Jazz
A wealth of jazz in many styles -- bop, hardbop, soul jazz, spiritual, rare groove, modal, improvised music, funk, free jazz, fusion, avant garde, and trad!
Ultra Vybe (label)
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George Adams & Don Pullen —
Decisions/
Ultra Vybe/Timeless (Japan), 1981/1984/1985. New Copy 3CDs ... Out Of Stock
Post-Mingus work from reedman George Adams and pianist Don Pullen – three albums in a single set! Decisions is one of those key records that has George Adams and Don Pullen reinventing expectations of jazz for the 80s – both musicians with plenty of ear for the outside, but also coming ... read more CD
Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1980/1992/2022. New Copy 3CDs ... $18.99 24.99
Three full albums from this great Dutch pianist! Miss Dee is a heck of a set from Dutch pianist Rob Agerbeek – easily one of the most soulful European pianists of the 70s, even in an acoustic setting like this! Rob's got a bite on the keys that reminds us a lot more of American players from ... read more CD
Harold Alexander —
Sunshine Man ... CD Flying Dutchman/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. Used ... Out Of Stock
A wicked bit of funky jazz from reedman Harold Alexander – and a set that's much sharper and harder-edged than some of his later work! There's maybe a bit of freedom in the mix, here too – some post-Coltrane spiritualism that mixes with some of the more funk-based currents – ... read more CD
(2020 Japanese release – includes obi!)
Franco Ambrosetti —
Live At The Blue Note (with bonus track) ... CD Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1992. Used ... Out Of Stock
A hell of a trumpeter, with a hell of a group – heard here live at the Blue Note in New York, with a very open, freewheeling vibe! Franco Ambrosetti is a player who can sometimes be very much involved with the concept of a project – so much so that we sometimes forget that at the core, ... read more CD
Blue Jack Jazz/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 2003. Used ... $11.99
A tight, old school set of jazz from the Dutch American All Stars – a group that features trumpeter John Marshall, pianist Hod O'Brien, bassist Jacques Schols, and drummer Peter Ypma – all playing here in very relaxed, familiar company! There's nothing too fancy or overdone with these ... read more CD
(2021 Japanese pressing – includes obi!)
Chet Baker —
Sesjun Radio Shows Vols 1 & 2/Ultra Vybe (Japan), Late 70s/Early 80s/1988. New Copy 3CDs ... Out Of Stock
Later work from Chet Baker – served up here in a 3CD package! The first 2CDs feature the Sesjun Radio Shows albums – rare radio material from Chet Baker – all recorded in the Netherlands, with wonderful sound – and brought together here in a two volume series that offers up ... read more CD
Gato Barbieri —
Bolivia ... CD Flying Dutchman/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. Used ... Out Of Stock
Soaring, searing sounds from the young Gato Barbieri – one of his classic albums for the Flying Dutchman label, and very much in the vein of his first few for Impulse Records! The Latin element isn't as strongly stated in the music as you might guess from the title, but the inspiration is ... read more CD
Kenny Barron —
IMO Live ... CD Why Not/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1982. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A really free-wheeling live album from Kenny Barron – cut originally as a Japanese-only session for the ultra-hip Why Not label, and done with a sound that's a bit different than some of his American work of the time! The group's a trio – with Buster Williams on bass and Ben Riley on ... read more CD
Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1963/1988/1989. New Copy 3CDs ... $18.99 23.99
Three full albums from this tremendous singer – all in a single set! Morning In Paris is very early work from South African singer Sathima Bea Benjamin – recorded in Paris in 1963, with backing by longtime partner Abdullah Ibrahim, plus additional piano and production by Duke Ellington! ... (Vocalists, Jazz) read more CD
Art Blakey —
Moanin/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1968/Early 80s. New Copy 3CDs ... Out Of Stock
Two different slices of Art Blakey – served up here in a 3CD set! Moanin isn't the Blue Note album of the same name, but a fantastic live set from 1968 – recorded after Blakey's classic Blue Note years, but with a group of fantastic players that includes a young Billy Harper on tenor, ... read more CD
Arthur Blythe —
Retroflection/Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1988/1991/1995. New Copy 3CDs ... Out Of Stock
