Vocalists — In Stock  

Echoey pop from the Italian scene of the early 60s – a record that already sparkles with dynamic vocals from the legendary Mina – but which also has some great studio touches too! There's a lively, optimistic mix of modes going on here – electric guitar that rings out boldly next... read more

Dreamy pop from Italian diva Mina – sweetly soaring strings and groovy 60s pop touches – horns, galloping percussion and other upbeat touches on a few tracks, though a few more are piano and voice centered numbers with a touch of melancholy! The album features great arrangements by... read more

Beautiful stuff – and a record that shows a real maturation in Mina's vocals – a move away from some of the simple pop of the early years (even though that was pretty darn great), and into the territory of an all-adult vocalist with a really wide range! Backings are by Augusto Martelli... read more

Early in the career of Italian singer Mina – but a record that's filled with the sort of well-sung pop numbers that made her huge on the European scene of the 60s! The style here is a bit fuller than some of Mina's later work – arrangements that sometimes echo American pop modes of the... read more

Great pop sounds from the lovely Mina – an Italian singer of the 60s whose powers easily rival those of French chanteuses like Francoise Hardy, Brigitte Bardot, or France Gall! The tunes here have a nice undercurrent of rock and pop elements under larger arrangements that often allow Mina to... read more

One of the grooviest European singers of the 60s – the lovely Mina, who could swing with the best of the British and French scene of the time – yet who also had a wide vocal range that was also used in famous soundtracks, too! This cracker of an album really displays the full range of... read more

Playful pop from Mina – a great Italian singer who made some really wonderful records from the late 50s onward! This early set is a real gem – a sprightly mix of larger arrangements with rock and pop inflections – all served up in this optimistic blend that really fits the mood... read more

One of the few albums ever issued by vocalist Frank Minion – an ultra-hip singer that we'd rank right up there as one of our favorites ever! Although the cover bears a 1970 date, the album was recorded in the late 50s – and date reference is a great indication of the forward-thinking... read more

A warm and wonderful live date from vocalist Martha Miyake – one of the most important Japanese jazz singers of the 70s – and an artist with a great command for phrasing in English! Backings here are by a tight piano trio – and Miyake's got this mellow-toned, open-ended style... read more

A warm and wonderful live date from vocalist Martha Miyake – one of the most important Japanese jazz singers of the 70s – and an artist with a great command for phrasing in English! Backings here are by a tight piano trio – and Miyake's got this mellow-toned, open-ended style... read more

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A great look at the lesser-known side of the career of UK vocalist Matt Monro – one that features rare EMI singles, obscure album tracks, and other usual bits all pulled together in one overstuffed 2CD set! The package is a great antidote to all of the overdone hits collections of Monro's... read more

Fantastically sweet pop from Chris Montez! Chris had a light little voice that was perfect for the A&M Records approach of the 60s – a style that has him singing gently over arrangements that glide and bounce around with ease, sometimes handled by Herb Alpert, in a breezy sunny LA mode... read more

Oh for the days when you could go to a club and hear a singer like this – peppy, jazzy, but also able to put over a sad and dreamy tune when she wants to. Marian only recorded a few records, and this one's probably her best – a jaunty set of tunes with arrangements by Charles Albertine... read more

A wonderfully moody vocal outing from Joe Mooney – a lesser-remembered singer from the 50s, but one of our favorite talents from that generation! Joe's got a style of singing that's in the more fragile mode of male vocalizing – similar to Matt Dennis, but a bit more boozy overall... read more

Misty's got a look on the cover that makes her look like she might have come across on the casting couch in order to get a record deal – but the album's a nice one that takes her sexy promise and backs it up with a nicely groovy late 60s blend of pop and jazz! There's a number of unusual... read more

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One of two albums cut for Bethlehem by the Pat Moran Quartet – a groovy little combo that harmonized vocally while they were grooving on their instruments! The group's led by Pat on piano and lead vocals – and singer Bev Kelly is also with the group – and this album features... read more

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Think that Ennio Morricone only made music for soundtracks? Guess again – because this groovy little set features a whole host of tracks that the maestro recorded with singers in the early 60s – great postwar pop numbers that already show his creative touch on the charts! Most of the... read more

