A classic set of early jazz recordings by Nina Simone – one of her first albums ever, but already with an approach that's quite different from other singers of the time! Nina's singing a fair bit of standards here, but she brings a deeply personal approach to the material – inflecting ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
(Out of print early CD pressing with a crease through traycard artwork.)
Titles include "Hunter & The Hunted", "Colors Fly & Catherine Wheel", "Someone Somewhere In Summertime", "New Gold Dream", "King Is White & In The Crowd", "Big Sleep", and their classic "Promised You A Miracle". (Rock) LP, Vinyl record album
(Gold and purple marbled vinyl pressing. Includes the printed inner sleeve. Cover has light wear and a promo stamp.)
Not sure exactly why Zoot's got some Gemini wishes in the title – but the album's a great date, one of his later pairings with pianist Jimmy Rowles – a beautiful partner for the laidback tone that Sims adopted at this stage in his career! The album's got an understated eloquence that ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Way more than just a Gershwin Songbook sort of record – thanks to some tremendous blowing here by Zoot Sims, who's mellowed nicely with age, and comes up with a wonderful sound for the record! It may just be us, but there seems to be a lot more soul in Zoot's horn than ever before – ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Out of print with a punch through the barcode. Hybrid SACD pressing – plays on regular players too!)
A rare gem from Zoot Sims – a slightly obscure session issued in the early 60s by United Artists! Producer Alan Douglas put together the record – and as with most of the Douglas-produced albums of the period, the set's got that little "something extra" that makes it stand ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Out of print early 90s Japanese pressing, includes obi.)
A rare live performance from Zoot's key late 70s years – with Sims on tenor and soprano sax, Dave McKenna on piano, Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, Major Holley on bass, and Jake Hanna on drums. (Jazz) CD
(Out of print 2011 Japanese pressing – includes obi!)
Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, & Bob Brookmeyer —
Stretching Out ... CD United Artists (Japan), 1958. Used ...
$9.99
A very well-titled album – as it definitely features Zoot Sims and Al Cohn stretching out – pushing their groove a bit more than on some of their tightly-composed mid 50s sessions for RCA! The lineup is still slightly large – an octet that features Zoot and Al on tenor, plus the ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Out of print 1993 Japanese pressing, includes obi.)
An overlooked gem from the early Reprise recordings of Frank Sinatra – done with full arrangements by Gordon Jenkins, in the moody late nite vibe of some of his late 50s work for Capitol! Titles include "All Alone", "What'll I Do", "When I Lost You", "Oh ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Frank's first album for his own label – Reprise catalog number 1001, a number that must have made Sinatra proud! The album's got a really swinging feel that befits the title, and which follows in the best Capitol work by Nelson Riddle. Things are very jazzy and upbeat, thanks to ... (Vocalists) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Orange and tan label stereo pressing. Cover has light wear & aging.)
Frank's first album for his own label – Reprise catalog number 1001 (originally), a number that must have made Sinatra proud! The album's got a really swinging feel that befits the title, and which follows in the best Capitol work by Nelson Riddle. Things are very jazzy and upbeat, thanks ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
A near-perfect session of 50s Sinatra – upbeat, lively, and with an undeniable punch that completely transforms every tune! The great Nelson Riddle is backing Frank up on the set – and the album's one of their liveliest from the time, filled with familiar tunes that Frank slips into ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
This was Sinatra's first swing record for Reprise and his third collaboration with Billy May who arranged and conducted this 1961 recording. It features some standards from the likes of Rodgers & Hart ("Have You Met Miss Jones?") and George & Ira Gershwin ("Love Walked ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Sweet arrangements from Ernie Freeman – who gives Frank Sinatra that great little bounce that made the title hit, and so many other 60s tunes, so great! Titles include "That's Life", "Sand & Sea", "What Now My Love", "Tell Her", "Give Her ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
(Out of print.)
