Killer stuff by Art Blakey – one of his few non-Blue Note sessions from the time, and a hard-wailing set that features the Jazz Messengers as a sextet! The format is one that flourished briefly in these early 60s years – and in this case, the already great lineup of Lee Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor, and Bobby Timmons on piano is joined by Curtis Fuller on trombone – a frontline that makes for some really amazing music, and which starts to bring in a lyrical energy to the group that's really amazing! The force of Fuller on the ensemble cannot be denied – and the group shift from straight hardbop with a soulful bent into an even more inspired mode – as you'll hear on the album's classic reading of Fuller's "Ala Mode" – nestled in alongside Jazz Messenger takes on standards like "Invitation", "I Hear A Rhapsody", and "You Don't Know What Love Is". LP, Vinyl record album
(80s remaster. Includes the printed inner sleeve. Cover has light wear.)
A fantastic selection of work from one of the hippest girl groups of the 70s – the mighty Love Unlimited trio, three singers who all worked under the genius of Barry White in his prime! Unlike other girl trios of the time, who often used an older soul mode refitted with disco grooves – sometimes acting more like a chorus than a lead act – Love Unlimited always brought their full vocal strengths to play, and do a fantastic job here working in modes that rival some of the best male harmony groups of the early 70s – especially the sweet soul groups from New Jersey, New York, and Philly. And yes, Barry does kick up the groove a bit at times, but even then things are usually more in a midtempo mode, not a disco one – which makes for tremendous sounds throughout. This is the first-ever proper collection of the girls' singles from the early 70s – and titles include "Oh Love Well We Finally Made It", "Fragile Handle With Care", "Are You Sure", "I Should Have Known", "Is It Really True Boy Is It Me", "Walkin In The Rain With The One I Love", "Under The Influence Of Love", "It May Be Winter Outside", "I Love You So Never Gonna Let You Go", "I Belong To You", "So Nice To Hear", "People Of Tomorrow Are The Children Of Today", and "Share A Little Love In Your Hear LP, Vinyl record album
An incredible album! This one was recorded by the lovely Anamaria – best known to the world as the woman who sang on Marcos Valle's famous "Crickets Sing For Anamaria". She's on her own here, in a fantastic set of jazzy duets with the enigmatic Mauricio. The set is fantastic, with loads of killer material that has a sweet bossa feel and a nice jazzy groove. Titles include a remake of "Freio Aerodinamico", plus "Pelo Teletipo", "Le Le Le", "Ele E Ela", "Fotograma Click", and "Escrito Na Parede Da Varanda". LP, Vinyl record album
(Still sealed with hype sticker. Cover is lightly bent at the bottom left corner.)
11
Erykah Badu —
Baduizm ... LP MCA, 1997. New Copy 2LP Gatefold (reissue)...
Out Of Stock
A landmark debut from the mighty Erykah Badu – a record that really set the world on fire when it first appeared – and which continues to blow our minds all these many years later! There's a simple, straightforward grace to the album that comes through immediately – as Erykah tries to forge new ground for soul music, but does it by taking a few steps backwards – not into retro modes, but more in a way that focuses on the core vocal, songcraft, and right instrumentation that can make a special soul record such a standout. She does a great job of both avoiding easy commercial paths, or some of the temptations to embrace other then-contemporary genres – which has made the work of some of her colleagues seem a bit dated. The record defines a whole new style of expression – "Baduizm", if you will – one in which Erykah sings with a depth that stretches back through a century's worth of jazz, soul, and gospel influences – but works a groove in a stripped-down and forward-thinking mode that sets the pace for countless Neo Soul singers to come! Titles include "Certainly (Flipped It)", "Next Lifetime (radio)", "On & On", "Appletree", "No Love", "4 Leaf Clover", and "Sometimes (mix #9)". LP, Vinyl record album
Barclay James Harvest —
Gone To Earth ... LP MCA, 1977. Near Mint- ...
Just Sold Out!
Barclay James Harvest sound almost a bit more melancholy here than on previous records – maybe just because the leadoff hit track "Hymn" has a brooding message on drug deaths – but also because there seems to be a slightly more intense quality to their overall approach! The group are in very comfortable, confident territory – so much so, they can slow things down a bit and move with a brooding sense of soul that almost seems a precursor to the power ballad scene that would emerge a few years later. These tracks are still nicely free of the schmaltz of those – but definitely have a sense of compression that points the way forward – on titles that include "Hymn", "Love Is Like A Violin", "Leper's Song", "Taking Me Higher", "Spirit On The Water", "Sea Of Tranquility", and "Hard Hearted Woman". LP, Vinyl record album
(German pressing. In the die-cut cover with insert. Cover has a ghost sticker spot.)