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A second return to the American studios – with arrangements by Al Capps – and titles that include "The Singer", "The Loving Song", "Dandelion", "Like A Main Theme", "Just Another Face", and "Dance Over The Water".... read more

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An odd title, but a really wonderful album from Mark Murphy – an 80s session for Muse that easily matches some of his most creative moments for the label in the 70s! There's some wonderful versions of soulful jazz tracks here – takes on "Effendi" by McCoy Tyner, "Beauty... read more

One of Mark Murphy's first albums – quite different than his later work, but swinging and jazzy as he could always be! Ralph Burns arranged the set, and even at this early point, you can hear what a talent Murphy is – singing with a confident swing that wasn't often the case for male... read more

Great early work by Mark Murphy – a set that's different than the cool breeziness of his 70s work, and done with an approach that's a lot hipper than most of his 60s contemporaries! Ernie Wilkins handles the arrangements, and there's a rollicking soul jazz groove here that's a bit unusual... read more

Mellow ballad material from Mark Murphy – as you might expect from the title – a sad-tinged session that almost hints at the style of his recent work in Verve – showing a real maturity for Murphy's music at the time! There's a bit of electricity in the instrumentation –... read more

A rare British session from vocalist Mark Murphy – and one of his grooviest albums of the 60s! Mark's working here with great backings from the orchestras of Tubby Hayes, John Dankworth, and Les Reed – all of whom give Murphy some of his hippest grooves to date, very much in the mode... read more

Two reed giants get some great vocal help here – singer Ozay, who works here with some really great inflections on an unusual choice of tunes! The record's less a heavy workout from Murray or Freeman – and in fact, the players split the record – so that neither is together on one... read more

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This overlooked jazz vocalist lays down a mellow set of jazzy vocal tracks with a group featuring Walter Bishop Jr. The material's all original, and all hip, and includes the tracks "Gone the Midnight Sun", "Ice Fire", "Individually", and the long "Silent... read more

Why the heck don't they make records like this anymore? The whole thing's incredibly groovy – a blend of Sunshine Pop and vocal harmonies – put together with a high-art theory, but grooving with some really cool late 60s backings! There's a great drummer in the group who really makes... read more

Continuing proof that Meshell Ndegeocello is one of the most compelling soul singers of the past few decades – as she steps forth here in a tribute to Nina Simone, all with a rich criss-crossing of styles that's unlike any of her previous work! Meshell's vocals are right on the money –... read more

Continuing proof that Meshell Ndegeocello is one of the most compelling soul singers of the past few decades – as she steps forth here in a tribute to Nina Simone, all with a rich criss-crossing of styles that's unlike any of her previous work! Meshell's vocals are right on the money –... read more

Surprisingly nice work from The Nicholas Brothers – best known as the internationally famous dance duo who starred in a number of films in the 30s and early 40s, emerging here as a pretty good pair of vocalists – possibly to give their aging feet a rest! The brothers are actually... read more

Incredible work from the songwriting team of Roger Nichols & Paul Williams – sublime greatness from the end of the 60s era at A&M! At the time of these recordings, Nichols had just finished cutting his landmark Small Circle of Friends album for A&M – and Paul Williams was... read more

One of Nico's darkest albums – and the kind of record we always suggest to those who doubt her genius! The incredibly spare set has Nico playing harmonium, which makes for a spooky off-kilter sound that really gives the record a somber approach – especially as the instrument sounds a... read more

No palaver here – given that the album is tight, focused, and possibly the best so far from this amazing vocalist! Lina Nyberg's a singer like few we can think of today – a creative, compelling artist who really lets her vocals open up in these completely unique styles – with the... read more

A beautiful album of jazzy vocal tracks with a definite bossa feel, recorded by the group O Quarteto – a harmony group whose style is very reminiscent of earlier Brazilian ones – like Os Cariocas and The Tamba Trio! The record's a sparkling batch of bossa tracks, produced with an... read more

An overlooked treasure from Anita O'Day – easily one of her best records of the 70s, and a record that seems to bring together both of the best aspects of her sound! At one level, there's a tightly swinging groove to the set – that great small combo jazz approach that seemed to work... read more

