Understated genius from McCoy Tyner – and exactly the sort of record that shows why his catalog is always worth searching out! The album's got a lot more subtlety than his immediate post-Coltrane sides of the 70s – righteousness maybe a bit more on the backburner, but not so much so ... (Jazz) read moreCD
As pure a distillation of McCoy Tyner's lyrical vision as one could ever hope for – a brilliant early standout session for the pianist as a leader! McCoy is backed up here by the energetic drumming of Elvin Jones – with whom he shares a natural empathy from their many years together ... (Jazz) read moreCD
As pure a distillation of McCoy Tyner's lyrical vision as one could ever hope for – a brilliant early standout session for the pianist as a leader! McCoy is backed up here by the energetic drumming of Elvin Jones – with whom he shares a natural empathy from their many years together ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Tyner in two great trios – with Ron Carter on bass and Tony Williams on drums on one record – and with Eddie Gomez on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums on the other! (Jazz) CD
An incredibly strong set by McCoy Tyner – one of his best late 60s sides for Blue Note – and a record that really hints at the majesty he'd attain on record in the 70s! The album features Tyner's piano at the head of a large group that includes Lee Morgan on trumpet, Julian Priester on ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Brilliant work from groundbreaking pianist McCoy Tyner – an album that has him firmly stepping out of the shadow of his old boss John Coltrane – and really taking off with a new level of spiritual jazz expression that Tyner's scene helped to foster in the 70s! The group on the set is a ... (Jazz) read moreCD
An uptown sound, recorded downtown at the Blue Note – a bold large ensemble outing from McCoy Tyner, and one that reminds us of that great group he was getting in the 70s! The players here are all super-hip – showing that key Tyner ear for picking sidemen – and the lineup ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A beautiful little record from Matt Ulery – double-length in size, and even more than double in terms of feeling and depth! Matt's a figure on the Chicago scene – and in a way, his music represents the return to arrangements in the city's recent avant jazz world – yet his music ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Birgit Ulher —
Scatter ... CD Creative Sources (Portugal), 2005. Used ...
$4.998.99
James Blood Ulmer on vocals and guitar, Vernon Reid on guitar, Leon Gruenbaum on Fender Rhodes, piano, organ, keyboards, mellotron, and clarinet, Charlie Burnham on electric fiddle and mandolin, David Barnes on harmonica, Mark Peterson on bass, and Aubrey Dayle on drums. (Jazz) CD
An east coast psych classic from Ultimate Spinach – a group who recorded for MGM, but who would have been equally at home next to some of the trippy rock groups on Mainstream or Vanguard at the time! Alan Lorber handles production, and he really lets the group's freak flag fly – using ... (Rock) read moreCD
Outtasite mellow soul from The Ultimates – an obscure east coast group with a really heavenly sound! The bulk of the album is from the group's only album – The Ultimates From The Beginning – recorded in 1969 with a warm and groovy harmony approach, of the sort that many other ... (Soul) read moreCD
Early punk rock work from Ultravox – a record that's a lot sharper-edged than some of the group's later, more electronic pop! The guitars are very much upfront in the mix here – and although some tracks show a nascent love of synth, it's often mixed in with noisier, more driving sounds ... (Rock) read moreCD
(2015 LP sleeve edition with 6 bonus tracks – includes obi!)
Totally wonderful spy soundtrack work from Piero Umiliani – done in his best groovy style of the 60s, with a brilliant mix of jazz and mod elements throughout! Umiliani's extrapolating from the more famous spy sounds of Bond and Barry, and takes things very strongly into his own territory ... (Soundtracks) read moreCD
Totally wonderful spy soundtrack work from Piero Umiliani – done in his best groovy style of the 60s, with a brilliant mix of jazz and mod elements throughout! Umiliani's extrapolating from the more famous spy sounds of Bond and Barry, and takes things very strongly into his own territory ... (Soundtracks) read moreCD
A really cool spy soundtrack from the Italian 60s scene – put together by Piero Umiliani with lots of jazzy touches! The music here is a nice change from the more obvious, more familiar American spy modes of the time – and often uses some cool vibes mixed with horns, to create this ... (Soundtracks) read moreCD
A really cool spy soundtrack from the Italian 60s scene – put together by Piero Umiliani with lots of jazzy touches! The music here is a nice change from the more obvious, more familiar American spy modes of the time – and often uses some cool vibes mixed with horns, to create this ... (Soundtracks) read moreCD
A rare spaghetti western score from Piero Umiliani – an Italian composer we usually know best for bossa or more jazz-oriented scores, but who sounds right at home in this genre too! The album's got a sound that really shows the full range of Umiliani's talents – a few western-styled ... (Soundtracks) read moreCD
A pair of late Motown albums from Undisputed Truth – both issued here back to back, as they originally appeared for the label! First up is Cosmic Truth – a fantastic 70s album from Undisputed Truth – and the first to fully feature the new version of the lineup, after the ... (Soul) read moreCD
A pair of classic albums from The Undisputed Truth! First up is Method To The Madness – a gem from the second chapter of the group – that time when they stepped away from Motown, and followed producer/creator Norman Whitfield to his own label in California! The shift of record ... (Soul) read moreCD
Univers Zero —
Heresie ... CD Cuneiform, 1979. Used ...
