A relatively recent set from pianist McCoy Tyner, but one that shows the same great ear for choosing a horn that we love in his 70s classics! As with those records, a key force on the recording here is altoist Gary Bartz – a player who's always great on his own, but seems to take on a ... read moreCD
A really bold, really freewheeling performance from the great McCoy Tyner – an 80s live album that may well stand as one of his most powerful of the decade! The group here is billed as an All-Star one – and it's a tight quintet that also features Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Joe ... read moreCD
Although "Newport" can often mean "hokey" or "pandering" in the context of live jazz performances – this set is a cooker, one of Tyner's best for Impulse, and a really far-reaching set that has him showing sides he never expressed with Coltrane! The group on the ... read moreCD
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 ... 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 ... 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 ... 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! 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 ... 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 ... 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 ... 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 ... read moreCD
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. CD
Tracks include "Trouble In Mind", "Ghetto Child", "Who's Been Talkin", "The Hustle Is On", and "Are You Glad To Be In America?". CD
(Penmark through barcode.)
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 ... 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 ... 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 ... read moreCD
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 ... read moreCD
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, Jazz)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, Jazz)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 ... 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". 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 ... read moreCD
(And don't miss the Mark Murphy Happy Samba 7" – which features different material from the same sessions!)
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 ... 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' ... 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". 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 ... read moreCD
(Out of print.)
Ken Vandermark/Paal Nilssen Love —
Chicago Volume ... CD Smalltown Supersound, 2009. Used ...
Just Sold Out!
A live meeting between Ken Vandermark on reeds and Paal Nilssen Love on drums and percussion. Like the companion Milwaukee Volume this album features three tracks – the 30 minute plus "Mort Subite", "New Paper", and "Text Of Sound". CD
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 ... 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 ... 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 ... 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 ... read moreCD
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, ... read moreCD
Sarah Vaughan may be known for an earlier recording of After Hours for the Columbia label in the 50s – but on this early 60s set for Roulette, the title really fits her style – and is perfect for the mature, melancholy way that Vaughan has of putting over a tune! Sarah always had a ... (Vocalists, Jazz)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, Jazz)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, Jazz)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, Jazz)CD
The title's no lie – as Sarah Vaughan sings here in some very soulful company – thanks to arrangements from Gerald Wilson, which make this record one of the standout from her years on Roulette Records! The other players aren't listed, but they're clearly the kind of top-shelf bunch ... (Vocalists, Jazz)read moreCD
2CD version – with 31 tracks in all – way more than the original album! (Vocalists, Jazz)CD
(Late 80s West German pressing.)
Sarah Vaughan —
Swingin' Easy ... CD EmArcy/Polygram, 1954/1957. Used ...
Just Sold Out!
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, Jazz)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, Jazz)CD
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" ... 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 ... read moreCD
An incredible album – and a real surprise in the catalog of Harold Vick, one of those players who just gets hipper the more you listen to him! Harold's working here with a really great group that includes Bobby Hutcherson, Blue Mitchell, Montego Joe, Walter Booker, and Mickey Roker – ... read moreCD
Featurs Jane Bunnett on soprano sax and flute, Terell Stafford on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Pat Martino on guitar. CD
(Out of print.)
Daniel Villarreal —
Panama 77 ... CD International Anthem, 2022. New Copy ...
$13.9914.99
A stunning solo project from drummer Daniel Villarreal – a musician you might know in the group Dos Santos, yet one who's in very unique territory here on his own! The album was recorded in both Chicago and Los Angeles – and it's got a vibe that really reflects that process – ... read moreCD
Daniel Villarreal with Jeff Parker & Anna Butterss —
Lados B ... CD International Anthem, 2023. New Copy ...
$13.9914.99
Killer trio material from drummer Daniel Villarreal – a lean, clean record that's a really great showcase for all three players involved! The music's got a vibe that's more live and spontaneous than some other efforts on the International Anthem label, and a sound that's almost funky at ... read moreCD
One of the most beautiful albums we've ever heard from pianist Enrique Villegas – a celebration of his 60th birthday, and one that mixes these extended titles with spoken introductions in Spanish, all with a very laidback vibe! The record's one of the most relaxed, intimate sets we've ever ... read moreCD
A great demonstration of the incredible keyboard skills of Argentine pianist Enrique Villegas – an artist who issued a few albums here in the US, but had a much longer recorded legacy back home! This mid 60s date is one of Enrique's classics – and shows his amazing command of the keys, ... read moreCD
Enrique Villegas —
Metamorfosis ... CD RGS (Argentina), 1967. New Copy ...