15
Barclay James Harvest —
Octoberon ... LP MCA, 1976. Near Mint- ...
Out Of Stock
... LP, Vinyl record album
(Black label pressing in the embossed cover. Includes the insert. Cover has a cut corner.)
Count Basie —
Best Of Count Basie ... LP Decca/MCA, Late 30s/Early 40s. Very Good+ 2LP Gatefold ...
Out Of Stock
A really great collection of some of Basie's first important material – 2LPs worth of classics that set the tone for generations to come! LP, Vinyl record album
(Original Decca pressing. Includes intact booklet.)
Seminal work from one of the greatest guitarists of all time! LP, Vinyl record album
(NOTE – The bottom half of the box has staining, waviness and heavier wear with some splitting – due to moisture. The booklet is also half stained. But the vinyl is nice!)
(80s issue. Cover has a cutout notch and is bent a bit at the top right corner.)
21
Blackalicious —
Blazing Arrow ... LP MCA, 2002. Near Mint- 2LP Gatefold ...
Out Of Stock
A huge moment for Blackalicious – a group who'd been gaining plenty of cred on the underground, and who reached out to a much bigger set of ears with this major label debut! The whole thing's top-shelf through and through – superb production from Chief Xcel next to the words from Gift of Gab and Chief Excel – alongside a host of guests including Quannum mainmasts Lyrics Born, Lateef, and Joyo – as well as Dilated People's Raka and Babu, Jurassic 5's Cut Chemist and Chali 2na – and even work from Gil Scott-Heron and Ben Harper too! Clearly, someone had enough faith in the group to give them the money to realize their dream – and that faith definitely pays off here – on titles that include the classic single "Make You Feel That Way" – plus "Blazing Arrow", "4000 Miles", "Paragraph President", "First In Flight", "Purest Love", "Sky Is Falling", "It's Going Down", "Release (parts 1, 2, & 3)", and "Chemical Calisthenics". LP, Vinyl record album
(Original pressing. Cover has minimal wear and is bent just a bit at the spine.)
A record with a title that certainly fits the bill – as the amazing voice of Bobby Bland is as real here as it ever was, and blended with superbly soulful backings that take the singer's sound forward for a whole new generation! Some of Bobby's contemporaries were content to just stick in a straight blues mode – but Bland really grew and developed a lot as an artist, thanks in part to Monk Higgins and Al Bell – who are both at the production helm of the record, and balance the bluesy roots of Bobby with some richer soul backings that really knock the whole thing out of the park! We love Bobby Blue Bland during his early Duke Records years – but we love him equally as much for music like this, on titles that include "But I Do", "What A Difference A Day Makes", "Givin Up The Streets For Love", "A Song For You My Son", "Just You Just Me", and "Love Is Where It's At". LP, Vinyl record album
(180 gram black vinyl SRC pressing. Includes insert and postcards!)
24
Boston —
Third Stage ... LP MCA, 1986. Near Mint- Gatefold ...
$14.9919.99
The group's third album, delivered after a long delay – with titles that include "Amanda", "A New World", "To Be A Man", "Still In Love", "The Launch", "Cool The Engines", "My Destination", and "We're Ready". LP, Vinyl record album
(Japanese promo pressing, with obi and insert. Cover has a promo sticker in back.)
An excellent collection of early Decca 78rpm material by these western swing legends – with Cliff Bruner on fiddle and Bob Dunn on electric steel! LP, Vinyl record album
28
Camel —
Camel ... LP MCA (UK), 1973. Near Mint- ...
Out Of Stock
Debut album from the UK prog group. LP, Vinyl record album
Phoebe Cates stars in this trashy 80s film, and also sings two tracks on the soundtrack – one a duet with Bill Wray, who sings two more solo. The set also features "The American Girl" by Rick Springfield and "Best Years Of Our Lives" by Mens Room. LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a cutout mark.)
33
Celebration/Brian Wilson —
Almost Summer ... LP MCA, 1978. Sealed ...