Three albums from reedman Arthur Blythe – served up in one nicely-priced set! Retroflection is a great showcase for the alto talents of Arthur Blythe – a set that's maybe a bit more stripped-down than some of his bigger label albums of the 80s, but in a way that really lets you focus ... read more CD
Ray Brown —
Ray Brown Live In Tokyo (Black Orpheus/All Art/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1989/1991. New Copy 2CD ... Out Of Stock
Bassist Ray Brown steps out here on two different sessions recorded in Tokyo – each issued as separate albums, and recorded almost two years apart – but with the same group, and a very unified vibe! The spirit here is a lot like some of Brown's best work on Concord Records, both as a ... read more CD
Ann Burton —
It Might As Well Be Love/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1979/1984/1987. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Three vocal gems in a single set! First up is It Might As Well Be Love – a record that's a perfect example of the way that Ann Burton really stands out among the field of female jazz vocalists – as an artist who's both able to continue a classic legacy, yet also bring all sorts of ... (Vocalists, Jazz) read more CD
Arnett Cobb —
Funky Butt/Black & Blue/Ultra Vybe (Japan), Late 70s. New Copy 3CDs ... Out Of Stock
The Texas tenor legend soars again – in three great albums from his later years! Funky Butt is strong later work by tenor sax legend Arnett Cobb – in a quartet session cut in New York in January of 1980 – sounding fresh and revitalized one of his final studio dates! Funky Butt ... read more CD
Chris Connor —
Alone Together ... CD Lob/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1978. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Chris Connor is easily one of the best song stylists of her generation – and although most of her better-known work was cut for American labels in the 50s and 60s, she kept on making really great records and developing her sound overseas – as on this gem of a date for the Japanese ... (Vocalists, Jazz) read more CD
Chick Corea —
Sundance ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1969. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A really unusual album from the mighty Chick Corea – a set recorded at the end of the 60s, at a time when Chick's star was just beginning to rise – but in a style that's both very different than his famous material of the 70s, and his avant fame as part of the group Circle! Chick's ... read more CD
Frank Cunimondo Trio —
Echoes (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD Mondo/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
An excellent album that features some great Fender Rhodes work from the mighty Frank Cunimondo! Frank's more famous for his oft-sampled work with singer Lynn Marino – but this album's a lot more obscure, and features Frank doing amazing work on electric and acoustic piano, aided and abetted ... read more CD
Andrew Cyrille —
Junction ... CD Why Not/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A really fantastic album from the legendary drummer Andrew Cyrille – a record that shouldn't be confused with the similarly-titled American set from the same time – as this one is a much more obscure Japanese record, and one that features a sublime spiritual avant sound throughout! The ... read more CD
Wolfgang Dauner Trio —
Dream Talk ... CD CBS/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1964. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
An early session from German pianist Wolfgang Dauner – one with a sound that's every bit as great as you'd expect from the title! The "dream talk" component here is one that comes from Dauner's gentle, yet modern approach to the keys – one that's clearly learning lessons from ... read more CD
Eddie Lockjaw Davis —
Jaws Strikes Again/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976/1978/1981. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Three overseas sessions from American tenor great Eddie Lockjaw Davis! Jaws Strikes Again is a slightly different setting than some of the other 70s albums from Eddie Lockjaw Davis – in that the set was recorded for the Black & Blue label, who always liked to get a nice gritty punch out ... read more CD
Rein De Graaff Quintet —
New York Jazz ... CD Timeless/Ultra Vybe, 1979. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A great small group session – with the leader on piano, plus Tom Harrell on trumpet and flugelhorn, Ronnie Cuber on baritone, Sam Jones on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums! CD
Also available New York Jazz ... LP 9.99(Out of print, 2015 Japanese pressing with original LP cover art.)