Frank Sinatra —
Voice ... LP Columbia, 1940s. Very Good ...
$4.99
A classic full length collection of early Frank Sinatra recordings for Columbia Records – and maybe the definitive album of his mid 40s material originally issued on 78s! The quality of Sinatra's vocals here definitely live up to "The Voice" promised on the cover – as the ... (Vocalists) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Mono 6 eye pressing with deep groove. Vinyl plays with a click on all of side one. Cover is great!)
Frank Sinatra —
Watertown ... LP Reprise, 1970. Very Good Gatefold ...
$7.99
One of the most fully-realized concept albums ever recorded by Frank Sinatra – a set of all original material put together for Sinatra by Bob Gaudio and Jake Holmes – two younger talents who really come up with some great songs for the sessions! Gaudio had already been working some ... (Vocalists) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Orange and tan label pressing. Vinyl plays with a click on the first track, but the rest is NM- Textured cover has a faint stain at the bottom, but is nice overall.)
Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey —
Love Songs ... CD RCA, 1940/1941. Used ...
$1.99
A classic Vegas moment for Sinatra – with accompaniment by Count Basie, and arrangements from Quincy Jones, to boot! The set features some great spoken bits – really one of the first chances the American mainstream got to taste the Vegas vibe – and titles include "It Was A ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
(Out of print 1998 remastered edition with bonus track.)
Maybe the grooviest collection of work we've ever seen from the lovely Nancy Sinatra – a set that features some of her hits, but also includes a lot more material that's much more obscure – and which shows that Nancy was a hell of a song stylist, far from the charts! The core of the ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
(Out of print digipak version – with 40-page booklet!)
Sinkane —
We Belong ... CD City Slang, 2024. New Copy ...
$13.9914.99
Sweet electro funk from Sinkane – a group who manage to pull together all these classic elements of 80s soul, yet come across with a mode that's very 21st century overall! The keyboards, basslines, and beats all have tonal qualities you might find in older street soul or boogie cuts – ... (Neo Soul) read moreCD
Sweet electro funk from Sinkane – a group who manage to pull together all these classic elements of 80s soul, yet come across with a mode that's very 21st century overall! The keyboards, basslines, and beats all have tonal qualities you might find in older street soul or boogie cuts – ... (Neo Soul) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(80s issue. Cover has light wear and a company sticker.)
Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls —
Propoganda ... CD Naim (UK), 1999. Used ...
$4.99
Nice little underground session from the burgeoning young Chicago scene – oddly released on a UK label! Drummer Ted Sirota leads a lively little quintet that includes Jeff Parker on guitar, Kevin Kizer on tenor, and Rob Mazurek on cornet – and the band has a warm lyrical feel, and a ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Possibly the greatest moment ever from Sister Sledge – a set that has the Philly quartet teaming with the Chic team of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards! Rodgers' guitar brings in a hell of a groove to the record – that choppy, skittish sound that made Chic such a favorite at the time ... (Soul) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
One of the most unique books to ever look at the music of Sun Ra – and one that's very near and dear to our hearts, given that the role of Chicago is seen as vital to the development of the music! The book digs very deep into Ra's early years – time that isn't covered in as much ... (Books) read moreBook
Skids —
Fanfare ... LP Virgin (UK), Late 1970s/Early 1980s. Near Mint- ...
$34.99
The near-complete Salsoul recordings of Skyy – the funky club combo headed by Randy Muller after his work with BT Express and Brass Construction! With Skyy, Muller honed his groove even more than before – creating a really tight focus on bass-heavy bottoms, and focusing all instruments ... (Soul) read moreCD
A wide-ranging book on soundtrack cultures from around the globe – presented as a series of different essays on the music by a variety of different academic who specialize in film music! Mark Slobin edited the volume, and contributes a few early essays on American film music – ... (Books) read moreBook
An instant classic from Slum Village – one of those records that kind of snuck out into the world, then became legendary as the years went on! Of course, with work from Jay Dee, there's no surprise that the album's got plenty of staying power – as he does a killer job here, throughout, ... (Hip Hop) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Sly Stone's definitely back on the right track here – returning to the heights of his earlier powers in this late 70s comeback album for Warner Brothers! The record's got a lot of touches of the old Sly funky sound, but it's done in a slightly tighter style too – a bit more polish than ... (Soul) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Includes the printed inner sleeve. Cover has a cutout notch.)