Out Of Stock
An unusual Beach Boys offshoot project – a soundtrack that features work by a group led by Mike Love with Charles Lloyd on sax and flute, Ron Altbach on piano, Dave Robinson on bass and vocals, Mike Kowalski on drums and percussion, Ed Carter on guitar and bass, Wells Kelly on bass, and Gary Griffin on synthesizers and electric piano – with some songs written by Brian Wilson too! LP, Vinyl record album
8 tracks in all "I Am The Living", "Another Summer", "All The Strength We Got", "It's The Beginning Of An End", "Gone Clear", "Love Again", "Satan's Kingdom" and "Morning Train". LP, Vinyl record album
(US pressing. Includes the insert. Cover has a promo stamp, light wear, and a sticker spot.)
Loads of classics – "She's Got You", "You're Stronger Than Me", "Faded Love", "Walkin After Midnight", "I Fall To Pieces", "Strange", "Crazy", and "Leavin On Your Mind". LP, Vinyl record album
(Late 80s issue. Cover has light wear.)
36
Patsy Cline —
Live Vol 2 ... LP MCA, Mid 50s-Early 60s. Near Mint- ...
Just Sold Out!
Classic sounds from Patsy Cline – and an album that will definitely open up your understanding of her music! Patsy Cline Showcase features a few of the hits you might expect – "Crazy", "I Fall To Pieces", and "Walkin After Midnight" – but it also includes some wider-ranging material that shows where Patsy might have gone, had she continued to make music throughout the 60s. Other titles include "A Poor Man's Roses", "Have You Ever Been Lonely", "The Wayward Wind", "South Of The Border", and "I Love You So Much It Hurts". LP, Vinyl record album
Features songs penned by Freddie Hart, Willie Nelson, Floyd Tillman, Hank Cochran, Justin Tubb, Carl Perkins, Roy Drusky, Webb Pierce, and Harlan Howard. LP, Vinyl record album
A burning set from the second Colosseum group – with Gary Moore on guitars and vocals, Jon Hiseman on drums, John Mole on bass, and Don Airey on lots of keyboards – including Fender Rhodes, Arp, mini moog, and clavinet! LP, Vinyl record album
Steve Cropper's looking a lot more loose and upfront than he ever did on albums he cut with Booker T & The MGs – and maybe that's because he's emerging here as a more more of a lead artist as well – singing next to his classic work on guitar, while still letting his strength on that instrument carry most of the vibe of the set! There's still plenty of classic Cropper elements in place here, including backing by the Memphis Horns – and at some level, Steve's vocals are always a lot more understated than his guitar – as if he knows that's what we really came for. The set's got a number of original titles – including "Give Em What They Want", "Playin My Thang", "Fly", "With You", "Ya Da Ya Da", and "Why Do You Say You Love Me". LP, Vinyl record album
The Crusaders are really going strong at this point – in near-hit status, almost acting as the Steely Dan of LA jazz. The sound is certainly slicker than before, but in a way that's actually pretty darn nice – as Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Stix Hooper, and Larry Carlton come together with effortless ease – dipping, turning, twisting, and still hitting a nice groove on the best tunes. Tracks include "Nite Crawler", "Feel It", "River Rat", "Free As The Wind", and "Sweet N Sour". LP, Vinyl record album
One of our favorite albums ever from The Crusaders – a set that really sums up all the tightness they'd forged in the 70s, while still showing a new sense of soul and funk as well – expertly balanced with flawless LA production! The album may well be the group's equivalent of a Steely Dan album – no surprise, given the work they'd done on sessions for that group – and the title cut is the massive extended version of "Street Life", with killer vocals from Randy Crawford – and other titles include "My Lady", "Night Faces", "The Hustler", and "Rodeo Drive". LP, Vinyl record album
(Tan label pressing. Includes the printed inner sleeve. Cover has a promo stamp.)
49
Otis Day & The Knights —
Shout ... LP MCA, 1989. Near Mint- ...
Temporarily Out Of Stock
A collection of tracks recorded during the late 60s and early 70s – when the Dells were at their peak, recording at Cadet with arrangers and producers like Charles Stepney, Bobby Miller, and Don Davis. Titles include "Love Is Blue (I Can Sing A Rainbow)", "There Is", "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation", "The Love We Had Stays On My Mind", and "My Pretending Days Are Over". 11 tracks in all. LP, Vinyl record album
(80s pressing. Cover has some light wear at the bottom.)