Why Not/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... $18.99 24.99
A rare set from vibist Walt Dickerson – one of the most compelling jazz musicians to ever lay hold of a set of vibes! The album was originally issued as a Japanese-only session by the Why Not label in the mid 70s, and it features Dickerson playing on 5 tunes that have a slightly different ... read more CD
Walt Dickerson —
Walt Dickerson 1976 ... CD Why Not/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. Used ... Out Of Stock
A rare set from vibist Walt Dickerson – one of the most compelling jazz musicians to ever lay hold of a set of vibes! The album was originally issued as a Japanese-only session by the Why Not label in the mid 70s, and it features Dickerson playing on 5 tunes that have a slightly different ... read more CD
Also available Walt Dickerson 1976 ... CD 18.99
Lou Donaldson —
Fine & Dandy ... CD TDK/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1980. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Two great forces from the postwar world of jazz, coming together here in a rare set that was originally only issued in Japan! The alto of Lou Donaldson had cut plenty of funky, soulful records in the 70s – but here, he's returned to the charms of his earliest work on Blue Note – and ... read more CD
Kenny Drew —
Evergreen ... CD Alfa/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1991. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Pure lyrical genius from pianist Kenny Drew – working here in a superb trio that features Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass and the great Alvin Queen on drums! There's a special quality to the recording that seems to make each element in the music resonate in fantastic ways – ... read more CD
Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), New Copy ... $16.99 21.99 About June 19, 2024
... CD
Kenny Drew Trio —
Impressions ... CD Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1988. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A beautiful album that definitely lives up to its title – and delivers some of the wonderfully impressionistic piano work that Kenny Drew was recording in the 80s – music that's very different than both his early American albums in the 50s, and some of the key accompaniment he'd provide ... read more CD
Bill Evans —
Consecration 1 – The Last (2024 Record Store Day Release) ... LP 
Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1980. New Copy (reissue)... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Fantastic work from piano legend Bill Evans – recorded at the Keystone club in San Francisco just a week before his too-early death – and a batch of material that shows us that Bill still had plenty to offer the world! This isn't the work of a musician on his last legs – and ... read more LP, Vinyl record album
Bill Evans —
Consecration II – The Last (2024 Record Store Day Release) ... LP Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1980. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Fantastic work from piano legend Bill Evans – recorded at the Keystone club in San Francisco just a week before his too-early death – and a batch of material that shows us that Bill still had plenty to offer the world! This isn't the work of a musician on his last legs – and ... read more LP, Vinyl record album
Bill Evans —
Consecration Immortal (2024 Record Store Day Release) ... LP Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1980. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Fantastic work from piano legend Bill Evans – recorded at the Keystone club in San Francisco just a week before his too-early death – and a batch of material that shows us that Bill still had plenty to offer the world! This isn't the work of a musician on his last legs – and ... read more LP, Vinyl record album
Bill Evans —
Live At Keystone Korner 1980 Vol 6 ... CD Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1980. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Fantastic work from piano legend Bill Evans – recorded at the Keystone club in San Francisco just a month before his too-early death – and a batch of material that shows us that Bill still had plenty to offer the world! This isn't the work of a musician on his last legs – and ... read more CD
Art Farmer & The European Jazz Trio —
Ballad Of The Sad Young Men ... CD Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1998. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Sublime late 90s work from the great Art Farmer – blowing here on flugelhorn with superb backing from the European Jazz Trio – a combo who are perfect at unlocking those lyrical lines that can make Farmer's best work so great! The trio features Marc Van Roon on piano, Frans Van Der ... read more CD
King/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1969. New Copy ... $14.99 18.99 About May 29, 2024
A killer album of soul jazz piano instrumentals – produced by James Brown! The Dee Felice Trio were a groovy combo from Cincinnati, and James Brown took a shine to them at some point in the late 60s. They backed James on one record, but their big moment was this album – which had ... read more CD
Frank Foster —
Giant Steps ... CD Denon/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1975. New Copy ... $18.99 24.99
Beautiful 70s work from the great Frank Foster – material from that time when he'd split with the Count Basie group to go into a completely different direction – cutting spiritual records like this, and his better-known Loud Minority album for Mainstream records! The session was only ... read more CD
Frank Foster —
Loud Minority ... CD Mainstream/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
One of the most amazing albums ever from Frank Foster – a totally righteous set that's light years ahead of his earlier work with the Basie Band! The format here is right up there with the best on Strata East at the time – a large-group session that's filled with some of the hippest ... read more CD
(Part of the Mainstream Records Master Collection!)