$13.9916.99
Pianist Enrique Villegas has an amazing command of the keyboard – one that really comes through on his other records, but which is maybe the most striking here on this set that expands on a set of themes from Chopin! The material is very different than any other jazz-meets-classical records ... read moreCD
Enrique Villegas —
Porgy & Bess ... CD RGS (Argentina), 1968. New Copy ...
$13.9916.99
A very unique take on a familiar jazz mode – and a record that's a lot hipper than you might expect! The tunes are all from Porgy & Bess, all the famous Gershwin numbers – but they're performed solo, in a very loose style by pianist Enrique Villegas – who actually delivers ... read moreCD
The music of Jerome Kern is explored here in territory that's nicely far from the original – really open, fluid trio instrumentals from Enrique Villegas – who's very much at the height of his more modern, open style here! The tunes are familiar, but really pulled apart as well – ... read moreCD
Enrique Villegas —
Tributo A Monk ... CD Trova/RGS (Argentina), 1967. New Copy ...
$13.9916.99
A very cool split album from pianist Enrique Villegas – and one that's nicely different than some of his other records from the time! Side one features a long tribute to Thelonious Monk – a blended medley of "Bemsha Swing", "Round Midnight", and "Blue Monk ... read moreCD
Enrique Villegas with Paul Gonsalves & Willie Cook —
Encuentro ... CD Trova/RGS (Argentina), 1968. New Copy ...
$13.9916.99
The piano of Argentine jazz legend Enrique Villegas gets some great accompaniment here from Ellington sidemen Paul Gonsalves on tenor and Willie Cook on trumpet! Villegas normally recorded in trio modes, or more intimate settings – and it's great to hear him here with a more swinging style, ... read moreCD
David Virelles —
Mboko ... CD ECM (Germany), 2014. Used ...
$11.99
David Virelles on piano, Thomas Morgan and Robert Hurst on bass, Marcus Gilmore on drums, and Roman Diaz on biankomeko and vocals. CD
The music of Weather Report, served up by that group's legendary bassist Miroslav Vitous – but at a level that's quite different than the original! There's definitely lots of Weather Report-like elements at play here – not just Miroslav's bass and keyboards, but also the kind of wide-ed ... read moreCD
Sublime work from saxophonist Eraldo Volonte – a rare mid 60s session recorded in Italy, and totally hip work all the way through! Volonte's got a tone here that's really tremendous – clearly Coltrane-influenced, especially on the tenor selections – but also stretching out with ... read moreCD
Originally a Japanese-only session – and one of the best records ever by this legendary 70s jazz super-group – a real return to acoustic jazz roots, with a lineup that includes Herbie Hancock on piano, Wayne Shorter on tenor, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony ... read moreCD
(Out of print, late 80s Japanese pressing – includes obi!)
With Paul Keller on bass and Chuck McPherson on drums. CD
Larry Vuckovich Trio —
Street Scene ... CD Tetrachord Music, 2006. Used ...
$6.99
Larry Vuckovich on piano with Larry Grenadier on bass & Akira Tana on bass. CD
(Out of print, marker over barcode.)
Waaju —
Grown ... CD Olindo (UK), 2020. New Copy ...
$8.9913.99
A really great combo from the contemporary London scene – one who work with jazz instrumentation, but in ways that echo a variety of rhythmic styles – elements of North and West African modes, and touches of Caribbean as well – but all done with a lean, instrumental style! The ... read moreCD
Mal Waldron's got no more tears for Lady Day – but maybe that's because so many of the pianist's previous albums evoked his relationship with Billie Holiday! Shedding that reference, just focus on the strength of Waldron in a trio setting – that mature, moody style that really showed ... read moreCD
(1996 Japanese pressing – includes obi!)
Mal Waldron with Eric Dolphy & Booker Ervin —
Quest ... CD New Jazz/OJC, 1961. Used ...
$6.99
Pivotal work from Waldron – stepping out of the blowing session mode, emerging as one of the 60s most striking moderinists. Like a lot of Waldron's records from the time, this set shows an amazing desire for new forms and modern ideas, and the mix of players – Eric Dolphy, Booker Ervin ... read moreCD
(1992 OJC pressing.)
Mal Waldron/Terumasa Hino —
Reminiscent Suite ... CD Victor/BBE (UK), 1972. New Copy ...