Sly & The Family Stone —
Small Talk ... LP Epic, 1974. Near Mint- ...
$19.99
Sly's still doing pretty nice for himself in 1974 – with a sound that's perhaps a bit warmer than on the early records, but still nice and soulful – and peppered with a good dose of funk! The groove is really great on the set – bubbling with a more "deep down" feel than ... (Soul) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Original orange label pressing. Includes the folded insert.)
An odd little album in which Sly's classic funky tunes are remixed and extended by John Luongo – ostensibly for play on the dancefloors of the late 70s. Unlike recent remix projects, this one keeps most of the original song intact, and the real changes are in added rhythmic elements – ... (Soul) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A seminal statement from the legendary Small Faces – a record that has them regrouping a bit, and finding a way to pack an incredible punch! The album's amazing right from the very first note – a perfect bridge between the ongoing mod energy of the London scene, and the psychedelic ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Pink label stereo pressing. Cover has small splits, aging, light ring & edge wear.)
(Cover has a cut corner and small Sample Copy sticker in back.)
Jimmy Smith —
Cool Blues ... CD Blue Note (Japan), 1958. Used ...
$19.99
Proof that at his start, Jimmy Smith had a greatness that knew no bounds – as the album's one of a few that Blue Note recorded in the late 50s, but never issued until many years later – even though they had already released so many amazing records from this period! The set has Jimmy ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Out of print 2012 Japanese pressing, includes obi.)
One of those hard-wailing all-star sessions that Jimmy did so well for Blue Note! The album features an amazing array of top-line players – like Tina Brooks, Lee Morgan, Curtis Fuller, Lou Donaldson, Art Blakey, and Kenny Burrell – and they all play with Smith in differing combinations ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(1987 pressing – with a slightly different track list than the LP or the RVG Edition. Spine has a small cutout notch.)
Jimmy Smith —
Monster ... LP Verve, Late 60s. Very Good- Gatefold ...
Just Sold Out!
Totally cool Jimmy Smith album that has him playing a lot of funky groovy versions of TV and Film themes, like "Goldfinger", "Theme From The Munsters", "Theme From Man With the Golden Arm", and "Theme From Bewitched". Oliver Nelson leads a large band and ... (Jazz) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Stereo MGM pressing with Van Gelder stamp and deep groove. Cover has some light ring wear.)
One of the most famous early albums from Hammond organ giant Jimmy Smith – and for good reason too, as he was using the instrument to pioneer a whole new field in jazz! Before Jimmy, others had used the organ on short tracks, usually for a bit of color – but here, Smith explodes as a ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(First CD pressing – with a slightly different track list than the RVG version.)
Lonnie Smith —
Afro-desia ... CD Groove Merchant/Mr Bongo (UK), 1975. New Copy ...
$11.9914.99
Excellent work by Lonnie Smith – a free-flowing album of long jazzy grooves that's kind of an extension of his Blue Note albums, touched with more of the electricity of his 70s playing! There's some killer rhythms on the album – courtesy of drummers Jamey Hudad and Ben Riley, and ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Funky funky funky! Lonnie plays live with a tight group that includes tenor, guitar, and some very heavy drumming – really wailing at a level that was surprising for funky organists of the time, and which really set the pace for a whole new generation! The players are more obscure than on ... (Jazz) read moreCD
The amazing debut of Soft Machine! It's hard to find a more seminal moment of jazz rock from the British scene – and there's certainly few albums from its generation that stand up as well over the years as this one! The trio of Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, and Michael Ratledge carve out the ... (Rock) read moreCD
(Out of print, and with obi – and comes in a cool cover that replicates the original spinning gears of the album!)