Chico Freeman —
Morning Prayer (with bonus track) ... CD Why Not/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Quite possibly our favorite album ever from Chico Freeman – a beautiful set that was originally issued only in Japan, and which has Chico hitting some of his strongest, most spiritual modes on record! The album features Freeman's reeds in the company of other Chicagoans – AACM players ... read more CD
Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... $9.99 13.99
The title certainly gets it right – as the album's one of the funkiest ever from guitarist George Freeman, and one of the few to really hit that messed-up groove he was working in the clubs before his mid 70s retreat to Chicago! The style here is often all over the map – a mix of soul ... read more CD
CBS/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1963. New Copy ... $14.99 19.99
Tremendous early work from German saxophonist Joki Freund – a player who would go onto much greater fame in the progressive years at the end of the 60s, but who already sounds plenty darn great on this early combo side from 1963! The style of the work is incredibly hip – with a ... read more CD
Also available Yogi Jazz (180 gram pressing) ... LP 23.99(Part of the "L+R – Jazz True Colors" series!)
Don Friedman —
Progressive/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1978/1993/2010. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A trio of albums from this great modern piano giant! Progressive is excellent work from pianist Don Friedman – a set that's definitely progressive, but which also has a heck of a lot of warmth too – that fantastic balance of new ideas and lyricism that made Friedman one of the freshest ... read more CD
Hal Galper —
Guerilla Band/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970/1995. New Copy 3CDs ... $18.99 23.99
A trio of albums from pianist Hal Galper – one early, two later, and served up in a single set! Guerilla Band is electric piano genius from Hal Galper – one of his best non-acoustic albums ever, and a set that's filled with moody colors and changes! The album's a fair bit more dynamic ... read more CD
Dizzy Gillespie —
Sesjun Radio Shows Vols 1 & 2/Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), Late 70s/Early 80s. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Three later live sets from Dizzy Gillespie – all in a single package! Sesjun Radio Shows 1 is great, and if you like Dizzy Gillespie as much as us, you'll know that he kept on getting better and better as the years went on – continuing to evolve as a musician, into territory that's ... read more CD
Dizzy Gillespie & The United Nations Orchestra —
Dizzy Gillespie & The United Nations Orchestra – Live At The Royal Festival Hall, London ... CD Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1989. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Later live work from Dizzy Gillespie – working in London here with a very hip ensemble! We're not entirely sure of the date, but given the skinny ties on a few of the players, we're guessing it's from that 80s stretch when Dizzy was still going strong – working in a great mix of Latin ... read more CD
Also available Dizzy Gillespie & The United Nations Orchestra – Live At The Royal Festival Hall, London ... CD 1.99
Babs Gonzales —
Voila ... CD Hope/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1958. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Maybe the coolest album ever recorded by the great Babs Gonzales – singer, poet, and a key force on the scene during the early years of bebop! Babs has a style that's unlike anyone else – he does a bit of the vocalese soloing based on jazz instrumentation that you'll hear from Eddie ... (Vocalists, Jazz) read more CD
Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1966/2001/2013. New Copy ... $18.99 24.99
A trio of albums from one of our favorite trumpeters on the European scene! First up is Portrait – a set that stands as a tribute to trumpeter Dusko Goykovich's 70 years on this planet – and a record that features him in a variety of settings too! Other players include Ferdinand Povel ... read more CD
Great Jazz Trio —
Great Standards Vol 3 – I'll Remember April ... CD Alfa/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1989. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A great Jazz trio, and a great later showcase for the lyrical talents of Hank Jones on piano – as the group here really offers Hank that perfect blend of warmly open space and gentle swing that always seems to bring out his best! Jones is matched with Mads Vinding on bass and Billy Hart on ... read more CD
Burton Greene —
Lady Bug Dance ... CD Cat/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1980. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A sweet set from that surprisingly straight moment in the career of pianist Burton Greene – a time when he was working in more conventional jazz formations on some records, yet still keeping the edge that always set him apart from the rest! There's definitely tracks on here that swing – ... read more CD
Burton Greene —
One World Music ... CD Cat/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1984. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
One of the warmest, most beautiful albums we've ever heard from pianist Burton Greene – a set that's got a nicely unique vibe in comparison to some of his other albums of the time – maybe a bit more of a swing at times, and a nice current of soul as well! One of the strongest elements ... read more CD
Burton Greene —
Valencia Chocolate ... CD Cat/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1985. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A really wonderful album from pianist Burton Greene – material from that time when he was working a bit more inside than before, yet still with a sense of surprise that really makes the whole thing fantastic! Here, part of that surprise comes from the work of Paul Stoker on alto and soprano ... read more CD
Ultra Vybe/Takt (Japan), 1959. Used ... $24.99
Hard driving jazz from the Japanese scene of the 50s! The album's one of the best recorded by Nobu Hara and the legendary Sharpes & Flats group – a really swinging set of big band jazz that drives with the power of some of the 60s recordings by the Clarke-Boland Big Band, and which ... read more CD
(Includes obi!)
