... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

"Thank You" is a jaunty southern number by Bobby, with a midtempo groove and kind of a catchy hook. 7-inch, Vinyl record

A wonderfully down to earth book from the great Bobby Rush – southern bluesman by birth, and a key figure on the Chicago scene in the 60s and 70s – with a mighty long story that's told here in words that are very much his own! Co-author Herb Powell helps polish things up a bit, but never too much – and Bobby spends a heck of a lot of time laying out his youth, influences, and early years of struggle – which is great, as the history and setting are very illuminating – not just to Rush's own career, but to an understanding of the way that so many blues and soul artists of his generation had to find their own path forward. Hardcover edition is 306 pages, with a section of photographs in the middle. Book

An overlooked gem from trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith – an early 80s session, but one that we'd rank with some of his most-together work ever! The album's a mixture of spare modes and some surprising group elements – a set that often has Smith blowing beautifully on trumpet or flugelhorn, alongside the vibes of Bobby Naughton and percussion of Kahil El Zabar – the latter of whom makes a strong, spiritual appearance here – really helping to shade in some strong sounds to Leo's music. Naughton's vibes are great too – very angular and chromatic, with the sharpness of Bobby Hutcherson's avant work of the mid 60s – and one track features John Powell on tenor, and two more have Louis Myers on guitar – bringing in these weird harmelodic bluesy tones which then accompany vocals from Smith! Titles include "Nuru Light", "The Flower That Seeds The Earth", "Jah Jah Is The Perfect Love", "Procession Of The Great Ancestry", and "Third World Grainery Of Pure Earth". CD

One of Hank Mobley's greatest sides from the hardbop years of the late 50s – a searing sextet session with a 3-horn frontline! The group features Mobley on tenor, John Jenkins on alto, and Donald Byrd on trumpet – plus a crackling rhythm group with Bobby Timmons, Wilbur Ware, and Philly Joe Jones. It's great to hear Timmons and Ware together, especially as both of them were at the height of their powers at this point in their careers – and Jenkins' soulful alto work is a key part of the set, and makes us wish he'd gotten in the studio more after this time. Great throughout, with 2 long titles that include "Fit For A Hanker" and "Hi Groove, Low Feedback", plus a nice take of Bud Powell's "Dance Of The Infidels". CD

One of Hank Mobley's greatest sides from the hardbop years of the late 50s – a searing sextet session with a 3-horn frontline! The group features Mobley on tenor, John Jenkins on alto, and Donald Byrd on trumpet – plus a crackling rhythm group with Bobby Timmons, Wilbur Ware, and Philly Joe Jones. It's great to hear Timmons and Ware together, especially as both of them were at the height of their powers at this point in their careers – and Jenkins' soulful alto work is a key part of the set, and makes us wish he'd gotten in the studio more after this time. Great throughout, with 2 long titles that include "Fit For A Hanker" and "Hi Groove, Low Feedback", plus a nice take of Bud Powell's "Dance Of The Infidels". CD

A very cool Japanese collection of spaghetti western vocal and instrumental numbers – with a nice mix of soundtrack themes and songs with lyrics! Includes work from Nico Fidenco, Gianni Ferrio, Berto Fia, Bobby Solo, Peter Tevis, Don Powell, Stelvio Cipriani, and Piero Piccioni! LP, Vinyl record album

A really great set, and one that picks up on a very cool concept – as it features tracks that have the cooler, classier side of southern soul – music that was recorded for the mighty Excello family of labels in its later years, at a time when both deep soul and the indie label scene were really changing things up! There's a great crossroads of styles going on here – bluesy currents, raw soul, and some richer production that really sews the whole thing together – on tracks that were mostly issued as 7" singles, but work here together tremendously well as a compilation! CD features 24 tracks in all – including "Crystal Blue Persuasion" by The Kelly Brothers, "Sweetest Girl In The World" by Roger Hatcher, "That's Loving You" by Percy Wiggins, "Even If The Signs Are Wrong" by Shirley Brown, "Childhood Days" by Bobby Powell, "Don't Let Our Love Fade Away" by Marva Whitney, "Save A Foolish Man" by Lee Brackett, "That's My Man" by Marion James, "I Would If I Could" by The Avons, "Set Your Soul On Fire" by Jerry Washington, "What Price For Love" by Bennie Shaw, and "I'm Not Your Regular Woman" by Lucille Mathis. CD

One of our favorite albums ever from Walter Wanderley – a set that's much more complicated than his earlier trio records for Verve – and which really expands the sound with a host of added elements! Wanderley's core organ bossa groove is amplified wonderfully here with the addition of guitar, vibes, horns, and other elements – all of which help to change the rhythms and move the groove way past just simple stock bossa. Walter plays a bit of electric piano too – hinting at work on later albums – and other players include Jerome Richardson on flute, Bobby Rosengarden on vibes, John Pizzarelli on guitar, and even a bit of vocals from Marge Dodson. There's a wonderful variety of tunes on the set – including Joao Donato's "Amazonas", Baden Powell's "Canto De Ossanha", and Bob Crewe's "Music To Watch Girls By" – plus other gems like "Sensuous", "Sambao", "Arrinho Atoa", "Kee Ka Roo", and "The Bobo". LP, Vinyl record album

Includes 30 tracks by the Squires, Montereys, Orlons, Valtones, Gainors, James Powell, Bobby Vee, the Playboys, Five Schillings, Hearts, School Boys, Sonnets, and more. CD

The Manhattan Jazz Quintet play the music of Blue Note Records – but they also get some fresh tunes of their own from leader David Matthews – whose writing at this point is really at the top of his game! Core Blue Note tunes include Bud Powell's "Cleopatra's Dream", Woody Shaw's "Sweet Love Of Mine", Bobby Timmons' "Moanin", Sonny Clark's "Cool Struttin", and Dexter Gordon's "Cheese Cake" – all handled in arrangements that are way more than just a copycat of the Blue Note originals, and which instead show Matthews' arrangements really opening up the songs into vibrant new territory. In fact, David's own originals may well be the most Blue Note-like titles on the set – the songs "Wolff Pack" and "For Alfred" – played by the group that features Lew Soloff on trumpet, George Young on tenor, John Patitucci on bass, and Dave Weckl on drums. CD