The album that finally made the world sit up and notice that Solange is a completely great artist on her own – and hardly needs to ever be spoken of in terms that involve her sister! The set's got a vibe that's as personal and put out there as Solange's image on the cover – music that's ... (Neo Soul) read moreCD
(White label promo in a stickered sleeve, with index label.)
Sonic Youth —
Daydream Nation ... LP Goofin', 1988. New Copy 2LP Gatefold (reissue)...
$25.9926.99
Sonic Youth at their best – bringing the earlier, noisier impulses into an anthemic rock realm with incredible results! Daydream Nation's legancy looms as heavily over the indie rock to come in the next 20-or-so years as much as any other album album we can think of...hell, just the first 2 ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
The amazing second album from The Soul Searchers – even harder, funkier, and rarer than the first! This one blows away everything else the group have ever done – as the record has an angular approach that has the band taking a lot of weird twists with the grooves, creating these dark ... (Soul) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Idrissa Soumaoro —
Ampsa ... CD Mr Bongo (UK), 1978. New Copy ...
$11.9913.98
A beautiful album from Idrissa Soumaoro and L'Eclipse – one recorded during a time of great political unrest in Mali, and a set that was never commercially issued – but just originally given away by the Malian Association for the Blind! The album's got all the power of earlier albums ... (Global Grooves) read moreCD
Like a lot of the Wand singles from this period, this one's got two versions of a single track – one disco and one soul. One of the bigger tracks from the South Shore Commission, with production by Bunny Sigler. (Funky 45's) 7-inch, Vinyl record
A timeless mix of heart tuggingly intimate strings and beautiful vocals by Esperanza Spalding – a set that feels deep down close to the heart, and in turns, quite soaring – all the while wonderful! The aspects we loved so dearly on Esperanza's previous albums are also done here – ... (Neo Soul) read moreCD
Esperanza Spaulding looks more striking than ever on this album cover, but not as striking as the music inside – co-produced by Spaulding with Tony Visconti – the longtime David Bowie collaborator who really brings a sharp sort of focus to the set! Although Esperanza began as a jazz ... (Neo Soul) read moreCD
Maybe the greatest record so far from the lovely Esperanza Spalding – a set that has her moving farther from jazz, into a wonderfully warm style of soul music overall! The mix of modes is exquisite – a blend of Spalding's jazz-trained vocals with some beautiful arrangements that ... (Neo Soul) read moreCD
One of the hippest records we've ever heard from Esperanza Spalding – a set that almost feels as if she's stepping back into some of the more experimental, individual qualities that made her so different at the start! There's definitely some appealing, catchy songs here – but the ... (Neo Soul) read moreCD
A really fantastic showcase for the Chicago-raised Otis Spann – a musician who'd already had plenty of recordings under his belt by the time of this session, but definitely gets a different sort of exposure here – thanks to the unique presentation of the Candid Records label! Candid ... (Blues) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(70s pressing on Barnaby. Back cover has light aging.)
Specials, Selecter, Madness, English Beat, etc —
Dance Craze ... LP 2 Tone/Chrysalis, 1981. Near Mint- ...
$24.99
A big moment for the British ska scene – and the soundtrack to a film that featured live work by nearly all of the big names at the time! The album features live work by artists who owed a lot to 2 Tone, but who'd even moved onto bigger fame by the film – but who are working here in a ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(US pressing. Cover has a promo stamp. A nice copy.)