$16.9919.99
Really evocative work from pianist Mal Waldron – a rare Japanese session cut with trumpeter Terumasa Hino, and a hip group of players who really make the set sparkle! The album's easily one of the most spiritual that Mal ever cut – and features two side long tracks that build ... read moreCD
Soulfully-blown tenor from Bennie Wallace – a record that really brings out the deepest, most heartfelt tones of his work on saxophone – yet also lets Bennie stretch out into somewhat free, unstructured territory too! The approach is one that Wallace forged right from the start of his ... read moreCD
A pair of burning 21st Century recordings by Per Henrik Wallin – easily one of the greatest free jazz pianists working the European scene for the past few decades – as you'll certainly hear on this set! CD 1 features duets between Wallin and drummer Sven Akie Johansson – recorded ... read moreCD
A real standout in the catalog of pianist George Wallington – a very cooking live set, recorded at the Cafe Bohemia with an expanded quintet! The record supposedly showcases Wallington's style (or gimmick) – called "The Peck", and explained as a series of incomplete phrases ... read moreCD
(Out of print and sealed with a hole through the shrinkwrap.)
Features Cedar Walton on piano, Steve Turre on trombone, Philip Harper on trumpet, Javon Jackson on tenor sax, David Williams on bass, Billy Higgins on drums, and special guest Lou Donaldson on alto sax! CD
A wonderful album from the great Cedar Walton trio that featured Sam Jones on bass and Billy Higgins on drums – a really beautiful group of musicians who completely transformed the sound of the piano trio in the 70s! The group played together often in the 70s, and they've never sounded ... read moreCD
Cedar's working here on a great set of his own compositions – pulled from Prestige albums of the late 60s, and presented here as an "All Walton" outing! Even from the start, Walton showed a tremendous ability to compose – and in his early days with the Jazz Messengers, his ... read moreCD
Cedar Walton —
Composer/Roots ... CD Astor Place, Mid 1990s. New Copy 2CDs ...
$15.9917.99
Two great 90s sessions from Cedar Walton – back to back in a single set! Composer is a record that not only shows off the great skills of pianist Cedar Walton as a composer, but one that also shows how he can really work a special sort of magic when he lets some horns into his group, and ... read moreCD
A helluva great CD – one that brings together both volumes of the legendary Night At Boomers live dates on Muse Records from the 70s! The core material is a great little session of soul jazz – and very much in a classic mode, but with touches of the Strata East sound of the 70s. ... read moreCD
A brilliant slice of rare work by Cedar Walton – tracks from three different live sessions of the early 70s, all of them recorded at the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore, and all of them previously unreleased! The bulk of the work features Walton with the core group of players he was working ... read moreCD
(Out of print, penmark through barcode.)
Cedar Walton —
Trio Vol 2 ... CD Red (Italy), 1985. New Copy ...
$16.9919.99
An easygoing, long-flowing record from Cedar Walton – one that has the pianist in very relaxed space, playing with a style that's very open, contemplative, and beautiful! There's a bit more sensitivity here than the usual Walton trio date – and despite the cover's emphasis on the other ... read moreCD
Cedar Walton —
Trio Vol 3 ... CD Red (Italy), 1986. New Copy ...
$16.9919.99
We've always loved the way that Cedar Walton kept maturing in his style over the years – and this 80s album is a wonderful example of the way he really took off during his third decade in jazz! At one level, the tunes are very simple and basic – familiar trio settings, with David ... read moreCD
Cedar Walton —
Trio Vol 3 ... CD Red (Italy), 1986. New Copy ...
$16.9918.99
We've always loved the way that Cedar Walton kept maturing in his style over the years – and this 80s album is a wonderful example of the way he really took off during his third decade in jazz! At one level, the tunes are very simple and basic – familiar trio settings, with David ... read moreCD
Early brilliance from tenor genius David S Ware – one of the first records issued under his own name as a leader, and maybe still one of the greatest too! The album has Ware working with the Apogee trio of Cooper Moore on piano and Marc Edwards on drums – in these long-blown lines that ... read moreCD
Great work from the second chapter of Grover Washington's career – his post-Kudu run over at Elektra Records! The work here's a bit tighter than the Kudu sides, but still pretty great overall – thanks to that key Washington approach to a solo – a sense of space and soul that few ... read moreCD
Bouncy soul from Grover Washington – a set that returns to his earlier roots in a space between soulful fusion and R&B! The slinky Washington soprano sax gets plenty of space in this set – blown with those seductive notes that always made Grover one of the most distinctive players ... read moreCD
(Out of print.)
Tyrone Washington —
Natural Essence ... CD Blue Note (Japan), 1967. New Copy ...
$10.9913.99
A rare and unusual chapter in mid 60s Blue Note – the debut of tenorist Tyrone Washington, an up-and-coming talent from the hip New Jersey scene of the time! Washington's name may not have lasted long in the jazz annals, but at this important point in his career, he's working with a young ... read moreCD