With Monty Alexander on piano, Ben Wolfe on bass, and Clyde Lucas on drums – plus special guests Hendrik Meurkens on harmonica and vibes, and Dick Oatts on flute and soprano sax. (Vocalists) CD
Mavis Staples takes the stage at one of our favorite hometown haunts – performing live with small combo backing, in a sound that's even rootsier than some of her recent records! The setting is a great one for Mavis, and it's nicely free of some of the hoke that can sometimes creep in – ... (Soul) read moreCD
(Still sealed, cutout hole through case and tray card.)
A rawly beautiful set from Mavis Staples – produced by Jeff Tweedy, and we think it's her best of the past decade! There's a roomy, lived in vibe that's achingly effective on this one – the core group is her road band, with additional players including Tweedy, Patrick Sansone, Mark ... (Soul) read moreCD
Excellent early work from Candi Staton – recorded for Rick Hall's famous Fame studios in Muscle Shoals! The tracks here are quite different than some of Candi's later, more famous work – very much in the best deep soul tradition of singers like Ann Sexton, Betty Harris, or Ann Peebles ... (Soul) read moreCD
The title certainly gets it right – as Dakota Staton is definitely dynamic on this one, but not in a way that's hokey or forced at all! Instead, the record nicely lifts Staton from some of the more laidback and bluesy modes of her other 50s records – into a fuller range of styles that ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
(2006 pressing.)
Dakota Staton —
Late Late Show ... CD Capitol/Collectables, Late 50s. Used ...
Just Sold Out!
A Capitol classic from Dakota Staton – and the record that made her a real leading lady at the label in the years before Nancy Wilson's rise! The set's got a wonderfully laidback feel that's in keeping with the title, yet it also swings nicely too – kind of a new level of soul in jazz ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
It's time to swing, but with a classy sound throughout – very much the best mix of modes Dakota Staton brought to her key early years at Capitol Records! Backings are by Sid Feller, and are pretty darn jazzy throughout – more so than some of Sid's other work of the time – a ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
The second Steely Dan album in the last three years, and only their third in the previous 20! On Everything Must Go, the Dan take a more laidback, easy funk approach to the arrangements than the incredibly grand scale of their mid-to-late 70s work. The tunes are comparably minimal, in fact, but ... (Rock) read moreCD
Steely Dan —
Gaucho ... CD MCA, 1980. Used ...
$5.99
The last album in the classic run of Steely Dan – the final taste we'd have of the group until their surprising revival in the 90s! Gaucho picks up beautifully where Aja left off – warmly produced with a deep undercurrent of jazz, but perhaps a bit more down to earth feel at times too ... (Rock) read moreCD
Fantastic early work from flautist Jeremy Steig – a 60s quartet session for Columbia that came several years before the funky style of some of his later work – and a damn great record, with lots of soulful touches! Part of this has to do with the rhythm section of Ben Tucker on bass ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Musical themes from classic Bogart flicks, including Treasure Of Sierra Madre, Key Largo, The Big Sleep, Sabrina, and To Have And Have Not, plus an extended suite from Casablanca – performed by Charles Gerhardt and The National Philharmonic ... (Soundtracks) read moreCD
Bobo Stenson Trio —
War Orphans ... CD ECM (Germany), 1998. Used ...