Eddie Harris —
Live In Berlin/Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1986/1987/1988. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Great later work from Eddie Harris – three albums in a single set! Live In Berlin is a surprisingly great concert – recorded by Eddie at the end of the 80s, with a fire and open approach that we wouldn't have expected! The album features Eddie on piano and tenor, with backing only by ... read more CD
Storyville/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972. Used ... Just Sold Out!
Rare live work from Tubby Hayes – recorded for Swedish Radio in one of the last years of his life, and a really rock-solid set! Given the professional recording of the performance, the set's quite different than some of the more dodgy Hayes live dates – and given Tubby's disappearance ... read more CD
(Out of print, includes obi.)
Roy Haynes —
Senyah ... CD Mainstream/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972. Used ... Out Of Stock
A real standout in the career of drummer Roy Haynes – and a sweet set of spiritual jazz from the 70s, unlike most other albums that Haynes ever cut! The lineup here is totally great – with George Adams on tenor, Marvin Peterson on trumpet, and Roland Prince on guitar – and the ... read more CD
Richard Groove Holmes —
American Pie ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Tasty small group work from Groove – with Mr Holmes himself on organ, and the great Larry Willis on electric piano – coming up with a twin electric organ/piano sound that's similar to the one that Groove used on his Comin On Home LP for Blue Note. The difference here is that things ... read more CD
Richard Groove Holmes —
Night Glider ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Sweet 70s funk from the legendary Groove Holmes – an album that has his funky organ riffing nicely over some tight larger arrangements! The style is really great, and a nice departure from the smaller combo Groove Holmes sound of the 60s – more in keeping with his later Blue Note work, ... read more CD
Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1985/1988/1989. New Copy 3CDs ... $18.99 23.99
A trio of later gems from this legendary South African pianist! Mindif is a great set that features Abdullah Ibrahim's soundtrack music for the 1988 Clair Denis film Chocolat – some of his best group recordings of the 80s! The feel here is a bit more African-styled than usual – even ... read more CD
Klaus Ignatek —
Jacaranda/Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1987/1988/1989. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Three albums from pianist Klaus Ignatek – all served up in a single set! First up is Jacaranda, a set that shows that Klaus is a great player on his own, but also a really great leader – one who always has a special ear for putting a group together, and bringing out the best in the ... read more CD
Yupiteru/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1983. New Copy ... $24.99 28.99
Warm, well-rounded piano work from the great Masaru Imada – an 80s set, but one that resonates strongly with his classic work for the Three Blind Mice label of the 70s – thanks in part to some superb work on bass from Isoo Fukui – a player whose tones and timing really shape the ... read more CD
Polydor/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1984. New Copy ... $24.99 28.99
Pianist Masaru Imada picks up some keyboards for this sweet 80s set – still keeping things in that warmly soulful style of some of his previous albums, but also opening up the groove too – thanks to some excellent guest work from Japanese jazz heavyweights Kazumi Watanabe on guitar and ... read more CD
Full House/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1979. New Copy ... $24.99 28.99
A sublime solo set from pianist Masaru Imada – one that really opens up with the kind of warm, spacious approach to jazz that he showcased on his famous albums for the Three Blind Mice label! Imada's got a completely captivating sound here – really bringing us in with a personal ... read more CD
Yupiteru/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1978. New Copy ... $24.99 28.99
A nicely bold record from pianist Masaru Imada – one of his most strongly-grooving records of the 70s, and a set that features some great hork work as well! The core trio features Kunimitsu Inaba on bass and Fumio Watanabe on drums – both of whom bring out a more soulful groove than on ... read more CD
Masaru Imada —
Tropical Sunset ... CD Full House/Ultra Vybe (Japan), Late 70s. New Copy ... $24.99 28.99
A really lovely album from pianist Masaru Imada – a set that has some elements of the great Japanese fusion scene of the time, but a record that also has some warmer more acoustic moments too! Imada does a great job of balancing between upbeat groovers and some more personal, lyrical songs ... read more CD
Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 2014. Used ... $12.99
A later date from Dutch drummer Eric Ineke, but one that maybe burns with even more fire than some of his earlier albums – thanks to the work of some great musicians in the quintet! At some points, the group takes off in strongly soulful hardbop formation – but at others, they can ... read more CD
(Includes obi.)