In the early 70s, The Spinners did something that was really wonderful for their music, and instantly made them one of the greatest groups of their generation – they stopped recording for Motown in Detroit, and made the move to Philly to work with the great Thom Bell – the ... (Soul) read moreCD
A real treasure of sweet harmony pop from the late 60s – and the kind of record that broke big on the blue-eyed soul scene! The title hit – "More Today Than Yesterday" – is a familiar number that still sounds great to our ears. And the rest of the records got a ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(360 Sound stereo pressing – 1A/1B. Cover is bumped at the top right corner.)
The crowning achievement of Spirit – a wonderful blend of many musical strands at once – and a set so successful for the group, you probably could have found in any college dorm room in the early 70s! The record's really a cut above for their generation – an expansive effort that ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Yellow label stereo pressing. Cover has ring & edge wear, aging.)
Legendary work from the British jazz scene of the early 70s – served up here by a group of important players who made some amazing music in the years before, two of whom would leave the planet not long after these legendary recordings! Splinters never issued a full album at the time – ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Bruce Springsteen —
Born To Run ... LP Columbia, 1975. Very Good Gatefold ...
$9.99
One of the greatest Yes albums of the 70s – even if it isn't a Yes album at all! Instead, the set's a stunning solo project from bassist Chris Squire – and a record that shows just how much his talents were to the sound of Yes as a whole! The album's got a vibe that's very much like ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Includes the printed inner sleeve. Cover has some surface wear.)
A set that's got a slightly different vibe than previous Stackridge albums – yet which also continues that special sort of hard to define quality that always made the group so unique! There's a feel to the set that's maybe a bit in keeping with the image on the cover – slight touches ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(White label promo. Labels have some spotty aging and black Stereo stickers over the promo notice. Cover has a cut corner.)
A great later moment from the Five Stairsteps – served up by a mature version of the group, who are now all adults at the time of recording – and come together in a great new groove! The album's a modern soul treasure through and through – upbeat and a bit funky at times, but ... (Soul) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
One of Lisa's greatest cuts, with a sweetly soaring hook that's a perfect example of the catchy grooves she could hit when she wanted to! Remixes by Gail Sky King – and the single is promo only. (Soul) 12-inch, Vinyl record
Classic work by one of the greatest gospel/soul groups ever! A very righteous vibe pervades, and the harmonies soar right out of church into the neighborhood – on tracks that include "Respect Yourself", "Heavy Makes You Happy", "Oh La De Da", "The ... (Soul) read moreCD
Dakota Staton —
Late Late Show ... CD Capitol/Collectables, Late 50s. Used ...
$0.99
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
The first album from Steely Dan, and a really nice chapter in their career – one that's maybe a bit less iconic than the late 70s records, but in a way that really keeps things interesting! There's definitely less jazz and polish than on the later albums – but already, the group are ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Writer Paul Steinbeck has already given us a great book on the Art Ensemble Of Chicago – but this time around, he looks at the larger scene from which they came, the groundbreaking AACM moment in jazz, which emerged in Chicago in the late 60s! Steinbeck provides some cultural and historical ... (Books) read moreBook
Reedman Dayna Stephens is always great – and this time around, he's got a very strong musical partner in the presence of guitarist Emmanuel Michael – a younger musician, but one whose sound really shapes the sound of the set! Michael has this way of careful tones and rich colors – ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Charles Stepney —
Step On Step ... LP International Anthem, Early 70s. Near Mint- 2LP Gatefold ...
$24.99
Maybe the first-ever album to be issued under the name of the great Charles Stepney – even though the artist/musician/producer/songwriter had a huge role in the careers of Chicago contemporaries like Minnie Riperton, Ramsey Lewis, and Earth Wind & Fire! This set brings together ... (Soul) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(140 gram gold vinyl pressing. Includes the obi and International Anthem inner sleeves.)
There's nothing slow about this mid 70s album from Steppenwolf – a set that has the group really coming back into the fray, after John Kay had left for a bit and recorded as a solo act! All the raw power of the group is still very much at play here – plenty of searing guitars, at that ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Includes the printed inner sleeve. Cover has light wear.)