet Home Alabama, along with "Don't Ask me No Questions" and the J.J. Cale cover "Call me the Breeze." Bonus fact: Guitarist Ed King was in the band Strawberry Alarm Clock before he joined up with Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The sprawling Brooklyn-based group Antibalas has a core of eleven members but frequently incorporates other musicians, with each collaboration adding unique wrinkles to the band's funk and jazz-inflected Afrobeat sound.