Eric Ineke —
Dexterity/Challenge/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 2014/2016. New Copy 3CDs ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Three albums from Dutch drummer Eric Ineke – served up in a single set! Dexternity is a tribute to the music of Dexter Gordon, one that's led by drummer Eric Ineke, and which features the reed talents of Sjoerd Dijkhuizen on Dexter's role – blowing both tenor and a bit of soprano sax! ... read more CD
Milt Jackson —
Used To Be Jackson Vols 1 & 2 ... CD TDK/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1984. New Copy 2CD ... Out Of Stock
There's no "used to be" here – as vibes legend Milt Jackson is still very much at the top of his game – working in a really great small combo on this Japanese-only set of recordings – all put together by bassist Ray Brown of the quartet, with also features Cedar Walton ... read more CD
Illinois Jacquet —
With Wild Bill Davis Vols 1 & 2/Black & Blue/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Three full albums from tenorist Illinois Jacquet – served up in a single set! First up are the two volumes of Illinois Jacquet with Wild Bill Davis – a nice lean set from this legendary tenorist – one that features his raw, raspy tone in the company of early Hammond organ giant ... read more CD
Fumio Karashima —
Landscape (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD Why Not/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1977. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
We love the 70s work of Japanese pianist Fumio Karashima – and this album is one of our favorites from the decade! Fumio's got this way of being both bold and lyrical at the same time – long flows on the keyboard that are partly in the school of McCoy Tyner, but used to transform the ... read more CD
Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1979. New Copy ... $13.99 24.99
Exactly the kind of record that's got us digging Japanese trio sessions from the 70s so much – a set that's filled with lots of warm, soulful sounds, creatively compelling changes, and fresh rhythms that really keep the tunes interesting! There's a slight undercurrent of funk on most numbers ... read more CD
(Part of the Nippon Jazz Spirits series!)
Timeless/Ultra Vybe (Japan), New Copy ... $16.99 21.99 About June 19, 2024
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Hans Koller —
Multiple Koller ... CD L+R Records/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1962. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Brilliant work from Austrian saxophonist Hans Koller – one of his most striking sessions of the 60s, and an incredibly rare one too! The material here was originally recorded for a sound library session, but is 60s modern jazz at its best – with Koller on tenor, working in a quartet ... read more CD
Hans Koller & The International Brass Company —
Horses ... CD L+R Records/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1979. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Reedman Hans Koller can be great in a spare, lean setting – but he's also equally wonderful in a larger group as well – where he seems to take all the best ideas forged on his own, and pack them into some soaring sounds delivered by an ensemble of well-directed musicians! This late 70s ... read more CD
Iinkai Seikatsu Koujou —
Live In Masuda ... CD Aketa's Disk/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1978. Used ... Out Of Stock
Three long tracks from a great Japanese group – one who recorded famously with William Parker a few years before, but who maybe sound even more amazing here on their own – in a live session that's filled with free-flowing spiritual energy! The lineup features Koichi Matsukaze on alto ... read more CD
(Out of print, includes obi.)
L+R Records/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1979. New Copy ... $9.99 19.99
Fantastic work from bassist Gunter Lenz – a set with maybe a jokey title, but a heck of a lot of power underneath – one of those overlooked German jazz gems from a very special time in the scene! The players here are aware of the farther reaches of jazz, yet work together with more ... read more CD
(Part of the "L+R – Jazz True Colours" series!)
O'Donel Levy —
Black Velvet ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. New Copy ... Just Sold Out!