$11.99
A record that's as melancholic as its cover and title – definitely one of the more sensitive efforts we've ever heard from pianist Bobo Stenson – and a set that also really showcases some great contributions from bassist Anders Jormin as well! Jormin composed a few of the most ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Features the completely sublime "Wild World" – plus "Longer Boats", "Father & Son", "On The Road To Find Out", "Miles From Nowhere", "Where Do The Children Play", "Hard Headed Woman", and "Sad Lisa". (Rock) CD
Curtis Stigers on tenor sax and vocals, Larry Goldings on piano and organ, David Tronzo on guitar, Ben Allison on bass, and Matt Wilson on drums. (Jazz) CD
Quartet date led by Loren Stillman on alto sax performing a set of original compositions that include "Chicken", "How Sweet It Is", "Between The Devil And God", and "Chasing The White Rabbit". (Jazz) CD
Great straight work from the legendary Sonny Stitt – recording here in a mode that's different than his funky sides of the time – and a lot more back to basics! The group's a quintet – as Sonny blows both tenor and alto, with help from Joe Newman on trumpet, Duke Jordan on piano, ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Sonny Stitt on alto and tenor saxophone with Bud Powell, Duke Jordan, and Junior Mance on piano, Curly Russell, Eugene Wright, and Tommy Potter on bass, and Art Blakey, Max Roach, and Wes Landers on drums. (Jazz) CD
Sublime Sonny Stitt for Verve – a near-perfect record in just about every way from start to finish! Sonny's tone is amazing here – crisp, but still with a great deal of warmth – and focused, but never in a way that's hackneyed or cliched – really showing the brilliance of ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A smoking little bop set from Sonny Stitt – recorded live at the Keystone in 1981, as sort of a "summit meeting" of horns – one that features Richie Cole and John Handy in the frontline with Sonny! The rhythm section alone is enough to cook this one up nicely – with ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Some of the last work that Sonny Stitt ever recorded – and a rock-solid return to straight, acoustic work – material that has him blowing both alto and tenor, in two different groups! The first is a quartet with Junior Mance on piano, George Duvivier on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Some of the last work that Sonny Stitt ever recorded – and a rock-solid return to straight, acoustic work – material that has him blowing both alto and tenor, in two different groups! The first is a quartet with Junior Mance on piano, George Duvivier on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Probably the most classic of Stitt's sides for Verve – and certainly the one that gets rated time and time again by jazz collectors. We think it's pretty darn great – although we always wonder why folks don't give Stitt's other sides for Verve as much of a chance, because they're all ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Out of print Verve Elite pressing – with bonus tracks.)
One of Sonny Stitt's amazing albums for Roost – a record with a beautifully mature conception of bop soloing, and a totally confident tone throughout! There's an understated brilliance here that's nearly impossible to describe in words – a sense of placement, timing, and phrasing that's ... (Jazz) read moreCD
One of Sonny Stitt's amazing albums for Roost – a record with a beautifully mature conception of bop soloing, and a totally confident tone throughout! There's an understated brilliance here that's nearly impossible to describe in words – a sense of placement, timing, and phrasing that's ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Sonny Stitt makes Oscar Peterson sit up and groove! The record's a great one, and uses the Peterson Trio as a perfect rhythm section for Sonny's confidently blown solos of the late 50s – in a way that pushes the combo past their usual safe area, and into more freewheeling territory to keep ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Head to head blowing from Sonny Sitt and Paul Gonsalves – just the kind of twin-horn performance that Stitt was famous for in his live battle days, and one that also reminds us that Gonsalves can be a very loose swinger when he wants to be! The tracks are all long, and played with the sort ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(1997 digipak pressing. Cover has some wear, a clear promo sticker, and mark through the barcode..)
An incredible snapshot of the funky soul genius of Sly Stone in an early transitional period – featuring all the known recordings of his short-lived Stone Flower label and production house from 1969-1970! Sly was a rising star at this point, and while the Stone Flower Productions name had ... (Soul) read moreCD
Includes the compositions "Le Baiser De La Fee", Symphony In C", "Pulcinella", "Octet For Wind Instruments", and "L'Histoire Du Soldat (suite)". (Classical) CD
The incredible second album from saxophonist Frank Strozier – recorded for Vee Jay records after his initial debut, but for some reason never issued at the time! Strozier was really hitting on all burners at this point – fusing the Memphis soul of his roots with the soulful hardbop he ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Suffers —
Suffers ... CD Rhyme & Reason, 2016. Used ...
$9.99
No suffering here – as these guys have an upbeat, joyous sound that really grabs us right away – a warm vibe that's very much their own, and which is a nice change from some of the more posturing retro soul on the market! In fact, although these guys work in an old school mode of live ... (Deep Funk) read moreCD
Way more than just a bop-heavy set – a landmark record that shows a side of the Chicago scene that hardly ever made it on record! In the years after Charlie Parker passed away, tributes to his greatness were a very common thing in local jazz scenes across the US. This is a prime example of ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Out of print, sealed with a cutout through the case spine.)