A great little meeting of two of the better talents on Verve Records in the early 60s – one that pairs the warm vocals of Anita O'Day with the cool vibes of Cal Tjader – in a sweet little session that's actually one of O'Day's best from the time! The feel here is lively, and slightly... read more

Given that Chet Baker's a singer himself, it's a bit surprising that he's working here with another vocalist – but that oddity aside, the album's a great little session that's got an intimate feel that's a bit different than Baker's own vocal work! Pace's voice is much fuller and richer than... read more

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A travel-themed set from Patti Page – and a pretty darn great one at that! Patti nicely shakes off some of cliches here – working with full, jazzy backings, and often hitting sounds that are a bit more mature than on her familiar pop numbers – modes that nicely match the global... read more

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Great work from this solo member of the Paris Sisters – stepping out here in two obscure late 60s albums, plus some rare bonus tracks too! First up is the album Priscilla Sings Herself – tracks that show Priscilla as a surprisingly great songwriter on her own – working in music... read more

Breathily beautiful work from singer Priscilla Paris – an unusual take on the music of Billie Holiday, done with a relatively sweet feel overall! Paris is definitely trying for Holiday's tone at times – but her sound is always a bit warmer and airier – almost as if Claudine... read more

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One of a few great vocal jazz records cut by singer Kim Parker in the early 80s – a spare set that features backing by Mal Waldron on piano, Isla Eckinger on bass, and Ed Thigpen on drums. The tunes are all pretty hip – well chosen, with some good obscure numbers – and Kim's tone... read more

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The most righteous album ever from Kellee Patterson – her first record, and a set that's way different from her more soul-based sides of later years! The album's got Patterson working in a wonderfully soulful approach to jazz – a style that's not unlike the earliest work by Dee Dee... read more

Killer early work from Freda Payne – an early album recorded for MGM many years before her later hit "Band Of Gold" – and a set with a great mix of soul and jazz modes, all arranged by the mighty Benny Golson! The record's got a really classy feel – one that has a lot... read more

A heck of a cool group – with a really wonderful sound! The Peddlers were a late 60s British trio, with a sound that's part soul, part jazz, part supper-club vocals – all done with a clean, clear, hard-grooving approach – and strong instrumentation that often includes a heavy... read more

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What a singer! Anne Phillips is someone that we know nothing about – we'll admit – but this gem of an album is one we'd gladly stack next to our favorite 50s vocal sides, including work by June Christy and Chris Connor! The arrangements are superb – a blend of jazz and lusher... read more

One of the deepest soul sets from Esther Phillips' 70s years on Kudu Records – a set with some nicely gritty grooves and a surprisingly earthy feel at times – especially when compared to some of her other albums of the time! Backings are by James Brown's old reedman, Pee Wee Ellis... read more

One of our favorite-ever albums from Esther Phillips – an album that really helped her transform her sound for the 70s! The approach here is a lot more jazzy than before – served up with a good dose of funk, thanks to arrangements from Pee Wee Ellis – fresh from his work with... read more

Not a live album – as you might think from the title – but a tight batch of tunes that shows the full funk and soul talents of the legendary Esther Phillips! The album's got a nicely dark undercurrent at times – a sound that's not as smooth as some of Esther's other Kudu albums... read more

Not a live album – as you might think from the title – but a tight batch of tunes that shows the full funk and soul talents of the legendary Esther Phillips! The album's got a nicely dark undercurrent at times – a sound that's not as smooth as some of Esther's other Kudu albums... read more

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A great groove from singer Gregory Porter – the first tune that really brought him to our attention – making a debut appearance here on vinyl! The original of "1960 What" is plenty great – running for over 12 minutes, and building in this jazzy groove that's really... read more

Gregory Porter's a hip little singer – just the sort we love to discover in jazz, and the type that only comes around once in a blue moon! Like Jon Hendricks, Mark Murphy, or Kurt Elling – all perfect references for Porter's style – Greg has a wonderful way of coming up with his... read more

Great stuff – one of Flora Purim's more R&B-sounding albums from the 70s, produced by George Duke with an appreciation for Flora's Brazilian jazz roots, but with a smoother sound that's in keeping with Duke's own work of the time! The combination is pretty sweet – a professional... read more