$12.99
A Chicago group who never hit the big time during their short run at the start of the 80s – but one who definitely know how to groove! There's a vibe here that really lives up to the "togetherness" in the group's name – a way of coming together with a tight, sharp sound ... (Soul) read moreCD
Nice! There's been a couple of different versions of the seminal Blackboard Jungle dub LP floating around, now the fine folks at Auralux have unearthed and reissued the original version, with the wild stereo mix and original track order! This is one mighty set of Perryisms, wrought in the pre-Bl ... (Reggae) read moreCD
Massimo Urbani —
30 ... CD Red (Italy), 1981. New Copy ...
$16.9918.99
A gorgeous album from alto saxophonist Massimo Urbani – a set that's a strong reminder of the way he can blow an alto with the depth of a tenor – a quality that resonates even more strongly here next to the tenor work on the album from Pietro Tonolo! The record's got a sharp edge that ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Massimo Urbani —
360 Aeutopia ... CD Red (Italy), 1979. New Copy ...
$16.9919.99
Italian alto player Massimo Urbani is in some tremendous company here – working with a quartet that features Ron Burton on piano, Cameron Brown on bass, and Beaver Harris on drums – a lineup who really make the album a standout in his career! The group's got a soulful swing that really ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A great collection of groundbreaking early work from Michal Urbaniak – early European recordings that are very different than his American records from later years! First up is Paratyphus B – some of Michal Urbaniak's heaviest work of the 70s – an album of relatively free and ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Features Diego Urcola on trumpet and valve trombone, Luis Perdomo on piano and Fender Rhodes, Hans Glawischnig on bass, Eric McPherson on drums, and Yosvany Terry on chekere. (Jazz) CD
A Parisian player gives a strong tip of the hat to the great Bud Powell – the American bop genius whose work and presence were an undeniable force on the French jazz scene of the 50s and 60s! Rene Urtreger does a wonderful job of catching some of Bud's fire here – working through a ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Warren Vache on cornet, Ben Aronov on piano, Lincol Milliman on bass, and Giampaolo Biagi on drums – accompanied by the Beaux-Arts String Quartet. (Jazz) CD
A nicely grooving album from Cuban jazz piano great Chucho Valdes – sounding as lively and vital as he has in years on Chucho's Steps! There's an invigorating blend of far reaching influences throughout the set, played masterfully by a combo that includes "Juan Carlos Rojas Castro on ... (Latin) read moreCD
An excellent album of spare Latin jazz, played by the legendary leader of the Cuban group Irakere! Chucho Valdes is playing here with a small combo that only features bass, drums, and percussion – plus some additional vocal accompaniment by Mayra Caridad Valdes. But the main focus is on ... (Latin) read moreCD
Tracks include "Nandy", "Felia", "Togo", "Noliu", and "When I Fall In Love". (Latin) CD
Marcos Valle —
Estatica ... CD Far Out (UK), 2010. New Copy ...