A great little showcase for some truly legendary jazz lifers – Ira Sullivan and Stu Katz – collaborators of more than a half century doing their thing wonderfully over a handful of dates at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago in the summer of '10! This is literally a Family Affair, that ain't ... (Jazz) read moreCD
One of the best moments ever from the Sun City Girls – a set recorded after the group had soaked up a fair bit of global influences on a trip to India, which really shows in the range of styles and instrumentation used on the record! The core sound is still pretty noise-based – and ... (Rock) read moreCD
A completely fresh take on the Charlie Parker aesthetic of the bop generation – updated for the 70s, but in ways that are still pretty classic overall! The group's a large one, but plays with a tightness that goes way past their gimmicky name – thanks to players who include Med Flory ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Includes the songs "Goodbye Stranger", "The Logical Song", "Bloody Well Right", "Breakfast In America", "Rudy", "Take The Long Way Home", "Crime Of The Century", "Dreamer", "Ain't Nobody But Me", "Hide ... (Rock) read moreCD
A real standout in the classic catalog of ECM – not only because the record's got a slightly different inspiration than most, but also because it seems to unlock some especially beautiful moments from players who could sound different in other settings on the label! As the title indicates, ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Steve Swallow on bass – with Ohad Talmor on tenor sax, Russ Johnson on trumpet, Meg Okura on violin, Greg Tardy on clarinet, and Jacob Garchik on trombone. (Jazz) CD
John Swana on trumpet and flugelhorn, Eric Alexander and Grant Stewart on tenor saxophone, David Hazeltine on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums. (Jazz) CD
Joe Magnarelli and John Swana on trumpet, Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone, Joel Weiskopf on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums. (Jazz) CD
Includes the songs "Breakout","Surrender","Twilight World","You On My Mind","Waiting Game","Forever Blue","Notgonnachange","Am I The Same Girl","Better Make It Better","La La (Means I Love You)"," ... (Neo Soul) read moreCD
A great later date from this legendary pianist and singer – part of the great Delmark revival of his talents! Other players include King Kolax on trumpet, Oett Mallard on tenor, and Robert Lockwood Jr on guitar! (Blues) CD
Aki Takase & David Murray —
Blue Monk ... CD Enja (Germany), 1991. Used ...
$11.99
One of the most striking albums we've ever heard from pianist Aki Takase – in large part because of some great work from David Murray on tenor sax – and some especially nice bass clarinet! The album's from a moment when it seemed as if duo modes were some of the best for Murray – ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Tom Tallistch —
Ride ... CD Posi-Tone, 2014. Used ...
$6.998.99
The album's a heck of a great ride with tenorist Tom Tallitsch – a player who's stepped in traditional tones and phrasing, but who can also push things forward with his own personal agenda as well! Tallitsch has a really old school depth to his instrument – a quality that reminds us a ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Horace Tapscott/Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra —
Flight 17 ... CD Nimbus, 1978. Used ...
$11.99
One of the most ambitious albums ever from pianist Horace Tapscott – a double-length set that has him working with a large lineup of underground musicians from the 70s Los Angeles scene – all united in spirit and power as the Pan-African Peoples Arkestra! Tapscott's piano directs the ... (Jazz) read moreCD
New vocal work from Grady Tate – very much in the spirit of his classic albums for the Skye label! The record has grady singing with a small jazz combo – Kenny Barron on acoustic piano, John Di Martino on Fender Rhodes, Frank Wess on flute and sax, and Jimmy Cobb on drums. The set's ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Legendary recordings from the mighty Art Tatum – captured here in some late night studio sessions from early 50s LA – produced with just the right sort of laidback vibe by a young Norman Granz! Tatum could really shine the most in a setting like this – open, yet still very ... (Jazz) read moreCD