A stone laidback set from O'Donel Levy – one of the greatest soul jazz guitarists of the 70s, and a player who sounds fresher and fresher to us over the years! This album's a bit more laidback than some of Levy's other sets for Groove Merchant – with larger arrangements that feature ... read more CD
O'Donel Levy —
Black Velvet/Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971/1973/1976. New Copy 3CDs ... Out Of Stock
A trio of funky guitar gems – all served up in a single set! Black Velvet is a stone laidback set from O'Donel Levy – one of the greatest soul jazz guitarists of the 70s, and a player who sounds fresher and fresher to us over the years! This album's a bit more laidback than some of ... read more CD
O'Donel Levy —
Breeding Of Mind ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972. New Copy ... $9.99 13.99
Wonderfully baroque funk from the great O'Donel Levy! The album's got some very cool arrangements by Manny Albam that mix together strings and funk – in a super-dope way that sounds a lot like the work coming out of Cadet during the late 60s – and the rest of the set features Levy ... read more CD
Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... $9.99 13.99
Totally wicked guitar work from the mighty O'Donel Levy – easily one of the hippest talents to ever work for the Groove Merchant label! Levy's got a sound here that's a bit like Wes Montgomery on some of his late 60s sides, but also a fair bit funkier overall – a style that's steeped ... read more CD
O'Donel Levy —
Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1974. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
The butt-squeezing cover should be enough to let you know that this is one funky album – but if that doesn't get the message across, the grooves certainly do! O'Donel Levy plays tight and funky guitar, and also sings a bit on the set – working with a tight combo that features Charles ... read more CD
O'Donel Levy —
Simba ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... $9.99 13.99
Fantastic sounds throughout – and maybe the best album ever by this legendary 70s guitar player! O'Donel Levy's got this tremendous sound that comes from playing an electric hollow body – in a tone that takes the best bits of Grant Green and Wes Montgomery, and strips them down for a ... read more CD
Also available Simba ... CD 11.99
Simba ... LP 25.99
O'Donel Levy —
Time Has Changed ... CD Lester Radio Corporation/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1977. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A great later set from 70s guitar genius O'Donel Levy – slightly different than his earlier work for the Groove Merchant label, but equally great in its own sort of way! Levy's still working here with producer Sonny Lester on the LC label – and the tone is great, with this clear, clean ... read more CD
O'Donel Levy —
Windows ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A great later album from O'Donel Levy – recorded after his initial flurry of work for the Groove Merchant label, but still plenty darn nice! The sound here is slightly smoother and a bit more electric than before – with Levy's sweet guitar work snaking out over some larger backings ... read more CD
Kirk Lightsey —
First Affairs ... CD Limetree/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1986. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of the most hard-edged albums we've ever heard from pianist Kirk Lightsey – thanks to the presence of Jerry Gonzalez on congas, which really adds a nice extra bite to the record! The whole lineup is great – and includes Santi Debriano on bass and Eddie Gladden on drums – but ... read more CD
Abbey Lincoln —
Talking To The Sun/Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1987/1988. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Great later work from Abbey Lincoln! The album Talking To The Sun is something of a comeback set for Abbey Lincoln – an extremely powerful set from the early 80s, and one that helped set the tone for some great albums to come! Abbey's working here in a bold style that includes a fair bit of ... (Vocalists, Jazz) read more CD
Michael Longo —
900 Shares Of The Blues ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1974. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A killer electric piano jam from the great Mike Longo – stone funky, and one of his best albums ever! The whole thing's done in a really laidback style that's simply amazing – a lot like the best CTI work of the time, but somehow rougher, and with a darker edge. Longo riffs out on the ... read more CD
Michael Longo —
Awakening/Mainstream/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972/1974. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Three great 70s albums from keyboardist Mike Longo! First up is Awakening, killer electric piano work from the mighty Mike Longo – recorded at a time when he was definitely at the height of his powers! The album sports a rare Mainstream Records appearance from James Moody – who was a ... read more CD
Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1974. New Copy ... Just Sold Out!
Quite possibly the greatest record ever by Mike Longo – a wicked batch of electric funky piano tunes, recorded with a sublime 70s feel! The set's got a really stripped down group – with Ron Carter on bass, Mickey Roker on drums, and Patato Valdez on percussion – all grooving ... read more CD
All Art/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1989. New Copy ... $18.99 24.99
A Japanese live date from pianist Junior Mance – and a record that's an overlooked gem in his catalog from the 80s! The set was recorded in a small club in Tokyo, and there's this great groove to the whole thing – almost more back in the soul jazz roots in which Mance was launched in ... read more CD
Junior Mance —
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise/Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1984/1995. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Strong later sessions from pianist Junior Mance – served up here on three different albums! First up is Softly As In A Morning Sunrise – a record that has Mance working with an excellent trio on the session, which includes the great Jimmy Woode on bass! Jimmy's got a sound that we've ... read more CD
Albert Mangelsdorff —
One Tension ... CD CBS/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1963. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Incredible early work from one of Germany's greatest modernists – one of the key records that showed the world that German jazz was way more than just a rehashing of American modes in the postwar years! This rare 1963 recording features the quintet of trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff – a ... read more CD
L+R Records/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1986/1994. New Copy ... $16.99 19.99
Beautifully introspective work from reedman Emil Mangelsdorff – material that's very different than the sounds he was bringing to the German jazz scene in his youth, and which showcase the mature command he developed over his instruments during the passage of time! The record features ... read more CD
(Part of the "L+R – Jazz True Colours" series!)