A very groovy little record! Quire is a harmony group led by Christine Legrand – sister of Michel Legrand, and ex-member of similar groups The Swingle Singers and Les Double Six. The music on the set is very much like that of the latter – in that it's harmony vocal versions of famous... read more

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Really great vocals from Nina Ramsby – sung in Swedish, but in a cool way that really works wonderfully with the music! The trio of pianist Ludvig Berghe has always been a favorite of ours – and here, working with a singer, they find a sharp new space – soaring, soulful, and even... read more

The last Capitol album from vocalist Sue Raney – and easily the most compelling of the bunch! Sue's in really great form here – shaking off some of the cooler west coast modes of earlier records, and going for a more lively, more fluid style that's sometimes touched with the R&B... read more

A fantastic album by this obscure vocalist – one of the first in a great run of work recorded by Sue Raney on the west coast scene! This session has Sue sounding a fair bit like Chris Connor or June Christy – often a bit icy, and sometimes sweet – but without some of the fuller... read more

The first album by a great singer that you probably never heard of – but who made some very nice records in her day! Sue's got a sad and slightly dreamy style that's in keeping with the hipper side of Capitol Records in the 50s – and she's working here with arrangements by Nelson... read more

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An obscure bit of Chicago jazz – featuring vocalist Luba Raushiek, kind of a self-styled spiritualist, with an approach that hits both traditional modes, and more far-out soulful ones – running through styles that range from Leon Thomas to Billy Eckstine, as was typical for a small club... read more

Striking modern work from jazz singer Lucy Reed – no surprise, though, given that arrangements here are by the likes of Gil Evans, George Russell, and Eddie Higgins! Reed's got a beautiful sense of tone – a clarity that comes through right away, but which is never miscast in these... read more

Della swings it hard this live set from the 60s – with backing from John Cotter, in a style that's jazzy, bouncy, and swinging! Even the mellower tracks are done in a tightly snapping style that's every bit the best approach that Della brought to vocals – a bit of soul in the... read more

One of Della Reese's greatest records – and a unique little session cut "live in the studio" before a very appreciative crowd! Bobby Bryant wrote out some very hip charts for the session, and they're made even better by organ work by Bill Doggett and piano lines by Gerald Wiggins... read more

Arranged by Peter Myers and Sammy Lowe – with cuts that include "Daydream City", "Something", "Simple Song Of Freedom", "Leftover Wine", "Billy My Love", "Skip A Rope", and "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life".... read more

An early album from Della, a mostly-traditional set of numbers – showing the evolution of the blues style in the early 20th century – with backing by Sid Oliver, and titles that include "Empty Bed Blues", "Lover Man", "There's Always The Blues", "Stormy... read more

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The lovely Dianne Reeves pays tribute to jazz legend Sarah Vaughn, in a set that's one of her straightest jazz outings to date! The album features arrangements by Billy Childs, who plays on the album, along with Mulgrew Miller, Clark Terry, Reginald Veal, and Steve Wilson. Tracks include the... read more

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Hip vocal tracks from Dutch singer Rita Reyes – recorded with backing by the Pim Jacobs Trio, a lively combo that features Pim's piano, plus bass and guitar – a nicely light rhythmic style that really works well for the vocals! The format is simple, but compelling – and the... read more

The debut album from Trudy Richards – and honestly, maybe the only one we've ever seen from her – but a cooker of a set, thanks to great Capitol arrangements from Billy May! May brings along the nice subdued brassy styles he'd use with Sinatra at the time – maybe a bit more... read more

Fantastic stuff, and a record that was virtually the blueprint for spiritual soul jazz in the 70s! Although Max Roach first rose to fame during the bop years, by the time of this set he'd really stretched out a lot – moving past initial righteous projects in the Civil Rights era, to even... read more

Sweetly grooving vocals from Judy Roberts – a Chicago homegirl, but one with the warm sunny touches of the California scene of the late 70s! The record's got Judy working with a tight small combo – keyboards, bass, guitar, and percussion – grooving away in a sweet mode that works... read more