$7.9916.99
An incredible record from Marcos Valle – maybe our favorite-ever of his recent-revival years! The sound here is sublime – a warm blend of funky rhythms, bossa roots, and larger orchestrations – all very much in the spirit of those legendary albums that Valle recorded for ... (Brazil) read moreCD
The first album by Marcos Valle after years and years away from the studio – a set that really reintroduced his talents to a whole new generation! The set was recorded for the Far Out label in London – a then-new imprint who were doing a great job to bring back a Brazilian groove that ... (Brazil) read moreCD
A wicked collaboration between Marcos Valle and Celso Fonseca – a set that's different than other recent work from both artists, and pretty darn great overall! The style's a bit fuller and more soulful than some other recent Valle albums – and Fonseca's got more force too – not ... (Brazil) read moreCD
A really beautiful record – one that takes the usual sound of vibes in jazz, and moves them into slightly rootsier territory – mixing the lead instrument of Ricardo Valverde with bass, drums, and a trio of percussionists who really shape the sound! The approach is very unique, and even ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Very cool music from UK experimentalist Lori Vambe – an artist who works here on two very percussive albums that were issued on his own label back in the 80s, but with a style that's really unlike anything else we can think of! The music has a bit more punch than the "dreamtime" ... (Out Sound) read moreCD
A set of orginal big band pieces from Dino Betti Van Der Noot. Titles include "The Stuff Dreams Are Made On", "Our Heavenly Land", "Moonscape", "Just To Amuse A Muse", and "Not Merry Not Sad". (Jazz) CD
A rare jazz treasure from the European scene of the early 70s – killer material from a wealth of American artists and local talents – all done as special sessions for Dutch radio, and never issued to the public on record! Despite the radio origins of the music, the sound here is ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(And don't miss the Mark Murphy Happy Samba 7" – which features different material from the same sessions!)
Van Halen —
1984 ... CD Warner, 1984. Used ...
$4.99
The classic debut – with "You Really Got Me", "Runnin With The Devil", "Jamie's Cryin", "On Fire", "I'm The One", "Atomic Punk", "Eruption", and "Ice Cream Man". (Rock) CD
Three albums by this wonderfully unique keyboardist! First up is Eyeball – a really nice mix of modes from keyboardist Jasper Van'T Hof – as some cuts feature the heavy electric modes we know from his MPS recordings of the 70s – but others feature a much more personal approach on ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Beautiful solo recordings from saxophone genius Ken Vandermark – music that we don't normally hear in such a setting from Ken, given what a strong collaborator he is – and a set that's just a further reminder of the endless depths of his talents! The material was recorded at Vandermark' ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Part of the Black Cross Solo Sessions series!)
Ken Vandermark & Paal Nilssen Love —
Milwaukee Volume ... CD Smalltown Superjazzz (Norway), 2009. Used ...
$29.99
A live meeting between Ken Vandermark on saxophones and clarinets and Paal Nilssen Love playing drums and percussion. Album features three tracks – the lengthy " Clean Sweep", along with "Cause Of Action", and "Cut And Thrust". (Jazz) CD
Ken Vandermark/Marcin Oles/Brat Oles —
Ideas ... CD Not Two (Poland), 2005. Used Gatefold ...
$18.99
A nice complement to Ken Vandermark's much larger box set Alchemia – and an album that was formulated during the Alchemia stay, but recorded later with Polish players Marcin Oles on bass and Barttomiej Brat Oles on drums. Vandermark's tone here is a bit different than some of his other work ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Brilliant new work by the Vandermark 5 – Chicago's groundbreaking avant jazz ensemble headed by Ken Vandermark, and featuring Jeb Bishop on trombone, Kent Kessler on bass, Tim Mulvenna on drums, and Dave Rempis on alto and tenor. The group's got a poise and a brilliance that recalls the best ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Another wonderful CD from Chicago's premier purveyors of creative improvised music. Ken Vandermark and crew cover a lot of ground here, from his angular compositions, to more pastoral pieces and full frontal aural assault. Kent Kessler's muscular bass playing and Tim Daisy's elastic rhythms ... (Jazz) read moreCD
One of the greatest things about Ken Vandermark – and one of the reasons why we think he's one of our favorite players in the Chicago underground – is the way that he's completely open about his roots and influences, never failing to give credit where credit is due, and let folks know ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A perfect example of the poise and energy that the Vandermark 5 have brought to the Chicago jazz scene of the late 90s – and a very strong second release by the group for Atavistic. The overall style varies strongly from cut to cut, showing Vandermark's ability to navigate a host of musical ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Luther Vandross at the top of his game – sitting right at the height of that crossover space in soul he virtually owned back in the mid 80s! The work here is certainly more commercial than Vandross albums of the past, but the soul is no less deep – thanks to Luther's amazing vocal ... (Soul) read moreCD
A big moment for a guy who started out in Aphrodite's Child! Features the epic "Chariots Of Fire" theme, beloved of beach runners everywhere! (Soundtracks) CD
Billy Drewes on alto and soprano saxophone, flute, and clarinet, Dick Oatts on alto and soprano saxophone, flute, and piccolo flute, Ralph Lalama on tenor saxophone, clarinet and flute, Rich Perry on tenor saxophone and flute, Gary Smulyan on baritone saxophone, Douglas Purviance, Jason Jackson, ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Out of print.)