Jimmy McGriff —
Black & Blues ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. New Copy ... $9.99 13.99
An unusual double-length album for Jimmy McGriff – released during his funkier years at the Groove Merchant label, but with a gritty sort of sound that takes us back to his first few records on Sue in the 60s! The "blues" in the title is definitely well-chosen – as the tracks ... read more CD
Jimmy McGriff —
Fly Dude ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Some great down-home work from Jimmy McGriff – a session that's a bit less funk-based than some of his others for the Groove Merchant label, but still plenty darn great! The set's kind of a nice link between the straighter soul jazz of McGriff's 60s years, and his return to the format at the ... read more CD
Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. New Copy ... $9.99 13.99
A nice bit of funky organ work from Jimmy McGriff – a set that's got his famous talents on the Hammond out front of a larger ensemble – but in a way that's very different than some of his albums of that type from the 70s! There's lots of electricity in the mix – electric piano ... read more CD
Also available Groove Grease ... LP 49.99
Jimmy McGriff —
Groove Grease/Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971/1974/1977. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Three 70s killers from Jimmy McGriff! Groove Grease is a nice bit of funky organ work from Jimmy McGriff – a set that's got his famous talents on the Hammond out front of a larger ensemble – but in a way that's very different than some of his albums of that type from the 70s! There's ... read more CD
Jimmy McGriff —
Let's Stay Together ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1966/1972. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
An early 70s gem from Jimmy McGriff! Jimmy's grooving with a larger group here – but in a funky 70s mode that makes for a great update of the rawer sound he laid out on some of his Sue sides in the 60s. The best tracks are the covers of 70s soul material – like "Shaft", ... read more CD
Jimmy McGriff —
Main Squeeze ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1974. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
One of the grooviest albums ever from Jimmy McGriff – a hard-wailing session that's filled with plenty of cooking lines on the organ, and a few especially funky tracks! The groove here is tight, short, and very sharp – strongly in the mode of other post-Sue sessions by McGriff – ... read more CD
Jimmy McGriff —
Mean Machine ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Sweet 70s electric work from Jimmy McGriff – material that's different than his grittier grooves of the 60s, but still plenty darn great! The style's clearly influenced by CTI – as Jimmy's using electric piano as much as organ – and is getting some fuller support in the backings ... read more CD
Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... $9.99 13.99
Jimmy McGriff picks up a few more keyboards than straight Hammond organ – but that's ok with us, given the great results of the set! The album's got McGriff working on electric piano and clavinet alongside the organ – plus supporting arrangements from Brad Baker, in that fuller, Kudu-st ... read more CD
Jimmy McGriff —
Tailgunner ... CD Lester Radio Corporation/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1977. New Copy ... $9.99 13.99
Jimmy McGriff in a very cool 70s mode – hitting some of the fuller, more soul-based styles that Johnny Hammond and Jimmy Smith were exploring in the middle of the decade – while still also displaying a hell of a talent on the organ as well! The album has extra keyboards from Pat ... read more CD
Jimmy McGriff & Junior Parker —
Good Things Don't Happen Every Day (aka Dudes Doin Business) ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Sweet funky blues from the team of Junior Parker and Jimmy McGriff – coming together here in a way that's even groovier than some of their previous work! Junior's got a sweet approach to the lyrics that grooves nicely with Jimmy's Hammond – and the set's got some full and soulful ... read more CD
Jimmy McGriff & Richard Groove Holmes —
Giants Of The Organ Come Together ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... $9.99 13.99
Twin organs back to back – and a heck of a hard-wailing set from Groove Holmes and Jimmy McGriff! The album cooks from the very first note – and features long tunes that open up with the same sort of solo-heavy approach that you'd get on Holmes' Prestige albums of the 60s – very ... read more CD