A live set from Deodato – but one that's very much in the mode of his best CTI studio sessions – with soaring, over the top keyboard work that's totally great – backed by some tightly compressed guitar, bass, and drums, with just enough funk in the mix to keep things interesting! As with other Deodato records from the time, there's a mix of moods here that comes together nicely – a range that goes past his easy hits, and shows Deodato to be one of the hippest, most soulful keyboard talents of his generation. Titles include a great version of "Super Strut" that grooves for over 8 minutes, and which has some firey guitar that really competes with Deodato's work on the keys – and other tracks include "Farewell To A Friend", "Pavane For A Dead Princess", "Rio Sangre", and "Jivin". LP, Vinyl record album
(Early 80s blue label MCA pressing. Cover has some ringwear, edge wear, and is bent a bit at the corners.)
Great keyboard funk from Deodato – one of his excellent mid 70s sessions for MCA, all of which are sometimes eclipsed by his CTI work, but still equally groovy! As with most of the other MCA records, the songs here are shorter than before – but in a way that allows for even more punch in the groove – especially on the bottom end of the tracks, which hit hard in a space that's somewhere between 70s soundtrack funk and more conventional fusion. The style's not nearly as slick as some of D's contemporaries were going at the time – and there's a nice range of material here that really makes for a complex vibe! Titles include "Theme From Star Trek", "Peter Gunn", "I Shot The Sherriff", "Black Widow", "Amani", "Juanita", and "Univac Loves You". LP, Vinyl record album
54
Deodato —
Whirlwinds ... LP MCA, 1974. Near Mint- Gatefold ...
Just Sold Out!
Sweet keyboard soul from Deodato – a set that steps off nicely from the strengths of his big hits on CTI, hitting a similarly flowing groove that's really great! The instrumentation here is a bit more expanded than before, but never in a way that buries the keyboards – and Deodato's right out front on a range of electric keys that get some great support from John Tropea's finely-honed work on guitar! Titles include "Havana Strut", "Whirlwinds", "West 42nd Street", and a nice cover of Steely Dan's "Do It Again". And heck, even the album's version of Glen Miller's "Moonlight Serenade" manages to come off like a funk tune! LP, Vinyl record album
(Original black label pressing. A nice copy.)
55
Carol Douglas —
Burnin' ... LP Midsong/MCA, 1978. Near Mint- ...
$4.99
... LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a cut corner, some ring impressions, small Sample sticker in back, and is lightly bent at the top right corner.)
The Dramatics hit an 80s groove mood here – and as on their clubbier sides from the end of the 70s, the vocals are still wonderful – and more than anything, the set's a strong soul-based set that still has the group at the top of their game! Ballads actually sparkle the best here – and showcase that wonderfully full mode that was the best side of The Dramatics harmonies – but the uptempo tunes are good, and have breakout moments that sparkle nicely. Production is by Ron Banks and LJ Reynolds, but Don Davis still oversees the whole thing – and titles include "It Ain't Rainin", "Wecome Back Home", "Love Is Here", "Be With The One You Love", and "Music Is The Peoples Choice". LP, Vinyl record album
Titles include "Get It", "Givin Up My Love", "You're The Best Thing In My Life", "Loving Time", "You Promised To Be My Girl", and "How Can I Be Sure". LP, Vinyl record album
El Chicano —
Cinco ... LP MCA, 1974. Very Good+ ...
Out Of Stock
The group's fifth album – in case you couldn't guess by the title – and a still-strong batch of west coast Latin grooves! By this point, the group's become much more proficient vocally – and more of the songs are soul oriented than some of their earlier work, which tended to lean a bit more towards the jazz end of things. Playing's still quite funky, though – and the whole thing's got a nice bubbling over barrio kind of groove. Titles include "El Cayuco", "Children", "What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You", "Ahora Si", "Gringo En Mexico", and a great cover of Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower". LP, Vinyl record album
61
Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton John —
Xanadu ... LP MCA, 1980. Near Mint- Gatefold ...
Temporarily Out Of Stock
... LP, Vinyl record album
(Includes the printed inner sleeve. Cover has light wear, sticker spot, small center split in the top seam, and is bent a bit at the spine.)