Variations —
Variations ... CD Amour/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1977. New Copy ...
$14.9919.99
An obscure group from the Oakland side of the Cali soul scene in the 70s – and one who get some superb backing here on the best cuts – thanks to work from the funk combo Perfect Circle, who bring some great jazz funk elements to the mix! The group features one female vocalist, Samaki ... (Soul) read moreCD
Variations —
Woman's Blues ... CD Amour/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1975. New Copy ...
$14.9919.99
The funkiest record ever issued by this 70s group best known for clubbier work – a set that foregrounds the badass vocals of female singer Samaki, who kicks it nicely over a host of short tracks that mix political messages with a few personal themes! The whole thing's every bit as righteous ... (Soul) read moreCD
A great collection of pre-Mercury work from Sarah Vaughan – including some obscure material from 78rpm singles! Titles include "Pinky", "Perdido", "Black Coffee", "While You Are Gone", "Just Friends", "After Hours", "Ooh ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Sarah Vaughan —
Embraceable You ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970s. New Copy ...
$9.9913.99
Great 70s live work from Sarah Vaughan – material that easily stands alongside her best for the Pablo label at the same time, but which is far more obscure overall! The notes on the CD aren't much – and obviously help enforce the obscurity of the sessions – but we can say that ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Great 70s live work from Sarah Vaughan – material that easily stands alongside her best for the Pablo label at the same time, but which is far more obscure overall! The notes on the CD aren't much – and obviously help enforce the obscurity of the sessions – but we can say that ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
A 70s set from Sarah Vaughan, but one that's recorded in a classic small combo mode – acoustic overall, and a bit of a change from her other sessions for Mainstream Records! The date's a live one, and the tracks are taken at a looser level than some of Vaughan's studio work – a bit ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
The title's a bit of a joke – because the record features a batch sidemen from the Count Basie band – Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Freddy Green, Billy Mitchell, Frank Foster, and others – all working with Sarah, but the Count's name is missing, due to contractual obligations! Despite ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Excellent early 60s work for Roulette Records – with work from Barney Kessel or Mundell Lowe on guitar on some tracks, and larger backings from Count Basie, Don Costa, and Jimmy Jones! (Vocalists) CD
A jazz vocal masterpiece from Sarah Vaughn – one of her greatest albums ever, and a record that raised the bar for countless vocal sessions in years to come! Sarah's working here in an intimate group arranged by Ernie Wilkins – filled with famous trumpet solo work by Clifford Brown, ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Very nice jazz-oriented material that has Sarah working with Jimmy Jones, one of her best accompanists, or John Malachi, who was in Billy Eckstine's band at the same time Sarah was with the group. All the tracks have nice small combo instrumentation – and Sarah keeps things nice and warm ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Tracks include "Just You, Just Me", "Sunday", "I Cover The Waterfront", "Lester's Bebop Boogie", "The Man I Love", and "I Cried For You". 16 tracks total. (Vocalists) CD
A landmark 80s record in the return of blues to the mainstream, right back in front of a rock audience with work like this – as the young Stevie Ray Vaughn cooks things up here on cuts that include "Couldn't Stand The Weather", "Stang's Swang", "Cold Shot", " ... (Blues) read moreCD
A landmark 80s record in the return of blues to the mainstream, right back in front of a rock audience with work like this – as the young Stevie Ray Vaughn cooks things up here on cuts that include "Couldn't Stand The Weather", "Stang's Swang", "Cold Shot", " ... (Blues) read moreCD
Includes the songs "Atena", "Dark Dreamer", "Elegy For The Stella Marie", "In The LIfe Before", "The Force That Flows", "Eternal Triangle", "Urantia", "She Might Be Spring", "And What Do You Like To Be Called" ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Ray Vega on trumpet, flugelhorn and percussion, Bernie Minoso on bass, Wilson "Chembo" Corniel on congas and percussion, Vince Cherico on drums and percussion, Steve Khan on electric and acoustic guitar, Nick Phillips on keyboards, Igor Atalita on piano, Roger Byam on tenor, alto and ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A great debut from Tata Vega – her first album for Motown, and a sparkling soul effort – recorded after an early career stretch with some headier crossover groups! Vega's got a positive, upbeat feel on the record that's mighty nice – a sort of energy that really draws from her ... (Soul) read moreCD
An album of pure genius – easily one of the greatest Brazilian albums ever, and a landmark set from the Tropicalia years! There's a brilliance here that's hard to describe accurately – quite possibly because the young Caetano Veloso is experimenting with so many new ideas, the album ... (Brazil) read moreCD