No sophomore slump for the second Eric B & Rakim album – benchmark hip hop of the first order and up there with the best of all time! Following up Paid In Pull was no easy task, and the appropriately titled Follow The Leader makes it look easy, completing one of the great one-two punches in hip hop history by bring in a richer, fuller, more skillfully creative sound, without sacrificing the dense, hard hitting, sparely funk greatness of the debut. Includes the awesome title track, plus "Lyrics Of Fury", "Microphone Fiend", "The R", "Musical Massacre", "No Competition", "Just A Beat", "Eric B Never Scared", "Put Your Hands Together", "To The Listeners" and "Beats For The Listeners". LP, Vinyl record album
One of the more obscure Roberta Flack albums from the classic years – but maybe not as obscure as the movie for which it was created – as the strength of the record has helped the album circulate a lot longer than the film stayed on the screens – to the point where it's a great chapter of Roberta's rich career, and one that goes way past the hits! Flack produced the whole set herself – and there's a nice mix of modes going on here, including some jazzier bits that get to showcase keyboards nicely – played both by Flack and by Barry Miles. Peabo Bryson sings on one track, and Luther Vandross helped Flack with the vocal arrangements – on titles that include "Love Always Commands", "Lovin You Is Such An Easy Thing To Do", "Rollin On", "Qual E Malindrinho", and "Hittin Me Where It Hurts". LP, Vinyl record album
Smooth stepping grooves from The Floaters – still very much in the nicely compressed mode of their more famous debut, and getting some nice production help here from Eugene McDaniels! There's a righteous punch to the record that really shows the influence of McDaniels – a way of keeping things hip, even when hovering near the mainstream – and although the groovers are great, we actually think that the best cuts are the mellow ones – tunes that move in a lightly gliding, almost spacey way – one that has the group's voices crackling nicely with an honest approach that we really love! There's a warmth to these tunes that's undeniable – and titles include "Levitation", "Woman Love/You Are My Lady", "Brand New Lite", "Made Up My Mind", "The Best Of Our Love", "Go Down To The Disco", and "Sweet Lady September". LP, Vinyl record album
(Still sealed, with a cutout notch and bent corners.)
This is a disco-y soundtrack to a low-budget vampire movie from the late 70s. The tracks include "Love Is Just A Heartbeat Away" by Gloria Gaynor, "Nighttime Fantasy" by Vicki Sue Robinson, "Whatcha Gonna Do" and "Bitten By The Love Bug" by Heaven & Hell Orchestra, "Love At First Sight" and "I'm Hopelessly In Love With You" by Moment Of Truth, and "Why Do Lovers Come Together" by Jay Siegel. LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a promo stamp and light wear.)
75
Giants —
Giants ... LP MCA, 1978. Near Mint- ...
Temporarily Out Of Stock
Dobie Gray —
Hey Dixie ... LP MCA, 1974. Very Good+ ...
Out Of Stock
Another pretty great set from Dobie, and actually with a bit less of a country soul feel and a bigger, more freewheeling sound overall – some big horn section- backed tunes, to grittier soul, to more laidback numbers. Includes "Hey Dixie", "How Can You Live All Alone", "Watch Out For Lucy", "Roll On Sweet Mississippi", Allen Toussaint's "Performance" and more. LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a cut corner and light wear.)
85
Robert Greenidge/Michael Utley —
Heat ... LP MCA, 1988. Near Mint- ...
$3.99
Overlooked late 70s work from Merle Haggard – with titles that include "Got Too Lonely This Morning", "I Can't Get Away", "I Must Have Done Something Bad", "Red Bandana", "I Didn't Mean To Love You", and "Roses In The Winter". LP, Vinyl record album
89
Jan Hammer & Others —
Miami Vice ... LP MCA, 1985. Very Good+ ...
$4.99
Features amazing synth work by Jan Hammer – and additional tracks by Glenn Frey, Chaka Khan, Phil Collins, Grandmaster Melle Mel, and Tina Turner. LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has light wear, with some wear along the opening.)
Although Thelma's best known for her grooves from earlier years, she still sounds plenty darn great on this sweet set from the mid 80s – a bouncy, buoyant batch of tunes that updates the rhythms a bit, but still serves up plenty of her classic-styled vocals! Backings are heavy on beats and keys, and with production by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Monte Moir, Glen Ballard, and Dennis Lambert, there's a definite electro pop sensibility bubbling through many of the tunes – a style that's often forceful, even when subtle – slightly stiff on the rhythms, but in ways that make Thelma's warm vocals sound even more powerful. Titles include "I Guess It Must Be Love", "Fantasy & Heartbreak", "I'd Rather Spend The Bad Times With You", "Shake You", "Generate Love", and "Love Is A Dangerous Game". LP, Vinyl record album
Starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor. Soundtrack features work by Toots Thielemans, Jerome Richardson, Eric Gale, and Michael Brecker, with compostions by Ashford & Simpson and Luther Vandross. LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a cut corner, promo sticker, aging, and light wear.)